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Days, weeks, maybe even months--it had been a while since Mitsuri had a day off to relax and forgo her duties as a pillar. When she was told, along with Shinobu, to get some rest the giddiness inside her bubbled. Not only was she going to get time off, but she would get to spend that time with Shinobu.
The two had been together for a few months already, though neither had made a move to make anything official. They both just felt comfortable with where things were and they didn’t feel the need to put a label on their relationship. Of course, that didn’t stop Mitsuri from waking up some days and needing reassurance from Shinobu that were, in fact, together and this wasn’t just a dream of hers.
Mitsuri had the perfect idea for how they should spend their off time together. There was a small but tranquil onsen not far from them, and they even had private rooms with their own baths. They’d always wanted to go there together but just never had the chance until now.
Alright! When I see her I’ll ask her to go with me.
*
The journey to the onsen was short and Mitsuri was thankful for that. Her mind was focused on images of the two of them at the spring, wearing matching yukata, eating all the sweets they wanted, and just...being with each other...kissing each other. Mitsuri couldn't even remember the last time they were able to get alone time.
“Mitsuuuu?”
Shinobu was standing in front of her, gazing right into her eyes. Mitsuri nearly fell over--she didn’t realize she had just been standing there, gushing over her own thoughts.
She blushed and stammered, “A-ah! Sorry, I was distracted!!”
“Mmm, I wonder what you were thinking about?” Shinobu teased, a devious smile spreading across her face.
She buried her face in her hands, embarrassment waving over her. It was always like this--Mitsuri getting lost in thought while Shinobu just enjoyed the spectacle.
A tug on her arm made her look up. Shinobu stood on her tiptoes and whispered into her ear, “Don’t worry. I’ll find out later.”
Shinobu grabbed Misturi's hand and together they walked into the onsen, Mitsuri still reeling over what just happened while Shinobu had a delicate, but smug look on her face. The elderly woman at the front greeted them and asked if they wanted a room with a private spring. Almost simultaneously they both nodded and the woman directed them to their room.
While walking in the hall, Mitsuri noticed the strong fragrance of flowers, though she wasn't able to tell where the scent was originating from. Perhaps they have a large garden in the back.
The woman stopped near the end of the hall and opened the door to the room, "Here you are. Please enjoy your stay and don't hesitate to let me know if you need anything."
The room was relatively small and looked a bit like an average onsen room, aside from the yukata that were folded on top of the futon. Those yukata were some of the most beautiful she had ever seen. There was a black and white one that had a few small flowers on it while the other was a solid dark, rosy pink. Simple yet elegant.
Shinobu went over to them, immediately picked up the pink one and said, “This one suits you perfectly, Mitsu.”
“Just like how the other one if perfect for you!” Mitsuri beamed, grabbing the white yukata and twirling it around.
A soft chuckle escaped Shinobu and she grabbed Mitsuri’s hand, “Let’s wash up and then we can wear them.”
*
After rinsing off in the washroom, Mitsuri opened the door to the bath. Immediately she noticed a large wisteria tree looming over the bath, its flowers in full bloom and numerous petals dotted the water. She’d never seen anything like this before, it was like an image from a dream. The strong fragrance she smelled earlier certainly came from here—each room at the onsen must have one outside.
The second that Mitsuri’s foot touched the water, she immediately felt at ease. She sunk in and let out a long exhale, letting all of her thoughts and worries just wash right off. Shinobu, who sat across from her, still had that composed look on her face, though Mitsuri did notice how Shinobu appeared much more relaxed than usual, less tense.
“S-shinobu,” Mitsuri stuttered, still adjusting to the temperature of the water, “Isn’t this aaamazing?”
“Incredibly so.” Shinobu's eyes were closed and she too dipped herself in the water.
Mitsuri lowered herself more into the water so that half her face was covered. While they both relaxed in silence, she couldn’t help but gaze at Shinobu. She loved the way her hair looked when it down, how it fell against her neck. She loved that small mole beneath her eye. She loved how small, yet muscular her shoulders looked. Everything, she loved everything.
“You like staring at me don’t you, pervert?”
Mitsuri had been so deep in thought she didn’t even realize Shinobu had been staring right back.
“W-what!?” Mitsuri stammered, trying to hide her embarrassment of getting caught.
Shinobu smiled slyly, and inched herself closer, whispering, “I don’t mind. The staring.”
Mitsuri wasn’t sure if it was the heat from the spring, her embarrassment, or some otherworldly thing, but she felt like she was going to burst into flames.
Without warning Mitsuri stood up and got out of the bath, wrapping herself in a towel. The coolness of the air didn’t mix well with the heat still radiating throughout her body, and a chill went down her spine.
“Done already?” Shinobu asked.
“A-ah, I was um...getting warm!”
“That’s fine, I was getting a bit warm too,” Shinobu said, gracefully getting out of the water.
