After setting down our bags, we headed for the hot spring. I grabbed a towel, thinking we'd need one, only to learn the bathhouse had complimentary towels. Honestly, if I were a little younger, I'd be stacking them into a fort by now.
The bathhouse was deserted at this time, with most guests opting for lunch or a post-lunch nap. As we entered the changing room, Dad and Renji-san started preparing to head in, their backs turned, exposing the scars that marked them like medals from a battle-worn life.
Renji-san's body bore several large, jagged scars, the kind you'd expect from close calls with monsters. A thick line ran down his face, a gift from some creature, I imagined, that had gotten close enough to leave its mark but hadn't made it out alive. And Dad—his whole frame was a landscape of wounds. Burn marks ran over his arms, a few circular scars dotted his shoulder, and his chest had a long, raw scar that looked like it had taken a miracle to heal.
Seeing them, it was hard not to feel like a kid playing dress-up in a world meant for adults. My own arms and legs seemed out of place next to these battle-hardened warriors, as if my scars were something I'd have to grow into one day. The thought didn't sit comfortably with me.
Dad caught me staring, his eyebrows raised in a silent question.
"Nothing," I said quickly, looking away. I didn't want to admit that I was already imagining how my body might one day bear similar marks. Yet, a strange sense of pride bloomed within me, too—a connection to a path I hadn't fully chosen but felt destined for all the same.
I followed Dad and Renji-san through the steam-filled corridor that led to the main bath area. The dense air felt like a barrier, thick with an almost magical warmth that enveloped us. As we settled into the water, the heat seeped into my muscles, relaxing them in a way I hadn't realized I needed. The spring smelled faintly of sulfur, earthy and grounding, as if it were drawing out not just the dirt from my skin but something deeper, something lodged in my bones.
"First time at a real hot spring?" Renji-san asked, smiling slightly as he leaned back against the stone wall of the bath.
"Yeah," I admitted, letting myself sink deeper into the water. "It's... nice."
But my mind kept drifting back to Nina-chan. I thought about how I had left her earlier, looking almost fragile, yet clinging to me with a strength that surprised me. I could still feel the tight grip of her fingers on my arm, like she was holding on for dear life. My heart twisted at the memory, and I wondered if she'd ever truly heal from the darkness that haunted her.
"Do you think she'll be okay?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, as if saying it louder would shatter the quiet peace around us.
Dad exchanged a glance with Renji-san before looking back at me. His expression softened, and for a moment, I saw something rare in his eyes—a gentleness I'd almost forgotten he was capable of.
Renji-san nodded, wiping sweat from his brow. "She's been through a lot, but she's tough. Give her time, and don't underestimate the power of just being there."
The words lingered with me, and I found myself wondering about the unseen battles these two had fought, the quiet strength they carried like an unspoken promise to the people they protected. It was a kind of strength I hoped I could grow into someday.
After what felt like an eternity, I couldn't handle the heat any longer. I mumbled a quick "I'm out" and stumbled out of the sauna, grateful for the cool air that hit me like a breath of fresh life. Outside, I found two water pools, each marked with a temperature sign: one at 17°C and the other at a bone-chilling 7°C.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I dipped my hand into the 7°C pool. The icy water stung my fingers, and I yanked my hand out reflexively. Nope, not going in there. I opted for the 17°C pool instead, easing myself into the water and shivering as the coolness enveloped me. It was a shocking contrast to the heat of the sauna, but as my body adjusted, the chill became strangely soothing, melting away the tension that had built up in the sauna.
Dad and Renji-san emerged a few minutes later, looking as refreshed as ever. Dad, with his usual nonchalance, dunked himself in the 7°C pool without a moment's hesitation. Watching him, I felt both admiration and a bit of incredulity—how could anyone willingly subject themselves to that?
After cooling down, Dad led us to the outdoor area for the final step—what he called the "outdoor relaxation phase." We settled into the chairs set up on the veranda, letting the evening breeze wash over us. The sensation of the cool air on my skin, combined with the lingering warmth from the sauna and hot spring, felt like nothing I'd ever experienced. My mind emptied out, and I felt a deep calm settle over me, as if all my worries were floating away on the breeze.
For a while, we just sat there in silence, absorbing the tranquility of the surroundings. Then, Renji-san broke the silence.
"You're a good kid, Itsuki," he said softly. "Aya's lucky to have you as a friend."
The words caught me off guard. I'd never thought of myself as anything special, but hearing those words from Renji-san, a man who'd fought more battles than I could imagine, meant something.
"Thanks," I mumbled, feeling a bit shy. "I'll do my best."
He nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Just keep being there for her, like you are now. That's what matters."
As the evening deepened and the first stars appeared in the sky, I felt a strange sense of peace. This was the calm I'd been searching for, and maybe, with a little luck, it was something I could help Nina and Aya find, too. For now, that was enough.