There are changing rooms leading into a hot springs separated by gender.

Tall, marble pillars provide clear landmarks against the hot, rising steam. Grooves around the bath are skillfully carved in the shape of lions, colorful mosaics of epic folktale adorn the ground and ceiling. Warm drafts of air swirl through, the smell of salt and medicinal minerals giving off a clean feeling.

The water is said to be able to cure a variety of ailments due to the blessings of the Vanirian Gods and Goddesses. But I’ve read that the healing properties are actually due to the heat and pressure of the hot springs breaking down minerals from the surrounding land and dissolving it into the water. Which is also the reason why the water has a such a beautiful, aqua-green tint.

Vani is already relaxing in one pool, so I make my way over. Sitting down beside her, I feel instantly revitalized. In each other’s presence, we soak in the warmth and comfortable silence.

Hearing murmurs come from the distance, I blearily blink open my eyes.

Immediately, I wish I hadn’t.

Sigyn stands on one side of the bath, brazenly glaring with head held high - The perfect image of a feral tiger with claws at the ready.

“Aren’t you ashamed to be standing there without anything to cover up your ghastly, skin-and-bones body?”

Standing across from her, Margot shows an eloquent smile on her face that doesn’t quite reach her eyes - A poisonous cobra ready to squeeze its prey to death.

“As if the matron of swines has any right to say that.”

Normally, one wouldn’t be able to hear the other at such a distance. However, they’re quite worked up… And with their proud voices, the echoes easily carries across the muting water vapor.

I can feel the air crackle with static as if lightning were about to strike.

Yet Vani is fast asleep, complete with a warm towel draping over her eyes.

How do you just not care about anything…?

“It is because you are so lacking in the endowment area, that makes your ghoulish frame even more distasteful.”

“You speak as if you were blessed with only an engorged chest, but isn't it just your entire body that is fuller than most?”

The two aren’t letting the other get the last word in.

My eyes are drawn to the aforementioned areas on their body, yet they both seem quite healthy with respect to their height, weight, and body types…

Margot’s skin remind me of a fresh peach - smooth and soft-cream. Her long limbs are lithe and graceful.

I peer down at my own body…

“…”

W-Well, maybe the second cake I had today was a bit much. B-But, I'm still growing! It's only healthy to eat...!

Sigyn is also well-proportioned. From the plumpness of her ruby lips, to the bow of her hips. Her chest is also already swelling with the beginnings of womanhood.

“…”

I-I'm still growing...!

Looking over at Vaniriel, I notice her chest is as flat as bark too.

Friends are wonderful things!

The water suddenly parts, the smell of roses permeates through.

Leila appears and grabs both their hands. I know her smile is gentle even though she's facing away from me.

Hmn?

Margot has the same smile on, but I can sense a subtle change in her countenance - It's almost tender. This throws me off. She had such a different impression when I first met her. As if a dark veil were covering her deep-rooted ambition.

Who knew she could show such a gentle expression?

Sigyn’s cheeks also begin glowing bright red, her cheeks reaching the same tinge as her lips. This throws me off even more considering her aggressive and haughty behavior each time I’ve seen her.

“T-THAT'S-! A-A-As if I would be w-wooed by a mere b-b-b-bl- Human!” Sigyn practically shrieks.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhh~?

She even went so far as to not use her signature Humanist remark - bloodbag. Come to think of it, she also seemed a little touchy when Nott mentioned her getting beguiled by a Human…

Nodding my head in understanding, I give my prayers to Leila.

I sincerely hope you will be able to have a peaceful school life even in this love triangle.

Just as I begin relaxing again, a loud thud suddenly reverberates. It comes from the other side of the partitions that separate genders.

“W-Wait, Hel! I was just-”

Is that Vali’s voice?

“W-Wait, it isn’t what you think Prince Sól-!”

H-Huh? That was Fen!

This time, another loud crash clangs against the wall. A few blood-curdling cries can be heard in the male side.

…

I look to the girl on my right. She hasn’t moved an inch. Closing my eyes, I lay back and inhale the steam in bliss.

That’s right, just emulate Vani and ignore everything superfluous.

*

Getting out of the warm waters, I stretch lazily. “Ahhhh~ That was so refreshing!”

For once, even Vani looks satisfied as she nods in approval.

When we head into the corridor, I spot Fen and Ru already waiting for us. Fen's brown hair is slicked back and dripping wet. Ru's long beige hair is clipped up with an ornamental accessory. The two are flushed from the heat of the bath.

Hmn? Vali is also there, joking around with Fenrir in an easy manner.

Why are they suddenly acting so familiar? Fen didn’t even know anything about the Anthurium familia until today.

When they see us approach, Vali’s eyes glint something dangerous. “Oh, lunch girl!” His dark hair lays flush against his skin.

Why are you suddenly acting so familiar with me as well??? Also, please don’t attach another weird nickname to me!

“Hello… Sir Vali. My name is Aeriea Newlyn.”

“No need to be so formal. You seriously have some guts for a Human.”

“Yeah, Aey is hilarious, isn’t she?” Fen ruffles my hair and boyishly laughs.

Swatting Fen’s hands away, I turn back to Vali. “Erm, what do you mean?”

“You coming up to us at lunch today was...” He pauses for a second. “Entertaining.” Glowing amber eyes seemingly a bit manic, his mouth extends into an eerie smirk.

"The look on everyone’s faces when you left…! Nott and Sigyn looked so pissed off! Even that stone-cold Hel seemed a little rattled.” Vali begins snickering.

His laughter sounds a little… Insane if I’m being frank.

“Anyways, I need to take my leave now, Bye Fen and Aey.” He emphasizes our nicknames. “Bye Ru~” He winks and glides away.

Horusha immediately shudders and hides behind Vani.

Hmn? Did he wink at Fen, me, or Ru…?

Fenrir looks a little happy at making a new Kindred friend. On the other hand, I’m a little disturbed at Ru’s reaction…

“Uhm, by the way… I heard crashes in the boy’s area. Did something happen?”

“Aha… haha.” Fen ignores my question with a forced laugh.

Ru wearily looks at him and holds his shoulders close, slowly inching towards me.

N-Now I’m really curious… Just what happened over on the guy’s side!?

After bathing and dinner, we each split up to head into our own rooms. While Vaniriel makes the necessary preparations.

As soon as the clock strikes twelve, let the moonlit escapades begin!