But unfortunately, I left my delicious cookies in the break room, and they didn’t disappear. Why aren’t people eating such tasty cookies?
It made me a little sad that no one seemed to pick them up except when I was around. Maybe I should add more sugar next time? They probably aren’t eating them because they’re not sweet enough.
Anyway, putting the cookies aside, today I planned to go repair my vegetable garden. I hadn’t been there since the typhoon hit, so I had no idea how it had changed. Surely it wouldn’t just be a barren wasteland with nothing left, right?
When I arrived at the garden with my shovel, I was met with an unexpected sight. Despite the powerful typhoon, most of the plants were still alive. Some even had fruit growing on them.
As expected, the plants I made are the strongest! I harvested strawberries from the garden that the office employees would love. While I was at it, I sat down and tilled the soil to give the other plants room to grow. This kind of weeding is necessary to make space for the plants to thrive.
I worked so hard and intensely that I ended up covered in dirt. Carrying a basket full of strawberries, I headed back to the office. When I arrived, Maru saw me and came over, shocked.
“Hana! Why are you so covered in dirt?”
“I went to play in the garden for the first time in a while!”
Even though I was technically farming, to me, it felt like playing. The garden isn’t that big, so it only takes about an hour to tend to all the plants.
“But we’ve got a problem… There’s no water right now…”
“What do you mean, Maru?”
“They’re inspecting the water supply because of the typhoon, so there won’t be any water in the building today.”
“Really?”
Hearing that, I tried to head back to my room, but Maru grabbed my hand and stopped me.
“Hana, you’re not planning to go back to your room looking like that, are you?”
“I’m fine, Maru!”
But Maru, shocked by my appearance, blocked me from entering the room.
“Hana! You can’t go into the room covered in dirt!”
I asked her, puzzled, “Can’t I just wipe it off with a wet wipe and go in?”
“Absolutely not!”
But since there’s no water today, how am I supposed to wash up? It’s not like I can use water from the dispenser either. Just as I was worrying about this, Bora showed up and solved the problem.
“Maru, I think we should take Hana to the bathhouse today.”
“Should we? There’s a bathhouse just 10 minutes away. Let’s go, senior.”
“Okay. Take good care of Hana.”
But when I heard that, my face turned pale. Going to the bathhouse? A place that’s practically a no-man’s land? I felt a wave of resistance. I’m not some lust-driven adult man, but still…
“Maru! Bora! I’m fine! I’ll just sleep outside today!”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Hana. Let’s get ready to go to the bathhouse.”
“Ugh!”
I was dragged by Maru and couldn’t even go into my room, just waiting outside. Maru came out with some bathhouse essentials she had grabbed from somewhere.
“I’m looking forward to going to the bathhouse with Hana!”
Maru was dressed casually. The girls I live with usually have two sets of clothes: one for work and one for hanging out with me. I guess they do that to stay comfortable during night shifts.
I was dragged out of the building by Maru. Like a prisoner being taken to jail for a crime punishable by death, I got into the car. All because I got covered in dirt…
“Hana, buckle your seatbelt properly!”
I was so out of it that I even forgot to buckle my seatbelt. Maru reached over and fastened it for me. I just sat there, mouth agape, on my way to the bathhouse.
Maybe there won’t be many people there since it’s an awkward time?
As I stared blankly out the window, we arrived at the bathhouse. I got out of the passenger seat and had no choice but to hold Maru’s hand and go in. There was no escaping or finding another way. Maru held my hand tightly, carrying the clothes I would change into, and we entered the bathhouse.
“One adult and one child, please.”
“Okay.”
The part-time worker at the counter took the money. Maru and I each took a key and headed up the stairs. The women’s bathhouse was on the second floor. My heart was pounding as I entered. I never thought I’d step foot in a women’s bathhouse in my life… Life really is full of surprises.
“Ah!”
As we stood at the entrance, I grabbed Maru’s hand and pleaded.
“Maru! Let’s just go home…”
“Can’t I just not go?”
“Hana, how gross would it be to sleep covered in dirt!”
“Well…”
Maybe because Maru was being so firm, I stopped whining and went into the bathhouse. Whining any more was something I couldn’t do in front of Maru. As I entered the bathhouse, an empty scene greeted me. Maybe because it was a weekday afternoon, there was no one there.
“Ah…”
There wasn’t much difference from the men’s bathhouse. However, I saw a few aunties in clothes. Luckily, they weren’t there to wash but seemed to be leaving after washing, which was a relief.
I quickly went to my locker. I inserted the key, opened the door, took off my clothes, and put them inside. My mind was filled with thoughts of washing quickly and getting out. I rushed in, washed my body briefly, and entered the bath. There was no one in the bath.
I kept my eyes closed as much as possible and stayed in the corner. For some reason, it felt like I was committing a sin. But my actions were bound to end soon because I heard Maru’s voice from behind.
“Ah~ refreshing.”
Thump thump!
If I turned around now, I could see Maru in her natural state. But considering all the time I’ve spent with Maru… I would really be crossing a line I shouldn’t. Yet, a part of my instincts was telling me to open my eyes.
“Hana! Why are you turned around in the corner? Let’s go to the middle!”
Grabbing my shoulder, Maru spun me around. I clenched my eyes shut even tighter. Seeing my face, Maru laughed and stroked my cheek.
“Hana, you’re so shy? What’s there to be shy about?”
If Maru knew my mind was that of a 20-something guy, what expression would she make? She’d probably call me the perviest of perverts. To avoid hearing that, I absolutely couldn’t open my eyes. But soon, Maru seemed displeased that I had my eyes closed and started fiddling with them.
“Hana, open your eyes! It’s not like you’re washing your hair, why are your eyes closed…”
Maru, not liking my state, picked me up and started warming my body with hot water in the middle of the bath. I couldn’t keep my eyes closed any longer. Slightly opening my eyes, I expected to see something straight out of an adult video, but a different scene greeted me.
Maru had a towel wrapped around her body. Of course, Maru’s figure was as good as a model’s, so that alone was stimulating enough. But since it wasn’t completely bare, it was okay to open my eyes.
I opened both eyes and looked at Maru. Maru seemed to notice and stroked my head while saying.
“Hana, after soaking in the water, we’ll go wash, okay?”
“Okay!”
Luckily, since the bathhouse was far from the city, only Maru and I were there. Quickly finishing the bath would be fine.
Soaking in the hot bath, the fatigue from working in the vegetable garden earlier seemed to melt away. I spent some boring time occasionally diving underwater. After some time had passed, Maru picked me up and headed towards the shower. She sat me down and took out the bathing tools, preparing to wash me properly.
“Hana, don’t move!”
Maru squeezed shampoo into her hand and started scrubbing my head. Bubbles formed, and my hair was lathered with shampoo. It had been so long since someone else washed me. Usually, I washed myself. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and entrusted my body to Maru’s hands.
This body was so small and weak. I wanted to grow up quickly like Maru. A tiny body was useless everywhere.
After letting Maru wash me, Maru swiftly removed the towel she was wearing.
“Gasp!”
I hurriedly looked down. Maybe Maru was going to wash herself too.
I didn’t see anything…
