A Comfortable Bath

If you take a bath every day, it's nothing special, and no one would be as excited as a fool. However, for someone like me who has been wiping myself with cold water for almost a month and can only take a bath once every two weeks, today's bath feels like entering heaven!

"Yvette is here!" Lindsay shouted, "Yvette, how does it feel~~~~"

"Feels great! Feels great!" I couldn't find any other words to express my joy.

"Thanks to the storm, hope it comes again a few more times!" Edwina happily splashed in the water. I saw everyone's figures clearly, and when Edwina splashed, it looked like two large white rabbits were hopping on her chest!

"Not just the storm, but we also need enemies. Hah—" Lindsay leaned against the edge of the pool, laughing heartily. Beside her, Bernice was still staring blankly ahead.

It turns out everyone wanted to take a bath in the rain! I learned that any world trope is important!

"Close your crow's mouth!" Sister Celeste shouted loudly. Her long, red curly hair clung to her flushed face, and the misty vapor made her white swimsuit appear elusive. The red hair complemented her fair skin, making her look even more seductive.

Lindsay shut her mouth, with a hint of rebelliousness on her face like a teenage boy. Edwina looked cautiously at Lindsay and Sister Celeste. The entire bathhouse became unusually quiet due to Sister Celeste's imposing aura.

Bernice still gazed ahead. Suddenly, she slowly stood up, swung her right hand, and her head followed the same direction. Droplets of water flung off her short hair. She started to chant in a low voice in the quiet bathhouse, "Let us wash away the sins of this world!" Bernice's resolute words echoed through the bathhouse.

I stood still in the bath, staring blankly at Bernice. This is definitely chuunibyou!

After finishing her lines, Bernice stood in the thick steam like a robot suddenly powered down. Her snow-white body made her look like a meticulously crafted, new puppet.

Sister Celeste, Lindsay, and Edwina didn't seem surprised like me at all. It seemed they were already used to Bernice's peculiar state.

Bernice slowly withdrew her hand, sat back in the bath, and started daydreaming again, muttering to herself in a low voice, "This line doesn't sound good..."

"Um..." In the silence, Sister Celeste made a thoughtful sound. Lindsay, Edwina, and Bernice all looked at her at the same time. She furrowed her brows, and wet hair slightly covered her unyielding and defiant gaze. "Rest assured, we won't hide here forever. Right now, it's just the calm before the storm. But if it really comes to that time, are you afraid?" Sister Celeste looked at Edwina, Lindsay, and Bernice with a deep sense of pity in her eyes."Fearless!" Lindsay, Edwina, and Bernice stood up together in the water, saluting Celeste with no fear as they uttered the words "fearless."

Throughout, I didn't quite understand the meaning of their conversation, but I faintly sensed that behind the peaceful and tranquil atmosphere of Noah City, there was a tremendous force yearning to break through the darkness.

Seeing the brave expressions on Lindsay's face, I felt a deep sense of admiration. Though there were no enemies in sight, no war to fight, their backs exuded a heroic spirit, ready to face death. This was something absolutely absent in my peers.

"People of Noah City!" Suddenly, the entire bathhouse echoed with Asna's excited voice, "Jessie has given birth! She has a daughter! Mother and daughter are safe! Let's cheer for them!" Instantly, joyous music filled the entire bathhouse.

Excited, Celeste looked up and then at Lindsay and others, "After bathing, let's all celebrate together!"

"Oh—," everyone cheered instantly.

Suddenly, Celeste looked at me, grinned, and said, "Come on! Let's splash Yvette together! Don't let her stand there looking silly!" Lindsay and the others immediately turned to me, grinning, "Alright! Yvette! Come on! Join us in our embrace!"

Oh no! Just as I thought to run, water splashed towards me, and the whole bathhouse echoed with the laughter of the girls. At that moment, I realized they were just ordinary girls who loved to have fun like me.

Jessie gave birth to a girl, weighing seven pounds, and the entire city celebrated.

More long tables were set up at Jessie's doorstep, laden with the best food from the warehouse and Noah City's only black rye wine, which they claimed was only drunk during the New Year.

Then, everyone gathered around the long tables, singing and dancing. The children received precious candies, and the whole of Noah City felt like a festive occasion.

I stood in front of Edmund's machine repair shop, calm for a moment. Second sister had left, and it was time for me to wean.

I had already applied for my own room with Celeste, next to Lindsay, Bernice, and Edwina. From now on, I would sleep alone, starting my truly independent life, just like Emery and Lindsay.

"Shua!" Opening the door to the machine repair shop, I could already hear the sound of Edmund writing. "Aren't you going to celebrate?" I walked into the machine repair shop."I've been waiting for you. Uncle Ominic gave the order, instructing me to inform you not to join the celebration tonight. He wants you to rest well in your room and wake up early tomorrow," Edmund said while writing. I walked past his writing board and approached the massive nest-like coil, inside of which were the mats that Edmund later laid out for us to sleep more comfortably.

"You've worked hard tonight. By the way, Yvette, how did you communicate with the Flying Corpse King? Can you tell me the process in detail? It would be very helpful for my research. Until now, no one has been able to prove that the Flying Corpse Monster can understand human speech, but..." Edmund tilted his head slightly, showing a hint of doubt. However, he continued writing, "During the time spent with Second sister, I felt she could understand my intentions. Could it be some kind of telepathy?" He deeply inhaled, closed his eyes slightly, and on his androgynous face, the expression became calm and envious. A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of his mouth as his hand paused on the writing board. "The scent of jasmine... I envy you all for being able to bathe."

Observing his immersed expression, as if imagining the enjoyment of bathing, I said, "Edmund, I won't be sleeping here tonight."

"What?!" His eyes widened instantly, and a hint of confusion and panic appeared in his gray-blue eyes. He hurriedly lowered his head, asking, "Did I disturb you? Is that why you won't sleep here?"

"No, with you by my side, I sleep peacefully." My explanation calmed his expression. His lips involuntarily lifted, forming a slight smile. He raised his face to look at me and asked, "Then why won't you sleep here?"

I looked at him for a moment, lowering my head. "I need to wean myself off."

"Wean?" Edmund became puzzled. I started packing my things, and he quickly walked to my side. "You haven't been drinking milk, and we don't have milk in Noah City. How are you weaning? If you want to drink... Oh right, Jessie should have milk. I'll go get some for you." My hands paused in surprise at how Edmund could come up with such a suggestion.

"You're the treasure of our Noah City. Elder Arufa even uses you as a symbol for our Noah City!" 

"What?" I looked at Edmund in surprise. He nodded earnestly and continued urgently, "So, if you want milk, Jessie will definitely give it to you."

"Edmund!" I stood up, grabbing his shoulders, interrupting his words. He anxiously looked at me, and I said to him in silence, "My weaning refers to the child leaving the mother's side and becoming independent. It's a spiritual separation!"