Behind the mountain, at the hot spring.
Steam drifted through the air with a faint scent of sulfur. The surroundings were enclosed by straw-woven fences, with only the side facing the mountains left open.
The mountain where Kaisan Hot Spring Inn stood was fairly high above sea level, so even if some pervert set up a telescope on the opposite mountain, there was no way they could see anything here.
Leaning against the edge of the spring, Sato let out a long sigh.
"What even is this situation…"
Across from him, Hikigaya Hachiman glanced at him indifferently. Through the hazy steam, that dead-fish-eyed face of his somehow looked unexpectedly handsome.
"I don't think you're innocent at all."
Sato twitched at the corners of his mouth and lowered his head to look at him.
"My brain really just short-circuited back there, okay? Do you believe me?"
"Yeah, yeah, I believe you."
The response could not have sounded more perfunctory.
"That tone doesn't sound convincing at all."
"I just feel like if I say no, blood's going to splash all over this hot spring inn."
Hachiman answered with complete seriousness.
Sato was speechless.
"Where exactly are you getting these ideas from?"
"A man without foresight will have immediate worries."
"Tch, as expected of the second-best humanities student, Hikigaya. You even know that phrase. But... are you really using it correctly here?"
"I think it perfectly describes my current state of mind. Seriously."
Sato clicked his tongue.
So basically, you're saying being around me makes you feel unsafe?
He glanced toward the mountains outside. Looking at the scenery blanketing the hills, his mood relaxed quite a bit.
Beautiful scenery and beautiful women should never be wasted.
...Wait, wait.
What the hell am I thinking right now?!
Sato suddenly smacked his own forehead, his expression turning complicated.
Could there actually be something wrong with my brain lately?
Hachiman stared at him blankly for a moment before cautiously asking:
"Are you okay?"
"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine."
Sato shook his head.
Hachiman immediately let out a sigh of relief.
"I suddenly believe that your brain really did short-circuit."
He looked genuinely serious as he said it, earning a huge eye-roll from Sato.
The two simply soaked there quietly, both wearing expressions that practically said, It'd be nice if life could just stay like this forever.
The sky was clear, the mountains peaceful and beautiful.
Warm hot spring water surrounded them while nature whispered softly around them.
Until...
Sato returned to the inn with a dark expression, supporting the utterly exhausted Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Ah! Onii-chan!"
Hikigaya Komachi, who had been playing with the others in the lobby, cried out and quickly ran over to help support him.
"Soaking too long in the hot spring?"
Yukinoshita Yukino raised an eyebrow at Hachiman, who looked half dead.
Sato nodded helplessly and helped Komachi bring him back to the room.
The first floor of the inn had a large lounge area besides the front desk. Instead of low tables and floor cushions, there were soft sofas everywhere. Lying on one after a bath was honestly pure bliss.
"Is Hikigaya-kun okay?"
"He's fine."
"Sato, here!"
Kanna suddenly walked over and handed him a bottle of milk.
"Thanks."
Sato smiled as he accepted it and rubbed Kanna's head.
He pulled out the bottle cap and took a sip. A rich milky aroma immediately filled his mouth.
"Fresh milk? Do they raise cows around here?"
Sato muttered while rubbing his chin.
In Japan, there was an unwritten custom about drinking milk after soaking in a hot spring. There was actually some scientific basis to it since it replenished fluids, though Sato had no idea why it specifically had to be milk.
The second tradition was playing table tennis, which he truly could not understand. Sure enough, there were two ping-pong tables set up deeper inside the lounge.
"Huh? How did Nohara-kun know that?"
Yuigahama Yui blinked curiously and bounced up to ask. Her cheeks were still slightly flushed from the hot spring, while Yukinoshita Yukino, sitting nearby with a bottle of milk in hand, glanced over as well.
The cool beauty's face was faintly pink, softening her delicate profile considerably.
"Because there are cows around Nohara's home too!"
Ritsu answered while lying on the sofa together with Yui like a pair of salted fish, lazily yawning.
"Huh? How do you know that, Tainaka-san?"
"Well... hehe!"
Ritsu suddenly pushed herself upright on the sofa, revealing a deeply meaningful grin.
Mio's calm expression abruptly changed. Her eyes and cherry-colored lips slowly widened as if she had suddenly realized something.
Kotobuki Tsumugi also looked at Mio in realization.
"During summer break, we went to Nohara's house for a training camp. The place was kind of remote, but it was super fun!"
Yukinoshita Yukino quietly sipped her milk while narrowing her eyes slightly.
"I remember we visited a farm family to try milking cows. When Mio finally worked up the courage to do it, her hands were trembling like a little old lady's. Then her hand slipped and milk splashed all over her! She just froze there, with white liquid all over her hair and clothes..."
Thunk!
"Shut up!"
Mio, face burning red with embarrassment and fury, smacked Ritsu on the head. This idiot was always way too enthusiastic about spreading her black history.
"S-Sorry..."
Ritsu crouched down holding her head pitifully.
Kanna stared blankly at the scene while Hirasawa Ui anxiously asked:
"Senpai, are you okay?!"
"I'm daijoubu!"
Still clutching her head, Ritsu forced a smile and gave a thumbs-up with her free hand.
"I'm used to it by now!"
Everyone: "..."
Sato took another sip of fresh milk and calmly commented:
"This idiot's a repeat offender."
"But..."
His tone suddenly shifted as he looked toward Mio.
"That scene really was pretty funny."
Mio froze for a second before charging at him furiously and clawing at him.
"All of you, forget it already!!!"
The black-haired girl cried out in despair.