One thirty in the afternoon.

The light in the quiet living room was slightly distorted, and then Kitahara Makoto and the girls appeared out of thin air.

"We’re back, we’re back."

"Quick, look at what time it is now."

"Sure enough, not much time has passed."

"... ..."

Seeing that only ten minutes had passed in the real world, the girls were relieved.

Kitahara Makoto said loudly:

"Soaking in onsen more often can beautify the skin, nourish the spirit, and promote sleep, making it easier to sleep soundly at night. Everyone can come over to soak in onsen at night in the future, and then go home to sleep after soaking."

Although the [Onsen Village] does not have the entry for beautifying the skin, this sentence is not a lie.

Soaking in onsen originally has many effects, so it’s not considered bluffing.

Hearing Kitahara Makoto’s words, the girls were a little tempted, but in front of so many people, they were naturally embarrassed to agree immediately.

Coming over to eat together at noon, and then coming over to soak in onsen together at night, and even staying overnight to rest... ... what’s the difference between living with multiple people?

"Let’s talk about that kind of thing later." Chihaya Anon said in a crisp voice, "The time agreed with Ayane-nee is two thirty in the afternoon, everyone quickly bring your instruments, and then go to the recording studio to record the song."

As the heroine of the movie, Chihaya Anon naturally paid special attention to the production of the movie.

"That’s right." Kita put her hands on her hips and followed, "We have to take the bus to the recording studio ourselves. See you all later, let’s talk about soaking in onsen at night."

"... ..."

The girls said goodbye one after another. With the help of Hana, they quickly traveled home. Even Mutsumi was no exception, and went back to get her instrument.

The house quickly quieted down.

It quickly turned from lively to deserted.

Kitahara Makoto took out his phone and sent a message to Hitori:

"Hitori, when are you leaving for the recording studio?"

The message quickly showed as read.

Hitori: "Leaving soon."

Kitahara Makoto: "I’ll pick Hitori up at the door."

Hitori: "N-No need to pick me up... ..."

Kitahara Makoto: "I miss Hitori."

"... ..."

A simple sentence immediately caused Hitori to overheat and overload.

After quickly washing his face, Kitahara Makoto changed into a white shirt, then put on a pair of black casual pants, opened the refrigerator and took two bottles of drinks, and then went straight out.

Ten minutes later.

Kitahara Makoto appeared on time at the door of Hitori’s house.

Hitori was probably hiding at the door and peeking out through the peephole as usual. Without Kitahara Makoto needing to send a message, she quickly opened the door and ran out with her guitar on her back.

"Kitahara-kun, good afternoon."

Hitori took the initiative to say hello. Although her voice was still very small, it must be said that she had made great progress.

"Good afternoon."

Kitahara Makoto’s gaze moved down and landed on Hitori.

Her hair seemed to have been neatly combed, but the iconic small strand of hair on the top of her head still stood upright in the wind. She wore hair clips shaped like fruit hard candies on the side of her ears, and the bangs in front of her forehead seemed to be longer, almost covering her eyes.

She was wearing that iconic pink sportswear.

Their eyes met.

Seeing the subtle expression on Kitahara Makoto’s face, Hitori quickly lowered her small head, and her voice couldn’t help but become nervous:

"I-I’m sorry... ...!"

Kitahara Makoto said speechlessly:

"Why is Hitori suddenly apologizing?"

Hitori hesitated, and her voice became like a mosquito hum again:

"I-I don’t know... ..."

If you don’t know anything, then don’t apologize!

"Here."

Kitahara Makoto distorted open the juice drink in his hand and handed it to Hitori.

"Thank you, Kitahara-kun..."

Hitori quickly took the drink with both hands, thanking him in a low voice.

Kitahara Makoto asked curiously:

"The temperature is almost forty degrees now, yet Hitori is wearing a tracksuit outside. Isn’t it hot?"

The pink tracksuit Hitori was wearing was actually Hitori’s middle school winter physical education uniform. It was fine for spring and autumn, but wearing it in forty-degree weather, it was hard to imagine how hot it must be.

Hitori lowered her head to look at her toes, saying softly:

"Not hot..."

Kitahara Makoto raised an eyebrow:

"Children who lie will get their butts spanked."

"N-no...!"

Hitori’s small face quickly flushed red. She frantically covered her butt cheeks and pitifully told the truth:

"Actually...it’s actually a bit hot..."

