Chapter 12: Ep 12 - Steam
The auto repair shop was mostly intact — metal shutters rusted but operational, the main floor littered with dusty tires and tools. At the far end, a corner room bore faded kanji for "社員用浴室" — Employee Bathhouse.
Kanami peered inside. "The boiler still looks intact. Maybe... we can finally wash off all this stink."
Takiya sniffed her own shirt and gagged. "Oh my god, yes. I feel like I'm fermented."
Godou-sensei found the generator controls and flipped a few rusted switches. The pipes rumbled, then sputtered — steam hissed from vents, warm and sharp.
Kanata gave a soft chuckle, slumping against the workbench. "Hot water. I thought I'd never see it again."
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Later, in the garage workshop...
Takiya sat on an overturned crate, dipping a cloth in hot water and wringing it out. Kanata, shirtless and bruised, sat with his back to her.
The deep gash across his shoulder blade was angry and red.
"You're lucky it didn't get infected," she murmured, dabbing gently.
Kanata winced, but didn't move. "You're good at this."