"So, what about dinner?"
"Ah—wonder what Shuzo-san and the others are up to. Asuna, mind checking?"
"Got it."
Asuna dialed Shuzo. After hanging up, she turned to Hachiman.
"They weren't sure when we'd be back, so they ate ahead with Kikuoaka-san."
"I see… Asuna, Sis—what're you in the mood for?"
"Hmm… anything's fine with me."
"Same… Oh!"
Asuna lit up, like a lightbulb flicked on.
"Thought of something?"
"Yeah—ramen!"
"Ramen?"
"You know, the place I went with Yukino and Shizuka-san before."
"Oh, right."
Hachiman recalled that day; he could almost hear his stomach growl.
"Alright, ramen it is… Wait, we took a taxi last time, right? Can't quite remember the spot."
"Aww, too bad."
"Ask Shizuka-chan?"
"Yeah…"
'Hachiman, I know the place.'
Kit suddenly chimed in.
"Whoa, Kit—seriously?"
'Yes. Yukino input the location into me, hoping we'd go again someday.'
"Nice one, Yukino."
"Classic her."
"She's so cute!"
The three pictured Yukino, dead serious, feeding ramen shop coordinates into Kit. It warmed their hearts.
Guided by Kit, they arrived without a hitch.
"Whoa, nostalgic."
"Savage deliciousness, huh!"
"Asuna, you got that from Yukino?"
"Yep!"
"Well, save the review till you taste it. Shall we?"
The late hour left a few empty seats; the three slid in side-by-side. Asuna slurped her first mouthful and froze, eyes wide.
"…Savage deliciousness…"
Hachiman glanced at her profile. Not mimicry—pure, unfiltered Asuna. He felt oddly satisfied.
Yono, slurping noodles for the first time in years, looked blissfully content.
Outside, Yono suddenly dialed someone. Hachiman had a hunch—and he was right. Yukino.
"Hello, Sis? What's up?"
"Hey, Yukino-chan? Ready, Asuna-chan—go!"
"Savage deliciousness, huh!!"
Yukino went silent… then, face flushing, began to tremble—
—or so Hachiman imagined. In reality, she said to Yono:
"…Is Hachiman-kun there?"
"Yeah, he is."
"Put him on."
"Got it."
Yono switched to speaker and handed Hachiman the phone.
"Yukino-chan wants you."
"Me…? Yo, Yukino, what's up?"
"'What's up'…?"
(Crap, she's pissed…)
"Sorry, Yukino-san."
Hachiman apologized at divine speed. Yukino's voice was ice.
"My, apologizing out of nowhere—you do know you did something wrong."
(Miscalculated…)
Hachiman paled, scrambling.
"N-No, not at all! I just… regretted my tone when I answered earlier. Wasn't proper for a lady. That's all, Yukino-san."
"Stop dodging. You know you're guilty."
"...Yes."
After a long silence, he caved. Yukino continued:
"Good. Then you know what to do."
"Uh, yes… Cat merch as a souvenir?"
"That's separate. Thank you."
Instant reply. Hachiman muttered, lost:
"Y-Yeah… separate, of course…"
"Exactly. When you're back, bring Asuna too—and take me to your favorite ramen joint. Got it? No excuses."
"Yes, ma'am…"
"Oh, and this call explodes when it ends."
"It does not."
"Fufu. Looking forward to it. Good night, Hachiman-kun."
"Yeah, night, Yukino."
Call ended. Asuna and Yono burst out laughing.
"Ahahaha! Hachiman-kun, you're scared of angry Yukino-chan!"
"Like a little brother getting scolded by big sis."
"Sh-Shut up… Just reminded me of high school…"
They picked out Yukino's cat goodies, then finally headed back to the hotel.
"Finally, a breather…"
But Hachiman forgot: he and Asuna shared a room.
The moment Asuna casually followed him in, it hit him. He froze, creaking like rusty metal, and plopped onto the tatami. Asuna, meanwhile, was perfectly relaxed.
"Tea, Hachiman-kun?"
"Y-Yeah, please."
"Why so formal?"
She boiled water, poured two cups, and sat a polite distance away.
"Here you go."
"Th-Thanks."
Hachiman sipped, puzzled by the gap. Calmer now, he asked:
"No plans left today—what now?"
"Hot spring, obviously."
"Fair."
"But first… toothbrush."
"After the bath works too, no?"
"Well… um…"
Asuna mumbled, sheepish.
"I probably reek of garlic…"
That's why the distance.
"So that's why you sat over there."
"Y-Yeah…"
Blushing, she nodded. Hachiman scooted closer, cupped her head, and sniffed.
"H-Hachiman-kun, no!"
"Nah, just your usual nice smell."
"Stooop…"
He wouldn't let go; Asuna squirmed, flustered.
"Can't tell. Whatever—let's brush."
"Yeah."
They headed to the sink beside the bath, brushing side-by-side. Asuna fidgeted.
"What's wrong?"
"Think it's green onion… stuck between my teeth…"
"Look—disposable floss picks. Open wide—ahh."
"Eeeek!? That's advanced—I'm not ready!!"
"It's not a play, dummy…"
Asuna hesitantly opened. Hachiman gently flossed the stuck bit. Her eyes fluttered shut, face slack with relief.
"Got it."
She checked with her tongue, cheeks pink.
"Th-Thanks…"
"Yep."
"You totally toyed with my mouth…"
"Hey, is this Yono's influence? You've been weird all night."
"R-Really?"
"Definitely. Gotta choose your sisters wisely."
Hachiman said it straight-faced, ignoring his own hypocrisy. Asuna called him out.
"So you're influenced too…"
"…Touché."
"But I really admire her, so it's inevitable."
"No argument."
They rinsed and finished.
"Swanky room, huh? Separate bedroom, tatami area…"
"Yeah…"
"Is this the bath?"
"Probably?"
They opened the door—and gaped.
"What the hell."
"Pretty big… Stars on the ceiling? Open-air family bath? Wait—this is the double-bed room, so… couple's bath?"
"Not coincidence. Totally booked on purpose… Shuzo-san and them are in on it…"
"Yep…"
"Well, this works—no need for the public bath."
"True."
"Take turns?"
Hachiman suggested. Asuna didn't answer. He glanced—she stared, eyes hopeful.
"…Together, then?"
"Yes!"
They prepped. Hachiman stripped fast, avoiding looking, and hopped in first. He washed, then sank into the huge tub. Asuna's footsteps finally sounded.
"Asuna, you're slow—what happened?"
He turned—and there she was, stark naked. Hachiman whipped his head away. Asuna pouted.
"You've been avoiding looking all night—bit late for that, no?"
"W-Well, yeah…"
"Hey… mind washing my back?"
"S-Sure…"
He scrubbed her back, sneaking peeks. Asuna giggled.
"You really haven't changed."
"Can't just stare at my girlfriend."
"That's you, though."
They soaked side-by-side, stargazing.
"Damn big tub…"
"Yeah."
"How many times have we bathed together?"
"Who knows?"
"Enough to forget the count."
They naturally clasped hands, grounding each other.
"Stay by my side forever, okay?"
"Always."
Warmed through, they exited and flopped onto the tatami.
"Phew—great bath."
"Yeah. Exhausted."
"I'll take a bit to dry my hair—go ahead to bed."
"Will do."
Asuna dried slowly, heart racing, then tiptoed to the bedroom. Soft snores greeted her. He's out cold… Disappointed but understanding, she slipped in quietly.
"Great work today, Hachiman-kun."
She snuggled close and drifted off, blissfully happy.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"