After taking Reiji-kun back to his room and putting him to bed, I decided to hear the story from Shizuku-san, who had come to my room again to thank me.
Reiji-kun—or Shimizu Reiji-kun, to be precise—was, as he'd said, the son of Shizuku-san and her ex-husband.
Considering Shizuku-san's age, it wasn't surprising that she had a young child, but I never would have guessed she'd been married and divorced.
Especially not from the way she'd been so happily chatting with her childhood friend, Riku-san, looking as if they'd gone back in time after reuniting for the first time in over a decade.
"—It seems Reiji thought that because Asanagi-san's car was the same as the one that person drove, his papa had come to pick him up, and he couldn't hold it in any longer and ran out… He seemed to be a reasonably good father in front of the child, so he was attached to him."
Apparently, Reiji-kun and Shizuku-san were living in one of the employee rooms on the first floor of this inn, and from the room's window, you could get a good view of the rear parking lot.
In the evening, Reiji-kun had been waiting quietly in his room for his mother to return, just as Shizuku-san had told him to. But when a car that his father usually drove—and that he himself must have ridden in when they went out—arrived in the parking lot where not a single car had come all day, he mistakenly thought his father had come to see him. While searching for a father who shouldn't have been there, he'd wandered off towards the foot path… and that was the truth of what had happened.
So, if we had simply walked along the path and returned to the inn without taking too much time, we wouldn't have encountered Reiji-kun at such an early stage.
Thinking back, it wasn't like we were doing anything I could tell others about, but coincidences like this do happen.
As for the Asanagi family's car, it's the best-selling model from a famous manufacturer, so it wasn't that unusual for it to be the same. Usually, you could tell by the license plate or the subtle differences in the interior visible from the outside, but it was a bit much to ask a young child like Reiji-kun to make that distinction.
Reiji-kun is currently four years old and has started attending a new kindergarten.
So, it would still be several years before he could understand the circumstances between his mother and father.
"And… um, thank you too, Rikkun. You were tired from driving and sleeping, but you helped me look for him."
"Ah, no… In this situation, I had to help. I was a little surprised that Shizuku had a child, though."
"I'm sorry… I probably should have told you right after we reunited… but, um, I just couldn't bring myself to say it."
"Hey, could it be that, my grandma…"
"Yeah, I told her properly. Mizore-obaachan has been a huge help since I came back here… She even told me not to worry about Reiji for the reunion because she would take care of him… Ah, the reason obaachan didn't tell Rikkun was because I asked her to. I wanted to tell you myself, in my own words. So, please don't blame her."
"I… I know that, but."
If it had just been Mizore-san, Sora-san, and Riku-san, that would have been one thing, but since I, who had no connection to this town, was also there, I think it was fine.
Well, because of that, there must have been a lot of surprising things for Riku-san.
The childhood friend he reunited with after a long time was already married, divorced, and even had a four-year-old child… The amount of information he had to process was just too much.
"—Well then, let's end the gloomy talk here and have dinner again. Because of Reiji, I'll add a special dessert as an extra dish today. On my own dime, of course."
She probably thought that if we talked about such things, the long-awaited dinner wouldn't taste good. Family matters aren't something you want to spread around to others… It seems Shizuku-san, like me, Umi, and Riku-san, is quite the softy.
I felt bad for taking advantage of such a kind gesture, but the dinner that was prepared was all very delicious. It was a very luxurious-looking meal centered on mountain delicacies, and I felt it was a waste on the modern palates of me and Umi, who were accustomed to junk food… but from the moment we put it in our mouths, neither of us could stop our chopsticks.
…Except for one person, Riku-san, who had a somewhat gloomy look on his face.
"—Hey, Big brother, this is so fancy, aren't you going to eat? You've left more than half."
"Ah. I'm already full, so you guys can have the rest. The dessert too."
"…So he says. Maki, what should we do?"
"I can still eat a little more, so I'll take it. It would be a waste to leave it, and it would be rude to Shizuku-san and her father who prepared it for us."
"If you say so, Maki… Big brother, even if you say no later, this is ours now, okay?"
"I know. Geez… you'll get fat if you eat that much."
"…Die, you damn brother."
"H-Hey, Umi! And Riku-san, even if you're family, it's not good to say things like that to a woman."
"Mm… Sorry, it just slipped out."
In the end, I stepped in to mediate, but is it something to be happy about that I've gotten quite used to this sibling's exchange?
For now, thanks to the efforts of the two growing high school students, me and Umi, we polished off every single dish, including the complimentary high-class melon.
I was planning to take a bath right after this, but at this rate, I might need a short break. That's how delicious everything was.
After finishing the meal and sipping on the warm tea that was left in the room, Shizuku-san came to clear the dishes.
"You three are going to take a bath now, right? I was thinking of laying out the futons while you're gone, but how many should I prepare?"
The futons seemed to be in the closet in the room, but the sheets and pillowcases were apparently brought from the linen room, and Shizuku-san would be preparing the bedding as well.
It was a kind offer, but why would she go out of her way asking for the required number of sets?
"? Well, it's me, my sister, and Maki, so if you just lay out enough for the three of us, that's fine."
"No, two sets are fine. One for Big brother, and one for me."
"Huh? What about Maki then? Even if it's hot in the summer, it's not right for him to sleep without a futon."
