"What kind of mess did I stumble into? Japan really is a disaster-prone country. Good thing we finished filming, or we'd be shelling out for tickets again tomorrow."
The cable car swayed slightly in the snowy wind. Inside, Tetsu opened the skylight, lit a cigarette, and muttered with a mix of exasperation and amusement.
Tsukitaka Asuka, who moments ago had been all shy and sweet for the scene, snapped out of character in a second. She crossed her legs and eyed his cigarette. "You smoke when you're nervous?"
"Nervous? A bit, maybe, but it's not just that. I light up whenever my emotions get a little bumpy," Tetsu said, shrugging casually.
Truth be told, he wasn't that nervous. His thrill-seeking nature meant he rarely panicked. Plus…
This accident didn't seem like a big deal, but if it went south…
I've already transmigrated once. Would I do it again? Last time was within Asia—would I end up in Korea this time? Or maybe back in ancient times? With my hatred of being under anyone's thumb, I'd probably get beheaded for rebellion within two days.
Staring out at the snowy scenery, he wasn't exactly nervous, but the rare experience got his adrenaline going. His mind wandered chaotically—picturing himself as a fake eunuch stirring up drama in an imperial harem one moment, then as a Korean chaebol playing the K-pop scene the next. But soon, a timid yet alluring face flashed in his mind.
That one's a bit of a worry.
Frowning slightly, his thoughts jumbled. He took a drag, brow furrowed.
Tsukitaka Asuka caught his expression and smirked. "Thinking about someone?"
"You talk too much."
"Deflecting? That look in your eyes—it's the one you get when you're missing someone."
"Quit yapping like you know me. You're just a kid who plays with toys."
"You—!"
Stung by his jab, Tsukitaka Asuka rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. But after a moment, her lips curled into a sly grin. "How about a bet?"
"A bet? Why are you women so obsessed with betting?"
Miyano Mitei's cool, confident smile flashed in his mind. Tetsu sighed, raising an eyebrow. "What're we betting on?"
"What?"
Her eyes flicked to a crashed snowmobile below the window, excitement sparkling in her gaze. "Let's bet on who's the first to greet us when this cable car reaches the station."
Tetsu raised an eyebrow. "Who're you betting on?"
"Kawaguchi-san."
Completely thrown by her picking that guy, Tetsu blinked, then took a drag and chuckled. "…I'm betting Sayoko's first. So, what's the stake?"
Tsukitaka Asuka sat up straight. "If I win, you're buying me a Little Pinky!"
"Little Pinky?"
Tetsu froze, and Tsukitaka Asuka nodded, her eyes gleaming with a triumphant gotcha. "Yup, the one you smashed at the training center!"
"…You're still holding that grudge?"
Recalling the pink bouncy toy he'd accidentally crushed, Tetsu's face twitched. "Fine, deal. But if you lose, what's your end?"
"If I lose, I'll cover a year's worth of Durex for your place."
"…"
Completely floored, Tetsu burst out laughing, stomping out his cigarette. "Okay, okay, so this is just revenge for back then, huh? I'll give you your shot."
"Pfft, I'm not that petty!"
"Whatever makes you happy."
As they bantered, the cabin's lights suddenly flickered on, and the cable car lurched back to life.
Passengers in nearby cabins let out relieved cheers, but Tetsu and Tsukitaka Asuka just sat there, unfazed, facing each other.
Mount Fuji's resort had multiple stops, and the cable car didn't go straight to the top. There were several stations along the way.
Time ticked by. With a jolt, the cabin stopped, and the door was yanked open by a staff member. The next second, under Tetsu's bemused gaze, a panicked Kawaguchi threw himself at him.
"Boss! You're okay, thank goodness! I thought… I thought—"
"…Don't act like I was about to die, jeez. Get off me, you're embarrassing yourself."
Kicking Kawaguchi away, Tetsu ignored Tsukitaka Asuka's smug I won look and scanned the crowd. Then, from the back, the throng parted.
Under his gradually easing gaze, Sayoko emerged, limping on her right foot, supported by Ame and Keiko. Her fair forehead bore a few scratches as she pushed through the crowd.
Their eyes met.
Sayoko's watery eyes quivered like jelly. Feeling the crowd's stares, her lips wavered—curving down, then up—but she couldn't hold back. She threw herself into Tetsu's arms.
No words, but it was the tightest she'd ever held him, her face buried completely in his chest.
This girl.
Feeling Ame and the others' teasing glances and noticing Sayoko's pained, tiptoeing stance, Tetsu smiled, ruffling her hair. He turned to Kawaguchi. "Tell everyone filming's done for today. We meet at 8 a.m. tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!"
---
As one of the world's largest active volcanoes, Mount Fuji's hot springs were a major draw.
Stepping into the hot spring inn, Tetsu was hit with a whiff of sulfur.
"Booking tickets early, huh? Tetsu-kun, you're so sneaky," Sayoko teased, her face flushed with a mix of shyness and sweetness as she leaned on his shoulder, wrapped in his black coat. She whispered playfully in his ear, mindful of the other guests' curious glances.
Handing the tickets to the receptionist, Tetsu shot her a look and pinched her soft thigh. "What, you'd rather share a room with Nogi?"
"Hmph, I'm injured, you know! Can't you go easy on me?" Sayoko pouted, nibbling his ear with her pearly teeth, playing coy. But catching the receptionist's odd glance, she quickly ducked her head, embarrassed.
Noticing her shift, Tetsu hoisted her up with a grin. "Come on, who told you to ride a snowmobile that fast when you can't even handle one?"
"I was worried about you! Geez, Tetsu-kun, you're taking my kindness for granted!"
"Alright, alright, I'll give you a massage later, okay?"
"No way you're touching me~"
"Playing hard to get, huh?"
He gave her a light pat on the hip, rolling his eyes. Taking the room key, he carried Sayoko on his back toward their room. But as they reached a quieter hallway, a pair of long legs in sheer stockings wrapped around his waist from behind.
Sayoko's face flushed red as she leaned close to his ear again. "Okay, but just one massage. And… it has to be while we're soaking in the hot spring."