After enjoying lunch at the hotel's high-end Western restaurant, Kaguya suggested visiting the hot springs again in the afternoon.
However, Maki claimed she wasn't feeling well and opted out, while Chika excused herself with sudden "urgent business," leaving only Kaguya and Takakai to go to the baths.
"At this point, we might as well just use the small private onsen in our rooms..."
To be honest, even Takakai wasn't particularly enthusiastic. Yawning, he mentioned returning to his room's bath, though what he really wanted was to check out the hotel's gaming lounge.
Come to think of it, I've always been a gamer, but I haven't touched a single console or PC since arriving here yesterday...
Well... I suppose "adult games" still count as games, right?
"That's true. But Takakai-kun, would you like to review the information we gathered earlier? About Fujika Middle School?"
Seeing the lack of enthusiasm, Kaguya didn't push further, instead proposing an alternative plan.
Her goal was simple: create an opportunity to be alone with Takakai.
She had reflected deeply—during the first month, her limited interactions with Takakai due to the Fournier family's restrictions had allowed Maki to grow closer to him. To make up for lost time, she needed to maximize their moments together now.
As for those... questionable plans Hayasaka suggested that bordered on seduction... I should probably shelve those for now. At the very least, the mixed bathing idea is completely unacceptable.
"Nah, come on, we're here to relax. Please don't drag me into work stuff now. I've already spent way too much time going through reports I couldn't care less about. Since we're supposed to be on vacation, let's just focus on unwinding."
Unfortunately, Kaguya's suggestion was the exact opposite of what Takakai wanted. He flat-out refused and walked away without hesitation.
Left standing alone, Kaguya froze for a moment before stomping her foot in frustration and storming off.
By afternoon, Maki was still walking with a slight limp and looked exhausted, so she remained in bed—specifically, Takakai's bed.
The stained sheets had already been replaced by housekeeping, and the... traces leading from the floor to the bathroom had been thoroughly cleaned. Realizing the staff had seen the aftermath of last night's activities had sent Maki into a brief panic, even conjuring wild thoughts like [Should I silence the maids who know about this?] Of course, she would never act on such impulses—just imagining it was her limit.
"How are you feeling? Any better?"
Returning to the room, Takakai immediately spotted Maki lying disheveled in bed and approached with concern.
"...Still alive."
Having sensed his return earlier, Maki finally opened her eyes, glanced at him, then turned away with a deliberately neutral tone.
"Need some cuddle service?"
Without missing a beat, Takakai climbed onto the bed, wrapping an arm around her over the blanket.
"Ngh—no! It still hurts...!"
Startled, Maki instinctively tried to squirm away—only to realize Takakai was just holding her, not initiating anything further. She relaxed slightly.
"Relax, I'm not that insatiable."
He leaned down, gently kissing her cheek.
"Yeah right, idiot..."
Despite her grumbling, Maki's body obediently nestled against his, curling into his embrace.
His warmth.
That comforting presence, so vivid and real, enveloped her completely.
Her breathing gradually steadied as she closed her eyes, drifting off in Takakai's arms.
Takakai remained perfectly still, admiring the sleeping girl's face in silence—until his phone buzzed. Checking it, he saw a message from Chika, now free and inviting him and Kaguya to the hot springs again. After a moment's thought, he carefully extricated himself without waking Maki and slipped out quietly.
The moment the door closed, Maki's eyes snapped open.
That text... I only got a glimpse, but wasn't it from Fujiwara?
What is she planning with Takakai-kun?
Anxious, she sat up, wincing as she stepped onto the floor. Moving to the door, she overheard Takakai and Chika's voices in the hallway.
"Takakai~ You go ahead and bathe first! After that, I've got a fun new game for us, ehehe~"
Chika's eager footsteps faded quickly.
Takakai simply acknowledged with a hum before heading downstairs toward the baths.
The hotel's public hot spring area was divided into three sections: Men's Bath, Women's Bath, and Mixed Bath.
Takakai had visited the men's area yesterday, but today, he noticed the signs for Men's and Women's had been swapped.
Do they rotate them? Was it a staff mistake? Or... something else?
Puzzled but unfazed, Takakai entered the "Men's Bath"—which, based on the layout, was actually yesterday's Women's Bath.
After undressing, he stepped into the shower area, choosing a stall and turning on the water.
Then, he heard approaching footsteps.
"Ehehe~ Surprise!"
A warm body pressed against his back as Chika's playful voice rang out.
"I had a hunch, but aren't you worried about getting caught?"
Takakai wasn't shocked—just acutely aware his self-control was being tested again.
"No choice~ I wanted to bathe with you in the big bath! So, like last time, I'll scrub your back, okay?"
Her hands glided down his spine, tracing his muscles.
"How about I scrub yours first?"
In one motion, Takakai turned and pulled her into his arms.
The steamy stall fell quiet save for the rushing water.
Muffled giggles and whispers followed—"Ah, stop squirming!" "Don't tickle me!"—until Kaguya's footsteps interrupted.
"Fujiwara-san?"
Noticing the occupied stall, Kaguya called out.
"Ah—y-yes! It's me! I'm just... washing up. Did you just get here, Kaguya-san?"
The delayed reply sounded oddly flustered.
"Yes. Are you alright? Your voice sounds strange."
Kaguya started the shower in the next stall.
"I'm... fine! Maybe just a little dizzy from running around today? Ehehe... nngh... ehe..."
A soft thud followed, like something bumping against the partition.
The breathing from the other stall grew uneven.
Something's off.
"Fujiwara-san?"
Kaguya frowned.
"Y-Yes?!"
The response was even shakier now.
Another noise—something scraping against the stall wall.
"Are you sure you're okay? You're not sick, are you?"
Turning off her shower, Kaguya stepped out, water still dripping, and approached Chika's stall.
"...I'm fine! Just bumped my shoulder. It hurts, but I didn't want to yell, ahaha... ha..."
Chika's voice steadied slightly, but Kaguya's enhanced senses had already picked up on the irregularities—the second set of footsteps, the other person's breathing.
There are two people in there.
Is someone threatening Fujiwara-san?
Alarm bells rang as Kaguya braced to break down the door—
—until the second voice spoke.
"I knew it... ugh..."
Maki.
The second person was Shijou Maki.
"Shijou-san? You're bathing with Fujiwara-san?"
Kaguya froze mid-step.
"Yep! Maki-chan wasn't feeling well, so I'm helping her wash~ Though she's being a bit stubborn, ehehe."
Chika's tone was perfectly natural now, while Maki's stifled protests continued.
"I... see. Take your time, then."
Despite lingering doubts, Kaguya returned to her stall, listening to the occasional bickering next door as she hurriedly finished showering. She headed to the baths alone, noting that Chika and Maki never joined her.
If they came to the shower area, they must've planned to bathe. So why didn't they?
Where did they go afterward? What were they doing?
This enigmatic incident, along with its unanswered questions, lingered in Kaguya's mind, troubling her for a long time to come.