"Oh, Rikkun, you're so dense. Umi-chan is saying she doesn't need one because she'll be sleeping in the same futon as Maehara-kun. Right, Umi-chan?"
"Yes. Even if you lay out enough for everyone, we'll just end up sneaking into one of the futons as soon as we get into bed. Maki is a crybaby who can't sleep unless I'm by his side… right?"
"No, it's just that I fall asleep much easier…"
Umi and Shizuku-san looked at me as if I were a small child, and Riku-san looked at me with an exasperated face, all of them giving me lukewarm stares.
It's true that I can relax and sleep soundly when Umi is by my side, but it's usually Umi who crawls into my futon.
And Umi herself falls asleep in an instant when I'm holding her.
…Well, my own sleep quality is usually much worse, and I don't remember ever sleeping soundly in a futon away from home, so I have no intention of arguing.
I couldn't go on school trips in elementary and junior high due to my father always moving for work, but that doesn't mean I never had the opportunity to stay overnight for extracurricular activities.
But perhaps because I had no friends and not a single classmate I could trust, I remember not being able to sleep a wink.
So, at least tonight, I should be able to get a good night's sleep.
"…I get the picture, but for now, please prepare enough for three people. Knowing this idiot, if the futon is smaller than expected, I might be the one kicked out of bed."
"Fufu, yes, I understand. Well then, I'll see you later. Ah, the bath is cleaned so you can use it 24 hours a day, so feel free to use it whenever you feel like it, whether it's late at night or early in the morning."
As the inn's guide said, the hot spring here is known for its various benefits, especially its remarkable beauty effects.
It doesn't mean much for my skin to become smooth at this point, but I'll soak in it well and heal today's fatigue.
…Also, Umi's skin becoming smooth is a happy thing for me.
I told them that Umi and I would take a bath after our stomachs settled, and we had Riku-san go to the large public bath where the hot spring was first.
The two of us who remained in the room decided to kill time with the cards we brought, with the provided TV as background music. We'd save the juice and snacks in the fridge as a treat for after the bath.
"…Hey, Maki."
"What?"
"Big brother seemed pretty surprised about Shizuku-san, didn't he?"
"Yeah. Well, it was suddenly 'I was married,' 'I'm divorced,' and 'I have a four-year-old child.' If I were Riku-san, I might be a little shocked."
I can't say for sure if Riku-san had romantic feelings for Shizuku-san, but the fact that his childhood friend, with whom he had been close since he was a child, had become a mother without him knowing must have been quite a shock.
But is it possible that he didn't know anything about the Shizuku-san's marriage, who was supposed to be his 'best friend' from childhood, even if they were estranged? Generally, marriage is one of the major milestones in life, and at that time, you would tell your family and close friends about it.
Why didn't Riku-san know anything?
And why didn't Shizuku-san try to tell Riku-san (plus Sora-san and Daichi-san)?
"…Maki, I have a feeling this is going to get complicated."
"Ah… You think so too, Umi?"
"Yeah. I mean, not just Big brother, but I can't help feeling that Shizuku-san is still hung up on Big brother. This is just my intuition, but… her face, it's already 'that' of a maiden in love… I had the same experience a little while ago, so that's part of it."
Or rather, even now, when Umi is alone with me, she's pretty much 'that'.
Certainly, the expression on Shizuku-san's face when she was talking to Riku-san overlapped with Umi's expression just before Christmas—that is, just before she and I became a couple.
Neither Umi nor I have any intention of meddling in other people's love lives.
To me, Riku-san is a stranger, but to Umi, he's an important member of her family. They usually exchange light insults like 'idiot' or 'damn' whenever they see each other, but when they're apart, they're 'siblings' who are properly concerned about each other.
"But meddling in adult relationships is difficult… isn't it?"
"Right? It's true that they're both single, but Shizuku-san has Reiji-kun."
If this were a romance between kids like us, it might be okay to meddle and try to get the two impatient people together, but Riku-san aside, Shizuku-san's past and Reiji-kun's existence make the situation difficult.
They still have feelings for each other, but as adults, there are circumstances that can't be resolved with feelings alone… Is that the conclusion?
I really think being an adult is tough.
"—Sorry to keep you waiting. I'll get the futons ready right away, so you two can do whatever you like… Huh? What's wrong, you two? You both look so bored. Is this countryside too boring for young people after all?"
"Ah, no, that's not it… By the way, Shizuku-san, there's something I want to ask you."
"Oh, what is it? Could it be, Maehara-kun, that even though you have a cute girlfriend, you've taken an interest in an old lady like me…? I'll just give you my three sizes for now, okay? Reiji owes you too, so I'll tell you specially, just for you."
"Maki, you idiot. Pervert. Cheater."
"Why are you blaming me too, Umi… That's not it, it's about Riku-san."
"…Ah. Fufu, I knew it. Could it be that Umi-chan has the same question?"
"Yes. Well, something like that."
"I see."
"I thought you'd say that," Shizuku-san muttered and sighed softly.
Shizuku-san's expression, which had been playful until then, clouded over in an instant at the mention of 'Riku-san.'
"Riku-kun and I were great friends since we were born. There aren't that many residents here, so there weren't many kids our age. So, we were really together twenty-four seven. During school, we'd put our desks together and study, and on holidays, we'd go to each other's houses or explore the mountains. I was quite frail when I was little, so he always protected me… It was like I had an older brother, and I was so happy. The town was boring, but as long as I was with Riku-kun, I thought it was okay."
