“So that’s the first time you met Jinlin and Jinhui?” Huashin said, while adjusting her console.

Araka nodded. It was another episode of her memory, in which Jinhui was the first person she saved. However, what made this episode stand out was that Jinlin was very different from back then - the one didn’t know the fact that Araka was a natural Matake user. Even to this day, Araka seemed not to understand why Jinlin saw her differently during the later encounters - the change from the caring big sister figure to the one somehow very skeptical or even envious about Araka’s Matake power. However, 

I hope this was really just a friendly rivalry, she told herself. 

——

It was the evening after the first day of the entrance exam. Tenka, Sukeo, Jun and me, just got from the exam room - an escape room that asked us to find the actual key from a dead young man who was obsessed too much with Woninsy (Manga). It was surprisingly straightforward thanks to Sukeo’s typical two-steps-ahead mind, and all of us received green bars on our wrist gadgets, which means our outstanding performance made the scene. 

“I told you it’s a real toilet!” Tenka said, “I can tell just by seeing it.”

“Fine,” Jun sighed, “but next time better check before using it.”

As we made our way back to the dormitory complex, we decided to tour around the complex for a bit longer. Other than the canteen hall, the complex also had a well equipped gym located at the back. While Sukeo and Jun decided to try some of the equipment, me and Tenka decided to see if there was something else cool worth trying. 

As we walked toward the end of the hallway, we saw two other girls having conversations with towels on their shoulders.”

“I couldn’t believe it,” one said: “they even have Hanyo (汗浴) room here.”

“Guess the SAIR really treats their guests well,” the other girl said.

“Wait, Sara-cha,” Tenka whispered to me: “they have Hanyo here?”

I nodded: “seemed to be.”

Suddenly, Tenka felt excited: “That’s a big deal, you know. I haven’t tried that even though I had been to Niangkee once.”

It was the same for me. From what I had heard, some people describe it as a unique or even healing experience, while others saw it as straight up nonsense. Maybe I can try it here, I thought, at least this is a government sanctioned facility, right?

“I guess we will take a look,” I said.

As we made our way to the Hanyo room, we found it was not included in the entrance exam package. Instead, a machine for tap payment was located on the door.

“50 Yuen for 2 Guests? That’s a bit expensive, right, Sara-cha?”

“No, it’s not,” I said while checking my phone: “Most Hanyo places in Niangkee would be around 100-150 Yuen per person, and this one is a deal.”

“But- but I didn’t have my card with me.”

“That’s okay,” I used my phone to pay, “It’s on me, my mom will cover our cost.”

“Thank - thank you, Sara-cha,” Tenka said, “You’re so kind.”

Unlike some rumors said, the bath house was gender segregated. As we put away our belongings and wrapped ourselves in towels, we made our way in: it was a small room with 8 spots, with 2 spots already occupied; each spot had its own switch for adjusting the temperature; within the soft padding of the horseshoe shaped seatings, a small gap appeared - said to be used for “sweat discharge”, though I had no idea how it would actually work.

As we sat on the seats, one of the two, the taller young woman with long brown hair, stopped us: “Hey, don’t let the towel get caught between your thighs and the gap, it will hurt you!”

I was confused: “So what’s the proper way?”

“First, you should loosen your robe below your waist like wearing a dress,” the young woman stood up and showed us her robe, “this would improve ventilation and allow your body to discharge sweat faster. Then, make sure the centre of your body is aligned with the gap, and sit yourself upright on the seating, with your leg opened up slightly and towel not blocking in between.”

“Wait, you’re telling me to use it like a toi-“ Tenka seemed to be slightly annoyed. She then grabbed me while I was adjusting my towel, trying to flee: “Sara-cha, I’m not doing this.”

“Well, I guess you two are not from the North, right?” The young woman smiled and said. 

I nodded: “We’re from Bakju (白州), Chuubo State (中部省). ”

“Ahh, Bakju, I’ve been there once,” the woman smiled, “People are really nice down there.”

“That’s right,” Tenka, now less annoyed, said: “If you’re talking about those from Niangkee, yes, we’re nicer than them. But you two are from the North, right? That’s still very close to Niangkee.”

“Actually, we’re from Ninju (寧州) of Tzehae State (浙海省), a smaller city in the Northeast,” the young woman said, “by the way, sorry I haven’t introduced myself yet. I’m Zen Jinlin (陳 錦鈴), and the one beside me is my younger sister Jinhui (陳 錦慧), who’s taking the entrance exam.”

I took a look at Jinhui - she hadn’t spoke a word since we entered the room, her expression seemed slightly uneasy despite the supposed relaxing atmosphere of Hanyo. 

However, what caught more of my attention was Jinlin: while she spoke like someone around Jun’s age, her body pretty much defied everything I thought for being a teenager - the curvy silhouette and big breasts barely hidden beneath the thin towel. 

“Wait, Jinlin. You’re part of the exam staff, right?”

"Haha, you figured it out. Yes, I work for the SAIR, though I'm not an invigilator,” Jinlin said, smiling. “I had to sneak in, even wearing my old high school uniform.”

“Then why did Jinhui come here?” Tenka frowned. However, I could sense something - that Jinhui might be in some trouble. 

Jinlin took a glance at Jinhui, then said: “Well, before I share my part of the story, may I have your names please? Don’t worry, I will not tell anyone about your info  since even I had to keep my own profile low.”

I nodded: “So you can call me Sara, and the one there is Tenka.”

“Nice to meet you, Tenka-cha and Sara-cha,” Jinlin said: “since we now know each other, how about let me show you the proper way of doing Hanyo, while we can have a longer talk. Don’t worry, Tenka, it’s not as bad as it seems once you do it properly.”

