Kou side story

source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwEZud_74N8Gc0djRnFTbjNCMms/view
note: the (?) mean i am not sure of the meaning.



----"DON!"

A dull shock ran though my back.
Tenmyo Hisato body falls toward the stairs.
The world turn into slow motion like a running lantern.(?)
I was thrown!? why....?
While stunned i look at the girl at the top of the stairs.
The name of the sword priestess that threw Hisato-----
Kousetsusamonji.
While falling down the stairs, i look at her eyes similar to glass beads.
The cool face of the sword priestess was laughing a little.


_______


[Ah, ah, ah~~~~~~~~...]
Mid May. It is past 10 o'clock. Okahana dormitory's big public bath.
A voice that sound like a groan was rising from the steam of the extensive outdoor bath.
Tenmyo Hisato slowly extends his legs in the bathtub while looking up at the starry sky.
I felt that the fatigue i accumulated in my body was melting into the hot bath from my feet.
It's been a little over one month since i transferred into Hanaka Gakuen. I felt even more tired after saying it.
Sword priestess------girls who are sword themselves are gathered at the high school named Hanaka Gakuen and fight each others to become real swords.(?)

For the sword fighting contest called S.O.G, the sword priestess started training.
For a long time, there was many sword priestess that had fallen asleep in sword state, so it seems that a period for regaining human senses was
required before they are able to enter the tournament.
After school we can see the sword priestess doing sword training around the premises of the school.
Generals students that were originally attending the school seemed surprised at the swordsmanship from these girls.
But now the sword priestess are completely accepted.

Also it seems that a club for girls only was made.
I belonged to the general group of students assembled to support the 111 sword priestess: the forge committee.
I would like to say i am properly taking care of the swords priestess but...
But i never get any request to clean the swords.

The forge committee have a lot of girls that learned how to smith from childhood.
Miyasu Fujito, the chairman, mainly support the sword priestess that train for work.
I want to do something as well but since i am the only male student in the school i am not trusted at all by the members of the committee, including the chairman Fujito.
They never gave me the job of cleaning the swords, they only give me simple chores.

[I wonder if i am hated by the members....]
I hold my breath and put half my face in the hot water.
Since i am still young i can't learn sword techniques, so every day i stay in school until late at night doing chores,
the hardship is both mental and physical.
The only pleasure i have is taking a bath in the dorm like this.

In order to heal the girls doing sword training, the dorm have an open-air bath, a large public bath with a big sauna and a massage room that can also be used for cleaning.
Since i am the only boy i can only use this bath for private use, so i need to wait for all the girls to have finished using it before i can enter.

"Bubu. bubu. bubu. bubu....."(bubbles noise)
After releasing all my breath i swiftly raise my face.
I bearth heavely while looking at the starry sky overhead.
I muttered with a sigh.
[....I want to clean a sword priestess.]

With my skills i should be able to care for someone like Izumi Masamune or Sayosamonji-san.
From the day since i transferred i felt like i could get along with Sayo-san.
Even if her blade wasn't hurt, i would begin asking for maintenance about once a week.
There would be almost no conversation but while cleaning i would have a happy face like a sunny cat,
After finishing the care she would leave with a satisfied look, that's what i believe.

As usual Izumi-san said that it wasn't possible.
When i touch the sword to clean it she get into a "Meromero"(?) mood like she is being gently stroked by someone from the opposite sex.
Izumi-san think that it is because i think about perverted things.

She say it make her think i will do something obscene while doing the care, still Izumi-san ask me to do the care because of my skills.
I have a special hand called "the hand of the fire god" that increases the sharpness of the sword.
The difference in sharpness of the sword can not be mistaken.
For her to get into S.O.G Izumi-san seriously admitted that my skills were required even if she is a girl.

However-----,
[Izumi-san can no longer ask for maintenance...]
The wind blew through the scattered steam and gently stroked my cheeks.
I feel some pain on my cheek.
[It hurt...]

