Novels2Search

Week 15 and 16 - #12

> Information

>

> Nagata’s current stress is 150. (Very high)

> This can always be viewed in the wiki.

>

> You will spend two days at the resort and return home Sunday afternoon.

>

> Time for activities

> Saturday: Morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, evening, night

> Sunday: Morning, early afternoon

>

> After each selection, the people performing an activity change up.

> For example, Kaiba is having breakfast now, but could be enjoying a massage in the early afternoon.

> Some activities may not be available until later in the day.

>

> Decision (Morning)

> >1 - Eat a healthy breakfast with some others (Yukimori, Enatsu Mari, Kaiba, -10 stress)

> >2 - Receive a relaxing massage (Chigusa Iki, -30 stress)

> >3 - Play some games in the lobby (Watase Yoko, Matsuno Kojiro, -10 stress)

> >4 - Clean yourself and stay in the sauna for a bit (-20 stress)

> >5 - Rinse off your body and head for the hot spring (-30 stress)

>

> Winner

> >5 - Rinse off your body and head for the hot spring (Ichihara Riko, -30 stress)

Everything else is just appetizers, the main course of this resort is the hot spring.

You know, the others know it, the owners know it, everybody knows it.

It’s time to visit the hot spring and allow it to carry your worries away.

The hot spring part of the resort consists of several area among which a reception with an entrance to the male and female lockers rooms, the locker rooms to stash your clothing and items, a washing/rinsing area, and then the hot spring itself.

As Nagata arrives at the reception area, a young woman just enters the room after ducking underneath a coloured cloth with the kanji for “Women” on it.

“Ah, welcome,” she says as she puts her hands together and then bows, “I am Matsudaira Asa.“

She’s wearing traditional Japanese clothing much like the rest of the staff, but hers are green.

”I just put fresh towels in the locker rooms,” she says with a friendly smile, “Please, don’t forget to wash your body before entering the hot spring.”

[https://assets.legendkeeper.com/1f4829c6-ccb3-429d-bd40-c54f877f0f38.png]

Etiquette dictates that you thoroughly wash your body before entering the hot spring and do everything you can to avoid sullying the water.

“Of course,” you say, bowing slightly, then blush in embarrassment, “Are there… eh...”

You haven’t been to a public bath in many years and the idea to put everything on display for people you work with, even if they are women, is an unnerving thought.

“Modesty towels can be found near the exit facing the hot spring, but please avoid taking these into the water with you,” she says, guessing the question from your expression.

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“Ah, thank you,” you reply.

“In the event of an emergency, there’s a button on the wall near the entrance, it’ll ring an alarm here and at the receptionist’s desk,” she says with a conclusive tone, “Enjoy your stay.”

You bob your head in thanks and move into the locker room.

Once there you take off and then store your clothing and phone.

The lockers sport a small colour wheel to indicate whether the locker is occupied or free.

Seems like there’s only one other guest in here at the moment.

Once all your clothing is securely locked away, you move into the bathing area to wash up.

You showered back home before heading towards Kitabayashi, but since you had to wrestle Azuki into the cat carrier there’s probably cat hairs on you somewhere.

After taking some time to rinse your body and wash any hairspray out of your hair, you’re ready for the bath.

You take a modesty cloth and make sure your delicates are covered before heading towards the hot spring.

You swallow and open up the sliding door.

There was a time when you would brazenly walk into the bathing area in stuff like public baths, but those years are long gone.

You can’t help but feel self-conscious knowing there’s somebody else in there.

After taking a few careful steps, you notice a girl in the bath – Ichihara Riko.

She isn’t paying you any mind; she’s just lounging and staring into empty space – her mind occupied by other thoughts.

[https://assets.legendkeeper.com/60a48fd9-a1ab-4fa2-9a71-ce485bda14c7.jpg]

You faintly recall that allowing your hair to soak in the hot spring is considered bad etiquette, but Ichihara doesn’t seem to care.

She hasn’t even bothered to take out her hair-ties.

Quietly tip-toeing your way to the bath, you wrap your small towel around your head.

Hopefully it will contain your hair and perhaps serve as a subtle hint to Ichihara.

You slide into the hot spring and the warm water immediately soothes your body.

Despite your best efforts, a sound of relief escapes you, “Aaaah~”

You really needed this.

Ichihara turns her head in your direction, her expression unchanged, “Oh, Nagata-san,” she says, “Hello.”

“Hello, Ichihara-san,” you say, sliding deeper into the pool and allowing the hot water to raise up to your neck.

”Mind if I join you,” you say, mere courtesy.

“Sure,” she says, “I’m getting out soon. I just hoped to get in before the rush.”

You cock your head, “Wouldn’t it be more fun with the others?” you say, “Get to know the other girls?”

Ichihara sighs, “I’m not here to be friends with them,” she says, “They’re rivals, at best.”

Perhaps it’s the hot spring doing its work, but it seems like Ichihara is tired of putting up appearances.

“What about Watase Yoko-san, hmm?” you ask, “Isn’t it a lot of fun to go on jobs with her?”

You suffer through a brief moment of realization that, with age, you’ve become just like the older ladies that used to ask you silly questions during high school.

In a way it’s incredible that Kitabayashi has manged to cling to her youthful personality.

Ichihara gets up and sighs, done with being interrogated, “She’s a pain, such a pain,” she says, water streams off her body as she gets out of the hot spring, “I’m getting out.”

Seems like you scared her off.

On the bright side, it seems like the entire hot spring now belongs to you!

You glance left. You glance right. Nobody.

Taking a deep breath and removing your head towel, you dunk your head underwater, then pop up again, “Pwoah!” you say, taking a breath.

“Dear customer,” says a serious voice from a distance away, “Please refrain from submerging yourself completely.”

“Yes!” you shout, a shiver running over your spine.

That’s not fair! Ichihara had her hair in the water the entire time!

Why is it always YOU that gets caught!?

You spend the next hour enjoying the hot spring while making sure to take frequent breaks to allow your body to cooldown.