When I Helped Out At My Classy Classmate's Family Home, They Started Going All Out To Close In On Me From Every Angle.

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Hot Spring Trip – 5

Back at the hotel, I followed Ayame’s suggestion and was now soaking in the private open-air bath attached to my room.

The scent of cypress drifted from the wooden tub, and beyond the fence, a breathtaking view spread out before me. This was the very definition of luxury.

I submerged myself up to my shoulders and let out a deep sigh.

“Finally, I can relax.”

Even after eating the onsen mushi manju, Ayame’s relentless advances had continued, leaving my heart with no time to settle. Even now, it was still racing. Maybe I’d glitched from the repeated onslaught.

“She’s been unusually bold today… What’s gotten into her?”

I muttered to myself, staring absentmindedly into the sky.

Her forwardness in the hot spring town was one thing, but even in our hotel room, she had tried to change into her yukata right in front of me. Ayame was naturally affectionate, but wasn’t this going a bit too far?

I furrowed my brows in confusion—

“How’s the bath, Tetsu-kun?”

Suddenly, a voice called out, making me jump. It seemed Ayame was in the changing area.

My shoulders tensed instinctively. I was practically a Pavlovian dog at this point, conditioned to react to her advances.

C-calm down, me. If I panic, she’ll think I’m acting weird.

I took a slow breath to regain my composure and responded.

“Yeah. The water feels great, and the view is amazing. It’s perfect.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Ayame replied with a pleasant tone—

Then came the bombshell.

“Well then, I’ll be joining you.”

“Huh?!”

The words were so shocking that I wondered if I had misheard her.

But I hadn’t.

Because at that moment, the door to the changing area slid open—

And Ayame stepped into the bath.

“――――――!!”

I hastily turned my face away.

That was close. Thankfully, I reacted quickly enough to avoid seeing much of Ayame.

However, there was one thing I couldn’t ignore.

Even though I had only caught a glimpse, I was certain—she wasn’t wearing a towel. No swimsuit either.

In other words, Ayame, standing behind me, was completely, utterly, bare.

My already racing heartbeat pounded even harder. My body, already heated from the bath, grew even hotter.

Unable to hold back, I practically yelled.

“W-W-WHAT ARE YOU THINKING!?”

“I just thought I’d join you for a bath,” she answered nonchalantly.

“You could’ve waited until I was done!”

“No. It wouldn’t mean anything if you weren’t here, Tetsu-kun.”

“…Huh?”

Her words froze my thoughts.

It wouldn’t mean anything without me? Was this… another one of her advances?

I wasn’t sure if my guess was correct. But there was one thing I could say for certain.

Today’s Ayame was definitely not acting like usual!

Before I could process any further, I heard the sound of the shower. In the brief moment I had been stunned, she had moved to the washing area.

The washing area was between the bath and the changing room. On top of that, I had no towel on hand. With Ayame now blocking the only exit and no way to cover myself, my escape route was completely cut off.

I-I might really be doomed here.

My cheek twitched nervously.

From behind me, I heard the rhythmic splashing of water against her skin, the soft brushing of her fingers through her hair, the lathering of body soap.

Despite knowing I shouldn’t, my mind conjured up an image of Ayame washing herself.

Tension, excitement, confusion, and embarrassment crashed over me like a tidal wave. My brain was burning all its processing power just to keep up, leaving me completely frozen in place.

Eventually, the sound of the shower stopped.

The damp stone floor let out soft plip-plap sounds as she stepped closer. With every step, my heartbeat only accelerated.

Then—

Splash.

Ayame finally entered the bath. Right beside me.

Fortunately, the bath was filled with cloudy water, preventing me from seeing anything inappropriate.

But still—

The mere fact that I was now sharing a bath with Ayame, a close friend, was enough to push my excitement and nerves past their limits. The rush of adrenaline was unreal.

Never in my life had my heart pounded this violently. It felt like something was punching me from the inside.

Dizziness clouded my vision, though I knew it wasn’t from the bath.

And then, right beside me—

Ayame let out a soft breath.

“Phew… The water feels so nice.”

That carefree remark sparked something deep inside me.

Irritation.

I wanted Ayame to be happy. I didn’t want anything bad to happen to her. I wanted her to value herself.

That’s why—her carelessly approaching a man while completely bare… treating herself with such disregard—was something I couldn’t tolerate.

“…This joke has gone too far.”

Driven by both emotion and anger, I warned her in a voice barely above a whisper.

“Do you understand? I’m a man, too. There’s a limit to my self-control. You’re… you’re too attractive, Ayame. If you come too close without a second thought, I might not be able to stop myself. I might end up hurting you.”

I never wanted her to know I harbored such ugly desires.

But even so, I told her.

Because more than anything, I never wanted to hurt Ayame. Even if she looked at me with disgust.

Clenching my lips tightly, I stared at the rippling water, waiting for her response.

After a brief pause, Ayame finally spoke.

“This isn’t a joke.”

I widened my eyes in shock.

She continued.

“There’s no way I’d do something like this as a joke. I came here with a clear purpose, fully prepared for what it means.”

“…A purpose?”

“To make you aware of me, Tetsu-kun.”

My breath caught.