“Taking a shower?” My mom and dad were still napping. “Don’t use too much water, I need to wash my hair later.”

“Got it.”

There was no water heater in the south room, just two big black bags we’d picked up from the small goods market, placed on the roof to absorb the sun’s heat and warm the water—a pretty primitive little trick. After Aunt Harris moved out, both bags of water were taken over by our family. In the summer, the three of us would bathe almost every day. Now that Emily Walker had moved in and taken one bag, my parents and I couldn’t bathe as often.

I stuck the key into the lock, and with a click, opened the door.

I took a couple of steps in, tossed the spice box into the waist-high wooden tub, turned the valve to let the water flow, tested the temperature, then took off my damp clothes and sat in the tub, squeezed out some Head & Shoulders shampoo, and closed my eyes as I scrubbed my hair.

Just as I was starting to relax, something suddenly caught my eye.

Right under the window in front of me was an iron stove for winter heating, and on top of it, in a pink plastic basin, there was actually a bra and a pair of panties—pure black, with seductive lace trim, clearly belonging to Emily Walker. I figured Aunt Walker must have changed out of her dirty clothes after showering last night and forgot to take them before leaving, so they were left here.

Even though I’m a decent person, I’m still a normal guy, and seeing such intimate women’s items, my heart couldn’t help but race.

After letting my mind wander for a while, I curled up, hugged my knees, and simply closed my eyes to rest, hoping that out of sight would mean out of mind.

I don’t know how much time passed.

To my frustration, the more I tried to calm down, the less I could.

I couldn’t help but want to open my eyes and sneak another look at Aunt Walker’s underwear. I even wanted to grab it in my hand.

Sigh, it’s all because Emily Walker is so alluring. If she were a few years younger, I’d probably want to pursue her.

Tch, what am I thinking? She’s my mom’s boss!

I don’t know how much time passed.

Suddenly, the door across from me thudded loudly, and a shadow appeared on the floral curtain. Judging by the hairstyle and height, it looked like Grandma Walker.

“Still not done yet?” The voice was impatient.

I blinked, feeling a bit strange. Although Grandma Walker was from the countryside, she was usually quite kind. Normally, she wouldn’t speak to me in that tone, would she?

I hesitated for a moment before answering.

“…Almost done. What do you need?”

“Takes you forever to shower. I just went through your suitcase and found a bunch of dirty clothes. Seriously, if you’ve got dirty stuff, wash it right away. Why hide it in your suitcase?”

“I was in a rush to move, didn’t have time.”

“Open the door, I brought them for you.”

“…Just leave them outside, I’ll wash them myself later.”

“Why leave them outside? Hurry up and open the door, or do I have to go get the key?”

“Can’t you wait a bit? I’m coming, I’m coming.”

I was completely stunned, because the person talking to Grandma Walker wasn’t me!

There was someone else in the room!

It was Emily Walker!!

I gasped and turned my head. The sound of water splashing, and in the blink of an eye, Emily Walker, wrapped in a bath towel and wearing plastic slippers, walked out from behind the screen. Then, she saw me.

At that moment, both our expressions were priceless.

She stared at me, wide-eyed, as if she’d seen a ghost.

I looked at her in disbelief, my mind blank.

God! Why was Aunt Walker in the room? When did she come in?

“This damn girl!” Grandma Walker muttered outside. “So slow, I’m going to get the key!”

Hearing Grandma Walker’s footsteps fading away, I dumbly asked, “Why are you here?”

Emily Walker rubbed her brow. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

I slapped my forehead. “I get it, did you just fall asleep?” I’d found the key to the problem—Emily Walker had a bad habit of drinking, so she probably fell asleep in the bath and didn’t stop me from coming in. Yeah, that must be it. There’s no other explanation.

“Let’s not talk about that.” Emily Walker exhaled, gave me a stern look. “Put your clothes in the suitcase and find somewhere to hide. Wait until my mom drops off the clothes and leaves, then you can come out.” Water kept dripping from the hem of Emily Walker’s towel, running down her plump thighs and into her plastic slippers.

Hide?

Why do I need to hide?

“Hurry up!”

“…Okay.”

I’d been bathing in the south room for years, so I knew there was nowhere to hide. The suitcase was full of stuff, no room. Behind the screen wouldn’t work either—the bottom was open, and my feet would show. My own tub was out of the question, it faced the door, and even if I ducked under the water, Grandma Walker would definitely see me.

“Stop looking! Get in my tub!” Emily Walker urged, giving me a push.

I didn’t have time to think. I threw on my towel, hid my clothes and shoes, and awkwardly jumped into Emily Walker’s bath tub.

Click.

The door opened.

“Finished showering?”

“Yeah.”

“Look at how dirty your underwear is, hurry up and wash it.”

“Got it.”

“Hmph, your underwear is all flashy and colorful. No wonder people talk about you!”

“Who’s talking about me?”