Episode One Hundred and Thirty-Seven

I slipped into the bath as though fleeing.
The clear carbonated spring water. Reflecting the sunlight streaming down from the atrium, it shimmered like the surface of the sea.
The heat seeping into my skin felt wonderfully soothing.
As I was drifting off, I heard footsteps pattering across the stone floor.

“Oh, come on. Shigure-san, that’s not fair.”

“Sorry. Ibara suddenly turned around, startled me.”

“It’s fine, but—”

A gaze pierced the back of my head.
Ibara behind me spoke in a dissatisfied tone.

“Where have you been looking all this time?”

“Just admiring the view.”

“You can’t see the view over the hedge, can you?”

“………….”

“Look at me.”

“I won’t.”

“Why not?”

“Why not? Ibara, do you want strangers seeing you naked?”

“Shigure-san isn’t a stranger, is she?”

“……Well, that’s—”

True.

“I want Shigure-san to see me.”

What on earth are you saying? I’m only holding back with reason and common sense, you know.

“Look at me.”

“Hyah!”

　A wet finger touched my shoulder.
Relatively colder than my skin warmed by the bathwater.

“N-no, I can’t—”

“Of course you can. You’ve seen it loads of times already.”

“I haven’t seen it loads of times.”

“Just do it.”

She grabbed my shoulder and spun my body round.
Instinctively, I closed my eyes.
“Ehh?” Ibara grumbled, sounding displeased.

“Why are you closing your eyes?”

“Because—”

It’s no good, today.
It’s not like in the comics where the baths are next to each other or you can hear voices.
But Runa and Shizuku are in the same building.
It’s not like it’s fine just because it’s the two of us.

“Are you planning to keep your eyes closed like this forever?”

“I, I was thinking of getting out soon—”

“Ohhhhh, so that’s what you’re saying.”

Ibara’s tone dropped.
Within my closed vision, a bad feeling ran down my spine.

“Fine then. Keep your eyes closed.”

“Eh…”

The touch on my shoulder withdrew. Instead, my right wrist was seized.

“Whatever happens, you mustn’t open your eyes.”

“Ibara?”

The hand being lifted touched something soft.

“Wh-what’s this?”

“What do you think?”

“…Your cheek.”

“Correct.”

A soft ‘chu’ sound followed as her thumb and index finger parted to suck on it.
The heat of her lips against my skin and the hardness of her teeth made my heartbeat accelerate. Probably not good for my heart.

“Right then, next.”

Her hand was guided gently, her palm led.
A little lower than before.
I should resist, but I couldn’t pull away.

“Here?”

“Upper arm.”

“Then here.”

“Stomach.”

“Here.”

“…ribs.”

“Right then,”

I sensed Ibara’s body twist.

“Here?”

A tangible, wave-like sensation spread across my entire palm.
Of course, I knew immediately. Because I have it too.
My heart pounded loudly.
──Oh, for heaven’s sake.

“Ah. You finally opened your eyes.”

Ibara’s grinning face was close.
　Her upper body, veiled in steam, forced itself into view.
Along with my hands and what they were clutching.

“…I opened my eyes. Let go.”

“No way. It’s punishment for being mean.”

Instead, she pulled my wrist closer. The softness transmitted sent a tingle through my brain.
This girl, really.

“I washed your body earlier, didn’t I?”

“Only my hair and back.”

She abruptly turned her upper body away, then, as if to boast, rubbed the sensation against me before finally releasing my wrist.
Instead, she stirred the water, bringing her whole body closer.

“I wish you’d wash me elsewhere too.”

“But I’ve already finished washing you.”

“No, you haven’t. You’re being really mean today, Shigure-san.”

“It’s not being mean—”

Her arm slid smoothly around my neck.
Wet skin pressed against mine, leaving no space between us.
A tingling pleasure shot up my spine from the small of my back.

“Mm…”

　Unable to resist, our lips met.
Did the hot spring make it feel hotter than usual?
Ibara’s lips bit my lower lip. The sound of water echoed deep in my ears, making the back of my head buzz.
It was a kiss that felt more clingy than fierce.
Ibara’s breathing was rougher than usual, her exhalations damp, yet only the movement of her tongue was gentle.
　She licked inside my mouth, prickling, then sucked my tongue tip sweetly, like a newborn baby taking its first breast.
Every time our skin rubbed together, sparks crackled across my eyelids.
It felt so good, it threatened to make my head go mad.
This is no good.
I’ll go mad.

“Hah, Ibara, no more. This is… no good…”

“No.”

Ibara’s hand touched my swell.
She squeezed, distorting its shape. A dull sensation shot through my nerves.
Ibara’s expression was slightly frightening. The eyes of a predator before its prey.
The fingertips pressed against my chest moved delicately, trying to stir heat within me.

“Earlier. I heard a few things from Runa.”

“Hm? From Runa?”

“Yeah. Tips for getting along well with Shigure-san.”

“…What did Runa say?”

“‘When you invite her, be forceful.’”

“Whoa—”

What on earth is she talking about?

“‘She’s hesitant about sweets, but once she decides, she really enjoys them,’ she said.”

“What are you talking about⁉︎”

“Going out, leisure activities.”

“…Ah, I see…”

Well, now that she mentions it, it does seem accurate.

“So, I thought this might be the same.”

　Ibara’s palm parted the hot water, stroking the small of my back.
I couldn’t suppress a soft, nasal sound.

──No!

If this keeps up, it’ll be a repeat of last time.
If I can’t escape, I have to fight back at least.
I quickly scanned Ibara’s naked form, trying not to stare too much.
Ibara’s weak spot, if there is one.
　Gwaaah! I pinched Ibara’s side.

“Mm.”

“If you keep messing about like this, I’ll tickle you.”

“Go on then, try it.”

What? Her sides are incredibly sensitive, yet…
Given permission, I mercilessly wiggled my fingertips.
But Ibara just looked perfectly fine.

“…Eh?”

“When it’s wet, it doesn’t tickle, you see.”

“Eh?”

“Hehe. Trying to distract me with tickling? That won’t do, Shigure-san. If you want to stop me today—”

Ibara grabbed my wrist again.

“You’ll have to touch me properly. More properly. Won’t you?”