*
Once back inside, they put their yukata on and laid out the futon, which thankfully was large enough for both of them. Mitsuri looked over at Shinobu, whose hair was still down from being in the bath. An idea popped up in her head.
“Shinobu, can I do your hair?”
Shinobu glanced up at her and a soft, sincere smile spread across her face. “Of course you can.”
They sat on the futon and Mitsuri grabbed a spare towel, to help dry Shinobu’s hair off more. While rubbing the towel gently on Shinobu’s hair, she noticed a small mark on the other’s lower nape. It was a small formation of freckles--Mitsuri never noticed before but she wanted to kiss them. She resisted the sudden urge and instead gently pressed a finger on them, her fingertip lightly circling around the freckles.
“Mm,” Shinobu hummed, not protesting the sudden touch. “Didn’t know you had a thing for freckles, Mitsu.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. I couldn’t help myself, they’re so cute!” Mitsuri pulled her hand away and finished drying Shinobu’s hair. She set the towel down and began running her fingers through, weeding out any knots. Playing with Shinobu's hair was always fun, even though it's short. It's so, incredibly soft--anyone would kill for this texture.
With relative ease, Mitsuri pulled Shinobu's hair back into a small bun.
"There!" Mitsuri beamed, as she clipped on Shinobu's butterfly. "All done."
Shinobu brought a hand up and touched the clip, then her hair. "Perfectly done, Mitsu."
"I'd gladly do your hair any day, and you know that!”
"And I appreciate that so much," Shinobu turned around, eyes glowing and staring right back into Mitsuri's. "The only other person I've allowed near my hair was Kanae." She was smiling softly, but Mitsuri could see the grief underneath it.
Those words had tugged hard on Mitsuri's heart and she quickly wrapped her arms around Shinobu, pulling her into an embrace. Seeing the latter unveil her emotions like this made Mitsuri want to hold her forever, never letting go.
Hugging back, Shinobu nestled her head on Mitsuri's shoulder, remaining silent but Mitsuri could fell the emotions Shinobu was emitting.
"Shinobu," she said softly, "Can I kiss you?"
Shinobu's eyes widened a little but she nodded.
Leaning in, eyes closed, Misturi gently pressed her lips against Shinobu's. Just a light and soft peak, no longer than just a few seconds. She backed away slowly and looked down at Shinobu, whose cheeks were pink. That smug look was back and Mitsuri gulped, she had a feeling she just awakened a monster.
"You can do better than that, Mi-tsu-riii."
Shinobu leaned in again, grazing her lips over Mitsuri's, brushing them back and forth teasingly. Still, that light touch sent shivers down her spine, shivers that she always experienced when they were close like this. Softly at first, and then with a swift gradation of intensity, Mitsuri pressed their lips together once more. Not even a moment after, Mitsuri felt Shinobu intertwine their hands, the touch feeling welcomed.
Mitsuri pulled her face away slightly, her face feeling almost unbearably warm.
“That was much better,” Shinobu breathed.
“Ah! Th-thank you, I feel I’ve got--” Mitsuri started to say but was interrupted when Shinobu suddenly wrapped her arms around her neck, pulling her down. They laid on the futon, gazing into each other’s eyes, blushing feverishly. The gentle smile on Shinobu’s face made her heart thump. She bent down and planted kisses all over Shinobu’s face, over the features she adored the most. On her forehead, on the small mole beneath her left eye, on her sharp chin, and on her cute little nose.
Shinobu brought their lips together again, this time sneakily slipping her tongue into Mitsuri’s mouth. Unsure of what to do with her hands, Mitsuri began caressing Shinobu's leg, while their mouths remained together. Shinobu pulled back and planted her lips on Mitsuri's neck, leaving tiny marks all over. Not wanting to be outdone, Mitsuri was about to reciprocate when they were interrupted by a knock and a voice saying, "Excuse me."
The quiet voice they heard belonged to the elderly woman from the front desk. “I brought complimentary tea and sweets for you.” The woman didn’t open the door but Mitsuri knew it was better to get up than to take the risk of being seen. She got up, face beet red, and greeted the women, politely accepted the gift.
“Thank you,” Mitsuri bowed at the woman.
Shinobu, coming up from behind, said, “And ma’am, we would like to remain undisturbed for the rest of the evening.”
Uh oh, she’s mad. Mitusri even noticed a vein beginning to pop out on Shinobu’s forehead, which was never a good sign.
The woman bowed and left, closing the door behind her. Mitsuri set the tea and sweets on the table, thinking that maybe later they would want to eat them. Shinobu grabbed Mitsuri’s arm, pulling her close and said, “Those sweets look delicious, but I know they won’t taste nearly as sweet as you.”
How can she say that out loud?! Mitsuri wanted to explode, but inside she felt a pang of excitement. They still had a long night ahead of them.