It was the day of our hot spring trip.

Three days, two nights. A long drive to the hotel meant we had to wake up early.

I grabbed the bags I’d packed the night before and loaded them into the car.

My phone buzzed.

Hikari: [Just come in, door is unlocked.]

Kotoha: [We’re still trying to finish packing! Hardworking Rabbit Sticker]

I could already imagine the mother and daughter arguing about what to pack.

“Excuse me! Coming in!”

The living room looked like a storm had hit it. Bags open, clothes spilling out, toiletries scattered across the floor. Kotoha crouched in the middle of it all, stuffing items into her bag. Hikari stood nearby, arms crossed, watching helplessly.

“Ah. Souta-kun, good morning.”

“Good morning, Hikari-san. Hello, Kotoha.”

“Souta-kun!” Kotoha waved from the floor, cheeks puffed with frustration.

I stepped closer. “What’s going on?”

“Kotoha can’t decide what to bring.”

“It’s just three days. There’s no need to think so much.”

“You really don’t understand women, do you?” Hikari sighed.

“Go sit down over there, I’ll be done soon!” Kotoha flapped her hand at me.

I moved to the dining table. Hikari followed.

“Souta-kun, do you want anything to drink?”

“Coffee.”

“Black, right?”

“Yes, please.”

“I don’t know how you drink black coffee. It’s so bitter.”

“It’s an acquired taste. You just need to live a little longer, Hikari-san.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Hikari laughed lightly.

She hummed while making the coffee. The warm fragrance drifted through the room.

“Hikari-san, you finished packing already?”

“I did it last night. I told Kotoha to do the same, but she’s an airhead.”

“I can hear you guys!” Kotoha yelled without looking up.

We exchanged a glance and chuckled softly.

“It’s not a big deal, I just wanted to avoid traffic.”

“It’s a long drive, right? Do you need me to switch with you?”

“I should be okay. But it would help if you could handle the directions.”

“Oh my. I guess I’m stealing Kotoha’s seat today?”

“It’s not a big deal. Kotoha will fall asleep anyway. I’d like someone to talk to.”

“You never know, Souta-kun. What if I fall asleep too?”

“I’ll force-feed you black coffee.”

“Scary~”

By the time Kotoha finally zipped her bag shut, the living room looked as if a battlefield had just been cleared. She stood up proudly, puffing out her chest.

“Done!”

Hikari sighed. “At last.”

I picked up Kotoha’s bag before she could say anything more and carried it out to the car. I’ve also placed Hikari’s bags in earlier.

The morning air was still cool, sunlight just starting to climb over the rooftops. I set the bag in the trunk and shut it with a solid thud.

Kotoha trailed after me, yawning with both hands on her head.

“I didn’t sleep much…”

“If you didn’t sleep much, you should’ve packed sooner.”

“Don’t nag me Souta-kun, you sound like mom.”

“That doesn’t sound like a compliment.”

“You can take it as whatever!” She giggled.

Hikari locked the door behind her, then joined us at the car. She slipped into the passenger seat.

“Oh? Mom’s stealing the front already?”

“She’ll be helping with the GPS.” I told Kotoha.

“That’s not fair! I wanted to sit next to Souta-kun…”

“You’ll be asleep five minutes in.”

Her cheeks puffed, but she didn’t argue. She climbed into the back and flopped against the seat dramatically.

The engine turned over with a low rumble.

Kotoha leaned forward between the seats. “We’re really going on a hot spring trip…~”

“Did you forget anything, Kotoha? Toothbrush?” Hikari asked.

“I wouldn’t forget something like that! Hm, let me think… I don’t think so.”

“You should get some rest in the car.”

“That’s the plan! I’ll be fully recharged when we get there!”

Seeing this interaction, I couldn’t help but think how lucky Kotoha is to have a wonderful woman like Hikaru as her mother.

I glanced in the rearview mirror. She had already curled herself up against the door, eyes half-closed.

“See?” I said.

Hikari hid a smile behind her hand. “I’ll do my best to stay awake, Souta-kun.”

“You’d better. I’m relying on you.”

The highway opened wide, only a few cars passing in the opposite lane.

Kotoha was already out cold in the back. Her head rested against the window, lips parted slightly, arms wrapped around her backpack like a pillow. Every bump in the road made her sway.

“She’s completely knocked out.”

Hikari glanced back, then smiled faintly. “She must’ve been too excited to sleep last night.”

The quiet hum of the tires filled the car. Hikari’s phone sat on her lap.

“Take the next exit in two kilometers.”

“Got it.”

She leaned back, letting out a small breath. “It’s nice, though. We don’t get many chances to go on trips like this.”

“I think we’ll be taking more trips together in the future.”

“Why do you think?”

“Just a feeling.”

The car fell into a comfortable silence. The smell of coffee lingered faintly from the cup holder.

“Thank you for driving, Souta-kun. I know it’s a lot of work.”

“It’s nothing. I don’t mind if it’s for you two.”

“It’s a family trip.” Hikari smiled.

“A family trip.” I repeated back, smiling as well.

We stopped by a local restaurant for lunch.

Kotoha was still knocked out in the back.

“I would feel bad waking her up now.” I said after observing her sleeping face.

“Should we let her sleep a little longer?”

“Is that fine? She might be hungry when she wakes up.”

“Let’s buy something for her and bring it back.”

“Then, it’s a lunch date for the two of us?”

“I guess it’s a lunch date.” Hikari chuckled.