Chapter 58: Shall we take a bath together?

The “courtyard” was actually not the area in front of the main building.

Following a small path behind the building and passing through a tree-lined lane beside a tennis court, the view suddenly opened up to reveal a small stream trickling by, with a flat riverbank beside it.

There was a small wooden cabin on the riverbank with a barbecue grill set up next to it.

Beach chairs and parasols were all in place; it was a spot fully prepared for outdoor activities.

Yuka wasn’t sure if this was specially arranged for today or if it was a standard feature of the Kohara family villa.

However, one thing was certain: the equipment was quite professional.

The small cabin was likely used for preparing ingredients, washing dishes, or serving as a temporary resting place.

It seemed this area was originally designed for visiting guests to experience outdoor fun.

Or rather, Yuka hoped so; if it were said to be specially prepared just for today, the scale would be a bit intimidating.

Judging by the cabin’s condition, it didn’t look like it was built after Yuko had made the date with her; it must have been there for some years.

Water and electricity seemed to be connected as well; if it were a temporary structure for this occasion, there wouldn’t have been enough time to set it up.

“Today’s lunch will be a barbecue right here. I’ll make it for you myself, you know.”

“Mmhmm…”

Yuko, now in casual clothes, began to prepare the barbecue.

Yuka noticed the butler and maids watching nervously from the side…

From Yuko’s clumsy movements, it was clear she hadn’t done this often.

Although she wanted to act like an older sister, this young lady was definitely a novice…

Yuka had lived for quite a few years including her past life, but she had been an otaku in her past life and was not good at outdoor activities.

However, even a layman could tell that Yuko’s stance was clearly that of someone doing this for the first time.

No… maybe she had enjoyed a barbecue before?

But it must have been the kind where someone else served her everything, and she was only responsible for eating.

Preparing, cooking, grilling, and cleaning up herself… her movements showed she had never experienced any of that.

“Eh? Why won’t it light?”

‘Sigh… how can it possibly light if you just toss a handful of charcoal in like that…’

Yuko had simply piled the charcoal briquettes together and was trying to light them directly.

If starting a fire were that simple, there would be no trouble in the world.

The preliminary work and preparations had likely been completed by the servants, but the idea of grilling herself was most likely Yuko’s own.

And this young lady clearly had almost no experience…

The maids were watching her with anxious expressions.

Yuka caught the eye of the eldest butler, who gave a slight shake of his head.

It seemed letting Yuko continue to fumble around wouldn’t work.

“Senior Yuko, could I give it a try?”

“Eh? No, no, it’s too dangerous. Besides, Yuka is the guest; how could I let you do these things.”

‘Mmm… being refused was within my expectations.’

But Yuka wasn’t planning on giving up.

“Isn’t a barbecue more fun when everyone participates? If I’m the only one left out, what’s the point? It’s precisely because everyone works together that barbecues are fun.”

“With Yuka… working together… happily… you’re right! Then let’s do it together!”

‘Too easy to fool… is this person okay?’

‘Is she a naive young lady who has grown up in a sheltered environment?’

The image of Yuko in Yuka’s mind was rapidly crumbling…

She had originally thought Yuko was a more reliable and proper lady…

“Then I’ll prepare the charcoal fire, and Senior Yuko can guide me from the side to make sure I don’t make a mistake, okay?”

“No problem!”

‘Ugh… is this really okay, Senior Yuko?’

Although Yuka had said it herself, and it was certainly to her advantage, what would happen if Yuko was this easily deceived…

In the end, this had just turned into Yuka starting the fire for Yuko; it wasn’t cooperation at all, but rather Yuka doing all the work.

However, seeing Yuko’s serious expression as she threw herself into her “guidance” work, Yuka just let her be.

Ignoring Yuko for a moment, she had to figure out how to start the fire.

Although Yuka wasn’t good at barbecuing either, she at least knew some basics… probably.

First, just pouring all the charcoal in like that definitely wouldn’t work.

She had to organize the briquettes, leaving out the smaller pieces, and stack them in a crisscross pattern to ensure air circulation.

Then, Yuko hadn’t used… Yuka decided to use the fire starter that the butler or maids had prepared.

It would be too difficult to start a fire without it.

She squeezed some gel-like fire starter onto the stacked charcoal and lit it.

“Wow! Is it lit already?!”

“Not yet…”

The fire starter was indeed burning, but that didn’t mean the charcoal was lit.

Once the fire starter burned out, the flames would likely extinguish.

Yuka carefully fanned the fire to let it spread slowly… repeating this many times, gradually expanding the flames.

Once the initial small pieces of charcoal were glowing red, she added the reserved larger pieces… and continued to fan to help them burn.

‘Sigh… this is so time-consuming and a test of patience…’

‘With a gas stove, it would be done with a single click…’

‘The most troublesome parts of a barbecue are the preparation and the cleanup.’

‘If one were only responsible for eating, it would be great…’

“Alright. The fire is just right. Let’s put the grill on and start cooking the meat.”

“R-Right! Leave the rest to me, your older sister!”

Mmm… Yuka glanced at the butler… who gave a reluctant nod.

It seemed this level was still safe enough to be left to her.

“Then I’ll leave it to you, Senior Yuko.”

“Mmhmm! I’ll definitely grill some delicious barbecue for you, Yuka!”

Yuko, full of energy… nervously placed the skewers… on the very edge of the grill.

The skewers had likely been prepared by the maids in advance, and a steady stream of prepared ingredients was being sent out from the cabin.

But… with the way Yuko was placing them, they wouldn’t be cooked even by nightfall.

Yuka glanced at the butler again, who shook his head once more.

It seemed this wouldn’t do; she had to give a demonstration.

“Senior Yuko, could I give it a try?”

