Finchi Ryokan

When Mr. Takahashi parked the car, he turned off the music and Mr. Ikeda stopped singing. Everyone let out a weary sigh.

Satoko closed her eyes, enjoying the sudden peace. I’ll never get over this traumatic experience. Her body shivered.

Mr. Takahashi took off the earplugs and glanced back.

“I forgot to warn you that a trip with the boss can be lethal.”

Mr. Ikeda smiled intimidatingly. “Come on, is this something you would say about your boss?”

Mr. Takahashi sighed and opened the car door. Hiroto imitated him and opened the door next to him. A wave of heat clouted Satoko, who stiffened.

Ain’t no way I’m coming out in this heat.

Hiroto got out of the car and turned to her. “What’s wrong?” He observed her clothes and shook his head, resigned. “Why did you put on a sweater and a scarf? Of course you will be hot.”

Satoko pursed her lips. Don’t judge my outfit that way, I’m too shy to put on something more revealing!

In the meanwhile, Kenji had already gotten out and was trying to convince Akito to get up from the extra seats on the back where he was playing videogames on his phone.

“Come on, Akito!”

“Let me finish this level.”

“But it will get dark like this!”

“I don’t care.”

“You give me no other choice.” Kenji carried him out by force.

“Stay away from me!” Akito complained, but didn’t take his eyes off the phone, so he ended up being dragged on the floor like a lot of potatoes.

“You’re so mean, it won’t take that long!”

Satoko witnessed the scene, dejected. We look like a bunch of misfits.

After taking their things and getting away from the parking lot, Satoko observed the surroundings. They were walking on a path of pebbles enclosed by bushes, trees and stone lanterns that led to a tiny lake crossed by a small bridge. The ryokan, a Japanese traditional hotel, was reflected on the water’s surface together with the sunlight.

The soothing sound of the waves permeated the courtyard as a backdrop for the loud singing of cicadas. Satoko took a deep breath, reinvigorated. It was like a peaceful oasis, distant from the chaos of the city and everyday life.

They walked towards the ryokan and Mr. Ikeda stopped in front of the sliding doors. He knocked on them, cautious.

After some time, they opened abruptly, revealing an elderly woman with black hair gathered in a bun and dressed in traditional Japanese clothes.

“Fuma, you lazy idiot of a son! You finally decided to come help your old mother!” She shouted.

Mr. Ikeda kneeled down on the floor. “I’m sorry, I’m so terribly sorry.” He hit his forehead on the ground. “I’m repentant, contrite and ashamed” —he hit his head every time he pronounced a new word— “of my careless conduct. Please, forgive me!”

A pool of blood was forming around Mr. Ikeda’s body.

Satoko widened her eyes, shocked. He probably hit his head too hard!

“Boss, are you—”

“You’re ruining my beautiful floor!” The woman raised her leg as if she was about to score the winning goal of the game and kicked Mr. Ikeda, who flew directly into the lake, causing a shower of splashes.

“...Okay?” Hiroto completed the sentence, astonished.

Everyone’s jaw dropped. The woman clapped her hands, as to clean them from dust, while Mr. Takahashi was nodding approvingly.

Satoko stared at the lake, terrified. Boss, your mom is scary!

“Now, let’s take care of you.” The woman turned to them, her expression extremely cold.

Satoko shivered. Please, don’t kill me!

Suddenly, her eyes lit up. “Oh, you brought me some youngsters! You did something useful for once, son.” She smiled. “I’m Homura Sumiki, the mother of the ungrateful man in the lake and the owner of this amazing place. Welcome to Finchi Ryokan!”

Everyone bowed their heads.

How did she change attitude so suddenly? This is even scarier!

“It will be an honour to work for you, Mrs. Homura. I’m Takahashi Keiji and I’m responsible for these four youngsters during their stay here. I would like to discuss with you some matters about the job.”

Mrs. Homura clapped her hands happily. “Of course, of course. I know my son runs a butler cafe, I have no problems with them acting as they always do.”

