Chapter 239: Something Warm and a Little Heart-Pounding

“We’re in trouble…!!”

Yes, we were in a lot of trouble.

As for what we were troubled about, it was because there was no men’s bath in this facility.

If it were just that, it would still be fine. We guys could just choose not to get in.

However, right now, we had become girls through the power of a sex-change magic potion to participate in the pilgrimage.

And in the bath, many female priests working in the holy land had mixed in under the pretext of participating in a beauty enhancement experiment.

“You guys, if you don’t get in soon, you’ll catch a cold.”

“Eh, ah, yes…”

Right, in this situation, the option for just us to abstain from bathing would look extremely unnatural.

“Wh-What should we do…”

Jairo-kun, Norb-san, and I huddled together as a trio to discuss what to do.

“Running away is the best option after all, ain’t it?”

“Right!”

“But doesn’t Rek—Rakushi-san need to explain how to use the facility?”

“No, no, no, I think it’s fine to leave that to Liliera-san and the others!”

Ugh, what should we do!

“Can’t you just normally tell them you became women using a potion?”

” ” ” Eh? ” ” “

We widened our eyes at the words of Meguri-san, who had come over at some point.

Expose that we’re men just to take a bath!? That’s bad, isn’t it!

“I mean, isn’t it an unspoken understanding that men become women with magic potions in the pilgrimage? If you convey it casually, I think they’ll get the hint.”

” ” ” Ah. ” ” “

Come to think of it, that was true.

Changing one’s gender to participate in the pilgrimage in order to secure combat power had become the norm.

“Why didn’t we realize that…”

“We completely forgot in our panic.”

“Haa, this is a nice bath.”

Having the priests get the hint through Meguri-san, we used magic to create a wall inside the bathroom, effectively making it gender-segregated.

Considering future pilgrimages, this gave the real female priests working in the holy land peace of mind, so permission was granted without issue.

However, Tracy-san, who didn’t know the circumstances, tilted her head in confusion, but we somehow managed to convince her by saying it was a custom of our hometown.

“To think that those with special roles must not have their bare skin seen even by the same sex, what a strange custom.”

“E-Yeah. So that’s why, until we return to our hometown, we’ll be bathing in a separate tub.”

With a scene like that out of the way, we were finally able to relax in the spacious bathtub.

“Phew, this open-air bath thing is pretty nice, Bro… Big Sis!”

It seems Jairo-kun, who moved from the large bath to the open-air bath, really liked it.

But you shouldn’t swim with Fluffy, you know.

“Heeh, so this is a hot spring. Somehow my skin feels so smooth.”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s wonderful. It feels like my skin is coming back to life!”

“From now on, we’ll be able to get into this bath every day, right!”

” ” ” ” The best!! ” ” ” “

Happy voices of Liliera-san and the female priests could be heard from beyond the partition.

“Even so, Liliera really is amazing.”

I heard Meguri-san’s serious voice. Just what exactly about Liliera-san is amazing?

“Amazing? What is?”

“It’s, well… her chest.”

“H-Hey, where are you looking!”

…Umm, how should I put this, it’s a bit troubling to listen to.

“T-Tracy-san, how is it~? Has your fatigue faded a bit~?”

As if to shake off the embarrassment, I called out to Tracy-san.

I originally restored this facility so that Tracy-san, who was exhausted from Body Enhancement Magic training, could rest, after all.

“Yes~. It feels so good~. I didn’t know a bath was something that could make you feel this good~.”

Since I could hear a completely relaxed voice from beyond the wall, I’m glad it seems to have helped.

“Even so, it’s a luxury to have this many baths. Furthermore, for the hot water to automatically be replaced with new water, not even royalty could afford such a luxury… Haaah.”

Norb-san had been thinking about the large bath with a serious face, but perhaps relaxing after immersing his body in the massive amount of hot water, he soon stopped thinking and leaned against the edge of the bathtub, swaying his body back and forth.

“Kyufuun.”

Fluffy, who had been in the open-air bath until just a moment ago, now jumped into the bubble bath.

She was swimming splish splash in the bathtub so as not to sink, but her long fur swaying in the bubbles coming from the bottom of the tub looked just like a jellyfish, which was a bit funny.

“That being said, if I stay in any longer I might get dizzy from the heat, so I should probably get out soon.”

As I stood up from the bathtub to get out soon, Jairo-kun also returned from the open-air bath.

