Episode 37 Sakurai Anna

"Let me explain the overview of Nakaguchi Hot Springs."

As they traveled toward Nakaguchi Hot Springs, Sakurai spoke about the facility.

Nakaguchi Hot Springs was a natural hot spring hotel built into the mid-slope of a hilly region.

Its primary feature was the placement and structure of the building.

The spring source was located at a higher elevation than the facility. Water was channeled into the hotel, carved into the mountainside, and used for the facility's hot springs and plumbing systems.

Thus, even if the municipal water system failed, water scarcity was not an issue.

"The water passes through the facility's简易 purification system, so it's drinkable."

"Having water is a significant advantage."

"The storage tanks are large as well. The main drawback is the lack of food."

This may be why the site was not designated as an evacuation shelter, and why it avoided an influx of evacuees.

Unlike a traditional inn, the hotel was constructed like a multi-story building.

Thus the ground floor was not open-plan, and remained protected from zombies.

"Front entrance has a double shutter gate and fire shutter lowered. Entry and exit are through the rear service entrance. Concrete step at trunk height prevents vehicles from ramming through. Staff are stationed in threes, permanently."

"Service entrance would work well for collecting lodging fees, too."

"Indeed."

Sakurai gave a faint, dry smile.

Amidst this, the car moved quietly along the road leading to Chukon Onsen.

Eventually, as the car reached the top of the hill, the full structure of the hot spring hotel came into view.

A sign reading "Chukon Onsen" was posted above the parking lot.

The main entrance was sealed by a sturdy gate-type shutter and a fire shutter.

Weeds were beginning to grow around the perimeter. No effort appeared to have been made to maintain the landscape.

"Someone is here."

From behind the hotel, four young people resembling guests appeared.

All carried backpacks, held weapons, and were mounted on bicycles.

They examined Hayato’s vehicle closely, then, upon seeing Hayato and Sakurai, pedaled away and exited the grounds.

“Of the two hundred guests, about half are out acquiring supplies.”

“Are the rest family members of the suppliers?”

“That’s right. Then let’s go.”

Hayato gave a slight nod in response to Sakurai’s words, parked the vehicle in the Parking Lot, and turned off the engine.

He moved to the rear of the car and removed one rice sack and their own bag.

Then he lowered Sakurai’s bicycle and its load, handing the bicycle to Natsuki.

“Return Sakurai’s bicycle to its usual place, then enter. I’ll carry the rice sack. Natsuki, pull it.”

Understood. I’ll take it.

Sorry about that.

Sakurai held his left arm in a sling. Carrying his travel bag was all he could manage.

Hayato took one bag each, handed the bicycle to Natsuki, and passed Sakurai’s travel bag to him. Then Hayato shouldered the ten-kilogram rice sack and began walking.

The back of the hotel had a practical atmosphere, unlike the front entrance.

A roof covered the loading bay. Space allowed for three vehicles to park simultaneously.

Concrete blocks, at trunk height, were placed beside the bay. A handcart stood on each, intended for transferring goods from the trunks.

Both sides had ramps. At the top, a steel door stood.

Hayato parked the bicycle in the front courtyard, locked it, and handed the key to Sakurai. Then he knocked on the loading bay door.

A window with iron bars opened. An old man peered through.

The old man studied Hayato’s face carefully, then examined Sakurai’s expression.

“Mr. Nishiyama, you’ve returned. And three new guests.”

After listening to Sakurai’s explanation, Hayato looked at the rice sack he carried. The old man smirked.

But he did not open the door immediately.

“Master Sakurai, your left hand injury?”

“Struck with a blunt weapon by New Order Coalition forces. They had a vehicle. I survived.”

“I see.”

The old man inspected the large rice sack Hayato carried, and the other supplies.

Without a vehicle, such a quantity could not have been transported.

After assessing the group’s expressions, tone, and cargo, the old man finally reached a decision.

“Welcome. Please come in.”

A metallic clank echoed. The loading bay door creaked open with heavy resistance.

Stepping into the loading bay, sufficient space was secured. Along the passage, a counter was installed.

Beyond that was an office. Further inside, a kitchen and other facilities appeared to be located.

Each area was separated by doors. All doors required keys. Entering the interior of the building seemed difficult.

Hayato placed the rice bag on the counter. Nishiyama smiled faintly.

"Check-in date, please?"

"Three people for one month. Plus, one month's stay for Sakurai and her daughter. Ten kilograms of uncooked rice."

"Tsutsumi, measure it."

Nishiyama nodded to Hayato, then called the young man behind him.

The man called Tsutsumi carried the rice bag swiftly and set it on the scale.

The needle swung, then settled. The weight displayed.

"Ten point five kilograms."

After completing the measurement, Tsutsumi opened the top of the rice bag.

He glanced inside and confirmed the rice bag was tightly packed with raw grains. He inserted the grain sampler.

Withdrawing the sampler, glossy grains spilled out.

"Quite good condition."

"Harvested last autumn and stored properly."

