Mob Yandere

[Part 3/6]

...

Spiritual Veins are gifts from the earth. They are blessings of spiritual power. They can change the science of the past. It's a miraculous thing.

The benefits of Spiritual Veins are many. They promise absolute abundance, rich mineral veins, no disasters, and endless clean water... How can onsen bubble up in places that aren't earthquake zones, and not pollute the earth? Some geologists in this world study the differences between regular onsen and those from Spiritual Veins.

Anyway, in places blessed by promising Spiritual Veins, the culture of onsen is rich. In the past, in the western empire, they built public baths in places taken from demons, and if you dig in the right spots, hot water will come out.

In my past life, they would change the water every few days, but in this world, it's normal for public baths in major cities to use water endlessly (only in spiritual areas).

In places like Hotoya village, they don't build public baths but use natural onsen instead. At certain times, the villagers take turns using the baths. This is also a way to avoid taxes that Fusō-kuni puts on public baths. Sneaky...

"Alright, here we are."

After telling the innkeeper, I arrive at the onsen in the forest outside the village. I've already used it twice, but both times I was too busy to enjoy it.

I heard that during this time, I can use it freely with permission, so I came back to visit. I'll relax my stiff shoulders from work and then go to bed.

"Hehe, I've got some drinks and snacks too!"

I have some clothes to change into and a towel, but what's really special is the expensive glass bottle of sake that I got as a gift when I left the city.

I also have some small cups, a sake bottle, some broad beans, and pickled vegetables to snack on. If I pour the warm sake and take a sip with the snacks, I'll feel happy like I'm at a onsen. Hehe, what a luxury...!!

"Alright, let's pour it!"

I pour hot water over the sake bottle to warm it up. As it does, I undress slowly. I take off my undershirt and underwear, dropping them into a laundry basket. My mask joins them. With a deep breath, I finally reveal my face... Ah, what relief! It's wonderful to feel so free.

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"I can't see the moon... Well, it can't be helped."

It's not quite the time for moon-viewing sake, so I grab a broad bean and sink into the hot water. Once I'm submerged up to my shoulders, I sit on a rock and let out a sigh. I relax my shoulders. Ah, this is what I live for...!

"Is this what it means to be a Household Member Coordinator?"

I pick up a piece of pickled eggplant and think about how nice my current situation is. If I were just a regular servant, the innkeepers would have told me not to mess up the onsen if I tried to come here at this time.

Getting free snacks would be out of the question too. They would have called me cheeky. Normally, I wouldn't even be allowed to join the banquet, and the others I was with were stuck eating plain rice and pickled vegetables.

I should have been eating the same food, and sending a village girl here would have been totally unacceptable.

"So, does this mean I've really moved up in the world?"

I can't help but wonder about the couple who promoted me to Household Member Coordinator. If I were just a clueless country bumpkin who got lucky, it wouldn't be surprising if I got carried away with this new treatment. They might even think it's a good thing if I acted out and got punished.

(At least I have the awareness from my past life. It's not easy to be in charge and act however I want, right?)

If I were an ignorant country person, it would be one thing, but as a 21st-century Japanese person, I know I have to be careful about how I act. I need to be moderate and not abuse my power... but I have to be careful not to let my guard down. I need to stay alert every day.

...But I can't shake the feeling that the couple is setting up another trap.

"...Ah, that's spicy. Hot!!"

Feeling frustrated about my difficult goals, I take a sip of the warm sake and groan. It's way too strong. In my past life, I definitely couldn't have handled it. It's still tough now, and it feels like my throat is burning. But at the same time, that's all there is to it. �

"If I can drink it, right?"

Maybe it's because I'm becoming more like a youkai. I felt it when I got the village head's son drunk, but I can tell my body is getting used to alcohol.

It's not just my imagination. I can feel that I'm drifting away from being human. I know that if I drank a whole bottle of this strong stuff now, I'd probably be fine in half a day.

(...Will I eventually have to drink from a barrel just to feel a little tipsy? Or will I not be able to get drunk at all?)

It would be tough to lose even the chance to dream. A life where I can't escape into alcohol... if I can't live as a person, it's even worse. Does that mean I'll have to face my last moments as a monster, consumed by madness?

"Haha. That can't be true, right?"

As I sigh about my future, I quietly shift my focus. The onsen is made of natural rocks, and the steam and rock formations block my view, but I can sense something is off.

I feel a presence...

"Is it that demon (oni)? No, that's not it...?"

I think of the most likely stalker, the blue demon, but I quickly dismiss it. If she was enjoying the onsen, I would have sensed her more clearly. This presence feels smaller...

"..."

I go back to my basket and pull out my dagger tantō), which is sheathed. It has a cherry blossom design and is one of my 2 prized possessions. It's an old friend I've had for a long time.

I received it from the second princess of Onitsuki, and for some reason, it was returned to me before my last mission... I take it with me as I wade through the water.

"..."

I'm trying to sneak up unnoticed. I move silently, being careful not to make a sound, even when pushing through the water. I aim to slip up behind my opponent without being heard. But it won't be easy.

(...the other side is on the move too. Are they trying to get around me?)

I sank halfway into the hot water, moving through the rocks, and sensed that I was alone ahead. I noticed a presence that reacted to my awareness, making my expression tense.

(At least, they know what they're doing. They're not from the village.)

In other words, they're not amateurs. They might be armed. There was a chance they could be a threat. Did the couple send an assasin? Or could it be someone from the Youkai Salvation Organization...?

"..."

I searched the hot spring floor and found a small rock. As I moved in the water, I accidentally made a slight splash. But then I used the rock to create a distracting ripple on the surface by flicking it gently. This was a way to disguise my position.

"...!?"

(Something's coming...!!)

I reacted to the sound, and a shadow appeared in the steam behind me. I pressed myself against a rock pillar, trying to blend in. The shadow, completely unaware of my presence, moved toward where I had thrown the stone. And I followed behind.

"Don't move. Slowly turn around, you intruder."

The shadow froze at my warning. They realized they had been caught off guard. But at the same time, the shadow turned to face me, looking genuinely surprised, as if they weren't on guard at all.

"Eh? That voice...?"

"...?"

The shadow turned to me without thinking. I recognized that voice and, without meaning to, my guard dropped. We faced each other. Then... through the rising steam, I could see who it was.

A girl with a balanced, healthy figure was partially covered by a cloth, but that also meant part of her was exposed. Her skin was smooth and slightly pale, like a boiled egg. She had a nice, smooth stomach with a pretty belly button. Her curves were just right, not too much, showing a balance of modesty and richness.

"Ah, uh..."

My gaze naturally moved from the bottom to the top. I took in everything, and finally reached her face. Her short, deep blue hair was wet. The girl looked stunned, as if she couldn't process what was happening.

Her eyes were wide, and her mouth was open in shock. She seemed to notice my gaze and lifted her head. Our eyes met, reflecting each other's expressions...

"Is that you, Tomobe-kun?"

"Young lady, Tamaki...?"

Tamaki spoke first, asking as if she needed confirmation. I also answered with a question mark, feeling confused. We stood still, both of us silent and motionless, looking at each other in surprise.

...No, this isn't the time to just stare.