A Good Massage*

Haruto's awkward laugh filled the silence. "I guess I just soaked too long in the hot spring earlier," he deflected, scratching the back of his neck. 

Then, in an attempt to steer the conversation into safer waters, he added, "But isn't it weird that we're at a ryokan with one of the best hot springs, and here we are, in a jacuzzi instead?" 

Asuka tilted her head, her expression calm yet unreadable, her lips curving into a faint smirk. "Oh, you didn't know?" she replied.

"The jacuzzi uses the same natural spring water. It's good for the skin. You should enjoy it." 

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment, her piercing eyes seeming to assess his every reaction. He couldn't tell whether she believed his excuse or not, but she didn't press further. 

"Still," she continued with a lazy stretch, "all this water is getting a bit tiresome."