The two were that close, but they couldn't stay together forever.
With Umi's birth, Daichi-san and the rest of the Asanagi family had to move.
That was when Riku-san and the others were in the upper grades of elementary school.
"So, you and Big brother have been apart ever since then…"
"No. Riku-kun, he's actually quite diligent, so we kept in touch regularly. We'd keep each other updated via cell phone or email, and he'd send me a letter once a month without fail."
"I see. But at that point, it's kind of…"
"Like lovers, maybe? Fufu, that's right. If we had just thought of each other as childhood friends, we would never have continued that until just before high school graduation."
I can't really imagine it from the current Riku-san, but I think it was because they had feelings for each other that were close to romantic love that they were able to painstakingly maintain their connection for several years after the move.
But for the two of them now, that's already a thing of the past.
There's no doubt that they like each other, but they have no intention of ever being in a romantic relationship—I get that feeling especially from Riku-san.
It's as if he's being strangely reserved towards Shizuku-san.
"…But isn't it a common story? A boy and a girl who were always together as childhood friends grow apart, and in the meantime, they each go their own way. Especially since I'm not alone anymore, I don't have time to be distracted by something like that."
So, that's where the conclusion leads, after all.
It seems that during the period when they had completely cut off contact, the two had gone down completely opposite paths.
"Alright, that's enough of this hopeless talk. Come on, we have to get the bedding ready before your big brother gets back."
And so, Shizuku-san, who had cut off the conversation rather forcefully, shooed us over to a small sofa near the window and, with a practiced hand, finished preparing the beautiful bedding one after another.
"Alright… and, yep, I did a good job today too."
The fluffy futons, the perfectly white sheets without a single wrinkle… that was all well and good, but why did she have to move the box of tissues that was on the table to the head of the bed where we were supposed to be?
"Don't worry about us, just think about yourselves"—for some reason, I felt like that's what Shizuku-san was saying.
"Oh, right. I'll tell you before Riku-kun gets back… Umi-chan."
"? What is it?"
"Come here for a second…"
As if she had something secret to say, Shizuku-san called Umi over and they started whispering a little distance away from me.
I wonder if she was trying to be a meddlesome matchmaker again. The moment Shizuku-san whispered in her ear, the tips of Umi's ears, which were turned away from me, turned bright red in an instant.
"…Um, what are you two talking about without me?"
"Hmm, if I had to say, it's about thanking you for saving Reiji, I guess? If you're curious, you can ask Umi-chan directly later. Well then, have a good night~"
As if in retaliation for my earlier question, Shizuku-san, who had stirred us up, quickly left the room.
I feel like I can kind of guess, but I should probably ask Umi just in case.
"Umi, about what we were talking about earlier—"
However, the moment I opened my mouth, Riku-san, fresh from his bath, returned to the room as if to replace Shizuku-san.
Umi and I were startled and our bodies tensed up at the sound of the fusuma being opened with force.
"—Phew, it's been a while, but that was a great bath… What's with you guys, glaring at me like that? Did I do something wrong?"
""…Haaah.""
"What's with that sigh?"
Unaware of our feelings, the other childhood friend was carefree, perhaps because the hot spring felt so good.
"That's the kind of thing you do," his sister Umi muttered, but Riku-san only tilted his head in confusion.
While talking with Shizuku-san, my stomach had settled down, so it was finally our turn to go to the hot spring.
We both put on the yukata provided by the inn and headed to the bathroom area on the first floor.
"Maki, how do I look? In my yukata."
"Um… It's a different atmosphere from your usual pajamas, and, um, it's very nice."
"Does it make your heart race?"
"Well, yes."
Umi spun around in front of me. Just like with the furisode, I feel like Japanese clothing really suits Umi. The chic dress from Christmas was wonderful, but this has a different kind of sexiness.
I found a few faintly red spots on the nape of her neck, exposed by her hair being up, and I couldn't help but look away.
At that time, I didn't think I had kissed her with much force, but I must have been excited too. I felt a little bad for Umi, who had put up with it.
"By the way, Umi… about what Shizuku-san said earlier."
"Ah, yeah. You might already know, but it's about the bath today… To be frank, she said it's a private bath, so if you two are in the mood, she'll pretend not to see you if you go in together. Since she's on cleaning duty for the open-air bath tomorrow… something like that."
"Ah… I knew it."
Shizuku-san had said something unnecessary.
The baths at this inn are a large public bath and an open-air bath. Both are available all day, but since there's only one open-air bath, they have a system where men and women use it at different times.
According to the guide, it's currently the time for women to use it. So, normally it would be 'me → men's large public bath' and 'Umi → women's large public bath or open-air bath'… but since Shizuku-san will cover for us, it's okay for us to go in together today, since there happen to be no other guests.
And since we're the only guests today, the other employees besides Shizuku-san have already gone home… and so on.
Well, Umi wouldn't have turned that red just from that, so she must have been told other things… but I did pry into Shizuku-san's past, so I'll just have to call it even.
For now, it means it's okay to be a little flirty in the bath together.
Of course, as long as we don't go too far.
"So, Maki, what do you want to do?"
"Even if you ask me what to do…"
Spending a relaxing time with Umi in a spacious open-air bath—an opportunity like this doesn't come often, so of course I want to go in with her… but.
