Chapter 5 The Long-Desired Hot Spring Trip
It might have been a journey about as long as a trip to my grandparents’ house.
Swaying in the car driven by Sakuna-san, we stopped at a rest area along the way to take a proper break, and finally arrived at the ryokan!
“Whoa… so this is the place, huh?”
“It’s beautiful. Surrounded by greenery… even the air feels fresh and delicious!”
“I’m gonna snap some pics♪”
“Phew, driving long-distance after such a while sure is tiring.”
Originally, this hot spring trip was planned for Golden Week… but today, it finally came to fruition as promised.
That said, there’s one unfortunate detail: the trip’s duration had to be shortened.
It was supposed to be a two-night, three-day trip, but since we’re using the school’s weekend break, it’s now just one night and two days… meaning one day less.
To make up for the shorter stay, we chose this ryokan, which offers flexible check-in times and excellent dining services.
(Gotta make these two days as packed with fun as possible!)
“All three of you, let’s head to the room first,” Sakuna-san said.
“Got it.”
“Yup~!”
With Sakuna-san leading the way, we started walking.
Amid the breathtaking view of lush green mountains filling our sights, the renowned ryokan stood before us—The Migratory Bird’s Rest.
(Man… what a stylish name.)
The Migratory Bird’s Rest… not exactly something you’d come up with on a whim, right?
But that impactful name is probably why it sticks in your memory. And if we, the travelers, are the migratory birds, it’s pretty fitting.
“Hey, Arisa,” I said.
“What’s up?” she replied.
“…This name’s got some serious flair, don’t you think?”
“Fufu, yeah. I thought it was pretty cool too.”
Chatting like that, we stepped inside the ryokan.
Even though it was a weekend after Golden Week, I expected fewer people, but I was wrong—there were quite a few guests.
“Arisa, Aina, don’t wander off, okay?”
“Ehh?”
“Yup♪”
Neither of them are little kids who’d get lost, but with all the attention they were drawing, I had to make sure to keep them close.
Maybe because I said that, both of them clung tightly to my arms.
It’s a bit embarrassing in public, but since I told them not to wander, I couldn’t exactly tell them to let go either… sigh, they’re so soft, as always.
“We’re the Shinjo party, here for our reservation,” Sakuna-san said at the front desk.
“We’ve been expecting you, Shinjo-sama. Right this way, please.”
We were promptly shown to our room.
The room felt like the essence of Japanese aesthetics condensed into one space, with the scent of tatami mats reminding me of my grandparents’ house.
“What a lovely room,” Arisa said.
“It’s so big!” Aina added.
“Are you satisfied with it?” the ryokan staff asked.
We all nodded in agreement.
To be honest, I’d assumed I’d be in a separate room, but Sakuna-san had booked just one for all of us.
“There’s no need to split up, right? Hayato-kun, you’re my daughters’ boyfriend, and to me, you’re already like a son. That’s practically family, and family stays together in the same room, don’t you think?”
I felt a bit of pressure in the latter half of her words, but what could I say to that? Honestly, I was happy about it too.
Even if it’s just for two days, this precious trip, spending the night in the same room… I know it’s not right, but as a guy, I can’t help but grin a little and just roll with it.
“Lunch will be served shortly, so we’ll bring it to your room soon. As noted in the pamphlet, there are several sightseeing spots around the ryokan, so please feel free to take a look.”
“Got it.”
“Yay~!”
Oh, we get to enjoy the food here already? Nice.
And sightseeing spots, huh… The pamphlet mentioned a few, like the Fountain of Bonds, which is apparently a must-visit for couples who come here.
“If you need anything, please feel free to call us using the intercom or stop by the front desk.”
With a polite bow, the staff left the room.
“Man… this is a nice room,” I said, lying down and using a cushion as a pillow.
The faint rustling of the trees swaying outside the slightly open window felt oddly soothing. My stomach was growling, but I could easily fall asleep like this.
As I lay there, everyone smiled at me, but Aina—whoa!?
“Boom~!” Aina shouted.
“Wah!?” I yelped.
Aina launched herself onto me as I lay there.
Startled by the incoming impact, I instinctively sat up and reached out to catch her—only to accidentally grab her ample chest with both hands.
“Ahhn~!”
The soft, marshmallow-like sensation… but when Aina let out a sound—not a suggestive one, mind you—I quickly pulled my hands away.
Maybe because of her revealing outfit, her clothes shifted slightly from my touch, and I caught a glimpse of her bold red underwear.
“Hayato-kun, you perv~,” Aina teased.
“I’m so sorry!”
“Hehe, no need to apologize♪”
Aina flashed a bright smile, fixed her clothes, and sat down beside me.
“How about instead of a cushion, you rest on my soft thighs?” she said, patting her thighs invitingly.
Yeah, her thighs would be softer than a cushion… I started to move toward her, but Arisa stepped in.
“Hey, Aina, lunch is coming soon, so let’s hold off on that.”
“…Fiiine,” Aina pouted.
Honestly, I was a little disappointed too…
But then, Arisa turned to me and said, “So, until lunch arrives, how about my lap as a pillow?”
She tapped her thighs just like Aina had, but of course, Aina wasn’t going to let that slide.
“I knew you’d pull something like that!!”
