SCIAW: Chapter 245/246

Chapter 245: Hot Spring on the Mountainside

After the morning activities and lunch, everyone finally had time to relax.

Once everyone caught their breath, they all had the same goal.

Soaking in the hot springs!

After all, the main purpose of this trip was the hot springs. How could they not relax in the springs after a hearty lunch?

Before heading to the hot spring, Ren reviewed the layout and information provided in the room.

The largest hot spring here was a mixed bath, hidden deep within the bamboo forest behind the mountain. It could only be reached through a specially constructed corridor that connected the residential area to the back mountain.

This outdoor hot spring usually required a reservation to use.

However, since this trip had been privately booked in advance, they avoided the hassle of needing to reserve it.

Still, there was another matter to consider. The reason reservations were needed was precisely because of the mixed bathing system. This hot spring hotel was not designed for shady purposes. Its original intention was to allow guests to enjoy the natural hot spring experience more freely.

Thus, the mixed bathing was not intended for awkward encounters.

Everyone making use of the hot spring were acquaintances, which made it easier to relax even with the mixed setup.

There was no so-called inappropriate atmosphere.

Still, there was a practical issue. It was not proper to clean oneself completely naked in front of acquaintances in a mixed bath, even if everyone remained calm about it.

Therefore, it was best to do the cleansing beforehand in the rooms, and then head directly into the hot spring.

Even though it was a bit troublesome, Ren did not skip this step.

After washing up in his room, he put on a bathrobe and carried a pair of swim trunks in his hand.

Walking through the residential area, Ren easily found the path leading toward the back mountain.

The corridor was constructed from wood, open on both sides but enclosed with glass panels to block the cold wind, giving it a very warm feeling.

Looks like everyone is still cleansing themselves in their rooms.

Strolling down the corridor while admiring the scenery of the back mountain, Ren also kept an ear out for any sounds around him.

There were only his own footsteps echoing in the corridor. It seemed he was the first to arrive.

As he continued walking, enjoying the scenery through the glass walls, the air grew increasingly humid. The scent of fresh water vapor filled the air, and the temperature noticeably rose.

A faint sulfur smell, reminiscent of rotten eggs, began wafting into Ren's nose.

However, the smell had clearly been partially neutralized. Mixed within it were the scents of fresh bamboo and various floral fragrances.

It was evident that deliberate measures had been taken.

While online sources often said that the natural smell of a hot spring was part of the authentic experience, no one really wanted to torture their noses unnecessarily.

As Ren got closer to the hot spring, the smell intensified, but it remained bearable.

Part of the reason for the stronger smell was also the enclosed design of the corridor.

Because of the surrounding glass meant to block the cold, the air circulation was poor, causing the odor to linger.

After walking a while, the wooden corridor came to an end. Ahead was an entrance paved with polished pebbles.

Pulling open the sliding door, Ren officially stepped into the hot spring area.

There were two separate changing spaces near the entrance. The equipment looked very new, suggesting that the separation was recently arranged.

At least, there was no chance for anyone to feel embarrassed.

Ren walked to the changing area on the left carrying his swim trunks.

He selected a storage basket, took off his bathrobe and undergarments, placed them inside, then changed into his swim trunks and stepped into the outdoor hot spring.

Warm mist nearly obscured everything from view, but when a cool breeze occasionally swept by, it pushed away some of the thick fog, revealing the scene inside.

This was clearly a hot spring built into the mountainside.

The ground of the hot spring was paved with small stones, and the entire setting felt like a naturally formed spring.

There were no gaudy decorations, no statues to add visual flair. It was as if the design was intentionally signaling that this was a pure and authentic hot spring.

After surveying the area briefly, Ren moved toward the part of the hot spring closest to the edge, where large sheets of glass had been installed.

Walking further out, the mist faded, and it became clear that this wasn't just a simple boundary of glass.

It was a hot spring terrace jutting out from the mountainside.

The floor at the very edge was made of reinforced glass, and beyond it was a sheer drop into a deep canyon. Anyone who fell would surely meet a grim end.

But precisely because of the danger, the glass had been reinforced and thickened to ensure complete safety.

Stepping into the hot spring, Ren slowly made his way toward the edge.

Standing atop the frighteningly transparent glass floor, he looked out at the vast view before him. The mountain scenery and the distant hot spring town were fully visible.

"It really is a beautiful view."

Such a sight made Ren genuinely sigh in admiration.

"This place isn't particularly close to the town down below. The hot spring is located mid-mountain. The only direct connection is across the canyon. Plus, there are so many layers of protection here... it really is impossible for outsiders to enter."

Realizing this made Ren even more certain.

This hot spring hote definitely did not appear on any public maps.

Without a trusted introduction, it was impossible for anyone to even find their way here.

Ren could not help but sigh again.

"Having money is really quite useful sometimes."

"Pfft! Hahaha!"

A bright, cheerful laugh came from the entrance to the hot spring.

Ren turned around and saw Sonoko standing there, wearing a bold red bikini.

She had taken off her headband for the hot spring, letting her bangs fall naturally, giving her a slightly more glamorous air than usual.

It was something difficult to pull off unless one had very high facial attractiveness. Otherwise, loose bangs like that would just look awkward.

It was rare to see Sonoko in such a way. The swimsuit showed off her figure, which was far better than expected.

For a moment, Ren was genuinely stunned.

"Hehe~"

Seeing Ren's reaction, Sonoko felt even more confident that her choice of swimsuit was the right one.

