V4: Chapter 33: Steamy Hot Springs and a Sweet Time, But...?

Chapter 33: Steamy Hot Springs and a Sweet Time, But...?

It was just past 6 PM. After changing clothes and washing off the seawater and sand, we left the beach.

"Wow, that was fun, Shizuku-nee-san! So, which hotel are we staying at tonight?"

"Eh? I thought I already gave the schedule to your parents outlining the trip, since it was technically a vacation."

"Ah, T-That's right... Tachibana Resort Hotel, wasn't it...? Hmm, that sounds familiar..."

After a few tens of minutes of being driven in the same black luxury car as on the way there, we arrived in front of the white building that had been visible from the beach. The large sign that read "Tachibana Resort Hotel" eloquently indicated that this hotel was undoubtedly owned by the Tachibana Zaibatsu.

"We have arrived, young lady. We will take your luggage to your room here." (Driver-san)

"Yes, I'll leave it to you." (Chloe)

"Could this possibly mean... that's what it is?" (Amane)

"Of course it does... that's what it is." (Shizuku)

My friends are just casually hanging out in their private time, and they're not particularly close to each other individually. In fact, they're rather unfriendly to each other, so it's understandable that they didn't realize Chloe was a genuine, naturally wealthy young lady.

And the fact that they let us in without even checking in, and that a hotel employee came to our car to get our luggages, really made them feel Chloe power. 

The current chairman of the Tachibana Zaibatsu, who expanded his business even further after the Kaminagi Group incident... in other words, Chloe's father... Chloe told me he's very grateful to me.

Perhaps because of that influence, or perhaps because he was just making accommodation for his daughter, he insisted during the reservation that he couldn't accept payment. Certainly, for the Tachibana Zaibatsu, which is rapidly advancing and threatening to completely seize market share from Kaminagi, the cost of a hotel room might not be a big deal... but there's no such thing as a free lunch, and to be honest, I'm scared.

We walked through the hotel lobby and got into the elevator at the back. Without even having to press a button, the hotel staff selected our destination floor... the top floor of the hotel.

Amane-chan was incredibly frightened at the prospect of being taken to the top floor, which was adorable.

"Eeek... perhaps I will be erased!?" (Amane)

"No, you won't. There's no need to, after all." (Chloe)

"Doesn't that mean you can erase me if you need to...!?" (Amane)

The elevator chimed, signaling its arrival.

I was thinking about holding hands with Amane-chan, who was trembling the whole time... when suddenly Chinatsu-chan extended her right hand, trembling.

No, I'm not holding it because you're trembling... but if that's what you want, I'll hold it with my left hand, and she seemed satisfied and started walking. 

★

The room we were led to was, naturally, the Royal Suite, the most expensive room in the hotel.

From the window at the back of the room on the top floor, there was a glass wall offering a panoramic view of the sea. It was dark now, but I'm sure the view would be amazing in the morning when the sun is up.

The room had both a Japanese-style room and a Western-style room, offering the luxury of being able to sleep wherever you liked. The private hot spring bath in the room was even free-flowing from the source, the same water used in the public bath – a truly luxurious experience. It was far too luxurious for middle school students to stay in.

We received our luggage and sat down on the sofa. We were exhausted from playing all day, but it wouldn't be good to just go straight to sleep after going to the beach. We needed a bath... and besides, we were looking forward to and wanted to eat.

As we each started unpacking, Amane-chan, who seemed to have finally restarted her engine, began to move.

"Wha... How are you all so composed...?" (Amane)

"Well, it's not like this is our first time staying in a suite." (Chinatsu)

"We can't let Magical Girl Satellite stay in a cheap hotel." (Shizuku)

"I'm surprised! It's like my castle back home!" (Lux)

The owner's daughter, of course, goes without saying.

Meanwhile both I and Squire hold positions of considerable importance, even at the top of national defense. We often use good rooms for security reasons, and we're not exactly struggling financially. (I leave my finances with my mother to maintain my financial sense, though.)

And Lux is a Queen.

"Wow, I feel so out of place...!"

"Well, let's just relax and enjoy ourselves."

Amane-chan was nervously glancing around the room, her eyes fixed on everything.

"Dinner is at 6 PM, and it's a buffet."

"Wow, a buffet? I'm in elementary school, so I should get the kids' discou—... eh wait, it's free...!"

"...Tinkerbell is quite a cheerful person, isn't she?"

Where did that charismatic little brat who led the New Star Magical Girl Association go?

Well, apparently it's not uncommon for people to switch between their Magical Girl persona and their everyday persona.

Mostly me, for example.

Considering that her first meeting with Chloe-chan was during a battle, it's understandable that things are a little awkward. To be precise, they first met at the bookstore, but neither of them knew each other's true identities.

Even so, I think the four of them grew much closer throughout this day. At least they're not bickering like before.

It was a little forceful, but I'm glad we came on this trip as a group of five.

★

After finishing our buffet dinner and returning to our room, the futons were already laid out in the Japanese-style room. Inevitably, there was some arguing about who would sleep where... but when I said I'd choose last, the competition became even more intense.

"There are two single beds in the Western-style room, and three futons in the Japanese-style room..." (Chinatsu)

"So, inevitably, Shizuku-neechan will be in the remaining spot, right?" (Amane)

"This is interesting, isn't it? A psychological battle, perhaps?" (Lux)

I'm not some oblivious protagonist, so I know they have feelings for me. That said, we're in the same hotel room, so there's no need for them to be so desperate... I think.

