Splash—
Hot water streamed from the showerhead as Takakai rinsed off before wrapping a towel around his waist and stepping out to the hotel's large outdoor hot spring.
Under the dim night sky, steam rose from the water in ethereal wisps. The fluorescent lights lining the stone path added a dreamlike quality to the scene.
This was after Takakai and Maki had returned from their outing, joined the others for dinner at the hotel's upscale restaurant, and rested for a while.
"Haah... not bad..."
Sinking into the hot spring, Takakai exhaled deeply and stretched in the water.
He had the entire pool to himself. Gazing at the tall bamboo wall separating the genders, his imagination ran wild about what might be happening on the other side.
Right now, Chika and Maki are probably enjoying themselves in the women's bath. Ahh, how nice... I wish I could join them. Though my relationship with Kaguya isn't that close yet... If I get closer to all three, maybe we could have mixed bathing someday?
Well, even if a four-person bath is impossible now, at least Chika and I could... Probably not tonight, but maybe tomorrow? I've heard girls with bigger chests float higher in water - wonder if that's true? Maki probably wouldn't float much, but they say women can have second growth spurts depending on their partner's... abilities...
A smirk crept onto Takakai's face as his thoughts spiraled.
He submerged almost completely, stretching and even swimming briefly in the spacious pool.
There was no need to worry about disturbing others - the hotel had been completely booked out by Kaguya's group. As VIP guests, even if Takakai decided to blow up the hot spring, the staff would probably bow and compliment his demolition skills.
The privileges of wealth...
Come to think of it, I remember hearing about some Japanese hot spring that hadn't changed its water in ten years, with bacterial levels 9000 times over the limit... Please don't tell me it's this one.
The unpleasant thought made Takakai pause mid-swim.
Better not dwell on that. Just enjoy the bath.
But when he reopened his eyes and looked up, the floating black shadows in the air killed his relaxation completely.
...Guess I wasn't going to enjoy this anyway.
Takakai's expression twisted slightly as he stared at the grotesque, misshapen, downright hideous creatures before him.
This feeling... how should he put it? It was like having a fresh, steaming pile of excrement placed right next to a plate of fragrant grilled fish, forcing him to endure the stench while trying to eat. Or maybe it was more like ordering an overly sweet milk tea, only to have the person at the next table suddenly vomit a rainbow—complete with little black "pearls" mixed in—just as he was about to take his first sip. Why the hell am I tormenting myself with such disgusting analogies?
After letting his chaotic thoughts run wild for a moment, Takakai yawned. A few more minutes of soaking, and he found the whole thing unbearably dull. He stood up decisively and left.
While Takakai was killing time, over in the women's baths, Kaguya and Maki's gazes were razor-sharp.
Their eyes were locked onto a certain pink-haired girl lounging in the hot spring, whose... assets were buoyantly supported by the water.
"Mmm... the onsen feels amazing~" Fujiwara Chika moaned in satisfaction.
Kaguya remained silent.
"Hehe, I wish I could come soak every day," Chika stretched, her body swaying dramatically.
Maki's pupils constricted.
How... how is this possible?
She'd always known Chika was well-endowed, but why did it seem like she'd gotten even bigger recently?
There's no way someone's body changes that much in just a few days! What kind of sorcery is this?!
Shijou Maki's mind was in complete disarray.
She's gotten even curvier...
It's like a succubus reincarnated as a human, growing up solely to seduce men! That body, those proportions... damn it, why can't I stop feeling jealous?! How did she develop like this?!
Shinomiya Kaguya tried to suppress it, but resentment bubbled up uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, Chika herself was blissfully unaware of the two girls' stares, fully immersed in the soothing heat.
The soreness is finally easing up...
Takakai had been a little too rough with her a few days ago, leaving bruises in several places. Though the swelling had gone down, a dull ache lingered. Girls really have it tougher their first time... That idiot Takakai should've been gentler. Though... I kinda liked it rough...
Her cheeks flushed as she recalled their passionate moments.
Tonight... Ah, no. I already promised Maki-chan the next turn. Ugh, this is so embarrassing... Who knew I'd be into this kind of [play]? If Takakai finds out, will he think I'm too lewd?
Unconsciously, she pressed her thighs together.
"Hey, do you think Takakai-kun is bored all alone in the men's bath?" Chika suddenly murmured, glancing at Maki and Kaguya.
Maki frowned. "Why would soaking in a hot spring be boring?"
Chika giggled. "But Takakai-kun gets lonely so easily~ Maybe he's wishing we'd join him?"
Kaguya scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous, Fujiwara-san. Takakai-kun has self-control. He wouldn't indulge in such fantasies."
Huh?
Chika's gaze turned oddly pitying. "...Is that what you think, Kaguya-sama?"
Without waiting for a reply, she shifted her attention to Maki. "What about you, Maki-chan?"
Wait, why is she ignoring me now?! That look—it's like she's saying I'm not even in the race!
Kaguya clenched her fists but bit back her retort. For the first time, she realized the airheaded Chika had somehow surpassed her in... something.
What changed? When did she grow like this?
Maki huffed. "Why would I tell you? If I had an opinion, I'd tell Takakai-kun directly!"
Chika pounced. "Aww, don't be shy~"
"W-Wait, stop—ahh!"
Splashes erupted as the pink-haired menace playfully harassed the flustered brunette. To Kaguya, it looked like a demon lord toying with a pure-hearted angel.
...I should help, but if I get close, she'll drag me into her games too. Sorry, Maki. As a fellow elite, you'll have to endure this for both of us.
Kaguya calmly resumed soaking, watching Maki flail.
Later, the trio found Takakai dozing on a lobby bench.
"You're done?" He yawned, blinking at the three girls in yukata.
Chika immediately latched onto his arm. "Takakai-kun! My game club made a custom Monopoly set! Wanna play?"
"Hey, don't just cling to him—guh!?"
Predictably, Maki charged in—only for Chika to pull her into the embrace, sandwiching them both against Takakai.
Hmm. Play it cool, or go for the double hug?
Takakai deliberated for 0.02 seconds before wrapping his arms around both.
"Don't worry, Maki-chan can play too!" Chika wriggled free to wave at Kaguya. "Kaguya-sama, you're joining, right?"
Kaguya stood frozen, her brain crashing like a Windows 11 update mid-installation.