Chapter 20: Tension Builds in the Bathhouse

Chapter 20: Tension Builds in the Bathhouse

Friday evening brought the class field trip to a traditional hot spring inn nestled deep in the mountains. A yearly tradition. But this time… the air was charged. The tension? Unmistakable.

Yuu stepped off the bus and inhaled the cool mountain air, but there was no peace in his chest—not after the chaotic week he'd just lived through. Rika's sudden return. Aya's challenge. Misaki's moonlit confession.

And now, a mixed-gender bathhouse experience?

The teachers called it "modern relaxation."

The girls called it war.

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Evening at the Inn — Changing Rooms

"Let's make something clear," Rika said, tying her towel tight across her chest. "If anyone tries anything indecent in the bath, I'll drown them. Slowly."

"Good luck trying," Aya fired back, tying her hair up. "He'll be sitting next to me."

"Over my gorgeous, perfectly toned body," Mina added, stretching. "This is my turn."

Kozue peeked out from behind her locker door, already blushing. "Do we really all have to go in together…?"

Yuzu, the energetic prankster, popped up behind her. "Oh come on, Kozue~ This is the perfect chance to tease Yuu-chan properly. We'll just call it cleansing rituals."

Kozue turned tomato red.

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Men's Side — 10 Minutes Later

Steam rose thick around the onsen as Yuu settled into the warm water, his shoulders relaxing for the first time in days.

Alone… for now.

Splash.

"Hey, stranger."

He turned to see Aya entering—already in, towel clinging to her like it was painted on. Her confident smirk was barely visible through the mist.

"Didn't think I'd leave you alone, did you?" she teased, sitting right beside him. "That's dangerous."

Before he could answer, another splash.

Then another.

And another.

One by one, they entered.

Rika. Mina. Yuzu. Kozue. Even shy Misaki eventually stepped in, wrapped in an oversized towel that slid dangerously off her shoulder with every move.

The girls circled him like wolves. Warm, glistening, dangerous wolves.

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The Game Begins

"I heard," Rika started, her voice low, "someone gave you a key last night."

Yuu froze.

Aya narrowed her eyes. "A room key, huh? How romantic."

Kozue gasped. "Misaki…?"

Yuzu giggled. "Ooooh~ Someone's got secret nights planned under moonlight~"

Misaki turned pink but didn't deny it. She just sank deeper into the water, lips tight.

The atmosphere boiled hotter than the springs.

"So," Mina cut in, "let's all cool down. Right here. Together." She slid beside Yuu, arm brushing his.

That small touch ignited a storm.

Suddenly, it wasn't just heat in the water. It was closeness. Skin brushing skin. Legs shifting under the surface. Gasps disguised as sighs.

Yuu could feel everything.

Aya's thigh against his.

Rika's hand behind his neck.

Yuzu inching closer.

Mina whispering in his ear.

Misaki watching silently, her eyes smoldering now.

Kozue trying not to faint.

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The Breaking Point

Then Yuzu, with her devilish grin, gripped her towel and whispered, "Oops… I dropped something~"

She moved. The water shifted.

Mina's hand slid across his chest. "Are you okay, Yuu?"

Rika leaned in, her breath hot in his ear. "Careful. You might not survive this bath…"

Aya splashed water on his chest and smirked. "He doesn't look like he wants to leave."

"Because…" Misaki finally spoke, soft but cutting, "…he's enjoying all of it."

All eyes turned to Yuu.

Every girl close.

Every heartbeat loud.

Every gaze hungry.

He didn't move.

He didn't answer.

He just felt it all.

This wasn't just heat.

This was pressure.

Desire.

Temptation.

And he was in the center of it.

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Later That Night — His Room

Yuu stood in front of the mirror, skin still damp, heart still pounding.

He touched his chest where Mina had traced a heart. His neck where Rika had kissed. His arm where Aya had gripped him tight. His ears still rang with Yuzu's laughter, Misaki's words, and Kozue's soft little gasps.

The bathhouse wasn't just a tease.

It was a declaration.

They were no longer playing games.

They were fighting for him. Fully. Physically. Boldly.

And he? He wasn't sure if he was ready to choose.

But deep down…

He didn't want to.

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