"If you know it’s hot, why still wear it out?" Kitahara Makoto asked, puzzled, "When Hitori went to the driving school the day before yesterday, wasn’t she wearing a shirt?"

"Th-that..." Hitori secretly raised her eyes, her peach blossom eyes looking at Kitahara Makoto through her bangs, then quickly lowered her small head again, "I’ve never been to a recording studio before, and I feel very nervous. Wearing this tracksuit makes me feel secure..."

So that’s it.

No wonder she still wore this outfit out even though she knew it was super hot.

"I-I’ll go back and change..."

Seeing Kitahara Makoto say nothing, Hitori nervously turned around, about to go home and change clothes.

"No need to change."

Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand, grasping Hitori’s soft hand, and said softly:

"Hitori, wear whatever you like. If I forced you to change clothes because of my preferences, you’d probably hate me, wouldn’t you?"

Hitori instinctively shook her head: "I don’t hate Kitahara-kun at all!"

Kitahara Makoto smiled:

"Then you like me?"

"..."

Hitori shyly lowered her head to look at her toes, her small face burning, and said nothing more.

"Let’s go." Kitahara Makoto took a sip of his drink, "We’re going to the train station."

Hitori’s small face was crimson, and she looked over with a pitiful, pleading gaze:

"Th-that..."

Kitahara Makoto looked back: "What’s wrong?"

"My hand..."

Hitori’s voice was pitifully weak and helpless.

"What about my hand?"

Kitahara Makoto asked, feigning ignorance.

Hitori’s voice was embarrassed and nervous:

"W-we’ll be seen by the neighbors..."

"So what if we’re seen?" Kitahara Makoto said righteously, "Hitori and I are already dating. Holding hands is normal, isn’t it?"

"..."

Teasing is one thing, but seeing Hitori’s face completely red, almost overheating, Kitahara Makoto decided to stop while he was ahead and released Hitori’s soft hand.

No choice.

The temperature was too high today. If Hitori stayed overheated, she might even get heatstroke and faint.

"Futari is okay alone at home, right?"

Kitahara Makoto asked softly.

"Kitahara-kun doesn’t need to worry." Hitori replied softly, "I’ve already sent Futari next door and asked the auntie next door to help look after Futari."

"That’s good."

A moment later.

The two walked to the train station and waited for the train under the awning.

"Hoo..."

Hitori secretly let out a sigh of relief. She bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, quietly covered her chest with her arm, and a troubled expression appeared on her small face.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

Kitahara Makoto quickly noticed Hitori’s unusual state.

"N-no, I’m not unwell."

Hitori quickly shook her head.

"Are you running a fever?"

"No fever..."

"Let me check."

There was another passerby waiting for the train at the train station, but Kitahara Makoto completely disregarded their presence. He bent down and leaned close to Hitori, extended his right hand, pushed up Hitori’s bangs, revealing the girl’s fair and smooth forehead, and then gently touched his forehead to Hitori’s forehead.

"Normal temperature... indeed no fever." Kitahara Makoto straightened up and raised an eyebrow slightly, "Hitori, if you feel unwell anywhere, remember to tell me."

Hitori parted her lips. For some reason, the blush on her small face quickly deepened. She lowered her head in embarrassment and said:

"I understand..."

The train arrived quickly.

Kitahara Makoto and Hitori walked onto the train together. As the cool air blew in their faces, Hitori immediately let out a sigh of relief, a look of relief appearing on her small face.

(S-so uncomfortable...)

(It must be because I wore too many clothes, that’s why those things grew... I should be able to hold out until the recording studio, right?)

(Should I tell Kitahara-kun?)

(No! That kind of thing is just too embarrassing!)

(Hitori, you can do it! Hold on! You can reach the other side!)

Twenty minutes later.

"Wahh..."

Walking under the scorching summer sun, Hitori finally couldn’t bear it anymore and let out a pitiful cry like a young bird about to fall.

"Hitori." Kitahara Makoto stopped and looked at Hitori behind him, saying in a deep voice, "If you feel unwell, just say it. Did you get heatstroke?"

Hitori lowered her head to look at her toes, saying softly:

"N-no, I’m not unwell..."

She’s still trying to hold on. There’s a hazy mist in your eyes; you’re clearly about to cry!

Looking at Hitori’s complexion and state, it didn’t seem like heatstroke, but she was definitely feeling unwell; she just wouldn’t say it.

"You’re not unwell, right?"

