What Happens When Five People Share a Hot Spring? So Hard to Guess

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(The picture's in the usual place.)

Inside Tenshukaku's bedchamber, candlelight flickered.

Kitsune Saiguu was vividly recounting amusing stories from five hundred years ago,

Her nine tails swaying back and forth with the story and occasionally brushing Baichen's ankles.

"Back then, Miko was just a little furball who only knew how to steal fried tofu!"

Kitsune Saiguu covered her mouth and giggled.

"Once, I caught her sneaking offerings, and she was so scared she turned back into her original form on the spot. Her fur puffed up like a dandelion..."

Makoto doubled over laughing, nearly knocking over her teacup. "No wonder she loves fried tofu so much now!"

Ei remained expressionless, but the slight upward curve of her lips betrayed her mood.

Curled up on a cushion with his knees in his arms, Baichen listened in fascination, breaking into giggles from time to time.

Outside the window, Thunder Sakura petals danced through the air like graceful butterflies.

A gentle breeze lifted them and carried them slowly into the room, as though they were gifts sent especially by nature.

The petals fell like snowflakes, some landing on his shoulders and others settling quietly in his hair.

Their faint purple, like stars twinkling in the night sky, dotted his hair and gave him a mysterious, captivating air.

System, check in.

[Check-in successful!]

[Obtained: Hot spring essential oil set ×1 (stored in system inventory)]

[Effect: Increases elemental affinity by 50% when used in a hot spring]

Baichen was about to check the item's details when a wave of drowsiness suddenly washed over him.

He gave a soft yawn, the sound as gentle as leaves stirred by a breeze.

As he yawned, his eyelids slowly drooped, as though weighed down by a thousand pounds.

He clearly hadn't slept very well last night. A profound weariness washed over him like a tide, leaving his body somewhat limp and weak.

His little head began to nod uncontrollably,

Like an adorable kitten dozing off, a sight that could not help but inspire affection.

"And then that child actually..." Kitsune Saiguu's voice gradually faded as Baichen's consciousness sank into warm darkness.

Ei was the first to notice something was wrong with the boy.

His body swayed slightly, as though he might topple over at any moment.

Ei's face was grave, but she said nothing. Instead, she moved silently, arriving at Baichen's side as swiftly as a ghost.

Her movements were gentle and swift, as though she were afraid of waking something.

When she finally caught the boy's tottering body, his weight made her frown, but she forced herself not to make a sound.

Before anyone else realized what was happening, Ei had already moved with astonishing speed to gently lay the boy's head on her lap.

She was so careful, as though he were an immensely precious treasure that might shatter at the slightest mishap.

Then Ei's fingers landed on his bangs as lightly as feathers.

She slowly combed through the slightly tousled strands, every movement full of tenderness and concern.

"Ah! That's not fair!" Makoto protested in a low voice, reaching out to snatch him. "I want to give him a lap pillow too!"

Quick as a flash, Kitsune Saiguu grabbed Makoto. "Shh-you're going to wake the little one." She winked slyly. "Why don't we..."

Several pairs of eyes lit up with a dangerous gleam at once.

At some point, Miko had changed forms. The pink fox nimbly leaped up on Ei's other side and rubbed her head against Baichen's dangling hand;

Makoto quietly edged behind Ei, attempting a sneak attack;

Kitsune Saiguu took the most direct approach, spreading several tails to envelop everyone like a great net.

"Quiet," Ei warned coldly, lightning flickering around her. "He needs to rest."

"But you can't have him all to yourself~" Makoto pouted, though she made her movements gentler.

She leaned down and kissed Baichen's forehead. "He's so cute when he sleeps..."

Kitsune Saiguu changed back into human form and watched the scene with her chin in her hand. "Ei, you've changed."

She smiled teasingly. "You used to keep even ants from coming near you."

Ei didn't argue. She merely held the sleeping boy a little tighter.

In the candlelight, she gazed at Baichen's sleeping face, her eyes impossibly soft.

"It's time for bed," Ei announced softly after a long while, moving to pick Baichen up.

"Wait!" Makoto stopped her. "Let's all sleep together tonight~ Saiguu just got back, and Miko hasn't stayed over in ages..."

Kitsune Saiguu immediately chimed in. "Exactly! The more people, the livelier!"

Ei's brows drew sharply together, but when she saw Baichen nuzzle her palm unconsciously, her attitude softened subtly. "...Don't wake him."

