Hot Spring Trip - You Didn’t Forget, Did You?
A certain summer day.
Using two days out of a three-day weekend, I’m off on a hot spring trip with Asami-san.
Actually, today’s my birthday. But Asami-san and I haven’t said a single word to each other about it.
Wonder if she remembers. Maybe some kind of surprise…? Even before getting in the car, my heart’s already a little loud.
I did my makeup in warm, summery orange tones, paired with a bright puff-sleeve blouse and skirt.
Waiting for Asami-san in front of my apartment.
Pretending to idly scroll my phone, I run through about a hundred different ways to react to “happy birthday” in my head.
A big black car pulls up quietly. I open the door and climb into the passenger seat.
“Morning.”
Asami-san says it, eyes narrowing into a smile. When the corners of her mouth lift, her snaggletooth peeks out.
“Good morning.”
…No mention of my birthday. Well, we just started, it’ll probably come up later. Right, I’ll go with that.
I steal a glance at Asami-san’s profile, careful not to get caught.
A more relaxed atmosphere than when we’re sitting side by side in the sales car. She looks composed, and — a little cool, honestly. Frustrating, but a little swoon-worthy.
One hand loosely on the wheel, the other resting on the armrest. Even in a simple outfit, she somehow pulls it off.
My eyes drift, unconsciously, to the hand on the wheel. White, slender fingers. Neatly trimmed nails. Her pale skin lets the faint blue of her veins show through.
Those fingers, just the other day, did that so many times… No, no, what am I even remembering. My face heats up.
“What?”
At a red light, Asami-san turns toward me, puzzled. Fully caught.
“Nothing?”
“No, I mean, I felt a pretty intense stare. Wondering if something’s on my face.”
“…Isn’t it kind of unfair, looking a little cool while driving?”
“Huh? What’s that.”
Asami-san laughs softly, the corners of her eyes lifting.
“Had anyone else in the passenger seat lately?”
“Hm? Let’s see, a friend, maybe.”
“Hmm. And was this friend cute?”
Even I can tell my own voice dropped a register. Painfully transparent. But I can’t stop.
Asami-san glances sideways, thinks for a second, then laughs and says:
“Yeah, pretty cute.”
“Hmmmmm. Is that so.”
Another tone lower. My own voice scares me a little. Asami-san glances over again, laughing softly. Infuriating.
“What? Jealous?”
“Am not.”
“Liar. Chisa’s way cuter.”
She leans in at the light and pats my head lightly. Once she does that, it wipes out every bit of the teasing from before.
“…Infuriating.”
I mutter it under my breath, and Asami-san laughs, triumphant.
A café I found on social media, one I’d been wanting to visit.
A small, hideaway-type place, only a handful of seats even counting the counter. Bright, white-toned interior, bossa nova playing softly.
And the café’s biggest selling point — the sea, visible directly from the window.
Seated at the counter, I pull out my phone without thinking and photograph the view. The sea’s surface is a clear blue, glittering under the sunlight.
“Pretty, the sea.”
Asami-san murmurs it absently. Her profile in moments like this is beautiful, and I find myself falling for it all over again. Frustrating.
We order the lunch set, eating slowly while trading work complaints.
By the time the cake set arrives, my eyes keep drifting restlessly around the table. A birthday cake with sparklers, is it coming? Is it coming…?
Every time a staff member comes out from the counter, I straighten up a little.
A normal cake set arrives.
………. I see. Right. Well, the cake was good, at least.
We pay and head back to the car.
Next is the shopping mall, hand in hand, window shopping.
…Still no mention of my birthday, even here.
Wait, could it be… she’s actually forgotten? No, wait, is that even possible? Hey, you know, right? You definitely know, right??
Back at the car after the mall.
Just as the paranoia starts spinning in my head, Asami-san pulls a paper bag out from the back seat.
…Could it be…!!
Heart swelling with anticipation, I look inside — it’s the Korean drama DVD I’d lent her.
……….
Asami-san pulls out one more small paper bag.
“Here you go.”
Eyes narrowed, she holds it out to me.
“Happy birthday.”
Opening the small box inside, there’s a thin-chain necklace.
“…Cute.”
“Thought it’d suit you.”
Asami-san laughs, a little bashful. That smile is cute, my heart squeezing tight.
“I’ll put it on you. Turn around.”
Prompted, I face forward. I can feel Asami-san’s presence at the back of my neck, and my back straightens on reflex.
The moment the chain settles against my neck, her fingers, fastening the clasp, brush cold against my nape.
My heart jumps, my breath catching.
“…Cold.”
“Were my hands cold? Sorry.”
Apologizing, but in no particular hurry, she carefully finishes fastening the chain.
Near my collarbone, a small diamond sways faintly.
“…I thought you’d forgotten. My birthday.”
“There’s no way I’d forget. But I figured I’d let you squirm a little. Deliberately didn’t bring it up.”
“What is that? So mean.”
Do not “let me squirm,” you jerk.
Do you have any idea how restless I was all day today?
“Fufu. By the way, there’s a flash mob planned after this.”
“That’s exactly the kind of thing you’re not supposed to say out loud. Also, I’m really bad at reacting to that kind of thing, can I cancel it now?”
“Figured. Don’t worry, that part’s a joke.”
“My ex actually threw me a huge birthday flash mob once, and I had no idea how to react.”
“I can just picture you forcing out a ‘wooow♡ you did all this for me♡’”
“Is that supposed to be an impression of me? Not even close.”
Trading that kind of joking back-and-forth, about an hour’s drive later—
We arrive at the hot spring inn.
Shown to our room, a breathtaking view spreads out beyond the large window.
The moment we’re sealed into a private space, just the two of us, I don’t know what to say.
Asami-san sets her bags down beside the sofa and says, casually, “Bit of time before dinner, huh.” The voice settles slowly into the quiet room.
Somehow, I can’t just stand still. Before I know it, I’ve quietly approached from behind and wrapped my arms around Asami-san’s waist.
“Ehh, what’s this. What’s wrong, all of a sudden?”
She says it without turning around, a hint of laughter in her voice.
“Just a little… want to kiss?”
I let the words drop, quietly.
“No. I won’t be able to stop.”
“Stingy.”
Pouting, lips pursed, and Asami-san gives a small, wry laugh. Then, turning slowly to face me—
“Later, slowly. Okay?”
That’s all she says.
Her voice is calm, and yet there’s heat behind her gaze. That expression is unbearably sultry.
Thinking about tonight, my breath catches despite myself, my chest stirring restlessly.