落とし穴番外：朝風呂
**Side: Dressa**
*Beep, beep... beep, beep...*
The electronic chime pulled me from my slumber.
"Nn... haa, that was a good sleep...?"
Honestly, I was still a little groggy. It didn't feel like a perfect night's rest, but I couldn't just stay in bed forever. After all, today was a rare day off.
With that, I slipped out of bed, gathered my change of clothes, and headed for the open-air bath. There’s nothing like a morning soak to make the day feel crisp and clear. The indoor bath is fine, but there’s just something about the open air.
As I walked down the dimly lit hallway, I bumped into Kirue and Sasari, the maid duo of our Weed household. They were carrying their own change of clothes—clearly, they were headed for the same destination.
"Oh, if it isn't Lady Dressa."
"You're up early, aren't you? Isn't today your day off?"
"Yes, it is. But this is a habit I can't break. Besides, I need to check if there are any reports waiting for me."
True, it was my day off, but I was up at my usual hour. I am the captain of an aircraft carrier and a fleet commander, after all. "Days off" are more of a suggestion than a reality.
"I see. A morning bath is lovely, but please don't push yourself too hard with work."
"Exactly. We have a proper rotation for fleet command, so there’s no need for you to shoulder it all alone, Lady Dressa. If you don't rest properly, you'll just end up being a burden to everyone else."
"I know, I know. I’m just checking to make sure there are no anomalies. More importantly, let’s head to the bath together."
There was no reason to stand around talking in the cold winter hallway. I suggested we continue our conversation in the water; it was far too chilly to linger. It certainly wasn't because I wanted to avoid their lecture.
"Understood. We shall accompany you."
"Sounds good! Let's scrub each other's backs."
"Sasari, we don't have the luxury of being that leisurely. We have to finish the breakfast preparations before the Master wakes up."
"I know, I know~!"
"Honestly, you two seem busier than I am. Are you getting enough rest?"
They were worried about me, but they were definitely working harder than I was. Every single day, they prepared meals, did the laundry, and handled the cleaning. Do maids even get days off?
"No, this is the work of a maid. Besides, we do get our proper time off."
"That’s right. I get to relax plenty~"
"Well, I can believe Sasari is relaxing, but Kirue? I can't even imagine you taking it easy. You’re always so... sharp?"
"Wait, was that a subtle insult?"
"It means you should try to relax a little more. Come on, let’s get to the bath."
As we walked, I continued, "So, let's hear why you think I was mocking you earlier. I pride myself on being a proper maid, after all."
*Oh, she’s still holding onto that?*
"I wasn't mocking you. I just meant I can imagine Sasari relaxing, but I never see you doing it. You always seem to have your guard up."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense."
"Hmm. Shall I take that as a compliment?"
We stripped down, and I couldn't help but notice that both Sasari and Kirue had stunning figures. As for me... well, I’m still growing! Yuki is more than happy with what I have, so it’s fine!
*Focus, Dressa. Wash up first.*
In Weed, the common sense is to scrub away the grime before entering the hot spring.
*Splash...*
I poured a bucket of hot water over my head. The heat washing over my body felt divine.
"Oh, very chic. Using a bucket instead of the shower."
"Phew. This is the way to start. I use the shower for the actual scrubbing."
"Nice. Looks refreshing. Are you an 'Edoite' at heart?"
"Who knows? Anyway, enough talking. Let’s wash up and get in."
We scrubbed ourselves down and slipped into the tub. The wooden bucket floated on the surface, bumping against the edge with a crisp *clack*.
"Fuuu... This is the best, isn't it?"
"Yes... I feel like I'm melting."
"Hot springs are truly wonderful. When I first saw one, I thought it was a waste, but now I can't live without it."
"Mm-hmm."
Kirue’s words earned a nod from Sasari and me. A life without hot springs was unthinkable now. Unless I was at a job site where I couldn't return, skipping a bath for a day was impossible. It had become a part of my soul.
"I was so surprised when Labyris and the others first brought me to this spring."
"Me too. I was truly shocked when I entered with my Lady... or rather, my Mistress."
"Sasari, the hierarchy has changed. You really should change how you address her. Honestly."
"Eh~? But you always call her Lady Shera, senior!"
"That’s different. You should just call her Lady Samantha."
"That’s true. Why do you call her 'Ojou-sama' anyway? Samantha has an older sister, right? How do you distinguish between them?"
"Well, I call her Lady Runo, of course."
"Don't just answer so casually! Why is it only Samantha who gets the 'Ojou-sama' treatment?"
"That is a tale of tears and sorrow, a grand epic..."
*Ugh, this is going to take forever.*
Just as I thought that, Kirue spoke up.
"Lady Dressa. I heard that Lady Samantha particularly treasures Sasari."
"I see. A benefactor, then."
"Hey! Don't just spill my memories with the Mistress like that!"
"If we listen to long stories, we’ll end up getting lightheaded."
"True. Actually, I’m going to head out soon. I have things to do, even if it is my day off."
"Oh? No second nap?"
"Hmm. May I ask what those errands are?"
"Yes. Yuki is going to choose a new slave today, and I intend to accompany him."
That’s right. Yuki mentioned he was going to look at slaves today. As his wife, I have to be there. Labyris and the others will likely go too, but I’m his guard. I have to make sure he doesn't pick some strange woman.
"Ah, I recall hearing about that. But honestly, wouldn't it be better to just increase the number of Doppelgangers?"
"Doppelgangers are merely shadows. They exist so the Master can move about safely. We cannot let the world know of their existence so easily. Above all, it does nothing for the growth of the nation."
"Kirue is right. Doppelgangers are just copies of us. People like Kiyu, who can change their appearance, are the exception. Besides, if we rely on them, we won't cultivate any real talent. It would just lead to the conclusion that we only need monsters, and then there would be no point in having humans around."
"That reminds me of a movie the Master showed us. The one where machines were more efficient than humans, so they replaced them."
"Exactly. Relying on them for everything is bad. Anyway, I’m heading out."
"Understood. Please take care, and do support the Master."
"I’m so excited to see what kind of woman the Master picks! *Gah!?*"
Sasari took an elbow to the ribs from Kirue and went bobbing in the water. What a fool. Still, I was curious too. After all, I was one of the ones chosen by the adventurers.
I wonder what kind of girl Yuki will pick.
"Right, time to dry off and pick an outfit."
Yuki was handling administrative work in Weed today, and the slave selection was scheduled for the afternoon. I had to be ready. As I pondered what to wear, a voice chimed in.
"Oh? You’re quite motivated, Dressa."
"Haha. We’re all thinking the same thing, aren't we?"
"Unyu?"
"It’s morning, and you’re in the bath?"
"Leaving us behind to bathe?"
"Dre-onee is a schemer."
Before I knew it, Labyris and the others had arrived.
"I-I wasn't trying to get ahead of you! You said we were going together, didn't you?"
"True. In that case, let's take another bath together. A 'second soak' is common enough, right?"
"We’ll help you pick your clothes, too."
"......Yes."
*Ugh.* I knew better than to defy these two.
Morning baths really are the best. If a man like me feels this way, I can only imagine how much women love them. Though, I suppose some people dislike them. But isn't it a wonderful feeling, sitting in a large bath all by yourself, listening to the *clack* of the bucket echoing against the walls?
Oh, and for the record, I can never win against Labyris or Shera.