Minami-kun was most definitely NOT at the restaurant

The two siblings turned around the corner and entered Satoko's sight.

It’s over. She froze. He will recognise me for sure.

Minami was looking at his sister, laughing, and was about to turn his head to Satoko’s direction.

What should I do? Run away? She panicked. But it would look weird!

The time seemed to be dilated, passing incredibly slowly in her eyes as Minami was turning his head almost in slow motion. Her heart sped up and she started trembling with anxiety. The only thing she could hear was the sound of her heartbeats hammering against her ears.

I have to do something, but what?!

Suddenly, someone grabbed her arm and dragged her behind a bush. She fell into the darkness and felt two arms holding her with strength.

What is happening? Is someone trying to kidnap me?!

Suddenly, all the plans she made in advance in her mind in case she ended up in a dangerous situation shattered in a thousand pieces and she ended up trying to wriggle out, frightened.

“Hey, calm down. It’s me!” a familiar voice whispered.

She stopped moving abruptly. It’s Hiroto. She relaxed her body and let out all the fear with a few deep breaths.

“Why would you—”

“Shh!”

He pulled her closer to him and embraced her in his arms, then put a hand on her mouth to silence her. He glanced back to observe Minami through the foliage.

The blonde guy had stopped walking and was looking around, disorientated.

“What’s wrong, Hiroshi?” Kazuha asked.

Minami shook his head. “Nothing, I just thought I saw someone familiar…”

“It could be a ghost, maybe this place is haunted.”

The guy’s body shivered, scared to death. “D-Don’t ever say it again! Ghosts don’t exist!”

Kazuha burst out laughing. “I knew you would be scared, you’re so funny to tease!”

Poor Minami-kun, he’s so sensitive. Satoko thought.

The blonde guy shot a last glance around, then resumed walking.

“I must have imagined it.”

As the sound of footsteps was getting more and more faint, the tension that gripped Satoko’s heart loosened up. When the two siblings were far away enough, Hiroto moved his hand away from Satoko’s mouth.

“Good thing he didn’t see you clearly.”

“Yes, but…” She lowered her gaze. “Why are you holding me like this?”

Hiroto’s body stiffened and he immediately let go of her.

“Sorry, I did it without thinking.”

Behind the bushes the light didn’t reach perfectly and it was quite dark, so they couldn’t see each other's faces clearly.

I wonder what expression he has right now. She thought, curious. I bet he’s mad at me because I wasn’t careful enough.

Hiroto cleared his throat. “By the way, you should be more careful. What if he had seen you?”

Precisely what I was thinking.

Silence fell between them, as Satoko was expecting him to scold her more rigidly. After some time, she timidly glanced up, uncertain.

He doesn’t have anything more to say? Strange…

“Why were you here?” she asked in a cautious tone.

Hiroto waited for a moment, then replied. “I was taking a walk and saw you, but when I was about to call you, I heard Minami’s voice.”

“Oh.” She lowered her gaze, mortified. In the end, he always manages to help me in some way. I must be only a burden to him.

“Thank you for helping me everytime…”

“There’s no need to thank me.” He stopped for a moment. “That’s what friends do, right? Help each other."

Satoko’s eyes widened, surprised. Friends?

“But don’t think I did it only for you. The boss would have been sad to lose Satoshi, so…” Hiroto got up and brushed away the dirt from his clothes. “Now it’s better if we go, we look suspicious behind the bushes.”

Satoko nodded and got up, a little cheerier than before.

I never thought Hiroto would consider me a friend, I’m so happy!

***

Two weeks after

The first two weeks at the ryokan went by smoothly and Satoko was now used to the routine.

Minami and his sister spent most of the time outside, so Satoko saw him only for breakfast and dinner. The bad news was that today Minami’s sister had returned home, so Minami was now alone for the rest of the summer.

Well, I don’t think things will change a lot, but I’m still a little worried. Satoko thought.

“Itou-chan, can you go to Minami’s room to prepare his futon?” Fuyumi asked.

