Shedding Skin (7)
"Hoo." Iris drew in a deep breath. The hot, stifling steam-filled air sank deep into her lungs. Then she let it all out.
"Pahaaah."
The onsen, freshly cleaned, was thick with steam, making every breath feel heavy. But Iris's face was lit up with a smile.
"Nice."
It was obviously cheap compared to the luxurious baths she usually frequented, but Iris couldn't care less.
"Cheap ones have their own rustic charm."
Plink. The clear, crystalline chime unique to Shiotsu Town's hot springs—an essential accompaniment to any onsen.
Iris, who'd been nursing a headache from Shin Tae-il's bold two-timing declaration, beamed innocently.
'Still gotta get those two to make up.'
But first things first—time to enjoy. This was her first onsen trip with friends who weren't Rena. Missing out would be a crime. A historic moment in Iris's life, really.
'Smells like a proper onsen, at least. Not some total scam.'
Or maybe they just used good bath salts. With a light heart, Iris dipped her hand into the water. Thankfully, unlike the overflowing steam, the temperature was just right—no need to ease in gradually. Still, one downside...
'It's cramped.'
True to Gunma form. The onsen attached to this modest inn was even smaller than the bathroom back at her place.
'And walled in on all sides.'
Iris glanced up, taking in the enclosed surroundings. Nothing scenic about it—just solid wooden fences blocking every view. She hadn't expected a mountain vista since it wasn't built on a spring source, but it was still a letdown.
"Eh, can't expect much from a cheap spot."
At least the open ceiling let her stargaze a bit. Nodding to herself, Iris turned at the sound of Ayane stammering behind her, clearly flustered by the soliloquy.
"Th-this place is cheap, Iris?"
"By my standards?"
Iris flashed a cheeky grin and threw up a peace sign. Ayane's gaze turned icy.
"Hurry up and wash. Let's head inside."
"Yeah."
Rena had to head home by lunchtime, so time wasn't as plentiful as it seemed. The two rinsed off lightly, their footsteps splashing as they slipped their legs into the water. Warm below, cool above.
"Feels so gooood..."
Iris paddled her legs gently.
"What about you, Ayane?"
"Ayane likes it too."
Ayane gave a soft smile in response. She didn't really distinguish between a regular bath and an onsen, but she played along to stroke Iris's ego.
'Gotta pull Iris firmly to my side, no question.'
Only Tae-il and Ayane knew the full band lineup so far.
'Shin-jjang, me, Iris, Honjo, and Sakuraba.'
Five in total. Yuuya, the second-year senior, was on the list to fill numbers, but she wasn't crucial.
'Honjo and Sakuraba don't like me.'
Ayane had already half-blackmailed Rena into joining once before. Just two days ago, they'd traded barbs out of Tae-il's sight. But Rena seemed on decent terms with not just Iris, but Sakuya too. And Sakuraba? Obvious rival. In a band full of enemies, Iris was Ayane's one reliable ally.
"Best part is, it's just us here."
"Totally."
Iris nodded in agreement.
"What're the others up to, anyway?"
"Dunno?"
Iris called out to the dawdlers still lingering in the changing room.
"You guys, get in here already! We basically rented the whole place!"
"Haha."
"Hot springs first thing in the morning? Lucky bastards."
At Iris's urging, Sakuya and Rena finally emerged, grumbling cynically. Sakuya tilted her head.
"Huh? Didn't Rena get all excited about the onsen sounds?"
"Shh! Shhh!"
"Haha!"
Rena thrust out a fist, hissing that she'd kill her if she said that in front of Iris. Sakuya effortlessly pinned the rabbit-helpless Rena with one hand, feigning disappointment.
"Got my hopes up for a real onsen vibe, but it's kinda meh."
As an otaku, Sakuya wasn't thrilled with the underwhelming setup. Rena snapped back curtly.
"What'd you expect from an inn bath that's not even at a ryokan?"
"Fair point?"