Hayato added, responding to Tōtani’s assessment. Nishiyama nodded, satisfied.

"Thank you for your stay. Please sign your name as the representative."

Nishiyama placed a notebook and pen on the counter.

Hayato took the pen and wrote his full name, kana reading, and number of guests.

During this, Nishiyama turned his gaze to Sakurai and asked.

"Ms. Sakurai. Would the others be comfortable in the adjacent room?"

"That will be fine."

"Understood."

Nishiyama nodded in return and retrieved one key from the lock drawer beneath the counter.

The key bore the inscription "Room 714."

Old-fashioned, but with power off and card keys inoperable, the hotel might be lending one of their cylinder keys from the set they still hold.

Along with the key, a receipt was handed over, documenting one month's stay for Hayato and Sakurai.

"This is your room. Please leave the key at the front desk when all of you go out."

Understood."

"Then please, make yourselves comfortable."

Hayato accepted the key and receipt, gave a brief nod to Nishiyama.

Walking down the corridor, they reached a stainless steel door.

A third employee unlocked it. The door, five centimeters thick, opened. Only then were Hayato and the others allowed entry into the hotel.

From there, Sakurai led the way through the interior.

The interior of the hotel was built like a standard lodging facility. As they advanced down the corridor, a staircase appeared.

Sakurai began a brief explanation of the building as he ascended the stairs.

"This is a ten-story structure. From the third to the ninth floor, 138 rooms are designated for guests. The total of 100 to 200 guest rooms is typical of a standard business hotel."

"Ah, I see."

From Hayato's perspective, the hotel's exterior was unremarkable.

It fit the profile of a rural establishment centered around natural hot springs.

"Are the first and second floors employee management zones and shared spaces?"

"That's correct. Kitchens and banquet halls are also open to guests."

"Guests can use the kitchen for cooking?"

"Fire is not allowed, but washing stations and hot springs are usable. Chukann City produces buckwheat and barley for beer, so if we visit local farms, we can obtain buckwheat flour and binding agents."

"Huh, buckwheat, huh."

Having learned the hotel’s layout, Hayato and the others arrived at the seventh floor.

The corridor ran from room 701 to 702, then continued directly to 712. The next room number skipped to 714, where Hayato and the others were assigned.

——The hotel does not have a 13th room, does it?

In Christian regions, thirteen is considered an unlucky number.

It is said to stem from Judas, the disciple who betrayed Christ for thirty silver coins, sitting at the thirteenth seat during the Last Supper, and Christ’s crucifixion occurring on a Friday the thirteenth.

The hotel has no reason to use a room number that lowers guest ratings or reduces repeat visits.

Inserting the key into the next room, 714, and turning it produced a sharp click—the lock disengaged.

"Then, a brief rest."

The day had been excessively busy.

Combat had occurred. Mental fatigue was unavoidable.

Further, there might be a lecture from Yui regarding the rice sack incident.

Hayato announced he would withdraw for a while. Sakurai nodded.

"Then, after you rest, I’ll introduce you to my daughter."

"Understood."

Sakurai reached for the doorknob of room 715. The door opened from the inside.

A girl emerged from the room—presumably the one Sakurai had mentioned.

The girl’s height was slightly less than Natsuki’s.

Appearance age fell above Yui’s self-reported eighteen, below Natsuki’s actual seventeen. Estimated between fourteen and seventeen.

— Probably going to get scolded.

Hair length was midway between Yui and Natsuki, just past the shoulders.

Top was an ivory soft suede-style blouse. Bottom was a box-pleat skirt. She wore low-heeled loafers with slightly thick soles.

A stylish outfit befitting Sakurai’s daughter, refined and neat.

The girl relaxed upon seeing Sakurai. Her expression turned uneasy as she looked at her left hand.

“Dad, what happened to your left hand?”

Her voice carried concern, matching the anxious look on her face.

“This? Just had a minor encounter with some New Order Coalition personnel.”

Sakurai replied with a light tone, as casual as if a puppy had bitten him during a walk.

The girl, accustomed to her father’s tone, frowned without belief.

"Are you sure?"

Her voice carried a complex mix of relief that the thing was not a zombie and concern over the injury.

Sakurai, aiming to ease the girl’s anxiety, replied brightly.

"Emergency treatment is complete. He’s efficient."

Sakurai nodded toward Hayato. The girl’s gaze shifted to Hayato.

Before a stranger, her face showed confusion.

"Let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Anna."

The abrupt introduction left Anna wide-eyed, stunned.

But in the next moment, she recovered slightly, bowing her head lightly.

"Nice to meet you?"

The explanation offered by Sakurai was insufficient, as if the injury had been masked by sheer momentum.

Hayato responded with his own introduction, filling in the missing details.

"Ah, nice to meet you. Hayato Kumakura. I'll be working with Sakurai-san for a while, gathering supplies in this town. Please take care of me."

Anna observed Hayato from head to toe after hearing his explanation.

"He knocked five New Order Coalition members flying with his bare hands. I'm impressed."

Anna nodded slowly, still dazed.