Ch. 6: Helping
Nayuta’s tails caressed my arms, then slowly pulled away…-.
OO: “……”
Nayuta: “OO? Isn’t there anywhere you want to go?”
As he peered into my face, I came back to my senses.
OO: “Ah, sorry, I was just lost in thought…”
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Nayuta: “That’s why I have to make lots of memories with you, OO.”
Nayuta: “So that I can properly remember everything after we’ve parted.”
————————–
(We’re finally able to spend some time together again, yet I can’t even answer him properly.)
Nayuta’s words from earlier still had me in turmoil.
Nayuta: “……”
He waited a while for me to answer, but…-.
Nayuta: “If you can’t think of anything, there’s something I’d like you to help me with.”
Nayuta seemed to be insinuating something with his smile, and I tilted my head.
(What could it be? …but if there’s something I can do to help Nayuta, then…)
OO: “Sure, I’d be happy to.”
Nayuta: “Alright. Then let’s go pick some flowers!”
OO: “Did you say flowers?”
Nayuta: “That’s right. We use them to make an additive for the bath.”
(Oh, I see…)
I followed after Nayuta, who had already started walking, and he gently took my hand.
OO: “……”
(His hand is warm…)
No matter how many times I felt the warmth of that hand, it still left a pleasant tingle in my heart.
Ch. 7: Surrounded by Flowers
Flowers of all different colors swayed in the wind.
(…how pretty.)
Nayuta had brought me to a sprawling flower field.
Nayuta: “For this, we’re picking these yellow flowers.”
OO: “They’re so cute looking.”
The flower petals were soft with a brilliant color, and they looked similar to a pansy.
Nayuta: “We receive seeds from the Land of Flower Fairies and the Land of Flowers and Greenery to grow here.”
Nayuta and I each had a basket as we started to pick the flowers together.
Nayuta: “Over there are special medicinal herbs that we got from the Land of the Great Fox Spirit.”
I followed his pointing and saw bright green medicinal herbs growing.
OO: “There are a lot of different types of plants here.”
The vivid carpet of flowers continued on to the horizon, and I let out a sigh of wonder.
Nayuta: “It is a bit difficult when each and every plant we need is one we have to get from somewhere else. That’s why the ones we can grow, we plant here. The ones that won’t grow in this country still have to get delivered though.”
OO: “Do you handle the trade routes too Nayuta?”
Nayuta: “Yeah. Because I like hearing the stories of people from outside. Originally, it had been a completely one-sided transaction.”
Nayuta had his arm propped on his knee and his chin resting in his hand as he smiled happily.
(Huh? But then why…?)
Suddenly, a simple question slipped out.
OO: “There are onsen here, so why do you need a water additive?”
Nayuta: “Since taking a healing bath takes time, it would get boring using the same water and having the same experience every time, right? So, I at the very least, I wanted to change the color or the fragrance so that people could continue to enjoy their bath.”
(So, he made this huge flower garden just for that. He really cares about the people who come here to use the healing onsen.)
Nayuta: “When we put in the medicinal herbs, we can add an effect to what the onsen originally could do.”
OO: “These are all such good things.”
Nayuta: “Yes, that’s right. And this way, you can be healed by the flowers, see?”
As he spoke, the scent of the yellow flowers tickled my nose.
Just like Nayuta, I enjoyed that fragrance.
(Such a refreshing scent. I bet it would be great in a bath.)
Nayuta finished filling his basket with the yellow flowers and stood.
Nayuta: “After this, how about I make you a special bathing additive?”
OO: “Are you sure?”
Nayuta: “Next, this way.”
As usual, Nayuta didn’t answer my question and casually walked off.
However, I was no longer perplexed by that carefree behavior of his…-.
…
……
I was shown to a greenhouse that was still under construction.
OO: “There’s even a greenhouse…”
As I looked around the interior in surprise, Nayuta proudly puffed out his chest.
Nayuta: “Amazing, isn’t it? With just a little effort, we were able to build this.”
(There are plants that can only grow here… managing them all must be difficult.)
Nayuta: “You know, the onsen that could cure lovesickness that you were interested in? I thought I’d try adding a sweet floral additive to it.”
At the mention of that particular onsen, his innocent smile made my heart pound.
OO: “What flowers are we going to pick this time?”
Nayuta: “Let’s see… something you like, that fits the idea of love. I want you to choose.”
OO: “The idea of love…?”
