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>>2956895
“So, how did the three of you end up in this pathetic state?” Tewi asked, standing before a black, custom-made early 1930s sedan as she waited for us at the station. “Did Denisov-san save you from drowning incident or something? Don’t tell me you’re stupid enough to go swimming on a day like this.”
As par with usual, she wasted no time to poke fun at my completely drenched attire, followed by an audible chuckle from Margaret and a sigh from Yanagi, both equally soaked as myself.

“Yeah well, I forgot the umbrella. A stupid mistake, I admit.” I intended to end this conversation as fast as possible before my sister tried to pick apart what exactly led us to this point.
Aside from that, a single umbrella most likely won’t be sufficient enough to cover all three of us, especially with Margaret as a part of the equation- furthermore, it was her idea to have this ‘refreshing’ stroll in the rain to change up the mood. Judging by how much Margaret enjoyed waltzing around town in the downpour, I doubt she would have chosen to use an umbrella.

“Really?” My sister eyed me suspiciously as she handed me her handkerchief. “Why do I feel there’s something more to it? I smell secrets...”
“You always manage to smell one even when there’s none.” I replied, trying to squeeze some water out of shirt as I passed the handkerchief to the girls. Removing some moisture out of my clothing was the easy part- the state of my hair, on the other hand, is what concern me more. Coupled with the cold early Spring weather, I’m bound to have a horrible headache in the foreseeable future.

“But we can discuss this later. Now hop in, and try not to ruin the seats’ leather.”

Tewi said as she entered the vehicle and started the engine, signalling us to do the same.

As it turned out, Tewi’s ‘surprise’ happened to be the Onsen Inn we will be staying for the while. Surrounded by mountains, the various amount of hot springs was also one of Amekou’s prime attraction. In the vicinity of these geysers sprouted various inns similar to the one we were heading to. Apparently, Captain Suwabe had arranged the Yamato’s officers, us included, to stay at one of the more prestigious inns of the region, coincidentally one I have visited a few times with my family in the past.

As soon as we arrived, the servers of the inn quickly brought us towels to wipe ourselves, as well as yuukata for us to change into from our absolutely soaked clothes.
“Are these… bathrobes?” Margaret mumbled as she examined the yuukata in delight.

“More or less. Here, I’ll show you how to put them on.” Yanagi replied, shooting me a glimpse for a split second before holding Margaret’s arm to lead her towards the girls’ changing room.

>>2956918
As the girls left to get changed, I was dragged aside by my sister.

“So, mind sharing how you screwed up this time as well, genius?”

But to be fair, Tewi is rightfully curious. I did leave out the reason that led up to all this- maybe I should say something about it now…

“Well, Tewi, I got a little… emotional when giving the tour.” I said, trying to deliver the words as stoic as possible to not pick up any more emotional memories.

“Yeah, and?”
My sister crossed her arms with a stern look, clearly not pleased with my answer. I do understand her concern, it’s just that… as her elder brother, I didn’t want her to have to worry about me. At a lost of word, I lowered my head and tried to look away...

But I can't, the moment I did so, I ended up firmly locked within ky sister's warm, soothing arms

“I’ve known you long enough to know when you’re trying to play tough.” Tewi muttered as she buried herself deep in my chest, giving me the biggest embrace she can offer. “Stupid, stupid brother.”

In hindsight, it was quite foolish of me to think I could hide anything from my sister. Tewi has always been more sensitive with people than I can wish to be. She just knew to find ways to cheer others up and make things a little more bearable, just enough to get them back on their feet. For that, I have no words for her but gratitude.

“Thanks, Tewi.”

Noticing that I have eased up, Tewi’s snuggle began to loosen up as she looked up at me and gave me a nod.

“Jeesh, you’re wet.” Tewi said, breaking off from the hug and wearing the familiar mischievous smile on her face. “Now get changed before you catch a cold.”

There is nothing I would like to do more.