"…Maki, you just imagined it, didn't you?"
"W-What are you talking about?"
I somehow managed to play dumb, but I had clearly pictured her silhouette.
…Can I really hold myself back just by taking a bath with her?
"I'm going ahead for now. You wait in that changing room for about ten minutes, Maki, and then decide which one you want."
"Um, so which one are you going to, Umi-san, the large public bath or the open-air bath?"
"Now, which one could it be?"
At that point, I felt like the answer was obvious, but apparently, Umi wanted me to choose.
To go in with her, or to chicken out.
"Well then, see you later… okay?"
"…Yes."
And so, we separated for the time being and went to our respective changing rooms. According to the guide, there are two entrances to the open-air bath here, and they are designed to be accessed from the passages at the back of the indoor men's and women's large public baths.
I can just wash my body in the large public bath for now…
As expected, it seems there's only one choice.
"…I don't mind if Umi sees me naked as much as she wants."
I took off my yukata and underwear in the empty changing room and stared at my naked self in the large mirror behind me.
Perhaps as a result of exercising with Umi regularly and gradually building up my body, my once pudgy stomach has improved to the point where my abs are faintly visible, and my thin arms, shoulders, and back have become about average for a high school student… I think. I've grown a little taller too, and I'm gradually overtaking Umi in height.
As for the thing hanging in the middle of my lower body… well, I have no one to compare it to, so I don't know, but I won't try to desperately hide it.
More than that, I'm worried about whether I can stay calm and avoid reacting in front of a naked Umi.
While calming myself down, I waited as Umi told me to, and then I first opened the door to the men's large public bath.
"Excuse me… Oh, this is quite something."
As expected of a place that boasts about its hot springs, the bathtub was bigger than I thought, and there was also a jet bath, a sauna, and a cold water bath. With all this, I could probably relax and heal the day's fatigue without having to go into the open-air bath.
Though it seems I don't have time for that today.
"Whoops, I need to wash off the sweat first."
I used the showers lined up next to the bathtub to thoroughly wash away the sweat and dirt on my skin. The smell of the inn's shampoo, body soap, and conditioner being different from usual might also be a common travel experience.
"…Should I go? It's okay to go, right?"
When I pushed the door that said "Outdoor Open-Air Bath," it seemed to be unlocked and opened smoothly. The doors must be locked depending on the usage time, but Shizuku-san must have secretly unlocked it for us.
I walked slowly, careful not to slip and fall, and on the other side of the billowing steam, I saw her head soaking in the hot spring.
"…I'm here, Umi."
"Hey. You're a little late, aren't you?"
"I was finishing up my shampoo and stuff… Um, can I come in too?"
"…"
Umi gave a nod, so I slowly soaked myself in the hot spring. The temperature was neither too lukewarm nor too hot, just right.
Also, perhaps due to the quality of the hot spring water, it's slightly cloudy, so if you soak up to your shoulders, you can't see what's below unless you stare.
It's a little reassuring in a sense.
"Maki, why are you all the way over there? Don't be shy, come closer."
"…Y-Yeah."
While keeping my neck submerged, I moved my butt and hands and slowly moved next to Umi.
We're not exactly touching, but we're close enough to touch each other's bodies if we just reach out a little.
"Phew~… I woke up early today, and a lot happened during the day, so I'm tired~… but I'm busy tomorrow too."
"Come to think of it, you're helping Mizore-san tomorrow morning, Umi. If it's too much, should we just relax in the room in the afternoon?"
"That's a no. I've prepared all sorts of things to make Maki's heart race, so I have to make good use of them."
"I wonder how much you have to abuse my heart before you're satisfied…"
Ever since we got here, I haven't had much time to rest, and I've been constantly excited.
What happened on our evening walk, and the current mixed bathing—if I acted on my desires, I would probably feel refreshed to some extent, but thanks to coincidence and reason at the last minute, things have been going on healthily without any incidents so far, but I don't know what will happen from now on.
The moment our bodies, which are separated by about a fist's width, touch, and our skin touches, my meager reason will probably be blown away.
When I look up, the night sky is beautiful with countless twinkling stars, but when I think that there's something even more captivating right next to me, I can't really take in the scenery.
Seeing my state, Umi chuckled softly.
"Fufu, Maki, you're so tense… How could you do something so bold like that?"
"My head was pretty fuzzy at the time… No, I'm in a pretty bad state right now too."
"Right? Maki, um, you're getting big."
"!? Huh, n-no way!"
Umi said so, turning her face away from me, and I immediately checked myself.
Did I not notice because my body was hot from the hot spring… Even though Umi would find out eventually, what an embarrassing thing to do..
But when I touched it, I immediately noticed something was wrong.
"…Ehehe~ just kidding~"
"…"
"Wap!? Hey, what are you doing to your girlfriend's face all of a sudden~ A little got in my nose."
"Shut up, you idiot. Idiot Umi."
"Oh? What's this, you wanna go, you coward~?"
As if in retaliation, Umi splashed water at my face.
If there were other people around, it would be extremely annoying, but since it's just us today, it should be fine. However, it's not good to be too loud, so we kept it moderate.
"Phew… Jeez, Maki, you're such a kid."
"You too. Unlike at school, you're really letting loose."
"I can't help it. It's fun doing this with you, Maki."
"That's… well, me too."
""…Fufu.""
