Chapter 21

The hot spring inn was exceptionally quiet in the night, the moonlight plating the stone path with a silver edge, while the streetlights cast soft halos that made the hot spring pool look like a dream.

The rising steam blurred the ukiyo-e paintings on the blue stone walls; the surroundings were quiet and deserted, the night hazy, which held a charm all its own.

The rising steam blurred the ukiyo-e paintings on the blue stone walls, outlining the hazy contours of flowers and birds.

Kageyama Sora was enjoying this solitude, walking toward the hot spring step by step, when he suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure in the pool.

Clearly, the surroundings were not... quiet and deserted.

A young girl was submerged in the water up to her shoulders, her rounded shoulders appearing and disappearing in the mist, her short brown hair damp with water droplets, swaying gently with her movements.

Judging by the hair alone... that brown, well-behaved bob, it seemed to be... Saki Miyanaga.

Kageyama Sora, wrapped in a yukata, walked over and looked at the drowsy Saki Miyanaga, feeling a sudden urge to tease her: "Soaking for so long, you haven't fainted, have you?"

Hearing the voice, Saki Miyanaga was startled and sat up straight abruptly: "No, no, I've just been tired lately and wanted a late-night soak... I didn't faint."

Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes darting away, looking exceptionally cute.

"I see... do you mind if I join you?" As he spoke, Kageyama Sora had already entered the water.

His voice brushed past her ears, mixed with the steam. Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka) hurriedly shrank toward the edge of the pool, but the sudden movement splashed water.

Warm droplets landed on Kageyama Sora's chest, sliding down the lines of his muscles into the water. He chuckled softly and sat down half a meter away from Saki Miyanaga, the surface of the water rippling from his movement, gently bumping against her crossed knees.

"Of course, of course I don't mind..." Saki Miyanaga blushed, as if eager to change the subject: "Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka) went back to rest because she was too tired. Do you need me to go call her!?"

Kageyama Sora quickly dismissed Saki Miyanaga's suggestion: "No need, let her get some good rest. After all, soaking in a hot spring is meant for relaxation, isn't it?"

The air grew quiet again after those few words.

In the swirling mist, Saki Miyanaga inevitably caught a glimpse of Kageyama Sora's faint abdominal muscle contours, and her heartbeat suddenly accelerated.

Kageyama Sora seemed to notice her gaze and chuckled: "Are you satisfied with what you see?"

Honestly, it was a bit cheesy, but seeing Saki Miyanaga looking so shy, he wanted to tease her. It wasn't as if they hadn't soaked together before; why did it feel so awkward now that it was just the two of them?

Kageyama Sora looked at the lingering blush on Saki Miyanaga's earlobes and suddenly realized that the persistent silence was ruining the atmosphere, forming an invisible barrier.

Kageyama Sora didn't want the atmosphere to remain so stiff, so he took the initiative to break the silence. He curled his finger and flicked the water surface, the splashing droplets landing on her hair tips, breaking the stagnant air: "Saki Miyanaga, after joining the Mahjong Club, or rather, after opening your heart to Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka), do you really feel happy?"

Mentioning such things, Saki Miyanaga seemed to perk up.

In the swirling steam, Saki Miyanaga's pupils suddenly brightened, no longer looking as shy and uneasy as before.

She looked toward Kageyama Sora, her eyes full of seriousness and focus: "I am very happy. This is the first time I've been this happy playing mahjong, playing mahjong with such joy. I want to keep playing forever and ever, and then go to the National Tournament with Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka)."

She suddenly smiled, the corners of her eyes curving like crescent moons, the hot spring water sliding from her hair tips into the curve of her collarbone: "I used to have to worry about so much when playing mahjong... I wasn't happy when I won, and I wasn't happy when I didn't. It wasn't until I met Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka) that I realized mahjong could be won, and that there were many opponents who could challenge me... and that I wasn't invincible."

The petals floating on the pool surface collided gently with the current, making a faint sound.