If i saw myself in a mirror i would able to see the handprint mark on my left cheek.
Because of that i made Izumi-san angry, it ended in a bitter manner.
With her long hair red like fire, she was staring at me with teary eyes.
[I hate you!]
That appearance of Izumi-san came to my mind. It was my first time seeing her so angry.

I apologized many times but maybe she will never forgive me.
Spitting a deep sigh, i got out from the bath.
I change into my jersey and get out of the public bath.
I removed the "cleaning" tag that was hung on the door.
When i bath it's a rule that i must keep this tag on the door.

Let's go to my room before it cool down and go right into bed.
While walking into the corridor with heavy footsteps,
[Hey....]
I heard a voice from beside me, i got surprised because a girl with a transparent beauty stood in front of me.

She is wearing white clothes with a short pants and her adorable belly button is visible.
Her black scarf is engraved with a mysterious pattern and she have a pink flower on her hair.
A thick blue rope is shacking on her back.
Her clothes seems to be too flashy.
However, her clothes give her an harmonious feeling, like a piece of snow about to melt and disappear.

[If i remember correctly, you are...]
I think this girl is...
[The sword priestess Kousetsusamonji-san]
After saying her name i lower my head.

[I don't mind if you call me Yuki(snow).]
Saying that in a bold voice, Yuki-san approached.
Her face got closer.
A well ordered face approaches and my heart start to jump.
With pale eyes like glass beads, after staring carefully, Yuki-san open her mouth.

[...What happened, here?]
She touch my cheek. Yuki-san fingertip whould be really cool and cold for someone that got hit or had a fever.
Since it would be shameful to say the reason to a girl.
[It's just a little bump...]
When i lied, Yuki-san eyes narrowed.

[I hate lies. That trace clearly show you were hit.]
Even if i see her talking, i can't clearly hear her voice.
I couldn't hold the emotions deep within me.

[Actually i made a girl angry.]
[Who did you fight with ?]
[No, that's...]
[Tell me.]
[.........Izumi Masamune-san. But don't misunderstand, the reason she got angry was my fault, it's natural that i got hit.]

"Ji~~~~~~~~~~."
I felt like she was staring into the depths of my heart.
Her face is just a breath away, her hand on my cheek, it look like a scene with a kiss and that make my heart pound even more.
[I see, i understand.]
She nodded like she was convinced, Yuki-san turned around and left.
[What was that?]

Left behind i can only stand stunned.
It was my first time talking to Yuki-san.
She have a quiet atmosphere even with her type of clothes.
It was a sword priestess with a strange aura.
While still feeling my heart pound i grazed my shoulder.(?)


_______________


[...Why did you call me in this kind of place?]
[I, i, i dont know. i was also asked to come her by a stranger!]
The next day, at lunch break on the courtyard of the school.
Izumi-san was standing under the sunlight that was passing between the leaf of the Sakura tree.
Her eyebrow was lifted and her atmosphere felt like she was saying "I'm gonna kill you".

Look like she is still angry....
I felt confined sitting on the edge of the bench.
[I never spoke to Kousetsusamonji, but we do have some acquaintance..]
She looked at me.
[To have the two of us called here, what did you do ? I bet it was something unpleasant, you know what i mean right?! Like the thing you did to me!]

[I didn't! I almost don't know Yuki-san either!]
[Calling her "Yuki-san", you sure are suspicious...]
She was glaring at me. If i could put a picture for the word "Glaring" in a dictionary i would put her eyes there.
I wanted to make excuses but i heard a quiet voice from behind.
[Tenmyo-kun]

I looked behind and unintentionally stiffened.
It was because Yuki-san appeared in her uniform and she looked really cute.
She still had the pink flower in her hair, her well organized face without make-up and the cool gaze of her eyes gave a strange charm.
The dress she was wearing last night suited her but i think that this appearance is also extremely cute.

