◆
The steam is thick. My vision is obstructed much more than I expected, and it feels like I've wandered into a cloud.
Winter is drawing to a close, and the world is beginning to prepare for spring, yet temperatures just won't rise.
The steam was so intense because of that, and when I finally made it to the bathtub, I submerged myself and let out a big sigh.
"Ah... a warm bath is really nice..."
Those are the honest feelings that slip out unintentionally.
For people in modern society, where bathing is commonplace, the idea that "bathing is a luxury" in the Sengoku period was simply incompatible with their own values.
Dirt and grime are difficult to remove without hot water, and more importantly, it makes your skin oily.
In this world where physical discomfort is a constant companion, it's no exaggeration to say that hot springs are truly an oasis for the soul.
"Kyuuuuuuuu"
Taishakutsukimo also entered the bath with a splashing sound, shivering and letting out sounds of contentment.
Then she settled down beside me and lay down, skillfully using her neck to lean my body against hers.凭Mota
"Hey, hey... does it not hurt anymore?"
"Kyuoooon"
It feels just like sitting on the finest sofa.
As I stood before him, Taishakutsukige narrowed his light green eyes slightly.
It was like the smile of an older sister embracing her beloved younger brother.
Faced with that expression, which seemed to be a mixture of familial love and romantic love, I let out a deep sigh.
Once again, gratitude for the fact that Taishakutsukimo's life was not lost manifested as a sense of relief.
If you lovingly stroke it with both hands, from the tip of its nose down to its forehead, or from its chin down to its neck, Taishakutsukimo will neigh and urge you on, "More, more!"
"Does it not hurt so much anymore?"
When I asked that question, Taishakutsukimo seemed to be saying "It's okay" with his eyes.
It's obvious now, but she clearly understood human language.
I can somewhat understand what Taishakutsukige is trying to say, but even so, it's practically impossible to fully grasp her intentions just by hearing her neigh.
"I wish I could properly understand what you're saying... You can understand what I'm saying, but I can only vaguely understand what you're saying."
"Kyuuuuuun"
Indra's moon hair rubs against the top of my head with the tip of its nose, stimulating it.
When I finally relaxed my body and leaned into hers, I could feel the pulsating breath of life within her large flesh.
Even monsters are living beings. In that sense, they are no different from humans.
"He's alive..."
I murmured, feeling the veins and pulse in Taishakutsuki's neck with my fingertips.
"I'm living to start my life over..."
Sometimes I wonder about that. Why am I transported to this era, this world?
"Do you know, Taishakutsukimo...? Actually, I'm from a different world, a different era..."
When I whispered a secret I couldn't even tell Ichihime, to whom I wanted to confide everything, she stimulated me again by rubbing her nose against my head.
"...You're not surprised, are you?"
"Kyuuuuuuuu"
Taishakutsukimo gazes at me with loving eyes, its light green gaze filled with affection, and licks my cheek with its long tongue.擽tickle
Now that I think about it—she's been like that ever since we first met.
They noticed that I was somehow different, allowed me to touch them, and—they're protecting me with their lives.
A monster that clings to me, finding bliss in filling the space between our bodies.
I'm sure she doesn't care at all about my background.
"As long as I exist, that's all that matters," Taishakutsukige's gentle, light green eyes seemed to be saying.
"...thank you"
It seems like no further words are needed.
And Taishakutsukimo, too, does not make any demands for any particular expression of gratitude or for showing sincerity.
Perhaps it was similar to the affection between a mother and child, or between siblings.
However, a man's true feelings are that he doesn't want to become a worthless person who simply passively enjoys the affection he receives.
"Okay... I'll make sure to do a thorough job on every nook and cranny today ."解loosen
However, since there's no soap, I'll have to wash it directly with my hands.
I'd like to mass-produce soap someday, but I wonder if I'll ever get that far.
I thought about that as I massaged and kneaded Taishakutsuki's smooth, beautiful skin.
(The presence or absence of soap makes a huge difference in hygiene...)
I massaged Taishakutsukimo's neck and vigorously washed his mane with hot water.
Then she lets out a small moan, sounding pleased. She must be feeling good.
However, monsters can only be effectively defeated by other monsters or fluorite gems—and considering that, we currently have absolutely no idea what principles govern their construction.
"Thanks as always, Taishakutsukimo"
I pressed firmly into her back and massaged it, whispering to her.
"I can keep living because you're here. I'm truly grateful... Thank you."
