The Cleanse

-----Kaede's POV

I'm glad that Yui finally told me about how she feels about this place. I wish our talk was in a better situation than this, but regardless, I'm happy that we got to talk about it. It does bug me that she isn't satisfied, but I get it. Even after all these years, she still recalls her past memories, even going as far to bring her to tears... I just wish there was a way for her to get that closure she needs.

Kaede: "Hey, Mai."

Mai: "Hmm?"

It's getting pretty late as Yui did end up leaving after seeing that Neda still hasn't left my side... Even now. So I opt to talk with Mai though our minds.

Kaede: "How's Leon holding up first of all?"

Mai: "He's doing okay. I should be finished in the morning."

Kaede: "That's good."

Mai: "What's up?"

Kaede: "I was just thinking... Erytheia is the one that looks over Yui's and my old world, right?"

Mai: "Correct."

Kaede: "...I guess it's too late to ask her to see how Yui's family is doing."

Mai: "...Unfortunately, yes."

From the sounds of it, Mai also seems to be feeling quite down about it.

Kaede: "What about your other sibling that's still up there?"

Mai: "Ah. They'll probably do their own thing. I don't think they'll try and reach us."

Kaede: "So I guess there really is nothing I can do for her, huh."

Mai: "...I'll figure something out if I can. I do want to make things right with Yui."

Kaede: "Mm. Let me know if you figure something out."

Mai: "I will."

And with that, out talk came to an end. I guess Mai's actually feeling guilty about what she did to us, I could hear it in her voice. Maybe not in regards to me considering Mai has looked into my past. But Yui on the other hand, she was basically kidnapped in a sense. 

Kaede: "Hehe."

You're growing more and more human by the day, Mai.

Neda: "Mmm?"

Kaede: "Oh?"

Suddenly, Neda, who was still for the longest time, clinging onto me all throughout the day, began to shuffle around as her head pokes out of the blanket. Her eyes are so droopy looking that it's honesty quite cute, especially with the combination of her disheveled hair.

Kaede: "Sorry, did I wake you?"

Neda: "N-no... I've been awake."

Kaede: "This whole time?!"

Neda: "...Yes."

I'm not sure what to think of this... So she did overhear the talk I had with Yui... I guess it's a little embarrassing, but what troubles me the most is that now I can't help but wonder if Neda plans to actually sleep like this. Am I going to have to be stuck here all night as well?

Mell: "Mom?"

In the corner of my eye, I notice Mell coming down the stairs. I guess she must've heard me just now.

Kaede: "Sorry. Were you asleep?"

Mell: "No."

It was then that the others all peered their heads at the bottom of the staircase, all seeming to be checking in on Neda who's head is still poking out of the blanket. It was then that I remembered that Neda's essentially naked without this blanket, so I make sure that the blanket doesn't slip off accidentally.

Erytheia: "Neda!"

After noticing Neda, Erytheia jumps out before quickly rushing over to the couch. Maybe this is the perfect chance for me to free myself? I really want to wash this salt water off of me... My hair's been feeling itchy for far too long now. I wouldn't be surprised if my scalp has become one with salt at this point.

Erytheia: "Are you okay?"

Neda: "I-I'm fine."

Melanthos: "You've been with Kaede all day."

Neda: "Mm... She's very warm."

Feeling Neda tighten her arms around me, pressing more of her body against me only makes my dream of being free from this situation crumble away. Hahh~ Can I please just take a bath...

Mell: "Mmmm, you shouldn't take advantage of mom's kindness."

Neda: "Eh?"

Mell: "Besides. That's my spot."

Here I thought Mell was trying to help me out, but it appears she's just jealous of Neda. Not even my own daughter wants to save me it seems.

Neda: "S-sorry. I just-"

Kaede: "It's okay."

But despite my grievances, I let Neda have this much. But that being said.

Kaede: "But I would like to take that bath soon."

Fleur: "I can run it again for you."

Kaede: "Thanks mom."

Neda: "Uhm."

Yup, and you're coming with me Neda, whether you like it or not. If you're finally able to talk now, then it's time to do this properly.

...

Neda: "...Do I really have to go in?"

Kaede: "Yes."

Mell: "Don't worry. There's no fish inside."

