V4Ch3: Struggle in the Hot Water Part 2

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Translator: Soafp

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“It’s still early, so why don’t we go to the hot spring resort area?”

With such a suggestion from Mom, we set off for the hot spring town, and surprisingly, we didn’t encounter any troubles at all. The only notable thing was three black cats crossing our path successively.

Could it be that my luck is improving?

We spent a meaningful time and returned to the inn like this.

“This atmosphere feels nostalgic somehow.”

“It’s retro and has a certain charm.”

“It’s quiet and gives off the vibe of a run-down arcade, doesn’t it?”

Even though Yuri-san, the honest one, made such a statement, she wasn’t entirely wrong. The game corner inside the inn exuded an old-fashioned aura. It was still late afternoon, and we explored the inn while wearing yukatas. Besides us, there was nobody else around.

The not-so-large game corner had everything from classic video game consoles to games where you hit drums or crocodiles, and even a crane game. Oh, there’s a photo booth too!

The three of us squeezed in for a photo booth session, capturing memories of the trip. Ehehehe.

“You’re good at these, right? Give it a try.”

“Understood. Allow me to showcase my skills!”

I confidently inserted a 100-yen coin, but this game was about collapsing a tower of stacked snacks in the front and pushing them toward the exit. No skills were required. It was quite futile.

“That was disappointing…”

“It’s alright. You won a lot! We don’t often get to eat snacks like these.”

“When was the last time I had Ramune? It’s delicious!”

With cheerful smiles, Mom and I enjoyed the Ramune we’d won together.

I’m good at the crane game. Back in elementary school, when Hinagi-chan, who was catastrophically bad at these games, was struggling to win a prize, I couldn’t bear it and took over. After all, we couldn’t waste our allowances.

So, as the crane game master, there was no prize I couldn’t get!

“Is that true? This, could it be!? Hey, please, Yukito, could you get this?”

“Sure, but do you really want this prize that badly?”

Yuri-san seemed shocked for some reason. At first glance, it was just a regular crane game. There was a prize inside a transparent capsule, but you couldn’t tell what it was at a glance.

“You can choose the capsule according to your taste. And please get one for Mom too.”

“Oh, is there one for me? Fufu, I’m looking forward to it.”

While having that conversation in the background, I carefully maneuvered the crane. I looked down at the capsules below, calculating my moves. Even though she mentioned preferences, I aimed for the ones that seemed easier to grab.

The crane descended and weakly grabbed a capsule. Despite its weak grip, I managed to lift it without much difficulty. I got two, including one for Mom!

“Thank you. This pattern suits your taste.”

“It feels like cloth, but is this a handkerchief?”

“Ha? What are you talking about? It’s a panty crane.”

“A panty crane!? Don’t tell me those pink stripes and black lace are –“

I rushed to check the enclosure and sure enough, it is listed as a panty crane.
What a surprise. I never thought I’d run into that legendary panty crane in a place like this. ……

“That’s absurd… This devil’s crane was supposed to be regulated and extinct—”

Then it dawned on me. This was nothing more than a worn-out game corner in an old inn.

There’s a clear distinction in the Entertainment Business Control Law between game centers and game corners. Just because something is illegal as a prize in a game center doesn’t necessarily make it so in a game corner.

In a game center, crane game prizes have an upper limit price set at a thousand yen. However, the probability machines with expensive game consoles and the like as prizes that are commonly seen around town never seem to decrease. That’s the reason. Nevertheless, just because it’s not illegal doesn’t mean it’s not a guaranteed loss to play.

“Goodness, isn’t this a bit too flashy for Mom? Well, it’s okay. I’ll put it mine on for you when we get out of the hot spring.

“I think it’s about time to put a stop to Yuri’s extravagance.”

Let’s have sensible Mom give a word of advice to the jubilant Sister.

“It’s a bit too much for me, but once in a while is okay. By the way, there used to be adult magazine vending machines back in the day. It might be interesting to give this as a souvenir to Hiragi. She likes these things. Could you grab one more for me?”

“Even Mom is quite jubilant, huh?”