She smiled and leaned slightly forward, emphasizing her curves even more.

"Ren, what do you think of my swimsuit?"

Ren took a deep breath and gave an honest compliment.

"Very beautiful. Far beyond what I imagined."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 246: Once Again

Normally, Sonoko did not stand out much in her casual clothes or school uniform, but once she put on a bikini, her natural figure was immediately apparent.

She appeared slim overall, but her bust was still very prominent.

Ren had never studied girls' body sizes closely, but even he could see that Sonoko had everything she should. With her bangs let down completely, it further highlighted a different, more alluring side of her.

She was truly beautiful.

Ren was stunned for a moment, staring at the girl in front of him.

This girl... was one of his girlfriends now.

He had really become the so-called "harem protagonist" from the fan works he used to see in the past.

Diary, diary, I really love you to death.

In a sense, it fulfilled something he had once half-jokingly wished for.

"Hehe~"

Seeing her boyfriend staring at her so intently, Sonoko felt her heart race a little faster. She smiled and walked over to him.

She reached out and gently pushed against Ren's chest.

"What's wrong? You can't even recognize your girlfriend now?"

Ren finally snapped out of it, but he did not know where he should look. Mainly, this angle was too dangerous. Even if he did not mean to, his gaze naturally fell on Sonoko's fair and ample skin.

"I can recognize you just fine, but... I really don't know where I should be looking."

Following Ren's gaze downward, Sonoko immediately understood where he had been looking. Her cheeks flushed a light red.

"You can look if you want."

After all, she had chosen this swimsuit for him to see.

As a girl, she could not say something so bold directly, but her actions clearly showed her intent.

After appreciating Sonoko's rare look, Ren suddenly thought of something. He asked somewhat selfishly:

"Sonoko, do you normally... wear something like this when you go to the beach?"

Hearing this, Sonoko glanced up at her boyfriend's slightly uneasy expression and instantly understood what he was worried about.

She pushed the silly boy in front of her with some annoyance.

"Have you ever seen a proper young lady showing off her body at the beach? Isn't that the same as standing around in underwear and letting strangers stare at you?"

"Even when we go to the beach, we don't wear something this revealing."

"Usually, we wear one-piece swimsuits."

As she spoke, Sonoko pointed at her own collarbone.

"In those, you can barely even see the collarbone."

"I see. I thought you would just wear bikinis casually to the beach."

Ren finally let out a relieved breath.

Sonoko immediately raised her eyebrows. Who was it that was slandering these proper young ladies?

"Ren, let me ask you something. Where did you get the idea that we wear bikinis to the beach?"

"Uh... from stories."

I knew it... Sonoko smacked her forehead. She should have guessed it was from fictional stories.

Feeling the need to teach Ren some basic common sense, Sonoko continued.

"Ren, listen carefully. In real life, proper girls don't wear revealing outfits casually in public. We care about dignity. Only in private or safe environments would we wear something like a bikini."

Ren nodded silently as he listened to Sonoko's explanation. So that was how it was.

"Only models walking the runway, like at fashion shows, lingerie shows, or art exhibits, will openly show off their figures because that's part of their profession—and sometimes to catch the eye of rich suitors."

The term "catch the eye" was a gentle way of putting it. In harsher words, it was about finding a wealthy patron.

"Most girls from prominent families like us receive a very proper education. Sure, you see in TV dramas those rich kids behaving like playboys. They exist, but they're usually the children of nouveau riche families—those who have just made their fortune."

"The first generation works hard to earn money. It's up to the second generation to stabilize the family, and it's the third generation that typically receives a full education."

"Once the family stabilizes, the third generation rarely produces playboys. They become more refined, so naturally, they don't make for interesting TV drama characters anymore."

"And so, you rarely see the third generation in dramas because there's no 'conflict' to exploit."

"Similarly, they don't engage in the typical nouveau riche behavior."

"What you see in stories is, at best, one-sided fantasy. Without a bit of spice, those stories wouldn't sell."

From the perspective of profits, it was obvious. Stories needed characters doing provocative things to sell better.

Sonoko instinctively judged that the portrayal in stories was completely different from reality.

Ren thought about it carefully based on Sonoko's explanation and realized she was absolutely right.

"Yeah, thinking back, it's true. In a lot of stories, no matter the heroine's or the supporting character's background, they often end up doing fanservice."

"No matter what kind of prestigious background the characters have, it doesn't matter to the author. All that matters is selling the story and grabbing attention."

Whether or not the characters showed skin had nothing to do with their dignity or upbringing—it was entirely a business decision.

"That's right."

Seeing that her boyfriend finally understood, Sonoko let out a breath of relief. She had been genuinely worried that he had developed some strange misunderstandings about girls like them.

"Just imagine this: would I, the designated future heir of my family, ever casually be left alone without a bodyguard nearby? It's nearly impossible."

"Even if I were in some 'damsel in distress' situation, the bodyguards would have handled it before anyone else could swoop in to play hero."

"And as for Kaguya, even though she's like a canary raised within a gilded cage, she has still received proper education. She's one of the public faces of the Shinomiya family."

"While the Shinomiya family might see her as their 'canary,' to the outside world, she is still the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family."

"So, she would never have the freedom to choose her own love. Not unless she could completely control the Shinomiya family, like she does now. Otherwise, she would always have to accept the marriage arrangements made by the family."

(To be continued.)