The hot spring was outdoors, and the moderately warm spring water released a misty steam.
Outside the courtyard, the snow was white, and light snow had begun falling again on this Hokkaido night.
The cold wind blew, mingling with the steam rising from the hot spring water, creating a wonderful sensation.
Between the alternating heat and cold, those soaking in the hot spring could feel a thorough comfort spreading through their entire bodies. This kind of enjoyment and beautiful scenery could only be experienced in the Tohoku region of Japan.
Shizuka came to the outdoor hot spring and saw Toru leaning against the stone wall of the bath with his upper body bare, looking over with a surprised gaze.
Shizuka, wearing a yukata, hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she should enter the hot spring or leave.
At this moment, Momiji, also wearing a yukata, walked in.
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, she said apologetically, "Mrs. Hattori, I forgot that this private hot spring is a mixed bath."
Shizuka was a mature woman after all, and she quickly calmed down, realizing that this was originally supposed to be a romantic moment for the two young people, Toru and Momiji.
She had only happened to meet them in Asahikawa, and she had accidentally become an extra person in this romantic moment.
Seeing Momiji's hesitant expression, Shizuka also made a decision.
If she left now, Momiji would probably feel that her hospitality had been lacking and would start worrying.
Thinking of this, Shizuka felt that she was a generation older than them, so it was no big deal. Wearing wooden clogs, she walked to the edge of the hot spring and said apologetically to Toru, who was soaking in the bath,
"Fujiwara-kun, I'm the one who disturbed you."
Toru's heart was very calm, so naturally, there was nothing for him to feel embarrassed about. He shook his head and said, "It's just soaking in a hot spring. Why would you say you're disturbing us?"
He tried to use a very gentle attitude to keep Shizuka from overthinking it.
Although it was a mixed bath, soaking in the hot spring did not mean they had to take everything off. At the very least, Toru was still wearing large swim trunks.
It was precisely because of this that Shizuka was bold enough to share the same hot spring bath with Toru.
She wrapped herself in a bath towel, tucking it under her arms and revealing her fair shoulders. Her bare feet cautiously tested the temperature of the hot spring.
The temperature of the hot spring was actually quite high, but since this hot spring was outdoors and mixed with the cold wind, it made the bath even more comfortable.
Immediately after, Shizuka's long, beautiful legs slowly stepped into the hot spring bath, and she sat down across from Toru.
Today, she had spent the entire day sightseeing in Asahikawa with Toru and the others.
In the afternoon, they first went to Asahiyama Zoo to watch the penguin show, then boarded the Ooka family's helicopter to overlook the beautiful Shirahige Falls from the air.
In the evening, everyone went to Ningle Terrace to experience a popular tourist spot.
How should it be put? The penguins at the zoo were very childlike, and Shirahige Falls was spectacular and beautiful. As for Ningle Terrace, it was really too boring.
After walking around for an entire day, Shizuka also felt very tired. The comfort of soaking in the hot spring made her involuntarily let out a soft sigh.
Momiji was also wrapped in a bath towel, sitting beside Shizuka and chatting with her.
If Shizuka had not been there, she would have been willing to be intimate with Toru in the hot spring without a towel.
Of course, doing anything in the hot spring was impossible. Under such heat and temperature, intense exercise could be fatal.
Bamboo trays floated on the surface of the hot spring, holding sake, snacks, and other things for the guests to enjoy.
Hayasaka, with her slender shoulders exposed, soaked in the hot spring with a bit of shyness, her eyes occasionally sweeping over Shizuka and Momiji.
Big. They were really too big!
She lowered her head to look at her own flat chest wrapped in the towel, then looked at Shizuka's maturity and Momiji's grandeur. In the end, she lowered her head in shame and completely admitted defeat in her heart.
At this moment, she missed Kaguya very much, because only in front of Kaguya could she have some confidence.
"Hayasaka, what are you thinking about?"
Toru drank sake while leaning against the stone wall, revealing his muscular chest.
Not only Hayasaka and Momiji, even Shizuka's gaze would sometimes inadvertently fall on Toru's body.
This made Shizuka inexplicably think of her husband.
As the police superintendent of Osaka, Shizuka's husband had long since left frontline work. Years in a high-level position, along with his increasing age, had also given him a beer belly. There was no way he could compare to the body of a young man like Toru.
However, it was not good for an elder to keep staring at a junior's body. Shizuka tried hard to shift her attention and chatted with Momiji beside her.
Momiji did not care that much. Her eyes were infatuated, and she subconsciously licked her lips, even pressing her legs together. The love in her heart was almost overflowing from her body, staining the hot spring water.
"No, I wasn't thinking about anything. I just feel that life is really good now."
Hayasaka said softly.
For the past decade or so, she had been exploited by the Shinomiya family. Let alone soaking in hot springs, even the short bath time she had every day was what she looked forward to most.
Kaguya's life was controlled by the Shinomiya family. Aside from Tokyo and Kyoto, she had never even been to other places, let alone traveled or had fun.
And as Kaguya's maid, Hayasaka's life was also controlled. Even if she had money, she had no time of her own to enjoy life at all.
After leaving the Shinomiya family and becoming Toru's maid, Hayasaka finally felt the beauty of life.
At the very least, things like soaking in a hot spring like this, eating snacks, and enjoying the snowy scenery were things she had never dared to dream of in the past.
Seeing Hayasaka's dreamy eyes and dazed expression, Toru could roughly guess what she was thinking.
He did not disturb Hayasaka. Leaning against the warm stone wall, he looked up at the full moon overhead, while in his peripheral vision were beautiful women of different ages and figures.
Life would be wonderful if it could always be this pleasant.
It was not advisable to soak in the hot spring for too long. After about ten minutes, everyone got up, dried themselves off, and returned to the room wearing yukatas.
It was now the prime time of the night. Toru lay on the tatami mat, watching Japan's interesting and exaggerated variety shows.
Under Momiji's persistent persuasion, Shizuka agreed to play a few rounds of karuta with her.
The Queen was indeed the Queen. Even though she had not practiced for a long time, she still won more than she lost against Momiji, this year's karuta champion.
Momiji was very competitive, but she did not mind losing to Shizuka. She often asked questions during the game, listened carefully, and learned from her senpai's experience.
Just as Shizuka had said, Toru also felt that the future Karuta Queen would definitely be Momiji.
After playing a few rounds, Momiji and Shizuka put away the karuta. Everyone chatted and laughed in the room, watching TV and talking. Time passed quickly, and soon it was time to sleep.
At night, Momiji, who had not seen Toru for some time, crawled into his futon. The young man and woman released their desires and enjoyed their happiness.
The soundproofing of these Japanese-style rooms was generally poor. Hayasaka tossed and turned in the other room, unable to sleep at all.
However, the one suffering even more than Hayasaka was Shizuka.
As a woman with experience, especially at her age, Shizuka's desires were stronger.
Listening to the loud voices coming from the room next door, completely disregarding anyone else, she curled up and realized that she probably would not be able to sleep tonight.
Furthermore, strange and messy thoughts filled her mind, making her overthink things.
(To be continued.)