BONUS CHAPTER: INANAKI HIDDEN HOT SPRING

~3rd Person Perspective~

　This is a hidden hot spring with the Inanaki Sacred Mountain – a natural open-air bath.

“Aahhhhh…” (Alraune)

　As she sank her fair shoulders in the hot steamy bath, Alraune sighed uncontrollably.

　Even the person herself was surprised at her destressed voice.

“I wonder if this is what it means to come back to life…” (Alraune)

　She said dreamily, leaning her delicate back against the rocky bathtub.

　When she looked up, there was a starry sky framed by white steam.

　The night breeze that blew down her neck felt good, and she fell into a slumber, meditating for a few moments.

　But.

“–Kyuu-chan Buster!” (Kyuuketsu)

“Bufu!” (Alraune)

　Suddenly, a huge surging wave of steamy hot water destroyed Alraune’s peaceful bath time.

　Right next to her, a bakeneko whooshed at the corner of her eyes before slamming into the hot water with incredible momentum.

　After that, there was loud cheering.

“Well, uh, I don’t know what happened, but the Bat of the Mountain won-nya!” (Bakeneko)

“Well, I’ve been defeated by a great person! Complaining is worthless-nya!” (Bakeneko)

“The best wrestler among the Bakenekos-nya! That person… defeated the “Cat Sense”!” (Bakeneko)

“This is because my training is different!” (Kyuuketsu)

　Then a girl stood in the center of the bakenekos. She stood proudly with her slender figure puffing out her modest bosom proudly.

　The most talked rookie, Bat from the Mountain, who has won consecutive battles against the bakeneko wrestlers who are standing in line. This is expected from the monsters within the sumo world.

“Kappa! Since this happened, I’ll call kappa! I don’t care about your techniques-nya!” (Nekomata)

“No! She drank too much and collapsed-nya!” (Bakeneko)

“Her drinking habit is really bad!” (Bakeneko)

“That’s right! Nekomata-sama–!”(Bakeneko)

　All the bakeneko look back immediately.

　Their leader, Nekomata, The Immortal, even she is in the ring.

　She might be the only one who can defeat the little “monster” of a wrestler!

　This is what they thought,

“Nyaaaah…” (Nekomata)

　The Immortal Nekomata is laying down on the ground, and after receiving a paw massage from another bakeneko, she cried.

　There was not a shadow or shape anymore of her usual devilish presence.

　It squeaks its throat like a real cat, exposing its sloppy face, which even subordinates are taken aback.

“Ah, that… Nekomata-sama?” (Bakeneko)

“…Hmm? What?” (Nekomata)

“You know, about the sumo wrestling-nya…” (Bakeneko)

“I’m tired today, so I’ll pass-nya! I’m a member of society who takes proper rest during rest days.” (Nekomata)

　Nekomata waved her hand squirming and screaming “Nyaaaaaaa” again.

　In the meantime, the bakeneko, who had never expected such words to come out of the mouth of the workaholic Nekomata, was left speechless.

“Well, it’s over? I’m not exercising at all like this, now I have indigestion, can I throw the bakenekos at random?” (Kyuuketsu)

“Huh!? You have indigestion!?” (Bakeneko)

“Well, is there anyone stronger I can fight!” (Kyuuketsu)

“… It’s really noisy here.” (Senri)

　A woman’s voice reaches the confused bakenekos.

　Looking back, there lies a woman on a beach bed with an umbrella, even though the sun isn’t shining.

　She is probably the only person who can pull this kind of pretentious act.

　The Middle Boss of the Inanaki Sacred Mountain—Senri, a Tanuki, also known as the Myriad.

　Perhaps she felt better after attracting the attention of the bakenekos and the others, she sniffed and said,

“It’s a celebration, it’s nonsensical to make a fool of yourself, be more elegant like me…” (Senri)

“—I’ve secured her-nyaa!” (Bakeneko)

“Eh… Wa-wa-wait!?” (Senri)

　Before she could say anything about elegance, Senri was carried out by the rushing bakeneko army, and before she knew it, she was forced into the ring.

“”Hi-nyaa~~~~~~~~!”” (Bakenekos)

“Well, what’s this!?” (Senri)

“Senri-sama will win-nyaa! The prestige of the Inanaki Sacred Mountain is hanging on this! And also our dried bonito flakes-nyaa!” (Bakeneko)

“I, I don’t know what is happening!?” (Senri)

“Come on, get on-nyaa…” (Bakeneko)

“What going on, what is going on!?” (Senri)

“It’s fine… Oh she’s gone-nyaa!” (Bakeneko)

“Buster Punch!” (Kyuuketsu)

“Bufu!” (Senri)

　It was an instant KO.

　A pillar of hot water rises so high that it feels like it would reach the heavens, and the curvaceous body of the pitiful Senri floats over the hot water.

