Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093094088809262/episodes/16818622172188458521
There was a relaxing air in the office room.
The morning sun shining through the windows of the old building cast a soft glow on the dusty floor.
I sat on the sofa, sipping coffee and savoring the quiet.
A few days have passed since the Kadokawa case ended.
Akino san’s smile had returned, and my heart was lighter from that campsite party where I had bonded with the others.
At that moment, the door opened a little and Yua chan peeked out.
She came in holding a mint green phone in her hand saying, “Yuuto kun…good morning.”
“Good morning, Yua chan. You’re up early.” I smiled.
She smiled a little shyly and said, “…Yeah. I wanted to talk to Yuuto kun about something.” sitting down next to me on the sofa.
“To me?”
“…You see, I want to go on a trip with you, Yuuto kun.”
I was a little surprised and widened my eyes.
“A trip….sounds great. Is there somewhere you want to go?”
Yua chan’s eyes lit up and she said, “…I want to go to a hot spring. After everything that happened with Akino san, I wanted to go somewhere warm and relaxing.”
“Hot springs, huh? Great. Then let’s go, the two of us.” I nodded and said.
She gave a little jump of joy and said, “…Yeah ! I’m looking forward to it !”
◇
On the weekend, we headed to a hot spring resort in the mountains.
After several hours of driving and winding mountain roads, we could see the steam rising in the distance.
The trees were tinted with autumn leaves, and a cool autumn breeze caressed our cheeks.
Yua chan rolled down the window in the passenger seat and murmured, “…wow, it’s beautiful, Yuuto kun.”
“Yeah. It sure is beautiful. We were right to go here.” I laughed.
When we arrived at the hot spring resort, we put our luggage in a small inn.
The wooden building was old and the smell of tatami mats was nostalgic.
From the window of our room, I could see the valley, and the murmuring of the river echoed quietly in the distance.
Yua chan smiled as she unpacked her luggage and said, “…Yuuto kun, I feel at home here.”
“I see. I also like this kind of quiet place.” I said, standing by the window.
◇
In the evening, we headed for the inn’s outdoor bath.
The stone bathtub was filled with white water and surrounded by autumn leaves.
As I soaked in the hot water, I felt my exhaustion melt away.
Yua chan called out to me from the women’s bath.
“Yuuto kun….you sound relaxed.” she laughed behind the partition.
“Yeah, it feels great. How about you, Yua chan?”
“…Yeah ! It’s warm and it feels so good !” she said in a cheerful voice.
In the steam, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
The days of our battle with Kadokawa and saving Akino san felt like a distant memory.
After getting out of the hot spring, Yua chan said, “…Yuuto kun, hot springs are amazing. It’s like all my fatigue is gone.”
“I agree. I’ll feel even more relaxed if I’m with Yua chan.” I laughed.
She looked a little embarrassed and said, “…I’m glad.”
◇
At night, we had dinner in the room.
Tempura of local wild vegetables and mushroom soup boiled in a pot.
Yua chan picked up her chopsticks and said, “…This is delicious. I’ve never had such a meal before.”
“Yes, it is. It tastes like the mountains. Yua chan, do you like wild vegetables?”
“Yeah !” She smiled.
I thought for a moment and said, “Well, I can pick some for you next time. I’ve learned how to prepare wild vegetables.”
Yua chan looked surprised and tilted her head, “…Yuuto kun, you can cook like that?”
“Well, if it’s something simple. I was hoping Yua chan would try it.” I laughed.
Her cheeks flushed and she murmured, “…I’m looking forward to it.”
After dinner, we sat on the edge of the room and listened to the sounds of the valley.
The murmur of the river echoed quietly, and the trees in the distance swayed in the wind.
Yua chan clutched her knees and said, “…Yuuto kun, I’ve always been afraid. I was afraid of what would happen to Akino san and what would happen to me. But now that we’re here, I feel relieved.”
I was a little surprised by her words and said, “…I know. I’m sorry I got you into this.”
“Yeah…Yuuto kun is very important to me. So I was happy that we got through it together.” she said, her eyes downcast.
I thought for a moment and said, “Yua chan is also very important to me. I was able to do my best because you were by my side. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
Yua chan looked up and smiled, “…Thank you.”
“Yua chan is my treasure.” I smiled.
Tears came to her eyes and she murmured quietly, “….Yeah, I love you.”
◇
The next morning, we went for a walk in the hot spring town.
We walked along the cobblestone streets and looked up at the mountains tinted with autumn leaves.
Small souvenir shops lined the streets, and the smell of steaming steamed buns wafted through the air.
Yua chan held a steamed bun in her hand and said, “…This is delicious !” her eyes lit up.
“Yeah. It’s nice and hot. You like sweet things, don’t you?”
“Yeah ! I love it !” she smiled.
I thought for a moment and suggested, “Then, let’s buy some and take them home. Share them with everyone.”
Yua chan nodded and muttered, “…Yeah ! I want to give some to Akino san, too.”
We continued strolling and reached the suspension bridge.
The wooden bridge over the canyon was swaying a bit.
Yua chan asked a little anxiously, “…Yuuto kun, can we cross it?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll be with you.” I said, holding out my hand.
She nodded and took my hand.
As we crossed the bridge, Yua chan smiled and said, “…I’m not afraid if I’m with you, Yuuto kun.”
“Right. As long as I’m with Yua chan, I feel safe, too.”
We stopped in the middle of the bridge and looked down into the valley.
The autumn leaves reflected on the surface of the river, and the wind blew gently through the air.
Yua chan murmured, “…Wow…so pretty.”
That made my heart warm.
◇
On the way home, Yua chan asked me in the car, “…Yuuto kun, can we go on another trip?”
“Yeah. Of course I can. If you want to go, I’ll take you anytime.” I nodded.
She gave a small laugh and asked me to make a pinky promise.
When I intertwined our fingers, Yua chan whispered, “…I love you, Yuuto kun.”
I was a little surprised and laughed, “…Me too, Yua chan.”
Then, we looked at each other… and Yua chan kissed me on the cheek.
As we drove down the mountain road, I whispered to myself.
I hope my future with Yua chan will be as warm and peaceful as this hot spring. ….Just kidding.
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