Chapter 35: - June 26 (Friday): Where To Stay?   

When we arrived at the site, Otomizu and I finished all the work we had to do for the day, despite our tight schedule.

 

“Fu ~u. … I’m tired.”

 

As I parked the rental car in the parking lot of the inn, I let out a sigh in the driver’s seat and looked up at the ceiling of the car.

 

Traveling by plane, I had a series of meetings with clients in an unfamiliar place.

 

I had to prepare documents in the time in between, so there was no time for breaks.

 

It was eight o’clock in the evening when we finally finished. It was already getting dark.

 

Since I was so tired, Otomizu must have been even more exhausted.

 

Is she okay?

 

I was worried and looked at Otomizu sitting in the passenger seat, she was making a small triumphant pose.

 

“We’ve made it! It’s finally the inn! I’m looking forward to it!”

 

“Oh, … Oh, …”

 

Are? You’re so relaxed.

 

I mean, aren’t you more excited than when you’re working?

 

“Otomizu … What’s with this … energy? …”

 

“Yes! I’m the type of person who gets excited when it gets dark! Night time makes me want to eat a big bowl of chashu thick ramen!”

 

Is this what youth is all about?

 

Although I was 26 years old, I guess I was on the young side; however, when I saw such a cheerful smile in front of me, I felt depressed as if I was being confronted with the fact that I was getting old.

 

We got out of the car and headed for the entrance of the inn to check in.

 

Although it was listed as a ryokan, the building looked like an old community center.

 

However, the accommodation fee was very reasonable, and the owner was very helpful.

 

一Once you stayed at this inn, it would be hard to leave, probably because of the pleasant atmosphere and the people.

 

However, there was a problem here.

 

‘… That’s odd. There’s no sign of anyone.”

 

At the entrance of the inn, I noticed the lack of visitors.

 

There was a little light leaking from inside the building, but it didn’t seem like it was open for business.

 

“Sasamiya-san! Look at this! It says we’re closed!”

 

“What?”

 

Indeed, there was a board hanging at the entrance that said “Closed.”

 

Is that why there was no sign of customers?

 

The owner was an elderly man, so he might have suddenly fallen ill.

 

Part of me was worried, but for now I would have to find a hotel where I could stay.

 

I was about to return to the parking lot when the door of the inn suddenly opened. A man of about 80 years old appeared from behind it.

 

It was, without a doubt, the owner of the inn.

 

“Well, well, well. Welcome, Sasamiya-sama. I’ve been waiting for you.”

 

“It’s been a while since I’ve been here. I was planning to stay here today, but is it closed?”

 

“Yes, we are. We’re getting old and are thinking of retiring soon.”

 

“Oh, I see.”

 

I heard that managing an inn was hard work, so I guess it was understandable.

 

When I came here a year ago, they didn’t have any employees. It was just the family running the place.

 

“Then we’ll look for another hotel.”

 

“No, no, no, Sasamiya-san. Please wait. My son actually runs a hotel nearby.”

 

“Your son’s hotel?”

 

“Yes, we have a room there, so you can use it. Of course, you can keep the price as it was when you made the reservation.”

 

This was how Otomizu and I ended up at the hotel managed by his son.

 

◆◆◆◆◆

 

There was a very large luxury hotel three minutes walk from the parking lot of the ryokan.

 

I knew about it because it was famous, but I had no idea that it was run by the son of the inn owner. …

 

There were cabs stationed outside and a doorman standing at the main entrance.

 

When I entered, I found myself in a different world with glittering chandeliers.

 

“I never thought I’d be staying in such a fancy hotel on a business trip. …”

 

“We’re lucky.”

 

“Yeah. We’ll thank the owner when we leave.”

 

After checking in, we went to our respective rooms.

 

We were supposed to go to a convenience store to buy some lunch, but the owner of the inn had arranged for us to have a meal included in the room rate.

 

I think we’re completely in the red, but is it okay to be indulgent?

 

No, I think it’s polite to be lenient here.

 

That’s right. I’ll make sure we enjoy it.

 

I left my luggage in my room, changed into my casual clothes, and went down to the lobby.

 

I was supposed to meet Otomizu for dinner, but I was so excited by the sudden surprise that I arrived 20 minutes early.

 

一Do you want to go back to your room?

 

No, no. I thought to myself that I would just take it easy, wait and see what would happen.

 

That’s what I felt like doing right now.

 

“It’s a great hotel, by the way.”

 

I opened the hotel pamphlet that qA placed nearby.

 

Oh, so this hotel also had a wedding hall and a large bathhouse.

 

Oops, there was also a store selling alcohol and snacks.

 

Maybe I’ll buy some later.

 

Then a woman picked up a pamphlet just like me.

 

She had medium short hair and a petite figure, and her cute outfit, which looked like something a high school girl would like, suited her large breasts.

 

When she looked at me, she greeted me with her usual dull tone.

 

“Good evening, Onii-San.”

 

“Hi. Yuika.”

 

I looked at the pamphlet for a while, unable to understand due to the suddenness.

 

Yuika looked at the pamphlet as well.

 

There was a moment of silence, then Yuika asked.

 

“Can I ask you something?”

 

“Of course.”

 

“What’s going on here?”

 

“I want to know.”

 

Afterword–■

 

For some reason, Yuika showed up at his business trip.

 

Next time, Yuika and her wedding dress!

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