After looking at each other, Umi and I burst out laughing at almost the same time.
Our bodies are steadily approaching adulthood, but in the end, we're still just kids.
We try our best to act grown-up, but we can't be on equal footing with Sora-san, Riku-san, Mizore-san, or Shizuku-san yet.
"Hey Maki, can I, um, touch your body for a bit?"
"Sure, but no sudden tickling."
"I know. No joking around this time."
She pressed her shoulder against mine, and then Umi started patting my upper body.
Shoulders, chest, stomach, and back. As if to carefully confirm the results of our hard work together.
"…Yeah. Maki, you've gotten a lot more muscular compared to before. Your arms are still thin, and your stomach is still a little soft. But you look cool, Maki."
"You're cute too, Umi."
"Fufu, thanks. But it's not very convincing when you say that while looking away~ Do you really think so?"
"I-I do. It's just, even if you're my girlfriend, I don't think it's right to stare at someone's body like that…"
"Maki."
"Yes."
"Look at me properly."
"…Yes."
When she says that, there's nothing I can do.
I moved my stiff neck with a creak and looked at Umi.
"So, what do you think?"
"Um…"
I can't see what she's trying to hide because she's using her arms well, but I can still see Umi's figure clearly. Since she's in the hot spring, she's not using a towel, as is proper etiquette. Both Umi and I are naked.
Even if she says she's gained a little weight, that's only compared to how she was before, so it's not like Umi's figure has gotten worse. In fact, personally, I think she could have a little more.
Her breasts, which seem like they would spill out of just her arms, are one thing, but the smooth curve from her waist to her legs is so beautiful that I could stare at it forever.
Her usually white skin, slightly flushed from the hot spring, is also nice in its own way.
It would be creepy to say all that, so if I were to put it simply to the girl in front of me.
"I want to keep looking at you forever."
"Good, you're a good boy for being honest… But when you say it like that, even I get a little embarrassed."
Umi said so, slightly averting her gaze from me, but I'm well aware that she's also looking at my body from top to bottom.
It's embarrassing and takes courage to expose the delicate parts of myself that are usually hidden by clothes, but I want Umi to know me properly, and I also want to know more about Umi.
Besides, if I don't get used to this, I'm worried about what will happen when we actually sleep together.
While blushing with shame, both Umi and I were very interested in each other's bodies.
"P-Phew. Maybe it's because of the hot spring, but I think I'm getting a little lightheaded."
"M-Me too. It would be counterproductive if we got lightheaded and fainted in this great hot spring, so we should probably get out soon."
"Let's do that… Well, I'll go first."
"Y-Yeah. Well then, see you at the entrance."
We somehow managed to separate our bodies, which had been stuck together without us realizing, and our gazes, which had been observing each other's bodies, and we left the open-air bath and returned to our respective indoor large public baths.
"…That was amazing, yeah."
The moment I closed the door, I muttered so.
It's probably because I was in the hot water longer than usual, but my heart is still beating fast even now that I'm away from Umi.
I think our relationship has been progressing smoothly today. A little while ago, I touched Umi's chest, and just now we took a bath together and burned the image of each other's naked bodies into our minds—that was my limit, so I didn't think of doing anything more, but it wouldn't be strange if 'that' happened at any time.
There will be plenty of time tomorrow for me and Umi to be alone together. Especially, playing in the river after lunch is… no, I should stop thinking about various things now.
If I let my imagination run wild any further, my body might go crazy.
To physically cool down my overheated body and head, I jumped into the cold water bath that was probably intended for use after the sauna. It's not very healthy, but if I don't do that, I don't think I can suppress my once-excited heart.
"…I wonder if I can sleep properly tonight."
Amidst the anxiety of whether I could sleep soundly for a different reason, the night of the first day of the three-day weekend slowly deepened.
After returning to the room, we snacked on the sweets and juice we had brought in advance and had a light, trivial conversation, then Umi and I went to sleep in our respective futons.
It's not unusual for me to spend the night with Umi anymore, but it's still a happy thing.
With what happened earlier, I was worried if I could fall asleep, but perhaps due to the fatigue from the long trip, both Umi and I fell asleep without realizing it the moment we got into our futons.
…Of course, since we were next to each other, we didn't forget to secretly hold hands.
The plan was to sleep together in the same futon, but with Riku-san in the room, we decided it would be better not to be too lovey-dovey, so we compromised.
Feeling the warmth of my lover in my hand, I spent the night feeling relieved, and the next morning.
"…Nn."
I slowly woke up to the ample morning sun pouring through the room's large window and the faint sounds of nature, such as the chirping of insects and birds, coming from a distance. I had turned off the air conditioner before going to sleep, but since the temperature wasn't that high, I wasn't sweating. It was a very pleasant morning.
—Rustle, rustle.
Just as I was thinking of lying down for a while until I was fully awake, I heard that sound from right behind me.
Wondering what it was, I turned over to that side and saw Umi changing from her yukata to her clothes.
"Ah, good morning, Maki. Sorry, did I wake you?"
"No, I woke up a little before that… Is it about time to go?"
"Yeah. There's still time before I have to get there, but it seems Grandma and Mom are already getting ready, so I thought I'd go early."
I tend to forget because I'm in a travel mood, but the purpose of the Asanagi family's trip this time is to help with errands at Mizore-san's house. Relatives are also gathering, so they are preparing the food to be served at that time. Umi and Riku-san are in charge of cleaning and organizing the rooms, I heard from Umi last night.
