Chapter 19 - Hot Springs Trip With Hiiragi-chan – Part 1 (2/2)

“Ah.”

I ended up talking out loud.

“Or rather, a slightly older relative mentioned that to me?”

“Ah, that’s what it was.”

That was close. From now on, if I accidentally let something out, I should use this hypothetical relative to pass it off. I don’t know who it is though.

“Now. Let’s go let’s go.”

We joined hands in the heat of the moment and left the house, getting onto Hiiragi-chan’s car.

“From now, it’ll be about two hours till we get there…”

I entered the destination information that Hiiragi-chan had told me into the navigation. It was a spa town near the sea just outside the prefecture.

“Even if we check in late, it seems like the inn will still let you eat dinner late…”

Hiiragi-chan continued to report to me various pieces of information about the inn. After a little while, the number of things she said strangely lessened. I thought it was weird, so I took a sidelong glance at the person next to me. When I did, I noticed that Hiirag-chan was sleepily rubbing her eyes.

… S-she seemed super sleepy!

“Sensei, are you okay with driving? You didn’t sleep, right?”

“It’s not Haruka-san, it’s Sensei, right…?”

Ah, this is bad. She’s already starting to breakdown.

“We should at least stop the car somewhere and have you take a nap.”

“Today, I didn’t sleep so it’s definitely bad~. What should we do~? It’s really bad~.”

“This isn’t the time to be making some sort of strange, I didn’t sleep much, appeal! This situation really is bad after all!”

We found a supermarket with a large parking lot and entered into it. She sat down in the backseat and yawned, and then began to sleep with a cute expression. I’ll let her sleep for about 15 more minutes.

During that time, I went into the supermarket to by a can of coffee and return to the car. Hiiragi-chan looked so peaceful, that it didn’t seem like she would wake up. Even after 30 minutes, she looked so peaceful and showed no sign of waking up.

“Sensei. Isn’t it about time for us to leave, or it’ll be bad? Aren’t we supposed to check in at 8?”

I hit her shoulders, and shook her. But even with that, she didn’t wake up. Gradually, I became more and more uneasy. Are we staying overnight in the car…? If that’s the case, I wouldn’t mind. However, this times trip was something that Hiiragi-chan had worked hard in order to make it a reality.

Adding on to that, it was the most excited that I’ve seen her yet. She was even telling me happily about tonight’s menu for dinner. Even if it wasn’t a trip, and it was just a date, I still would have been happy. However, when she wakes up, Hiiragi-chan will probably apologize to me repeatedly.

I’ll probably tell her multiple times that I didn’t mind staying overnight in the car and that there was no need for her to apologize. Even if I tell her that though, the kind Hiiragi-chan will probably still apologize due to guilt. I think I might just let her sleep for longer.

…Hmmm.

I don’t want to see Hiiragi-chan looking down. She was just about to enjoy a trip that she had planned, so I don’t want that to fall apart.

“…”

Now then. Let’s go.

I shook the shoulder of Hiiragi-chan who was sitting in the driver’s seat from the passenger seat.

“Haruka-san.”

“Ueeh…?”

Hiiragi-chan blinked a few times and looked around at the surroundings.

“Hmm? We’re here…?”

“Yeah. You don’t remember? Since you didn’t sleep, your memory became a little fuzzy. Probably.”

“Is that so…?”

“Come on, it’s almost time. Let’s hurry?”

I took got out of the car and took Hiiragi-chan’s stuff with me. She ended up scratching her head, confused, before chasing after me. Looking over the inn from the outside, it wasn’t at the level that I recognize… It had a feeling of sophistication… it looked very luxurious…

After checking in without any problems, a worker at the inn showed us to our room. It was a Japanese style room about 8 tatami mats large. On one side of the room there were two chairs with a low table between them. It was dark right now, but looking outside, it seemed like you could see the sea. The aesthetics were outstanding.

“Is it alright if I bring in your meals?”

“Yes. Please do.”

After checking for further instructions, the inn worker resigned herself from the room.

“Haruka-san. Do you know how long the large bath rooms will be open?”

“Eh? There’s no such thing?”

“Hah? Isn’t this a hot spring inn?

“Come over here.”

She pulled me along and opened the door that I was curious about ever since I entered. There was a changing area, and a door to what looked to be a bathing area. There was a nice Hinoko bath, and also a small open air bath beyond the glass.

“…Eh.”

“It seems like each room has one. Still, there aren’t very many rooms, but we can enter it any time we want, you see?”

In other words, it was personal bath…? As a commoner, I was super nervous. I was hugged by Hiiragi-chan from behind.

“Since I had the chance, I went over the top.”

“No wonder you were looking forward to it.”

“…For bad children, Sensei needs to give punishment.”

Well, of course she would notice. After saying something teacher like, Hiiragi-chan used her mouth to give me a long kiss.

TL Note:

There is a mild stereotype in Japan that Americans are far more intimate and physical with their affection.

A general utility traveling bag.