We find ourselves in the bathroom as Neda stares at the now still bathwater as a gentle steam rises from the surface, creating quite a pleasant experience. But even though the room and the bath is so inviting, Neda remains frozen in place as her hand clings onto my arm. 

Fleur: "Scared of the water?"

Neda: "Scared?"

Fleur: "Well, you drowned, right? So maybe if we do this-"

I watch as Fleur begins to add some soap into the bath before adding more water into the tub. Slowly, the surface of the water becomes foamy with soap as it bubbles up, masking the water completely before Fleur shuts off the water.

Fleur: "Is this better?"

Looking at Neda, it's clear now that this is an improvement as her hand has almost completely loosened up around my arm. It's a bit childish, but in a way, Neda is probably more closer to a child than Mell is.

Kaede: "Good thinking, mom."

Fleur: "Hehe."

We watch as Neda inspects the bubbles with her hands. A part of me just wants to just throw her in and be done with it, but instead, I wait patiently, letting her get accustomed to the bath.

Fleur: "Take your time~ Get in when you're ready."

Neda: "R-right."

At Fleur's words, Neda seems to pick up the pace a bit as she slowly enters the bath. And with the help of Fleur and Faye, Neda manages to get both her feet inside the bath before Neda slowly engulfs herself in the bubbles.

Neda: "Hahh!~ It's hot!"

But despite being in the bath, Neda still holds onto my arm. I guess this is an improvement than being completely suffocated, but still.

Neda: "Can you, get in as well?"

Kaede: "Excuse me?"

Mell: "Then I'll hop in as well!"

Kaede: "Wait."

Sure, the bath is quite big, but-

Mell: "Please?~"

Kaede: "...Fine~ Okay."

Mell: "Yay~"

I can't say no to Mell though. I guess this'll be the first time sharing a bath with Mell since she's become a vampire. And actually, thinking about it like that, it's actually been quite a long time. Yeah. I guess this isn't too bad.

...

And so, Mell and I join Neda in the bath. Once I was in, Neda finally let go of my arm, freeing me from my duty. And despite Mell's now mature appearance, even rivalling Neda's beauty, she still acts like a kid in these situations as she plays around with the bubbles, forming many different balls, even getting some of them on her head. And as if mimicking her, Neda also ends up doing the same. It's times like these where I really do feel like I'm the mom of this family, but I've long since accepted that role by this point.

Kaede: "Be sure not to get it in your eyes."

Mell: "Kay~"

Suddenly, a knock could be heard from outside the bathroom.

Melanthos: "Shouldn't I also join?"

Kaede: "Not a chance!~"

I know he's asking out of genuine curiosity, especially considering he was also soaked from the ocean. But he has to learn some common sense.

Kaede: "You can have your bath after we're done."

Melanthos: "Okay- ow! What was that for?"

Faye: "Out!"

From outside the door, it appears that Melanthos has become Faye's prey, causing a bit of laughter amongst us in the bath.

Kaede: "So. How are you feeling, Neda?"

Neda: "Better. I'm just... I thought the ocean was a beautiful place. Not..."

Kaede: "I guess your world was quite peaceful?"

Neda: "Yeah. Most of the aquatic life lived together in harmony with the terrestrial life. So... When I saw that... Thing..."

Kaede: "It's okay."

Seems like she already developed quite a fear already considering how she's breaking up her words at just the thought of it. I can't blame her.

Kaede: "It was my fault actually. I should've paid more attention to the waters."

Neda: "No! You're fine. I was just being too careless. I was so excited to experience an ocean myself. But I think after today, I don't think I'll go back out there. I'll try and be more careful from now on."

For someone who was in love with the ocean to now being scared of it... Yeah, I really screwed up with that one.

Kaede: "Either way. I'm sorry for what you had to go through."

Neda: "...Then... Thank you for saving me..."

Kaede: "N-not a problem."

Why the hell is she blushing from that? It could just be because of this heat and I'm just seeing things incorrectly, but even how she spoke just now made the atmosphere around us a bit weird.

Mell: "But like I said! Don't take advantage of mom's kindness!"

Neda: "Hehe. I'll try not to."

But right on time, Mell lightens to mood, returning it into a more peaceful state as we take out time, slowly enjoying the bath.