As Issei and Kirushia stepped into the bathing room, his eyes widened in awe. The place looked less like a simple bathhouse and more like a grand hot spring, steam rising in gentle waves and scented with exotic herbs that promised relaxation and rejuvenation.
Kirushia produced a measuring tape, holding it with practiced precision.
Issei blinked, confused. "Kirushia-san... what are you doing?" he asked nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
She glanced at him, her expression calm but unmistakably direct. "I'm taking your measurements for new clothes," she said. "You can't attend Lady Greeta's gathering smelling of blood and death. Your shirt is in tatters, and there's still dried blood on your chest."
"Oh... okay," Issei said, forcing a chuckle. He tried to brush off the awkwardness, shoving any stray, impure thoughts to the back of his mind. He wasn't about to let Kirushia know how flustered he really felt.
A small, mischievous grin tugged at Kirushia's lips as she finished taking his measurements, hinting at a cunning streak he hadn't noticed before.
Once done, Issei moved toward the shower. He rinsed his hair with fragrant shampoo, massaging away the grime, and used a washcloth to cleanse his face and the rest of his body carefully. Then, he dipped a toe into the steaming hot spring, its waters rich with herbs and minerals. The warmth spread through him instantly, washing away fatigue and filling him with a sense of renewal.
Lost in the soothing water, he almost didn't notice the bathhouse doors creak open. When he glanced back, his eyes went wide. Kirushia stood there, wearing a snug bathing suit that accentuated her form.
"W-wow!" Issei exclaimed, his cheeks burning as his eyes practically transformed into comical hearts, cartoon-style.
(Author thoughts: It's astonishing how Issei focuses on a girl's body instead of contemplating his own mortality during his date with Yuma Amano. It seems no one truly understands what's going on in his mind.)
"Kirushia-san! W-What brings you here?!" I blurted it out, grinning like an idiot, cheeks burning hotter than hell. My heart was already doing backflips.
She pressed a finger to her lips, smirking like she knew exactly what she was doing. "I figured you could use some help washing your back, Issei-kun. You do need a hand, don't you?" Her voice was all honey and trouble. Seductive as sin.
Any normal guy would've panicked and said no. Me? I lied faster than I could think. "Y-Yeah! Totally! I mean—uh—sure, if you're offering..."
Her eyes lit up, wicked and playful. "Good boy. Now get out of the tub. Leave the loincloth on."
I scrambled out, dripping everywhere, heart pounding so hard I thought it'd explode. She pointed to the floor. "Sit right here, Issei-kun. And don't you dare turn around, okay?" She giggled—actually giggled—like this was the most fun she'd had all week.
I sat. Stiff as a board. Staring straight ahead. Don't turn. Don't turn. Don't—oh crap, what if she's—?
Then I heard fabric slipping. Straps undoing. Soft rustling. Soap being squirted. And then... the most incredible, impossible feeling hit my back.
Soft. Warm. Bouncy.
Two perfect, slippery mounds pressed right against me, sliding up and down, covered in foam. My brain flatlined.
"K-Kirushia-san?! What—?! Are those—?!" I choked, face on fire, nose threatening to gush blood. Oppai... actual oppai... on my BACK...! This is it. This is heaven. I'm gonna die again and I don't even care—!
She laughed low against my ear. "Just scrubbing your back, Issei-kun. Isn't this what you wanted?" She pressed harder, slow circles, the softness squishing and sliding everywhere. I was shaking. Steam was probably coming out of my ears.
Suddenly— "Kirushia!! What the hell are you doing?!"
Greeta's voice cracked like thunder. I froze. Kirushia didn't even flinch.
Greeta stood there, cheeks pink, arms crossed, glaring daggers. Towa was next to her, hiding her face behind a clipboard like she wanted to vanish.
"Oh, Mistress~" Kirushia purred, still pressed against me. "I'm just giving our little Okami-jin a proper bath. Want to join? I've got two extra suits—one for you, one for Towa. Plenty of room~"
Greeta's eye twitched. A big fat tic mark popped on her forehead. "No. Way. I'm not flashing my body to some weak little insect like him. If you're done playing, we have actual work to do."
Kirushia pouted, dramatic as hell. "Aww... fine." She finally pulled away—slowly, like she wanted me to feel every second of it. A snap of her fingers and her bathing suit was back on, perfect as if nothing happened.
She leaned down, lips brushing my ear. "Sorry, Issei-kun. We'll play again soon, okay?" Then she floated out of the bathhouse, hips swaying, leaving me sitting there dazed.
Greeta shot me one last look—half disgusted, half annoyed. "Finish washing. Your new clothes are in the changing room. When you're dressed, meet me back at the tea area. Don't keep me waiting."
She didn't wait for an answer. Just turned and left.
I sat there alone, still feeling the ghost of those oppai on my back, heart hammering, mind racing. Holy crap... that really just happened...
