Are there only perverts in this school?

“Yujin, wake up.”

“Mmm, just five more minutes…”

I was finally sleeping so soundly, so why wake me up now? I need nine hours of uninterrupted sleep every day. My body is still begging for rest…

“If you don’t get up now, you’ll be subject to ‘education.’”

“I’m up!”

Education.

Just two syllables, but after yesterday, the word was deeply etched into my mind. It was more than enough to wake my sleep-addled brain.

“Excellent. There’s much to do today.”

“…Sister—I mean, Catherine. What time is it?”

I’d been forced awake, but my throbbing head wasn’t shy about complaining of sleep deprivation. Just one more hour of sleep, please…

“It’s 6 a.m. The perfect time to start a refreshing day.”

“It’s not refreshing at all… Catherine, don’t tell me you stayed in my room all night?”

“Of course not. I’m human too, so I need sleep.”

That’s probably true, right? Her expression was so blank that if she were lying, I’d recommend she switch professions from Sister to gambler.

“Yawn… Fine, whatever. Just tell me where the bathroom is. I wore these clothes all day yesterday, so I need to shower and change.”

“I’ll guide you to the bathroom. Bring your uniform with you.”

“Got it.”

I fished the uniform out of the bag I had carelessly tossed on the floor yesterday and followed Catherine, who was already out the door.

Couldn’t she wait a little? She’s already so far ahead.

The place we arrived at after walking down a long hallway was a massive door that screamed luxury.

Do dorm bathroom doors usually have dragon motifs on them? It’s not just me who finds this odd, right?

“Yujin, after you’ve washed up, come down to the first floor. You won’t need your textbooks today, so don’t worry about bringing them.”

Then why did she give them to me yesterday? Well, at least she’s not following me into the bathroom, that’s a relief.

“If you’d like, I could help bathe you. Thoroughly, without missing a spot.”

“No thanks!”

Leaving Catherine behind as she made strange hand gestures, I stepped into the bathroom and was met with a whole new world.

This dorm—it doesn’t look like it from the outside, but it must be massive. Unless they’re using magic, there’s no way a bathroom could be this huge!

“Hmm, hmm-hmm.”

I tossed my clothes into the basket by the door and quickly turned on the shower. It was the perfect temperature without even adjusting it.

Ah, this is the first thing I’ve truly liked since coming to this school. Or… have there been other things? The dorm is ridiculously fancy, Catherine’s cooking is delicious…

Maybe I could treat this like staying at a luxury hotel. Sure, I can’t use my phone, which is incredibly, incredibly frustrating, but still.

‘This body wash smells amazing.’

Using the body towel provided next to each shower, I lathered up and began scrubbing myself clean. As much as I wanted to jump straight into the pool-sized bathtub, it’s only polite to wash thoroughly first.

Click—

While shampooing my unnecessarily long hair, I heard the sound of the door opening. Could it be Catherine coming in? No, no—if she planned to do that, she would’ve come in with me earlier.

“Who’s there?”

“Ah, it’s me… Airy.”

“Oh, it’s just you, Airy.”

So Airy gets up this early too. Could it be that everyone in this dorm wakes up at this hour?

If I have to wake up at this time every day, this place really is hell…

“Yujin, you’re up early too. Hehe…”

As I rinsed the shampoo from my hair under the stream of water, I glanced sideways to see Airy lathering up her body.

The way her white, watermelon-sized… assets moved with her every motion was impossible to ignore, but I quickly looked away. Staring when someone isn’t okay with it is bad manners, after all.

“I’m getting in the tub first!”

The enormous bathtub was filled with milky white water, its luxurious appearance immediately catching my attention. Even for baths, rich people don’t use regular water, huh?

“Heeeh…”

My body’s melting… What is this?

Did they dump in a ton of bath salts or something? It feels incredible. I could stay in here forever…

Sploosh—

“Yujin, is the water temperature alright? It’s always this temperature when I bathe, so I hope it’s okay for you too.”

The tub, which had been calm when I entered, overflowed dramatically as Airy got in, splashing noisily.

