The humidity in the morning air has not completely faded away, but there is already an irritating and sultry heat.
Kazehara Tetsu stood in the shade of the tree under Dormitory Building, and the shadow here still had a bit of stingy coolness.
"Haah..."
Kazehara Tetsu couldn't help but let out a long yawn.
He raised his hand to rub the corners of his sore eyes, which were black and blue from not getting enough sleep.
The "exercise amount" last night was really too much. Kamuro Masumi's physical strength was amazing when he went crazy. He worked hard until midnight before letting him go to bed. As a result, even the habit of getting up early, which is engraved in the biological clock, was particularly difficult to implement today.
It didn't take long.
"Da, da..."
The tranquility was broken by the rhythmic tapping sound, which was the crisp sound of the cane touching the ground.
Kazehara Tetsu calmed down the tired look on his face and turned around.
Sakayanagi Arisu is slowly emerging from the shadow of Dormitory Building.
"Good morning, Kazehara-kun. I've kept you waiting for a long time."
"I just arrived too." Kazehara Tetsu rubbed his temples covertly, trying to cheer up.
"Let's go."
The two walked side by side.
Sakayanagi Arisu seems to enjoy the feeling of walking side by side with Kazehara Tetsu. The cane in his hand hits the ground more frequently.
However, her powers of observation have always been terrifyingly sharp.
"Kazehara-kun seems... not very interested?"
Halfway through, Sakayanagi Arisu suddenly turned his head, his lavender eyes scanning Kazehara Tetsu's slightly blue-black eyes with a hint of inquiry.
"You obviously invited me so enthusiastically to the hot spring date, but now you look listless... Could it be that you are dissatisfied with today's itinerary?"
"How come."
Kazehara Tetsu lied without hesitation, "I just encountered some 'special circumstances' and didn't sleep well last night."
"Special circumstances?"
Sakayanagi Arisu narrowed his eyes slightly, with an expression like a fox that smelled a secret scent.
Of course she could tell that Kazehara Tetsu was perfunctory, and she could even vaguely sense a certain subtle aura about him.
"That's it."
She did not delve into what the so-called special situation was, "It seems that the nightlife at Kazehara-kun is much more colorful than I imagined. I hope this fatigue will not affect the experience of waiting."
She emphasized the word "experience" in that sentence very lightly.
The school prohibits students from leaving the school without permission. The destination of the so-called "Hot Spring Trip" can naturally only be the artificial hot spring located on the edge of the school area, which was built at a huge cost.
Although it is artificially constructed, This School has always been known for its wealth.
A large number of pines and cypresses have been transplanted around, restoring the tranquility of the natural mountains to the greatest extent.
As soon as I stepped into Lobby, a light scent of incense hit my face.
The waiters at the front desk were wearing neat Japanese uniforms and had well-trained professional smiles on their faces.
"Welcome, do you two have an appointment?"
Kazehara Tetsu took out the hot spring card Invitation Ticket that he had received as a reward from his pocket and handed it over.
The waiter took the ticket and glanced back and forth at the two of them.
The handsome young man and the delicate girl, although their temperaments are somewhat diametrically opposed, stand together and they are indeed an extremely eye-catching pair.
"Ah, it's special class Invitation Ticket."
The waiter's smile became even brighter, with a tacit ambiguity, "This ticket includes the admission qualification for our most popular 'Couple Mixed Bathing Area'. It can enjoy the best Artificial Waterfall view, which is very suitable for..."
Before she finished speaking, Kazehara Tetsu's brows wrinkled uncontrollably.
Mixed bath?
It would be fine if it were just him and Sakayanagi, but this is Public Mixed Bathing Area.
The thought of sharing this pool of warm water with others in a place with no privacy.
It may even allow others to spy on the "Princess" next to him after taking off his clothes... The sense of resistance stemming from possessiveness will arise in Kazehara Tetsu's heart.
He is not generous enough to let others share this "scenery".
"That..."
Kazehara Tetsu interrupted the waiter's enthusiastic introduction, tapping his fingers lightly on the marble countertop, "Can this coupon be exchanged for Private Hot Spring?"
"Huh?"
The waiter was stunned for a moment and glanced at the Invitation Ticket in his hand with some embarrassment. "This... although it can be upgraded, because the number of Private Hot Spring is limited and the maintenance cost is high, this coupon does not originally include this service. If you two want to use Private Room during this time, you need to pay an additional fee."
She lowered her head and looked it up, then reported a number.
"Each person needs to pay an additional one thousand Personal Points. That is, a total of two thousand points."
Kazehara Tetsu barely hesitated.
"No problem."
He took out his mobile phone from his pocket and opened Electronic Student ID.
"Okay! I'll handle it for you!" The smile on the waiter's face instantly became a little more sincere, and he operated Terminal quickly.
With a soft "beep" sound, the transaction is completed.
Sakayanagi Arisu stood aside, watching quietly as Kazehara Tetsu swiped the card without any distress, with a trace of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Kazehara-kun is really generous."
She said softly, "However, regarding the fact that I don't like mixed bathing, can I understand that Kazehara-kun has some kind of strong desire for exclusivity? Or is it... shy?"
"You are thinking too much."
Kazehara Tetsu took back Student ID, took the key from the waiter, turned to look at her, and a faint smirk appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"I just think that if I hear other people's noise in a place like this, it will seriously affect my appreciation of Sakayanagi Princess's beauty."
"Haha... I know it's a compliment, but it doesn't sound bad."
Sakayanagi Arisu was not disgusted by such straightforward praise and bowed, "Then, please lead the way, my Flower Protector."
The two walked through the long Wooden Corridor.
Private Hot Spring Area is located in the deepest part of Hot Spring Inn, and the environment is more quiet.
There are tall red-leaf trees planted all around. Although it has not yet reached autumn, in the Artificial Temperature Control environment, there is already a faint crimson color.
Kazehara Tetsu Open Room Door.
Although the room is not large, it is extremely elegantly decorated.
Entering the door is Changing Room covered with Tatami, and Low Table and tea sets are placed.
Outside is a semi-open-air Small Courtyard.
In the center of the yard, a Hot Spring Pool made of bluestone is steaming.
It is surrounded by tall Bamboo Fence, which not only ensures ventilation, but also completely cuts off the sight of the outside world. It is indeed an excellent private place.
"The environment is good."
Kazehara Tetsu looked around and nodded with satisfaction.
It's obviously worth spending the extra thousand points, this place is simply tailor-made for some ulterior things Matoba.
"It's really quiet."
Sakayanagi Arisu walked slowly to Tatami. She took off her shoes, revealing a pair of small feet wrapped in white socks, and stepped on the mat.
"But... this is Private Bath. As the name says, it is a private space prepared for people with close relationships... such as family members or couples."