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
After finishing his bath, Issei strides into the changing room, where his new attire awaits him—more accurately described as training gear. It consists of a sleek, black muscle suit that hugs his body from neck to ankles. To add a touch of flair, he ties a red cloth belt around his waist. Completing the ensemble are a pair of gloves and boots. The fabric is not of Earthly origin; instead, it comes from planets known for their superior and more resilient materials.
As he donned the gear, Issei caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. He looked... scrawny. Definitely not the image of a warrior, more like a kid who'd been skipping leg day for years.
Heading toward Greeta and the others, his eyes landed on a peculiar creature—a short, strange alien with green skin and long ears. It studied him intently before turning to Greeta.
"Is this the one I am to train?" the being asked in a slow, deliberate voice.
"Indeed," Greeta replied coolly. "This is Hyoudou Issei, one of the last surviving Okami Saiyain-Jin from the destroyed planet Crep."
The alien's eyes narrowed. "Ah... I see. So the offspring of the savages who survived. Though he looks rather... fragile."
"That's exactly why I need you to train him," Greeta commanded. "The Room of Spirit and Time awaits. Only there can he unlock his true potential."
"Through mastering his Ki," the Yardratian added.
Issei leaned toward Kirushia, whispering, "Um... Kirushia-san, who exactly is this... elderly gentleman?"
Kirushia's smile was warm, almost conspiratorial. "This is Gaburo. Starting today, he'll be your instructor in controlling your Ki."
"My... Ki?" Issei repeated, confused.
"Absolutely," Kirushia explained patiently. "Ki is the vital energy that exists in all living things, including you and me. If you learn to harness it, you can fly, manipulate energy, and perform techniques far beyond ordinary humans."
Issei's eyes sparkled. "Wow! That's... amazing! I had no idea. This is insane! But... uh... I should probably go home. My parents must be worried."
Kirushia blinked. "Issei-kun, this is your new home."
His jaw dropped. "W-What?"
Greeta's tone was firm. "You'll be living here for your training. No exceptions."
Issei swallowed. "But... Greeta-sama, I'm not a warrior! I'm just... a normal teenager. I can barely handle my two best friends—"
"Do you see that moon?" Greeta interrupted, pointing toward the sky.
Issei's eyes followed, confused. "Uh... yes? But—"
With a flick of her finger, the moon exploded in a dazzling shower of light, meteors raining down like fireworks. Issei's jaw nearly hit the floor.
"If you ignore my instructions, this is the consequence," Greeta said. Her voice was calm, but the weight behind it made Issei's stomach churn. "You may return to your planet in one week, but for now, your priority is to strengthen your body and spirit. After that comes endurance training—ten times your normal gravity."
She let the words sink in. Issei took a deep breath, nodding slowly. "O-Okay... I... I understand."
"Excellent. Follow Gaburo to the Room of Spirit and Time," Greeta continued. "Remember, one day inside equals a year outside."
"Incredible... how is that even possible?" Issei muttered, wide-eyed.
Towa stepped forward. "The Room of Spirit and Time exists beyond our dimensions. Time there does not flow like it does here. You will experience a full year's worth of training while only a single day passes outside."
Greeta nodded, relieved. Towa's explanation spared her from having to repeat herself yet again.
Gaburo's patience ran thinner by the second. "Enough talking, boy. Follow me."
Issei trailed behind the Yardratian, glancing around the building adjacent to the palace. His heart pounded. He had no idea what awaited him inside—but one thing was certain: his life as a normal teenager was over.
As he cast one last glance over his shoulder, Issei realized the weight of the moment. For him, this journey meant a full year would pass before he saw them again, while for the others, it was just another ordinary day.
Just as he turned to leave, Towa stepped forward and presented him with a remarkable gift. A chestplate and matching bracer gleamed in her hands—black onyx with golden accents catching the light in sharp contrast.
"This armor," she explained softly, "is modeled after what your ancestor once wore, long before it vanished. I've added a few of my own touches as well, in hopes it will help you connect with them, even if only in spirit."
Issei's fingers brushed over the smooth, cool surface. A sense of legacy, responsibility, and—somehow—comfort washed over him. This wasn't just armor. It was a link to the past, and a reminder of the power he was meant to awaken.
Issei fastened the bracers and chestplate, giving Towa a quick, grateful nod. Without another glance, he stepped into the Room of Spirit and Time, following Gaburo.
Uncertainty gnawed at him, but he had no choice—his planet's fate hung in the balance, entirely at the mercy of the merciless goddess. Greeta might be alluring to some, but to Issei, she was nothing more than a wicked, infuriating bitch—beautiful, terrifying, and utterly unreasonable all at once.
With the door closing behind him, Issei's journey officially begins. From this moment on, his goal is clear: to become the strongest being in the multiverse.
End of chapter