As soon as I got out of my drenched clothes and dried my hair, I immediately felt better. While a little bit cold, I actually feel compelled to find some activity to do now-

>Explore the inn and see what has changed
>Find the girls and offer to make up for the events happened earlier today
>Wash yourself in the hot springs
>Try to find the other crew members

>>2956923
>Wash yourself in the hot springs

Ok can somebody please red pill me to what this Is? Is it like a fun harem sort of thing (which is the impression that I get so far) or is it more serious? Looks like it could be fun but I'd rather know what I'm getting into before I read 19 threads

>female pictured on OP
>"You are Subaru Kurokawa, son of Vice Admiral Kagetora Kurokawa..."
>"You are Subaru Kurokawa, son...
>"...son..."

>>2956923
>Wash yourself in the hot springs

>>2957029
It's a quest set in the world of Valkyria Chronicles.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valkyria_Chronicles
And in more blunt terms, the series backdrop is essentially Not!WWII with little fantastical elements sprinkled here and there.

While past quests for this particular series focused on the European side of things. I wrote this with the intent to flash out the other side of the globe.
The tone of my story tends to fluctuate between periods of fun and serious, but usually one comes right after the other.

A very blunt description for what happened till now is that
Tengar Khaganate (Mongols) took over all over all of East Asia and recently Zipang (Japan). The main characters then proceeded to steal a superpowered battleship as an act of defiance against the occupiers.

>>2956923
>Wash yourself in the hot springs

>>2956923
>Explore the inn and see what has changed

>>2956923
>Wash yourself in the hot springs
Have to warm up to prevent a cold.

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Onsen… of course! Why else would we be here if not for the springs?
To be quite honest, I couldn’t for the life of me remember when the last time I had an opportunity to have a nice, relaxing hot bath was.
As the thought crossed my mind I was struck with a sudden sneeze, as if my body urging me to put that idea to action. I should probably warm myself up before this worsens into a full-blown cold.

Walking down the antiquated hallway of the inn was surely like a trip down memory lane. I remember how Tewi and I used to stroll around these wooden floors trying to find which plank would make the loudest squeak when stepped upon, only to realize pretty much all of them do.
While I never understood the allure of this place in my younger years, I’m finally starting to appreciate the atmosphere within the inn. Originally constructed as a private guest house for Zipang’s high ranking officials to enjoy some solitude away from their busy lives, the architecture was constructed almost entirely of fine Formosan hinoki, most well known for its durability and aroma.

As a testament to the quality of the material, the wooden fragrance of the pine permeated throughout every corner of the inn, creating a relaxing and pleasant environment for the guests. The structure and facilities within reflected well with its past- completed with a bar, a few indoor sports options, and even a small casino area to provide ample entertainment for the guests.
While traces of age were noticeable, the place was certainly well maintained and kept impeccably clean by a highly dedicated staff.

However, the main attraction of the spot nonetheless was its onsen- natural hot springs. Much like the Zipang mainland, Formosa also has her own series of volcanoes running through the island, providing a good source of geothermally warmed groundwater.
But of course, the ingenuity of humans have crafted these natural volcanic geysers into many different flavors, presented very much like an ice cream stand and sold out for commercial purposes.

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>>2961595
Now with the preparations done, I made my way into the men’s side.

There was the sauna, a form of activity similar to onsen imported from the northernmost ends of Europa. It was the same place Margaret’s people supposedly originated if the legends of the Valkyrians held true.

Sprawled out some feet away were springs that glowed in a dim blue light, the ‘ragnid’ spring. The elders said it had many curative functions, though it did smell like rotten eggs for the most part

In the middle stood the usual Acidic springs, indigenous only to Zipang and Formosa, and the most popular of the bunch.

Next to the Acidic pools was the Herbal Spring, coated in a shade of green algae-like water. As weird as it looks, it did possess a pleasant smell.

Finally, there was the lone Cold Spring sat in the corner. Not the most popular bath in this area, but in many ways is more of a ‘challenge’ than anything. While it probably makes me getting a cold much more likely, it’s also the one that’s least likely option where I would encounter anyone.

