Chapter 299: Post-Bath Activities
Noticing Usami's gaze, Utaha didn't feel the slightest bit embarrassed. Instead, she calmly closed her eyes and said, "There's no need to worry about other people's figures. Just focus on a balanced diet, do exercises that benefit physical development, get enough sleep, and let nature take its course."
However, her words were immediately refuted by Eriri, who was the last to enter the hot spring pool.
"Oh? What you said sounds quite reasonable, but I clearly know you frequently stay up late and barely exercise. Is that what you mean by 'letting nature take its course'? Just admit you're naturally gifted, don't try to fool people."
"How can you say I'm trying to fool people?"
Utaha opened her eyes and glanced at Eriri, saying, "At the very least, what I said definitely has an effect, but the final result will naturally vary depending on each person's physical condition. Of course, there are other methods too."
"Hmm? There are other methods?"
Now, not only Usami but also Eriri became curious. She asked, "Are you talking about dietary supplements? Don't tell me it's something like plastic surgery."
"Of course, I wouldn't suggest that."
Utaha shook her head and said, "While dietary supplements are one aspect, the effect is slow and takes a long time. However, the method I'm about to mention is one where you can see progress at a visible speed."
After pausing for a moment, Utaha stopped playing coy and looked at Eriri, saying, "Actually, it's very simple. Just find a boyfriend, just like Eriri."
"...Eh?"
Eriri froze. Her face, already flushed from the hot spring, instantly turned even redder. She quickly sank lower into the water and glared at Utaha, saying, "What kind of ridiculous method is that?!"
"Of course, this is a good method."
Utaha spoke seriously, then looked towards Usami. "Mizuki, you've seen it too, right? Eriri's figure has improved without her even noticing; it's definitely better than it was six months ago."
Although Usami hadn't expected Utaha to say that, she quickly grasped the situation and nodded, blushing. "Yes, that's true. Eriri's figure is certainly better than when I first met her."
As she spoke, she wondered internally, *Could finding a boyfriend really boost one's physical development?*
Utaha immediately followed up, saying, "So Mizuki, what you need to do now is quickly win Uchimaki over. The atmosphere of romance easily causes changes in people, coupled with all the things that happen between men and women, hormone production, and blah blah blah..."
The further she spoke, the more incomprehensible technical terms she used, but one thing Usami understood clearly was that Utaha was urging her to act quickly.
"...Why are you like this too, Senpai!"
"Because it makes the observer anxious."
Utaha spread her hands and said, "To be honest, dealing with a guy like Uchimaki must be difficult for you, since he still hasn't noticed your feelings. However, this trip to Hokkaido is a good opportunity. If you'd like, starting tomorrow at the Ski Resort, we can arrange chances for you to be alone with Uchimaki. How about that?"
"A-Alone time?"
Usami's little heart couldn't help but speed up. Although the result of inviting Uchimaki Subaru out previously hadn't been entirely satisfactory to her, the process itself was very enjoyable. If she could do it again tomorrow, Usami would naturally be 100% willing.
"Then... then what should we do?"
Well, even though she felt a little shy inside, Usami still asked the question when faced with such an enticing proposal.
Eriri saw this and couldn't help but raise her hand to cover her face.
As Utaha's friend, Eriri knew exactly what the other girl was thinking. It was impossible that she was genuinely giving Usami such good advice; there was definitely her own scheme involved.
As for what the scheme was... as a light novel author, her goal was predictably to gather material.
Good grief, was her own situation no longer enough for material, prompting her to set her sights on others around her?
As Eriri thought this, she felt an inexplicable sense of relief. In the future, she would finally be able to see other people's experiences reflected in Utaha's books, instead of just her own.