“Fufu, it’s lively, isn’t it?” Sakuna-san said, watching us with amusement.
Caught in the middle of their banter, I could only sigh as they argued on either side of me.
“Hey, Hayato-kun, whose lap is better?”
“Hayato-kun, which one do you prefer?”
“Uh…”
Please, don’t make me answer that—I can’t! They’re both amazing in their own way, so how am I supposed to choose? Just as I was racking my brain, our savior arrived in the form of lunch.
“Excuse me—lunch is here.”
The moment someone entered, the two stopped bickering but didn’t let go of me.
Soon, the meal was set up, and we dug in.
The lunch was already lavish, but apparently, dinner’s supposed to be even better. Honestly, the food alone could make this trip worth it, but we didn’t come here just to eat.
We’re here to make the most of this trip!
“Hey, why don’t we go explore the area?” Aina suggested.
“Sounds good. What about you, Mom?” Arisa asked.
“Hmm, I’m feeling a bit sleepy after eating, so I think I’ll take a nap.”
“Oh, right… you must be tired from driving,” I said.
I don’t have a license, so I can’t fully grasp how exhausting driving is, but even with breaks, it must take a toll. Plus, it’s after lunch, so it’s no surprise she’s drowsy. It’s a bit of a shame, but we’ll let Sakuna-san rest.
“We’ll head out then. I’ll make sure to keep these two safe, so please relax, Sakuna-san.”
“With Hayato-kun here, I’m not worried at all. Take care of my girls, okay?”
“You got it!”
Alright, Hayato, Sakuna-san’s entrusted Arisa and Aina to you, so no slip-ups! I gave myself a mental pep talk, thumping my chest and nodding to Sakuna-san.
“Hey, we can protect Hayato-kun too, you know,” Arisa said.
“Yeah! We can hold our own when it counts!” Aina added.
“Haha, I know. I’ll protect you two, but if I’m ever in trouble, you’ve got my back, right?”
After that exchange, Sakuna-san saw us off, and we left the room.
As we walked, flipping through the pamphlet to decide where to go, we passed by the front desk when—
“Hey, Onii-chan!”
A cheerful voice calling out “Onii-chan” made me instinctively turn toward it.
I’ve got my fair share of acquaintances, but no one calls me “Onii-chan”… yet the voice felt familiar.
“No way…”
“Hayato-kun?” Arisa said.
“What’s up?” Aina asked.
Glancing over, I saw him—the boy I met while walking near my grandparents’ house. Next to him were his mom, who I briefly spoke to, and a man who must be his dad… wait!?
“Onii-chan!” the boy shouted again, running toward me, leaving his parents behind.
By now, it was clear he was calling me “Onii-chan,” but Arisa and Aina must’ve been completely confused.
The boy leapt at me, and I caught him securely.
“To think we’d meet in a place like this!” I said.
“I was so surprised too! Are you on a trip, Onii-chan?”
“Yup, with the pretty older sisters behind me.”
“Wow… they’re super pretty!”
Haha, this kid’s got an eye for beauty—promising future ahead!
It’s kinda crazy how attached he got after just one meeting. Guess I should explain to the girls.
“So, I met this kid when I visited my grandparents’ place. We talked a bit, and I walked him home.”
“Yeah! Onii-chan even gave me a piggyback ride… and taught me something important! He helped me make up with Mom!”
“Hey, you made up with her because you apologized properly. I just gave some advice.”
“Nuh-uh! It’s all thanks to Onii-chan!”
Haha, if we keep this up, we’ll just go back and forth forever.
I didn’t give him another piggyback, but he was so darn cute that I scooped him up in a hug.
“Alright, fine, let’s say it’s thanks to me!”
“Yay! All thanks to Onii-chan~!!”
We burst out laughing together.
“Hayato-kun, you’re out there helping people we don’t even know about, huh?” Arisa said.
“You really are so kind, Hayato-kun. You’re a hero to everyone,” Aina added.
Hero, huh? That’s a bit much… but I won’t deny it outright. I’ll just take the compliment for now.
“Is Onii-chan a hero to you too, Onee-chans?” the boy asked innocently.
Arisa and Aina nodded firmly.
“Yup, he’s a super cool hero,” Arisa said.
“He saved us too♪” Aina added.
“Wow! Onii-chan’s amazing!”
Please, no more praise—I might actually get a big head!
“I’m glad we got to meet again. Say hi to your mom and dad for me, okay?”
“Okay! Bye-bye, Onii-chan and Onee-chans!”
I set him down, and he ran off, waving enthusiastically.
Judging by his demeanor, they’re probably staying here too, so we might run into him again and chat.
“Alright, let’s do some sightseeing,” I said.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Arisa agreed.
“Let’s go~!” Aina cheered.
So, where to first?
“We can’t see everything, so where do you wanna go?” I asked.
“Hmm… we should save some spots for Mom too,” Arisa said.
“Oh, then let’s go to the Fountain of Bonds first!” Aina suggested.
The Fountain of Bonds, huh… We already got those matchmaking charms during New Year’s, so hitting another romance spot feels a bit excessive, but there’s no harm in making more wishes, right? Let’s do it!
“It reminds me of New Year’s,” Arisa said.
“Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing,” I replied.
