NoveLight ™
As expected, it felt stifling.
My soft flesh seemed to be pressing outward, trying to escape. The moment I hooked my bra, I felt a tight squeeze against my chest.
It couldn’t be that I’d gained weight. Ever since my body changed, my figure hadn’t noticeably altered, no matter how much or little I ate. Besides, I’d been working out diligently and eating healthier recently. If anything, I’d shed some fat rather than gained it.
So, there was only one possible conclusion.
“…Did they… get bigger?”
In truth, there had been signs. What once seemed to fit perfectly was becoming a little… just a little tighter.
At first, I thought it was just in my head. Blaming my clothes instead of my body changing felt more realistic.
It could’ve been a simple oversight from my haphazard lifestyle. Maybe I’d washed them wrong or stored them improperly. Something along those lines.
But today, there were no excuses. The bra I’d just taken out was practically new. When I bought clothes, I prioritized functionality over appearance, so it wasn’t an issue of differing brands.
Both older and almost-new bras were pinching my chest now. I could no longer deny it.
“This… isn’t this a bit much?”
It wasn’t exactly a small size, to begin with. Honestly, they’re large enough that my hands couldn’t fully hold them. Now I understood why some women complain about shoulder and back pain.
These things are heavier than you’d think.
When I supported them with both hands, they definitely had some weight. When I sat down to rest, I’d often end up placing my chest on the table. It had the perk of making it easier to use my tablet or phone… but anyway, this was a secret. I’d just get through today and buy a few new ones later.
“Da-eun, isn’t your bra size off?”
“….”
Immediately found out.
How quick women are to notice these things. Sansae’s gaze lingered on me. Fortunately, Elderin had already gone into the bath.
“Want me to check? Turn around.”
“It’s fine. I’ll change it out later. I must’ve grabbed the wrong size.”
“It looks new. Don’t tell me they grew?”
“It’s… not that.”
Feeling embarrassed, I hugged myself with both arms, unable to look anywhere else, so I dropped my head. If I touched my face now, my palms might burn from the heat.
Thankfully, Shin-a gave a playful smile and let it slide.
I was grateful no one else was around. This place was likely expensive, considering we’d reserved it all for ourselves.
It felt like our standards were getting higher and higher. I couldn’t help but feel a little uneasy about the spending, but Elderin’s words made me reconsider.
The sauna I’d visited with my master had been packed with people. It was attached to a waterpark, after all. If I went to a place like that now and someone recognized me, it would be pure torture.
If the place were crowded, I wouldn’t even know where to look. Truthfully, even seeing Elderin or Sansae’s bodies was a bit much for me.
But a sauna had always been a place I wanted to experience. Simply soaking in a bathtub didn’t quite satisfy the same way. In the bathhouse, I’d only need to be cautious of where I looked.
“Not to mention, I’ll probably fall asleep once I get relaxed.”
But why hadn’t Sansae gone in yet? I’d been waiting, yet she didn’t seem ready to leave my side. She could’ve gone in first.
I wasn’t sure why she hadn’t. I’d only start undressing once she went in. Undressing in front of others was still difficult for me.
I waited a bit longer, finally working up the courage to ask quietly.
“Aren’t you… going in?”
“I’ll go when you’re done changing.”
“You could go ahead.”
“How am I supposed to help in the bath alone? The floor’s slippery, you know. It’s dangerous on crutches.”
Oh?
My mind went blank. I hadn’t thought about that until now.
The average height for Korean women in their twenties is around 161.1 cm. At about 156 cm, I’m a bit shorter than average, while Elderin seemed about average. And Sansae was taller, definitely above the average.
I guessed she was a little over 170 cm. She had that strong, confident look, and her frame was naturally slender. When she linked arms with me to support me, my head barely reached her shoulder.
“She’s stronger than I thought for someone who stays indoors like me. Or am I just weak?”
Without her help, getting into the bath would’ve been risky. But with her arm wrapped around me, I felt secure. Even if I lost my balance, I trusted she’d hold me up.
Thanks to her, the path to the bath wasn’t too perilous. Step by careful step, leaning on her, we walked across the gray tiles. Thankfully, there was a place where I could sit and wash myself.
But there was a bit of a problem.
Leaning on Sansae meant… well, our bodies were pressed together quite closely. My cheek, even my chest, was sometimes squashed against her. With every step, I could feel the subtle movements of her muscles, which only made me feel more self-conscious.
“Sorry, I didn’t think this through. I thought I could just move with crutches.”
“It’s fine. I came to help. It would’ve been hard for you to come alone.”
“Thank you…”
“No problem.”
Until my leg healed, coming back to a sauna seemed unlikely. Swimming was already out of the question, and at the beach, I’d only be able to dip my toes in the sand. There were plenty of limitations to joining others for fun.
Maybe the considerate choice would be to excuse myself when they planned summer trips. Elderin had set up a plastic chair while I was lost in thought. Now, sitting down, the reality of being in a bathhouse hit me.
The atmosphere felt… different.
The place was far more luxurious than the ones I’d been to before. But since it was always filled with water, a faint scent of dampness lingered, no matter how upscale.
I was sure those other places had a similar smell; I just hadn’t noticed before because I wasn’t as sensitive to it. Maybe it’s just my tendency to be oblivious.
“Do you want to wash up before getting in the bath?”
“Yes. I wanted to soak in the hot bath.”
“Let’s all go in together.”
“Do you want me to help wash your hair?”
“I can do it myself. I’m not a child…”
Embarrassment made me decline immediately. I hoped my answer hadn’t sounded strange.
I may be small, but I’m an adult. Just because I’d entered a bathhouse with them didn’t mean I’d suddenly become a child. Elderin didn’t press further, stepping back.
But I couldn’t unsee it— the fleeting disappointment in her eyes. And a memory surfaced of the story she once told me about her younger sister.
Yu Serin’s younger sister had spent a lot of time in the hospital. As sisters, they likely shared baths when they were younger. Perhaps she’d just let go of a little unfulfilled wish?
I didn’t like that thought.
Elderin had helped me immensely. Calling her my benefactor wouldn’t be an exaggeration. I didn’t want to make a selfish decision just because I was embarrassed.
“…All right, just this once. I can wash myself, but… since it’s a special occasion, I’ll ask you just this once.”
“Sure! Just watch in the mirror. I’ll move behind you!”
“Okay.”
This must’ve been the right choice. Her face lit up, her voice brightened, and I felt her fingers gently combing through my hair.
Water from the showerhead cascaded down my right arm.
“Is the temperature okay?”
“Yes. It’s warm.”
“Good.”
The water slowly soaked through my hair. As my bangs and side strands were swept back, the fresh scent of shampoo filled the air.
Washing long hair was much trickier than when I was a guy. Elderin’s careful touch worked the lather into every strand from root to end. Normally, it would be time to rinse it out now.
But her fingers spread across my scalp, massaging each spot. She circled her thumbs at my temples, while her other fingers pressed outward from the center of my scalp with firm but gentle pressure.
This was different from the quick wash I’d sometimes gotten at a salon. Somehow, it felt even more refreshing, a pleasant sensation relaxing every part of me. Her voice, laughing softly, asked from behind.
“How is it? Feels good, right?”
“Yes…”
There was no way I could lie about that.