Kitahara Makoto straightened his face and took off the backpack on his back:

"Coincidentally, I haven’t used my question quota today. I’ll ask the answer book right now. If the book says you’re unwell, Hitori must kiss me a hundred times."

"N-no!" Hitori quickly shook her head, "A hundred times is too many!"

"Two hundred kisses."

"W-why did it increase?"

"Three hundred kisses."

"Wahh..."

Knowing that not speaking was no longer an option, Hitori’s small face was burning hot. She lowered her head to look at her toes, stammering:

"Um... it might be because the weather is too hot, and I sweated a lot, so I got prickly heat..."

Prickly heat?

Kitahara Makoto was naturally no stranger to this.

In high summer temperatures and humidity, if too much sweat accumulates and cannot evaporate, it can quickly lead to prickly heat, a common skin condition in both adults and children. It’s not very harmful, but the affected areas are usually painful and itchy.

The temperature today was quite high, almost forty degrees, and Hitori was wearing her pink tracksuit outside, so she must have been covered in sweat. Getting prickly heat was completely normal.

"Where did the prickly heat appear?"

Kitahara Makoto asked curiously.

"..."

Hitori lowered her small head in embarrassment, showing no intention of answering.

"Are you too embarrassed to say?"

Kitahara Makoto’s gaze swept up and down, and recalling Hitori’s occasional hand-to-chest movements along the way, he quickly had a guess. He lowered his voice and said:

"Is it under your chest?"

"..."

Hearing Kitahara Makoto’s words, the ahoge on top of Hitori’s head trembled slightly, and soon white steam whistled out.

"Looks like I guessed correctly."

Kitahara Makoto immediately understood.

Compared to men, women are more prone to prickly heat. Underwear is already difficult to ventilate, and certain parts naturally sag due to gravity, making it even harder for sweat to evaporate. These areas are always high-risk zones for prickly heat.

"We’re not going to the recording studio first." Kitahara Makoto decided immediately, "We’re going to soak in an onsen and get rid of Hitori’s prickly heat first."

"Eh?"

Hitori quickly looked up and shook her head rapidly:

"No onsen. We can’t stand everyone up."

"Soaking in an onsen won’t affect recording the song." Kitahara Makoto softly explained the existence of the [Onsen Village], "...with a ten-to-one time flow, ten minutes in the real world means we can stay in the [Onsen Village] for nearly two hours. Take a bath, have a good soak in the onsen, and the prickly heat will naturally disappear."

"There’s a supermarket up ahead. Let’s go in." Kitahara Makoto made the decision directly, "Then we’ll use their bathroom."

"..."

Leading Hitori by the hand into the supermarket, Kitahara Makoto was about to look for the bathroom when his gaze swept over and he happened to see prickly heat cream on the shelf, so he decisively bought a tube.

While paying, Kitahara Makoto also asked the cashier for directions to the bathroom, then led Hitori to the bathroom door.

After confirming that no one was in the bathroom, Kitahara Makoto simply led Hitori and quickly slipped into the bathroom.

"Thump."

The cubicle door gently closed.

Kitahara Makoto carefully checked the cubicle lock, and after confirming there would be no problems, he summoned the [Onsen Village].

A moment later.

Two figures descended into the Onsen Village.

"So dark..."

Hitori gasped nervously, instinctively clutching Kitahara Makoto’s arm.

"Don’t panic," Kitahara Makoto said gently. "Your eyes will adjust in a moment."

Once Hitori had adjusted to her surroundings, Kitahara Makoto led her directly to the outdoor onsen pool in the backyard.

"We can explore the courtyard next time. Shall we soak in the onsen first?"

Kitahara Makoto suggested softly.

"Okay."

Hitori nodded quickly.

"Hitori, you shower first. I’ll wait for you outside."

Kitahara Makoto brought Hitori to the shower area. It was as if the onsen would never cool, and the hot water for showering flowed endlessly, never drying up. When asked, it was simply quantum mechanics.

After Kitahara Makoto finished his instructions, he walked out. Hitori bit her lower lip with her pearly teeth, then quickly began to undress.

The feeling of both pain and itchiness was too unbearable, especially since the prickly heat was in that particular area. She had to shower quickly.

"Whew..."

She quickly took off her clothes. As the warm water flowed over her body, Hitori couldn’t help but let out a sigh of contentment.

However, after showering for a while, Hitori quickly became nervous. She was actually very timid, and the surroundings were dim. Although there was a stone lantern not far away, it still gave off an eerie feeling.

"Kitahara-kun...?"

