They first went to the receptionist counter, with each of them writing their names in the logbook. The owner that stood there was a man named Tomose, who gave them a rundown of how his business worked.
Despite being worried about having no spare clothes to use after they were done, the man reassured them that they offered spare uniforms and clothes for students and teachers who wanted to check in for an hour-long soak in the bath or more.
Next, much to the disbelief of all the girls, they didn't need to pay any points at all. Why? It turns out that they were the first customers of the bathhouse and because of that, they were allowed to stay for as long as they wanted for free until the day was over.
Kiyotaka knew that the system was fully responsible for this strange coincidence once again, but didn't choose to comment about it even in his mind. What mattered is that he would get to have a relaxing time in this place despite the situation he found himself in with his heroines... at least, that's what he hoped to happen.
They all agreed to stay for three hours, with only two reasons why. One was to get the full experience of the steamy onsen and to enjoy this for all it was worth and the other, well, it was mostly Suzune's reason. The girl wasn't planning to make this a regular thing like her classmates, so it's better to make this count. Plus, she wouldn't have to pay any points in this instance!
Afterwards, they headed to the locker rooms which, ironically, had a designated area for men and women. Kiyotaka separated from the girls momentarily to give them their moment of privacy, because... well, there wouldn't be any between them later on.
After shedding their clothes and wrapping a towel around their bodies, they left the locker rooms. Kei, Honami, Airi, and even Sae were a bit flustered to see Kiyotaka with only a towel to cover his lower regions and they were even more embarrassed that they were the same, except that their whole bodies were covered.
On the other hand, Suzune, Kikyo, Arisu, Chiaki, and Hiyori weren't really bothered. One of them was too innocent to think of anything inappropriate, three were more focused on the place itself and what it was like, while the last one actually wanted this.
Now left in only towels covering their bodies, the group walked to the actual bath, and they were all amazed at what they found.
The place almost looked like an outdoor hot spring, which might have been the intention when it was made. The floor was made of hundreds of small rocks, the water was completely clear, and the steam from the onsen could be visibly seen.
There were two pools there; one was the onsen, and the other seemed to be the normal one. There were also little chairs scattered around with wet towels beside them, most likely for washing oneself. Lastly, there was a designated shower area with chairs and proper hygiene materials at the far end of the area.
Chabashira-sensei wasn't kidding when she said that the place was large... because a whole class could probably fit in here and have a relaxing time just like what she said.
The students could only stare in awe at everything around. It was something that would never be found inside a school campus for a handful of reasons, and yet this place existed.
"Wow..." Hiyori's mouth slowly fell open, looking stupefied at everything around her.
"This school really has everything, huh...?" Kei said in amazement.
"My first time in a bathhouse... and it's this place. I love it!" Kikyo exclaimed.
"It seems that my words alone cannot bring justice to what this place is," Sae whistled.
"T-This place... is so beautiful..." Airi breathed out.
"I can't wait to get in there!" Honami grinned.
"I don't think this is as good as the other onsens I have been to, but it fits the school," Suzune remarked but felt impressed nonetheless.
Kiyotaka was on the same boat as everyone else. For his first time going to a public bath, he was impressed with what he's going. This place may be a product of the system, but it was still very much real and it's not like they were dreaming this whole place up.
"So this is what's inside a bathhouse, huh...?" he thought to himself. "I'm really torn on whether to stay mad at the system for making me go through this or be grateful that I am."
His feelings towards his eroge superpower can be really complicated sometimes... and it honestly depended on what it was doing and who it was affecting.
In Arisu's case, she wasn't really too keen on admiring what's in front of her and wanted to get down to business right away.
"What a bother. We have been standing here long enough, and I want to rest my legs already," Arisu sat down on the edge of the onsen and turned her head, sending a sultry look at the young man who was with them. "Ayanokouji-kun, would you mind washing my back?"
That last question from her snapped everyone out of their moment of peace as they turned their attention to the lilac-haired girl who did not even care about the implications of what she just said.
"W-What...?!"
"Washing... Sakayanagi-san's... back..."
"That's... I can't believe Sakayanagi-san would say that..."
"S-She can't be serious, right...?"
Kikyo, Chiaki, Honami, and Kei had varying reactions to what they just heard but one thing was for sure. They did not expect the leader of Class A to ask for such a thing and didn't know if she was being serious. On the other hand, Suzune, Hiyori, Airi, and Sae only watched with looks of surprise but paid full attention to what's happening nonetheless.
Kiyotaka only gave her a blank stare, seemingly having no reaction to her request.
"What makes you think I'll even do such a thing?"
Arisu only smirked. "Do you really expect me to be able to wash my own back, Ayanokouji-kun?"
"You could ask literally anyone else here other than me," he deadpanned.
"That may be true, but I don't feel comfortable with any of them touching me. I prefer someone who I am already acquainted with," she argued. "Besides, aren't we in a mixed bath already? It's not like we have to be in separate areas. Why not take advantage of the situation and make the most of it?"
