Whispers in the Shower: The Aftermath of Shared Baths
Harang-ah, Harang-ah.
Superhuman Seo Harang?
Seo Harang’s immediate answer came the moment Jeong Seung-ah called out. Looking up, she saw the older woman holding a small toiletries bag.
Are you going to shower?
Mmm-hmm. I was thinking of asking if you wanted to come along in case you were thinking the same thing. It’s fine, right?
It’s perfectly fine. I was actually thinking the same thing myself.
Seo Harang stood up at once and grabbed her own bag. Note that her blanket and mattress were already neatly rolled up.
Now that the unit no longer had to carry her everywhere and set up her own bedding every single time, the overprotective measures her seniors had taken were finally over. It was thanks to their kindness that they had noticed how burdensome it had been for her, and now she could finally walk on solid ground with her own two feet.
Ah, I should wash up too.
Yeon Byeori rose from her seat.
Huh? You never liked washing alone, right? You always waited for the empty hour to shower.
Hearing Han Jihye say it as if she had gotten lucky, Seo Harang replied with a puzzled tilt of her head.
Hero Han Jihye. You were pretending not to notice, but you saw everything, didn’t you? You seem to have a surprisingly deep understanding and care for us.
What? No way!? I don’t have any interest in any of you at all!? Especially not with you, Byeori! I really, really have zero interest in you!
It doesn’t suit you at all.
Heh heh~
After playfully poking her own head, Yeon Byeori picked up her bag.
Even if I were to refuse, there had been a hint of stubborn resolve in her eyes, as if she would keep refusing no matter what.
Seo Harang found it strange that Yeon Byeori had never tried to use the system in this way before. Was this really so important? Though she had never intended to refuse in the first place.
Kim Heejin, however, was off training by herself at the moment. Since no one had invited her, Seo Harang had no reason to worry about her.
After finishing preparations under the watchful eyes of the seniors, the group made their way to the shower room. Because it was evening, there were quite a few people already inside.
There are quite a few people here.
Still, it looks like we’ll have a spot to ourselves.
Exactly three seats were left empty.
It seemed as if they would have to stand a bit apart to wash. All the seniors who had already claimed seats appeared to be just starting to lather their hair. Still, how odd that there were empty seats.
Yeah. When there are too many people, it’s always awkward, isn’t it? If more people come, you’ll feel uncomfortable and hurry up and wash.
Does that mean you feel uncomfortable too, Superhuman Yeon Byeori? Even though you’ve been here a long time...
It’s just my personal preference.
Ah... I guess so. I probably wouldn’t be able to wash with my juniors like that either.
With that said, she began to slowly undress, and she felt eyes on her.
Jeong Seung-ah.
Um... Seung-ah?
Silence.
Seung-ah?
Clap!
Superhuman... Superhuman Jeong Seung-ah...!
As Yeon Byeori clapped right in front of her, Jeong Seung-ah finally snapped out of it and straightened her posture.
She had done the same thing in front of Kim Heejin back then too?
It seemed like her reaction was always slower only during showers.
Harang’s figure is going to be wrecked. You’re staring too much.
Ah...! I’m sorry. Sorry, Harang-ah.
It’s fine. It’s okay.
She was staring at her body with an intensity that reached one hundred percent. She had mentioned seeing her body as the reason, but Seo Harang suspected there was something else entirely. Otherwise, it wouldn’t happen every single time.
Wait a second... These three girls all seem to be juniors to me... Everyone!
Yeon Byeori raised her voice. Instantly, the older girls from the other side called out in their own formal titles.
Since we’re only three, could you please make some room?
As always, even if it was a question, the seniors’ words were absolute. No room for negotiation.
She apologized to the seniors who had cleared the way. Yeon Byeori had been so kind, and she couldn’t just shout “I’m sorry!” right away. That would be ignoring her kindness.
Once she had stripped off her clothes, two pairs of eyes were glued to her. Even if it was only Jeong Seung-ah, she hadn’t expected Yeon Byeori to stare too.
I... Aren’t you going to shower? Even I would feel embarrassed if someone stared at me like this.
She had covered her chest and lower body... Wait, what was that! Such a feminine gesture!
Just before her wild side inside her could roar, she pulled her hands away. Instead, she puffed out her chest more defiantly.
Whoa...
Oh.
...She pouted. This was still a bit embarrassing.
No, really, how is your body like this?
Your face is perfect. Really. I could kill for it.
I’m really embarrassed... Could you at least take off your clothes too?
It felt like she had fallen into a zoo enclosure naked. Receiving such stares as a woman was truly, genuinely too mortifying.
Yeon Byeori and Jeong Seung-ah, who had been watching her with pity instead of staring, began to undress as well.
She had wanted to deliver their words exactly as they were. No matter whether they had awakened or not, they had always been the type who were inherently superior.
Thankfully, Jeong Seung-ah had a petite and cute build, and they had showered together many times, so it was a blessing. Yeon Byeori, however, was a little different.
If Kim Heejin represented the upper limit of healthy, toned beauty, Yeon Byeori seemed to embody the fragile, luxurious beauty that could crumble with a touch.
Her dark green hair and crimson eyes. Her skin was as white as new snow, perfectly supporting the vibrant hue of her hair.
It wasn’t a joke. She was the palest among all the people present. So pale that it made her want to stare for no reason.
How can you be so pale?
