The Ludicrous Escapade Pt.4

Peace and Quiet

Honestly, you should've expected it.

Of course he'd book a private onsen. Sometimes your luck didn't seem to work quite right.

You had lived in Japan for a good chunk of your life, so of course you had been to various hot springs on occasion. You wouldn't exactly call it something you'd do on a first date, though. Especially if it meant reserving a spot solely for the two of you.

You were getting ready to draw the line there. The date had gone on long enough already. Surely he'd understand if you just wanted to go home.

Then you heard the lady confirming Giorno's reservation speak up. "Ah, I see. You must be Mr. and Mrs. Giovanna, right?"

"Excuse me?" You weren't sure if you had heard her correctly.

So the lady clarified. "You're his wife, are you not? (Y/N) Giovanna?"

A date was one thing, but you weren't going to pretend to be married to the guy. "Actually, no. He must've made a mistake when making the reservation."

"Wait, (Y/N)." Giorno gently grabbed you by the arm, whispering to you. "There's a reason why I-"

"I apologize, then." The lady bowed her head slightly, interrupting the Giovanna. "This prefecture only allows mixed baths between married couples."

A bright smile spread across your face. "That's perfectly all right." You'd have to retract your earlier sentiment. Your luck was actually working just fine. "We'll book two then, if you have the availability."

Giorno had thought of just bribing the lady, but considering how happy you seemed to not have to share, he'd let it be. "And have them next to each other, if possible."

"Of course. Thank you for your cooperation." She finished making sure everything was set up and showed the two of you to your separate areas.

You stored your clothes and other belongings in the changing room and made your way to the showers. You left your small towel draped over a bamboo bucket as you washed off any of the sweat and grime that may have accumulated over the course of the day. It had been a lot of walking and moving around, after all. Then, having the towel folded on top of your head, you let yourself sink into the onsen.

You let out a long sigh, all the tension leaving your body.

This was nice.

The starlit sky overhead, the silence, and-

"(Y/N), can you hear me?" Giorno's voice came from the other side of the thin wall that separated your area from his.

You didn't even bother to open your eyes, intent on getting the most out of your relaxation time. "Yeah."

"I'd like to start off by apologizing." His words got you to open one eye, now slightly more interested in the conversation. He covered his face with one hand in embarrassment, even though he knew you couldn't see him. "I... I didn't know that you weren't supposed to wear anything at the hot springs in Japan."

"Really?" You sat up a little straighter. "Did you not look into any of that beforehand? Have you never watched anime?"

"I'm the boss of Passione, it's not like I have a whole bunch of free time." Which wasn't exactly true. He had plenty of free time. "But you're right, I should've looked more into proper etiquette. I had even bought us swimsuits while you were in the changing room. Had I realized, I never would've tried to insist on sharing a bath together!"

"Right..." You were skeptical, but would give him the benefit of the doubt. Had he really wanted to share a bath like this he would've made his way through the wall already.