It seems a lot of the girls want to sleep next to me.

Even so, 30 minutes of arguing is far too long. I want to take a bath soon.

"Too bad. No matter what strategy you come up with, my victory is unshakeable...!" (Chloe)

"...Let's decide by drawing lots." (Chinatsu)

"...Tsk! I'm not confident in my luck." (Chloe)

After a rigorous drawing using a mobile app, it was decided that Chloe, Lux, and I would sleep in the Japanese-style room. The other two would sleep in the Western-style room.

Apparently, there was no Magic that can tamper with the mobile app. The two girls looked surprisingly dissatisfied, even though they were going to sleep in the best beds.

★

Stepping into the bathroom and rinsing my hair in the shower felt so refreshing. I don't dislike the sea breeze, but I can't stand the stickiness.

That said, Magical Girls have sturdy bodies, so even if I neglect my hair care a little, it doesn't immediately become a mess.

The bathroom is large, as expected of a Royal Suite. However, with five of us in, while it's not cramped, our skin tones are quite prominent. The glass window offers a panoramic view of the nightscape... and the luxury of having a large cypress wood bathtub in a private bathroom is undeniable.

Well, it's not like we'd stagger our bathing times when going to a public bath or hot spring... With this much space, it wouldn't feel strange for all of us to be in it, but the fact that it's a private bathroom makes it feel a little odd.

"Shizuku-nee-san, let me wash your back for you!"

"Eh? Oh, uh, okay... I suppose I'll take you up on that."　

Without being asked, the green-haired girl came up from the bathwater with splash and came up behind me. It's true that washing long hair is a hassle, so there's no reason to refuse if she's offering.

"The water here is supposed to be good for the skin, it seems to have a beautifying effect?"

"It's also supposed to be good for the stomach and intestines... but I don't think I need to worry about that at my age."

"These days, there are plenty of magical girls specializing in medicine."

Her fingertips, washing my hair as if it were a treasure, tickled me slightly. And her breathing was a little heavy.　

"It's... too good... I want to weave it..."

"What kind of comment is that...?"

Besides, how many days would it even take to weave something out of human hair? No matter how much you like me, I know that line is dangerous.

"I need to replenish what I can't get tonight..."

"Come on, it's just a matter of sleeping in a different room, you know?"

"I want to breathe the same air as my favorite idol...!"

I don't understand, but apparently there's a demand for air too. I can even sell merchandise like that huh....

Hm, nope!

I'd probably attract a lot of weird fans, so it's probably best to stop. Or maybe, conversely, that's not a bad idea?

"...As expected, I can't. But well, if you insist, maybe I'll try my best."

"No, seriously, you don't have to put yourself in danger for something like that."

"What do you mean 'danger'??? What kind of thought running in your head?!"

After finishing washing my hair, I picked up body soap to wash my body. Thinking about it, with the sunscreen and all, today has been a day where I've had a lot of body care done.  Should I wash someone too?

"Satellite-sama's back is so smooth... hehe, It feels like a dream..."

"Well then, how about I wash you next, Amane-chan?"

"Huh?"

I made her sit down in the chair, after she had been saying whatever she wanted just moments before. Her beautiful light green hair, usually styled in pigtails, was running because she'd been in the bath, giving her a slightly different look than usual.

"Speaking of which, I thought you'd have blonde hair since you're called Tinkerbell... but your natural hair color is green too?"

"That's because I wanted to be a fairy who guides my Peter Pan..."

"I see, and Tinkerbell's clothes are green too, after all."

As I slowly spread the shampoo, the girl narrowed her eyes in apparent pleasure. She wasn't the leader of an organization for girls, nor a bratty girl, nor a fervent fan... she was undoubtedly a girl her age. This must be the natural self she shows at school.

"Is there anywhere that itches?"

"Oh, no, I'm fine... just leave it..."

After finishing washing her hair, I picked up the body soap to wash her body. Like a typical elementary school girl, her body was rather flat. In fact, Chloe's... well, it's not fair to compare the two.

"Um, I appreciate you washing me, but..."

"If you're happy, then it's fine, isn't it?"

"N-no, that's not it...!"

We're both girls, so there's no need to worry too much. Though, I can't help but feel that washing down there might be a bit inappropriate... but even so, what a cute belly button.

"Heh, Shizuku-sama... Satellite-sama... uhh..."

Seeing her looking so pleased, so happy, I started to get excited...

My desire to please and my mischievous side reared its head.

"Um, um, did you umm... something is touching me...?"

"Hmm, what could it be?"

It's just the right size for washing her back, so I use my body like a sponge and wash her back. While watching Amane-chan's reaction, whose eyes are still wide with surprise, I reach down to her thigh. Her ears, with their tiny holes, are bright red, so I playfully blow on them.

"Eek!?"

"Is there anywhere that itches?"

"Ah, well...!"

It seems I have a surprising talent for being a femme fatale. I've always thought of myself as a beautiful girl who could bring down a nation... but I guess it's too late now, considering how many girls I've seduced.

As I moved my foamy fingertips down to her side, she squirmed, seemingly tickled...

"If you keep doing silly things like that, you'll catch a cold, you know? You should get in the bathtub quickly..." (Chloe)

With those words from Chloe, I was pulled back to reality.

It was just past 7 PM, the night was still... long.