After lunch at the hotel's upscale Western restaurant, Kaguya suggested another hot spring visit.
However, Maki declined due to "discomfort," and Chika claimed sudden business, leaving only Kaguya and Takakai for the baths.
"In that case, we might as well use the private onsen in our rooms," Takakai remarked.
o be honest, even Takakai wasn't particularly enthusiastic. Yawning, he suggested using the in-room hot spring while actually planning to check out the gaming lounge.
Come to think of it, I'm supposed to be a gamer, but I haven't touched a single console since arriving...
Well... I suppose "adult games" still count as games?
"Then perhaps Takakai-kun could review the intelligence we gathered earlier? About Fujika Academy?"
Seeing everyone's reluctance, Kaguya didn't press further but proposed an alternative—her true intention being to create alone time with Takakai.
Her logic was simple: during their first month, the Shinomiya family's restrictions had limited her time with Takakai, allowing Maki to grow closer to him. To compensate, she needed to match that intimacy.
As for Hayasaka's... rather suggestive plans? Those could wait. The mixed bathing idea especially was unacceptable.
"No no no, we're here to relax. I've spent enough time studying intel I never wanted to know. Let's just enjoy ourselves."
Unfortunately, Kaguya's proposal was precisely what Takakai wanted to avoid. He refused outright and walked away.
Left standing alone, Kaguya stomped her foot in frustration before departing.
By afternoon, Maki—still walking with a slight limp—remained resting in Takakai's bed. The stained sheets had been replaced, the trail from floor to bathroom cleaned. Realizing the staff had seen evidence of last night's activities had flustered Maki immensely, even briefly entertaining extreme solutions before dismissing them.
"Feeling better?"
Returning to his room, Takakai found Maki sprawled across the bed, her hair disheveled.
"...Alive."
Maki cracked an eye open before turning away, her tone neutral.
"Need a cuddle service?"
Takakai climbed onto the bed, wrapping his arms around her through the blanket.
"Nngh—no! Still sore..."
Maki tensed instinctively before realizing Takakai wasn't initiating anything, just holding her.
"Relax, I'm not that insatiable."
He kissed her cheek gently.
"Liar..."
Despite her words, Maki melted into his embrace, nestling against his chest.
His warmth.
That comforting presence enveloped her completely.
Her breathing steadied as she drifted asleep in his arms.
Takakai remained motionless, admiring her sleeping face until his phone vibrated—Chika inviting him and Kaguya to the baths again. Glancing at the still-sleeping Maki, he carefully extricated himself and slipped out silently.
The moment the door closed, Maki's eyes snapped open.
That text... from Fujiwara? What's she planning?
Gritting her teeth, Maki rose and limped to the door, catching Takakai and Chika's voices outside.
"Takakai-kun~ You go first! I've got another fun game for after~ Hehe~"
Chika's eager footsteps faded quickly.
With just a grunt of acknowledgment, Takakai headed for the baths.
The public baths were divided into male, female, and mixed sections.
Yesterday's male bath was now labeled female, and vice versa.
Rotation? Staff error? Or...
Shrugging, Takakai entered the "male" area—yesterday's female section.
Undressing, he stepped into a shower stall.
Then came approaching footsteps.
"Surprise~"
Warm arms encircled him from behind as Chika pressed against him.
"Expected, but aren't you worried about getting caught?"
Takakai wasn't surprised, though his resolve wavered.
"I wanted to bathe with you~ Let me scrub your back again?"
Her fingers traced his muscles downward.
"How about I scrub yours first?"
Takakai turned, pulling her into his arms.
Steam filled the stall.
Giggles and splashes followed—"Stop squirming!" "Don't tickle me!"—until Kaguya's arrival.
"Fujiwara-san?"
Noticing the occupied stall, Kaguya called out.
"Ah! Y-yes! Just showering! You just got here?"
The delayed response sounded oddly flustered.
"You sound strange. Are you alright?"
Kaguya began showering in the next stall.
"J-just tired from today... Hehe... Nngh... Hehe..."
A thump against the partition. Erratic breathing.
Extremely suspicious.
"Fujiwara-san?"
Kaguya's frown deepened.
"Wh-what is it?"
The voice grew shakier. Something scraped against the divider.
"Are you sure you're not ill?"
Kaguya stepped out, approaching Chika's stall.
"...Just bumped my shoulder. Hurt more than I expected..."
Chika's voice normalized slightly, but Kaguya's enhanced senses detected a second presence—footsteps, breathing...
Someone's with her. A hostage situation?!
Kaguya tensed to break down the door—
"—I knew it... Ugh..."
Maki's voice.
"Shijou-san? You're bathing together?"
Kaguya froze mid-step.
"Maki-chan wasn't feeling well, so I'm helping~ Though she's being difficult~"
Chika sounded perfectly normal now, while muffled protests came from Maki.
"I... see. Don't take too long."
Still suspicious but lacking evidence, Kaguya returned to her stall.
Strangely, neither girl ever entered the baths proper.
Why shower if not to bathe? Where did they go? What were they doing?
This mystery would haunt Kaguya for weeks.