Chapter 43
Chapter 43
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Washing the Heroine
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Hic!
I let out a heated breath accompanied by a hiccup.
A closer look showed her eyebrows twitching—she clearly hadn't passed out.
"There you are... I was dreaming about you, Grandpa."
Her voice came out muffled, blocked by the tablecloth.
I quietly listened in.
Her voice grew softer and softer, but I could feel her gradually opening up about something deep inside.
Harumi rested her forehead on the table. Her faint breaths left a foggy mist on the wine glass right next to her face.
"What kind of dream?"
Harumi's voice leaked out like the tiniest whisper.
"...A weird dweam."
She slowly rubbed the table with her palm. Was it the alcohol? It felt like she was touching something other than the tablecloth.
"Me 'n Dad... 'n Mom buildin' a sandcastle at the beach..."
Harumi took a deep breath without lifting her forehead.
The next words came out even weaker, trickling out slowly.
"Sun was warm... heard laughter... but then..."
Her shoulders hunched up. She was probably covering her face with her palm while keeping her head down.
"Suddenly... a wave came and swept everything away... the sandcastle, Mom, Dad... left me all alone."
With her forehead still pressed to the table, she let out a giggly laugh. But there was no energy in it at all.
It was just an evasive chuckle to stay sane in a hopeless situation.
"Did both your mom and dad get swept away by the wave?"
I asked casually, as if it was just a story about a dream.
"Nuh-uh... Mom was still in sight... still wearin' her life ring... hehe... lucky."
A metaphor for her mom, still hospitalized.
Interpreting her inner thoughts through her dream story made me feel like some kind of psychologist. Not really my field of interest, but if it's counseling for the heroines, I could do it anytime.
"Then isn't that okay? Won't your mom get rescued soon?"
Harumi lifted her face at my question and stroked near her nape with dazed eyes. She seemed choked up.
"No.... The waves keep comin'. Again and again. Non-stop. And... some guy says he's gonna cut the rope connected to Mom's life ring. B-but I can't do anything... sob... c-can't do nothin' but watch... ugh...."
Looks like my guess was right. That Kanemochiru Kenji bastard must've schemed to take over the family business, using her mom's hospital bills to blackmail them.
"...It's okay, miss. Everything's gonna be alright."
Pat pat
I gently stroked the sniffling Harumi's head.
"Eek!"
Harumi, who had been accepting my touch like a cat, suddenly shot up and downed the rest of her wine.
Gulp gulp!
"Pwah!"
Her already flushed face grew even redder.
"Sorry, miss. I brought up something unnecessary."
"..Nah. I'm feelin' weird today too. Feels like you've known me forever. You're a weird commoner."
Known me forever...
Was it just the booze talking, or did she really sense some connection from a past life?
From a possessor's perspective, it was a bittersweet yet joyful statement.
"There... hic! I tried doin' everything alone... it's too hard..."
She continued awkwardly with a smile. Maybe spilling her guts through the dream made her feel closer to me.
The sharpness Harumi usually showed had dulled a lot from the wine. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"Don't push yourself so hard alone."
I carefully placed my hand over hers. Harumi flinched in slight surprise but soon relaxed and let my hand rest there.
"Still, somethin' good came up today. Happy~"
"Really? What is it?"
"Makin' dolls!!"
She swung her legs dangling from the chair. She looked in a good mood. Of course, the wool felt kit job I hooked her up with wouldn't cover all the hospital bills, but in the midst of repeated job failures, it must feel like a ray of light.
"Huuung...."
By the time we finished eating, Harumi was too drunk to hold herself up.
"Bill on card. Lump sum."
"Card approved. Thank you."
Leaving the restaurant, I easily piggybacked the staggering Harumi.
Her body was surprisingly small and light.
A small, hot body nestled warmly against my back. Flat but soft chest. And the pounding of her heartbeat transmitted through my back. Whether from booze or crying, her heart was racing.
"Hunya...."
Getting blackout drunk and defenseless like this.
Did the relief of unburdening herself loosen her up?
I walked down the alley carrying Harumi, who had completely lost her senses and was limp as I carried her on my back.
The way to her rundown apartment.
