Mandarin Orange, Kotatsu, And A Found Cat

I picked up Mashiro, who had been soaked in cocoa, and headed quickly for the bathroom.
There are a lot of small things like detergents and razors in the changing room, so I usually keep Mashiro out of there.
[TLN: Before entering the bathroom, there is a changing room in Japan.]

In order to get her used to the new surroundings, I let her roam around while the water finished heating up, and proceeded with my preparations.
I had bought some cat shampoo when I was shopping for cat supplies before. I took it out and made sure I could use it.

To be honest, I didn’t think I’d be using it for a while when I bought it.
In fact, it would be better if I wash her regularly, but this was not something I could force on her.

Mashiro was looking around the changing room, sniffing.
I was almost ready to go. All I had to do was to fill the washbowl with water and cat shampoo, then throw Mashiro in.

Just as I was about to do this, a ringing sound played, letting me know that the water was heated.
Since I would probably get wet anyway, I decided to do my bath as well.

I took off my clothes and threw them in the laundry basket to complete my preparations.
All that was left was to take Mashiro to the bathroom. I called out to Mashiro, who was looking between the washing machine and the wall.

Mashiro replied with a “Nyaa~” before she turned and walked towards me.

“Heeee!?”

As soon as she saw my face, she immediately turned her head away and stopped walking. More importantly, she stepped back a bit and distanced herself.
I thought I heard something that sounded like a small scream the moment she turned her face away, but was it my imagination?

“Mashiro…?”

I called her name again, but she didn’t seem to be turning around.
I guess even Mashiro might be afraid of water. However, I’m sure Mashiro wouldn’t want to be left in that dirty and uncomfortable state.

“It’s just for a little bit, please do your best to endure it.”

I gently picked up Mashiro, who had her back turned to me, from behind.
She stayed still without struggling, but she still wouldn’t look at me.
Even when I peeked at her from the side, she would turn to the other side. It was shocking to see that.

I went into the bathroom, set Mashiro down, and filled the washbowl with hot water.
Even though Mashiro wouldn’t look at me, she seemed to be interested in the sound of the hot water filling up the washbowl.
She put her paw in the washbowl and tapped the surface of the water, watching the water level increase.

I was a little worried about the temperature of the water, but from the looks of it, it would probably be fine.
I adjusted the water level so that it was about the same height as Mashiro’s feet, and the preparations were complete.

“Then, let’s hop in.”

I said to Mashiro, then picked her up and slowly placed her in the washbowl.
Mashiro’s legs were stretched out stiffly, but when her feet touched the hot water, she kicked the water and squealed in a high-pitched voice, “Nya~n.”

“It’s okay. Don’t be afraid.”

I continued to lower Mashiro while catching the kicked water with my feet.
As soon as she got used to the warmth of the water, she stopped resisting.

“Does it feel good?”

I stroked her chin with my fingertips, and her eyes narrowed in response.
She didn’t seem to be trying to get out of the hot water, nor did she seem to blatantly dislike it.
As expected, she doesn’t seem to have much of an aversion to water.

If she didn’t like it, I wasn’t going to take a long time washing her, but as of now, I don’t think I need to be in such a hurry.
Mashiro looked comfortable in the warm water, while I was standing next to her naked, and not even in the water.

Even though we’re in the bathroom, it was getting chilly if I stayed like this.
Seeing that Mashiro was completely relaxed, I decided to soak myself in the bathtub.

“I’m going to soak in the bathtub too.”

As I soak up to my shoulders in the bathtub and feel the warmth enveloping my body, a carefree voice spills out naturally.
I realized that Mashiro was watching me, and I felt somewhat embarrassed.

Ever since I started living alone, I never dreamt that I would have to take a bath with someone.
It was strange to be embarrassed because of a cat, but Mashiro’s behavior was strangely human. It was hard to shake off that feeling.

I noticed that Mashiro also sat down in the hot water and soaked herself in the water. …How can she be so relaxed?
I doubt more and more that Mashiro is a cat. Actually, if you said she was more like a dog, I would be convinced.

After a few minutes relaxing in the bathtub, I decided to get out before I took too long.
Normally, I would bath myself until I was almost exhausted, but today I had to wash Mashiro as well.

“All right. Let’s get you washed up.”

I picked up the cat shampoo I had prepared and stood up.