Miss Heir wasn't very kind to me.

Chapter 262, Section 37: "The battle has only just begun."

The exhausting spring cleaning ended that evening.

"call……"

Masumi immersed her exhausted body in the bathtub and sighed deeply.

The slightly hot water temperature was just right. I could feel the accumulated stuff on my body dissolving and flowing away in the water, and my body relaxed, as if I was about to melt away.

A long day like this deserves a relaxing bath to end it off.

He liked the feeling that it told him the day was coming to an end.

Although Masumi really wanted to relax and sprawl out on the artificial stone, there were other people in the bath, so he gave up the idea.

"Phew~ It's so great to be able to soak in a hot spring! The bathtub at home is just too small; I haven't been able to stretch my legs out since high school. I'm so happy to be able to soak like this!"

Chiai scooped up a small handful of hot spring water and slowly poured it onto her slender but beautifully contoured, snow-white neck.

The hot spring water flowed over her slightly flushed skin, past her collarbone, and slid down her smooth contours.

"Hoo~ My bathtub at my house in Kusatsu is quite big, so I was a little uncomfortable when I first arrived at the coffee shop."

Asami also poured water on herself, but the situation was completely different; all the water flowed into the middle of her valley, which could be considered a symbol of the opposite sex.

Qian Ai frowned almost imperceptibly, then silently lowered her body, soaking in the hot spring until her shoulders reached.

"I'm so sorry that our bathtubs are so small."

As Masumi spoke, she glanced discreetly at the Mami Valley area and thought, "Wow, they really pile things up there."

The large Sea Moon, sandwiched between a Starbucks ventriloquy and a medium, suddenly stood up from the water with a "whoosh" and fanned itself with its palm.

"How is Haiyue? If you can't hold on, don't push yourself, or you'll get dizzy from all the soaking."

Rinne asked with concern.

"It's okay...it's just...a little hot..."

"Your hair is all loose again. Didn't I tell you to tie it up when you take a bath?"

Rinne's troubled tone carried a very slight hint of reproach, but Haizuki paid it no mind and immersed herself back into the water, "Splash splash splash splash!"

Oh~ it turned from a jellyfish into a crab.

Masumi hoped she wouldn't blow bubbles carelessly.

"Rinne is being too strict with Umizuki. That's going to backfire!"

I really don't know how a seasoned homebody like her could have the nerve to boss around Rinne, who has extensive experience taking care of children at the orphanage.

But Rinne still answered seriously and directly.

"It's because Masumi usually spoils her too much."

As she spoke, she cast a disapproving glance at Masumi.

"what?"

Masumi blinked innocently.

Asami nodded in agreement, "Masumi-kun is indeed too lenient with Umi-chan, but with me—"

Her words abruptly stopped, and she stared at Masumi with a regretful look in her eyes.

It seems she's still upset about being spanked during the day.

The group sighed in unison and continued to enjoy their bath.

After the tiring spring cleaning, Masumi suggested going to the hot spring to wash away her fatigue, and the girls readily agreed, also inviting Chiai to come along.

only--

"...Sorry to interrupt when everyone was having a great time soaking..."

"What's wrong, Masumi-kun? If you're trying to say something about mixed bathing, then you don't need to continue. Bathing is supposed to be a shared experience for everyone."

Asami said it in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Hehe, that's right." I, like the old master, smiled and agreed, "It's definitely better to soak together."

"As long as Masumi-nii doesn't look at me in a lewd way, it's fine."

Qian'ai's face turned as red as a boiled crab, and she imitated Haiyue by immersing her mouth and below in hot water.

The water swayed as she exhaled, splashing against her face.

There are just too many crabs around me.

Where is Rinne?

"...Of course I'll still get shy."

Rinne, who was in the hot spring, could no longer maintain her usual indifferent expression. Her cheeks flushed with cherry blossom color, and she spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.

"However... since everyone is enjoying this feeling, I don't want to spoil your fun. So I want to get used to it slowly, and even look forward to the day when I can lead everyone to take a bath. So please don't worry about me."

No, you'll get used to it.

"call……"

Seemingly feeling hot as well, Rinne gently fanned her face with her hand.

With each slap, pearl-like droplets of water slide down the smooth, porcelain-like skin, lingering for a moment in the hollow of the collarbone before accumulating in front of the body.

As expected, the heiress is no pushover, Masumi thought to herself.

"Oh, right, that guy over there."

Rinne suddenly looked at the honey-gold figure not far away with a meaningful gaze, and said with a slight smile.

"Although I have no intention of chatting with you, I hope you can occasionally speak up to verify your situation, so that you don't unknowingly lose your head."

Masumi glanced in the direction of Rinne's gaze.

Although Mio's body floated on the surface of the water, her expression was as deep as the bottom.

"It's none of your business."

She flicked her hand, and ripples spread across the water's surface with her movement.

Water droplets on her hair were flung out with the large movement, and Rinne quickly covered them with her hands.

"Mio is throwing a tantrum in such a childish way—ugh!"

Mami, who was standing next to her, smiled broadly and splashed a handful of water over.

