Hachiman's POV
Having finished a dinner that could only be described as "extravagant," I had every intention of heading straight for the hot springs as planned. Instead, I found myself apprehended by C.B., and I was currently stuck dealing with her.
I'm telling you, this girl is the definition of "high maintenance." I rest my hand on her head, and she looks like she's reached nirvana; I take it away, and she immediately starts pouting. I'm actually starting to get worn out just keeping her entertained. Wait, wasn't the whole point of this trip to heal from my daily fatigue? Why am I currently more exhausted than when I arrived?
Hachiman: "...Hey, C.B.-san? I'd really like to go to the baths now, so can you let go of—"
Mr. C.B.: "No."
Hachiman: "...And how much longer do you intend to keep this up?"
Mr. C.B.: "As long as whatever time Rice and Rudolf got earlier."
Hachiman: "If we do that, the baths will be closed. Spending two hours straight entertaining you would make me bored out of my skull."
Mr. C.B.: "But Hachiman, you never pay attention to me! It's always Rice this and Rudolf that!!"
Hachiman: "...Excuse me? I'm pretty sure that out of all my trainees, you're the one I spend the second-most amount of my life on."
Mr. C.B.: "I get Rice, okay? She's number one. But Rudolf gets just as much time as me, if not more! Like back at the Kyoto Racecourse, or that stuff with her grandmother, and all sorts of things!!"
...I'm fairly certain some of those things have absolutely nothing to do with Rudolf.
Hachiman: "Look, what exactly do I have to do to make you satisfied? Also, give me back that jacket I lent you before we went overseas. You still haven't returned it."
Mr. C.B.: "Hmm... I'd say about another hour and a half of this current arrangement~♪"
Hachiman: "...Fine. I guess I'll just give up on the hot springs."
Mr. C.B.: "Hehe. Now that's the spirit—"
Hachiman: "But since you won't be able to go to the baths either, that means the post-bath massage is off the table. I'd already cleared it with the other two that I'd give them a massage after their soak, but I guess C.B. is the only one who won't be getting one."
Mr. C.B.: "...Hachiman. You're going to give us massages after the bath? For real? Absolutely for real?"
Hachiman: "I may tell jokes, but I don't tell lies."
Mr. C.B.: "...Fine! I'm going to the baths too!"
Hachiman: "You sure? What about our hour and a half?"
Mr. C.B.: "The massage makes us even!"
Hachiman: "Got it. Have a good soak."
Phew... Finally, she's gone. Thank god she took the bait. Keeping up a lap-pillow-and-head-pat routine for ninety minutes would have been the ultimate waste of time.
Hachiman: "Alright, now that C.B. is occupied, time for my second round."
— The Open-Air Bath —
Hachiman: "Fuuuu... Man... this is the stuff." (Stretches out)
It's December, and the air outside is freezing, yet there's nothing quite as divine as an outdoor bath at night. I really need to thank the ancient Mesopotamians—or whoever invented this—and my ancestors for passing the tradition down. And the people who built this inn, too.
Still, a bath like this... the ones at the dorms are big and nice, but you have to time it right or they get crowded. Maybe it's time I looked into getting my own apartment? I've been accumulating more stuff lately, and my current room is feeling a bit cramped... Yeah, it's worth considering.
Hachiman: "Well, I can worry about the difficult stuff after I get home. No need to rush into a decision."
— The Camellia Suite —
Hachiman: "Pardon the intrusion. I'll ask one more time: are you guys really okay with me being in here? This is technically 'girls' territory,' isn't it?"
Symboli Rudolf: "There is no need for concern. We place our full trust in you. Besides, you would likely feel awkward having us lie down for massages in your own room, wouldn't you?"
Hachiman: "I mean, I could just lay out separate futons, but... whatever. Who's first? Personally, I'd like to start with Rudolf."
Mr. C.B.: "Then I'll go—"
Symboli Rudolf: "I'll leave that to you. We are the ones requesting the favor; we shall leave the order and the method entirely in your hands."
Mr. C.B.: "Muuu..."
Hachiman: "Alright, I get it. Rudolf, lie down. Just so we're clear, I'm only doing your calves, back, and shoulders. I'm staying away from the hips and thighs."
Symboli Rudolf: "I'm in your hands."
— Ten Minutes Later —
Symboli Rudolf: "Ngh... mmm... ah..."
Rice Shower: "The President looks like she's in heaven... but she also looks... um... a little bit... seductive... ///"
Mr. C.B.: "Right? It's a little scandalous, honestly." (Sullen glare)
Symboli Rudolf: "You both know how effective Brother's treatments are—wait! B-Brother... ngh..."
Hachiman: "Just relax. And C.B., stop saying weird things."
Mr. C.B.: "Fine, fine..."
Rudolf is trying her best to hold it in, but the occasional sound is slipping out, making the other two exactly right. Besides, she hasn't had a massage in a while, and she's been pushed hard by the trainers lately. Toss in the student council paperwork and the constant pressure of her daily life, and it's bound to take a toll on her body. If anyone needs this first, it's her.
I should probably hit the Hegu pressure point on her hand later, too.
Hachiman: "Rudolf, is there anywhere else specifically? I'll take requests as long as they're reasonable."
Symboli Rudolf: "Is it alright? Then... could I ask you to focus on the area behind my shoulder blades? I can't reach my own back, after all. I'd appreciate it."
Hachiman: "You got it."
I have to make sure I don't overdo it since Rice and C.B. are watching. If I spend too much time on Rudolf, C.B. is going to be incredibly salty.
Rice Shower: "Um, Onii-sama? Are you going to do that for us, too?"
Hachiman: "Yeah, that's the plan. Do you want me to keep it brief?"
Rice Shower: "No! Onii-sama's massages feel so good, I want to ask for lots of them!"
Mr. C.B.: "Me too, me too!!"
Hachiman: "Sorry, but it's one specific request per person. My fingers will give out if I try to do everything for everyone. And don't think 'one more full-body massage' counts as a request, either."
Mr. C.B.: "...Fine, I guess I have no choice."
Rice Shower: "Understood, Onii-sama. By the way, who's next? Me or C.B.-san?"
Hachiman: "C.B. goes next. Rice, you're last."
Rice Shower: "Okay!"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"