August, Tensho 9, Hakone
The hot spring town with a nice smell of sulfur, so we have finally arrived in Hakone!
However, although it doesn't have splendid facilities like in the previous life, it seems that there are quite a few inns in this kind of place that may have been thriving for a long time.
Maybe it's more famous as an inn town.
Anyway, since Genan seems to be located at the foot of the mountain across the street, let's head there right away.
As I strolled around the town, I saw some stalls here and there. Speaking of Hakone, it is famous for its black eggs, but I wonder if they still have them in this era. I haven't had one in a while.
I wonder what they're smoking there: ......
"Lord! I'll see! Wait a minute!
Thank you, thank you, I wish you had a black egg.
"Gyoi!
Went running into the store at a furious pace, but ...... will be okay? Don't be violent, okay?
A few minutes later, he came back in a toboggan with his shoulders clearly slumped. Honestly, I'm not expecting anymore at this stage.
"......! Sorry! You couldn't find a thing called the Black Egg at ...... .......
I'm not sure if it was too frustrating not to be able to accomplish the mission, but she reported to me through clenched teeth.
I haven't seen Tsubaki's face like this since the first time we met.
"Whew! ......
The sad memory of that time and the sadness of not having the black egg mixed up and I cried, and Tsubaki's face was filled with grief, and she was ready to cut herself at any moment.
I'm sorry! I apologize for this abomination, I'm sorry to cut my guts out!
"Wait a minute, wait a minute, are you crazy?
"Please let go, Matsu-sama! Wadajiha ...... Wadajiha!
"Poof! Why do you have to use your stupidity at this time? Just stop!
"Ooohhhh!
"Kuu...... Mori-dono! Help me!
Oh, oh, leave it to me. Please be quiet, Tsubaki-dono! You're disturbing people in the middle of the road like this.
"Ooohhhh!
"Gefu!
"Mori-dono!
Tsubaki is crying and rampaging, and Matsu is clasping it around his neck.
It's really pathetic for Katsuzo, who tried to hold Tsubaki down, but got KO'd with an elbow to the chin and one shot.
It's a good thing that you're able to get the best out of it.
And the locals and travelers would? They are whispering while watching this commotion from a distance. If this were the case in the world, there would be a chaotic space that could have led to a police action. Oh, what to do!
"Oh, Sambhist, please wipe away your tears with this. Good boy, good boy.
I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get away with it. Oh, it smells so good, and when Fujihime hugs me, I feel safe, though it's strange. A lump of inclusiveness, this is Babu!
As I was becoming enlightened, I suddenly realized that Kaihime was gone.
I wondered where in the world she had gone, and she came out of the store where Tsubaki had gone on a suicide mission.
When I wondered what she was doing, Kaihime took out a bun and divided it in half.
'Sanboshi-sama, I bought some steamed buns! Would you like to eat with me?
I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it in the future.
You are too handsome, Kaihime.
I've experienced the moment when people fall in love.
"Ooh, with ......!
I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the best out of it.
It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for in a new product.
I'm impressed that they even went to the extent of following up on it.
Well, it was a bit of a hiccup, but we arrived at our destination safely.
The hot spring is called Kiga Onsen, which is properly managed by the Hojo family.
It seems that you can only enter the onsen here with Genan's permit, so we had come to the inn where Genan was staying first.
This inn seems to be the longest running inn in Hakone, and it looks like an old-fashioned inn. I've never heard of it before, but I really hope it remains in the future.
Come to think of it, it seems that my presence here is classified information known only to the upper echelons of the Hojo family. Most of the vassals who came to see me off are also unaware of what is going on.
It's a good thing that you're able to get a good idea of what's going on in your life, because when you're in a hot spring, you're unprotected, and people know where you are and attack you! It's like a disaster if it happens to be the case.
They have security, but it's not perfect. I think some of them might come in through a loophole or something. Monkeys and other things come in, too.
In the room where the landlady showed me, an old man was sitting. His head was shaved and he looked like a seasoned monk in his robes, but the all-seeing eyes hidden in his wrinkled face told me that he was not an ordinary man.
You are the Three Lawyers, aren't you? I am Gen'an Sotetsu," he said. Tono has told me about you, so please come in.
Phew. ...... Okay, let's go.
When you step into the room, you can feel the presence of something watching you from all over the place. I didn't think there was anyone else in the room, but ...... no, this is the gaze of Genan! Watching my every move!
I managed to control my legs, which almost trembled for a moment, and took a seat. First of all, I have to apologize for the unexpected visit.
I'm sorry for the short notice. ...... Hello, my name is Sanboshi, I'm happy to see you. I am very grateful to you for your warm welcome at this time, despite the fact that we are on a short notice.
Once he bowed his head and then looked at Genan, he showed a good-natured smile, as if his previous gaze had been a dream come true.
"Ho-ho-ho. I'm glad you've come to such a distant place. Have a good time.
Thank you. But I didn't come to bathe in music. I've come to leave the festival at the present time. ......
You will be able to get to the point where you're in a bit of a hurry to get down to business, but Genan restrained me with his hand, as if to say, well, calm down.
It's not a good idea to be in a hurry, young man. There is plenty of time. You must be tired today, how about soaking yourself in a hot spring and resting comfortably? Rest is part of the training.
Then he handed me a permit.
Mmm, it can't be helped, after being told so much. I guess I'll just relax and take it easy for today.
First of all, the group moved to the open-air baths to take a hot spring bath. There are two separate baths, one for men and one for women, and the measures against prying eyes are perfect.
I'm sure you'll find that men are always thinking the same way.
I like that about ......
"Come on, Sambhist, let's go. I'll wash your back.
I was being carried by Fujihime.
What? Me? Of course, it is a women's bath, but what?