I'm not proud of it, or even proud of it at all, but I think I've experienced a lot of trouble in the bathroom there since I've been in this world.
　There was a time when I felt like I was drowning in water, there was a time when I got too much blood on my head and passed out, and there was a time when I was caught in a suicide bombing. It's enough to make you wonder if you're really cursed by the bath.
　But even I, who have had plenty of experience with bathhouse problems, despite my disgrace, don't know what to do about the current situation.

　It was fine until I brought the unconscious Anima to the changing room and put a big towel over her, but I don't know what to do after that.
　No, of course, I know that in theory, I should wipe her wet body. But that would be too difficult, or perhaps........I have a feeling it would be a big deal in many ways.
　But that doesn't mean we can't leave it as is. It would have been nice if I could have used some kind of awareness magic or something, but......................Oh, no, wait.

"...Alice, help me.
I don't mind that in itself, and I think it's a good decision... but wouldn't you like to wipe yourself and change first?　Alice, she's a pure girl who can't face that kind of thing.
Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah.

　Seriously, I'm glad Alice is here. No matter how much of a lover she is, no matter how many reasons she has, I feel too guilty to wipe Anima's unconscious body with a single line of sight.
　While sincerely thanking the same s*x Alice was there, I quickly wiped myself off and changed, giving Alice one more word before heading out of the changing room.







　After only about ten minutes had passed, the door of the changing room was vigorously opened and Anima, dressed in a rough outfit, came out.
　While I was relieved to see her looking fine, Anima ran towards me with an impatient look on her face and bent down, sliding a little bit on the floor before deciding to get down on her knees nicely in front of me.

''I'm sorry!

　...sliding down on your knees, right?　When did you get to use such advanced technology... oh, no, I don't think so.
　Um, this is a thing. It's definitely an apology for bothering me or annoying me or something like that.

''No, I was careless on my end, or rather, I should have been more attentive.
No, no, no, I was the one who--
Yes, stop.
What?

　I know Anima's character well. No matter how much I follow up here, she's not going to change her argument that she's wrong.
　If that's the case, it would really be a watered-down argument, or rather, an argument where we both feel like it's our fault. If that's the case, then the best way to round this out is.......

'I understand what Anima wants to say. But there's a part of me that feels responsible for it too. So, let's just say that this time we were both careless.
...Master.

　Yes, the best way to drop it would be to say it was each other's fault. If you're dealing with an overly serious anima, it should be easier to convince her in this way than to say that the anima isn't bad or something like that in a strange way.
　And when dealing with anima, it's just fine to take the conversation to them a little too forcefully.

'So I'm sorry for that, too.
'Yes, sir. If you say so, Master, I have no objection to myself.
Yeah, well, you know, just stand up... uh, yeah, sure. Let's go for a walk to cool off a bit.
'Oh, yes!　I'll go with you!

　It seems that our intentions were properly understood, and Anima nodded vigorously with a slightly brighter expression on her face.
　I'm not quite sure if it's the same for me, but I'm not quite sure if it's cool, or if I want to cool my head, so the night breeze seems to be just right.

　I went outside with Anima and her portable lighting magic tool. The riverside, which is far from human habitation, is quiet and only the sound of a babbling stream can be heard, but since it's open in its own way, it doesn't feel eerie.


How can I help you?　Master.
''No, just remember a little. Come to think of it, this lighting magic tool was something I bought from Alice during the Eta and Theta incident...
It's been a long time.

　Yes, Anima was right, I really miss it. Eta and Theta, who were enemies back then, are now completely like family.
　When I look back on it like this, I realize that many things have changed. I'm not sure I even knew that Alice's true identity was the Phantom King at that time, and I didn't have a lover.

''........Come to think of it, apart from Zeke-san, who was hiding and guarding me, the first person to rush over at that time was Anima.
Coincidentally, though...
Still, it was nice and reassuring. Thank you.
It's a pleasure, sir.

　Anima, who smiles as if to say so, doesn't seem to be as impatient as she once was. What can I say, it's nice to be able to experience growth like this.
　In fact, at that time, I honestly never imagined that Anima would become my girlfriend. But now, it feels right, or rather, it feels very natural for Anima to be near me.
　Thinking about this, I gently held Anima's hand as she walked next to me.

''Gosh, master!''
You don't like it?
No, no, I'm not...I'm rather...I'm, uh...glad.

　Anima, who squeezes our hand back while saying so, is so cute that I can't help but smile. She has become really attractive........no, I'm sure she was an attractive and pretty girl to begin with. It's just that I've finally come to realize that.
　If you think about it in that way, I guess you could say that I'm growing up too.

''Well what a nice night,''
Yes. You can see the moon clearly.

　 I never thought I'd have the chance to use it myself, but sometimes it's good to be a little unnerving.

'Oh, I feel like saying, 'The moon is beautiful...'...'

　There is an episode in which Soseki Natsume, a great writer, once translated the words "I LOVE YOU" as "The moon is beautiful," which means.......I love you or I love you.
　Does Anima know what the word means?　No, it's a word in the world I was in, and I don't even know the hidden meaning.......

Let me tell you...'It's because it's the moon you're seeing, isn't it?'
'What?　Anima I knew what the word meant.
'Yes, when Lord Epsilon told me about the other world I was very... happy to hear that from my master.

　Anima's reply to my words that my moon is beautiful is another one of the standard replies to the word beautiful moon, which comes from the great writer Futabatei Shimei's translation of the word 'Yours' as 'I don't care if I die'. It is a word that hides the meaning of "I am yours".
　And after that, he reiterated, "I guess it's because I'm seeing the moon with you" is another standard reply, and this one is not known for its origin... but it means "I want to see the moon with you forever and ever".

　It was somewhat of a posh exchange, but the meaning of the exchange was clear to both of us........the feelings we put into it were conveyed. And above all.........Anima's smile with a heartfelt smile was far more beautiful and attractive than the moon in the night sky.