Chapter 174 – Just the Two of Us (1)
I felt bad about Riku-san’s awkward parting with Shizuku-san, but it was about ti for us to check in at Shimizu Inn, so we had to leave soon.
“See you later, Grandma.”
“See you, Riku. You’re an adult now, so take a good care of Umi-chan, you hear ?”
“Thanks for the lunch today, Grandma. It was tasty!”
“Ah, glad to hear that, Umi-chan. Co back whenever you want to, okay? You too, Maehara-kun, you’re always welco here.”
“…Thank you.”
Even though we’d eaten the 1m soft-serve, Shimizu’s food was so tasty that Umi and I managed to devour not only the sushi and appetizers, but also the waterlon that Mizore-san prepared for us as dessert.
Tomorrow’s morial service would be the gathering of the Asanagis, so I wouldn’t be able to attend, but I would drop by here again the day after to thank Mizore-san for her hospitality.
After saying goodbye to Sora-san who would stay at Mizore-san’s place, the three of us went to Shimizu. We drove back through the mountain path we ca on.
As we got closer to where Shimizu was located, the pungent odor of sulfur beca stronger.
“I’m going to park the car, so you guys should go ahead and wait for inside. Don’t wander around until I get there, okay?”
“I know! Stop treating like a kid!”
“You ARE a kid, young lady. I’ll leave her to you, Maki.”
“Yes.”
After Riku-san dropped us at the entrance, we entered the building first.
The exterior of the building looked quite old, but when we got inside, everything was pretty much brand new. They probably renovated the place recently. The door was automatic and the entire lobby was well lit. As I took a step inside, the sll of wood combined with the unique scent of the hot spring greeted .
“Welco! We’ve been waiting for you!”
Then, Shizuku-san, who was standing near the counter, ran up to us.
“Hello, you two! I was thinking of this when I saw you two before, but you two get along really well, huh?~ You two look so passionate and it’s enviable!”
“R-Really? You haven’t seen anything yet, though… Ei~”
Umi imdiately held even closer as she wrapped her arms around mine. It was the first ti she’d shown off how lovey-dovey we were in front of a stranger. Well, Shizuku-san was Riku-san’s childhood friend, but this was our first ti eting her.
I took a glance at Shizuku-san while dealing with Umi’s antics. Shizuku-san’s smiling face froze after seeing us.
“Ah, youth~ Anyway, your room is ready! I’ll show you around when Rikkun arrives. Also, since you two are precious guests of our inn… Welco to our inn, Asanagi-sama.”
After saying that, she slowly lowered her head. Currently, she was wearing a kimono, the proper attire for a ryokan attendant. Unlike the previously cheerful atmosphere, she had a serene aura now.
Her workload was quite sothing, huh? Not only did she have to handle the food delivery, but she had to serve guests staying at the inn as well.
The three of us chatted for a bit and Riku-san arrived shortly after.
“Yo. You listened to properly this ti– Huh?”
“Welco to our inn, Asanagi-sama. Thank you for visiting us today… Just kidding~ Hehe, did I surprise you?”
“I-I thought it was soone else for a mont… It was you, huh, Shizuku?”
“Of course! I’m already an adult, so I can do things like this too, you know? So, how do I look?”
“Uh, you look normal?”
“…You never change, huh, Rikkun?”
Riku-san looked away as Shizuku-san smiled kindly at him.
It had been a long ti since they’d seen each other and there was still an awkward air between them, but both of them seed to be content with the situation.
Especially Riku-san.
“Maki, don’t you think those two have sothing going on between them?”
“Kinda, yeah.”
I knew that they were childhood friends, but there was probably sothing more there, or they wouldn’t be creating such a warm and fuzzy atmosphere.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they told us that they were dating. Though, I didn’t know for sure if Shizuku-san was currently single or not.
The atmosphere between them was calm. Both of them were trying to be considerate toward each other.
Especially Shizuku-san.
“Well, I’d really love to let you et the proprietress, but she’s a little busy right now, so that has to wait until dinner. Speaking of which, when will you have your dinner?”
“Around 8pm would be fine for , what about you guys?”
“Anyti is fine.”
“Sa.”
“Got it. 8pm then, Shizuku.”
“Alright~ I’ll let my father know.”
After finishing all the check-in procedures, we went to our room.
Shizuku-san led us through the sliding door to a spacious room. This room was originally supposed to be for four people, but since the inn didn’t have many guests and the Asanagis were regulars here, they let us stay here on a discount.
“Maki, look! The scenery outside looks so beautiful!”
“T-This…”
Umi beckoned to look out of the window and I did.
There was a small waterfall that cascaded down like white threads. If I looked a little further, I could see the mountain path we took to get here. The breeze that ca through the window felt pleasant to the touch.
This room was probably one of the best rooms they had. I left my accommodation expenses to Sora-san, but I doubt it was enough to pay for this room… Well, let’s not think about that for now.
“Hehe, please enjoy your stay. I’ll be at the front desk, so just call with the phone there if you need anything.”
After a brief explanation about stuff like al tis and bath hours, Shizuku-san left the room and we could finally settle down.
It was a little after 4pm, so it would be fine if we were to stay inside, but that would be a waste of ti.
“Umi.”
“Hm? What’s up? Are you asking out on a date?”
“Well, yeah… Do you want to walk around with ? There seems to be a trail nearby.”
There was a simple map on the small table in front of us that showed the way to the spring in this area.
If we were to walk slowly, we could go there and back in about an hour, just enough ti to soak ourselves in the hot spring afterwards.
“…I’m going to take a nap, so go on without . That way I wouldn’t be annoyed looking at you guys.”
“You sure you won’t bring Shizuku-san into the room instead? She’s still on the clock, so don’t do anything stupid, okay?~”
“As if! Hurry up, I’ll tell the front desk that you’ll be out! Also, Maki, keep this idiot on a tight leash so she won’t get lost in the mountain.”
“Haha… I’ll keep that in mind. Let’s go, Umi.”
“Mm.”
We walked out for our date while holding hands. Our distance was closer than usual this ti.
The relationship between Riku-san and Shizuku-san made feel concerned, but I was here to spend more ti with Umi, not to pry about those two.
This was a rare occasion, so I would definitely spend as much ti as I could together with my lovely girlfriend.
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