As evening approached, the sun was setting, and the small inn became lively.
The students of Class A finally arrived at the resting place. They were as joyful as if they were celebrating the New Year, playfully jostling each other as they entered the hot springs, unwilling to come out. The innkeeper was all smiles, surprised by the brisk business at the start of the tourist season, convinced that this year would be a profitable one.
Fushimi Roku was awakened by the lively noise from downstairs. He had just about slept enough, and as he stretched and sat up, he felt sore all over, thinking it was indeed less comfortable to sleep on tatami than on a bed.
As he lifted his head, he saw Minamoto Tamako curled up in the far corner of the kotatsu, looking guilty as if she had done something wrong.
Fushimi Roku was pondering what on earth she was up to, and before he could ask, someone suddenly knocked on the door: "Is Tamako here?"