It's free—be grateful, Rena grumbled as she bolted for the water, only to get nabbed by Kiriko.
"Eek!"
"No matter how great the onsen, you gotta wash first, Miss Rena."
"No one's here but us, so just... uh."
Rena blinked at her captor.
"You wear sunglasses in the onsen too...?"
"Ahem. These are goggles."
"Your character's rock-solid."
Kiriko, whose fogged-up lenses made it questionable if she could even see, waded past Rena into the bath first. She looked less like an onsen-goer and more like a snorkeler. As Rena eyed her dubiously, Sakuya called out.
"Rena, water temp's perfect. Let's wash up."
"Y-yeah."
No point fighting—Kiriko would block her full-force anyway. Not wanting to be babied despite her childlike build, Rena made a complicated face and headed to the shower where Sakuya waited.
Sakuraba, perched on a wooden bath stool, beckoned her over.
"I'll wash you."
"I can do it myself."
"C'mon, don't be shy."
Sakuya flashed a friendly grin and pulled up another stool. Rena twisted her hair into twin tails, then sighed.
"Haa. Just my hair?"
"Roger."
Rena gingerly sat before her, fiddling with her hair. Lukewarm water from the showerhead trickled from her fingertips, soaking her body evenly. Each spray was met with Sakuya's gentle caresses—delicate and soft, belying expectations of a rough athlete's touch. As languid relaxation set in from Sakuya's skilled hands, Rena closed her eyes and surrendered.
"Gonna shampoo now?"
"Yeah."
Her scalp had been itching anyway. Sakuya lathered up plenty of Rena's shampoo and worked it into her hair.
"You two done yet?"
Iris, already soaking with her arms draped over the rocks, called out.
"Haha, sorry—gimme a sec?"
"Gotcha."
Iris shooed them to hurry, then swam over to Ayane, who was spacing out alone.
"Whaddya think? Pretty decent, right?"
"Y-yeah. Better than I thought. For real."
Ayane, huddled in the corner in a squat, nodded awkwardly. Iris slumped against her shoulder with a blissed-out expression.
"Haa. First time at an onsen with friends who aren't Rena."
"Didn't we bathe together yesterday?"
"Ahem. Tub bath and proper onsen soak are different."
Are they? Ayane smiled awkwardly, recalling Iris's bathroom—basically a public bath in disguise despite the "tub" label. Yesterday had been a spectacle: nonstop practice from morning till afternoon, then an invite to Iris's place. Eye-popping gourmet dinner, a soak in their enormous tub no normal home would have, and finally yukatas instead of sweat-soaked clothes, chatting side-by-side in Iris's bed.
Contrary to her worries, talking with Iris had been fun. Mostly about her fave BARD and their shared topic, Shin Tae-il. Though it devolved into fretting over no word from Rena or Tae-il later.
"Sleepy."
"Hehe. All loosened up?"
As Ayane blinked drowsily, Iris lifted her head and guided Ayane's to rest on her own shoulder.
'No sleep all day— no wonder she's wiped.'
Ayane had been a whirlwind of calls and texts, fretting over Tae-il. Unlike Iris, who'd dozed in the car to Gunma, Ayane had gnawed her thumbnail in anxiety.
"You tired, Ayane?"
"Dunno."
Ayane had been too laser-focused on worrying about Tae-il to feel fatigue. When they finally tracked him down...
She'd caught him rolling around with Sakuya, vaporizing any tiredness in a blaze of fury. Just as Iris hoped, the onsen was steadily unraveling Ayane's taut nerves.
Ayane nodded off while staring at the thin wooden partition ahead—the direction of the men's bath.
"Shin-jjang's probably right there across, huh?"
"Probably."
Unlike the lively women's side with its crowd, he'd be soaking solo, likely bored.
"Think he'd answer if I called?"
"Dunno, maybe?"
Ceilings were open on both sides. If Tae-il was in there, he'd respond for sure.
"Muu."
