How to raise a random guy's wife

"What about that thing we talked about before?"

"Animated adaptation?"

"Ah."

"That matter went smoothly. The other party took the initiative to propose negotiations, wanting to hear our opinions. When we suggested commissioning someone else to produce it, they were a little disappointed, but in the end they returned the copyright. Although we spent some money, we ensured the quality of the sequel," Kobayashi Sora recounted casually. "The meal was very enjoyable for all the guests, and Sister Zhu Yin drank quite a bit of wine, as you know later."

"Some money? It must be a lot."

"Not much at all," Kobayashi Sora chuckled. "It's not even as expensive as this meal."

After lunch, the two strolled aimlessly. As they passed the hot spring town, Kobayashi Sora suddenly remembered, "By the way, have you soaked in the hot springs yet?"

“I wanted to go…” Kato Megumi looked at the crowds on the street, “but there were too many people.”

There's a hot spring in the hotel, but it's too crowded and feels dirty.

“I see,” Kobayashi Sora searched her memory, “I know a good private hot spring.”

"Hmm... okay." Kato Megumi hesitated for a moment, but nodded nonetheless.

After returning to the hotel to retrieve her yukata and toiletries, Kato Megumi followed Kobayashi Sora to a private hot spring hotel.

A private hot spring bath is a hot spring bath in a private space, which is more private, but of course, the space is relatively smaller.

Pushing open the door, the first thing you see is a display of handicrafts in a uniquely designed setting: lacquer wall hangings, water-themed partitions, gradient-dyed bedding, ceramic tea sets—almost everything is a work of art made entirely by hand.

The room contains two beds, and the walls are decorated with hand-painted porcelain murals depicting spring, autumn, winter, and summer, all in vibrant colors.

The private hot spring, with its bright emerald color, is surrounded by smooth, rounded stones. The spring water flows slowly, steaming and filled with vapor.

“It looks pretty good,” Kobayashi Sora said, looking around. “It’s even better than I expected.”

He looked at Kato Megumi, who had been quiet for a while, and said, "You go in first."

Ladies first, he'll go soak after Kato Megumi has finished.

“…Hmm.” Kato Megumi nodded gently. “That…”

"what happened?"

"Could you wait a moment before going in?" Kato Megumi bit her lower lip lightly. "I need to rinse off for a while first."

"I'll wait for you outside, until you've finished soaking me... Huh?" Kobayashi Sora was taken aback. Kato Megumi's words seemed to imply...

In other words, he can go in without waiting for Kato Megumi to come out?!

No wonder Kato Megumi was so quiet the whole way; she thought I was going to soak in a hot spring with her.

so......

“I can…” Kobayashi Sora’s eyes lit up.

"No." Kato Megumi blushed to the tips of her ears. The moment she heard Kobayashi Sora's surprised voice, she knew she had made a mistake and fled into the private bathhouse. "It's not possible now."

So, is that okay?

Kobayashi Sora realized that she had just missed a very important event.

How important is managing facial expressions?

If she had negotiated with the people at Kaikou Bunko before, Kobayashi Sora would never have shown such a surprised expression so easily.

It's too late to say anything now.

Sitting on the sofa, Kobayashi Sora's gaze drifted uncontrollably toward the direction of the continuous sound of water.

I'm eagerly waiting.

After a long while, Kato Megumi came out wearing a white yukata with pink cherry blossoms. Whether it was because of shyness or the temperature of the hot spring, her fair face was flushed, and her watery eyes darted away. "You...you go."

"Um," Kobayashi Sora coughed lightly, mimicking Kato Megumi's tone in a serious manner, "would you like to wait a moment before going in? I need to rinse off for a while first."

"Who's going in later?!"

"I have no objection to going in now."

"You're so mean," Kato Megumi muttered softly, pushing Kobayashi Sora inside and closing the door.

Chapter 104 What's so good?

After leaving the private hot spring hotel, the two, dressed in yukatas and with their wooden clogs clattering on their feet, idly strolled around the hot spring town, picking out interesting local specialties.

Chocolate cookies shaped like mace, cookies shaped like Mount Suzu, cookies shaped like maple leaves, Calbee special autumn potato chips, potato cookies, chestnut cake, candied black beans, cookies made with Hokkaido milk or cheese, cheese mixed with wasabi, candies shaped like deer, bears, rabbits and other cute animals, sticky notes and bookmarks printed with Hokkaido flowers...

Perhaps they should have visited some more iconic landmarks, but neither of them wanted to quicken their pace and simply strolled around leisurely.

As the setting sun pulled the mountains aside, obscuring its fiery red face, and with the last rays of sunlight fading, streetlights lit up the streets, and the bustling crowds made it even more lively than during the day.

