The sun hung low in the sky, casting golden rays over the forest below. From high above on Griff's back, Zenjiro spotted it — a faint wisp of steam curling from between the trees.
"Hey… is that a hot spring?", Zenjiro grinned.
Immediately, the girls perked up behind him.
Aria's eyes brightened.
"A hot spring?!"
Celeste clapped her hands.
"Oh, please, let's stop! My back is so stiff!"
Lyra smirked softly.
"I wouldn't mind a soak…"
With a chuckle, Zenjiro guided Griff down, landing gracefully in a clearing by the steaming pool.
"Alright, alright — you win."
The girls giggled and hurried off into the trees to change, their laughter echoing through the forest. Zenjiro, left alone, stripped down and eased into the water with a contented sigh.
"Man… this feels amazing…"
The water was just the right heat, the tension in his shoulders melting away. He leaned back, eyes half-closed, letting the stress of battle and travel slip away.
Suddenly—
Celeste's head peeked, playfully from the trees.
"Zenjiro, close your eyes! We're coming in — and we're completely naked!"
Zenjiro grinned, one eye cracked open…
"Heh… you don't say…"
"Don't peek, you perv!", Aria shouted under her flustered voice.
Zenjiro, laughing, covering his eyes…
"Alright, alright! Not peeking, promise!"
He heard the soft splashes as they slipped into the water, giggles floating over the steam. When he finally opened his eyes — carefully — his breath caught.
There they were, on the other side of the spring. Celeste's golden hair shimmered with droplet. Aria's cheeks were pink, arms hugging her knees shyly. Lyra, her long green hair loose and wet, gave him a knowing smile.
Zenjiro quickly turned his face, trying to hide the blush creeping up his neck.
"So, Zenjiro… how does it feel to have three beautiful girls sharing a hot spring with you?", Celeste teased.
Zenjiro smirked, trying to not give away his flustered face.
"Fine. Totally fine. Yep."
Lyra's soft laugh drifted over the water as she gracefully swam across the spring toward him. Without warning, she pressed against him, her soft curves brushing his chest as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
"Mmm… you're warm.", Lyra whispered.
Aria, half-pouting…
"No fair, Lyra!"
Aria and Celeste splashed over, joining the embrace with playful squeals. In seconds, Zenjiro was surrounded — soft skin, laughter, and the sweet scent of soap and springwater filling his senses.
Celeste leaned close, eyes twinkling…
"You look tense, my love."
"Want your brides to help release some stress?", Lyra added with a mischievous grin.
Aria wrapped her arms around him, her bare boobs pressing against him as well, and then she whispered in his ear…
"Might be good to have little Zenjiro's running around."
All three leaned in, planting quick, teasing kisses on his cheeks and forehead. Zenjiro could barely process the flurry of affection when he suddenly felt eyes on him.
Turning his head, he saw Griff standing at the edge of the clearing, staring with an enormous, unblinking gaze.
Zenjiro groaned, waving a hand…
"Griff, look away! Seriously — look away!"
The girls burst into laughter, hugging him tighter as Zenjiro's face turned beat-red.