Kageyama Sora rested his elbows on the edge of the pool, letting the water flow over his chest, winding into silver streams between his muscle lines: "Have you told these heartfelt words to Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka)?"

As he lowered his eyes, his eyelashes cast fan-shaped shadows beneath them, concealing the probing look in his eyes.

If Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka) heard this, she would surely be very happy.

"Of course!" Saki Miyanaga stood up abruptly, bringing up a large splash of water, startling a Night Heron sleeping by the pool into flapping its wings.

She wiped the water droplets from her face, her damp hair sticking to her cheeks, yet she smiled more brilliantly than the cherry blossoms of the day: "Every time I sit side-by-side with her at the mahjong table, I feel so happy. I've also said that I want to stand at the pinnacle of the National Tournament with her and make everyone remember our names!"

The copper bell at the corner of the hot spring inn suddenly chimed, and the night breeze swept several late cherry blossoms across the water. Kageyama Sora watched the petals linger briefly on Saki Miyanaga's shoulder and whispered: "No wonder she has seemed so cheerful and happy lately."

His voice was wrapped in the warmth of the hot spring, yet it hid a tenderness known only to himself.

Seeing Kageyama Sora looking so exceptionally gentle just at the thought of Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka), the thing Saki Miyanaga had never been able to figure out surfaced in her mind once again.

She stared at Kageyama Sora nervously: "Actually..."

She had a hesitant look on her face.

Saki Miyanaga suddenly bit her lower lip, her legs submerged in the water stirring the current uneasily, creating fine whirlpools: "Actually... I've always wanted to ask—even though the three of us experienced so many things when we first met... why is it that, in the end, it's you and Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka)..."

Her voice grew softer as she spoke, the last few words almost dissipating into the rising steam, with only her reddened earlobes revealing her inner conflict.

Chapter 47: The Right Tile

The night was deep, and the hot spring pool was shrouded in hazy steam, like an elegant ink wash painting.

On the water's surface, fine ripples like silk ruffled by the wind gently washed over the overlapping reflections of Kageyama Sora and Saki Miyanaga.

The bright moonlight spilled onto the pool, blurring their outlines into soft silhouettes, as if draping a dreamy veil over this moment.

Kageyama Sora leaned against the edge of the pool, his black hair slightly dampened by the steam, a few stray locks falling over his forehead, adding a touch of laziness and spontaneity to his refined face.

His deep black eyes glowed with a faint light under the moonlight, like two bottomless pools that would make one sink into them involuntarily upon a single glance.

The mist suddenly grew thick, like a splash-ink landscape painting, making their figures appear even more hazy.

Kageyama Sora's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the cold stone at the edge of the pool; the sensation came from his fingertips, but it could not dispel the surging thoughts in his heart.

The nervous tremor in Saki Miyanaga's voice reached his ears, and this subtle sound was like a key, quietly opening the floodgates of his memory.

His thoughts drifted involuntarily back to the scene of their first meeting, and the bits and pieces that happened with Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka) flashed through his mind one by one like scenes from a movie.

Initially, his knowledge of Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka) stemmed from the concern of his cousin Tohka, and because Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka) was already an extremely powerful high-level player in the mahjong game he had meticulously designed, it seemed only natural that he would be curious about her.

And when he truly met Nodoka (Haramura Nodoka), the exquisite skills she displayed at the mahjong table, as well as her strong and firm personality, attracted him deeply like a magnet.

To Kageyama Sora, being so infatuated with Haramura Nodoka felt like the most natural thing in the world.

Yet, he was also aware that he had experienced many conflicts alongside Saki Miyanaga and Haramura Nodoka, so why had he never developed that same special feeling for Saki Miyanaga?

Kageyama Sora gazed at the shattered reflection of the moon on the surface of the hot spring; those shimmering fragments of moonlight seemed to mirror his own somewhat chaotic thoughts.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he spoke slowly: "Sometimes, there isn't an immediate answer to why things are the way they are."

