I Healed the Cold Dark Goddess’s Loneliness, and Now She Won’t Let Me Go! - Chapter 14

“A-A bath…! This is a seriously nice tub and shower…!”

I was incredibly moved looking at the bathroom and dressing area that had appeared in a corner of the temple. After all, in that village, “washing your body” meant dousing yourself with cold water. I’d been holding back, telling myself it couldn’t be helped even if the game. Set five thousand years in the future—depicted proper bathing, but it had been a huge source of stress.

And now, finally, my first bath since my previous life. It was impossible not to be excited. If I could, I’d love for Mina-chan to experience this too…! Though, that’s probably impossible. Given how much Lady Reine guards me against Mina-chan, she’d never allow it.

“Hmm… a facility for ablutions with hot water. The functions should be mostly replicated, but are there any issues?”

Lady Reine herself was inspecting the shower and tub with a serious expression. Her profile was rare and dignified, making my heart skip a beat.

“No! Truly, thank you so much!”

“If it makes Haruno happy, then it is good.”

When I offered words of gratitude that didn’t feel nearly enough for what I’d been given, Lady Reine smiled with genuine joy. The destructive power of that expression, filled with such affection, was immense; I found myself staring blankly, enchanted.

“Haruno? Well then, will you use it immediately?”

“Ah, no, well…!”

Being asked suddenly while I was daydreaming made me fumble for an answer. Looking around the bathroom again, even the shampoo, conditioner, and body soap had been replicated. Honestly, I wanted to jump in right away, but I felt a twinge of guilt.

Setting aside how late it was to feel this way, I felt a little bad being the only one enjoying such luxury.

“Um, just to be sure, I’ll ask… is there any chance I could invite someone else to use this…?”

“No.”

“Thought so~”

Lady Reine stated her “No” very clearly. Well, I expected that. She’s probably against anyone other than me entering this place to begin with. Wait, then couldn’t I just have her create the same facility outside…? As if reading my mind, Lady Reine spoke.

“Creating the same facility outside is also forbidden. For humans, too much giving is a poison. If they rely on my charity, they will eventually forget how to move forward on their own and become conceited.”

I’d already learned that Lady Reine can do anything. However, the blessings she grants the villagers are limited to things like bountiful harvests or successful hunts. It seems her reasoning is based on this philosophy but naturally, that leads to one question.

“…Um, what about me?”

“Haruno is special. You belong to me, after all.”

“I see~”

In other words, while she uses the carrot and the stick with humans, she’s the type to give only carrots to her pet—me. Well, I was the one who asked her to spoil me in the first place, so she’s just answering my wish.

Anyway, it seemed impossible to let Mina-chan or anyone else experience the bath. Since it was Lady Reine’s will, it couldn’t be helped.

But honestly, I want to see someone else be moved by a bath! It’s certainly not my achievement that this bath exists, but as a Japanese person, I want to see the reaction of someone experiencing the wonders of bathing culture! That’s a total staple! It’s such a waste of a chance… oh.

“I know! Lady Reine, let’s go in together!”

That was it. The person most likely to join me was right here. Since it was such a brilliant idea, I proposed it with total confidence. In response, Lady Reine kept a straight face.

“No, I do not get dirty, so there is no need.”

“…Ah.”

True, even though she’s spent years in an empty temple, she’s always unnaturally clean. Even Lord Sulug was untouched by grime. Apparently, that’s just how Gods are. No, don’t give up, Haruno! She only said it wasn’t “necessary,” she didn’t say she “hated” the idea!

“Eeeh, but look! I want to go in with you, Lady Reine!”

My ultimate move… pestering! I asserted that it wasn’t about necessity, but part of my selfish desire to spend time with her. Surely, the kind Lady Reine would…

“…I see. If that is the case…”

She agreed without a second thought.

…This might have been a mistake.

I was only thinking about showing off bath culture to Lady Reine. But naturally, my suggestion was bound to lead to this situation.

“Um… Lady Reine? It’s a bit embarrassing if you stare at me like that…”

“But Haruno. I wish to keep you within my sight for as long as possible. Is that… not allowed?”

“Naked camaraderie”… we hadn’t even reached that stage yet. I was already hesitating at the undressing phase in the changing room. Because Lady Reine was just staring at me the whole time.

“It’s not that it’s not allowed, but…”

Stripping in front of Lady Reine and exposing my naked body. I couldn’t take a bath otherwise, and I was the one who invited her. There was no point in hesitating now. …So, I tried to divert her gaze even for a second…!

