Makoto didn't even look back. He just walked away, leaving Mika trembling and unfinished. "You were right, Mika. We're supposed to enjoy this wholesome and family-friendly moment instead."
"Right, Mafuyu-nee?" He slid into the water next to Mafuyu, who let out a soft, startled squeak. The water was warm, but the space next to her felt warmer.
"Mika-chan looks angry, Makoto-kun," Mafuyu whispered, her eyes wide with fear and awe as she watched Mika's furious silhouette across the bath.
"She looks more like a broken faucet! Brutal, boss! Absolutely brutal!" Ayane howled with laughter, pointing. "Edging the Icy Bitch in front of everyone? That's some shit only the Harem King can pull! I am so turned on right now!"
Yuna let out a cackle from behind her rock. "Serves you right, you smug bitch! That's what you get for thinking you're in charge! My big bro only listens to his Main Wife!"
Mika slowly sank into the water until it reached her chin, her back to everyone. Makoto could see that her shoulders were shaking with tension. She was silent, but the silence was more menacing than any scream.
Makoto turned his attention to Mafuyu, gently placing a hand on her knee beneath the water. "She looks pretty like this, right, Mafuyu-nee?" he asked softly.
Mafuyu blushed, her gaze darting from his face to Mika's rigid back across the onsen. She gave a tiny nod, her heart fluttering at being chosen in the aftermath of such a bold move. "Y-yes," she stammered, her voice a breathy whisper. "Mika looks… very pretty."
"So, tonight we're going to try the food here and enjoy the view, I guess," Makoto said quickly, desperately trying to change the subject to avoid further antagonizing the seething Mika. He cleared his throat, looking around the steam-filled bath. "What is everyone's plan for tomorrow?"
The shift in topic was a welcome splash of cold water on the simmering tension. Mika's rigid back didn't relax, but the group dynamic immediately changed.
"Food! Yes! Kaiseki!" Ayane cheered, clapping her hands and sending droplets of water flying. "I heard this place has a famous chef. My plan for tomorrow is simple: wake up, eat a massive breakfast, then, after buying up all the souvenirs, I will drag all of you to that soba place the taxi guy mentioned."
She continued. "After that, we go to the local ice cream shop. Then we come back, get in the onsen, and I'll try to convince everyone to let me give Makoto a soapy massage. It's a perfect day!"
Yuna scoffed, popping her head up again, looking smug. "Your plan is just to eat and be a pervert. Idiot cow!" She turned her attention to Makoto, her voice turning syrupy sweet. "You and I are going to that hiking trail the driver mentioned, just the two of us. It'll be so romantic. We'll pack a lunch Mafuyu-nee can make, and we'll have a picnic at the top. Away from certain loud-mouthed sluts."
"I can make the lunch, if they allow me to borrow the kitchen!" Mafuyu said instantly, her face brightening at the thought of being useful. "I'll make onigiri and tamagoyaki for everyone! And for tomorrow… maybe we could all go to the little shrine together? I saw it on the way in. We could buy fortunes for the babies."
Finally, a voice cut through the chatter. It was Mika, who still hadn't turned around. "The shrine is a good idea, Mafuyu-nee," she said, her voice cool and calm, but with an icy undercurrent that sent a shiver down Makoto's back. "Tomorrow, we will all go there together. It's important to pay respects and get some charms."
She paused, then added, "The trail you mentioned has a couples-only scenic overlook halfway up, Yuna. It's quite famous for its privacy. But make it quick. I seem to remember someone lost a date to Mafuyu-nee recently."
"I think that's a wonderful plan," Mika continued, her voice smooth. "We start with a wholesome family activity at the shrine. Then, we split up. The lovebirds can go on their hike. The rest of us can find other things to do."
She finally turned her head slightly, her eyes glinting over her shoulder at Makoto. "Doesn't that sound fair, darling? Then, after tomorrow's dinner, we can have some private time, just the two of us."
"Sounds okay," Makoto stammered. Seeing Mika's chilling gaze, he instinctively grabbed Mafuyu's hand under the water to calm the chill running down his back. "What do you think, Mafuyu-nee?"
He nodded, trying to regain his composure. "You don't have to make lunch, though. I doubt the staff will allow you to use their kitchen anyway." He looked at Mafuyu apologetically. "Five of us will enjoy tomorrow morning and lunch together, then we can have a date afterwards."
Mafuyu squeezed Makoto's hand back, her skin soft and wet against his. She looked a little disappointed upon hearing about the kitchen rules. Cooking was her main way of showing love, after all. But she quickly recovered with an understanding smile.