His voice was low and magnetic, echoing against the mist-filled hot spring.

After a brief pause, he continued: "It's just like when you play mahjong. Every tile you draw gathers on the table, but there are only a few key tiles that might actually let you win."

In truth, he had originally intended to say "the one key tile," but in the world of mahjong, a hand isn't always won by a single tile; sometimes, there are several tiles that can complete a win.

The night breeze brushed past, stirring the continuous, clear ringing of the copper bells on the eaves.

The crisp sound of the bells intertwined with the bubbling of the hot spring, adding a touch of vitality to the tranquil atmosphere.

Kageyama Sora did not know that the analogy he had casually used with Saki Miyanaga was, in a sense, so fitting for his own life right now.

The number of people who can "win the hand" might be small, but it is definitely not as simple as there being only one "tile."

Saki Miyanaga tilted her head, looking at Kageyama Sora with a look of partial understanding: "Do you mean that Haramura Nodoka is the right tile for you?"

Her eyes held a trace of curiosity and a hint of imperceptible anticipation.

Watching Saki Miyanaga's earnest expression, Kageyama Sora felt a gentle smile tug at the corners of his mouth.

He reached out and ruffled Saki Miyanaga's brown hair, his movements natural and intimate: "Saki Miyanaga-san is very good at summarizing things."

This sudden, intimate gesture caused Saki Miyanaga's face to flush instantly.

She widened her eyes, clearly not expecting Kageyama Sora to act this way.

The blush spread rapidly from her cheeks to her earlobes, like the brilliant sunset glow on the horizon.

Kageyama Sora was also startled by Saki Miyanaga's intense reaction; he quickly withdrew his hand and explained in a flustered tone: "Sorry, you remind me so much of my cousin that I subconsciously... made a gesture of affection."

The cousin Kageyama Sora referred to was, naturally, Amae Koromo.

Although Amae Koromo and Saki Miyanaga looked nothing alike and had completely different personalities, Kageyama Sora simply felt that their auras were similar when they played mahjong.

Upon hearing Kageyama Sora mention his cousin, Saki Miyanaga was stunned for a moment, then, as if remembering something, she asked belatedly: "The cousin you mentioned is... Amae Koromo?"

"Yes." Kageyama Sora nodded gently; in his view, this was not a secret that needed to be kept.

Even if Amae Koromo was an opponent of Saki Miyanaga and Haramura Nodoka, he would not deliberately hide this relationship, because in his heart, such concealment would be unfair to everyone.

Saki Miyanaga suddenly looked up, her gaze fixed directly on Kageyama Sora, her eyes filled with determination: "Then do you think I could be her opponent? I mean, the club president says I should have a chance to play against her."

Her tone carried a hint of nervousness, but even more so, a fighting spirit eager to be tested.

Kageyama Sora did not brush her off; instead, he frowned slightly and thought about it seriously.

A moment later, he spoke slowly: "Although you two give me a similar feeling, but... when it comes to a match, Koromo's aura is still stronger."

His words were tactful, but the implication was clear: at this stage, Saki Miyanaga was still a step behind in terms of presence.

However, Saki Miyanaga was not discouraged; instead, she revealed a brilliant smile.

That smile was like the brightest sunshine of spring, dispelling the mist around the hot spring: "It's okay, I won't be sad this time. I will work hard... just like I promised Haramura Nodoka-san, I will work hard to become stronger and stand on the stage of the National Tournament."

She stared at Kageyama Sora, and as she said these words, her beautiful eyes seemed to light up, flickering with a brilliant radiance. Her high-spirited appearance made Kageyama Sora's heart beat faster for no reason.

While staring at Kageyama Sora, Saki Miyanaga inadvertently caught a glimpse of his abdominal muscles submerged in the hot spring.

His figure in the water was slender and toned, the faint lines of his abs appearing and disappearing in the swirling steam, exuding a captivating masculine charm.

Her face turned even redder instantly, and she subconsciously lowered her head.

