Part 1

Ah man, I’m sleepy…

(The job was a bigger piece of cake than I thought, but I still ended up having to pull an all-nighter.)

…Hm?

(Someone’s here… So much for having the place to myself.)

(...It’s that guy again, huh?)

(I could come back later, but—)

Well if it isn’t Ten. Are you going to take a bath too?

We meet again, Ten. I was just thinking about going in the sauna too.

…It’ll be the same no matter when I come.

Oh, Ten!

(...Called it.)

I never thought I’d see you in the bath this early in the morning. Morning baths are great too.

Ahaha, true that~. Do you usually come at this time, Raito-san?

Yeah. I’m not a morning person, but I’ve been trying to take a bath in the morning as much as I can.

A magazine I’m subscribed to had an article that said, “If you want to see a UFO, take a bath in the morning,” so I’m giving that a try now.

Oooh~ I see. Seems like it could work.

Could it be…you’re also interested!?

Oh, yes! If you’d like, why don’t we go to the hill nearby? There have actually been reports of UFO sightings there…

...…—And if you’re interested, I can tell you about the UMA¹ that an acquaintance of mine discovered.

(Wow… He’s still talking. I think I flipped some kind of weird switch~)

(I really just wanna relax on my own. Guess I’ll come back later.)

My bad, Raito-san. It’s about time~...

—Oh right. I’m changing the subject, but… Did you know there’s a public bath that uses natural hot spring water a few stations away?

…...A natural hot spring?

Yeah. I also learned about it when I saw it on an online message board the other day.

The spring water quality is apparently quite rare, and it’s effective for treating bruises, cuts, and contusions. According to one theory, it also has a detoxifying effect, and it was well-used by spies employed by feudal lords during the Warring States period.

…You don’t say~. Spies, huh…

What’s the name of the bath, by the way?

It’s “Seaside Springs.”

Apparently, there’s also a hot stone spa² and sauna on site as well, and all the hot water comes straight from the source.

I see.

Uh, Seaside Springs, was it? Can you tell me what the clientele is like?

Yeah, of course.