In the car.
“Grandma, do we need to travel to such a remote place?” Kazuya looked out the window. He was getting impatient because they had already been in the car for a long time, and now they were going on another long drive.
“Because I’ve booked a hot spring inn with a secret spring that is effective for internal organ diseases.” Kazuya’s grandmother was smiling happily the whole way: “I’m going to chase after my ‘disease’.”
“Really? Well, Grandma, you’d better enjoy yourself.” Kazuya laughed, but in his heart, he was thinking, "Are all hot springs resorts now engaging in false advertising?"
However, rather than convincing his grandmother that the hot spring’s effects may not be that good, it was better to let her enjoy a relaxing soak. After all, it wasn't a malicious lie.
“Of course.” As Grandma made reservations online with her phone, she looked at Kazuya with her eyes narrowed into a smile: “And Kazuya, you’d better ‘enjoy’ yourself too!”
“Hahaha~”
Kazuya felt the ‘malice’ from his grandmother!
…
Gunma Prefecture.
“We finally arrived at the secret spring in Gunma Prefecture.”
Grandma stood in front of a sign that read “Ichirinyama Inn” and looked very happy.
In Kazuya’s original memories, Grandma didn’t like things for the elderly. She preferred mobile games to leisure activities; she preferred amusement parks to century-old shops. She seemed to prefer things that were younger.
However, now, her genuine anticipation for a restorative hot spring made Kazuya feel that his grandmother had truly aged. It was rare to find someone with a youthful mindset like hers at 76.
Japanese hot spring culture is famous worldwide. It can be used as a cultural label alongside Japanese cherry blossoms.
From north to south, Japan has more than 2,600 hot springs and 75,000 hot spring inns.
Every year, about 110 million people use hot springs in Japan, which is equivalent to the total population of Japan.
Japan is known as the "Hot Spring Kingdom." Not only are the hot springs in Japan numerous and varied, but they are also of high quality. There are famous hot springs almost everywhere.
There are many hot springs in Japan, and Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is one of the three most famous hot springs in Japan.
Kusatsu Onsen has the highest natural spring flow rate in Japan. The spring water is a highly acidic type, which is rare in the country. Most bacteria and germs cannot reproduce in it, making it excellent for sterilization and skin beautification.
Although the Ichirinyama Inn isn't as famous as Kusatsu Onsen, it’s still good. It's a hot spring located in the dense forest of Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture. With the fresh air of the mountains and the lush green scenery, it can't be too bad.
…
“Welcome.” Grandma became excited as soon as she stepped into the entrance of the Ichirinyama Inn. “Kazuya, the drinks here are free, don't be shy.”
“That’s right.” The waitress in a kimono looked at Grandma, who was taking over her introduction, with a smile that was slightly strained. “The first thirty ice creams in the lobby are also free!”
Ice cream, the first thirty, are there really people who can eat thirty?
“Excuse me, has anyone ever actually eaten thirty?” Kazuya was genuinely curious. Even when he was a child and loved eating ice cream, he wouldn't dare eat thirty in a row.
“No one has ever eaten thirty. The most anyone has eaten is about ten or so.” The waitress in the kimono answered Kazuya’s question.
“Then why does it say the first thirty are free?” A little girl with golden hair and a yukata asked in the living room. “Why not just say free?”
Children's questions are always so innocent.
“It used to be free, but we encountered some customers who deliberately wasted it. Because it was free, it was embarrassing to stop them, so we changed it to this format.” The waitress gently explained to the little girl.
Is that so?
“Wasting is bad. Xia won’t waste it.” The little girl with golden hair solemnly promised. Her cute look made everyone around her laugh.
“Xia is so good.” Her mother came over and patted her head.
It looks like this weekend will be interesting.
…
“Has my friend come yet?” Grandma looked around and was about to take out her phone to contact her friend.
Kazuya: “Friend, who is it? Do I know her?”
To be honest, Kazuya had a feeling this was a scenario where they went on a family trip together, then "accidentally" encountered another family, and the other family also happened to bring a single woman along. The trip was called tourism, but it was actually a blind date.
However, he was still young, only a freshman in college. Did he need to enter the blind dating circle already? Wasn't this something that mature single women like Shizuka or Yuzuru needed?
“Ah, I see Little Lily!”
Grandma saw the figure appearing at the entrance and greeted her loudly.
“Hello, Kazuya-san’s grandmother.”
Little Lily's grandmother, Chizuru’s relative?
Could it be that Grandma wants Kazuya to date Chizuru?
Kazuya’s face was filled with mixed emotions. Even though Chizuru was his type, he didn't want to pursue her.
“It's been a long time, Ms. Ichinose!”
“My mother was taken care of during her hospitalization.”
Kazuya’s father and mother were greeting Chizuru's grandmother.
“No, no, it was I who was taken care of by your mother…”
Little Lily's grandmother replied politely.
Since Little Lily's grandmother was here, would Chizuru be coming too?
“Grandma, wait for me.”
The perfect heroine, Chizuru, appeared.
Today, she wore a pink and white dress. Her curvaceous figure was hidden under the loose garment. Her cloud-like hair was simply styled and cascaded over her shoulders. Her dress fluttered as she walked gracefully, like a summer elf, attracting the eyes of anyone who appreciated beauty.
In short, Chizuru looked incredibly beautiful today.
“Little Chizuru, what’s wrong?”
Little Lily's grandmother looked at Chizuru with a kind face.
“Really, if you’re not feeling well, be careful. Why are you walking so fast?” Chizuru expressed her concern for her grandmother in a complaining tone.
After complaining, Chizuru looked at the familiar figure beside her grandmother.
She smiled awkwardly and said, “What a coincidence, Kazuya-kun. I didn’t expect to run into you here.”
“Yeah!” Neither of them believed this was a coincidence.
“Well, Little Lily and I didn’t tell you, but we planned this trip together at the hospital!” Kazuya’s grandmother feigned surprise. This acting was worth five points for friendship.
“Yes, didn't Chizuru get sick a while back? Wasn’t Kazuya-kun the one who took care of her that day? So, we wanted to give you both a chance to interact more.” Little Lily's grandmother looked at the two of them with a smile full of kindness.