Ten past eight.
Lu Heng and the others had arrived near the Qiusa Qian Tang and saw Yumetsuki Mizuki waiting at the entrance.
Simultaneously, Yumetsuki Mizuki spotted the group.
The first one she saw was Lu Heng.
Does this one dream?
That was the first thought that popped into her head.
She supposed not. After all, for an existence like his, surely no nightmare could possibly trouble him, right?
And as for pleasant dreams? He could probably make them reality the moment he woke up.
Dreaming was probably meaningless for him, even a controllable act.
Shaking her head imperceptibly, Yumetsuki Mizuki stopped pondering the question and went forward to greet them. "Mr. Lu, Your Excellencies, Lady Yae, General Kujou, Miss Hanachirusato, welcome to the Qiusa Qian Tang."
"I specifically chose your place," Yae Miko said with a playful smile. "Mr. Lu, the two Excellencies, myself, and the wooden-headed Kujou... our single visit will greatly boost your establishment's reputation. You're aware of that, right?"
"And what does the Guuji mean by that?" Yumetsuki Mizuki wasn't nervous around Yae Miko; they'd known each other since childhood, even aware of the color of each other's underwear.
But now, in some aspects, the two could be considered rivals.
At least, Yumetsuki Mizuki found this dynamic somewhat amusing, and she was curious to hear what Yae Miko would say next.
"Of course, you should thank me properly later?" Yae Miko laughed.
Yumetsuki Mizuki responded with a knowing smile and a nod. "Naturally. Please, everyone, this way." As she led them inside, she began explaining the layout.
The Qiusa Qian Tang was quite spacious.
There were public baths and private baths, situated quite far apart from each other.
There were also more luxurious baths prepared for distinguished guests like them.
The Qiusa Qian Tang did not have mixed-gender public baths; couples or married pairs typically opted for private baths.
As Lu Heng entered, he found himself reminiscing about his past experiences with foot baths.
The legitimate kind, of course; every time he finished, he felt refreshed and clear-headed.
Thinking of this, Lu Heng smiled. "I've never experienced a hot spring before. I'll have to give it a proper try this time."
"I promise you a pleasant experience," Yumetsuki Mizuki said warmly.
"Then I'll look forward to it." As they spoke, they reached their destination.
Lu Heng glanced around.
The area was fairly large and offered high privacy.
"This way is the changing room. We have prepared fresh towels and yukata for everyone. Please feel free to use them," Yumetsuki Mizuki informed them.
"Let's go change~" Yae Miko called out to Hanachirusato and Kujou Sara.
Noticing Lu Heng hadn't moved, Yumetsuki Mizuki asked curiously, "Mr. Lu, aren't you going?"
"Me? I don't need to."
Lu Heng shook his head, raised a hand, and lightly flicked his collar.
Though ordinary in itself, this garment, having been worn by him for so long, was no longer mundane.
With that slight flick, its appearance instantly transformed.
"So it can be done like that?" Yumetsuki Mizuki was impressed. "This way, please."
After passing through a corridor a few meters long, Lu Heng could feel the warm, moist air of the hot spring enveloping him.
From Yumetsuki Mizuki's introduction, Lu Heng learned this wasn't an ordinary hot spring; it contained various herbs and fragrances meant to relax the body and, consequently, the mind.
Knowing this, he understood how Yumetsuki Mizuki typically conducted her work.
When a person's body and mind relax, the mental guards they maintain also lower, allowing the dream therapist to gently enter.
Why do some massage therapists leave such a lasting impression?
Lu Heng figured it was because during the comfortable massage process, people relax and start talking, bridging the distance.
Once defenses are down, isn't it natural to speak more freely?
A person might casually start complaining about work stress or a foolish boss.
The therapist listens, agrees, completely siding with you, and thus the floodgates open?
Of course, Yumetsuki Mizuki wasn't a massage therapist; with the special ability of the Bakuuma clan, she was a bona fide psychological therapist.
