Kasumigaoka Utaha offered what sounded like a reasonable explanation for the outfit she was wearing—one that really shouldn't have appeared in this kind of setting.
But judging from the sharp glances exchanged between Yukinoshita Yukino and Sawamura Eriri, it was obvious neither of them were buying that nonsense.
Needless to say, Busujima Saeko wasn't fooled either.
Even Takanashi Rikka, when she saw Utaha appear in a swimsuit, sensed something was off.
Her gaze lingered on Utaha's figure—a body so flawless that even another girl like her couldn't help but be swayed.
A perfect chest, a narrow waist, skin like porcelain, every curve drawn as if by an artist's hand…
Rikka's eyes flicked to her adoptive brother's reaction.
He was sitting in the bath closest to Utaha, so when Utaha walked gracefully toward them, he had the clearest view.
He didn't go so far as to gape like an idiot or let his expression collapse into something shameful, but he was obviously paying very close attention.
Was it admiration? Or simply the inability to look away? Either way, he kept his eyes fixed on the novelist until she reached the edge of the hot spring and crouched down.
The moment she bent at the waist to test the water with her hand, her "snow-white rabbits" nearly made a dramatic appearance. Only then did Minamoto Senya snap to his senses, hastily facing forward, closing his eyes, and leaning against the stone edge as if the warmth of the hot spring had lulled him into rest.
"The water feels a little hot," Utaha murmured.
She had caught every flicker of astonishment in Senya's eyes. That hint of embarrassment on her face was mixed with the secret thrill of victory. Her last-minute "genius idea" before departure was already working wonders on the very first night.
Still, she kept her composure, making it sound like an ordinary comment about the bath. With so many people around, she couldn't afford to drop her act just yet.
"You can always try the children's bath inside the inn," Eriri shot back stiffly, her eyes glued to Utaha's unapologetic swimsuit. "The water there might be cooler."
The nickname she usually cursed Utaha with in her heart—"that black-stocking woman"—now had a new prefix: "shameless."
Utaha ignored Eriri's hostility with a smile. "No need. It's good when the water's a bit too hot. Sure, it feels harsh at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes so much more comfortable."
For some reason, the way she said it sounded like a double meaning in Senya's ears, and his imagination began to wander.
Under everyone's gaze, Utaha squatted by the spring, dipping her toes first. After adjusting, she let her pale legs slip beneath the surface.
From this close, Senya could hear the tiny gasp escape her lips.
"If it's too hot, you can always sit on the edge first and ease in," he suggested.
"Mm. Thank you," Utaha replied, her tone softer than usual.
With her hand lightly covering her chest, her mature, full figure radiated a kind of alluring vitality that stirred up a dangerous impulse in Senya.
And yet, a sudden chill ran through him.
The mist above the courtyard rose peacefully, with no sign of wind—yet he felt a frost in the air.
He glanced over, only to find Yukino, standing with Eriri, staring daggers in his direction.
Why me?!
She's the one who decided to wear that, not me! Why glare at me like I'm the criminal here?!
"Whew—"
After another moment to adjust, Utaha finally slid her upper body beneath the surface like the others.
Her dazzling whiteness disappeared beneath the waterline, giving the other two girls—ordinary in comparison—a chance to rein in the disheartened emotions that sheer willpower couldn't suppress.
Some things really are just a matter of being born with it. You either have it, or you don't.
Utaha drifted along the edge until she reached Saeko's side, where she sat down gracefully.
Saeko, unbothered and accustomed to Utaha's company, gave her a sidelong look and chuckled. "I didn't expect you to have such a figure, Utaha. I never noticed before."
"What are you talking about? You practice kendo every day. Your body's amazing too—anyone could tell, even under all those towels," Utaha countered with a laugh.
The two of them began trading compliments, all smiles.
Meanwhile, Rikka stole a glance at her two silent friends—one sulking, one brooding—and then looked down at herself. She could definitely understand how they felt.
Compared to Utaha and Saeko, their assets were just… too much.
No amount of time could make up for that.
So there was no way to join in that conversation.