Hitori couldn’t help but call out softly.

"..."

Outside, there was silence, with no response.

The eerie quiet made Hitori even more nervous, and she couldn’t help but raise her voice:

"Kitahara-kun... are you outside?"

"..."

Outside, there was still only dead silence. There was neither the sound of Kitahara Makoto’s footsteps nor his response.

Hitori’s body slowly stiffened, and her internal monologue automatically began to play out rapidly.

(The surface of the onsen suddenly rippled silently, and a head quietly emerged. Black hair spread out, coiling towards Kitahara-kun...)

(Could Kitahara-kun have encountered a monster? Is he struggling alone?)

The more Hitori thought about it, the more frightened she became. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

As for the possibility of Kitahara Makoto leaving her alone, Hitori hadn’t even considered it. She absolutely did not believe Kitahara Makoto would abandon her.

"Whew..."

Hitori took a deep breath, quickly shook her head, and dispelled the chaotic images in her mind. Her gaze quickly firmed.

"No, I have to go out and find Kitahara-kun!"

Hitori clenched her small fists, cheered herself on, then covered her body with a towel and nervously walked out.

Seeing the empty space outside and the true absence of Kitahara Makoto, Hitori became even more nervous. She felt as if her heart was tightly clutched, and she involuntarily quickened her pace.

Because she was barefoot, the ground was a bit rough on her feet.

Hitori nervously walked along the path, even accidentally tripping and bumping her knee in the middle.

Just as Hitori was teary-eyed, Kitahara Makoto’s voice finally sounded:

"Hitori?"

Hearing Kitahara Makoto’s voice, Hitori felt her heart immediately return to its place. She quickly followed the sound and finally saw Kitahara Makoto:

"Kitahara-kun... wh-where did you go?"

Kitahara Makoto quickly walked to Hitori, and seeing the teary-eyed Hitori, he immediately felt self-reproach:

"I drank a bit too much earlier, so I went to the bathroom. I thought it would only take two minutes, and I forgot to tell Hitori."

At noon, many people were in the Onsen Village, so Kitahara Makoto leaving to go to the bathroom was no problem. But now, with only Hitori, if she couldn’t see him, she would naturally panic.

"It’s my fault," Kitahara Makoto apologized softly, his tone sincere. "Next time, I’ll definitely inform Hitori beforehand."

Hitori said tearfully:

"It’s good that Kitahara-kun is okay. I thought, I thought... there was a monster..."

"The Onsen Village is one hundred percent safe. There’s no such thing as monsters," Kitahara Makoto extended his right hand and rubbed Hitori’s little head. "Hitori, are you done showering?"

Hitori nodded: "I’m done."

"Then let’s go soak in the onsen now."

After taking a couple of steps, Kitahara Makoto quickly noticed that Hitori’s walking posture was a bit awkward.

"Hitori, what’s wrong with your foot?"

Kitahara Makoto asked softly.

"Nothing..."

Hitori instinctively shook her head.

Kitahara Makoto’s face became serious and he said:

"Tell me quickly, or I’ll kiss you."

"I accidentally fell just now..." Hitori immediately became honest. "My knee hurts a bit."

"Your knee?"

Kitahara Makoto half-squatted down and quickly said:

"It’s fine. Your knee is just a bit red, no broken skin."

As his voice fell, Kitahara Makoto simply

reached out and scooped Hitori directly into his arms.

"I’ll carry Hitori to the onsen."

"Ah..."

Hitori couldn’t help but let out a soft cry, her small face quickly flushing red. Fortunately, there was no one else in the Onsen Village, so her sense of shame wasn’t as strong. She simply closed her eyes nervously, pretending to be an ostrich.

Arriving beside the onsen pool, Kitahara Makoto placed Hitori into the onsen, then quickly took off his clothes and jumped directly into the onsen, once again holding Hitori in his arms.

"Eh eh eh?!"

Hitori immediately became nervous.

When soaking in an onsen, one naturally doesn’t wear clothes. She still had a towel, but Kitahara Makoto was completely bare, not even a towel.

Being held in his arms in this state... Oh no! This was absolutely terrible!

"Don’t move," Kitahara Makoto said with a righteous expression. "Hitori’s knee is injured. I’m holding you so you don’t encounter any danger."

"..."

Feeling the killing intent beneath her, Hitori’s small face quickly turned explosively red, almost dripping with blood.

No, please don’t! Kitahara-kun is the most dangerous presence!