"Umi, by the way, where's Riku-san? He doesn't seem to be here anymore."
"I was changing, so I kicked him out of the room just now. He's probably getting the car right now."
"Changing… I'm still in the room, is that okay?"
"It would be a waste to wake you up when you're sleeping soundly, and besides, I don't mind if you see me changing… Maki, you were watching a little, weren't you?"
"…I'm sorry."
Although it was only for a moment, Umi's white back and her light blue underwear that I saw the moment I turned over are clearly burned into my memory.
…Honestly, it was a great way to wake up.
For now, I apologized for watching her change in silence, and as Umi teased me and we played around as usual, there was a loud knocking sound on the fusuma at the entrance, as if Riku-san had returned.
"—Hey, are you done changing? I've brought the car around to the front entrance, so let's go as soon as we're done with breakfast. There's enough for three."
"Ugh, interrupting our precious time together… Yes, yes, I'm coming. Maki, it's a little early, but what about breakfast? If you're still sleepy, I can ask Shizuku-san to delay your meal."
"No, it's a bother to be the only one off schedule, and I'm awake, so I'll join you. Umi, you're coming back here before noon, right?"
"Yeah. I'll be back as soon as possible, and then we can go out and play together. Not just playing in the river, but I want to explore the town as much as possible too."
So, it's time for the swimsuit I chose during our recent shopping trip.
Of course, I brought mine too. It's been a really long time since I've used a swimsuit for anything other than swim class, but what I'm looking forward to more than that is, as expected.
"Hey, Maki~"
"What?"
"Isn't your face red? So lewd, first thing in the morning."
"N-No, it's not."
"Really? Well, then maybe I won't bring my swimsuit after all."
"That's… um,"
"…No?"
"Um… well, yes…"
I'm completely in the palm of Umi's hand, so I'll just nod honestly here.
Umi in a swimsuit—there's no way I don't want to see it. Besides, the one Umi brought isn't the one we chose the other day, but one she bought last year. So, I haven't seen her in it yet.
We took a mixed bath in the hot spring yesterday, and I got to see a lot of Umi's body, but that's that, and this is this.
"Fufu, okay. Well, I guess I have no choice but to bring it. But in return, you have to praise me honestly like you always do, okay?"
"Y-Yeah. I will."
If there's one question I have, it's whether the swimsuit Umi brought is really one she bought last year. If I believe her, then it's from last year… but no, I should stop having bad thoughts first thing in the morning.
It's okay to do it, but that's a story for a little later.
"Well, Big brother seems to have gotten tired of our flirting and gone on ahead, so shall we go after him? I'm getting hungry."
"Yeah. Ah, but before that…"
"Huh?"
And so, timing it for when Umi turned around.
—Chu.
I gave Umi's cheek a light kiss.
The moment my lips touched her, Umi's body gave a small jolt for just a moment.
"Um… Maki?"
"A-A good morning kiss… I was wondering how that would be. You know, you sometimes do it when you come to pick me up in the morning. It's not school today… but I wanted to."
"I see. Well, then, I guess it's okay, but…"
At my kiss, Umi blinked her eyes in surprise several times, and her face gradually turned red.
"I didn't mean to surprise you, I'm sorry. I'll try not to make it a surprise attack next time."
"! N-No! It's okay, it's not like that! I mean, I do it by surprise sometimes too, so we're even, so, um…"
Looking down slightly, Umi looked up at me and continued.
"…You don't have to stop, you know?"
"I see. Well, that's good then."
"Yeah. Um… you can do it whenever you feel like it, Maki. I don't mind if it's a surprise attack, I don't hate it when you do it."
"If you say so… Okay, well, I'll do it again when I feel like it."
"Yeah. P-Please do."
For now, I was relieved that she didn't seem to be put off or dislike it at all, but during breakfast after that, Umi was constantly clinging to me, so I regret that I might have gone too far in the morning.
By the way, Riku-san, who was also present, was naturally exasperated.
"—Maki, well then, I'm off."
"Yeah, see you later. Riku-san, please take care of Umi."
"Yeah. Well, see you later."
After breakfast, I saw the two of them off as they got into the car and headed to Mizore-san's house, and then I decided to walk around the inn for a bit. It would be fine to go back to my room and rest, but it's a rare trip, and it's too boring to follow my usual routine.
"Heh… So there was a place like this."
I passed by the large public bath and headed further in, and my eyes were drawn to a certain corner. I had passed by it when I was with Umi, but there were a few things you could play with, like massage chairs and a ping-pong table.
There were also a few old-looking arcade games that I had never seen before, and I was simply curious. As expected of a hot spring inn with a long history.
As I was touching everything like a baby who had found something new, I heard a voice from behind me.
"—That's something my dad put there as a hobby. You don't need money, you can play freely."
"Shizuku-san."
Apparently, she had just finished cleaning, and she was in a casual T-shirt and jeans, the same as when she first came to deliver, not the kimono that was her uniform at the inn. A towel with "Shimizu" embroidered on it was slung around her neck, she was holding a bucket in her hand, and a deck brush was slung over her shoulder.
The kimono suited her, but this style seems to suit Shizuku-san better.
"Good morning. It seems like you had a lot going on yesterday, but did you sleep well last night?"
