I Was Cheated on by My Girlfriend but My Devilish Junior Now Yearns for Me - Chapter 43

Chapter 43   Hot Spring Trip 3

The sound of geta clacking on the stone-paved road echoed around us. Even as a young person, I couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of Japanese culture from the sound of the traditional wooden sandals. Images and videos could never convey this kind of atmosphere that you feel with your own skin.

Looking around, the bustling shops along the main street caught my eye. But in the back alleys, there were restaurants where it was hard to even tell if they were open. Every step brought a new scene into view. Just like the high-end inn we had stayed in earlier, this hot spring town had an incredible atmosphere.

After wandering for a few minutes, Ayaka, while gazing at some traditional masks displayed at a shop, spoke up.

“I really like this vibe. There are young people around, but everyone’s well-mannered.”

“Agreed. Totally.”

It was a relief not to see students swinging their phones around on selfie sticks. While that might be expected in places catering to a younger crowd, it just wouldn’t fit in a tranquil hot spring town like this.

“That said, I get the temptation. Posting a picture here would definitely get a lot of attention on social media.”

Ayaka’s comment made me chuckle since I’d had the same thought back at the inn. It’s not just Shinohara who shares similar sentiments with me—Ayaka does too. Honestly, it’d be hard to be close with someone who has no common ground with you.

“What about you? Do you want to take any pictures?” Ayaka asked, rolling up the sleeves of her sweater.

Though the air was still chilly, it was March. Once the sun came up, it got warmer.

“I was thinking about it at the inn, but I decided not to.”

“Really? I think it would’ve been fine if it was just of the room.”

“Yeah, but doesn’t it feel like you’re showing off?”

Ayaka let out a small laugh.

“If one of my friends posted about going to a place like this, I’d feel like I was experiencing it with them, you know?”

“If everyone thought that way, I’d have no problem sharing stuff like this.”

I tend to overthink things since I’m not someone who regularly posts pictures. People like Shinohara, who post frequently, would probably have her photos of this hot spring town received naturally by her followers. But for someone like me, who hardly posts at all, suddenly posting in a place like this might make people think too much.

When I voiced this, Ayaka burst into full-blown laughter.

“Hahaha, you’re overthinking it! It’s so like you to lose sight of yourself in situations like this.”

“Shut up. Leave me alone.”

The fact that I was embarrassed only made me feel more awkward, as if I were broadcasting my feelings. Ayaka, still giggling softly, gave my arm a light slap when she finally calmed down.

“You can relax, really. Why don’t you post a picture of me at the inn instead?”

“Are you crazy? That would definitely stir up some trouble.”

Ayaka, by now, had gained enough recognition within our university’s department that she was practically a minor celebrity. Posting a picture that made it seem like we were alone together at a high-end inn would surely raise some eyebrows—and not in a good way. It wouldn’t be me who faced the backlash, but Ayaka. If we were dating, it wouldn’t be an issue, but since we weren’t, it would only harm her reputation. Even though I knew the real Ayaka, to everyone else, she had a pristine, cool, and elegant image that she had likely worked hard to cultivate. I couldn’t be the one to tarnish it.

“What are you saying? You wouldn’t suffer at all from this. I’d be the one taking the hit.”

“That’s exactly why it’s a bad idea,” I blurted out.

Ayaka blinked in surprise at my frankness. When our eyes met, she cleared her throat awkwardly.

“You sure think seriously about the weirdest things… Do you want another small accessory, like a key case?”

“Y-Yeah, I do!”

“You’re supposed to say no in situations like this…”

Ayaka sighed, clearly exasperated. She was probably hoping I’d give a more typical response like “That’s not what I meant.” But instead, I’d let my straightforwardness slip out again. I regretted it. But what could I do? After all, the key case she got me that day we went shopping for Shinohara’s birthday present, at the mall where we ran into Reina, had become one of my favorite things.

◇◆◇◆

The chilly wind that began blowing signaled the sun’s descent. The sky darkened gradually, and the gentle warmth of the light painted the ground below. As we wandered through the increasingly night-covered hot spring town, I could feel the attention from those around us. The reason was obvious—Ayaka in a yukata.

Her white yukata with a deep blue-purple jacket layered over it suited her so well, even I, who knew her well, was stunned. Her hair was tied up with a decorative kanzashi, and her exposed nape radiated an elegant charm.

“I’m glad we changed clothes. Walking through a hot spring town in a yukata really lifts your spirits.”

Ayaka seemed completely unconcerned about the attention and happily clacked along in her geta.

“You look good in yours too.”

She leaned in slightly to say this, and I responded with a simple “Thanks,” quickly averting my eyes. Ayaka’s current appearance was a bit too much to handle.

It was Ayaka who had suggested we walk around the town in yukata, likely inspired by the sight of others in traditional clothing. We hadn’t brought any yukata with us, but thankfully, the inn provided them, as is typical in such places. Even though I was initially reluctant to return to the inn just to change, Ayaka had dragged me along.

I had chosen a standard navy blue yukata without much thought, but once we stepped back into the hot spring town, I understood Ayaka’s excitement. Simply changing into traditional attire made me feel like I was blending into the atmosphere of the town. Since opportunities to wear geta are rare, I was secretly glad Ayaka had pulled me into it.

“Don’t be shy, don’t be shy. It really suits you, and I think it’s a great choice.”

“It’s literally the most basic color. …But hey, your yukata and that kanzashi suit you too.”

“Haha, thanks. Somehow, getting a compliment from you makes me feel a little bashful.”

Her usual, somewhat rough laugh felt strangely endearing with the added charm of her yukata. Feeling like I was losing my composure, I headed into a souvenir shop.

“Buying something? Or are you gonna buy me something?”

“I’m buying, and I’ll get you something too.”

I grabbed two traditional fox masks I had spotted earlier, in different colors. After purchasing them, I handed one to Ayaka.

“What’s this?”

“A mask.”

“Yeah, I can see that. But why?”

“To make things a little exciting.”

“Huh?”

Ayaka looked at me with a puzzled expression, but I went ahead and put on my fox mask.

“Look, your companion is wearing a mask. You have to wear one too.”

When someone next to you is wearing a fox mask, it probably feels awkward not to join in. Wearing one together should feel less embarrassing.

“Fine, fine, I guess I have no choice…”

Reluctantly, Ayaka put on the pink fox mask. It complemented her light purple jacket perfectly.

As we left the shop wearing our fox masks, I noticed the attention we’d been receiving earlier seemed to diminish. There were other people wearing masks around as well, so we didn’t stand out as much anymore. Ayaka might not have been thrilled about it, but for me, it was a win-win situation—less attention on both of us.

“The mask feels a bit suffocating, but it’s fun wearing one again after so long. It’s a shame I can’t run around like when I was a kid.”

To my surprise, she seemed to be enjoying it. Ayaka, still in her fox mask, wandered off to browse souvenirs at another shop. Maybe this plan was even more successful than I thought.

“…It’s too tight.”

I couldn’t handle the discomfort anymore and took off my mask. It was pretty embarrassing since I was the one who suggested wearing them in the first place.

“Huh?”

I noticed people around us focusing their attention on something. Curious, I followed their gaze, but I couldn’t make out what they were looking at. So, I walked a bit closer to investigate, and then I saw it.

The object of everyone’s attention was a girl in a red yukata. She was strikingly cute, with just a hint of allure, enhanced by her traditional outfit. It wasn’t surprising that people were turning their heads to look at her. But the real issue was—

“Wait… Senpai?”

That girl was none other than my mischievous junior.