"God will bless you, Miss Kusanagi." I didn't even stop to wipe the spring water from my forehead as I told her earnestly and urgently, "God told me to tell you that someone will love and protect you in your mother's stead. You are favored by the gods."
That wasn't enough, so I grabbed her hand and said loudly, emphasizing every word, "He also told me that your mother was very happy in this life. Having a daughter like you was the greatest blessing of her life."
She was completely stunned.
"...Really?" the girl murmured, her eyes trembling as if the light within them was about to shatter.
She seemed to be searching for confirmation, for proof, as her fingertips hooked into my palm, instinctively gripping it tight.
"Miss Kusanagi, do not doubt the gods." I placed my index finger over my lips. "Don't let Him hear you, or the old man might come down to confront you and say: 'Hey, you little brat, I wasn't lying!'"
When I imitated the god's voice, I used a Kansai dialect, which sounded quite ridiculous. The girl stared straight at me, the moisture in her eyes condensing as a faint, irrepressible smile played on her lips.
"Pfft, where did you learn that? It's so tacky."
"Is it tacky? I think it's quite interesting."
After a long time, or perhaps just a few minutes, the girl asked softly, "You got yourself all soaked just to make a wish for me?"
"I was just afraid the gods would think I wasn't sincere enough." I felt rather awkward; my short-sleeved shirt was soaking wet and clinging to my body, creating a sticky, uncomfortable sensation.
I didn't know if it was my imagination, but ripples seemed to form in her dark pupils, shimmering as if she were deeply moved.
"A wish made for me should be prayed for sincerely by me personally." After saying this, Kusanagi picked up the water ladle, making a move to pour it over herself as well.
Oh boy, that gave me quite a scare. I grabbed her wrist and quickly snatched the ladle away.
How could her body handle being doused in this ice-cold spring water? At best, she'd catch a cold and fever; at worst, it could trigger a respiratory infection. This was absolutely out of the question!
"What are you doing?" Kusanagi, unhappy that her ladle had been snatched, frowned. "You can get soaked, but I can't?"
"...You're so beautiful today. If you get soaked, your dress will become see-through and show your underwear."
I had no choice but to resort to this tactic. I think Kusanagi did give up on the idea of dousing herself in spring water, but her focus immediately shifted elsewhere.
"Miss Nozawa has praised my beauty many times today." The girl's tone was filled with a certain shyness. "Do you really think I'm beautiful, or are you just praising this Kimono?"
This was a total trap of a question.
As a "straight-as-steel" girl, even I knew exactly what to say and what not to say at this moment. Besides, it was the truth.
"I've always thought Miss Kusanagi is very beautiful. Your features and profile are lovely. You're still young; you'll be even more stunning when you grow up," I praised her sincerely. "You're the type that, well, how should I put it... the type that easily makes hearts flutter." I went on for a while. "In short, you're very beautiful. You remember Li Shijia, right? When she first saw you, she said you're the type that appeals to both men and women."
The type that easily makes hearts flutter. Appealing to both men and women.
The girl seemed to think of something; she pressed her red lips together and fell silent.
I talked to myself for quite a while before realizing Kusanagi had gone quiet. Not knowing what was wrong, I could only scratch the back of my head in confusion.
After a moment of silence, Kusanagi suddenly pulled her hand away, lifted her skirt, and marched out. Her wooden clogs made a sharp clicking sound against the stone pavement.
"Miss Kusanagi, Miss Kusanagi!" I called out to her, but she turned a deaf ear and kept walking out while holding up her skirt.
Her black hemline fluttered wildly, and her deep black Obi swayed with her hurried steps. Her slender waist created a supple, recessed curve within her clothes.
Her black hair flew back from her ears. Her pale, jade-like profile was tense, and the corners of her lips were tightly pursed.
I had to struggle to keep up with her. I was wearing high heels today, and water was still dripping from my clothes. I really didn't know which sentence had annoyed her. I finally caught up, grabbed her hand, and asked breathlessly, "Miss Kusanagi!...What, what happened all of a sudden?"
Kusanagi was also panting. Her shoulders heaved as she stood with her back to me, refusing to turn around.
"Miss Kusanagi..." I really didn't understand what was going on and looked at her anxiously.
After a long while, she finally spoke in a cold tone.
"Miss Nozawa, please do not casually praise others' looks, and do not casually hold people's hands."
Kusanagi's voice was actually trembling. "It's easy to be misunderstood."
Actions that are perfectly normal among Chinese girls might be unacceptable in Japan. It only then occurred to me that my behavior might have been a bit too forward and offensive to Kusanagi.
She didn't like such contact with others.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll definitely be more careful next time!" I quickly apologized. "Miss Kusanagi, if I offended you, it's my fault. Please don't be angry. I really didn't mean anything else by it."
After hearing my apology, Kusanagi's expression worsened. She looked at me twice in disbelief, as if she wanted to say something but swallowed it back down.