>Try the Sauna
>Test out the Ragnid Spring
>Take the usual Acidic Spring
>Relax in the Herbal Spring
>Sit undisturbed in the Cold Spring

>>2961614
>Sit undisturbed in the Cold Spring

>>2961614
>Test out the Ragnid Spring
Maybe it will prevent the cold.

>>2961614
>Herbal Spring

>>2963363
But is it worth the terrible smell though?

>>2961614
>Test out the Ragnid Spring

>>2961614
>Test out the Ragnid Spring

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Having made up my mind, I quickly went to the shower area to clean myself up before entering the bath. As a part of the Zipang’s bathing culture, it was common courtesy to only enter clean, so that the bath can be kept as free of filth as possible for everyone attending.

As I entered the bathing area from the changing room, I was pleasantly surprised to find the bathhouse to be practically empty. I guess it was just not the ‘hot period’ right now.
While large communal bathhouses like these were considered excellent locations for socializing, I never really fancied the idea. Let’s just say I’d much prefer enjoying a nice, relaxing soak in private, compared to doing so while spewing idle rubbish to a dozen other men butt naked. Fortunately, I have the bath all to myself for the time bei--

“Kurokawa!”

As I exit the shower, an energetic burst announcing my name caught me completely off guard. This ominous breach into my privacy and fleeting quiet life were accompanied by a strong tug on my shoulder which almost tipped me over.

“S-Shirataki-senpai!?”
Itaru Shirataki greeted me with his ever so confident sunshine of a smile and his arm arced over my shoulder. Being locked in such close proximity with the marine commander wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, I unintentionally got a clear glimpse of his tattoo in its full glory. Carved onto his tan, muscular torso was an oriental dragon of great detail, its body stretching from his lower back through his chest and all the way onto his right arm. The craftsmanship of the ink was remarkable, and so was the implications on the man donning such mark.
I have not a single shred of a doubt at this point as to the reason his men refer to him as ‘Aniki’.

“Glad you made it. Ready to join the boys?” He inquired, pointing to the group of men entering the bathing area behind him with his thumb. Much to my surprise, I saw Satoru and Ayafumi amongst them, the former sticking out like a sore thumb amidst the tan and incredibly muscular marine officers.

“We’re shipmates- our lives depend on each other. What better place to build our mutual trust than in a bathhouse? Am I right, lads?”
“Aye aye, Aniki!!!” As usual, his words were followed by the thunderous applause of his men.
“Looks like you’re already ready for a bath. We’ll be with you in a bit.” Itaru said, turning back to me as he freed his arm on my shoulder and he signaled his men to head to the showers, leaving just Ayafumi, Satoru and myself at the scene.

Aside from the utterly defeated looking Ayafumi standing there like a soulless husk, I also caught my friend noticeably strained. For someone who was even less fond of claustrophobic scenarios than I do, this must have been hell for him.

“How come you’re here as well?”

“Not by choice.” He muttered weakly, then gave me a wry grin. “But at least I’m not alone. Welcome aboard, Subaru.”

Welp, there goes the last traces of my solitude. I suppose I’ll be focusing on getting myself warmed up and get out of here before it gets too crowded to be enjoyable.
After all, I do have a ‘Plan B’ in mind… but that will be for later.

Trying to ignore the ruckus at the showering area, I went forth and stepped before the ragnid bath. In terms of size, this one was roughly the size of a large bathtub, capable of holding roughly 2-3 fully grown men.

Other than the bluish hue, there appeared to be a layer of oily film floating on the surface of the water. Rumor said this sort of springs glowed in the dark, much like the mined ragnite- unfortunately, the day was still too bright to test the credibility of this claim.
As a surprise to no one, none of the other men seemed interested to go near this bath. Aside from the questionable color and oily layer, the pungent smell of rotten eggs coming from the water certainly didn’t help its case.

