In the end, under Haru's suggestion, even Yukino, who had originally wanted to stay inside, decided to come along.
Once they were outside and surrounded by a different kind of scenery, her mood visibly improved. She still preferred staying indoors, but since she was already out, she figured she might as well make the most of it—and maybe take a few pictures too.
Click.
Yukino quickly pressed the shutter and captured a shot she really liked.
It showed Haru walking past a tree just as a few withered, damp leaves fell onto his head. Startled by the sensation of wet foliage landing on him, he instinctively reached up and brushed them off, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and surprise.
The shot was unintentionally hilarious.
"Send me a copy of that," Utaha leaned over, eyeing the screen.
Yukino noticed Megumi also glancing at her phone and asked calmly, "Do you want it too?"
"Mm. If it's not too much trouble," Megumi replied politely.
Yukino didn't refuse but instead said, a bit leisurely, "If he agrees, I'll send it to you."
Utaha raised a brow. "You took it without asking him. Why the sudden concern for consent?"
Yukino met her gaze evenly. "You've misunderstood. I've been taking photos of the scenery the whole time. That I happened to catch Haru in an amusing moment was nothing more than coincidence."
"You're really good at twisting things around, huh…"
"If you think facts are the same as excuses, then I'm disappointed. I thought you were an excellent girl, senpai."
Lifting her chin, Yukino's tone was more that of an experienced elder than a younger schoolmate.
Utaha picked up on a detail. "You thought I was?"
"Mm. Is there a problem with that?"
"…Forget it. We're here to have fun. I'm not going to argue."
With that, Utaha walked off to where Haru was helping some tourists with directions.
Back in the rear, Megumi remained by Yukino's side and asked softly, "Can I see the photo?"
"Didn't you already?"
"Not clearly."
"…Sure."
Yukino wasn't so petty as to say no. She found the picture and handed the phone over.
Megumi stared at it for a few seconds before commenting, "It's an amusing shot."
Yukino clearly agreed—after all, that's why she was so pleased when she took it.
But Megumi was thinking about something else.
To her, Haru was Superman—the mysterious hooded hero from before.
Seeing him flinch at something as mundane as a falling leaf… was strangely comforting.It meant that, despite everything, he wasn't so far removed from the rest of them.He wasn't unreachable—at least, not yet.
Utaha reached Haru and casually brought up the photo, repeating Yukino's words about needing his permission.
Haru looked back. Yukino was walking toward him with a slight curve to her lips—a look that said, I dare you to say yes too easily.
If he gave permission outright, he had a feeling he'd pay for it later.
So, he played it safe. "I see… Well, if Yukino's okay with it, I don't mind."
Utaha clicked her tongue, half amused. "So you're both doing a bit?"
In the end, both she and Megumi got the picture.
Yukino hadn't really intended to give in, but Utaha changed tactics—switching from debate to casual, endless chatter. The "sticky candy" strategy.
Whenever Yukino tried to shut her down with a cold stare, Utaha countered with a serene smile and a patient, practiced persistence worthy of a seasoned senpai.
For a moment, Yukino thought she saw a flicker of her sister in Utaha.
…Just a flicker.
The four of them wandered the area for a bit and eventually passed by the shop Hiratsuka-sensei had mentioned earlier.
It was a barbecue place—one that also rented out portable grills.
"Wow, she's really craving this," Utaha said with a laugh. "She could've just invited us to eat here, but instead she insists Haru do the cooking."
Megumi, as fair as ever, offered her thoughts: "With Amamiya-kun's cooking skills… once you get used to his food, everything else just tastes plain."
Yukino paused for a moment—she'd never thought about it that way.
She had always been surprised and delighted by how quickly Haru's cooking skills had progressed. Eventually, she'd just stopped cooking altogether, letting herself relax and enjoy his meals each day without complaint.
Now that Megumi had pointed it out, the idea didn't seem far-fetched at all.
Even she, in the past, had once disliked the idea of someone else taking over the kitchen.
Haru, hearing the compliment, puffed up with pride and thumped his chest. "That's the mark of a true chef."
Later that evening, Yukino took on the task of contacting Hiratsuka-Sensei, and the group agreed to head to that barbecue restaurant for dinner.
At first, Shizuka looked disappointed. She'd skipped all snacks and sweets that afternoon, deliberately saving her appetite for dinner.
Thankfully, Haru noticed her gaze and stepped up to take responsibility—grilling the meat and even preparing the sauces himself.
With a beer in one hand and freshly grilled meat in the other, Shizuka returned to her element, practically transforming into a living keg of joy. Laughter and satisfaction filled the room.
