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Volume 2 Chapter 3-4: My Home is a Hot Springs

「Everyone thank you for your hard work! Thanks to your efforts we finished quite a bit ahead of time. Today I simply give you a toast, but tomorrow I’d like to host a small thank you dinner so you can see the results of your hard work. I hope you all enjoy experiencing what you have made, so please do attend. Now then, Cheers!」

「「「Cheers!!!」」」

The carpenters that had come to work today raised their cups. I wonder if it was because of a sense of accomplishment, but they all shouted as they raised their cups of alcohol with excitement. 

I feel it was more related to the fact that the three girls were going around pouring them drinks…

Well truthfully, I felt that they had done a wonderful job. They had enclosed the source of the springs in fine cut stones and made a small cabin around it to store the water. The cabin had a small chimney to let out the foul-smelling steam so it would reduce how far it spread.

From the source they had dug a small canal and fit it with stones and a lid so that it could be brought closer to the open-air bath near the mansion.

I had been wondering how we would construct the bath, but since we didn’t have concrete like in Japan, we couldn’t make a stone tub. Instead, we dug a wide pit and placed a large tub made with nice smelling wood reminiscent of cypress inside it. I then placed flat stones around it to give it the proper atmosphere, and it ended up looking quite wonderful.

It was here that the water from the source could pour in. The waterway also extends further from the other side towards the mansion, where it can be drawn into the indoor bath that was installed by remodeling a room first floor. Detachable partitions are installed at key points, and the hot water can be drained when cleaning. 

The hardest part about the entire thing was adjusting the waterway height so that it would all flow properly, but the Base Company carpenters showed off their knowledge and made it so the entire thing could drain into the river nearby.

We had also broken part of the outer wall on the indoor bath and placed a door there so you could easily go between the outdoor and indoor baths. 

After that, cobblestones were laid around the open-air bath and the path to the mansion with a small roof installed above it. By the way, I don’t think there would be any peeping, but I asked them to put up some wooden fences around the open-air bath just in case.

I had spent without regards, but the bath had become something I was proud of. I planned to show my gratitude tomorrow with a meal, but tonight I had planned to fully enjoy the bath with my family and have some fun.

So please drink your alcohol and leave quickly! I’ll treat you well tomorrow so leave right now!!

Whether my feelings got through or not, the carpenters finished their drinks and left after an hour or so.

「Alright! They’re gone! Let’s go get in the bath!」

「Mou…Master…you were being rude to the carpenters. I could see you having a sour face the entire time.」

「Don’t be too harsh Sistina ja. I’m also itching to get in my first bath, I want to try it quickly. I understand how Soujirou is feeling ja.」

「This is Sakura’s first bath too so I’m looking forward to it~ I’ll get to wash Sou-sama too」

Ohh Sakura’s such a good girl~ I’ll have to wash her plenty as a reward. Sistina’s being a bad girl who can’t read the mood, so I’ll have to wash her plenty as a punishment. For Hotaru-san…if she’ll let me wash her then I will.

「It’s the first time I’ll be bathing in hot water…will it be alright?」

「It’ll be fine. It’ll be great! Once you try it you’ll never be able to go back!」

Sistina, who lived in a world without hot bathing, asked that as she was undressing inside the changing room. 

「Hey Hotaru-san! I know we’ll enter both eventually, but which bath should we try first?」

I turned to look at Hotaru-san who emerged with a towel hanging on her shoulder. Obviously completely naked.

「I think this is the time to try out the outdoor bath first.」

「Absolutely! Then let’s go. I’ll wash your back for you!」

「Ah~ wait Sou-sama! Sakura will go too!」

Sakura jumped out quickly to follow. She was wearing a towel around her front, but she had let down her hair which gave her a different feeling than usual, but it was just as cute.

「I-I’m coming too! Just wait a moment!」

Sistina had been left behind in the changing room and seemed a bit dissatisfied as she rushed out. Sistina had a large towel wrapped around her entire body that hid it from view.

Un, Hotaru-san’s boldness, Sakura’s innocence, and Sistina’s bashfulness were all wonderful!

「Alright let’s go」

We exited the indoor area and stepped onto the path. The open air bath was only around 10 steps away.

「There are some things to keep in mind when bathing in an onsen. First, rinse your body before entering and do not wear a towel inside the bath. That’s pretty much it. 

Usually you have to wash your body first, but today I think it’s fine just to rinse before getting in. It’s been busy lately so let’s relax and rid ourselves of our exhaustion.」

We used the wooden bucket, pail, and chair to rinse ourselves. Sistina seemed a bit timid but she’d get used to it pretty soon.

「Then let’s get in.」

I started from my feet and slowly lowered myself into the tub and enjoyed the feeling of the hot water engulfing me.

「Ahhhhh~! …..this is it….Japanese have to be like this…」

It felt so amazing that I felt like I was melting when I heard a small splash as Hotaru-san entered next to me.

「Mu…oooh this is incredible…」

Hotaru-san seems happy too…**SPLASH!!** 

「Hey Sakura! Don’t jump in!!」

I got splashed in the face by Sakura’s wave and had to wipe it off with my towel. I scolded her with a bit of anger.

「Ah…sorry Sou-sama…ahhh this’ll become a habit.」

「truly…..」

「Umm! Excuse me…」

Sakura seemed like she wouldn’t answer but Sistina slowly put her feet into the bath. Well, this was her first time so it was fine to take it slowly.

「…hot! …m…a….ahhhh!….」

What a voice…aren’t you going to wake up ‘my son’ if you keep going?

「…kuaaaa….」

Sistina had finally entered up to her shoulders next to me and her face relaxed. It was the face of someone captured by the charms of an onsen. What an easy girl.

And so we all enjoyed the bath to the fullest along with the charms of outdoor bathing.

The sight of Sistina experiencing a hot bath for the first time would be a wonderful memory as well.