The car sped smoothly along the quiet road, the fading city skyline reflected in the windshield. Warm afternoon sunlight filtered through the glass, washing the car interior in soft gold. Einar leaned back, arms crossed, face still slightly swollen and bruised.
For several minutes, neither of them spoke.
Einar shifted again—this time wincing when his sore back brushed against the seat.
Dean let out a long, suffering sigh.
"That's the ninth time you've moved," he said flatly.
"My ribs hurt," Einar muttered.
"You did that to yourself."
"You carried me like a dead goat."
Dean didn't even blink.
"You were like a dead goat."
Einar glared.
"You enjoy insulting me, don't you?"
"It's one of the few pleasures I get in life."
"Tch…"
Another minute passed.
Then Einar side-eyed him.
"…You're still a pervert."
Dean's grip on the steering wheel tightened again.
"Say that again and I'll throw you into the nearest ditch."
"I'm just stating facts."
Dean exhaled sharply.
"Brat."
"Old man."
Dean hit the horn for no reason whatsoever.
Einar jumped nearly out of his seat.
"HEY! Are you trying to kill us?!"
"No. Just relieving stress."
"By scaring me to death?!"
"Effective, wasn't it?"
Einar huffed and turned toward the window, glaring at the passing pine trees as the road curved up the mountain. The forest grew denser the higher they went, rays of sunlight cutting through the tall branches like golden spears.
"…It smells nice out here," Einar murmured despite himself.
Dean chuckled.
"Nature tends to do that."
"No sarcasm this time?"
"Shocking, I know."
Einar blinked.
"…Wait. Why are you being nice? You're not dying, are you?"
Dean hit the horn again.
"STOP DOING THAT!"
"Then stop asking stupid questions."
"I'm serious though!"
Einar folded his arms again.
"You never take me anywhere fancy. You never spend money. You never treat me."
Dean smirked.
"That's because you're a brat."
"So why now?"
Dean tapped the steering wheel.
"…You need it."
The simplicity of the statement made Einar blink.
Before he could reply, the car passed under a tall wooden gate carved with intricate characters:
HOSHIYAMA HOT SPRINGS RESORT
Healing Through Water & Flame
Steam drifted from behind the buildings, floating like white ghosts among the trees. The air suddenly grew warmer, richer with minerals.
Einar's eyes widened.
"…Woah. This place looks… expensive."
"It is expensive," Dean said.
Einar grabbed his wallet protectively.
"My money stays far away from this place."
Dean snorted.
"I'm paying, idiot."
Einar froze.
"…Sensei. For real?"
Dean nodded.
Einar stared at him with suspicious, narrowed eyes.
"…Who are you and what have you done with Dean?"
Dean reached over and flicked his forehead again.
"OW! STOP ABUSING ME!"
"As long as you're screaming, you're alive."
"That doesn't make it okay!"
Dean ignored him and pulled into the parking lot.
⸻
Inside the Resort
Warm lighting washed over the wooden lobby, blending with the gentle sound of flowing water echoing through hidden channels beneath the floorboards. The scent of natural minerals and incense blended together, instantly calming the body.
Einar's shoulders relaxed the moment he stepped inside.
A young receptionist approached with a bright smile and a graceful bow.
"Welcome to Hoshiyama Hot Springs. Are you two checking in?"
"Yes." Dean returned the bow—without the attitude he usually had. "Under the name Dean Harrow."
Einar blinked.
"…Did he just act civil?"
Dean elbowed him.
The receptionist brightened.
"Ah, Mr. Harrow. We've prepared your private deluxe suite with the open-air bath, just as you requested."
Einar froze mid-step.
"…D-deluxe? Private? Open-air?"
Dean nodded casually.
"Correct."
Einar's eyes burst wide open.
"You… you booked THAT?!"
Dean smirked.
"Your body needs proper treatment."
Einar grabbed him by the shoulders.
"Sensei… if you've been replaced by aliens, blink twice."
Dean shoved him away.
"I'm fine, idiot."
"No really—this is the most expensive stuff you've ever done in your life."
Dean rubbed his temples.
"You collapsed in the dirt earlier. Let me be nice once."
Einar stared at him.
Then softened.
"…Thanks."
Dean looked away, ears slightly red.
"Don't say it like that. Makes it awkward."
⸻
Their Room
The sliding wooden door opened to reveal the suite—a spacious room with tatami floors, soft lanterns, a long couch, and neatly arranged futons. Through the glass wall at the far side, steam curled into the open air from a private stone hot spring bath surrounded by polished rocks and small bamboo fountains.
Einar's jaw fell open.
"This is… insane. How much does this cost? This is like… rich-people expensive."
Dean set the bags down.
"I said don't worry about it."
"That means worry about it."
Dean grabbed him by the collar.
"Stop talking."
"Can't—breathing—blocked—!"
Dean released him with a sigh.
Einar staggered toward the glass door and stared at the open-air bath.
The surface shimmered with rising steam under the golden light of dusk.
His eyes softened completely.
"…I've never been anywhere like this before."
Dean looked over at him.
"Well, now you have."
Einar turned around, cheeks puffed slightly.
"…Sensei."
Dean raised an eyebrow.
"What now?"
Einar scratched his cheek, looking away.
"…Thank you. Seriously."
Dean blinked—momentarily caught off-guard at Einar's sincerity.
But then he quickly looked away, scratching the back of his neck.
"Tch… don't get emotional on me. Just go take a shower. You smell like you lost a fight with a dumpster."
Einar scowled.
"I DO NOT—!"
"Trust me. You do."
"Fine! I'll wash!"
He grabbed a towel and headed to the bathroom, mumbling curses under his breath.
The moment he disappeared behind the door…
Dean's gaze softened.
He leaned back against the wall, arms crossed loosely.
"…Three months away, and the brat's still pushing himself like a madman," he muttered.
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
"Don't collapse like that again… idiot."
He looked toward the steam drifting from the open-air bath.
Tomorrow would be a long day.
But for the first time in weeks… Dean didn't mind.