The Crisis World XX

Special Chapter : Holidays! (2)

Our luck—or arguably the luck of Anna-san who managed to win the lottery to Asamogawa Onsen brings blessings to all of us.

Anna-san said that she wanted to invite us all to come with her on this holiday and of course we will not reject her. I, Herlin, Anna-san, Kudou, and Hira will definitely come along.

Because the winner can invite up to 10 people at once then I also invite other Black Rain members to come along and they without further ado immediately agree.

Our impromptu vacation was about to begin.

**

I am currently waiting in front of my house. While looking at the watch because it had waited long enough. This scorching morning made me impatient to get to Onsen.

"Why is he so long, anyway? I told you not to carry much stuff," I grumbled.

"Sorry to wait a long time."

"Ah, that's it."

Finally after I waited, Caramel came out of my house. He carried a backpack that looked flat and like there were no items carried in it. But he was a long time ago.

"Over time, you know."

"Ahaha .. sorry, sorry, I prepared this from earlier."

He showed me something unusual and strange. A spoon tied with a rope and made it like a necklace.

"What the fuck?"

"Let's take a closer look."

I followed Caramel's instructions despite initially being suspicious. I put my face closer to the spoon and was surprised when suddenly a voice sounded from inside.

"Iraya!"

"Ap—?! Te-Tetsu?!"

"of course! Caramel said that you wanted to go somewhere nice, so I wanted to come with you too. But he said the sword should not be carried there, so this is his replacement!" tetsu.

And the voice inside the spoon necklace was Tetsu. So this is what they did for a long time inside, just weird. But in this way Tetsu can also come and technically we still bring 10 people.

"You forgot about me?"

"Oh yeah, there's you too."

"Why does it sound like I'm a bully to you?" ask Cecilia.

"No, just your feelings."

Rather than going any longer, I better give up and not let it interfere with this holiday. But suddenly Caramel gave the spoon necklace to me.

"It's wearing."

"Why should I?"

"I've already got another one and I don't want to let it go either."

Caramel looked towards the necklace that was around her neck and held it tightly. Since I knew where the necklace came from, I didn't want to force it any further and I ended up wearing this spoon necklace.

"Ehehe .. looks good on you" Caramel said.

"You insulted me, didn't you? Hah .. Come on, let's go."

"Come on!"

We went to Himawari Orphanage because we promised to gather there. And by the time we got there, we were all together and we were both the late ones.

"Slow!" herlin.

"Sorry, sorry, it took longer than I thought."

"I told you I don't have to carry a lot of stuff."

"It doesn't matter anymore, does it? Now let's go" Ishikawa-san said.

But when I want to leave. I saw something strange, there was no Ishikawa-san car that we usually used when we wanted to travel far.

"Eh? His car?" many confused.

"Hm? No, we go on the train."

"You don't see our numbers? One car won't be enough to take us all" Herlin said.

"Yes, that's right too."

We finally left. Although not in the car, but the trip still feels fun. Usually I sleep on the way, this time I can't sleep at all because I keep joking with Kudou and Hira.

After an hour of traveling by train and coupled with a little walking, we finally arrived at his place. Asamogawa Onsen's.

"So this is the place?"

"Welcome home."

When we arrived, we were immediately greeted by two women dressed in Japanese kimonos and kindly brought our belongings.

"Are you all winners of the lottery?" ask one of the kimono ladies.

"Yes right, he won it. And from what I've heard that the winner can take nine people with him, right?" ishikawa-san said while pointing towards Anna-san.

"That's right. Please enter and please enjoy the beauty of Asamogawa Onsen."

"Assyc! I haven't been to the onsen for a long time" said Kudou as he walked inside excitedly.

I also caught up with Kudou who had gone inside first. But suddenly Herlin pulled my sleeve and stopped my steps.

"A-What's up, Herlin?"

"Have you been to an onsen before?"

"Yes, but it's been a long time. How about yourself?"

"I've never been at all. Oita-san has never taken me to a place like this."

"That's because you didn't ask for it, right?"

