Beautiful Barking Tsundere

Chapter 40

Original Author: ひのはら (Hinohara)
Date Submitted to Kakuyomu: 2021/10/15

The two change into matching yukatas and take a stroll around the onsen town.
There isn't much time left until dinner, so they have narrowed down the places they want to visit.

After admiring this place's famous autumn leaves, they relax in the footbaths.

Since Aira had gotten a pedicure for this trip, she couldn't help but beam with delight when Ema complimented her for it.

Next, they go to the cafe that Ema wanted to check out earlier.

This cafe's retro charm has made it a must-see destination among tourists. They both order coffee and cheesecake.

With the fresh cream on the side, the deep aroma of the coffee compliments the sweetness of the cake perfectly.

"...Is it tasty?"
"Yes. When it comes to flavor, the classics can't be beaten."

Aira secretly takes a picture of Ema smiling happily with a piece of cake on her fork.

In her yukata, she looks even cuter than usual so Aira wants to preserve this memory.

She already has many pictures of Ema, but she wants a candid photo of Ema in the middle of their date. A picture of the side of Ema that only Aira knows.

By the time they return to the inn, dinner has already been laid out on their guest room table.

Sashimi, tempura, and other dishes such as shabu-shabu (hotpot with thinly sliced meats/veggies) have been prepared for them.

Of course, everything tastes top-notch so the two of them devour it all in no time.

Aira relaxes while drinking after dinner tea, but Ema's next words cause her body to tense up.

"Do you want to go into the bath now?"
"...Yes."

The sound of Ema undoing the sash of her yukata is awfully loud.

While Aira's heartbeat quickens from nervousness, Ema rapidly removes all her clothes and wraps herself with a towel.

"...I'm going ahead. I'll be waiting."

With her hands slightly trembling, Aira removes her own sash and gently lowers the yukata from her shoulders.

"...This is nerve-wracking."

The two of them have not seen each other fully naked yet.
Gathering her courage, she detaches the hook of her bra.

With her fingers around her panties, she slides them down to her ankles.

"..."

Being naked in such a brightly lit place feels unbearably shameful, so she quickly wraps a towel around her body.

Aira opens the door to the open-air bath and sees Ema has already entered the wooden bathtub.

After dropping her towel and pouring some hot water on herself, Aira joins Ema in the bathtub by sitting next to her.

The water temperature is just right. Being soaked in this up to her chest warms her up in no time.

"...It's warm."
"The bath water is from the hot springs, this place's selling point."

Since this is a private bath, this space is just for the two of them.
Aira can't look in Ema's direction, so she has been staring at her own toes the whole time.