“Eh?… Alright. We grow closer by working together, right? It’s fine, but be careful.”

“Okay.”

Yuka took the skewers from Yuko and placed them in the center of the grill.

While she was at it, she also adjusted the position of the skewers Yuko had placed on the edge earlier.

How could they possibly cook in a spot with no fire?

Yuka had specifically concentrated the charcoal in the middle to ensure the heat was strong enough.

They would absolutely not cook on the side; she was sure of it.

“Senior Yuko, let’s place them together. You put yours here, and I’ll put mine over here.”

“Alright. Then let’s do it together.”

Yuka guided Yuko to place the skewers in the correct position, having her work alongside her.

This should be fine now.

Although Yuko’s movements were still very cautious, she finally placed the skewers over the fire source.

Yuka stole a glance at the butler and noticed he was wiping the corner of his eye with a handkerchief.

The maids were also so moved they were holding each other’s hands.

Was it really that touching?

Really?

“This side should be ready to flip.”

“L-Like this…”

Yuko followed Yuka’s example and flipped the skewers.

‘Good, good… it seems things are going smoothly…’

“It should be cooked now. Shall we eat?”

“O-Okay…”

Yuka and Yuko took the skewers they had placed on the grill first and put them on a plate on the table.

In her past life, she might have just picked one up and started chewing, but in this life, she had to mind her image.

She removed the meat from the skewer… though dipping sauce was prepared, Yuka decided to taste it plain first.

“Well then, let’s eat.”

“I-I’ll eat now.”

For some reason, Yuko was more nervous than she was.

‘Just relax and eat…’

“Mmm… it’s delicious.”

“It really is… delicious…”

Was Yuko worried about the taste?

Now she let out a sigh of relief and began to eat with gusto.

The maids’ preparations were well done; as long as the meat wasn’t burned, it was bound to taste good.

The meat and vegetables used were of high quality, and more importantly, the process of participating in the cooking herself made the food exceptionally delicious.

“Come on, everyone, let’s all grill together?”

“Eh?”

Yuka’s words left the butler and the maids stunned.

But with so many ingredients prepared, there was no way she and Yuko could finish it all.

Besides, it didn’t feel right for everyone to stand by and watch while only the two of them enjoyed the barbecue.

The rules of this life might allow for that, but Yuka always unconsciously carried the mindset of her past life.

In this kind of situation, she would rather enjoy a meal happily with everyone.

“A barbecue is more fun when everyone works together and enjoys it together. Right, Senior Yuko?”

“Mmhmm. You’re right… let’s enjoy it together.”

After Yuko spoke, the butler and maids also began to grill.

Of course, they were mainly serving Yuka and Yuko, but it was clear that Yuko had previously forbidden them from intervening.

Now that the ban was lifted and everyone worked together, the barbecue finally proceeded in a carefree and pleasant atmosphere.

Yuko, who had wanted to help with the cleanup under the pretext of ‘I have to help clean up,’ was taken back to the villa, nearly causing more trouble for the maids.

While her intention to clean up was good, letting Yuko interfere would only increase the maids’ workload.

Yuka made up an excuse and successfully persuaded Yuko to return to the villa.

“Did you enjoy the barbecue?”

“Mmhmm. It was very fun, and very delicious.”

That wasn’t just a polite answer.

Although Yuka was an otaku in her past life… today’s barbecue had truly been fun.

And grilling the food herself, enjoying it under the blue sky—how could it not be delicious?

“However… we got all dirty… the bath is ready, so shall we take a bath together?”

“Eh!?”

‘A bath!? With Yuko?’

‘T-T-T-This isn’t good, is it?’

‘Wouldn’t I see Yuko’s… this and that…’

“Phew, phew… what do you say? Isn’t it fine? We got dirty, right? It can’t be helped, can it? Come on… let’s bathe together? It might be a little embarrassing at first… but you’ll get used to it quickly… hmm?”

“Eek!”

‘How scary! Has Yuko gone crazy!?’

Come to think of it, was the barbecue suggested exactly for this?

Outdoor barbecues indeed make one dirty; sweat, ashes, and smells cling to you.

As a young lady, she couldn’t just walk around like that.

She had to take a bath. A very logical process.

So that was Yuko’s scheme!

This was bad… she couldn’t find a reason to refuse.

No… there were many things wrong with this, and refusing was perfectly reasonable… but it felt like she couldn’t.

If this continued, she would really have to take a bath with Yuko…

“Miss Yuka, I have brought your change of clothes.”

“Emi!”

Just as Yuko was closing in, her savior, Emi, appeared.

She was holding a change of clothes for Yuka.

As long as she changed her clothes, it was fine not to take a bath.

Compared to bathing in someone else’s home, simply changing her clothes was clearly more appropriate.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I was deliberately misled by some people and lost track of Miss Yuka for a moment.”

“I-I see…”

She heard a “Tsk” sound from behind her, but Yuka decided to pretend she hadn’t.

She had thought her own vehicle was following all along, but it seemed the Kohara family staff had managed to shake them.

Even so, for Emi to have found her here was truly impressive.

“I investigated every Kohara family property, related facilities, and rentable or stayable hotels within this area.”

‘I see… if this was a Kohara family villa, then after arriving in this area, this place would become the most likely destination.’

So Emi had conducted a thorough search.

Her obsession was truly frightening.

“Well then, could I borrow a room to change?”

“……Fine. Lead the way.”

‘Wow… the sparks flying from Emi and Yuko’s glares… so scary…’

Yuka didn’t dare to intervene at all.

In any case, after changing into the clothes Emi had prepared, Yuka stayed at the villa for a while longer and was sent home before dark.

Of course, Yuko insisted that she stay overnight, while Emi adamantly wanted to take Yuka back.

After some struggle, Yuka finally made it home safely.