Thread: Sharing Sightings of "The Man"
"Alright, here comes another session of staring into the void."
"Don't call it that! There just aren't enough sightings, that's all."
"If you chase after him too aggressively, you'll get accused of being a stalker. As mature women, we should act with common sense."
"Honestly, just watching from a distance and grinning is enough to make me happy."
"So, what's today's edition of 'middle-aged gravure'?"
"Meh, as always. But hey, at least he showed up."
"How about the mixed-bath hunter? Any luck?"
"As if! No way that's happening."
"Behold! A savior in this bleak thread!"
"Wait, really?"
"The update page for Onokawa Hot Springs just glitched out."
"Huh?"
"What is this poetic nonsense? Did flowers just bloom in someone's brain?"
"This is gibberish, LOL."
"They're claiming they found a big one, but… no pictures."
"An update with no images attached!?"
"They're screaming about 'Spring has come' or whatever. What even is this?"
"Was it always like this?"
"Nah. Every morning, they'd hunt for jade, post pictures, and gift them to the next guests. That legendary Sansuke guy used to do it, but since Kohaku-sama isn't around, a cat has been holding down the fort as a stand-in."
"Sounds kind of deserted?"
"Yeah, it's pretty dead."
"The countryside has no men, after all."
"When there's a shortage, women start to get desperate."
"It's a great spot for jade hunting, but the seawater is too cold for swimming. And while there's a mixed-gender open-air bath, there are so few men around that the men's section is practically useless."
"The hot spring quality is great, and the sake is delicious, though…"
"In that sense, mixed bathing is pretty common, but let's be real—it's only exciting for us, not for the guys."
"True that."
"Like dropping a banana into a fish tank full of paku fish."
"It's not that desperate."
"But if a guy does show up, you'd totally tiptoe your way over, wouldn't you?"
"Exactly."
"Obviously."
"Not that it matters—there's always a bodyguard with them, making sure no one gets close."
"That's true."
"They wouldn't let them anywhere near a place like this in the first place."
"Yup."
"In the end, everyone just turns into the Virgin Mary."
"Shut up. You're all just as bad."
"Could we at least get Sansuke back in one place?"
"No chance. Ever since Kohaku's grandfather passed away, the laws have tightened, and anyone who tries anything gets arrested immediately."
"Not that there are any guys left who even want to do it."
"We know!! (sobs blood)"
"So tragic…"
"By the way, didn't a guy show up on the Oyashirazu Beach live camera?"
"What!?"
"Checking the logs now… Ugh, resolution's too low. Can AI enhancement fix it?"
"Won't that just turn it into a completely different image?"
"Wait… is this legit?"
"Here, take a look. What's the verdict?"
"This is a guy. The bone structure is different—he's got a level of refinement we mere women don't."
"Wait, he's holding hands with a woman? A bodyguard, maybe? But this close…?"
"Look carefully—he even looks like he's smiling."
"Yeah, yeah, you're just imagining things."
"…Wait. Oh my god."
"Even at this low resolution, looking at it through a monitor… it's divine."
"It's just fujoshi delusions, I swear."
"Anyone here good at tracking security cameras?"
"Me!"
"Me!"
"Guys, don't say that out loud."
"We're being watched, after all."
"Yeah, we know."
"The encryption isn't even that strong. If you file a request, you can track him pretty easily."
"Reported."
"Reported."
"Got reported?"
"The authorities will move before we even get a chance."
"Yep."
"By the way, the car that guy got into—it's just a regular supply truck, right? It has a ryokan's logo on it."
"Wait, isn't that from the same place where the bugged update came from?"
"SLAM!"
"Is it time!?"
"Not you. Sit down."
"Could he be a hidden gem?"
"Hm?"
"Log says the daughter of that Lupo journalist was spotted around there."
"Look, right there."
"What!?"
"Well, let's stay calm and wait for more info."
"There's confidentiality involved, so it'll take time before anything gets revealed."
"True."
"If we wait too long, all the reservations will be gone!"
"Also true."
"And if it's booked up, the price will spike."
"Yep."
"So obviously, the best move is to book first and ask questions later. Click!"
"Whoa, it's already fully booked for the next two months. You guys are way too fast."
"I had some paid leave saved up, so it's perfect timing."
"Wait… the prices already went up! Guess that means it's legit, right?"
"Let's just pray this isn't a false lead."
"Click, click."
"The site is lagging…"
"By the way, even if this is the ryokan's kid, do you really think you'll get to interact with him?"
"This is Kohaku-sama's former domain. Even if a guy showed up, they'd kick him out if he wasn't up to standard."
"Tsugumi, the fearsome landlady, must have approved him."
"That's why nothing's confirmed yet!"
"We have to ride this big wave!"
"Reservation complete! Now we just have to pray we hit the jackpot."
"If you hesitate here, you'll stay single forever."