"Splash, splash…"
Hot water filled the bathtub. Yukino placed her change of clothes in the basket outside the bathroom. Then she began removing her dirty clothes—jacket, pants, underwear. Piece by piece, layer by layer, until finally, the girl was bare, her smooth, fair body revealed.
She stepped into the bathroom. Steam filled the room, rising thickly from the hot water.
As the shower sprayed down, Yukino felt a long-lost comfort.
"So comfortable…"
It had been so long since she last showered. Now, with her body warmed by the hot water, she felt every cell rejoicing.
Yukino quietly rubbed herself, applying shampoo to her wet, long black hair. Long hair gave a girl a gentle charm, but inevitably made washing more difficult. Each wash took time. Daily maintenance required effort. But even so, she had no thought of cutting it short to save time. Her sister's shoulder-length hair might be fine, but she refused.
Five minutes later, Yukino rinsed out the shampoo, squeezed body wash into her hand, and spread it across her skin.
Two minutes later, she rinsed it off with hot water.
The shower ended. She slipped into the bathtub, immersing herself fully in the hot water.
It felt so good. The warmth enveloping her body eased the day's fatigue. Even the gloom and unease she had felt earlier at the door melted away.
Lying quietly, Yukino enjoyed the long-lost comfort and leisure.
And when people relax, they think. She was no exception.
Her mind began to wander. Her future—what should she do?
She had lived in this world for ten days, but still hadn't fully adapted. She remained dazed, uncertain. Her future was unclear. For now, she simply followed Haizaki, taking things one step at a time.
This aimlessness filled her with unease. She knew it wasn't right. She knew she should set a goal. But unable to find one, she fell into confusion.
"What should I do… what's best?"
She whispered to herself. But no clear answer came.
Deep down, she wanted to go back. But how? She didn't know.
And when she thought of leaving Haizaki alone here, she felt uncomfortable.
If she could choose, she wished Haizaki could leave with her, back to her world. She held that hope—no, that fantasy.
Yukino believed that if it were Haizaki of this world, she could live peacefully with him, enjoying ordinary days.
"Sigh…"
She let out a breath. No more thinking. It was pointless. She didn't even know if she could return.
Faintly, the roar of an engine reached her ears. Yukino realized Haizaki must be back. The loud sound stopped outside the house. She was sure it was him.
But…
Looking at herself, she knew she had to end the bath early. The front door was still locked. She had to open it.
"Clack, clack…"
The sound of the door being tried but locked.
"Yusuke-kun, please wait a moment. I'll come open the door right away…"
Yukino rose, wrapped herself in a towel, and quickly wiped the water from her slender body. She hurried—she didn't want Haizaki waiting.
"I know."
Haizaki didn't say more. As long as she was fine, that was enough.
But then…
He heard noises inside.
"Bang… thud…"
"Ah…"
A cry and the sound of a fall.
Alarmed, Haizaki tried the door again, but the lock held firm.
"Yukinoshita-san, what happened…"
"No, I just… ah…"
She hadn't expected it. Just after wiping herself and opening the bathroom door, she slipped and fell.
If that were all, it wouldn't matter.
But the cruel reality was—she couldn't stand up.
She tried to rise, but pain in her waist stopped her. She collapsed sideways, unable to move.
"What happened? Do you need help?"
Haizaki asked again, worried.
"No, I'm fine. Please wait a little longer."
But in her current state—completely unclothed—she couldn't let him see her. It was too embarrassing. Even she couldn't bear it. Last time, at least she had underwear. This time, if he saw everything, she felt she could never face him again.
"I understand. If you can't manage, tell me… I'll wait outside."
Haizaki guessed she was facing a difficult problem, but for some reason didn't want him to come in.
"Mm, thank you. Please wait outside a little longer."
Yukino clenched her teeth, pressed her hands to the floor, and tried to stand. But the pain in her waist forced her down again.
The cold floor chilled her body. She shivered.
She had to get up. Quickly, please…
Tears welled in her eyes as she begged herself, but her body refused.
…
Five minutes later, with no response, Haizaki spoke again.
"Yukinoshita-san, how are you? Do you need help?"
He suspected she couldn't solve it alone, but didn't want to force her to ask. So he asked again.
"No, Yusuke-kun, I…"
She had been lying on the floor for five minutes, trying to rise, but failing.
All she could do was worry.
"Some things, if delayed, may cause irreparable harm."
Haizaki sighed softly. He had given her time to solve it herself, to avoid embarrassment. But now, five minutes had passed, and she hadn't managed. He had no choice but to persuade her.
…
Persuasion was useless, so he chose a stronger approach.
"I…"
She knew Haizaki was right, but…
"I don't know what happened to you, but let me ask one question—can you solve your problem quickly on your own?"
