The raucous shouting from Orun and the others echoed all the way into the women’s bath.
"They’re certainly making a lot of noise over there," Shion said, a small smile playing on her lips.
Enveloped in the rising steam, her pale skin was flushed a soft pink, and her short silver hair—pinned up for the bath—glowed faintly in the moonlight. She sank deeper into the water and let out a long, relaxed breath. The heat seemed to melt away her usual cool composure, leaving her looking soft and content.
"It’s just Haruto causing a scene, no doubt," Fuuka muttered.
Her expression was one of sheer bliss, a rare sight for her. As she surrendered herself to the warmth of the water, the sharp intensity she usually carried when wielding a katana completely vanished.
"Hehe. It’s nice to hear them having such a good time," Luna added, her own features softening as she soaked. She smiled with a hint of envy, yet her gaze remained warm and gentle.
Unlike the boisterous atmosphere in the men’s bath, a tranquil air settled over the three girls as they relaxed in the tub. Suddenly, the towel wrapped around Fuuka’s head began to slip. Luna reached out with practiced ease, catching the cloth before it could slide into the water.
She carefully rewound it around Fuuka’s head.
"Honestly, you have such beautiful hair; you really ought to keep it properly tied up," Luna said with a smile, skillfully gathering the long, raven-black strands dampened by the steam.
"Thanks," Fuuka replied simply.
The way she sat there, leaving her hair in Luna's hands, gave her a strangely childlike appearance. Shion watched them for a moment before speaking up.
"Both of you have such long hair."
Luna smiled, running her fingers through her own indigo locks. "Yes, I suppose we do."
"Have you always kept it that long, Luna?" Shion tilted her head curiously.
"Yes. It’s been roughly this length since I was a little girl." Luna narrowed her eyes nostalgically as she watched her hair drift across the surface of the water.
"I see. Now that I think about it, Fuuka, yours used to be short, didn't it?" Shion recalled the version of Fuuka she had met a few years prior.
"Yeah. It was just in the way when I was training with my katana," Fuuka answered matter-of-factly. "But by the time I met you, Shion, I’d started growing it out as a vow. I decided I wouldn't cut it until we took Kyokutou back."
"So that was the reason," Luna murmured, nodding quietly as she looked at Fuuka's dark hair. Knowing the sentiment behind it made the sight feel a little more profound.
"Do you plan on cutting it now, then?" Luna asked, her eyes fixed on the moon’s reflection in the water.
"...I don't really intend to, but I might if the mood strikes me. Tying it up like this every time I bathe is a bit of a pain."
Fuuka sank back into the water up to her shoulders, letting her long hair drift through the steam. Then, she turned her gaze toward Shion.
"Wait, Shion, are you thinking about growing yours out?"
"Mmm... I’m still on the fence about it," Shion replied vaguely, idly twirling the ends of her silver hair.
"I think you’d look lovely with long hair. It’s a very striking color," Luna said earnestly. Shion’s cheeks, already warm from the bath, flushed a deeper shade of red.
"D-do you really think so...?" Shion looked away, her voice small as she tried to hide her embarrassment.
"I’d like to see it too. I bet Orun would be happy, wouldn't he?" Fuuka added casually.
"Wait—!"
Shion turned bright red, hurriedly turning her head away as if she could disappear into the steam.
Realizing the true motive behind Shion’s dilemma, Luna let out a knowing hum. "Ah, I see. So that’s how it is. Though, if I know Orun, I don't think he’d mind either way."
Luna’s voice was soft and reassuring. "Regardless of how long your hair is, it’s obvious to anyone that Orun truly treasures you, Shion."
"..."
Shion’s ears turned crimson, but her expression was one of unmistakable joy.
"The way he looks at you is quite different from how he looks at the rest of us," Luna added gently. Shion shifted restlessly in the water, ducking her head even lower.
"...Please, don't tease me so much."
Despite her protest, she couldn't suppress the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. The conversation naturally drifted further into the details of her relationship with Orun.
"By the way," Fuuka said suddenly. "Do you and Orun actually go on dates?"
Shion blinked in surprise at the uncharacteristically inquisitive question. She let out a small breath, her expression softening.
"We make sure to spend time together, just the two of us. It isn't as often as I'd like, though. But it’s rare for you to ask about things like that, Fuuka..."
"It’s almost time for the moon-viewing festival. Why don't you invite him? I’ll help you out if you want to turn it into a proper date."
"...What is wrong with you tonight? Did you eat something strange?"
"Of course not. Don't be rude." Fuuka pouted for a moment before her face relaxed again. "...When you think of moon-viewing, you think of moon-viewing dumplings, right? Opportunities like that don't come around often, and it would be a waste to miss out on the food."
"Oh, so that’s it," Shion said, laughing with a hint of exasperation.
"Hehe. It seems that for Fuuka, it’s dumplings over flowers," Luna joined in the laughter.
"...? Are you making fun of me?" Fuuka tilted her head.
"No, no. I just thought that was very 'you,'" Shion giggled.
The three of them continued their conversation in the hazy warmth of the steam.
"That reminds me, what about you, Luna? Is there anyone who’s caught your eye?"
"Eh? Me?" Luna blinked, caught off guard. She didn't answer immediately, her gaze falling to the surface of the water as she thought it over. Eventually, she gave a quiet shake of her head.
"I’m afraid not," she answered honestly.
"I see... Well, it’s not something you can rush. I hope you find someone wonderful eventually."
"I hope so, too."
"More importantly, what’s the plan? Are you going to ask Orun out?" Fuuka pressed again.
"Eh? I—well, yeah... I think I’ll try asking him, then," Shion said, looking away to hide her blushing face.
"Hehe. It sounds like Fuuka is just desperate for those dumplings. In that case, Fuuka, why don't we have our own moon-viewing celebration together?"
"Yeah. I’m looking forward to it."
Their laughter mingled in the air. In the women’s bath, shrouded in gentle clouds of steam, the moonlight and the sound of their voices melted softly into the night.