Cardfight!! Vanguard: Generations Volume 4 [Ryouta Rival]

- Part 3

Before returning to my room for a good night's rest, I wanted to take advantage of the outdoor school's facilities some more, so I went to take a dip in the hot springs to soothe my aching muscles.

At this hour of the night, most people would be either asleep or winding down for bed, so I practically had the entire place to myself. Now that the special exam was over and I was completely alone, I could finally relax in peace.

I felt the stiffness of my shoulders drop as I let myself sink into the milky water, watching the hot steam evaporate before my eyes and cling onto my skin. I rested my head against a towel I put on a rock and closed my eyes.

This was more or less perfect. The only thing that could improve it is if...

Her gentle face, framed by black bangs, came into my view.

As I had those thoughts, my consciousness began drifting away. Almost paradoxically, my body felt light and heavy all at once, like I was about to slip into sleep at any second.

...huh?

...what was I thinking about earlier?

I don't remember anymore...

I opened my bleary eyes. The water surrounding me rippled. The light of the stars, the moon, and the ambient hot spring lanterns were the only things keeping me semi-awake right now.

"...I should probably get out before I really do pass out of here."

I muttered that to myself, forcing myself to sit up. As I did, the door to the hot springs opened.

"Oh come on, you've gotta be kidding me."

The person at the door clicked his tongue, annoyed to see me inside. I rubbed my eyes, swiping my blonde bangs out of the way to see who it was.

"...Machida-san?"

Standing at the doorway of the hot springs was Machida, naked except for the towel draped over his shoulder. Talk about a coincidence... he must've had the same idea as me.

"The hell do you want?"

He grumbled, turning around and getting ready to leave.

"...what are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious? I came to have a nice relaxing soak in peace before going home tomorrow. But it looks like that plan has been nixed in the bud because of you."

"There's no one else but me here though. And you know that I'm a quiet person. I won't bother you at all."

"It's not about that, idiot. I don't want my peaceful time interrupted by having some loser pest get in the line of my eyesight."

"So if I left, you'd want to use the facilities?"

"Yeah."

"Alright, then here's a proposal for you."

I sat up in the hot springs.

"If you tell me what deal you made with Shimada-san in this special exam, I'll get out of here."

"So you know about it, huh?"

Machida sighed, shrugging.

"Alright, whatever. The deal's void now anyways since that psycho retired from the special exam. Before I tell you though, get out."

"Alright."

I put a towel around my waist and got out of the hot springs. As I did, Machida got into the water and leaned back against the rocks, putting his arms up with a blissful face.