Their trip was no problem, and the two arrived at Nikko in just two hours by train. Still, the pick-up service from their hotel would take a while to arrive, so the two decided to try the foot hot spring that was free just right near the station.
Naturally, before Ishigami entered, he bought the iconic foods at Nikko.
Nevertheless, he had to say that due to the high elevation of Nikko, the temperature was quite cold, which was a perfect match with the foot hot spring, and fortunately, even if he wore a hoodie, it didn't make him feel hot.
"So, Yuba?"
"Yeah, yuba."
"It seems... it won't have too many calories then."
"I will share some with you."
"Thanks!"
Yuba, or tofu skin, is an iconic Nikko food.
While this might be a strange choice, many places had similar iconic foods, such as Kyoto; Ishigami didn't bother to think too much since most of the foods in this country were similar, considering the seasoning and lack of ingredients.
If there was a problem, it was whether the food was good or not.
He bought two foods: a fried red bean paste yuba and onigiri yuba.
One was sweet, and the other was savory.
Starting from the sweet, Ishigami divided his fried red bean paste yuba into Kobachi and ate them together.
"It's sweet, but there is some saltiness."
"The saltiness makes it perfect."
"Nothing special, though."
"You are right."
They thought it was okay, but there was nothing special, and because of that, they didn't have much of an expectation of the next dish since the taste of a yuba or tofu skin was just like that.
Or rather, the tofu had no taste at all!
People love tofu because of its texture, which is quite similar to meat, not the taste.
If there was an advantage, it was a good source of protein and versatile as it could be used in many dishes, whether they were sweet or savory. Even though the taste might not be special, it wasn't bad at all.
Still, the onigiri yuba surprised them as the savory taste was more to their taste.
"This rice is a bit too sticky."
"It's glutinous rice."
"Really? No wonder it is so sticky, but it isn't bad. Better than before."
"You are not wrong."
"By the way, it might not be related, but isn't that girl staring at you too much?"
Yes, they weren't the only person who rested on the footbath as there was another person who also enjoyed this footbath.
While Kobachi didn't know nor realize who this person was, Ishigami knew that this was Hasayaka in disguise!
Yes, Hayasaka didn't leave, and she followed him. She even sat in front of him, staring at him while resting on the footbath. Frankly, she was dead tired, and she just wanted to use her rare holiday for her computer hobby, yet unexpectedly, she would go to Nikko alone and watch Ishigami enjoy a cheating trip with his secret lover.
While this was a risky move since Kobachi might recognize her, Hayasaka didn't think so since she knew that Kobachi wasn't that smart, and unlike in the school where she appeared gaudy, she appeared so plain and even unremarkable, especially when she hid most of her beautiful blonde hair within her hoodie, and appeared like a gloomy woman, who didn't have anyone to accompany her on a trip.
"....."
Somehow, Hayasaka felt gloomy and even angrier at Ishigami, who would definitely do something lewd with his cheating partner. Still, she was curious about how Ishigami would answer Kobachi's question.
"Well, I am handsome, after all."
"...." Hayasaka and Kobachi.
"Aren't you too narcissistic?" Kobachi looked at Ishigami in disgust.
"If I were not so handsome, would you fall for me?" Ishigami looked at Kobachi curiously.
"Aren't you underestimating me? Do you think I fell in love with you because of your face?"
"You are not?"
"...I admit that your face is my taste, and I like your face, too, but the reason I fell for you isn't because of your appearance. Even if your face is burnt and destroyed because you caused your girlfriend to throw acid on your face, I believe that I will still love you."
"...don't say something so scary, okay?" Ishigami felt the necessity to learn self-defense combat. Not to fight but to protect himself and run away. After all, he was living in a modern world, and a fight rarely happened. More importantly, if he could use a weapon, why should he be bare-handed?
Fortunately, there should be a Muay Thai and Boxing Class in his gym, which he could join.
Well, this class was for a diet, but it should be fine, he thought.
"Then, what is the real reason you fell for me? I can't say I am a good person, after all, especially when I am with you, even if I have a girlfriend."
When Ishigami asked this question, Hayasaka was surprised and listened carefully.
In other words, Ishigami didn't hide the fact that he was dating someone, yet even so, Kobachi was still willing to be with him.
Why?
Hayasaka wanted to know the answer, but Kobachi stared at Ishigami and said, "It's a secret."
"...you sure love to play like this."
"Well, we're still in the public, after all, though..." Kobachi moved closer to her boyfriend's ear and whispered, "Don't you think that girl is so sad to go on a trip in Niko alone?"
"....." Hayasaka.
"...don't say that the solo trip has become a boom now, so there is nothing wrong with going on a single trip."
"Well... you are right, but..." Kobachi leaned on Ishigami's shoulder and said, "If I were in her place, I would be lonely, which is why I am glad that I can be with you, Yuu."
"Kobachi..."
Watching the two, Hayasaka didn't say anything and just quietly ate her yuba onigiri, which she had bought in the same store where Ishigami had bought her yuba onigiri. It tasted good, but somehow, her heart said otherwise, especially after she heard Kobachi's words.
At the same time, she also kept staring at Ishigami, wondering what was so special about him.
How could this guy get such a beautiful girl by his side even if he had a girlfriend?
"Still, aren't you hot wearing that hoodie?"
"Not really; the air is quite fresh and chilly here."
"You are right." Kobachi wore a jacket, too, but when she entered the footbath, she removed it because it was too hot. "But try to remove your hoodie; it makes me hot to just look at you."
"No, it's fine."
Yes, it was too late since Kobachi had already removed his hoodie and saw something that he didn't want to see.
There was a reason why Ishigami continued to wear his hoodie even if it was a little hot, and the answer to that was on his neck.
Kobachi fell silent and watched the obvious red marks, which were located on his neck. She wasn't sure how to feel at this moment.
Was this NTR?
Was this feeling of having to see your lover being held by another?
Kobachi couldn't help but think so, especially when those red marks on her man's neck were so obvious as if the person who left those marks wanted to mark him and tell everyone that this man was hers.
Ishigami felt awkward and put his hoodie back on, but somehow, his collar was pulled, and his lips were kissed lewdly.
"—?!"
Not only Ishigami but Hayasaka was dumbfounded by how bold Kobachi was!
Pressing her soft and sweet lips against his, Kobachi even stuck out Ishigami's tongue, sucking him lewdly, and obsessed until she lost her breath and let him go, yet even so, she never looked away from him and said, "Now, have marked you again." Her expression was that of a victor, smug yet also lewd at the same time. Moreover, she even looked in Hayasaka's direction, showing that Ishigami had been taken.
"..."
While Hayasaka pretended that she didn't notice anything and just quietly ate, naturally, she saw everything, yet strangely enough, her heart was far from calm.
"Ishigami-sama, are you there?"
Ishigami heard his name called, and when he turned, he saw a hotel staff member who seemed to call his name. This made him sigh in relief since it felt like he was saved from this awkward situation. "Let's go, Kobachi."
"Okay."
The two left the footbath and went toward the hotel staff, who picked them up and started their trip to the hotel.
Meanwhile, Hayasaka looked at the car that picked the two and read the name of the hotel from the car. She thought for a moment, hesitating, but in the end, she sighed and said, "Let's just buy souvenirs and then go home."
But then again, she might as well enjoy her trip, no, solo trip.
Yet, instead of excitement, what she felt was another feeling that made her small fists clenched tightly.