December 23rd.
Yesterday's Closing Ceremony announced the end of the semester, and also brought a respite called Winter Break.
Milky white heat steamed from above, turning into cool mist.
Kazehara Tetsu immersed his body in the warm Spring Water, and the temperature that was enough to dispel the severe cold in winter seeped into his limbs along Pores.
This is still the same place as before, Private Hot Spring surrounded by Rocks and bamboo forests, but this time, the person who sent the invitation was replaced by the "Princess" from Class A.
I have to say that soaking in hot springs in winter is indeed a top-notch enjoyment.
Opposite him, through the lingering mist, a girl as delicate as a porcelain doll was sitting quietly.
Sakayanagi Arisu.
The short silver-white hair stuck to her neck because of the moisture, and a few strands of hair stuck to her cheeks.
Her skin glowed an alluring light pink under the steam.
The water surface rose and fell slightly with her breathing, and the delicate collarbone was looming.
"Huh..."
Kazehara Tetsu breathed a long sigh of relief, breaking the silence.
Sakayanagi Arisu seems to be really just here to take a bath.
From the time she entered the water until now, she didn't say a word, she just stared at Kazehara Tetsu quietly, with a faint smile on her lips, enjoying the time alone.
"Although the hot spring water here has special quality, it is good for relaxing muscles and activating blood circulation..."
Kazehara Tetsu leaned against the smooth edge of Rocks, his eyes casually falling on the girl opposite.
"But I'm afraid only you know whether this is true or not."
"Haha..."
"This kind of thing exists whether you believe it or not. However, looking at the expression of enjoyment on Tetsu-kun's face, I think whether this reason is true or not is not important anymore, right?"
"Indeed."
Kazehara Tetsu did not deny it, nor did he intend to let this rare hot spring trip turn into a silent confrontation.
"So, you finally have the holiday, what are your plans?"
"Are you just staying in your room and playing chess? Or... do you have any special schedule?"
Hearing this question, Sakayanagi Arisu tilted his head slightly and lightly traced his fingers on the water.
"Hmm... probably just play chess alone, or chat with some potential opponents."
Her tone was as calm as if she was talking about today's weather.
"After all, there aren't many things that can arouse my interest in this school. Apart from Tetsu-kun, there are only a few people who can occasionally make me have the idea of 'playing'."
"Play chess and chat with your opponents..."
"For a young girl, this arrangement is really boring, Arisu."
"There's nothing we can do about it."
Sakayanagi Arisu The smile on the corner of his mouth deepened a bit.
"This body does not allow me to play some sports like ordinary girls. Mental Exercise is the only area where I can release 'violence' to my heart's content."
As she said that, she suddenly thought of something and narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Speaking of which, Tetsu-kun."
"When was the last time we played chess seriously?"
This question came a bit unexpectedly, but Kazehara Tetsu was not surprised.
"Well... it's probably been a while."
Kazehara Tetsu recalled a little, "I can't remember the specific date."
"It's two months and twelve days."
Sakayanagi Arisu gave the precise answer almost in the next second.
That is a memory accurate to the number of days.
"Two months and twelve days... do you remember it so clearly?"
"Of course."
Sakayanagi Arisu gently fiddled with the water splash, and with the buoyancy of the water, his body moved slightly closer to the direction of Kazehara Tetsu.
"After all... that is the goal I must defeat."
Her voice became a little softer, with a hint of resentment.
"The outcome of the last game was still undecided, which has always made me worried. But recently...Tetsu-kun seems to be a little neglected."
"Not only are you busy establishing a friendly relationship with Ichinose of Class B, but you also have to deal with that troublesome guy Class C Ryuen. Even that Horikita seems to have taken away a lot of your attention."
"Even inside Class A, your eyes stay more on that Katsuragi, so you can adjust the problems within the class, right?"
"As your 'real girlfriend'... even though it's rumored, I don't even have a chance for revenge."
Sakayanagi Arisu said, pouting slightly. If that coquettish look were seen by other students of Class A, their jaws would probably drop.
"It sounds... as if I did something that started in chaos and ended up giving up."
Kazehara Tetsu smiled helplessly.
Of course he knew this was just Sakayanagi Arisu's bad taste.
This woman has a unique understanding of "possessiveness", and she is not the type to be jealous.
"The accounts between us can be settled at any time. As long as you are willing."
"Chess Game is certainly important."
Sakayanagi Arisu shook her head slightly, and her body had drifted with the current to less than one meter away from Kazehara Tetsu.
"But... Tetsu-kun said it himself just now, right?"
"Isn't it the same with our 'open relationship' in school? What everyone calls the 'lover' who has a close relationship even though it is not made public."
Indeed.
In Advanced Nurturing High School, a closed society full of gossip, rumors about the two of them have never ceased.
After all, the two often have some interactions that Outsider seems to be ambiguous.
"Mingmian...?"
"It seems that in everyone's eyes, we already have that kind of relationship."
"But... it can't be the real Boyfriend Girlfriend."
"After all, if it is the real Boyfriend Girlfriend, just 'playing chess' and 'chatting' are not enough."
"Haha..."
Hearing this sentence, Sakayanagi Arisu laughed.
There was no shyness in that smile, only a sense of joy and anticipation after the plot succeeded.
"No..."
She murmured softly and continued to lean forward.
Wow.
The sound of water is soft.
Her petite body almost touched Kazehara Tetsu's body.
Sakayanagi Arisu raised his head, his violet eyes reflected Kazehara Tetsu's face.
"Maybe it's because..."
"There is still something missing between us."
"There are some missing opportunities... that can turn that false 'clear relationship' into an 'established fact'."
Faced with Sakayanagi Arisu's almost provocative invitation and the implicit "lack of opportunity", Kazehara Tetsu did not show any impatience.
"There's really nothing we can do."
"However, we still have a long time, don't we? Life has just begun. Even if you want to turn this 'explicit relationship' into an 'established fact', you can take your time. Arisu."
"Haha...Tetsu-kun really doesn't understand the style."
Sakayanagi Arisu did not continue to press forward step by step.