Hakone was famed across Japan as the land of hot springs and a healing retreat.
Nestled in the southwest of Kanagawa Prefecture, it lay just over ninety kilometers from Tokyo.
Minamoto Senya and his group gathered in Setagaya, boarding the Tokyu Toyoko Line, then transferring to the Odakyu Romancecar, and finally catching a bus. Two and a half hours later, they arrived at the station near their reserved inn.
"Hang in there, Yukino. Just five more minutes of walking and we'll be there."
Yukinoshita Yukino, who had just stepped off the bus, looked pale.
Her brows were faintly furrowed, and her unsteady legs left her swaying on the spot until Eriri reached out to support her.
"Sorry to trouble you, Eriri…" Yukino murmured weakly.
"Don't be silly, you don't need to thank me for something like this," Eriri said warmly. "But honestly, if I'd known you'd feel this bad, I would've suggested taking a taxi right from the start."
Yukino shook her head, still looking unwell. "Don't talk nonsense. From Tokyo to Hakone, just a one-way trip by taxi would cost at least forty thousand yen. With this many people, we'd need two cars—double the expense. It would've been a completely unnecessary waste."
"Well, that's true…"
If they really had done that, just the round trip would've been enough to make her dad wince at the credit card bill.
Senya, however, wasn't worried. Yukino had always been like this. She was used to being alone and always struggled in crowded places.
On top of that, she was prone to carsickness. If the driver was heavy on the gas or brakes, the jerking motion would always leave her nauseous.
And unfortunately, the bus driver they'd just had was exactly that type—driving aggressively, as if no one else existed on the road.
It wasn't just Yukino. Even Utaha looked pale, like she had just endured some kind of torment.
Her condition wasn't as severe, though. She could still walk on her own without needing support.
"In a way, you two really do resemble each other."
Senya glanced between them, intending only a harmless joke.
Neither Yukino nor Utaha smiled. Feeling sick, they weren't in the mood.
Yukino shot him a glare, as if to say not now.
Utaha, equally drained, simply gave a flat, "Not at all."
Their simultaneous reactions made Saeko chuckle. She stepped in, taking Utaha's bag from her hand.
"If you're really feeling awful, just lie down for a while once we get to the inn. Ask the staff for an ice pack and put it on your forehead—it should help a little."
"Thanks, Saeko," Utaha said faintly.
Senya also stepped forward to Yukino's side. Though she stubbornly tried to wave him off, he simply took her luggage from her anyway.
"Don't act so distant. Back in elementary school, when we went hiking, I carried both your things and Eriri's, remember?"
Eriri brightened immediately. "You actually remember that?"
"Of course. It wasn't that long ago."
"Ehh~"
Beside them, Utaha let out a vague sigh that seemed to carry some hidden meaning.
Eriri smirked at once, her eyes narrowing like a sly fox that had just stolen some fried tofu.
"Oh, are you bothered by that? I guess it makes sense. You never got to experience those childhood memories with Senya, after all."
Utaha gave only a dry little laugh. Whether it was the lingering dizziness, or genuine regret at lacking those old bonds, she didn't say more.
Still, her silence left Eriri feeling triumphant, as though she'd just won some unspoken round.
For her, this trip already felt like one of the best decisions she'd made in a long time.
The group walked together slowly, matching the pace of the carsick girls.
It was already 4:40 in the evening.
From the roadside, they could see the ridges of Mt. Daikanzan blending into the orange glow of sunset. Unlike the noisy metropolis they'd left behind, Hakone radiated a tranquil, natural beauty.
Rokka wandered with wide-eyed curiosity, trailing after her older brother while gazing up at the sky.
Dusk was settling in, and tiny stars already shimmered faintly in the clear sky.
"There is something nice about smaller towns… the stars really do seem brighter. And the air feels so fresh. Hmm… wait, that's not quite right…"
Rokka's nose twitched as she sniffed, suddenly realizing the difference.
"It's normal," Senya explained with a smile. "Hakone's full of hot spring inns. Natural geothermal pools all over the place. That faint sulfur smell is part of it."
"Wow, Senya, you really do know everything."
"Pretty sure you're the only one here who didn't know," he teased.
Rokka pouted and playfully punched his arm.
Soon after, they climbed a slope and saw their destination—Hakone Shinshō Hot Spring Inn, reserved by Eriri.