[Hey, what are you looking at?!]
Izumi-san grabbed my ear and turned my head, my ear hurt! this is so painful!
Yuki-san faintly frowned at the sight of us.
[Fighting, is not good.]
While telling that with a faint voice, she presented a box wrapped in a purple cloth.

Izumi-san asked before i could open my mouth.
[Is that... a lunch box?]
Yuki-san gave a small nod. She put the box on the bench and unwrapped it, it was a three tiered overlay box.
Yuki-san opened the lid of the crate.
[[Amazing!]]
Izumi-san voice and mine overlapped.

Kibupara burdock and boiled chikuzen, Spinach crayfish, sweet eggs, Yawata rolls of chicken and fish such as Teriyaki etc.
It was a pure japanese luxury lunch.
[This too...]
She took out a large bottle, is there tea in it?
[What's with this lunchbox?!]

To Izumi-san question she answered without any doubt.
[I made it.]
[This was made by Kousetsusamonji?! That's amazing...]
We were admiring her with round eyes
[I called the two you, i wanted to eat this together.]

While carefully folding the wrapper, Yuki-san continued.
[I absolutely want you two to eat it.]
[But, even if you suddenly say that...]
Eating a lunch box together with Izumi-san would be quite awkward since she is still angry with me.
Izumi-san must thinking the same thing, when i look at her she look quite at ease... what?

Izumi-san san was staring at the box with heart shaped eyes.
I gazed at the delicious dishes.

(first picture here)

[Let's eat it with the three of us.]
Yuki-san said it with a tone that sounded indifferent.
[The rices balls are especially recommended.]
She then turned around and left.
Izumi-san box and mine where left on the bench.

The sun was shining brightly in the sky. Sound of fun came from the schoolhouse.
It was a perfect day to eat lunch outdoors.
[What do we do?]
I tried to ask a little scared.

Izumi-san took the lunch box and said "Yay!", i returned to myself with that momentum.
[E, Even if you ask what we shall do... i'm not planing to eat together with you, but we can't waste food either right?]
[That's right, we don't have much choice.]
I carefully took two chopsticks.

[In that case, Itadakimasu!]
We started by taking an egg.
With the hands trembling a little, we ate at the same time.
[[Delicious!!]]
Our voices came out at the same time.

This is the best eggs i ever ate, I'm also a pretty good cook but i can't make egg rolls this good.
[This too is really delicious!]
Izumi-san that took a Yahata roll, kept her eyes closed and was expressing the taste with her whole body.
It was so delicious i felt like i was gonna go crazy.

[Aaahh~~~~ So happy~~~~.]
Izumi-san muttered that while eating and i nodded.
[It's amazing that Yuki-san made this, are all sword priestess this good at cooking?]
It's already amazing that they are this good at swordsmanship, but cooking too...
[No way, no one is good at everything.]

Izumi-san looked at me.
[I'm not really good at cooking.]
[Then Yuki-san must be special to be this good... what kind of sword priestess is Yuki-san?]
[I don't know the details, but... she feel like a very serious and meticulous sword priestess, she was seriously fighting against murderers.]

Izumi-san continued after drinking her tea.
[I heard she seriously work to get into S.O.G. She train quietly everyday.]
Izumi-san sounded like she was admiring her. Izumi-san is also seriously practicing to win in S.O.G.
[Oh that's right, she recommended the rice balls.]
Izumi-san took two big rice balls.
[It looks delicious!]
We took at bite in the rice balls at the same time------hard.

[Kyaa?!] [What is this?].
It contains something hard, i thought it was a stone, but after a while sweetness filled my whole mouth, i understood what this was.
[This is... a Konpeito ?]
It was a really colorful ingredient in the rice balls.
Izumi-san was thinking the same thing, i am surprised by the unexpected sweetness and put out my tongue.

[Why a Konpeito....?]
Is that why Yuki-san recommended them ?
It's not that the rice balls don't taste good, but the side dish were too delicious.
The existance of a Konpeito rice balls felt extraordinarily strange.
I don't know what face i'm making, i don't understand Yuki-san.
As a matter of fact, that confusion will continue to deepen in the future-----.