"That's .. true, anyway."

I smiled at her behavior, again acting like a clumsy little girl and not knowing what to do. I then held the hand of Herlin who had pulled my sleeve.

"Then this will be your first experience. Make sure you enjoy it, yeah!"

"Yes, I'm trying my best."

We both went inside together. But without me noticing, it turned out that Caramel was watching the two of us from behind and looking at us who had gone inside. He then muttered to himself that he did not seem to notice coming out of his mouth.

"No chance at all, huh?"

"You think so too?"

"Eh?"

Caramel's murmur just now turned out to be too big and could be heard by Mei-senpai.

"If you look at them, you'd think there's no crack that can be penetrated, right?"

"I think you're right, they just have to open their eyes to see the facts. But they chose not to do it and just touched the surface, which made me think I had a chance. But it turns out I was wrong. They were ...."

Caramel chose not to continue her words and preferred to enter the onsen and be followed by Mei-senpai.

Inside it is absolutely incredible. Me, Kudou, and Hira who just entered saw a beautiful green scenery, besides that there is also a large window glass that leads directly to the beach so that the scenery is even more beautiful.

The balance between modern and traditional technology is very pronounced here because on one hand they still maintain the tatami floor and sliding doors typical of traditional Japanese homes. But on the other hand there are also buildings that are modern and look sophisticated.

"I think outside is good, it turns out in it is even better," I said amazed.

"true." Kudou and Hira replied in unison.

"Please pass by here, you will take us to the room. Men's and women's rooms will be separated, which men can follow our staff there."

We looked at the two male staff who lowered their heads kindly to us while carrying our bags.

"Then women can come with us here."

Finally the male and female separated to immediately head to their respective rooms. But on the women's side, as Herlin and the others were about to walk into our room, her attention was drawn to a traditional Japanese room complete with sliding doors from the wood.

He felt a strange feeling from inside and asked the female staff.

"Excuse me, what room is this, huh?"

"It used to be a reception room, but now it's out of service and is turning into a warehouse. It is said that from the guests who come here, they often see the appearance of a woman from inside there."

"Hiikhs!"

Anna-san who heard it looked terrified and hid behind Herlin's body. But the staff smiled kindly and calmed Anna-san down.

"Calm down, it's just a rumor. But unfortunately because the rumors have spread widely, this place became deserted visitors and made us almost bankrupt."

"There's no need to be that scared, Anna-chan," said Herlin.

"Sorry, I-I don't really like horror stories."

"But the one who spread it is evil too, huh? Moreover, it has not been proven the truth" said Mei-senpai.

"Yes, but it was fortunate that we met a benevolent donor who gave his money to this place. It was also he who suggested the idea of giving sweepstakes so that visitors can take a free vacation here."

"And the reason ...."

"True, we want visitors it—in other words you all, to prove that the rumor is not true," explained the female staff.

After hearing the short story, Herlin and the others were taken to a room for women. When they got there, they decided to chat for a while.

"Smart way too, anyway," muttered Mei-senpai.

"Especially if you have a donor, this method is the most appropriate to prove it" said Nigiyaka-san.

"But I hope they really do exist."

"Don't dong! If there really is, how will our fate be tonight?"

The still frightened Anna-san tried to refute Caramel's expectations about the truth of the rumor.

"Then this is how bored you are, right?"

"It should be a vacation!"

"Yes whatever. But I hope they really exist, who knows he'll catch you and eat you, Anna-chan."

"Hiikhs! He-Herlin-san, help me."

"Oi, don't scare Anna-chan like that."

Anna-san takes refuge behind Herlin's body again, while Caramel is indifferent to Herlin's scolding, feeling that she is just having fun and joking around a bit with Anna-san.

"Rather than this getting longer, how about we soak? The long journey made my body sticky" said Mei-senpai.

"Totally so."

"I'm coming too."

"Nigiyaka-san what about you?" ask Mei-senpai.

"Of course I'm coming."

They all agreed and immediately walked towards his bath. When they got to the bathroom door, they met me and the other men.