In the turbulent Sengoku period, a time of constant warfare and conflict, the fact that I, who lived in a world with almost no conflict, am still alive today is, I would say, thanks to Taishakutsukimo.
I can no longer count how many times my life was saved thanks to her tireless efforts.
But even though she's a horse, she doesn't hesitate to kill her own kind for my sake. What have I really been able to do for her up until now?
(I haven't been able to do anything at all for them...)
As I massaged her smooth back and buttocks, she let out sweet moans.
I proceeded with extreme restraint and gentlemanly manner, using the hand techniques I had honed with Ichihime to release the tension in Taishakutsuki's buttocks.
I'm probably doing something that other male horses in the world would envy immensely.
The greave gray horses might shed tears of blood.
While thinking such thoughts, Taishakutsukimo's hips began to tremble uncontrollably, she let out a sweet cry, and collapsed into exhaustion.
Come to think of it, aren't horses' erogenous zones the same as cats', around the base of their tails and pelvis?
—However, unfortunately, I'm not the protagonist of a light novel, so I probably won't end up in a romantic relationship with Taishaku Tsukimo.
In short, it's the same feeling as patting your pet cat's rear end—I see Taishakutsukige as an equal partner, but I'm not sexually aroused by him.
I wrapped my arms around the neck of my seemingly innocent but secretly slutty girlfriend, who was constantly clinging to me, and ruffled her hair roughly—
—If only Taishakutsukimo had been humanoid, things would have been different, I thought, thinking such ridiculous things.
◆
In a room at the hot spring resort where we were shown, I enjoyed the dinner that had been served to us, together with Ichihime and Chihime.
I had ordered them to serve the menu that would be offered to guests from tomorrow onwards—and it was reasonably tasty, not bad at all.
"I didn't think that dishes like mixed rice were particularly refined, but...it's not bad, Lord Nagamasa."
"...I see, that's good then."
To be honest, for me, who knows the cuisine of my original world, the food of this era is monotonous and not particularly delicious—yet Ichihime and Haruhime are eating the mixed rice with smiles on their faces.
With ingredients like burdock root, leafy greens, and daikon radish, and a faint taste of tamari soy sauce, it must be quite a delicacy in this era and this world.
The dinner menu included that mixed rice dish, plus soup, simmered root vegetables, and pickled daikon radish.
The nutritional value is utterly nonexistent, and the fact that the side dishes are almost all the same is a bit concerning—but considering the social conditions of that era, where simply filling one's stomach was enough to make one happy, it's probably more than adequate.
(I wish we could somehow raise those value levels as well...)
Regarding that, we must improve agricultural production and promote cash crops, but—
"Well, I suppose this is how it goes at first."
"Oh... Lord Nagamasa, is there something that you don't like?"
Ichihime picks up on my murmurs with keen insight and asks questions—as if she has some kind of antenna specifically for me.
"It's not that I dislike it... I just thought that we could improve even more from here."
"This meal?"
"Yes. But to do that, we'd have to start by changing the agricultural situation in northern Omi..."
However, that is not easy.
Even if they were to introduce the Norfolk farming method, which originated in 18th-century Western Europe , getting farmers to accept it would be a very difficult task.輪栽式農業Rinsai Shiki Nougyou
Incidentally, crop rotation farming is a method of cultivation that involves planting crops in a rotational manner, such as wheat → turnips → beans → clover, ensuring that no fallow land is left for a full year.
Everyone can understand that when you grow grain in a field, nutrients are drawn out of the soil.
However, planting leguminous plants creates a symbiotic relationship with them, effectively "doping" the soil.根粒菌Konryukin
Incidentally, this agricultural revolution allowed Europe, which had suffered a significant population decline from the plague during the Middle Ages and early modern period, to experience rapid population growth—and the resulting increase in domestic demand provided a foothold for economic leaps forward.
"But haven't you already come up with a plan to improve agriculture?"
Haruhime chuckled softly as she put down her chopsticks.
"I was told by Lord Naotsune that when you say something like that, it usually means you have some kind of opinion on the matter."
"...Is that what you said?"
"Yes, he proudly declared himself to be the greatest sage of our time..."
Then Ichihime gave a wry smile.
"Lord Naotsune loves Lord Nagamasa very much... When it comes to talking about Lord Nagamasa, it seems he can't stop talking and expressing his feelings..."
"Yes, that's true. My lady, I was actually kept there for about two hours the other day and listened to some 'little stories about the lord's childhood'."
