Chapter 213: Japan (6)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 213: Japan (6)
Rin and I finished our respective baths.
I was completely drained from dealing with her, and Rin, having gone through the intense process of having her curse extracted, was utterly spent as well.
Both of us were drenched in sweat.
Peeling off my sweat-soaked shirt, I asked for the location of the bathroom to wash away the sticky discomfort.
“Excuse me, but would it be possible to wash up…?”
“Yes, of course.”
After she told me where the bath was, I started to head over.
“Allow me to assist you with your bath…”
Rin trotted after me, but I refused.
We should bathe separately…
Swoosh…
The bathroom had a rather pleasant fragrance.
It seemed to be well-maintained.
As I rinsed myself with hot water, washing away the fatigue and stickiness, my thoughts began to wander.
I thought as I poured water over myself.
Alright, Rin is taken care of. The curse was successfully purified.
All that was left was to conduct the exchange for the Bow and Ring, and the Shrine Maiden Outfit, later this afternoon. Everything was going smoothly.
I was just about to rinse the shampoo from my hair.
But then, a damp voice spoke from right behind me.
“May I… help you…?”
“Gah!”
Startled, I whipped my head around, my hair still full of suds.
When on earth did the door open?
Rin was standing there.
She was wearing almost nothing.
A single white bath towel barely concealed her wet body.
A droplet of water trickled down her collarbone, diving straight into the valley of her chest.
Flustered, I stood frozen and awkward under the shower stream, stammering.
“Uh, no, this is the men’s bath…”
But Rin simply stared at me and replied, seemingly finding nothing strange about the situation.
“…This is the house where I reside… Therefore, there is no separate men’s bath.”
That couldn’t be right.
I was sure I’d seen a blue male figure on the sign at the entrance.
As if reading my confused expression, Rin added.
“Ultimately, they are connected inside.”
“Ah…”
“There is no separate entrance for women to begin with.”
It seemed the structure of this mansion was stuck in the past.
“So, if I may assist…”
“No… I’ll get out…”
I quickly rinsed the remaining soap from my body, about to turn off the water. Assist me with what?
It was a shame, but enjoying the magnificent-looking tub I could see just beyond was out of the question.
With her standing there in just a towel, there was no way I could enter what was obviously a mixed bath.
Just as I was about to give up and leave, Rin spoke softly.
“The Yatagarasu bath… uses a powder ground from the vitality-enhancing fruit that has been passed down for generations.”
“……?”
“The former heads of the clan always dissolved the fruit in the water and enjoyed its benefits. As for me… I had no use for it, as physical training and vitality are far from my concerns, so I left it be…”
My ears perked up.
Vitality was always a good thing.
“If you would just say the word, I can prepare it at once…”
Sensing the change in my gaze, Rin gave a faint smile.
Click.
I turned off the shower.
Then, looking at her, I cleared my throat once.
“In that case… may I ask you to…?”
“Of course.”
Rin smiled and bowed her head.
Come to think of it, I believe this was the first time I’d ever seen her smile.
In any case, I followed Rin.
*
I spent the entire day in the bath.
Did it help with my vitality?
I think it did.
But… when I say vitality, it wasn’t so much that my physical performance in combat increased, but rather…
Yes, it was a strange, warming sensation in my lower abdomen, as if my abilities in that department had been enhanced.
Since there was no way to confirm it on the spot, I got out.
If I had tried to confirm it, that in itself would have been a disaster.
Rin and I changed in our respective rooms and met again in the garden.
Together, we headed to the Japan Hunter Association’s branch office to formally deliver Iano’s Shrine Maiden Robes, which we had entrusted to them yesterday.
“Mr. Hae-in, there is truly no need for any further confirmation.”
As we walked through the garden, Rin spoke, her cheeks flushed with bashfulness.
“In fact, just by lifting my curse… the Bow and Ring are naturally…”
“There’s no need to go back on our word. A deal is a deal. What’s owed must be given.”
I gently cut her off, adding with a soft smile.
“Besides, that shrine maiden outfit was quite beautiful. I think it will suit you very well, Rin.”
At my words, Rin lowered her head and followed me in silence.
We left Rin’s annex and headed back toward the wide, gravel courtyard in front of the main shrine.
