Do you like hot springs, everyone?
They sure are nice, aren't they? They're warm and comfy.
Just a casual dip can give you a taste of pure bliss.
That hits the spot.
It's said that humanity has used hot springs since days of old.
Ancient records make this evident.
There are roughly three thousand hot spring locations across Japan,
and roughly a hundred million visits to hot spring facilities each year.
Nowadays, visiting hot springs is more of a leisure activity, for tourism and skincare.
But in the past, hot springs were used for health care,
in techniques called "hot spring treatments."
For example, hot springs improve circulation and parasympathetic nerve activity.
They've been proven to not only feel good, but to have physiological benefits, as well.
Sakamoto Ryoma's hot spring trip with his wife, Oryo,
is widely regarded as the first ever Japanese honeymoon.
Hot springs heal both body and soul.
And these hot springs are the subject of this week's story.
That felt good.
Overseas, "quaffing the elixir" is commonplace.
As the name suggests, one drinks water from hot springs.
Be aware, though, that some hot spring water isn't safe for drinking.
Well, let's try it out.
Haruhiko, you're drinking that?
Don't worry.
I chose one that's safe to drink.
If you take five of these balls out and put them in order, that's called a permutation.
What're you up to, Haruhiko?
I'm studying a new skill.
If you ignore the order, that's called a combination.
It's called Abramelin's Finger,
but it's pretty hard.
In permutations, you arrange them in order. But in combinations, you only choose.
It sure is hot today, though.
Oh, no!
This isn't the time to be in class!
Go outside!
The inner yard!
Look!
There's a hot spring!
A hot, hot spring!
So this is why it's so hot.
Haruhiko-kun...
This is quite the mess, huh?
It must be because of that Phantom.
I wonder if that monkey dug up this hot spring.
No. Even the smaller monkeys and the hot spring itself are Phantoms.
It looks so nice.
I want to undress and jump in with them.
Don't say that. That's improper.
Looks like classes will be canceled today!
Okay, time to wash off this sweat!
What a doofus.
Haruhiko-kun, can't you seal it?
Not unless I can draw the whole thing.
And I can't see what's underwater like this.
You're so useless.
What about you, Reina-chan? Can you suck it in?
No, sorry. It has to be weakened to a certain extent.
Oh.
Neural Error Corrections Room
As things stand, we won't be able to hold classes,
meaning we'll have to schedule them over summer break.
No way, man!
That would suck!
Gimme a break!
If you don't want that, you'll all have to work hard to take down that Phantom.
You're telling us to do your job?!
What are we even supposed to do?
You all right, Koito-chan?
Yes.
Coffee Milk
Leadoff hitter, here I go!
Go get him!
You got this!
Wings soaring high, wings swooping low, wings setting on the ground.
With your iron talons, shred the bringer of evil!
Hang in there!
Oh, no!
He's strong.
I'm up next.
Rainbow Lightning!
Damn...
All right!
Damn, foiled!
He's fast.
Looks like this is a job for me.
Go, Shosuke!
Burn, burn, my soul!
Behold the true, ultimate—
Plain pathetic.
Just sad.
Where there's water, there's us, the Beach Angels.
We've been waiting for this!
Prepare yourselves.
Here I go.
Water Dragon's Spellbinding.
Riptide Lance...
Pierce him.
Oh, no!
No!
Our upperclassmen didn't stand a chance.
That Phantom's really strong!
And kind of pervy.
Looks like it's time for the big guns.
Hello.
Kurumi-chan...
Is she going to be all right?
Senpai, you won't get a good foothold in the hot spring.
Just watch me.
I'll go around him and attack from behind.
Let go, you!
No!
Gross!
Mai-oneesan!
Damn it!
Invoke, Marchosias!
Go!
Go help Mai-senpai!
What's wrong?
A lot of dogs and cats hate being put in the bath.
That's so sad!
I can handle this.
Albrecht!
This can't be good.
It's getting bigger.
It's soaking up water.
Timbear!
Albrecht!
It's all soggy.
You're all pathetic.
Koito-san, will you be okay?
I got this.
Break, break, break, break into the tune of creation.
Tune, tune, tune, tune, tunnel the flames.
It's no use. The hot spring's acting as a wall.
She can't chain them down.
So hot.
Koito-san!
Neural Error Corrections Room
She's sweating a lot.
Koito-chan can't take the heat, huh?
Are you okay, Senpai?
I feel awful...
This isn't good.
Almost all the students have been put out of action.
I feel my abilities can take it down if I can get close enough without it noticing.
Get close, huh?
I know!
One, two, one, two, one, two...
