Chapter 504 - Through the Seaside Forest Path
The last time I went on what you could call a real trip was when I was six, on a family vacation to Hokkaido. I haven't traveled since.
Any long drives I've taken have been within the prefecture, at most. Because of that, I'm not exactly a seasoned traveler, so I found myself rather enjoying the car ride of just under four hours.
After a few twists and turns—Nia getting carsick and passing out halfway through, Sora dragging me by the arm as she charged into a rest stop with unbridled curiosity, and Ashe single-handedly dominating a country-name word chain game we started to kill time—we finally arrived.
"It looks like a hidden path..."
"Yeah, it's got that 'might lead to another world' kind of vibe, doesn't it?"
"..."
We reached our destination around noon, and just as I'd heard, it was at the very edge of the land, with no sign of a town in sight. Ashe had been driving along a narrow coastal road for a while after we entered Niigata before she finally stopped the car. The spot where we got out seemed like just another point on the road, with no landmarks to speak of.
However, she wouldn't have announced, "We're here," if there was nothing to see.
Looking closely, I could just make out a man-made "path" quietly nestled in the woods across the narrow road from the sea. It was the kind of thing that gets a guy's imagination going.
Sora-san, who had been taking naps on and off, seemed quite energetic and was now standing beside me, observing the 'hidden path' with fascination. In contrast, Nia, who had slept pretty soundly due to her carsickness, was practically dead on her feet, clinging to someone's back.
Apparently, she wasn't used to long car rides.
Whether she was being given a pass or not, neither of the other two seemed to pout at the sight of her groggily leaning on me. Perhaps they'd classified her as a patient.
In fact, Sora-san was still devotedly rubbing Nia's back even now.
"—You don't have to stay for just a little while... you're welcome to stay and relax for a few days, you know."
"I appreciate the offer, and I'm very honored, but I think I'll pass this time."
And so, on the side of the road a short distance from where we were clustered at the entrance to the forest path, Chitose-san was waving from the driver's side window at Ashe, who tilted her head with a concerned, expressionless look.
The deputy representative had declared from the start that he would only be our driver. True to his word, it seemed he was heading straight back after dropping us off.
That meant a grueling round trip of nearly eight hours in a single day. It was no wonder Ashe was concerned, but the man himself looked completely unfazed. If anything, he seemed the most energetic of the five of us.
"...I understand. Thank you, Chitose. Be careful on your way back, and when you come to pick us up."
"Thank you for your concern as well. Try to let go of your many responsibilities, even for a moment, and stretch your wings—you too, Kasuga-kun and the others! Have a great vacation!"
As his gaze and voice turned to us, the three of us bowed in unison. With that, as if to say 'my job here is done,' Kazuharu Chitose smoothly turned the wheel and drove back the way we came.
How should I put it... That man is a monster of vitality. I can't quite articulate it, but he's a reliable adult, and I honestly think he's cool.
"Sorry for the wait. Let's go."
"Alright, here we go—hey, Nia, hang in there. Can you walk?"
After seeing the car off, we followed Ashe's lead and stepped into the forest.
What we could see from the outside was only slightly better than a game trail, but after a short walk, it transformed into a carefully paved path. It must be regularly maintained, as the whole thing was so clean it felt like a designated walking course.
It was perfectly easy to walk on... but Nia was looking seriously rough.
"Uh... Ashe? You walked in so casually that I'm not worried, but this isn't going to be a multi-hour hike or anything, right?"
I asked, intending to suggest a break if it turned out to be a decent-length hiking course. The leader of our group turned, glanced at Nia, and gave a single nod.
"Don't worry, it's really just around the corner—we can already see it."
As it turned out, my worries were, as expected, unfounded.
Before she could even finish her reply, the curtain of trees parted, and the sight of our true destination, a veritable hidden retreat, spread out before us.
"Whoa, amazing..."
"Wow..."
There, in a clearing that looked as if it had been perfectly carved out of the forest, stood a magnificent pension-style building that blended with nature in an almost artistic way.
It appeared to be two stories tall but was exceptionally long, and the many windows on its exterior hinted at the number of rooms inside—it truly looked like a small hotel.
Just like the path here, it was clearly well-maintained. Despite being in the mountains, the walls were spotless, without a single noticeable stain. It had the kind of stately presence that would undoubtedly get you excited if you were told, "This is where you're staying tonight."
True to the advance information of a 'seaside villa,' the front of the building offered a panoramic ocean view.
I couldn't see what was below from this distance, but right past a sheer-looking cliff, protected by a safety fence, was a vast expanse of blue.
Yeah, this is nice. The atmosphere is perfect. The location, off the public road and hidden from view, gives it an overwhelming secret-base vibe that I absolutely love.
"I think it's fine since there's a fence, but the front of the building is a bit of a cliff, so be careful. I'll show you the ramp down to the beach below later."
"And that beach is?"
"A private beach, for all intents and purposes. Though it's not very big."
"Haaah... It's like we're in a different world—ah, yeah, yeah, I get it, I get it, sorry you're in pain, let's get you some rest. Ashe, is there somewhere she can lie down right away...!"
"Yes. I'll show you to her room."
First things first, I had to see to the exhausted young lady dangling from my right arm. I started to follow Ashe as she turned back toward the building... but I wanted to...! C'mon, seriously, just a little more effort, the finish line has to be right there!
"Agh, this is no good...! Hey, Sora, I need backup on the right side...!"
"Ah, haha... There, there, Nia-san, you'll be able to lie down soon, so just hang in there!"
Since this was the real world, my physical strength was an issue, and I didn't have the courage to just scoop her up. Playing it safe, I had no choice but to immediately request assistance from my partner.
And so, with the two of us supporting Nia from either side, we followed after our guide. I met Ashe's eyes as she stopped and turned around—
"—...Heh."
Her hair fluttering in the sea breeze, she let out a small, quiet laugh.
That smile, a rare departure from her usual expressionless demeanor... was surely proof that the one and only Alicia White was currently in an exceptionally good mood.
Sounds great to me. Let's enjoy this to the fullest.
Motion sickness is death.