The onsen's warmth seeped into her muscles, easing the tension from their recent missions. Ryuko closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the gentle rise and fall of the water around her. The steam from the onsen mingled with the cool night air, creating a misty, dreamlike atmosphere. Around her, her squadmates in the La Prossima Task force spoke of drinking alcoholic beverages. As Ryuko thought of it, she didn't see the appeal in those kinds of drinks.
The gentle murmur of her teammates' conversations floated through the air, mixing with the soft sounds of the night. Some were recounting old tales, their voices punctuated by bursts of laughter. Others debated the merits of different sake brands or the unique flavors of local spirits they had encountered in their travels. Ryuko listened with half an ear, the sound of their camaraderie a comforting background hum.
The onsen was nestled in a secluded mountain village, surrounded by towering pine trees and the distant sound of a flowing river. The stars above twinkled faintly, their light dimmed by the rising steam, but still offering a glimpse of the vastness of the night sky. Ryuko felt a deep sense of peace here, a stark contrast to the chaotic and dangerous life she led as part of the elite task force.
She opened her eyes and glanced at her comrades. They seemed so at ease, their usual guard dropped in this sanctuary of warmth and tranquility. The stress of their missions, the constant vigilance required in their line of work, seemed a distant memory in this moment of reprieve.
Ryuko's thoughts drifted back to the topic of conversation—alcohol. She had tried it once, out of curiosity rather than desire. The sharp, burning sensation as it slid down her throat had not been pleasant, and the subsequent lightheadedness and lack of control had been even less so. In their line of work, clarity and control were paramount. She couldn't understand how her past teammates found joy in something that dulled the senses and impaired judgment, even temporarily.
As she pondered this, she realized that for them, perhaps, it was a rare indulgence—a way to disconnect from the weight of their responsibilities and the ever-present threat of danger. It was a ritual of relaxation, a momentary escape from the harsh realities they faced. Ryuko, however, found her solace in moments like these—in the stillness, the soothing embrace of the onsen, and the quiet companionship of those who shared her burdens.
She took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp air mixed with the earthy scent of the hot spring. The sensation was grounding, reminding her of her strength and the resilience that had carried her through countless challenges. While her teammates sought their comfort in the bottom of a cup, she found hers in the serene simplicity of the natural world around her.
Ryuko dove into the water, feeling the cool embrace of the onsen on her bald head as she swam closer to her teammates. The gentle currents caressed her skin, a welcome relief after the grueling missions they had recently undertaken. As she neared the others, their conversation became clearer, and she caught a snippet about their plans for the evening.
Ryuko surfaced beside them, her presence marked by the ripples spreading out in concentric circles. "Ryuko isn't going to drink either," she chimed in, her usual habit of speaking in the third person bringing a familiar smile to her teammates' faces. "Didn't like it when Ryuko tried once, so..." She shrugged, the memory of the unpleasant experience briefly flickering across her mind.
Just then, the arrival of two figures caught her attention. Barone, their commanding officer, stepped into view, accompanied by another man. Ryuko's curiosity was piqued as she watched them approach, her head tilting slightly to the side. Barone was a familiar sight, but the man beside him was not. "Ooh, new friend?" Ryuko asked the group, her eyes twinkling with interest. She didn't remember seeing this man, Miko, before. Ryuko studied him for a moment, trying to get a read on the new addition to their team.
"Nice to meet you, Miko," she said, her voice friendly but with an underlying hint of scrutiny. "Ryuko hopes you'll find our team to your liking."
