Massage (1)
We made one final stop at the Phoenix Resort's massage shop before heading home.
The staff member seated at the reception desk in the luxurious lobby greeted me warmly.
"Do you have a reservation?"
"No, but here." I showed her the two tickets Jang Gilsan had given me.
The staff scanned the barcode and checked her computer screen.
"Facial Focus Care VIP for two confirmed. You can head right in, but has your companion arrived yet?"
"She's right here." I glanced up at Aqua riding on my neck.
[I'm right here!]
As Aqua materialized, the staff jumped once in surprise at the sudden appearance of the spirit, then again upon realizing she was part of my group.
"...A spirit... Will she be receiving the service too?"
"Yes. Are spirits excluded from the service?"
"No, not at all." The staff looked flustered for a moment before pointing toward the back. "I'll escort you both in. Please change in the dressing room over there."
We headed into the changing room as directed. Aqua stifled a giggle.
[Hee hee hee. Did you see how startled she was?]
"She was totally thrown off."
We laughed like mischievous kids. Sorry to the staff, but her reaction was pure entertainment for us.
I stripped down and slipped into a gown. For Aqua, I put her in a child-sized one.
[Is this what clothes are like? It's awfully uncomfortable.]
Aqua spun around, inspecting the gown.
So cute. I stared blankly at her, unconsciously pulling out my phone to snap a photo.
A water spirit is made of water. Her body, her clothes—all water. She was always naked, yet always dressed.
So this is what Aqua looks like in clothes.
It was like a doll dressed up—and one that moved and lived.
Sudden urges bubbled up to try dressing her in dresses, hanbok, all sorts of outfits.
[Let's go!]
Snapping out of it at her voice, I pocketed my phone and scooped her into my arms.
"Yeah, let's go."
As we exited the changing room, the waiting staff froze at the sight of Aqua, her heart skipping a beat.
She forced down a rising smile and led us to the inner room, styled like the interior of a traditional hanok house, where two cups of tea awaited.
"This tea will help relax your mind and body."
Once we'd finished, she guided us further in.
We entered a room labeled 'Plum Blossom Chamber,' where two masseuses awaited. They blinked in surprise at Aqua but quickly bowed.
"Please lie down."
I lifted Aqua onto the bed and lay on the one beside it. The masseuses lit scented candles and began.
They applied various gels and lotions to my face, gently pressing here and there. I was sinking into the sensation when—
"...Wow."
A soft murmur of awe came from Aqua's masseuse. A quick sidelong glance showed her blushing, exclaiming nonstop as she kneaded Aqua's cheeks. Getting paid to touch them to her heart's content? That masseuse had used up all her luck for the year.
Feeling so relaxed...
The fragrant aroma and classical music eased my body bit by bit. I was on the verge of drifting off when Aqua's masseuse muttered,
"...The spirit guest's skin absorbs so well."
I burst out laughing.
Of course—it's like lotion on water!
It took me a while of chuckling to calm down.
After about thirty minutes, the masseuses said, "Please relax," and left.
[Hm? What's this? Is it over?]
Turning at her voice, I burst out laughing again. Aqua had a towel wrapped around her hair and a white sheet mask on her face.
"Hee hee hee... No, now you just relax. This is part of the massage too."
[Hm... Is that so.]
Aqua hopped off the bed and soon her voice came from beside my head.
[Welcome to Aqua's Massage Shop, customer!]
She'd made a water chair to reach my head height.
[I'll give you a massage!]
Playing masseuse, apparently.
"Please take good care of me. My skin's been so dry lately."
I played along with a grin.
[First, drink this! It's tea to refresh your mind and body!]
Suddenly, water poured into my mouth—Aqua's Healing Water, manipulated right in.
I gulped it down fast, not wanting to spill a precious drop.
"...Huh?"
But it tasted different from the last batch. Cooler, crisper, deeper. Plain water, no additives, yet somehow sweet.
