This is Not a Mixed Bath

Something was up with Kei, Subaru could tell something had happened, but she refused to talk about herself, and changed the topic back to their hastily organised trip every time he tried to get something from her, so eventually he gave up by the time they reached his house.

Subaru changed from his uniform into a plain white t-shirt and some long pants, before tying most of his long hair back, while Kei started giving commands.

"So you'll probably need a change of clothes - better make that two..."

Kei instructed, while Subaru gathered what he needed into a small carry bag.

"It's only a day right? Can't I just wear what I've got on now?"

"You can't be serious! It's a resort - so you need at least one fancy looking get-up."

"Fine..."

Subaru packed the light-blue dress he'd recently received, and another plain white one too, plus a couple of extra things, before returning to the corridor and the impatient Kei waiting there.

"Right, then let's get moving..."

It was obvious Kei was eager to get to this 'wonderful resort', she had spoken of, since her flood of messages in the morning, while after seeing her earlier mood, it would probably do her some good to chill out a little.

Maybe I might get some relaxation in too...

Back to the station, then a short trip to a larger one to transfer trains, it was then a much longer travel to their wanted stop, closer to the nearby higher peaks, but the station was practically on the doorstep to their intended destination.

Kei only needed a moment to check-in, and they briefly ventured to their large room, dropping off their bags, before Kei was dragging Subaru to the natural hot springs baths, busting to see them.

However they encountered a troublesome hurdle near their entrance.

"Uh-hum!"

A much older lady cleared her throat from the nearby counter, getting their attention.

"We have rules here... boys on the left, girls on the right."

She looked unimpressed at the youngsters who stood before the curtained doorways, giving a scowl, till they retreated away.

"I am not being denied a dip in the hot springs... come on."

Kei grumbled, still in her boy's school uniform, as they moved off, while Subaru followed closely behind her.

I think you got caught up in the moment...

"But she won't let either of us enter..."

Subaru assumed, while not needing to say the rest, but Kei was set on having her way again.

They promptly returned to the room, while Kei stomped most of the way back in her huff.

"I have a sure way to get into that ladies side... because I'm sure as hell not going into the mem's side."

Kei immediately went into her bag and retrieved a dark-pink clump.

"With this wig on, I'll look much more girlish... right?"

She then tasked Subaru to affix it, well enough to fool a passerby, and then studied herself in the little mirror once it was on - as well as Subaru could get it on her at least.

"That'll do, but now we need to change too..."

Finding a pair of pink yukata in the cupboard, that seemed quite fit for papoose, each took one and quickly set them out on opposite sides of the room.

"Now don't you dare turn around..."

"I kmow."

It was a strange feeling, changing in the same room at the same time with another person, but while Subaru's simple clothes let him get into the pink yukata quicker, it was taking Kei a little longer to unwrap herself.

"I'm done."

Subaru let out his hair from the elastic loop, then stood and waited while she continued to shuffle about unseen.

"Alright... me too."

She stepped into view and held her arms apart.

"So what do you think, am I girly enough to get by the troll?"

The yukata fitted Kei perfectly, and with her waist wrap done tight, is showed her physique of gentle curves well. Added with the longer wig, and the touch of lip shade, she appeared as a rather attractive young lady now.

Subaru nodded and she smiled, before grabbing his hand and leading him back to the baths, with more determination for success.

"Why am I coming in here too...?"

It hit Subaru the moment they passed by the old lady and entered the woman's changing room, without a word this time.

"We're a couple of girls to most people's eyes... we need to keep our cover - otherwise my father could find out you're a guy!"

"But you don't mean we should-?"

"No. Of course not! I'll go first, and then I'll let you know when you can proceed."

Kei opened the next door and peered about.

"What if someone else comes in?"

"There's no chance of that... It is a weekday, and we're early... That's why I wanted us to hurry."

"Should I even bother?"

She turned to stare at him in the eye with an annoyed look.

"It'll be weirder if one of us comes out all dry, and you're already here so... quit complaining."

Alright then...

Subaru lingered in the change room for a while, till Kei tapped on the door and informed him.

"There's no one else here, and I'm done with the wash room now... I've left my clothes by the door... so just give me two seconds to get into the open bath..."

Subaru did exactly what he was told; hearing another door click shut, he tentatively entered the women's wash room, put Kei's items in a basket, then took his time with his own wash, figuring Kei would prefer to soak up some time in the relaxing waters for a while.

I guess my time in the best bit will be short though... otherwise Kei'll get angrier...

Subaru rinsed the last soap off his body and shampoo from his hair, before returning a towel around him, covering from his waist to his knees, and sat patiently - that was until he registered someone else's presence.

There's someone else coming in... What should I do...?

The other woman softly hummed to herself, doing whatever she did behind Subaru's back after she came into the same room.

Don't fret... there is plenty of room here for the both of us... I'll just keep my distance and bide my time like we planned...

"Oh, hi Sekiya... I thought that was you..."

Huh... who's this...?

The darker skinned teenager set herself down on the small stool right beside Subaru and looked genuinely pleased to see 'her'.

"Fancy meeting you here."