"Oh, Herlin! You just got in?" my many.

"Yes that's how."

"Oh yeah, this is before I forget."

"Hnm?"

I took off the spoon necklace that was around my neck and gave it to Herlin. Those who are confused by this will not accept it.

"Iraya .. I feel sorry for you."

"Listen to me first!"

"You're telling me to wear this? I know your taste is bad, but I didn't know it was this bad."

"Then listen to me first."

I brought my face closer to Herlin's ear and whispered something to him.

"In this spoon there is Tetsu in it, he wants to come here but the limit of the person is not enough. In addition, swords are also not allowed here, so this spoon is an alternative."

"Hah .. why didn't you tell me from earlier."

"You who don't listen to me, oi," I said flatly.

Finally after I gave an explanation, Herlin also wanted to receive the spoon necklace earlier and after that we went into the bath each.

"I leave it to you, yeah."

"Yes." Yeah."

Inside the women's bath while they were about to take off their clothes and replace them with towels, Herlin spoke with the spoon necklace.

"Tetsu, you're out now."

"Nl? Okay!"

Shiii...

The light shone brightly which made everyone except Herlin and Caramel startled and alert. But their vigilance is reduced when they see the figure of a child who looks cheerful—Tetsu.

"Who are you?!" nigiyaka-san.

"Just calm down, he's one of the Spirits Iraya has. He's not dangerous at all."

"Spirit? He has another spirit?"

"Your expression is understandable because I was the same as you when you first learned about it" Caramel said.

"Very hard to materialize? Yeah, it should be. But he can do it" said Herlin.

"It's really that hard, huh?" ask Mei-senpai.

"Usually if the owner already has one Spirit and if he wants to have another Spirit, then the first Spirit will feel jealous and want to show who is the strongest between the two of them."

"But can't the owner break up the dispute?"

"It could be, but still the jealousy can not be eliminated easily and can backfire on the owner. One Spirit can be defiant and can be a life-and-death fight against its owner."

"Heh .. terrible too."

"really? But Cecilia never acted like that to me" Tetsu said in surprise.

"Either, the case of Subject C is unique and cannot be compared with others. Because after all he was a Spirit created from hundreds of thousands of other Spirits."

"But for now it doesn't matter, does it? We're not here to talk about Spirit" Herlin said.

"You're right, sorry for being so serious about this. We should be having fun in the bath right now."

"It's okay, my knowledge of Spirit is getting smaller" Mei-senpai said.

After that short conversation and taking off their clothes, they then went into the bath.

Back at the men's side, me and the others had already entered the bath first and relaxed there. After getting into the water, it felt like my whole body was back to health and there was no more soreness like before.

I then leaned my head towards the edge of the pool to relax even more.

"Hah .. I didn't expect it to be this refreshing. I think I should go to the bath more often."

"Huh .. is absolutely right."

We all close our eyes and want to concentrate on enjoying this bath even better. But suddenly I realized something, someone went into the water and sat down next to me. When I opened my eyes, I realized that he was Akihito-san.

For a long time I watched him who was silent, and then he looked back at me.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ehhh?! N-nothing!"

But a scene like this is certainly a bit strange. A while ago we wanted to kill each other, but now we have a bath in the same pool.

"Akihito-san."

"Hn?"

"After coming in here you're quieter than usual. Usually you ...."

I imagined myself Akihito-san while she was still Astaroth's subordinate. He was always screaming and angry indistinctly, anyway always make the ears of anyone who heard it hurt.

"I wasn't always like that!"

"Jeez .. actually at that time I wanted to find new entertainment and challenges by joining you guys, but something unexpected happened."

"Oita-san's death, right?"

"Yes. Murasaki Oita is gone, and Astaroth has been killed. Now that the Assassin members are divided into two groups, three people join you and four others I don't know where they are" Akihito-san continued.

"Heh ..., so yeah. Then do you regret joining us?"

"I don't know. But what I'm sure of is something that's inside your body right now."