“Um, look, you have to undress too, Lady Reine. So, I’ll just go over there…”

“Mm, quite right.”

Saying so, Lady Reine gave her wrist a light flick. Her vestments turned into a black mist and were absorbed back into her. Just like that, she was naked in an instant, without a shred of bashfulness.

──She’s thin.

To some, Lady Reine’s body might have looked almost sickly thin. She had very few feminine curves; she was so slender one could almost say she was just skin and bone.

And yet, I thought she was beautiful. Seeing Lady Reine, who possessed a divinity and loneliness that kept everyone at a distance, standing within my reach and exposing her skin… a faint heat began to build in my chest.

“Haruno?”

“Ah, no, um, sorry for staring! Uh, you’re beautiful!”

Her voice snapped me back to reality. When I hurriedly blurted out my apology and my compliment, Lady Reine’s eyes widened slightly, and for some reason, she let out a small chuckle.

“…Heh, what an eccentric. I could never compare to you, Haruno.”

No way…! I’m just a perfectly average build…!? Why are you setting the bar so high, Lady Reine!

“No, um, Lady Reine? Even if you expect that much, I’m not that confident in my body…”

Lady Reine blinked for a moment at my words, then a gentle smile spread across her face.

“I see! What must I do to give you confidence? Should I speak of every part of your body that I find precious, for as long as I can think of them?”

“P-Precious…!? Th-that’s not really the issue…”

My face was burning. I was already a bit embarrassed, and I felt like Lady Reine had some sort of high expectations for me undressing, so my hesitation was making the conversation take a very strange turn.

“…Haruno.”

“Y-Yes!?”

The more time passed, the harder it became to undress. As I fidgeted in my awkwardness, she called my name. I looked up and met her eyes. In that instant, I realized my blunder.

“Do you dislike exposing your skin to me…?”

“N-No…”

…This is the worst. I’d caused a misunderstanding. It’s not that I disliked it. It’s just that after I couldn’t back out, the embarrassment kept inflating. As I hurriedly tried to explain, Lady Reine’s expression softened into a smile… though a lingering loneliness remained in her eyes.

“Haruno, I know you do not intend to hurt me. I will not force you if you find it unpleasant. However, if Haruno could show her skin before me. If she could be defenseless in my presence… if you could show me that, I would be happy.”

“…!”

That meant Lady Reine wasn’t just intensely curious about my naked body. …Well, I knew she wasn’t that kind of God. She wanted me to show her my trust by being willing to be defenseless before her. And even though she must be feeling anxious, she was telling me she wouldn’t force me.

She really is kind. What was I doing? I have to respond to her feelings.

Forget it! It’s just two women taking a bath! There’s no need to overthink it!

“You’re right. I was overthinking things. Being defenseless in front of you is a piece of cake! Besides, come to think of it, back in the village Mina-chan—ah.”

“…What was that?”

…I did it. I could feel the air freeze instantly. Lady Reine’s gentle mood plummeted into a sudden nosedive.

“…Haruno. Did you, in front of Mina as well…?”

“No, well, when I first came to the village, she taught me how to wash myself…”

It was an unavoidable situation. I couldn’t just spend my time not washing because I didn’t know how, and Mina-chan was the best person to teach me. Of course, I already knew that the “she’s like a little sister, so it wasn’t anything weird” excuse wouldn’t fly with Lady Reine.

Actually, she didn’t know. I thought Lady Reine could see most things in the village with her divine eyes, but I guess she wasn’t paying attention to me when I first arrived.

“Haruno. Undress.”

“Y-Yessir!”

Her tone was sharp. The kind Lady Reine was gone; this was a total command. Not daring to defy her, I scrambled to take off my clothes. Lady Reine looked down at me as I tried to hide my embarrassing parts with my arms.

What was she going to do? I-Is it a punishment…?! As I was worrying, a sensation that was both cold and warm, yet incredibly comfortable, enveloped my whole body.

“You are warm, Haruno.”

“Lady Reine…”

I was being hugged. By Lady Reine. Realizing this, I wrapped my arms around her back. There was nothing between us; our skin touched directly. It felt like I was becoming one with her.

“…I presume you never did this with Mina?”

