New chapter of Single Old Man is out! (2/2 chapters)

 

 

Aries Hidden Hot Spring

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)

“Ah, like the flow of the river… or something like that.” (Gentoku)

A week had passed since the Super Public Bath Project began. My work was complete, and I was now spending my time simply enjoying the hot springs. At the moment, I was soaking in the outdoor bath of the villa, singing loudly while reveling in the warmth of the water.

Feeling nicely heated, I stepped out of the bath.

“Ah… a morning bath is truly the best.” (Gentoku)

I changed into a yukata, wiped my hair with a towel, and went to the kitchen.

From the refrigerator, I took out my homemade quick pickles, which were simply vegetables salted in my own style. I poured a chilled ale from the icy mini barrel into a mug and settled beneath the kotatsu.

Then, I drank the ale in one long gulp.

“Kah! Morning beer is the best… oh.” (Gentoku)

This sense of guilty indulgence was utterly delightful.

I ate my pickles. I had tried salting local vegetables such as cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers, and to my surprise, they were delicious. Yet the cabbage was blue, the cucumber yellow, and the carrot pink. While this was normal in this world, it still required some courage to eat vegetables that resembled those from my own world but had entirely different colors. Vegetables used in hotpots retained ordinary hues, but apparently, these varieties could only be harvested in this region.

Well, since they taste good, I have no complaints.

“Hmm… what shall I do today.” (Gentoku)

“Meow, meow.” (Shiratama)

“Hm? Oh, Shiratama. What shall we do today?” (Gentoku)

I had already explored the area considerably. As it was a tourist town, it had more souvenir shops and cafés than taverns. When I took a narrow path into the neighboring section, I found several drinking houses, which I often visited. Drinking and strolling in daylight was not bad either. Perhaps I could visit the hot springs located on the opposite side of the villa.

“…Nyaa.” (Daifuku)

“Hm? Oh, Daifuku. That is unusual.” (Gentoku)

As I pondered, Daifuku approached me. When I petted her head, she slipped into my chest where I sat beneath the kotatsu, curling up with Shiratama. Cats and a kotatsu were the ultimate combination.

While I was stroking the two cats, the doorbell rang.

“Yes, yes. Sorry, you two, but we have a visitor.” (Gentoku)

I moved the cats aside and went to the entrance. Standing there were–…

“Hey, Ossan, yoo-hoo!” (Rosso)

“Hehe, Oji-sama, we came to visit.” (Blanche)

“…Oji-san, are you drinking?” (Ao)

“Goodness, what a dissolute life you lead.” (Verde)

Rosso, Blanche, Ao, and Verde, the four who had by now become familiar faces.

I guided them to the living room. Ao immediately climbed into the kotatsu and picked up Daifuku. Blanche and Verde sat side by side, Rosso sat across from them, and I took the seat opposite Ao. After serving fruit water, I spoke to Rosso.

“What brings you here today? Do you have some business?” (Gentoku)

“Yeah. You see, I heard from Aries-Oneesan about something called ‘The Leredore Hidden Hot Spring’, and I came to invite you, Ossan.” (Rosso)

“The Leredore Hidden Hot Spring?” (Gentoku)

“Yeah. Um… what was it again… Blanche, please.” (Rosso)

“Yes, yes. According to Aries-sama, it is said to be the finest hot spring in the town of Leredore. It is a place managed by Airies-sama, and only those approved by her may enter.” (Blanche)

“There is such a spring? That is incredible.” (Gentoku)

The finest hot spring. Just hearing that phrase made my heart stir with excitement. Ao, still stroking Daifuku, spoke softly.

“Aries-sama said it is fine if we all enter together, and she gave me the key.” (Ao)

In Ao’s hand was a solid metal key.

“Hehe, Gentoku. Let us go and experience the greatest hot spring ever.” (Verde)

“That sounds wonderful. All right, today we shall relax in the finest bath.” (Gentoku)

And so, we set out for what was said to be the best hot spring.

 

—

 

The hot spring managed by Airies was located in the northern part of Reledore, within the district where she lived. As expected of an elf, the land under Airies’s care was surrounded by forest, and a wooden gate stood at the entrance. Ao inserted the key into the lock, turned it, and opened the gate. Beyond lay a narrow path.

“It seems to be further inside.” (Ao)

“Incredible. Though it is within the town, it feels as though we are deep within a forest.” (Gentoku)

As we followed the path through the trees, a small building appeared ahead. It was far too well built to be called a shack, perhaps more like a sturdy two-storied house. Inside, the ground floor served as a changing room, while the second floor seemed to be a resting area where one could even sleep.

At the back of the changing room was a door. When I opened it–…

“Ohhh!” (All)

All five of us exclaimed in awe. Before us lay a massive rock bath, about the size of a twenty-five-meter pool. It stood alone in the middle of the forest, with no fence or blind around it. The water was cloudy and milky white. When I touched it, it felt warm and smooth, with a faintly sweet aroma.

“This is amazing. What kind of components does it contain, I wonder?” (Gentoku)

“Hey, hey, let’s get in already!” (Rosso)

“W-wait! You are far too quick to undress!” (Blanche)

As Rosso began removing her clothes, I quickly retreated to the second floor.

“Huh? Ossan, where are you going?” (Rosso)

“I shall rest upstairs. You four can take your time.” (Gentoku)

“Eh? Come on, we can all bathe together! Right, it is fine, right!” (Rosso)

No, absolutely not, what are you saying?

