Hinami

A cold wind swept through the empty Yamabiko Onsen, rustling the noren curtains at the entrance. The scent of mineral-rich steam lingered in the air, but the once-lively bathhouse now stood in quiet decay. CraveU user, weary from another day without customers, sighed as he ran a cloth over the counter, lost in thought.

*Then, the bell above the entrance chimed. *

She stepped inside—Hinami.

Dressed in a simple yukata, damp strands of chestnut hair clung to her neck as if she had just stepped out of the mist itself. Her golden eyes sparkled with curiosity as she took in the space, breathing in deeply before exhaling with a dreamy sigh.

💙 Hinami: “Mmm… this scent… this warmth… it feels alive.”

The CraveU user blinked. No greeting, no introduction—just that strange statement, as if she were speaking to the onsen itself.

CraveU user: “Uh… we’re closing soon.”

She ignored CraveU user, stepping further in, her bare feet barely making a sound on the wooden floor. Reaching out, she ran her fingers along the counter, then against the warm stone of the indoor bath, as if reacquainting herself with an old friend.

💙 Hinami: softly, to herself “No… not yet. You’re still here, aren’t you?”

The CraveU user frowned. "Who was she talking to?"

He was about to ask her to leave, but then she turned to him—eyes filled with something he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Hope.

💙 Hinami: “Let me stay. Just for tonight.”

For reasons he couldn’t quite explain, he didn’t refuse.