The Heroine's Brainwashing Massage: Check (Part 2)
"Massage?"
Check uttered a puzzled voice at Apple's abrupt statement. Massage? She was pretty sure she hadn't misheard. Apple continued without wiping the smile from her face, addressing the bewildered Check.
"Yes. Psychological care for the 7th Squad is my job, right? Captain Rahe specially asked me to pay a little more attention to the squad members than usual. This is part of that. Plus, Coco over there and Spade here have already received theirs."
Check glanced back to see Coco nodding vigorously. "Yeah, yeah. It was amazing. All the fatigue just melted away~ like poof, gone. Seriously the best. Apple could make a killing as a masseuse."
"Hehe, I just learned it as a hobby, so I'm glad it helped. That makes me happy."
To get such praise from finicky Coco, who barely cared about appearances—Apple's massage must have been genuinely exceptional.
But still, asking Apple to do something like this.
Apple had been present when Club was kidnapped—one of the people there. Check had even noticed her showing signs of guilt over the incident from time to time. And yet, Captain Rahe was assigning her to provide psychological care for the other squad members... What was the captain thinking...?
As Check fell silent, lost in thought, Apple cautiously gauged her reaction and continued. The smile lingered on her lips, but it wasn't the bright one from before—it carried a hint of bitterness and regret.
"Actually, before Captain Rahe said anything, I asked her first. I even suggested this massage idea myself."
"...You did? Why?"
"Because this is all I can do."
At those words, Check's mouth fell open with an "ah..." So that's what she meant.
"I don't have the ability to fight. Not like you, Check, or Coco, or Spade—rushing into enemy territory to rescue Club."
"All I can do is gather a bit of information, handle miscellaneous paperwork to make things a little easier for you all while you're out there."
"In the end, all I can do is stay behind, powerless, waiting helplessly."
Club's kidnapping felt like her fault. Whether that was true or not, Apple couldn't help but feel burdened by it. But even feeling that weight, there was nothing she could do.
Of course, the tasks Apple handled were excellent and indispensable. But when it came to risking life and limb on the front lines to save Club, it wasn't Apple—it was the others.
That's why Apple had come forward like this. Volunteering to offer massages or whatever help she could.
It might be small, but it was her way of doing her absolute best within her limits. Not sitting idly like some pitiful heroine waiting to be saved, but stepping up pluckily to provide even the tiniest aid.
"I'll do my best. I'll make sure to keep you in top condition, Check, so you can deploy for the mission without any issues!"
Seeing Apple clench her fists and declare it so earnestly, Check had nothing more to say.
Coco, standing beside her, poked Check's shoulder with a mischievous grin, her eyes saying, You wouldn't refuse this, would you?
No way. Check had no intention of doing that. With a small sigh, she said, "Alright, then. I'll take you up on it."
* * *
After showering in her own room to wash off the sweat, Check headed straight to Apple's room. She knocked, and Spade opened the door.
"...But I didn't ask earlier—Spade, why're you here?"
"I won't be joining this mission either. ...I wanted to help with something."
Spade spoke with a bitter expression. She wouldn't participate in this operation—a decision from the earlier meeting. Check had expected her to argue, but surprisingly, Spade had accepted it quietly. The old hot-headed Spade, who never distinguished friend from foe, would have clung desperately to join no matter what.
Guess even this thorny one has grown up a bit.
Of course, like Apple, Spade had been there during Club's kidnapping and felt the weight of failing to stop it. That must be why she was here now, helping Apple.
Check admired the sentiment but didn't voice any praise. Instead, she lightly ruffled Spade's hair.
"Please undress and lie down here just like that~."
Inside Apple's room, she received those instructions. The space evoked a professional massage parlor—fully equipped and serious. It wasn't a drastic change upon close inspection; just reorganizing, rearranging furniture, and adding subtle touches created the atmosphere. Was this what they called sense?
Spade must have lent her strength for the heavy lifting. Following Apple's directions, Check lay naked on the indicated bed. Apple covered her breasts and groin with towels, then placed a warm, steamed cloth over her eyes. She also activated a mist machine on the nearby shelf.
A soft, pale mist sprayed gently toward Check's face with a shwaaaa.
Ah... this smells nice.
The warm towel soothing her eyes was great, but the sweet, aroma-like scent of the mist enveloping her face was even better. Her fatigue was already melting away.
"Then, Check, let's begin."
With Spade assisting at her side, Apple's massage started.
* * *
Apple's massage was professional-grade. Or at least, Check—who had no deep knowledge of such things—couldn't tell otherwise. It might have been amateur-level to experts, but it felt incredibly satisfying to her.
"Okay, Check, relax your body even more~. Let me know if it hurts anywhere~."
As she spoke, Apple precisely targeted pressure points, kneading and rubbing firmly here and there. Ahh, the fatigue was dissolving. She could feel her unnecessarily tense muscles loosening pleasurably. She'd sleep like a baby tonight, she thought.
"Check. How's the mist...?"
"...Spade...? Yeah... it's nice. What scent is this... lavender...?"
"Exactly. It has herbal candles in it. Want to inhale it a bit more?"
Following Spade's guiding voice from beside her, Check focused on savoring the mist's aroma. It really was wonderful. She had a diffuser in her room, but its scent was blander than expected... She should look into something like this. Maybe ask about the candle brand later.
Apple's hands grew bolder in their massage. Even as they brushed sensitive areas, Check showed no resistance. Apple lightly kneaded and stroked her breasts, whispering into her ear.
"Check, try breathing in even deeper, deeper."
"The more you inhale this mist's scent, the deeper you breathe... the lighter your body feels. The better you feel."
Apple's whisper. Check felt drowsily hazy, obediently drawing in breaths as instructed. The sweet, soft aroma of the mist—laced with brainwashing drugs—stimulated her mucous membranes, seeping deep into her lungs.
Apple and Spade took turns directing her, making her inhale deeper and deeper. Ensuring the brainwashing agent in the mist took firm root inside her, permeating every corner of her body and mind.
Check quickly fell into a trance, her face flushing red as she exhaled heated breaths. Spade removed the damp cloth from her eyes, revealing pupils that had lost their light.
Apple observed her eyes and expression closely, then whispered into her ear.
"Check, how do you feel right now?"
"...Dunno... but... floaty... sleepy......."
"You can't sleep yet. But feeling floaty is good. You'll feel even better soon."
"......Yeah... got it...."
As Apple said, Check could feel herself growing more and more euphoric. And it intensified with every deeper inhale of the mist.
To Check, whose eyes were dimming further, Apple whispered again.
"Check, Check."
"I'm going to ask some questions now."
"Just answer however it comes to mind, okay?"
"No need to think deeply. Say it if it pops up, or don't if it doesn't."
Check murmured that she understood. Smiling faintly, Apple began her questioning...