Rinne retreated like a cat splashed with water, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Sister Mami, don't be so childish."

"Well, it's a private event anyway, so it doesn't matter."

"Having a private event doesn't mean you can do whatever you want."

"Take this! Little Chiai!"

"Ahem! Mami-nee, don't sneak attack me!"

Led by Mami, the girls started splashing and playing around in the hot spring.

Everyone was quite relaxed.

Completely unprotected, without a towel to cover her, and her snow-white body was visible in the shimmering hot water... Hmm.

It means that Masumi was clearly still there.

But since no one else seemed to mind, he naturally didn't care either.

Moreover, Masumi was genuinely happy to see their relationship gradually improve.

A moment of peace; if only such moments could last forever.

Just as Masumi was thinking this...

Suddenly, a soft, bouncy sensation came from behind me.

"Hehe, it seems there's an opportunity here."

I hugged him tightly from behind, just like my predecessor.

"Senior!"

Masumi's neck became stiff as if it were rusty, and she dared not move it.

"What's wrong? You've already eaten meat, so why is Masumi still looking so apprehensive?"

As I said with a touch of irony, my fingertips lingered on Masumi's chest, and a comfortable current surged through his entire body.

"No, judging from the reaction, it should be the senior who is eating meat."

I am the one being tasted.

Upon hearing this, I showed a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm... In that case, let Masumi have a taste too."

What does "senior" mean?

"Just like Masumi could have imagined."

Her sentimental whispers melted in Masumi's ears.

"No, stop joking, senior."

"Hehe, look at Masumi's face, she can't control herself. It seems the effect is very good."

Was my expression really that bad?

"No, that's not true. Masumi looks really smug right now, it's making my heart flutter. I really like Masumi when she has such a masculine expression."

Just as the senior was about to take advantage of the situation and drag Masumi step by step into the abyss, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.

"Miss Rugu, what do you want to do?"

It's Mio Kurokawa.

Her tone was icy and devoid of any inflection, and no emotion could be discerned from her cold eyes.

"Just as Ms. Kurokawa thought."

Still holding Masumi, I smiled without fading, revealing a fearless grin.

"Really? That's really..."

Just as Mio's anger was about to erupt, I calmly spoke up.

"Shh—don't be so loud, you'll attract their attention."

Hmm? Why is the senior so calm?
Even Mio looked confused. Suddenly, I reached out and grabbed Mio's arm, and then quickly closed the distance between us.

"Ms. Kurokawa, you don't need to be so wary~ because I won't try to stop you like Ms. Kamishiro did."

The strangely familiar tone and the way the words were used to lower one's guard made Masumi's heart skip a beat.

“Miss Rugu, I don’t understand what you mean,” Mio said expressionlessly.

"Indeed, this might be a bit puzzling to some."

I gave Gu a meaningful smile and said, "Then let's prove it with our actions."

"Actual...actions..."

Mio murmured the word repeatedly.

The beautiful senior spoke in a gentle, persuasive tone, like a witch tempting one to fall into depravity.

"That's right. Look, Masumi is right in front of you, you can fully feel his presence~"

"Hey, is that okay?"

A strange expression appeared on Mio's face, a mixture of dissatisfaction and worry, which was contrary to her usual demeanor.

...In other words, it is the face of a woman who is considerate of others.

On the surface, this was just an ordinary question, but in reality, it was a hesitant attempt to seek permission from Masumi.

Although Mio had launched countless attacks on Masumi without hesitation, apart from her first kiss with Ikaho, each attempt ultimately came to nothing.

It's absolutely impossible to explain it by Masumi's resistance, or the defense of other girls, or by coincidence alone. The real reason is the cowardly nature that Mio hides beneath her aggressive exterior.

Because she cared too much and was afraid of being disliked by Masumi, she still had reservations even after mustering up her courage.

This is quite different from Rinne, who appears cold and aloof but is actually straightforward.

"Don't say such things in this situation, Ms. Kurokawa."

I smiled and grasped Mio's wrist, pressing it against Masumi's broad chest without a word.

Masumi's heart started pounding uncontrollably.

"How was it?" I asked her, as if to ask her thoughts.

grunt.

Mio swallowed hard, her face flushing.

"I can feel Masumi's heartbeat, and... Masumi isn't resisting."

Of course I won't resist.

Where Mio couldn't see, Masumi was being tightly controlled and threatened by her senior.

"Um, Mio, senpai, isn't it about time we parted ways? They might be looking over here at any moment."

"Ah~ if that's the case, there's no need to worry."

The senior smiled gently, as if to reassure the two of them.

Following the direction of her gaze, in front of Masumi were four girls chatting about girls' topics and helping each other wash their backs.

"Asami-nee recently got her hair done, it looks beautiful."

"Well, you guys have been telling me I'm too sloppy, so I've been thinking of tidying myself up a bit lately."

"That's how it should be, isn't it? Asami used to always wear braids when she went out, but she was just too lazy to take care of her hair, right?"

"Ugh! Chia should be more reserved like Japanese girls!"