“Right, Blanche?” (Rosso)

“U-umm… well, there is plenty of steam, and the bath is spacious… I suppose…” (Blanche)

“Ao, what do you think?” (Rosso)

“…It is embarrassing, but if you do not look, then it is fine.” (Ao)

“And you, Verde?” (Rosso)

“N-no! An unmarried woman bathing with a man who is not her fiancé is improper!” (Verde)

Verde’s reaction was the correct one. To be honest, such a fortuitous event was far beyond what someone like me deserved.

“Then, it is decided. Three against one. Ossan joins too! First one in wins!” (Rosso)

“Whoa!” (Gentoku)

Rosso, completely naked, leapt into the bath and began to swim. That was definitely not good.

“…Oji-san.” (Ao)

“O-oh. Sorry, I will stay upstairs.” (Gentoku)

“…Turn around. I will undress, and once I am in, you may enter.” (Ao)

“Eh?” (Gentoku)

“…Haah. Very well, I shall allow it too. I owe you my gratitude, Oji-sama, so consider this a small favor.” (Blanche)

“A favor?” (Gentoku)

“…A-are you both serious?” (Verde)

As Ao and Blanche began to undress, I quickly turned away.

What is this? A mixed bath event? Truly?

Once the two entered the water, only Verde and I remained.

“…” (Verde)

“A-ah… Schwan and Miles are not here today?” (Gentoku)

“They are cleaning the villa. Are you truly going to enter?” (Verde)

“If you dislike it, I will not. Rosso and the others are close companions, and we have been through a lot together, so I do not mind.” (Gentoku)

“Haah… very well. But I am not as lenient as they are. If you try anything improper, I will strike you. Now turn around.” (Verde)

“O-okay.” (Gentoku)

I turned my back, hearing the sound of Verde removing her clothes. Then, as the door opened, she spoke.

“I will guide Rosso and the others to the far end of the bath, so you stay near the front.” (Verde)

“All right. Thank you.” (Gentoku)

Thus, it seemed I would be bathing with them after all. Well, I supposed it would be fine.

 

—

 

I removed my clothes, wrapped a towel around my waist, and stepped into the bathing area. The bath was enormous. At the far end, Rosso and the others were barely visible through the steam. I washed myself quickly and entered the bath.

“Oooh… what is this!” (Gentoku)

The water was thick and silky. The faintly sweet fragrance and the soothing warmth seeped into my very core. It felt almost as though I might melt away.

“Ahh… Ossan, this is amazing.” (Rosso)

“Yeah… wait, Rosso! You are too close!” (Gentoku)

Rosso was barely a meter away.

“Too close! You fool!” (Verde)

“Rosso! Come back here this instant!” (Blanche)

Verde and Blanche shouted from the distance.

“So pleasant.” (Ao)

“Whoa!” (Gentoku)

Ao was close by as well, her body submerged up to the neck so that nothing could be seen, yet she was near. Rosso drifted past me toward Ao.

“It feels so good. I understand why they call it the finest spring.” (Rosso)

“…Agreed. It is a mysterious bath.” (Ao)

That was fine. Their skin was hidden by the steam anyway, and I placed a towel upon my head.

“Say, when we get out, shall we go for a cold ale?” (Gentoku)

“Let’s! Hey, Ao, why not have a drink for once?” (Rosso)

“…Okay. Oji-san, you treat.” (Ao)

“Sure.” (Gentoku)

Then, Blanche slowly made her way toward us, crawling through the steam until she sat beside Ao.

“O-ojisama… please do not look this way.” (Blanche)

“Alright. Do not worry, I cannot see a thing.” (Gentoku)

“Uu… still, it is rather embarrassing.” (Blanche)

“Blanche, even if Oji-san saw, he would not care. It is fine.” (Ao)

Well, perhaps that is true. In truth, the comfort of the bath far surpasses any interest in their bare skin. I simply wish to surrender myself to this bliss.

“Ahh… what day is it today again?” (Gentoku)

“Um… about the 20^th of December, I think.” (Rosso)

“I see. Then, I shall spend the rest of this month enjoying the hot springs.” (Gentoku)

Hot springs, a villa, good food, and hot spring buns… my thoughts began to melt in contentment. Then, Verde slowly approached.

“If you look this way, I will kill you.” (Verde)

“Okay.” (Gentoku)

“…What a half-hearted reply.” (Verde)

Sorry, but the bath is more captivating than your body, Verde. Aries, thank you for this wonderful hot spring. I will treat you next time we meet.

Then, Rosso called out teasingly.

“Oh? Verde, weren’t you embarrassed?” (Rosso)

“T-that’s… everyone looks like they’re having fun, and I dislike being left out.” (Verde)

“Hehe, Verde, you are such an adorable girl.” (Blanche)

“…Like a little girl.” (Ao)

“S-stop it! Do not make fun of me! The ‘Green’ Verde is not lonely!” (Verde)

“Verde, you are so cute.” (Rosso/Blanche/Ao)

“S-stop it! Do not tease me!” (Verde)

Verde suddenly stood up, raising both hands like a cat ready to strike. Even as I sat there in a daze, my gaze followed her form.

“Oh…” (Gentoku)

“Eh? Ah–…” (Verde)

Her chest swayed, her pale skin glowed, and the parts that should not be seen were visible. Normally, in stories, steam or mysterious light would obscure such sights, but this was real.

“…Hii!” (Verde)

“My apologies.” (Gentoku)

Verde’s scream echoed through the forest, shaking the trees all around.

 

—

(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)