"Oh... then Princess Haruhime, have you heard the 'Little Story of Lord Nagamasa's Coming-of-Age Ceremony'? Lord Nagamasa was just so handsome..."
"No, I haven't been told that yet. Oh, I'm curious... Madam, would you tell me?"
"No, that's not allowed. I can't tell you. Lord Naotsune probably intends to tell Princess Haruhime, who is a newcomer, about it eventually. It would be presumptuous for someone as inept as me to interject here..."
"Th-that's..."
I felt a slight sense of relief as the two women began their conversation without me even realizing it.
Some time has passed since he took Haruhime as his concubine, but there is no sign of any real conflict between the two of them.
Perhaps a fierce power struggle is unfolding behind the scenes, but as far as I know, Ichihime and Haruhime seem to be on good terms. Or at least, I wanted to believe that.
"By the way, Princess Osamu, shouldn't you also arrange for a lady-in-waiting soon? Aren't things getting quite hectic for you now?"
"Yes... that's right... I'd like to arrange for a few people from Takenaka's family to get dressed up..."
"As for me, the head maid's marriage has suddenly been arranged... I'll have her work until a new person comes in to replace her, but I can't exactly rely on the Oda family now... Sigh..."
And conversations between women are something that men simply cannot understand.
The topic of conversation changed frequently, and they had the flexibility to keep up with it.
But as a man, I find it difficult to keep up with the whirlwind of events, and I'm not even able to keep up.
"And you see, Lord Nagamasa, the hot spring was very spacious and felt wonderful. I was quite surprised."
"..."
"Lord Nagamasa...?"
"Oh, okay."
Perhaps it was a mistake to assume that Ichihime and Haruhime were having a conversation by themselves and to be half-asleep.
Unable to react immediately to Ichihime's question, all he could do was let out a foolish sound.
Perhaps finding it amusing, Ichihime and Haruhime chuckled wryly.
"...So you make that kind of face too, huh?"
Haruhime gazes at me with a gentle look in her eyes.
"That was... quite unexpected and surprising..."
"What does that mean?"
I let out a deep sigh and said:
"I'm a human being too... What do you think I am, really?"
"I think of you as God, Buddha, and You."
When Haruhime declared this so decisively without any hesitation, Ichihime praised her, clapping her hands softly, saying, "That's a wonderful compound phrase."
Within Princess Osamu's mind, it seems I had somehow transcended my human form.
"But you have brought a paradise like this into existence in this world... You are far more wonderful than gods and Buddhas who just watch and do nothing."
Haruhime said this with a bright smile.
Well, certainly—if gods and Buddhas are truly the kind of benevolent beings humans imagine, then they should be able to save people in tragic circumstances like Princess Osamu.
Or perhaps the gods gave up on humanity a long time ago and abandoned us.
"...But putting that aside, it seems both Ichi and Osamu have taken quite a liking to this hot spring resort."
"Yes, that's for sure..."
"It was absolutely wonderful."
The happiness of seeing both of my wives smiling happily.
With that feeling fully in my heart, I made a suggestion to them.
"Actually... there's more, a bath. One in each room."
"I-Is that so...?"
At that alone, Ichihime and Haruhime would put rouge on their cheeks, look down, or avert their gaze.
Being invited to take a bath with me, her husband, at night—
敏SatoThey, in the end, could understand exactly what I was trying to say just from that.
"We've eaten, all that's left is to sleep... But before that, would it be wrong for me to want to deepen my bond with you all?"
"Th-that kind of way of speaking...oh, it's cowardly..."
"There's no way I could refuse..."
Lately, just seeing their faces, filled with shyness, is enough to satisfy me.
Lately, Princess Chihime has been doing her best to serve me even during the day, so my big son has completely transformed from a mischievous boy into a silent, ruthless king.
Thanks to Haruhime, I can now sleep next to Ichihime at night without having to assault her—in that sense, taking her as a concubine was probably not a mistake.
(Not long ago, my big dick would get hard the moment I saw a girl's embarrassed face...)
Considering that, I'd say my current sex drive is well under control and management.
I stood up straight and took off my kimono in front of Ichihime and Haruhime.
They then let out shrieks and covered their eyes with both hands—but the gaps between their fingers were wide open, and it was obvious to anyone watching that their gaze was fixed on my big sun.
"You all come quickly. Don't keep my husband waiting for too long."
