Genichi Sojo's Bathhouse Quest (
Summary[]
Genichi Sojo narrates that before each important mission he has, he engages in a specific 'ritual' of sorts; a hot bath at a bathhouse. On the current day, he visits Kurushio Bathhouse, five minutes' walk from Kurushio Station on Tokyo's Soya line. The bathhouse is old and discreetly placed in a residential area; while small, it has a sauna. Sojo asks the 78-year-old receptionist Tae for a towel set before entering.
Sojo notes recently a new facility, New Kurushio Hot Spring, opened nearby with a large sauna and soaking pools which had taken most of the clients; Sojo himself had wanted to go, but tattoos like the ones Sojo had weren't allowed. Sitting in the bath and idly staring at the skylight, Sojo comments that his mission of the day was to retrieve a very unique item; the Enchanted Blade Cloud Gouger. He is ecstatic and excited to acquire one of the masterworks of Kunishige Rokuhira, viewing it as a dream come true. However, Sojo knows he can't let his excitement consume him, and in order to properly relax his mind and body to be in peak condition he vists baths.
Sojo then moves to the sauna, only to find that it is under repair, annoying him. He then moves to the showers, only to find that the shampoo is mentholated. Two yakuza members then walk in, asking about a weapon they had purchased from him previously and reporting their boss wanted 40% back as they were unsatisfied. Sojo shoots back that they simply don't know how to use it and notes they had already arranged a contract after he had demonstrated. The yakuza duo move to attack but Sojo handily eliminates them.
Returning to the front, Sojo discovers the fruit-flavoured milk is all sold out. Disappointed, Sojo orders coffee milk instead. He then turns to Tae and comments the shampoo was mentholated. Tae asks if he disliked it, and Sojo replies he does like it, but it was suited for the summer rather than in the cooler autumn of October. He then adds that she should have told him the sauna was unavailable and Tae good-naturedly apologises. Sojo comments that without improvements, the larger bathhouse would put her out of business.
Despite his bath time being less than ideal on such a crucial day, Sojo still oddly feels generous, and comments he can ignore his complaints as his dream was coming true that day. Tae then watches as Sojo gulps down the coffee milk before disposing of the jar and lid in the correct disposal boxes. Sojo then walks out, pleased as he moves to where he will obtain Cloud Gouger.
Quick References[]
Chapter Notes[]
- It is revealed that Sojo takes baths before important actions in order to calm his body and mind.
- On the day he is scheduled to obtain Cloud Gouger, around the 1st of October, Sojo visits the Kurushio Bathhouse but several events happen that he is unsatisfied with; the sauna is unavailable, the shampoo is mentholated despite it being autumn, two yakuza members interrupt him and there is no fruit-flavoured milk available.
- Despite this, he refrains from overly commenting about the less-than-ideal conditions to the bathhouse's receptionist Tae, as 'his dream will be coming true' that day and he is too excited and overjoyed to care.
- This bonus chapter was published as Takeru Hokazono was taking a break from the main story.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Author's Comment[]
| Author Comment | |
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Takeru Hokazono |
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