But the scene was completely different from before.
Hundreds of Yatagarasu clan members and retainers, who looked to be at least several hundred strong, were lined up in formation.
They stood motionless, watching with bated breath.
Rin stopped walking beside me.
Without a hint of hesitation, she stepped forward.
Seeing her like this, the flustered girl from before was gone.
I could feel the presence of a clan head.
Rin stood before them and opened her mouth.
“————.”
It was Japanese, which I couldn’t understand.
But even if I couldn’t understand the words, I could feel the atmosphere. That’s the nature of language.
Her voice was quiet, yet carried weight.
After she finished speaking, a brief silence fell over the courtyard, and then…
“Ooooh!!!”
One by one, they fell to their knees, cheering.
Some even prostrated themselves and wept.
It might be hard to comprehend, but considering it was the culmination of a centuries-old wish, it was understandable.
I was calmly observing the scene when it happened.
Their gazes shifted from Rin to me.
“……!”
An elderly attendant from the front row, tears streaming down his face, approached me.
“He says… thank you.”
Rin stood demurely beside me, interpreting.
That was the signal. Everyone surged toward me at once.
“————…!!”
A few words I could understand and a torrent of unintelligible shouts swirled around my ears.
I nodded, accepting their desperate expressions of gratitude.
It lasted for little more than a minute, but it was quite draining.
Just when I thought it would never end.
“——————.”
Rin’s cool voice echoed across the courtyard.
At her single command, they all froze and bowed their heads.
Wiping away their tears, they retreated in an orderly fashion.
Soon, only Rin and I were left in the empty courtyard.
“I apologize. You must have been startled…”
Rin apologized, not knowing what to do.
“You are well-loved.”
I looked at her and said with a smile.
Even for the leader of an organization, this didn’t seem like simple loyalty.
It’s not easy for people to rejoice this much, as if it were their own personal matter.
It was a testament to how she had treated them all this time.
“…Not at all.”
Rin’s face reddened at my words.
We left the shrine behind and headed for the Japan Hunter Association.
Thanks to the influence of the Yatagarasu, the business at the Japan Hunter Association was handled with surprising speed.
“Mr. Jung Hae-in, Clan Head Kisaragi. This way, please. The requested items and a private testing room have all been prepared.”
Guided by an Association employee, we headed to a training simulation room at the end of the hall.
“We have an employee on standby in the changing room.”
The room was empty, save for a large glass case on a table.
Inside the glass… the shrine maiden outfit was displayed on a stand.
As we approached, the glass case opened.
“Please go ahead and try it on. I will wait outside for a moment.”
The employee left, and I figured I should step out for a bit as well.
Rin’s gaze was already fixed on the shrine maiden outfit worn by her ancestor.
Though a long time had passed, the garment was imbued with spiritual power and hadn't aged at all.
With a trembling hand, she picked up the clothes.
Now, she just had to go to the changing room and put them on.
Since the outfit itself was ancient, it looked a bit difficult to put on by herself.
An employee from the Association would probably help her in the changing room.
Well, if she wanted to put it on by herself, she could do it here. There were no cameras.
However.
Rustle…
Instead of heading to the changing room, Rin began to untie the belt of her kimono right where she stood.
Startled, I hastily turned my head and tried to leave.
Grip.
But Rin grabbed my wrist, her grip strong. Her hand was trembling, but it was desperate.
“……To my benefactor.”
Slither…
I couldn’t turn my head away.
I had heard the sound of her outer kimono falling to the floor behind me.
“I want you to be the first to see.”
She meant she wanted to show me, the one who had lifted her curse, before any employee.
I slowly tried to pull my hand free by applying pressure, but…
I couldn’t break Rin’s grip.
Normally, I would have refused cleanly.
But…
There was no strength in my hand.
It seemed the effects of the fruit from the hot spring were undeniable.
I could feel them manifesting right now.
My reason couldn’t overcome my burning curiosity and the heat rising within me.
In the end, I slowly swallowed dryly and turned my head.
And there, in front of me, Rin began to change her clothes.
The layers of clothing she wore slid down over her skin.
Slither… slither…
“Please, watch over me.”
Holding my breath, I slowly watched the entire process.
