Caught in the Act (A 'Free! Iwatboi Swim Club' Fanfic)

Chapter 14 - Hot Springs Adventure Part 1

            “Wahh! Hot springs in Hokkaido!” Nagi shouted, running ahead of us.

            “Ne, why isn’t Ama-sensei here?” Rei asked, pushing his glasses up. I noticed that he did that quite often.

            “Hmm, she said that something came up so she couldn’t come. Something like family matters. But then she said it was a cat.” Mako mused over the thought.

            “What’s with the flurries of excuses?” I muttered. We stared at the medium-sized inn that we were staying for three days and two nights.

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            “We’re checking in as Iwatobi Swim Club.” Makoto stood at the reception desk, checking us in.

            “I have two rooms for you.” She glanced at me and then at the other four boys. “Will one of you be staying with the young lady perhaps?” When they looked among each other, she winked at me. Ehh??

            “Eto… we were planning to let Mei-chan sleep alo–” Rei began, only to be cut off.

            “There’s a ghost that haunts this place.” She leaned over the counter, whispering. “It preys on pretty girls who sleep alone in this inn.” She leaned back smiling, her voice back to normal. “But the young miss should be fine. I mean, I think she’ll make it until morning. I’ll show you to your rooms.”

            Mako was quivering next to Haru, who stood there with an impassive face. She led the way to the second floor, where we were staying at. The four boys went into one room, leaving me in the other. I sighed and unpacked, taking advantage of the drawers. Right as I finished putting my stuff away, someone knocked on the door before sliding it open. I looked up to find Haru standing there. He came in, closing it behind him.

            “…” I was waiting for him to say something.

            “We talked about it and thought it might be best for me to stay here with you. Mako’s afraid of ghosts, and Nagi doesn’t want to leave Rei alone. So…” he trailed off, looking at me.

            “Okay. Those other three drawers are yours then. Mine are those three on the right.” I pointed at them. He nodded his head and unpacked his belongings.

            After he finished, we walked next door to where Rei, Nagi, and Mako stayed. We all hung out, playing board games, eating dinner, and relaxing until it was eight at night.

            “We should head to the hot springs before they close it,” I reminded them. They all stood up, agreeing.

            “Ne Mei-chan, we should go to the opened air mixed bath together!” Nagisa exclaimed, excited.

            “Huh?!?” A light blush covered my cheeks. But it was nothing compared to the red color blooming on Rei, Mako, and Haru’s faces.

            “N-nagi-chan, I-I d-don’t think t-that’s a g-go-good idea,” stuttered Mako. Nagi laughed, grabbing my arm.

            “Ano… I-I’ll pass, Nagi-chan.” I quickly escaped from his grasp and fled into the women’s bath area. My heart was pounding. But I kinda wanted to see Mako and Haru… what am I saying?!? I brought both hands up and slapped my face lightly. I stripped down, wrapping a towel around myself and wrapping my hair up. It was an open air bath with a bamboo-constructed wall separating the men’s and the women’s bath.