Chapter 72: The Inn
We returned to the parking lot and climbed into the car.
“Welcome back. Did you finish your shopping?”
Sis Linda asked.
“Yes. I bought all sorts of things.”
Riku nodded from the passenger seat.
“Then let’s head for the hot-spring district. I called ahead and reserved our rooms.”
Oh, she had?
The car left the parking lot and traveled through town.
“Linda-san, how are the rooms divided?”
Ayaka asked.
“I reserved two rooms, one for the men and one for the women. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t know why you’re apologizing, but isn’t that the best arrangement? What about Elvis?”
“He’ll have to endure it for a little while.”
So that was the plan.
“Sorry, Elvis.”
Ayaka turned and apologized to Elvis on Kitaura-san’s shoulder.
“It’s only one day. I don’t mind.”
“If you’re sure.”
We continued through town until we reached the hot-spring district.
The mountains and river were beautiful, and the area had the atmosphere of a proper hot-spring town.
“Come to think of it, this is our first hot-spring district in a human town.”
The people walking outside were ordinary humans.
“You’re right. Beppu and Nagato were demon towns, and so was Hagi, though we didn’t stay there.”
As we admired the town, the car entered an inn and stopped in one corner of its parking lot.
“We’re here. We’ll spend the night at this inn. You’re basically free to do as you please, but let’s eat dinner together. We can discuss our plans for tomorrow and beyond then. Is that agreeable?”
Sis Linda was starting to sound like our leader.
“Understood. Sis Linda, the same goes for Elvis, but make sure no one realizes you’re demons.”
The demons hadn’t cared much after learning we were human, but I suspected that being exposed as demons in a human town would cause a serious incident.
“We know.”
“Leave it to us.”
These two would probably be fine.
I took Elvis from Kitaura-san, put him in my pocket, and got out of the car.
Inside, we approached the reception desk. It was staffed not by a Medusa or succubus, but by an ordinary human woman.
“Welcome. Are you staying with us?”
“I’m Linda. I called early this afternoon.”
Sis Linda handled the conversation.
“Linda-sama, correct? Two rooms with breakfast and dinner included?”
“Yes.”
“That will be fifty-four thousand yen.”
Expensive.
Was that normal for an inn, or was it because of the state of the world?
“Here you are.”
Sis Linda paid.
“These are your keys. Allow me to explain our facilities. The large communal bath is on the first floor, down that corridor, and may be used at any time until ten tomorrow morning.”
The attendant pointed toward a corridor on the right.
“Can we enter now?”
“Yes, at any time. Dinner will be brought to your rooms at six thirty.”
Six thirty.
“We plan to eat together. Could you bring all of it to this room?”
Sis Linda pointed alternately at Riku and me.
“Certainly. If you need anything, please contact reception. Enjoy your stay.”
“Thank you.”
We headed for the nearby elevator.
“Sis Linda, which rooms?”
“The third floor. You are in Room 5, and we are in Room 6.”
Sis Linda handed me the key.
“Next door to each other.”
“You may visit us at any time. I’ll be sure to pretend I’m asleep.”
I ignored her and looked at Riku.
“I’m looking forward to the hot spring.”
“Me too. Let’s catch our breath in the room, then go.”
Riku and I nodded, rode the elevator to the third floor, and stopped in front of our respective rooms.
“See you later. I think we’ll go to the bath too.”
“We’ll come over to your room.”
“Let’s play cards.”
The women entered their room, and Riku and I entered ours.
It was a Japanese-style room of about ten tatami mats, with a long table in the center and, of course, that familiar seating alcove beside the window.
“This is nice.”
“It is.”
We went to the alcove and opened the shoji.
The road and river were visible ahead, with people walking alongside them.
“My room in Hagi was similar and overlooked the ocean, but it wasn’t much fun alone.”
He must have been too anxious to enjoy it.
“Relax this time.”
“I will.”
We sat at the table, took Elvis out, and brewed tea.
“Aren’t you going to return to your normal size?”
Riku asked Elvis, who was relaxing on the table.
“I’m staying like this to be safe. I can pass as a doll. I’ll return to normal for dinner, though. Cup noodles are fine for me, but order alcohol.”
“You’re fine with cup noodles? We’re staying at an inn.”
“Demon towns don’t have cup noodles. They’re ridiculously good.”
“Oh, I haven’t had any in ten years either. Maybe I’ll have some as a late-night snack.”
We’re in our late twenties now. Be careful.
“Cup noodles taste great at night. Go for it. Still, too bad for you, Yuu.”
Hmm?
“About what?”
“You don’t get to share a room with Ayaka this time.”
Oh, that was why Sis Linda had smiled and apologized to Ayaka.
“Yuu, were you sharing a room with Ayaka before?”
Riku asked.
“We’ve had trouble strike in the middle of the night several times, so we decided to avoid single rooms. That left Takamiya-san and Kitaura-san together, and me with Ayaka.”
“I see… And nothing happened?”
Hmm…
“I don’t think so, but we drank demon alcohol last night, so I can’t remember.”
“Oh… Still, I feel like the two of you have gotten closer than before.”
Really?
“Seriously? It doesn’t feel any different to me.”
“How should I put it? The distance between you has shrunk. It’s almost like the two of you have your own little world—or a field around you.”
What did that mean?
“I don’t understand.”
“That’s why I said it’s just a feeling. But you’re definitely getting along well. Why don’t you confess? I don’t think Ayaka would reject you.”
“Neither can I imagine it going badly.”
Hmm… It was a matter of timing…
After we reached Tokyo… No, I didn’t think I could get into that frame of mind before we found Minato.
“I’ll think about it in time. Shall we go to the bath?”
“Sure. What about Elvis?”
“Obviously, I’m not going. I’ll relax here, so you two go. I didn’t want to say anything, Riku, but you didn’t bathe yesterday, did you?”
Oh. That might be true…
“No… Let’s go.”
“Right.”
We took our yukata and other things, left the room, rode the elevator to the first floor, and headed for the large bath.