After we finished having dinner and returned back to our cabin, Millie and I laid down in our beds. After we said goodnight, Millie quickly fell asleep. I shifted uncomfortably in my bed. No matter what position I tried to fall asleep in, sleep eluded me.
I really just want to read my book. If there was enough light in this room, I could. Of course, there was only an inside campfire that functioned as a light and nothing else. It certainly didn't provide enough light to read unless you wanted to stand in the fire.
Which, I must admit I did consider. But then I realized how flammable people are, so I quickly tossed out that idea.
Well, if I can't sleep, then I should be doing something right? Now that I recall, the old lady from the tea shop mentioned a secluded hot spring behind the lodge. It's not that far of a walk.
I quietly put on my winter outfit and coat. I should probably stuff the bed with clothes to make it look like I was still there. I wouldn't want Millie to wake up, notice me missing, and start to freak out.
I slowly opened the door a crack and glanced at Millie. Noticing she didn't budge, I quietly stepped around the door. Making sure to shut it oh so gently. I waited for a second at the door before accepting that Millie had not woken up.
I excitedly rubbed my hands together and set off towards the lodge. The area by the cabins were lit by lanterns, so I made sure to stick to the shadows to avoid detection. I wanted to hide just in case there were any vigilant teachers keeping watch.
As I walked by a cabin I heard the voice of a female teacher. I froze instantly. I heard the voice in the cabin, "Aah~ Mr. Sans. You naughty boy. Don't kiss me there, Aah~"
I covered my ears in a panic and quickly shuffled away blushing profusely.
Let's just pretend we didn't hear a thing. Yup. Not a thing. Not. A. Thing.
I managed to get past all of the cabins successfully and went to the main lodge. Alright, so the old woman said it's behind this building.
I looked and noticed a trail going up the hill. A sign was in front of the opening and had an arrow pointing down the trail. It read: Lover's Hot Spring.
Well, that has to be it. I confidently started to walk down the trail. Luckily it was shoveled and you could tell it was a popular path. It wasn't lit or anything, but the moon was more than enough to light the way. I didn't even feel fearful of the dark since I had walked to the red light district frequently.
Phew. This mountain path is no joke. How could a forbidden couple rendezvous up here? They must have been caught because they were sweating and gasping from the exercise.
Finally, after what felt like hours, I had arrived at the hot springs. There was a wooden gate that had a sign on it: Closed from Dusk to Dawn.
I chuckled and hopped over the fence. Please. That's just a recommendation.
I was surprised by how picturesque the scene was. The hot springs was surrounded by dense trees, but the opening allowed for the moonlight to touch the waters surface. In the middle of the hot spring, was a giant rock which caused ripples in the water.
No wonder the couple chose this place. It's definitely a romantic location. After I had run around the spring, inspecting the place, I determined there was no one there and I would be alone. I tossed off my clothes.
"Ahh! Cold!" I stuck a foot into the water and melted. "Aaah~ Warm."
Shivering, I quickly got into the water and relaxed. Now I can splash around however I like without worrying about being yelled at by Millie. I swam around enjoying myself before leaning against the rock. I looked up at the moon and enjoyed the scenery.
As I sat relaxed, I heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps crunching in the snow. I froze instantly.
Oh sh*t.
I hid behind the rock and tried to peek over at the sound. I squinted my eyes in the darkness. However, I couldn't see very far.
*Splash*
I held my mouth to refrain from screaming. Was it a person? An animal? Whatever it is, it just got into the water!!!
I attempted to look around the rock again and felt my hands slip. My body went into the water making a splash sound. I tried to get up quickly, but it was too late. Whatever was in the hot spring, heard me.
"Who's there?"
I froze. F*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck. Anyone but him. Universe! Why do you hate me?!
I did the only thing I knew how, "Ribbit!" Ugh, I want to hit my head against this rock.
I heard him stop moving. I just knew he was staring at this rock with such a scary expression. I heard the sound of treading water come towards me. I quickly began to travel around the rock trying to avoid him.
I heard him stop. Thinking I was successful at eluding him, I turned around. While grasping the rock, my eyes met with a familiar set of golden eyes. I let out a shrill shriek.
Dante shouted in surprise, "What are you doing here?!"
I shouted back equally surprised, "What are YOU doing here?!"
"I asked you first!!"
I answered still shouting, "I couldn't sleep and I was curious!"
He also answered, "Me too!"
We stared at each other for a moment.
"..."
"..."
As if on cue, we both grabbed our chests in embarrassment as if realizing just then that we were naked. We both turned around to avoid each other's faces.
I shouted in a panic, "WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!"
He shouted back, "WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!"
"HOW ELSE WOULD I GET INTO A HOT SPRING?! WITH CLOTHES ON?!"
"NO! BECAUSE THEN YOU WOULD FREEZE WHEN YOU GOT OUT!"
"..."
"..."
Dante spoke quickly, "I'm leaving."
I shrieked, "No! I'm leaving! Stay under water and count to a hundred!"
"A hundred?! You want me to hold my breath that long?!"
"JUST DO IT!"
