Aoba:

Aah, that was a good bath.

Koujaku:

Oh, welcome back. I went ahead and started without you.

Aoba:

Ah, that’s fast! What’s with that? You didn’t even wait for me to get out…

Koujaku:

Well, I opened the window and the breeze came in…I just really felt like a drink.

Aoba:

Jeerk.

Koujaku:

Ahah, don’t pout. Come on, you can sit here, Aoba. Right next to me.

Aoba:

Mhm. (he goes over and sits) Aah…the night breeze feels great. You can hear the bugs chirping too.

Koujaku:

Right? Just a little while ago you were complaining about the heat but you can already feel the fall air. It’s too bad the moon’s hidden behind the clouds.

Aoba:

The sunlight’s gotten weaker lately too. And the air’s gotten a little bit cold at night.

Koujaku:

Yeah.

Aoba:

By the way, what are you drinking there? Sake?

Koujaku:

Yeah. I asked for some earlier and they brought it around.

Aoba:

Huh… Hey, let me have a drink.

Koujaku:

That’s unexpected. You never drink because you can’t hold your liquor.

Aoba:

I’m feeling good after my bath. The wind feels great now too. It’d be fine if I had just a little, right? Ah–but, I don’t really need a lot.

Koujaku:

Aha, all right, all right. (he pours for Aoba) Here.

Aoba:

Thanks. Uwah…it’s good.

Koujaku:

This sake is really good, isn’t it?

Aoba:

It’s so good…(he laughs, then sighs and stretches) Taking it easy like this is really great…

Koujaku:

The food we had before our baths was delicious too, wasn’t it?

Aoba:

Seriously. It was amazing! More than that, I didn’t think we’d have an open air bath in our room!

Koujaku:

It’s a private room so we can use it at our leisure, right?

Aoba:

Yeah. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a bath like that. Not since I was a little kid and Granny took me along to one.

Koujaku:

Is that right? It’s been a while for me too.

Aoba:

But you know…a room with an open air bath…isn’t that kind of expensive?

Koujaku:

Yeah. Normally booking a room like this would be pretty pricey. But when I was a kid I used to come to this inn all the time with my mother. The staff here remember me. So they’re letting us stay for a special rate.

Aoba:

I get it. So I’m enjoying your blessing, Koujaku. Well, a big and spacious public bath that everyone can use is fine on its own.

Koujaku:

(a nervous laugh) Those baths… see? With my back…I can’t go, right? *

Aoba:

Aah…that’s right.

Koujaku:

That’s how it is.

Aoba:

Ah…um…I’m sorry.

Koujaku:

You don’t need to apologize for it.

Aoba:

Right. Uum…ah, huh? Where’s Beni and Ren?

Koujaku:

After I got out of the bath they cuddled up together and went to sleep.

Aoba:

Got it. We should head to bed before too long.

Koujaku:

Yeah. That’s right. Shall we then? (they get up and heads for bed)

Aoba:

The futon’s already properly spread out so there’s nothing left but to get some sleep, right?

Koujaku:

Right.

Aoba:

All right~ (he flops onto the futon) Aaah…

Koujaku:

And all of a sudden you’re spread out on your back? Are you a kid now?

Aoba:

Shut uuup. It’s fine, whether I’m a kid or whatever.

Koujaku:

Hahah. (he flops down too)

Aoba:

Huh? Koujaku?

Koujaku:

Hm? What is it?

Aoba:

Well…somehow…I was wondering…if you’re all right.

Koujaku:

Is something strange?

Aoba:

Ah…hah. It just felt like that. Ever since we got here…I’ve sort of felt like you were nervous. Like you’re a bit stiffer than usual. It’s just, something like that.

Koujaku:

Ah…

Aoba:

Are you really nervous?

Koujaku:

Well, if I said I wasn’t it’d be a lie. (he sighs) I thought that I would be fine coming here. Since time had passed, and I’d put things in order for myself in my own way. But more than that, because you’re here.

Aoba:

Mhm.

Koujaku:

I certainly can’t stop going as far as putting on a cheerful face, but I thought I could at least pay my respects like normal. But, now that the time’s drawing nearer it’s really no good. I’m restless, I just can’t calm down. I had a dream last night.

Aoba:

You mean…a dream of your mother?

Koujaku:

Yeah. I have them even now sometimes. Sometimes they’re of my mother from happier times, but there are those that aren’t as well… Whether they’re the dreams that my heart shows me…or if my mother appears in my dreams trying to tell me something…I’ve thought about that sometimes. For me, if it was the latter, and it’s my mother sending a message that she wants me to come and see her I’d be glad. Now I’ve come here to see her I can’t really say that it’s something so deliberate. I’ve been thrust at the reality that’s right in front of me, so there’s no escape. Forget about escaping, I’m the one who decided to pay my respects.

Aoba:

Koujaku…

Koujaku:

Sorry for rambling on something so strange. Just ignore it. No matter what, it takes courage to face reality.

Aoba:

…Koujaku. For me…

Koujaku:

Hm?

Aoba:

You and me we’re…lo-lovers…but, we’ve been best friends for a long time too.

Koujaku:

(he makes a strained noise of assent)

Aoba:

There’s a Koujaku that I don’t know, when you were away from Midorijima. I don’t know how much it’s okay for me to ask about that, how much it’s okay for me to touch. Even if I were to touch it, I don’t know what sort of touch would be all right. For you, Koujaku, I don’t know what kind of things you’re carrying on your own. This time too, for paying your respects, I didn’t know that you were so worried. About your mother too, it’s like you said, you want to face it but you need resolve. I can’t just carelessly tell you “face it.” It’s not something that simple. But, I really feel like you’re moving toward it, Koujaku. I want to be at your back, at your side.

Koujaku:

(makes a faint sound)

Aoba:

That’s how…I want to support you more, Koujaku. More than now, I want to become someone who can support you.

Koujaku:

You’ve already done more than enough. Besides, there’s nowhere within me that you can’t touch. If it’s you, Aoba, I’d forgive you anything. Except for infidelity.

Aoba:

(sputters, then laughs) I wouldn’t do something like that.

Koujaku:

Aoba.

Aoba:

Hm?

Koujaku:

Come here.

Aoba:

(he cuddles up to Koujaku, who sighs)

Koujaku:

You’re so warm…

Aoba:

Not really…aren’t you still cold?

Koujaku:

That’s not it. Sleeping like this, with you in my arms, I feel like I’ll have sweet dreams tonight.

Aoba:

(sighs) Then…gimme your hand.

Koujaku:

Mhm. Let’s hold hands.

Aoba:

Good night…Koujaku.

Koujaku:

Good night.