On the other hand, Fukuda Sogo didn't stay for long in the gymnasium to watch the other matches for the day. They went straight to their accommodation together with the vehicle prepared by their captain.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Sebas awaited them at the entrance. With a respectful bow, he greeted Tsuna, "Welcome back, Young Master. We've prepared the ice bath as per your request..."
"Thanks for your hard work yet again, Sebas."
Tsuna acknowledged, a nod accentuating the weariness that permeated his body.
Sebas responded with a polite nod of his own, "It's my responsibility, Young Master."
"Eh, you've prepared an ice bath for everyone?" Alexandra expressed surprise, having been unaware of this arrangement.
However, with a hint of disapproval, Nijimura interjected, "...I told you last night. You should've opened up your chat messaging app."
"Eh? Really? I didn't realize, haha, my bad..."
Alexandra replied with an awkward smile, a tinge of embarrassment coloring her expression.
Tsuna simply shook his head, recognizing that Alexandra must have indulged in a night of revelry. He sighed as he couldn't entirely fault her.
After all, he was the one who had introduced her to Juyodai Sake, one of the finest in Japan.
"Well, since I don't really need to go along, I'll just get back to my room!"
Alexandra's awkwardness seamlessly transitioned into unbridled excitement, a swift change in her demeanor.
"...I don't allow you to drink sake in the daytime. We might require some of your assistance later."
The calm and authoritative voice cut through the air, instantly quelling Alexandra's excitement.
With a deflated expression, Alexandra clung to Tsuna as if pleading, her tone reflecting a mix of disappointment and a lingering desire for the coveted sake. "Eh?? Why? Your Juyodai Sake was the best. Give me some, please!"
"You've drunk it every day. Do you realize how expensive Juyodai Sake is? Our hotel expenses have inflated since you came here..."
"Come on! You're rich; only one or two bottles shouldn't matter much for your operations, right?"
"One or two bottles?"
Tsuna's voice gradually lowered, signaling a subtle shift in the atmosphere. Alexandra, realizing her misstep, swiftly composed herself like an adult, coughing a few times. "Well, it's just the right time to take a nap, so I should go to my room right now. See you guys later..."
Silence lingered in the room as Alexandra made her hasty exit.
"...."
They rolled their eyes at Alexandra's departing figure. Her antics were a familiar sight and it had grown mundane for the team, who often witnessed her beseeching their captain for an extra swig of sake.
"To think that under that beautiful appearance was nothing more than an alcoholic old man. Such a waste..."
Nijimura let out a weary sigh.
Yet, amidst the eye rolls and exasperation, one member of the team seemed to revel in the spectacle. Excitement gleamed in Ogiwara's eyes as he couldn't help but comment, "...As expected of an American! She's so carefree!"
"...Being American has nothing to do with such behavior." Nijimura lightly slapped Ogiwara's head, subtly expressing amusement and frustration.
Shaking his head, Nijimura turned to Sebas on the side, acknowledging his presence with a polite bow.
Stoic as ever, Sebas nodded in response. Addressing Fukuda Sogo's players, he said, "Then, shall I guide you to the place?" Sebas offered as the hotel staff opened the door for them. Tsuna nodded and gestured for everyone to follow along.
Even though Fukuda Sogo's players had experienced this multiple times already, they couldn't quite get used to it and still felt a bit uncomfortable. To their surprise, Murasakibara, who accompanied them, didn't seem the least bit fazed.
The towering figure remained entirely uninterested, maintaining his usual disinterested expression.
"...Murasakibara, are you used to this kind of thing as well? Are you also from a wealthy family or something?"
Ogiwara couldn't help but ask, genuinely impressed with Murasakibara's mental resilience in such situations.
Even though Murasakibara's family did have some business, they were by no means on the level of big conglomerates.
At least, not yet.
"...Not really. Why?"
Unbeknownst to them, it was just Murasakibara's unique character.
Guided to the place where they'd be having an ice bath, they chatted with Murasakibara. Despite his brief and seemingly uninterested responses, Ogiwara persisted with his questions.
As they arrived in the room, a surprising sight welcomed the Fukuda Sogo Academy team—a series of bathtubs arranged thoughtfully to accommodate the entire team.
A subtle haze hung in the air, emanating from the bathtubs filled with water. The low hum of circulating air contributed to the relaxed atmosphere.
Each bathtub was well-prepared, containing a mix of water and cubed ice. The partially melted ice cubes hinted at the refreshingly cool temperature of the water, promising a rejuvenating experience.
Neatly folded towels on nearby counters, mellow background music, and a subtle scent of essential oils added to the overall spa-like feel.
"Alright, take off your clothes and get in. Stay for at least 5 mins to get the best result..."
Tsuna instructed, shedding his own clothes. He wrapped a towel around himself before sliding into the bathtub, exhaling a sigh of relief.
Following Tsuna's lead, everyone began to undress and entered their respective bathtubs.
Murasakibara, however, looked around in confusion before approaching Tsuna with a question, "...Why am I here? Where is my snack?"
"Ahh, motherfucker, so cold!" Ishida exclaimed as he submerged himself into the icy water.
Ogiwara and Mochizuki, though silent, gritted their teeth and endured the chilling experience. Haizaki wore a frown as he slid into the bathtub, feeling the coldness envelope him.
On the other hand, Nijimura simply shook his head, silently enduring the frigid water that permeated his entire being.
The room echoed with a mix of exclamations, silent perseverance, and the occasional protest as each member of Fukuda Sogo Academy settled into the ice bath.
"Just take off your clothes and get in first; it will help in your recovery..."
Tsuna advised, his body fully immersed in the ice bath. Despite the biting cold, a comforting sensation enveloped him, soothing his sore muscles.
"Why? It's cold, I don't like it..." Murasakibara grumbled, voicing his reluctance.
With closed eyes, Tsuna calmly responded, "Just do as I said; you'll thank me later..."
"..." Murasakibara clicked his tongue but eventually complied with Tsuna's instructions.
The ice bath, though initially uncomfortable, served a vital purpose.
It was a proven method for reducing muscle inflammation and expediting recovery. This addition to Fukuda Sogo's training regimen, facilitated by Tsuna, ensured that their recovery process was not only faster but more effective.
---
Do you want to read 15 chapters ahead of the schedule? Here's where you can find them:
p@treon.com/mythoast