Chapter 12: Repaying the Debt

This is quite a splendid ryokan, and the room itself is spacious too.
After stepping inside, I glance out toward the garden, where there’s probably an open-air bath.

"Whoa, so this is the open-air bath, huh? A wooden tub, too—looks pretty nice."

It looks big enough for two people to fit in comfortably... not that we’re actually going to bathe together or anything. I’m just talking about the size, alright?

There are two rooms, one of which seems like a bedroom, already prepared with two futons laid side by side.
The rooms are wide, there are two of them, and there’s even an open-air bath attached. This is a pretty… no, actually, a really good room. Must’ve cost a fortune.

Kanata said there was an employee discount, but even so, it must’ve been expensive. …I don’t even wanna ask about the price. Better not know.

"Alright, once we drop off our stuff, wanna hit the hot spring right away?"

"Y-Yeah, sounds good! I’m looking forward to it. The springs here look promising."

Prompted by Kanata, the two of us head to the baths. Near the entrance, we split up into male and female sections.

"Let’s meet up later in the waiting area over there once we’re done, okay?"

"Got it!"

The hot spring… yeah, it feels like a proper ryokan. Top quality.

There are about three different baths, plus a sauna and a cold-water tub. Looks like you could easily spend a long, relaxing time here.

There are other guests, but not many, so I manage to secure plenty of space to stretch out and enjoy myself.
I’ve heard somewhere that you need to go in and out of the sauna multiple times, so maybe I’ll try that tomorrow.

Unlike my bath at home, soaking in a big open hot spring feels amazing, warming me all the way to the core.

Moments like this make me think… it’s kind of a waste to enjoy it alone.
If only Kanata could come in with me, it’d probably be fun too. Well, if that actually happened, I doubt I’d be soaking quietly anymore.

The hot spring was wonderful, though… somehow, I still felt like I wanted a little more.

After getting out, I put on a yukata, dry my hair, and head toward the waiting area, where Kanata is already sitting, waiting for me.
Well, makes sense—the time it takes is different for guys and girls. Can’t be helped.

"Pretty good bath, huh? I wanna take my time and soak again tomorrow."

"Oh, you’re done. Yeah, the spring’s great. Worth the trip."

And after a bath, of course…

"Alright! Time for the ultimate post-bath treat—beer…! Nah, better make it a coffee milk!"

"Go ahead, but dinner’s coming up soon."

"It’s fine, it’s just one drink… puhhaa! Ah, that’s good! But there’s too much, so you finish the rest, Kanata!"

"Huh? …Man, fine, hand it over."

As Kanata starts drinking, I suddenly realize… wait, indirect kiss?!
No, no, what am I even getting flustered about? I used to be a thirty-year-old man, for crying out loud.

Kanata doesn’t seem to care at all, chugging the coffee milk without hesitation.
R-Right, of course. We’re best friends. There’s no reason to care about something like this anymore. Yeah, exactly.

We return to the room, and to cool off our lingering body heat, we relax together on the veranda, letting the breeze wash over us.
After a bit, dinner is brought in.

And when I see what’s laid out, I can’t help but stare—lavish dishes, mainly meat and mountain vegetables, looking insanely expensive.

Ahh, there’s no way I’m asking about the price. No way. Absolutely top-class stuff here. And we’re staying for two nights, too. Kanata, you…

I am happy, though. Truly. That Kanata would go this far for me—it really makes me happy.

If I looked sixteen and actually was sixteen, I’d probably just be innocently delighted. But I used to be thirty, damn it. Has Kanata forgotten that? Even without knowing the numbers, I can feel how expensive this is.

I glance at Kanata, who’s smiling softly back at me.
I’m pretty sure Kanata’s doing this just to make me happy. That’s why he wouldn’t let me pay, why he never brings up money, and why he doesn’t make me feel guilty about how pricey this place must be.

And I don’t think Kanata expects anything in return, either. No—if anything, me being happy is what makes Kanata happy.
Still… I can’t help but wonder why he’s willing to go this far.

That’s why I decide: I won’t say anything unnecessary here. I won’t mention money. I’ll just react normally.
That way, Kanata will be happy, and I’ll be happy too.

