Chapter 146: Cornelia's Night
"Lord Yotsuba, what... what are you looking at?"
Noticing Mahiro was somewhat distracted, Kurome tugged at his sleeve and asked quietly.
"Nothing, just thinking about something pleasant," Mahiro said.
"Hmph, was Lord Yotsuba looking at that black-haired pretty girl from earlier? Speaking of which, she's as beautiful as our big sister," Gin pouted.
"No way, does Lord Yotsuba like that type?"
"But Akame isn't much different from her."
"No, I think Lord Yotsuba likes her large breasts. I... I saw she has about the same size as Gin. The clothes she was wearing made them look about half larger than Sister Cole's."
"Mhm, a girl's figure can really add a lot of points."
"How could that be."
"Little Kurome, don't worry too much about your own problem. You're still young, you'll grow up to be as beautiful as your sister someday."
The girls began gossiping about Mahiro's preferences in girls, while Akame, being teased by everyone, showed a faint adorable blush on her cheeks.
If they knew Mahiro had actually been looking at a wrinkled elderly woman, one could only imagine what they would think.
However, the eldest among them, Cornelia, seemed somewhat distracted. Amid the girls' enthusiastic discussion, she only responded with absent-minded hums or faint smiles.
Recalling the figure of that girl earlier, she subtly lowered her head to glance at her own...
If Lord Yotsuba likes that type, does that mean I might have a chance too?
Each of the six girls had different thoughts on their minds. Fortunately Nahashu wasn't here, otherwise he would surely have scolded them with something like, "Trash will always be trash, even your thoughts are trashy."
How could some random woman who appeared out of nowhere possibly catch the attention of Lord Yotsuba, who's perfect in strength, appearance, and strategy?
If he really had such inclinations, Lord Yotsuba would already have a harem of wives and concubines!
Upon entering the hotel, Mahiro booked three rooms in total.
The girls were divided into two groups of three sharing rooms, while he kept a room for himself alone.
"Next, I need to finalize our plans before taking action, so for these few days, just behave like ordinary children. Cornelia, you're in charge of managing the others. Remember, no matter what happens, don't act recklessly and don't go off alone!"
Although these girls were quite capable, there were still plenty of people who could kill them.
At the very least, they hadn't reached Esdeath's level yet.
"I understand, leave it to me, Lord Yotsuba." Cornelia responded with a smile.
As the most reliable big sister among these girls, the other five trusted her completely.
"Alright, don't be too tense, just be careful."
After giving a few more instructions, Mahiro returned to his room.
The girls, feeling liberated, cheered and immediately rushed to the hotel's hot springs.
Girls naturally valued cleanliness—though they had wiped away the blood after killing, they still felt uncomfortable inside, hoping to wash away the bloodstains from their hands!
The hotel's hot springs were divided into three areas: men's section, women's section, and the largest mixed bathing area.
Perhaps because there were few visitors during this season, the hot spring environment was very tranquil and comfortable. Being open-air, they could see the stars and moon in the sky.
"They say the hot springs here are very effective for treating shoulder pain, Tsukushi." Poney teased Tsukushi, who had quite a bust, while leaning against the edge of the spring.
"Don't say such things! I-I don't have shoulder pain at all, Poney-chan!"
Tsukushi explained in a very serious tone, making everyone laugh.
No wonder—unconsciously, Tsukushi had become the best-developed among all of them, even slightly more so than Gin.
"How could that be? Carrying two heavy melons every day must be quite a burden."
"Oww, you're squeezing me too hard... I-I only like it when Lord Yotsuba does it."
Poney, like some kind of pervert, launched an attack on the delicate Tsukushi, while Cornelia watched their playful antics in the hot spring with a smile.
"My, my, Tsukushi is so bold." Gin giggled.
"If possible, I'd like Lord Yotsuba to massage me too."
Amid the rising steam, Kurome looked down at her modest chest and couldn't help but sigh softly.
No good, completely no good.
She didn't aspire to become like Gin or Tsukushi, but she couldn't even reach the size of her sister or Cora-nee.
Only slightly bigger than Poney...
Would Lord Yotsuba like something this small?
"Ugh..."
Thinking this, Kurome let out a small whimper and gradually submerged her entire body in the hot water. The comfortable sensation washed away most of the fatigue that had accumulated in the young girl's body.
Late at night, in the stillness.
"Somehow... I can't sleep..."
Yawning, Cornelia sat up and rubbed her sleepy eyes.
Although she had expended a lot of energy during the day and had soaked in the hot spring with everyone in the evening to relieve fatigue, for some reason she couldn't fall asleep.
She looked at Gin and Poney sleeping curled up together beside her and shook her head slightly.
"Sleeping so soundly..."
Since Tsukushi and Akame got along quite well, and Kurome habitually stayed by Akame's side, the three of them were assigned to share a room.
However...
"Let's go soak in the hot springs again before dawn. There should be no one around at this time."
