episode_0038

To address Ji-won’s health condition, they came to a hot spring.

At least here, I thought we could take care of our mental well-being to some extent and came.

“Wow! This is amazing! Look, it feels like we’re in Japan!”

Even before entering, Ji-won seemed to have already achieved 100% satisfaction.

“Wow! Ji-hoo! Look at this! There’s a Ferrari here!”

“If I were a guy, I’d park it right here at the gas pump for real.”

“When did premium oil start coming out of your body?”

Deciding to ignore Ji-won’s nonsense, I proceeded into the lodging.

Though it’s just for one night, I came here thinking I could take a moment to relax and look after my mental health.

Surely that was the intention, but…

“This is insane, I’ve never seen a place like this before.”

Because of Ji-won behind me, I’m not sure if I can relax properly.

So, along with Ji-won, we listened to the rules in the assigned room.

“If you follow this plan, there’s a private hot spring inside the room, feel free to use it anytime.”

Saying so, they handed me a key and pointed out where the hot spring was located.

I realized that the term “private hot spring,” which I had only heard of in crazy comics, actually existed.

Although a bit surprised upon hearing it, I acknowledged it and accepted the key.

After receiving the key, I looked at Ji-won.

“Oh… so private hot springs do exist.”

“I thought they were only in cartoons, but since it’s exclusive to us, isn’t it more like a family bath than a hot spring?”

I couldn’t refute Ji-won’s words.

I simply nodded and suggested we eat first.

**

Thus, I led Ji-won outside.

As we stepped out, Ji-won pondered what to eat.

“How about here? It’s a ramen shop, rumored to be really good.”

Not having a preference, I suggested we just go anywhere.

Ji-won agreed, and we headed towards the ramen shop.

Upon arriving at the ramen shop and opening the door, a savory smell greeted us. The owner welcomed us.

Ji-won expressed a desire to try the special Tonkotsu ramen.

Feeling slightly uneasy about that, I called the owner.

“Could you please tell me the difference between the special and regular Tonkotsu ramen?”

The owner explained that the special version includes tempura and a bowl of rice.

Satisfied with the explanation, I also ordered the special ramen.

After a short wait, the ramen arrived.

I picked up a chopstick and tasted the noodles.

It was richer than typical ramen, with generous portions of meat, making it delicious and worth the price.

“Amazing. It’s so tasty!”

Not just me, Ji-won also seemed to find it quite delicious.

Thankfully, things were going well.

Thinking so, I looked at Ji-won.

With a smile indicating enjoyment, Ji-won almost seemed to inhale the ramen.

“Hey! Who’s chasing you? Slow down and enjoy your meal.”

Startled by my words, Ji-won either choked on the noodles or took a sip of water.

Starting to mix the remaining ramen with rice, Ji-won continued eating.

They really eat in a messy way…

If only I could express this accurately.

“You eat like a dog.”

“Why are you picking a fight?”

I mentioned that their eating habits were messy, comparing them to a dog.

Suddenly, Ji-won stared at me with wide eyes.

What did I do wrong?

**

After the meal, Ji-won and I decided to take a walk outside.

Since we could only use the hot spring from the evening, we had about three more hours to wait.

Shall we buy souvenirs or something around here? Let’s take a look around with that in mind.

Jiwon said she found something fun and approached me.

I wondered what she was bringing, so I took a closer look.

Jiwon wore a fox mask and came up to me.

“Ta-da~ How’s this?”

“It’s so real.”

“This is a challenge, right?”

“Yes!”

Caught you? She’s challenging me.

But then again, in a way, a fox is a canine, and sometimes Jiwon can be like a dog too.

Before this challenge, maybe I didn’t say the right thing?

While thinking about that, Jiwon came up and started hitting my chest like crazy.

Yep… I must have said something to deserve this.

So, after getting hit by Jiwon, I walked around a bit and returned to our lodging.

As soon as we got back to the lodging, I heard we could use a hot spring.

I said I would use it right away.

