V4Ch3: Struggle in the Hot Water Part 4

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Translator: Soafp

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While gazing at the moon absentmindedly on the veranda, I sip tea. My sister quietly breathes in her sleep. She must be tired. Despite the challenging experiences, each memory remains unforgettable.

“You’re awake…?”

“Mom?”

Rubbing my eyes, I find my mother sitting across from me. She pours tea and hands it over.

“Thank you.”

“Did I wake you up? I’m sorry.”

“No, just felt a bit thirsty.”

Invited by her gentle gaze, I weave my words.

“I got severely scolded by Nee-san earlier, and oddly, it made me feel elated.”

“By Yuri? Did something happen? And you seemed serious when you got scolded…”

“It was a fresh experience, you know?”

I narrate the entire incident to my mother, who tilts her head in wonder.

“…I see. That child did that?”

“It’s good to be scolded. It helps me understand when I’m wrong.”

If I’m wrong, I can correct it. I’m foolish, so unless someone tells me, I won’t understand. I believe that’s communication. I can’t rely on intuition alone.

“I have to change too.”

This family trip was already a meaningful experience. I owe a lot to my sister.

“Even though I should be the one doing it… I always end up being helped by Yuri-san.”

My mother smiled wryly and gazed outside the window.

“…Yuri and I are worried too.”

“Worried?”

My mother pondered how to convey her thoughts and continued slowly.

“You have always been an independent child. Well, I caused that, and you had no choice. You woke up on your own, prepared your breakfast, eventually excelled in studies and chores perfectly, and I was no longer necessary…”

I didn’t know if that was a bad thing. But my mother seemed so lonely—

“You became more and more independent, so strong that no one could rival you. And because of that, you sacrificed everything, expended all of yourself. Every time you learned something new, both Yuri and I became less necessary…”

“That’s not…”

Right. Nee-san just told me that this would make me lonely.

“You might think you shouldn’t cause trouble. But that’s not true. Both Yuri and I want to be troubled by you. We want you to lean on us, to need us.”

Gang! Like a bolt from the blue. I was shaken by my mother’s words.

This was what I had been avoiding all this time. If that’s the case, then what I’ve been doing…

“…But, you’re my precious son.”

My mother’s hand traced my cheek. Delicate and fleeting. Those fingertips.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m grateful to you. You always act thinking of us. But just as much as you think that way for us, we want to do the same for you.”

She stands up and gazes at the dark night sky. Her figure was ethereal.

“I don’t want to leap from being a child to an adult all at once. It might be selfish of me, but I still want to be needed by you. Just a little while longer, please let me be the dependent child. Even though I’ve only just become a high school student, I’m trying to achieve financial independence. Even when it comes to building a home, you try to take on my role. It’s appreciated, but it makes me so lonely…”

Mom didn’t cry. The smile was wistful and contained a hint of resignation.

Mom and sis didn’t come on this family trip just to see this kind of expression on my face.

“I want you to let me be your mother.”

“What am I supposed to do?”

I couldn’t think of anything else to do, so I decided to ask an honest question.

“Do you want to …… be more, spoiled?”

After thinking about it for a little while, my mother made such a request.

“Mom, I love you! …Hmm, something feels off.”

Even though I didn’t know what to do when told to depend more, I just tried hugging her for the time being.

“I love you too.”

She kisses me lightly on the cheek. I didn’t feel comfortable with it, but it seemed to be the right thing for her to do.

I don’t care what it takes. I want to be desired by her. It’s not a nuisance.

Things I wanted my mom to do for me. There were many in the past. But, those couldn’t come true…

Then, today —-

“Come to think of it, Onee-chan used to be so smooth.”

“Understood. Let’s handle that later, okay?”

“Uwaaaaaa! I just accidentally slipped up!”

“I love how honest you are.”

It’s not good that I, Yukito Kokonoe, always blurts everything out. I’ll reflect on it.

“I’m not lonely…….huh”

“Yukito?”

I was trying to quickly complete a quest on my own without bothering Mom or Nee-san, but I just got scolded for it. I was told it causes anxiety. So, is it okay to rely on them? Is it okay to inconvenience them?

“…Mom, I have a request. —- That man is lying.”

“That man… lying? So, you’re… Stop it, don’t go!”

Her expression changes drastically, sadness seeping through. She approaches me, as if clinging desperately.

“He said something to you? I won’t give in. I won’t hand you over to such a man who suddenly appeared. I don’t want to! Please, don’t abandon me…!”

I hold my emotional mother, trying to calm her down.

“It’s okay. It’s not like that. But it’s something I have to resolve.”

Even if he threatened with changing guardianship, I’m sixteen. An age where my own will should be respected. That man should have understood that much. Still, he felt compelled to threaten.