___________


After finishing to eat i returned to the classroom with Izumi-san.
I entered a building that looked like a luxurious Western-style building rather than a school.
I saw Yuki-san when i went up the stairs. Yuki-san standing in the middle of the stairs was looking at Izumi-san and me alternatively,
[Did you eat your lunch properly?]
While surprised to see Yuki-san waiting for us, i giver her the box.

[It was really good, and the rice balls were really surprising.]
Izumi-san that was standing behind me asked over my shoulder.
[Kousetsusamonji were you originally born around Odawara ? Those rice balls were local cuisine or something?]
According to my memory, the character "Hidari moji" on Kousetsusamonji katana originated from the Fukuoka prefecture.
However she serve the Hojyo family.

It should be the loved sword of a famous warrior. So there's no doubt that she was around Odawara for many years.
After responding with "please call me Yuki."
[That rice ball is my creation.]
Should i tell her that Konpeito don't suit rice balls?
Well, she made such a delicious lunch, it would be rude to say anything on the taste right?

Why did you make that boxed lunch? Should i ask her that?
I was wondering what to say------"Don."
Suddenly, Yuki-san pushed my chest with her palm.
I was only on the third or fourth step of the stairs.
If i suddenly get thrown away, there shouldn't be too much problem, i was thinking such a petty thing.

I fell down without being able to fight back.
I was thrown?! Why....?
While the stairs looked like they were in slow motion, i looked at the sword priestess on the stairs.
She was staring at me with pupils that looked like glass beads.
Her cool face was laughing a little.

[Kyaa?!]
I could hear Izumi-san voice right behind me.
That's bad! at this rate i'm gonna fall down the stairs and involve Izumi-san.
I fall down the stairs.
In a few step she may get injured if i involve her!
Like in a seizure, my body move.

I twist my body with my full power in a form that embrace Izumi-san.
I rolled and slid down the stairs from my back.
I was hugging Izumi-san on my chest and i couldn't hold my breath with my back being hit.
[Ku,Ku~~...]

While groaning, i saw Izumi-san on my chest.
Her surprised eyes looked at me... that's good.
It seems like she isn't injured, i also seems to be fine.
Although there was quite a heavy shock, fortunately i don't feel any pain. I don't see any scratches.

I was gonna complain at Yuki-san on top of the stairs but when i looked she was gone like melted snow.
[Izumi-san, are you alright?]
[Yes... i'm fine...]
[I'm sorry i got you involved... it seems like i slipped.]

When looking at Izumi-san i finally returned to myself.
After gazing closely at her for five seconds and let out a sigh.
From the side it must look like a girl pushed a boy on the ground of the school corridor.
I noticed the danger of the situation.
Even if it was to protect Izumi-san, i was firmly hugging her.

[I, I'm sorry! i will get up!]
In panic, i was struggling to crawl out from under Izumi-san.
I felt a soft feeling on my hand.
My hand was on Izumi-san chest.

Izumi-san look delicate but i'm surprised she have such a chest.
It's not like i'm impressed...
I tried to withdraw my hand in a hurry.

The worst is that it was with my "hand of the fire god"
Just by touching a sword it will become happy.
[Hyaan~~<3]
Izumi-san sweet voice resonated in the corridor during lunch break.
[S, Sorry..]
I tried to apologize to the sword priestess that was dyed red with tearful eyes.
[Idiot!]
She hit me violently.
[It hurt!]
I should be happy that my head didn't fly out from my body with the force of that hit....


_________


And then, at night.
[Ah, Ah, Ah~~~~~~~~~...]
Today as well i am looking at the starry sky from the open bath of the dorm.
I let out a groaning voice.
My cheek that was hit at lunch break was still tingling.

After stroking my cheek, i washed my face with hot water and put a towel on my head.
I got a feeling of comfort as i was looking at the sky and remembering the events of the day.
[Yuki-san... what kind of sword priestess is she really?]
Suddenly making a lunchbox and putting Konpeito into rice balls.