Nayuta: “I’m looking forward to it. I wonder what type of additive I can make?”
Nayuta grinned.
Precisely because of that smile, I felt as if a flower of love was blooming in my heart.
Ch. 8: The Outcome of Lovesickness
I continued to walk around the greenhouse, looking for a flower that fit the idea of love…-.
(All of the flowers are wonderful but… ah, this one.)
I gently touched a rose with multiple layers of beautiful orange petals.
As I sniffed it, I felt the same sweetness spread through me as when Nayuta would smile.
OO: “I’ll pick this one.”
I showed the rose I’d selected to Nayuta and…
Nayuta: “Looks like you’re seriously ill if you picked this one.”
OO: “Ill?”
Nayuta: “You’re lovesick.”
OO: “Eh…”
I let out a small sound as my choice of flower seemed to give Nayuta insight into something.
Nayuta: “But I think this is a good choice. Since this flower is effective when it comes to lovesickness.”
OO: “What…?”
Nayuta: “It brings peace to a tumultuous heart and livens a dormant heart… the fragrance brings emotional balance. That’s why it used to be spread out on a futon before a couple’s wedding night.”
OO: “…!”
Though it was a coincidence, my body heated up in embarrassment at the flower I’d chosen.
Nayuta: “Give it here.”
Paying no mind to how flustered I was, Nayuta carefully plucked the rose around its thorns.
As the rose swayed in his hand, the heady fragrance filled the air, almost enough to make me dizzy.
Nayuta: “……”
Suddenly, I saw his tails straighten and stiffen…
Nayuta: “Looks like the effect is pretty instant.”
Caught in his strange gaze, I felt my body stiffen.
OO: “Nayuta…?”
Nayuta: “Taking a bath with you in an onsen full of floating rose petals… that’s not a bad idea. Alright then, why don’t we give it a try together!”
OO: “W-wait a second!”
I had no idea how things had turned out this way.
OO: “When you say together… you’re joking again, right…?”
At that, Nayuta smiled at me…
Nayuta: “Is that a no?”
That smile seized hold of my heart.
(…not exactly.)
My heart showed no sign of settling down, and my cheeks only grew hotter…
It felt like Nayuta could read everything going on inside me as he looked down at me.
Nayuta: “Let’s go. I’ll show you to my personal openair bath.”
OO: “Ah, wait!”
I could only chase after him as he left the greenhouse…-.
…
……
I stood frozen with tension when I stepped into Nayuta’s room.
Nayuta: “The temperature’s just right.”
After coming back from the adjoining openair bath, Nayuta stood in front of me.
(What do I do…?)
Nayuta: “Are you still embarrassed after coming this far?”
OO: “…yes.”
Nayuta: “You’re so cute.”
Nayuta was completely at ease, the exact opposite of me.
OO: “…um, do you do this kind of thing with other people?”
(Maybe this is normal for him since Nayuta is always surrounded by women…?)
Nayuta: “Are you worried about that because you like me?”
OO: “…!”
The sweet scent of the roses went straight to my heart.
As if urged on by that fragrance, I nodded slightly.
Nayuta: “I’m glad.”
His tails stretched out and straightened.
Nayuta: “…did you not believe me?”
OO: “That’s…-.”
Nayuta: “In that case, I’ll tell you the reason you, and only you, are special.”
Saying as much, he took my hand and placed it on the collar of his robe.
Nayuta: “You can take this off.”
OO: “…!”
He smiled, apparently enjoying my reaction.
Nayuta: “We’ll become even better acquainted if we bathe together, right?”
I could feel his pulse from where my hand rested against his neck.
Nayuta: “I don’t let just anyone touch me. Unless I really like them. And… you’re the first one I’ve let do this OO.”
OO: “No way…”
Nayuta: “Why do you think I’m lying? Did you think I was just being nice to you?”
His two tails twined around my arm, slightly possessively.
(Ah…)
Like that, I let Nayuta guide me…
Gently, I opened the front of his robe.
It softly fell away, revealing his bare skin…-.
OO: “…!”
His chest was sturdier than I’d imagined…
I looked away, unable to meet his eyes.
OO: “…I’m sorry.”
I felt Nayuta’s tail wrap languidly around my thigh, and Nayuta peered into my face.
OO: “U-um…?”
Nayuta: “Why are you apologizing? I want to cling to you like this forever…”
(Nayuta…-.)
