Chapter 58
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Japan Business Trip (2) - Shall We Prepare the Family Bath?
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Osaka Airport.
The three of them arrived and plunged straight into the morning meeting schedule without a moment to rest.
Thanks to several prep meetings and on-the-spot responses, everything wrapped up smoothly.
"Smoother than I expected. What a relief."
Kang Joo-young said curtly as they left the client and headed to their reserved inn.
A faint sense of relief colored her expression.
"Tanaka Section Chief had a different vibe from back in Korea. Didn't expect him to scrutinize everything so closely."
"Still, Assistant Manager Lee handled it spot-on, so we made it through unscathed."
Joo-young nodded shortly, her tone flat.
No, she was trying to sound flat.
Park Mi-na trailed behind, listening to their exchange. Exhaustion was plain on her face.
It wasn't a trip she was supposed to make in the first place—Lee Hyun-seong had added her on a whim.
"I figured they'd at least spring for business class."
Mi-na grumbled, gripping her carry-on handle tight.
"Tell me about it. I was hoping for it this time."
Hyun-seong chuckled casually, and Mi-na pouted.
She wanted to kick that annoying shin of his.
The three rode to a serene hot spring inn perched midway up a mountain.
The old wooden building's antique charm blended with the meticulously tended Japanese garden, creating a calm, peaceful vibe.
In that quiet, Mi-na felt an inexplicable unease and kept her guard up.
"You've had a long journey. Welcome."
The inn proprietress, dressed impeccably in a refined kimono, greeted them at the entrance.
A polite smile softened her face.
Behind her stood several staff in similarly proper postures.
"Assistant Manager Lee Hyun-seong, Manager Kang Joo-young, and Employee Park Mi-na, correct?"
"Yes, that's us."
Hyun-seong answered for the group.
"Section Chief Tanaka contacted us in advance. Shall we head to your room? Oh, first, if you'd step this way to sign the guestbook."
"I'll handle it. You two go ahead to the room."
Hyun-seong stepped up naturally, and the proprietress nodded, heading to the counter while signaling a staff member.
"I'll show you to your room."
Joo-young and Mi-na followed the staff down the hall.
Glancing back casually, Mi-na peeked at Hyun-seong at the counter.
He was deep in serious talk with the proprietress over the guestbook.
She listened intently, nodding repeatedly.
Nothing seemed off, but it nagged at Mi-na anyway.
'What are they talking about so intently...?'
A bad premonition bubbled up, but Mi-na shook it off and faced forward.
The room they reached was far larger and more luxurious than expected.
The spacious tatami space carried a subtle woody scent, and the view of green mountains and valleys beyond the window was breathtaking.
But Mi-na's attention snagged elsewhere, not the room's beauty.
"This... is the only room booked?"
The staff nodded as if it were obvious.
"Yes, sir. A special suite for the three of you to share."
A business trip was one thing, but three colleagues—mixed genders—in one room?
It defied common sense.
Tanaka Section Chief had booked it, right?
What the hell was that old coot thinking?
Or was this part of his plan too?
As Mi-na swallowed her suspicions and discomfort, Hyun-seong entered with the proprietress, guestbook done.
A satisfied smile ghosted his face.
"Dinner at 7, ha. In a private room. Until then, hah, feel free to use the baths."
Sweat beaded the proprietress's brow now, her breaths coming a bit ragged.
"We have men's and women's open-air baths attached."
She paused, gauging Hyun-seong's reaction before adding,
"Unfortunately, both are under urgent cleaning and maintenance right now. Use might be tricky. We're truly sorry."
She bowed deeply, apologetic.
Both baths unavailable at once?
What kind of coincidence was that?
But her follow-up was even more shocking.
"The family bath is fully available, though. Shall I show you there?"
"...Pardon?"
"Family bath?"
Joo-young and Mi-na's faces stiffened in unison.
Family bath—private mixed-gender hot spring, right?
Not lovers or family, but coworkers? How were they supposed to process that?
Joo-young flushed, stammering in confusion.
Mi-na shot Hyun-seong a sharp glare.
No matter how she sliced it, he'd done something shady alone with the proprietress at the counter.