Rikka's original idea of starting a water fight had already been scrapped—especially with her brother here. A slip of the towel could spell disaster. Even she wasn't immune to worrying about that.
She needed a topic that everyone could join in on. Something interesting.
Then inspiration struck. She raised her right hand high.
"Senya, Senya!"
"What now?" Senya tore his gaze from the night sky to look at his suddenly hyper little sister, dread rising in his chest.
And sure enough—
"Senya, you've always been popular with girls, right? I mean, I manage your social account sometimes, and there are always confessions in the DMs!"
"…What exactly are you trying to say?" he asked through gritted teeth, facing her sparkling eyes.
"Nothing big. It's just—lots of students at our school date, but I've never seen you show any real interest in anyone. Is it because you haven't met the right girl? Or maybe you've got a plan, like no dating until graduation?"
The moment she said it, every girl in the bath perked up.
The two who had been politely complimenting each other stopped and looked over. The two who had been sulking raised their ears.
Good sister! Thank you so much!
Senya could feel the weight of four piercing stares at once. He wanted nothing more than to yank out Rikka's ridiculous ahoge by the roots.
Seriously—what kind of sister asks that in front of everyone? Couldn't she have waited until later?
How was he supposed to answer this without stepping on a landmine?
But… thinking about it, maybe it wasn't so bad.
Rikka's question wasn't that sharp. And it did give him the perfect chance to test reactions.
"There's no 'no dating before graduation' rule for me," Senya said slowly. "And as for you never seeing me show interest in anyone—that's just your own mistake."
"…Eh?"
Rikka's eyes widened.
She had thrown it out casually, but she had actually dug up something huge.
The other four girls all tensed, hearts beating wildly, their expressions a mix of joy and uncertainty.
"So you do like someone, Senya?" Rikka squeaked, sliding closer to him in excitement.
"Yeah," he answered simply. Though technically, it's plural.
He leaned back, eyes drifting back to the sky, pretending it was nothing more than casual banter with his sister, while in truth watching the others carefully.
Yukino's face was flushed—though maybe that was just the heat of the spring. She sat quietly, but her toes curled and rubbed against each other under the water, betraying her mood.
Saeko, her hair pinned up to reveal the elegant line of her neck, looked just as red-faced. Her hands clasped modestly in her lap beneath the water, yet her smile was calm, even pleased.
Utaha's gaze was almost predatory, eyes sparkling like a lioness stalking a lion she'd already chosen.
Eriri… well, she was being her usual cute self. Beyond that, nothing to add.
"Tell me, tell me! Who is it?" Rikka tugged at his arm like a spoiled child.
"…Like I'd tell you."
"Stingy! If I had a crush, you'd be the first to know!"
"And I wouldn't care. Respect my privacy."
"Boo~"
She pouted but backed down when his warning look hit her.
Not that she was finished.
"You're lucky to have a kind sister like me," she whispered in his ear. "Don't worry—I'll always be on your side."
Her shoulder brushed against his as she leaned closer, skin brushing skin, though neither of them thought anything of it.
The others watching only sighed at how close the siblings were.
"…What are you plotting now, you silly brat?" Senya muttered.
Rikka only shot him a look that said, Just watch me. Then she splashed off toward the girls' side again, picking the topic right back up.
"Hey, come to think of it, we've never talked about what everyone's ideal type is. What kind of traits or personalities do you all like?"
For her, saying something like this was natural. Nobody was surprised. And thanks to her brother, she was plenty popular in this circle.
Utaha gave Senya a quick glance, then smiled. "What made you bring that up, Rikka?"
"Just curiosity! We're all friends, right? It's fun to know each other better. Besides, we can't just sit here soaking in silence."
Senya was starting to see her plan now. Not bad, little sis. Not bad at all.
"Getting to know each other better, huh…" Utaha nodded. "Alright, I'll go first."
"Hold it." Yukino interrupted, flustered by how fast the topic was moving. "Isn't this… kind of inappropriate?"
Her eyes flicked toward Senya, her cheeks pink. It wasn't rejection, just girlish embarrassment.
