62 – Surprise! A mixed-bathing hot spring filled with yanderes 2

Open-Air Hot Spring

Being an elf’s hidden spring, the open-air bath was located a bit away from the hot spring town.

Looking around, I noticed a small waterfall in one corner, steaming as it supplied scalding water to the bath. Above the waterfall was a miniature stone bridge, like something out of a Roman aqueduct from a world history textbook. Apparently, this was the source, and the hot spring town drew its water from here.

In Fortune Engage, this place only appears as an event where you visit with Freesia and a perfect guy, so the background details aren’t fleshed out much.

And yet, Megumi knows way too much…

Was it that much of a favorite game for her?

Though she did leave it behind in my room once…

As I soak alone in the open-air bath, something fluffy—white or maybe silver—dog-paddles past me. It glides by with a swoosh. Nah, I’m just soaking in the hot water, not getting fluffy myself.

“You’ve been hiding behind Freesia ever since you saw Megumi. Is that really the behavior of the mightiest holy beast?”

“She’s bad news. A demon king… no, a god-level being. In front of her, my tail’s been standing on end the whole time.”

“Megumi, a god? What are you talking about? She’s my sister. No way she’s a god.”

“Hmph, pretty cocky. You sure you wanna talk to me like that? I could just tell her you’re her brother, you know.”

“Do whatever you want. I’m not scared of Megumi like you are. I just feel something off about her—she’s not quite like the sister I remember.”

“Eh, whatever.”

As an adult, Miinya the Fenrir could wield enough power to blow this entire continent away. And yet, this is the creature terrified of Megumi…

To me, she’s just my cute little sister.

It seems Miinya fled to the open-air bath to escape Megumi. She must be even more intimidated by her than by me.

Without her fluff, Minya’s body is sleek, almost like a weasel.

“You’ve got a pretty scrawny body there. Want me to teach you some training tips?”

“Shut up! I’m perfect as is!”

“Is that so? I was about to share Megumi’s weakness with you… Too bad you’re letting that chance slip away.”

“What!? Tell me! Tell me, I said!”

Minya had been floating leisurely in the water, but at my words, she frantically dog-paddles over. She tapped my shoulder with her squishy paw pads, pleading, but there’s no way I’d spill my sister’s secrets to some smug beast.

“Quiet down. Someone’s coming.”

“Mya!?”

Miinya was so focused on begging me that she didn’t notice the sound of footsteps. Good to know even she can let her guard down. No way I’m letting her lead me to a bad ending that easily!

I heard the faint crunch of leaves, and then three beautiful girls appeared, each wrapped in a large bath towel like a tube dress.

Of course, it’s Freesia and the others.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

“I wasn’t waiting. I just wanted to soak alone.”

Freesia bowed deeply as she approached the bath. She was acting like the proprietress of an inn or something!

When she bent at the waist, her ample cleavage came into full view. I’ve seen her naked plenty of times, but this kind of glimpse has a different kind of allure.

The indoor and outdoor baths in the hot spring town are separated by gender, but the open-air bath, in keeping with the legend of the elf and the noble’s son, is mixed.

I was about to get out since the three arrived, but Freesia’s cleavage had stopped me. My lower half reacted to her, and now I can’t leave.

There’s no way I’m exposing something this grotesque in front of my little sister. And if Freesia notices, she’ll probably drain me dry right here in the bath.

Unaware of my predicament, Freesia’s hair, like gathered silver threads, Lily’s vibrant pink hair that could belong to an anime character, and Megumi’s glossy black hair, shining like rosewood, were each tied up beautifully as they slipped into the bath.

Lily tested the water temperature with her toes.

“Oh my! There’s a cutlass fish swimming!”

Cutlass fish? No way there’s something like that in a hot spring.

Wait, cutlass fish!? Is she talking about my lower half!?

My periscope was clearly being targeted. Freesia took a deep breath, and her already generous chest seemed to swell even more.

If she does that, Megumi’s gonna think I’ve completely fallen for her or something!

How do I preserve my honor here?

As Freesia’s cheeks dipped into the water, about to dive in, Megumi moved.

“Big Bro, what’re you up to?”

She grabbed Freesia’s chest from behind and whispered in her ear.

“Megumi knows~ No matter how much you train your muscles, your nipples are super weak.”

“Eek!?”

Having secured Freesia’s back, Megumi teased her over the towel, tormenting her. At this point, Freesia was in no state to dive. She was on the verge of being overwhelmed by Megumi. Seeing this, Lily said something outrageous.

“My Onee-sama’s misstep is my responsibility to fix. I’ll take her place and secure that cutlass fish!”

Lily dipped her face into the water but resurfaced almost immediately.

Vines!?

“N-Nooo! Don’t look, don’t look!!”

Plant-like vines sprouted from the bath, yanking Lily out of the water and binding her body in a kikkou (turtle-shell) pattern. The ropes accentuated her figure, making her look erotic!

No, that’s not how this works!!

“Megumi doesn’t get it~ I’m a cedar.”

I glared at the likely culprit, but she immediately denied it. Did Megumi, out of jealousy, stop them from getting close to me?

“I’m getting out. It’s good water, so you lot enjoy it to your heart’s content.”

“Eh!? Brad-sama, you’re leaving!?”

“Help meee!”

“Big Bro, let’s get closer~”

“M-Megumi-sama!!!”

“The vines are tightening around my precious spots!!!”

Leaving the chaotic open-air bath behind, I step into a completely different atmosphere from the lively hot spring town earlier.

The faces of the people walking by are clearly filled with fear and unease.

—Hey, did you hear?