“We were fine with just the matchmaking charms, but a certain eager someone bought a childbirth charm too, didn’t they?” Arisa teased.
Yup… wonder who that cute, bold girl was.
“Hey, come on, let’s go already!” Aina urged.
“Aina, calm down a bit,” Arisa said.
“I get you’re excited, but if you trip and get hurt, it’ll ruin the trip,” I added.
It’d really put a damper on the fun.
But I know how this goes. The moment someone says something like that, it’s like raising a flag—and in this case, Aina’s bound to trip. Which means my job is to protect her!
“Aina!” I called out firmly, stopping her in her tracks and placing a hand on her shoulder.
“I might be overthinking it, but if you get too excited and hurt yourself, it’ll be a mess. I know you’re careful, though.”
“Ah… yeah, sorry, Hayato-kun,” she said, calming down.
Blushing and smiling shyly, Aina pressed herself closer to me.
Seeing Aina calm down brought a wry smile to my face, but then Arisa mirrored her, snuggling up on my other side.
“Then let’s walk like this. If the three of us stick together, there’s no need to worry, right?” Arisa said.
“Yeah! I almost forgot my plan to stick to Hayato-kun and be all lovey-dovey the whole time!” Aina chirped.
“You had a plan like that?” I asked.
With that playful exchange, we arrived at the Fountain of Bonds.
From the bridge spanning the center of the fountain, we could see koi and other creatures swimming in the clear water below.
“The water’s so clear,” Arisa remarked.
“Yeah! I kinda wanna feed the koi!” Aina added.
“Nice idea. Let’s try it later,” I said.
Maybe I’ll buy some koi food for them later… It’s not like we get chances to feed koi every day.
“You three over there, hello!” a voice called out suddenly from behind.
Arisa and Aina, still clinging to my arms, tightened their grip in surprise at the unexpected voice.
Feeling a slight pang of guilt for enjoying their soft, ample touch in such a public place, I turned to see who it was.
“…Hey,” I said.
“Hello,” Arisa replied.
“That startled me…” Aina muttered.
Standing there was a woman.
Judging by the name tag on her chest, she was likely a ryokan staff member, probably patrolling the area.
“Sorry for startling you. I assume you’re here on a trip. Is this your first time visiting?” she asked.
“Yeah, it’s our first time here,” I answered.
“I see. Are you interested in hearing about the local legends and traditions?”
Legends… about the Fountain of Bonds, right?
We had plenty of time, and since we were at a place we don’t visit often, I decided to hear the story directly from the staff.
“As mentioned in the pamphlet, this is called the Fountain of Bonds. It’s said that when couples cross this bridge, the god of matchmaking grants them their blessing,” she explained.
“Hmm…” I murmured.
“I can’t say whether it’s the power of the gods or not, but we’ve heard stories of couples who visited here getting married. We often receive thank-you calls from people saying their successful marriages were thanks to praying here.”
Well, whether this place truly has that kind of power or not, it definitely seems like an auspicious spot.
“With our New Year’s prayers, this makes it a double blessing,” Arisa said.
“Yeah! Let’s make our bond even stronger here♪” Aina added.
The two of them were still clinging to me, and though the woman tilted her head curiously at their words, she didn’t say anything then.
She probably didn’t imagine I was dating both of them. Maybe she thought we were siblings or something. It’s kind of nice being in a place where no one knows us—we can relax a bit without worrying too much.
“Then shall we pray on the bridge?” I suggested.
“Yup,” Arisa agreed.
“Sure!” Aina chimed in.
I led the two of them onto the bridge.
As expected, standing on the bridge with two girls was apparently unusual, and we drew quite a few stares. I was a bit conscious of it, but Arisa and Aina didn’t seem to mind at all.
“…It’s beautiful,” Arisa said.
“It’s all sparkly,” Aina added.
The scenery from the bridge was breathtaking.
The lush green mountains were already a stunning view, but the crystal-clear water of the fountain sparkled beautifully, and the creatures swimming in it added a charming touch.
“Alright, shall we pray?” I asked.
“Yes, let’s close our eyes,” Arisa said.
“Yup!” Aina agreed.
Closing my eyes, I offered a prayer to the fountain.
The surrounding noise seemed to fade away, creating a serene moment… Just as I thought it was about time to open my eyes, I felt a soft peck on both cheeks.
“Fufu♪” Arisa giggled.
“Ehehe♪” Aina laughed.
Of course, it was their lips that touched me.
I opened my eyes the moment they kissed me, and I clearly saw the reflection in the shimmering water—two beautiful girls kissing me.
(If there’s a god of matchmaking, would they bless an unconventional relationship like ours?)
Only the gods would know, but even if they disapproved, I don’t want to be apart from these two. I don’t need their blessing for myself, but I prayed they’d grant it to these two girls I love so much.
“We kissed, so it’s perfect now, right?” Aina said.
“I hope the gods saw it… I’m sure it’s fine,” Arisa added.
“I’m not gonna get cursed by the gods to explode or something, am I?” I joked.
The two laughed, assuring me it’d be fine.
If I ended up cursed instead of blessed because of this, that’d be rough, but unlike me, Arisa and Aina are delicate girls—they deserve the strongest blessings!
