Chapter 189 A Promise Between Men

After confirming that they were gone, Umi and I turned back the way we came. Umi went back to Mizore-sans house first though. She needed to return the bike and the boxes first after all. So, I went ahead to the inn first.

Ah, welcome back, Maki-kun!

After parking the bike in its original place, I entered the front desk. Shizuku-san was there in her work attire and greeted me.

It seemed like there were guests other than us today and she was taking care of them.

How was your date with Umi-chan? Fun?

Yes. The water was clean and there was no one else there, we played in the water to our hearts content.

Great! Anyway, the baths are ready if you want to use them. You can pick between the indoor and the open-air one, just let me know. Oh, right, where did Umi-chan go?

She went back to Mizore-sans house to return her bike and plenty of other stuff She said shell come back with Riku-san.

I see. Then, well talk about dinner preparation when they get back.

When I mentioned Riku-san, her expression turned gloomy for a second before it returned to her usual one.

I was about to ask her about it, but she seemed busy, so I decided to ask her when she was free, probably after dinner or something.

Currently, Umi should be interrogating Riku-san, so I would know the story from both sides eventually anyway.

That was if Shizuku-san was willing to talk.

After returning to my room, I donned my yukata and headed toward the open-air bath. There was no way that Umi and I would be able to take a bath together like last time and if we were to take a bath at the same time, we would remember the things that happened yesterday, so we decided to take our baths at different times.

So, I walked down the familiar hallway toward the entrance of the bath.

Huh?

In front of the entrance, there was a small yellow sign with the words Cleaning in progress written in red letters.

As far as I knew, they should have finished cleaning by noon. The person on cleaning duty herself gave me the okay to use the bath. Did she forget to put the sign down? Well, there were employees other than Shizuku-san here, they were probably checking the place out or something.

But, there were no noises coming from inside.

Ill take a peek inside and see what happens

There were no signs of the other guests inside the changing room, so my actions wouldnt be considered as rude.

I muttered, Excuse me before gently opening the door.

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As expected, there was no one here and there seemed to be no missing stuff inside the room, so there was probably no one using the bath

Ah, big brother!

Reiji-kun?

When I turned my eyes toward the bath itself, Reiji-kun called out to me.

I see. He was the one using the bath.

Since it was Reiji-kun using the bath and not other customers, I decided to join in.

Before taking a dip, I took a shower first.

Did you put that yellow sign there, Reiji-kun?

Mhm! Mama told me to!

I knew it. People who didnt know their work schedule wouldnt use the bath if they saw that sign. Shizuku-san probably let me go in because unlike other customers, Reiji-kun was familiar with me, so it wouldnt be a problem if I joined him.

But, Mama said that if a guest comes, I have to leave

Its fine, dont worry about it, its only me. Besides, you just got in, right?

Yes, but

Its fine. Even if other guests come, theyll think that were brothers, so its all good.

I didnt want to kick him out of here, I had a conscience. Besides, this seemed to be fun and I had no problem taking a bath with him.

Brothers Got it!

Convinced, Reiji-kun dipped into the bath deeper before coming closer to me. After that gaming session we had earlier today, he seemed to enjoy spending time with me.

I never liked children that much, but thanks to him, I started to think that not every child was a menace.

Big brother, youre going home tomorrow?

Hm? Yes. I want to stay longer, but I have school What about you, Reiji-kun?

My kindergarten starts tomorrow too

I see.

But, I dont want to go there

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Why?

Id rather stay at home and play with you

It had only been a year or so since he moved here, so I guess he still wasnt used to living here. I understood his feelings since I was in the same situation as him multiple times.

Back then, my family was still together, so I was luckier than him in that regard. He should be having a harder time than I was since his dad wasnt with him.

I see. I understand how youre feeling, Reiji-kun.

You do?

Mhm. Until a while ago, I was always by myself. I hated my life in kindergarten and grade school. And like Reiji-kun, I only lived with my mom.

Your Papa is gone too?

Yes.

Arent you lonely?

It was lonely back then, but now, Umi No remember the big sister that was with me? Shes always staying by my side now.

Thinking back, her existence was what brought color to my life. Ever since I met her, my circle of friends had started to grow little by little.

Is that big sister your friend?

Yes. My most important friend.

I want a friend too

Im sure you can make some, Reiji.

Really?

Yes. As long as you try to.

The fact that I had no friends until middle school wasnt because of my environment, but because of myself.

Deep inside, I convinced myself that since I would be moving again, no one would want to be friends with me, so I decided to close my heart and didnt make any attempts to befriend anyone.

However, after meeting Umi, I realized that if I had the courage to reach out, there would be someone who would answer. Of course not all of them would be good people, but the result wasnt really important, the courage to try was.

I looked at Reiji-kuns eyes. He stared back at me with a firm gaze, unbefitting of his age.

Of course, you dont need to start tomorrow. Everyone has their own pace. If you try to rush it, it will easily turn into a disaster. But, you know, if, for example, theres someone you want to be friends with, try talking to them. Thats how I was able to make friends at my school.

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Coming from my mouth, those words felt weird to say, but that was what I experienced, so at least it was credible.

I dont understand

Haha, sorry. I dont know what to say at times like this, so I hope you could just keep my words in mind. Maybe it will come in handy in the future, who knows?

After saying that, I patted his head Right, my dad used to do this to me all the time Well, there was nothing wrong with doing it to Reiji-kun, so I continued doing so.

Big brother

Yes?

Be my friend.

Sure.

We were already friends, so I didnt think that he needed to say that out loud, but this should be okay.

It would be a good experience for him at least.

After that, we took a bath together while randomly talking about games and whatever came to mind. After a while, we got out of the bath together.

See you later, big brother!

Mm. See you later. Thats a promise, okay?

After that we both parted ways.

Since I would be leaving tomorrow, I didnt know when we would see each other again. But I wasnt worried since we would always have the opportunity for it. We were friends after all.

This connection would never be broken.

As long as we didnt try to break it with our own hands.

After parting with Reiji-kun, I headed toward the front desk where Shizuku-san was.

Shizuku-san.

Ah, welcome back, Maki-kun. Did you have a good bath?

Shizuku-san, what exactly happened between you and Riku-san?

Huh?! U-Um

This wasnt any of my business, but Ill try to use my childrens selfishness card here.

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