“Ah, it didn’t work-nyaa.” (Bakeneko)

“Foreign Wrestler is strong-nyaa.” (Bakeneko)

“It was a heavy load for the Foreign Wrestler-nyaa.” (Bakeneko) [T/N: “ガイコクジンリキシ” or Gaikokujin Rikishi or Foreign Person Sumo Wrestler.]

　The commentary was quite heartless.

　The day is still far away when Senri, whose eyes are spinning in circles, can become a true middle boss.

“Hmm! Senri, scary! Next time, you can try to go after the World Cham…” (Kyuuketsu)

“Do not get carried away!” (Alraune)

“Bufu!” (Kyuuketsu)

　Kyuu-chan finally became an angel, after her short-lived reign as champion.

　She received an angry Alraune Buster from behind, and she was now floating over the hot water.

　At that time, she was unaware that the eyes of the Bakenekos and her friends were inspired by her actions.

“It’s a relief to be here, but you’ve been so busy.” (Alraune)

“…But it’s so lively… it’s been a while…” (Yukime)

　Alraune turned around after hearing a faint voice that seemed to disappear, as expected, there was Yukime the Cold behind her.

　She was looking up at Alraune, her cheeks flushed and a cup of sake in her hand.

“Oh, Yukime, have you started?” (Alraune)

“Yeah… Al-san also… do you want some?” (Yukime)

“I’ll have some.” (Alraune)

　Alraune slowly sits next to Yukime so there wouldn’t be any splashes.

　And when she received the cup from Yukime, she let out a sigh of relief.

“Ah, it seems that the tiredness of this week is dissolved by the hot water…” (Alraune)

“Thank you for your hard work… Al-san…” (Yukime)

“We’re both tired. It’s going to be a tough week, but let’s take the day off.” (Alraune)

“The effects of the hot springs here are… recovery of magical power… improvement of poor circulation… and other things that are good for your health…” (Yukime)

“Oh, that’s just perfect.” (Alraune)

“… and it is also good for beauty.” (Yukime)

“…”

　Alraune’s eyes suddenly glowed differently and silently pours hot water on herself.

　Seeing the reaction, Yukime,

“…Al-san, I want to hear the story of you fiancé…” (Yukime)

“Eh?” (Alraune)

“The ring… on your finger… you said you have a fiancé…” (Yukime)

“……Ah.” (Alraune)

　Alraune finally remembered.

　Of course, she said that to her at a goblin stall during the last parade.

　Needless to say, it was not true.

　She was happy to be asked if she was engaged, and she answered that because she got carried away.

　The hot spring was so warm, but a cold sweat trickled down her forehead.

“Al-san’s love story… I want to hear it… I want to use it as reference…” (Yukime)

“Ah, no, Yukime-san? Did I say that I was engaged at that time…?” (Alraune)

“–Are you engaged Al-san!?” (Sakura)

　An astonished voice interrupted Alraune’s words.

　When she looks at them, she can see the red-faced Sakura and Momiji.

　It seems that the Momiji was completely drunk, and she turned bright red like a boiled Octopus and was crying all over Sakura.

　Immediately, a troublesome premonition flashes on Alraune’s mind.

“We-well you see… That is you…” (Alraune)

“–The other party is Narugoa-san!?” (Sakura)

　Unable to confirm or deny.

　Alraune is often left frozen by questions that are too direct.

　After seeing this reaction, Sakura shouts, “So it happened!”

“I thought it was strange! Both of them were strangely intimate for just employee and boss…!” (Sakura)

“No, that’s because…” (Alraune)

“If you think about it now, that ring probably meant that!? Please more details! Please tell me more about it!” (Sakura)

　Perhaps she was also drunk, she inhaled and rushed to Alraune.

　If she is pushed this far, even Alraune feels embarrassed.

　Her pointed ears were flushed red, and she seem to be ready to burst.

“—That’s right help me, Yukime-san!” (Alraune)

　She asked Yukime, as she grasps for straws, for help.

　…But there was no reaction from Yukime.

“…?” (Yukime)

“Yukime-san?” (Alraune)

　There is not a single reply.

　As she wondered why she brought their faces together…

“—Yu-Yukime-san’s is burning!!?” (Alraune)

“Oh no!?” (Sakura)

　–The brief respite came to an end once again, and Inanaki Sacred Mountain was enveloped in a hubbub.

　And so the feast continued through the night under a star-filled sky.

~Narugoa’s Perspective~

“I’m pretty sure I made a mistake.” (Sergeant)

　In the men’s bath, Sergeant, who had turned somewhat white, explained his situation in simple terms.

　I didn’t know what to say to him, since he had changed so much.

“Well… you’ve become rather muddled in color…”

　I could only comment on the blandest things.

“This is because of the hot spring since I have exhausted all my poison, so I completely absorbed the ingredients of the hot spring. I have become a slime that is rather beneficial rather than poisonous, ahaha.” (Sergeant)

“…You’re going to be normal right?”

“I don’t know, oh, I want to die…” (Sergeant)

“Please just try to be happy…”

　The day when I can become a true middle boss is still far away…