Unable to help it, I got about ten as souvenirs. I’ll give some to Himiyama-san and the others. Also to Yamada, Sanjoji-sensei, Mio-san, and Tristy. I’m in a jubilant mood too.

“Shall we break a sweat before the hot spring? Come on, let’s start the ‘Kokonoe Family Air Hockey Showdown.’ You seem strong, so you’ll be on the same team as me and Mom.”

“Kusss. Well, then, I can’t afford to lose.”

Yuri-san was ready in front of the table. Mom seemed enthusiastic too.

When it comes to air hockey, it’s that familiar thing from the game center. It’s a simple sport where you use a mallet on a table with air blowing out, hitting the puck into the opponent’s goal.

Once, I had an infamous experience where I won fifteen times in a row at the game center, and then my opponents disappeared, forcing me to retire. My skills shouldn’t have rusted yet.

Yuri-san and Mom formed a doubles team. They were formidable opponents.

“…Why are you suddenly so moved?”

“It just feels so wholesome. For the first time in this Kokonoe Family series, I can genuinely enjoy myself…”

“Hmph, we’ll see about that.”

“Did you just spit it out!?”

As I froze at that straightforward remark, the puck was ejected, and the game began.

But if it’s air hockey, I have an edge. Sorry, but I’ll have to win.

I tightened my grip on the mallet. Let the fair competition begin!

“Take thaaat!”

With a resounding smash, Yuri-san earnestly intercepted.

“—Mou! You’ve got to cut it a little slack already! Mom, take care of it!

“Leave it to me, Yuri! Go for it!”

Mom unleashed a smash. In that moment, due to the intense movement, bare legs jumped out from the loosely worn yukata. Inadvertently, my gaze fixated on those captivating thighs. A momentary stiffness.

“Ah.”

With a clank, the puck was sucked into the goal.

“We did it!”

Mom, genuinely delighted. It’s my fault for having impure thoughts. I need to pull myself together.

“This time, I’ll make the move!”

Yuri sends the puck flying with the mallet, launching an attack from a diagonal angle.

However, at that moment, due to intense movement, there’s a risk of revealing more than intended. Since it’s before bathing, both Mom and Nee-san weren’t wearing bras. A split second of tension.

Time stretches. Extreme concentration. The zone. Vision slows down.

“—–I see it! —-Ah!”

The clunk, and the puck gets sucked into the goal.

“You fell for it. You’re really honest, so cute.”

“No way. There’s no way I can win against this.”

After that, I kept losing to repeated glimpses. I couldn’t concentrate with the constant teasing.

Because I saw it, right? There’s no way I could win against that…

“Now, we won the first round, but what’s your move, you pitiful loser?”

“I want a rematch, please.”

“You’re still stuck in that loser mentality.”

Even if I’m covered in humiliation, I won’t give up the fight. I’ll definitely win!

“Shall we have another match? It’ll be good exercise.”

Both Nee-san and Mom are eager. I need to come up with a solution quickly. If I can’t win against the teasing, a direct clash would be overwhelmingly disadvantageous. So, I’ll have to win with a serve!

“This time, I won’t lose to temptation!”

“I can see right through your thoughts.”

As I prepare for a single decisive strike, Nee-san and Mom lean forward drastically. Their bodies cover the goal with large G and H. A sealed gap.

If I unleash a full-powered smash now, it’s certain to hit G and H and be blocked.

“—Impossible! Not just an iron-clad guard, but a guard with iron br*asts? That’s not fair!”

First time in Japan. I can only be horrified by the novel tactics of air hockey.

“You’re a sweet kid. But that’s your weakness. You can’t do terrible things like that, right?”

She is proud of her victory. Now that I lost the match and even my serve had been taken care of, I had nothing left to play for.

“What’s going on? Smash that strong, hard thing into my hole and insert it! Come on, insert it quickly! Mom, when things like this happen, please encourage me and encourage me.”

“Eh, me too!?…Um, don’t make it hurt too much, okay?”