"Oh… you're probably right, Makoto-san," she admitted, her shoulders drooping slightly. "Professional ryokans are very strict about hygiene. I just wanted to be useful to everyone. But buying onigiri from a local shop sounds fun too! And the plan sounds perfect. A morning with the whole family, and then…"
She blushed, looking down at the water where their hands were joined. "And then spending time with just you? I would love that very much."
"Don't think you can hide behind her forever, darling," Mika's voice cut through the steam, cool and amused.
She finally turned around in the water. Wet pink hair plastered to her neck, droplets running down her collarbones, her nipples still hardened from the earlier teasing and the cool air hitting her wet skin. She looked like a vengeful water spirit, beautiful and terrifying.
She waded over to Makoto, ignoring the others, and stopped just inches away. Her gaze dropped to where his hand was holding Mafuyu's. "Using the innocent Mafuyu as a human shield?" she tsked softly, reaching out to tap his nose. "Cowardice is not a trait I admire in a father, Makoto. But I'll let it slide for now."
She pulled back, crossing her arms under her breasts, pushing them up slightly. "Let me go through our plan again: Morning at the shrine. Lunch as a group, trying the local bentos. Then, you divide your time: Yuna gets her hike first. Mafuyu gets her quiet date afterwards."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, locking onto his. "And tomorrow, when we're back, after the kaiseki dinner, you belong to me. To finish what you started. Do we have an accord?"
Yuna popped up, looking grumpy but satisfied, ignoring the dejected Ayane. "Fine. As long as I get the sunset at the top of the trail. That's the romantic peak."
"Hey! What about me?!" Ayane splashed water, looking indignant. "I want a date too! I want to go to the trick art museum with Makoto! It's perfect for lewd photos!"
"Then it's settled," Mika announced, standing up. Water cascaded off her body, highlighting her curves and the small bump of her belly. "Now, let's get dressed. Dinner is served in thirty minutes. And I am starving."
Mafuyu watched her go, then looked at Makoto with wide eyes. "Mika-chan is really amazing, isn't she? She just organized our whole lives in ten seconds." She squeezed his hand one last time before letting go to stand up. "I'll go get ready too. I want to look nice for dinner."
Makoto answered, "I have a hunch she will be managing our entire calendar once we're married, Mafuyu-nee. Don't worry, she seems to love that."
He quickly got out of the water, stepping onto the stone tiles. He grabbed two large towels and approached the women, pulling both Mika and Yuna into his arms as he began to wipe their bodies. "Allow me to dry your delicate bodies, ladies," he chuckled.
"Oh, I intend to," Mika purred, not resisting as he pulled her into his embrace. She leaned back against one of his arms, allowing him to towel off her shoulders. "Someone has to organize this chaos."
"If I left it to your libido, we'd never leave the bedroom. If I left it to Yuna, we'd spend all day arguing. And if I left it to Ayane…" She shuddered elegantly. "We'd be in jail."
Yuna, trapped in his other arm, squawked indignantly as the towel rubbed over her back. "I am not delicate!" she protested, though she immediately lifted her arms like a toddler to let him dry her sides. "And don't lump me in with her! I'm the Main Wife! I should be dried first! Why are you drying two people at once?"
She glared at Mika over his chest. "Stop enjoying it, Mika! He's just doing this to apologize for being mean to you just now!"
"I am accepting his apology, Yuna," Mika replied coolly, lifting a leg so Makoto could dry her calf. "Besides, having a man attend to your needs after a bath feels good." She caught Makoto's eye, her gaze darkening. "I will be a bit gentler during our private time later, though. You missed a spot on my inner thigh, darling."
Ayane, standing dripping wet on the stone tiles, threw her hands up in exasperation.
"Unbelievable!" she shouted, grabbing her own towel and aggressively scrubbing her hair. "I get ignored during the naked towel service! Is it because I'm too independent, Makoto? Do I need to act helpless?"
She suddenly dropped her towel and slumped against the wall, putting the back of her hand to her forehead in a dramatic swoon. "Oh, heavens! The water was too hot! I feel faint! If only a strong, handsome husband would come dry my massive tits!"
Mafuyu giggled softly, already dressed in her yukata. She walked over to Ayane and gently draped a towel over her shoulders. "Here, Ayane-chan, let me help you," she said sweetly.
"You're an angel, Mama-fu," Ayane sniffled, hugging Mafuyu. "At least someone loves me, unlike my pervert cheating husband-to-be."
Makoto watched them all, drying off the two women in his arms while the other two embraced nearby. The steam swirled around them, and somewhere down the hall, the faint sounds of dinner preparation had already begun.
"Alright," Makoto said, feeling equal parts contentment and impending doom. "Let's get dressed. The food awaits."