She was busy solving a problem for another customer, so she couldn’t take care of it, as she always did.

I haven't seen him since this afternoon, though. I wonder if he has already come back. Satoko thought.

Shortly before, she had gone to call him for dinner and escort him to the restaurant, but he didn’t reply.

“Do you know where Minami-kun is now?”

“I think he’s already at the restaurant. He arrived here a few minutes before the dinner was ready, so I guess he went straight to eat.” She smiled. “Don’t worry, you should make it in time to serve him dinner.”

Satoko nodded. Perfect, I will be fast.

She immediately went to Minami’s room and, thinking that he was already at the restaurant, didn’t bother knocking. She opened the sliding door and almost tripped over her own feet.

Minami was standing near the table, rubbing a towel through his hair.

What? He was supposed to be in the restaurant! Satoko thought, panicking.

Hearing that someone was entering, Minami let go of the towel, letting it fall on his shoulders, and turned to the door. His blonde hair was humid and messy and his yukata was slightly opened on his chest.

D-Did he just finish showering? Satoko looked away, embarrassed. I-I shouldn’t look, it’s rude.

“Oh, Satoshi, it’s you.” Minami chuckled. “I just got out of the shower.”

There’s nothing to laugh about, you’re going to kill me!

“I came back to Finchi Ryokan a little while ago and thought I could make it if I was fast. I’m sorry if I’m late for dinner.”

Satoko bowed her head rigidly. “You should hurry, danna-sama, the fancy dinner we prepared for you will get cold otherwise.”

“Fine.” He smiled radiantly, almost blinding Satoko. “I’m happy that you worry about me, Satoshi.”

And I’m happy I lived enough to witness the beauty of your splendid smile. She thought, moved.

“Of course I worry about you, danna-sama, it’s my duty as your trusted butler. Now, I shall leave you the time to get ready. Forgive me if I interrupted you earlier.”

She bowed politely and turned to the door, but when she was about to open it, she heard the sound of footsteps behind her and the noise of fabric falling to the floor, then someone grabbed her yukata.

Before she could glance back to see what was happening, the smell of shampoo reached her nostrils and she felt a pleasant warmth behind her back.

Her body stiffened. It can’t be…

“Do you want to leave so badly?” Minami asked, in a strangely melancholic tone. “I don’t mind you staying here a bit longer.”

Minami-kun? Have you lost your marbles?!! She thought, nervous. Of course I want to leave!

“It would be rude for me to invade your personal space, danna-sama.”

Please, let me go!

“But I’m telling you to stay, does that count?”

“Danna-sama…” Satoko tried to come up with something, but the words didn’t come to her mind. Her brain was in complete disarray.

“Satoshi…” Minami stretched his left arm and placed his hand on the door from behind her, so that she couldn’t open it. “Can you keep me company?”

His tone of voice was suddenly calmer, more soothing than cheerful, and he was talking almost in a whisper. Satoko could feel his body slightly touching hers.

W-Why is he so close?!

His warm breath touched her neck gently, making her flinch.

“Danna-sama, I should really go.”

“Why?” he asked, his tone fainly capricious.

You’re putting me in a bad situation, Minami-kun!

With her heart hammering against her chest, she tried to keep it cool and turned to Minami. Her long ponytail swayed and she shot a stern glance to him, tilting her head slightly to one side.

“Sometimes you still act like a child, danna-sama.” She shook her head, disconsolate.

I don’t even know what I’m saying, but please, let me go! This situation is embarrassing!

At that moment, the right sleeve of Minami’s yukata slid down his arm, leaving his shoulder and part of his chest exposed. He stared intensely at Satoko with his two beautiful amber gemstones and his cheeks flushed.

I-I… This is too much! At least cover up! She looked away, flustered.

Minami slowly placed his other arm on the door next to Satoko and approached her ear with his lips. “Stay, please” he muttered.

Wha— Satoko’s face caught fire.

What the hell is happening?!