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Chapter 75: To the Hot Spring Again
As the spring break was coming to an end, it was about time for me, Arisa, and Aina to enter our third year. Not that we were here to gather our spirits or anything, but we found ourselves once again at a hot spring inn, following our previous visit at the end of the year. This time, it was a different location.
“Welcome, Shinjo-sama. Allow me to take your luggage.”
“Thank you.”
Today’s plans, or rather, all the arrangements for the inn, were taken care of by Sakuna-san. We silently waited for this day, and we truly appreciated Sakuna-san for securing such a wonderful place for us.
“It’s such a beautiful place.”
“Yes, indeed. Fufu, the natural air here is delightful!”
Arisa remained composed, but Aina was as lively as a young child. Her behavior was undeniably adorable, but at the same time, her allure was radiating just as effortlessly as the other two… In other words, what I’m trying to say is, she… No, that’s not it. Apart from me, they were all the center of attention.
“As expected, the three of you always attract attention. Truly a family of beauties.”
“I don’t particularly enjoy being in the spotlight, but I’m always happy when Hayato-kun calls me beautiful.”
“Yeah, yeah♪ Even if someone else says it, it sounds like the sound of a bug flying around. Hayato-kun’s words are always the best though♪”
The two of them stood by my side, each snuggling closer, their arms linked with mine. Sakuna-san, who was interacting with the inn staff, looked envious, but for now, I silently pleaded with her through my gaze, asking her to forgive us.
“In return, I’ll cling to you later, okay?” It felt like she conveyed that message through her gaze.
Well, at the same time, I ended up receiving an incredibly jealous glare… But well, I guess it’s too late to worry about that now. After all, I’ve been spending time with them for almost six months now.
“You know, being open about it is the best, right?”
“Yes, you’re right♪”
“That’s right♪”
And once again, the two of them held onto me even tighter. Not only the other guests but also the male employee who was assigned to guide us gave us an unfriendly look… I wonder if it’s okay for the staff to react that way to their own customers.
“Here it is. If you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call us.”
“Understood.”
The room we were led to was spacious.
As expected of a traditional inn, the interior was designed with a Japanese aesthetic… Yes, the scent of tatami really helped to calm my mind.
We had planned to stay for one night and two days, but we didn’t have any specific destinations to visit since we were leaving tomorrow around noon. We were here solely to enjoy our rest in this inn.
“Nee-san, look! The view from here is amazing!”
“You’re right. Let’s take some pictures.”
As I watched the two of them giggling and having fun, Sakuna-san sat down next to me. When our eyes met, she smiled warmly with a slightly assertive expression and made this proposal in a stronger voice than usual.
“Now, Hayato-kun, isn’t it about time for you to get spoiled by me~?”
“…You don’t have to phrase it like that.”
From my perspective, being pampered by Sakuna-san is a reward. She accepts everything I do, nods with a smile to any request I make. Relying on Sakuna-san, who is the epitome of compassion, is nothing short of a reward. So well… even if she didn’t emphasize it so strongly, I would gladly dive into her arms without hesitation!
“Kyaa!”
Perhaps I was a bit too forceful, as I accidentally pushed Sakuna-san down. She let out a surprised voice, but as she looked at me, her cheeks flushed red.
“Please indulge in me,” she said, but Sakuna-san, who had just moments ago urged me to rely on her, now had the face of a succubus ready to entice a man.
“You want me as soon as we get to the room? Well, well, Hayato-kun, go ahead and thoroughly enjoy this body…”
“Whoa, hold on there.”
“Mom? Didn’t we promise to do that together at night?”
Wait, that promise is news to me….
Sakuna-san shrugged and got up, saying, “Well, I guess there’s no helping it.” However, her smiling gaze toward me remained unchanged. So, I asked Sakuna-san if she could give me a lap pillow instead.
“It would have been nice if Kanade-chan could come too.”
“Yes, indeed. Unfortunately, her family had planned a trip at the same time.”
