The weekend came faster than anyone expected. The two couples and Haru gathered outside the neighborhood early that Saturday, luggage packed and excitement barely contained.
Zeno yawned loudly, stretching his arms. "I can't believe I agreed to this. I was going to spend the weekend napping."
Setsuna rolled her eyes. "You nap every weekend, Zeno. Maybe some fresh air will do you good."
Kyusuke smirked. "Or maybe the real reason is because you didn't want Setsuna going alone with us."
Zeno gave a crooked grin. "Please. She's too level-headed for your tricks."
Haru watched from the back seat, amused by their banter. 'They joke, but both of them are hiding the same thoughts… and they don't even realize I'm two steps ahead.'
Riruru leaned forward from her seat beside Haru. "You're quiet today, Haru. Nervous about the trip?"
He smiled faintly. "Just wondering how you all handle each other without fighting."
Riruru giggled. "Oh, you'll get used to it. It's always like this."
---
The inn sat near a riverbank surrounded by tall cedar trees. By the time they arrived, the sun was dipping low, bathing the entire valley in a warm amber glow. A young attendant guided them to their shared suite — two adjoining rooms with tatami mats, sliding doors, and a single large balcony overlooking the mountains.
Setsuna admired the view. "This place is beautiful."
Riruru clasped her hands. "It's perfect! Maybe we should have dinner outside tonight."
Kyusuke looked around, rubbing his hands together. "Ah, the air smells different here. You can feel it… the relaxation."
Zeno flopped down on the tatami mat. "I can feel my wallet relaxing too. This place isn't cheap."
Everyone laughed. Even Setsuna smiled gently, the first time Haru had seen her laugh so freely.
'She looks softer when she smiles like that,' Haru thought. 'That's the expression I want to see more often.'
---
Dinner was served in a private dining hall — grilled fish, miso soup, steamed rice, and local sake. Conversation flowed easily.
Kyusuke, already a little tipsy, leaned toward Setsuna. "You know, I've always admired how you manage your salon. You're graceful… it shows you care deeply about your work."
Setsuna chuckled politely. "Thank you, Kyusuke-san. You always say that."
Riruru sipped her tea, smiling, unaware of the faint glint in her husband's eyes. "He's just being supportive. That's how Kyusuke is."
Zeno, who was halfway through his sake, leaned toward Riruru. "Speaking of grace, you should see how Riruru handles her shop's decorations. She could turn any space into something beautiful."
Riruru laughed nervously. "You flatter me, Zeno-san."
Setsuna tilted her head slightly. "You two talk like proud siblings."
Haru observed quietly, his mind turning. 'They're flirting right under each other's noses… and none of them see it. Perfect. The more they chase the wrong person, the less they'll look at me.'
---
After dinner, they moved to the hot springs. The men and women went to separate baths, though the walls were only divided by a wooden screen.
Steam rose into the cool night air. Setsuna let out a small sigh. "I didn't realize how tired I was until now."
Riruru leaned back. "You work too hard, Setsuna. You and Haru both."
Setsuna blinked. "Haru?"
Riruru nodded with a smile. "He's always looking after you. It's cute, really. Like a little brother who worries too much."
Setsuna smiled faintly but didn't respond. 'Little brother… is that all he looks like?'
On the other side, Haru relaxed in the men's bath with Zeno and Kyusuke.
Zeno sighed. "Man, this is life. No stress, no deadlines, no bills… just peace."
Kyusuke smirked. "You mean no wives nagging you."
Zeno chuckled. "You said it, not me."
Haru hid his smile beneath the mist. 'They laugh now, but both of them would kill to trade wives for a night. And they still think I'm just a kid tagging along.'
---
Later that night, everyone gathered on the balcony. Lanterns glowed softly as the river murmured below. Riruru poured tea while Setsuna leaned against the railing, eyes reflecting the moonlight.
Haru sat beside her, careful to keep the tone casual. "You seem lost in thought."
She smiled faintly. "Just… thinking about how peaceful it is here. I could stay like this forever."
"You deserve it," he said quietly. "Someone who works as hard as you should have more moments like this."
Setsuna glanced at him, something unreadable flickering in her eyes. 'He says such things so gently… it feels dangerous somehow.'
Across from them, Zeno was playfully teasing Riruru about her tea-pouring technique, while Kyusuke kept throwing admiring looks toward Setsuna when he thought no one noticed.
'Everyone's playing their own little game,' Haru mused. 'But I'm the only one who knows all the rules.'
---
When the group finally retired for the night, Haru stepped out to the corridor. Setsuna came out from her room at the same moment, carrying her phone.
"Oh, Haru," she said softly. "Still awake?"
He nodded. "Couldn't sleep."
They stood there for a moment in the quiet hallway. The soft glow of lanterns lit their faces, and the faint sound of the river filled the air.
"I… wanted to thank you," she said suddenly. "For always helping at the salon. I probably don't say it enough."
"You don't have to," he said. "I help because I want to."
Her eyes lingered on his. "Still… thank you."
For a moment, neither spoke. Then she smiled, the kind of small, tired smile that carries warmth.
"Goodnight, Haru."
He watched her retreat down the hall, her silhouette framed by the dim light. 'Goodnight, Setsuna,' he thought. 'Soon, you'll stop thanking me and start needing me.'