I explored all possibilities, but I couldn’t find a way to attack the guard of iron br*asts. Checkmate. Maybe I was wrong to think I could win.

Dejected with a gulp, I played the puck without any effort as it was. Katsun, Poyon!

“Puhmmm♡”

Without a chance, it was bounced off by my sister’s G. It was an impregnable fortress. No, it’s a milk fortress.

Katsun Poyon Katsun Poyon Katsun Poyon Katsun Poyon Katsun Poyon Katsun Poyon

“You, do you really want to make me feel that good?”

“–Ha!? You’re having so much fun that you’re getting carried away!”

“I’ll make you feel as good as you want later. Suck it as much as you want.”

“………………………W-what?”

I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings, so I’m going to ask check to be sure. Just in case, just in case.

Ha? That’s obvious. Chisuu…”

“Get ooooouuuuuuuuuutttttttt!”

I’ll beat the punching machine with a bang and set the record for first place.

“Phew. That’s about it.

“What are you doing? You want my mom, not me!? Aah?”

“Too rough around the edges!? A mild-mannered Yankee with strong hometown pride”

The intimidation was too much. Yuri’s boiling point was too low. Too emotionally unstable and scary.

“I think it’s time to stop Nee-san’s outburst, Mom.”

This is the second suggestion today.

“That… it’s been since you were a baby, but if you still want to kiss me, then I guess I’m okay with it…”

“Doryaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!”

I hit the punching machine again. I exceeded my record of thirty seconds ago.

“It’s DV, DV, you were a DV husband.”

“Not DV and not my husband!””

While refuting unjust accusations, I deflect the attacks with a mallet. Bang! Boing!

“Oh no! In my yukata–“”

Just when I thought my mother’s H was going to pop me, the puck slips inside her yukata.

It’s like it’s gone down my backside. I can’t reach it. Can someone get it for me?”

Mom is in trouble. I was already a loser, so I had no choice but to follow the winner. So, I decided to put my hand inside the yukata and fished around in it. Let’s see. Is this it? Squeeze!

“…… that’s …… wrong …… n! Not there, if you go a little further back with your hands …….”

“I’m jealous. I’ll see you later, okay?”

“Not good, this family.”

“Are you serious?”

“If you were serious, you wouldn’t be traveling with us.”

“……………………”

“……………………”

They stared at each other. The thoughts that were going through their minds were the same.

“This is no good.”

“I agree. Let’s not get too deep into it.”

All the while, I search for the pad that has been tucked inside Mom’s yukata. Her body is on fire, probably because she has moved around a certain amount, and her skin is steaming and sweaty. I search for the pad without worrying about the heat.

I am sweating to a certain extent. It would feel great to soak in the water bath at this point.

As I was thinking about this, for some reason, my mother was looking very glazed over.

“I got it, Mom! What is it? What’s wrong?”

“….., you’re so good at fondling.”

“You have gold fingers!”

For some reason, I was praised. The title of “Goldfinger” is not a title I am proud of.

♨ ♨ ♨

“I’m in a good hot spring~”

There aren’t many people in the large bathhouse. Surrounded by stones, an open-air bath with a magnificent view. As I soak in different hot springs one after another, I’m leisurely enjoying this paradise-like feeling.

Unexpectedly, the hot spring town turned out to be a gourmet town.

I snacked here and there, worrying it might affect dinner, but the air hockey was intense (and meaningful), and soaking in the hot springs like this, my stomach naturally started to growl.

I’ll buy some hot spring manju as a souvenir for the refreshing handsome guys. Mom, Yuri-san, will surely be delighted. Counting again, there are quite a few people I’m buying souvenirs for.

Seems like without realizing it, I’ve become quite popular. My smartphone contacts, which were once single digits, have exploded to three digits. I can’t possibly call myself a loner now.

“Is this okay… not to worry about it?”

It’s probably something I shouldn’t bother myself about. Just have to go with the flow.

In the changing surroundings, I too am being asked to change. But strangely, I didn’t mind.

Stretching out in the spacious bathroom, I relax my body. Massaging areas that were once injured, even though they’ve healed well, it’s easy for those spots to become habitually damaged. If I get injured again, I’ll worry my family once more.