“I wanna feed the koi~,” Aina said.
“I’d like to try too. Let’s go,” Arisa replied.
Having finished our prayer, we left the bridge and headed to the koi food stand.
Buying food for three would be too much, so we got one portion to share and tossed it into the fountain.
The koi eagerly swam to the surface, mouths opening and closing—it was pretty cute… right? I think it’s cute.
“They’re so cute,” Arisa said.
“Haha, let’s toss some over here!” Aina exclaimed.
Phew, good to know they think it’s cute too.
Just watching the two of them have fun was enough to make this moment endlessly enjoyable.
Even without doing anything special with Arisa and Aina, these small moments filled me with happiness… Honestly, it’s the best.
“Oh, Aina!?” Arisa exclaimed.
“W-Wah!?” Aina yelped.
Aina leaned too far over to look into the fountain, lost her balance, and nearly fell in. Arisa quickly grabbed her arm to stop her.
“Who did you inherit that recklessness from, I wonder?” Arisa said.
“Sorry, sorry! I got a bit too excited!” Aina apologized.
Phew… I was about to jump in to help Aina too, but I’m glad it turned out fine.
“Every year, a few people accidentally fall into the fountain, so I’m glad she didn’t,” a voice said beside me.
“Huh!?” I jumped.
The voice belonged to the staff woman who’d told us about the fountain earlier. I hadn’t noticed her getting so close… Does she enjoy startling people?
“Oh, did I surprise you again?” she asked.
“Well… just a little,” I admitted.
“My apologies,” she said, bowing gracefully.
“No, no, it’s not a big deal,” I reassured her.
She lifted her head immediately and stood beside me, gazing at the fountain.
“There’s another legend tied to this fountain besides what I mentioned earlier. Would you like to hear it?” she asked.
“Hmm, I’m kinda curious,” I said.
If there’s more to this place beyond the matchmaking stuff, I wanted to hear it. It’d be a nice memory from this trip.
She nodded and began her story.
“Long, long ago, a loving couple visited this fountain. They vowed their future together here, and their marriage was just around the corner.”
“Uh-huh,” I said.
“But a few days later, the man’s infidelity was discovered.”
“…Whoa,” I muttered, feeling my cheek twitch.
To come to such an auspicious place, make vows, and then have your cheating exposed… I could only imagine how heartbroken the woman must have been. What happened next?
“Apparently, he’d been two-timing her. The man tried desperately to explain himself, but the woman, hurt by his betrayal, refused to listen. Here, where they’d sworn their love, she cursed him to suffer misfortune and then…”
“…”
“It’s said her spirit still lingers here, vowing to punish anyone who betrays the one they swore to love.”
“…That’s creepy,” I said.
“Well, it’s just a story I made up,” she added casually.
“Whaaat!?” I exclaimed.
A made-up story!?
If this were a close friend, I’d have thrown in a playful jab or two.
Her tone and the way she told it made it sound so believable—I totally fell for it!
“Hayato-kun, what’s wrong?” Arisa asked.
“You shouted pretty loud,” Aina noted.
“Uh, well…” I stammered.
“He gave a perfect reaction to my made-up story. Would you two like to hear it too?” the woman offered.
Arisa and Aina nodded, and they listened to the story. It was slightly embellished compared to what she told me, which made their reactions even more entertaining to watch.
(Cheating, huh…)
Whether it’s a true story or not, it really drives home that cheating only leads to misery.
Two-timing… I can’t say the word didn’t stir something in me, but I truly love both of them with all my heart. There’s no room for doubt anymore.
I want to stay by their sides, and I want them to stay by mine.
That’s what matters most—that’s how we are together.
“So, the moral is: cheating is an absolute no-go,” I said.
The story wrapped up, and the woman left to return to her duties. We decided to head back to the ryokan too.
Sakuna-san should’ve had enough time to rest, and since we came on this trip together, it wouldn’t be the same without her.
“…?”
Just as we started walking back to the ryokan, I suddenly turned back toward the fountain. It was the same lively scene filled with tourists, but for some reason, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
“Hayato-kun…?” Arisa called.
“Something catch your eye~?” Aina asked.
Why was I so fixated?
I felt an eerie sensation, like someone was watching me… Wait.
For a split second, I thought I saw a woman’s figure in the water.
It was obviously just an illusion or a trick of the eyes, so I laughed it off and said it was nothing, but my brief odd behavior seemed to worry the girls.
“Well… for a moment, I thought I saw a woman in the water. Probably just spooked from that story,” I explained.
“Oh, that’s what it was,” Arisa said.
“The cheating story, right, Nee-san?” Aina asked.
“Yup,” Arisa replied.
“What’s up?” I asked.
The two exchanged a nod, then clung to my arms just like when we arrived, pressing close.
“Would you ever cheat, Hayato-kun?” Arisa asked.
“With girlfriends like us, could you even think about it?” Aina added.
Their teasing smiles carried a challenging edge, as if daring me to say I could cheat despite having such amazing girlfriends. I gave a wry smile.
“No way I could. With you two around… I mean, there’s no one more amazing than you guys,” I said.
If I had to pick… maybe their mom?
As I thought that, their grip on my arms tightened, snapping my attention back to them.
