They didn't call it a bath.
They just pointed.
A shallow stone basin sat at the edge of the outpost, steam rising faintly from its surface. Someone had carved channels into the rock to guide water in from a nearby spring.
Isamu squinted. "That's a bath."
"It's water," Aiden said. "Warm water."
"That people are clearly using to bathe," Isamu replied.
The injured man shifted awkwardly. "I… could really use that."
Aiden nodded. "We rotate. Quick."
They turned their backs politely as the injured man stepped toward the basin, lowering himself carefully with a hiss of relief.
That's when voices came from the other side of the rock wall.
Female voices.
Isamu froze.
Aiden closed his eyes immediately.
Footsteps approached.
Too close.
The voices stopped.
There was a pause.
Then—
"…Why are there men here?"
Isamu swallowed. "Oh no."
A group of women stepped into view from the opposite side of the basin, towels draped loosely, clearly just as surprised as they were.
Time slowed.
Everyone stared.
The injured man sank deeper into the water.
Isamu screamed. "WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS CO-ED."
A towel flew.
It hit Isamu directly in the face.
"TURN AROUND," one of the women snapped.
Aiden was already facing the wall.
"I told you," he said calmly, "we should've asked."
Isamu spun so fast he nearly tripped. "I AM FACING THE WRONG WAY RESPECTFULLY."
Another towel smacked the stone near his head.
"Don't look!"
"I'M NOT LOOKING," Isamu shouted. "I'M EXPERIENCING TRAUMA."
A long, painfully awkward silence followed.
Steam drifted between them.
Finally, one of the women spoke again—less angry now, more tired.
"…You guys are new."
"Yes," Aiden said. "Very."
Another pause.
"…Use the basin after sunset," she added. "And knock."
"We don't even know where the door is," Isamu muttered.
A splash.
Footsteps retreated.
Only when the voices were gone did Isamu collapse against the wall.
"I almost died," he said weakly.
The injured man blinked. "From the creatures?"
"No," Isamu replied. "From embarrassment."
Aiden turned back around, exhaling slowly. "At least now they know we're harmless."
Isamu stared at him. "That is not comforting."
End of Chapter 20.6