After finishing my workout, I headed into the locker room showers.
"Phew..."
As the water washed away the sweat and my biceps began to throb, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment—though maybe I was just high on endorphins. If Hayashi caught wind of these thoughts, she’d probably just mock me for being an idiot again. Regardless, I was already looking forward to my next session.
I finished dressing and stepped out of the locker room, but Hayashi wasn't there yet. She was likely still in the shower. I took a seat on one of the hallway chairs and waited for her to emerge.
"Sorry to keep you waiting," Hayashi said as she stepped out of the women’s locker room, her hair still damp.
"Did you wait long?"
"No, I just got out myself."
"I see."
I told a reflexive lie, claiming I'd only just finished up, though I wasn't entirely sure why I felt the need to hide the wait.
"Shall we head home?"
"Yeah. Man, a shower after a workout really hits the spot, doesn't it?"
"I suppose so."
"Doesn't it feel great when all that grimy sweat is gone?"
"I can agree with that."
"Right? Honestly, after this, I kind of want to go to a hot spring."
Her comment caught me off guard. Ever since we had reunited after graduation, Hayashi had been perpetually stressed about money and was always looking for ways to save. To see her finally have enough mental and financial breathing room to casually suggest a trip to a hot spring... it made me feel good for her.
"That sounds like a great idea," I said, showing my support.
"Oh?" Hayashi looked surprised. "You're surprisingly onboard with this, Yamamoto-kun."
"Well, yeah. A lot has happened lately, and I've been feeling a bit reflective."
"Hmm? Oh... okay."
She didn't seem to grasp exactly what I was being reflective about, but I didn't feel the need to explain.
Her break with her abusive ex. Her reconciliation with her parents. Reuniting with her best friend and attending her wedding.
She had endured so much hardship since high school graduation. I was completely in favor of her taking a trip to a hot spring—a proper recuperation trip.
"If we're doing it, why not go for two nights and three days?"
"What!?"
This time, Hayashi didn’t just look surprised; she practically shrieked.
"Ya-Yamamoto!? What's wrong with you? Do you have a fever? Have you been replaced by an alien? Or did you join a cult? Did you buy a magic pot or something!?"
"Is it so unbelievable for me to suggest a vacation that you think I've joined a fringe religion?"
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Hayashi..."
"It's beyond 'unexpected.' I genuinely doubt your sanity."
"Hayashi..."
Her lack of faith in me was truly astronomical. It was depressing.
"...Even I'm allowed to suggest a getaway once in a while."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah. Besides... you've been through a lot of hell lately. It's about time you took a proper rest."
"..."
Hayashi went silent, but her eyes remained fixed on me with a cold, skeptical stare. It seemed she really was questioning my mental state. She was a remarkably rude person. Then again, I'd known that for a long time. She had softened up recently, but that casual cruelty still peeked out from time to time.
"So, what do you think? Are you going or not?" I asked.
"...Yamamoto, can I really trust you on this?"
"Of course you can. A hot spring trip is nothing. Leave it to me."
Honestly. I go to the trouble of making an offer and this is the reaction I get.
"Where do you want to go? For convenience, Atami or Hakone would be easy. Isawa in Yamanashi is another good option."
"Wait, you're actually serious?"
"I keep telling you I am. Fine... if you can't decide, I'll just pick the place myself."
"...Okay."
"What kind of budget are we looking at? Maybe around twenty thousand yen per person? If we stay in that range, we probably can't take the Shinkansen."
"Y-Yeah..."
"And then... the inn. I'll do some research when we get home. I assume sharing a room is fine?"
Hayashi’s face turned a violent shade of crimson.
"Wha-wha-wha-wait! Yamamoto! Hold on a second, Yamamoto-san!?"
"What's with the sudden outburst?"
"A single room? You mean one room for two people!? One room for two people means... one room for two people!?"
"You said the same thing four times."
"Wait a minute! Something like that... don't you think I need some time to prepare myself mentally!?"
"Mental preparation? Haven't there been plenty of chances for that before now?"
"There were, but still...! There were!"
Looking at her flustered state, I let out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. If you're that against it, we won't share a room."
"Wait!"
Hayashi shouted again, her eyes wide. After a moment of silence, she started fidgeting.
"...I didn't say I was against it."
"You sounded almost entirely against it."
"No, I didn't!"
She was being incredibly stubborn.
"...Fine," I relented. "...Sigh. Alright, I get it. I'll look for an inn with one room for two people."
"Okay... Mmhmm!"
Hayashi broke into a radiant, beaming smile. Seeing that innocent expression, I felt a warm sense of satisfaction, glad that I’d suggested the trip.
"In that case, make sure you reach out to her."
"Huh?"
"Kasahara."
The smile instantly vanished from Hayashi’s face.
"...What's with that look? You're going on the trip, right?" I added, feeling baffled. "You and Kasahara."
"Liar!"
"What!?"
"You liar! I knew it—you really are insane!"
Wait, what? No matter how you look at it, I'm the sane one here, right?
Right?
Aren't I?