"I was tired… I admit it was a lot."
"So, my meddling was useful for once… I checked the bathroom thoroughly just now, but there were no signs of anything."
"What signs are you talking about, what?"
"Ahaha. Now, don't pout like that."
Talking like this, Shizuku-san really feels like a nice older sister.
To me, Shizuku-san is an employee of the place I'm staying at… but perhaps because she's a childhood friend of Riku-san, I feel a strange sense of closeness to her.
As if another member of the Asanagi family had joined, without any sense of incongruity.
"More importantly, you and Umi-chan are really close, aren't you? Or are all high school couples these days like that?"
"No, people always call us a stupid couple. We don't think so, but…"
"Oh, isn't that nice? It's not like I didn't have a time like that, and you never get tired of being clingy with someone you like… I was like that too, a long time ago. Watching you two really makes me envious."
Perhaps recalling memories of that time, probably with Riku-san, Shizuku-san gave a dry smile, pressed a button on an old vending machine, and took out two bottles of milk coffee.
"Here, Maehara-kun's share. Let me treat you as a thank you for yesterday."
"Ah, yes. Thank you."
We both opened the bottle caps at the same time and took a sip. I don't have many opportunities to drink it, but I don't dislike this sweet taste.
"Shizuku-san, there's one thing I'd like to ask you."
"That serious look on you face tells me I should brace myself… So, what is it?"
"Do you still like Riku-san?"
"…Hmm."
At my question, Shizuku-san looked down as if to stare at the coffee milk left in the bottle, in a thoughtful gesture.
I've been wondering about it since yesterday, so I asked, but was it a difficult question to answer?
"…I'm sorry, I got a little carried away."
"Don't worry about it. If anything, it's my fault for always being so suggestive. Anyway, it was about whether I still like Riku-kun, right?"
"Yes."
"Hmm…"
After a moment of silence, Shizuku-san looked at me straight and answered.
"…Um, I'd say I used to like him, maybe. You know. Honestly, there are still some things I'm not sure about."
"Used to?"
"Yeah. I mean, I confessed to Riku-kun once and got rejected. When we were students, though."
"…Eh?"
That's an unexpected past.
And it wasn't a confession from Riku-san to Shizuku-san, but a reverse confession.
…I want to hear it. I really want to hear the details of that story, but Shizuku-san is in the middle of work, and I can't interrupt her too much…
"Maehara-kun, you look like you really want to hear that story."
"…Um, I'm sorry."
"Fufu, well, I guess I let my mouth run a little too much… But keep this a secret from 'Riku-kun,' okay?"
"Yes… Um, can I tell Umi?"
"Well, I'll leave that up to Maehara-kun. I don't want to make a couple who are so refreshingly stup… I mean, so sweetly close, keep secrets from each other."
"You can just say stupid couple, it's fine."
To be told that by Shizuku-san, whom I just met yesterday… Again, what am I doing first thing in the morning?
Summer trips are terrifying.
"Well then, I have work to do, so I'll make it quick. At that time… yeah, it was around the time Riku-kun was graduating from high school, in the winter, he came back once—"
And so, as Shizuku-san, who had sat down on a massage chair for customers nearby, was about to slowly open her mouth,
"—Ah, Mama."
"! Reiji."
At that moment, Reiji-kun suddenly appeared before us.
He was wearing a shirt with some buttons mismatched and shorts, as if he had hastily dressed himself, and a game console was clutched in his right hand.
From his reaction when he saw Shizuku-san, it seems he wasn't following his mother.
"Reiji, what's wrong? You shouldn't be wandering around the inn on your own again…"
"Sorry. But, when I went to the toilet, I saw onii-chan."
Reiji-kun's apologetic eyes were fixed on me.
Apparently, this time he didn't come here for his mother, Shizuku-san, but me. When he left his room to go to the toilet, he happened to see me and followed me… something like that.
"I see. But you can't, Reiji. Onii-chan isn't a friend, he's a guest here. Now, hurry back to your room… okay?"
"…I'm sorry."
He probably didn't intend to trouble Shizuku-san. With a disappointed expression, Reiji-kun properly listened to his mother and bowed his head.
Since he's holding a game console, maybe he wanted to play with me.
When we came down from the mountain together yesterday, he took a great liking to me, so maybe Reiji-kun, in his childish way, wanted to thank me for that time.
In that case, I feel bad sending him back to his room like this.
"Shizuku-san, um… if it's okay, could you let me play with Reiji-kun?"
"…!"
At my words, the light returned to Reiji-kun's sunken eyes.
Apparently, he really wanted to play with me.
To be honest, I was very happy that he thought of me that way even though we had just met.
"I'm very happy about the offer… but, is it okay? You were finally relaxing on your own, won't it be a bother?"
"No, to be honest, I was just wondering what to do with myself, being all alone and bored. Besides, games are more fun when you play with someone."
Games are fun even when you play alone, but it's also fun to play with someone you get along with.
That's what my favorite person taught me.
It's a shame that I'll miss out on the important story, but if Shizuku-san says she'll tell me, I can make an opportunity later, and it would be fine to listen to it with Umi.
"Reiji… Onii-chan is saying this, but what do you want to do? Can you listen to what Onii-chan says and be a good boy?"
"Yeah, I can."
"Really? Then, it's a promise."
After making a pinky promise, Shizuku-san, holding Reiji-kun, sat him down right next to me.