That’s something I absolutely want to avoid. It became a daily routine for prevention of a relapse.

During my hospital stay, with plenty of free time, I studied everything from yoga, Pilates, chiropractic care, to acupuncture points for injury prevention.

As a result, I’ve become adept at self-care and maintaining my body. It was knowledge I learned out of necessity.

I spent quite some time stretching earnestly. However, women tend to take longer baths. They’re probably still enjoying the hot springs.

“But they seemed to have fun.”

I was worried if Mom and Yuri-san would enjoy themselves with me tagging along on this family trip, but it seems like my concerns were needless. It’s a precious trip. I don’t want anyone to feel bad.

Oops, if I stay here, I might get dizzy. I’ll come back later for another dip.

With a feeling of reluctance, I leave the hot spring behind. I enjoyed some coffee milk after getting out of the bath.

Little did I know at that moment that this would mark the beginning of hell.

♨ ♨ ♨

“Ta-da! Can you guess what this is?”

Returning from the hot spring, my visibly cheerful mom showed me a small bottle she took out of her bag.

“Uhm… massage oil?”

“Yes! You always give massages, right? It feels a bit awkward to ask while we’re on a trip, but I’d like you to use this for a massage today.”

“That’s fine, but… huh?”

“Is it okay? Thank you! I’m glad I asked.”

Mom in her yukata looked enchanted. The small bottle sparkled mysteriously. I couldn’t quite comprehend it and replied instinctively. The bottle was labeled as almond oil, known for its moisturizing and anti-aging effects on the skin.

Indeed, I regularly gave massages to Mom and Nee-san. Originally, it was because Mom suffered from shoulder stiffness, and during my hospital stay, I studied various techniques to alleviate such symptoms. As someone who couldn’t offer much else to my family, I had no choice but to accept. Well, there wasn’t really a choice…

Oil? How am I supposed to use that?

“I can’t do it over the yukata.”

“Of course, that’s obvious.”

My sister agreed entirely naturally.

Yeah, right. That’s impossible! Fufu, that’s just common sense, isn’t it?

“I wonder if this will work. Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”

Mom laid out a double towel to prevent the futon from getting wet.

“Wait a minute!”

“What’s wrong?”

“Why are you trying to take off your yukata?”

“Fufu, why? You can’t apply it over your clothes, can you?”

“Answering as if that’s reasonable!?”

In an attempt to reason with Mother’s folly, I turned around for help, only to find Yuri-san, who had long discarded her yukata and was about to remove her underwear. A… beauty of grandeur…

“Come on, hurry up.”

“Underwear! Why are you trying to take off your underwear!?”

“Why? Because it’ll get all sticky. Are you stupid?”

“Ah yeah, I’m stupid! Don’t answer as if that’s reasonable!”

And finally, when she was completely undressed, she laid down on the futon.

“Okay, go ahead.”

“Impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible, impossible!”

“Why?”

“It’s just… it’s not right!”

“You’re really energetic today.”

“It’s driving me crazy!”

While I say I give massages, it’s always over clothes. Just rubbing shoulders, loosening shoulder blades, all over pajamas. But this, it’s entirely different. What’s going on with these people!? Have they gone crazy!? This is madness!

“Why are you so okay with this?”

“We’re family, so there’s no need to worry.”

“But I can’t help worrying.”

Mom’s openness was beyond the limit.

“It’s not embarrassing? Are you foolish?”

“Ah yeah, I’m foolish! I want to scream at you, but I can’t even look straight!”

Wait, am I really going to do this?

“I thought you might like it, so I tried shaving down there. How is it?”

“Your spirit of adventure is something else!”

“Ha? You like it, don’t you?”

“Did you really think I’d say I like it!?”

“What tool do you use to till soil or dig up weeds?”

“A hoe. But this isn’t the time for a quiz—”

“Well, what I trimmed wasn’t exactly weeds.”

“Onee-san, you’re in top form!”

