"I'm going in first! End of the story!"
"But I'm the one who needs a bath the most right now! So I deserve to go first, you inconsiderate NEET!"
"I don't care! I almost died because of you! I have the right to relax for a bit! And let go of me already, you're getting toad slime all over me! And even worse, you're going to rip my pants off!"
Yes. That was Aqua and me, arguing over who would get to bathe first.
After completing the Giant Toad quest and defeating both the King and the Queen, I was completely exhausted.
The Queen had proven to be an even more formidable opponent than her husband, forcing me to use my "Slow" ability two more times before I could finally defeat her and rescue Aqua. The goddess had been swallowed whole by the enormous amphibian and was now covered head to toe in a transparent, sticky substance that resembled jelly.
By the time we finally made it back to Axel, night had almost fallen.
At first I suggested that Aqua go straight back to the mansion she shared with her party members and bathe there. However, the goddess instantly rejected the idea, saying there was no way she was walking around town in that state. Besides, she wanted to be present when we received our reward.
Luckily, the Adventurers Guild had several facilities. While they were far from luxurious, they covered basic needs—like food, lodging, and even a place to bathe.
The plan was to wash up as quickly as possible, but…
"I'm really sorry, but the women's bath is currently out of service," the receptionist had explained with a gentle, apologetic smile. "But don't worry, it's already so late that no one is using the baths. So if you'd like, you can take turns and both use the men's bath. That is, if Miss Aqua doesn't mind, of course."
And that was why I now had this toad-slime-covered goddess clinging to my pants while I dragged her down the hallway, trying to reach the baths.
"Hey, Kaizer."
"Hm?"
"I've been thinking… How much do you think they'll give us for defeating the King and Queen of the giant toads?"
At the question, I quickly turned my head toward the source of the voice.
Aqua was standing right in front of me, completely naked except for a tiny towel. A towel that, I must say, left very little to the imagination.
While it managed to cover her most intimate parts, the same couldn't be said for her voluptuous legs and those plump, creamy thighs. Even her feet seemed to radiate an overwhelming sensuality.
As my gaze traveled upward, I noticed that this was the first time I had seen her with her hair down. It cascaded over her shoulders like two streams of crystallized water, reaching all the way to her waist.
"Good question. Now that I think about it, those two toads really gave me a hard time. So try not to get eaten again, alright?"
Aqua's cheeks puffed out in anger, accompanied by a slight blush. It was obvious my comment had brought back unpleasant memories.
However, what caught my attention the most was that standing in front of me practically naked didn't seem to embarrass her in the slightest.
"Whatever you say," I replied in a carefree tone as I turned my back to her again. I picked up the soap I had dropped and started scrubbing my back. "If you're going to bathe, just do it already."
For a few moments the bath fell silent. The only sound was the soap sliding across my skin.
"Well? Aren't you going to bathe?" I asked without turning around.
"I can do it later," the goddess answered. Even though I couldn't see her, her tone made it clear she was a little nervous. Like she wanted to say something.
"You made all that fuss outside just to say you're going to bathe later? In that case you should've waited a bit longer and bathed alone."
"Shut up. I can bathe whenever I want."
Another silence.
Even I was starting to feel the awkwardness growing.
"If you're just going to stand there, you might as well wash my back."
Aqua let out a giggle.
"Those toads must have hit you really hard on the head, huh? Asking a distinguished and beautiful goddess like me to wash your back. Kusukusukusuk!"
"You think so? It's not like this is the worst thing we've done together, is it? Or have you already forgotten about the other night?"
There was a brief silence before Aqua finally spoke.
"That was… different," she replied. Her tone wasn't cold, but I could clearly hear a certain distance in it.
"About that… Can I ask you something?" If I was going to bring it up, it had to be now or never.
"What?"
"Why did you leave so suddenly? I mean, the other night."
"Ah, that… Well, I… had to go…"
"So early?"
"Yes. Besides, you were sleeping, so I thought it was better that way…"
"Alright, I get it. Still, it wouldn't have cost you anything to wake me up and tell me you were leaving. I was worried, you know?"
"Oh, really? Why?"
"I don't know… I thought… maybe you were angry or something."
There was another short pause before Aqua answered.
"And why would I have been angry, Kaizer?"
Hearing her say my name made my heart beat faster. But that wasn't all. The softness in her voice — so different from her usual shrill, demanding tone — sent a shiver across my skin.
And not only that. When I glanced down at my crotch, I was shocked to see how hard and rigid my cock had become.
Just from hearing her voice.
"What happened that night was a mistake," she said at last.
"A mistake?"
"I was too stressed about my debts. I shouldn't have drunk so much that night."
"Really? To me it just seems like you love drinking, regardless of your financial situation."
My comment (perhaps a bit malicious) must have struck a nerve, because I immediately heard the wet slap of her feet against the ceramic floor.
"It's always the same with you!" she complained. "I'm here talking about my problems and all you can do is call me an alcoholic. Seriously, I'm not exaggerating when I say you deserve divine punishment! You inconsiderate, perverted hikikomori!"
"Alright, alright, maybe I went a little too far. When we get out of here, I'll buy you dinner tonight like you wanted, okay?"
"You'd better. And let me tell you right now that I won't accept anything that isn't worthy of my sophisticated goddess palate, got it?"
Honestly, I had no idea what dish could possibly be considered "appropriate for a goddess's palate," so I simply agreed.
"Hey, Aqua."
"Now what do you want?"
"Wash my back."
"I already told you no. No, no, and no. Absolutely not."
"Aqua. My back."
"You're way too arrogant when asking for things, you know?"
Look who's talking.
"Don't you think it's the least you could do after I saved you from the Toad Queen? Besides, I already said I'd buy you dinner tonight. So come on, it's not that hard."
After another brief silence, Aqua said:
"Fine. If you want this goddess to wash your back with her divine hands so badly, I suppose there's nothing I can do. But on one condition."
"What?"
I had already promised to buy her dinner and even a drink. Not to mention I had saved her from becoming toad food. So I had no idea what else this woman could possibly want from me.
"You have to admit that my help was decisive in the Giant Toad mission and that you couldn't have won without me, Kaizer."
"Oh? Is that all?" I asked, surprised she was settling for so little. "Yes, of course. Your help was key to our victory today. There's no way I could have done it without you. Happy?"
The truth was, I never would have dreamed of denying Aqua's crucial role in today's battle — especially against the King and Queen. But after the short time I'd known her, I had already figured out that this capricious goddess was actually quite easy to manipulate. All you had to do was shower her with praise. Especially when you emphasized her performance as an archpriest and, above all, as a goddess.
Just as I was wondering whether my words had worked, I felt Aqua's hands gently rest on my back.