"....."
As he looked at his girlfriend, Suzuki couldn't help but sigh, and he knew that Shizuku's mind was like everyone else's, in a dire mess. No one could stay calm. Even if all of them were about to become university students and had reached the legal age of marriage, which was 18, even an adult would lose their calm when they were pulled into another world!
Yet, he couldn't help but think about how attractive Shizuku was.
Her long, jet-black hair was tied in her usual high ponytail; her legs were long and slender, like those of models, and the growth on many parts of her body enhanced her womanly charm. It was impossible for anyone else to say that Shizuku was unattractive, but her popularity was strangely low; Suzuki could only say that it was because those guys just felt inferior toward her.
Unlike Kaori, who was so feminine and seemed to need the protection of others, making all the males desire to protect her, like a knight or a hero who saved the damsels in the story, Shizuku was capable. She was strong, smart, and often helped those who were in need. Instead of guys, she was more popular with girls, as many girls often confessed to her.
Yet, even so, Shizuku was still a girl.
She wanted to be treated like one, to be indulged, spoiled, and loved, which was why, when she was in front of his door, Suzuki opened his arms calmly. "Come here."
Shizuku didn't say anything and clung to him, tightly wrapping her arms around his, trying to feel his warmth, as she was nervous and frightened and had just been forcing herself to believe she was fine.
"...you are late."
"It can't be helped. I have been trying to search for much information outside."
When Suzuki walked out of the castle, Shizuku couldn't concentrate, and in her mind, she had always been thinking about him. Even though she was confident that he would be okay, when she thought about the previous threat where others might kidnap him as a slave, how could she remain calm?!
"Still, have you taken a bath?"
"...what?"
Suzuki didn't want to say this, but his girlfriend smelled like sweat. It was sour, though.
"...the water is cold, you know?"
Shizuku wanted to take a bath; no, all the girls who had sweated during the sudden training wanted to clean up, but unfortunately, the water was cold!
It wasn't the warm water that everyone was used to!
In the modern world, warm water was easy to get as they only needed to go to the shower, before they rested in their bathtub, but now?
While they could get access to water, it was impossible to get warm water!
Water was a luxury in this world, as there was no modern plumbing system. However, the castle was still the best place in the entire kingdom, so there was still a way to get water. Yet, even so, when she thought about how cold the water was, it was just... difficult for her to get used to it, so instead of joining everyone, she decided to come to him even without taking a bath.
If it were others, they might resist, but Shizuku knew that Suzuki loved her sweaty body, as they often met each other after she finished her dojo training.
"...did you think something rude about me?"
"No~!" Shizuku laughed.
"..."
Suzuki was speechless, but he couldn't get angry when he looked at her charming laugh.
"But..."
Shizuku suddenly realized something was wrong. She put her nose against his shoulder and sniffed it hard.
"...perverted."
"That's not it!"
Shizuku's face was crimson, yet despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help but ask, "Why did you smell nice? It's... it's... as if you have taken a bath?"
"Is it weird if I take a bath?"
"But, there is no soap!"
Shizuku knew the situation in the bathroom, and all they could do was wash their bodies with water. Yes, all they could do was just wipe away their bodies with a wet towel!
Yet Suzuki's scent was so nice, so comforting, that she wanted to sniff it again.
"Did you buy some soap?"
This was the only explanation that she could think of. Shizuku never questioned Suzuki's ability to make money. Despite being an orphan, he seemed like someone who had never had a problem with his economic situation, and he had always appeared the best; yet, even so, she knew he worked hard for it.
Moreover, the fact that Suzuki was able to return and buy food for everyone meant he should have bought many other things.
However—
"There is no soap in this world."
"...you are kidding."
"I mean, there is soap, but medieval soap is made by boiling animal fat with lye (wood ash)."
"What's the difference with our soap?" Shizuku tilted her head in confusion, showing a cute expression.
Suzuki couldn't help but kiss her cheek because she was so cute.
"...why did you kiss me?"
"You don't like it?"
"No..." Shizuku tried to hold herself, as she complained, "But I have tried hard not to kiss you!"
"Let's kiss later after I explain."
"Okay, what's the soap difference?"
"The soap in this world is incredibly harsh, strips the skin of essential oils, and smells faintly of rendered meat. Perfumes exist for the ultra-rich, but they are heavy, musky oils designed to mask body odor rather than eliminate it. Makeup involves toxic elements like lead powder to make skin look pale."
"...." Shizuku.
In this world, the technology level was generally equivalent to that of 14th- or 15th-century medieval Europe, but with one massive, stunting caveat: Magic. Because magic exists, the people of Tortus never felt the need to innovate. They never had an Industrial Revolution or an Age of Enlightenment. Their society is stagnant, lazy, and completely lacking in modern chemical or mechanical engineering.
Soap and cleaning were one thing, but many other things were even harsher, such as water and plumbing, dark culinary foods, and, even worse, healthcare.
"That's why I told you to be careful and not to get sick."
If there was something fortunate, the bodies of those from another world were strong, and as their level grew, they naturally grew stronger, which gave them a strong immune system. Yet, despite their strong bodies, the comfort of their minds was necessary.
"Still, there are many magicians in our group, right? If you pour water, and some use fire magic, then you can make warm water for everyone."
"But, that's troublesome..."
"You are right."
"There is also no soap, too..." Shizuku sighed, but then she realized something. "Then, how did you smell nice?"
Suzuki looked at Shizuku and asked, "Keep it a secret from everyone."
"Okay?"
"My ability is limited to my mana, so it is extremely hard for me to maintain it, but it should be okay for the two of us."
"Eh?"
"Come in."
Suzuki didn't waste his time and opened the door to his penthouse.
"..."
Shizuku was at a loss, but when she entered and saw everything, including the luxurious bathroom that matched the five-star hotel in their original world—
"...can I take a bath?"