Ayane pursed her lips, glaring at the fence. Iris looked puzzled.
"Wanna call?"
"Nah. Ayane's not a kid."
Her lips puffed out a "pfuu," and she shook her head quietly. A bit younger, and she'd have hollered without hesitation—clapping in delight at his reply. Pure kid stuff. She could still do it now, but too many eyes. Embarrassing, too. And Sakuya's interference loomed largest.
Without voicing that inner truth, Ayane excused it as concern.
"Shin-jjang probably wants peace without Ayane bugging him right now."
"Yeah, makes sense."
Iris nodded, sending ripples across the surface. Ayane snuck a peek at Iris's chest. Unlike her own, two massive balloons bobbed buoyantly above the water. No contest—Aya felt profound defeat gazing at her modest pair. Bold and aggressive Iris towered over her shy, petite assets.
'Mom...'
Ayane silently cursed Yuuna. Same face, but why not the figure too? Rival Sakuya was stacked, and even BARD's Izumi, though smaller, wasn't this small.
'Just me...'
Ayane slid off Iris's shoulder, submerging everything but her eyes, bubbles rising as she stewed. To seduce Tae-il, she needed a stronger hook.
'What to use...?'
Staring at the bubbling froth, Ayane pondered how to sideline Sakuya and win him over. Then—a shriek from behind.
"Eek! Easy, jock!"
"Hurts? Scalp massage feels great, right?"
"Don't underestimate my grip strength!"
Sakuya's overzealous shampooing made Rena yelp. Unlike Iris's quick rinse, these two—post-Cola shower—needed a thorough scrub. Iris eyed Sakuya enviously, acting more big-sis than she did.
"Nggh!"
"Rena's got some solid knots too."
Sakuya kneaded from scalp to nape, sending Rena into spasms.
"Whether my muscles knot or not is none of your beez—hyak!?"
"Hang in there."
"How am I supposed to—!"
"Tae-il loved it too?"
"Not loved— he was dying for it!"
"Knew it. Extra knead as reward."
"Kyaa!"
Other guests would've been furious, but this crew could tune out Rena's screams like symphony noise. Even Kiriko soaked without intervening.
Rena begged for rescue.
"G-gonna die! Save me!"
"Haha! Such a drama quee—hey!"
"Kyaa!"
Sakuya scooped up the fleeing Rena, trapping her in a bear hug. Pale-faced, she wailed.
"Iris! Kiriko! Shin! Papa! Anyone—save mee...!"
"Hey!"
"Guhk!"
Too much pain or shock silences even screams—like now. Dire for Rena, but Iris watched with envy.
"Guess they don't need naked bonding time."
A wry smile tugged her lips. Despite Rena's protests, Iris saw pure joy.
'Made a good friend, Rena-chan.'
Iris quietly wiped a tear at her little-sis figure's growth. Rena's friendlessness had long worried her—rumors said she iced anyone who approached, a total hedgehog.
'Thank goodness.'
Sakuya a natural predator? Or perfect match? Either way, Iris was relieved. A bit jealous inside, sure.
'Hehe. Guess I have some possessiveness too...'
Losing exclusive rights to those chubby cheeks stung a little. If she couldn't monopolize...
"Can't be helped...!"
...then knead till she could. Simple logic. Iris hopped out and pounced on writhing Rena.
"Rena-chan! My turn for a massage!"
"You too wha—mmph!?"
Massive peaks crushed her front and back. That day, Rena remembered. The terror of size-based domination. The humiliation of flailing under suffocating pressure.
"Get ooooffff!"
Her death cry echoed through the onsen.
"Eutcha."
As Rena thrashed, Ayane rose from the water. Kiriko eyed her.
"Hm? Going somewhere, Miss Ayane?"
"Just a sec... "
Ayane clutched her lower belly, thighs squeezed, flashing a troubled smile. Kiriko apologized hastily.
"Ah. My bad."
"Haha. No worries."
And so, Ayane slipped out of the women's bath quite naturally.