Seeing Ai diligently following along despite her complaints, I felt an unexpected surge of pride. Or was it just my imagination?
The most surprising part was the filming crew trailing behind Ai and me. Because...
Heavy gasps echoed from the crew.
"Wh-what... how are we less fit than Ai...!"
"She was an idol...! She must have trained hard...!"
Except for three who were panting and barely keeping up, the rest looked too exhausted to even film.
What's with broadcasting folks having such terrible stamina?
In the end, the following crew stopped filming, packed their equipment into bags, and slung them over their shoulders as they continued.
Even that seemed difficult for them.
"If it's too heavy, just give all the filming equipment to me."
"Huh...? N-no, it's fine...! We can handle it...!"
I ended up taking half of the equipment from the crew who insisted on carrying it, then took the lead and continued climbing the mountain. My pace didn't change, but at least without the heavy load, they should be able to keep up, right?
That was just my wishful thinking. Since I was carrying the equipment, they were managing slightly better than before, but it still looked tough.
But this was all out of consideration for their health. I'm sure it wasn't because I wanted to see them struggle.
"Yume, Yume."
"Yeah? What is it, Ai."
As I was climbing while conscious of the crew behind, Ai, who was right behind me, grabbed my arm.
"Yume, you're going too fast. Let's slow down a bit so the people behind can keep up!"
"Hmm... is that so?"
I thought I was going slowly, but apparently not.
In the end, I accepted Ai's suggestion and slowed down a bit more. Only then did I see the crew's expressions improve slightly, and maintaining this pace, it took only two hours to reach the summit.
If I were alone, I probably would have arrived in about 20 minutes... with just Ai, maybe an hour or so?
"We made it to the top!!!!!"
"We did it! We did it!!"
"Woo-hooooooooo!!!!!!!!"
"Looks like our kids have lost their minds?"
"Let them be... we're tired too, so let's just set up the equipment and rest."
"Sure..."
Ai and I were just enjoying the view from the summit, but it was nice to see the other crew members basking in the pleasure of having reached the top.
"Sigh... having hiking as the first date course is the worst!"
"Well, since we hiked, I've arranged a place to relax afterward, so don't get too mad."
Originally, the next plan was to go eat, but since the first course was hiking, something to soothe the fatigue.
"So, where's the next course? If it's something weird, Ai is really going to get angry this time?"
Ai, with her eyes narrowed, looked quite cute. But I was sure she wouldn't get angry, because...
"The next place is a hot spring, so don't worry too much."
"A hot spring!?"
My words seemed to shock her, as Ai's eyes widened, and her exclamation must have reached the crew behind, as murmurs could be heard.
"No way, Yume, can we really go to a hot spring in one day?"
Of course, what Ai said made sense, but the place we're going isn't far away.
"There's a facility our company has been preparing recently, and the director ordered us to feature it on broadcast, so that's where we're heading."
"Wow...!"
Seeing Ai's eyes sparkling as she looked at me, I smiled and patted her head.
"Ah! You'll mess up my hair!!"
"You're sweaty anyway, so it doesn't matter."
"But a girl has her pride!"
"Oh... is that so?"
I was a bit taken aback by Ai's firm words, but I decided to let it slide. Thinking we had filmed enough, Ai and I started descending.
On the way down, I carried the equipment again. Fortunately, it only took about an hour to descend.
"Phew... Yume, let's hurry to the hot spring!!"
"I got it, just wait a bit."
After calming down the urging Ai and putting her in the car first.
"We'll head out first. The rest of the filming team can come when they're done."
"Ah, yes, understood!!"
The person with the best stamina in the crew responded, and I left with the main camera operator and the team leader, making three of us.
The hot spring inn was surprisingly close. No wonder, since it was built specifically for hikers to visit right after their climb.
In fact, I had suggested it, so it was actively incorporated.
"We're here."
"Wow... it's huge!!"
"Indeed. I've passed by this area occasionally and always wondered what was under construction. I had no idea it was a hot spring inn..."
Ai was amazed by the size, and the team leader also looked very surprised.
"Alright, everyone, let's get out."
"Okay~"
Once all four of us, including me, got out.
One of the staff who had been waiting approached me.
"Welcome, Yume-san. We've been expecting you."
"Can you handle parking the car?"
"Yes, of course. Please give me the car keys, and you and your party can follow the manager over there."
"Thank you."
