When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle. - Chapter 47: Hot Spring Trip - 1

Hot Spring Trip – 1

May ended, and June began.

After school, as usual, I walked home alongside Ayame. As always, Mikage followed a short distance behind us.

With the change of seasons, they had switched to their summer uniforms. The short-sleeved shirts looked cool and breezy, and the exposed pale skin was almost dazzling.

Just as I was about to get caught staring, Ayame asked me a question.

“You don’t have work today, right?”

“Yeah. ‘Hanamori’ is closed on Mondays.”

“In that case, could I visit your room again? I’d like to read manga together…”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

“Thank you so much!”

The moment I agreed, Ayame’s face lit up with a radiant smile. The sheer brilliance of it made her feelings for me all too clear.

But still, I couldn’t return those feelings.

Making sure she didn’t notice, I let out a quiet sigh.

I couldn’t keep avoiding this forever. I needed to figure out how to face Ayame—how to deal with our relationship—before it was too late.

When we arrived at the Takamine household, we found Yuri-san standing at the entrance.

“Welcome back, all three of you.”

“What are you doing out here, Mom?”

“I was waiting for Ayame and Tetsu-kun.”

Yuri-san responded to Ayame’s question with a gentle smile before continuing.

“You two have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

Both Ayame and I exchanged puzzled glances, identical question marks practically floating above our heads.

“It’s been a while, Ayame-san. And this must be my first time meeting you, Tetsu-san.”

As soon as I slid open the shoji door to the guest room, I was struck speechless.

Waiting for us inside was a middle-aged man in a navy suit—someone that an ordinary person like me would never expect to meet in a lifetime.

“Y-you’re… Yotsuba Yuusuke!?”

“Oh? You know who I am? That’s wonderful to hear.”

Yotsuba-san smiled warmly.

Of course, I knew who he was. Yotsuba Yuusuke was the CEO of the Yotsuba Group, one of Japan’s leading corporations. He was a well-known figure, frequently featured in the media.

A sudden and unexpected encounter with such a distinguished person left me feeling like a fish out of water, my mouth opening and closing as if gasping for air.

“Wh-why is Yotsuba-san here…?”

“Yuusuke-san is a valued patron of ‘Hanamori.'”

“It’s been, what, twenty years now? Genzou-san has always treated me well.”

“I-I see…”

Still stiff with nervousness, I nodded awkwardly, my movements as rigid as an unlubricated robot.

With my tension far from easing, Ayame and I took our seats across from Yotsuba-san.

After waiting for him to take a sip of his hojicha, Ayame finally spoke.

“So, what brings you here today? I heard you were waiting for both me and Tetsu-kun.”

“I wanted to express my gratitude to you both.”

Ayame’s question was met with a warm smile from Yotsuba-san.

Yet, I was left puzzled.

It wouldn’t be surprising if Ayame had done something deserving of his gratitude, given her connections with him. But this was my first time meeting Yotsuba-san. Naturally, I had no recollection of doing anything that warranted his thanks.

Why, then, was he so eager to express his gratitude to me?

As I furrowed my brows in confusion, Yotsuba-san began to speak.

“I heard from Yuri-san that back at the end of April, Genzou-san had an accident and was unable to return to ‘Hanamori.’ During that time, you two stepped in to help in his place. That very day, I happened to visit ‘Hanamori’ to entertain some important clients.”

Hearing his words, I suddenly recalled something Yuri-san had mentioned.

It was when I had been treated to a meal at ‘Hanamori.’

—”We have a lot of reservations today, and there’s even an important client who wants to use the place for hosting guests. Without both Father and Grandfather, we’re completely overwhelmed. We won’t be able to provide the level of service we should.”

The “important client” Yuri-san had referred to back then must have been Yotsuba-san.

“Our purpose for the gathering was to finalize a crucial business deal. Thanks to the excellent service that day, our clients were satisfied, and we successfully sealed the contract. Even in Genzou-san’s absence, things went smoothly because of you two.”

Yotsuba-san narrowed his eyes slightly, as if reminiscing.

“That’s why I’d like to express my gratitude with a small gift.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. I’d like to invite both of you to one of the hotels operated by the Yotsuba Group.”

According to Yotsuba-san, the hotel was located in a well-known hot spring resort, and it featured a large communal bath where guests could enjoy the hot springs.

I quickly caught on.

“In other words, your gift is… a hot spring trip?”

“Exactly.”

“Wow! That sounds amazing!”

“I’m glad you think so.”

Ayame’s eyes sparkled with excitement. She was clearly thrilled by the idea of a hot spring getaway.

Seeing her enthusiasm, Yotsuba-san smiled before turning his attention to me.

“So, what do you think? Will you accept, Tetsu-san?”

A trip with Ayame—an overnight stay with a close female friend—was bound to be nerve-wracking. The anxiety outweighed any excitement I might have felt.

But I didn’t want to disappoint Ayame, nor did I feel right refusing Yotsuba-san’s generous offer.

After a brief moment of thought, I lowered my head respectfully.

“Thank you very much. I’d be honored to accept your kindness.”

“The pleasure is mine. I appreciate you accepting it.”

Yotsuba-san’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.