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【Ciel, Bath, and School Life】

With the entrance exam finished, I had Mia prepare the bath but declined her help to wash this time, so it’s only Ain and me alone together.
Mia, Luna, and Mohsa generally dislike having their work taken away from them.
Still, they would step back if we insisted, and they do occasionally accept without resistance, like this time.

『The exams earlier must have been exhausting.』
「Yeah. Besides, if we pass, we’ll have to talk to strangers more, right?
Just thinking about it already feels bothersome.」
『We can switch if you feel uncomfortable, so let’s try our best, alright?』
「No need to worry about that. I was just venting, you know.」

While rinsing my body, I chat with Ain.
It’s true that I was just venting; I’m not actually that exhausted. Talking with strangers may have been bothersome, but it wasn’t so bad that I’d refuse Mia’s assistance.
There’s just… a little something I want to try today, which is why I didn’t call Mia.
That aside, rinsing my own body reminds me of when Ain and I washed each other.
Ain’s body felt so nice to touch, so I wonder why I don’t feel the same way with my body.
Since our bodies should be practically identical, why does it feel like there’s a difference?

Why does the touch of Ain’s hands feel more pleasant than my own?

「Say, Ain?」
『What is it?』

I asked in a laid-back tone, and Ain, in kind, responded with a relaxing voice.
It’s so comforting; I just want to listen to Ain’s voice forever, but unfortunately, if I don’t speak, I won’t be able to hear more of Ain’s voice.

「If we pass, I’ll have to talk to different kinds of people, right?」
『That’s right.』
「Then could we have some practice with it?」
『Practice?』
「Yes. I’m sure not many people in the academy would be as polite as Ain.
I mostly only converse with Ain, so I might be stumped when people suddenly talk to me casually.」
『… Really?』

Oh, she found me out, it seems. The truth is, I don’t really feel that way.
I thought it sounded natural enough, but it seems I still have a long way to go.

「Fufu, what do you think?」
『I understand, but only for a bit.』
「Then I’ll have to-… no, I must properly act as well.」

I feel like I just took advantage of Ain’s kindness, but I’m happy that I’ll be able to hear Ain speaking informally again. I’m so happy.
Still, since Ain readily agreed, maybe she won’t be stammering like before. That would be a bit sad.

『Ah, um, Cielmer.』

However, that wasn’t the case at all, as Ain’s voice was awfully shaky.
It’s so, so, so adorable; I can feel my cheeks forming a grin.
But there is one thing that got my attention.

「Why don’t you call me Ciel?」
『Would you even let anyone at the academy call you that? With that in mind, perhaps it’s better to use Ailneige instead.』
「It can’t be helped. Can we go with Cielmer then?」
『Ciel, please don’t forget your part, too.』

That reminds me, I’m back to my usual speaking style.
Since this should be a conversation inside the academy, I need to mimic a displeased Ain.

『So, Ciel…mer…』
「What might it be?」
『What sha—what do we talk about, then?』
「I’m not really sure what topics are common in an academy setting.
Ain, do you know any? Also, were there times back then when you’d bathe together with others?」
『In my old world, there were… I bel—I think? Not always, only on certain events or stuff…』
「Then, what would you talk about during those times?」

I’m genuinely curious about Ain’s past.
Recalling something, Ain let out an adorable, hesitant 『Umm…』

『I was a boy before, see… so we would talk about… and fantasize about girls, you see…
About girls we like, about things that day, nothing that really needed to be talked about in a bath…』

I see. In that case, I just have to talk about Ain.
But if I told Ain what I liked about her, she’d just get flustered and humble about it, so for a more amusing conversation, Mia might be a better choice of partner.
Just as I was thinking that, I heard a quiet murmur, 『Like… if it’s true that girls fondle each other’s chests…』
『Ah—』Immediately after came a soft gasp, but let’s pretend I didn’t hear that.

「I see, like this, perhaps?」

Saying so, I lightly grope my chest. That reminds me, I was afraid that Ain might hate it back then, so I didn’t touch her chest, but I wonder if Ain will allow it next time?
There’s no way to know until the opportunity arises, so I just continue listening to Ain’s troubled whimpers.

