Hoshimori Shion had opted for casual wear today, a black bubble dress that was ironically the very garment she had once criticized Hoshimori Ayane for buying, deeming it unfashionable.
Ayane now shared that sentiment, having discarded it for her sister to wear.
Whenever Shion searched for clothes to wear out, she enjoyed a distinct advantage: she could easily slip into Ayane’s garments, which were often quite loose on her.
Ayane, conversely, could never wear Shion’s, finding them far too snug to even attempt.
Ha, ha, perhaps that wasn’t such a great advantage after all…
****
In any case, behind the folding screen, she changed into the beige yukata embroidered with cherry blossoms that Rie had handed her, completing the ensemble with white-strapped geta (TL Note: Traditional Japanese wooden clogs).
As she emerged from behind the screen, the soft patter of her small geta on the tatami, accompanied by the gentle tinkling of a clear spring outside the window, resonated like an autumn sonata.
Rie couldn’t help but clap her hands, exclaiming, “I knew this outfit would suit you perfectly! I even had a designer in town tailor it specifically for you!”
“Eh? Th-thank you, Senpai!”
Shion hastily bowed, causing the loose yukata to slip an inch from her shoulder, revealing a patch of fair skin, her clearly defined collarbone, and even a faint glimpse of her cleavage.
Shion quickly tugged her yukata back into place, knowing that any further descent would certainly lead to a social crisis.
Rie, who had been intently watching Shion the entire time, swiftly averted her gaze.
“Shion-chan,” she asked, “are you wearing something equally loose underneath?”
Shion readjusted her yukata, her mind drifting back to herself from years ago, long before the game began.
It had been an eternity since she had last worn a yukata.
The small town rarely hosted fireworks festivals, and the only occasion most people had to don a yukata was during a matsuri (TL Note: Japanese festival), but even then, Shion had always worn a miko (TL Note: Shrine maiden) outfit.
“Uh… aren’t we going to the hot springs soon? I just… didn’t wear anything,” Shion admitted, gently patting her head.
“What if I told you to do another test paper right now?”
“Igarashi-senpai, you’re a devil, aren’t you!” Shion blurted out, unable to hold back her retort.
“Just kidding,” Rie said, walking over to Shion.
She pulled out her phone and stood beside Shion, declaring, “Such a cute junior, I simply must capture this moment!”
Rie pulled Shion close, striking a cute, Tokyo-style selfie pose.
Shion quickly cooperated, forming a small heart with her fingers.
With a click, the photo was taken.
Rie happily gazed at the image on her phone.
“I’ll make sure to save this carefully,” she chirped.
“Alright, Hoshimori-chan, go change and get ready for the hot springs~”
Indeed, from the small room, one could glimpse the hot spring scenery outside the window, framed by a vast blue sky.
Tall bamboo stalks encircled the hot spring, a small, pebble-lined pool where warm, steaming water bubbled, and a small bamboo spout trickled continuous streams of water.
“Shall we go now? I’ll head to the changing room to switch clothes…” Shion said, a hint of reluctance in her voice as she gently stroked her yukata.
“I haven’t worn it for very long.”
“Shion-chan, there’s no changing room here,” Rie said, making a playful face.
“What?! There isn’t one!” the girl exclaimed, her expression a perfect picture of shock.
Rie explained, “This room is specially designed for couples, particularly those whose feelings are undeniable but who haven’t yet confessed to each other.”
Shion said, on the verge of tears, “It’s been ages since the birth rate started declining! There’s no need to go to such lengths for this!”
“Shion-chan, we’re both girls, so there’s no need to be shy!”
Ultimately, a slightly embarrassed Shion darted behind the folding screen, where she shed her yukata and wrapped herself in a pristine white towel.
Just as she was about to peek out to see if Rie had finished changing, she noticed Rie was using the cabinet door for cover while she changed.
‘Ah, so much for not being shy; in reality, it was still impossible!’
Upon realizing Shion had emerged first, wrapped in her towel, Rie couldn’t help but clear her throat.
Her face flushed, she declared, “Alright, alright, I am a *little* shy after all! Hurry up and get into the hot spring!”
Hot spring water, smooth as silk, washing away the impurities of the skin—this must be that feeling~
Although the initial plunge into the water felt a little hot, the moment Shion’s entire body submerged, a profound sense of relaxation washed over her.
Rie, already accustomed to the warmth, lazily reclined by the water’s edge, her smooth back gleaming through the misty steam, tiny, glistening droplets tracing the curve of her waist as they trickled down.
Shion, too, stretched her limbs, her skin emerging from the water fair and luminous, her face flushed a delicate pink from the warmth.
Droplets, carried by her emergence, trailed along her collarbones before returning to the hot spring.
“So comfortable~” the girl couldn’t help but sigh, a feeling of deep contentment.
Rie retrieved a wooden tray from the bank, upon which a neatly folded towel rested.
“Shion-chan, would you like me to scrub your back?” Rie asked.
“I’ve practiced diligently since last time, you know.
I can absolutely make you feel very comfortable this time.”
“Hmm? What did Senpai say?… Scrub my back, you mean? Yes, that’s fine,” Shion murmured.
Her entire body was pleasantly numb from the hot spring, and while she could hear Rie’s words clearly, her mind was still too sluggish to process them fully, so she simply made an “okay” gesture.
Obediently, Shion rolled over, fully exposing her pristine white back to Rie.
Her mind still hazy from the hot spring’s embrace, Shion instinctively allowed her body to float, her smooth calves and the gentle curve of her hips rising slightly above the water’s surface, as if her very soul were about to drift away with the warmth.
Rie picked up the towel, lightly dipping it in the warm hot spring water, then adding a touch of aromatherapy oil.
She then took the towel and vigorously scrubbed Shion’s back.
“Aaaahhh!” Shion’s shriek echoed, piercing the serene autumn air.
Hearing the commotion, other attendants outside immediately rushed over, one of the maids who had been at the door just moments ago knocking politely.
“Young Miss, is everything alright in here?”
“N-nothing! I just slipped!” Rie quickly called out towards the door.
“V-very well, Young Miss! Please do call me if anything happens,” the maid outside replied, followed by the soft sound of her hurried footsteps retreating.
Tears streaming down her face from the pain, Shion turned her watery gaze back to Rie, resembling nothing so much as a small, wronged puppy.
She had almost forgotten: Igarashi Rie, the Young Miss of the Igarashi family, had absolutely no knack for household chores!
Scrubbing backs was certainly among the many things she was utterly, completely unskilled at!
“Senpai, last time your back scrub was just ticklish, but this time you’re using so much force! It really hurts!” Shion complained, burying half her head in the water, her voice thick with grievance.
Rie quickly clasped her hands together, apologizing to Shion, feeling a strange sense of déjà vu as if a similar scene had unfolded at the shrine before.
“I’m so sorry, Shion-chan! I-I’ll use less force!”
Shion moved a little closer, gently rubbing Rie’s hand.
“Alright, I’ll trust you one more time, Igarashi-senpai.”
Rie nodded, picking up the towel once more.
“No problem at all, Shion-chan, just watch me.”