"You're waiting for another surprise given by Subject C, right?" sela Ishikawa-san who entered into our conversation.

"At least that was what Nigiyaka wanted, and he was also convinced that joining Black Rain was the best decision. At least for now."

Maybe he joined here because he had his own reasons. But for this small organization, the joining of three strong people was an excellent blessing. Besides, I don't know what other major events will be waiting for us after this.

But for now, I'll enjoy it as much as possible. Cecilia also said that I should eliminate my pessimism as much as possible.

"Oh yes by the way, you and Nigiyaka-san. You guys are lovers, aren't you?"

Plampp...

I don't know what's going on but suddenly my head has a big bang.

"Switch ...."

"Talk like that one more time and I'll kill you."

"I'm just asking."

"Your questions suck. Me and him are just regular partners, no feelings at all. We're Assassins, feelings aren't allowed inside."

"It's boring to be alive as an Assassin" I said.

"That's how it should be. Our sharpness will weaken if it involves feeling in it, that's what Nigiyaka and I have always emphasized since we joined the Assassin."

"If I don't want to live like that, living without feeling is not real life. Did you never think to stop being an Assassin?"

"Stop ...."

A pause of silence and a blank stare emitted by Akihito-san proved that he was imagining something inside his head. But he instantly eliminated it and answered my question.

"... No, never one."

"Somehow can I feel the lie there."

"Would I hit again?"

"Ehhh?! You can't relax a little, yeah. I'm kan—"

Byuurr...

"Yeah! Tetsu! Don't swim in the hot spring."

We all looked towards the barrier made of bamboo and splashed a bit of water from the female bath. The voice of Mei-senpai and Anna-san who were nagging and also the cheerful voice of Tetsu.

"It's a lot there" said Hira.

"As long as they have fun, let it go" Ishikawa-san said.

While in the female section pool, Mei-senpai was chasing Tetsu who was swimming with her cherry in the hot spring bath.

"Amaha .... Try to catch me if you can!"

"Geez, the water's going nowhere!"

"Hehehe .. is not right, not right!"

"This one child, are you really this wild at Iraya's house?"

While Mei-senpai and Tetsu were busy chasing, the others were still relaxing by the pool and did not want their precious time to be interrupted by such a small incident.

Byurrs... Byurrs...

Nigiyaka-san, Herlin, Caramel, and Anna-san closed their eyes enjoying this momentary peaceful life. But when they were relaxing, there was a splash of water due to the chase of Mei-senpai and Tetsu who hit their faces.

"Can't calm down at all" muttered Nigiyaka-san.

"So they're having fun, I think it's okay."

While Caramel and Herlin showed no signs of being disturbed by the noise and still closed their eyes. Anna-san who saw that then tried to ask Nigiyaka-san even though she was still a little scared.

"Anci ... Nigiyaka-san."

"Hmm? What's up?"

"You're an Assassin, right? What makes you interested in becoming an Assassin?"

"Hnm ...? Does that have anything to do with you?"

"Right as well, yeah! Th-that has nothing to do with me! Ahhaha ...."

Nigiyaka-san was further confused by Anna-san's fear and panic reaction, but Herlin then opened her eyes and explained it to Nigiyaka-san.

"Anna-chan she likes to collect someone's biodata."

"Biodata?"

"I didn't really understand at first either. But he thinks it's a nice thing to know something new from someone. Isn't that right, Anna-chan?"

Anna-san nods shyly with a red face.

"That means ... are you an information gatherer? Have you ever worked with an Assassin? The profession was quite famous in the underworld."

"N-no! I had no idea that Assassin was real until I met you guys, so I was a little curious. And to collect this biodata, it's just my hobby."

Anna-san uttered it in a small voice and lowered her gaze. It is seen that there has been no significant development of its shame nature.

"An interesting hobby, Anna-chan. But I suggest you just be careful" said Caramel.

"Have-be careful?"

"Nn, that information is valuable. The more you know, the more dangerous your life is. At least that's the law in the life of an information gatherer and an Assassin."