“We feel the same. I don’t know any guy more amazing than you, Hayato-kun,” Arisa said.
“Yup! No matter what, you’re number one to us,” Aina added.
“…Thanks, you two,” I said, genuinely touched.
After checking that no one was watching, I kissed each of them on the cheek.
“…Not the lips?” Arisa teased.
“Yeah, Hayato-kun!” Aina pouted.
They seemed a bit dissatisfied with just cheek kisses, but they were happy enough to return kisses to my cheeks.
“We’ll save the rest for tonight,” Arisa said.
“Yup, no interruptions in the room~,” Aina added.
I’m not expecting anything weird, but I’m a little nervous about tonight.
After that, we left the fountain and returned to the ryokan. By then, I’d mostly forgotten about the woman I thought I saw or the cheating story.
Back in the room, Sakuna-san was already awake and seemed well-rested.
We went out sightseeing again with Sakuna-san, and by the time we were satisfied, it was evening.
There are still plenty of places to see, so we’ll hit them up tomorrow morning together.
“Alright, before dinner, it’s finally time for the hot springs…” I said.
Just to clarify… it’s something we talked about in the car on the way here.
This ryokan offers a so-called private open-air bath, which is essentially mixed bathing, but it requires a reservation—probably to avoid awkward encounters with strangers who have the same idea of enjoying it with loved ones or family.
Thanks to that, Arisa, Aina, and I had already secured a reservation for the private bath… which means I’m about to have a very close encounter with my girlfriends, completely bare.
“…Am I gonna be okay?” I muttered.
Will I… like, pass out from the heat or something?
As I worried, the girls tugged at my hands, urging me to hurry. Alright, I’ve come this far—there’s no backing out now!
Steeling myself, I headed with them to the paradise-like hot spring.
▼▽
A private open-air bath with your lover—a place where a man and woman can enjoy the bath in their natural state… or something like that? Honestly, I’ve never experienced anything like mixed bathing before.
“…Man, I’m freaking nervous,” I muttered, arriving at the hot spring first.
To be honest, I couldn’t bring myself to look directly at the two of them as they undressed.
How am I supposed to handle this when we’re about to bathe together?
“My, the starry sky is beautiful,” Arisa remarked.
The white steam rising around them… yeah, it’s not hiding anything.
I had a towel wrapped around my waist, and the girls… well, they weren’t exactly covering themselves with their towels either. They just held them loosely in front of their bodies, barely concealing anything.
As they walked, the towels fluttered, threatening to reveal everything, and I quickly averted my gaze.
“Hayato-kun!” Aina called out.
Spotting me standing there, Arisa and Aina raised their voices and ran toward me, their footsteps pattering.
(Damn… if I looked at them running toward me, it’d probably be an amazing sight… I mean, I’ve bathed with them before, so why am I getting so worked up now…!?)
Even after one or two—okay, several—lucky pervert moments with them, I’m still embarrassed. Though, maybe it’d be bad if I stopped feeling embarrassed about this.
“Caught you!” Arisa said.
“Gotcha~!” Aina added.
As they hugged me, the towels they were holding slipped to the ground.
With no clothing to act as a barrier, their bare skin pressed against mine, and the overwhelming softness hit me like a tidal wave.
Squishy? Soft and jiggly? Plump and plush?
All sorts of sound effects flashed through my mind… Wait!?
“U-um, you two… could you maybe let go for a sec—?” I stammered.
I just needed to calm my racing heart.
That’s what I proposed, but the two of them shook their heads with smiles.
“No way♪” Arisa said.
“Nope♪” Aina echoed.
Yup, no dice.
This situation… it’s really bad. I won’t say exactly what, but it’s bad!
If it was just touching, I could handle it… but with every breath, their chests moved slightly, and even that small motion felt massive to me.
“…!”
But then, I shivered, feeling a sudden chill.
It wasn’t a cold season, and the hot spring was warm, but the night breeze was relentless against my skin.
“Oh, right… it’s a bit chilly, isn’t it?” Arisa said.
“Now that you mention it, yeah,” Aina agreed.
Finally, they let go of me.
Relieved but also a tiny bit disappointed, I was beckoned by Arisa and Aina… huh?
“Come on, like before, we’ll wash your body for you,” Arisa said.
“We’ll scrub every inch~,” Aina teased.
“…Sure,” I mumbled.
Completely locked on with no escape, I silently let them wash me.
And, of course, I had to return the favor. Washing a girl’s body is nerve-wracking, and every time they giggled from being ticklish, I flinched. By the time we got into the bath, I was oddly exhausted.
“…Haa~”
But man, this open-air bath at a popular ryokan… it feels amazing.
The fatigue melted away, and I soaked in the hot spring, sandwiched between Arisa and Aina.
(…I’m enjoying this… right?)
I was fine, but the two of them weren’t wearing towels anymore either.
The steam and ripples in the water made it hard to see anything critical, but to my left and right were two exquisite figures… This feels like something an old noble would’ve enjoyed with a drink in hand.
“Are you nervous?” Arisa whispered in my ear.
“…Yeah, no kidding,” I admitted honestly.
I knew this was coming, but… how could I not be on edge?
Still, after a while, I started to get used to it.
Probably because I’ve been spending so much time with them… and because I’m used to their flirty approaches.