“It’s perfect… This is heaven, absolute heaven.”

“Hehe, I’m glad to hear that.”

Hmm. I don’t mind her patting my head, but isn’t this a little too close? Or is this just how girls are with each other? I wouldn’t know, I’ve never had proper friends to compare.

“…Yujin, what’s that mark on your neck?”

“Huh? Oh, that.”

Oh.

I’d completely forgotten about it. Catherine bit and sucked at my neck twice yesterday, leaving unnecessary marks. Ugh, now that I’m thinking about it, they ache even more.

“A bug bite. Do you have a bandage? I’d really appreciate it if you could lend me one.”

“A bug… Of course, I have one. I’ll lend it to you right away.”

“Thanks, thanks!”

Airy didn’t leave the best first impression, but she’s surprisingly kind and considerate. She’s even going to take care of the dishes and cleaning for me! I should get along well with her from now on.

…Well, assuming my escape plan fails.

“Yujin.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I hug you now?”

“Right now? That’s a little… we’re both naked, and it’s hot in the tub.”

“Please…”

What should I do… Considering what Catherine said, promises seem to be more important here than I thought, so refusing feels a bit tricky.

Hmm, well, she is lending me a bandage, so I guess I can do her a favor just this once. It’s not like I lose anything from it.

“Just so you know, if you say anything weird like last time, it’s over immediately.”

“I’ll hold back.”

As I spread my arms toward Airy, she immediately pulled me into a tight embrace.

The sensation of damp, smooth skin and her warm body heat.

The soft sigh from above my head and the slow rise and fall of her large chest with each breath.

Not knowing where to place my hands, I instinctively rested them on her back, only for Airy to hug me even tighter.

Our skin pressed together without any gap, leaving me with a strange feeling. The more I thought about it, the stranger it seemed, hugging each other naked in a bath isn’t exactly normal for friends, is it?

“That’s enough! We’re done, right!?”

In the end, I couldn’t take it anymore and was the first to pull away. I removed my hands from Airy’s surprisingly firm back and created some distance between us.

“Ah…”

But the moment I looked at her face, I found myself momentarily breathless.

The pale, ghostly skin that had made her look like a spirit was now flushed a soft pink, and her light-pink lips parted slightly, letting out a wistful sigh.

I thought this yesterday too, but Airy is stunningly beautiful. It’d be hard to decide who’s more striking, her or Catherine.

“I’m leaving first!”

“Yujin! Wait…”

I rushed out of the bathroom as if fleeing, grabbing a towel to dry myself off. Ugh, maybe I should’ve showered with cold water before coming out, my head still feels overheated.

Ah, I forgot to flick her forehead.

***

“It suits you well.”

“This is really uncomfortable.”

“Everyone goes through that process at first. Once you get used to it, you’ll find it more comfortable.”

The uniform my grandmother had prepared fit my body perfectly, but the ankle-length skirt was unbearably restrictive.

Catherine, who was preparing breakfast on the first floor, said it looked good on me, but just thinking about having to wear this every day made me feel gloomy.

“The uniform aside… who’s that person?”

Seated at the table, picking at an egg sandwich, was a woman whose appearance immediately caught my attention.

Silver hair, red eyes… Is she an albino? I’ve never seen one in real life before. I’m curious, but asking outright would probably be rude.

“She’s a senior in your grade. She’s quite difficult and sensitive, so I’d recommend keeping your distance.”

“That sounds just like Cath—”

Before I could finish, I felt piercing gazes from both Catherine and the senior. Are they sisters? They look and act so similarly.

“Josephine.”

“Huh?”

As I sat down and stuffed a sandwich into my mouth, a familiar voice came from the direction of the senior.

For a moment, I thought Catherine had spoken, but when I turned to look, she was still quietly making a salad without saying a word.

“I said Josephine. Are you stupid or something?”

Ugh, confirmed: annoying person.

“Catherine, this sandwich is really delicious.”

“Hehe, eat as much as you’d like. I love kids who eat well, unlike someone who barely touches their food.”

