The moment I saw the system's next mission pop up, I knew peace was dead.
**[Mission: Enjoy a full hot springs experience with two female companions.] Reward: +5 Endurance, Unlock Secret Scene, Mystery Box x1 Penalty: Slippery floors and wardrobe malfunctions x100]
I read it. Then I read it again.
"Are you seriously putting me in an anime bath episode?!"
[Affirmative. Prepare for maximum fan service.]
The location? A luxury onsen resort newly opened downtown.
The companions? Luna and—God help me—Isabella.
Why them?
Because the system clearly hated me.
"Why am I here?" Isabella asked, arms crossed, glaring at the resort's entrance like it insulted her ancestors.
"Free spa day," Luna answered cheerfully. "And because Ethan begged."
"I did NOT beg!" I snapped.
[Host used 'Puppy Eyes' skill Lv. 3 — Success rate: 89%]
"Traitorous system," I muttered.
The changing room was already suspiciously quiet.
That is, until Luna emerged in a towel barely clinging to her. "Ethan~ you ready to soak with us?"
I short-circuited.
Behind her, Isabella adjusted her robe with military precision and gave me a warning glare that said, Look, and you die.
I turned my head so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash.
Moments later, we were submerged in a steamy onsen, awkwardly silent.
Well, mostly silent. Luna was humming a suspiciously lewd anime theme.
I tried to sink lower in the water.
"So," Isabella said finally, "why are we here?"
I panicked. "Team bonding?"
[Host's answer: Lame. Generating chaos.]
Suddenly, the system dinged.
**[Sub-Mission Activated: Shampoo Luna's Hair.] Reward: +1 Intimacy Point, View Special Event]
I stared at the pop-up.
I stared at Luna.
She grinned. "You gonna wash my hair, Ethan~?"
I did what any sane man would do.
I grabbed the shampoo like it was a bomb.
Ten awkward, bubbly minutes later, I had completed the most erotic hair care ritual of my life.
Luna looked like she enjoyed it way too much.
Isabella looked like she wanted to drown me in the hot spring.
Then disaster struck.
A scream from the women's section.
"PEEPER!"
Moments later, a blur crashed into the shared bath area.
It was Cynthia, the resident yandere transfer student, wearing nothing but fury and foam.
"ETHAN! I knew you'd end up here! Who are THESE hussies?!"
"Cynthia, no—"
She slipped.
And grabbed me for balance.
And pulled me down with her.
The world went slow-mo as I fell, face-first, into a mess of towels, legs, screams, and steam.
Somewhere, the system dinged happily.
**[Bonus Mission: Accidental Group Bathing — COMPLETE] Reward: ???]
My soul left my body.
I resurfaced coughing, surrounded by three furious women.
"YOU PERVERT!"
"It wasn't on purpose!!"
[Penalty Triggered: Slippery Floors Activated]
I slipped.
Again.
One emergency evacuation, three slaps, and one police misunderstanding later, we were back in dry clothes.
"Never. Speak. Of this again," Isabella growled.
"I'm uploading the bloopers to my channel," Luna said cheerfully.
Cynthia was hugging my arm like we were married.
"I forgive you~"
I stared at the sky, defeated.
The system chimed:
[Good work, Host! You have unlocked the Cultural Festival Arc! More chaos incoming ❤️]
I whispered the only thing I could:
"God save me."