While Anima washes my back, I pondered a bit. In this situation, what is the right thing to do after she finishes washing my back? Or rather, to what extent were things within Anima’s expectations?
In the natural course of events, considering that Anima washed my back now, it would be logical for me to reciprocate later, but based on her earlier statement, Anima seems to have fixated her own towel with State Preservation Magic. In other words, I feel like she hadn’t considered at all having her own back being washed by me.
What is important here though isn’t what is generally the case, but what Anima thinks about it…… Since I have learned from our previous exchange that Anima has suppressed her embarrassment and her guard may collapse if I were to abruptly poke this matter, I want to avoid deviating from Anima’s expectations as much as possible.
[Well then, I’ll be rinsing your body.]
[Unnn. Thanks.]While Anima rinses my body using the shower magic tool, washing away the foam and such from my body, I wash my front myself. That ends the process of washing my back…… but now, what would she do next?
My Sympathy Magic is convenient in situations like this, but just taking that into consideration on its own is meaningless. I have to read Anima’s intentions thoroughly, including her facial facial expressions and eye movements.
[W- Well then, I’m also going to wash myself.]
Even though she said she was going to wash herself, from the momentary glance she made towards me and the subtle expectation I could feel through my Sympathy Magic, and considering the strange knowledge Alice taught her……
[Anima, I’ll wash your back in return.]
[Eh? Ah, but having Master do such a thing is……]
[I want to do it not as your master, but as your lover.][Ahh…… Yes! Well then, umm, I’m in your care.]
As I had expected, just as she had explicitly mentioned being open to naked socializing before, it seemed like she had anticipated us washing each other’s backs.
Although she was feeling reserved, she understood my intention not as a master to his servant, but as her lover, and with a somewhat happy expression on her face, she sat down on a chair in front of me, unfastened the towel that was wrapped around her and held it to cover her front.
Anima’s white, beautiful back and the tail on her butt were exposed before my eyes. My heart skipped a beat at her beauty, but if I got flustered or felt nervous here, what I felt would spread toward Anima.
Fortunately or not, I have a lot of experience in mixed bathing, so if I firmly held my emotions in place, I wouldn’t be…… no, I would be a little shaken, but I was able to calm myself down.
[Well then, I’ll start washing your back.]
Saying this, I put some body soap on a sponge and gently scrubbed her back, just like Anima had done earlier. Well, even if I were to rub vigorously on her back, I probably wouldn’t cause her any harm, so compared to Anima, there’s no difficulty in adjusting my scrubbing strength.
[Is the scrubbing strength alright?]
[Yes, it’s comfortable…… Ahh, no, I originally should be feeling apologetic as a servant, but as Master’s lover…… I feel so happy that I hope you’ll forgive me if my face slackens.]
[Ahaha, I’m rather glad you’re feeling happy. In fact, when Anima was washing my back earlier, it felt like you were being considerate of various things on my end, and that kinda made me happy.]
[I’m glad if that’s the case.]
Anima likely has various concerns, whether it’s as a servant or as my lover, but those concerns don’t seem to be a negative one. Despite the uncertainties, she seems to be finding a balance within herself, enjoying the present and coming to terms with it in her own way.
As I was thinking about this while I was washing Anima’s back, I suddenly heard Anima speak in a soft voice.
[……Master, umm, I would like you to listen to me while we’re like this.]
[Unnn?]
[Errr, if I were to face you directly, I might get nervous and not express myself well, but I don’t want to postpone it either, so with all due respect, while I’m immersed in the happiness of having my back washed by Master, I’d like to express my feelings.]
After saying these words as a preface, Anima was silent for a few moments…… and then, as if putting her thoughts into them, she slowly spun her words.
[……I dearly love you. No, I suppose this is too formal. Rather, to put it more simply…… ummm…… I love the always kind Master.]
[Anima…… Thanks. I too love the earnest and cute Anima.]
[I’m glad. It’s a bit embarrassing, but more than that, I feel incredibly……]
Her straightforward expression of affection is both ticklish and pleasantly soothing…… creating an atmosphere of happiness that seems to flow between the two of us.
<Afterword>
Serious-senpai : [Guohhh, n- not yet……]
Makina : [……………..]
Serious-senpai : [Oi, stop all that! What’s with those skewers and fruits…… Can you not give me that expectant look!?]
