Chapter 97

"Ah, it's a downpour!"

It was a day when a heavy rain fell during the day. On the rooftop, which is not connected to the multi-level parking lot and is usually off-limits during business hours, I stood naked, exposing my body to the rain falling from the sky. While thinking how cute Kaede looked, who was also naked and a little away, trying to cover herself with her hands and a towel, I felt a bit embarrassed myself.

After all, this is like public exposure.

It's only natural to feel a sense of shame.

But I'm trying to act carefree so that Kaede doesn't feel it too much, though unfortunately it doesn't seem to be very effective.

We're doing this simply because we want to take a bath in the rain as a substitute for a shower.

Since no water comes out when you turn the tap, we usually just wipe our bodies with the water we store, and taking a bath is a luxury we can't afford.

So, on such a rainy day, it's a great opportunity!

Unlimited water!

Unlimited bubbles!

Sure, it's just rain, so it's not as clean as a shower, but I still want to lather up with shampoo, conditioner, and body soap!

"Kaede, don't be shy, come over here, come over here."

"Ah, ah! Wait, um..."

In the midst of other female evacuees and police officers who were already there, I pulled Kaede's arm and led her over. With one hand held by me, Kaede, who could only use her hand with the towel, looked adorably flustered, trying to figure out what to cover.

"Hehehe, Kaede, you have a great body."

"That's not true. My chest is small... I envy your great figure, Yuki..."

"You're so sweet, Kaede."

After teasing her casually, I glanced at Kaede, wondering if I had overstepped after what happened at the police station. But as she had said, she was just embarrassed, and I felt relieved. I immediately picked up the shampoo I had brought in a basin.

"Ah, it feels so good!"

"Yuki... But, hehe, you're right."

I pumped the shampoo a few times and washed my hair vigorously. Since we don't use such products often, we have a lot left over. I washed my hair in a completely defenseless position, with both hands on my head, fully exposed and without any sense of shame.

Finally, the effect of my overly enthusiastic behavior seemed to show, and Kaede, who was also washing her hair, smiled softly.

"Kaede, your hair is so beautiful."

Her long black hair reached down to her waist. Her white skin and still somewhat youthful body, combined with the beautiful black hair, gave her a somewhat ethereal appearance.

"Really?"

Oh, it's rare for the usually reserved Kaede to not be modest.

"I was thinking about cutting it because it might be a hassle in this situation, but I can't bring myself to do it..."

"It's fine just as it is! You're cute!"

"You're not cute..."

I'm sure she has some attachment to it. That's cute too, and as an older sister, I'm totally okay with it!

We both used the conditioner, washed our faces, and cleaned our bodies with body soap. If the rain had suddenly stopped, it would have been a problem, but it continued, and we successfully finished our natural shower.

"Kaede, are you done? Let's head back."

"Yes. I'm sorry for keeping you waiting."

"It's okay, it's okay! Your hair is long, so it's understandable."

As we were about to head back into the building, I felt a strange sense of being watched and turned around. Kaede was looking down, still covering her body, and following me.

+++++

"Having a hairdryer is such a luxury! The Oda family is so thoughtful."

I dried my hair with a cordless hairdryer, combing it with my fingers.

We had brought a generator from outside, but to save fuel and avoid noise, we rarely used it. However, today, because of the heavy rain and the need for a shower, the Oda family had run it and pre-charged the cordless hairdryer.

"I feel alive! I feel alive as a woman!"

"Yuki, you're so..."

The scent of the conditioner from my hair and the smooth texture as I combed it made me feel like I was regaining my dignity as a woman. Maybe that's an exaggeration.

"You're always wonderful, Yuki."

"Kaede, you're so sweet."

I smiled at Kaede's kind words and turned to her. Her eyes didn't look like she was just flattering me, and I instinctively straightened my posture.

"Yuki, you really are wonderful."

What touched her heart, I wonder. For some reason, Kaede said it again, looking at me intently. It must be about something different from our earlier conversation. I don't know what it is, but I felt like she was attributing something that doesn't fit me, and I couldn't help but scratch my cheek and smile awkwardly.

---

A bit of brightness in between.

I'll be back to the main story soon, so please bear with me.