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Chapter Ten – Bathhouse Mayhem
St. Luxis' Academy provides every necessity a young girl needs to live a life away from her family. Each girl is given their own bed rooms to ensure the amount of personal space they have is sufficient. However, the higher-ups also encourage socialization among students. And so, there came to be the Academy Bathhouses. Every girl in the academy uses these bathhouses located in strategic areas around campus. There is an exemption to this rule. Elementary Student Rank 1, Lucia Harlaown, was given a room with her own personal bathroom. Reasons for the special treatment are concealed even to her instructors. But this time she cannot escape.
"Hey Lucia, why don't you bathe with me and the other girls tonight? It must be lonely just taking a bath yourself."
"But I…"
"We had a big day today. Don't you want someone to talk about it?"
"Really I…"
"Come on Lucia. Just this once…"
"But I really don't think that this…"
And then, Alice's secret weapon, her teary eyes and cute pout, Lucia is easily seduced.
"I understand…."
How? How did I get into this mess?
St. Luxis North Castle Bathhouse, three marble pillars engraved with feather and pearl décors supporting the arced rooftop with a sun roof right in the center, is truly a marvelous place. Each pillar has impression of the three great heroes of the past. The first one has a star mark overhead; the second with a lightning mark and the third is carved with snowflake designs. With such artistry only to be exclusively appreciated by the students of the academy, Lucia is too overwhelmed. Alice on hand, they move on to the changing area.
"Wow, this bath is so huge."
"Yes. I didn't expect it to be this big."
"There's even a waterfall in here."
"Yes." She can only agree. "By the way, what are these people doing in here?"
"Tsk, It so happens that this is the time I use the baths. So this is just a coincidence." Raven quickly responses.
"Actually, Alice-san asks us to come, right Fate?"
"Yes."
"I understand that but… what is she doing here?"
Following the three girls was the brilliant scientist from the Research Center, Alicia Testarossa.
"Me? I'm here to look over my cute little sister." She pounces on Fate but misses. "Fate-chan, why?"
"I told so many times. I haven't accepted you as my sister."
"But…"
"This is too weird." Lucia silently comments.
With that, Lucia opens the door to the changing room.
"Ah, there's only one private changing room."
"Really?"
"I'll be taking it then. I don't want you commoners to see my body in its full splendor, ara?"
Lucia blocks her.
"I'll take the private room."
"What are you…?"
"I said I'll take it."
Sensing her resolution, Raven backs off. "Yeah, okay. Just quit looking at me like that."
"Thank you."
"Ah, Lucia, don't you need any help?"
"I can change by myself. Please tell me when you have all finished." She slams the door shut.
"What's with her?"
"Lucia…"
"Do you know why Lucia-san is like that?" Nanoha faces Fate.
"I don't know."
"She's being shy, isn't she?"
"Shy?" the girls say in chorus.
"What do you mean Alicia-san?"
"Well, for most girls, the reason they don't want their body to be seen is that they are either feeling inferior or they have something on their body that they wish to hide."
"Feeling inferior?" again, said in chorus by the girls.
"It's true that Lucia's body is the most underdeveloped compared with everyone else," Raven comments.
"Really? I think it's kind of cute how she manages to maintain her petit stature."
"I think so too." Alice quickly agrees with Alicia.
"And she also has beautiful skin. It looks so smooth too." Nanoha adds. "She's like Fate-chan. Fate-chan?"
Fate thinks deeply.
"Even if she is underdeveloped, correct me if I'm wrong but she's only ten, right? I can tell by her height"
"I guess."
"Then, there really isn't a problem. She seems confident enough so I don't think inferiority complex is the answer."
"As expected of Fate-chan." Nanoha quickly embraces her.
"That must mean that she's hiding something…."
Why? Why? Why?
Why did I agree to take this risk? Why do I feel so defenseless when she asks me a favor? Why did I come here? WHY? Whatever the reason is, I must not let them find out. My identity will remain a secret until the end.
Wearing only a towel, Lucia exits from the sanctuary of her private changing room to the wild terrain of the St. Luxis Bathhouse. As the door opens, she is greeted by Alice. She grabs Lucia's arm and starts to drag her out.
"What are you doing?"
Alice won't listen and just keeps on yanking her arm.
"Alice!"
"Show me!"
"Pardon?"
"Show me what you're hiding!"
"What are you talking about?"
"It's because ever since you came to the bathhouse, it's like you've been avoiding us or something."
"Avoiding you? Why would I…?"
Lucia's gaze tilts downwards. Her face becomes red and immediately closes her eyes.
"Huh?"
"You should go now. I'll catch up with you."
"But…"
"Trust me, okay?"
Alice silently turns away from her. Lucia closes the door and faces the mirror. She places her palm over and looks at her image.
Why? Why is it like this?
I can't even look at her face anymore. Her eyes, her face, her smile, everything about her, why do I treasure it so much?
She notices a red stain on her face and wipes it off.
Blood? Just which part of my face did this come from? Can it be…?
The silent wind of truth blows over her face.
No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. No. NO! I am not thinking of anything perverted. I'm not thinking of those things. No. No. No. No. No.
"Lucia! So you finally came out."
Lucia slowly makes her way to the closes pool and sits down. Her breaths are hard and slow. Alicia takes notice of this.
"You look tired Lucia-chan. Your face is all red and your body is all sweaty. Are you sure you didn't do anything funny when Alice left you alone?"
"Of course not. What kind of person do you think I am?"
"Really?"
"Yes."
It was a show of will between Lucia and Alicia. Lucia can't afford to lose or else her secret will surely be revealed. The earnest eyes of Lucia were just too pure for Alicia.
"You're such a boring person. Hmph. And I thought I finally found your weakness." She sulks in defeat.
"Lucia," Alice approaches her from behind. "May I wash your back?"
"Huh?! B-b-b-b-b-b-but… it might be a bother and… I-I-I…"
"She's only washing your back Lucia. It's not like you're going to lose anything I she touches you."
"But…!"
"I can't… can I?" Alice changes from her usual cheerful voice. "Do you really hate me that much?"
"It's not like that I really li-…" before Lucia can finish, she felt the aura of the moe-inducing people around her. Alicia seems to enjoy torturing her but this was far enough. This is something that Alice must know but the others should never find out. It's now or never.
"I really like the bathhouse. Will you join me next time, just the two of us?"
Uh oh… that didn't came out right.
Fate blushes.
"I didn't think Lucia is interested in that! You naughty girl…"
"Now I know why she doesn't have interest in guys." Raven exclaimed.
"What are they talking about?" Alice asks.
"I don't know. It's just an invitation to another bath right?"
Nanoha and Alice have no clue to why the others are sensationalizing.
"As expected of those two, they're as innocent as angels." The three say in chorus.
"Ms. Alicia, what did she mean by that? I want to know too."
"Do you want to know Alice?"
"Yes."
"She doesn't have to know. And anyway, that's not what I meant!"
"Yeah, right."
"Lucia-san is so perverted." Fate whispers
"THAT'S NOT IT!"
What seemed like hours for Lucia were mere minutes and bath time was over. As they bid their good nights, Lucia accompanies Alice to their dorms. As they approach the castle, Alice smiles and gives of a soft laugh.
"What's so funny?"
"You were blushing so much and I…"
"It was only because they teased me," Lucia interrupts.
"Do you really like me?"
Lucia suddenly stops. There was a long silence until…
"You're my friend. Of course I like you."
With their friendship established, the two slowly stroll in the moonlight.
Note: Filler… like hell it is. Please comment/review MGA. . I'd really appreciate it.