“You know, I had all sorts of plans for you, Hayato-kun,” Aina said. “Things that’d make you lose control~!”
“R-Really?” I asked.
“Yup!” she replied.
Could you not say such dangerous things with that cute face!?
As a guy, I couldn’t help but wonder what she had in mind, but more than that, I was captivated by Aina’s profile.
Gazing at the starry sky as if lost in thought, Aina continued.
“But… being on this trip with you, who I love, and Nee-san and Mom, who I love too… being with the people I care about most makes me so happy. Just taking in this beautiful starry sky feels so precious.”
“Aina…” I murmured.
“I just… want to soak in this happy moment,” she said, resting her head on my shoulder.
My heart was still pounding, but her words and calm demeanor gradually soothed me.
“I feel the same,” Arisa said.
“Arisa?” I looked at her.
Like Aina, she rested her head on my other shoulder.
“If I hadn’t met you, Hayato-kun… I probably would’ve kept hating men forever. I wouldn’t have experienced this wonderful love, or felt the desire to be yours and yours alone.”
“…”
“You can see the starry sky anytime, but feeling this happy while looking at it… that’s only because you’re here with me, Hayato-kun.”
Arisa… and Aina too, thinking of me like that.
They’ve always shown it—through their words, their actions—how much they care for me.
And I feel the same…
“…Sorry, for a second, I wondered if I even deserved to be loved this much… what a dumb thought,” I said.
“Oh, really?” Arisa teased.
“You should puff out your chest a bit more, Hayato-kun. Like, ‘I’ve got two amazing girlfriends!’” Aina said.
Maybe I should have that kind of confidence.
I’m not about to get cocky, but I’ll never forget to be grateful for meeting them. And I’ll fully embrace being the only guy who gets to be this close with them.
“…Hey, can you two let go of my arms for a sec?” I asked.
They released me, and this time, I spread my arms and pulled them both into a hug.
With a splash of water, their cute, surprised yelps echoed.
“I’m so happy to be on this trip with you two. There’ll probably be plenty more trips like this in the future… this is just the first, but it’s so fun, so happy…”
How long had I waited for this? I worked hard studying, aced my tests, and earned this amazing trip.
And at the end of it all, this incredible experience is thanks to them—their presence is just too big in my life.
“It’s only been about half a year since we got close… just that long. I want to spend so much more time with you both. So please, stick with me—Arisa, Aina.”
The two nodded, then stared at me dreamily for a while. Under their gazes, I mumbled, “…The stars are pretty, huh?”
“Pfft! Getting embarrassed and that’s what you say?” Arisa laughed.
“Haha! Hayato-kun, your face is so red~!” Aina giggled.
S-Shut up!
I knew it was cheesy, and I’m a bit embarrassed! I don’t regret saying it or feel like it was wrong, but this heat in my face definitely isn’t just the hot spring… ugh, so embarrassing!
“W-Well, let’s enjoy the bath! We’re all here in this open-air hot spring, after all!” I said, trying to change the subject.
“Oh, so you’re enjoying it too, Hayato-kun?” Arisa teased.
“You really wanted this naked bonding time, huh~?” Aina added.
“…”
Yup, I’m done for. No matter what I say, I’m screwed.
Fine, I’ll just shut up until we’re out of here! But as I steeled myself, the two noticed and grinned mischievously, taking it to the next level.
“Say, Hayato-kun, isn’t it unfair that we’re the only ones completely bare?” Arisa said.
“Yeah! And isn’t that towel around your waist kinda restrictive?” Aina added.
“W-Wait!?” I yelped.
They reached for the towel around my waist and yanked it off.
Sure, I vaguely recall something about not keeping towels in the water for hygiene reasons, grader, but this is bad!
I tried to shift my position, but my arms slipped from their shoulders and landed squarely on their chests.
(Why does this keep happening!?!?)
Is fate itself steering things in a pervy direction!?
The moment I touched them, they let out a gasp and flinched, and my body reacted in ways it shouldn’t.
Just moving won’t fix this—I need to pull away fast… but they stopped me instantly.
“Mmph!” Arisa grunted.
“Hey!” Aina exclaimed.
They pressed my hands against their chests, refusing to let go.
With no fabric to shield them, my hands were forced to press against their soft, ample curves, fighting against their elasticity.
“W-Wait!?” I stammered.
“See? Now we’re all in our natural state. This is how a bath should be~,” Aina said.
“Right. Let’s soak and relax a bit longer, shall we?” Arisa added.
“Ugh… guh…” I groaned.
What is this situation…? This isn’t just a mixed bath—it’s like they’re succubi from some manga or anime!
If I put even a little pressure on my fingers, they’d sink deeper into that soft flesh… and that small, hard thing I can feel…
“Nn…” Arisa murmured.
“Ahh…” Aina gasped.
“S-Sorry!!” I blurted, yanking my hands back.
They giggled, but their smiles were so alluring… like they could strip away my reason with just their voices.
If I can’t escape this, all I can do is empty my mind… that’s my only option!
“By the way, doesn’t this feel like… you’re some kind of king, Hayato-kun?” Aina said.
“Yeah! Like a king in a harem of indulgence!” Arisa added.
