You didn't expect this, did you? I've time-traveled again!

Suoh Takeshi's calm demeanor contrasted sharply with Darkness's flustered appearance.

"Yes, yes... Of course, we come to the bathroom to take a bath."

Darkness only then realized what was happening.

This interruption calmed her down.

Although still quite nervous, her expression was no longer as extremely flustered as before.

"Well, that's how it is. But Darkness, you're so late. I thought you had already finished showering with Megumin and Aqua."

"Yes, because I stayed in my room after I came back. Although Megumin and Aqua called me, I didn't feel like taking a bath at the time, so I refused."

That's why I'm only taking a shower now.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you."

"It's okay, it's okay."

……

Suoh Takeshi continued to comfort her with words.

The effect is quite good; Darkness is now able to have a calm conversation with him.

Since that's the case, let's take a strong remedy!

He blew away the awkward atmosphere in the team in one breath!

"Perfect timing, Darkness, you can help me scrub my back."

Suoh Takeshi spoke calmly, his expression equally nonchalant.

"Huh...?"

Darkness was stunned; she wondered if she had misheard.

"Sato-kun didn't come home tonight because of something. Since you're here, I'd like to ask you to help me scrub my back."

"Huh—?!!!!"

This time she was finally convinced that she hadn't misheard, and that she really needed her help!

Before Darkness could refuse, Suoh Takeshi left the bath first, walked to the wooden stool next to him, and turned his broad back to her.

Darkness opened and closed her mouth but couldn't speak.

She simply covered her voluptuous and fiery body with a short towel and stared blankly at Suoh Takeshi.

"You, you, you... I... I... you asked me to scrub your back or something!"

Darkness panicked again, stammering, "No, um, why are you so calm? What do you mean by asking me to scrub your back?!"

"Things are happening too much and too fast, it's a bit beyond my brain's capacity...!"

Darkness panicked and covered her body, looking at Suoh Takeshi with fear.

"Darkness, calm down."

Suoh Takeshi calmly said, "We are team members. What's there to be ashamed of rubbing each other's backs? We are a group of people who would entrust our lives to each other!"

“It’s common sense for team members to rub each other’s backs, Darkness.”

His consistently calm and composed demeanor is reassuring.

But who knows what his expression was like when he had his back to Darkness?

"Ah, ahhh...wait, this is so strange, so strange! Even with common sense, would the men and women in a team rub each other's backs?"

"Haven't you heard of 'being honest and open'? This is the same situation."

He forcefully spouted twisted logic, making it impossible for Darkness, with her peculiar fetishes, to refuse.

"please!"

"...Yes, yes."

Darkness picked up a towel and wiped Suoh Takeshi's back, her haphazard gestures conveying her level of tension to him.

after awhile.

"Is it...is it okay now..."

"Yes, thank you, Darkness."

Suoh Takeshi thanked her and then said, "Darkness, would you like me to scrub your back?"

But in his heart he thought that Darkness would definitely not agree, and that forcing her would backfire. So he decided to call it a day for tonight.

who ever thought.

Darkness blushed and said, "...P-please."

!!!

what happened?

What on earth is going on?!

You're not playing by the rules!

At this point, shouldn't you say, "No, no, no, it's okay, I can wash it myself," and then politely say, "Oh, sorry, I'll be going now," before parting ways?

Why would you say "Please"?!

But the words have already been spoken, and there's no going back now!

On it!

Gently wipe Darkness's soft back with a towel, asking her if the pressure is appropriate while wiping, and adjusting the pressure after receiving her feedback.

Darkness had beautiful skin, smooth as cream and fragrant as orchids; one could even smell an alluring fragrance up close.

Pshaw, what are you thinking!

How could you have such thoughts!

But... before we were separated by a screen, now we're separated by air.

The two are really different!

For a time, Suoh Takeshi was caught in a dilemma.

Brain: You're a steady and mature man, how can you have such thoughts!

Body: You're only 20 years old!

This was too much of a shock for the hot-blooded young man!

He had no recollection of how he got home or how he fell asleep.

Chapter 055 Cultivation of Marked Patterns

early morning.

Sunlight streamed directly into the room.

His room had the best location, where he could feel the warm sun early in the morning.

The early bird catches the worm; don't be lazy.

Slowly pushing away Aqua, whom he was holding in his arms, Suoh Takeru got up and began his daily morning exercise routine.

Step into the courtyard and breathe in the fresh air.

Get into position and practice the breathing techniques you've learned.

Water Breathing Technique, Thunder Breathing Technique, Sun Breathing Technique...

Practice the sword form for each breathing technique to ensure you are always in good condition and don't become rusty with your sword skills.

In the blink of an eye, a week has passed since we moved into this suburban mansion.

Rumors have it that the Headless Horseman, one of the eight executives of the Demon King's army, has occupied a nearby castle, and the kingdom has urgently dispatched high-level adventurers to subdue him.

This situation led to a sharp decrease in quests at the Adventurers' Guild, with the vast majority of adventurers quietly staying at home.

Therefore, the team members have not gathered together to do missions this week.

Of course, people weren't just lazy and focused on enjoying themselves.

Darkness returned to her usual self after that night, but she was still a little shy and speechless when she met Suoh Takeshi, and her previous perverted personality had been toned down quite a bit.

I'm not quite used to it yet.

To be honest, Takeshi Suoh was in the same awkward position.

However, Suoh Takeshi, who kept a calm mind, handled her quite well, and the relationship between the two remained relatively stable.

She is currently training her explosive power in the suburbs, setting off early every morning and returning in the evening.

Huihui went with her as the one being protected.

Aqua lazily stayed at home with Suoh Takeshi.

Kazuma Sato, this NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), didn't stay at home. Instead, he temporarily joined another team specializing in dungeons, ostensibly to gain more adventure experience.

It's obvious to anyone that his goal is Chris, the female thief in the team.

That's right.

That's the goddess who disguised herself as an ordinary thief under the alias Chris—Eris.

However, Suoh Takeshi did not directly point it out, but only told Sato Kazuma not to act recklessly towards others, and to be moderate so as not to offend others.

As for Suoh Takeshi, he has been studying the markings these past few days.

He's been a bit lazy lately; it's time for him to improve his skills.

Activating the markings is currently the most suitable training for him.

Marks.

It is a special state in Demon Slayer.