The visible anxiety and forceful methods. We shouldn’t resort to sacrificing someone.

“You should just leave that man alone. You don’t need to worry about that scum!”

Mom, tearfully trying to hold me back, looks painfully pale.

“I myself, being dragged into trouble, feel the same way.”

I explain the situation to Mom, who might misunderstand that I might go to that man. I don’t want anything to do with such a man, even if there’s a blood relation. I can’t see him as anything but a stranger.

However, that man has a family too, loves his children just like Mom does.”

And I can’t just ignore it either. I, Yukito Kokonoe, am a man who values my family. If my stepsister asks for help, I have no choice but to lend a hand.

“Maybe, Mom—”

The man intended to take me in. But I don’t want that. I’m different from him. A reversal of thinking. So, if that’s the case—I’ll be the one to take over.

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[Yokai PoV]

“….Hmm… Uggh…”

I lift my heavy eyelids. It seems I forgot to close the curtains; sunlight is streaming in. My head is pounding relentlessly. I scrunch my face in response to the unbearable headache and slowly emerge from my drowsiness.

…Where am I, exactly? I can’t even recall that much. A noticeable decline in cognitive function. I recognize the symptoms. I’ve had similar experiences before. It’s embarrassing to admit—it’s a hangover.

Gradually, my consciousness awakens. It’s a bright summer day. I’m covered in night sweats, feeling the dampness on my back.

I had finished the task at hand and took a break by coming to a hot spring to relax. It’s a solo trip, a hobby of mine. If I were with someone, I couldn’t indulge a bit and let loose, but being alone allows me to do so without hesitation. That’s the charm of solo traveling.

I leisurely soak in the hot spring, enjoy a lavish meal, and indulge in alcohol. My excitement must’ve peaked. The local sake I was looking forward to was smooth and easy to drink, and I ended up having too much. The alcohol content was unexpectedly high, and it seems I got deeply intoxicated.

I rummage through my pockets and find my smartphone. It feels cold and rigid.

Did I fall asleep with my phone still in my pocket?

Looking around, I recognize the room. It’s the room I’m staying in.

But why am I here?

I remember going to the convenience store last night. Beyond that, my memories are hazy.

“——-!?”

A nauseating sensation. I jolt up at the worst possible thought.

I start patting my body. I’m wearing the same clothes I went out in at night. The uncomfortably wet shorts are particularly unpleasant. I shake off the dull ache and desperately try to think.

I touch my lower abdomen. There doesn’t seem to be anything unusual. I breathe a sigh of relief. Perhaps the worst-case scenario was avoided. There don’t seem to be any signs of anything else happening, but upon closer inspection, my clothes are soiled with vomit, and my underwear is in no condition to be worn.

I’m starting to understand the chilly sensation of my shorts. Despite my age, this is not something to laugh about. Thankfully, there’s no one else around.

Perhaps because it was an easygoing solo trip, this might be why I messed up this badly…

Still, no matter how drunk I was, I wouldn’t have fallen asleep in such a dreadful state. Yukatas were provided. I should’ve at least changed if I were going to sleep.

I stagger to stand up. It’s more like I’m laid on top of the futon than sleeping in it. It’s as if I was carried by someone…

“Does this mean… that?”

Unpleasant thoughts begin to swell. Come to think of it, I feel like I was with someone yesterday.

Once I begin to recall it, the memories start flooding back.

There’s no way the person would know about the inn I’m staying in. And especially, knowing my room, there’s no way except if I told someone. It’s unthinkable for hotels or inns to leak information to a third party.

If that’s the case, it wouldn’t be surprising if I’m perceived as the one who initiated it. I didn’t think I had pent-up frustration, but it’s not uncommon to accumulate it naturally.…Haa. Even if it’s common, it doesn’t change the fact that I was careless. I scold myself internally, but that won’t change the reality.

I thoroughly check my body again. At least I didn’t engage in such acts… right? Was I undressed? The underwear remains the same, and the smell is intense. I can only hope the other person didn’t feel inclined that way.

Gradually, my confidence wanes. Considering the state of intoxication, it wouldn’t be strange if it happened without my knowledge. If that were the case, it’s a possibility.

Thankfully, it’s a safe period, but that’s no consolation. There are plenty of such cases. Frankly, the recent case I was handling was somewhat similar. However, that was forcibly being made to drink alcohol, and if I had invited the other person myself while drunk, there would be no excuses whatsoever. There’s no doubt it was complete consent.

A shiver runs down my spine. It’s a blatant mess. If I were this oblivious, it wouldn’t be easy to notice. There’s no way to confirm anything, even if I wasn’t directly involved in something.