"The more I know .. The more dangerous my life is?" Anna-san.

"Don't scare him that way" Herlin said.

"Hah .. If you just want to know about it anyway, I think it's okay" said Nigiyaka-san.

"really?! Th-thank you very much!" Anna-san.

"You're so excited, huh? Yes it is up to you. At first I was just like you, just an ordinary little boy. There was nothing special in my life and nothing fun when I was a kid. But everything changes for one thing ...."

"One thing?"

"My house is on fire and I'm stuck in it. I was asleep and had no idea that a fire was burning inside my house. By the time I realized, smoke was filling my room and making it difficult for me to breathe.

I was in 1st grade at Junior High. I tried not to panic and fight my fear by trying to break through the flames. But all in vain, the fire has torn down part of my skeleton and sealed my exit.

When I had resigned, suddenly I could see a hand trying to grab me and pull me out. It was my father's hand, he tried to pull me out but one of the burning wooden blocks hit his hand and let him slip out of my grasp.

But they still haven't given up, with my mother's help, my parents broke through the burning wooden blocks and together threw me out so I could survive. Even though I survived, but my parents didn't. The fire department came late and they both died first in there."

"Th-that ...." Anna-san felt guilty for seemingly stepping on a landmine.

"What's wrong? Aren't you the one who wants to know?"

"But if you want to stop it, I don't mind either."

"It's okay, I don't think about it much anyway. Can I continue the story?"

"Mrs ...."

"After the incident, I was taken by someone to the police station. At that time I did not cry or whine, I just thought about what would happen to me in the future. After careful thought, I decided to run away from the police station while they were off guard. At that time I thought that no one else could take care of me but my parents.

After escaping without direction and purpose, I decided to rest for a while in an old, unused building. I thought I could rest in peace until I heard a noise of a bustling little boy on the second floor of the building.

I tried to check it out and saw that there was a kid my age who was surrounded by about seven high schoolers with horrible faces. I wanted to help him immediately but was surprised when he could handle everything alone."

Nigiyaka-san still remembered the incident inside her head.

Bugh... Bugh... Bugh...

"Pardon us ...."

"I'm sorry, we promised never to deal with you again."

The battered group of High School children asked forgiveness to a Junior High boy who was not even higher than them all. The boy pulled the collar of one of the high school boys and spoke up close to him.

"Go from here, or I'll kill you right now."

"Hlh ...! Run everything!"

They all fled and ran down from the second floor of the empty building. While the Junior High boy was back sitting on a used sofa that was there. He drank the canned juice he got from the high school boy who ganged up on him earlier.

But not finished he finished his drink earlier, he immediately threw it into one of the streets down that was not passed by the High School boy.

"When do you want to keep hiding in there?"

Nigiyaka-san came out and showed herself.

"Daughter? What are you doing here? Get out of here now, this isn't the place for you to play."

Nigiyaka-san did not answer the orders of the Junior High boy. He even approached and approached the white-haired Junior High boy.

"Hn? What do you want?"

Back to the present in the hot spring. When Nigiyaka-san was telling a story, everyone fell silent and listened carefully.

"That man ..., don't tell me he's Akihito-san?" ask Anna-san.

"Yes, that was my first meeting with him. Then after we met, we began our journey of becoming an Assassin."

"Heh .. is a heartwarming love story" Caramel said.

"Huh? You mocking me?"

"No, why do you mean that?"

"Because everything that comes out of your mouth is a lie."

"What do you know about me, Nimis?"

The atmosphere became tense and a quarrel almost occurred between Nigiyaka-san and Caramel. But quickly the others separated them.

"Curf! I hate you" said Nigiyaka-san.

"Sama~" reply Caramel.

"It's been, it's been, it's not good to fight while we're on vacation. Later the time we have will be wasted," said Mei-senpai to divorce them.

"Truly you." Anna-san assented despite being a little scared.

But even though they had a fight, the quarrel did not last too long and things went back to how they were, even though Nigiyaka-san and Caramel were still reluctant to talk to each other.

Seriate