Chapter 354. Expedition
Carefully, I lifted the pot filled with boiling water. Ina placed another pot on the empty burner.
Swaaahk.
Moving to a different spot, I poured the boiling water into a small bathtub. Just one more pour, and it should be enough.
The Bathroom was filled with a subtle woody scent. Hot Water sloshed in the Hinoki Tub, which looked just right for one person.
I was filling the bath. In other words, we were indulging in an incredible luxury.
“Ina, get ready.”
“Yes!”
It all started with a single comment from Ina. After dinner, she had looked at the Hinoki Tub in the Bathroom and said, ‘I wish I could take a bath in something like this.’ She mentioned it felt just like being on an overseas trip to Japan. She’d never traveled abroad before and had never seen a tub like this. I’d casually replied, ‘Well, you can do it now.’ Seeing such a dreamy young girl whose world had fallen apart at such a tender age made me feel a pang of pity.
“Thank you so much! Hehe, it smells so good.”
“Once that water boils, let’s pour it into the tub one more time. If you wash up a bit before getting in, it’ll be perfect.”
“Understood!”
The price for my casual remark was not light. The Hot Water we had was naturally insufficient for a bath, so we had to haul ice and snow from outside. We’d gotten the Firewood as a bonus from the Pension, but preparing the bath had taken nearly an hour of labor. Constantly boiling water had created a luxurious environment where we could wear just a short-sleeved top even in this freezing winter. The room was warm, even with the Living Room window open.