And then being thrown at the stairs...
[Why as she done such a dangerous thing?]
I told Izumi-san that i slipped, but i'm sure i was pushed.
If i was a few steps higher it would have been even more dangerous.

We could have gotten hurt.
I couldn't get any idea of Yuki-san character.
[One day i must talk to her properly...]
[If you have something to talk about, just say it now.]

Suddenly a beautiful voice echoed, i felt like i was bathing in cold water.
From the other side of the steam, Yuki-san appeared.
Moreover, she only had a bath towel wrapped around her!
Is the bath towel wet already?

It stick perfectly to her body and make her body line stand out.
[W,Wh,Why are you here?!]
I took the towel on my head in a hurry and wrapped it around my waist.
[I'm sorry i forgot to put the cleaning tag, right now it's my time to bath!]
[The cleaning tag was properly hanging.]

After saying that she entered the bathtub.
[Are you going to take a bath now? wait a moment and i will get out!]
[...It's good as it is.]
Yuki-san slowly approached and sat next to me.

(W, Whaaaat?!)
I am in perfect panic.
It's exciting to be alone with a girl wearing only a bath towel and in a position where we could touch each other.
Besides, Yuki-san is a beautiful girl and super-capable.

Looking at her with a glance... her shoulders and clavicle are very delicate, the whiteness of her skin was beautiful.
[It's embarrassing if you look so much.]
Yuki-san that said that was a little red.
[S, Sorry!]

I turned my neck at that moment.
My heart keep beating like a fast bell. My face must be red.
Contrary to my impatience, Yuki-san remained the same as usual.
[I like hot springs, especially with shining hot water...]
Leaking a little sigh toward the night sky.

[Yunohana(?) is just like snow.]
She took some hot water and poured it on her.
[I also like outdoor baths, because i can look at the starry sky that i love.]
[...Do you also like watching the stars?]

(second picture here)

I looked at Yuki-san again.
She was starring at the night sky with her eyes looking like glass beads.
[Konpeito, the starts in the night sky, and the snow falling down...i like white and sparkling things.]
[Yeah, it's very beautiful.]

Yuki-san that was looking at the night sky slowly lowered her head and stared at me.
It seems like it's in her nature to stare at things.
I have many things i want to ask her but i could not do it.
Because Yuki-san was having a very serious look.

[There's other things i like.]
With both of her hands, Yuki-san scooped some water.
She looked like she was holding something precious to her in her hands.
[That is, really beautiful things...]
I wonder what is yuki-san favorite thing ...?

The doubt that appeared in my heart was drowned by a shrill voice.
[Why are you also here?!]
[Izumi-san?!]
Like Yuki-san, Izumi-san only wrapped with a bath towel was standing behind the steam.

As soon as she saw me her eyes where both wide open.
She was about to throw the bathtub she have in her hand.
[...wait, I'm the one that called the two of you.]
Standing from the bathtub she walked toward Yuki-san.

[Having a talk in a place like this... what do you want?]
Izumi-san calmed down a little and put down the bathtub.
[The two of you, follow me.]
After saying that with a sharp voice, Izumi-san and me could only follow her.

Izumi-san was hugging her body wrapped by the bath towel and said to me "Don't look so much!" while pointing at me with her finger.
[Here, enter.]
Izumi-san and me looked at her cute little head.
[The sauna?]
Yuki-san opened the big wooden door and urged us to enter.

[...Why do you want to talk in a place like that?]
I asked her feeling somewhat suspicious.
Yuki-san simply nodded with a very serious face.
We don't have a choice but to enter the sauna.

In an instant the hot air clung to my body.
The inside of the sauna is a full-fledged white wood building.
According to the student Hidenkira Kurabayashi-san, this seem to be a full-fledged facility that was ordered from Finland.
Both the outdoor bath and the sauna aren't suited for a dormitory where only high school students lives.

