Ever since watching the movie with Charlotte, I feel like a door has been opened inside my mind. I want to talk about what's on my mind with her, but it feels out of place for some reason with Lisa now back home. What even was our relationship before? Thinking back on it, I was pretty dumb, but even back during the time when I first kissed Charlotte, I didn't really hate it. Could that mean that I actually do want a relationship like in that movie with Charlotte? I'm not sure...
Right now, I feel incredibly happy, and I don't want to change what we have, but then again, I find myself craving a closer connection with Charlotte, wanting her to let me in fully. But is that "love?" Maybe... This is why I want to talk about this with Charlotte so I can figure that out.
Regardless of my feelings though, we stuck around with Lisa for most of the day. I did manage to practice making tea without blood for Lisa, so I'm not unhappy with how things are going, but I just wish to just find some time for us to talk.
"Okay, I think it's time for us to wash up. You two can go in first." I've been stuck in my thoughts, not really paying attention, but Lisa's words just now breaks me out of it.
"Really, Lisa?"
"You're technically still recovering, so I'd like Shiro to jump in with you. That's of course if you're fine with it, Shiro."
"Yes! I'm okay with it!" Could Lisa have read my mind just now?
"Haaah~ Alright." Charlotte sighs in resignation, but her words light a fire inside me.
Soon, we find ourselves in the bathroom. I've gotten pretty good at undressing myself now as I've finally learnt the trick to undoing the bra with just two fingers. But after I finish stripping down, I notice that Charlotte has barely even started. Could it be that it's too painful for her?
"You sure got the hang of it now, hehe." Charlotte smiles with her face steadily growing red. She's clearly in pain.
"I'll help you, Charlotte." I say before placing my hands on her chest where her buttons are, being mindful not to hurt her.
"Eh?! Sh-Shiro. I can do that myself!" In a hurried fashion, Charlottes steps back before finally beginning to undo her buttons. However I'm more focused on her face. I feel as though it's getting even more red. In that moment, I feel a sting in my heart.
"It's painful for you, let me do it."
"I-it's not painful."
"Then why is your face so red?"
"..." Silently, Charlotte turns around, turning her back towards me. "I'm not in pain... I promise." But just as I was about to try again, she murmurs those last few words.
"Okay."
I trust Charlotte to not lie, but then why was her face so red? My thoughts would end there however, as Charlotte looks to have fully undressed herself.
We then moved to washing ourselves while the bath was filling up. However, Charlotte remained facing where she was, not looking in my direction at all. I wanted to say something, but I felt like an invisible wall had been put up between us. It's like Charlotte doesn't really want me here... Thinking that only made the stinging sensation in my heart only grow more painful, stopping any chances for me to speak as I speed up a bit to wash myself.
The invisible wall would still be put up though when we entered the bath together. Just like with Lisa, Charlotte and I sat on opposite ends, only this time, instead of Charlotte facing away from me, she's now looking my way. Is it okay for me to speak up? Wait, what was I trying to talk about again?
"...Shiro."
"Y-yes?!" I was a bit startled from my name being called that I accidentally raised my voice.
"Sorry, hehe. Are you okay?"
"...I don't know." I was about to lie and say I was fine, but I can't find it in me to lie to Charlotte.
"...I noticed you didn't take your usual spot."
As she says this, I glance over to her chest. Most of it is submerged, but I can see a part of the wound near her collarbone.
"I just don't want to hurt you."
"It's fine. The pain is mostly gone now." She says that, but is it really okay? Is she inviting me in?
"Did you want me there?"
"...Only if you want to."
"Not if I'm going to be a burden..."
"You're not~ It's okay, seriously. Actually..." Her voice trails off for a moment as her cheeks start growing redder like before. "I- want you here as well." Those words freeze any pain that was in my heart, quickly replacing it with that familiar light, fluttery feeling.
"O-okay..."
Slowly, I shuffle my way in the bath before turning around, my back now facing Charlotte. Gently, I rest my head against her breasts as she wraps her arms around my waist, keeping me from slipping away in the water. I'm not sure why, but now I feel like I'm the one boiling up. I don't remember feeling this way the last time I was like this with Charlotte...
"C-comfy?" Breaking the silence, Charlotte asks me in a somewhat quite tone.
"Nn... Yeah."
Why does this feel wrong now? I won't lie that I do want this, but this feels completely different than the other times. Is it because of how Charlotte's been acting? Maybe...
"You didn't do this with Lisa, right?"
"Huh?"
"When you two share a bath. You don't, you know... Rest up against her like this?"
"No... Just Charlotte."
"I see... I'm glad." She says while gently tightening her hold around my waist as I feel her rest the side of her face on top of my head.
My hands end up moving on their own, slowly moving towards Charlotte's hands that are around me. The heat inside my head slowly calming down.
"...I missed this."
"Same here."
Wait, Charlotte feels the same way?
"Then, can we go back to doing this?"
"A-as long as it's in moderation."
"I just-" That's it... "I want to be closer with you, Charlotte." I remember what I wanted to talk about.
"Fufu. Like that princess wanting to learn more about the criminal?"
"Yes."
"..."
Wait... Huh? Does that mean...