Chapter 6: Come Scrub My Back

“Clatter, splash…”

Nakano Risa stood in the kitchen washing dishes, the sound of running water mingling with the crisp clinks of porcelain—like some monotonous background music.

Meanwhile, the man sat on the living room sofa, remote in hand, endlessly flipping through channels.

Images flickered across the TV screen—news, variety shows, dramas, commercials—none of them holding his attention for more than three seconds.

About twenty minutes later, the man yawned, stretched lazily, and called out, “Risa, I’m going to take a bath.”

“Okay, dear,” she replied sweetly.

Alright… even preparing the bath was the housewife’s job.

The only thing the man needed to do was strip naked and lower himself into the tub.

In Japan, almost every household has a bathtub, and people of all ages are used to soaking before bed.

So Nakano Risa hurried from the kitchen to the bathroom, adjusting the water temperature and preparing towels and bath supplies.

As she turned the faucet, she muttered inwardly, ‘Considering you hand over your entire salary every month, I’ll endure this.’

After setting the water just right, she double-checked the towels to make sure they were soft and clean.

She even sprayed a bit of lavender fragrance to create a relaxing atmosphere.

“Dear, it’s ready,” Nakano Risa said, wiping her sweat as she spoke to the man in the living room.

“Alright, thank you for your hard work, Risa,” the man said, standing up with a routine tone of gratitude.

“It’s nothing, you’re the one working hard,” she replied, sparing no effort in playing the role of a good wife—just as the original owner had always done.

The man nodded and slowly walked toward the bathroom.

Nakano Risa watched his back and sighed inwardly.

‘This life really feels like acting in a play.’

She turned back to the kitchen to finish cleaning, while from the bathroom came the sound of him sinking into the tub—“splash”—followed by a satisfied sigh.

‘This guy really knows how to enjoy himself,’ she grumbled internally, hands still busy wiping the counter.

And if they were going to the zoo the day after tomorrow… some ingredients needed to be prepared today.

‘Ugh… I really just want to order takeout.’

‘KFC, McDonald’s—having it once in a while shouldn’t hurt, right?’

The man’s income was average for a Tokyo salaryman—not high, not low—and after daily expenses, there was still a bit left over.

Occasional indulgence wouldn’t be a problem.

But Nakano Risa wasn’t sure.

If she suddenly changed habits, would it raise suspicion from her husband or son?

Better not risk it.

Changes should come gradually.

After all, she had just transmigrated today—no need to rush.

So the safest approach was to follow the original owner’s habits for now and adjust later once things stabilized.

Just then, the man’s voice came from the bathroom.

“Risa, help scrub my back.”

Her body instantly stiffened.

Uh…

Images from certain “bathroom action scenes” flashed uncontrollably through her mind.

‘Waaah… he’s not going to take advantage of this and…’

‘Please no!’

After all, she used to imagine herself as the male lead.

Now that she’d suddenly switched genders, she felt genuinely nervous.

What if that guy suddenly lost control… she wouldn’t even have time to cry.

“Dear, wait a moment, I’ll call Shinjin to come. You two should spend more time together and strengthen your father-son bond,” Nakano Risa said as she headed toward the staircase.

She couldn’t help but clap internally, proud of her brilliant idea.

“Shinjin! Shinjin! Come downstairs and bathe with your dad! Hurry!”

When he heard his mother’s voice from the stairwell, the elementary school boy furrowed his brows.

‘This foolish woman… can’t she see there’s something wrong with her husband at all?’

He glanced at the talismans and notes spread across his desk, sighed, and muttered, ‘Better not let her know. Otherwise, she’ll give herself away in seconds.’

Nakano Shinjin closed his notebook, tucked it into the drawer, then stood up and replied, “Okay, Mom, I’m coming.”

The boy pushed open the bathroom door, and warm steam rushed toward him.

The moment he stepped inside, he saw a bizarre creature floating near the ceiling—

Its body resembled a twisted mass of black smoke, but its head bore a grotesque bird-like face.

Its sharp beak was slightly open as it continuously spewed fire into the room.

The flames dispersed into tiny sparks midair, slowly fading, yet steadily raising the temperature of the bathroom.

Shinjin’s gaze lingered on the creature for a moment before he calmly looked away, as if he had seen nothing.

He walked to the bathtub, took a towel from the wall, soaked and wrung it out, then began scrubbing his father’s back.

Nakano Masao leaned against the edge of the tub, eyes closed, head slightly tilted back, looking completely at ease—as if this were perfectly natural.

His skin had turned faintly red from the hot water.

But Shinjin noticed that his father’s shoulders were slightly tense, not fully relaxed.

“Shinjin, how’s your studying lately?” his father asked casually, voice low and calm.

“Not bad. I’m keeping up in math and Japanese, but science experiments are a bit troublesome,” Shinjin replied evenly as he scrubbed.

His fingers moved gently across his father’s back, the warmth of the towel transferring through the skin.

But his focus was entirely on his father’s reactions.

His father slightly opened his eyes, gaze hazy through the steam.

“Science experiments… I remember you used to like them,” he said, with a hint of nostalgia.

“Mm, but now the procedures are too complicated. One mistake and everything goes wrong,” Shinjin said, his movements steady.

His gaze casually swept across his father’s back—and suddenly paused.

There, beneath the right shoulder blade, was a faint wound.

Its color was bluish, like frostbite—cold and piercing—forming a stark contrast with the surrounding warm skin.

Shinjin’s fingers paused briefly, then resumed.

‘No wonder… even in hot water, he still has that monster heating the air.’

‘So he’s injured?’

‘Who hurt him?’

‘Or… did something happen to him?’

“Shinjin, why did you stop?” his father suddenly asked.

“Nothing, just felt like the water’s a bit hot,” Shinjin replied casually.

He deliberately avoided the wound, but his mind was racing.

“Is that so? I think it’s just right,” his father said with a faint smile.

His eyes were still closed, but Shinjin felt a subtle pressure—as if he were being watched through those shut lids.

Shinjin said nothing more and silently finished scrubbing.

He glanced at the ceiling again, only to find the monster staring at him with its murky eyes.

Shinjin lowered his head slightly, his heart tightening.

“Shinjin, have you encountered anything strange lately?” his father suddenly asked.

“Strange things? No,” Shinjin replied easily, putting on a puzzled expression.

“Everything at school is normal.”

“I see. That’s good,” his father nodded, seemingly satisfied.

A faint smile curled at his lips—but to Shinjin, it felt cold.

After finishing, Shinjin hung the towel back and said, “Dad, do you need anything else?”

“No, that’s all. Thank you,” his father replied gently, eyes still closed.

Shinjin turned and left the bathroom.

The moment the door shut behind him, his expression turned cold.

‘That guy is injured… but even so, his strength is still unfathomable.’

‘My real father is probably already dead.’

‘How do I get rid of him… without letting Mom get hurt?’

He thought silently.

‘Looks like I need to find time to discuss this with Kyoko.’

—Oda Kyoko, shrine maiden of the Koami Inari Shrine, and his classmate.