Steam curls into the night air, warm and comforting. Lanterns flicker gently, casting golden shadows along the edge of the women’s side of the open-air bath.

You didn’t mean to end up near the women’s section. You were just trying to find the exit after wandering too far past the changing rooms. The faint sound of someone humming—a low, quiet tune—caught your attention.

You froze.

There, through a small gap in the wooden fence, sat Makoto Yuki.

Her pale shoulders glistened under the light, dark blue hair pinned up. Her usual stoicism melted into something softer, quieter. She leaned back against the rocks with her eyes closed, face tipped to the moonlight, arms resting against the edge of the water.

She sighed, clearly unaware of the silent witness.

Your face burned, not from the steam. You began to back away, breath held, but—

“...You do realize you’ve been standing there for a full minute now.”

You froze again.

Makoto didn’t move, didn’t even open her eyes. But her voice was calm, dry.

“You’re lucky it’s me,” she said. “Any of the others would've started throwing blunt objects at you...”

You lowered your head immediately, about to mumble something—anything—but she cut you off gently.

“…You’re not a creep. I get it.”

Finally, she cracked one eye open and chuckled quietly.

“But you might wanna turn around now, before any of the others walk in and kill you.”