An Adventure in the Bathhouse

(Bai Ziye)

I used to think that Bai Ziye and Miluno were just two identities of mine. Although they looked different, their core was definitely the same. I am always myself.

But when I stepped into the women's bathhouse for the first time as Bai Ziye (female), which I should have been used to, without the aid of rationality, I realized that I was not as at ease as I had imagined.

"Kukuku, who swore they wouldn't act impulsively?"

The little thing won't miss any opportunity to mock me.

"You can still come to the VIP room now~ I can even let you hug me."

That won't do. I'm going to risk Bai Ziye and soak in all these pools today.

Not just soaking!

I want to chat with the girl naturally!

We can't let Mono look down on us!

"Kukuku, would you like a back scrub and an aromatherapy massage? Beautiful masseuse."

No, let's forget about that.

The bathhouse was filled with steam, like a misty fairyland. More than a dozen different types of spa pools were arranged in the middle, each with a temperature display next to it. The water was bubbling and constantly circulating to keep it clean.

"Don't keep looking down at the water! If you feel guilty when you see other women's bodies, it means you haven't fully embraced the role of a woman. Don't forget that besides buying clothes for Barbara today, we also need to help you adapt to the role of 'girlfriend'! That's very important too!"

Ugh, why is she still thinking about this?

I never asked her to do this kind of training for me.

Besides, Ceruno doesn't even see herself as a boy, so why do I have to see myself as a girl?

"So you need to use your feminine side to awaken her reliable masculine side!"

Reliable?

When Ceruno was still A-Yao, she was the complete opposite of the word "reliable." Even if she turned back into that fair-skinned, round-faced girl, she would probably still rely on me.

"Uh, a gigolo? He's quite popular these days, but aren't you the one who's broke?"

"That's a pretty hurtful thing to say."

Am I broke? Did they just confiscate my money?

Stepping into the bath, the 44-degree water was a bit scalding at first, but after getting used to it, it became an enjoyment no Xiaojie than Xiao Jie's. My slightly cool body was soaked in the warm medicinal bath, and I felt a warmth spreading from the inside out...

I don't know what kind of medicine this is.

"Call--"

She couldn't help but let out a comfortable groan.

There were many young women in the bathhouse. As mentioned before, many of them came to the hot spring bathhouse with their boyfriends, and they probably stayed overnight in their rooms afterwards.

How about we spend the night in the guest room too?

"No!"

I thought Mono would readily agree, but I was met with a firm and resolute rejection.

"Miluno, you're a mother now! Of course you should go back and sleep with your daughter! Staying out overnight, what kind of behavior Miluno that?"

Why are you lecturing me now?

"... Forehead."

The little girl I sculpted from the Black Mud is still waiting for me at home...

Something's not right.

Azura was created by you, so strictly speaking, you're her mother. How did you end up blaming me?

"Is this young lady here to take a bath alone?"

I was closing my eyes to enjoy some peace and quiet when I heard someone talking to me. I couldn't help but feel nervous, as if I had suddenly developed social anxiety.

I opened my eyes a crack and saw a girl with her hair in a bun groping her way across the pool. Fortunately, her body was submerged, and the pool was quite dark, so I didn't see anything inappropriate.

Of course, I was also completely immersed in the pool.

She's quite pretty, at least in a public bathhouse where no one is wearing makeup, she's considered very attractive. But her face looks familiar; I feel like I've seen her somewhere before.

"You look familiar? Do I?"

The little thing muttered something and urged again:

"Don't just stand there, they're greeting you!"

I quickly replied:

"Oh, I came with a friend, but I'm just hanging out here alone..."

Before I could finish speaking, the young lady rudely interrupted me.

"Haha! I know, your boyfriend's next door, right?"

"Huh? Uh, almost, about the same."

I did not refute it.

Ceruno could be considered my boyfriend, and the VIP bathhouse was indeed next door, so there's nothing wrong with saying that; it's not exactly a lie.

I countered, "So, you came with your 'boyfriend' too?"

"No, no~ I don't have a boyfriend yet~ I just took a rare vacation, so I came out to relax and experience the hot springs."

"However, this can hardly be considered a hot spring."

It's just a public bathhouse.

When I said that, the young lady in front of me looked tired.

"There's nothing I can do. I also want to travel to Japan and experience real volcanic hot springs, but I'm just too busy with work and can't find the time to go... Sigh."

The frustration of a corporate slave was released in that sigh; even I could feel her work pressure.

"So what kind of job is it? Is it very busy?"

"Actually, I work at the Association."

When she said that, I understood the reason for her melancholy.

The Association was already in complete disarray lately, and the fighting a few days ago put the entire organization under immense strain. Especially after losing SpiCa, coordination between departments became extremely inefficient.

Only after losing it do we realize the importance of SpiCa as the mind.

"No wonder you looked familiar; we might have met at the branch."

Since I didn't leave much of an impression, it must have been just a fleeting encounter.

"Huh?"

But when I said that, she was taken aback for a moment.

"Could it be that you're a magical girl, little sister?"

"Hehe, doesn't it look like it?"

She leaned closer to my face, scrutinizing me as if trying to guess which magical girl I was, but this action made my gaze involuntarily drift towards her chest... quite well-endowed, though not quite as ample as Ceruno's.

After a long pause, she finally gave up and said:

"I can't tell. Did you participate in the battles of the past two days?"

"... Yes, I participated too."

She sighed in agreement:

"I'm so glad you're alright. I really hope this war ends soon."

Everyone desires peace, but peace cannot be waited for; it must be fought for through action.

"I'm a little dizzy, so I'll stop soaking in the hot springs here for today."

Splash--

As she was saying this, the young woman suddenly stood up from the water, splashing water onto my face.

Because I was wiping my face, I still couldn't see clearly what the indecent content was.

"Ah--!"

She tripped over my outstretched leg underwater and was about to fall...

"Careful."

I instinctively reached out to help her, but in her haste, she grabbed my neck and pushed me into the 44-degree hot water.

Murder?!

She couldn't get up for a moment, and even though I closed my eyes and held my breath, the softness underwater kept pressing against my face, constantly teasing my most sensitive nerves. But I didn't feel any enjoyment at the moment. Her clumsy behavior made it even harder for me to hold my breath...

Ugh, gurgle!!

Could it be that she's an assassin sent by Sun Ji?!