Humming a little tune, Cornelia had already changed into her yukata and left the room, walking down the corridor toward the hot springs.
Just as she had guessed, there wasn't a single soul in the hot springs.
After taking off her yukata, she immersed her entire body in the water.
"Mmm... so comfortable~~~"
Cornelia let out a long sigh and lifted her head to gaze at the brilliant and beautiful night sky above.
Actually, she had visited the hot springs in the evening too, but since she had to look after the others, she hadn't been able to fully relax.
Besides her long-standing habit of caring for others, she fundamentally preferred quiet moments like this to enjoy by herself...
No, if possible, she would rather spend such moments with someone she loved.
For example, with Lord Yotsuba...
At this thought, her cheeks inexplicably flushed red.
But just then, the sound of the sliding door opening came from behind.
Huh? Someone coming at this hour...?
Hearing the noise, the young woman turned around and couldn't help but gasp in surprise.
"L-L-L-Lord Yotsuba?!!!"
Cornelia saw Mahiro walk in wearing nothing but a towel.
Noticing Cornelia was also there, Mahiro casually greeted her.
"Oh? Cornelia? What a coincidence, you're also coming to soak in the hot springs this late."
"Mhm... because there are very few people at this time... Wait, Lord Yotsuba, this is the women's bath!"
"Eh... isn't it mixed-use?" Mahiro blinked, showing a confused expression.
"There's clearly a big 'Women' sign at the entrance!"
"Oh, I must have misread it then."
Faced with Cornelia's astonishment, Mahiro's words remained just that—mere words. He shrugged indifferently and, under Cornelia's gaze, leisurely stepped into the hot spring.
"Whew~~~ feels good."
"Lord Yotsuba... I don't mind personally, but if anyone else comes in and sees you, they'll think you're a pervert!"
Cornelia tugged at the towel covering her chest and whispered her advice.
Not that she wasn't happy to be soaking in the hot springs with Lord Yotsuba!
But...
Could it be that her earlier wish had been heard by the heavens and granted?
Cornelia's mind was in chaos, further muddled by the steam, leaving her completely at a loss for words.
"Relax, who would come at such a late hour?"
Mahiro waved his hand dismissively.
He had observed that this hot spring had very few guests—including them, there were only about ten people.
And at this hour, who would have nothing better to do than come soak in the hot springs instead of sleeping?
If he hadn't happened to see Cornelia leaving her room when he got up during the night, he wouldn't have chosen this time to use the hot springs either.
"Ugh..."
Hearing this, Cornelia gave up her final resistance.
If Lord Yotsuba didn't care, why should she worry so much?
Besides, being able to soak in the hot springs with Lord Yotsuba—wasn't that what she had been dreaming of?!
With this thought, Cornelia's body gradually relaxed, along with the hand clutching the towel at her chest.
The towel slowly drifted apart in the hot spring water, revealing Cornelia's full, tall figure completely to Mahiro.
"Whew~"
Mahiro whistled lightly and teased: "I didn't expect your body to develop so well, much better than a few years ago. I remember you were still quite thin and small back then."
"Isn't that thanks to your care?"
Hearing his teasing, Cornelia felt her face burning as if on fire.
But when he mentioned the past, Cornelia couldn't help but slowly curl her legs and hug them, looking up at the starry sky as she murmured:
"Lord Yotsuba, actually I and everyone else are very grateful to you, thankful that you took us over from the assassination department back then. Otherwise, I don't know what I would have become now..."
"Gratitude huh... I still remember how Little Poney hated me back then. That look in her eyes... tsk tsk tsk, she practically wanted to kill me."
"Hehe, I remember that too. But Lord Yotsuba, please forgive Poney—she's always been a single-minded fool."
After all, they had all been sold to the empire for various reasons, abandoned by their own parents.
And when they felt most helpless, Gozuki appeared, calling himself their "Father."
He had shown them a measure of kindness, so Poney, who accepted that kindness, came to regard Gozuki as her own father.
Yet unexpectedly, Gozuki had not even raised them for a few years—nor taught them many things—before he died at Mahiro's hands.
Afterward, following further twists and turns, Mahiro became their instructor, making them all feel unprecedented warmth and kindness, even embracing every part of them.
Regardless of good or evil, he never showed any intention of abandoning them. Instead, he patiently taught them bit by bit and meticulously cared for their daily lives.
He supported their growth and became their pillar of reliance.
Recalling this, Cornelia felt their experiences were somewhat dramatic.
Perhaps such is fate...
As these thoughts crossed her mind, the girl's gaze toward Mahiro unconsciously filled with even more reverence and affection.
However, just as they were reminiscing about the past, the door to the changing room was pushed open once more.
Swish—
A girl walked in, her slender and tall figure wrapped only in a thin bath towel.
But when Cornelia saw the girl's face, she recognized her immediately—it was the black-haired girl they had seen earlier at the hotel entrance!
...
Meanwhile.
Taeko arrived at the hot spring and was about to step into the water when she noticed Mahiro soaking in the pool.
