第１３４５堀：気がつけば (Part2)
It wasn't that she had run away; it was simply what one might call a morning bath.
I calmed myself, thinking that I would just join her and confirm as much, so I shed my clothes and stepped inside.
*Whoosh.*
As I entered the bathing area, the air brushed against my skin, carrying a slight morning chill. Thinking that the mornings were still cold, I stepped into the water.
"Ah, a morning bath is such a luxury, isn't it?"
"Don't you take one every day?"
"No, when I'm busy, I often just wash my face and call it a day."
"Even after the night?"
"Even if there was a night, there are times I still take a bath afterward."
"I see. In that case, there is no need to take one in the morning."
I thought it a rather bold topic to bring up first thing in the morning, but considering Yuki's position, it was only natural. If anything, it was a relief that he was on such good terms with his wives. If the upper echelons of Weed were to fracture, the entire foundation could crumble.
As I pondered this, Yuki, who had been soaking with his back to me, turned around.
"Prol. Aren't you cold?"
"Eh? Ah, no, I'm fine."
I replied and headed over to wash my body. He had noticed. Well, of course he had.
"So, did you sleep well?"
"……Me?"
"Yes, you."
"Yes. I slept soundly; I didn't even notice when you and Kirika left the futon."
"Well, we were being considerate, after all."
"Indeed. Though, for Prol, that was quite the lapse in vigilance."
"……Yes."
"Hey, hey. We're off the clock, don't bully her."
"I'm not bullying her. She’s finally starting to act normally in front of you, isn't she?"
At Kirika’s words, I suddenly realized it myself.
*Come to think of it, I haven't stumbled over my words once.*
I was surprised by my own transformation. Until now, just having Yuki in my field of vision would have caused me to freeze up and stutter uncontrollably. As I was thinking this...
"Your use of honorifics hasn't faded, but that is only natural as a sign of respect for one's superior. Even among the wives, there are those who speak with honorifics. Samantha, for instance."
"Samantha is a product of her noble upbringing. Even Shera, who used to lean toward honorifics, has finally started to loosen up."
"Um, why is it that I’ve managed to overcome it?"
I asked, wondering if there was some specific answer.
"Who knows? What’s the cause, I wonder. Personally, I think it’s just a matter of the time we’ve spent together."
"I agree. Usually, it was only during work hours, but from yesterday through today, we’ve been together far longer than that. Your body has likely adjusted. More than anything, haven't you realized from the bottom of your heart that you are not 'special' when you are with your Master?"
"Is... is that so?"
Tilting my head, I finished washing and naturally moved closer to Yuki to soak in the hot water.
"Haa..."
It soaked deep into my body.
"Regardless, it’s fortunate that we can talk properly like this. Actually, now that I think about it, Orelia and the others were incredibly nervous at first, too. Perhaps it’s the same thing. It just goes to show that if you spend enough time together, you come to understand one another."
"Indeed. With this, Prol’s work and private life should both become much more efficient."
"Work and private life?"
"From here on, you will be exchanging information not just with the Master, but with the wives as well. But that alone won't build trust. You need to come to understand each other like this, too."
"That is certainly true..."
I knew the data, but I had understood well enough that knowing it and actually meeting in person were two different things. Well, in reality, I hadn't understood it at all, but I did now grasp why some people insisted that being on the front lines was vital.
"Well then, for now, everyone is gathering for a celebration today, so shall we work on the cooking together?"
"Eh?"
"Indeed. It is a perfect opportunity. This evening, the Master’s family will gather for a celebration. We must begin the preparations."
It seems this was not the end, but a beginning.
Well, serving a good master had always been my ideal, so this was a good thing.
Now, as I wondered how to handle the cooking, I also needed to confirm if there were any movements to be wary of.
That is how the world usually works.
The more time you spend together, the more accustomed you become.
Though, as they say, that can sometimes be a double-edged sword.
Some things can only be solved by time.