Steam curled lazily above the natural hot spring, blurring the edges of the wooden bathhouse and blending with the evening air.
The faint chirping of crickets harmonized with the occasional splash of water, setting a tranquil scene.
Haruto leaned back against the smooth stones, letting the warmth soak into his tired muscles.
Beside him, Enji stretched with exaggerated ease, exhaling like a king lounging on his throne.
"Man, nothing beats a holiday without my sister around," Enji said, his voice breaking the quiet. He grinned, looking entirely too smug.
Haruto arched a brow and sighed. "Really? I already miss Haruka."
Enji turned to him, his expression shifting into mock seriousness. "Miss her? You just talked to her earlier through the phone. Haruto, don't tell me you're turning into a siscon."
Haruto jolted upright, splashing water in the process.
"What? No way!" His voice cracked slightly as he waved his hands in protest.
"It's just how siblings are supposed to act, you know? That's normal!"
Enji squinted at him, and crossed his arms and leaned against the edge of the bath, his tone laced with a mix of teasing and envy.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
"My sister won't even let me near her. Used to be adorable when we were kids, but now? She's gone full moody teenager."
Haruto smirked faintly. "Guess we've got opposite problems. Haruka never wants to be away from me. She'd probably follow me here if she could."
Enji clicked his tongue, narrowing his eyes. "And you're bragging about it? Lucky bastard."
He paused, then quickly changed the subject. "Anyway, all your other women doing fine?"
Haruto sighed, leaning his head back to look at the darkening sky. "Yeah, everything's under control."
"Asuka's stopped bugging me about meeting the others, and Mari... well, she's already forgotten I disappeared after, you know..."
His lips curled into a small smile. "No complaints on my end."
Enji sighed dramatically. "Good. I was starting to worry I'd end up as the sacrificial lamb again."
Haruto chuckled, shaking his head. "It's not that bad. All you've got to do is talk to them. What's so hard about that?"
Asuka sat across from Mari, her expression seemingly warm, her smile radiant. But Haruto knew better.
Beneath that cheerful demeanor lay a sharpness that could cut through steel.
He felt the weight of impending doom settle on his shoulders. His instinct screamed to flee, to pass off his plates to Enji and vanish before he was caught in the crossfire.
Unfortunately, Asuka's eagle-like gaze locked onto him before he could act.
"Haruto! Over here!" she called, waving with a brightness that didn't fool him for a second.
Haruto's throat went dry. His steps faltered, and a bead of sweat rolled down his temple.
Enji, ever the opportunist, didn't miss a beat. He clapped Haruto on the shoulder with a grin that screamed schadenfreude.
"Well, that's your mess to clean up, buddy. I can't save you this time."
Before Haruto could retaliate, Enji spun on his heel and darted toward the farthest end of the dining hall, plate in hand.
"Adios, amigo!" he called over his shoulder, his laughter barely audible over the clatter of dishes.
Haruto groaned, forcing a smile onto his face as he approached the table. He felt like a lamb walking straight into the lion's den.
Asuka's gaze didn't waver, and Mari's curious eyes flickered between the two.
"Haruto," Mari greeted warmly, her soft smile a stark contrast to Asuka's almost predatory expression.
Asuka's voice was honeyed as she spoke, but her words held an undertone sharp enough to make Haruto's stomach churn.
"How fortunate, running into you like this. You must've been starving with all the energy you've been burning, hmm?"
Haruto chuckled nervously, setting his plates down. "Y-yeah, funny coincidence, huh?"
"Oh, very funny," Asuka replied, her smile never faltering.
Mari tilted her head, a touch of confusion in her expression. "Are you okay, Haruto? You look a bit... tense."
"I'm fine!" he blurted, a little too quickly. Clearing his throat, he added, "Just, uh, excited about the food. It looks amazing, doesn't it?"
Asuka leaned back in her chair, her eyes glinting with amusement. "It certainly does. I'm sure we'll have plenty to talk about over dinner."
Haruto swallowed hard, silently cursing Enji for abandoning him.