To avoid further incidents after the bear encounter, archery training ended earlier than scheduled that day.
The entire Archery Club, along with Coach Takigawa and Mafuyu, returned to the inn with hurried steps and a lingering tense atmosphere.
Upon arriving at the inn, Ren headed to the vending machine area near the lobby. He bought a cold can of yogurt, opening it with a soft hiss, and sipped its contents. The cool, sweet sensation calmed his mind.
As he enjoyed his drink, a pair of figures passed by, heading toward a corner of the inn. Ren glanced briefly, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was a couple with a noticeable age gap.
The woman was a tall, slender beauty with long black hair tied neatly with a white hairband. The man was middle-aged, balding at the crown, with a plump build.
They looked more like a father and daughter than lovers.
Thanks to his photographic memory, Ren instantly recognized them.
They were Kasumigaoka Utaha, a former renowned novelist now working in sales, and the fat man was the manager of the car showroom where Ren had bought his luxury car.
It had been a long time since that encounter, so it was natural that the couple had forgotten Ren, who had only interacted with them once during the car purchase.
As they walked, the manager boldly wrapped his arm around Utaha's waist, his fingers pressing into her slim figure.
"…"
Utaha gave him a brief glance, showing no significant resistance, though a faint, unreadable expression crossed her face.
"Ah, Utaha-chan, what a refreshing short getaway. I snuck away from my wife, you know. Risky, but worth it for you."
"You should be thrilled to spend this precious time with me. It's a rare opportunity, isn't it?"
"…"
Utaha forced a smile, a perfect mask on her face.
"Of course, Manager. I'm happy to spend time with you too."
(Happy? Happy, you say? I had an abortion. I'd never bear a child from a man like you!)
The manager, with a lecherous expression and lustful glint in his eyes, patted Utaha's backside.
"Well then, how about we continue our fun in the private onsen? I booked it just for us."
Utaha bit her lower lip, a small crease forming on her forehead.
"Sorry, Manager. I think I just started my period."
That was a lie.
In truth, she had recently had an abortion. On her doctor's advice, Utaha wasn't allowed to engage in sexual activity yet.
"Oh, really? That's a shame."
The manager looked slightly disappointed, his lecherous smile returning.
"But Utaha-chan still has her mouth, doesn't she?"
"…?!…"
Utaha sighed. She knew she couldn't stop him. Reluctantly, she gave up resisting, letting the man lead her away, resigned to her fate.
"…"
Ren watched from a distance, sipping his yogurt.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The Ohananomitsu High School Archery Club's summer training camp spanned three intense days.
The first day was filled with grueling exercises and archery sessions guided by Ren, drastically improving each member's skills.
The second day included an encounter with a suicide victim's body and a bear sighting, which cast a tense atmosphere, but the training spirit remained strong, largely thanks to Ren's effective guidance.
On the third and final day, there was no training or strict schedule. The day was dedicated to relaxation and enjoying Nagano's beauty. The main plan was to visit famous tourist spots.
"Alright, everyone! Today's for fun! We're exploring Nagano!" Ryōhei exclaimed enthusiastically in the inn's lobby that morning.
The group was ready, dressed in casual clothes, a stark contrast to their sports uniforms from the previous days.
Umi wore a light blue summer dress, enhancing her charm, while Noa opted for jeans and a simple shirt, still looking elegant. Rika was vibrant in denim overalls, and Yuna wore a long floral skirt.
The guys were more relaxed too, with Seiya looking neat, Minato calm, and Ryōhei full of energy. Mafuyu and Coach Takigawa joined, appearing more at ease than usual.
"Where are we going first, Seiya?" Nanao asked.
Seiya pulled out a tourist map. "We have options. We could visit Zenko-ji Temple, one of Japan's oldest Buddhist temples, or Jigokudani Monkey Park to see snow monkeys soaking in hot springs."
"Snow monkeys! They must be so cute! Let's go there first!" Rika cheered.
Ryōhei nodded eagerly. "I wanna see those monkeys too! It'll be awesome!"
Agreement rippled through the group, with the majority choosing Jigokudani Monkey Park first.
Ren didn't care much about the destination. To him, it was just a way to pass the time.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The trip to Jigokudani Monkey Park took about an hour by bus.
The scenery along the way was breathtaking—towering green mountains, deep valleys, and peaceful small villages.
Umi sat next to Ren, occasionally stealing glances at him.
"Has Ren-senpai been here before?"
"Nope. First time visiting Nagano's tourist spots."
"Really? I thought Senpai traveled a lot. You seem to know so much."
"Maybe I know a lot, but that doesn't mean I've been everywhere. You can learn plenty without experiencing it firsthand."
Umi nodded, slightly confused but accepting his response.
At Jigokudani, they trekked through a snowy forest (even in summer, shaded areas retained snow due to cold ground and geothermal activity) to reach the monkey area.
The faint sulfur scent from natural hot springs filled the air. The sight of Japanese macaques lounging in the warm pools was unique and entertaining.
"Look! They're so cute!"
Yuna smiled softly at a small monkey scratching its head while soaking.
Rika rushed closer, trying to take photos. "I wanna hold one! But we're not allowed, right?"
"Of course not, Rika! They're wild animals. Plus, they have their own rules here." Nanao reminded her.
Ryōhei was busy recording a video on his phone. "This'll be great content! These monkeys are living the life!"
Ren observed quietly. The monkeys, though peaceful, had a natural aura, free of supernatural traces. Umi stood nearby, occasionally glancing at him.
"Senpai's not taking photos?"
"I'm not big on photos. I'd rather enjoy the view directly."
Umi nodded, slightly disappointed but understanding.
"Makes sense."
After about an hour at the monkey park, they continued to Zenko-ji Temple.
This temple, one of Japan's most significant Buddhist sites, boasted over 1,400 years of history. Its grand architecture, tall Sanmon gate, and vast main hall exuded a powerful spiritual aura.
"This place feels so sacred." Yuna said, slightly awed as they passed the main gate.
"It's one of Japan's oldest temples. Many come here seeking enlightenment and inner peace." Seiya explained, clearly having done his research.
They explored the temple complex, admiring intricate wooden carvings, hanging lanterns, and the scent of incense in the air. There was a dark passage beneath the main hall called Kaidan Meguri, where visitors walked in total darkness to find the "key to paradise."
"I'm not going in there! It's too dark!" Rika shuddered.
"Come on, Rika! It'll be fun!" Ryōhei tried to persuade her.
"…"
Mafuyu, usually expressionless, showed interest. She studied the Buddhist statues closely.
With his heightened spiritual senses, Ren felt the temple's strong, pure spiritual energy, distinct from the tainted aura of evil spirits or yokai.
(I hope a Heretic Buddha God shows up so I can kill it and steal its Divine Authority.)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After the temple, they ate lunch at a traditional restaurant near the area, savoring delicious local Nagano dishes.
Their conversations revolved around the camp—improved archery skills, the thrilling bear incident, and the beauty of the tourist spots they visited.
By late afternoon, they returned to the inn to pack and prepare for the journey home.
The atmosphere, once tense and exhausting, had transformed into camaraderie and sweet memories, though the first night's incident lingered in some minds.
As the bus left the inn and descended the mountains, Ren glanced back at the forest hiding dark secrets. Thanks to his presence as a deterrent, no yokai had disturbed them.