"We've just been training," Natalia said too quickly. "For the entrance exams."

"Mmhmm." Kimiko's fingers slid down to Natalia's cheeks, then along her jawline. "Close your eyes, dear."

Natalia obeyed, feeling oddly vulnerable with her eyes closed while Kimiko's cool fingers traced her features. The older woman's touch was gentle but sure, the way she imagined a real mother's would be.

"You know," Kimiko said, her tone conversational, "when I first married Luka, I worried so much about you accepting me. You were so... protective of your father. I thought you might never see me as anything but an intruder."

Natalia opened one eye. "I was a brat."

Kimiko laughed, a musical sound. "You were a teenager who didn't want to share her dad. Perfectly understandable." Her fingers moved to Natalia's neck, and Natalia felt them pause over a sensitive spot just below her ear. "Oh my. What's this? Looks like you had a run-in with a particularly passionate mosquito."

Natalia's face burned beneath the clay mask. "It's a... training bruise."

"Mmmhmm. A 'training bruise.'" Kimiko chuckled. "He must be a very enthusiastic 'sparring partner.'"

Natalia squirmed under her stepmother's knowing gaze. "It's not what you think."

"No?" Kimiko's voice was light, teasing. "Then what is it, exactly?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"Fair enough." Kimiko sat back, admiring her handiwork. "There. Let that dry for about fifteen minutes." She began applying her own mask. "While we wait, I've drawn us a bath in the master bathroom. The tub is big enough for two, and I've added some wonderful oils that are excellent for sore muscles." She shot Natalia a mischievous look. "From training, of course."

The master bathroom was a marvel of luxury. Marble floors, a rainfall shower, and in the center, a sunken tub large enough for four people, currently filled with steaming water and aromatic oils. Rose petals floated on the surface, and more candles burned along the edge, their flames reflected in the water.

"Come on," Kimiko said, already untying her yukata. "Don't be shy. We're both women here."

Before Natalia could protest, Kimiko had slipped out of her robe and stepped into the water, her body sinking beneath the surface with a contented sigh. Natalia glimpsed smooth skin, full breasts, and toned muscles before the water and steam obscured her view. Kimiko looked like a model, her body unmarked by age or childbirth.

"The water's perfect," Kimiko called.

Natalia reluctantly undressed, keeping her back to Kimiko as she slipped out of her sleep shirt and underwear. She lowered herself into the water quickly, grateful for the concealing bubbles and steam.

The hot water was heavenly against her sore muscles. Natalia couldn't help the small groan of pleasure that escaped her lips as she settled into the tub.

"Good, isn't it?" Kimiko asked, smiling. "My mother used to say that half of life's problems could be solved with a hot bath and a good cup of tea."

"What about the other half?"

Kimiko's smile turned wicked. "A strong drink and a skilled lover."

Natalia coughed, sending Kimiko into peals of laughter.

"Oh, sweetie, your face!" Kimiko splashed water playfully in Natalia's direction. "You're so easy to tease."

Natalia splashed back, unable to help herself. "You're terrible."

"So I've been told." Kimiko's laughter subsided into a content smile. "Turn around. I'll wash your back."

"That's really not necessary—"

"Nonsense. It's part of the spa experience."

Before Natalia could object further, Kimiko had moved behind her, soft hands on her shoulders. She worked a loofa in slow circles across Natalia's back, the gentle pressure releasing tension Natalia hadn't realized she was carrying.

"So," Kimiko said, her voice casual again, "this new boyfriend... is he handsome? Strong? Does he treat you well?"

Natalia sputtered. "I don't have a boyfriend!"

Kimiko's hand slid a little lower, her fingers brushing the top of Natalia's spine. "Oh, really? Then who gave you that lovely 'training bruise' on your collarbone?" She leaned in, her lips close to Natalia's ear, her own impressive bust pressing against Natalia's back through the water. "Don't worry, I won't tell Luka. I was a young woman once, too. How do you think Satori was made, sweetie? Not by wishing upon a star, I can promise you that."

"Kimiko!" Natalia's scandalized tone only made her stepmother laugh again.

"What? It's natural. Healthy, even." Kimiko's voice softened. "I just want to make sure you're being safe. And that whoever he is, he's worthy of you."

Natalia stared at the water, watching the rose petals swirl with the movement of their bodies. Part of her wanted to confess everything, to pour out her confusion and joy and fear. But how could she possibly tell Kimiko that the man she'd given herself to was Kimiko's own son?

"He's... complicated," she finally said.

"The good ones usually are." Kimiko's hands moved to Natalia's shoulders, kneading the tense muscles there. "So... did you go all the way with him? Is he your first?" Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "You can tell me. Is he... big?"

"Kimiko!" Natalia's face felt hot enough to boil the bathwater around her.

"What? These are important questions!"

"He's... nice," Natalia managed, her voice small. "It's new."

Kimiko made a humming sound of approval. She reached for a bottle of scented oil, pouring some into her palms and rubbing them together before applying it to Natalia's shoulders. "Ah, a new romance. The best part. All that excitement, the butterflies..." Her eyes took on a distant, hazy look. One hand absently touched her own breast as she reminisced.

She seemed to catch herself, then grinned slyly at Natalia. "But I'm sure your mystery man is a perfect gentleman."

Natalia couldn't meet her eyes. "Can we talk about something else? Please?"

"Of course, dear." Kimiko's smile was too understanding. "Hand me that bottle of shampoo, would you? Let me wash your hair."

Natalia complied, relieved at the change of subject. She closed her eyes as Kimiko's fingers worked through her hair, massaging her scalp with firm, circular motions. For several minutes, they sat in comfortable silence, the only sounds the gentle splash of water and the soft music floating in from the living room.

"You know," Kimiko said after a while, "you remind me of myself when I first met Satori's father. So full of fire and passion."

She paused, rinsing Natalia's hair with careful hands. "Just be careful, dear. Men with that kind of intensity... they have a habit of changing your whole world."

The words hung in the steamy air, a warning disguised as advice. Natalia felt a chill despite the hot water. How much did Kimiko really know? How much had she guessed?

"I'll be careful," Natalia promised, unable to look her stepmother in the eye.

Kimiko stood, water cascading off her perfect body as she reached for a towel. "Good." She wrapped the towel around herself, then handed another to Natalia. "Because while I'd love to have plenty of grandchildren someday, I'd prefer if you finished school first."

Natalia nearly slipped as she stood. "Grandchildren?! Kimiko, I'm not—we haven't—it's not like that!"

Kimiko's laugh followed her out of the bathroom. "Whatever you say, dear. Whatever you say."

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