Please to Kitsune-sama!

Chapter 108 : Kitsune-sama Enjoys Atami Hot Springs

And so, after finishing the meeting, where did Inari go? To the hot springs, of course.

Atami had several types of hot springs, but the most famous one was the chloride spring.

Oft called netsu-no-yu, or “hot water,” it was said to have a high heat-retention effect thanks to the salty sensation of the water. Yet, upon actually entering, one would find it not particularly harsh, but instead a pleasantly mild spring quality.

To soak in such a hot spring at a seaside inn was truly a luxury that carried the feeling of the ocean. In the past, baths designed to emphasize harmony with the sea had also been very popular.

Shinkai Inn, too, boasted a chloride spring directly sourced from its own wellspring. From its colorless, transparent waters rose a soft steam, giving it a warmly inviting atmosphere.

However, one must not rush. First came the ritual rinse, followed by properly washing the hair and body. To be frank, Inari’s body automatically became clean by itself, but there were rules of etiquette to be observed.

Even if one was not dirty, skipping the wash before bathing was generally frowned upon. Since Inari fully understood that, she washed herself thoroughly. Besides, she also loved the bath culture and would never cut corners in that regard.

Naturally, Atsuage—who had come along as though it were the most obvious thing in the world—was imitating her by washing itself as well. Incidentally, whether Atsuage was allowed in the hot springs had been checked with the inn’s staff in advance. Cats or dogs with fur weren’t welcome, but Atsuage’s smooth, shiny surface had earned approval.

Once they were clean, Inari entered the indoor bath first. The large cypress-built tub was empty, all for her alone. Since it flowed directly from the source, the water was slightly hotter than usual. Having just washed, her body was already warm, and now the bath heated her further. Inari caught a faint trace of fragrance in the air.

“Haa… Good it is. Verily, the culture of hot springs is most wondrous. Thinkest thou not so, Atsuage?”

Beside her, Atsuage was soaking in its own little hot spring, a washbasin filled with bathwater, and raised a hand lazily. It was as if it were saying “Yes, indeed.” This washbasin bath had actually been suggested by one of the employees. After all, Atsuage’s legs could not reach the floor.

Leaving Atsuage as it was, Inari let out a soft sigh, “Hofuu.” Just soaking in a bath was good enough, but soaking in a hot spring seemed to multiply her happiness two or three times over. Her eyes flicked toward a certain door—the one leading to the open-air bath.

“Open-air bath. A fine phrase indeed. I must needs try it.” 

With that thought, Inari acted at once. She climbed out of the tub, carried Atsuage’s washbasin, and headed for the outdoor bath.

“Oooh…”

Though of course screened for privacy, beyond the rocky bath’s roof stretched a blue sky. A passing breeze cooled the water slightly, making it far easier to enter compared to the indoor bath.

There was even a signboard that read:

“Sometimes little bugs that love hot springs may join you in the bath. Please gently rescue them with this net.”

Inari could not help but smile at that. They had written “rescue” instead of “scoop up.” That choice of words turned a simple instruction into something warm and gentle.

“Just a small change in expression can make a sentence so charming… Such kindness, or rather, such thoughtful warmth is something I dearly love.”

“Aye… warmth doth reveal itself in words. A fine thing, is it not?”

Atsuage tilted its head, clearly not understanding. Considering that the only word it ever said was “beam,” it might have been a bit too difficult. Watching it, Inari muttered, “Hm…?” Suddenly, she recalled something about Atsuage.

“…Come to think of it, Atsuage. Wert thou not… a golem?”

A Building Block Golem. Famous as a dungeon boss. But to Inari, Atsuage was simply Atsuage, and the word “golem” had nearly vanished from her mind. Besides, it did not even fit the definition of a golem that Akai had explained earlier.

Its height was only about fifty centimeters… well, it had grown larger once before… and it was not made of earth, stone, or even metal. Building blocks might suggest wood, but it did not quite look like that either. What it was made of remained a mystery. Still, since Akai’s explanation had only covered ordinary golems, perhaps the boss monster Building Block Golem belonged in its own category. For Inari, though, it was hardly a matter of concern.

“Well, Atsuage is Atsuage.”

With that, she let the matter drop, rested her head on a comfortable spot, and let out another relaxed “hofuu.” The cool breeze, the warm open-air bath—together, they made a perfect combination. She felt as though she could stay there forever.

“Ahh… Blissful it is. Hot springs, wondrous they are indeed… Now I wouldst visit Kusatsu as well… and Arima, and Yufuin, and Noboribetsu… verily, there are places without end I would fain go. To know of them in mere knowledge and to enter them thus with mine own body—worlds apart they are. Truly, I did live in such a narrow world until now…”

Looking back, her time in that abandoned village had not even been based on the hopeful thought that “everyone might return someday.” It had been nothing more than empty sentiment. Perhaps she should have left much sooner… But nay, then she would only have been a nameless wanderer. All the timing had come together then and there, creating the “Kogami Inari” who now existed. In that sense… perhaps it should be called fate.

“Well, it mattereth not… Ahh, hot springs are most wondrous… Mayhap I shouldst dwell here.”

Given that she had the financial power not just to live there but to buy the entire inn, it was not a statement to be taken lightly… but since it was only a passing murmur she would surely forget once she left the bath, it posed no problem at all.