But when she looked up again, she suddenly realized that Kageyama Sora, who was so close, was incredibly handsome.

His high nose bridge, beautifully shaped thin lips, and well-defined jawline all highlighted his outstanding appearance.

The moment their eyes met, it felt as if electricity was zapping through the air, and the atmosphere began to heat up subtly.

The steam from the hot spring swirled between them, making the ambiguity feel even more intense. Neither of them broke this delicate balance, simply enjoying this rare moment in silence.

Chapter 48: Saki Miyanaga's Heartbeat

Saki Miyanaga submerged her burning cheeks into the warm spring water, bubbles brushing against her reddened earlobes.

The ripples on the surface shattered Kageyama Sora's reflection, but the moment the waves settled, they pieced that handsome face back together again.

His wet black hair clung to his neck, and water droplets rolled down his Adam's apple into the hollow of his collarbone, stained into a hazy ink color by the rising steam.

I can't look anymore. She bit her lower lip, her nails digging deep into her palms.

Yet every time she lowered her eyelids, the outline of his abs appearing and disappearing in the steam surfaced before her eyes, and the warm sensation seemed to linger on her ruffled hair.

Haramura Nodoka's gentle smile suddenly flashed in her mind, stinging her flushed cheeks—this was Haramura Nodoka-san's boyfriend, and her thoughts right now were like a cat stealing fish; it was simply too inappropriate.

The copper bell by the pool was rung again by the night breeze, and the tinkling sound startled her into looking up abruptly.

Kageyama Sora was gently stirring the water with his fingertips, fine silver light dancing between his long fingers, his eyelashes casting fan-shaped shadows beneath his eyes.

Noticing her gaze, those obsidian-like eyes suddenly lifted, colliding head-on with her flustered, dodging eyes.

"Saki Miyanaga-san?" His voice was wrapped in the warmth of the hot spring. "Your face is very red. Is the water too hot?"

"N-no!" She practically sprang from the water, the resulting splash landing on Kageyama Sora's collarbone.

The strap of her swimsuit slid halfway down, revealing skin flushed pink by the hot water.

Startled, she immediately tried to adjust her swimsuit, but a sudden wave of dizziness from rising so abruptly caused her feet to slip, and she tumbled straight toward Kageyama Sora.

The moment she fell into his arms, Saki Miyanaga heard two sharp gasps.

Her forehead pressed against his firm chest, and she could clearly feel his frantic heartbeat thrumming through his damp skin.

Kageyama Sora's arms instinctively wrapped around her waist, his fingertips tightening the moment they touched her slender frame, as if he had brushed against burning coals.

"I-I'm sorry!" Saki Miyanaga struggled to get up, only to be held fast by his reflexively tightening arms.

Their noses were almost touching; she could see the water droplets clinging to his eyelashes and the complex emotions churning in the depths of his eyes.

Mist swirled between them, tangling their breaths into a lingering vortex.

Kageyama Sora's Adam's apple bobbed, his voice sounding as raspy as if it had been sanded down: "Don't... don't move."

His palm pressed against her waist through the swimsuit, the heat searing her skin through the thin fabric.

Only then did Saki Miyanaga realize she was practically hanging off him, with not a sliver of space left between them.

The hot spring water suddenly felt scalding, and the steam blurred her vision.

Saki Miyanaga could feel Kageyama Sora's breath dusting the top of her head, carrying an indescribable warmth.

Her cheeks were burning fiercely, though she couldn't tell if it was from the hot spring or their current position.

"I... I really need to get up now."

She pushed weakly against his chest, only for him to pin her against the edge of the pool.

Moonlight filtered through the swirling mist, casting shifting light and shadow across Kageyama Sora's sharp, angular face.

He looked down at her, the emotions surging in his dark pupils threatening to drown her.

"Saki Miyanaga," his voice was so low it seemed to resonate from the depths of his chest, "by doing this... are you telling me that you can let me win, too?"