Through the garden greenery in the courtyard, they could see traditional wooden buildings, steam rising behind them.
A chime of wind bells rang gently as they slid open the entrance door.
The receptionist, hearing the sound, hurried forward to greet them.
Eriri stepped up to handle the check-in while the others rested on the sofas. A different attendant brought over tea.
Senya looked around the empty lobby. "Doesn't seem like there are many guests."
The staff smiled politely. "It's the off-season. Fewer visitors now. But give it another month, when the cherry blossoms bloom—the place will be bustling."
Senya nodded knowingly.
That suited him just fine. He wasn't like Yukino, who froze up in crowds, but he preferred quiet places nonetheless.
Off-season peace was perfect.
"All done," Eriri announced. "Let's go."
She hadn't told anyone about upgrading their rooms.
So when the staff led them into a luxurious suite with its own private courtyard and hot spring bath, everyone was caught off guard.
Hanging scrolls of ink-brushed Zen landscapes adorned the entry wall, glowing softly under bamboo lamps.
The tatami mats in the living room were so smooth underfoot it felt like walking on silk.
"…Multimedia setup here, underfloor heating in the tatami. Since nights in the mountains can get cold, you can turn it on anytime. From the veranda, you'll have a view of Mt. Fuji. The courtyard hot spring is open to use twenty-four hours. In the bathroom cabinet, you'll find yukata, towels, and our handmade yuzu bath salts—all complimentary.
There's also a tea room, sauna…"
The staff's thorough explanation ended with a polite bow before leaving.
As soon as the door closed, everyone's eyes went straight to Eriri.
"This isn't the room you showed us before, is it?" Yukino asked first.
She distinctly remembered Eriri sharing a much plainer room photo in their group chat—not this sprawling luxury suite.
"Don't worry about it. We're here to have fun, right? As long as everyone enjoys themselves, that's all that matters." Eriri put her hands on her hips, brushing it off.
"But this must be really expensive…" Rokka looked around nervously. The gold-trimmed low tables, the carved Manyōshū stone display—it was all clearly high-class.
Even between close friends, this level of generosity felt overwhelming.
"Stop fussing over the details. Just be happy and enjoy it," Eriri insisted. "Now let's divide the rooms."
No one pressed further. But even Utaha, who rarely got along with Eriri, quietly resolved that they would repay her somehow later—whether with gifts or meals.
Friendship couldn't just be one-sided. True balance meant mutual exchange.
Eriri and Rokka ran off excitedly to claim a room, full of childlike energy.
Yukino, now recovering, smiled faintly at the sight. They looked like carefree kids, and it tugged at some maternal instinct inside her.
"Senya, Utaha, let's go too," Saeko said.
Senya pulled out his phone, shaking his head. "You two go ahead. I'll call home and let them know we arrived safely."
Saeko and Utaha exchanged glances and nodded, watching him step onto the veranda, phone in hand.
Utaha whispered, "He really does care about his family… calling home the moment we arrive."
Saeko agreed softly. "It's rare nowadays. Back in my kendo club, I'd always hear guys complain about their parents. But Senya? Never."
A small thing, yet meaningful.
To them, it hinted at how he'd treat a future partner—or even children—someday.
Their eyes softened as they glanced toward his silhouette in the evening glow.
Meanwhile, Senya's call finally connected.
On the screen, Utaha's older sister, Tōka, leaned sleepily on a sofa, rubbing her eyes.
Seeing her so drowsy, soft and adorable, made Senya's heart skip a beat.
"Sleeping at this hour?" he asked.
"I was up twice last night with Chiyo. Didn't rest well. I was just reading here on the sofa, then dozed off."
"You should let me help sometimes. Diaper changes, feedings—I can handle it."
"Don't be ridiculous. You're busy enough already." Tōka yawned, then noticed his background. "So you've reached the inn?"
"Yeah. Take a look." He turned the phone to show the view.
"Mm… it's beautiful. Have fun with Rokka."
"You've been working so hard lately. If this place turns out nice, next time I'll bring you here for a proper break."
"You don't have to. To me, a bath's a bath. Hot spring, bathtub—same thing. I can toss in some mineral bath salts and it's no different."
"You can't say that. Hot springs have real benefits—relieving fatigue, improving circulation, nourishing the skin. With your monthly pains, it might even help ease them."