Lu Heng entered the bath and sat down.
Before trying a hot spring, Lu Heng thought it wouldn't be much different from soaking in a bathtub.
Now, experiencing it firsthand, he felt qualified to comment.
The difference was huge!
At the very least, a bathtub was cramped, whereas this bath was wonderfully spacious; with enough water, you could even swim.
"Comfortable!"
Wrapped entirely in warm water, feeling completely warm and cozy, Lu Heng nodded emphatically, not stinting on his praise.
Yumetsuki Mizuki observed Lu Heng for a while.
She truly couldn't sense any trace of worry or trouble in him.
His emotions are so stable.
"Mr. Lu, we have tea bags, snacks, and some fresh fruits here," she mentioned.
Lu Heng looked and noticed some snacks were from his own shop. He asked with a smile, "So, you sourced goods from my place for the Qiusa Qian Tang. How much did you mark up the price?"
"Well..." Yumetsuki Mizuki smiled. "It's not as exaggerated as you might think. Take a bag of five-Mora chips, for example; here at Qiusa Qian Tang, it's only five and a half Mora."
"That's indeed not too bad," Lu Heng teased.
In some places, they'd probably sell it for seven or even eight Mora.
On this topic, Lu Heng asked, "When you visited the shop, I probably wasn't there. Mind if I ask what card you pulled?"
Yumetsuki Mizuki shook her head. "I only returned to Inazuma recently myself. After expanding the Qiusa Qian Tang, I didn't have much Mora left. So when I went to your shop, I only bought the Akasha Terminal and a phone. That's actually how I got to know Miss Hanachirusato."
"I see," Lu Heng understood. "Your profession remains stable even in the new era. Once you save up, you'll have another sum."
"Yes," Yumetsuki Mizuki nodded.
"What are you talking about?" Makoto arrived.
Lu Heng turned around.
Her long hair was tied up, and she wore a yukata.
She tested the water temperature with her toes before settling down next to Lu Heng.
"Just talking about gacha. The timing was a bit unfortunate; Miss Mizuki expanded the Qiusa Qian Tang just before I opened my shop," Lu Heng explained.
"That's alright. The Qiusa Qian Tang's income will be stable," Makoto said reassuringly.
"Mr. Lu and Your Excellencies' presence will also make the Qiusa Qian Tang famous for a while," Yumetsuki Mizuki added with a smile.
"Since our visit boosts your reputation, you can't just sit idly by, can you?"
Yae Miko, who had somehow appeared behind Yumetsuki Mizuki, wore a mischievous grin as she took her hand. "Come with me~"
"Huh?" Yumetsuki Mizuki was momentarily stunned.
"You weren't planning to wait until we changed and then sneak away yourself, were you?" Yae Miko teased. "You're the host, we're the guests. How can the host not accompany the guests? Come on, come on~" Pulling Yumetsuki Mizuki along, Yae Miko hurried them towards the changing room.
Makoto smiled warmly, leaning her head on Lu Heng's shoulder. "Just soaking like this for a while really feels like it can wash away the fatigue of the whole day."
"I'll have one built at home later," Lu Heng chuckled. At the Qiusa Qian Tang, he couldn't exactly misbehave.
But in his own home, couldn't he play around however he wanted?
Sensing his thoughts, Makoto shot him a playful glare.
Kujou Sara was feeling a secret thrill internally.
Her Excellency Makoto was leaning against her husband, but Her Excellency Ei couldn't, so she got to sit next to Ei!
Yes!
But this private joy was short-lived, as Kujou Sara soon noticed Ei's expression shifting rapidly.
Is the Shogun practicing some face-changing technique?
Kujou Sara was puzzled but didn't feel it appropriate to ask directly.
Ei was having a tough time.
"Hehe... Let me see! Let me look!"
While Lu Heng merely sat there with a towel draped over him, the Puppet Shogun was trying to force Ei's gaze to linger on his chest.
What, are you some kind of obsessed fan?
