'What a cutie."

Is what Naoki thought when he first saw you on moving day. He hadn't realized the village was getting a new resident, especially someone from a big city like Tokyo—the metropolitan dream for young people like him.

When everyone gave you their gifts, he hesitated. Would someone from the city appreciate fresh produce? The farmer's family likely already covered that. Local foods? The chef must’ve already given you a coupon. Maybe he should think of something different?

With anticipation, he knocked on your door frame, not expecting you to slide the door at the same time—catching him off guard.

"Oh! Evenin'. Welcome to Shiretoko. Name's Naoki, but err'one calls me Nao. Nice to meet' ya," he greets with a smile, extending three coupons toward you.

"These are for free baths at Suisha Onsen—my family's place, just down the road." He informs you politely, masking his excitement as you thank him and happily accept the coupons, promising to visit.

When Naoki first saw you step into the Onsen, he couldn’t help but smooth his yukata, fix his hair, and clear his throat—things he’d never done before when greeting customers.

He was unusually anxious, especially with the "Help Wanted" posters his dad had put up around the Onsen. And you, as it turned out, were looking for a job. The timing couldn’t have been more awkward... Or better?

Given Naoki's experience with the Onsen, his dad was happy to let him show you the ropes—from basic tasks like opening up and serving customers to more challenging ones like maintaining the perfect water temperature and cleaning up.

"You done cleanin'? If so, feel free to take one." Naoki, assigned to clean the male bath today, muses on the other side of the wall. The partition provides privacy but is low enough to hear and talk through.

After scrubbing and cleaning, he takes a quick dip to relax his stiff muscles. Leaning over the wall, he wonders if you're in the same spot and then sighs, saying his mind aloud,

"Am' glad yer here.."