Chapter 23: Bath Time
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 23: Bath Time
The flight back on the broom was definitely much faster than taking a car, though the price was a rather sore backside from the hard wood.
This time, Sister Bai didn't fly as fast or as high as before. I sat sideways on the broom, clinging to her waist as I watched the world drift slowly by. Looking down at the brightly lit landscape below, I discovered a unique beauty—a bustling energy that couldn't be felt during the day. It seemed the Witch Academy was even more vibrant at night.
Are witches nocturnal creatures?
I glanced at my schedule. It was almost my bedtime. With a routine like mine, I’d surely be seen as an outlier in a place like this.
Unfortunately, there was still plenty to do now that we were home: showering, laundry, and then sleep.
The shower alone was going to be a major undertaking. I couldn't exactly just wing it like I used to, could I? I had a feeling that if Sister Bai caught me being sloppy, she’d beat me senseless on the bed.
Checking the time again, I realized I was already past my usual lights-out. Although I still had some lingering excitement from our shopping trip, I couldn't hide the exhaustion in my eyes.
As I rubbed my eyes, Sister Bai seemed to be finishing up some preparations. Noticing my gaze, Bai Yu looked up naturally.
"I'm getting the bath supplies ready. By the way, Xiao Han, are you used to using a bath towel?" Bai Yu asked, folding a massive towel and setting it aside.
"A bath towel?"
I tilted my head, signaling my lack of experience. I’d taken plenty of showers before, but wasn't the standard procedure just to dry off with a regular towel and put on some underwear?
Why all the bells and whistles? Was I trying to be some fanservice model putting on a show for someone?
Of course, I didn't dare say that out loud, especially not in front of Sister Bai.
"Never used one," I replied bluntly. There was no point in hiding it.
"Then I'll teach you how after I help you wash up. Not just the bath towel, but the headscarf too—it's for drying your hair..."
"Uh... okay..."
I could only nod along. These were things I had never touched in my life. Combined with my current fatigue, I was listening half-heartedly, just nodding to agree.
It’s just a bunch of trivial nonsense. Once Sister Bai finishes teaching me, I’m definitely ditching these inconvenient things!
Still, I had to pay attention while she was teaching. After all, I couldn't exactly disrespect Sister Bai.
"Let's go, time for a bath~"
Sister Bai picked up a pile of items that made my head spin. It was just a shower; why did she make it look like we were gearing up for a military resupply?
"What's wrong? It’s a lot of work for a girl to wash up, so you’ll have to get used to it slowly~ Don't worry, I'll teach you. Once you're skilled enough, you can adjust the routine to suit your needs."
"Adjust it?" I asked skeptically. If I were the one adjusting it, I guaranteed that every single thing I didn't recognize would be tossed out. Not a single one would remain. This "showering culture" was far too complicated!
"Mhm, of course. Personal hygiene is a hassle for girls, but time waits for no one. Generally, you focus on specific areas. For example, if you've been sweating all day, you focus on body odor. Or if your hair is dirty, dry, or has split ends, you focus on hair care..."
"Are you serious... that sounds like such a pain..."
"You'll get used to it. We don't have anything else to do today, so I'm going to give you a full, head-to-toe treatment~"
"..." I really wanted to say I did have something to do! I wanted to sleep!
But now was apparently "serious teaching time"...
"What's the matter? If you don't like doing these things, you'll have to work hard in the future."
"Work hard? How?" I couldn't see the connection between "working hard" and "not liking chores."
"By becoming a witch who can use spells as soon as possible, of course. There are spells that can quickly clean your body, your hair, and so on. With those, you won't have to go through the trouble of showering every day."
"What? There’s a spell that amazing? Can I learn it too?" Hearing about such a miraculous ability, my eyes instantly lit up with anticipation. That sounded like an incredibly useful tool!
The only pity was that I couldn't use it yet...
"Of course. I know how to do it," Sister Bai said.
"Then... then can you..."
"No. It'll be a while before you can master that ability, and I can't be with you forever. So, you still need to learn how to wash yourself. Besides, you're a grown person; aren't you afraid people will laugh at you if you don't even know how to take a bath?"
"Ugh..."
After being scolded by Sister Bai, I realized she was right. It really would be embarrassing.
But I couldn't help it! This was my first time being a girl; I didn't expect it to be this much trouble...
"Let's go~ Bath time." Sister Bai freed up a hand to grab my wrist and led me into the massive bathroom.
Once inside, I realized just how narrow my horizons had been. Was this bathroom big enough to be a public bathhouse?
And there was even a decent-sized bathtub!
She certainly knew how to enjoy life.
...
By the time the bath was over, the day was officially done. At this hour, I was probably the only one still awake and washing up.
I clutched the bathrobe around me with one hand to keep it from slipping, while the other held the headscarf atop my head. I looked quite pathetic as I stumbled back to my bedroom.
Sister Bai hadn't followed me because she hadn't showered yet. She had originally suggested we shower together to save time, but I had righteously refused.
Back in the bedroom, I saw a pair of pajamas neatly laid out on the bed. Sister Bai must have prepared them in advance. I could put them on once I was mostly dry.
When I picked them up, I realized it was actually a nightgown.
It was very loose, with the hem dragging down to my calves. There were no buttons, only a sash.
I really wondered if this nightgown would even stay on me by morning if I tossed and turned in my sleep.
Just as I was studying how to put the thing on, Sister Bai walked in, her long hair draped over her shoulders and a bath towel wrapped around her.
"Eh? Sister Bai? You! How did you finish so fast?" My voice was tinged with panic, though I didn't know what I was panicking about. Perhaps I was just shocked by her speed.
"It's getting late, so I used a spell. I couldn't just leave you waiting here, could I?"
As she spoke, she turned slightly, and the towel slipped from her body. A vast expanse of her snowy-white back was exposed to the air.
I quickly covered my eyes and turned around. See no evil... please, see no evil...
Bai Yu clearly didn't care. She picked up her nightgown and put it on. Then, looking somewhat satisfied with my reaction, she walked toward me.
"Alright, Xiao Han, what are you standing there for? Do you not know how to put this on?" Sister Bai took the nightgown from my hands, adjusted the angle, and draped it over me.
The soft, light touch of the fabric landed on my shoulders. My bath towel accidentally slipped to the floor, but the nightgown wrapped around my body just in time.
"First time wearing one, right? It's simple. Just like this. But you'll have to tie the sash yourself—as long as you don't tie a dead knot, anything goes."
Sister Bai thoughtfully helped me get settled, then turned aside to rummage through some things.
I took the sash, wrapped it around my waist, and tied a simple knot in the front. "Sister Bai, what are you looking for?"
"Seeing if there's a hairdryer. If not, I'll use a wind spell to dry your hair. You don't want to go to bed with it soaking wet, do you?"