Chapter 18 : Let’s take a bath together, sister!

As the door opened, a blonde girl appeared.

Her cat ears and tail looked very fluffy, which made her cute.

A small name tag was crookedly stuck on her chest with the word “Bada” written in small letters.

Her name is Bada.

“Uh, um. Hello?”

“H-huh, hmpf.”

“Huh?”

As soon as the commander greeted her, Bada, who had been sitting and sobbing, slowly started to tear up.

This isn’t good.

Waaaah.

“Why are you crying all of a sudden… calm down for now!”

“Huh, I said no, I said no, but they threatened me, sniff. They told me to open the door…”

Once the tears started, they wouldn’t stop and began to pour out in streams.

Despite crying, Bada continued to mutter in a way that seemed like she still had a lot to say.

“Being alone like this, how scary it was… in front of the door, sniff.

Though more than half of it was unintelligible… it seems like she’s the only one here, so I should comfort her, right?

If this goes on, the request and everything will be ruined.

…Looks like I’ll have to step in.

Comforting people is my specialty.

I used to work part-time at a kindergarten a few times. Leave it to me.”

“Maru?”

After placing the fox umbrella on the floor, I quickly ran over and gave Bada, who was sitting on the floor crying, a tight hug.

…It might be sticky from the sap, but I hope she can bear it for a bit.

“It’s okay, it’s okay.”

“H-huh, hwaahh…”

Like handling a child, I gently and warmly patted her back.

Gradually, her sobbing quieted down, and her calm breathing took its place.

“Are you calm now?”

“…Mm. Thank you.”

She’s much better now.

Although there’s still some moisture around her eyes, calming her down from her rambling was a big achievement.

Alright. Now, we can slowly hear the explanation.

…Huh?

“Hiik?!”

But, the moment of relief was short-lived, as Bada shuddered at the cold voice from behind her, and she started to tear up again.

When I turned around, I saw Nunu with a deeply furrowed brow, staring at us.

I just managed to calm her down, why is this happening now?!

However, Nunu, who seemed angry, also started to get teary-eyed?

Wait, why is she doing this?

“How… how can you hug Maru before me? This is ridiculous!”

Wait, it was her?!

And that’s enough to cry about?!

“Waaahh!”

Additionally, Bada’s crying escalated when she heard Nunu’s harsh voice.

“Calm down. Nunu won’t hurt Bada.”

“Maybe?”

“Huhh, hwaahh…”

Bada, who had been crying so miserably, now began rubbing her tear-streaked face against my chest.

I continued to pat her back, trying to soothe her…

No!!

Ah, seriously!

What is her problem?!

Where did the commander go?!

Hang in there, Maru! You’re doing great, Maru!”

The commander was cheering me on from a distance, waving his phone.

Ah.

This is insane. That guy isn’t helping at all.

What a disaster.

After barely calming down two crying people,

“So, Bada, let’s try to organize what you said…”

When I asked Bada why she hadn’t opened the door, she explained that recently, wandering mercenaries trying to steal supplies from various command centers had been causing trouble, and they had no choice.

Wandering mercenaries… they’re mercenaries who break their contracts with commanders or are from command centers that can no longer continue to exist.

They’re kind of like refugees, but with incredibly superior physical abilities.

…Those kinds of people are raiding command centers. That’s terrifying.

“That’s why the commander had me lock the door.”

“Then, I’ll just ask you one thing, what’s the password?”

Oh right. I was curious about that too. What could the password be?

Though the commander asked the question, I, and even Nunu, found ourselves listening intently to Bada’s next words.

Pretending not to care, but Nunu seemed curious too.

“Oh, that’s…”

That?

“…You’re not going to get mad, right?”

What is it? Why is she so worried about us getting mad?

Her voice dropped suddenly.

What is she hiding? Now I’m even more curious.

“…I’m sorry. There’s nothing like that.”

Our puzzled looks seemed to make Bada shyly avert her eyes and mutter.

Ah, so there wasn’t a password after all.

Then we were just making a mess outside for nothing?

We got all sticky with this slimy sap for no reason.

“Bada.”

“Uh, uh? Why are you all looking at me like that… you said you wouldn’t get mad!”

“Hm.”

“Really! I just did what the commander said, that no one could come in if I did this! No, stop! Please save me!!”

When Nunu approached, Bada, trembling and curled up, tried to shrink away like a small animal claiming “I’m not tasty” in front of a predator.

It was such a pitiful sight.

“It’s okay. I’m not mad. Want to put your ear here?”

Eek, hoehhh…

I’m really not mad, right? Her tone is still low…

Even I, who had been watching Nunu, was taken aback, as this was the first time I’d seen her like this.

How strange. She usually has a gentle and soft impression.

“…You understand, right?”