"Honestly… you don't need to think that far for me!"
Senya only smiled. Tōka's flustered cuteness made him want to scoop her up onto his lap and nibble at her ear.
"I should go start dinner," she muttered, cutting the call short.
But once she hung up, her drowsiness was gone. Her chest felt tight, conflicted.
She hated herself for even entertaining the thought… but sometimes it truly felt as if her little brother was slowly, deliberately trying to win her heart—not as a sister, but as a woman.
I must be insane.
She shook her head sharply, forcing the thought away.
Senya, meanwhile, still smiling at the memory of her sleepy charm, headed back inside.
The rooms had already been divided: Eriri, Rokka, and Yukino together; Utaha and Saeko together; and one left for him.
And of course, in a hot spring inn, the most anticipated activity was obvious.
But just then, another staff member knocked to ask about dinner.
Catching Rokka's little hand pressed over her stomach, Eriri turned to Yukino.
"Yukino, how about you? Still dizzy? Can you eat?"
Out of courtesy, she even spared Utaha a glance—since Senya was here.
"I'm fine now," Yukino answered softly.
Utaha nodded as well.
"Then let's have dinner first."
The sky outside was already dark, the hour late.
Soon attendants entered, setting up individual trays for each person.
Rokka, curious, whispered to Eriri, "Dinner's included in the room price, right?"
"It was, but I paid extra to upgrade."
"Upgrade?"
"To kaiseki cuisine."
The servers overheard and smiled. "A fine choice. Our kaiseki is quite famous. Even Tokyo officials are frequent guests."
"Ehh~" Rokka blinked in awe.
Eriri leaned closer. "Could you bring all the dishes at once, instead of one by one?"
"Of course."
Soon, trays of delicately plated dishes filled the tables.
Rokka's eyes sparkled. The others, more composed, were either used to such things or simply not showy by nature.
"This is kaiseki…" Rokka breathed. "I've only seen it on TV. This is my first time tasting it."
"Don't be intimidated. It just looks fancy if you're not used to it, but honestly? It's nothing too crazy," Eriri said.
Yukino agreed calmly, seated gracefully beside Senya, her socked feet tucked neatly beneath her. "Indeed. It's not as glamorous as the media paints it."
Saeko, sitting on Senya's other side, added, "They say the style actually developed from Zen practices."
"Zen?" Rokka asked.
Utaha, now seated across, explained, "Long ago, a monk would place a warm stone against his stomach to stave off hunger during long meditation. That's the origin of the name kaiseki—'怀石,' meaning 'bosom stone.'"
"Seriously?" Rokka gasped.
"Which is why I always tell you to read more proper books," Senya teased.
"You're starting to sound like Nee-san—always scolding me whenever you get the chance!"
"It's for your own good."
"See? That too! You're totally turning into her."
"Don't go inventing words for it."
Still, the exchange left her oddly warm inside.
"Kaiseki may have simple origins," Senya said, turning to Eriri with gratitude. "But it's still regarded as high cuisine today. Thank you, Eriri—you went out of your way for us."
The others' approving smiles left Eriri blushing furiously. She tried to act unfazed. "I-it's nothing! Alright, let's eat before it gets cold."
And so they began.
The food was exquisite. Tiny portions, artfully arranged, named with poetic terms like sakizuke and wanmono.
Senya, however, couldn't help noticing… they were all barely a mouthful.
The sakizuke of sakura shrimp with bamboo shoots—fresh, delicious, but gone in one bite. The matsutake and clam soup, the tuna sashimi, the grilled wagyu, the simmered oysters, the shrimp custard with ginkgo nuts—all the same.
Perfect for the girls. But for Senya, who usually ate two pounds of food per meal, it was laughable.
Yukino, watching him polish off everything at lightning speed, covered her mouth with a small laugh. "Looks like you'll have to order more."
Senya sighed, pressing a hand to his still-empty stomach. "Guess so."
So he ordered an omelet rice and a tempura platter. Finally, at about eighty percent full, he was satisfied.
Lately his appetite had only grown, his body steadily more solid, though never overweight. Kendo kept him fit, and he was glad for it.
With dinner finished, the natural next step was clear.
"It's past seven now. Shall we all go for the hot spring?"
Rokka's eager suggestion drew everyone's attention.