Chapter 27 – Steam, Secrets, and Snoopers

After the courage test, most of us were half dead.

Some people were screaming just to scream, Others were clinging to their partners like their souls had already left their bodies.
I, however, had a different problem :

Usagi.

Cute, clumsy, scared of ghosts Usagi… who kept hugging my arm the whole walk back.

I’m not complaining, okay? I’m just saying my heart rate is now a medical concern.

We arrived back at the inn, dragging our feet.
Someone declared a group bath was the only way to wash away the trauma.

Daiki threw his hands up like a preacher.
“Brothers, We have suffered. But now into the onsen!”

“Calm down,” I muttered. “You’re not leading a cult.”

“Not yet,” he winked.

Boys' Bath

I tossed my towel over my shoulder and followed the others into the boys’ side of the hot spring. The second I stepped in, I nearly collapsed.

“Heaven,” Daiki said, melting into the water. “This is the afterlife.”

Kenta pointed across the fence that separated the boys' and girls' bath. “I bet the girls are gossiping about us right now.”

“Let’s eavesdrop,” Daiki said instantly.

“We’re not doing that,” I said.

We were absolutely doing that.

I leaned back, letting the heat soak through my muscles.
Maybe this was what peace felt like. Just me, my friends, and mild second degree burns from volcanic water.

Daiki looked toward me and grinned. “So, Yuuji. You and Airi, huh?”

I immediately tensed. “Huh what?”

“She looked really comfortable with you back there,” Kenta grinned. “She was clinging like a magnet to a fridge.”

Daiki nodded. “She’s usually shy, You bring out her bold side.”

“Bold? She nearly tripped on a rock because she was too busy hiding behind me!”

They both chuckled.

“Admit it,” Daiki said. “You like her.”

I sunk lower into the water. “I rather not being interrogated in a boiling tub.”

Girls' Bath

Usagi was trying very hard to not melt into the water. Mika swam over like a dolphin, splashing too much.

“I saw you during the courage test, Airi chaaan~!” she said with a big grin. “That arm hug was strategic.”

Usagi turned pink. “It wasn’t! I was scared!”

“You looked adorable,” Hina said, watching calmly from the corner. “And very... attached.”

“Uwaaa…” Usagi buried her face in the water.

“Yuuji didn’t seem to mind,” Mika whispered.

Usagi nearly drowned herself.

Later That Night – Balcony

I stepped outside to cool off.
The night air was cold, a sky full of stars, I leaned on the railing, trying to process everything.

Then came a soft voice. “Yuuji kun?”

Usagi peeked out, holding a can of milk tea.

“Oh uh, you want this spot?”

She shook her head. “I just… wanted some air too.”

She stood beside me, silent for a moment.

“…Thank you,” she said.

“For what?”

“For walking with me today, And… not making fun of me.”

I stared at her. “Why would I make fun of you for being scared? Everyone was scared.”

“Not Hina chan.”

“Okay, Hina doesn’t count. She might secretly be a ghost herself.”

Usagi giggled.

We stood there, side by side, watching the stars.
Her hand brushed mine just a little, Not enough to hold, but enough to notice.

“I had fun,” she said softly. “I’m really glad I came on this trip.”

“Yeah,” I replied. “Me too.”

A pause.
Then I added, “You were… really brave, you know. Even if you were scared.”

Usagi blinked. “I was?”

“Yup.”

She smiled.

Then, quietly, she looked down. “Sometimes I wish things could stay like this forever…”

“…?”

Before I could ask what she meant, she shook her head. “Never mind, Just being silly.”

15 minutes later - Hallway

I was walking back to the room when I noticed the hallway lights were off.
...I heard voices quiet, but clear.

“I’m really scared, Hina-chan…” Usagi’s voice.

“You knew this wouldn’t last forever,” Hina replied calmly.

“…I know, But it hurts I didn’t think it would hurt this much.”

Silence.

“Does he know?” Hina asked.

“No... Not yet.”

“Will you tell him?”

“…Maybe. When I’m brave enough. Or maybe not at all.”

My heart practically drop to my stomach.

What was that about?

I turned and walked away before they noticed me,
My head spun the whole way back.

The Next Morning

“Yuuji, you look like you didn’t sleep,” Daiki said at breakfast.

“Probably got haunted by the tanuki ghost,” Kenta added.

I didn’t answer,
Usagi or rather Airi sat across the table, smiling like usual, but something was different, I couldn’t shake the feeling from last night.

I don’t know what she meant by “it won’t last forever.”
But I’m starting to worry I’ll find out soon.

And why did it sound like she was…

...

Yuuji’s Mental Diary
Airi/Usagi Status: Ultra cute, Also maybe hiding a secret???
Mental State: 70% chill, 30% paranoia
Food Rating: Tamagoyaki was soft like Airi and Usagi
Important Note: Do not eavesdrop unless you’re ready for emotional damage