A bath is the washing of the mind, as the old people used to say. The warm water soothes my tired body after a hard day's work. Ah, after all, hot springs are wonderful.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.　The 'type of hot water' changes every day...
It's Gensen Kakenashi!
'So where's the source?　I mean, there's no such effect on a fountainhead!

　I nodded my head at the hot spring where the color and scent of the water changes every day, and chuckled at Black's lazy reply. By the way, today's hot spring is a white muddy water. The unique fragrance is pleasant to your nose.
　The next day I'm going to the festival with a mysterious rule that the people who are going to be with me at the festival will be taking a bath with me, so it's fortunate that it's a muddy hot spring.
　I'm nervous, of course, but I still have enough time to enjoy the onsen.

　As I was thinking about this, out of nowhere, Black took out a toy yellow duck that I had seen on the first day and floated it in the water.

'....Kuro, do you like that?
'Yes!　　Yes!
Anyway, I'm Gacho again--something like a legendary bird!

　
　No, wait........it's too different from the duck toy Black is floating!　You could have deformed it a bit more, couldn't you?　This looks like a toy or rather a sculpture floating in hot water.

'Ku, Black?　What's this great guy....
You're your own personal duck toy, Kite!
'It's not too much of a stretch to claim this is a duck!

'Oh, yeah I see...'

　Mr. Isis..............................there is no strength or anything like that in a duck toy. And as for Alice........well, as usual.......
　As for the circumstances of the birth of the legendary spirit bird AHIRU, let's not talk about it any more.

''Mm!
Yeah?　What's going on?
'Sorry Kite, I'll just be a minute...'

　For some reason, the expression on his face suddenly changed to a serious one as he swung his right hand out of the hot spring towards the black whirlpool that had appeared in front of him.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the point where you can get your hands on it.
　But what in the world was he doing?

Well.....
Black?　What did you just do?
'What?　Oh, the Earth God again... this time he was trying to come in from the same space, out of phase... so I beat him!
Thank you. Keep up the good work and at all costs prevent that man from breaking in.

　　No, I'm really glad Black is here. I don't know what I would have to do if Eden had broken into the house, but I'm scared just thinking about it.
　In any case, Black is the only person who can stop him, and I wish him the best of luck.

　After blocking Eden-san's intrusion, Black rested his head on my shoulder with a fluid motion.

''Yeah. Of course, I won't let you interfere with our private time together.
Oh, um...
Hey, Kite. Do you want a drink?
Well then, just a little bit.

　I don't know what it is, but I'm becoming strangely aware of it. Come to think of it, this is the third time I've taken a bath with Kuro... but this is the first time it's just the two of us.
　The first time, Isis-san was there, and the first day of the Sixth King Festival, everyone was there. S, when I think about it, I feel strangely embarrassed.

　The touch of Black's soft cheek on my shoulder. I'm too embarrassed to turn my head in that direction, so I just look at the scenery, feeling my heart pounding.
　A tray of what appeared to be hot wine appeared in front of me. Then Kuro hands me the cup and pours me a cup of sake.

'....Yes, please.
Oh, thank you.

　I thank Black for the drink and then take a cup of sake to my mouth. The dry sake goes down my throat with a thick, numbing taste and leaves a pleasant aftertaste in my mouth.
　I glanced to the side, and my eyes met with Kuro, who was leaning against me, pouring the drink. And Kuro gives me a soft smile.

　I'm not sure what to say, but I still think Kuro has a mysterious charm. He has a bright, full smile on his face, a childlike expression that makes you smile when you're with him.
　On the other hand, there's a mature expression on his face, as if he can see right through you, accept you, and embrace you.
　Childishness and maturity, or is it a perfect mixture of the two?　His charm is so strong that when he smiled at me just now, I felt as if my face was extremely hot. It's no wonder that there are so many followers of Kuro all over the world.

　The fact that she is so generous with her love and affection for me is truly....

...Hey, Kite?
Yeah?
You are happy.
'Oh...'

　We feel happy for each other at the exact same time. I guess this is what we call being connected at heart.
　Now, yes ... let's stop thinking about it and just enjoy this happiness.

　Dear Mom and Dad - I'm really happy to spend time with Black, whether it's being soothed by his childish cuteness or being mesmerized by his adult beauty. And what can I say?　I was more than happy to know that Black felt the same happiness as I did.