The scent drifting from his body was the unique smell of the onsen paired with the sweet smell of the roses…-.
Nayuta: “Strange, isn’t it? That I’m like this and letting a woman into my heart… I wonder if this is what being lovesick is like.”
Slowly… he wrapped his arms around me.
Held against his chest, I closed my eyes.
From there, I could hear the flowing water of the onsen… and Nayuta’s heartbeat.
END
Secret Story: Flowers Perfect for Love
I guided OO to the greenhouse that was my pride and joy.
Her eyes opened wide in appreciation at the many flowers in bloom.
OO: “There’s even a greenhouse…”
(All of her reactions are so cute.)
I watched OO as she looked at the flowers in fascination and it made me feel triumphant.
(It’s sometimes said that sickness starts in the mind. That’s why I think emotions are the most important thing when it comes to lovesickness.)
I created this greenhouse not just out of love, but so that the people who visited the onsen would continue to enjoy their baths without growing bored.
(Though I made preparations for all these flowers without skimping on appearances or fragrance.)
OO smiled happily as she took in the aromas of the flowers.
(Ah…)
I felt a faint stirring in the depths of my heart.
Nayuta: “Amazing, isn’t it? With just a little effort, we were able to build this. You know, the onsen that could cure lovesickness that you were interested in? I thought I’d try adding a sweet floral additive to it.”
OO tilted her head.
OO: “What flowers are we going to pick this time?”
(Which ones indeed.)
Nayuta: “Let’s see… something you like, that fits the idea of love. I want you to choose.”
OO: “The idea of love…?”
Her eyes went wide in surprise, and it looked as if her cheeks turned slightly redder…
(Oh? Are you self-conscious around me?)
I didn’t have any real faith in that, but I kept that happy idea in my heart.
Nayuta: “I’m looking forward to it. I wonder what type of additive I can make?”
OO: “Alright. I’ll try picking one.”
Nayuta: “Great, please do.”
OO gave a short nod and then started to slowly walk around the greenhouse.
One by one, she carefully touched and smelled each of the many different varieties of flowers.
The care with which she treated the flowers warmed my heart.
(I love that kind of thing.)
Suddenly, it felt like the fog that had surrounded my heart was suddenly lifted.
(Love… oh, I see. I want to cling to her, so that means…)
Unable to handle my own feelings, I looked off into the distance…
(Ah…)
I was captivated by the smile that spread across her face, like a flower in bloom, and she seemed to find a fragrance she liked.
(She’s like a flower.)
My expression softened as I thought about how cute she was.
Then suddenly, OO beckoned me over.
OO: “I’ll pick this one.”
The flower she’d selected was an orange rose that had one of the sweetest scents in the entire greenhouse.
(This is…)
My eyes went wide at her unexpected selection.
Nayuta: “Looks like you’re seriously ill if you picked this one.”
OO: “Ill?”
Nayuta: “You’re lovesick.”
OO: “Eh…”
(…who is it?)
I really wanted to ask, but I kept my expression as calm as possible.
(I still haven’t made it yet, but I don’t think there’s a better flower to convey love.)
As I explained it to OO, I picked one of the roses.
Nayuta: “Looks like the effect is pretty instant.”
OO: “Nayuta…?”
Nayuta: “Taking a bath with you in an onsen full of floating rose petals… that’s not a bad idea.”
At my words, OO stiffened in surprise.
I was fixated on her expression full of confusion, but…
(Her face is bright red.)
I was relieved that she didn’t seem to dislike the idea, and I smiled at her.
Nayuta: “Alright then, why don’t we give it a try together!”
OO: “W-wait a second!”
She frantically shook her head as if to clear her thoughts, and her ears turned red…
OO: “When you say together… you’re joking again, right…?”
Nayuta: “Is that a no?”
Her eyes wavered slightly at that.
But I wouldn’t let her look away from me.
(So, you don’t dislike the idea?)
I couldn’t hide how my tails started to wave in delight.
But I didn’t want her to notice…-.
Nayuta: “Let’s go. I’ll show you to my personal openair bath.”
(If OO comes…)
I made my decision to tell her my true feelings and headed for the exit.
(No wait, but what’ll I do if she doesn’t come?)
As my anxiety started to build…
OO: “Ah, wait!”
I heard the sound of her frantic voice and hurried footsteps, and my heart leaped.
I turned, hoping to hide my tails as they shook happily, and waited for her to catch up.
END