"Why… why did I agree to this?" Ren muttered as the van rattled along the countryside road.
"You were outvoted!" Kaito grinned from the driver's seat. "Sayaka said it was a great idea, Lilia was all in, and well—you just mumbled and glared, which totally counted as a yes!"
"I said nothing," Ren growled.
Lilia leaned over from her seat, practically glowing. "This is my first hot spring! I heard couples love it!"
"We're not—!"
"Shhh, I'm manifesting," she giggled.
Sayaka, who sat beside Kaito, was less amused. Her gaze never left the mirror, watching Lilia's every move like a hawk guarding her territory. "I still think this is inappropriate. They're supposed to be siblings, after all…"
Kaito snorted. "You're really stuck on that, huh?"
"Well, someone has to be the voice of reason!"
The inn was a traditional ryokan tucked in the mountains, complete with tatami floors, sliding doors, and the distinct smell of steamed rice and cedar wood. A soft snowfall began as they arrived.
"Two rooms. One for the guys, one for the girls," the innkeeper smiled.
Kaito and Sayaka nodded in sync. Ren's face relaxed. Lilia… pouted.
"This place is sooo romantic," she whispered, nudging Ren. "I might steal you in the night."
Ren gave her a flat look. "I'll put a chair under the sliding door."
"Boo! No fun."
Dinner was traditional hotpot and tempura, but things got awkward fast.
"Ren~ ahhh," Lilia cooed, holding a piece of tofu with her chopsticks toward his mouth.
"I have hands."
"But it tastes better when it's fed by a princess!"
Kaito was grinning. Sayaka was not. She slammed her cup down. "You know, real siblings don't act like that."
Lilia tilted her head, all innocent. "Really? This is normal where I come from!"
"Where is that, the Kingdom of Flirting?!"
Ren sighed. "Can we just eat in silence?"
"Nope," Lilia said, now offering him a shrimp. "Ahhh."
He opened his mouth reluctantly—she missed and tapped his lip. His face went pink. Kaito nearly choked laughing. Sayaka stared as if witnessing a crime.
Later that evening, the innkeeper cleared her throat. "Ah yes… our hot spring baths are unisex tonight. We had a water issue with the ladies' side."
Ren immediately stood. "I'm not going."
Lilia's eyes gleamed. "Oh no, no no no—you're going."
"It's inappropriate!"
"I'll be wrapped in a towel!"
"That's not the point!"
But alas, Lilia won. Because moments later...
Scene: Hot Spring
Steam swirled through the air. The rock-lined bath was quiet, peaceful—until it wasn't.
Ren slid into the water, eyes closed, finally relaxing. Alone. Peace.
SLIDE.
Lilia entered like a goddess of mischief, towel tightly wrapped around her curves.
Ren stared. "I thought you said you'd wait!"
"You took too long. I got cold," she said innocently, slipping into the water beside him.
His face turned crimson. "Sit on the other side."
"But you'll be lonely~"
He turned away. "I swear if you get any closer, I'm sleeping in the hallway tonight."
Lilia smirked. "You're always so serious. Can't we just enjoy this?"
Then something splashed.
Sayaka entered.
Followed by Kaito.
"Whoa, is this a party now?" Kaito laughed.
Sayaka gasped. "W-Why are you in here with him?!"
"Unisex bath," Lilia said simply. "You knew that."
"You're not even shy! You're… you're clinging!"
Ren stood up too fast.
SLAP.He slipped. Right into Lilia's lap.
Their faces met, barely inches apart. She blinked.
"Ren…?"
He stared in horror. "I want to die."
Kaito was dying of laughter. Sayaka had turned red enough to boil the water. "YOU PERVERT!"
"It's not what it looks like!!" Ren yelled.
"I can explain!" Lilia chirped. "He tripped and landed into destiny."
That night, after much yelling and awkward towel moments, Ren finally escaped to the room, hair still damp.
Lilia followed him, humming. "So~ did you enjoy our little dip?"
"I'm going to pretend today didn't happen."
She giggled, then softened. "Still… thank you. I've never felt this safe before."
Ren looked at her. "Even with that slap?"
"Worth it."
He hesitated. Then reached over and flicked her forehead.
"Ren?!"
"Stop teasing."
"No promises."
Meanwhile in Kaito's room, Sayaka glared at the ceiling. "She's not his sister."
Kaito smirked, holding up a blurry photo on his phone. "You just figured that out?"