Chapter 7: "Hot Springs Hysteria: Who Forgot Their Towel?!"
Yuuya (narrating):Field trips are supposed to be fun. Until you realize a hot springs trip means shared baths, awkward glances, and the sudden appearance of your crush in the nude (or nearly naked).Welcome to our newest misadventure.
Scene: Early Morning at School – The Bus Ride to the Hot Springs
Teacher (cheerfully):Alright, everyone—next stop, Yuzawa Onsen! Please remember to pack your swimwear and towels. And no... no extra accessories, please!
Kai (whispering to Riku):I bet Yuuya forgot his towel again. Classic Kanzaki.
Riku (chuckling):He'll be the laughing stock of the trip. And the butt of every meme.
Cut to Yuuya in the back row, nervously patting his bag.
Yuuya (muttering):Did I really pack everything? I swear I had a towel this morning...
His phone buzzes. A text from Nanami appears:
📱 Nanami:Don't worry, I've got you covered. See you at the springs! And don't stress your swimwear—I packed extras.
Yuuya (narrating):I'm not entirely sure if "extras" means a fashion emergency kit or a second swimsuit, but I guess I'm relieved enough to keep quiet… for now.
Scene: Arrival at the Hot Springs – A Natural Onsen Setting with Steamy Pools and Cherry Blossoms in the Background
Nanami (greeting Yuuya at the entrance):Hi, Kanzaki-kun! You made it in one piece?
Yuuya (sweating slightly, checking his bag):Hey, Nanami—uh, I'm here, but… I think I forgot my towel.
Nanami (laughing lightly):Forgot your towel? I thought you'd be ready for the trip by now! Here, take mine. (She hands him a neatly folded towel.)Just don't go replacing it with one of your "artistic" versions later.
Yuuya (snatching it, both embarrassed and grateful):I swear, the laundry at home has a mind of its own. It's… rebellious.
Scene: Changing Room – Hectic and Hilarious
Several students scurry about. The door opens and Yuuya peeks in:
Yuuya (to himself, nervously):Okay, Yuuya, you can do this. Just change and go enjoy the soak. No big deal.
He steps into the changing area, trying to remain inconspicuous. Suddenly, the door slides open unexpectedly, revealing a group of giggling students—and… Nanami, herself.
Nanami (cheerfully):Need some help, or are you just admiring the view?(Glances at Yuuya's half-visible towel mishap.)
Student 1 (snickering):Kanzaki, you look like you're auditioning for a comedy skit!
Yuuya (muttering to himself):I'm literally living a rom-com disaster scene…
Scene: The Hot Springs Pool – Later
Yuuya finally steps into the hot spring. The warm water does wonders on his nerves. Nearby, Nanami is relaxing in a separate, more reserved section.
Nanami (waving him over):Join me over here, okay? But remember, this pool is for… relaxation!
Yuuya (stepping into the water, with a nervous chuckle):Relaxation? Right now, I'm working on extreme survival strategies.(Glances at his damp hair and the towel still awkwardly draped around his waist.)
Nearby, Reika and Kai are lounging on poolside chairs, while Riku snaps photos with a phone as if documenting a historical event.
Reika (calling out loudly):Oh my gosh, Kanzaki-senpai is here! Is that his towel, or did he borrow someone else's?
Kai (laughing):It's definitely his signature move—confuse everyone with a mismatched accessory!
Yuuya (reddening):Seriously, can we not turn this into a full-on reality show?(Under his breath) One day, I will remember a towel…
Nanami smiles warmly, signaling him to ignore the teasing. Just then, a commotion arises as the school's student council representative, a prim and proper senior, approaches the pool area.
Student Council Rep (sternly):Ahem, please remember that the hot springs are a place for respectful relaxation. No, Mr. Kanzaki, you cannot wear that towel as a fashion statement outside the changing area.
Yuuya (mortified):I'm sorry—(He fumbles to adjust the towel, realizing it's now slipping dangerously.)
Nanami (helping him, playfully):Maybe you need an upgrade—a towel that stays put. I might know a store… after the trip?
The rep shakes her head, but there's a hint of a smile. Meanwhile, Yuuya and Nanami share a brief, meaningful look over the steam.
Scene: Later in the Evening – On the Bus Back Home
Yuuya (narrating):The hot springs trip was everything I feared and everything I never knew I needed.Between the awkward changing room, confused classmates, and a towel that tried to rebel, I learned something crucial today: I might be mortified in public, but I'm not alone.
Nanami sits beside Yuuya, her hand brushing against his occasionally. The silence between them is comfortable—not as painful as my usual panic-induced silence.
Nanami (softly):Kanzaki-kun, thank you for today. Even with all the mishaps, I had fun.
Yuuya (smiling shyly):I had fun too. Today, of all days… even if I felt like a walking punchline.
Nanami:Every great rom-com has its embarrassing moments. They make the happy endings sweeter.
Yuuya (narrating):In that moment, as the bus rolled along under a starlit sky, I realized it wasn't about being perfect. It was about sharing these imperfect slices of life with someone who turns chaos into warmth.
Final Panel on the Bus – Yuuya's internal thoughts while looking out the window:
Yuuya (narrating):Maybe tomorrow, I'll finally remember my towel. But if not—at least I know I have someone who'll laugh with me when it all goes wrong.And somehow, that feels like the best accessory of all.