Bai You snuggled closer to her, closing her eyes, thinking they were going back to the bedroom.
After taking only a couple of steps, the person in his arms turned around and pushed open not the bedroom door, but the bathroom door next door.
"Hmm?" She groggily opened one eye. "Where... are we going?"
"Taking a bath." Varesa looked down at her, speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.
"You spent the whole night rolling around on the sofa."
"He's licking his fur and drinking milk, didn't he smell it himself? He smells like a cat."
"No way..." Bai You wanted to say no, but before she could finish, she put her nose to her sleeve and smelled it, her face turning bright red.
It does have a faint milky smell, and a warm, cozy scent reminiscent of cat fur.
She fell silent and obediently buried her face in Varesa's arms.
After a while, Varesa placed her on the bath stool and ran the hot water herself.
The tap was turned on, and white steam slowly rose up, quickly filling the small bathroom with a warm and cozy feeling.
She tested the water temperature, turned around, and saw Bai You still sitting there wrapped in a blanket, clutching the edge of the blanket with both hands, looking like she hadn't woken up yet.
"Still wrapped up?" Varesa walked over, knelt down in front of her, and said, "Shall I help you unwrap it, or do you want to do it yourself?"
Bai You's ear tips turned red again.
"... I'll do it myself."
She slowly pulled the blanket down from her shoulders. She had been petted by three people all night—when she was a cat, from behind her ears to the base of her tail, there wasn't a place she hadn't been petted by them.
But back then she was just a cat, and nobody thought much of it; things are different now...
Varesa didn't urge her, but squatted down beside her and watched her with a slight smile on her lips.
"What are you dawdling about?" After a while, she reached out and naturally took the last bit of blanket off Bai You's shoulder and hung it on the rack.
"It's not like it's the first time we've washed together."
"That's... that's different too..." Bai You closed her eyes, her voice barely audible, like a mosquito's hum.
The water has been mostly drained.
Varesa stepped in first, the warm water reaching her waist. She turned around and reached out her hand to Bai You.
"Come down, I'll catch you."
Bai You closed her eyes, groped for her hand, and was gently pulled, causing her to fall into the warm water.
Varesa sat right behind her.
"Come closer."
Bai You did as she was told, leaning back softly until the back of her head rested against her chest.
With her arms wrapped around her, Varesa picked up the shampoo that was placed to the side, squeezed it into her palm, rubbed it in, and then gently pressed her hands into her hair.
"Mmm..." Bai You let out a comfortable hum through her nose.
"You'll be a cat today," Varesa said slowly, massaging her. "Aren't you overjoyed?"
Bai You hummed in agreement and snuggled even closer into her arms.
The warm water sloshed around, but Varesa's hand on her head didn't move.
" Bai You," she suddenly spoke.
"Huh?"
"I have a question for you," Varesa said slowly, her chin resting on the top of her head. "You know, with all that—strength, the ability to transform into a cat, and the ability to pull things out of your pockets—you..."
"How come you only have these weird and wonderful skills?"
"How would I know?" She floated into the water, her legs dangling underwater.
"I have this ability inherent in my body. It's innate, there's no way to explain it."
She spoke with such conviction that after she finished, she looked up at Varesa and her eyes darted around.
"Don't mess with me."
"Hmm?" Varesa raised an eyebrow. "What did I do to you?"
"Don't mess with me," Bai You drawled, threatening her seriously, "Or I'll turn you into a cat too."
Varesa paused for a moment.
"... Can it transform into someone else?"
Bai You's heart skipped a beat.
She knew everything about the system, but she had never even considered the possibility of transforming into someone else.
But the words have already been spoken; it would be too embarrassing to back down now.
I'll ask the system later.
She stiffened her neck. "Of course, of course!"
"Oh?" Varesa became interested and sat up straighter, her arms around her. "Then show me one."
"Now, at present?"
"Now," Varesa looked down at her, her eyes full of smiles.
"Right here. You haven't finished washing your hair yet, conjure one up for me, let me see."
Bai You's gaze involuntarily drifted away.
"I'm tired today," she said, forcing herself to speak.
Tired?
"Hmm." Bai You nodded, very seriously.
"I just transformed into a cat last night, it took so much effort. Transforming into someone else is much harder than transforming into myself, I need to rest."
"Is that so?" Varesa didn't expose her, just drew out the answer, "Then how long will it take to recover?"
"Let it rest for a few days."
"What about a few days later?"
"A few days later..." Bai You was forced into a corner and had no choice but to continue making things up.
"A few days later, when I'm in a good mood, I'll transform into one for you. One just like mine—" She looked Varesa up and down.
Bai You got more and more carried away with her description. "Its fur is white, its eyes are blue, and its tail tip has a hint of green. It makes a perfect pair with me."
Varesa looked at her.
This little brat is talking so convincingly, as if she could really turn me into a cat in a couple of days.
She suddenly chuckled softly, and after laughing, she leaned forward, her nose almost touching Bai You's.
"Okay," she said in a low voice, her breath brushing against Bai You's lips. "Then I'll be waiting."
"Wait, wait for what?"
"I'll wait until you turn me into a cat," Varesa said. "You'll regret it then."
What do I regret?
"Think about it," she said slowly, counting on her fingers, "If I turned into a cat, who would bathe you?"
Who cooks for you? Who picks you up from the table when you turn into a cat?
Bai You opened her mouth.
"Besides," Varesa moved even closer, "if I really turned into a cat--"
She paused deliberately, "I'm a whole size older than you. Who'll be on top then is still uncertain."
Bai You's face instantly flushed red.
She had intended to tease the other person, but it ended up taking less than three sentences.
She tried to shrink back, but Varesa wrapped her arms around her waist, leaving her nowhere to go.
"You, you're cheating!"
"How did I cheat?"
"You, you, you--" Bai You pointed at her, her finger trembling, "You're just taking advantage of the fact that I can't argue with you right now!"
"Mmm." Varesa responded without hesitation, bending down to kiss her still-wet nose. "I was just teasing you."
Bai You:"..."
She buried her face in the water and fell silent.
A soft laugh came from behind Varesa, her chest pressed against her back, vibrating rhythmically.
After a while, the hand returned to the top of her head and continued to rinse her hair, its movements incredibly gentle.
"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore," Varesa said.
"Whether you change others or not is up to you. Even if you really turn me into a cat, I'll accept it."
Bai You poked half an eye out of the water and said in a muffled voice, "Really?"
"Really."
"Then I'll try it another day."
"Try it," Varesa said. "It's not your fault if you can't figure it out."
"You!" Bai You was taken aback, turning her head away. "How do you know I can't figure it out!"
Varesa smiled without answering, but simply scooped up the water and poured it down her hair.