(Heartfelt thanks to Shao Feng Ye, Lei Xiang, and Yume no Shouyou for their rewards!)
Generally speaking, hot springs were not suitable for soaking in for long periods. Otherwise, one could experience chest tightness, thirst, dizziness, and perhaps even dry skin from dehydration.
Therefore, when soaking in a hot spring, it was basically inadvisable to stay in for more than twenty minutes. Otherwise, all sorts of adverse effects would appear, and the skin would lose a great deal of moisture, causing discomfort.
Originally, Reimu had only planned to take a casual soak, finish up after ten-odd minutes, and go back to worrying about her shrine.
However, after Remilia proposed the wager, Reimu went all out.
As time passed, a full thirty minutes—perhaps even more than forty—had gone by since Reimu, Remilia, Patchouli, and Sakuya entered the hot spring.
"I... I can't take it anymore..."
Patchouli's body had always been weaker than an ordinary person's. Although, as a witch rather than a human, she was far more resistant to hot springs than most, after nearly forty minutes, her composed and calm face had turned bright red, and she surrendered.
"Lady Patchouli!" Seeing Patchouli swaying her head as though drunk, nearly slipping entirely beneath the hot spring and about to faint, Sakuya—whose own face had taken on an unnatural flush—hurried over and supported her.
"Lady Patchouli, are you all right?..."
"Sa... Sakuya..." Patchouli mumbled, only half-conscious.
"I... I'm so dizzy..."
"Th-this..." Sakuya turned to look at Remilia, her expression troubled.
"Young Miss..."
"Sakuya!" Remilia, whose pretty face was likewise flushed but who still looked perfectly at ease, waved at Sakuya.
"Help Patchi onto the shore to rest!"
"But..." Sakuya said hesitantly.
"Young Miss, don't you need me to stay with you?..."
"Don't worry, I'm still fine!" Remilia said listlessly.
"Just wait on