While it might be a way to rid the body of impurities during a massage, this feels more like a ban on sanity rather than a ban on impurities!

I have no choice. I have to be honest about this.

It might be a fatal blow for me, but I can’t sit idly by.

If I say this, I might be seen as disgusting and be completely ignored from now on. I’ll definitely face criticism.

But in this desperate situation, this seems to be the only way out.

It’s too late to care about being disliked. My likability is already rock bottom.

If I can just tell them how I truly feel, perhaps Mom and the others will come to their senses. I have to communicate. My true feelings. Honestly, without any deceit.

“I feel really awkward about this…”

“What’s wrong?”

Say it. Come on, just say it!

It’s fine if they dislike me, but I might even get kicked out of the house.

But I still have to say it. This is just too strange. I can’t endure this irrationality. Even my strong mental state has its limits, like an ion bond!

Careful not to look too directly, I gathered my courage and spoke up.

“Um… because I can’t help but see it in a sexual way, this kind of thing is a bit…”

Shīn.

The air froze. Silence dominated the room.

It’s over. Goodbye, me.

I finally said it. I didn’t want an ending like this. It was a long-awaited family trip, my first experience of its kind. I wanted it to end on a happy note. Nobody wanted such a bad ending. How did it come to this…?

I glanced hesitantly. The two were looking at me with surprise. I didn’t know what they were feeling, but they might start scolding or cursing at me.

At least for now, it might be best for me to leave this place.

Unable to endure the silence, the two finally spoke.

“Yukito, you…”

“To think you’d see it that way… Is it okay for me to still find you charming?”

“Uwaaaa! Why are you saying weird things!”

Oh, this is hopeless.

I cried. Well, not really, but you get the idea.

“Presence, soldier, battle, person, everyone, camp, line, presence, front”

After the hellish massage time, it was dinner time. I earnestly recited the nine-syllable mantra to rid myself of impure thoughts. Overdoing it almost brought me to a state of emptiness, but the soft feeling in my hands pulled me back to reality. It seems I still have a lot to learn.

[TL: The kuji kiri or “nine hand seals” are symbolic gestures made by crossing the fingers over each other in certain patterns. The hand seals look mysterious, but they are fundamentally methods of meditation. The kuji kiri hand symbols are meaningless on their own.]

Strangely enough, I felt more exhausted than before entering the hot spring. I was mentally drained and fatigued to an extreme extent, but Mom and my sister, with their radiant skin, seemed unaffected. The effects of the oil massage were remarkably visible. Is this the modern-day disparity?

“It felt really good. Thank you. I’ll ask again next time.”

“Be more careful next time and don’t avert your eyes.”

“Do you two have no mercy?”

As it was a Japanese inn, dinner consisted of fresh seafood and local delicacies. Seasonal mountain vegetables, regional beef, elaborate dishes like tempura and sashimi crowded the table.

Amid savoring the food, time passed peacefully.

My sister and I couldn’t drink alcohol as we were underage, but Mom, slightly tipsy, was in even higher spirits. Her yukata, adjusted half-heartedly, seemed ready to slip off at any moment.

I saw… it’s nothing. Even though I’ve seen it so many times before… I’m not a man who learns from his mistakes.

“…Delicious.”

“I’m glad we came, Yuri.”

“Yeah.”

It seemed like both mom and my sister were quite pleased. That’s good, that’s good.

Me? If the two of them are happy, that’s enough for me. I sacrificed a considerable part of my mental state, after all.

“I always dreamt of taking a family trip like this.”

Mom continued with a deep sense of emotion.

Even such a simple thing had never materialized until now. Our family relationship was somewhat warped and broken.

“Because we couldn’t before…”

“That’s right. You never came along.”

“That’s… I’m sorry.”

I hesitated to say it here because I didn’t want to make them feel uncomfortable. I still don’t have an answer. But maybe feeling a bit sad and a bit happy was because of Mom’s complex expression, as if containing both.

“You also didn’t go on the middle school field trip.”

“No, that was—”

“Yuri, let’s leave the past. Because we’re having fun now. I think it’ll be even more enjoyable from now on.”

