Noriko and Meyumi immediately went out into the corridor and chose the first rooms they came across, located not far from Makoto's room, and only after that did Meyumi's envy completely subside.
"Kasumi, help Makoto wash and show her how the toilet works," Kenshin said and turned his gaze to the other two girls. "Noriko and Meyumi, follow me."
"Let's go, little one; I won't hurt you," Kasumi said gently and opened another door that Makoto hadn't noticed before. She just nodded and followed the madam.
Entering this not-very-large room, Makoto was very surprised by the change in interior and immediately realized that such a magnificent shiny and smooth floor and walls could only be in hot springs or toilets.
"Look. This thing is for going to the toilet. You just sit down, do your business, and press here," Kasumi said, pressing the flush button. Makoto watched each action with interest, trying to understand everything the first time and not disappoint the master with her stupidity.
"You might want to go to the toilet after the long ride?" Kasumi asked, and Makoto just nodded with a flushed face. "Here's the paper; just pull out as much as you need and tear it off. It's very convenient," she added, introducing the young girl to the delights of civilization.
"Okay, I'll leave you alone; call me when you're done," Kasumi said gently and, before leaving, turned on the water to fill the bathtub.
Makoto approached the large white thing with interest, pulled down her simple linen pants, and carefully sat down. She immediately felt the convenience of the soft seat and noticed the warm rim of an unknown soft material protecting her skin from contact with the cold white stone.
After doing her business, Makoto remembered Kasumi's words and pulled the end of the white, incredibly soft paper. She couldn't have imagined that paper could be so soft and thin, and the young short-haired girl happily began pulling more and more until she suddenly came to her senses and then got scared that she would definitely be punished for wasting valuable things for fun. She knew how valuable paper was and at that moment didn't think at all about why such a valuable thing was a consumable.
Worried about her mistake, Makoto quietly tore off a piece of paper and used it for its purpose, rolled up the rest, and set it aside, hoping to somehow compensate the master for her stupidity. She wasn't afraid of being whipped, but she was terrified to the point of chills that the master would be disappointed in her and stop being so kind.
Upset Makoto quietly opened the door and said: "M-madam, I'm done…"
Kasumi, sitting in an armchair, slowly rose and entered the bathroom. Seeing that Makoto had done everything correctly, she smiled until she noticed the roll of toilet paper lying on top of the main one. Her smile disappeared for a moment, but Makoto interpreted it her own way.
"P-please forgive me, madam, it wasn't on purpose…" Makoto muttered apologetically.
Hearing the apology, Kasumi suddenly laughed and reached for her head, causing Makoto to fearfully squint and pull in her neck.
"Silly girl, you have nothing to apologize for. This is your room, and you are the full mistress here. You need to remember one thing: in the Nakayama Family house, no one will hurt you," Kasumi said affectionately, and instead of the expected slap, Makoto felt gentle stroking.
Makoto opened her eyes in surprise and looked happily at Kasumi. She really liked this madam, and she became more and more convinced that such a kind, beautiful, and young girl could only be the daughter of a kind master.
"Okay, now we need to wash you properly. Do you like bathing, Makoto?" Kasumi asked with a smile. She involuntarily began treating her like a child, completely forgetting that Makoto was only five years younger.
"N-no, madam…" Makoto whispered. She really disliked washing procedures that all the girls from the House of Flowers were herded to. In those moments, being completely naked among many girls with no way to hide, Makoto was very often subjected to bullying and mockery for her underdeveloped body.
"There's nothing wrong with that. I'm sure you'll love the bathtub, the pool, and the sauna. All girls adore water procedures; it's comparable only to the best hot springs, except it's all at your home, and there are no strangers here," Kasumi said, remembering her first visit to the sauna. After steaming her overstrained muscles, she slept like a baby for the first time in a very long time and felt reborn the next morning.
For the next few minutes, Kasumi taught Makoto how to use the faucet, shower, soap, and shampoo, each time rejoicing at the young short-haired girl's surprised reaction. Although soap existed in this world, it was far from being as high-quality and fragrant.
"Okay, now let's bathe you," Kasumi said gently and helped the blushing Makoto undress.
Makoto was very ashamed of her underdeveloped, childish body. She didn't want this to disappoint the madam, but to Makoto's surprise, Kasumi didn't grimace or laugh when she saw her painful thinness and completely absent breasts.
"Poor girl… Did those bastards not feed you at all?" Kasumi asked irritably, stroking Makoto's head.
"T-they did, but Fuji couldn't get full with one portion, so she often ate mine too…" Makoto muttered, remembering a very fat and scary thirty-five-year-old woman. Chills ran through her body from these memories, but realizing she would never see her again, Makoto felt great relief and strengthened her determination to do everything required of her not to disappoint the master.
"Don't be afraid, little one. Sooner or later, those scum will get what they deserve," Kasumi said resolutely. She was going to discuss this with Kenshin and convince him of the need to eradicate all slave traders, rapists, and scum.
Then Kasumi helped Makoto climb into the bathtub and couldn't get enough of her childlike surprise at everything happening. For the first time, Makoto was sitting in such a large container with hot water and literally melted within a few minutes, barely restraining herself from falling asleep before the end of the water procedures.
After Kasumi washed what seemed like a ton of dirt off Makoto, she helped her dry off and then carried the already sleeping girl to the large, warm bed, deciding to let her sleep a little before dinner.