Carbonated Hot Springs

“Well then, let’s meet up in the lounge.”

With that, Tōru promptly disappeared into the changing room.

The twins watched him go, then turned their attention to the entrance to the women’s changing room.

(He certainly seemed accustomed to this.)

(Japan does seem to be a very clean country.)

The twins exchanged thoughts.

Throughout their journey, they had noticed that Tōru was unusually particular about cleanliness, but having a clean traveling companion was certainly preferable.

(Do you think we should knock?)

(I’m not sure. Tōru-san went straight in without doing anything.)

(We don’t know the proper etiquette.)

As the twins stood pondering in front of the wooden door marked “Women’s Bath,” an inn employee passed them with a puzzled expression, opened the door, and went inside.

(Apparently, there’s no need to knock.)

(As expected, there’s a wall to prevent anyone from seeing inside.)

(Let’s go in.)

Euphie and Mary nodded simultaneously as though steeling themselves, drew back their shoulders in perfect synchronization, and stepped through the entrance together.

Euphie closed the door while Mary went ahead into the changing room.

There were only a few other guests. The employee who had passed them earlier was sweeping the floor.

“The baths are ready for you.”

The employee gestured toward the bathing area as she spoke.

After waiting for Euphie to join her, the two began undressing together.

Once they had removed their upper garments, the twins faced each other. They examined each other’s necks, from just above their modest breasts to their delicate collarbones. Two days had passed since they left Darandy, and they wondered whether a tan line had formed around the areas normally covered by their clothing.

(We haven’t tanned at all.)

(We’ve been outdoors almost constantly since leaving Darandy. Perhaps it’s just our constitution.)

Using each other as mirrors, they removed the rest of their clothing and took out their bathing garments.

Sensing someone’s gaze, they turned around and made eye contact with the employee.

“I-I’m terribly sorry.”

Before they could ask what she was apologizing for, the employee resumed sweeping.

Wondering whether she had accidentally swept some dust toward their feet, the twins looked down together. Their relatively flat figures made it easy enough to see their feet.

(There’s nothing on the floor.)

(Perhaps we’re supposed to keep our underwear on beneath the bathing garments?)

(Shall we ask?)

(Let’s.)

“Excuse me, may we ask you something?”

“Y-yes!?”

The twins found the employee’s unusually high-pitched response rather peculiar as they unfolded their bathing garments.

“Are we supposed to leave our underwear on when wearing these?”

“N-no, you should put them on directly over your bare skin.”

“I see.”

(So that wasn’t the reason, either.)

The two tilted their heads in opposite directions.

“Then why did you apologize earlier?”

“…I was admiring how beautiful you two are, and I couldn’t help staring.”

“Is that so? Thank you.”

The twins thanked her in perfect unison and quickly changed into their bathing garments.

The garments resembled knee-length dresses. Although the fabric was slightly coarse, it was light and breathable. When they swung their arms experimentally, they found that it had enough elasticity not to restrict their movements.

(The material seems to be linen, but the weave is remarkably fine.)

(They certainly use quality products here. I’m looking forward to the hot springs.)

The two promptly entered the bathing area and looked around.

The bathing room was rectangular, with two stone-lined pools, one against the far wall and the other on the right.

Apparently, there were no other guests.

They were fortunate to have the baths to themselves. Since the sun was still up, most of the guests might have gone out sightseeing.

(Come to think of it, Tōru-san told us to wash ourselves first.)

(But we can’t wash properly while wearing these bathing garments.)

They faced each other and folded their arms in identical poses, like mirror images. At that moment, Euphie spotted a wooden sign behind Mary.

It read, “Please wash yourselves before entering the bath.” An arrow pointed toward a stone furnace with a fire burning beneath it and a large tub of hot water resting on top.

(It seems we’re supposed to wash ourselves before putting on the bathing garments.)

(Perhaps we were a little hasty.)

Satisfied with their conclusion, they removed their bathing garments on the spot and carefully made their way toward the washing area, mindful of the slippery floor.

Euphie scooped hot water from the tub, and Mary adjusted its temperature using the separately provided cold water. They then soaked their towels and began washing themselves.

(Even the towels are excellent quality.)

(They’re every bit as good as the ones we used at home.)

(If we had the money, I’d like to buy a few spares.)

(Money, indeed.)

The twins exchanged glances and sighed.

As Euphie washed Mary’s back, she pictured the key and leather tube Tōru had given them earlier. That alone was apparently enough for Mary to understand her intentions, and a response came immediately.

(Tōru-san’s anxieties are quite serious.)

(Judging from the inventory alone, even if he sold everything at bargain prices, it would still be worth at least five hundred gold coins.)

(His intention to put us through combat training in a dungeon isn’t a good sign, either.)

(Those things are almost certainly insurance to ensure we can survive on our own if Tōru-san suddenly disappears.)

(To ease Tōru-san’s worries, we’ll need to demonstrate that we can support ourselves.)

(And unless we give Tōru-san more possessions and reasons to stay somewhere, he’ll continue wandering without ever putting down roots.)

After they switched places and Mary began washing her back, Euphie pondered their situation.

(Above all, we need money if we’re going to become independent.)

At present, Euphie and Mary had virtually no money to their names. They were entirely dependent on Tōru for their living expenses.

(Perhaps the most reasonable approach would be to gain practical experience through dungeon combat training, collect materials from the monsters we defeat, and sell them to raise funds.)

(But I doubt we’d earn very much. It wouldn’t provide much starting capital.)

They finished washing by pouring hot water over their heads, then put on their bathing garments and headed toward the pools.

All the while, Euphie and Mary continued discussing ways to achieve financial independence through their shared thoughts.

Standing at the edge of the pool, they crouched down and tested the temperature with their fingertips.

The water was pleasantly lukewarm.

(Since it’s a carbonated spring, heating it too much would cause the carbonation to escape.)

(It’s a lovely temperature for a long, relaxing soak.)

They silently lowered their feet into the hot spring. Bubbles rose around them, gliding over their smooth, pale skin before floating to the surface.

The twins watched the vigorous bubbling characteristic of carbonated springs with great interest before gradually lowering the rest of their bodies into the water.

“…Ahhh.”

Two contented sighs escaped their lips.

(This really is wonderful.)

(Visiting hot springs in different places could be quite enjoyable.)

(But for now, let’s enjoy this one.)

(A carbonated potion after our bath would be… Ah, there’s an idea.)

(Mary, do you think we could put that idea into practice?)

At Euphie’s question, Mary began fleshing out the vague idea that had just occurred to her.

(It’s theoretically possible.)

(Then let’s design the container like this.)

Euphie constructed a detailed image in her mind, specifying everything from the container’s shape and materials to its dimensions and operating mechanism. Mary received the information and began attaching logical explanations to each element.

Their shared consciousness was operating at full capacity, exchanging sophisticated information about chemistry, engineering, the calculation of necessary funds, potential sources of materials, and countless other details. Yet to an outside observer, the two merely appeared to be luxuriating in the hot spring, their expressions melting with bliss.