Steamy Showers and Sensitive Ears
I took off the clothes covered in dust from the handlebars. A rustling sound filled the air as cool air brushed against my skin. As I lifted my body slightly, Claudia cooed teasingly.
“Cold? Want me to hug you?”
“…I’m fine.”
I glanced toward the voice, then whipped my head away in a hurry. Claudia’s voluptuous yet firm naked body—which had been blatantly obvious even through her clothes—was right there in full view.
…It’s surprisingly huge, huh. Come to think of it, I’d been through all sorts of that with her, but this was the first time I’d actually seen Claudia’s bare body today. Somehow… the order of things felt all wrong.
By the way, doesn’t something that big get in the way while working? I’d never seen her in action up close, so it was hard to picture. If I imagined her fighting… all I could see were those jiggling masses of fat.
Glancing sidelong again, I noticed the scars etched across her body. I’d only ever seen her pristine face, so I hadn’t realized… she had wounds like that. The scar slashing across her arm and shoulder was pretty big. She could’ve gotten rid of it, so why keep it?
With a jingle, Claudia slipped something off from around her neck and grinned.
“No need to sneak peeks—you can stare all you want.”
“…I’m not.”
She must’ve caught my gaze, because Claudia thrust out her ample curves like she was showing them off. To shift the weird vibe, I brought up the scars. Truth be told, I was a little curious. Someone of Claudia’s caliber could’ve gone to a temple or slapped on an expensive—but highly effective—regeneration potion to erase them.
“Th-that… what’s with the scar?”
“Oh, this?”
She answered breezily, like it was no big deal.
“Got it back when I was a green rookie, flailing around cluelessly. Kept it on purpose so I wouldn’t forget those days.”
“…I see.”
“Wanna touch it?”
“No.”
“Weren’t you curious?”
“…Doesn’t touching it come off kinda weird?”
Claudia shot back like I was making a fuss over nothing.
“You asked ‘cause you were interested, right? And what’s wrong with a quick touch? It’s not in some naughty spot.”
“Well… true.”
…For a second there, I forgot my current look is that of a cute girl with light pink hair. To Claudia, I probably just seemed like some admirer ogling her badass scars.
“Come on in and touch it while we wash up. Honestly, I’m feeling a bit embarrassed myself right now—I’m all grimy.”
“…Didn’t know you knew the meaning of shame.”
“Huh?”
“Nothing.”
I muttered the words before I could stop myself, then brushed them off and headed inside. Cecil and Veronica, who’d gone down first, were already wetting their bodies. Spotting me, Cecil beamed. Veronica’s eyes went wide beside her, and when she saw Claudia following me in, she clamped her mouth shut.
For Veronica’s sake, I had to make an effort not to look too. But Claudia’s puzzled voice was unavoidable.
“What’s with the sudden change?”
“…”
Veronica, who’d wiped each other down during the day without a care, now seemed shy. There were only two showerheads, and she dragged Cecil—who’d been sharing one—over to her spot.
…I came down here thinking I’d wash with the controllable Cecil, and you snatch her away? What am I supposed to do?
Cecil looked displeased too, puffing out her cheeks a bit.
“Lady Veronica. Cecil wants to wash with Lady Sha’a.”
“Huh? Uh… w-well… You can hop in the tub together later, right?”
Veronica fumbled at Cecil’s grumpy cheeks and said that. Cecil’s eyes widened in surprise, her ears perking up as she shouted. Her tail wagged furiously as a bonus.
“The tub! Lady Sha’a! Are we using the tub today?”
Veronica hid behind Cecil, while Cecil’s sparkling eyes turned to me. It wasn’t in the plan, but I nodded reluctantly, and Cecil started scrubbing herself frantically. Now that you’ve got her, at least wash her thoroughly.
I turned toward the other showerhead’s cascading water… only to find it occupied, as expected.
“I’ve been dying to try this out.”
Claudia stared at the showerhead in wonder, letting the water pour over her. The first thing that caught my eye was the water pooling in her cleavage.
