My Life In Japan

Chapter 25: "Relaxing Moments"

The chapter begins as the group arrives at their Ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn nestled in a quiet, scenic area. The air is fresh, and the soft rustling of leaves creates a peaceful atmosphere. The boys and girls are excited to experience the Ryokan's charm, from the tatami mats to the private hot spring.

The scene shifts to the boys, who have made their way into the hot spring. The steam rises from the water as they settle in, their muscles relaxing in the warm bath.

Saif leans back with a sigh of contentment. "Ahh, this is so relaxing... I think I could stay here forever."

Mahin, sitting beside him, grins. "Oi, don't fall asleep here. It's not a good idea to drown in a hot spring."

Rahul, on the other hand, is not as relaxed. He's energetically swimming across the small pool of water, splashing as he goes.

Santo, half-asleep himself, watches Rahul and groans. "Oi, idiot! You're not supposed to swim in a hot spring! This isn't a pool!"

Suddenly, Mahin's eyes flicker toward the tall bamboo wall that separates the boys' and girls' areas. His expression turns serious for a moment. "Hey, are we being spied on?"

Saif, catching on to Mahin's glance, narrows his eyes. "You think someone's listening in?"

Mahin stands up and shouts loudly toward the other side. "Hey! It's not good manners to eavesdrop while someone's having a bath!"

On the other side of the bamboo wall, Roja and Junnat freeze. Roja, who had been leaning slightly toward the wall to hear what the boys were talking about, looks guilty.

"How did he know?" Roja whispers, her eyes wide.

Junnat shrugs with an innocent look. "Maybe he just guessed..."

Mahiru, sitting calmly beside them, chuckles softly. "That Mahin sure is sharp. I have to give him credit-he found us out."

Junnat shifts uncomfortably and changes the subject. "Anyway, what do you think of the Ryokan, Mahiru? It's really peaceful here."

Mahiru smiles. "It's wonderful. Mahin did a great job finding this place. Everything from the rooms to the hot spring is perfect. I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings."

Anisha, sitting beside Mahiru, nods. "He really does know how to pick a good spot. But what are we doing after this? How about we all eat dinner together in the Ryokan's dining area? I hear they serve some of the best traditional food here."

Everyone agrees, excited about the meal. After soaking in the hot spring for a bit longer, they all dry off and get dressed. Soon, the entire group meets up in the Ryokan's cozy dining room.

The room is filled with the scent of freshly prepared food, and the soft lighting adds to the relaxed atmosphere. They all sit down at a long table, eagerly browsing through the menu.

Mahin raises his hand to call the waitress over. "We'd like to order some authentic Japanese food, please. How about we try everything that's recommended?"

The waitress smiles and takes their order, and soon enough, a variety of dishes are brought to the table-sushi, tempura, grilled fish, miso soup, and more. The group digs in, enjoying the rich flavors of the traditional cuisine.

Saif takes a bite of his food and looks impressed. "Wow, this is amazing. I didn't expect the food here to be this good."

Mahiru nods in agreement. "It's even better than I thought it would be. I'm glad we decided to eat here."

Junnat takes a sip of her tea.

After finishing their meal, the group heads back to their rooms. The boys are staying in one room, and the girls in another.

In the boys' room, Santo and Rahul have already fallen asleep, completely wiped out from the day. Santo is snoring lightly, while Rahul mumbles something about food in his sleep.

Mahin, however, is sitting on the couch with his laptop open, typing away. He's working on the next chapter of his anime script, his face illuminated by the screen's glow.

Saif, lying on the futon, watches Mahin for a moment before speaking up. "Hey, Mahin, what did you mean earlier?"

Mahin looks up from his laptop, confused. "Mean by what?"

Saif shifts uncomfortably. "About Mahiru... You said something earlier in the hot spring. What did you mean when you said you think she likes me?"

Mahin raises an eyebrow and smirks. "Oh, that. Yeah, I think she's got feelings for you."

Saif, looking a bit surprised, sits up. "Really? It's nice to hear, but... what am I supposed to do about it?"

Mahin leans back in his seat, closing his laptop. "Well, that's up to you. What do you want to do about it?"

Saif looks conflicted. "I don't know... Mahiru's special. She's someone I've always admired. She's honest, beautiful, and smart. I just... I never imagined she'd like someone like me."

Mahin chuckles and pats Saif on the shoulder. "Relax. You'll figure it out. Whatever happens, I'm here for you. Just remember, accidents happen, but sometimes they lead to something good."

Saif nods, feeling a bit reassured by Mahin's words. As Mahin goes back to his writing, Saif lies down again, his mind swirling with thoughts of Mahiru.

Meanwhile, in the girls' room, Roja and Mahiru are lying on their futons, chatting about the next day's plans. They talk about what to wear, which sites they're most excited to see, and how much they're looking forward to exploring Kyoto.

Anisha and Junnat are sitting by the window, having their own conversation. Junnat, looking a little shy, turns to Anisha. "Hey, Anisha, what do you think about Santo?"

Anisha's eyes light up with excitement. "Oh, so it's the scent of love, is it? Does someone have a crush?"

Junnat quickly waves her hands. "No, no, it's nothing like that! I was just asking out of curiosity."

Anisha grins mischievously. "Oh, come on! I'm calling Mahin right now. He'll know what kind of girls Santo likes."

Without giving Junnat a chance to protest, Anisha pulls out her phone and calls Mahin. After a few moments of chatting, Mahin sends her a few pictures, and Anisha bursts out laughing.

"Look at this," she says, showing the photos to Junnat. "He sent pictures of Raiden Shogun, Amber, and Lisa from Genshin Impact! It seems Santo has a thing for game characters!"

Junnat can't help but laugh as well. "I guess Santo's type is... fictional characters?"

Anisha, still giggling, shakes her head. "I'm sure you'll win him over. Just dress up like a Genshin character, and you're set!"

The two girls laugh together before eventually getting ready for bed, their lighthearted conversation making the night more enjoyable.

As the chapter ends, the scene shows the group falling asleep, their minds filled with thoughts of tomorrow's adventure in Kyoto and the hidden feelings that are slowly coming to the surface.