The young man stared at the girl before him for a few seconds, contemplating what he should do. It's obvious to him that Sakayanagi was baiting to do what she wants but honestly, he didn't really see any problem with washing her back... except for the possible reactions from the rest of the females who were also there, and the close proximity of being near a girl who's practically naked.
Furthermore, this was surely part of the 'special event' that was still happening until now. If he refuses to do this now, the system would likely just manipulate things in order for him to do otherwise.
"Are you sure? You're not worried about me possibly touching any inappropriate places?" he conceded defeat to his fate. "Hm. Who knows? It might be enjoyable to wash a girl's back..."
"I trust that you won't do such a thing, not that I mind you doing it in the first place," Arisu answered like it was nothing, as she straightened her posture and waited in anticipation.
Everyone else's jaws had all but hit the floor at this point. They couldn't believe what they were hearing from Sakayanagi, as well as the fact that the girl was completely aware of what she was asking. She didn't even sound like she was joking.
They turned towards Ayanokouji, who was still thinking of what to say. Of course, they had no idea what he had in mind because his facial expression didn't give away any hints at all, and it made a lot of them feel nervous about what he would say.
"...fine."
"WHAAAAAATTTTT?!" shouted Kei, Kikyo, Honami, Airi, and Sae. They were unable to keep their thoughts to themselves at this point. Suzune, Hiyori, and Chiaki remained quiet, but they were just as shell-shocked as the others were.
Arisu smiled, feeling pleased with herself. "I knew I could depend on you, Ayanokouji-kun."
Kiyotaka merely sighed and started walking towards the lilac-haired student, which shocked everyone else even more because they didn't expect him to actually do it.
"Ayanokouji-kun, you can't be serious!" Kei said in an alarmed tone.
"The sooner I can get this done, the sooner I can clean myself. This shouldn't take that long," he replied in a calm voice, which only served to make the girl panic even more.
Sakayanagi's request wasn't really that complicated. She only wanted him to wash her back, right? So, that's what he'll do. He won't do anything else despite being given permission to do so by the girl herself, because that would only lead to an even deeper grave for him by the end of this.
"No way... he's really going to do it..." Honami mumbled to herself.
"I-I can't let this go any further!" Sae declared after finally finding her voice. She made sure to sound as serious as possible instead of being flustered, but it was easier said than done. "As your teacher, I forbid you from doing what you're planning to do!"
The young man only stared at her with an unimpressed look. "Why is that, sensei?"
Chabashira folded her arms and put on her usual stone-cold look. "Because you're about to lay your hands on another student with malicious intentions in mind. I cannot let you do such a thing, Ayanokouji."
Kiyotaka was about to answer her, but Arisu was faster to come up with a response. She wasn't going to let anyone ruin this moment, even a teacher like Sae.
"Chabashira-sensei, as far as I am concerned, your authority is only limited inside a classroom. Out here, your occupation means nothing. If I want Ayanokouji-kun to wash my back, then he can. He has my full permission and in doing so, he is not 'assaulting' me in any way. Your argument was completely flawed in the first place."
"I..." the woman tried to say, but fell apart completely. She couldn't do anything against that argument from Sakayanagi, because she knew it was true. Plus, her attempt to stop Ayanokouji was out of desperation more than anything so she didn't think it through.
It was a total defeat for her, and it was even more embarrassing that it was against a student... just like what happened at the rooftop a few days ago with a certain brown-haired teen.
"Are you done talking?" asked Kiyotaka as he knelt down behind her and grabbed the wet towel that was nearby.
"I am," Arisu nodded as she removed the towel that was wrapped around her body, exposing her bare back to him but keeping her front covered. "I apologize for the unwanted intrusion, by the way."
Kiyotaka blushed at seeing a girl's back for the first time, but quickly shook it off. It was just her back, nothing more. It's not like he was seeing her whole body.
He brought up the towel and just when he was about to press it on her skin...
"WAIT A MOMENT!"
Arisu did her best to suppress the urge to lose her composure and shout at the girl who just spoke, but it was very tempting to. She only calmed down when Kiyotaka whispered a quick, "Wait a moment," to her before he turned to face the one who interrupted them.
"Is there something else you want to say, Kushida?"
Kikyo clenched her fists tightly, both in an effort to stay calm despite her rising jealousy at what she was seeing and to brace herself for what she's about to say next. "A-After Sakayanagi-san... please wash my back next!" she exclaimed, making everyone turn their attention towards her this time.
Kiyotaka wasn't surprised with what she asked of him and in fact, it made him realize something.
"I think I can see where this is going," he said to himself before nodding in response. "I don't have a problem with that."
"T-Thank you, Ayanokouji-kun!" she beamed despite the deep red hue on her face.
"Is there anyone else who wants to employ me in washing their backs?" he asked the rest of their companions, as he too felt heat rising to his cheeks.