“Mm-mm. I eat a lot, so make plenty for me!”

Bang!

“Are you both deaf!? Why are you ignoring me!”

“Josephine, mind your table manners. As Yujin’s senior, you should set an example.”

“Indeed, indeed. Set an example!”

“Ugh… this little brat!”

“Ouch…!”

Josephine, who had risen from her seat, immediately approached me and pinched my cheek. Though it wasn’t extremely painful, it still stung.

“S-stop…”

“Sorry, but I’m not as lenient with brats as my sister is.”

Sister? So, she and Catherine are siblings. No wonder they look so alike!

Geez, it seems like their nasty personalities run in the family too.

“Josephine.”

“Tch, fine.”

With an oddly pleased expression, Josephine rubbed my cheek before reluctantly returning to her seat, clearly obedient to her sister’s words.

The grudge on my cheek, I’ll make sure to repay it.

“Sister, are you really letting this little shrimp join Stella?”

“It’s already decided. Unless… you have a complaint?”

Stella? Is that the name of my class? Most schools use A, B, or similar designations. Rich people and their eccentricities…

“…No complaints. Hey, shrimp!”

“What do you want, flat chest?”

“…What did you just say?”

Ahaha… ahahaha!

For the first time, I saw Catherine’s bright smile paired with a visible vein popping on Josephine’s forehead. This isn’t a cartoon, so it must be her thin skin making it so noticeable.

“Y-you… what did you just say!?”

Josephine, now boiling with rage, approached me again, but Catherine seemed far too entertained, propping her chin on her hand as she watched.

If I were an ordinary girl, I might have been scared. But the thing is… I’m not ordinary!

“You called me a shrimp first!”

“W-what?”

“You insulted my physical traits first, so why are you getting upset when I retaliate? If you throw the first punch, be ready to take one too!”

Do you know how frustrating it is to try everything from milk to other remedies and still not grow taller, only to be called a shrimp? This grudge won’t be forgotten.

“Ugh…”

“See? You’ve got nothing to say, huh? Can’t argue back, right?”

Pinch!

“Ow! Just because you’ve lost the argument doesn’t mean you can resort to violence!”

I tried to push Josephine off as she pinched my cheek again, but just like her sister, she was far too strong for me to move.

“…What’s going on here?”

Catherine continued watching with amusement, but the ordeal was finally interrupted by Airy, who appeared at the door.

Taller and stronger than Josephine, Airy easily pulled me out of her grip, hugging me tightly before gently sticking a bandage on my neck.

“Josephine, no matter the situation, using violence against someone as delicate and fragile as Yujin is uncalled for.”

“N-no… the shrimp started it…!”

“Yujin, did you do something?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

I didn’t physically do anything, anyway. Sure, Catherine and I teased her a bit, but Josephine was the one who started with the insults.

“Josephine…”

“I-I… this is so unfair…”

Slap!

“Airy, Josephine, go to the Kerum room first. I’ll join you after I talk to Yujin.”

“…Understood, Sister.”

“Understood, Catherine.”

Wow, this chaotic scene was resolved just like that.

Airy and Josephine quickly cleaned up the table and left the dorm, with Airy taking a basket that probably had sandwiches in it for her uneaten breakfast. Catherine is so thorough.

“Yujin.”

“Yes!”

Even though I hadn’t done much wrong, Catherine’s voice carried an intimidating weight. Maybe it’s just her overwhelming charisma.

“You’ve got a bandage on. Did Airy put it on for you?”

As Catherine approached, the sweet scent from her long golden hair became more noticeable.

Why… why does she smell so good…

Rip.

“Catherine…?”

“I’ll give you a better bandage.”

The bandage Airy had just applied was crumpled in Catherine’s hand before being tossed into the trash. Why does this make me feel guilty? It was just a bandage.

“So it won’t hurt.”

“…That’s called giving the poison and the cure.”

The bandage Catherine pulled out, was it something she always carried, or did she bring it specifically for me?

I’ll never know.