Fortunately, though Hazuki had brought large bottles of sake, there were only two in total. With a dozen people sharing, no one was going to get drunk.

Still, driving was out of the question until after dinner that evening.

Watching the main drivers happily sipping, Ichin sighed. "Looks like we'll have to wait until tonight after dinner, once the alcohol's worn off, before you can drive home."

Cheeks flushed pink, Yagami Kou waved it off. "No problem—it's the weekend. We can hang out a bit longer. Worst case, we just book a hotel for the night. Actually, why don't we find a hot spring inn and soak in the baths?"

"Oh! A hot spring inn?"

"That sounds amazing! Haven't been in ages!"

"Now that you mention it, I really want a soak too!"

"Where though? If we want a nice place, it won't be inside Tokyo. Nerima does have hot spring inns, but they're pricey."

Kou patted Ichin's shoulder with a grin. "What do you think, boss? You decide! Or maybe find one with mixed bathing, we'll join you~"

Ichin shot her a glare, sipping his sake. "Say one more stupid thing, and you're not coming to the hot springs tonight."

Kou quickly stuck out her tongue and shut up.

Ichin turned to the group, smiling again. "So, everyone wants to go soak in a hot spring?"

Everyone nodded in unison—even Yukino joined in this time.

But then Ruri Gokou looked troubled. "But… I need to go home and cook for my sisters. Both my parents are working overtime today, and I don't feel comfortable leaving the girls alone."

"Then bring them along. Hinata and Tamaki won't be any trouble."

Ichin decided firmly. "It's an important stage in their studies, sure, but proper relaxation is necessary too. Let them enjoy the hot spring for a night. Don't worry about costs—it'll count as company team-building expenses."

With Ichin putting it that way, Ruri couldn't refuse, though she still felt a little guilty.

Seeing her expression, Nene leaned on her shoulder with a smile. "No need to feel bad, Ruri. We don't get many chances for this. Remember last year's company retreat? That cost way more, and Ichin didn't even blink. Our company's doing well. As long as we work hard after, it's fine."

Ichin nodded. "Exactly. Like Nene said, aside from you, everyone here's been with us since the beginning. Haruno and Yukino are shareholders—we're family. Really, it's me who should be treating you, so you'll keep making great games with me. It's settled. I'll book a hot spring inn in Nerima. Sure, Tokyo inns can't match the countryside, but soaking in a bath under the city lights has its own charm. And no long trips back and forth—much easier. Ruri, call your sisters. Once we wrap up, I'll go pick them up."

Ruri nodded. "Okay, I will."

She was happy, though she couldn't help but feel it was a shame her friend Kirino Kousaka had gone back to Chiba for the weekend—she would've loved this too.

With the evening plan settled, the group went back to eating and drinking. Since the inn offered shuttle buses, no one had to worry about driving. They let loose, drinking more freely. Hazuki even called a friend in the alcohol business to deliver two more bottles.

The picnic slowly shifted from "flower viewing" to "sake festival."

It lasted until after four in the afternoon before winding down.

Stretching after a nap, Kou yawned. "Ahhh, that was great. I feel so refreshed. My buzz is gone—tonight's hot spring will be perfect!"

Nearby, Rin chuckled while tidying up. "Kou, since you're awake, stop lazing around and help clean up."

"Coming, coming~"

As she stood, Kou noticed Aoba sitting groggily, still not fully awake.

Since turning twenty, Aoba had slowly warmed to alcohol. She disliked beer but enjoyed plum wine. Today's sake, though delicious, was strong—and more than enough to overwhelm her modest tolerance.

Thankfully, Hazuki had brought honey-lemon water for sobering up. After a few sips, Aoba began to recover.

Looking around and seeing everyone already packing up, she shivered. "Ugh, I can't remember what happened earlier. I didn't do anything weird, did I?"

Hifumi crouched beside her, patting her head gently. "You just passed out and slept. Not even a word of sleep-talking."

Aoba let out a huge sigh of relief. "Good, good. If I'd gone wild, that would've been mortifying! Huh? Where are Ichin and Utaha?"

"They went to the library to pick up Ruri's sisters," Hifumi explained. "Come on, Aoba, time to go. The hotel bus is almost here."

"Oh, right! We're going to the hot springs tonight!"

Aoba jumped up, helping Hifumi fold the picnic blanket, then left with the group.

Soon, the hotel shuttle arrived, along with staff who would drive their cars over to the inn. Everyone boarded the bus, chattering excitedly about the hot spring evening ahead.

—

Meanwhile, Ichin and Utaha had picked up Hinata and Tamaki from the library, then stopped at their house so they could drop off their things before heading to the inn.

In the backseat, the sisters sat on either side of Utaha.

The elder, Hinata, was calmer, resembling Ruri in many ways. The younger, Tamaki, was lively and energetic, hugging Utaha's arm as she asked brightly, "Utaha-nee, what's college like? Hinata-nee's going next year, but I have to start high school first!"

Utaha patted her head with a smile. "College? It's a wonderful place. You'll learn a lot. For now, Tamaki, focus on high school. As for you, Hinata—study hard and try to get into Todai. Then you'll be Ichin and my kouhai!"

Tamaki nodded earnestly. "Mm! I'll do my best!"

*