"I'm starving, I'm starving, let's go eat!"
"Yeah."
"Same, I'm hungry too."
Ryan and the others stepped out of the passage into the next stage.
It seemed they were the first team to arrive, the entire place was empty except for them.
"Why's there no one here?
Did we come too early?"
"Isn't it obvious?
But honestly, this huge space feels kinda lonely with just four of us…"
"Stop chatting, you two. Come get your food."
"Yes, yes~
Chigiri really sounds like a naggy mom."
"What was that? Say it again, Ryan."
"Oh my, Aryu, your steak looks delicious.
Guess I'll request the same thing."
Everyone picked up a plate of steak, found seats, and sat down to eat.
"So… are we gonna have to wait forever for the next team?"
"Nah. I bet the next group will show up soon.
Anyway, Ryan, got anyone you want to steal next?"
"Hm…
Not really anyone special.
If I had to pick one… Bachira, I guess."
They finished eating quickly, then headed to shower.
The bath area was one big public bath,
so everyone entered the changing room to undress.
Ryan finished first
but didn't go in.
He just stared at Chigiri.
Chigiri had half his shirt off when he felt Ryan's gaze drilling into him.
"…Why are you staring at me?"
"Chigiri…
has no girl ever confessed to you before?"
"Hah? Of course not.
Besides, I only kept long hair recently.
I used to have short hair."
"Sigh.
What a waste…"
"…What are you sighing for?"
Ryan didn't answer.
Instead he elbowed Aryu.
"Hey, Aryu.
Don't you think it's such a tragedy that someone as stylish as Chigiri… is a guy?"
"Oh, so you think so too?
Honestly, I really wish he were a woman.
Then there would be no man more stylish than me."
Chigiri twitched, a vein popping on his forehead.
"Hey you two
I'm literally standing right here.
If you're gonna talk behind my back, at least do it BEHIND MY BACK.
Sorry for being a GUY, apparently."
"It's fine, Chigiri.
You're great as a guy.
Don't belittle yourself."
"…You bastard, aren't YOU the one insulting me?!"
They finally headed to the bath.
Ryan dipped a foot into the water, sprinkled some on himself
and then submerged his entire body.
"Aaaahhh… this feels amazing."
Everyone else entered.
"Oh yeah, Kunigami how's your shot training going?"
"It's not perfect yet,
but I can hit accurately now."
"Not bad, not bad.
The kid's got promise."
"Hey, Ryan
stop swimming in the bath!"
Chigiri shouted at him as Ryan began doing a backstroke.
Ryan stopped, turning to face him.
"…Why?"
"What do you mean 'why'?
You just CAN'T do that!"
Chigiri waited for his usual comeback
but Ryan didn't say anything.
He opened his eyes and saw Ryan turned away,
shoulders shaking.
"… Ryan?"
"I…
I never got to bathe with friends when I was little…
I was always alone…
in my family's big, huge bath all by myself…
And now…
after waiting so long…
I finally get to bathe with friends…
So I thought…
maybe I could swim just a little…
But you yelled at me…
So…
we're not really friends, huh…?
sniff sniff"
Chigiri froze.
WHY does he want to swim because he's happy?!
But Ryan looked like he was crying,
so Chigiri reluctantly walked over to comfort him.
"I didn't mean it like that.
I just "
The moment Chigiri reached his side
Ryan scooped water with both hands
and SPLASHED it into Chigiri's face.
"Hahaha!
Operation success!
I'm a genius!"
Chigiri wiped his face silently, head down.
Ryan poked his cheek.
"Chigiri?
Hey…
You're not mad, right?"
Ryan leaned closer
trying to read his expression
And Chigiri SPLASHED him right back.
"Hahaha! Got you too!"
Soon the two of them were splashing water wildly.
Kunigami, sitting nearby, got drenched head to toe for no reason.
Eventually, he snapped and joined the battle.
Meanwhile, Aryu sat at the edge with a towel over his face,
unbothered, enjoying the bath like a 90-year-old spa veteran.
After a while they finished bathing and returned to the changing room.
Aryu leaned close to Chigiri.
"You really use this conditioner?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"Unbelievable…
Why is your hair smoother than mine…?"
"Uh… maybe I'm just born with it?"
Aryu dropped to his knees dramatically.
"I've lost…
In the world of fashion,
I've lost to a man…"
After everyone dressed, they returned to the room.
"Hey, Aryu are you done with the hair dryer?
You've been using it forever.
I need it next."
"Wait.
My hair says it's not dry yet.
If I don't dry it thoroughly,
it'll tangle."
Ryan stared blankly at the two fighting over a dryer.
"You two are children.
Seriously.
Arguing over a hair dryer?
Hold on.
I'll find another one."
In the end, Ryan found another dryer for them
and only then did the room finally regain peace.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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