He took a deep breath and dunked his head under water. Making sure he was successfully under water unable to see, I jumped out quickly and threw on my clothes without even drying off. I ran down the mountain flinging my coat around my shoulders.
My face burned from shame and I wanted to shout at the sky. I can't believe something so embarrassing like that happened!
Once I got back to the cabins, I took a deep breath and tried to walk calmly. I didn't want to be too loud and get caught. Especially now after that happened. I just want to hide in a hole.
I stepped inside my cabin, making sure not to wake Millie. I began to take off my clothes and realized I was soaking wet. If not for my embarrassment, I would have probably froze to death.
I took off my shoes and snow fell out of it. I had been in such a hurry that I didn't even properly put my shoes on.
As I shivered, half soaked, I went to the side of the campfire and snuggled up close. I grabbed my face remembering what I had just run away from.
Ack! I can't believe my luck! Why couldn't it have been a murderous bear or something?! Why did it have to be Dante?! Ahh! My virtue as a female has been destroyed and I'm only six!
Wait. That's right! Technically, I am a child, right? So it's not weird at all. Children usually take baths together.
...
Ahhh! But I'm also an adult in a child's body... And Dante is probably more mature mentally than I am.... AHHH! I want to hit my head against a stone! I can't take much more of this!!! I'm definitely bringing that necklace with me next time!!!
For the rest of the night, I sat by the fire freaking out until early in the morning. I must have managed to doze off at one point. I woke up to Millie standing over me and shouting.
"Seri! Why are you sitting by the fire like that?"
I looked at her with droopy eyes. I rubbed them, "Huh? Is it morning already?"
"Yes! Now can you tell me why your clothes are thrown all over and you're just sitting next to the fire?"
I looked around and recalled the night before. My face flushed immediately. I spoke quickly to avoid suspicion, "Ah! Well sometimes I sleep walk so I must have done that."
She grabbed my face and looked at me carefully, "Your face looks warm and you have bags under your eyes. Are you sick?!"
I shook her off and stood up quickly, "No! I'm just blushing because you caught me sleep walking. It's super embarrassing to admit such a thing."
She nodded unsure of whether or not to accept this, "Alright. If you're sure."
I nodded quickly, "Yes. Now let's get ready."
I put my clothes on and realized I was missing my scarf. I rummaged through my stuff before realizing it wasn't there. I froze. Does that mean... I left it at the hot springs? My face flushed again.
Oh well. I don't need it.
Millie noticed that I didn't have my scarf on. "Why aren't you wearing your scarf?"
"Ahh. Well it's not that cold today."
She squinted her eyes at me in suspicion, "What do you mean? It's as cold today as it was yesterday. You even complained about it being cold while you wore it."
I grabbed her by the shoulders and pushed her out, "Ah don't worry about it. It will be fine. Let's go already. We are running late."
"Actually, we are early-"
"Early bird gets the worm. Let's go, let's go."
I successfully pushed her out the door and managed to get her to drop it. We stood outside waiting for everyone to meet at the gate. Even the teacher was surprised to see us there before everyone else.
I stood with a forced smile on my face. God d*mn it's cold. But if I say anything, then Millie will start up again.
Once everyone met, we began to walk toward the lodge. I looked at the table with William and Dante. I froze immediately.
There's no way I can face him after last night!
I hesitantly tugged on Millie's sleeve, "Perhaps we should sit somewhere else today..."
She glanced at me and gave an innocent smile, "Don't worry. I won't tell them about how you walked around in your sleep last night."
She started walking over to them and my smile twitched. "Greaaaat. Just what I wanted."
I reluctantly followed her. I made sure to sit next to William instead of Dante. Except now, we were sitting across from each other. We both looked up. As soon as our eyes made contact, we both jerked our heads away very obviously. I flushed bright red trying to refrain from recalling anything.
Let's think of birds. Yes, birds. Chirp chirp and whatnot.
William and Millie looked at each other in confusion. When the food was finally prepared, I slowly took each bite trying to tell myself to act calm. This also alerted the other two.
Millie reached out and touched my forehead, "Seri. Are you sure you're feeling okay?"
I pushed away her hand and blushed more, "Yes!"
I glanced up and accidentally made eye contact with Dante. He also looked as if he felt awkward. I quickly buried my head in my arms in shame.
Millie continued, "Are you sure? Ever since you woke up this morning, you've been acting strange."
I moaned, "Yes. I'm fine. Now leave me alooooone."
William also looked at me in concern, "I don't think you are okay. You barely ate anything. And I know how much you love stuffing your face."
I mumbled, "Maybe I am just following what you told me to do."
He sat back thinking deeply, "If so, then that's even weirder. When was the last time you ever took my advice?"
Millie answered for me, "Never."
He nodded, "Exactly. Actually, it's not even her that's been acting so weird. This morning I woke up to Dante just staring at the wall with a lifeless expression. He didn't even move after I called his name several times."
Dante started coughing unable to withstand this form of torture.
Millie looked concerned, "Are you sick too Dante?"
He tried to sound calm like he usually did, but his voice cracked, "No. Ehem. I'm fine."
William and Millie began to wonder if there was truly a sickness going around.