Miss Celia, the blue-haired, big-eyed, fair-skinned genius magical girl, carried a thick quilt in both arms. She shuffled step by step toward Nevia’s room. But the bulky quilt blocked her view completely. Blinded, she stumbled forward a few steps—

“Sister Celia, I’m not the bed!”

She’d thought she reached the bed and was about to drop the quilt. But Nina’s unhappy protest made her pause. Embarrassed, Celia turned and kept walking.

*Thud.* Something crashed to the floor.

“Alyssa, are you okay?”

Celia huffed and tossed the quilt away. Magic caught it mid-air, floating before her.

*So extravagant…* Nevia thought.

Celia watched contentedly as the quilt flew to Nevia’s small bed. It rolled itself into a neat cylinder—ready for her to dive straight in. So convenient.

After that, Celia scanned the room. “Alright, bedtime,” she declared. With Mother away, naturally the most genius magical girl (scratch that—oldest) Celia called the shots. “But first… shouldn’t we bathe?”

“Hmm, Sister Celia, you go first,” the clean-loving girls agreed. Nevia figured letting Celia bathe first was only right—respect elders and lo—

*I didn’t say anything. (By—Nevia, smacked away)*

“Let’s bathe together,” Celia announced, utterly shameless. Nevia’s face burned with embarrassment.

“Eh?”

*Girl, what happened to your serious, aloof persona? How’d you switch styles so suddenly? This is neither scientific nor magical!*

Nevia shook her head like a rattle drum. Bathing with the little ones was fine, but sharing a bath with a gorgeous teen? Way too intense!

Celia just smiled slightly. “It’s late. If we bathe one by one, dawn’ll come.”

Bathing was tricky for girls, and with so many, it’d take ages.

But Nevia held firm, shaking her head. “No! You all go first. I’ll bathe last!”

“Girls shouldn’t be so antisocial.” Celia bent down, grinning, and leaned close. Her hands settled on Nevia’s shoulders. A faint, sweet scent of youth filled the little girl’s nose.

“I’m not—” Nevia’s face flushed as she mumbled. But Celia hugged her tight. The slender girl had shocking strength—Nevia struggled but couldn’t break free.

“No choice for you!” Celia marched toward the bathroom, Nevia in tow.

“What do we do?” Alyssa asked Nina.

“Let’s bathe together,” Nina said, following them.

Steam filled the bathroom. Celia waved her hand—magic blew the mist away. A white light ball glowed on the ceiling. Another magical feat.

*Your skill tree is totally messed up, girl!*

Nevia rolled her eyes. Next second, Celia threw her into the bath.

*Splash! Splash!*

Warm spring water soaked her. Nevia sighed, resigned. But another splash startled her—Celia jumped in too.

Nevia stared at the naked girl. *How’d you strip so fast?! Your skill tree’s way off!*

She forced her gaze away. Her heart pounded *thump-thump-thump* in her ears.

*But… she has a great figure…*

*Ah! What am I thinking?!*

Blushing fiercely, Nevia ducked underwater, chin submerged.

*So envious… no, envy what?!*

While Nevia panicked, Celia slowly approached through the water. *Splash… splash…* The sound made Nevia flinch.

“D-don’t come closer!” She kicked off the bath floor and scrambled to the edge. Gripping the wooden rim, she tried to climb out.

“I just wanted to help you undress. Why run…” Celia muttered. But that disappointed look—what was that about?!

“I can do it myself,” Nevia said warily. Her hands stayed frozen on her wet clothes.

“Don’t look.” Nevia’s biggest frustration: no changing area. Living alone, she’d never needed one.

“We’re all girls,” Celia grumbled. She turned around, crouched down, and submerged herself. “What’s there to be shy about?”

Nothing beat soaking in a hot spring after a long day.

After a moment, seeing Celia wasn’t peeking, Nevia slowly unbuttoned her collar.

*Wait… did I forget something?*

Half-undressed, she spotted two figures entering the bathroom.

Uh-oh…

Nina started stripping without a care. But Alyssa’s face turned scarlet—redder than Nevia felt.

“N-Nevia…” the little girl stammered.

Nevia smacked her forehead. *Die once or die twice—better to get it over with!* She stripped fast and grabbed a fresh towel.

But as she sighed in relief, Celia had turned around. Her gaze burned into Nevia.

“Nevia’s so cute,” Celia said, oblivious to the damage.

Nevia clenched her tiny fists, grinding her teeth. She threw another towel at Celia.

*Splash.*

Celia stood to catch it. Her snow-white body unfolded fully in Nevia’s view—slender waist, long legs, and…

*Plop.*

Blood rushed to Nevia’s head. She wiped her mouth with her hand—phew, no red liquid.

*Guess my self-control’s not bad,* Nevia thought proudly.