It don't feel like a suitable facility.
However, it was required to heal the sword priestess that intensely practice for S.O.G, even if it was a little,
said Hiiko Senpurou-san.
The audience must have prepared to support the sword priestess in various ways.

Izumi-san entered the sauna following me.
She then asked Yuki-san with a frown and her arms around her body.
[What do you want to talk about, when that guy is here! to bring us in such a place, Hurry up and get on the subject!]
To answer he question, she closed the door.

[W, Wait a minute, Yuki-san?!]
I tried to open the door in a hurry, but it didn't move at all.
It seem like something was pushing it from the outside.
From behind the small window, Yuki-san gave a small nod.

[Take your time.]
She then turned around and left the bath.
[Wh, What should we do... we got confined.]
[really,what's with that girl? i don't get it!]

In a gesture that wasn't hiding her irritation, Izumi-san sat in a corner of the sauna.
She pointed to the other side .
[If your going to sit down then do it over there!]
Since we are only wearing a bath towel it's embarrassing so she don't want to be near me.

Like she said, i sat down in the corner opposite to her.
[It looks like we got trapped... what should we do?]
[We need help... but who would come at this time?]
That's all we said before the conversation stopped.

The heat is burning and my body is getting hot.
I looked at the thermometer, the temperature of the sauna exceeded ninety degrees.
Since i was in the bathtub just a little earlier, sweat is already coming out.
I tried to look at Izumi-san.

The red haired sword priestess also seemed to be sweaty.
Her cheeks seemed strangely sexy, i opened my mouth while diverting my line of sight.
[It's so hot...]
[I'm not really good with hot things... and you ?]
[Ah, that's right, Izumi-san lived in a cold region for a long time.]

[I was living in Echigo and Tsugaru... why do you know that?]
[I know that because Izumi Masamune is really famous.]
She seemed surprised by the sudden praise. She then changed the topic.
[If you know so much details, don't you know about Kousetsusamonji ?]

[Well, she was the sword of a warrior that served the Hojyo family, she later was presented to the Tokugawa family... I'm not sure of the details.]
[Why did that happen?]
[...Maybe she was kicked out by a rival like Izumi-san?]

[I thought about that possibility, but...]
Izumi-san looked like she was feeling bad.
[Kousetsusamonji is clearly strong, i don't think it would be possible that something like that happened.]
[Then why on earth...?]
Even if i try to think about it, i can't find any answer.

About fifteen minutes to pass while i was doing that.
[Uuuh...i, i may be at my limit...]
I was starting to struggle keeping my consciousness because of the heat, sweat was pouring out from my bangs.
[Me too... i can't anymore...]
I took a look at Izumi-san again thinking she would lose her temper.

Izumi-san was laying over the wooden step.
Her whole body was sweating, she was slightly died pink.
Her bath towel was sticking to her body and made her body lines stand out.
Droplets of sweats travels through the cleavage of her chest and her tights where also quite sexy.

She was too sexy and i was starting to get a nosebleed.
However, Izumi-san said to me with a weak voice.
[Why isn't anyone coming in...?]
[Ah... whenever i take a bath i hang a "cleaning" tag.]
[That mean... nobody will come to help us?]

Izumi-san was laying on the wooden step like her strength had run out.
My whole body is sweating and my lips are red as well as my cheeks.
This is dangerous... at this rate we are gonna die!
Thinking that, i stood up.

I knock carefully on the thick wooden door.
[Yuki-san! please open!]
There was no indication that she was here.
We don't have any choice but to break the door!

My body moved without thinking.
I placed my body on the wooden door and pushed with all my power.
But the thick door did not even move a little.
On the contrary it seem like my shoulder don't have any strength left.
But i can't give up!

I was holding back the shock that my whole body felt like it was falling apart.
I hit the door a number of times, over and over again.
My shoulder is getting red. But i still continue while clenching my teeth.
Then i noticed Izumi-san standing behind me.

