"Don't splash the water around like that."
After being chided by Fuji, the tanuki floated lazily in the small basket filled with the warm water from the bathtub.
As for its owner, Fuji was in the bathtub and lightly chided Nifuji. "Please, don't get such a strong reaction..."
"...I am sorry, but that's impossible."
Fuji let out a helpless sigh as she leaned on him, thinking how shameless Nifuji was, yet she didn't hate that part of him since it was hard for her to take the initiative, as she wished for a certain skinship between the two, and being so close like this made her heart giddy.
'But, also relaxing...'
To have someone by their side, it might have been something simple, yet it gave her peace.
Still, was it okay to be like this?
So, while she wanted to stay for a little longer, she decided to leave the bathroom.
"I am warm enough. You two should stay here for a bit. Also, don't look at me so much."
Yup, she was embarrassed as her naked body was watched by him all over, despite their change in their relationship.
Still—
"Let me help you. It's still hard for you to walk, right?"
Nifuji couldn't leave her alone as her body was weak, and he knew that she had a hard time walking.
"Don't worry..."
"Don't refuse me. Let me do this, or do you think I am someone who can just leave you without care right after that?"
"..."
Fuji blinked her eyes, staring at him, and obeyed.
Naturally, as its master was okay, the tanuki just enjoyed the bath before it followed the two.
Still, Nifuji looked at the tanuki, who also looked at him with doubt, but didn't say anything as he was clear that it was a female, so everything was okay.
More importantly, as he looked at Fuji, he had to sigh, thinking that she was gorgeous, with a supple, womanly body that had a good proportion. It was neither too big nor too small; it was at a good size, especially her round buttocks and soft thighs.
Nevertheless, as neither of them was good at conversation, it was a little quiet, yet while Nifuji was fine with this quietness, as he was trained in many awkward and serious situations, considering his job, Fuji felt that she needed to talk. "Um..."
"Yes?"
"Is-Is it okay?"
"What do you mean by okay?"
"What... what if your girlfriend finds out?"
Nifuji looked at Fuji in a daze and asked, "Don't you want her to find out?"
"...why do I want her to find out?" Fuji was confused.
"If she finds out, she will break up with me, and I will become yours."
"..."
Fuji was speechless and even rolled her eyes. "You are so narcissistic."
"I have taken your virginity, after all." Nifuji looked at Fuji and asked, "Don't you want me to marry you and take responsibility for you?" He knew that she was older than him, and wasn't a woman who was usually impatient, and wished to marry as soon as possible as they grew older.
Fuji blinked her eyes, then chuckled.
"....." Nifuji.
"Do you think you get my heart as long as you put your cock inside me?"
"....." Nifuji.
"Have you ever thought that I am trying to use you as a living dildo?"
"....." Nifuji.
"Yes, I admit that having sex with you feels wonderful, but marrying you is different."
For her, Fuji knew herself that a marriage was a heavy thing, and would a marriage end in happiness?
Probably, yes, but there were many cases that didn't turn out that way.
When she was in the bath before, she had been thinking about many things, and she had also come to understand that it was better to maintain the current relationship.
She came to see him when she was in need of sex, and he could continue his relationship with his girlfriend.
This decision of hers might be crazy, but she knew herself that she wasn't ready for a relationship or even a marriage, as a relationship wasn't just about pleasure and happiness.
It also contained a responsibility and many other things, especially the jealousy part.
Fuji felt like she might stab him if he cheated on her, so she might as well just keep everything how it was.
Still, would all of this continue even in the future?
Fuji didn't know, but instead of worrying about the future that hadn't happened, it was better for her to care about the present, and for now, in the present, she didn't think that it was suitable for them to be together except for having sex.
"I won't talk to your girlfriend. Don't worry."
"....."
Part of him felt relief, but Nifuji also felt strange since, after all of that, Fuji's reaction was just something that he wasn't sure how to react to.
Was this the difference between a young woman and an adult woman?
The adult was just so understanding that it almost made him mistake her for being emotionless, like an android.
"Don't you need to go to your girlfriend now?"
"..." Nifuji.
"Don't worry. I will go back. I have rested enough."
Fuji tried to stand up, but Nifuji didn't let her do it alone and supported her.
"...thank you."
Fuji felt her heart skip a beat, but her face was as flat as ever.
"It's something that I have to do, but don't you want to stay?" Nifuji asked.
"No, I still have a job."
"...I think you'd better rest than work."
"..."
Facing his eyes, Fuji couldn't respond for a while before she nodded. "I will work after I rest."
"That's good."
Still, as Fuji wanted to leave, Nifuji didn't stop her, since she lived next door, but he couldn't help wondering if he should stop her, hugging her and telling her she was the one for him.
However, he was well aware that she wasn't the only one for him, as he had two women waiting for him.
The tanuki was on Fuji's arms, leaving together with its master under the lead of Nifuji, who accompanied her.
"By the way, can I get your contact information?"
"...okay."
While Fuji hesitated, she agreed, as she felt like it was too cold to just leave like this, but when they were about to leave from his place, she said, "Here is fine."
"Is it?"
"Yup." Fuji nodded. "I am not so weak, and it is too exaggerated if you send me back to my place like a princess."
"Don't you want such a treatment? I can carry you with a princess carry, you know?"
"...stupid."
Fuji blushed shyly.
Nifuji smiled and kissed her forehead gently. "Cute."
"...." Fuji.
Everything was so sudden that it left her at a loss, thinking that if she kept staying like this, her heart might become ugly, thinking of what he might do with his girlfriend later, but as she was in his arms, she didn't leave and just leaned on him silently.
It was nice, she thought.
Yes, the shape might not be complete, as he wasn't only for her, but was there any guarantee that she could get happiness by having him completely?
The future was something ambiguous and couldn't be seen, but for now, at least in the present, she knew well that she wanted to lean on his chest more.
The tanuki was happy and also joined them.
"...." Fuji and Nifuji.
The two were helpless, but they didn't say much until Nifuji saw Wakana Kinme, who came to pick up his laundry, staring at them with shocked expressions.
"..." Nifuji.