Meanwhile, Kenshin was doing the same and briefly explained the bathroom fixtures to Noriko and Meyumi. Meyumi was in complete shock when she discovered such a convenient device for relieving herself and incredibly gentle paper.
But what completely blew her mind was the huge variety of different shampoos, shower gels, and lotions. Cosmetics, perfume, and beautiful clothes were almost the most important things in Meyumi's life, so seeing the wardrobe in her room, she finally became convinced of the correctness of her decision to serve such a generous master.
To her great regret, Kenshin didn't allow her to fully enjoy examining the most beautiful clothes she had ever seen and sent her and Noriko to the bathroom, saying they would have plenty of time to try on everything they liked.
As soon as the bathtub was ready, Kenshin helped Meyumi undress Noriko and sighed deeply, shaking his head pityingly.
"After dinner, our best iryo-nin will examine you. Let's see what can be done about this," he said, looking at Noriko's almost completely scarred body. The only untouched areas were in the genital region, because even Takahiro wouldn't dare defile any woman from the House of Flowers, and it wasn't about the price of a particular woman but about the status and reputation of the House of Flowers itself.
If it became known that women from the House of Flowers were subjected to sexual violence after capture, the reputation of this establishment would be completely destroyed, and many extremely rich and proud clients might not only forget the way there but also complicate life for the Kimura family.
"I don't need your pity, old man. You still haven't said why you needed such a useless cripple?" Noriko said defiantly, staring at him with one eye.
"We'll discuss that a little later, but for now, Meyumi, help her wash," Kenshin said and carefully placed Noriko in the hot water with telekinesis.
When Kenshin left, Meyumi decided to take the long snake-like thing with many small holes at the end and do as the master had taught her. But Noriko had other plans.
"Get out of here, blonde. I can take care of myself," Noriko said calmly, blissfully stretching out across the entire bathtub.
"If not for the master's order, I would never wash an ungrateful bitch like you. So shut your mouth, and let's get this over with," Meyumi replied resolutely. Although she was a little afraid of Noriko's full strength, they were now in equal positions, and she didn't mind paying this "useless cripple" back for that painful elbow strike.
"What, your teeth grew in? Maybe I should knock them out for you?" Noriko said with a laugh, not even moving. She was absolutely calm and relaxed, and the prospect of a fight with the impudent girl didn't shake her state at all.
"I see they've knocked yours out more than once for that long, nasty tongue," Meyumi retorted sharply. She had no intention of yielding to any girl, including those she saw next to the master. After getting acquainted with all the conveniences of her new room, she decided to do everything to make the master pleased with her.
"Ha-ha-ha, you're right. That's exactly what happened," Noriko replied with a laugh, remembering the blows to the face after which she didn't shut up. The only way to make her silent was loss of consciousness. But Takahiro tried not to go that far and damage the goods even more.
"Alright, blonde, leave me alone for ten minutes; let me rest a bit," Noriko added, sighing deeply. She needed to gather her thoughts, and relaxing in hot water was perfect for that.
Meyumi just snorted and left the bathroom, deciding to meet her halfway. She didn't understand why Noriko wanted to be alone, but suddenly a completely terrible thought came to her mind that, due to what she had experienced, Noriko decided to end her life.
For about a minute, Meyumi was lost in thought and couldn't find a place for herself. She felt she should be glad at the possible prospect of Noriko's death, but at the same time felt obligated to prevent it. Completely unexpectedly for herself, she jumped up from the chair and literally burst into the bathroom, startling Noriko lying in the bathtub.
"Are you completely crazy, bursting in like that?! I asked for ten minutes; don't your chicken brains even have enough to follow such simple instructions?!" Noriko said angrily.
"You're the crazy one! I thought you decided to die and add problems for me!" Meyumi shouted discontentedly and then added: "The master left you in my care, and I'm not going to let you ruin my life at the last moment!"
"Just don't tell me you're the same as that skinny Makoto. One pat on the head and a promise of a beautiful life, and you run to serve like a dog?" Noriko asked sarcastically.
"And do I have a choice?! You brainless cripple, look around! Has your filthy body ever been washed with such expensive perfume? With it alone, you'll stop stinking! Look at all this luxury that the master gave us, servants, without demanding anything in return except respect and obedience!" Meyumi shouted angrily.
She herself didn't understand why she was suddenly defending the master who wanted to throw her out on the street, but despite the threats, in the end she was saved from the terrible House of Flowers and given a luxurious room in his castle. In her short but eventful life, Meyumi had learned very well to understand the price of luxury, and complete submission in exchange for comfort of this level was the best deal she could only dream of.
"People of this level don't do anything just like that. Their hearts are dead, and harsh calculation and cold-bloodedness have replaced kindness and mercy. Haven't you understood that yet? I thought you were much smarter than that silly Makoto," Noriko said with a laugh and, scooping water into her palms, washed her face.
"I know the temperament of the most influential people perfectly, and the master is not like them at all. Didn't you see how kind he is to that fool? What benefit could he get from compassion for this underdeveloped girl?" Meyumi asked, arms crossed over her chest.
"Don't forget, it was thanks to this 'underdeveloped' girl that you ended up here," Noriko sighed and continued: "You're even dumber than Makoto. Do you like biting the hand that feeds you? Still can't come to terms with the fact that this idiot climbed higher than you? Try picking a fight with one of those porcelain dolls that met the old man, and let's see what comes of it."