She withdrew her fair foot, stepped onto the warm stone floor, and gave him a slight bow, saying:
"Sorry, I must have entered the wrong pool."
With that, Taeko didn't linger for even a moment and turned to leave.
But after a short while, she returned.
Her calm, unreadable eyes met Mahiro's as she asked:
"Excuse me, but this is clearly the women's pool. Why is there a man here?"
This girl seems a bit airheaded...
Mahiro twitched his lips, thinking this to himself, but just as he was about to speak, Cornelia anxiously defended him:
"Sorry! Actually, he's my boyfriend. He had a bit too much to drink during dinner earlier and accidentally came to the women's pool to join me in the hot spring!"
Cornelia felt her heart racing wildly—almost leaping out of her chest!
After all, this was the first time she had ever told a lie, and it was in front of Lord Yotsuba no less. She had accidentally blurted out her true feelings!
"Boyfriend?"
Taeko blinked and shifted her gaze back to Mahiro, her expression now tinged with inquiry.
Cornelia nervously bit her lip.
She was deeply worried—what if Lord Yotsuba didn't like the lie she had fabricated?
What if Lord Yotsuba denied it?
She felt like a prisoner awaiting final judgment, praying that Mahiro wouldn't refute her lie.
"Yes, I'm her boyfriend."
Mahiro smiled and nodded.
Cornelia let out a soft sigh of relief, but her face had already turned crimson.
Ugh... What on earth am I saying...
"Hmm... I see. Would you mind if I joined you?"
"Of course not."
"Thank you."
Taeko expressed her gratitude and, completely unbothered by the presence of a man, stepped into the hot water with her fair legs and slowly settled into the spring.
How interesting...
Mahiro studied the girl with curiosity.
"I'm... really sorry for causing you trouble."
Cornelia cautiously approached, apologizing to the girl on Mahiro's behalf.
But Taeko shook her head and said, "It's alright. After all, this hotel originally has mixed bathing, so treating it as such makes it no problem."
"Hehe."
Cornelia smiled sheepishly. "Meeting like this must be fate. Hello, I'm Cornelia, currently traveling with my boyfriend and companions."
"I'm Taeko, also traveling, but I'm journeying around the world with my grandmother to broaden my horizons."
"Eh? Really?! Taeko, you're amazing."
Whether it was Cornelia's strong feminine charm or the two naturally having mutually attractive qualities, they quickly became friends who could talk about anything, even feeling like kindred spirits who wished they'd met sooner.
Of course, this "talking about everything" didn't include any truth. Cornelia was well aware of this, so she kept fabricating experiences and lies for herself.
Throughout this process, Mahiro remained silent, quietly observing Taeko.
He noticed that Taeko's expression never showed the slightest fluctuation, maintaining a calm as still as water throughout.
It wasn't feigned—she genuinely didn't care.
Truly worthy of being an assassin from Oarburgh...
However, such casual conversation eventually had to end. After about an hour of chatting, Cornelia proposed parting ways.
After all, with Mahiro being male, it was somewhat inconvenient.
If he weren't present, the two might have talked until morning.
"Um, Lord Yotsuba..."
In the empty corridor, where the bright moonlight soaked the floorboards, Cornelia who was following behind suddenly called out to him.
"Hmm? What is it?" Mahiro turned around, curiously examining the girl behind him.
He saw her face slightly flushed, somewhat stammering.
"It's just that... I'm sorry for saying you were my boyfriend earlier in the hot spring."
"It's fine, it's to hide our identities. I understand. Rather, having someone as gentle and considerate as Cornelia as my little girlfriend would be my good fortune."
He reached out and patted Cornelia's head. Her golden hair felt smooth and soft after washing, silky like satin.
"If there's nothing else, hurry off to sleep. Breakfast will be in just a few hours."
After speaking, Mahiro turned around, but this time as soon as he took a step, he suddenly felt warmth surge from behind as a pair of slender arms tightly wrapped around his waist.
"Cornelia?"
"Lord Yotsuba, I like you... Even if it's just as a fake girlfriend, could you let me fulfill a girlfriend's duties tonight?"
Cornelia buried her face in his back, her voice muffled.
When he turned around, Cornelia released him and looked up to meet his gaze.
Those bright eyes were almost overflowing with swirling emotions, their pure pupils utterly endearing.
Having just come from the hot spring, Cornelia was wearing only a thin yukata.
The damp, thin fabric clung tightly to her explosive yet graceful curves.
Her thighs, honed through years of training, were remarkably toned and slender, pressed lightly together.
Every inch of muscle displayed astonishing elasticity and strength. A few droplets of water traced paths down her snow-white neck and delicate collarbone, shimmering under the moonlight.
With her slightly hurried breaths, the perfectly proportioned curves of her chest—accentuated by glistening beads of moisture—rose and fell gently...
When a girl possessing such flawless physique and appearance speaks such self-effacing words to you, what response could there possibly be?
The answer hardly required a second thought.