[...I will help too.]
[Izumi-san you can just rest.]
[You can't break that door alone! you shoulders are already swollen...]
Certainly my shoulders where swelling.

I felt a throbbing pain. But i still clenched my fist.
[Izumi-san please stay silent.]
[W,Why?!]
[You are in the process of training for S.O.G, don't you think it would be seriously bad if you injured yourself before it started?]
I was trying to catch my breath on the door.

I was about to lose my consciousness.
[I am a sword... i came to this school in order to protect you(humans)...]
I clenched my teeth, got up again and hit the door.
[We also have an obligation to protect you!]
[Hiso...]

Despite my hard work the door did not even tremble.
I bounced off and rolled on the floor of the sauna.
Even so, i stood up and kept trying, i wonder how long i have been doing this.
Izumi-san muttered with a small voice.

[I'm sorry Hiso... i apologize...]
[Why are you apologizing?]
[Because i hit you yesterday?]
Yesterday when i fought with Izumi-san... it was my fault.

While cleaning Izumi-san said it was hard to swing the sword in uniform.
Especially because of the skirt it's hard to judge the distance of the feet. For a swordman, even a little movement of the skirt can be an obstacle to the movement.

I can change what a sword priestess is wearing by changing the shrine of the sword "sheath".
To allow Izumi-san to move more easily i tried to remodel it into a mini skirt... but i remodeled it more than i thought.
This is why we fought, Izumi-san was furious that her skirt was almost showing her underwear.
[I know you tried to help me... even today you protected me so i that wouldn't get hurt...]

[But it's true that i failed.]
[Anyway, i think I've gone too far...]
[Yes, Me too....!]
We did a handshake while laughing and sweating.

[What are we doing in such a dress...]
[Yeah, we will have to complain to Yuki-san.]
[For that we need to get out of here... i will also help.]
[It's useless, i said it earlier i can't let you injure yourself Izumi-san!]

[It's better than just waiting in despair don't you think?]
She said that while giving me a wink and putting her hand on her waist.
[If my blade get chipped, would you repair it?]
[... Of course! I will always do my best!]
[Don't forget these words!]

Izumi-san tied her bath towel tightly so that it would not come off easily.
We stared at the wooden door side by side.
[[Opeeeeeeen!!]]
We where gonna hit the door with all our strength.
But right before we did hit the door, it opened from the outside.

We rolled out of the sauna. To our burning bodies the temperature of the bath felt really cool.
[Are you safe...?]
Yuki-san that changed clothes was standing there without any expression.
Izumi-san that got out as well started to complain to Yuki-san.

[Safe?! You locked us in there!]
Yuki-san answered without any question.
[Reconciliation.]
[Reconciliation?] I asked.
[Because it looked like you where fighting i wanted to reconcile the two of you...]

[So you made that lunchbox to reconcile us?]
Yuki-san nodded.
["He" said to reconcile by eating rice from the same pot.]
[Then why did you push me from the stairs?]
[Hugging is a proof of fraternity...]

Izumi-san that was stunned managed to say some words.
[Then inviting me to the bath and then confining us in the sauna...?]
[I heard you can along with someone by trying to overcome danger together...]
[Who on earth did you ask?!]

[Heishishourinken.]
Why did you teach her such an annoying thing Heishishourinken-san!
[Konpeito, the stars in the sky, the falling snow... there is plenty of beautiful things.]
With a serious look, she continued.
[But friendship is the most beautiful.]

And then i recalled, the reason Yuki-san have the "Kousetsu" in the Kousetsusamonji is because she inherited it from the previous owner name.
That warrior served the Hojyo family and he was a man that worked hard to get along with Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu.
Inheriting the will of her past owner, she must have an extraordinary passion for "making up".

Watching the sweating Izumi-san and me, she smiled gently.
[No fighting, fufu]
A smile like a pretty flower blooming in a snowy field.
After seeing her smile, all my complains about the dangerous situations disappeared.


To be continued.