What should I do? Kusanagi looked even angrier, and I had no idea what to say. She was smiling so cutely just a second ago; how did she turn back into a furious young lady the next? It felt like getting soaked was all for nothing.
Just as the thought crossed my mind, the fact that I was still wet head-to-toe made me let out an involuntary "Achoo!" I rubbed my nose awkwardly.
Hearing the sneeze, Kusanagi stopped in her tracks. Fearing I might pass on some germs, I quickly covered my mouth and dodged to the side.
"Why are you hiding so far away? Come here!"
The girl snapped irritably. She grabbed my hand and walked out quickly. "Are you a snail? Hurry back to change and take a shower!"
I didn't dare say a word. I let her drag me along, not daring to resist, though I felt quite gloomy inside.
She was the one who hid so far from me first. And she just said not to casually hold hands, yet here she was dragging me along. Maybe she really thinks of me as a man...
"Achoo!" I sneezed again, covering it with my elbow.
With a dark expression, the girl walked so fast it felt like she was about to take flight.
We rushed all the way back to the apartment. Since I had washed my usual pajamas yesterday, I had to grab a random T-shirt to use instead.
The material of the T-shirt felt slimy and clung to my skin after getting wet, like being stuck to a toad. It was uncomfortable in every way.
I struggled to take off my clothes. Halfway through, I suddenly saw the mirror behind the bathroom door and was so shocked I lost the desire to shower.
"No way..." I rubbed my eyes. Was that strange woman in the mirror really me?
The light-colored, low-cut T-shirt had become completely transparent after being soaked, making the silhouette of my sexy underwear clearly visible—even the color was obvious. The thin shirt clung tightly to my body, leaving the sultry curves of my upper half fully exposed. It was almost like wearing nothing at all; I looked incredibly provocative and even erotic.
...Why didn't Kusanagi warn me! I was both embarrassed and furious, but it was too late to complain now. Every tourist at Senso-ji Temple must have seen me in this state. Oh well... they could look but not touch, so no real loss...
After comforting myself for a bit and practically hypnotizing myself, I started showering with a miserable expression.
Outside the bathroom, the girl was curled up on the sofa as usual.
She hugged her knees, restlessly picking at her black nail polish.
The sound of running water, the friction of clothes being tossed aside, and the woman's sharp intakes of breath—every sound was audible in the quiet night.
The woman's slender, white waist, the two sexy dimples on her lower back, the collarbones extending to her shoulders, and the spring water flowing down from her chest...
The girl covered her eyes in frustration. She didn't want to think about that scene anymore, or she wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Yet that woman had such an innocent face while saying things like "the type that makes hearts flutter." Just thinking about it made her angry.
So annoying! She punched the soft sofa pillow hard. It was all that woman's fault for saying such misleading things; otherwise, she wouldn't be this restless.
She even called me beautiful.
The girl almost tore the pillow in her hands.
Initially, she hadn't expected that person to go to such lengths. Making wishes was something only the powerless did. She had never believed in gods; she only believed in herself.
"God will bless you with a smooth life. Someone will love and protect you in your mother's stead. You will be favored by the gods. That is my wish."
That woman's gaze had been so sincere, and her words so earnest. In that moment, she had actually been willing to believe in that wish.
If it was a wish made by this person, it would surely come true. To get soaked from head to toe for some non-existent god and a non-existent wish—what kind of fool would do such a thing?
The girl let out a soft scoff, clearly mocking, yet her heart pounded uncontrollably against her will.
She buried her face in the pillow, trying to calm the palpitations.
Much better. I don't think I caught a cold, but I should have some medicine just in case.
I emerged from the steamy bathroom, found some cold medicine in the first-aid kit, and sat on the sofa with a cup of hot water. Just as I was about to take it, I caught sight of a mangled throw pillow lying pathetically on the sofa.
A pillow that had met a... gruesome end?
For some reason, a chilly breeze seemed to blow past my back, making me shiver despite it being midsummer.
"Miss Kusanagi...?"
Kusanagi stood behind me, clearly trying her best to suppress her rage. I looked at her, confused.
She gave a forced smile. "I hope you can explain why my skirt was in the dryer."
My heart skipped a beat. Oh no, I forgot about that! I was so focused on folding her underwear that I forgot the skirt was still inside!
I played dumb. "What dryer?"
"You, Nozawa Mizuki, entered my room. And the bathroom."
She started using my full name as a threat; I had never seen Kusanagi with such an expression.
"That, uh, let me explain." I broke into a cold sweat. Mrs. Kuroki, you really owe me a big favor.
"Explain then. I'm listening." She crossed her arms, her gaze like a blade hanging over my head.
Sweat began to bead on my forehead as my brain worked at high speed to rationalize my actions. It really proved the old saying: one lie requires countless more to cover it up.
"A bird... I saw a bird fly into your room from the balcony, so I had no choice but to go in."
I faltered guiltily. "Uh, it was flapping around inside and couldn't get out, so I chased it out. Then I noticed the bird had dirtied your school skirt, so I washed it."
