Chapter 1736: Nighttime Founding Festival with Shallow Vernal ⑥

<Author’s Notes>

I was barely able to post something because I was working overtime, so today’s chapter is a bit short.

My desperate situation paid off and for the time being, Shiro-san dropped her request for me to push her down. She also readily agreed to separate changing rooms. Well, I think what was important for Shiro-san was the “getting pushed down” happening event, and I don’t think she cared much about which changing rooms we changed in.

After all, it only takes a moment for Shiro-san to change her clothes……

While thinking about this, when I finished changing and opened the door to the open-air bath, I was greeted by a magnificent Mt Fuji, dyed in the beautiful sunset.

Ohh, this is even more amazing than I imagined. It looks incredibly beautiful, and now, before this truly breathtaking view of Mt Fuji bathed in the sunset, it feels like I have this spectacle all to myself…… all to myself…… No….. Wait, why is there sunset again?

(Don’t worry. The Mt Fuji from here may have been illuminated by the setting sun, but it doesn’t look like that when seen from other places. Earth God has adjusted it that way.)

Ahh, I see, that’s reassuring…… In that case though, Mt Fuji doesn’t need to be shining, right? N- No, I guess it’s too late to ask that now……

W- Well, at any rate, such consideration saved Laguna-san and the others from having stomachaches…… No, the glowing Mt Fuji alone would have been enough to make their stomachs ache, but I’m glad they didn’t have to go through any additional blow, such as another sunset coming again.

Putting that aside, Shiro-san isn’t here, I wonder what’s going on? Her response to my question just now also came by directly speaking to my mind.

Since Shiro-san could change out of her clothes in an instant, it was strange that she hadn’t arrived before me as she normally would…… W- Wait, could it be that she’s planning to come in later and surprise me when I turn around? The only reason I can think of as to why she’s deliberately coming in after me was that.

However, will it really work that well? While a surprised mixed bath might catch me off guard, I already know in advance that we’re having a mixed bath. And knowing that Shiro-san might attempt some sort of situation like placing her hands on my shoulders, I’m somewhat prepared and ready for it…… Then, I wouldn’t have such a big reaction……

[Is that so?]

[Uwahh!?]

———well, that’s what I was thinking, but when I was approached by Shiro-san, who suddenly appeared behind me instead of coming in through the door from the changing room, I unintentionally jumped up from surprise.

She really surprised me. I mean, that was completely unexpected……

[Did it get your heart racing?]

[Yeah, it did, but this is completely different, okay!? It’s not the kind of feeling Shiro-san was looking for, but one from being startled!]

[……That was a blind spot.]

[No, you should have realized that early on……]

As expected of her airheadedness, it seemed like her intention of making my heart race took precedence in her mind, leading her thoughts to startling me.

[……Well then, I’ll start over again.]

[No, no! Opting for a Take 2 in this situation is just too absurd!]

Isn’t it unreasonable to expect a surprised reaction when I’m already aware of the situation? I’ll say this now, I’m not confident I can provide a reaction that Shiro-san would find satisfying, okay!?

Well, that’s what I was thinking, but it’s already too late. Shiro-san already disappeared, and my shout echoed emptily in the onsen bathed in the light of the setting sun.

<Afterword>

Serious-senpai : [……It looks like the ’s gonna be bad…… Can someone take my spot? Umm…… Someone? <? ? ?>? Makina?…… Umm…… Why is it that only at times like this that no one’s……]