Hisaba’s Sudden Raid

“Hi… Hi… Hisaba…”

For a moment, I was completely speechless; in fact, I even stopped breathing. My mind was frantically replaying every single thing I had done up until this point, thinking, agonizing, and judging with near-delirious intensity… When did she appear behind me? Did she discover my true identity? A series of possibilities, each enough to make my heart stop, stripped me of all capacity to act.

“What’s with that shocked expression? Is it because you wanted to monopolize this joy, and now that I’ve found you out, you’re reluctant to share, Miss Leni?”

I barely processed her words, but when that final honorific skipped out of her mouth, my heart, which had been hanging in my throat, finally settled back down.

“N-not at all! If you want to soak, Hisaba, I’ll vacate the spot right now!”

“Soak? So this is the ‘bathing’ you mentioned, Miss Leni. Just looking at it makes me want to try. Please, let me feel the water.”

“Ah… ah…”

Without waiting for my consent, Hisaba stepped forward and immediately thrust her hand into the water. She was still behind me, so theoretically, her angle should have prevented her from seeing my lower body. I didn’t dare make any unnecessary movements. Holding my breath, I moved with a careful, natural motion that I hoped wouldn’t arouse suspicion, slowly reaching for the towel on my head.

“This… the water is quite hot. It might be even better than I imagined. How on earth did you manage to raise the temperature to—”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hisaba! Wait a second!”

She expressed surprise at the temperature, and though her tone remained humble, her body was no longer being polite. Merely using her hand wasn’t enough; she gripped the rim of the barrel, looking as though she was about to lean right over to peer down at the bottom. I couldn’t let her do that. I absolutely couldn’t let her see. If she looked at the bottom of the barrel, it meant—

My lower body would be completely exposed.

What do I do? What should I do…

“Miss Leni? What’s wrong?”

“No, nothing, it’s just that I’m getting out now, so…”

As long as the barrel blocked everything below my collarbone, I was safe, but if she moved any closer, if she leaned over any further…

“That doesn’t matter. We’re both girls… Wait, or are you hiding something, Miss Leni?”

As she spoke, her single eye flickering, Hisaba pressed her weight forward. In a panic, I reached out to hold her back, but…

This… this strength! This is absolutely not the power of a normal girl!

“No, I’m not, really. Hisaba, please don’t make such a scary face.”

“Well, you’re the one who piqued my curiosity, Miss Leni.”

It’s no use, I can’t hold her back. If she pushes any further, I’ll… I’ll!

“Let me see! Miss Leni—waaaah!”

Goodbye, my wonderful time.

My sudden release of strength caused Hisaba to lose her balance.

And of course, so did I.

When Hisaba’s weight and my own combined against the wine barrel, the result was predictable.

Splash!

As I tumbled to the ground along with the barrel, the scalding hot water rolled right over my body.

On the other side, Hisaba stumbled, unable to find her footing, and fell headlong into the river.

Now… is my chance!

I had already mentally prepared for the barrel to be overturned; in fact, given the situation, it was the only move left. While a soaking-wet Hisaba was still trying to get up, I rolled with the barrel, completely reversing its direction so the bottom faced her. As for me…

“Miss… Miss Leni! I am… so sorry! This is all my fault! Are you alright…”

I don’t know exactly how fast I moved. I only know that as I heard Hisaba’s footsteps drawing near, and as her voice reached my ears.

Right there inside the opening of the barrel, I grabbed the clothes I had left there and dressed with a speed I have never achieved in my entire life.

“I’m fine, I’m okay… but you, Hisaba.”

Kicking away the stones that had fallen on me, I crawled out from the barrel. I didn’t even care that the residual hot water on my clothes was making my skin itch; I immediately changed the subject.

“Are you alright?”

“Me? I only fell into the river. It’s not enough to worry you, Miss Leni—achoo!”

I had just finished a hot bath, but you, who had been relying solely on body heat to fight the cold, fell into the river. There’s no way you’re okay.

“Now, right now, immediately—go sit by the bonfire, Hisaba.”