Chapter 23
When the body feels exhausted, or when the mind feels utterly drained,
Even if the body has already started waking up, the eyes stay stubbornly closed—endless self-negotiation continues.
"I'm so tired… I want to sleep… I should sleep more… I probably haven't woken up yet…"
That kind of feeling.
Power was probably in exactly that state right now.
Am I waking up?
Half-awake.
Am I still sleeping?
Half-asleep.
Whether sleeping or waking—Denji couldn't care less. The outcome was the same either way.
Hands cupping those familiar soft cushions, the corner of Denji's eye twitched slightly.
What a weird memory.
He casually tossed them aside with the clothes.
Holding Power in the bathroom, he turned on the showerhead and tested the water temperature first.
Seemed nice and hot.
Aimed the shower at Power.
"So cold."
A tiny, dream-mumbled voice slipped from Power's lips.
Denji immediately redirected the shower to his own back. With Power in front blocking his view, he fumbled blindly for the temperature control valve.
As everyone knows, those mixer valves are demonic—turn a hair too far and it's scalding, too little and it's freezing. Extreme caution required.
Perhaps because the warm water that had already drenched her head was still dripping down her hair, Power—half-dreaming, half-awake—reached out to adjust the temperature.
By sheer bad luck, her hand slapped right onto the one Denji was carefully using.
Mixer valve: yanked fully to the left.
Showerhead: received command—preparing to unleash boiling water.
"Ow—woo! Yow!"
Feeling the sudden heat blast against his back, Denji nearly jumped straight up.
He jerked the showerhead outward, twisted around, and stared hard at Power.
No sign of malice. Fine… forgiven.
…As if!
He raised the hand that had been on the valve and pinched Power's soft, bouncy cheek—pulling, tugging~
Until a faint pink flush appeared on her pale skin, he finally let go.
"See if you dare be naughty again~!"
Denji whispered "fiercely."
He readjusted the temperature—this time not minding a little waste—until it was perfect, then resumed rinsing.
This time the water was only slightly warmer than before, but Power didn't complain about cold again.
He squeezed shampoo onto the top of her head, then some onto his own.
With movements gentle enough to be called a massage, he slowly worked the suds into Power's scalp.
At some point, the small hands resting behind his neck lifted—imitating his motions, clumsily washing his hair in return.
Denji smiled quietly. Said nothing.
Thick, cloud-like foam piled high on both their heads.
With nothing better to do, Denji started shaping bubbles on Power's face. The faint crease between her brows was covered by two horizontal clouds.
As for her cheeks—too smooth; foam wouldn't stick. Soon only a tiny dollop remained on the tip of her nose.
Cute pinch~
After rinsing the foam from their heads, Denji gently smoothed the wet strands away from Power's forehead.
Hair done.
He gave her butt a light pat.
"Time to wake up, little sleepy cat~"
At those words, Power—who had been holding her head high—immediately let it drop, burying her face in Denji's shoulder and pretending to fall completely "asleep" again.
"Mmm."
A tiny nasal sigh.
Fine… take it slow then…
After washing, they could finally soak in the tub.
But Power's position was too awkward. After a moment's hesitation, Denji unwrapped her legs, braced one hand on the tub edge, and slowly sat down.
Both of them slid gradually deeper into the water.
The tub was surprisingly large—enough for Denji to fully stretch his legs.
He settled back fully, easing Power's arms from around his neck and letting them sink into the water together.
Letting her rest against him, he simply supported her with both hands—making sure she didn't slip under.
He reached for the matching tub pillow, hooked it over the edge behind his head, and finally lay completely flat.
Ahh~ Bliss.
Warm. Cozy. All the exhaustion in his body felt like it was melting away~
His breathing gradually evened out. Denji seemed to fall asleep—but his hands stayed steady on Power's waist, preventing any slide.
Carefully feeling his heartbeat—steady as his breathing—Power couldn't detect any deception.
Asleep?
She cautiously cracked her eyes open, lifted her head slightly, and leaned closer.
Listening to Denji's even breaths, Power slowly shifted into a duck-sitting position, then adjusted her upper body—hugging him even tighter.
"Sorry."
Power didn't speak aloud—just mouthed the three syllables.
But even that was enough—tears immediately welled up again.
Once the crying started, her face became even more pitiful and wronged.
"It's okay, it's okay—what are you crying for? Nothing happened."
Denji had originally planned to keep pretending—to see what Power would do—but the moment he saw those little pearls falling, his heart melted.
Head pats, tear-wiping, soft soothing.
The more he comforted her, the faster the tears fell. It took a long while before the sobs quieted—but her body still trembled with residual hiccups.
"S-sorry… you… saved Meowy… saved this great one… but I… I didn't… help you… at all…"
Power spoke haltingly, interrupted by sniffles.
"It's fine. I didn't get hurt, see? Where's the wound?"
Power forced her blurry, tear-filled eyes open and looked.
The daytime injuries really were gone.
"Hm?"
She poked curiously. Firm. Reassuring… no wounds.
Heh. Good thing transformation refreshes status—otherwise that would've been hard to fake.
"See? No injuries. And who said you didn't help?"
Power looked up at Denji, tilting her head slightly, tiny brain full of confusion.
"If it weren't for you and Meowy, I might not have decided so quickly to deal with Makima. Sometimes overthinking—hesitating—makes things worse.
Better to act decisively from the start and cut off problems at the root!"
Power didn't fully understand what Denji meant—but she could tell he was comforting her.
She lowered her head, scooped a handful of water with both hands, and washed her face.
As Power leaned down to rinse, Denji watched her closely.
Suddenly she looked up—then lunged forward, crashing her lips against his.
Power didn't know how to kiss—so she simply pressed hard, squishing her soft little mouth flat~
Denji tilted his head back slightly, trying to pull away to speak—but Power followed stubbornly, continuing her clumsy, insistent press.
Dummy… kissing isn't done like this…
Denji felt mildly exasperated. With their mouths mashed so tightly together, even if he wanted to teach her, he could barely move his lips.
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