2As I transcribed 102 words, it felt oddly decipherable, like I held the key to translating her language. Each word seemed to carry a nuance that I could almost predict, as if I had lived through countless conversations with her. It was as if the words themselves whispered their meanings to me, and my guesses proved to be surprisingly on target. But how could that be? We had just met, mere moments ago in this enigmatic place. It was an inexplicable connection, like I had a front-row seat to her unspoken thoughts, an intimacy that defied the logic of our brief encounter.Her grip on my hand tightened as she nodded in response to my question, her eyes shimmering with curiosity and frustration. It was clear that her vocabulary was severely limited, and this left me with the challenging task of finding a way to communicate with her effectively.As we walked towards the entrance, I couldn't help but ponder how she had never known what a bath was. Was she someone sheltered from the outside world, living a life of luxury and confinement? The mysteries of this facility seemed to extend to its inhabitants, and she was no exception.Then, after much internal debate, I gave in to her cuteness after catching a glimpse of her teary blue eyes."Alright, no worries," I reassured her with a warm smile, despite the peculiar situation we found ourselves in. "I'll show you what a bath is, but only this once."With her hand still clasping mine, I led Number 102 towards the entrance where I had placed my clothes. Gesturing for her to leave her garments there, I soon realized that she didn't know how to undress herself. Given what I'd experienced so far, I wasn't entirely surprised.Avoiding the bare sight of a naked girl, I wrapped a towel over my eyes as a blindfold. I removed her clothes carefully, doing my best to maintain her modesty. My senses worked overtime, relying on touch alone to accomplish the task. Once she was undressed, I placed her clothes in the top-row basin, ensuring they stayed dry.Afterward, I guided her towards the large tub filled with warm water. Steam billowed from the surface, creating a comforting atmosphere, obscuring our view of each other. I took a moment to remove my blindfold, ensuring I would not accidentally glimpse her.With a towel draped over her shoulders, I gestured for her to take a seat on the stool next to the mirror, assuring her that it was safe. Slowly, I began to explain the process as I started washing her hair with the showerhead."First, we sit here, and then we wash ourselves using this showerhead," I explained, my voice calm and soothing. I carefully demonstrated, allowing the warm water to cascade over her hair, which glistened a striking white, much like mine.Her eyes followed my every move with curiosity, and it was clear she was trying her best to comprehend. When I adjusted the water temperature to ensure it was comfortable, I asked, "If it’s too hot for you tell me." She nodded in approval. Her white hair danced as the water splashed around her, and she seemed to enjoy the sensation.Confirming it was "ok" to continue, I then moved on to apply the shampoo. "You might want to close your eyes," I suggested, warning her to avoid getting soapy bubbles in her eyes. She complied instantly, closing her eyes and squinting as I applied shampoo on her hair.After a quick rinse and shampoo, we made our way to the large hot bath. It was a bath of over 50 mets in diameter, with had a white cube pillar that stood in the center. I explained, "This is the bath, it holds water for immersive bathing, in a way it’s for relaxation and warming up our bodies. Like being embraced by a gentle hug." I mimicked a hugging motion to emphasize the point, hoping she'd understand the comfort of it.Number 102 seemed intrigued, her hesitation gradually fading away. She dipped her fingers into the water, feeling its warmth. A faint smile appeared on her face, a glimmer of understanding in her eyes.Probably what you'll expect of child her age. As we both entered the bath, I couldn't help but feel relieved that she was unharmed by the hot water. "Good," I encouraged. "You're doing great. Now, when you're ready, you can sit in the bath like this." I showed her once more, and this time, she hesitantly followed suit.As she settled into the warm water, her whole body seemed to relax, and her eyes conveyed a sense of contentment. It was a small victory, a moment of connection and understanding between us.Afterwards, I decided to give her some space, moving away to respect her privacy. "I'll be right outside if you need anything," I assured her, watching over her as she continued to soak in the bath. Which was much like watching a child first time in a public bath.
—din—din—don—din—don—
The fourth bell rang, its echoing chime resonating through the plant. There's this odd feeling in my head, akin to the distant chime of a bedtime bell. It left an eerily haunting sound that felt like it was crawling up my skin each time I heard it. It's as if some internal clock is ticking away, subtly nudging me towards a state of rest. Yet, the curious thing is, there's no tangible reason for it. It's not the signal to retire for the night; it's more like an silent whisper, gently guiding my thoughts into a state of quiet rest. A peculiar sensation, like the world around me is winding down, and my mind, too, is preparing for a restful interval. It leaves me pondering the nature of this internal bedtime bell, a subtle reminder in the symphony of existence. But after a few seconds of listening, I grew accustomed to the sound, and it no longer sent shivers down my spine.Moreover, I wasn't nothing compared to the anxious feeling as I found myself seated on a cool marble white bench in the cloak room. I had brought Number 102 here for a change of clothes. Six white sheets were spread out in orderly rows, each providing a small fitting room—a private space for one to change. She had occupied one of them. While I was beside the sheet keeping my gaze focused on the ceiling, the girl had taken occupancy in the space, hidden from my view behind a white sheet.The room was filled with the soft rustling of fabric as she struggled to change. I couldn't help but sneak a glance up at the soft blue light emanating from the white ceiling, trying to avoid eavesdropping on the intimate sounds behind the sheets. My dignity as a male was at stake, and I didn't want to invade her privacy or make her uncomfortable.Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, she emerged from behind the white sheet, wearing the same simple white clothes she had before. While it wasn't a surprise, the fact that she had managed to dress herself in such a short time astonished me. It was as if she was a quick learner with a remarkable memory.
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