Tying my hair up and taking a deep breath, I readied myself and dipped into the bluish, oily body of water.
The temperature was just right, perhaps slightly above 40 degrees Celsius. The strong odor, while initially overbearing, did gradually become less of a concern as my nose got used to it. Perhaps this will be fine aftera--

Out of nowhere, I felt a ticklish sensation running from the bottom of my feet, then all the way up to the rest of my body. Like having a soft feather gently brushing through the top of my skin, the sensation was considerably bothersome, not to mention how it flared intensely around the sites of recent injuries, as well as the more… sensitive parts. However, at this point it was still bearable, maybe like the smell I can get used to i-

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I immediately realized how mistaken I was. Not only did the sensation not die down a, it actually progressively intensified the longer I stayed submerged
Approximately three minutes into drenching myself in the oily, bluish tub of ticklish torment, I finally decided to throw in the towel.

I couldn’t. I just couldn’t bear it any longer. It was as if I stepped on an anthill and now the ants were crawling all over my body, and there was no way to get rid of them.
Crawling out of the bath, I immediately began swatting the remaining droplets off my skin, hoping this would prevent that sensation from lingering any longer than it should

In the process, I made an astonishing find- not only did my skin appear more delicate than before, the scars from the injuries I sustained during the war actually lightened to the point of being only barely visible. Turns out the old folks’ words were no exaggeration, though I seriously doubt what person in their right mind would find the experience enjoyable…

“Cooling off already, Kurokawa?”

Once again, Itaru caught me off guard with a slap on the back, this time fresh out of shower, dripping with water and… butt naked.

“S-Shirataki-senpai, I was just...“ I muttered, unsure of what to say or where to place my eyes as the bold senior stood proudly before me with his arms at his waist and the towel he wore earlier around his neck.

“With what’s at stake, I believe we should share some time together, no?” He said joyfully, a hand on my shoulder. “Come, let’s enjoy the onsen together!”
With no chance to protest, I was lead to the acidic springs bath, as the other men who just finished showering joined in one by one.

As the main attraction of the inn’s bathhouse, the acidic spring bath was the largest bath in the lot, with the size of a small pool that could easily hold up to 20 people. The bath was of classical Zipangnese stone bath design, constructed with large pieces of volcanic rock, with descending stone steps as the sole entrance and all other sides blocked off with large irregular shaped volcanic rocks that could be used as a backrest.

On the far end of the bath was a little fountain, constantly pouring fresh onsen (mixed with cool water from the source) into the body of water while the sink at the bottom slowly drains it, making the water level stay constant while allowing circulation.

Stepping into the bath him, we ended up in the furthest end of the bath- the area right next to the little fountain, Satoru and Ayafumi were already there waiting for us.
This was usually considered to be the best spot in the bath to enjoy fresh onsen, it was also noticeably warmer than the rest of the bath… and in this case, way too warm for my liking. If the ragnid bath was a very comfortable 40 degrees, this one must be around 45.

As Satoru and I hesitate to sit right into water that felt like would cook us, Itaru did not waste a second to dip himself into the steaming water down to the shoulders, with Ayafumi immediately following suit.
By then, the last of the marines have joined the bath, and I finally realized Satoru, Ayafumi and myself were completely surrounded. With the only exit blocked off by towering men, it was already too late to make an escape.

“Ah, just right! Boys, don’t hold back! Enjoy yourselves!”

“Thank you, Aniki!”

Following Itaru’s invitation, the marines officers sat down at the rims of the bath, forming a large circle in a fashion much like sitting around a large round table, with Itaru and us at the ‘head seat’.

Left with little other option and the eyes of all the other men focused on the two of us, Satoru and I ultimately sat down nonetheless.

“Now that we’re all warm and cozy, it’s time to unwind our thoughts.” An exhilarated Itaru suggested, facing the three of us. “Anything on your minds?”