At that moment, another woman approached Mrs. Homura. They were similar, but she was younger and dressed casually. Satoko imagined that she could be Mr. Ikeda’s sister.

She looked at Mr. Ikeda, who was now getting out of the lake, completely soaked in water. “What?! Mom, you threw Fuma in the lake again?”

The mother cleared her throat and ignored her. “Let’s head inside.”

The other woman sighed and turned to the guests. “Well, nice to meet you. I’m Fuyumi, Fuma’s elder sister.”

Satoko bowed her head and followed them inside, reluctant. Are we truly safe here? They don’t look promising…

***

After doing the presentations, Fuyumi led them to their rooms to unpack their things, while Mr. Takahashi and Mr. Ikeda were talking with Mrs. Homura.

Fuyumi stopped in front of two doors.

“Ehm… Fuma wasn’t clear with the instructions and we didn’t know there was a girl, so we prepared two rooms for two people each.”

Satoko turned pale. What? I will have to share the room with one of them? She scanned the three boys and a chill ran down her spine. I know they don’t have bad intentions, but this is too much…

“You can stay with me if you want, Satoshi. We’re bros, after all” Kenji said, trying to reassure her.

Satoko looked at him, clueless. We’re… What?

“Of course not, she will stay alone and us three will stay together in the same room” Hiroto replied.

“No, I don’t want to share my room with Kenji, he talks in his sleep!” Akito whined.

Kenji frowned. “That’s not true!”

“Yes, it’s true. I heard it during last year's school trip.”

Oh, right! They attend the same school, I always forget it. Satoko felt a little guilty. It must be difficult to sleep in that situation, but I don’t want to share the room with Akito…

“Deal with it, I won’t let Satoshi sleep in the same room with a boy” Hiroto cut it short.

Satoko let out a sigh of relief and shot a grateful glance to him. Thank you, Hiroto, you saved me.

Fuyumi clasped her hands and smiled lovingly. “Such a responsible guy, where did Fuma even find you?”

“In Tokyo…?” Hiroto replied, confused.

The woman laughed airily. “You’re adorable!” She turned to Akito. “Don’t worry, it will be only for now. I’ll prepare another room for Itou-chan and you can split between the rooms however you prefer.”

Hiroto looked away, a little embarrassed. “You could say it earlier.”

Right, I got worried for nothing… Satoko supported him in her thoughts.

Fuyumi chuckled. “It’s you who didn’t let me finish.” She opened the door of one room and let Satoko enter. “I hope you will feel at ease here. My mother can be scary sometimes, but it’s mostly because Fuma never comes by, so she takes it out on him. Normally she’s calmer.”

Satoko gulped. Poor boss, I feel pity for him.

“You can rest for today, you will start working from tomorrow. We also have onsen, feel free to use it whenever you want to.” Fuyumi smiled and left.

Satoko closed the door of the room and glanced around, excited. As Fuyumi said, the room was big enough for two futons and there was a tatami on the floor. A wooden table, rectangular shaped, was placed to the right side of the room and, behind the sliding doors in front of her, was the typical small table with chairs at the foot of a window.

She rushed to the glass and admired the view on the beach. This place is amazing! I’ve never been to a ryokan before and I will stay here all summer vacation: I have to make the most of it!

She checked her phone and read Mei and Watanabe’s messages where they said they would come for two days when there would also be the fireworks display.

Perfect, we will watch them together!

Suddenly, the thought of Minami staying at the ryokan during all summer resurfaced in her mind.

If he really stays all that time I can’t ever be Satoko. She stopped typing to think. How will I watch the fireworks with my friends, then?

She shook her head. No, it’s impossible. He will stay here for a week at most, I’m sure of it!

At that moment someone knocked on the door. Satoko immediately went to open and found Mr. Takahashi in front of her.

“Miss Itou, I don’t know if this is good news or bad news, but I imagined you wanted to know.”

I don’t know where this is going, but I have a bad feeling…

“Minami just booked a room for the entire summer vacation.”

Satoko petrified.

I knew it, the world is against me!