"What bird?" Kusanagi clearly didn't buy this story.
Lying is all about the details. Looking at the girl's dark, glossy hair, I made something up: "A pure black bird. Its feathers were shiny and very beautiful, but it had a fierce temper. I couldn't catch it at all."
"A black bird, fierce... A Cuckoo? A crow?"
"Yes, that's the one." I followed her lead.
"What a coincidence. You're not lying to me, are you?" The girl's dark, crystal-like eyes stared intently at me. Facing those beautiful eyes made lying much harder. Should I just tell her?
I rubbed my nose habitually. "Of course it's true. I'm always smoking on the balcony; Miss Kusanagi knows that."
"I'll believe you just this once." The girl's suspicion hadn't completely vanished. "But why were there no signs of a struggle in my room?"
"The bird was hard to catch, but I chased it out quickly. It was so fierce I was worried it would peck me."
The girl furrowed her delicate brows and murmured to herself, "That does seem possible. There are many black birds in Tokyo, and the fierce ones are usually crows."
I stared at the girl's dark, soft hair. Indeed, very fierce.
"So I didn't technically break our agreement, Miss Kusanagi." I lifted my chin, acting confident despite being in the wrong.
Kusanagi hesitated. Her eyes scanned me, trying to find any hint of suspicion. But my excuse was airtight.
"You didn't see anything you weren't supposed to see, did you?" she asked fiercely, a flush appearing on the tips of her white ears.
"What things am I not supposed to see?" I continued to play dumb.
Not only did I see them, I folded them, touched them, and smelled them... That creepy feeling was back.
"Just some of my usual..." The girl's breathing quickened slightly before she forced the words back down. "Forget it! I'll let you off this time, but don't ever enter my room again!"
"Okay." I decided to play dumb to the end.
The girl pursed her lips and ran upstairs, only to come back down a few seconds later, standing before me awkwardly. She seemed to have something to say but felt very uncomfortable, her gaze drifting elsewhere.
"Is there something else?" I looked at her.
Her soft, cloud-like eyelashes fluttered with embarrassment. "Um, thanks anyway for washing my skirt."
I was stunned. After she said that, she awkwardly tried to walk away.
"Miss Kusanagi." I called out to her, hesitating as I carefully weighed my words.
"Actually, besides the skirt... I also touched your underwear. You forgot to take them out, and they were in the dryer." My voice grew smaller and less confident. "I was worried about leaving them there for too long, so I took the liberty of folding them and putting them in your wardrobe."
The girl, who was about to leave, froze in her tracks. A strange silence lasted for several seconds.
Her back was to me, but the tips of her ears on either side of her head turned bright red. Her hand gripped the stair railing tightly, and her body trembled slightly.
I nervously pursed my lips, preparing for the storm. Kusanagi's slender shoulders heaved, and she couldn't say a word for several seconds. Did I really hit a nerve with this kid?
Kusanagi seemed to recover after a moment. She turned around and peered at my face.
My spine stiffened uncontrollably. Time seemed to freeze in a bizarre way.
"Which hand did you use?" Her tone was exceptionally calm.
"Uh..." I was stuck. What kind of question was that? If I had to be honest, I used both hands. This question felt very dangerous. I swallowed and stammered, "My r-right hand, I think."
"Good." She gave a slight nod of her pale jaw, her voice barely audible.
The girl slowly walked over, grabbed my right hand, and lifted it. I stood there helplessly, not knowing what she was planning.
"Right hand, good." The girl smiled. The next second, her canines bit down hard on my arm with all her might, clamping down like a wild animal.
"Sss—" I hissed in pain, instinctively pulling back with a cry. But then, worried that a sudden jerk might hurt her teeth, I forced myself to endure it.
Is this girl still in her oral stage? Why is she biting people!
Her sharp teeth sank in, causing a sharp pain that made me incredibly alert. Yet the girl's crisp, sweet scent wafted into my mind, dulling the pain and distracting me.
At the same time, her lips were pressed tight against my skin. The biting sensation brought a complex mix of softness and pain, leaving my mind in a muddle. It was a strange and alien feeling. I stared down at her blankly, feeling lightheaded.
Kusanagi bit for a few seconds. Noticing my dazed state but not feeling her behavior was inappropriate, she took another bite to vent her frustration.
This bite was much lighter. It was less of a bite and more of a grinding sensation, accompanied by a slight moistness that made my head spin even more.
I let her leave two tooth marks—one large and one small—on my arm. She had won.
"If you ever do it again, I'll bite you to death!" the girl warned fiercely.
"..."
"Do you hear me!"
"I hear you..." I winced as the movement of my arm pulled at the bite marks.
"Serves you right."
Luckily I didn't offer up my left hand, or I'd be in even more pain!
"Does it really hurt that much!"
"...Compared to a dog's bite, it's much lighter."
"..."
The girl slammed her door with a thunderous bang once again.