[Game] Chapter 425-426

Chapter 425: Hot Springs!!

Fortunately, though Hazuki had brought large bottles of sake, there were only two in total. With a dozen people sharing, no one was going to get drunk.

Still, driving was out of the question until after dinner that evening.

Watching the main drivers happily sipping, Ichin sighed. “Looks like we’ll have to wait until tonight after dinner, once the alcohol’s worn off, before you can drive home.”

Cheeks flushed pink, Yagami Kou waved it off. “No problem—it’s the weekend. We can hang out a bit longer. Worst case, we just book a hotel for the night. Actually, why don’t we find a hot spring inn and soak in the baths?”

“Oh! A hot spring inn?”

“That sounds amazing! Haven’t been in ages!”

“Now that you mention it, I really want a soak too!”

“Where though? If we want a nice place, it won’t be inside Tokyo. Nerima does have hot spring inns, but they’re pricey.”

Kou patted Ichin’s shoulder with a grin. “What do you think, boss? You decide! Or maybe find one with mixed bathing, we’ll join you~”

Ichin shot her a glare, sipping his sake. “Say one more stupid thing, and you’re not coming to the hot springs tonight.”

Kou quickly stuck out her tongue and shut up.

Ichin turned to the group, smiling again. “So, everyone wants to go soak in a hot spring?”

Everyone nodded in unison—even Yukino joined in this time.

But then Ruri Gokou looked troubled. “But… I need to go home and cook for my sisters. Both my parents are working overtime today, and I don’t feel comfortable leaving the girls alone.”

“Then bring them along. Hinata and Tamaki won’t be any trouble.”

Ichin decided firmly. “It’s an important stage in their studies, sure, but proper relaxation is necessary too. Let them enjoy the hot spring for a night. Don’t worry about costs—it’ll count as company team-building expenses.”

With Ichin putting it that way, Ruri couldn’t refuse, though she still felt a little guilty.

Seeing her expression, Nene leaned on her shoulder with a smile. “No need to feel bad, Ruri. We don’t get many chances for this. Remember last year’s company retreat? That cost way more, and Ichin didn’t even blink. Our company’s doing well. As long as we work hard after, it’s fine.”

Ichin nodded. “Exactly. Like Nene said, aside from you, everyone here’s been with us since the beginning. Haruno and Yukino are shareholders—we’re family. Really, it’s me who should be treating you, so you’ll keep making great games with me. It’s settled. I’ll book a hot spring inn in Nerima. Sure, Tokyo inns can’t match the countryside, but soaking in a bath under the city lights has its own charm. And no long trips back and forth—much easier. Ruri, call your sisters. Once we wrap up, I’ll go pick them up.”

Ruri nodded. “Okay, I will.”

She was happy, though she couldn’t help but feel it was a shame her friend Kirino Kousaka had gone back to Chiba for the weekend—she would’ve loved this too.

With the evening plan settled, the group went back to eating and drinking. Since the inn offered shuttle buses, no one had to worry about driving. They let loose, drinking more freely. Hazuki even called a friend in the alcohol business to deliver two more bottles.

The picnic slowly shifted from “flower viewing” to “sake festival.”

It lasted until after four in the afternoon before winding down.

Stretching after a nap, Kou yawned. “Ahhh, that was great. I feel so refreshed. My buzz is gone—tonight’s hot spring will be perfect!”

Nearby, Rin chuckled while tidying up. “Kou, since you’re awake, stop lazing around and help clean up.”

“Coming, coming~”

As she stood, Kou noticed Aoba sitting groggily, still not fully awake.

Since turning twenty, Aoba had slowly warmed to alcohol. She disliked beer but enjoyed plum wine. Today’s sake, though delicious, was strong—and more than enough to overwhelm her modest tolerance.

Thankfully, Hazuki had brought honey-lemon water for sobering up. After a few sips, Aoba began to recover.

Looking around and seeing everyone already packing up, she shivered. “Ugh, I can’t remember what happened earlier. I didn’t do anything weird, did I?”

Hifumi crouched beside her, patting her head gently. “You just passed out and slept. Not even a word of sleep-talking.”

Aoba let out a huge sigh of relief. “Good, good. If I’d gone wild, that would’ve been mortifying! Huh? Where are Ichin and Utaha?”

“They went to the library to pick up Ruri’s sisters,” Hifumi explained. “Come on, Aoba, time to go. The hotel bus is almost here.”

“Oh, right! We’re going to the hot springs tonight!”

Aoba jumped up, helping Hifumi fold the picnic blanket, then left with the group.

Soon, the hotel shuttle arrived, along with staff who would drive their cars over to the inn. Everyone boarded the bus, chattering excitedly about the hot spring evening ahead.

—

Meanwhile, Ichin and Utaha had picked up Hinata and Tamaki from the library, then stopped at their house so they could drop off their things before heading to the inn.

In the backseat, the sisters sat on either side of Utaha.

The elder, Hinata, was calmer, resembling Ruri in many ways. The younger, Tamaki, was lively and energetic, hugging Utaha’s arm as she asked brightly, “Utaha-nee, what’s college like? Hinata-nee’s going next year, but I have to start high school first!”

Utaha patted her head with a smile. “College? It’s a wonderful place. You’ll learn a lot. For now, Tamaki, focus on high school. As for you, Hinata—study hard and try to get into Todai. Then you’ll be Ichin and my kouhai!”

Tamaki nodded earnestly. “Mm! I’ll do my best!”

***

Chapter 426: The Hotel

By the time Ichin and Utaha arrived at the hotel with the two little sisters, the others had already gone up and been assigned their rooms. Naturally, Hinata and Tamaki were sharing a room with their sister, Ruri Gokou.

