B's Log February 2025: Short Story

Newly-Produced Short Story Series: Chapter 4

Our First Time

Zen and Satsuki from Akan Yatsura were walking through the shopping district on their way home from the gym, when they decided to stop by a public bathhouse.

Satsuki: I really gave my muscles a good workout today! I'm super hyped that I was able to get a new personal best on that last set of bench presses!
Zen: It really was amazing that you were able to push through without assistance this time! I'm sure this visit to the public baths will feel exceptional!
Satsuki: No doubt about it!

Then, Satsuki spotted Kanata from cozmez a short distance ahead of them.

Satsuki: Hey, Aniki, ain't that Kanata?
Zen: It certaily is. Heeeeeey! Kanata-kun!!!

Kanata jumped when he heard his name being called out.

Kanata: What do you want?
Zen: What a coincidence meeting you here! Where are you coming from?
Kanata: Eh, I was just coming back from going to Raimentei.
Satsuki: Nayuta ain't with you?
Kanata: He said he had some kind of plans with Shiki.
Zen: I see, I see! What a lovely thing having friends is... ... alright! Why don't you come with us to the public super-bathouse?
Kanata: What? The fuck's with that, out of nowhere?
Satsuki: You ain't doing anything else, right? My treat. Let's get goin'!
Kanata: H-hey! Stop pulling me!

And so Kanata got voluntold to go to the public bathhouse--

Satsuki: Yo, auntie! Three adult admissions and one towel, thanks!
Bathhouse Attendant: Welcome. You seem to be doing well today. Now, did someone forget to bring their towel?
Zen: Hello!
Bathhouse Attendant: Oh, my, hello, Zen-san! And this other person is...?
Satsuki: I brought a buddy of mine!
Kanata: ...
Bathhouse Attendant: I see, I see; welcome. Well, then, here's your key and your towel. Please, feel free to take your time~
Zen: Thank you very much!

They all moved on to the changing room.

Kanata: The hell, this place is huge.
Zen: Have you ever been to a public bathhouse before?
Kanata: Well, yeah. But the place I've gone to with Nayuta is a lot smaller. First time I've ever been somewhere like this.
Satsuki: Alright, well, let's hurry up and get undressed and get right in!
Satsuki: Ah, and bring the little towel with you. You're gonna wanna use it to wash off your body.

Kanata quickly finished getting ready and headed for the baths.

Satsuki: Zen-nii, can you gimme the shampoo?
Zen: Here you go.
Satsuki: Thanks! ... Ah, Kanata, there you are! Don't just stand there, c'mere!
Kanata: Shut up. Leave me alone.
Satsuki: H-hey!

Kanata brushed Satsuki off and headed straight for the baths, about to get in feet-first.

Zen: Kanata-kun, wait!!!
Kanata: Agh, what? What do you want? You don't have to shout so damn loudly.
Satsuki: You gotta wash off before you get into the baths!
Kanata: Who cares? There's tons of other people already in there already.
Zen: No, no! The public baths are for everyone, so you need to be mindful of everyone. You need to wash off your body properly before you get in!
Satsuki: Yep! So c'mere! There's an empty spot right next to Zen-nii!
Kanata: Seriously... Fine. There.
Zen: Alright! Thank you, it's important to follow the rules! Alright, since you're here, allow me to wash your back!
Kanata: I'm good.
Zen: No need to be embarrased! Now, just turn your back to me. You can wash your front by yourself!
Kanata: No shit!!
Zen: At any rate... it seems that you've gotten a bit less skinny than you were before!
Kanata: ... been eating more.
Zen: That'll do it! We were all worried about your for the longest time. Me, and everyone else, too.
Satsuki: You're still pretty darn skinny, but back then, your arms were as thin as cotton swabs, for real.
Kanata: Who the fuck asked you?
Zen: I think it's admirable! How you're so small, but you have such a sense of responsibility and reliability.
Satsuki: Zen-nii, I'm going ahead to the baths!
Zen: Ah! Kanata-kun, rinse off and let's go in as well!
Kanata: Fine.

And so Zen and Kanata finished washing up and went to the baths.

Satsuki: Aaaaah, nothin' beats takin' a bath while it's still light out~. It really gets a chance to soak in~!
Zen: I agree. It's like your fatigue just melts away in the hot water.
Kanata: Hey, don't you agree it's awesome, Kanata?
Kanata: ... sure.
Satsuki: You don't gotta stay huddled up in that corner! This is a huge bath, after all, you can stretch your legs out into the middle!
Kanata: Uh, yeah...
Kanata: But isn't this a bit hot for a bath?
Zen: I think it's a good thing. It really warms you right to the core.
Satsuki: Wait, is it maybe too hot for 'ya?
Kanata: The hell was that?
Satsuki: When you boil up a goemon bath^[1] it's practically a jacuzzi. This ain't nothin' compared to that.
Kanata: Who the hell said I couldn't handle it?
Satsuki: Then y'wanna try an endurance contest?
Zen: Ahaha, I think that's fine. Just make sure to get out before you overheat.
Kanata: I'll show you just who can't handle it.
Satsuki: You're on. (laughs)

A short while later, back in the changing room, Zen stood before the two of them sitting in front of the fan, smiling away.

Zen: Take a minute to cool down. Ahaha! Both of you are in quite a state.
Satsuki: Shuddup.
Kanata: Dammit.
Satsuki: Kanata, you put up a pretty good fight.
Kanata: You chickened out pretty quick considering you're the one who started it.
Satsuki: Ahaha, nah, it ain't like that...
Zen: Alright, here, for the two of you!
Kanata: Wha--?
Zen: Have you ever had this before? It's fruit milk. It's great to chug it down in one go!
Satsui: Whoaaaa, Zen-nii, you're a legend!
Zen: Well then, let's have a toast. To Kanata-kun; thank you for joining us at the baths!
Kanata: Sure.
Satsuki: Alright, then; cheers!
Zen: Cheers!
Kanata: ... s'good.
Satsuki: Aaaaaaah~!!! Drinkin' it right after you come out of the bath is awesome! It's seriously so delicious!
Zen: Do you like it?
Kanata: I'll get some for Nayuta to try.
Zen: That's great! So, then, when shall we plan to take a bath together again?
Satsuki: I'm down for it any day after working out, like today!
Kanata: Who the FUCK said I was going to do this with you again?!

The changing room was lit up by the late-afternoon sun and filled with Zen and Satsuki's laughter.
The full-body warmth and the sweet aroma of the fruit milk had become Kanata's memories of his first visit to a public super-bathhouse.

[1] Also known as a kettle bath.