>Talk about the current crew
>What lies within and beyond this operation
>Delve into Itaru's past
>Wait for someone to start a topic

>>2969298
>Wait for someone to start a topic

>>2969298
>What lies within and beyond this operation

>>2969298
>What lies within and beyond this operation

>>2969298
>Delve into Itaru's past

>>2969298
>What lies within and beyond this operation

>>2969298
>What lies within and beyond this operation

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“C’mon, who wants to get a load off their back?”
The way he delivered that question, eyes locking right onto my face, pretty much says ‘I’m talking about you!’
I picked the most logical, inoffensive topic under the current circumstances.

“Shirataki-senpai, what do you think about this whole operation?”
“Stealing a super weapon and sailing our way through most of coastal Asuwa, hunted down by the most powerful fleet in this side of the globe?” Itaru replied with a lighthearted smirk. “How much more exciting can it get?”
It was the type of response I expected from Itaru Shirataki, but at the same time, his delivery made it impossible to tell it was ironic or was he seriously enjoying such prospects.

“Am I right lads? Are you all excited!?”
Under the shower of applause and high-spirited chants that followed, one thing was at least certain: He sure knew how to boost morale.

“Not to mention... Beiyang’s got quite a roster of fine ladies.” He leaned forward, facing my friend as the applause died down. “Ain’t that right, Aono?”
“You’re talking about Vice Admiral Yian, correct?” Satoru responded, immediately catching on to the topic.
“Bingo.” Itaru nodded slowly, holding up an approving thumb. “What a lady, aged like fine wine. Got quite the figure, and a character to go with as well.”
Yian Ruohua, the second in command of the Beiyang Fleet who I only ran into in one brief encounter. From what little I’ve seen from her, the woman appeared to be the most approachable compared to her superior and colleagues.

“Senpai, you never struck me as the type who fancy mature women.” My friend tossed a sarcastic jab.

“Any woman with admirable qualities is a fine lady, regardless of age.”Itaru huffed, as if emulating a West Europan gentleman. “And she certainly has a few of those qualities under her belt.”
Itaru grinned at the intentional pun before continuing.
“Moreover, who says age is a detriment? You can’t get her kind of coquettish sass without years of ripening. That, and experience.” He finally concluded, clasping his hands together. “Lady Yian certainly isn’t lacking in it.”

At this point, I’m quite sure he was referring to the sort of rumors that circled around the vice admiral’s past. Her private life was said to be quite… messy, for a better lack of a word.
“Can’t disagree with that, but I can’t say she’s my cup of tea.” My friend commented, wiping the steam that has gotten onto his glasses. “I’m not too keen on dealing with women with such fiery passion. I prefer not being burned alive.”

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>>2979440
“Besides,” Satoru suddenly shot me a sly glance, the very familiar type of look he gave before doing pulling off something underhanded. “There are plenty other dames in Beiyang who are no less fascinating than Lady Yian, with their distinct flavors to bring to the table. Isn’t that right, friend?”

In a swift swipe, Satoru evaded further questioning by forcibly passing the baton onto my hands. This was further accentuated by the crowd’s focus suddenly shifting onto me.
And he’s grinning right at me while throwing me under the bus. What a friend!

“Oh? Kurokawa, didn't think of leaving you out,” The head of the marines eyed me like some sort of prized cattle. “Any flavorful run-ins with the ladies from the other side?”
His enthusiasm swelled farther, pupils gleaming like gems as the tattooed man expected a story from me. The pressure was amped up even farther, as the others around the spring were similarly riled up as well.

>If you consider ‘crazy’ a flavor, then I suppose?
>Well, yes, but I wouldn’t consider being looked down like trash flavorful
>If we’re talking, we’ve got to talk big. The Admiral herself.

>>2979449
>If you consider ‘crazy’ a flavor, then I suppose?

>>2979449
>If we’re talking, we’ve got to talk big. The Admiral herself.

>>2979449
>Well, yes, but I wouldn’t consider being looked down like trash flavorful
This is the good ol' Darcsen discrimination option right?

>>2979449
>If we’re talking, we’ve got to talk big. The Admiral herself.
>>2980114
I think it's more of a 'choose your rival' type option the QM is giving us here.

