CHAPTER 893: HIKING THROUGH THE HEARTWOOD MOUNTAINS

After finishing breakfast, they consulted with Grandma Iko, the innkeeper, about which hiking trail was the best to go on at this time of the year.

With breakfast remnants cleared and the last vestiges of yesterday’s revelry being politely swept away by the inn’s diligent staff, Theo and his boisterous crew, still collectively nursing their hangovers with a mix of herbal tea and sheer willpower, gathered around the innkeeper’s table. Grandma Iko, a woman whose wrinkles seemed to hold the wisdom of a thousand Bloom Weeks and whose apron likely had its own ancient lineage, greeted them with a knowing twinkle in her eye. "Ah, the young kids! Ready to face the mountains again, are we?" she chuckled, her voice like the rustle of dry leaves.

Theo, ever the spokesman, stepped forward. "Indeed, Grandma Iko! We were hoping you could point us towards a trail. Something that won’t have my hangover friends trying to have a heart-to-heart with a bewildered squirrel, you know?"

Kin and others in hangover grumbled good-naturedly from the back, clutching their still-aching temples.

Grandma Iko stroked her chin thoughtfully, her gaze drifting towards the panoramic window. "Well, for a group seeking a bit of gentle challenge and spectacular views, I have a few suggestions. First, there’s the Whispering Falls trail. It’s a lovely moderate hike, winds through some of the oldest Heartwood trees, and culminates in a waterfall that sings to the wind. Very picturesque, but it’s a solid five-hour round trip, so make sure your legs are up to it after last night’s... enthusiastic participation."

Aurora leaned forward, her eyes bright. "That sounds wonderful!"

Theo, however, looked slightly apprehensive. "Five hours, you say? My exploring legs might need a bit of a softer landing today. Plus, the journey is too long and we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the waterfalls,"

Grandma Iko nodded sagely. "Understandable. Then there’s the Sunstone Ridge path. It’s a bit steeper, but the views from the top are unparalleled. You can see the entire valley spread out before you like a painted map. However, it’s more exposed, so you’ll need to be mindful of the changing weather."

Sam, who had been quietly observing, piped up, "We want something beautiful, but perhaps not quite so... aspirational for our current state of being."

Grandma Iko’s smile widened, a hint of mischief playing on her lips. "Ah, I see. You need a path that soothes the soul as much as it stretches the legs. In that case, I have just the thing. It’s called the ’Valley of Serenity’ trail. It’s a gentle winding path that leads you through fields of blooming mountain lilies, and at its end, nestled amongst moss-covered rocks, you’ll find a series of natural hot spring pools. The water is infused with the mountain’s healing minerals. Perfect for weary limbs and recovering spirits. It’s not too strenuous with a 2-hour journey, and the reward is simply divine. Many of my guests find it to be the highlight of their stay here at Tsukihana."

A collective sigh of wonder and murmuring of approval swept through the group as they listened to Grandma Iko’s description of this hiking trail.

Theo, a wide grin spreading across his face, clapped his hands together. "Hot springs! Grandma Iko, you are a genius! That sounds absolutely perfect. Guys, you can thank the trees from the comfort of warm water!"

Everyone with a hangover managed a weak thumbs-up, already envisioning the blissful soak. The decision was unanimous, the allure of a restorative dip in the mountains’ embrace proving far more appealing than any strenuous climb.

Just like that, the group of 15 friends spent the next 30 minutes getting ready for their 2-hour hike in the Heartwood Mountains.

Everyone had brought hiking clothes and equipment, as they had discussed going on a mountain hike when they were planning this trip.

Ayia, Shizuka, and Kaori were experienced hikers as they sometimes accompanied their mother on adventures.

But the rest of the gang was inexperienced.

Theo, Aurora, Sam, Sayuri, June, Ryoko, Kumiko, Shoko, Kin, Gwen, Max, and Lauren were the rookie hikers who would follow Ayia, Shizuka, and Kaori’s lead through the mountains.

Grandma Iko had given them a detailed map of the trail, and their phones still had signal in the mountains, so it was impossible to get lost.

Just like that, at 9 am, Theo and the others were finally ready to leave the inn. But before heading out of town, they stopped at a market to buy some food, drinks, and other things to cook when they arrived at the trail’s destination.

The Heartwood Mountains, a name whispered with reverence by Grandma Iko, now lay before Theo and his crew, a sprawling tapestry of green and grey under a sky so blue it looked painted. Ayia, Shizuka, and Kaori, the seasoned hikers, set a brisk pace, their backpacks seemingly lighter than the collective anxieties of their rookie companions.

Kumiko, ever the enthusiast but with legs that still protested yesterday’s revelry, kept a steady, albeit slightly wobbly, rhythm, pausing every few minutes. "Just getting my bearings," she’d announce to no one in particular, while secretly checking if his phone’s signal was strong enough to post a dramatic "conquering the mountain" selfie.

Sam was already wrestling with a stubborn water bottle cap, muttering about the existential dread of dehydration on a two-hour hike. Lauren, meanwhile, had managed to get her hair caught in a low-hanging branch within the first ten minutes, a surprisingly common occurrence for their group.

The trail soon led them into a forest that felt less like a trek and more like stepping into a dream. Wildflowers, in hues of violet, crimson, and a yellow so bright it seemed to hum, carpeted the ground. Every few steps, the group would halt, a collective gasp of delight echoing through the trees. Kin, despite his lingering headache, found himself captivated by a cluster of impossibly bluebells, his hand instinctively reaching for his phone to capture the ephemeral beauty, only to remember it was already full of blurry photos from the previous night. Gwen, who had been complaining about blisters before they even started, seemed to forget her woes amidst the riot of color, her initial grumbles replaced by a quiet awe. Even Max, usually more interested in charting the most efficient snack-consumption strategy, paused, a faint smile gracing his lips as he inhaled the sweet, perfumed air.

As the trail meandered deeper, the air grew cooler, and the scent of damp earth mingled with the floral perfumes.

Theo, trying to sound knowledgeable, pointed to a particularly vibrant patch of flowers. "See? These are rare Mountain Echo Blooms," he declared, remembering the name from Grandma Iko’s description. In reality, he was just reading the tiny plaque someone had thoughtfully placed nearby. Shizuka chuckled softly, while Ayia gave him a playful nudge.

The more inexperienced members of the group, however, were entirely absorbed, their cameras clicking away, immortalizing every petal and leaf. They were a motley crew, these rookie hikers, still finding their footing, but in the magical embrace of the Heartwood Mountains, surrounded by such breathtaking beauty, even the lingering hangovers seemed to be gently dissolving, replaced by the simple joy of a shared, sun-dappled adventure.