I adjusted my seat by putting my skin against the seat, I could sense a stream of warmth - something only heated seats could offer. Then, a stream of steam came around, gently blowing against my robe, and my lower body suddenly felt fresh and cool despite the clearly hot environment - they must have put some herb in the steam. 

I looked toward Tenka, who previously resisted, now felt relaxed. She seemed to enjoy the moment. 

Meanwhile, Jinlin, taking another deep breath, said: “I guess we can talk about Jinhui now.”

“So what happened?” I asked, “Why did Jinhui look so down?”

“Actually, when I heard Jinhui was also interested in joining the SAIR, I was very happy about it - after all, most girls around her age wouldn’t even consider that to be a part-time career path. However, just earlier today, she seemed to have some trouble.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“- The invigilator of her group said she didn’t get along well with her partners, and even he sensed there might be a sign of someone bullying her to make her quit - something I had never heard about before she took the exam, even if she was, let’s say, a bit hard to talk to. That’s why I tried to sneak in - to figure out what’s the cause of this before the burden took over her.”

"How could this happen?” Tenka said, “do you remember what Janmin said earlier? Such behaviour shouldn’t be tolerated during the entrance exam.” 

“I see,” I said, “so how do you want us to help her?”

Jinlin took a look at Jinhui again, who now felt more relieved: “Just keep an eye on her during tomorrow’s exam. Make sure she’s safe, and if you spot the bully, see me after tomorrow’s exam.” 

“But how would she know we’re here to help? Especially since we don’t even know much about her.” I asked.

As we were talking, Jinhui finally raised her face and turned toward us.

“Sis, they’re - they’re trying to help?” 

Jinlin nodded: “These two friends from Chuubo are also taking the entrance exam. They said they could help you if you were in danger.”

“Than- thanks,” Jinhui’s posture eased slightly, her eyes now looking toward me: “You can call me Jinhui.”

With her sitting upright, I took a closer look at her: she didn’t look frail at all; instead, her physique was lean but dense - similar to a football(soccer) player. 

“Actually, I was first thinking if it was because Jinhui was introverted,” Jinlin said, “it’s kind of weird, as you typically wouldn’t expect a football player to be an introvert, but that’s all true - in fact, it even take her quite a bit time to even get along with her teammates.”

Tenka nodded, and then whispered to me: “I guess it’s tough for someone being so introverted to work with others, and having a bully doesn’t even help. Right, Sara-cha?”

Then, a thought came through my mind - if I could not only protect her, but also break the cycle at the right time, then that might help.

“So if you want us to help, could you tell me how you think we can help you? Like, what will be the agenda of tomorrow?” I asked both of them.

“Actually, I have heard about tomorrow’s agenda - it will first be a cycling event, then a 3km run, and finally 200m swim. After that, there will be an individual AR simulation event to test the abilities of the candidates.”

“How good is Jinhui’s cycling experience?” I asked. 

“That’s actually the most concerning part. Sure, the bikes were modified to allow easier handling; but after all, the event will take on a mountain pass, and Jinhui is not particularly good at racing - she rides bike to school.”

“So if the bully wants to make Jinhui quit, then the best chance must be -“

“That’s right,” Jinlin nodded. “Because if the bully managed to manipulate 

What would Ms. Possible do? I thought. Then, an answer came through. 

“Then we’ll help,” I said, without wasting a second. 

“Wait, Sara-cha,” Tenka said: “Since when have you been cycling?”

“I may not be that good at cycling, but I know someone who would help,” I said, then I turned to the two: “Jinhui, do you have any chance to meet us again tomorrow before the exam without seeing the bully?”

“Hmm,” Jinhui lowered her head, thinking, “I had no idea.”

“Sara, I have an idea,” Jinlin said, “how about the time when you guys go changing? Tomorrow everyone will be issued with a multi-purpose triathlon suit, and all of you will be changed into that.”

“That would work,” I said, though at that time I had no idea why I was this certain about this plan. 

After we dismissed Jinlin and Jinhui, I went back to the gym, where Jun and Sukeo had just finished their workout set.

“Jun, I need your help for tomorrow,” I told Jun.

“For what?”

I relayed the encounter with Jinhui and the concern of Jinlin to Jun.

“Okay, if I spotted that short haired girl in trouble, I will definitely help.”

The next morning, just like what Jinlin said, all of us were issued with the grey unisex triathlon suit. Just as me and Tenka were changing into the suit, I saw Jinhui, the one with short spiky brown hair, was sitting at the corner, already covered her grey training swimsuit beneath. 

“Jinhui,” I called her, making the volume barely noticeable, while looking around to see if the bully was around.

She nodded, but didn’t respond.

“Sara-cha, How are we supposed to help her if she doesn't recognize us?” Tenka said, while pulling her suit up.

“As long as Jinhui recognizes us, we can move in whenever she’s in trouble.”

——

“I guess that was the first time your Matake activated,” Huashin said, “no one would be so certain, especially at that age, that they know they will definitely help.”

Araka nodded. The small spark of certainty she saw during the entrance exam turned out to the precursor of something even she couldn’t predict. For her, there was an extra irony: it was her Matake power that made her to step in to help Jinhui, yet the small kindness now also carried something so heavy, that kind people like Jinlin may have a second thought on it.

I don’t know what to say, Araka said to herself, but even to this day, we both owe each other something, and I hope if I can explain it to you even if there were many misunderstandings between us; and more importantly - if we can return to the time when you’re grateful I’m the one who made the call to save Jinhui.