I heard that this hot spring usually accommodates people by gender, and the current situation was almost like having the place to ourselves.

Today seems to be my lucky day.

So, I entered the place labeled “Men’s Bath,” undressed, and went in.

Jiwon also entered the women’s bath, and the person who came out first decided to return to their room.

With our conversation over, I immersed myself in the hot spring water.

Quietly entering the water, I relaxed my whole body with a sigh.

I’ve always thought about experiencing this kind of healing once.

But now that I’m actually here, soaking in this hot water, my entire body relaxes.

With the coolness above and the heat below, it feels like the perfect temperature, making me a bit sleepy…

“Ahh!!”

I came here for healing.

One big issue is that this is an open-air hot spring.

In other words, the adjacent area is the women’s bath… Sounds carry very well.

Is this wall sturdy enough? If there are any holes, someone on the other side might peek through if they’re tall or good at climbing.

I was worried for a while, examining the wall.

Well… It should be fine, right..?

**

As the hot water touched my cold body, I unconsciously let out a moan.

Carefully starting from my legs, I eased into the pool.

Soon, I felt a warmth that seemed to loosen my entire body.

“So adults come to eat hot springs like this.”

Now I understand why our dad used to suggest going to the bathhouse together.

Dad must have been really tired.

But that bastard just left home.

Thinking about the bathhouse made me recall that bastard’s face.

He doesn’t even deserve to be called Dad.

Let’s calm down. Even though we’re on a trip, Jihoo shouldn’t be stressed because of me.

Come to think of it, is the other side of this wall the women’s bath?

Is Jihoo in the women’s bath now?

If I call out, will he respond? Thinking this, I called out loudly for Jihoo.

“Jihoo!!!”

Even after calling Jihoo’s name, there was no response.

What’s going on? Is he not here? Well then… Maybe I should try calling him using something only he would respond to?

“Hey! Kang Jihoo! Are you peeking through a hole in this wall to see my body, or listening against the wall to figure out where I’m washing from, huh!”

Even after I finished speaking, I didn’t hear Jihoo’s voice.

Seems like he’s really not here. If I hear some noise later, I’ll call him again as if greeting him.

Leaving that aside… This is quite healing.

Being in this hot spring, my mind calms down a bit…

Let’s never do anything like a broadcast again.

It was really damn scary.

**

“Hmm…”

I had been sighing since earlier.

Is Kim Jiwon really so clever?

She knows so much about me.

How does she know I’m leaning against the wall and looking for a hole?

This level of understanding is like a native speaker’s.

She knew me completely.

That’s why my face turned red, feeling embarrassed and foolish.

Right now, there was only the thought of going back.

Unable to fully enjoy the hot springs, but with the intention of stealing a peek at my friend’s body, I could end up being a pervert leaning against the wall,

Just as I was about to get up and leave.

Thud- Thudong–!

I accidentally kicked the basket next to me without seeing it.

“Huh? Who’s there?”

Oh shit.

Unable to respond to Jiwon’s words.

Should I just say I’m Mr. A, an unknown uncle?

No, I’ll get caught the moment I speak.

As I pondered how to escape from this situation in my mind.

“Jihoo… Did you just come in?”

I found one way out.

“Uh.. yeah, I just came in.”

Quietly entering the pool, pretending like I just arrived, I started acting.

Then, Ji-won looked at me and asked why I was so late.

What should I say? I just said I was taking a short break.

“Umm.. really? You seem really suspicious.”

“Were you perhaps leaning against the wall?”

“Ugh… no. No, I wasn’t.”

This guy keeps poking at me.

I immediately denied it, saying absolutely not.

“Well.. you’re not the type to do that, right, so I guess not.”

Jiwon seemed to trust me, thankfully.

Feeling touched by Jiwon’s words, I decided to buy him a juice later when we go out.

“Anyway, if you go out, you can see it then, why bother looking now?”

“What…?”

See? What are you looking at?

Huh? What are you looking at…? Jiwon?