A girl who pursued correctness could never give a false answer. As he expected, Yukino remained silent.
"If you keep insisting, I'll force my way in, Yukinoshita-san."
Her red lips moved, wanting to resist again, but finally turned into a sigh. She lowered her head slightly, resigned. If she was seen, then so be it.
"Please… Yusuke-kun…"
She had no choice but to ask for help. She lacked confidence in her own body. Lying on the cold bathroom floor for too long, she feared she might get sick, creating more trouble for Haizaki.
"But I can't open the door right now, you…"
"I'll come in from the second floor."
It wasn't difficult.
"Mm, then I'll trouble you."
"No need to be polite."
Three seconds later, Haizaki sprinted, grabbed the second-floor railing with his right hand, followed with his left, and pulled himself up.
The thud from the ceiling made Yukino's heart jump. The hurried footsteps drew closer, from above to below. Her face grew redder. A body meant only for a husband's eyes was about to be exposed to Haizaki. Shame flooded her heart.
"Yukinoshita-san, where are you?"
Descending, Haizaki didn't see her in the living room.
"Bathroom… um, if…"
She couldn't finish.
"If what…"
Hearing she was in the bathroom, Haizaki guessed. Noticing her embarrassed tone, he was even more certain. She must have fallen.
"No, it's nothing. Sorry to trouble you…"
She bit her lip, exhaled deeply, and gave up her last resistance.
"Then I'm coming."
Three seconds later, Haizaki stepped into the bathroom and saw. The girl was propped on her forearms, lying on the floor. Her smooth, fair back was completely exposed to his eyes. White as snow—just like her name, Yukino. Her body was as beautiful as a snowy landscape.
"Could you… hurry?"
Unable to bear the silence, Yukino cautiously opened her eyes, looking up. For an instant, she met Haizaki's stunned gaze. Her face flushed deeper. It wasn't something she could control.
She clenched her hands, wishing Haizaki would move quickly and stop staring.
"Sorry, right away…"
Haizaki's eyes caught a bath towel. He quickly pulled it over and covered her.
The touch of the towel on her back eased her tension, warming her heart. Her shame lessened. It was Haizaki—thankfully. If it had been another man, she didn't know what might have happened.
Haizaki tried to control himself. Wrapping her in the towel, his hands trembled slightly as they circled her slender body. His heartbeat quickened. Thump, thump…
The thin towel couldn't block the warmth of her body. She was slender, her skin delicate, pleasing to the senses.
"Where does it hurt? I'll be careful."
"Left waist…"
She tried to act unconcerned.
"Alright, I'll lift you. If it hurts, tell me."
"Mm."
She agreed softly.
Haizaki carried her out of the bathroom. In less than a minute, she was on the bed. Despite the pain, she only frowned and clenched her teeth, making no sound.
Her stubbornness and strength impressed Haizaki, but also made him ache for her. Crying out might have helped, but she endured.
He placed her gently on the bed, adjusted her posture, and slid a pillow under her head for comfort.
"I need to check your left waist…"
"Sorry to trouble you…"
If possible, she didn't want to burden him. Her family doctor had always been female. But today… she had no choice.
"On the surface, there's a small swelling…"
The red mark contrasted sharply with her pale skin.
"Here?"
"Ah… yes."
Even a light touch made her cry out in pain. Her hands gripped the blanket, fingers whitening.
But more than the pain, she was embarrassed by her exposed back. Her cheeks burned. At least her back was being seen clearly.
"I'll apply a cold compress, then ointment."
"Thank you… Yusuke-kun."
"It's fine. Don't be so formal. We're companions—helping each other is natural."
Haizaki pulled the blanket over her. Then he went to the bathroom, soaked a towel, and downstairs retrieved ointment from his backpack.
"Scratch, scratch…"
Outside, the husky pawed the door, whining.
Haizaki walked over and opened it. Meeting its ice-blue eyes, he felt a trace of resentment. As if it was unhappy about being left outside.
What nonsense.
"Keep watch. If mutants come, alert us. Dinner will be late…"
He tore open a two-year expired sausage, handed it over, and patted its head.
"Awwooo…"
With food, all was well. The husky happily sat at the door, enjoying the sausage. Dogs were easy to comfort. Even expired food could make it happy for hours.
Shaking his head, Haizaki went upstairs. With Yukino's consent, he lifted the blanket, placed the damp towel on her swollen waist, covered it with plastic to protect the bedding.
It should have ended there, but as he covered her again, Haizaki couldn't help glancing at her smooth back.
Honestly, it was beautiful.
He quickly pulled the blanket over.
Feeling his gaze, Yukino buried her face deeper. Why did she have to experience this…
…
-----
Gimme your stones, please.
( •̯́ ₃ •̯̀)