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“Alright.” I closed my eyes and clasped my hands together. “If we’re talking, then we should talk big. Let's begin with Sima-dono, the Admiral herself.”
Following my action, the banter between the lads came to a sudden halt, leaving the flowing water, and crickets as the only source of noise in the background.

“Princess Sima, Anglerfish of the Northern Seas.” Itaru closed his eyes, nodding as if he was in deep thought. “Silent, graceful, and deadly, just as her title suggests. If Lady Yian is a blazing flame, she would be the biting frost.”

“That’s one way of putting it,” I said. On the surface level, that description does hold a certain amount of truth. However, my interaction with the Beiyang Admiral revealed that she was a far more complex character than the common image painted by the word of mouth.
In particular, I always got the hunch that she has a closet full of skeletons. The behavior of her nephew, in many ways, also supported that fact.

“But I believe that is just the surface,” I added before the lads could make a reaction. “From my run-ins with her, Sima-dono is way more complicated, and… troubled.”
“Troubled?”
“Trapped between the loyalty to her bloodline and the crown she currently serves under, I’d assume.” Satoru quipped in. “She was part of the last surviving members of the Yu royalty...”
My friend paused for a moment, before adding another remark. “The last one that matters, at least.”

“Interesting.” Itaru nodded, raising up an arm like some sort of opera actor. “An ice beauty, trapped between a rock and a hard place. A heated passion burns within her cold exterior, but who can possibly free her from those bloodstained shackles?”

“Senpai, you’re describing her as if she’s some tragic heroine. Besides, I doubt she needs saving.” I waved off his histrionics. “As far as I know, she’s been actively trying to recruit former opponents of the Khanate to join her… Myself included. It’s as if she’s planning something big herself.”

“Oh? So a demanding princess, with ambitions that run as deep as the trenches of the Pacific, scheming within the shadows, waiting for the perfect time to take back her country.” Itaru continued on to drum up the atmosphere, an action that even Satoru was eager to join in.

“So I’ve heard. That, and how she doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.” He added, hand rubbing his chin. “Didn’t seem too far from the Khan if you ask me.”

“Now, now, don’t be such a killjoy, Aono.” He folded an arm over my shoulder “Kurokawa, has it ever crossed your mind what may have happened had you join the Empress wannabe?”

>I’m more curious to know what’s binding her in the first place
>I would like to see, but I have a country to save
>I fear it’s a bit too late for me to take that option
>Write in

>>2984797
>I would like to see, but I have a country to save

>>2984797
>I’m more curious to know what’s binding her in the first place

>>2984797
>She killed my father. Joining her was never an option.

>>2984797
>Certainly, but I have a country to save, and after what she did to my family, joining her never was an option to begin with

>>2984952
>>2984797
>She killed my father, so joining her was never an option. However, I am curious as to what's holding her back from rebelling

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“Maybe a little, but joining her will never be my choice. Not after all that she’s done.” I answered, much to the disappointment to the curious senpai. “However, I am curious as to what’s binding her under the Khagan’s servitude.”
While Admiral Sima has most likely given up on the recruiting us into her forces at this point, her secrets do present a very interesting case to explore. If anything, knowing such information just might tip things to our flavor.

“Quite a pity.” The marine shook his head in faux disappointment. “Picture this: the empress admiral, in her regal form, sitting elegantly on the throne in the heart of the Forbidden Palace. Her callous, menacing gaze pierce into your very soul as she coldly berates you for your failures. Your forehead stuck pathetically on the floor as her heel pressed onto the back of your head, all the while dealing a full verbal assault on your dignity- ”

Among the noises Itaru was whipping up, I could vaguely hear the resigned sigh of my friend caught within it. Though, I can see how he ended up with this conclusion in the first place.
Sima-dono was a woman of many faces, but I’m not quite sure if ‘sadistic’ was one of them. If the short interaction she had with her two closest aides were anything to go by, she acted more akin to a parent who subjects people to hours of long ‘lectures’ for their wrongdoings. Ironically, that was how mother used to do as well...

