Luis crossed the river separating his farm from the cherry blossom forest to reach the hot spring inn on the mountain. The river, barely larger than a stream, flowed from the towering mountain near town and emptied into the sea. Its bounty and refreshing coolness brought vibrant life to the entire town. Once things settled into a rhythm, Luis vowed to spend a day lounging by its banks, fishing, and savoring life. Just watching the fish dart through the crystal-clear water was enough to solidify his resolve.
Walking the trail through the cherry blossom forest, gentle breezes carried petals swirling through the air. "What's the falling speed of cherry blossoms, anyway?" he wondered, chuckling at his own silly thought.
The trail was long, but he wasn't in a hurry. He strolled leisurely, soaking in the crisp spring air. His worries and stress seemed to slip away with each step. By the time he spotted the steam of the hot spring rising in the distance, all that remained was an odd sense of calm.
Climbing the stone steps to the hot spring, he took in the place. Its design echoed the Japanese hot spring resorts he'd visited on a trip—entirely wooden architecture blending seamlessly with the forest. Wisps of white steam rose, making it feel like stepping into a realm of Japanese yokai.
Luis entered the building. Shoes were left at the entrance, swapped for neatly arranged slippers. The reception desk was unmanned, everything self-service. A board listed service prices—just press a button and swipe a card to pay. The only thing he could afford was a hot spring bath, priced at 20 G. Paying it would leave him officially broke. But who cared right now? He swiped his card boldly. 20 G wouldn't change his life.
Cheerfully, he changed, grabbed a wooden washbasin, and headed to the bathing area. After scrubbing clean, Luis sank into the steaming pool. Every pore in his body seemed to open.
"Haa!"
He let out a long, contented sigh. His body and mind melted into the water. The heat made his insides hum with warmth. His brain switched to standby mode. A tingling sensation spread across his face. He savored the moment, but a thought flickered:
"Indulging like this, will I even be able to work tomorrow?"
That familiar anxiety crept in. He mentally listed tomorrow's tasks: watering crops, checking forest forage, gathering lumber for farm repairs… There was still so much to do. He was teetering on bankruptcy and couldn't afford to let his guard down. He needed to pull himself together and prepare for what lay ahead.
Creak!
The bathhouse door opened. His heart pounded. He suddenly remembered this was a mixed-gender bathing area. Zack's words echoed: pretty girls… His face grew hotter than the water.
"Ho ho ho!"
A short, bald old man, stark naked, stepped in.
"Nothing beats soaking in a hot spring after a hard day's work!"
The man's voice wasn't loud but rang clear like a bell. This had to be Barley, owner of Mineral Town's largest cattle farm, with his bald head, small stature, and ever-present smile.
"Oh, it's the kid taking over Jack's farm!"
Barley spotted him as he eased into the water. He approached, sizing up the new farm owner.
"Hmm! Still quite young, eh? Keep at it, lad! Ho ho ho! Whenever you want a cow, come to my farm! Ho ho ho!"
Barley leaned against the pool's edge, sinking deeper, his face relaxing.
"Every time I soak in this spring, I feel a few years younger! Right, kid?"
"Yes! It's really relaxing! But how much would a cow from your farm cost, sir?"
"Ho ho ho! Don't think about money! What matters is wanting a cow to love and care for. When you're ready, come find me! Ho ho ho!"
Barley continued: "Back in the day, Jack loved his cows dearly. Before he passed, as if he sensed his end, he entrusted his entire herd of cows and sheep to me."
His eyes grew distant, reminiscing about his old friend.
"Are they doing well?" Luis asked.
"Oh, Jack's cows? They're healthy, but they miss him. I feel their time to return to their master's farm is near."
"Do you care for them? Don't you feel sad?"
"Of course I care for them! Ho ho ho! I love them like all my other cows and sheep. But what comes must come, right? They've lived fully, happily, giving milk and wool to the town. So why be sad? Ho ho ho!"
Barley smiled, as if recalling every cow and sheep on his farm, proud of them like a father of his children.
"What if a cow stops giving milk?" Luis asked.
"Then I'd love it even more, because I know it'd feel bad for not being like the others. I'd encourage it to race horses or compete with dogs at Beach Day. There's plenty a cow can do! Ho ho ho!"
Luis gave Barley an odd look. Was the old man senile? Cows racing horses? How could they win?
"I've soaked long enough. I'll head out. Got a lot to do at the farm tomorrow!"
As he left the bathhouse, Barley called after him: "Young man, do you love your farm?"
Luis didn't answer, slipping away quietly.
Near the bathhouse, a trail led higher up. He guessed it ended at the mine for harvesting minerals. But it was dark, and he didn't want to explore a cave now, so he followed the stone steps back to the cherry blossom forest trail.
He walked, admiring the forest's stunning beauty, but the ease he'd felt coming here was gone. Barley's question echoed in his mind.