“Is … that so. Yeah, you’re right.”

“We’re just a family of three. Only three in a world with billions of people. I cherish you both more than anything. I always want to be together. Please believe me. Maybe I don’t have the right to say such things, but still—”

Suddenly, my sister and Mom hugged me together.

“I’m happy being together like this with just the three of us.”

A faint scent of alcohol.

It felt like I’d taken quite a detour. I couldn’t find the right words to respond. I couldn’t even remember when we started drifting apart.

Before I knew it, that’s how it became. It was beyond my control.

But I understood that they cherished this moment as something precious. So, for now, just for now, in my dizzying mind, I’ll accept it without thinking too much.

“Sorry, I can’t wait till after the meal. I just couldn’t hold it in.”

Mom changed the somber tone by bringing up a new topic.

“Ah, right! There’s something else I wanted to do on our vacation.”

“Vacation? Something you can only do during the holidays?”

My sister asked curiously.

With a broad smile, clapping her hands lightly, Mom replied,

“You see. I want to go off-paco!” [TL: offline meetup for the purpose of s*x]

“I suddenly feel a chill. Even though it’s summer.”

That’s odd. Am I sensing some strange aura?

“We’re spending time together like this. Is it okay?”

Mom tilting her head was cute. No, that’s not the situation!

“An off-paco isn’t something you do just because it’s a holiday!”

“Is that so? Hiiragi said during a break at work that young people nowadays like having affairs. Do you also want to?”

“Whether I want to or not, I can only give a clear answer.”

As an honest person, I inadvertently gave an honest response. Truly pitiful.

“Is that so! Then let’s do it!”

“Let’s not do it! Definitely not! Should I go and punch that subordinate?”

“I can’t lose to young people!”

“What are you competing in!?”

Speaking of Hiiragi, she’s a subordinate of Mom whom I’ve only met once before. What kind of conversation are they having at work? And that’s completely wrong usage! Don’t teach Mom weird things!

“Wait a minute, Mom!”

It was my sister who threw a lifeline to save the situation.

That’s right. Off-paco is bad. It’s not just bad. It’s breaking a taboo. To be honest, I had already exceeded my limit earlier. My reason is in a state of crisis game. I could be banned, and I can’t hold it any longer. In many ways.

I knew my sister was an archangel. A halo of light shone out of her. The gentle heart and mind of Euriel shines on the earth in all directions. This is already a monthly fee. A subscription service where you receive the benefit of your sister’s kindness by charging a certain amount each month.

As long as it helps me out of this predicament, I’ll pay whatever it takes, even an offering!

“You can count me in, too.”

“Impossible …… fallen angel……?”

Archangel Euriel had become the fallen angel Euriel.

“I am completely fallen.”

“It can’t be….!”

There was no hope for this world. I couldn’t believe that my sister had fallen.

Oh, that’s right!

“I just saw a mandragora growing wild, I’m going to go get rid of it.”

“Wait a minute. You think I’m going to let you go?”

“Let me go.. I can’t do it.”

The escape route is blocked like a FOE chasing down adventurers who have invaded the labyrinth.

“Give up and go off-paco.”

“HIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!”

“Fue. I’m drunk.”

Yuri exhales sweetly. Bad status. Inebriated.

“You haven’t had a drop of alcohol.”

“Ha?”

“I can’t just follow your lead on this one! Don’t think I’m going to be obedient forever!”

I will not give in to threats. Like a princess knight, I will refuse with a noble spirit!

“You want to have Off-paco with me, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then shall we go to the futon?”

“I’m sorry, I lied! I was just responding on the spur of the moment, that’s all!”

“No excuses. You need a rubber.”

“I'm not very good at it!”

“If you want, you can do without.”

That kind of carelessness can lead to catastrophe, as Himiyama-san said in health and physical education class.

“That was…embarrassing.”

“You don’t have to show your shyness here!?”

I am being dragged away. Where in those slender arms do you have that kind of strength!

“But I know what off is, but what does paco mean?”

Mom was murmuring something too late in the day in a carefree manner.

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