Alone with Her in the Hot Springs (69/367)
After sorting out all the luggage that had piled up over the day, I flopped down onto the prepared bedding. The texture was so soft and plush—sexy as hell, pure heaven. No other paradise could compare. Cloud-like comfort! Even though it wasn't a bed, this heavenly fluffiness was straight-up cheating. Cheating, I tell you.
"Ahh, I'm melting over here... I've already melted... don't come looking for me..."
I was sprawled out, melting into the blankets all by myself, when Yoonah sauntered over, striking a pose fresh out of the shower. She looked every bit the Yoonah I knew.
"What're you doing lying down without even washing up? At least rinse your hands and feet."
Her hair was still damp from a quick shower, adding to her allure, and the yukata she'd slipped into oozed sexiness. It was too much.
"Ah, what am I supposed to do with all this sexiness?"
"What? Why are you so sexy today?"
"Hmm? I've always been sexy, haven't I?"
She planted a hand on her hip, struck a sultry pose, and puckered her lips. Back to her usual cute self post-shower, I couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ah, there she is—the regular Yoonah."
"What do you mean by that? You're saying the usual me isn't sexy at all?"
"No, no. Yoonah's sexy and cute and pretty. She's got it all."
Drowsiness was crashing over me. I blinked slowly, dragging out my words.
"What is it with me and sleep? Why does it feel this good? If I'm gonna die anyway, I could sleep forever then—problem solved."
"Huh? Hey, you planning to just crash like that?"
Yoonah was saying something, but my focus was shot. Lying down had done me in—my eyes were heavy, my mind foggy. No matter how I sliced it, I was a total homebody type. Battery depleted. Time to recharge.
"Ah..."
And with that, I passed out cold. Everything after was a blank.
"Suuuup..."
When I finally stirred, the world outside was pitch black. I glanced around—no sign of Yoonah.
"Yoonah."
No response, even when I called her name softly. The room felt eerily quiet, like she might not even be there anymore. I grabbed my phone.
The message from about an hour ago stared back at me. Ah, damn. Sleeping through a prime moment like this? If I'd woken up even a little sooner, I'd have pounced on her right then. But an hour had passed— she should be back any minute now. Sure enough, the door slid open with a rattle.
"You're up?"
"Yeah... slept like a rock. You get your bath?"
"You too—go wash up quick. The private bath's nice and all, but the open-air onsen? Next level."
I nodded, hauling myself out of bed. It was pitch dark anyway; nothing to see. I checked the time—about an hour and a half of shut-eye. Lucky I didn't sleep through dinner. Whew, dodged a bullet. Would've missed the kaiseki otherwise. We were staying till tomorrow, sure, but you had to savor that first kaiseki course.
I grabbed my stuff with a yawn and headed out.
"If you take too long, I'm eating without you~"
"Got it, got it. Be right there."
I waved back at Yoonah, who was shooing me along from behind, and made for the public bathhouse. I'd packed a yukata, so I could change on the way back nice and comfy. Wonder if it'd catch her off guard if I strolled in wearing it?
I let out a massive yawn and stepped into the bathhouse.
"Ah, here we are."
The changing room looked just like any regular bathhouse back home. It wasn't super late, but surprisingly empty—perfect.
"Heh, I can take my sweet time here."
Yoonah had ordered me to hustle for dinner, but with no one around, why not luxuriate a bit?
"No assigned spots or anything, right?"
First time at a ryokan onsen, so I was clueless. The lockers had keys in them, so probably not reserved. I tossed my stuff and clothes into one, pocketed the key, and headed inside.
The indoor bath was similar to Korean ones, but with one big difference—a door leading outside.
"That must be the open-air onsen."
Shower area was fully stocked: body wash, cleanser, shampoo, the works. I figured I'd shower first, then hit the outdoor tub. Stepping out...
"Oof, chilly..."
First impression: cold. It'd felt toasty earlier, but nightfall brought a biting wind. Naked to boot, and about to get wet? Brutal.
"Brr, gotta dunk quick."
Shivering, I slipped into the prepared tub. Nicely hot—not scalding. But with the frigid air outside, I adapted fast.
"Kuhhh, warm and perfect. Feels like my body's melting into the clouds."
Only now did I have a moment to take in the surroundings. It was dark, so the scenery wasn't crystal clear, but mountains loomed behind, wrapped in lush, dark greenery. Bathing like this felt downright luxurious.
"Feels great."
Hmm, so this is why people rave about onsens.
I sank in up to my shoulders and gazed at the sky. Despite the bathhouse lights, stars twinkled overhead—the surroundings must've been dim enough.
"Whoa, stars. Been forever."