Over the next few days, the strange conversations continued. She asked more about my family, friends, childhood, old jobs amongst other things. She always wanted me to sit in the same place in that living room all day. I reminded her about my willingness to help with chores and finally she relented.
After some sweeping, we went into a stuffy room with shelves covered with books. Actually, they looked more like broches with traditional Japanese text on them. I asked her what they said but she said she could not read them.
"I know only some basic Japanese writing and most of these are in traditional kanji."
We took down all the texts so the shelves could be dusted. The room was small with shelves on both sides and once we stacked the books on the ground, we only had a narrow aisle to move back and forth. The first thing that struck me was the dark oak bookshelves that looked of high quality. At the end of a shelf was a box which I took down and opened out of curiosity. Inside were what looked like price tags of different colors with Japanese writing on them. The colors were dull but must have originally been vivid.
Lilith was quick to take notice. "Oh, you found the omamori."
I looked through the tags trying to make sense of them. "What are they for?"
"Oh, they're kind of like good luck charms. Normally they're kept out for guests but when the shrine was abandoned, I put them in here for safe keeping." She began to pull out the charms. "This is for good grades on tests, this one is meant to protect a pet." She was like a child showing off her dolls. "This one is a love charm, its used to find a mate."
I originally felt cordial seeing her go through the box, but she had just made things awkward again. I could not read this girl, was she coming onto me or was she ridiculously naïve? I was not sure how I felt about her. Sometimes she felt like a younger sister, sometimes she acted like my mother, and other times like a barmaid. She was a real nice looker, still I was not sure if I could see myself with this mountain girl for long term.
"How about I start cleaning the shelves and you start putting stuff back on the shelves as I go?" I suggested.
She nodded and I began brushing off the shelves. The duster she had given me before was made up of feathers and looked like a bird wing. As a brushed it looked like mole hills of dirt were falling to the ground. It looked like no one had moved these texts in a long time. I didn't have any allergies, but the high amount of dust made me sneeze all the same. After completing the work Lilith was quick to dismiss me again.
"Go wait in for me in the lounge. I'll finish sweeping up here and prepare dinner."
"Why don't I sweep up and you go start dinner now?"
I saw a tear fall down her cheek and she wiped her eyes. "No, no." She yawned. "You've done enough for the day."
I left as I found out that over my short time being here that reasoning with her was pointless. I couldn't help but wonder how things would be if I married her. On one hand she would be great at doing things around the house, but on the other her stubbornness would very likely lead to issues and fighting. Upon reaching the parlor I sat on the couch and waited for Lilith to come.
When She arrived, she presented a tray which had a plate of rice and meat along with a tall glass of water. The plate was seemingly divided in half with the white rice on the left and the meat making up a stew on the right. I quickly recognized it as curry a dish I had eaten before in Japan as it was quite popular. I quickly ate the meat and began scooping up the rice. Upon finishing the meal, I began sipping from the glass. I turned to Lilith who was about halfway through her dish of curry, she was in no rush savoring each bite. Upon her finishing she gathered the dishes and returned to the kitchen. She soon came back holding a robe and white pants similar to the clothes which she wore.
"What's with this?" I asked.
"Umm." She replied. "I was wondering if you would let me clean your uniform today its really dirty."
She was indeed right my uniform was in desperate need of cleaning. It must have been a month now since I had changed clothes, and upon inspection of myself I noticed a slight stench. I was surprised that Lilith could even tolerate being so close to me. "That would be nice I'll take those clothes back to my room and change."
"I've drawn a bath for you if you would like."
That got me excited. I had been using a bathroom which had a wash basin to clean my arms and face, but it was a half bathroom lacking a bath or shower. I nodded. "I'd really like that."
She smiled. "Come on this way." She reached out her hand and I took it. She then led me out the living room and down the hall to a room on the opposite side of the building that I had not seen before. She stopped at an old oak door with an iron door handle. She grabbed the handle and opened the door. Inside was a small room was a spigot and small drain on the right and on the opposite wall was something that looked like an open crate which I presumed was the bath.
"Traditionally your supposed to wash at the drain before getting in but don't worry about that. The bath is also connected to the spring so it should be quite warm." She said.
"How come you didn't tell me about the bath sooner?" I asked.
"It wasn't working right I couldn't get it to fill up, but I finally got it working earlier today."
"You should have told me about it. I don't know much but my father is a plumber and he taught me a few things about keeping bathrooms maintained."
She shook her head. "It wasn't a problem with the pipes or anything. Besides I couldn't trouble my guest over a thing so trivial."
"So, how did you do to fix…"
"Leave your uniform in the bathroom and I'll fetch it after you're done bathing." She hung the robes on the hook on the door. "I'll go back to the lounge. You're welcome to rejoin me after your done or you may retire to your room." With that she opened the door with a creak and then closed it behind her.
I took off my shirt, removed my belt, and took off my pants. Next, I removed my long johns and kicked everything into the corner to the left of the door. I walked over to the brass spigot which was at chest height and turned the handle. I had expected the water to be cold, but it was quite warm. It had to be spring water as well. After rinsing off for a few minutes I went over to the tub. It looked like a pine box about six feet by six feet and four feet high. Inside it was already filled with water and was giving off a slight steam. Once I got in it was heavenly. The water wasn't hot like a bath at home but warm reminding me of swimming in the ocean during the summer. It must have been two months since my last bath. Most of the times when I returned to base it was only a cold shower that was available.
I leaned back and closed my eyes. I remembered my early years playing on the beach back before the attack that changed everything. I soon began to dose, and time began to pass. I then thought about Lilith and longed for her, thinking of her meals and company. Remembering her kindness, silky hair, and beautiful emerald eyes.
I suddenly struggled to breathe and pulled myself up realizing I had slipped in the bathtub. I had no idea how much time had passed. Finding no towel, I stood for a around ten minutes allowing the water to drain from my body. I then grabbed the clothes that Lilith had provided me. They were long and felt baggy and scratchy hardly good clothes to relax in. Hopefully she would get my long johns cleaned soon so I could go back to sleeping in them instead.
Upon leaving I longed to go to Lilith but in the end returned to my room and slid the door shut. I found it strange how attached I was getting to her, but I supposed in was only natural after being away from home for so long. It was best not to get too close to her, however as I would eventually have to leave her. I laid down, despite the new clothes being uncomfortable they were at least warm. It would be no problem getting through one night in them.