Onsen Uproar
The cold wind blowing outside the tent slapped against my skin, jolting me awake. Being on a high plateau made the morning air feel much chillier than yesterday. The moment I poked my face out of the sleeping bag, my nose tip stung.
"Ugh..."
As I tried to sit up, a burning pain flared from my lips. Touching them lightly with my finger, I could vividly feel how swollen they were. That sauce... did I go way overboard making it? If it hurt this much the next morning... my lips were one thing, but the trip to the bathroom filled me with dread.
Right on cue, a sinister rumble echoed from my gut. Gurgle. A chill ran down my spine. Going to the bathroom in this state... just imagining it promised excruciating agony.
But you can't fight nature's call. Dragging my heavy body out of the tent, I stepped into the blessedly quiet campground—still early, not a sound anywhere.
Whoa, damn. Thought I was gonna die.
After the bathroom run, my stomach felt relieved, but my lips still throbbed. Wide awake now, I figured I'd take a morning stroll. Wandering around the campground, the misty highland scenery had a certain charm. Far off, the mountain ridges glowed in the morning sun.
"The air here's insane."
Taking a deep breath, I headed toward the forest path.
Rustle.
Something moved in the distant bushes. Wind? I tried to brush it off, but the bushes shook again—big time.
Rustle! Rustle!
Too much movement for just wind. Suddenly, warnings I'd seen online while prepping for the Japan trip flashed in my mind.
[Japan Camping Precautions: Check for wild bear sighting areas.]
[Japan's Sudden Bear War?!]
...Nah, no way.
This was a managed campground with staff on site. Bears? No chance. Still, my feet instinctively backpedaled.
Then—
Grrrrowl.
A low animal growl rumbled through. Something huge burst from the bushes.
"......!"
No time to think. Panic seized me before any flight response. My legs buckled, and I collapsed right there.
The black mass charged at me with terrifying speed.
I'm dead.
I squeezed my eyes shut, unable even to scream. Please, make it quick and painless...
Splat.
Something heavy slammed into me. Then, a wet, slimy sensation on my cheek.
Lick. Lick.
"...?"
No pain—just hot breath and a rough tongue. I cracked one eye open.
No bear. Just a shaggy large dog, tail wagging like a propeller, lavishing me with licks. The chubby retriever from the campground yesterday—the one I thought, "Whoa, even free-range mountain retrievers get that fat?"
Anyway, not a bear. It rubbed its face against mine even harder now that my eyes were open.
"Ah... ugh..."
Relief drained all tension from my body. Then a voice from behind:
"Arumi! What're you doing over there?"
Turning, I saw disheveled-haired Rika emerging from her tent, yawning as she approached. Spotting me tangled with the dog, her eyes went wide.
"Oh! It's Kenta! The pup from the management office!"
Pup? More like calf-sized. Rika beamed innocently.
"Arumi! You love dogs, huh? Playing on the ground with him first thing in the morning?"
"......"
No. My legs gave out from terror. But I couldn't admit I'd freaked over a "bear." My pride wouldn't allow it. I just nodded silently.
"Ah, yeah... He's cute."
"Right? They say Kenta loves people!"
Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Rika petted his head. Wiping dog slobber off my face, a hollow laugh escaped me.
Breakfast was simple: hot stone pot spicy beef noodle cups from Korea. Nothing beats ramen for a camping morning after. Poured boiling water, waited three minutes.
"Let's eat!"
Im Nana and Rika slurped their instant noodles too. The hot broth melted away my woes.
"Haa... Feels like living again."
Post-meal, we packed up. But Im Nana was moving weird—twice her usual speed, tent down in a blur, pegs yanked out invisibly fast.
"Nana? Why the rush?"
"Hot spring... hot spring..."
She muttered, eyes gleaming maniacally, ignoring me. Right—today's main event was the onsen. She was as serious about healing soaks as eating.
Thanks to her superhuman pace, we finished way ahead of schedule. Loaded the car, descended the mountain. Destination: Onsen Village, 30 minutes drive away.
Curvy roads led to the village entrance, drawing awed gasps.
"Whoa..."
Like a time machine to the past. Dark-stained wooden houses lined the streets, steam rising everywhere. Along the river, ryokans stood with yukata-clad folks strolling.
"This place is gorgeous!"
"The vibe's amazing..."
"...Why's Rika surprised?"
"Kyushu folks don't all come here, y'know!"
Fair enough. We toured a bit, then parked at our pre-booked ryokan. Stepping out, warm sulfur-scented air hit us.
"Hurry! My skin's itching!"
Im Nana charged ahead. Bought bath tickets at the entrance, headed to the women's side.
At the changing room door, tension spiked.
...It's time.
Even with friends, nudity was awkward. Especially my body—too perfect, almost burdensome. Deep breath, mental rehearsal:
Act natural. Zone out, avoid eyes. Strip fast. Towel key areas, dash to shower. Wash quick, plunge into bath. In bath, face window, back turned. Perfect.
"Areum? Coming in?"
Im Nana peeked out.
