It was an early and bright Sunday morning when Nao and Ema were getting ready to go to the bathhouse.
"Naoko-san, are you ready yet? " Ema asked, tying her shoelaces at the front door.
"Yeah! Sorry for the wait, Takane-san! " Nao exclaimed, running towards her.
Exiting their dorm room, they noticed a letter on their doorstep.
"Hm...? What's this?" Nao wondered aloud, furrowing her brows as she tilted her head slightly.
Ema glanced over and asked, "What is it, Naoko-san?"
With a hint of panic in her voice, Nao replied, "Oh, it's just... I think I've stepped on something!" She quickly lifted her foot to find a crumpled letter underneath.
Curious, they opened it and found that it contained the finalized roster for the semester.
Excited about their upcoming semester, Nao and Ema eagerly scanned the schedule. It neatly listed the subject's timetable and teachers.
"Ack! It appears that we're starting classes tomorrow," Ema remarked, a wry smile on her lips.
Nao's eyes widened in surprise. "So soon?"
She sighed and said with a hint of resignation, "I don't feel quite ready..."
Ema comfortingly replied, "Well, there's no use worrying about it now. Let's make the most of the time we have left."
Nao nodded, her worries momentarily set aside. "You're right, Takane-san. Let's enjoy today."
With the impending start of their classes and the realization that the semester was beginning soon, Nao and Ema headed to the bathhouse with mixed feelings.
Entering the bathhouse, the warm, soothing waters were a welcome comfort. They soaked in silence for a while, letting the cares of the impending semester melt away.
Ema was the first to break the silence. "Nao, I know it's a bit overwhelming, but remember, we're in this together. We'll support each other through the semester and make the most of it."
Nao nodded, her anxiety eased by Ema's reassuring words. "You're right, Takane-san. We've got each other. Let's make this semester a memorable one."
Nao continued, "It's unfortunate that we're not in the same class..." She muttered.
Nao sighed in discontent as she sunk further into the warm, soothing waters of the bathhouse. The stress and anxiety she had carried throughout the week seemed to melt away with each passing minute. The gentle steam enveloped her, tickling her senses and lulling her into a state of relaxation.
Beside her, Ema also leaned back, resting her head against the edge of the bath. The two friends had decided to visit the bathhouse to unwind.
Nao lowered her head into the bath, allowing the warm water to envelop her. With a playful grin, she inhaled deeply and exhaled through the water, creating a cascade of delicate bubbles that danced on the surface. It was a moment of childlike wonder during their soothing bath.
As Nao blew bubbles in the bathwater, her moment of playfulness was met with a soft chuckle from Ema.
"You always find a way to make even the simplest things fun, Naoko-san," Ema said with a warm smile, her worries momentarily forgotten.
Nao lifted her head out of the water, her eyes shining with amusement. "Takane-san, life is too short to be serious all the time. This is my way to relieve stress!" She exclaimed, submerging herself fully in the warm embrace of the bath.
As they soaked in the comforting warmth, they began to converse. Nao had been worried about the upcoming semester, fearing the workload, the expectations, and the pressure to perform well. But in the company of her trusted friend, those worries began to feel like distant clouds on a bright, sunny day.
The bathhouse, with its serene ambiance and tranquil atmosphere, provided the perfect backdrop for their conversation. Surrounded by the gentle sound of water and the occasional whisper of other bathers, Nao and Ema's worries gradually faded into the background. The warm waters seemed to wash away their fears, leaving behind only a sense of anticipation and curiosity about what the new semester would bring.
After taking a bath, they left the bathhouse, feeling refreshed and determined. Nao spotted Yuto's familiar silhouette heading towards the cafeteria.
"Minamoto-kun! " she exclaimed his name, causing him to jump at her sudden call.
Yuto turned around, a surprised yet delighted expression on his face as he saw Nao and Ema. "Nao-san! It's great to see you, and who's that beside you?" he said, quickly walking over to them.
Nao couldn't help but smile as Yuto approached. "Ah! It's Takane Ema, my roommate! "
Ema added, "We've just come from the bathhouse, after relaxing a bit. "
Yuto nodded in understanding. "That's a good idea. Since the first day of the semester can be a bit nerve-wracking."
Nao agreed, "Yes, it's coming up so quickly. By the way, Minamoto-kun, did you get your schedule for the new semester?"
Yuto's expression turned serious for a moment. "I did, and I can't wait to see you in class, Naoko-san. "
Nao's face lit up. "Me too, Minamoto-kun. "
"Unfortunately, Takane-san is not in the same class as us," she added.
Ema chimes in with a reassuring smile. "Well, we can still see each other outside of class and make plans to study together."
Yuto brightened up, appreciating the positive perspective. "You're right, Ema-san. I'm sure we'll find time to catch up."
The trio continued their conversation as they strolled toward the cafeteria, the cheerful chatter and laughter reflecting their friendship. The worries about classes and the impending semester seemed to fade into the background, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and anticipation for the adventures that awaited them.
Upon reaching the cafeteria, they found a cozy corner to sit and enjoy their meal together. It was a simple yet delightful moment, sharing and reminiscing about the fun they'd had during the last week.
As they dined and laughed, the bustling cafeteria became a backdrop to their growing excitement for the new semester.