-Spiritual Kinship- 2nd half

Chapter 34 - Wet-fold Origami

"Uwah..."

Approximately 30 minutes had passed since then.

In an immensely spacious bathing space, Syouji soaked his worn-out body inside a pool of warm water. 

It was said that liquid yielded via Realizer units contained accumulations of magical energy; hence regularly bathing in it has curative effects. 

The implications comprised of healing fractures and contusions, alleviating fatigue on the human body. 

This was indeed much cozier and snugger than being admitted into a medical capsule for treatment. 

Syouji immersed his body from shoulders down in the heated milky-white water, letting out a deep sigh.

"This isn't bad..." Syouji smiled as he relaxed his body once more, looking up at the ceiling through hazy steam.

"Tomorrow..." He then thought aloud,

Despite the many past experiences, nervousness was one of the feelings that would still sure enough surface before a date with a Spirit. 

The main constituent was, however, the sense of uncertainty coming from not knowing what kind of dangers would occur.

"I don't really wanna worry too much... whether or not I'm able to seal her, will be up to the future me." Syouji said before taking a deep breath.

—In any case, if I am descended from the first Spirit directly, what kind of abilities do I have?

—[Well, there are certain things that you can do, but your human side holds you back. That's why you get headaches.]

—I see... in that case, would I also be able to make Sephira crystals?

—[Supposedly. Though unlike her, it would be a rather washed down version.]

—Okay. I'll try making one later. For now, it's relaxation time.

Shinji clarified as Syouji silently nodded before submerging every part of his body below his nose underwater, blowing bubbles playfully.

At that moment,

"...Hm?"

Syouji furrowed his eyebrows due to seeing several build ups of bubbles which he deemed as not coming from his own breaths floating towards the surface a small distance away from him.

Inspecting the warm milky-white pool, one could chance on the murky silhouette of someone hiding beneath the surface. The appearance of the figure resembled a crocodile stealthily concealing its body underwater to catch its prey.

"......Really now."

After Syouji exhibited a curious expression, the owner of the shadow treaded their way through the water with a swish and showed herself in front of him.

"Syouji."

"Eh?!"

Startled, Syouji abruptly bumped his head against the edge of the pool. Then, the person who appeared just now blankly extended their hand towards him with an inscrutable face. 

"Don't be afraid, Syouji."

"......Origami." Syouji recited the name of the girl aloud as he glanced away from her. 

The reason was simple. The Origami who had made an abrupt appearance right in front of his eyes had nothing but drops of water covering her beautiful white skin.

"....May I ask what you're doing?"

"I want to rub Syouji's back."

"You want to do that, yet you're hiding inside the pool?"