In fact, I invited Kanade today, but she already had a family trip scheduled. She sounded like she was about to cry on the phone, but I reassured her that we would go on a trip together next time. Maybe I should send a message to Kanade before going to bed, considering I heard her sounding sad.
“Oh, right. I need to use the restroom real quick.”
“Sure, go ahead.”
Come to think of it, I’ve been holding it in for a while during the car ride. The urge hit me again, and I really needed to go. But rather than leaving Sakuna-san’s lap pillow, I decided to endure it… or so I thought. It seemed impossible, so I stood up and left the room.
As I walked through the corridor towards the restroom, I realized how crowded it was. Perhaps it was the holiday season. There were families on vacation, and it seemed like there were also group tours around.
“Oops.”
“Huh?”
I accidentally bumped into someone at the corner.
He was a guy around my age… Well, he looked like a delinquent. He had blonde hair, earrings, and a tough expression. Well, that’s just prejudice. I was taught not to judge people by their appearance…
“Don’t space out, you dolt.”
…My prejudice was spot on.
The guy clicked his tongue and walked away. It didn’t really startle me, but I couldn’t help but think that there are people like him around the same age.
After finishing in the restroom, I returned to the room and spent the time chatting with everyone until evening. Now, there was one slightly disappointing thing about this trip.
“Aww… We can’t use the mixed bath.”
“I thought we could do various things with Hayato-kun like last time.”
“That’s too bad… Well, let’s look forward to having fun together at night instead.”
It seemed that the mixed bath was unavailable.
They were conducting long-term construction, and it coincided with our stay. If they were doing construction, there was nothing we could do… and once again, I found myself being looked at with strange eyes by the staff.
“Excuse me, is the mixed bath unavailable?”
“Oh, I’m sorry. We’re actually undergoing construction until mid-next month. So, unfortunately…”
“I see… I was looking forward to enjoying the hot spring with Hayato-kun while being all lovey-dovey.”
“Yes, me too… sigh”
“Both of you, don’t get too down… sigh”
Well, with that exchange, it’s understandable that it was clear I was heading towards the mixed bath with the three of them. That’s why the look in their eyes when they stared was indescribable. It was the second time, but even though they were staff, I wanted to tell them not to look at me like that.
“…It feels lonely.”
I muttered as I soaked in the hot spring.
Feeling lonely when bathing alone is quite something. Well, recently it has become natural for me to always be with one of my girlfriends.
“Hey, Daddy! The bubbles here are amazing!”
“That’s right. Look.”
“Ahaha~!”
A little further away, a father and child were enjoying the hot spring with great delight.
The child was still young, probably in the early years of elementary school. Seeing the child frolicking happily, the father smiled with a look of happiness… I must have had those moments too when I was a child, although I don’t remember much about my father, unlike my mother. That’s why I think that way.
After spending several tens of minutes warming my body, I stepped outside.
After a while, the three of them also came out from the women’s bath… Yeah, the sight of beautiful women after a bath emits an incredible charm.
“Sorry to keep you waiting♪”
First, Aina clung onto me.
The scent of shampoo mixed with Aina’s sweet fragrance, and the tempting aroma that made my cheeks loosen. By the way, I can’t help but think… yukatas are really nice, aren’t they?
It’s the type of yukata often seen in traditional inns, but with Sakuna-san, a bit of cleavage was visible. Plus, she tied the obi around her stomach, just below her chest, which emphasized her curves in a subtly alluring way.
“Nee-san, look, Mom too. Hayato-kun smells really nice, right?”
“Is that so? Then, excuse me.”
“Let me see.”
Upon hearing Aina’s words, the other two also embraced me. Aina hugged me from the front, while Arisa and Sakuna-san leaned in from the left and right, sandwiching me between them. The sweet scent, warm body temperature, and the heavenly softness—it felt as if I were in paradise. But for now, let’s hurry back to the room.
The surrounding gazes are really uncomfortable.