Chapter 277: Chapter 277
Beep! Beep!
With two honks of the horn, the car waiting at the red light resumed its journey, heading toward the planned hot spring inn.
"Wow~!"
Pressing their faces against the window, Klee and Qiqi's large eyes sparkled with wonder as they eagerly took in the scenery speeding past. Their faces were full of joy and curiosity.
"Qiqi-neechan, look!"
Klee exclaimed, her little face pressed against the glass, pointing at a large vehicle they had just passed.
"Hifumi-neechan's place is amazing~! There are so many things we've never seen before."
"What makes that big box outside go so fast? Could it have one of those slime engines that Mom mentioned inside?"
"Qiqi thinks there must be a slime inside too," Qiqi said seriously, raising her small finger.
"Klee-chan, can't you feel the heat from below us? That must be because of the slime."
"Oh, that's right!"
Klee's big eyes lit up. Hugging her arms, she stared at her seat with an expression of agreement.
"Qiqi-neechan is right. Klee can also feel the heat of explosions. Hilichurls love using Pyro Slimes to make bombs."
"Klee has tried making slime bombs before, so there must be a Pyro Slime working below us."
Aoba Suzukaze, sitting nearby, couldn't help but pat the heads of the two little ones as she listened to their earnest conversation.
"So cute, hehe."
"Qiqi and Klee, have you never seen a car before?" asked Takimoto Hifumi curiously.
"We've seen them!"
Klee blinked her big eyes, pressing a finger to her chin in thought.
"Liuli-neechan once showed Qiqi-neechan and me a documentary with cars. One time, Lisa-neechan came over and explained how cars move."
"Lisa-neechan said you can create a magical circle under the car and power it with Electro energy to make it run. She mentioned that Snezhnaya has cars like that."
"Lisa-neechan also said Electro Slimes or Pyro Slimes could be used as core energy sources, just like Mom mentioned before."
"So that's what cars are like in your world…" Hifumi murmured, nodding thoughtfully. She pulled Klee and Qiqi closer, stroking their little heads as she explained more about the technology in her world, patiently answering the endless stream of questions from the two curious children.
The scenery outside continued to change rapidly, with the sun climbing higher in the sky until it began its descent in the west. As the horizon turned golden and the sun dipped low, the group finally arrived at their destination.
Following the guidance of the hot spring staff, the vehicles slowly came to a stop. After driving for nearly a full day, Hikari Yagami stretched her body with a soft sigh of relief. Turning to the others, who were huddled together and asleep, she smiled gently.
"Wake up, everyone. We've arrived at our destination."
She reached out to shake the sleeping group awake before stepping out of the car. Looking up at the serene environment bathed in warm orange light, Hikari took a deep breath of the cool air. The refreshing sensation seemed to seep into every corner of her body, bringing an unparalleled sense of relaxation.
Turning to glance at the classically styled hot spring inn behind her, Hikari nodded in satisfaction.
"It might be a newly built inn, but the environment here is truly wonderful."
"Hikari-nee, are we here already?"
Rubbing her eyes, Aoba stumbled out of the car. A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of flowers and grass, instantly clearing her drowsiness. Stretching her arms with a big smile, she exclaimed:
"This is amazing. This trip is going to be so much fun!"
She turned to wake Qiqi and Klee, who were still napping against Hifumi.
"Klee, Qiqi, we're here! Come on out. It's so beautiful outside."
Their eyes lit up instantly as they scrambled out of their seats, hopping down from the car with little grunts. Raising her head to take in the view, Klee tilted her head, rubbing her sleepy eyes with her small hands.
"Hifumi-neechan's place is just like Windrise~"
"I wonder if we can fish here?"
"Klee, don't forget what Brother Hiroshi said yesterday," Qiqi reminded her seriously, placing a hand on Klee's shoulder.
"No fishing with bombs."
"Eh~"
Klee pouted in disappointment but relented.
"Okay, Qiqi-neechan."
Putting away the Dodoco she had somehow already grabbed, Klee looked up at Hifumi as she stepped out of the car.
"Hifumi-neechan, where's the hot spring? Klee wants to go soak in the hot spring."
Grabbing Qiqi's hand, Klee nuzzled her cheek against her sister's.
"Qiqi-neechan, we've never bathed together before. Klee wants to bathe with you."
"I'll take you both there," Aoba said with a smile, holding their small hands as she led them toward the inn.
"Aoba, you've completely forgotten about us now that you've got Klee and Qiqi," Hikari remarked teasingly, leaning against the car. Watching Aoba walk away with the two little ones, she shook her head with a laugh.
Turning to the car, where Yūne Iijima and Hatsuo Shinoda were slowly getting up, Hikari knocked on the door.
"Klee and Qiqi are heading to the hot spring. If you two want to join them, you better hurry."
"What?! Aoba sneaked off? That's so unfair!"
Their sleepiness vanished instantly as they jumped out of the car and dashed after Aoba.
In the lobby of the hot spring inn, Aoba walked in with Klee and Qiqi, holding their hands. The enormous room and its occasional guests left the two girls wide-eyed, their little mouths slightly agape.
As Klee turned her head to take in her unfamiliar surroundings, she spotted a girl about her size with light purple hair.
Klee waved her small hand excitedly.
"Oh~"
The girl, holding a bottle of milk, noticed Klee's wave and her eyes lit up. Raising her hand, she placed it on her head.
"Nyanpasu~!"
"Hm?"
Tilting their heads simultaneously, Klee and Qiqi looked at the girl with curiosity. Klee raised her hand and, blinking her big eyes, mimicked the gesture.
"Nyanpasu~!"