Yukino and the others were just as content, indulging in the delicious food with visible delight.
And because they were so satisfied, the four women were soon hit by a wave of post-meal bliss—each slumped back in their chairs, faces glowing with pure happiness.
Haru was used to it by now. He had a few bites of his own before continuing to man the grill.
The three girls recovered quickly—they'd experienced this "food coma" before.Shizuka, on the other hand, went all in. She even stopped drinking beer, leaned halfway back with her eyes closed, and mumbled to herself, "Ah, so good… just perfect…"
After dinner, everyone agreed to rest for a bit before heading to the hot springs together.
Of course, Haru, being the only guy, would have to go alone. Not that he minded mixed bathing—but the girls certainly did.
He wasn't particularly excited about hot springs anyway. Just as well—some of his friends from school had messaged him online to play a mobile game together, so he stayed in his room to join them.
"Where are you traveling this time, Haru? Nara?"
"Nah, I'm in Izu Mountain area."
"What?! A hot springs trip?! Dammit, I should've tagged along. Hey, if it's not too much trouble, can you take a few pictures of the view? I really wanna go, but my family said no."
"Call me Daddy and I'll take photos for you. Give your eyes a treat."
"Screw off!"
After a brief online brawl, Haru threw on a coat and stepped out.
Even though none of them actually called him Daddy, he still decided to spoil his "sons" a little.
Snapping a few scenic photos was no big deal.
Just as Haru exited the inn, a familiar figure appeared in the hallway.
"Room 104… That should be Yukino's… Huh? It's not locked? As expected of Yukino—always so thoughtful. She probably knew I'd drop by around now."
Shizuka was in a great mood. Not only had she enjoyed a perfect dinner thanks to Haru's cooking, but she'd also had the rare pleasure of lying down in absolute comfort afterward.
Carrying a change of clothes and a towel, she hummed a tune as she stepped into the room, only to find it completely empty.
She assumed the girls had already gone to the hot spring, but when she pulled back the curtain, she found the steamy pool completely unoccupied.
"Out for a walk?" she murmured, a little puzzled.
Still, she didn't think much of it. She dropped off her things.
Knowing Yukino, if they had agreed to bathe together, she would definitely show up.
Shizuka guessed the three had probably gone out for a short stroll—maybe to take photos. "Ah, youth. Probably just outside somewhere having fun."
She headed into the private shower area, casually tying up her waterfall-like black hair into a bun with a wrap.
She'd just washed it yesterday, and honestly, with how troublesome long hair could be, she had no interest in getting it wet again tonight.
She slipped off her jacket and sweater, then peeled off the thick leggings beneath, revealing flawless pale skin.
Now clad in just a black bra and panties, the contrast between the dark fabric and her fair skin made both look even more striking.
Shizuka had always had a solid income. While she didn't live as lavishly as someone like Haruno, she never neglected her own health or appearance. Especially with lingerie—she always wore items that fit her perfectly, in styles that were understated but elegant.
Once fully undressed, she grabbed a towel and stepped out.
After all, the others were all girls—there was no reason to feel embarrassed.
Besides, she was rather proud of her figure.
With long legs and a confident stride, Shizuka eased herself into the hot spring. Warmth wrapped around her instantly, drawing a relaxed sigh as she closed her eyes in contentment.
She'd had two beers during dinner. Not too much, but enough to make her a little tipsy.
Soaking in the quiet bath, she let herself unwind. After a while, she found her thoughts drifting upward.
If I hadn't come along today… would Yukinoshita have ended up in the bath with Amamiya instead?
The image of the two of them alone in the hot spring made her cheeks flush.
Then, feeling irritated at herself, she scolded her own thoughts.
Come on, you're well into your twenties and still haven't had a single real romantic experience. You're jealous of kids younger than you—how pathetic is that?
She let out a long sigh.
Her looks weren't bad. Her body was practically perfect.
Curves in all the right places, and not a trace of fat where it didn't belong.
"So why the hell can't I get a boyfriend?"
Another sigh.
Every single blind date ended in failure. "Disaster" wasn't even the word for it anymore.
She chuckled bitterly to herself. According to all those romance dramas, a single woman traveling alone, undressed and soaking in a hot spring in a remote inn—shouldn't I be bumping into some destined man right about now?
By her count, she'd stacked every cliché needed for a fateful romantic encounter.
…Then again, that was probably the alcohol talking.
With a lazy stretch, she laid her head back and draped the towel over her face, letting herself sink deeper into the warmth.
And at that exact moment…
Haru was on his way back.