"Maehara-kun, thank you so much for everything, even though you're a guest. I'll finish my morning work early, so can I leave him with you until then?"
"Yes… Um, well then, Reiji-kun, shall we play games together?"
"Yeah!"
Not as a babysitter, but as a friend with a large age gap, I should be able to manage.
And so, for a temporary period, a duo of a four-year-old and a sixteen-year-old was born.
After seeing off Shizuku-san, who bowed her head apologetically several times, we immediately started the game. Apparently, there are reservations for guests today, but check-ins happen in the afternoon, so it's fine to play in the common area.
"Reiji-kun, there are a few, which one do you want to play?"
"Hmm… then this one."
Reiji-kun pointed to a racing game for all ages. It's a game for children with comical characters and fantasy-designed cars, but even with its simple controls, it surprisingly requires fine skills, and there are many serious players among adults, and official and unofficial tournaments are held regularly.
I have it too, of course, and I sometimes have heated battles with Umi… but this time, my opponent is Reiji-kun, so it's probably childish to get too serious.
However, when we shared the controller and started the race together…
"…"
"! Oh, that shortcut is difficult…"
I understood as soon as we started, but Reiji-kun's quite good. He might have been playing this all the time since he's often in his room for long periods, but if I had played against him online without knowing anything, I wouldn't have believed that a four-year-old was actually playing.
In the first race, I was beaten fair and square.
"Onii-chan, are you weak?"
"Mmm…"
And his taunting skills are on par with any elementary schooler. His expression has also changed from that of a quiet child to one with a bit of cheekiness.
It's cuter for a child to be like this… I know that in my head, but when I lose so easily to a child who is more than a decade younger than me, it's a little frustrating.
"L-Let's go again. I'll be serious this time."
"Okay."
After that, we just silently repeated the race. During that time, there was no real conversation between me and Reiji-kun, but since the matches were heated, I didn't feel the atmosphere was too heavy, and time just flew by.
We played almost all the courses evenly, and when I realized it, about two hours had passed since we started playing.
The results were about fifty-fifty. I feel like I concentrated more than when I play with Umi.
"Phew… Let's take a break for now."
"I still want to play."
"Of course. But it's not good to get too absorbed… I'm buying juice, what do you want, Reiji-kun?"
"…Orange juice."
"Alright. Then, I'll have that too."
I bought two paper cartons of orange juice, and Reiji-kun and I sipped them with straws.
I sometimes hear that many kids this age chew on their straws or spill their drinks, but Reiji-kun sat properly and quietly moved his throat as he drank.
…Is this kid really four years old? He seems so mature to me.
Shizuku-san's strict upbringing probably has something to do with it, but beyond that, Reiji-kun's own personality seems to be a factor.
"Hey, Reiji-kun."
"? What?"
"Why did you want to play with me? You were clinging to me all day yesterday… Don't you like onee-chan very much?"
"Onee-chan?"
"You know, the person who was next to me yesterday."
"…"
After thinking for a moment, Reiji-kun shook his head. He doesn't particularly dislike Umi, but it seems he feels a greater sense of closeness to me.
"…Onii-chan, you smell like Papa. Just a little."
"I do? Um, what kind of smell is that?"
"Hmm… like, a smoky smell."
"Smoky, you know such a word even though you're still small."
A smoky smell… does that mean the smell of cigarettes? Of course, I swear I don't smoke, but my mother who lives with me does, and I often clean the ashtrays, so the smell of ash might be lingering on my fingertips. I've heard that children have a more sensitive sense of smell and taste than adults, so maybe he's piecing together memories of his father from such faint sensations.
"Reiji-kun, do you like your papa?"
"…Yeah."
Even for me, my parents divorced when I was in junior high, so the pain of having to be separated from one of my parents at an age when I wanted to be pampered must be considerable.
Of course, I understand that there are proper reasons why Shizuku-san and her ex-husband made such a decision.
But it's difficult for the current Reiji-kun to understand that.
It's always the children who are swayed by the circumstances of adults.
…Adults are smart, but they're also very cunning.
Though it's not like I don't understand the feelings of adults.
"I see. I'm sorry for asking such a strange question. Well, we've had our juice, so shall we continue the game? What do you want to play next?"
"Yeah. Well then—"
Putting the gloomy talk aside, we resumed the game.
We played competitive puzzle games, table games, and so on, with me sometimes teaching him, and Reiji-kun taking the high ground with a "Onii-chan, you're bad at this," for another hour or so.
"—Maehara-kun, I'm sorry. I'm back."
"Shizuku-san, welcome back."
"Mama, welcome back."
"I'm home, Reiji. Were you a good boy?"
"Yeah!"
Reiji-kun got off the sofa and immediately ran to his mother and hugged her.
I had no experience taking care of small children, so at first, I was worried if I could handle him well… but as expected, games are an excellent way to communicate.
Besides, I learned a little about the situation, too.
"Ah, right. Maehara-kun, I just got a call from Mizore-san's house, and it seems Umi-chan will be back soon."
"I see. Well then, I'll be going."
When I checked, I had a message from Umi on my phone too. "I'll be back soon, so get ready"—it said.
"Onii-chan, bye-bye."
"Yeah. See you."
Well, thanks to Reiji-kun, I've managed to kill my boredom, so all that's left is to fully enjoy my time alone with Umi.