“N-No, never…”

Obviously, this was a first. I felt closer to Lady Reine than ever before. The feeling of her fingers on my skin, the sensation of our chests pressing together, it was all so pleasant. But I felt like I was going to melt from a different kind of embarrassment than before. My face was so hot I could feel it; I was just glad she couldn’t see my face from her position. …Or so I thought.

“Now then, Haruno.”

“Wa-Wait!? P-Please don’t look so much…”

Suddenly, Lady Reine loosened her grip and moved to look me in the eye. I reflexively looked away, not wanting her to see my bright red face. But Lady Reine didn’t care and said something outrageous.

“I believe we were going to build your confidence.”

“…Eh?”

Confidence…? Oh, is she talking about what I said earlier… about not being confident in my body…? The next moment, Lady Reine took my hand and pressed it against her cheek. My hand was sandwiched between her cheek and her hand; I felt like I was doing something incredibly naughty… well, I basically was, but the reality of it hit me, and my heart wouldn’t stop pounding loudly.

“To be frank, I do not understand the quality of a human body through physical senses.”

“Y-Yes…?”

Um, she’s a God, so she doesn’t share the same aesthetic sense as humans… right? As I wondered what that declaration meant, Lady Reine spoke while stroking my hand with her fingers.

“Therefore, I do not know what other humans might think. However, such things are irrelevant. Haruno. To me, every part of you is precious; the fact that you are the most beloved existence to me is all that matters.”

“Fueeeh…!?”

Is—Is this a confession, Lady Reine…!? I don’t think it’s the first time she’s said something like a confession to me, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it.

“Your body is the same. To me, this is the loveliest form. For example, let’s see…”

Lady Reine’s gaze slowly moved as if stroking my body.

“Your hair… it looks much like the darkness of the night sky that covers my domain.”

“I-I think it’s just normal black hair…”

“It suits you well; I feel something fateful in it.”

“I-If we’re talking about contrast with the night sky, you’re the one who…”

Wait, what is this conversation?! We’ve started a compliment battle?! It’s impossible! Lady Reine doesn’t seem to feel bashful at all, I have no chance of winning this…! I’m being sentenced to death by embarrassment…!

“And these eyes.”

“M-My eyes…?”

Lady Reine’s purple eyes stared intently into mine. I tried to look away, but a black mist appeared out of nowhere to block me. It seemed her power was holding my head in place. It looks scary, but it feels cool and nice! I had to keep escapism like that going, or I’d be sucked into her too-close eyes.

“Your eyes have a warm color I had long forgotten. Every time you look at me, I am reflected within them. That makes me unbearably happy.”

“I didn’t think my eyes were anything special…!?”

“Then, correct that thought. Your eyes are the only special eyes in this world that can capture me.”

“Lady Reine…”

“Now, as for your skin…”

“You’re still not finished!?”

I was already at my limit, yet Lady Reine’s fingers slid from my cheek to my neck, and then to my shoulder.

“Unlike me, there is a warmth of blood flowing through it. Every time I touch you, I can feel your heartbeat. I can feel that Haruno is alive, and that she is here within my reach.”

“I-I think all humans are like that!”

“The lines of your body… they draw soft curves that I do not have. When I hug you, that softness envelops me. It is as if you are accepting me…”

“Well, I mean, I accept everything about you, Lady Reine…”

She hugged me tightly again. The way she touched me, as if confirming my existence… somehow, she looked cuter than usual, and I forgot my embarrassment for a moment and hugged her back.

“…Thank you. Thanks to you, Lady Reine, I’ve gained a little confidence.”

“No, I am not finished yet.”

“Eeeeh!?”

Lady Reine broke the hug and took my hands. Then, entwining our fingers deeply, she turned an ecstatic gaze toward me.

“These hands… they are the hands that touch me. The hands that hug me. In the long time I spent in loneliness, they were the first hands to give me warmth.”

“L-Lady Reine.”

“And…”

Lady Reine pressed her forehead against mine. Naturally, her face was at a distance where a kiss was imminent; I was caught between reverence and her beauty.

“More than anything, the whole of Haruno… stays by my side for my sake. That alone has a value for me that nothing else can replace.”

“E-Enough! I have confidence! Tons of it!”

My face bright red, I escaped from Lady Reine’s arms and waved my hands frantically as if I were about to explode. If she continued any longer, I really would lose my mind.

“N-Now, let’s just get in! I’ll catch a cold if I stay undressed!”

“Ah, quite right.”

I hurried into the bathroom where there was no escape, and Lady Reine followed behind me with a satisfied expression.