"Hmm?"
In the bath, Yata-chan grabbed something. Realizing what it was, she smirked.
I reflexively flinched.
"You're still recovering, or rather, you just had a short nap, and yet you're already so lively?"
Yata-chan's tone was half-impressed, half-exasperated, as she playfully stroked and kneaded.
"It's not that heavy, and reacting to stimulation is only natural."
I wasn't in such bad shape that I was completely out of commission. I had just dozed off for a bit, and now I didn't feel particularly weak. If anything, it was probably just a mild cold.
"And yet, getting excited just because a couple of older women are clinging to you—what a peculiar taste you have."
Despite her words, Yata-chan seemed to be enjoying herself, shamelessly kneading away.
"...You're the ones who clung to me in the first place. What are you even saying?"
I couldn't help but retort.
"This one here is just a cuddle-drunk. She just wants to hold onto something, nothing more."
"So that's why she's being so sweet..."
She had seemed rather strict when we met earlier in the day, but now it was a complete turnaround.
"She's a bit too harsh when sober, so a little drink balances things out nicely."
Yata-chan looked oddly proud of herself.
Meanwhile, she had been continuously toying with the main body—not in a way meant to drain me, but enough to steadily increase its firmness.
Well, if that's how she wanted to play it, I might as well return the favor.
I reached out and touched her—her modest swell and the peak at its center.
"Nn..."
Yata-chan let out an unexpected sound.
"What? You actually have a thing for my flat chest? You really are peculiar."
She paused for a moment, then smirked mischievously.
Just then, her expression shifted.
"Hm?"
She seemed to notice something else, tilting her head slightly.
"Did you tell Hachikuma you were coming here?"
"No?"
I hadn't run into anyone after waking up—I had just come straight here.
"You should really close the distance with her more. Even if you don't need anything, even if she's sleeping, talk to her. Stay by her side at all times. Otherwise..."
THUD!
BANG!
CRASH!
Hachikuma suddenly burst into the bathhouse, breathing heavily.
She was still in a hastily thrown-on yukata, her hair disheveled, clearly having just woken up.
The moment she saw me, she let out a deep sigh of relief.
She had been running around searching for me, judging by her flushed face and labored breathing.
"...This is what happens," Yata-chan muttered with a slightly troubled look, subtly pointing toward Hachikuma.
I guess I had made her worry unnecessarily.
"Well, anyway, you should pour for her today. You're in good enough shape to do that much, right?"
Saying this, Yata-chan shifted slightly, then smoothly moved away.
"Come on now, you shouldn't be falling asleep here. Let's head back to our rooms."
I had noticed Toki-san had been unusually quiet for a while. When I checked, she was still clinging to me—her warm breath tickling my skin as she dozed off.
She swayed slightly, dangerously close to slipping into the water.
Carefully, Yata-chan guided her out of the bath.
Even from behind, her body showed no signs of sagging with age—her figure was still that of a stunning beauty.
"You, take that off. Wearing clothes in the bath is just uncouth."
With that, Yata-chan and Toki-san walked past Hachikuma and out of the bathhouse.
For a brief moment, Hachikuma stood frozen in place.
Then, without hesitation, she spun on her heel, disappeared, and returned moments later—completely naked, with only a towel in hand.
...She didn't even try to hide anything.
Author's note :
Tokki-san is in and out of the inn depending on her mood and workload. Since the hospital has all the necessary facilities, she usually stays there. On weekdays, she's almost always at the hospital, but on weekends, she's often at the inn.
Misago is the kind of beauty where you'd wonder, How is she still single? If someone like her invited you somewhere, you'd definitely follow without a second thought.
This novel has been lovingly translated by https://www.patreon.com/Jenuinez_translation