『C-Cielmer…』
「What is it?」
『You said it was for practice, but you’ve been grinning since the very beginning, you know?』
「I suppose you’re right.」

I can’t help it. Ain is so adorable, after all.
I’m such a bad girl.

【Ciel and Fires on the Opposite Shore】

「Would you care to join me for a dance?」

Just as I finished my first plate at the welcoming party, a man approached me.
Understanding that this sort of invitation is common at formal events, I replied, 「If it’s only for one song.」 I allowed a bit of my inner annoyance to seep into my tone, then turned to take care of something more important.
I say important, but I’m just going to ask the earlier maid to prepare a plate for me so that after dancing with the man, people wouldn’t try to talk to me again.

On the way, Ain spoke to me. 『Was that alright?』 Between whether it was alright or not… It wasn’t. It’s tiresome, but I’ve come to understand that putting aside my own feelings, to some extent, is necessary if Ain and I want to enjoy a peaceful academy life.
More importantly, I’d rather bear with this than see Ain dance with someone else.

『We might end up in a similar situation in the future, so I can’t be dismissive forever.
Besides, it would be better to just accept it, right?』
『It may be the better choice, but… shall we swap places?』
『No. After all, I’m the next person Ain will be dancing with. I’m not letting anyone take that away from me.』

While I will be the one who can bring out Ain’s adorableness on the dance floor best, I still don’t want to see her dancing with a stranger.
In truth, I even felt complicated when Ain danced with the manor servants.

『… I… have complicated feelings about you holding a boy’s hand…』

Ain insisted with a timid tone.
Is it because she thinks that I’m bad with males? Or is there a different reason for it?
If it’s the latter, how wonderful would that be?

『Really? Really! But since I’m putting my own feelings aside for the dance, Ain should try to do the same too.』
『I understand. But if you start to feel uncomfortable, immediately switch with me.』
『I promise.』

But I’m sure I wouldn’t feel that way. After all, I got to see such a wonderful side of Ain.
After that, I danced with the man. Whether it was just courtesy or not, he tried to flirt with me, but I rejected him.
With Ain present, there’s no need for vague answers.

After watching the exchange, Ain asked me something, so I grumbled back at her a bit. But then she asked, 『So who is this special person already in your heart?』 Naturally, I answered, 『It’s obviously Ain, isn’t it?』 What a strange question to ask.

Did she maybe feel a little uneasy after seeing me get hit on?
How adorable. But I really don’t want her to worry about it.

『No need to feel anxious, okay? After all, Ain is all I need. No one’s ever going to take me away, you know?』
『Okay… I understand.』

Ahh, why isn’t Ain the one in control right now?
I just know she’d have the cutest expression, a blend of happiness and embarrassment, hidden under a veil of anxiety.
That’s the impression her voice gave me.

But this is enough. If I ever see Ain like that, there’s no telling what would happen to me.
Even now, I already can’t stop thinking about how adorable Ain is.

And then—「Know your place, peasant!」—a loud voice ruined the mood.
Oh well. I took it as a good opportunity to thank my dance partner and excused myself back to the dining area.
Upon my return, I was handed a drink, so I ingested it.

Still, that maid specifically mentioned that the fruit water was produced here in Ausente, so it seems she knows we’re not from this country.
It’s not anything important, but she does seem observant.

After finishing the prepared plate—the cake I had last was delicious—Ain asked to switch with me, so I gladly obliged.

And that ends this chapter! The AinCiel cuteness is off the charts! Ciel truly can’t stop gushing over Ain, lol.

Once again, we have new material in this chapter. This time, it’s the first part that has new material, while the second is a past scene from Ciel’s eyes. I still can’t get over how truly offended Ciel sounds about Ain asking her who her special someone is, lmao. “Really? You’re making me say this? When it’s so obvious? Hello?” That’s the impression I got from that, lol. Back to the first part, Ciel just can’t stop teasing Ain. I guess the letter N in Cielmer stands for “Not a s̲a̲d̲i̲s̲t̲”, huh. The girl truly is frightening.

Now then, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please feel free to comment. Stay healthy, stay safe, and have a nice day~!

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