[Ei's affection: 100% (stable)]

[Raiden Makoto's affection: 100% (stable)]

[Yae Miko's affection: 75% (rising)]

[Kitsune Saiguu's affection: 65% (rising)]

[Achievement obtained: The Sleeping Beauty everyone is fighting over]

And so, the most lavish "bedding lineup" in Tenshukaku's history was born-

Ei and Makoto protected Baichen between them, one on either side, while Miko and Kitsune Saiguu turned into foxes and curled up by the boy's legs, one pink and one white.

Miko and Kitsune Saiguu's two fluffy tails lay over him like a natural down quilt.

"Goodnight kiss~" Makoto whispered, giving Baichen a quick peck on the lips.

Not to be outdone, Ei lowered her head and kissed the space between the boy's brows.

Seeing this, the two foxes immediately leaned in and rubbed their damp noses against his cheeks.

"Enough." Ei drew Baichen closer into her arms. "Sleep."

At last, peace returned to the bedchamber, leaving only the sound of even breathing.

Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, outlining the five sleeping in one another's arms in silver.

At the first light of dawn, Baichen woke up from the heat.

He blearily opened his eyes to find himself tightly surrounded by four warm, soft bodies-

Ei had her arms around his waist from behind,

While Makoto had buried her face in the crook of his neck.

Even more astonishingly, the two foxes who had slept by his legs had changed back into human form at some point.

Miko was hugging his left arm, while Kitsune Saiguu had draped one leg over him.

What's going on?!

[Oh my, is this the harem king's everyday life~]

[Suggestion: Pretend to be asleep to save your life]

Baichen had just started to move away quietly when Miko suddenly tightened her arms. "Mm... fried tofu..." She even licked her lips as she murmured in her sleep.

The movement woke the others. Ei was the first to come fully awake, a cold glint flashing through her violet eyes. "Get off."

Kitsune Saiguu stretched lazily. "Morning, little one~ Did you sleep well?" She completely ignored Ei's death glare.

Makoto sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Good morning, Little Baichen..." She naturally leaned down and gave the boy a good-morning kiss, successfully darkening Ei's expression further.

Baichen retreated into the covers, blushing like a little rabbit that had wandered into a wolves' den.

The scene as the four got up could only be described as chaotic-Ei and Makoto competed to dress him, while Miko and Kitsune Saiguu egged them on from the sidelines.

In the end, Baichen was wrapped up like a zongzi and sat in front of the dressing table with nothing left to live for, letting the four women do as they pleased.

"What are the plans for today?" Kitsune Saiguu asked as she combed Baichen's hair.

"The second day of the Thunder Sakura Festival." Miko counted on her fingers. "A parade, martial demonstrations, a fireworks show..."

Makoto suddenly suggested, "Let's go to a hot spring this afternoon! A private bathhouse, that sort of thing~"

Ei nodded in agreement. When Baichen heard "hot spring," he suddenly remembered the essential oil set the system had given him, and his ears grew hot.

System, that essential oil...

[Hehehe, if you know, you know]

[Suggestion: It's more effective if everyone uses it]

After breakfast, Miko took her leave to handle matters at the Grand Narukami Shrine, arranging to meet the others again that evening.

Kitsune Saiguu enthusiastically pulled Makoto along to tour Tenshukaku, leaving Ei and Baichen alone together.

"Ei..." Baichen tugged at her sleeve. "You're not angry... about me resurrecting Kitsune Saiguu, are you?"

Ei was silent for a moment before suddenly lifting him onto her lap. "No." She gently stroked the boy's cheek. "But next time... tell me in advance."

Baichen nodded and put his arms around her neck of his own accord. "Okay!" The gesture instantly softened Ei's gaze. She lowered her head and kissed him, cherishing him as their lips and tongues intertwined.

[Status obtained: Morning sweetness]

At noon, all five gathered at Uyuu Restaurant.

Miko brought the latest published light novels, while Kitsune Saiguu was fascinated by the modern tableware and nearly took the soy sauce bottle away as a decoration.

"This sashimi is delicious!" Kitsune Saiguu's eyes shone. "Cooking has improved so much in five hundred years!"

Miko leaned close to Baichen with a mischievous grin. "Want to try some sake?" She shook the little bottle in her hand. "It's very sweet~"

Ei snatched the bottle and drank it all in one gulp. "No."

Makoto, meanwhile, was busy putting food on Baichen's plate. "Eat more~ Soaking in a hot spring this afternoon will take a lot of energy!" For some reason, the remark made the boy choke.

(There's some stuff I made up myself below. Don't ask, or I'll get mad.)

After the meal, the group headed to Inazuma City's most upscale private bathhouse, the Thunder Sakura Bath.