Their words instantly painted a vivid picture in my mind.
Soaking in the hot spring, flanked by two beautiful women, not only embracing them in their bare forms but also touching their chests—the very symbol of femininity… I can’t help but feel like some villainous king who’d get offed by the protagonist later!?
“But… doesn’t this make you seem like a villainous king?” Arisa teased.
“Haha, yeah… but it’s Hayato-kun, you know? A villain doesn’t suit him at all. He’s probably the secretly kind type who’s adored behind the scenes!” Aina chimed in.
Is that still a villain…?
Still, I’m flattered they think of me like that… but even so.
(Can I… make it out of here alive?)
I’ll say it again—this is just a hot spring. A private open-air bath, sure, but still just a hot spring.
Looks like I’ll need to tough it out a bit longer…!
▼▽
For me and the girls, in the end, it was just… relaxing in the hot spring, warming our bodies while reminiscing about the times since we met, chatting and laughing.
Well… the whole time, Arisa and Aina stayed glued to me.
Not only that, but my hands never left their chests either.
“…Phew, I made it out alive,” I muttered under my breath, like a warrior returning from battle.
The intensity of that situation left me a bit lightheaded, so I got out before the girls.
They said they’d be out in about five minutes, so they should be back soon.
“…I wonder how it would’ve been if Sakuna-san had joined us,” I thought.
Sakuna-san had sent us off to the private bath, saying she wanted us to enjoy our time as lovers to the fullest.
I was grateful for her thoughtfulness, but I couldn’t help feeling a little lonely, which was kind of a dilemma.
“I’m back—!?” I started to say, stepping into the room.
I’d let my guard down, which was understandable given the situation.
What caught my eye as I casually returned to the room… was Sakuna-san, in the middle of changing into her yukata.
She must’ve just come out of the room’s private bath, but I hadn’t even considered this possibility.
“S-Sorry!” I blurted, quickly turning around.
I heard Sakuna-san giggle softly.
“Fufu, it’s okay, Hayato-kun. I’m done changing now,” she said.
“…Right,” I mumbled.
Turning back, I saw Sakuna-san indeed dressed in her yukata.
The fleeting glimpse of her alluring figure lingered in my mind, but compared to that time when she was bedridden with a cold, this was nothing.
“Did you enjoy the bath with the girls?” she asked.
“Huh? Oh, yeah! It was really fun!” I replied.
…Wait.
Saying it was fun isn’t weird, right? I mean, it wasn’t like nothing happened, but it was genuinely fun… that’s for sure.
“…And it’s all thanks to your help, Sakuna-san,” I added.
“What’s that?” she asked, tilting her head.
I walked closer to her.
“Sakuna-san… it’s only the first day of this trip, but it’s been so much fun,” I said.
“…Fufu, I’m glad to hear that,” she replied with a smile.
I could thank her anytime… but I wanted to say it now.
Looking into Sakuna-san’s eyes, I continued.
“Thank you—Sakuna-Mom.”
The moment those words left my mouth, it felt like time itself froze.
Sakuna-san’s mouth hung open, and she didn’t say anything, which made me feel embarrassed for blurting it out so suddenly.
Did I mess up? Just as I thought that, Sakuna-san stood and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Calling me Okaasan… Hayato-kun, Hayato-kun, Hayato-kun!!” she exclaimed.
“S-Sakuna-san…” I stammered.
I’m taller, so her face pressed against my chest, but with her arms wrapped tightly around my back, I could feel her ample curves against my stomach—surpassing even Arisa and Aina’s…!
“I’m so happy, Hayato-kun… to hear you say that♪” she said.
“Uh, yeah…” I managed.
“Okaasan… Okaasan… fufu… ufufufufu!” she giggled.
Okay, that’s a little scary…
But consciously calling Sakuna-san “Okaasan”… seeing her like this, how could I possibly regret it?
Soon after, Arisa and Aina returned, and it was time for dinner.
“This is so good!” Aina exclaimed.
“What kind of fish is this…?” Arisa wondered.
“Phew, a drink after a bath is the best,” Sakuna-san said.
Lunch was amazing, but as the ryokan staff had promised, dinner was even more incredible.
There was a lot of seafood, and the fugu sashimi was especially exquisite.
“…”
So, I was thoroughly enjoying dinner.
But aside from that, my eyes kept wandering… probably because of their yukata-clad figures.
They were probably wearing them normally, but the glimpse of their cleavage from the yukata collars was hard to ignore. Sakuna-san, perhaps warmed by the sake, had loosened her yukata slightly, saying she felt hot.
“…Oh?” Sakuna-san said.
She spilled a bit of sake, and it trickled from her mouth down to her chest… miraculously pooling in her cleavage like some mystical fountain.
As I stared, she noticed.
“No sake for you yet, Hayato-kun. We’ll drink together when you’re an adult,” she said.
“Y-Yes!” I replied.
“If you really want, you could lean in and drink from here,” she teased.
What does that mean!?
Her words made my heart skip, and seeing my reaction, Arisa and Aina exchanged a nod. They deliberately spilled tea into their own cleavages… Hey!?
“Hayato-kun,” Arisa said.
“You can drink, you know?” Aina added.
…
The first day of our long-awaited hot spring trip was, as expected, filled with heart-pounding moments and joyful memories… phew.