"This looks amazing, Kanata! Can I really eat all this?"

"Yeah, go ahead. Don’t hold back."

"Alright! Let’s dig in!"

"Yeah, let’s eat."

We press our hands together and say it more cheerfully than usual:
"Itadakimasu!"

Somehow, Kanata looks happier too, and seeing that makes me happy.

…There’s something I’ve been thinking about for a while now, and I’ve finally made up my mind.
This is it. There’s no other way.

We finished every last bit of the food, our stomachs full to the brim.
It was insanely delicious—so soft, so fresh, so unbelievably good.

Honestly, I think Kanata and I only talked about how tasty everything was throughout the entire meal.
Yeah… it was that good.

"What should we do after this?"

"Let’s see… it’s still way too early to sleep. How about a dip in the open-air bath? You go in first, Nobu."

"Ah—right, I was so focused on eating I completely forgot about that. But I’m stuffed right now and can’t move, so you go first, Kana."

"Alright, I’ll go ahead then."

I let Kanata take the first turn in the open-air bath.
Seriously, I needed a little time to recover—I was that full.

"Hey, Nobu! The view’s amazing from here! Really feels authentic!"

Kanata calls out from outside.
A nice view, huh? …Guess I have something to look forward to.

Once Kanata finishes, it’s my turn to go in.

"Don’t you dare peek!"

"I won’t! I’m stepping out for a bit anyway."

I soak in the open-air bath and take in the view.
Ah, now I get what Kanata meant. This really does feel authentic—the scenery, the atmosphere… it’s perfect.

The tub’s pretty big when you’re alone, so I can stretch my legs out as much as I want. No need to worry about anyone’s gaze, either.
…Well, except maybe keeping an eye out in case Kanata gets any funny ideas about peeking. But yeah, this is nice.

After getting out of the bath, I head back to the room, and there’s Kanata, beer in hand, munching on snacks.

…Unfair. Drinking all by himself.

Come to think of it, I don’t recall ever seeing Kanata drink at home. I thought he didn’t drink, but I guess he just hadn’t been doing it around me.

"Hey! You’re drinking beer without me!"

"Ah—busted. I figured you’d take longer, but you’re quicker than I expected."

"Hand over some of those snacks. And gimme a sip of the beer while you’re at it."

"Sure, you can have the snacks… but beer? No way, you’re underage now."

"Come on, just one sip! One’s fine, right?"

"Hmm… alright, but only one sip. Here."

"Yes! Alright then… …Wait, what the hell? It’s just bitter! This is disgusting!"

"Hah. So your taste buds really have gotten younger too."

"Guess so… but still, Kana, how can you drink something this gross?"

"You’re switching sides way too fast, you know that? I like it, so it’s fine."

We nibble on snacks, chatting and laughing, spending a relaxed evening together.

Eventually, bedtime rolls around, and we move to the bedroom to start getting ready to sleep.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now…
The debt I owe Kanata has grown way too big.

Ever since I moved in, Kanata’s done so much for me.
Because of me, he had to move to a new place—one with more rooms.

He bought me clothes, personal items, all the things I’d need.
He even asked Ibuki-chan to teach me about makeup, skincare, and self-care.

Together, we bought furniture, tableware, and all the household tools we’d need to live together.
And then there are the hidden costs—food, utilities, all the things I don’t even notice but Kanata covers without complaint.

And it’s not just about money.
Kanata’s been there for me in more ways than I can possibly put into words.

Every time I try to bring it up, though, he always says the same thing:
"I’m doing it because I want to. You don’t have to worry about it."

But as his best friend, having such a one-sided debt…
I just can’t accept that. My pride won’t allow it.

No matter what, I decided I’d find a way to repay him. Somehow.

The problem is… I’ve been stuck, unsure how.
And meanwhile, the debt’s only gotten bigger.

And now, after this trip…
I’ve completely hit my limit.

I’m not bragging, but I don’t exactly have a lot of savings.
I can’t just buy him something expensive or pay him back with money.

So, I’ve made up my mind.
There’s only one way left.