Suddenly, I notice a plastic bag on the table. Inside are hangover relief supplements and an empty mineral water bottle available at convenience stores. I intended to buy these yesterday. However, I have no memory of purchasing them.

“…Did that person take care of me? …I wonder…”

Could a stranger do such a thing? Nursing someone without expecting anything in return and just leaving afterward. I know very well that such convenient individuals don’t exist.

In this line of work, you become familiar with people’s ugliness. In a cynical perspective, maybe this was prepared as a kind of alibi.

I consider several possibilities. Maybe I was undressed and photographed. Or, if someone noticed me, they could bring it to a tabloid for a little money.

While an average person would be treated simply as a victim, if it involves even a slightly famous person’s leak, it’s often consumed as entertainment. I’m not trying to act important, but daily discussions about leaked conversations or photos are never lacking.

Of course, I ensure such individuals receive their just desserts, and I’m accustomed to dealing with them.

However, I can’t remain calm when I’m the target myself. I was too careless. It’s an irreversible blunder.

If images were leaked, while deletion requests might not be difficult, they would always remain in someone’s possession, and the truth would never disappear. It would likely change how others see me.

For me, this would be too great a price, affecting my career significantly.

The vacation I was looking forward to has turned into the worst-case scenario. Depending on the situation, I might cause trouble for my office and many people.

I change into clean clothes and underwear with a heavy heart. Anyway, I’ll try to soak in the hot spring and clear my mind. I’ll think about it later. There’s no end to imagining the worst-case scenarios.

Perhaps nothing really happened, and even if something did, if it doesn’t come to light as a one-night affair, there shouldn’t be any problem afterward.

At least for now, I had to accept it that way.

Dragging my heavy feet, I left the room.

♨ ♨ ♨

The enjoyment of public baths by commoners began in the Edo period. One famous legend is about Minamoto no Yoshitsune, who, along with his retainer Yoritomo, was pursued by the Heike clan and fled from Hiraizumi in the north of Japan to Hokkaido, and ultimately escaped to Mongolia. This is the renowned tale known as the ‘Yoshitsune’s Journey North Legend’.

During their escape, they came across a house after crossing the Akabane Pass, where Yoshitsune had a bath made for himself. Since then, the family of that house started using ‘Furo’ (bath) as their surname, and the place came to be called ‘Furo’ as well. What I’m trying to convey is that even while on the run, the Japanese have always loved baths.

The Kokonoe family, now relaxed and enjoying the hot spring since early in the day, but Mom and Nee-san haven’t come out yet. They seem to be planning to make the most of it until they’re satisfied.

It’s a rare trip, and there’s no urgent reason to rush. I think it’s fine to take it easy. I waited leisurely at the entrance, sipping my coffee milk.

Nee-san’s inquiries became ambiguous, and there’s no convenient truth. Everything is a thing of the distant past. There’s no point in digging it up now; I don’t even understand what that was all about or why it happened.

But if things had stayed the way they were, maybe I could have achieved the goal I wanted to achieve back then—the wish to disappear. I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. That day, I had two choices. However, it’s impossible now. I can’t choose one side.

Maybe that means I’ve become weaker. But you know, I misunderstood something. I thought hot springs were meant for healing physical tiredness and refreshing oneself, but while my physical fatigue is relieved, mental exhaustion continues to accumulate. I haven’t rested since arriving at the inn.

Yesterday, after talking with Mom late at night, we decided to take a bath together. Mom seemed to want to bathe and wash me herself out of kindness. However, that task was taken by Nee-san, which left Mom in a bad mood.

Afterward, I ended up being thoroughly washed, leaving me feeling like a high schooler being taken care of too much. My skin is shining bright. Too much washing!

Suddenly, a vaguely familiar woman approaches. Could it be… the Yokai!?

I wonder if she came to soak in the hot spring.

I cautiously asked.

“Um, are you feeling alright?”

“…? Um… are you talking to me?”

“Yes. Seems like you got pretty drunk yesterday.”

“!? W-Wait a second. Your face, it kind of rings a bell…”

Maybe she forgot? I’ve never experienced it myself, but hearing about losing memories due to drinking too much is pretty common. I’ll have to be careful when I’m of age.

“I couldn’t change your clothes, though I couldn’t exactly do that.”

“Change my clothes? What did you do to me yesterday!?”

“What I did? Weren’t you the one…”

“I knew it! It was me who did this…”

She approached me in a fluster. Unlike last night, there was intelligence in her eyes. She seemed to be in her late twenties to early thirties.

“You gave me a really hard time. You better reflect on what happened.”

“Wait, you… You’re not underage, are you?”

“I am, but what about it?”

“…I… What have I done? Hey, did I invite you yesterday?”

“After forcefully detaining me, you don’t remember anything?”

“—-!?”

