White steam swirled in the air.
Though not an open-air hot spring, this inn had a special touch. The ceiling of the hot spring was deliberately designed to resemble the sky. Looking up, under the warm, soft glow of the lights, constellations twinkled brightly and faintly.
Before bare feet turned red from the hot water, hot spring etiquette required washing the body first.
Hair wasn't supposed to touch the water, so it had to be tied up and covered with a towel. When rinsing, the bath towel had to be removed. However, there was no rule against wearing a towel while soaking, as some people didn't want their bodies seen by others.
Since there was no mixed bathing, no one wore swimsuits while soaking. Most casually revealed their smooth thighs and arms. Stunning curves were faintly visible in the white mist. Excluding the middle-aged and elderly women over forty, the women's hot spring could be described as a flower garden, a secret paradise.
Of course, with no men present, women typically didn't get excited over the sight. No one stared at others' naked bodies for too long. They simply enjoyed the comfort of the steam and hot water, relaxing their minds and bodies.
Yuigahama cautiously dipped her toes, testing the water's surface. She let her calves adjust to the scalding temperature. Her thighs and hips slowly sank into the hot spring pool. Her fair, soft skin almost instantly turned a vibrant rose red.
A few strands of pink hair clung to her cheeks, her neck looking elegant.
She exhaled a warm breath, stretching her arms and legs comfortably in the water. She hummed casually, "This feels so nice~ Winter is definitely for hot springs, just like summer is for swimming!"
Haruno lounged at the pool's edge, eyes narrowed, chiming in with a smile, "And eating ice cream while soaking in a hot spring, or hot pot while swimming."
Yukino sat at the pool's edge, her feet gently stirring the water. Her voice sounded clearer in the steam.
"That's just an overgeneralization."
Unlike Yuigahama, who boldly placed her towel on a rock and entered the water, Yukino's wet towel clung to her slender, simple curves, accentuating the flatness of her stomach.
"Though there's a saying that eating hot pot in summer and ice cream in winter won't harm your stomach, in reality, what we eat in any season doesn't affect the body much, as long as we control portions. The rest is just personal preference."
"I see… Hehe, that stuff doesn't really matter." Haruno suddenly grinned. With a splash, her voluptuous upper body surged out of the water. She reached for her sister with devilish claws at an unavoidable speed.
"Not cold up there? Come on, get in and enjoy!"
"Wait, I'm not used to it yet… Kyaa!" Yukino yelped instinctively. She was pulled into the hot spring like a lamb pounced on by a tiger. Two fair bodies collided in the water, creating a loud splash.
After a moment, things calmed down. Haruno clung to Yukino, teasing her while stroking her chin, smiling seductively. "Your body's not a cat's tongue—why so afraid of hot water? Sitting at the edge so long, you'll catch a cold from the temperature difference."
"H-How could… it be that easy… to catch a cold!" Panting, Yukino struggled with all her might to break free from her grip. She quickly hid behind Yuigahama, glaring warily like a kitten forced to bathe.
"If you want to soak, just soak. Don't touch me randomly."
Haruno feigned sadness. "This is just my sisterly way of showing love. Yukinon's too much! Are those two dango so great? They're not even that much bigger than mine!"
"I didn't say anything…" Yuigahama, unintentionally a shield, could only blink her large eyes, standing innocently in front of Yukino.
After glaring at her sister, Yukino shifted her gaze to the other side of the pool. "If you're so bored and want to play in the water, why not go after the person over there who's also too scared to get in?"
Realizing eyes were on her, Masuzu casually dipped her feet in the water, asking in confusion, "What's up?"
"Masuzu-chan's scared of hot water too?" Haruno raised an eyebrow slightly. She didn't immediately rush to pull her in like before.
"Sorry, please speak Swedish. I don't understand Japanese."
"The water's not too hot. How about getting in and swimming? (in Swedish)"
"…"
(You're good!)
Masuzu clicked her tongue. Under Haruno's amused gaze and Yukino's spectating one, she reluctantly stood in the pool and slowly sat, hugging her knees.
"Sss…" She couldn't help but hiss. Her smooth, fair skin seemed like it might cook, turning a deeper red.
Enduring the comforting yet slightly painful sensation, she casually lifted her chin toward everyone. "This might be my first time soaking in a hot spring. Yukinoshita-san, could it be yours too?"
Yukino opened her mouth to speak but, remembering the lessons from her previous two encounters, firmly closed it and ignored her. She leaned against the wall, closing her eyes to rest.
Haruno had no intention of teasing them further. Since it was a rare soak, she wanted to let the hot water wash away her fatigue, then think about how to have fun with these young girls later.
As long as her sister was with her, she wouldn't have a chance to escape. Haruno wouldn't waste it.
The hot spring corner grew quiet. Four women and three pairs of "fruits" floated on the water's surface. Droplets trickled from slender necks, and breaths exhaled from noses, creating a beautiful, captivating scene.
A few minutes later, Masuzu rose from the hot spring, feeling slightly dizzy. She planned to step out and relax for a bit.
She glanced and saw a sauna sign. Hesitating, she opened the door and entered.
Under the dim lighting, the woody-scented steam stung her nose. Masuzu paused at the door, then closed it and sat in a corner. Leaning against the damp wooden wall, she closed her eyes, emptying her mind of all thoughts.
The faint sound of the door opening echoed. Steam escaped, and cool air rushed in. Things quickly returned to normal.
Someone sat beside her, speaking in a voice only they could hear:
"Natsukawa-san."
"…Dango-chan?" Masuzu opened her eyes, turning to the dango beside her.
Due to her large bust, still prominent despite the towel, Masuzu's gaze lingered on her upper body for a few seconds before finally meeting her expression.
"Hehe, this is the first time we've talked alone like this since the autumn field trip."
Yuigahama flashed her familiar goofy smile. The honesty and sincerity in her eyes always made it hard to meet her gaze.
Masuzu looked away. Stretching her arms and legs forward, she replied casually, "Yeah. I remember saying a lot of harsh things to you back then. Thinking about it now, I'm sorry."
Yuigahama asked curiously, "Why does Natsukawa-san need to apologize?"
Masuzu bit her lip, her voice unconsciously softening.
"Why? …Back then, you genuinely cared about me. But I responded with that attitude, even arrogantly treating you like an enemy…"
Silence followed beside her.
Then, Yuigahama burst into laughter, laughing heartily and freely.
"Pfft, hahaha… Natsukawa-san, you're not like your old self. Not only are you willing to apologize, but you're also seriously reflecting on your attitude… That's so weird!"
"Weird? Your manners are lacking. Don't treat me like a kid who doesn't know right from wrong!"
Her tone was filled with dissatisfaction, but hearing Yuigahama's laughter, Masuzu felt relieved.
For no reason, she couldn't help but curl the corner of her mouth, giving a light smirk.
"What can I do? Back then, you stood in front of me as a love rival. Of course, I wouldn't be polite. No matter how kind you were, I'd see it as a trap… But now, it's different."
Like a curious child, Yuigahama leaned closer and asked, "What's different?"
"Well…"
Gently tucking the silver hair that had slipped from her towel, heat spread across Masuzu's cheeks and ears. She could feel Yuigahama's expectant gaze on her face. Yet, she couldn't help but hesitate.
The sauna's heat came from the outside in. But now, an awkward, embarrassed feeling warmed her from the inside out. Her insides felt itchy and uncomfortable. She desperately wanted to flee the sauna and that gaze.
Yet her body loyally stayed on the wooden bench, unwilling to leave Yuigahama, who was so close.