…How am I not supposed to look? Her dust-matted hair now clung cleanly to her skin, giving her a slightly different vibe from usual. Her face could look sharp at times, but she always hid it behind a friendly smile—now, though… how to put it…
“What’re you doing? Not washing up?”
“Oh, yeah.”
Too late for that, but I averted my eyes as best I could and moved in front of Claudia. The water barely reached my head. It felt grimy, but I figured I’d do a proper rinse after she finished. As the water poured over my hair, Claudia suddenly pulled my body against hers.
“Eek!?”
“How’re you gonna get clean like that?”
“N-no, it’s f-fine.”
“What’s there to be shy about? We’re all girls.”
Her soft, fatty mounds pressed against the back of my head. If hair had nerves, it’d probably be thrilled right now. Her rock-hard abs pressed into my back. If not for that little something poking at my butt crack, I might’ve let my guard down completely.
It wasn’t ravaging me like before, but that blunt nub—too thick for a clit—jabbed at me insistently. She looked utterly calm, like what’s the big deal about a little nudity? Feeling like I was overreacting alone, I glanced sideways. There was Cecil humming happily as she filled the tub, and Veronica combing her hair.
Before, Cecil would’ve growled if Claudia and I got this close—but now, that inexplicable hostility seemed faded. Or maybe she was just obsessed with the tub.
Seeing that eased my mind a bit, but part of me wondered if spilling everything would’ve been better than this anxiety… Too late now. I’d done way too many embarrassing things for that. If I’d planned to come clean from the start, I should’ve said so upfront. This lie started because I figured I’d turn back soon, but it snowballed weirdly.
…Karma for using Claudia’s goodwill? Anyway, now that it’s come to this, I have to stick to it thoroughly.
“…Just caught me off guard, that’s all.”
“Yeah?”
I grabbed some soap bars, pretending to be casual as I lathered up. Claudia chuckled and snatched an extra bar, starting to foam it up too. Instead of washing herself, she fiddled with my hair.
“…Aren’t you gonna wash?”
“My hair’s short, so it’s quick for me. Yours is long—let me help.”
It sounded reasonable, so I handed over my hair. Suddenly, the long locks bugged me again. I’d let it grow thinking I’d change back soon, but now… it was nothing but hassle. As Claudia said, even a rough wash took forever, drying was a chore, and it tangled every morning. Plus, it was so heavy.
“Maybe I should cut it short now…”
“Huh? You wanna chop it?”
“Y-yeah… it’s inconvenient.”
Claudia ran her soapy hands gently through my hair as she replied.
“Your call, of course. Kinda sad, though.”
“Sad why?”
“Long hair opens up options. Like…”
Claudia gathered my hair and lifted it up—like a ponytail. It looked pretty decent in the mirror. Ignoring Claudia’s… ahem… assets on either side.
“Stuff like this.”
Not done yet, she split it in half and pulled it up over my ears. In my past life terms… twintails. Honestly… first time seeing them for real. No one walked around like that back home.
Combined with the perky animal ears on my head… it was pretty cute. The problem was, it was me.
Suddenly, I recalled how people in my old life called them “handlebars.”
…I shook my head. Blamed it on today’s chaos. As I jerked my head, Claudia let go.
“Didn’t like it?”
“No, it… wasn’t bad.”
No way I’d admit the “handlebar” thought. I mumbled vaguely.
“Good to hear. Cutting it’s your choice, but personally? I prefer it long.”
“…Guess I’ll cut it then.”
“That’s harsh!”
Her whine made me snort with laughter—pfft—easing the tension a little. As I washed up, planning our furniture shopping trip, Claudia’s hand started fiddling with the animal ears atop my head.
Too relaxed, maybe? Her fingers probed every nook and cranny inside… and without thinking…
“Ahh….”
A weird moan slipped out. It echoed strangely in the quiet bathroom. Embarrassment flooded me—my face felt like it’d burst from the blood rushing in.
A troubled voice came from above my head.
“…Sorry. Should’ve been more careful.”
“N-no… m-my fault…”
For some reason… that thing poking my butt crack felt even harder now… Must be my imagination. I hope.