"There now... I'll help you wash up." I smiled as I led him to the shower.
He followed my instructions and sat quietly on the available stool as I checked the temperature of the water. Other than the fact that it uses small fire stones to heat up the water, it wasn't as different as normal showers and baths.
"Close your eyes, I'm pouring the water over your head." I said, taking a peek at his face while he squeezes his eyes shut.
Is this... the feeling of getting a sibling? How cute~ I always wanted a little brother! My sister doesn't count she's more of an oppressive dictator than anything.
"Do you—"
[... want me to help you wash up?]
[... know how to wash up?]
Eh?! Options again?! Here as well??? Though... the latter sounds kinda condescending, it makes it seem like I don't think he knows how to wash himself up... But nobles usually have maids cleaning them right? Hmm...
I didn't think for too long regarding the options and chose the prior. The boy glances over his shoulders and flushed a light pink as I blinked blankly at his reaction.
Was it the wrong choice? However, despite his flustered gaze, his affection increased. My eyes bulged at the weird reaction but I took it as a good sign and decided to proceed.
"I'm sure you're used to this treatment by now, but it's a first for me. I'll do my best so it won't hurt." I smiled reassuringly at the boy as he turns his head back to the front before nodding silently.
***
"There! All fresh and clean! Now I'll help you wash your clothes—" I helped him soak in the tub and headed to grab his clothes for washing but he tugged on my towel, halting me in the process.
"Huh...? Is something the matter? Is the water too hot?" I crouched to meet his gaze as he slowly lifts his head above the bubbles he blew.
"... The tub is..."
"Is...?"
"It's too big... what if I drown?" he mumbles to himself as I stared blankly at him.
This tub was... too big?
"... Shall I get in? It won't feel too large when there is the two of us inside." I grinned as he turned away yet nodded his head.
I quickly washed up and climbed in across from him as some of the water began to overflow. The boy glanced at me from the other end of the tub before scooting over in silence, much to my surprise.
"What's wrong?"
"My back... is hitting against the faucet."
"Oh... Do you want to switch places then?" I frowned at the thought of how uncomfortable he must have felt before he sat in the space between my legs.
"It's fine here. And the water is... warmer than usual." he mutters beneath his breath as I struggled to make out what he had said.
Hmm... perhaps he just doesn't like being alone and this is the roundabout way of spelling it out without actually saying it.
***
"There! Fresh and squeaky clean!" I exclaimed with glee as I helped him button up the last of his buttons.
"... Not half bad, you may have what it takes to be my personal butler. I can have a word with—" he suddenly blurted out of the blue before we were interrupted by the other children bursting through the doors of the church, signalling the end of classes for the day.
As they all hurried to their rooms to get ready for dinner, I leaned a little closer to hear what he had to say. Instead of repeating his sentence, he simply brushes it off and tugs my sleeve, beckoning me to follow him.
We exited the room I shared with Strawberry and headed off towards his room further down the corridor. He opens it and shows me a much larger room than the ones the other children and I had.
"Wh—"
Before I could finish my sentence, he shut the door behind me. I thought nothing of it until he turned the lock of the door.
—?!
"I actually have something to tell you..."
"O-oh?" I tried not to sound too astonished as I cleared my throat.
Well, whatever he says, we're still kids so I can always brush it off. Mean, but it's easier that way. And a safer option towards an ending.
"When we first met... it took me by surprise but..." his cheeks turned red as I felt a little more conscious of myself and rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.
"Can you please..." I gulped expectantly as my eyes immediately were drawn to his lips, watching them curve and move in slow motion as the words were vocalised.
"Please be my friend?" he extended his hand towards me as I reeled back a little from the gesture.
"Is... is that a no?" he lowers his head, not really hiding his disappointed expression before I firmly denied it.
"No?! F-far from it! Let's be friends!" I shook his hand as he grins.
"I've heard stories of how you would know it was the one."
"?"
"Mother used to tell me stories when I was much smaller of how I'd know I've met my special person. You were the special friend all along!"
"???"
"Unlike all the friends that were chosen out for me, I genuinely thought you were different. You react differently and our first encounter was burnt at the back of my mind!"
... I'd rather you think of something else instead though... That was a cruel way to meet someone...
***
As I made it back to my room, the room had grown really dark in the moment I tried to correct him that the story his mother was telling him was different. However, because I couldn't really explain it, I caved in and agreed with him.
"Who knew it's this late. Might be time for dinner soon."
As I mumbled to myself, I spot a figure in the dark and flinched. I held back a scream as I scrambled for the lights. There was a faint sound of clicking which didn't stop which grew more rapid. I tried backing away towards the door as I tried to pretend I didn't see it. My theory was proven wrong and within seconds, there was a shift in motions from the bed.
I tried backing away but stumbled to the ground in fear as the figure raised from its corner against the wall and directs it's gaze towards m.
but the figure moved making me gasp in horror as I squeezed my eyes shut in preparation for a blood curdling scream.
"Where have you been?"
"Mmfh?! Hmm??" I struggled to speak as he had his hand clasped around my mouth in an attempt to keep me from screaming.
"Ngh... I had been here all along." I frowned as he raises an eyebrow in my direction.
Why do I feel like I'm being interrogated? I swear I can see the lights of the interrogation room flashing somewhere. Or is it like a wife catching her husband cheating? I don't know.
[... I was spending time with Blueberry and we lost track of time.]
[... I had been preparing you a gift to make up for today.] {200 coins}
I stared at the options floating in front of me as time froze yet again. I eyed it suspiciously as I wondered what gift I could have on hand at the moment to fill in that option.
Or does the gift come with the option...?
I patted down my clothes but there was nothing usable since I had already took a bath and changed into fresh clothing so there really wasn't anything I could likely use as a gift.
But time is paused for now right? Maybe a drawing...? Though my drawing kind of sucks... Nothing better than a literal still image to use as subject.
I dug through my bag, pulling out the sketchbook as I made several sketches of him. However, it didn't sit right with me so I discarded the thought and weighted the thought of telling the truth instead.
My hands hovered over the first option before I heard a buzzing behind me and felt something crawling on my back. I went rigid and my face paled as the sketchbook slipped from my hands and fell to the ground, opening up to a page of a bunch of strawberries painted on them.
That's pretty and all but... right now... there were other pressing matters to attend to... for example... the thing on my back...