[Music Recommendation: "A Sweet Smile" by Yu-Peng Chen (Genshin Impact OST) - available in Youtube or Spotify] ~ Please listen to it in a loop while you read this part to experience the utmost beauty of this chapter ~
First up on Manager Hora's list of "Things to Do for Crystal's Pampering Day" was… the Spa. Of course, nothing could go wrong with a relaxing day at the Spa. Hora set us all up for a full treat—full body massage, body scrubbing, aroma therapy, manicure and pedicure, nail art, relaxing in an indoor hot tub, with delicious food, and everything else one would need to relax.
"Aaahhhh…" we all moaned as we soaked our bodies into the warm water filled with flower petals and relaxing scents. We all soaked with our towels on since we were too shy to be seen naked even if we're all girls and friends. Crystal wasn't shy but since Hora and I were doing it, she did the same.
"This is so relaxing," Crystal whispered in a voice full of pleasure from all the relaxation she was feeling. "Thank you so much Hora and Senara. I needed this."
"The massage was great, too," I added.
"And the nail art was so cute I took lots of pictures."
"Right? What design did you make them do?"
"I went for an ocean-themed one. It's so lovely, I couldn't help it," Hora giggled. She stretched out her hand and showed her nails to us.
"That's so cute. How about you, Crystal? What design did you pick?"
"I had a purple one made for me, with flowers, of course. I just love purple. And you?"
I stretched out my hands and showed it to both of them.
"Oh, wow! That's a really pretty one!"
"Yeah, like a pastel colored rainbow rose," Hora tried to name it but wasn't quite sure what to call it. "I think I saw that somewhere before…"
"Yes, in my bedroom. It was Kaiden's gift."
Crystal's eyes lit up. "My stupid brother gave you a gift?"
"Ahhh… yes. You see…"
And so, I told Crystal about my agreement with Kaiden, then all the things that happened while she was gone. It was such a long story and good thing we were inside a private area or their screams would have disturbed everyone around us.
Out of all the things I said, Crystal was overjoyed about the story of my and Kaiden's first touch. She even started sniffing, and crying.
"Hey, don't cry," I tried to calm her down.
"Sorry, it's just that… sniff… I'm so happy for my brother. Even if he's like that, I love him so much," Crystal explained through her tears. "Maybe he hasn't told you but I'm sure it's gonna be near and he'll tell you all about it. But it's just—it's so important that he can touch someone else aside from family, and Callan, and Verrill. It means he's recovering and he's becoming stronger, and overcoming. Waaahu-hu-hu…"
Hora and I panicked, trying to calm her down.
"Heeeeyy, we're supposed to be having fun here, don't cry."
"I'm sorry. I'm just so happy. It's tears of joy," Crystal wiped her tears away. "But really, thank you so very, very much, Senara. You don't know how thankful I am. And I'm sure when mother hears this, she'll be overjoyed, too. And especially my father. He loves Kaiden so much."
"You all do. And it's nothing, really. I barely did anything. And my intentions weren't 100% pure," I confessed in a mumble.
"Pft! What? Your intentions weren't so pure?"
"It's partly because I wanted us to be closer and…," I hesitated. Should I even be telling this to his twin sister? "I'm not sure if I told you already but… to be honest, I—"
"You like my brother?" Crystal blurted out in laughter. "Ha-ha-ha-ha! I'm all for it. If I can have you as my sister-in-law, I'd love it!"
"So that's why you agreed to that contract with Kaiden," Hora concluded. "You wanted to seduce him slowly, didn't you?"
"Woah! How did you know?"
"Ugh. Of course. I know you like the back of my hand. Even if you don't speak, I know how lustful you are towards—"
"Hey, I'm not like that!"
"Yes, you are! You blush on every single thing he does for you and—"
I tried to cover Hora's mouth while Crystal laughed at us.
"And did you know, last night, they arrived late because they went on a date—"
"Really? You went on a date with my brother?"
"Why me again?" I complained. "I just told my side of the story. It's your turn next, Crystal!" I hurriedly passed the baton to her. "What's with you and Callan?"
Crystal, who was laughing hysterically at me, suddenly stopped.
"I… I think we stayed too long in the tub. We should get out."
Then, she sneakily got up to abandon us. But oh no, she wouldn't be able to get away that easily. Hora and I grabbed her and pulled her back to the waters.
"Kyaaaaaaa! Senara, no! Hora, stop!"
"You're surrounded."
"Now, confess. Tell us EVERYTHING that happened between you two."
"Besides, I already know that Callan is in love with you so there's no need to hide," I waggled my eyebrows on Crystal, much to her shock.
"Y-you know? Did Callan tell you anything?"
"So it is true!" Hora blurted out.
"Wait a sec, are you two just guessing and bluffing?"
"No, I really know about it. Callan didn't tell me but I noticed… during the barbecue party."
"What?" Crystal was dumbfounded. "Since that day?"
"Uh-huh," Hora and I chorused.
After that, Crystal gave in and told us what happened. Her face was beet red the whole time, and her voice kept on trembling. My goodness, that Callan… I never knew he could be such a sweet guy. He's like a jackfruit—tough on the outside, but soft on the inside. Right. I'm gonna start calling him that.
We laughed and screamed, and squealed, and giggled to ourselves all afternoon until we finished the whole pampering package. By the time we're done, it was already afternoon so we just went back home. Hora decided the next things she reserved could still be used next time. It was better that Crystal got some sleep so we all went back home not long after.
Once at home, Hora and I just changed our clothes then we came to Crystal's room and slept beside her while hugging each other.
"So this is what having sisters feels like," Crystal mumbled in her sleep. "Thank you, Senara and Hora."
"Thank you, too, Crystal."
"Goodnight."
"Nightieee."
"Sleep well."