Hyun-seong, unfazed as ever, spoke calmly.
"I see. No choice, then. Family bath it is."
"We're so sorry. We'll prepare it for your use anytime."
The proprietress bowed even deeper, more deferential.
Her attitude toward Hyun-seong seemed even more respectful now.
"Gowns and swimsuits are provided in the bath, so no need to worry."
She clarified on her way out, but it did little to ease the awkward tension.
The room door shut, leaving heavy silence.
"Wow. What a coincidence, huh."
Hyun-seong's nonchalant voice broke it.
Joo-young hesitated.
"Assistant Manager Lee. Even so, men and women in the bath together is a bit..."
"We came all this way to a hot spring inn. Skipping the baths would be a shame, no?"
Hyun-seong smiled back.
"They have gowns and swimsuits to rent. If it's uncomfortable, we can take turns."
His reasonable pitch left Joo-young unable to argue, nodding reluctantly.
But Mi-na knew better.
He had no intention of going separately.
They couldn't defy his will anyway.
"Haa."
Mi-na sighed deeply, gazing at distant mountains in resignation.
Everything was going his way again.
7 p.m. The three faced kaiseki cuisine in a neatly prepared private room.
The colorful courses delighted the eyes first, then the palate.
The fragrant sake paired perfectly, loosening their earlier tension.
Maybe it was the rare overseas trip's freedom or the inn's beauty.
Joo-young looked brighter, more relaxed than afternoon.
A few cups from Hyun-seong brought a flush to her cheeks.
"Wow, this sake is delicious. So smooth going down, and the aroma..."
"It really is. Here, have another."
Hyun-seong refilled her cup with a gentle smile.
Mi-na watched uneasily.
'So defenseless. No clue what she's in for.'
Part of her envied Joo-young's ignorance.
Would she be more at ease not knowing?
Mi-na swallowed her bitter pang and ate quietly.
Ignoring the growing intimacy between Hyun-seong and Joo-young over sake was tough.
"Thanks to Team Leader's thorough prep, the meeting went great. Looking forward to the rest of the trip."
"You led the meeting, Assistant Manager Lee. I just assisted."
'Well, well.'
Hyun-seong steered the conversation masterfully.
Joo-young, buzzed and happy, dove right in.
Mi-na saw through it quick.
His sake trick.
'Alcohol makes you honest.'
'Act as you please.'
Something like that.
Was she under the same sway now?
Chilled, Mi-na downed cold sake to forget.
But her head spun more, words slipping away.
Suddenly, she swayed toward Hyun-seong.
"You okay? Too much?"
He steadied her arm, concern feigned. His eyes gleamed coldly.
"F-Fine. Just... dizzy for a sec."
Mi-na straightened hastily, head down.
By meal's end, Joo-young was quite drunk.
Her face peach-blushed.
Her eyes moist and unfocused.
"...I-I'm heading back first. Drank too much..."
She stood, tongue thick, gaze flicking to Hyun-seong briefly.
"I'll help you, Team Leader."
Hyun-seong supported her out naturally.
Probably ravish her drunk body back in the room.
Obvious.
But against expectations, Hyun-seong returned soon.
Why? The question hung, but Mi-na couldn't ask.
Awkward silence filled the room alone.
Mi-na pretended calm, staring at the night view. His intense gaze prickled her back.
"You've been quiet. Feeling off?"
Hyun-seong murmured close now.
Shameless.
He knew why better than anyone.
His warmth nearby quickened her heart unbidden.
"What about Team Leader?"
"Tucked her in. Why? Think I'd do something?"
Mi-na shut her mouth at his loaded question.
He chuckled, hand stroking her shoulder.
"Yukata suits you."
"What, out of nowhere."
Mi-na snapped sharper than intended.
After all she'd endured, compliments rang false.
"Just... you looked lonely."
"Who's lonely? Don't project."
His hand slid down her back.
Mi-na flinched.
"Dinner's done. Hot springs together?"
His voice was unnaturally soft, seductive.
She should refuse.
No way she'd bathe with him.
But her mouth betrayed her will.
"...You'd drag me anyway."
Tamed under invisible chains, Mi-na rose slowly and followed.
Even knowing full well what awaited.