"Kunikuzushi"

Arousal

[Smut chapter]

It was strange, no longer encountering Kunikuzushi and having him enact those intricate little interactions that you secretly loved. Although the two of you continued to meet with one another, there was a concrete distance set in stone between you. This was your fault alone, with all honesty. Having to set the boundary between God and mortal, despite being the mortal yourself, felt powerful in your own right.

Realistically, the only power you held over Kunikuzushi was your emotions. Kunikuzushi, in his every right, overpowered you in every possible way.

But that was some food for thought in another time.

Even though you figured that you had already purged these thoughts and feelings from your mind, you couldn't help but accept an invitation from Kunikuzushi to the hot springs. Aisa Bathhouse was home to many in dire need of relaxation and Kunikuzushi did everything in his power to convince you to join him. The two of you planned on making a day out of this trip, intending to wander around Inazuma City in hopes of garnering some form of knowledge on how to obtain an answer to unravelling Kunikuzushi's lost powers.

You were surprised - upon entering the bathhouse, it became known to you that they offered a combination of men's, ladies' and mixed gendered bathing.

However...

The gleam in Kunikuzushi's eye told you something which you immediately recognised to be his intention for bringing you here. A sigh left your mouth as you observed the deity wander over to the head of the house in order to confirm his reservations. Once he called you over, the two of you proceeded further inside.

You felt the heat of the springs from the changing rooms alone. Just from sliding open the door, an unnatural wave of heat washed over your body.

"Was this your plan...?" You peered over your shoulder to glance at Kunikuzushi, who wasted almost no time in dropping off his clothing and reaching for a thin towel to bring with him. "Is there an issue with me treating you to a date?" He laughed, walking over to your location to place down a paper slip of some sort. "Use that to get into the Onsen whenever you're ready." You sighed again. Confirming your intuition, the paper slip read:

╭

Mixed bathing

Exclusive validity for today's date and no other use.

Return to front desk upon departure.

Thank you for your visit,

Aisa Bathhouse

╯

"Lord Kunikuzushi..." you almost crumpled the paper in your hand out of spite but instead gritted your teeth and set the slip aside. Settling on removing your garments once he had left you in your own, your eyes scanned across the room for anything of suspicion. Perhaps it was a new feeling of some sort, but you've recently began to feel protective of Kunikuzushi slowly after he opened up to you. He was worth protecting. Cherishing. You were only a human - you knew that you wouldn't have long to spend with him as your days were already limited, however the thought behind it made you happy, nonetheless.

Aside from the warmth, the changing room was filled with gaps and crevices between each wooden panelling. To some surprise, the wood had yet to rot or decompose from the vaporising heat. You smiled. This place was well kept.

You grabbed a towel placed down for visitors' use and collected the entry slip before following Kunikuzushi to the baths. A couple steps across from the room was the designated Onsen. You slide open the steam-stained door and yet another vigorous wave of heat welcomed your arrival.