She suddenly collapsed to her knees. She mumbled about “Youth Protection and Development Ordinance…,” “As long as it doesn’t get out…,” and “If there’s no evidence…”. What’s going on?

“Your phone, give it to me!”

“Huh? Why?”

“I don’t remember, but I feel bad. But, I can’t afford to be exposed to anything. Did you, by any chance, take any pictures?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Sorry, I can’t trust you. Show me your phone.”

“I’m telling you I didn’t do anything like that.”

“I don’t trust that. Show me!”

She was pushing aggressively to make me comply. She was clearly panicking over something troublesome. I reluctantly handed over my phone.

She grabbed it and started operating it without permission.

“It’s not locked… You’re careless. But why are there no photos? Huh, nothing at all? You don’t have any images?”

“From the start.”

“…Did you send anything to a computer or something?”

“Why would I need to lie about that?”

“Why… Because…”

The only image I had saved was on a USB drive for safekeeping.

You never know what’s out there in the world. The arrival of an IoT-connected society brings along increased risks. For me, Yukito Kokonoe, a man who never overlooks risk management, keeping things offline and isolated helps avoid unforeseen circumstances.

“I’d be in trouble if something happened. Dealing with it wouldn’t be difficult, but I also have a position to maintain—ah!”

Once again, the phone slipped from the woman’s hand as she approached. There was a sharp crack as the screen mercilessly shattered. In the era of smartphones, the toughness of reinforced glass wasn’t as sturdy as expected.

“…”

“I-I’m sorry! I’ll compensate for it—”

Despite not using it often, it was the first time I’d seen a phone screen break. Even though I didn’t break it. I picked it up and checked. The touch panel seemed to work fine, but the screen was extremely difficult to see. Now I’ve joined the club of those with shattered screens.

“Yukito, who’s that person?”

A familiar voice came from behind. Mom and Nee-san came out from the hot spring.

“She’s the Yokai-Faced, Puke-Inducing, Incontinent BBA.” [TL: BBA is Japanese slang thats meaning “old woman“.]

“Yokai-faced? Come to think of it, weren’t you saying something like that yesterday—”

“Uwaaaah, Mommy!”

“There, there. I’ll hold you.”

“What a mistake.”

After causing so much trouble last night without even saying thank you, and suddenly being harassed today, and then my phone screen gets broken! Even someone as calm as me can’t help but get a bit snippy. The impression of the Yokai-Faced, Puke-Inducing, Incontinent BBA couldn’t be worse.

I explained the whole ordeal to my mom and Nee-san. I told them about being vomited on in the face and peed on the back. Her face went from pale blue to ghostly white. Haha, serves her right.

In the midst of this, my sister’s gaze turned dangerously cold.

“Even though I said I didn’t do anything, no one believes me, and now my phone’s broken…”

“That’s why I always tell you to be careful around weird women. That’s the way of the world. Got it? Understood? If you understand, say it, your beloved Onee-chan.”

“Yes.”

Ignoring whatever she’s saying and just giving a straightforward answer. I have to reflect on this. Dogs bark when they walk, and I encounter trouble wherever I go. I need to remember this. Should’ve just ignored her…

“By the way, what have you been doing to my little brother? Ha?”

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do that, and I’ll make sure to compensate for it. I never expected you were with your family…”

“Hmm… You kind of remind me of someone…”

“!”

“Do you know her?”

“Not that, but…”

Unlike my sister, who was oozing hostility, my mom seemed pensive. Suddenly, her expression brightened.

“I remember! I saw her in a magazine. Definitely… yes, she’s the legal world’s goddess!”

“This Yokai-Faced, Puke-Inducing, Incontinent BBA is a goddess?”

“Mom, what do you mean by that?”

My sister follows up, but a goddess? What’s going on?

“She’s a rising star lawyer. She’s frequently featured in magazines, and although it might be an outdated term, she’s like a Madonna in the legal field.”

A surprising fact emerged. They’re giving this weirdo a piercing look.

“A lawyer? This Yokai-Faced, Puke-Inducing, Incontinent BBA? I can’t see that.”

“From a Yokai to a goddess… a lawyer? A goddess… reincarnation? No, a goddess sensei…”

—It suddenly struck me.

“I see. Abbreviated to Megase—!” [TL: Goddess sensei]

“Stop it.”

“Yes.”

Because I don’t want to anger her, I’ll leave it at that.

“Ah, I remembered. Her name is Kuon Kozukata.”

As my mom mentioned that name, a call came through the cracked phone.

While the up-and-coming lawyer sweats profusely, I checked the caller.

“What’s the matter, Sensei?”

The caller, Sanjoji-Sensei, sounded urgent, delivering shocking news.

“—Himiyama-san collapsed?”

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