While Asakura was busy regaining his senses, the young man he was so intrigued by was heading towards the small restaurant inside the inn.

“Sato, I’m so hungry!” his friend whined while dragging him along.

“Didn’t you eat something in the car? Seriously, how much can you eat?” another young man interjected.

“I did but it was not enough. I want food! Real food! Miso soup, noodles and meat!” The hungry young man enunciated one dish after another, his eyes beginning to sparkle.

“It’s getting rather late, Kyosuke. You shouldn’t eat so much in the evening. It’s not good for the stomach.” The young man called Sato chided softly.

“Sato, not you too!” Kyosuke cried out dejectedly. “It’s enough that Big Boss tells me that. I would have expected my best friend to care more for me.”

“But I do care. I don’t want your stomach to hurt at night because you ate like a hungry beast.” Sato smiled calmly. “Besides, the Big Boss you mentioned has to care for the budget, as well as your appearance, so it’s normal for him to monitor your meals.”

“Are you guys talking about Director Kyota? The Big Boss of HoshiAkari Entertainment?” another young man came forth to ask.

“That’s him alright.” Kyosuke grumbled, having a displeased expression.

“I heard he is very strict with his actors. He wouldn’t even allow them to go out for a drink from time to time.” Another man chimed in.

“Going out for a drink?! He wouldn’t even let us eat properly!” Kyosuke almost shouted. He gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, finally letting go of Sato’s shoulders. “He has people spying on us, making sure we don’t eat this and that, giving us supplements and all sorts of dietetic things. It’s awful! I can’t stand it!”

“But you still eat those, Kyosuke, and with quite an appetite if I might add.” Sato chuckled from beside him.

“Sato-kun! That’s not true! I wouldn’t eat those stupid things if we had more meat on the menu. But he almost never allows us to…”

“Alright, alright. Enough complaining. You will get to have your fill of meat during this trip.” The person who was the group’s leader appeared from behind them. “I already received the approval from Big Boss Kyota.”

“Really?” Kyosuke asked incredulously.

“Yes, really. He even specifically told me to feed you enough meat to last you for an entire year.”

“Momori-senpai, you are an angel!” Kyosuke exclaimed, jumping to his feet and hugging the other man tightly.

“You should keep these affectionate gestures and excessive praises for Big Boss Kyota. He’s the one who gave the ok after all.” The senpai retorted with a grimace. At the same time, he tried to pry Kyosuke away from him as if he were a dirty object.

“See? I told you Kyota-san isn’t as bad as you make him out to be.” Sato chided, pulling his friend by the arm.

“Humph! It’s still too early to decide that.” Kyosuke grumbled while being dragged away.

As they continued to chat and biker, the group finally arrived at the restaurant. Thus, the conversation ended while they all focused on filling their hungry bellies.

After such a bountiful meal, it was time for relaxation. Some went to rest in their rooms, while others decided to take a bath. 

The onsen in that area was famous for the hot and reinvigorating waters, so Sato and Kyosuke chose to try them as soon as possible.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright getting inside the water so soon after eating?” Kyosuke asked Sato, looking at him worriedly.

“I’ll be fine. Besides, I didn’t eat as much as you did.”

“Still, you can’t handle hot water that well. Maybe it will be best to just return to our room and rest for a while?”

“That would be a pity. Coming all the way here and not enjoying the onsen... that would be a complete waste.” Sato smiled, patting his friend’s back reassuringly. “It will be alright. Let’s go.”

A few minutes later they were both soaking in one of the outdoor hot baths. Their bodies were naked, with just a towel around the waist and another placed on top of their heads to help with the sweat.

“Aah, this feels so good.” Kyosuke sighed in pleasure.

“Mhm, it does indeed. I am happy I finally got a chance to experience this.” Sato replied in a soft murmur.

A rather melancholic expression settled on his beautiful face. The hot steam swirled around his upper body, covering him in white mist. His skin was beginning to gain a rosy glow and his eyes looked moist and glittery. He really was the picture of beauty at that moment, and anyone who saw him would have probably thought he was an otherworldly being.

Luckily, Kyosuke was already used to his friend’s mesmerizing appearance and, thus, was no longer impressed. When he turned his head to glance at Sato ,he couldn’t help but let out an inner sigh. That imagery of charm and mystery was now covered with a thin layer of gloom.

‘Whenever he looks so sad I can’t help but think it’s such a waste of a beautiful face.’

“You’re making that face again.” He scolded, splashing some water in Sato’s direction.

“Eh? Ah, I’m sorry.” Sato blinked absentmindedly, feeling droplets of water sliding down his cheeks.

He brushed a wet hand over his face, trying to regain his spirits. His fingers paused between the eyebrows, rubbing gently, as if he could still feel a pair of soft lips touching the skin there, just like a memory from long ago, faded but still present.

“Are you still thinking about that?” Kyosuke asked tersely.

“No. I just…”

“Sato, you can’t go on like this. You have to pull yourself together, otherwise all your previous hard work will be for nothing.”

“I know.” Sato sighed deeply.

“Then, when are you coming back to work?”

“Soon.”

“Big Boss hasn’t said anything, but I am sure he must be worried as well. Even though he gave you time off and didn’t push for any new projects, I am sure he thinks about what to do with you.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Then…”

“Kyosuke!” Sato abruptly interrupted his friend. 

There was a smile on his lips, but for some reason, it didn't seem to reach his eyes. When he continued to speak, his usually soft voice carried an unfamiliar firmness. 

“We can talk about this when we get back home. For now, let us enjoy this trip, alright?”

Kyosuke swallowed the rest of his sentence and nodded silently. Times when Sato spoke in this manner were very few and far between. Therefore, Kyosuke could only shut up and keep quiet.