It was a Tenryou Commission establishment that catered specifically to the nobility.

The proprietress was so frightened to see the Shogun in person that she nearly fell to her knees. She hurriedly cleared out the entire establishment.

"P-please, use it as you wish!" she stammered. "The 'Tenshukaku Room' at the very back is ready..."

The bathhouse was lavishly decorated, with exquisite stone lanterns lit along both sides of the corridor and the mingled scents of sulfur and Thunder Sakura filling the air.

Baichen was taken to the changing room, where he found a well-fitting yukata and towels already prepared.

"Um..." he asked, blushing. "Is it... mixed bathing?"

Miko poked her head through the crack in the door. "Of course~" She winked teasingly. "Feeling shy?"

Baichen was indeed feeling shy.

By the time he dawdled his way to the hot spring area, the sight before him nearly gave him a nosebleed-

Four beauties, each with a different style, were soaking in the hot spring.

In that mist-shrouded place, several curves seemed to appear and disappear.

It was like a work of art meticulously sculpted by nature, radiating an indescribable charm.

The curve was sometimes clearly visible, and sometimes hidden by the mist,

Making one want to find out more, to lift that mysterious veil and see what beauty and temptation the curve concealed.

"Little Baichen, come here~" Makoto patted the spot beside her. "We saved the middle just for you!"

Ei said nothing, merely gesturing for him to come over with her eyes.

Baichen stepped into the water moving his arms and legs in awkward unison, and Makoto immediately pulled him into her arms.

"Is the temperature all right?" Makoto asked with concern, her fingers brushing gently over his shoulder.

Baichen nodded, his whole body taut as a bow.

Ei moved closer from the other side and pressed his head against her shoulder. "Relax."

Miko and Kitsune Saiguu brought out sake and snacks, looking every bit as though they were about to hold a party.

Baichen suddenly remembered the essential oil the system had given him and hesitated over whether to take it out.

System, this essential oil...

[What are you scared of? Just use it!]

[I guarantee they'll love you even more after this soak]

Baichen took a deep breath and retrieved the set of exquisite essential oil bottles from his system inventory. "Um... do you want to try this? It says... it's for hot springs..."

All four were immediately drawn to it.

Makoto took a bottle and sniffed it. "It smells wonderful! It's the scent of Thunder Sakura..."

Kitsune Saiguu keenly sensed the Elemental Power contained in the oil. "This isn't ordinary essential oil, is it?"

Baichen stammered, unsure how to explain.

Ei simply took the bottle, poured a few drops into her palm, and rubbed them on the boy's back. "We'll know once we try it."

The moment the oil touched his skin, Baichen felt a warm current surge through every part of his body.

Electro coursed joyfully through him, but rather than causing the slightest discomfort, it felt as comfortable as coming home.

"Wow!" Makoto stared in surprise at the lightning dancing over her hand. "Controlling my element is smoother now!"

Miko and Kitsune Saiguu couldn't wait to try it themselves.

Soon, lightning intertwined throughout the hot spring, and the five people's Elemental Power resonated in a wondrous way.

Surrounded in the middle, Baichen felt as though he were inside a warm thundercloud, a tingling pleasure seeping through every pore.

"How does it feel?" Ei asked softly, tracing circles on his back with her fingers.

"Mm... comfortable..." Baichen answered drowsily, his whole body limp as a puddle.

Makoto hugged him from the front. "Relax a little more..." Her lips brushed the boy's earlobe, drawing a slight shiver.

Seeing this, Miko and Kitsune Saiguu also came over to join the "massage." (Yes, it's that kind of massage you're thinking of.)

With four pairs of hands attending to him at once, Baichen soon drifted off to sleep in utmost comfort.

Ei carried the sleeping boy out of the hot spring and gently dried his body.

Makoto brought him a yukata and dressed him with careful movements, as though handling something fragile.

Miko and Kitsune Saiguu prepared a soft bed, overlapping several tails to make the most comfortable cushion.

That night, after returning to Tenshukaku, Ei placed Baichen in the center of the bed and stayed beside him.

Makoto had wanted to stay, but Ei sent her away, saying she needed to rest.

Kitsune Saiguu and Miko tactfully took their leave, promising to return the next day.

Late at night, when all was quiet, Baichen unconsciously snuggled into Ei's arms in his sleep.

Ei tightened her arms and kissed his forehead. "Mine," she declared softly.

As though it were the most unquestionable truth in the world.

The picture is in the author's note and the end-of-chapter discussion qwq.

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