Passing through dark, narrow paths, Harumi buried her face in my back, breathing softly.
"Harumi miss, where's your key?"
"Hngyam...? Later.... pocket...."
Whining while draped over my back. I supported her butt with one hand and fished the key out of her skirt pocket with the other.
Creeeak!
A hinge squeak like something out of a haunted house.
Still, Harumi slept soundly.
I carried her inside to the bathroom. My socks got a few water drops, feeling gross, but washing her hands and brushing her teeth was way more important.
"Alright, Harumi miss~ We're home. Let's wash your hands?"
"Uung... nooo... wanna sleep...."
"Hey now. You'll get sick. And if these rot, dentist bills will bankrupt you?"
"Uuu... that's worse... Grandpa do it...."
Grandpa?
"I'm not your grandpa, miss..."
"Whaaat~ Grandpa's my Batler!"
Batler? Ah, Butler. She means butler.
Her old house even had a butler, huh.
Living like medieval nobility.
I didn't want to correct this drunk girl's delusion, so I nodded.
"Yes, miss. Then I'll wash you up."
"Ungnem...."
She wobbled on unsteady legs, eyes mostly shut.
I gently wrapped my arms around her slender shoulders and led her to the sink.
Whoosh—
If we were dating, I could've stripped her down for a steamy, drunken shower session. Kinda regrettable.
I behaved, lathering soap with my hands to wash Harumi's.
"Huhet, t-tickles..."
The slick feel of wet, soapy hands rubbing together. Warm palms and slightly cooler fingers intertwining in natural play. Normally, touching anything gives no reaction—not even washing my own hands sparks thoughts.
But washing someone else's hands with soap? Way more thrilling than I imagined.
Wanna wash her feet too, but sitting her down might make her pass out. I grabbed her toothbrush from the sink cup, squeezed toothpaste, and held it out.
"Ahh~. Brush brush time."
"Ung.. ahhh...."
Cute lips parted, revealing neat teeth. Adorable. If Ren embodies classic icy beauty, Harumi's got all the world's cuteness to herself.
"Brush brush~."
"Uung.. ticka ticka.."
Her tiny tongue mimicking me with the brush in her mouth.
Screw toothpaste—I wanna tangle tongues right now.
"Uek.. too much paste..."
Got lost in dirty thoughts; brushed too long.
I had her rinse, then carried her back to the living room/kitchen/bedroom combo.
Peeking through the window before, I'd imagined it sparse, but inside was even more barren and gloomy.
Mold spots everywhere on the wallpaper, water damage stains on the ceiling turned yellowish-brown.
How does a girl living in such a dump smell so good?
Sniff sniff
Standing there holding my hand, sleeping Harumi gave off her signature lemon scent mixed with baby powder.
"Kruuuh...."
Ugh, intoxicating.
This is cocaine.
Wanna keep sniffing, but can't leave her standing.
I laid out the futon and pillow; she flopped down naturally, like it was expected.
"Huuhn.. good... feels nice...."
At that moment, her Heroine Status window popped up.
"Whoa!"
Heroine Status unlocked right away at Favorability Stage 2. My efforts weren't wasted.
I figured Kenji might be in dislikes... but 'affair'? Her parents cheating? Nah, mom and dad are in likes, and her mental state shows she misses them badly.
A daughter hating her parents' infidelity wouldn't think like that. Paternal grandfather? Maybe strict when she was young.
Anyway, time to head out for today.
I'd love to lie beside her watching her sleep till she wakes, but gotta hold back. Sleeping together rashly could tank Favorability back to Stage 1.
I stroked her head with lingering regret in my eyes and whispered softly.
"Harumi. Hang in there. I'll get you out of here soon.... See you next time."
Yeah. That's enough for today.
No sleeping together.
Sniff
"Don't go.. sniff.... nooo... always alone.. always always alone, hate it.... ugh...."
Cancel.
Screw it—sleepover tonight.
Can't leave a girl crying and begging like that, even half-asleep.
Irresistible impulse. Unconquerable desire!
"Harumi miss, mind if I lie down next to you?"
"Ungyam...."
Tomorrow's problems for tomorrow's me.