▼▽
A night on a trip could easily be a restless one.
Sakuna-san, who’d rested earlier in the day, was already asleep thanks to the sake, her steady breathing audible… but that was the only sound.
“Hayato-kun, you awake?” Arisa whispered.
“Hayato-kun, you up?” Aina echoed.
“…Yup,” I replied.
Of course I’m awake.
I don’t know why I can’t sleep—maybe my body’s still buzzing from all the fun, demanding to keep going.
“Can’t sleep either?” I asked.
“Maybe not…” Arisa said.
“Hmm, wonder why~,” Aina mused.
They can’t sleep either… I glanced at them alternately, and they both turned to face me, lying on their sides.
I thought I’d just fall asleep under their gazes, but then—
The two, lying on either side, slowly inched closer… ignoring my hushed attempts to stop them, they completely invaded my futon.
“Well, isn’t this what a trip’s night is about?” Arisa said.
“Yeah, Hayato-kun, didn’t you do this with friends? Hanging out and having fun before bed?” Aina added.
“This is fun, but… come on!” I whispered.
…Gotta keep my voice down since Sakuna-san’s sleeping.
Wait, Aina’s shushing me with a finger to her lips? Am I the bad guy here!?
“…This is kinda thrilling,” Arisa said.
“Yeah… it’s so dark, it’s making my heart race,” Aina agreed.
They’re right—I’ve had moments like this before. Staying over at a friend’s house or during school trips, unable to sleep and messing around with classmates… maybe even sneaking into someone’s bed to goof off… though that was probably back in elementary school. I don’t quite remember.
“But our pranks aren’t kid stuff,” Arisa said.
“Yeah, Hayato-kun, your heart’s pounding like crazy!” Aina teased.
“Who wouldn’t be like this…?” I muttered.
They were rubbing my stomach… it tickled, and their touch was so suggestive… isn’t this just a repeat of the hot spring!?
“No complaints, right? You did grab our chests in the bath,” Arisa said.
“That was our doing, Nee-san. You can’t blame Hayato-kun,” Aina countered.
Yes, Aina!!
“Hmm? Your hands seemed way more suggestive than mine. Stop trying to score sneaky points,” Arisa shot back.
“Sneaky…? That’s a bit much, Nee-san,” Aina replied.
“Huh?” Arisa said.
“What’s that?” Aina retorted.
The sudden tension made me panic, but then they both giggled… ugh! They were totally playing me!
“We might argue sometimes, but it’s rare,” Arisa said.
“Yup♪ So don’t worry, Hayato-kun. We wouldn’t ruin the mood with you right here,” Aina added.
“…Phew,” I sighed in relief.
This is just another moment of closeness, one of the joys of a sleepover. At least right now, I’m incredibly happy.
We kept chatting and ended up staying up late… and their hands never stopped roaming my body the whole time.
…
Huh?
“What…?” I mumbled, tilting my head.
Despite their hands teasing me, I must’ve dozed off for a bit.
“Zzz… zzz…” Arisa breathed.
“…Munya,” Aina mumbled.
Glancing left and right, I saw Arisa and Aina sleeping soundly, their faces adorable… and just so beautiful.
Beyond Aina, Sakuna-san was also asleep, and the playful, suggestive atmosphere from before dinner and the lively dinner itself felt like a distant memory in this quiet moment.
(…What do I do? I’m wide awake now.)
It’s just past midnight… still hours until dawn, and I’m not sleepy at all. Annoying.
If I’m sleep-deprived and can’t fully enjoy the second day of this trip, that’d suck… Alright, I’ll try my hardest to sleep.
If I lie still and close my eyes, I’ll fall asleep… I can do this!
“Hayato-kun…” Arisa’s voice reached my ears.
Both she and Aina were still facing me, and even if it was just sleep-talk, hearing my name made me look.
Her yukata had slipped, revealing her ample cleavage… I mean, I can’t help it, right?
“…So sexy,” I muttered, nodding firmly.
She’s really sexy.
It was like that in the hot spring, and they teased me before bed… so maybe it’s okay if I pull a little prank on them?
…Gulp.
Me initiating something with them… that’s rare.
It’s thrilling, but it also feels like I’m about to commit some grave sin.
“…Poke.”
I gently poked Arisa’s cheek. She didn’t wake, just squirmed ticklishly.
Her reaction was so cute that I turned to Aina next.
She was sleeping just as deeply, so a little prank like this seemed harmless.
“…Poke.”
Aina didn’t wake either… but her cute reaction made me keep going.
“…Times like this, there’s another place I’d love to poke,” I mumbled.
My eyes drifted to their softly rising and falling chests… that tempting softness.
They pranked me, so it’s only fair, right? That’s what I thought, but touching their chests while they sleep? That’s too much! It’s sacrilegious, like I’d be cursed!
No way I’m touching their chests while they’re asleep! I pushed down my urges, closed my eyes, and chanted, Sleep, sleep!
Of course, I couldn’t fall asleep right away, so I resorted to counting sheep in my head—knowing it probably wouldn’t work… but eventually, I drifted off.
However… even if it was just a small prank, I did mess with them.
Maybe that’s why… that night, I had a slightly scary dream.
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