“-gently, she lifts your chin up by the tip of her toe, scraping your skin with the smooth touch of that pure-silk stockings.
‘Clean it.’ She demands, sliding it over the landscape of your lips, stopping at the tip of your nose...”
Wait a minute, this.. doesn’t sound right.
I caught a glimpse of Satoru burying his face into his wet palms. In contrast, the lads sitting around the spring appeared to be genuinely enjoying this absurd fantasy of events, jittering in excitement for their leader to continue.

“Finally, she lets out a smile when you did as she ordered, like a little puppy…”
“Um, Shirataki-senpai?”
Now this has gone way, way off the original topic. The vast inaccuracies of Sima-dono’s personality aside, how in the world did we even get here?
“Hm? Got you all excited, huh?” The senpai ended with a cheeky smirk, and unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong. His men were all but enthralled by a story could easily be put into some fetish erotica magazine.

“Shirataki-senpai,” Satoru pinched the neck of his nose. “How did you even come up with... whatever that was?”
“Experience, my lovely Kouhais,” The senpai proudly proclaimed with arms crossed and a cheeky grin on his face. “And a healthy dose of imagination, that’s how.”

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>>2989667
Now that just raised more questions than answer
“Shirataki-senpai.” I spoke up slowly. “Have you actually been through these things before.”
“Good question, Kurokawa!” He was all too eager to share, almost as if he deliberately laid out this topic as a trap. “You see, back when I”

Thankfully, Itaru’s next glorious, dramatic retelling of an event was interrupted with a sudden, loud slam, as the entrance to the spring opened and closed. This was followed by light, harmonic steps of the newcomer’s foot as he walked puddle to puddle.
It was an intrusion, an unintended trespassing into this steamy room, which for better or worse garnered the attention of absolutely everyone.

The figure that entered was petite, standing only slightly taller than the slide door handle, arguably around chest height for myself. The silhouette, imprinted on the foggy steam definitely appeared feminine - long, silky blonde hair past the shoulders and reaching the chest, a skin of peaches-and-cream complexion, all enhancing the astonishingly svelte figure that would make even professional models jealous.

It reminded me of images from promotional posters for some high-end beauty products. In fact, this would have been easily mistaken to be a little lady who has accidentally wandered into the men’s bath… had it not been for the silhouette of the mighty serpent between his legs, barely visible through the steam from the hot bath as he walked close

“I… Igor?”
As if the foreigner had some sort of mind controlling superpower, the marines instinctively parted to the sides, offering him a straight line that lea right into the spring’s center.
Full Frontal and looking… a bit worn out? he effortlessly pushed away two more men blocking his passage and walked right in.

“...”
There was no over exaggerated expression of comfort, or the usual soft “Ahh” one might say when soaking into the heated springs for the first time. Submerged till only the top half of his head was visible, the only noise Igor gave off was the soft exhale from his nostrils.
Ignoring all the attention he garnered just by entering alone, the ‘black ops’ of the Empire sealed his eyes shut and relaxed, completely tranquilized by the healing, steaming pool of water.
“Well damn.” Itaru clicked his tongues, spearheading the attempt to break through the ensuing awkward silence, but this was something even he was unable to manage.

As for me, I am trying to process what just happened, and the absurdity of the situation.
Should I be surprised by how gorgeous Igor’s overall appearance was?
Shocked by how ballsy he was crashing into the middle of a bunch of men of far larger stature than himself?
Or the unapologetic fact that he, by no doubt, is a man through and through?

Either way, there was one thing I knew for sure:
I sort of understood why Satoru and Ayafumi were so fatigued. I too am hoping this will end soon so we can be finally put out of our misery.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2956895/

Archived.
It looks like whatever I plan to do regarding this quest will always end up taking twice as long, be it writing or scheduling.
And again thank you all for participating in these sluggish sessions. I'll try my best to make updates as frequent as possible (while avoiding quality downgrades)

>>2989717
Righto and thanks boss for running.