After saying that, he picked up the drawstring bag containing rice bran that had fallen to the floor along with his kimono, and, shaking his hips, dangled his adorable, flaccid, uncircumcised penis (17 cm) as he headed towards the room with the family bath.
Then, without hesitation, I plunged into the continuously flowing hot spring water and first rubbed my face vigorously with my palms .擦rub
Stretching out in the wooden bathtub gives you the feeling that your blood circulation is instantly improving throughout your body.
The room was very quiet, with the only background music being the gentle splashing sound of the continuously flowing hot water into the bathtub.
Looking out the window at the damp, dark night, it seemed that moonlight had arrived, as there was no sign of it anywhere.晦日Misoka
As I half-dazed and let myself be carried away by the buoyancy of the hot spring, I heard the sound of the room partition sliding against my eardrums.
If you turn your head towards the direction of the human presence—
"—Ah...how beautiful."
Two human figures can be seen amidst the steam .朧Oboro
It was a commonplace, trite, and ordinary expression—but that was all I could utter.
◆
There's a pleasant, gentle load on both of my shoulders.
Haruhime leaned over my right shoulder and Ichihime leaned over my left, each hugging my arm or touching my chest and stomach—giving me such passionate, loving glances that I thought there might be heart symbols floating in the depths of their eyes.
Holding his two beautiful wives in his arms, he spends his time idly soaking in a hot spring, doing nothing but laziness—could there be any greater luxury in this world?
"Ah... Lord Nagamasa... ah..."
"No, no, sir...it tickles..."
As I slowly moved my hands around their waists, the steam mixed with the sighs of my wives.
It was certainly a sound of pleasure. A sound of joy from the human heart, not from sexual sensation.
Especially when I stroked Ichihime's belly, her eyes lit up with the utmost joy as a pregnant woman, and she used her entire smooth body—which could send a virgin to climax just by touching it—to pamper me.
Incidentally, the idea that pregnant women should not enter hot springs has long been a widely accepted belief in Japan since 1982—but it seems that this was simply a result of blindly accepting rumors with no scientific basis whatsoever.
In fact, because they are experiencing the coexistence of a new life and their own bodies, bathing in hot springs is extremely effective in calming the often unstable emotions of pregnant women.
Indeed, Ichihime was completely relaxed and melting with pleasure, even rubbing her cheek against my chest.
And as for the somewhat reserved Haruhime, when I pulled her close around the waist, she let out a small "Ah..." and then gently rested her cheek against my chest.
"Your hair is completely wet now..."
With my right hand I played with her dark brown hair, and with my left, I played with her beautiful black hair, then I whispered to the two wives who were leaning their faces against my chest, stroking their heads.
"Well, since your hair has just gotten dry and now it's going to get wet again—as an apology, how about I wash your hair for you?"
"Th...that's not true..."
"It's too much to ask," said Princess Osamu, feeling humbled and embarrassed.
But if a boy is met with that kind of attitude and expression, it's only natural that he'd want to do it.
"Both Ichi's hair and Osamu's hair are beautiful..."
When I ran my hands not only over their hair but also over their cheeks and necks, both of their bodies trembled slightly.
My body is warmed up in the hot springs, my blood circulation has improved, and my skin is probably more sensitive.
When I looked closely at their faces, Ichihime had a completely melted, dreamy expression, while Haruhime had her eyes tightly closed and her teeth gritted, as if trying to endure something.
"They say a woman's hair is her life... but I'm also responsible for your lives, so I would never treat it carelessly. You can rest assured about that."
"Yes, the city isn't worried at all...?"
Ichihime said, twirling her index finger on my chest.
"Lord Nagamasa would never do anything so terrible to Ichi... no, to Princess Osamu..."
She then pressed her cheek against mine and began to rub it against it.
It seems like he's been placed in an incredible amount of trust.
However, if you rub against me too much, my big sun will get all swollen, so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop.
"Don't you think so?"
When Ichihime questioned Haruhime, she slowly nodded silently.
That surely meant that all understanding had been obtained.
I moved away from them for a moment, got out of the bathtub, and picked up the drawstring bag that I had left lying around until then.
"Then, Princess Osamu, please go first. I can go later."
"But, however, that is..."
The unique Japanese spirit of mutual consideration begins in the bathtub.
However, if Ichihime says it's good, then it must be good.
I plunged one foot into the bathtub and patted Haruhime's slender shoulder.
"Come on, just accept it."
"Ah..."
He slipped his hand under Haruhime's smooth armpit and forced her to stand, then made her sit down on the bath chair provided in the bathroom.