"Way better than before?"
Healing Water's taste tied to its potency. This was a huge upgrade.
[This is the class of Healing Water from my fully grown self!]
Come to think of it, this was my first taste since her Healing Power skill unlocked.
Aqua crossed her arms proudly. She was so cute, I egged her on.
"Whoa. Just drinking it makes my insides feel healthier."
[Of course! Human bodies are mostly water, aren't they?]
"The supreme among spirits, as expected!"
[That's my spirit master! You get it!]
"Top-class spirit class doesn't fade!"
[Ahahaha!]
A fountain sprayed from her shoulders—the ultimate pride burst.
[Good! Massage time! Just relax, customer!]
She raised her tiny hands high. Like tender sprouts.
Thump—strange excitement swelled in my chest.
She's gonna massage me with those?
Tiny hands kneading my face? The thought alone was cuteness overload.
[Hee hee hee. I'll polish you up!]
Aqua peeled off my mask and plopped her hands on my cheeks.
Splash! Rub rub—
Her Healing Water-dampened palms, squishy and jiggly like water balloons—a water spirit trait—roamed my face eagerly.
Imagining her perched on my head, kneading away, had me chuckling.
"Hee hee hee..."
Snap! She smacked my forehead.
[Don't shake your face! Stay still!]
Suppressing my laughter, I felt the Healing Water sink rapidly into my skin.
[Feel the effect?]
"Sinking right in. Top-class spirit's top-class Healing Water, alright."
[Ahahaha!]
Now she spread her fingers wide, kneading methodically—mimicking the earlier masseuse, though clumsily. But that didn't matter. Tiny palms and chubby fingers dancing on my face—that was everything.
"Hee hee hee..."
[I said stay still!]
Snap—another forehead smack.
Next, she pressed firmly on my cheeks and forehead.
It's the pressing part!
Real weight behind it, but painless—water spirit and all. I savored her service fully.
Amid the drowsiness, my heart swelled to bursting.
I could die happy right now.
Life with Aqua was daily bliss, yet each day shattered happiness limits anew.
"Haaa~"
A contented sigh escaped, steeped in bliss.
Heavenly time ended; we changed and exited the spa.
Our masseuses waited in the lobby.
"Have a good one."
"Take care."
Aqua's masseuse looked more healed than Aqua herself, beaming contentedly. Mine glanced at my face, startled, then at her hands.
Was my technique that good? her expression said.
But credit went to Aqua.
I was shocked too, checking the mirror.
My skin gleamed literally, thanks to her Healing Water. Old acne scars from student days, under-eye circles—all faded.
They said it boosts skin regeneration— no joke.
And not diluted cosmetics, but pure top-grade absorbed directly. In value? Millions per session.
[See ya!]
"Take care."
Buzzing with joy, we left. I asked Aqua on my neck,
"Head home now?"
[Let's go!]
She replied, resting her chin on my head—post-fun exhaustion hitting.
[Hee hee hee!]
Her laugh drew mine.
Next morning.
"Mom. What's all this?"
At Mom's call, Aqua and I entered the master room to find a mountain of kids' clothes—from who knows where.
Mom's face flushed with excitement—a rare sight.
She beamed. "Clothes for Aqua to try on."
"...Huh?"
[...Eh?]
We blinked at each other blankly.
"Asked neighbors; rural area's short on kids these days. Borrowed extras—got a whole truckload."
"Mom, spirits don't really wear—"
Poke—Dad jabbed my side, cutting me off.
"Come on. Aqua, hang with Grandma a bit."
He pulled me aside. "Hyunwoo."
"Yeah, Dad."
"No daughter in our house."
"True."
"Your mom's side all brothers too."
"Yeah?"
"First girl in her family like this."
"Oh..."
I got it. Mom wanted to spoil her near-granddaughter Aqua with cute outfits.
Not bad at all. No—perfect.
I whipped out my phone. Prime chance to fill Aqua's photo album.