Relaxation in a hot spring, of course, meant massage.
"Massage, huh… alright. But let's soak in the spring for a bit first."
Zeroy wasn't ready to leave the warmth of the hot spring yet.
"Understood."
Saeko and Saya came to the edge of the pool, unwrapped their towels, and stepped into the water.
Zeroy saw four massive orbs suddenly bounce into view.
Her mind blanked for a moment.
Her gaze instinctively darted aside.
"Ahem… why did you two take your towels off?"
As expected of Highschool of the Dead, the heroines' chests were uniformly overwhelming.
"We saw you also… if you dislike it, we'll wrap our towels back on immediately."
Zeroy thought soaking without towels was more comfortable, but that was only because she had been alone at first.
Saeko and Saya, seeing Zeroy without a towel, followed her example.
When Zeroy seemed uncomfortable, Saeko prepared to get out and put her towel back on.
"Better put them back on. It's not about like or dislike—it's about my… ahem, orientation…"
"?"
Both women froze mid-motion.
They instinctively turned toward Zeroy.
Orientation? What orientation?
Why would soaking together require towels because of orientation? Unless…
'Oh no!'
They looked again at Zeroy's expression, her evasive eyes, her faintly flushed cheeks.
Those had appeared only after they'd dropped their towels and stepped in.
They had assumed it was from the heat—but clearly, it wasn't!
"Eh… ehhh?!"
Saya cried out, hastily shrinking back into the water, both hands pressed tightly to her chest. Her face flushed crimson, even her ears reddening like cherries.
Saeko's face too carried a faint blush, but her composure was steadier.
She elegantly sat back down, ripples shimmering in the light.
"So in other words," she said softly, with a note of subtle probing, "you weren't asking us to put towels on out of dislike?"
Zeroy gathered herself, tying up her wet hair to divert attention. Droplets slid down her neck's graceful line.
"Of course not." She raised a brow at Saeko. "But why did you sit back down again?"
"Since you don't mind…" Saeko's lips curved into a polite smile. "Then it doesn't matter."
Zeroy blinked, then understood the implication.
Since she liked it, Saeko was willing to show.
That deliberate goodwill stirred something odd within Zeroy.
Her blush faded, her expression cooling again.
She gave a wry smile and shook her head. "No need to force yourself. I didn't save you for something like that."
"What if I'm willing?"
"Even if you are, no." Zeroy met her eyes. "I don't need meaningless offerings."
Yes, she liked girls—but not in such a shallow, physical way.
To her, a bond without feelings was nothing more than a cheap, dull indulgence.
If Saeko and the others truly felt something for her, born of gratitude and fondness, and offered themselves, Zeroy would gladly accept.
But if it was empty, just her desire—she would refuse.
She was picky; she wanted the best.
She desired pretty girls, yes—but not just their bodies, their hearts as well.
She wanted it all! Only a union of body and soul was truly the best!
Anyhow, this mission left no time for nurturing feelings, and she wasn't even sure if she could come back.
If she couldn't return, she had no mind for intimacy… better than enduring the pain of farewell.
In the rising steam, Saeko watched Zeroy's earnest expression and murmured softly.
"You truly are a gentle person."
Zeroy chuckled lightly. "Being handed a 'nice person card' doesn't feel so great. And honestly, being called that always feels… cheap and perfunctory."
Her fingers traced the pool's edge absentmindedly.
"Pure gentleness has no value. Gentleness can't kill zombies, nor protect what I want to protect."
If someone confessed to her, praising only her gentleness, she'd likely be angry.
What? I have no other merits?
Even a sycophant can be gentle, but who would fall for one?
Only when someone is strong enough, powerful enough, and still gentle—that gentleness has worth.
However, this wasn't a confession, so Zeroy only muttered half-jokingly.
"Please believe me, I didn't mean it like that."
"Of course, I know."
"But today… did something special happen?" Saeko suddenly asked, her tone probing. "You feel… very different from usual."
Through the steam, Saya peeked up shyly, her gaze full of curiosity.
"Nothing special. It's just that in that environment, I had to wear a mask. If I didn't act cold and ruthless, no one would listen, and more people would have died."
"Indeed."
Saeko nodded softly, her eyes flickering with searching light.
"Then, the you right now… is this the real you?"
"More or less. I'll be leaving anyway."
Zeroy's voice carried a hint of languor.
"There are no outsiders here, no need to keep acting."
"..."
Saya clutched her towel tighter, her gaze shifting between them.
Then, after a deep breath, she finally asked the question that had lingered in her heart:
"You've saved so many people. Why did you bring only us here?"
It was well known that Zeroy was gentle and kind—perhaps the kindest person in this apocalypse.
That was why she used her power to save so many.
So why had she driven others away, but not them?
"Because…" Zeroy's eyes turned subtle, as though Saya had asked a strange question. "We know each other."
Her gaze carried mild confusion, as if not understanding why Saya would ask.
"You're special because we know each other. Maybe not quite friends, but we've shared so many meals together. At least we're acquaintances."
"Of course it's natural to treat acquaintances differently from strangers, isn't it?"
...
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