It’s because I don’t go out much... Nah, just kidding. I was fair-skinned from the start, but after awakening, I became like this. I never get tanned.
Yeon Byeori walked to an empty seat as if it were nothing. After confirming it was the farthest back, she sat down in the middle.
Jeong Seung-ah, who had fallen silent, followed and claimed the seat right next to hers.
I personally prefer a slightly lighter tone like Harang’s.
I really like your skin color, Superhuman Yeon Byeori.
...You shouldn’t say things like that casually, you know?
Click, click. As Yeon Byeori turned on the shower, she asked.
I’m not saying it casually. I have my own sense of timing. I only say such things to you, Superhuman Yeon Byeori.
I don’t like tanning or anything like that. I prefer fair skin.
Yeah... I figured. Harang likes you.
Yeon Byeori said it without any hesitation, as if stating a confirmed truth. It was correct.
She liked all of them except for Ji Yuna, the old Kim Heejin, and Han Jihye.
Well, I didn’t particularly dislike Kim Heejin from back then or Han Jihye either.
Ah! No! I meant I like all of you! Not that I meant any other meaning!
Huh? Have you come back to your senses, Seung-ah? You haven’t even turned on the shower, and what are you doing?
That’s... Because Harang’s body is so beautiful, I was just admiring it.
You could’ve just said that. Harang would be upset.
I’m not upset. It’s fine. It’s something that happens every time I shower with Superhuman Jeong Seung-ah.
...You’re too easy on me, Seung-ah.
It’s not true at all!
Jeong Seung-ah quickly denied it and turned on the shower. It seemed she had completely snapped out of it now that the stares had vanished.
...
Back in the living quarters, she relaxed under the warm water.
Hey! Seo Harang!
Superhuman Seo Harang!?
And just like that, she was wide awake. It was because of Kim Heejin’s terrifying aura that could make even a smiling person cry.
I’m sorry!
Why are you suddenly apologizing?
Well... It just felt like I had to apologize.
Why? Do I look angry?
Your tone of voice isn’t neutral at all! You must be really angry!
No, I’m not the type to get mad easily. It’s just that I felt a bit put out.
Could it be related to me?
Yes.
I’m sorry!
Anyone who has never witnessed the results of that neutral tone should be thrown a rock at me.
Even though things had gotten better lately, it was better to take action the moment she sensed the volcano inside her about to erupt.
Pfft... I’m kidding. I really wasn’t angry.
Really?
Of course. Look at my face. I’m not angry at all.
Superhuman Kim Heejin seems angry even if she stays still.
Kim Heejin lunged with surprising speed, knocking Yeon Byeori over with a dramatic throw.
Yeon Byeori rolled around on the floor with glee for a while before collapsing right where she landed.
Don’t mind Byeori. Since I really wasn’t angry, you can relax.
Huh? What are you talking about? As soon as you got here, Harang, you went wild asking where she was.
While lounging on the floor as if she were watching a drama, Han Jihye said that, and Kim Heejin... Well, she couldn’t do anything dramatic, so she just clenched her fists. It seemed like they were shaking.
If I had truly been a senior, I definitely wouldn’t have stayed still.
But I’m a junior, though.
Ah! Really!
Kim Heejin waved her hands as if she no longer cared, as if she wanted to wash her hands of the matter. Talking to Han Jihye seemed to give her a headache.
Anyway, Harang!
Superhuman Harang!
Honestly, I don’t have anything to say to you. You’ve helped me so much. Still...
Kim Heejin pouted her lips. The passive look she had never shown before left Seo Harang’s mouth open in surprise.
We could shower together, couldn’t we?
You could shower alone, though.
Don’t interrupt us right now. We’re just talking among ourselves.
Yes.
Kim Heejin roughly rejected Han Jihye’s comment and turned back to her. She looked downcast.
The image of her as a small giant had vanished. She could make such an expression too.
Who did you shower with? Just by yourself because you were too lazy?
No. Superhuman Yeon Byeori and Superhuman Jeong Seung-ah showered with me. I invited them.
Ah! No! I invited Harang! To shower together...
Once she covered for her, Jeong Seung-ah immediately denied it. There had been a hint of resolve that she would take the punishment herself if she were to be scolded.
But no one actually raised a whip. After all, showering was a personal choice, wasn’t it? What could be said about that...? It would be sad.
Superhuman Kim Heejin? As long as you’re okay, I can shower again...
No, there’s no need. It’s fine.
Saying it was fine made her heart ache even more. It touched her heart more than scolding her would have.
From now on, I’ll definitely shower together!
No, there’s no need. I don’t have the right to say anything to you. As I said before, I still haven’t fully repaid you.
No! It’s fine! This is different from that!
Sorry. I made you troubled for nothing.
Kim Heejin picked up her bag. Her heart was racing as she watched in real time.
I’m sorry! I’m really sorry!
You have nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who should be sorry. I made you worry for nothing.
Kim Heejin senior!!
She sent Kim Heejin off as she left the shower room.
The expression on Kim Heejin’s face as she glanced back was utterly desolate. Even after coming home exhausted from overwork, she had looked at the one person who was supposed to greet her and there was no one.
Why are you filming such drama over something as simple as washing?
Han Jihye’s voice filled the living quarters as she watched them with curiosity. Unfortunately, that voice had not reached Kim Heejin’s ears, as she had already left.