The bucket was filled with hot spring water, and finally, everything was ready.
"Osamu... there's no need to be nervous, just relax your body..."
I stroked her shoulders, which were stiff with tension like a virgin welcoming a man for the first time, and whispered in her ear.
"That's right... entrust everything to me... good girl."
Hair care is a universal and universal matter of life and death for women everywhere in the world.
However, there are so many women who misunderstand how to do it...
My friend, who used a working holiday to work as a hairdresser in France and Italy, said something like that.
He said he was surprised to find that many women use the wrong methods when it comes to washing their hair, including shampooing—in other words, they focus too much on washing their hair.
My friend insists that washing your hair isn't about washing your hair, but about washing your scalp.
Apparently, shampoo should be applied to the scalp, not just the hair itself.
The scalp is the production base for hair, and if it deteriorates, even women will inevitably go bald.
"Osamu... Alright, let's begin..."
With her dark brown hair swaying slightly, Osamu nodded.
I went behind her, said something, and then slowly poured the hot water from the bucket onto her head, wetting it.
Then, he massaged her hair to allow the hot water to penetrate, and once he confirmed that the water had soaked into every strand of hair, he sprinkled rice bran on her scalp.
"How are you, Osamu? Is there anywhere that itches?"
"No...it feels...very good..."
I washed her scalp, massaging it with my fingertips, as if kneading it to remove the dirt.
Gently move your fingers from the nape of your neck down to the top of your head.
This is a great opportunity. Let's make sure Haruhime remembers the pleasure of having someone else wash her hair.
"As I said earlier, a woman's hair is her life. If you cherish Osamu, you must also cherish his hair..."
"..."
The moment I muttered that, Haruhime leaned her body forward sharply.
"...Osamu?"
"I'm...I'm sorry, I'm so sorry..."
—Haruhime covered her face with both hands and let out a voice that sounded like she was forcing it out.
"Why... why is it like this...?! I'm scared... I'm so scared... I'm so happy, but that scares me...!"
"...Osamu"
They must have been worried.
Ichihime also got out of the bath and came over to where I and Haruhime were.
"I... my hair... has always been treated roughly...! Pulled, thrown around, rubbed...! So... so this is the first time I've ever been treated so gently..."
As I wrapped my arms around Haruhime's slender stomach and hugged her, Ichihime gently stroked her head as she sobbed.
"That won't do... Princess Haruhime, you can't cry over something like this..."
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... I'm so sorry, madam..."
"From now on, you too will be showered with love by Lord Nagamasa—and together with me, you will sink into the bottomless swamp that is Lord Nagamasa... Wouldn't it be better to stop dwelling on such a trivial past? If you are happy, then empty your mind and simply be happy with that. It is you now who is happy, not you from the past."
"Oh, madam...!"
As I held her in my arms, Haruhime clung to Ichihime's ample bosom and wept uncontrollably.
Ichihime smiled at me with an expression that was almost like that of the Virgin Mary.
"Lord Nagamasa"
"...What?"
"Please shower not only me with love, but also Princess Haruhime."
"...Ou"
But if you pay too much attention to Haruhime, the light in your eyes will disappear—I would never say that, not even if my mouth were to split open.
I can read the room, too.
"I'll always be by your side, I'll protect you no matter what, I'll love you—I promise."
Then, after finally calming down, they washed Haruhime's hair again, and then washed Ichihime's hair as well, and the three of them soaked in the hot spring once more.
The best thing about it was that it was a private family bath. The happiness of being able to feel the skin of your loved one in a closed space.
The preciousness of time spent snuggling together, without a care in the world—that's what we learn in a society where life and death are constantly at odds.
"Lord Nagamasa..."
Ichihime calls my name and acts affectionately towards me.
"Your Majesty..."
Perhaps crying helped her to let go of some of her feelings, as Haruhime clung to my chest.
"Taking a long bath isn't good, but..."
I put both my arms around their shoulders and felt their smooth skin against my arms.
Embracing, alongside sexual intercourse, is a ritual in which hearts and bodies connect—a ceremony in which humans, who cannot truly merge into one, still yearn to become one.
"I'd like to stay like this a little longer."
When I said that, Ichihime and Haruhime nodded in agreement.
We exchanged sweet words that we could never say when sober, and kissed each other.
Even so, is the reason my son isn't growing up because my heart is more fulfilled than it could ever be?
As I felt their thick breaths amidst the steam, I reaffirmed my vow to protect them.