Even with their minds now connected, Ei found the Puppet Shogun's thought process hard to comprehend.
She was just too wild.
"Would you drink his bathwater?"
"Can I?"
You...
Ei was at a loss for words.
She only regretted her lack of foresight.
If only she had known, she wouldn't have come!
What should have been a delightful hot spring experience was now torture thanks to the Puppet.
"How about this: I ask him to create a body for you. Wouldn't that allow you to do whatever you want?" Ei suggested试探ly.
She absolutely could not allow the Puppet to control her body and act like a lovesick fool.
If it weren't for the fact that fighting her would only end in a stalemate, she would have made the Puppet understand who really owned this body long ago.
"No!" the Puppet refused outright, her gaze infatuated. "Using your body is more thrilling. He'd definitely be happier too."
"?"
"Stop fantasizing for a moment. I have a question for you."
Ei was trembling with anger.
"Don't ask pointless questions. Stop wasting my time. Right now, I just want to be with him—"
"Silence! Come to the Plane of Euthymia, now!"
Raiden Ei sat perfectly still, her eyes closed, seemingly immersed in the moment.
In reality, within the Plane of Euthymia, Ei and the Puppet were already locked in a fierce struggle.
In the same comfortable environment, the experiences of the god and the puppet were vastly different.
Ei was vehemently criticizing the Puppet, filled with rage.
Enjoying a shoulder massage from Hanachirusato and chatting with Makoto, Lu Heng simply wanted to lose himself in this haven of comfort.
Seeing Ei in 'meditation', Kujou Sara, finally relaxing, was almost asleep.
"Here we are~"
Yae Miko returned, pulling a slightly flustered Yumetsuki Mizuki along.
Yae Miko sat down next to Lu Heng, leaning against him, her right arm still draped over Yumetsuki Mizuki's shoulder. "Don't be so shy~" she teased.
"You, Miko..." Yumetsuki Mizuki sighed in resignation.
She always seemed to be at a disadvantage against Miko, as if Miko won most of their little contests.
The group chatted amiably.
Lu Heng now had his arms around his companions; even when eating fruit, Hanachirusato cut it and fed it to him.
Heaven!
Eleven o'clock at night.
Lu Heng and the others finally left the Qiusa Qian Tang.
After Kujou Sara also headed home, Lu Heng said, "Hanachirusato, Ei, you should both head back and get some rest early."
With that, Lu Heng took Makoto and Yae Miko back to his pocket realm.
Watching them leave, Ei felt a pang of something unpleasant.
The Puppet's prediction had come true!
Her sister was living with Lu Heng!
So was Miko!
"It's fine."
"It's just like before when you were in the Plane of Euthymia. Just you, all alone~" The Puppet knew how to mock and provoke.
Ei was seething.
"You have no right to speak!"
Ei snorted coldly, then turned to Hanachirusato. "You should head back and rest early too. I'm leaving now."
"Farewell, Your Excellency."
After watching a sighing Ei depart, Hanachirusato made her way back towards the shop.
Early the next morning.
The first thing Lu Heng registered upon waking was that the combined efforts of Makoto and Yae Miko were still too weak.
The more delicate Makoto was still fast asleep, while Yae Miko was already gone.
Where had she gone?
Puzzled, Lu Heng stepped out and saw Yae Miko and Focalors sitting on the sofa, deep in conversation.
Judging by their expressions, they were having a thoroughly enjoyable time, each seeming to have met a worthy conversational match.
"Oh, you're awake," Focalors said, the corners of her mouth lifting.
"What are you talking about that's got you so happy?" Lu Heng asked curiously.
"Nothing much," Focalors replied, raising a finger to her lips with a smile. "Don't ask. Let's just say it's a good thing~"
"Huh?" That only made him more curious!
"If it's a surprise, knowing in advance ruins it," Yae Miko added with a laugh.
Lu Heng clicked his tongue.
Since they put it that way, he had no choice but to be patient for now.
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T/N:
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