“I’m getting out too~.”

“I’ll get out after warming up a bit more~. Maybe I’ll go into the open-air bath next~.”

It seems Norb-san really liked the spacious bathtub.

“Kyufuun.”

Perhaps getting hot too, Fluffy got out of the bathtub and followed us.

But honestly, seeing her figure flattened and deflated after getting out of the hot water looked just like a wet mop, making it a bit tough to keep looking directly at her.

“Liliera-san, we’re going to get out first!”

“Okay! We’re going to stay in a bit longer!”

When I called out to Liliera-san beyond the wall, a reply came back immediately.

“Everyone, please be careful not to get dizzy from the heat~.”

” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” Okay! ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” “

I feel like the number of people has increased again…

“…”

“…”

We silently wiped our bodies and put our arms through the sleeves of the change of clothes we took out of the magic bag.

During that time, we somehow managed not to shift our gazes.

No, I mean, if we shifted our gazes, we’d see it, wouldn’t we.

…Each other’s naked bodies.

No, I know. I’m worrying too much.

But you know, even if we were originally guys, right now we both have female bodies.

To see that is, how should I put it… well, it’s awkward.

And so, without either of us saying anything, we changed clothes in silence, without meeting each other’s eyes.

“Kyufufufufuf!!”

Fluffy, unaware of our awkwardness, violently shook her body at our feet to shake off the water.

“Kyufun.”

I couldn’t help but give a wry smile at Fluffy‘s figure, as she seemed to be saying, “Ah, so refreshing.”

It’s nice that you’re immune to these kinds of feelings even after becoming a female. Though you’ve gotten fluffy, long fur thanks to the soap and the skin-beautifying effects.

And confirming that the rustling sound of clothing had faded, we finally made eye contact.

There stood the figure of Jairo-kun, who had finished changing into a cute, girlish outfit.

Those clothes were spare outfits prepared by Foka-san. Yeah, mine were too.

” “…” “

Neither of us could find the words.

Should I say it looks good on him? No, between guys, that’s just wrong.

I wouldn’t know how to reply if someone said that to me either.

” “…” “

Time passed, feeling both pointlessly long and short.

“Umm, shall we go?”

“Y-Yeah.”

What on earth are we fighting against?

” ” Ahhhhh. ” “

After that, we decided to return to the massage facility and chill out until Liliera-san and the others came out.

“I mean, when the heck are they gonna come out?”

However, quickly getting bored of even that, Jairo-kun dangled his legs looking bored, and Fluffy, perhaps showing interest in that, hopped up and down playfully to mess with them.

“Hehe, here, here.”

“Kyufun! Kyufun!”

Perhaps thinking it was a good way to kill time, Jairo-kun flapped his legs and played with Fluffy.

As we were killing time like that, Liliera-san and the others finally arrived.

“Sorry to keep you waiting~.”

“You guys are sl… o…”

Jairo-kun, who was also starting to get bored of playing with Fluffy, tried to complain, but for some reason, his voice stopped.

“What’s wrong, Ja… ah.”

Raising my body in the same way and looking toward Liliera-san and the others, I also inadvertently let out a sound at the sight.

Liliera-san and the others, fresh out of the bath, joined us with their hair still somewhat damp, overflowing with an indescribable sensuality.

It was a different sensation from when I made eye contact with Jairo-kun in the dressing room.

Is this also the influence… of the hot spring’s skin-beautifying effects?

Thanks to that, I ended up with an indescribable, restless feeling.

” ” ” “…” ” ” “

Perhaps sensing that, the atmosphere somehow became uncomfortable for everyone.

Ugh, what should I do, should I say something clever?

“Kyufuun.”

Just at times like this, Fluffy was rolling around, perhaps tired from playing.

Ugh, you’re useless, Fluffy!

“S-Sorry~, I ended up being late~!”

It was then, the voice and footsteps of a panicked Norb-san approached.

S-Saved! Nice timing, Norb-san!

“Ah, welcome back, Norie-sa…”

” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” Uwaah. ” ” ” ” ” ” ” “

“Heh? What is it, everyone?”

The figure of Norb-san, the last one to join us, was…

” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” A beautiful girl. ” ” ” ” ” ” ” ” “

Was it the influence of the hot spring’s beauty effects, or was it his own inherent qualities?

Norb-san, who appeared with his glossy, still-wet hair clinging to his skin, was a flawless, absolutely perfect beautiful girl.