Enjoy the natural hot spring

Upon arriving at the cottage, Shinosuke and the group decided to go their own way immediately.

Niko Onsen is a scenic hot spring surrounded by nature, offering a panoramic view of Lake Tsuuzee right from the private outdoor bath in the cottage.

The water quality is renowned for its restorative effects and skin-beautifying properties, making it a well-kept secret among those who know of its excellence.

There are artificial hot spring facilities on space stations, but natural hot springs would never exist there.

A luxury you can only experience here.

Since everyone was eager to soak in the hot springs, they decided to enjoy the hot springs right away.

Of course, since this is a natural hot spring, wearing swimsuits or soaking towels in the water is considered improper etiquette.

This has been a fundamental rule of human history since time immemorial.

Being enveloped in steam and sinking into water slightly warmer than usual gently flushes the skin with color and loosens the spirit.

And when young women gather, it's only natural that a few playful remarks will rise.

"Ugh, I'm feeling great. Isn't this wonderful?"

"Yes, indeed."

Listening to the excited voices of women playing around in the women's bath, separated by a barrier, Shinnosuke and the others enjoy the open-air bath in the men's section.

"It's been years since I last experienced a natural hot spring back when I was in the Space Army, but I still can't get over how great these are. All my daily stress just vanishes. Choosing a trip with hot springs was absolutely the right decision."

"Absolutely agree."

"…Anyway, I have to ask—why are you even in the hot spring, Marks?"

Marks was soaking in the hot spring right beside ShinnoSuke, shoulder to shoulder.

The level of thoroughness is impressive—there's even a hand towel placed neatly on top of his head.

Andy, unaccustomed to the hot spring, quickly grew overheated and left.

"Even if you ask why, isn't it only natural to want to enjoy the hot spring since we've come all this way?"

"No, but does soaking in a hot spring actually serve any purpose? Does it really relieve fatigue? Or could it even cause problems, like discomfort or health issues?"

"Master, that's discrimination against dolls. The hot spring water, perhaps because of its viscosity, seems to act like lubricant on my joints, and I'm feeling quite good overall."

"Huh, really?"

"Yes....There's no scientific basis for it, though."

"What's that supposed to mean..."

Shin noske and Marks continue their idle, pointless conversation.

"By the way, Marks, what is this odd sensation, I wonder?"

"Yes?"

"It's hard to explain, but I get this feeling—like 'No, that's not it!' or 'It's not you guys!'—something like that..."

"Probably just your imagination."

"I guess that's how it is..."

"That's exactly how it is."

No matter how far they went, it was still a pointless conversation.

"By the way, Master..."

"What is it?"

"Have you made any plans for tomorrow and onward?"

"No, nothing in particular. Just let everyone do whatever they want. I don't want to be tied down by schedules just because we're on vacation."

"That might be fine, but it'll be quite a burden for you, Master. Those three will surely keep you running around, doing all sorts of things."

"Then I won't be able to rest at all."

"I'm afraid that's unavoidable. As the employer, you're responsible for your crew's well-being. That's just what a leisure trip is like."

"Is that really how it works?"

"That's exactly how it works."

"Then perhaps you should take some time now to relax in the hot spring and restore your energy..."

In the end, Shinosuke and Marks idly enjoyed the hot spring until Milena and the others finally came to call, losing patience at last.

The next morning.

Having developed the habit of waking early, Shinosuke awoke before everyone else, still fast asleep.

Marks and Madelia, who didn’t need to sleep, appeared to be working on something outdoors, though it seemed they didn’t need Shinosuke’s help.

Just as I began walking along the lakeside, Seira came running after Shinosuke.

"Shinosuke-san, where are you going?"

"Well, I thought I'd take a walk before breakfast."

Hearing Shinosuke's words, Seira fell into step beside him, looking up at him with a shy glance.

"May I come with you?"

Markus's prophecy had come true, right away.

Ah, of course, no problem at all.

The two of them enjoy a lakeside walk, gazing at the beautiful lake surface sparkling with the morning sun.

This is truly a wonderful place. The breeze blowing from the lake is wonderfully refreshing. Even though I've only just arrived on this planet, I'm already feeling extremely satisfied.

It's still only the second day. The fun is just getting started.

"That's right. But spending a whole week in such a wonderful place? I'm so excited every night that I might end up sleep-deprived."

She walked beside Shinnosuke, grinning widely, clearly having a great time. Whenever she spotted something interesting, she'd tug on Shinnosuke's hand and dash off. She'd listen intently to the birdsong in the woods, her eyes lighting up when fish leapt from the lake's surface.

Although it had only been about an hour, Seira managed to have Shinnosuke all to herself.