20 Kitsune Spa Resort

"What are you thinking about, Shujinkou?" Shujinkou stopped staring out of the train's window and turned around to meet eyes with Monika. Normally, he would be startled when his train of thought was interrupted by the club president but, for some strange reason, that wasn't the case this time.

"Nothing major," he replied. "I'm just mentally preparing myself."

"For what?" Monika queried.

"Our arrival at the resort," Shujinkou answered.

Over a week ago, a challenge was issued to the local schools'. The 2nd year students from each school had to be paired with another and work together to design a poster for the Kitsune Spa Resort. The winners would be able to take their 2nd year students to an all expenses paid trip to the resort.

During the process of designing a poster with Natsuki, Shujinkou knew deep down that his school wouldn't win the contest. Imagine his surprise when he was later proven wrong. Now all the 2nd year students of his school were eagerly waiting to arrive at the resort to enjoy their well-deserved prize, all thanks to…

"You know, I don't think I've seen you this excited since we ate that limited parfait," Monika giggled.

"It was a really good parfait…" Shujinkou replied, trying to defend his past position.

"Well, it's not like I can blame you," Monika added. "After all, we are headed to the best spa resort around."

"It better be the best or else it wouldn't make up for the long trip it takes to get there," Natsuki interjected.

Natsuki sighed and slumped back into her seat. Shujinkou wasn't surprised that she and a few of the others students were restless. They have been on the train for a while now. The only two passengers that didn't really seem to mind the long trip were Yuri, whose eyes were glued to a slightly withered novel, and Sayori, whose eyes were glued to the back of her eyelids.

Shujinkou turned back to the passenger window and stared at the surrounding fields. It was only a matter of time until they arrived at their location. The anticipation caused a small smile to form on his face, catching the curious eyes of Yuri.

Over an hour later, the entire 2nd year class waited with bated breath as the train travelled through a dark tunnel towards an encroaching light. On the other side of that light lied an enormous spa resort branded with a fox insignia.

The fox insignia consisted of red neon lights that were well known for lighting up the night. The building was surrounded by large fields of grass and which served as a divider to separate it from the nearby sparkling sea.

"Wow!" the now awake Sayori grinned.

Her fellow students shared the sentiment. They couldn't stop jumping and cheering until the train stopped at the local station. The students flooded out of the train and rushed down the walkway leading to the resort, itself composed of thousands of tiny tiles, all intricately connected.

The Literature Club slowly walked up to the entrance of the resort, taking in the sights as they did.

"The Kitsune Spa Resort; home to the best nutrient-rich springs, 5-star his buffets and many other activities and events," Shujinkou announced. "What should we do first?"

"I guess the first thing we should do is find our rooms," Monika said.

Before leaving for the resort, each student was given a room to share with another. Monika was assigned a room that she must share with Sayori and Natsuki was assigned a room that she must share with Yuri. While the first pair were ecstatic to share a room together, the second pair weren't as excited. They didn't voice any complaints, but it was obvious that Yuri and Natsuki were slightly uncomfortable with the fact.

Reading, watching and playing enough fiction, Shujinkou could tell that pairing two high school students whose personalities differ as much as much Natsuki and Yuri's do was not the best of ideas.

"I still can't believe your luck," Natsuki said to Shujinkou. "You don't have to share your room with anyone."

"Well…" Shujinkou nervously scratched his right cheek as a hurt expression appeared on Yuri's face. He would like to tell her that Natsuki didn't mean any harm by that comment, but the moment he opened his mouth, a cheery voice cut him off.

"That's because he has connections," the club heard.

The Literature Club turned around in unison and laid eyes on an absurdly youthful woman approaching them. The woman had silver hair, tied back in a bun. She wore a purple silk kimono with a pink floral design spread across it. Her arms stretched as far as they could before wrapping them around Shujinkou in a tight embrace.

"How's my favorite grandson?" her warm smile causing one to form on Shujinkou's face.

"Fine, Granny Hisa," Shujinkou answered, tightening his grip.

Hisa released her grandson from her grip and stood back, looking him up and down.

"Man, you got taller," she said.

Natsuki blankly stared at the grown woman, rubbed her eyes then continued from where she left off.

"This lady is his grandmother?!" she thought. "She doesn't look a day over 30."

Suddenly, another pair of arms wrapped around Hisa's body for a 2nd embrace.

"Granny Hisa!" Sayori beamed, tightly squeezing her elder.

"Sayori!" she hugged back. "You got taller too."

Shujinkou looked back at his club mates. Their expressions alternated between amazement and confusion. Not that he could really blame them. After all, his grandmother never looked the part of one.

"This is my grandmother," Shujinkou formally introduced.

"Call me Hisa," Hisa grinned.. "Who are these young ladies, Shujinkou?

"These are my friends from the Literature Club: Natsuki, Yuri and Monika," Shujinkou replied, pointing to each girl as he announced their names.

"Nice to meet you, Hisa," Monika smiled.

"Hey…" Natsuki waved, still surprised by Hisa's startling youthful appearance.

"Pleasure to make your acquaintance," Yuri replied.

Shujinkou expected his grandmother to make the comment he prepared himself for, but instead she simply stared at the three until she let out a soft chortle.

"What a coincidence it is that your grandmother would be here, Shujinkou," Monika said.

"Not really. Granny Hisa owns the resort," Sayori said.

The three girls' eyes widened with surprise. They could not believe what they just heard.

"Lady Hisa, owner and manager of the Kitsune Spa Resort at your service," she beamed with professional pride.