Infinite Cashback System

Chapter 253: 253 | My Two Girlfriends In Traditional Robes Is A Sight More Powerful Than Any Gacha Pull

Ayaka appeared at the garden’s entrance with the kind of timing that suggested either supernatural awareness or extremely good surveillance equipment. Her purple kimono caught the dying light as she glided across the stone pathway, each step somehow silent despite the gravel underfoot.

"Master Jordan." She inclined her head with practiced grace. "The evening service begins in thirty minutes. Shall I prepare the private bath for you and your guests?"

Jordan felt Chloe’s fingers tighten on his arm. Not painfully. Just enough to communicate that she’d registered Ayaka’s presence and was actively calculating threat assessments.

"That would be great." Jordan kept his voice neutral. "The mineral springs. The big one with the garden view."

"An excellent choice." Ayaka’s smile deepened by approximately one millimeter, which on her face conveyed roughly the same emotional range as a normal person screaming with delight. "I will ensure fresh towels and refreshments are arranged. Kaori has prepared a seasonal menu featuring—"

"Mochi?" Kumiko’s head snapped up from her phone with predatory focus. "Is there mochi involved? Because Kaori-san mentioned something about chestnut mochi and I’ve been thinking about it for the past forty minutes even though I already ate three pieces."

"Four pieces will be included in the arrangement." Ayaka’s expression didn’t change, but something in her voice suggested she’d already anticipated this request. "Along with seasonal fruits and a selection of teas appropriate for evening bathing."

Kumiko made a sound that existed somewhere between a squeal and a victory cry. The koi in the pond startled and scattered toward the deeper water.

"The changing facilities have been prepared with robes in your sizes." Ayaka continued as if Kumiko hadn’t just scared an entire ecosystem. "Yumi-san will attend to any additional needs during your bath. She has been... briefed on proper protocol for hosting Master Jordan’s important guests."

Jordan caught the slight hesitation before "briefed." He remembered Ayaka mentioning that Yumi got nervous around new people. That she tended to hide. That she was "delicate but dedicated."

Bringing Chloe and Kumiko into contact with someone that shy felt like introducing a hurricane to a candle flame. The candle might survive. The wax would definitely be rearranged.

"We’ll be gentle," he said.

Ayaka’s smile acquired an edge that suggested she’d heard similar promises before and retained significant skepticism. "I have every confidence in your guests’ behavior, Master Jordan. The changing rooms are through the east corridor. Tomoe-san will direct you."

She departed with the same impossible grace she’d arrived with, her footsteps somehow producing zero sound despite the gravel, stone, and wooden walkways between here and the main building.

"That woman terrifies me," Chloe said quietly.

"Same."

"I respect her immensely."

"Also same."

Kumiko had already begun moving toward the east corridor, phone held high to capture architectural details that apparently required documentation. Her enthusiasm left a trail of excited Japanese exclamations in its wake.

The changing facilities exceeded Jordan’s expectations, which had already been calibrated pretty high given everything else about this place. The room featured warm wooden walls, subtle ambient lighting from paper lanterns, and individual changing alcoves separated by bamboo screens. Fresh yukata robes hung on polished hooks alongside fluffy white towels that probably cost more than Jordan’s entire wardrobe from three months ago.

Chloe selected a changing alcove and disappeared behind the screen with the efficiency of someone who’d changed clothes in cramped OnlyFans filming setups and learned to work fast. The rustle of fabric suggested she’d already begun stripping down.

Kumiko chose the alcove directly adjacent to Jordan’s, which he discovered when her pink notebook slid under the bamboo divider and bumped against his ankle.

"Jordan-kun." Her voice came through the barrier with suspicious sweetness. "Can you hand me that? I dropped it and my arms are trapped in my cardigan."

He crouched down to retrieve the notebook. The cover featured hand-drawn hearts and a surprisingly detailed sketch of what appeared to be him, Chloe, and Kumiko in anime style. The artistic quality was actually impressive. Kumiko had captured Chloe’s skeptical eyebrow and Jordan’s half-smile with concerning accuracy.

"Nice drawing."

A squeak. "You weren’t supposed to see that."

"Too late." He slid the notebook back under the divider. "Your arms really trapped or was that just a ploy?"

Silence. Then a rustling sound followed by a soft thump.

"They’re trapped now. I panicked and made them worse."

Jordan exhaled slowly. "Do you need help?"

"No." More rustling. "Maybe." A longer pause. "Yes. But Chloe-chan should help because if you see me stuck in my cardigan I’ll die of embarrassment and then you’ll have to explain to my parents how their daughter passed away from clothing-related shame."

Chloe’s sigh carried through multiple bamboo screens. "Coming."

The sound of footsteps, a sliding screen, and then Chloe’s voice dropping into the patient register she typically reserved for explaining sponsorship contracts. "How did you even manage this? Your arms are backwards."

"I got nervous and tried to take it off too fast and then my elbows went the wrong direction and—"

"Stop struggling. You’re making it worse."

"I’m not struggling I’m problem-solving."

"You’re tangling yourself in cashmere. Hold still."

Fabric sounds. A small yelp from Kumiko. More fabric sounds. Then silence.

"Done." Chloe’s voice carried the satisfaction of someone who’d successfully defused a minor crisis. "Next time just ask for help before you turn yourself into a pretzel."

"Thank you Chloe-chan you’re so capable and wonderful and smart and also your hands are very warm."

"Put on your robe."

Jordan finished changing while the chaos unfolded on the other side of the bamboo screen. The yukata felt expensive against his skin in the way that really good fabric always did, soft without being too smooth and substantial without being heavy. He tied the sash at his waist and stepped out of the alcove.

Chloe emerged a moment later wearing a matching yukata that fell to mid-thigh on her smaller frame. The blue streaks in her hair caught the lantern light as she adjusted the collar, and Jordan’s brain temporarily stopped functioning for approximately two seconds.

She noticed him looking. Her lips curved. "See something interesting?"

"Just admiring the architecture."

"The architecture is behind you."

"I’m aware."