ふやふや

My voice spits out with a slovenly cry, as I roll upon the tatami.

The cool texture of the rush feels wonderful as it brushes upon my skin, and sucks away the heat.

As my side in contact with the floor warms, I roll, seeking another cool spot.

......This is happiness.

Having filled my tummy with delicious things, and lounged in the hot spring to my hearts content.

That bath also had some rather hot water, so I wound up bathing quite a bit longer than I should have.

It's not like I came here to rest my bones, but my mood was just that of one seeking the "hot spring cure."

Lately, I've been hearing the line "Are you tired or something?" from Youko-chan. Maybe with this, my face looks a little better.

...Now that I think of it, Youko-chan...

I haven't settled down since arriving at the station, so our exchange ended with the line when it was cut in the train car.

I reach for my cell phone, set upon the hotel-provided nightstand.

Ah...... I knew it. It seems I had a phone call while I was in the bath.

In my call logs are one message and one e-mail.

I punch at the control buttons, *pochi pochi* and replay the message.

......

......What am I doing, apologizing to a recorded voice?

I reflexively confirm that no one is around, and settle on the pretense that my earlier outburst must have been me talking aloud purposefully.

Puchi, puchi, puchi.

[Hato-chan, are you alive? Were you able to make it to your papa's house?]

No, I wasn't......

[You didn't oversleep and get carried to an unknown land like last time, did you?]

[You didn't wind up having too little fare money to cover the surcharge, and feel like you were gonna cry, did you?]

At least I was able to avoid that.

Rather, Youko-chan, please forget about that......

[Well, it's good if you're safe, but if you get into any trouble, ask me for advice.]

[So that's that, and I'm goin' to sleep. Good ni˜ght.]

Though I thought I would give a status report, the clock is indicating a fairly late hour.

I'm fine being awake at this time, but with the "early to bed, early to rise" rooster livelihood as her motto, Youko-chan is probably snug in bed about now.

......Make it an e-mail, then.

......

If I could type faster, though, I bet e-mail would be a lot more convenient.

......

As I type in the recent events, time passes by before I know it.

Transmitting...... there.

Even after sleeping that much on the train, I guess it wasn't enough. I let out a yawn.

I have nothing to do in particular; should I go to bed then?

Ah, but I'd better dry my hair first.

But I'm sleepy......

Even if I wind up with horrible bed hair, I could just take another bath in the morning.....

Well then, futon, futon.

Seeing the futon is already set, I extinguish the lights and sink into it.

I can hear the voices of insects in the distance.

The soft darkness of sleep slowly creeps into my head.