Kaguya's puffed-up cheeks from jealousy and frustration made her look even more adorable.
Ren smiled and raised a hand to gently poke her cheek.
"Not easy to coax? Then how about I don't bother? I'm not exactly good at coaxing girls."
That line instantly made Kaguya anxious.
"Try it! Try it first! Maybe I am easy to coax!"
Pfft!
The nearby girls couldn't hold back their laughter. That reaction completely shattered her usual calm image.
They didn't even last a minute.
"Then I'll give it a try."
"Mmm."
Ren suppressed his smile and hugged the fidgeting Kaguya before she could start bouncing in agitation.
As soon as she realized he wasn't brushing her off, Kaguya's mood improved dramatically. But the moment she felt herself being pulled into a hug, her brain short-circuited.
Her mind blanked out.
By the time she snapped back to reality, she was already in Ren's embrace.
"Kaguya."
His sudden voice whispered into her ear made it tickle slightly.
"I told Sonoko in the hot spring just now—I don't really understand girls. I don't know how to interact properly. If I ever neglect you, just tell me, alright?"
Ren's honest words calmed Kaguya down little by little.
As a girl, she knew she needed to be reserved. But just like Ren, this was her first time experiencing romantic feelings and dealing with the opposite sex.
She didn't really know how to navigate it either. Maybe being upfront with Ren about her feelings would be better.
It was the first time for both of them, so naturally they would need time to learn and grow together.
"Yeah."
That scene from the open-air hot spring flashed in her mind again.
Back then, Sonoko had tilted her head slightly and looked up at Ren with a mix of anticipation and shyness, as if silently asking for something.
Kaguya now understood exactly what Sonoko was feeling at that moment.
She lifted her head, almost like she was possessed.
"Ren, I—"
"Hey, hey, hey! Big Ice Princess, be careful. We're still here."
In an instant, Kaguya sprang away from Ren as if shocked by electricity.
She had completely forgotten there were others watching.
"Kaguya-san, next time you want to confess something to Ren, find a quiet room. That way, no one will interrupt."
"If you need privacy, just ask me. The other dimension is very quiet."
Hayasaka ahhhhhh!
Kaguya nearly ground her teeth in frustration.
She had almost said something completely embarrassing in front of everyone, only to be interrupted—by her own maid, no less.
"Ahem."
Ren coughed awkwardly and took Kaguya's hand.
"Next time, if you need to talk, let's do it in private."
Kaguya looked down at their joined hands. She didn't pull away, only tightened her grip slightly.
"Okay."
She had already made up her mind. Next time, when no one was around, she would monopolize Ren all for herself.
"Ran, have you gotten in touch with Uncle Mouri yet?"
Ren suddenly changed the subject.
The shift was so abrupt that Ran, who had been watching everything unfold, needed a second to process it.
"My dad? Not yet. But Aunt Yumi told me that the hot spring inn they went to is Benkei Ryokan."
"Benkei?"
Ren muttered the name and instinctively looked toward Hayasaka.
Feeling his gaze, Hayasaka smiled and responded.
"Benkei Ryokan is located just at the foot of Mt. Kuro. It's a very old hot spring inn. Since it's an older place, it mostly gets middle-aged and senior guests. It doesn't receive many customers annually."
"Not many? How do they stay afloat?"
Ren was curious.
"Maybe I wasn't clear. I meant it gets fewer guests than newer inns. But they still get a steady stream every week."
"The annual profits are still decent. But compared to the newer, more modern inns in the area, it definitely falls short."
"Still, because of its age, the rates are lower. That's why it's actually more popular among older guests."
The phrase "cost-effective" popped into Ren's mind the moment Hayasaka finished.
Unlike well-off foreign tourists, most older locals preferred inns that didn't charge exorbitantly.
Ren could understand that clearly.
This current inn, Jūraku, was high-end in both design and amenities. But that also meant its prices were sky-high.
For most families, staying here would be hard to justify.
Choosing a more budget-friendly place made more sense for the average person.
"If it's at the base of the mountain, then Ran, I'll go with you later."
"Okay."
Thinking of what Aunt Yumi had told her earlier, Ran couldn't help blushing slightly, but still nodded.
"Kaguya, Sonoko, are you two coming?"
"Forget it. There's still time to rest in the afternoon. And I'm not familiar with Uncle Mouri anyway."
Sonoko waved her hand dismissively and then glanced sideways at Kaguya.
Kaguya also glanced in Ran's direction, then slowly let go of Ren's hand.
"I won't go either. I'd like to rest a bit more. I've been exercising a lot lately."
With that, Kaguya sat down next to Sonoko on a massage chair.
The intentions of these two girls were obvious—maybe too obvious.
How could Ren not notice?
They were giving him space and time with Ran.
…Looks like I really should talk to Ran.
Kaguya and Sonoko's actions clearly confirmed what he had already suspected.
Ran had feelings for him too.
And now that he thought about it, this whole hot spring trip had been suggested by Ran after she learned about his group's plans.
Would a casual friend really do that?
"Alright then. Ran, let's head out."
"Okay."
(To be continued.)
***
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