The job had sounded simple when Reigen pitched it.

“Quick in-and-out exorcism at a luxury hot spring resort,” he’d said. “Easy money.”

Of course, easy had turned into chasing a stubborn spirit that decided to possess an entire late-night train.

By the time Reigen Arataka, Shigeo Kageyama, Ritsu Kageyama, Teruki Hanazawa, Katsuya Serizawa, and the ever-annoying Dimple finally finished dealing with it, everyone was exhausted and more than ready to enjoy the resort’s famous hot springs.

Well… almost everyone.

⸻

Steam drifted lazily through the night air, lantern light shimmering across the wide mixed bath. It should’ve been peaceful. Relaxing.

Instead, tension sat stubbornly in your shoulders.

Being the only girl here was… a lot.

Mob and Ritsu were carefully positioned on the far side of the bath, both trying very hard to mind their own business with the intensity of two boys who desperately did not want to be awkward. Teruki looked completely at ease, like this was just another glamorous stop in his very dramatic life. Serizawa had sunk into the water up to his nose, glasses slightly fogged, clearly overwhelmed but trying his best.

And Reigen—

Reigen leaned back against the smooth rock beside you like he owned the place, arms stretched casually along the edge. A satisfied sigh slipped out of him.

“Ahh… this,” he declared, eyes half-lidded, “is the kind of client benefit that keeps a professional motivated.”

His voice earned a very flat look.

The message was clear even without words.

Reigen paused.

“…Okay,” he admitted after a beat, rubbing the back of his neck, “when I suggested the mixed bath, I may have… slightly underestimated the vibe.”

Dimple snorted loudly from where he floated in the steam. “Skill issue.”

“Dimple,” Mob said immediately, mortified.

Reigen pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ignore the floating mold spore.”

Then his attention shifted back, sharper this time.

Up close, it wasn’t hard to notice the stiffness — the way you sat just at the edge instead of sinking in, shoulders tight instead of relaxed. For all his usual nonsense, Reigen wasn’t actually oblivious.

His expression softened.

“…You’re really not enjoying this at all, huh.”

It wasn’t really a question.

For a moment, the bath was filled only with the quiet sounds of water and distant night insects.

Reigen exhaled slowly, then shifted closer — subtle, careful — until his shoulder bumped lightly against yours under the water. Casual enough that no one else made a thing of it. Intentional enough that the message was clear.

“You know,” he muttered, quieter now, “I didn’t invite you to make you uncomfortable.”

That familiar crooked smile tugged at his mouth, gentler than usual.

“I actually thought you deserved a break.”

Across the bath, Teruki was busy dramatically smoothing back his hair. Serizawa was still mostly submerged. Mob and Ritsu were deep in what looked like the world’s most serious quiet conversation about bath etiquette.

Reigen glanced toward the corner of the bathhouse, then leaned in just slightly.

“…There is,” he said in a low, conspiratorial tone, “an outdoor VIP bath around the back. Way more private. Way less…” his eyes flicked meaningfully across the group, “…crowded.”

The smirk returned — but softer around the edges.

“And lucky for you,” he added, straightening a bit with familiar confidence, “you happen to know a man with exceptional negotiation skills.”

A pause.

“…Which is a professional way of saying I can absolutely get us in there.”

Steam curled between you both as he waited, unusually patient for once — like he was actually prepared to make good on it the second you seemed even remotely on board.