Episode 8: Because It’s You, Möbius-san
“I don’t have a body towel, so I’ll just use my hands, if that’s alright…”
“Yeah, that works better for me.”
Better how, exactly? Möbius-san says weird things like that sometimes.
“Okay, here I go.”
I worked up a good lather of body soap in my palms and started washing Möbius-san’s back gently, careful not to scratch her skin.
She’s got such a slight frame that I finished faster than I expected.
“There, all done… wah!”
I kept my hand moving on her back a little longer without really thinking about it, and it slipped, landing square on Möbius-san’s chest.
“Hyah!?”
“So soft— I mean, sorry! Sorry!”
I yanked my hand back in a panic. The feel of it was still lingering in my palm.
Soft, but with real firmness underneath, and a weight that matched the size properly.
Also, that sound Möbius-san just made was way more girly than her usual voice…
“…Ruri.”
“Y-yes, s-sorry, I’m so sorry, really sorry, to make up for it you can touch mine too— ah, no, wait, mine’s nowhere near enough to make up for that!”
“Wait, seriously!?”
Möbius-san’s eyes lit up for a second, sparkling, before she caught herself, coughed awkwardly, and shook her head.
“Th-that was close… almost gave in to temptation there, but no, that’s off-limits. Ruri, you can’t say stuff like that to someone you’re not even dating. Got it?”
“Got it…!”
Möbius-san really is an adult about this stuff. She’s a little bit of a sucker for a pretty face, but she keeps her self-control properly in check.
“W-well, I mean, if you were offering with that in mind, obviously I’d take you up on it, but…”
“Hm? Did you say something?”
“Nothing! Anyway, my turn — I’ll wash you next!”
She practically shoved me into position, and this time Möbius-san washed my back instead.
Having someone wash your back for you isn’t exactly a common experience, and it’s a little embarrassing, but it felt nice too.
I’m glad we came to the hot spring.
Compared to before we left, I feel a lot more relaxed now.
◆
We walked home together, drinking milk after the bath the way you’re supposed to.
Dinner and bath both done, nothing left but sleep.
Ever since the futon arrived three days ago, I’d been sleeping on it on the floor instead of sharing Möbius-san’s bed.
Which is more comfortable than two people crammed into a single bed, honestly, but still…
“Möbius-san.”
“What?”
“Um, just for tonight, could I sleep in the same bed as you? I feel like I’d be able to sleep better that way…”
I brought my pillow over and asked. If she says no, I’ll let it go — but if I can get away with leaning on Möbius-san a little, I’d like to.
“Ruri, seriously, you…” She sighed. “Fine, but don’t go saying stuff like that to anyone but me, okay?”
“I’d never say it to anyone but you! I mean, the whole reason I’m asking is because it’s you, Möbius-san…”
I’ve always been bad at connecting with people — physical closeness included. But for some reason, Möbius-san is different.
“…Come here, then, Ruri.”
Sitting on the bed, Möbius-san smiled gently and opened her arms.
A little embarrassing, but I threw caution to the wind and hugged her.
“Ah… you smell different tonight, since we went to the hot spring.”
“So do you.”
“Guess we match now, huh… haha, just kidding…”
“I’m happy we match.”
Still holding me, she rubbed my back gently, like she was trying to reassure me.
I felt like a little kid again, and my eyelids started growing heavy on their own.
“Night, Ruri.”
“…Okay. Goodnight, Möbius-san.”
That night, thanks to Möbius-san, I slept soundly the whole way through.