Tender Realization

Jun had spoken to the staff prior to reserve two private onsen - one for each of them. For Akari to have privacy and avoid the public and for Jun to not have to worry about his injury.

"They're separated but side by side." Jun explained. "If anything happens, call for me and I'll be there."

Akari nodded. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Try to relax while you're in there."

"You too."

With that, they disappeared into their separate onsen rooms.

-

The door quietly shut behind Akari. The scent of eucalyptus and cedar wood filled the air of her private room, lantern lights glowed warmly over the stone tiles, and steam drifted lazily from the open-air bath as the moonlight shone down through it, reflecting across the water's surface.

Akari cleansed herself and slipped into the bath, the warm water hugging her skin immediately, melting away the stress of the past few days. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she sank deeper, the water resting at her collarbone.

It was quiet. Peaceful. Relaxing. 

She closed her eyes to clear her mind, but Jun's voice lingered.

"If anything happens, call for me and I'll be there."

He always said things like that too casually, as if protecting her was so natural to him.

She leaned back against the smooth edge of the bath, gazing through the rising steam at the moonlight above. He's just protecting me... That's all. Don't let it go to your head...

Though she told herself that, it tugged at her heart unnaturally, as if she were betraying herself with denial.

-

Jun walked into his own private onsen room with slow, careful movements. The room was identical to Akari's - the eucalyptus and cedar wood scent, the warm lanterns, the steam rising into the night under the soft moonlight.

He washed himself and then eased into the water, cautious of his injury.

The ache of his wound and muscles dulled, softened by the warm water.

He leaned back against the stone wall, letting the steam cloud his thoughts. 

But his mind did not still, it drifted to the person on the other side of the wall from him.

To her.

To Akari.

Her sleeping figure beside him.

Her flustered expression when he got close to her.

Her excitement behind her eyes when she smiled.

Jun exhaled sharply, sinking deeper into the water.

She's just thankful I helped her... That's all. Don't let your mind wander...

Though he tried to convince himself, the words seemed to refuse to settle, but he clung to them nonetheless, as if afraid to face what he truly thought and hoped for.

-

Akari slid the door open from her private onsen, her robe clung lightly to her shoulders, hair damp and loose, cheeks still flushed from the heat. The corridor outside was dim, the only light from the amber lanterns.

As she stepped out into the hallway, the door beside hers opened.

Jun emerged slowly, water still clung to the ends of his hair, his robe wrapped loosely around his broad frame, and a more relaxed expression than usual.

They both froze, caught off guard by the timing.

Akari found herself stepping closer to him without thinking. "You look better... How's your side?"

"I'm okay. It's not as painful anymore."

"I'm glad." She said softly.

Jun noticed drops of water slip from Akari's hair, falling to her shoulder and slipping further down where he didn't allow his eyes to travel. He reached out slowly, giving her time to pull away if she wanted to. When she didn't, he lightly took hold of the edge of her robe and pulled it a little closer around her shoulders, fingers careful and respectful not to touch her too closely. "Let's head back. You'll get cold."

Akari blinked, startled by the tenderness and closeness. "Okay..."

They walked side by side, their sleeves lightly brushing each other with every step, the corridor quiet around them except for the ripples of distant water and the soft echo of their footsteps.

They reached a part of the hallway where moonlight poured in through a large window, a silver glow against the wooden floors. Akari paused, drawn to the view. "Jun, look."

Jun gazed out the window, following her eyes. The sky was so clear and bright that every star seemed to come alive in the night sky. The moon rested over the frosted peaks with its light spilling across the trees and lake below.

"I've never seen anything like this..." She murmured.

In the city, the stars were lost to the artificial lights and the moon trapped behind the towering buildings. Here, it felt like the sky had opened just for them.

Jun's eyes drifted from the view to Akari, taking in how the moonlight softened her features, how her natural blue eyes shimmered in response to the nights glow, how the silver light traced her delicate frame. The world outside was vast and breathtaking, but in that moment, he could only see her.

He exhaled softly. "Akari..."

She turned to him, her smile gentle. "Yes?"

Jun's hand lifted slightly as if to reach for her - almost instinctively. But he stopped himself, letting it hover just barely from hers. There were words sitting at the edge of his tongue. Words he wasn't sure he was allowed to say. Words that didn't feel fair to say. Words he was still trying to find to say.

For a fragile second, he nearly spoke anyway. "I-"

But then a tender realization settled over him. No... This isn't right...

Not when they were out in the open.

Not when her trust in him was so precious.

Not when he didn't want to risk something he wasn't ready to lose.

Jun lowered his hand, letting it fall back to his side.

Akari blinked, confused by his behavior. "Jun?"

He forced a small apologetic smile. "It's nothing." 

Her confusion deepened, but she didn't want to push. "Okay..."

"Shall we head back?" Jun quietly asked.

Akari nodded and fell into step next to him.

As they continued walking down the hall, Akari couldn't help to glance up at him, wondering what he had wanted to say.

And Jun also couldn't help but wonder the same thing.