"Yeah!"
Steeling myself, I entered. Operation start. Stripped with blank expression. They chatted, but "Yeah" and dodges kept me speedy. Towel in hand, straight to showers.
Ultra-fast scrub: soaped and rinsed in five minutes flat.
Good—to the bath!
Towel front, I waddled to the open-air bath. Empty, thankfully. Steam rose invitingly. Hide in the water quick.
Splash.
"Gyaack!"
A weird yelp escaped. Hot! Scalding—like cooking flesh. Reflex screamed to bolt, but—
"Huh? Areum, already in? That's the source spring—super hot, but you seem fine?"
"......"
Why tell me now?! Shoulders-deep already. Jumping out yelling "Hot!" kills dignity. And worse—full exposure.
I gritted my teeth. Endure. No matter what.
Face calm, but submerged skin screamed.
"W-Warm... nice... ngh..."
"Ngh...?"
"N-Nghh~ F-Fatigue's melting away~"
Stammering, I stared out the window. Im Nana and Rika finished showering, entered.
"Kyaaah!"
"Nana-chan?! What's wrong?"
"It's, like, insanely hot?"
"But Arumi looks fine...?"
Good—they buy it. Can't they see my lobster-red skin?
They eased in slowly.
"Uwa~ Hot! But refreshing!"
"Arumi, check the view! Amazing!"
They approached. No—stay back! I sidled away, back firmly turned, feigning scenery fascination.
A neat pond and garden outside. Blue sky, green trees—nice. But...
...What's that?
Middle of the pond: creepy statue. Four legs, bloated body, smushed face. Horns? Cow-ish?
"Is that... a cow?"
Rika giggled.
"Yep! Cow statue. Village was super poor once, so they did a 'One Cow Per Rancher' drive per prefecture. It boomed, made 'em rich. This commemorates it."
Whoa, touching story. But why so grotesque? Abstract art? Guardian deity?
"Why so creepy-looking? Legend? Moves at night?"
Rika beamed.
"Nah! Sculptor just sucked!"
"......"
Deflating. Just bad art. No epic tale.
Then Rika, puzzled:
"Arumi, why back turned? Don't wanna chat?"
"N-No?! J-Just... scenery's pretty..."
Stuttering panic. Her eyes narrowed.
"...Suspicious. Hiding something?"
She splashed closer. Eek! No!
Im Nana grabbed her arm.
"Rika-chan, leave Areum be. She's shy like that. Last bath, kept turning away too."
"Hmmm... okay?"
Rika backed off, still eyeing me. Phew... saved. Thanks, Nana.
But inwardly, blood tears: Think I want to turn away?! I wanna face you proudly! But not yet... not ready.
"Ahh! Flying spaghetti over there!"
"What?!"
Where?! Where's FSM?!
My body jerked around.
...Huh?
Why are Im Nana and Rika right in front? And why stare down, not at my face?
"Whoa, Arumi! Massive tits!"
"Areum's boobs suuuper big."
......
"Eeeeeek!!!!!!"
Finally escaped hot spring hell. Skin beet-red, but refreshingly clean—fatigue gone.
Grabbed bottled milk from the lobby vending machine. Banana milk's the classic, but Japan bottles called to me.
Sat side-by-side on the sofa, chugging.
"Kyaah~!"
"This hits the spot!"
All three grinned, setting down empties. My eye caught the full-length mirror.
Us three: wet droopy hair, flushed faces, blank stares into space.
...We look like total idiots.
Too hilarious—I whipped out my smartphone. Gotta save this. Snapped sneaky shutter.
Click.
Loud in the quiet lobby.
"...!"
Im Nana and Rika whipped around.
"Ah! Arumi took a pic!"
"What?! Hey! No makeup, hair mess!"
They lunged.
"Delete! Now!"
I held my phone high, dodging. Tried to.
"Gah, urk!"
Im Nana yanked my arm—nearly dislocated.
"Ow! Ow! F-Fine! D-Delete!"
She snatched it, huffed to the gallery. Stared at the pic.
"......"
Silence. Then her shoulders shook.
"...Pfft."
"Nana-chan? What's up?"
Rika peeked. Exploded laughing, rolling on the floor.
"Nana-chan's face! Total dummy! Ehehehe!"
"Hey! Yours too? Half-closed eyes, drooling any sec?"
We looked blissfully stupid—carefree, happy.
Wiping tears, Im Nana said:
"Post to SNS?"
"Huh? You said delete?"
"Dunno... feels wasteful. So natural. First time seeing us like this?"
True—raw, relaxed, charming.
"If Rika's cool..."
"Fine by me! Fun!"
"Okay, posting. One pic's lame—mix with trip shots... and pose proper outside."
"Sweet!"
Out we went, found a pretty bridge over a lake. Clustered on it.
"Ready? One, two, three!"
Nailed cute expressions—my selfie skills improving post-Nana lessons. Still awkward vs. them, but...
Uploaded to SNS, headed to car. Day 3: onsen done, time for city sightseeing. With local Rika, should be epic.
