It's Nothing Special, and Yet...

One month later, Iwakuni.

Over the past month, Alice noticed that the air has gotten drier, making it a bit difficult to huff in fresh air. Plus, we’re approaching the fall season, making the air colder, but we didn’t expect it to be winter’s level of cold. It’s so bad that we started wearing thick clothes to keep ourselves from inflicting hypothermia, and even then, it’s still freezing.

“And we’re only in September too…” Alice said, rubbing her hands.

“M-My lungs…”

I try to huff some air, but all it does is strike through my lungs, making it extremely painful to take a breath.

Despite our strenuous circumstances, we continue to stride through this abandoned city, doing our best to scavenge multiple food supplies and clothing, while taking periodic breaks when it becomes too overwhelming. Even though we’re walking on a flat road, it feels like I’m climbing a large mountain, as each step I take weighs heavily on my physical prowess.

A few hours of walking later, I noticed that near the edge of the ocean, there’s a singular building standing that still looks brand new. The exterior has a modern brick design to it, with most of it untouched by the decaying environment.

“Spa-sunrise…” Alice mutters, reading out a sign that’s next to us.

“A spa?!” I close in on Alice.

“Seems like it…” Alice looks up towards the building, “It still looks new too…”

“We need to check it now!” I hold Alice’s hands, looking back and forth between her and the building atop the hill.

“W-Why are you this excited?” She tilts her head.

“If it’s a spa, then there’s a good chance there might be a hot bath, right?!” I point towards the building, jumping on the spot.

“Ahhh… I guess that’s true…” Alice crossed her arms.

“Come on! Don’t you want to experience heaven?!” I take a few steps ahead, spreading my arms wide.

"You should calm down for a second…” Alice brought her hands up, “If there isn’t any hot water, you’re just setting yourself up for disappointment…”

“Wanna bet on it?” I point at Alice while smirking.

“What can we even bet on?” She lowers her shoulders.

“Our beliefs!” I point towards the sky, striking a cool pose.

“Is that really something worth betting on…?” Alice shrugs her shoulders, taking a step ahead of me. “I’ll play along, but I’m sure electricity would be the only thing that’s alive…”

“So, you’re down to bet our beliefs?” I stretch my hand out.

“…Sure, sure…” Alice shook my hand, letting out a defeated smile.

…

….

…..

---

“IT’S AN ONSEN!” I open the towel that was covering my body, jumping straight into the embrace of hot water.

“How is the hot water still operational…?” Alice mutters, her face flabbergasted.

“My beliefs prevails!” I raised my arms.

The onsen was located outdoors, but they had it all walled off with wood. So, the view wasn't anything special— just a garden that looked totally neglected. Lots of dead plants, and some were just knocked over, having dirt surrounding the area.

Surprisingly, though, none of them got into the onsen, and its engines are somehow running normally despite everything this world has gone through…

Eh, not like it matters though…

“This is heaveeennn~~~” My body sinks further into the hot water, letting its heat melt every part of my body.

“Try not to fall asleep, alright?” Alice warned as she took her towels off and dipped her toes in.

“Oohh…” Alice’s face lights up as she puts her whole foot in the hot water.

She then slowly takes the steps downward, encapsulating her bottom half in hot water up.

She then lowers her body next to me, letting it submerge her upper half.

””Haughhhhhh~~~””

“I never knew I needed this…” Alice muttered, her head falling deeper into the water.

“I wouldn’t mind if this is the way I die…” I lay my head on the wall, looking up towards the sky.

“Don’t do that… it’ll be a problem for me…” Alice muttered.

“Ohooo~??” I nudge Alice’s shoulder, “Are you saying that you’ll be lonely without me~~?” I put my hand over my mouth.

“…Yeah…” Alice meekly nods, her face becoming red.

“…”

“It really is a surprise, huh…” Alice chuckled as she looked towards the sky, “I really hated your gut when I first met you, yet now I feel like I can’t go anywhere without you…”

“…”

“Being real, I’m really scared that me saying things would creep you out…” Alice gaze downwards at the water’s surface, her shoulders trembling.

“…”

“But at the same time,” She raised her head, looking straight into me. “I don’t want to lie to myself…”

“…”

*Badump*

“…Yuiko.” Alice keeps her gaze locked on me.

*Badump*

“…What is it, Alice?”

*Badump*

“I like you. Please go out with me.”

“…”

*Badump*

With that last heart thump.

My mind blanked out.

Like a light switch that’s been switched off.

“Sorry if I made you uncomfortable…” Alice stood up from the bath, letting some warm water splash onto my face.

Bringing me back to consciousness.

“W-Wait!” I instinctively grasped onto Alice’s hand.

“…?”

“You said that you don’t want to lie to yourself anymore.” I pull Alice’s arm towards me.

“Woah!” Making her fall back into the water, her face was flabbergasted.

“If that’s the case, then why are you trying to run away from me?” I ask, strengthening my grip.

“…That’s—”

“You don’t want to lie to yourself, but you don’t want to hear out my answer…” I gaze at the water’s surface, keeping my grip on Alice’s.

“That’s not it!” Alice exclaims. “I was planning on giving you some time to think—”

“Excuses.”

“…”

“You’re just scared of what I will say next…” I replied, slowly letting her arm go.

“…” Alice looks down towards the water, her face contorting.

“…I also like you, Alice…” I said, holding onto her hands.

“…Eh?” Alice slowly raised her head, her jaws on the floor.

“You’ve done so many incredible things for me that I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for you…” I raised my hands, making both our hands hang above the water, and its water slowly dripping out.

“…”

“I want you to look at me, Alice…” I let go of her hands, keeping my eyes locked onto her.

“…Pfft… Hahahahaha!”

“W-What’s so funny?!” I stretch my hand towards Alice’s cheeks, stretching them in place.

“Ish nwothing, ish nwothing!” She says as she desperately waves her hands around.

“Then what is it?!” I let go of her cheeks, puffing my cheeks out.

“It’s just that… I was so relieved that I just… Hahaha…” Alice wipes her tears.

“It feels like you’re making fun of me…” I pout my cheeks.

“No…” Alice repositions herself to sit next to me, placing her shoulders next to mine, “I was just laughing at how silly I was being…”

“…”

“Sorry for trying to run away…” Alice mutters. “I guess it’s easier said than done, huh…”

“…Yeah…” I nod, letting my cheeks soften.

“Can I… touch your face?” Alice asks, raising her hand.

“…Yeah…” I lean closer to her, a smirk forming on my face, “In the first place, you don’t need to keep asking for permission, you know?”

“I don’t want to hurt you, though…” Alice pouts, her hand inching closer towards me.

“Yeah…” I nod. “I know…”

Alice’s hand lands on my left cheek, soaking it with her unusually cold hands.

“Are you okay?” Alice asks.

“It’s a bit cold, but it’s alright…” I place my forehead on top of Alice’s.

“…Is it okay if I…” Alice looks back and forth from bottom to top, her face growing red. “Kiss you…?”

“…Yeah…” I place my hand on Alice’s chin, bringing her face upwards.

“…”

“Mm…”

And pressed my lips onto hers.

It was a soft peck.

There's nothing special about it.

Yet somehow,

It feels incredibly special to me…

…

….

……