Chapter 278: Chapter 278
"Oh~ I see," Klee said, crossing her arms as she nodded thoughtfully. She looked at Miyauchi Renge and Qiqi beside her with a bright smile.
"So, Renge's home is in that village, and you're here with your family for a trip?"
"Yes," Renge replied, holding Qiqi's hand. Looking at her two new friends with excitement, she asked, "Can I come to play with Klee and Qiqi again tomorrow?"
"Of course! Klee wants to play with Renge too," Klee answered happily. She lightly dipped her toes into the steaming water, and her eyes lit up.
"Wow~!"
With a small jump, Klee splashed into the water with a loud "pfft," sending droplets flying everywhere. Her cheerful laughter echoed as she emerged quickly from the surface, turning to wave at everyone on the shore.
"Renge, Qiqi-neechan, come on in! It's so nice~"
Wrapped in a white towel, Qiqi wiped the droplets from her face. The warm water brought a rare small smile to her face, something she hadn't felt in years.
Nodding slightly, Qiqi gently pulled Renge, who was about to run, back by her hand.
"Renge, don't run in the bath. It's dangerous," she said softly.
Carefully leading Renge, Qiqi stepped into the hot spring with a hint of excitement. The warmth, which she usually found uncomfortable, now felt soothing. The once-cold body became soft and warm as crimson blood circulated through her veins, reviving her stiff, icy form.
Fully submerging herself in the spring, Qiqi looked at Klee, who was swimming toward her with a big smile.
"Qiqi-neechan, let Klee wash your back!" Klee said eagerly as she paddled over with a small washcloth in hand.
"When Brother Hiroshi bathed, Qiqi-neechan wasn't there. Klee always wanted to help you wash your back but couldn't."
"Now that Qiqi-neechan can bathe with Klee, leave it to me! Klee's great at washing backs. I've done it for Brother Hiroshi and Liuli-neechan a lot!"
Standing in the chest-deep water, Klee puffed her small chest with pride as she boasted about her back-washing skills. With a swift motion, she removed Qiqi's towel and lunged forward with her tiny body.
Her dive was slightly off, and with a splash, she toppled into the water, pulling Qiqi down with her. Water splashed everywhere as laughter rang out.
From the shore, Renge clenched her tiny fists in excitement as she watched Klee and Qiqi. Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"Oh, so this is the kind of game Klee and Qiqi want to play~!" she exclaimed. Standing up straight, she raised her hand as if answering a teacher's question.
"Renge-go is ready! Launching now!"
With a loud shout, Renge mimicked Klee's earlier jump and launched herself toward them. The two in the water barely had time to react before Renge splashed down on them. Laughter and splashes filled the air as the three played together.
Under the clear water, Klee, Qiqi, and Renge sat crouched, holding their noses as they stared at each other. Their puffed cheeks and curved eyes radiated pure joy. Unable to hold back, they covered their mouths with small hands as tiny bubbles rose to the surface.
Plop! Plop! Plop!
Suddenly, three large hands reached into the water, grabbing the collars of the mischievous trio. Lifting them from the water, the adults surrounded Klee, Qiqi, and Renge, exchanging glances.
Tilting her head, Renge looked at Miyauchi Ichijo with curiosity.
"Sister, are you done with your bath? Are we leaving?"
"Renge-chan~," Ichijo said with a sigh, holding her towel over her chest. Smiling at Takimoto Hifumi and Yagami Hikari, she focused her attention on Renge.
"Didn't I tell you not to hold your breath underwater? And you kept your eyes open, didn't you? Your eyes will hurt later."
Lifting Renge's small face, Ichijo carefully inspected her eyes. After a moment, she sighed in relief and placed Renge down gently, rubbing her head.
"Thankfully, you didn't keep them open for long. Your eyes aren't red, but remember, if you do this again, Sister will be upset."
"Mm!" Renge nodded quickly, blinking her eyes as she promised to be careful. Turning to Klee and Qiqi, she asked, "Are your eyes okay?"
Blinking twice, Klee and Qiqi shook their heads in unison.
"We're fine. It doesn't hurt at all."
"Oh, that's great," Renge said with a sigh of relief. Patting her small chest, she added, "Last time I played underwater exploration, my eyes hurt so much."
"Are you okay now?" Qiqi asked, leaning closer with concern.
"I'm fine now," Renge said, raising her small fist confidently.
"Wow~!" Klee's eyes sparkled as she mimicked Renge's pose.
"Klee has practiced this a lot too!"
The two locked eyes, their determination radiating as if a spark ignited between them. Simultaneously, they turned toward Qiqi, who looked back in confusion. With mischievous smiles, they shouted:
"Heave-ho!"
With small kicks, they lunged toward Qiqi, pulling her into another round of laughter and splashes.
Standing on the side, Ichijo and Yagami shook their heads with a smile.
"Let's leave these three to play here while we go over there," Yagami said, pulling the unsure Hifumi along toward the deeper section of the spring, Ichijo following suit. Stopping in the deeper area, Yagami glanced at Hifumi, who was shyly covering her chest.
"Honestly, we've all been working late nights, and our skin has suffered. That's why we came here to rejuvenate."
"But Hifumi, your skin is still so smooth. Share your secret, and let me feel it~!"