"Sigh, should I grow my hair a little longer too?"

Qian'ai's hair has always been trimmed to just shoulder length.

"Huh? That won't do! If Chia grows her hair long too, our work will become a dictatorship of long-hair-obsessed authors!"

"Mami is talking nonsense again," Chiai sighed.

"Sometimes I've been thinking about whether I should cut my hair short like Qian Ai. Long hair is really too troublesome to manage, and this would save a lot of time."

"No! Absolutely not!"

Asami's reaction was unexpectedly intense: "Rinne looks best with long hair! We can't let Nisio Isin invade our world!"

"..."

"Looks like they're having a great chat over there."

The senior's sadistic nature is gradually revealing its fangs in front of Masumi and Mio.

Just as Mio was surprised by the subtle changes that had appeared on my body—

"Ms. Kurokawa, how many minutes can you hold your breath underwater?" she suddenly asked.

"Ok?"

When suddenly asked this question, Mio was taken aback. "I've never done this before, and I'm not very good at underwater sports either."

I felt as if I had transformed into a diving instructor.

"Generally speaking, an average person can hold their breath for about 40-60 seconds at rest. Adults or athletes with good cardiopulmonary function can extend this time to more than 2 minutes."

She paused at this point, then blinked one of her eyes in a childlike manner.

"By the way, my best underwater breath-holding record is 4 minutes and 36 seconds."

"so."

Mio nodded, still completely bewildered, while Masumi shivered with fear.

“In that case, Miss Kurokawa.” A strange light shone in my eyes, just like in the story of Kou Chitose.

"Would you like to test your limits?"

◇

"Cough cough cough cough!"

This is the third time Mio has choked on water.

"Let me... cough cough cough... try one more time... cough cough cough cough!"

"Mio, you shouldn't force yourself..."

"It's ok!"

Mio spoke with absolute certainty.

"How could I possibly give up so easily here!"

"Oh, oh..."

Masumi nodded blankly, sincerely hoping that Mio wouldn't use such passionate lines in this situation.

I smiled as if I were ancient.

All of their reactions and actions were subtly induced and nurtured by her, giving her a sense of satisfaction from personally raising them.

"Alright, Masumi, being a boy, should also give Kurokawa-san more support and encouragement."

"Huh? Oh, okay."

Masumi reached out and gently grasped Mio's hand, which was protruding from the water.

Skin soaked in hot water becomes smooth and supple, just like a freshly peeled boiled egg in hot spring water.

Although it was a pointless statement, Masumi fully appreciated Mio's delicate and gentle nature as a girl.

Mio gripped his hand tightly, their interlocked fingers burning as if they were on fire.

The sticky sounds mixed with breathing and swallowing were masked by the muffled buzzing of the running water pipe and the sound of flowing water.

Masumi tilted her head back and exhaled into the steamy air.

The hot spring is really hot.

◇

After relaxing in the hot spring water, I felt much lighter, both physically and mentally.

Asami and Chia came out of the dressing room and walked in front, followed by Kaigetsu, Rinne, and Mio.

"Oh dear, let's just make the New Year's hot spring soaking event a permanent event from now on."

Mami made this suggestion with a refreshed expression.

"Wash away the year's fatigue with a healing hot spring? Sounds wonderful."

Qian Ai nodded with bright eyes, her joyful expression conveying "That's great!"

Rinne looked after Kaigetsu, who was a little dizzy from being in the water and was walking unsteadily, and then turned her gaze to Mio, whose face was flushed and whose steps were unsteady.

"Mio, you look terrible. Would you like some water?"

"I'm fine...you don't need to worry about me..."

"Save your bravado. I don't want you to be too weak to even stand up to me; that would be too boring."

"Oh……"

Mio thanked him, somewhat bewildered, and accepted the natural water that Rinne offered.

...This philandering cat isn't actually a bad person.

Moreover, what just happened gave her more confidence and pride: she had already surpassed Rinne in her progress of winning over Masumi!
In that case, perhaps I can ease up my attack on her a little.

"...Speaking of which, is it alright if Ruma Sumi and Miss Ruko continue to soak in the hot spring there?"

Rinne asked in a casual tone.

"Well."

For some reason, Mio felt as if those words were interrogating her, so she turned her head away to avoid the main point.

"I don't think those two people will do anything outrageous."

"..."

Silence suddenly appeared. Mio looked up and saw Rinne closing her eyes helplessly, letting out a deep sigh.

"Mio's unique way of thinking is to immediately associate it with that kind of thing. I'm just worried that Masumi might faint from soaking in the water like she did in Ikaho last time."

This guy!
Mio's face instantly fell into a shadow.

She retracted her earlier thoughts; this guy was still just as infuriating.

However... I am different now.

Although what I, like the ancient sage, threw out was a poisoned apple with a bright, sweet appearance but hidden poison bait.

But Mio, focused on victory, couldn't think too much.

Just you wait! You philandering cat.

I will definitely be the winner before you!

From here, Mio's battle to retain her position has only just begun.

(End of this chapter)