On the floor where everyone was staying, Ichin walked the two girls over to Ruri’s room.

“Here you go—your sisters, delivered safely.”

Holding one in each hand, Ruri smiled. “Thanks, Ichin-kun.”

Once Ruri had taken them inside, Ichin and Utaha went to their own room.

The hotel was a five-star establishment in Nerima, and the suite was, unsurprisingly, luxurious.

After a quick look around, Utaha sat down on the sofa in the living area, clearly pleased. “Not bad. So, Ichin, what’s the plan now?”

“Didn’t Hazuki tell us when she gave the keycards? Some of them planned to bathe before dinner. I’ve reserved two bathhouses—one large one for all of you girls, and a smaller private one for myself. If you’re tired, you can go soak a bit first. Dinner’s also been arranged with the head chef here, so it’ll take a little while to prepare.”

“So Hazuki and the others went ahead to the baths?”

Utaha nodded, then hugged his arm with a smile. “Then Ichin, why don’t we go too?”

“‘We’?”

Her smile turned mischievous. “Of course. They’ll definitely go again later this evening, so I’ll join them then. But right now, what’s wrong with keeping you company? Or… do you not want me to bathe with you?”

Well, there went any chance of staying sleepy.

“Let’s go!” Ichin said without hesitation.

—

By the time dinner rolled around at six, the two of them finally showed up at the private restaurant they’d booked.

Everyone else had clearly already soaked in the hot springs, lounging about in yukata robes with utterly relaxed expressions.

Taking his seat, Ichin asked with a grin, “Enjoy the baths?”

Yagami Kou leaned back with a satisfied sigh. “Totally. It’s been forever since I soaked—this was the best idea! But Utaha, I didn’t expect you to skip bathing with us.”

Sitting next to Ichin, Utaha laughed softly. “We’ll all go again tonight. But in the afternoon? Of course I had to keep Ichin company.”

Kou eyed the two of them, cozy as ever, and rubbed at her goosebumps. “Ugh, I shouldn’t have asked.”

Hazuki, already pouring drinks, chuckled. “Exactly. No need to ask. It’s just a couple being a couple. You’ll get used to it.”

Soon, dinner was served—individual plates for each person, which was perfect given the size of the group. And with the head chef of the hotel preparing the meal, the taste was, without a doubt, first-class.

Biting into a big piece of tempura shrimp, Hinata and Tamaki’s faces lit up with satisfaction.

“So good!!!” the two said in unison.

Watching her younger sisters, Ruri spoke between bites, “Don’t just eat meat. You have to eat your vegetables too, understood? Especially you, Tamaki.”

“I knooow~~~”

Drawing out her voice in protest, Tamaki reluctantly picked up a piece of broccoli and popped it into her mouth. She really didn’t like vegetables, but with a chef this skilled, even broccoli tasted good enough to swallow without complaint.

After a mouthful of rice, Ichin looked over at Hazuki. “Hazuki, since you all arrived earlier than me, is there anything besides hot springs here for entertainment?”

“Oh, plenty,” Hazuki replied brightly. “I asked the staff when I checked us in. They have a whole leisure zone—game consoles, PCs for gaming, several indoor courts for activities like ping pong and badminton. There’s also karaoke and a bunch of other entertainment options. Since you booked the service package today, all those areas are free for us to use. You really picked the right hotel!”

Ichin nodded in satisfaction. “So the only downside is the price. After dinner, everyone can choose what they want to do. It’s all covered anyway.”

The rooms he booked were all deluxe doubles, plus a reserved private bath for the girls, and meals specially prepared by the head chef. They definitely weren’t small-time customers, so it was normal for the hotel to throw in extras.

Judging by the service so far, this was worth coming back to regularly for a break. A soak in a hot spring really did ease the body, much better than a bath at home.

By the time they finished the lavish dinner, night had already fallen.

Heading into the hotel’s recreation area, Ichin turned to everyone. “Do whatever you want for evening activities. Utaha and I are going for a foot massage. Anyone want to join?”

Rin Toyama was the first to raise her hand.

“Rin, you too?”

She nodded with a smile. “I’ve been feeling a little worn out lately. A massage sounds perfect.”

“Alright then, let’s go together.”

Since no one else was interested, Ichin let the rest of the group decide freely and left with Utaha and Rin, guided by hotel staff.

Meanwhile, Aoba turned to Kou. “Kou-nee, you’re not going?”

“Hm? Foot massages sound painful, so no thanks.” Kou shook her head, a bit resistant. “Come on, let’s play ping pong! I can’t beat Ichin, but I bet I can hold my own against you guys!”

The rest of the group also split off to try different activities.

As for Ichin’s group, the three arrived at the therapy area and were assigned female staff for their foot massages.

Leaning back in his chair, feeling the steady rhythm of pressure on his acupoints, Ichin relaxed, a satisfied expression spreading across his face.

“This feels pretty great.”

On either side, Utaha and Rin both nodded in agreement.

After a while, Rin opened her eyes, glanced at the two beside her, and spoke softly. “Ichin-kun, Utaha, there’s something I want to ask your advice about.”

Both turned to her at once. Of course—Rin, who usually took such good care of herself, wouldn’t complain of feeling tired without a reason. She clearly had something on her mind.

Ichin chuckled. “Ask away, Rin. We’ve known each other long enough—what can’t you ask us? But let me guess… does it have to do with Kou?”

Rin didn’t deny it right away. That was enough for Ichin to know he’d guessed right.

***