After handing over the keys, I approached the manager waiting for us at the entrance.
"Welcome."
"Nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you~☆"
The manager looked at me, Ai, and the two filming behind.
"So today's the day. The day Yume-san is filming."
"Yes, that's right."
I sheepishly scratched the back of my head and spoke, and the manager smiled slightly at my demeanor.
"Hehe, it's fine. Having Yume-san and his lady as our guests before the opening is an honor for us."
"His lady... hehe..."
"Haha... please take care of us."
We plan to stay here tonight.
By the way, I told Aqua and Ruby to stay at senior's house until today, and senior will take them to school on Monday.
"Then, please come inside."
The manager opened the door, and Ai, the other two, and I went inside.
"Wow... it's so luxurious..."
"This is... all I can say is amazing..."
"How much would it cost to stay here for two days and one night..."
They were all amazed by the lavish interior of the inn, but since it wasn't surprising to me, I just blankly followed the manager walking ahead.
"Ah! Yume, wait for me!!"
Ai, who had caught up to me as I walked ahead, linked her arm with mine and walked beside me.
The manager walking ahead glanced at us with a pleased smile.
The interior was quite spacious, and it took about five minutes to walk.
"Normally, we would guide you to a VIP room, but I heard today is for a promotional video. So we prepared a standard room. Is that okay?"
"This is standard...?"
Ai was astonished by the room that didn't look standard at all.
"Yes, it's fine."
Leaving Ai still amazed, I continued talking with the manager.
"What would you like for meals?"
"The standard meal plan, please."
"Understood. And for the hot spring?"
"Ah, can we use it right away? We just finished hiking."
"Aha, I see. Then, is it okay if we guide the other guests to different rooms when they arrive?"
"Yes, that should be fine."
"Understood. Then, please wait a moment, and I'll bring you clothes to change into."
"Yes, thank you."
After the manager left to get clothes, I gave Ai a light flick on the forehead since she was still dazed.
"Ouch!?"
"Snap out of it. Once they bring the clothes, we'll change and head straight to the hot spring."
"The hot spring!!!!"
Ai happily ran around the room like a kindergarten student, and after watching her,
"So, what about you two?"
I had reserved separate rooms for the two of them. Since it's next to ours, it shouldn't be a big issue.
"Ah, we'll just set up the cameras in this room and stay in the next one."
"Oh, I see? Then, when the others arrive, you can ask the manager to go to the hot spring or use other facilities."
"Yes, yes, understood. Thanks to you, Yume-san, we're having a great experience these two days."
"Hehe, just promote this hot spring, please."
"Yes, leave it to us! Well then, we'll be off."
"Yes, understood."
After the team leader and camera operator left the room, the manager brought the clothes, so Ai and I changed.
"Then, off to the hot spring!!!!!"
"Yay, yay."
We walked to the place the manager indicated, and it was.
"A private bath, huh."
"It's a private bath."
Naturally, we were guided to a private bath, and Ai and I decided to go in without hesitation.
For reference, the private bath was meant for families, so it was a real thing.
I wanted a regular hot spring, but since Ai chose the private bath, I had no choice but to follow.
"Come on, let's go, Yume!"
"Alright, alright..."
In the end, it seemed I couldn't win against Ai.
Thanks to that, Ai and I entered the hot spring with just towels covering us.
Ai sighed deeply as she sank into the water.
I let out a relaxed breath.
As soon as Ai entered the hot spring, she slumped down as if her whole body was melting, letting out a moan.
I also felt my body relax and enjoyed the hot spring leisurely.
After about 20 minutes of leisurely enjoyment, Ai slowly approached me.
"Yu.me."
"What is it, Ai."
Hearing Ai say my name syllable by syllable sent an inexplicable chill down my spine.
"The manager earlier said there's no one around here right now."
"R-really? Probably because we're the first guests...?"
As Ai slowly approached and I slowly tried to create distance, an unknown tension arose. The first one to reach a conclusion was, of course, me.
Ai slowly climbed on top of me.
"So, whatever happens in the hot spring, no one will know."
"Ai, wait, this is a public pla— mmm!?"
The sound of a kiss echoed, followed by a soft moan.
Perhaps due to the hot spring's heat, Ai's and my bodies grew warmer.
"Ahah★ Yume, are you excited?"
"Phew... whose fault is it..."
"Then... I'll dig in~★"
In the end, our bodies didn't cool down until the hot spring was over.
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