"Inappropriate? Please. I don't mind sharing. It's hardly a secret." Utaha brushed her off and went right ahead.
"My ideal partner… someone handsome, of course, but also disciplined, hardworking, and dignified. Above all, he has to love me—and I have to be one of the most important people in his life."
"…Just one of?"
"That's enough. Parents, family, future children—they matter too."
"Wow—" Rikka stretched the word out dramatically. "So for you, Utaha, mutual love is the most important thing?"
"That's right." Utaha's eyes slid toward Senya with a teasing sparkle. "Looks fade, bodies age, but love—real love—never withers."
Senya said nothing, keeping a straight face despite Yukino's death glare drilling into the side of his head.
For crying out loud, why me again?!
"Wow, Utaha-senpai, you really do sound like a novelist," Rikka chimed.
"It's nothing special. And I'm not a 'novelist'—just a light novelist."
"That's still amazing."
"Not as amazing as your brother."
"He only entered the Ranpo Prize contest. We don't even know if he'll win."
"That's not what I meant…"
They giggled together before everyone's eyes shifted to Saeko.
Adjusting her towel, she said calmly, "My standards are simple. Someone stronger than me, in every way. I only admire people who surpass me, and only they could ever catch my interest."
"…That sounds almost impossible," Rikka said, though she knew it wasn't literal.
"Not impossible. Just rare." Saeko's smile never wavered.
Given how both she and Utaha had looked at Senya while answering, their meaning couldn't have been clearer.
Rikka gulped. Did I just unleash something dangerous here?
Still, it was too late to back out.
"Yukino, Eriri—what about you two?" she asked.
Compared to Utaha's boldness and Saeko's frankness, their answers were bound to be more modest.
Eriri was first. "N-not much, really. I just want someone kind, gentle, someone who'll protect me. That's all I'd need to be happy."
Rikka's eyes lit up. "That's almost the same as me!"
"Really?"
"Yeah, except I'd want him to spoil me, no matter what mistakes I made. If he loved me that much, I'd be satisfied."
Everyone else thought the same thing: Sounds like she already has someone like that.
Then all eyes turned to Yukino.
She hesitated, silent.
Saeko spoke up kindly. "You don't have to force yourself if you don't want to answer."
Yukino shook her head. "No… it's just, there's someone else who hasn't answered yet either."
All gazes shifted to Senya.
He sighed. Rikka's smug little smirk made him want to groan.
But this was easy.
"For me, it's simple. If our hearts connect—if we just click—that's enough."
"…That's way too vague," Rikka pouted.
"But it's the truth."
Yukino leaned forward. "Nothing else? No other requirements?"
"Like what?" he countered, and she backed down.
Instead, she finally gave her own answer.
"My ideal is almost the same as Senya's. What he said just now—that's my real thought as well."
"Eeeeh~" Rikka drew it out. "That's cheating, Yukino!"
"…Fine. If I must add more," Yukino said after a pause, "then someone who understands me, accepts my weaknesses, respects me. Someone I can lean on when I need to—and who can lean on me in return. Honest, kind, decisive, trusts me… liking cats would be a bonus. That's enough."
The spring went quiet.
"…What?"
Everyone else stared.
Eriri forced a laugh. "It's nothing. I just didn't expect you to be so… detailed."
"Everyone else answered seriously. I couldn't be careless."
That was more than serious. That was a checklist, everyone thought silently.
Rikka fidgeted, realizing she might have set off something massive—something that could change the future itself.
But when she peeked at Senya, she found him not annoyed at all. Instead, he looked lost in thought.
After that, conversation flowed smoothly. No awkward silence returned.
Senya sat quietly, not offering to wash anyone's back or hand out towels—so much for harem anime "bath scene" antics.
Ten minutes later, Rikka and Eriri had had enough heat and left to shower.
Five minutes after that, Yukino saw Utaha finally stand up to leave, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief and quickly exit as well.
Saeko followed half a step behind.
As she passed Senya, making sure the others weren't watching, she leaned down swiftly.
Her lips brushed his ear, soft and warm.
"Senya," she whispered, "I'll come find you later tonight."