"Couple Challenge!" A shout rang out from nearby, drawing a crowd. "The winner will receive our shop's signature yukata!"

Kobayashi Sora followed the sound and saw an exquisitely patterned yukata in the glass cabinet of the hot spring hotel. It looked very expensive. "What a beautiful yukata."

He had no intention of participating; he glanced at the sign and prepared to leave.

But the hem of her clothes was tugged.

"Ok?"

"Sister... should like it." Kato Megumi said softly.

"Let's give it a try." Kobayashi Sora led Kato Megumi toward the hotel and found the registration area.

"Hello, we'd like to register," Kobayashi Sora asked the staff at the registration desk. "What are the specific challenges?"

After the staff explained the situation, Kobayashi Sora learned about it.

Simply put, it's a princess carry competition where men carry women across a padded track, and they are required to wear wooden clogs throughout the entire race.

Kobayashi Sora briefly analyzed that the main difficulties were twofold: firstly, the physical exertion, and secondly, the fact that wooden clogs were not suitable for running on soft mats.

Kobayashi Sora glanced around and memorized the situation on the field.

After a short wait, the couples who participated in the challenge gathered at one end of the street.

Holding Kato Megumi's hand, Kobayashi Sora adjusted her position and quietly came to the side of the challenge team, reaching out to pick up Kato Megumi.

Kato Megumi wrapped her arms around his neck to ease the burden on his arms.

"Ready—three, two, one, go!"

At the staff's command, the man, who felt he was in good physical condition, grabbed his lover and rushed out.

Then he fell, taking several others down with him.

If it weren't for the cushioning effect of the soft padding, several people would probably have been injured.

Kobayashi Sora, who was holding Kato Megumi on the side, escaped unharmed. He cautiously sped up, gradually getting used to the discomfort of walking on the soft cushions in his wooden clogs.

He has been working out for a while now, and the results are showing, helping him become one of the top three in the challenge.

The other two were no pushovers either. One of them, a middle-aged man, carried his wife and nimbly dodged the fallen contestant, moving forward as smoothly as a fish swimming in water.

The other one was strong and sturdy, but his heavy steps caused the soft mat to dent, and it took a long time for it to recover.

In contrast, Kobayashi Sora's chances of winning are quite slim.

The onlookers cheered loudly, and the staff did their best to create a lively atmosphere: "Beautiful ladies! Cheer for your loved ones and march towards victory!"

Even if you say that...

Kobayashi Sora's steps grew increasingly slow.

No matter what, it involves carrying someone while walking on a soft mat in slippery wooden clogs. The difficulty cannot be eliminated with just a few words of encouragement.

How could a girl's single sentence cause a boy to burst forth with boundless energy?

The thought had barely crossed her mind when Kobayashi Sora heard Kato Megumi in her arms call out clearly:

"dad......"

Xiao Lin Kong Qing: "..."

Oh oh oh oh oh oh!!!

My inner power has exploded!

A surge of power, seemingly from nowhere, filled his body, and Kobayashi Sora's previously sluggish steps instantly became swift.

The strong, muscular man's heavy footsteps landed between the gaps in the mat, causing him to trip and fall, laughing heartily with the woman in his arms.

The middle-aged man, holding his wife, became the first place winner and turned to look at Kobayashi Sora behind him.

Isn't this a provocation?

Kobayashi Sora narrowed her eyes slightly, increased her speed again, and crossed the finish line first amidst the cheers of the onlookers. She turned back and gave the middle-aged man a confident smile.

"Congratulations to this couple for winning our shop's signature yukata! You've also become our valued members! Our shop is a century-old hot spring..." This was followed by a long string of advertisements before the yukata was finally handed to the couple.

Even Kobayashi Sora didn't expect to actually win; she had originally thought that participating was the most important thing.

If the middle-aged man hadn't run out of steam near the finish line, the outcome would have been very uncertain.

After handing the packaged yukata to Kato Megumi, Kobayashi Sora hesitated for a moment, "Just now..."

The call caught him completely off guard.

Although the effect was very good, how did Kato Megumi come up with this idea?

Kato Megumi hugged her yukata to her chest, a cute blush spreading across her face, and pointed behind Kobayashi Sora.

Kobayashi Sora turned her head and saw the middle-aged man from before, and his wife.

And there's Hiromi Kato.

Uh-huh?

Kobayashi Sora reacted for a moment and noticed the resemblance between the middle-aged woman and Kato Megumi in their eyes and eyebrows.

Could this woman be Megumi Kato's mother?

And this middle-aged man...

"That's great!" Hiromi Kato said with a smile. "You actually managed to outrun your dad while carrying your daughter."

Ah... Kobayashi Sora finally understood.