Kumano Hot Spring Inn is nestled deep within the mountains and forests. The only access route crosses a 50-60 meter wide ravine via an elevated bridge, flanked by walkways that allow visitors to pass on foot or by car.
For the Shiomi family, hot spring trips were a leisure activity that had become almost like a yearly ritual during their time living in Japan. They visited different hot springs every year: Izu, Beppu, Yuzawa, Sado... Kumano, one of many options, had only been visited a few times by the Shiomis. 2001 marked their second-to-last visit.
After the Fifth Holy Grail War, they returned once more to comfort a despondent Sakura before leaving Japan. After that, Sakura and Caren immersed themselves deeper into the world of Magi, and spent the next seven or eight years in England. Shiomi hadn't returned to Japan until the invitation to Chaldea arrived.
Seeing the mountain forests of this area again after so long stirred a flood of emotions in him. He had originally planned to bring the entire Chaldea crew to Japan for sightseeing after settling his affairs with the Mage's Association, to act as their guide. But now, even that dream seemed utterly impossible. He didn't even know when the crisis of the Earth's Bleached World would be resolved. The simple wish of seeing the world as it once was had become an indescribable luxury.
Yet, amidst his reflections, as Shiomi exited the mountain path and crossed the man-made road that led to the bridge into the Kumano hot spring district, he noticed another "anomaly." Not only was Touko clinging to his arm, but throughout their journey, she had kept leaning her body against him, half-resting on him in a way that gave off an unexpected sense of clinginess.
When Touko wore her glasses, she had a warm and subjective personality, with a bit of the romantic charm typical of her glasses-free persona. But she was certainly not the type to casually cling to others. At least, not in public. In the past, Shiomi had only experienced her leaning like this when they were together in bed, embracing each other as they slept.
"You are in a great mood," Shiomi murmured.
"Quite cheerful, indeed," Touko admitted without hiding her feelings.
"It makes me happy to see you so content..." Shiomi replied without turning his head. "But ever since just now, your sister's gaze has felt like a physical stab in my back..."
Touko casually glanced back, only to see Aoko immediately look away, feigning indifference. In reality, Aoko had been scrutinizing the two of them throughout the entire journey, suspecting that the eldest sister before her might be an imposter, yet also recognizing that this behavior was unmistakably Touko's style.
Because—
"After all, even after becoming a Magician and reaching the pinnacle of the Magecraft world, it hasn't changed her situation. She doesn't even have a lover." Touko withdrew her gaze, her voice loud enough to expose Aoko's shortcomings. "I saw her two years ago when I went to London. She was still alone then."
"Two years ago..." Shiomi understood that Touko was referring to 2015. By that reckoning, Touko was indeed getting closer to her fifties now.
Even for a Magus, the concept of age holds little significance for ordinary people. Touko, however, still radiated youthful vitality—whether in her appearance, aura, or first impression, she would easily be mistaken for someone around twenty-five. Aoko was only four years younger than her.
But Shiomi wouldn't mock Touko's age. After all, when you really thought about it, his situation was far more unusual.
"Approaching forty yet still like this—what do you make of it?" Touko continued her teasing with a smile.
"Your sister doesn't strike me as such a bad person. Is her luck with the opposite sex really that poor?" Knowing Touko's mischievous nature, Shiomi played along with the banter.
Touko's laughter grew wilder. "Well, you're not in the loop. When Aoko was in elementary school, she had a crush on our tutor. Thinking she liked him, she planned to confess before he left—"
"Hold on a second, sis! What are you saying in front of an outsider?!" Aoko protested.
Having her childhood embarrassment exposed, even Aoko couldn't pretend not to hear or see it. After all, the reason that incident became a dark memory was largely due to Touko's meddling.
"Oh, right. We shouldn't talk about this in front of you," Touko said, almost as though she only just realized. But this remark was still directed at Aoko.
"Huh?" Aoko was confused.
Touko had already leaned close to Shiomi's ear and added, "To learn what happened next, we'll have to wait until we're settled at the inn. We'll talk about it tonight."
"Well then, let's just leave the suspense hanging for now," Shiomi said, shaking his head repeatedly. Despite her teasing, he felt a sense of relief.
During her time at Chaldea, Touko had clearly been very aware of the situation. Even when it clashed with her personality and habits, she would actively immerse herself in Chaldea's affairs, showcasing her exceptional talents as a Grand Magus.
Because of this, she always appeared somewhat serious, even in front of Shiomi. The things Touko pondered at Chaldea were no fewer than the things Shiomi himself thought about.
But now, after participating in Rayshifting and encountering her younger sister Aoko—who had likely come for this Singularity too—Touko's demeanor had become more sly and unrestrained. Undoubtedly, seeing her blood relative had relaxed her. Even if their bond had returned to the closeness of childhood, she now found amusement in teasing Aoko.
"Wait, I'm the outsider?" Aoko pointed at herself.
Upon reflection, Aoko realized it was quite reasonable. After all, no matter how much she repaired her relationship with her older sister, it could never return to what it was in childhood.
Listening to Touko and Shiomi chatting and laughing, Aoko almost felt like abandoning them here. After all, whether it was her sister or this Magus, who seemed anything but simple, they would probably be able to handle whatever problems arose.
...
As Aoko trailed behind them with slumped shoulders and head, crossing the bridge outside Kumano Inn, another set of footsteps echoed, drawing nearer. Despite being high heels, the stride was steady as a rock—was this someone skilled in movement?
Thinking this, Aoko lifted her head.
A woman with deep purple hair stepped forward to address Shiomi and Touko, who had halted.
"Not bad. If you hadn't shown up in five more minutes, I was about to come find you." Scáthach chuckled, glancing back at Aoko. "Seems you weren't delayed by doing strange things in the mountains after all."
"Master..."
Shiomi quickly reminded Scáthach to mind her manners, then shifted the conversation. "Why are you alone here? Where are the others? Did you get separated too?"
"Well, we encountered a little unexpected situation. Mo... no, Aesc went into the inn first. You'll see when you go inside."