“Y-yes, of course! I was dirty too…”

“No, just you, not Maru. Just you.”

“Why…?”

What conversation did they have for those words to come up?

I stood there, puzzled, when Nunu suddenly smiled brightly and walked toward me.

“…H?”

“Commander, Maru. First, shall we go wash up? I just got permission to enter the bath.”

“Eh?”

“Oh, Nunu, you’re the best!”

Ah, so the conversation was about the bath.

Since everyone had been outside for a long time in such a messy state, getting clean first is the priority.

They say even Mount Geumgang looks better after washing. Clean up first, then enjoy the view.

…Is that how it goes?

“Bada, isn’t there a laundromat or something at the command center?”

“Y-Yes, there is!”

“Alright, then how about we all wash up first before doing anything else?”

“I’m in favor!”

So, we put the request aside for now and all headed to the bathhouse together.

On the way, Nunu, who seemed unusually excited, hesitated and tried to grab my hand, so I held it tightly to say, “Good job.”

Thanks to the bathhouse, I was feeling excited too. After all, I could finally do the duck float I’ve been dreaming of. In a big bathhouse, no less!

Bubbles, bubbles, I love it!

“Maru…”

Meanwhile, Nunu’s tearful expression, as if she were touched, was incredibly funny. Though I have no idea why she was so moved.

Anyway, as we were walking, the commander uncle also quietly approached and held my hand.

Sigh.

They’re not kids, so why can’t they just say they want to hold hands?

Since I’m an adult, I should understand.

The life of an adult is hard…

“U-Um, me too.”

Bada, seeing us holding hands, seemed envious and wriggled as if trying to hold Nunu’s hand.

“No, you can’t.”

“Why noooot…”

Poor Bada got ruthlessly rejected.

“Come here, Bada.”

Abandoned Bada was taken by the commander’s other hand.

…What are they all doing?

“Alright, we’re here!”

After holding hands and walking together, we quickly arrived at the bathhouse.

On one side was a large blue sign with 男(male) , and on the other side, a large pink sign with 女(female) .

It’s the kind of setup you’d often see in a comic.

But isn’t this game supposed to be made in Korea?

Is this the commander’s taste?

“Maru? Why are you following me?”

“Huhuhu~ Hey, Maru? That’s the men’s bath!”

Just as I was casually nodding and about to follow the commander uncle into the bathhouse, Nunu freaked out and stopped me.

Why, though? Why would you stop a guy from going into the men’s bath…

…Oh.

Wait, hold on.

Since I’ve been washing up in the bathroom attached to my room, I hadn’t realized…

But right now, my body is that of a girl.

A small, cute girl.

So, do I have to go into the women’s bath? And bathe with Nunu and Bada?

Really?

…This is ridiculous.

How am I supposed to look at Bada and Nunu’s bodies? I can’t even look at my own body right now.

Absolutely not. I’d die of embarrassment on the spot…

I’d turn red like a tomato and then literally explode!

“C-Can’t I just bathe alone…?”

“We’re all feeling grimy from the monster goo. It would take too long to take turns.”

My timid protest about bathing separately was easily dismissed, and I had no choice but to be dragged along by Nunu’s hand.

Whatever.

I’ll just keep my eyes closed until I get out of the bathhouse.

Oh dear, why is Maru already closing her eyes?

“…”

I’m alone right now.

This is my bathroom.

I’m going to bathe alone.

Nunu sitting next to me is actually a stuffed dog.

So, I’m not feeling anything…

I kept chanting that to myself.

If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be able to stop my face from blushing.

The only naked body I’ve ever seen is my own. I have no resistance to this.

Please stop putting me through this kind of trial…!

Oh my, Maru’s face has turned into a bright red radish.

“…!”

Already? Really?

What could our Maru be thinking about with her eyes squeezed shut to make her so red?

“Ahhhhhh!”

“Ahh!”

I nearly fell over when Nunu’s voice suddenly whispered in my ear.

Ugh, please just leave me alone.

Maybe because I had my eyes closed, my other senses were extra sensitive — even the slightest breath near my ear made me flinch and tremble.

This is driving me crazy.

“Bada said she’d wash later, so let’s go in first, just the two of us. That’s okay, right?”

That’s good news, but…

It’s really not okay.

What’s the point of Bada not being here when Nunu is still here?

I just want to bathe alone…

“Let’s hurry up and take off our clothes. I saw a milk bath earlier that’s supposed to be good for the skin.”

“O-Okay…”

S-Still, I guess I have to go in eventually.

If I take too long, the commander uncle will start wondering where I am, and the monster goo on my body will harden.

“Geez, Maru, you’re so slow. I’ll help you. Put your hands up!”

Ahhhh?!

“Save me!!!!”