68 - How to say 'I love you'①

RAW

Haruto and the others, having finished their bath in the hot springs, are waiting in the tatami rest area for the women to arrive.

Feeling warm and relaxed after the hot spring, Ryota, sitting next to Haruto, is half-asleep, his upper body swaying back and forth. Haruto watches over him, smiling slightly, ensuring he doesn’t fall forward and hit his face on the table.

“That was such a nice bath,” says Shuichi.

“Yeah, it felt really good,” Haruto agrees as they pass the time with idle conversation.

After a while, the women also return from the hot springs.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” says Ikue, smiling brightly.

“No worries. We haven’t been waiting long.”

“We just got out ourselves,” Haruto adds.

After this brief exchange, Haruto turns to Ryota.

“Ryota, time to head back to the campsite.”

“Hmm… yeah…”

Still drowsy, Ryota glances at Haruto with half-open eyes before his head starts bobbing again. Seeing this, Haruto smiles wryly and kneels down.

“Come on, I’ll give you a piggyback ride.”

“…Mm…”

Ryota sluggishly climbs onto Haruto’s back.

“Up we go,” Haruto says, lifting Ryota. Shuichi, watching this, picks up both his and Haruto’s bags.

“Thanks for carrying my stuff.”

“No problem. Thanks for always looking after Ryota, Otsuki.”

Shuichi’s gaze softens as he looks at the drowsy Ryota.

Ayaka approaches Haruto.

“My prediction was spot on.”

“Yeah.”

“Is he heavy?”

She leans in slightly, asking gently. The subtle scent of her shampoo wafts toward Haruto, tickling his senses.

“Not at all.”

He nods, slightly averting his eyes from her glossy, damp hair. There’s something about a woman fresh out of the bath—the scent, the slightly wet hair, and the natural, radiant expression.

Ayaka’s cheeks are a bit flushed, more so than the other two women. Haruto wonders why that might be, but before he can think further, Saki approaches, grinning mischievously.

“Alright, lovebirds, enough flirting. Let’s head back to the campsite.”

“Hey! Saki!” Ayaka spins around, flustered.

“Haruto and I aren’t a couple!”

“Oh? ‘Aren’t yet,’ you mean?” Saki teases.

“What?! That’s not what I meant!”

As the girls banter, Haruto adjusts Ryota on his back and starts walking back to the campsite, smiling to himself.

Once they return, they tuck Ryota into a tent. At Shuichi’s suggestion, they gather around a campfire for a small feast. Shuichi and Ikue sip drinks, while the others enjoy snacks and juice. Haruto cooks a spicy penne arrabbiata, earning praise from Shuichi and Ikue. Saki, unable to drink, jokes, “You should open a pub, Haruto. I’d be a regular.”

Under the starry sky, the lively gathering continues until a very drunk Shuichi jovially tells Haruto, “You can call me ‘Dad’ instead of ‘Shuichi.’” With that, they wrap up for the night.

Back in their tents, Haruto reflects on the wonderful day. The warmth and kindness of the Tojo family make his housework job feel fulfilling. He’s grateful for meeting them.

“This is such a great family…” he murmurs, drifting to sleep.

In the middle of the night, Haruto wakes up, unused to sleeping in a tent. Checking his phone, it’s just past midnight. Unable to fall back asleep, he carefully exits the tent. Outside, the vast, star-filled sky leaves him in awe.

“So this is a true starry sky…”

Lost in the sight, he doesn’t notice Ayaka emerging from her tent until she approaches.

“Haruto?”

“I couldn’t sleep. The stars are amazing.”

“And I… drank too much juice before bed…” she admits, embarrassed.

As she heads off, Haruto continues gazing at the sky. Soon, she returns, asking, “Can I sit next to you?”

“Of course.”

She sits close, leaving a small gap between them.

“The stars are beautiful,” she whispers.

“Yeah, they really are.”

Together, they gaze at the night sky, a gentle breeze passing between them.