Chapter 22 (Continuation): The Muscle Crisis Escalates
The bathroom had turned into a battlefield.
Water droplets flew through the air, soap bubbles spreading everywhere.
Kaito held onto his towel with one hand while grabbing Zen by the back of the neck with the other.
Kaito:
"ZEN. ENOUGH."
There wasn't a single trace of fear on Zen's face.
Zen:
"Bro, your muscle is tense right now."
Kaito:
"I'D BE WORRIED IF IT WASN'T."
Shin was hanging over the edge of the bathtub, squinting as he studied Kaito's arm.
Shin (with the seriousness of a scientist):
"Muscle fibers are active. This is a stress muscle."
Kaito:
"YOU ARE THE CAUSE OF THE STRESS."
Haruto leaned against the doorframe, clutching his stomach from laughing.
Haruto:
"Kaito… admit it. For the first time in your life, you're losing a battle."
Kaito:
"THIS IS NOT A BATTLE."
Yuki lifted his head from the foam, his eyes sparkling.
Yuki:
"Kaito abi… are your muscles angry?"
The bathroom fell silent for a moment.
Kaito froze.
Kaito (thinking):
"…angry?"
Yuki:
"Because they look like they're mad at me."
The twins shouted at the same time.
Twins:
"SEE?!"
Shin jumped to his feet.
Shin:
"Muscles carry emotions."
Zen:
"This… is legendary level."
Kaito pressed his forehead against the towel.
Kaito:
"I'm really going to retire."
Just then, the door opened again.
Dr. Mitsuni (cheerfully):
"Aaah~ they're still standing?"
Taro appeared behind him, holding a towel.
Taro:
"I was worried dinner might burn."
The moment the twins saw Taro, they turned toward him.
Zen:
"Taro abi!"
Shin:
"The ancestor of muscles has arrived!"
Taro paused.
Taro:
"…what?"
Dr. Mitsuni (proudly):
"I told them everything."
Taro's face slowly turned red.
Taro:
"…the tea?"
Twins:
"YES!"
Yuki excitedly ran up to Taro.
Yuki:
"Taro abi! If you drink tea, do muscles grow?"
Taro smiled and knelt down to Yuki's level.
Taro:
"First, a good heart grows."
Yuki froze… then broke into a huge smile.
Yuki:
"Then I'm ready."
Haruto went quiet for a moment and looked at Yuki.
Then, in a soft voice:
Haruto:
"Yes… you are."
Kaito sighed, but this time it wasn't harsh.
Kaito:
"…bath time's over. Then dinner."
The twins grumbled.
Zen:
"Our muscle observation was interrupted."
Shin:
"But it will continue."
Kaito nodded.
Kaito:
"Unfortunately."
Yuki stepped out of the water, and Haruto wrapped him in a towel.
Yuki (whispering):
"Haru abi… the muscles like me."
Haruto smiled and lowered his head.
Haruto:
"I think you make everyone like you."
As the bathroom door closed, Kaito muttered one last thing.
Kaito:
"…if Daichi hears about this, he'll never leave me alone."
Daichi's voice echoed from the hallway:
Daichi (from afar):
"DID SOMEONE SAY MUSCLES?!"
Kaito closed his eyes...