Where'd you even find this thing?
I borrowed it from the drama club.
Why a horse?
Don't you know?
It's called a Trojan Horse.
In Greek mythology, Odysseus built a massive wooden horse to sneak past
the city of Troy's impenetrable defenses.
I couldn't care less!
Walk properly.
I am...
You're just walking too fast.
Good, keep going straight.
Carefully. Don't let it notice us.
It's so hot.
Shh.
Neigh!
Nicely done, Haruhiko.
Now is our chance. Let's close in and strike from behind!
What's the matter? Let's go!
It's too heavy! I can't go forward...
Come on!
Are we sinking?
N-No...
Senpai, run!
No!
Senpai!
Neural Error Corrections Room
Mai-oneesama...
Are you all right?
It's quite a bit cooler in our swimsuits.
Yes.
Good thing swim classes had already started.
Are you better already, Koito-san?
Yes.
This time, I'll take him down for sure.
That Phantom's attribute is probably water.
I don't think you can defeat it, even with your flames.
We shouldn't go at it haphazardly.
Then what do we do?
Why don't we just leave it alone?
It's nice and warm, after all!
If only we could get him out of the water, I could seal him...
Um, in that case...
Hi, Mr. Monkey, I'd like it if you'd come over here.
What do you think?
Are you sure we can lure him out?
That's no good, Reina-chan.
Like this!
Like this?
Your butt!
I want to be your friend, Mr. Monkey...
Please?
Here he comes!
A little closer...
A little closer.
What? But I did my best...
I guess he wasn't too taken by you.
I'm not attractive.
I almost had him...
Right, Kurumi-chan, could you use the Golden Bear Hand?
It was gone when we got back from the bear world...
Use this instead, then!
G-G-Golden Bear Hand!
You're up next, Koito-chan!
Why me?
Because you're pretty hot.
True that.
Quit staring!
Oh, come on...
You can do it, Koito-chan.
No way.
She's kind of scary.
Koito-san, smile more!
Suck up to him and give him glances, like Reina-chan.
Suck up?
Come on, smile.
Give him glances, and suck up to him!
She looks even scarier...
You look like a punk!
Try to be sexier. Stick out your tongue and stuff.
Like this!
That's not cute at all. Too much.
Beckon him with your hand. Call him over!
Like this.
That's challenging him to a duel!
Too hot...
Retreat!
Neural Error Corrections Room
What do we do? Everyone's down.
Not a chance.
What do you mean by that?!
Die! Die! Die!
We only have one more option.
What option?
What is it this time?
Did you know? Female monkeys in heat have red bottoms.
They show off their butts to seduce males.
I see!
Then we need to make our butts red.
And the one who's most suited for that task is—
No way!
Please!
You'll be able to lure the Phantom close!
I can't!
It licked me twice!
I'm begging you!
You don't care if that Phantom assaults me?
I'll seal him before that happens!
Fine.
I'll do it, then.
I'll do it!
Senpai?
Come on, Haruhiko, hurry up.
That's not good enough!
More vigorously!
More liberally!
But...
No buts!
Don't you go all-out on the canvas when your brush is in hand?!
Is that all that art means to you?
This is serious business, fool!
All right!
Cold.
What's with this texture?
It's like the bristles are dancing.
What softness...
What softness.
What softness!
It's like a top-quality canvas.
There, done.
Okay.
Red
There she is.
Go, Mai.
Will this really attract it?
Did it have to be Haruhiko doing the painting?
Now, for the highlight of the show!
Sweet! You're killing it, Mai-cchi!
Here it comes.
Now, if I can just see the big monkey's feet...
Hang in there, Mai-senpai! We're almost there!
Senpai!
Shoot!
No!
There it is.
My sketchbook!
It's all red with paint.
What?!
Damn, it's all or nothing.
Oh, holiness. Oh, mortal. Blessings to the silent Lord!
Open, Open... Open, gates of Hell!
Invoke, Cthulhu!
An octopus?
Cthulhu!
Yeah, success.
Go!
Are you all right?
I'm fine.
I thought he was going to lick me again...
Haruhiko-kun, what's with the octopus?
The great Cthulhu,
who descended on Earth long ago in the grimoire Necronomicon.
Cthulhu!
How did you summon it just now?
It's called Abramelin's Finger.
I can summon creatures without a picture.
There've been times when I couldn't summon anything due to not having my sketchbook,
so I've been practicing.
Onii-san, he's coming.
Cthulhu!
Wow.
Yes!
Reina-chan, can you suck it in?
I'll pass. He isn't very appetizing.
He does look gross.
I'll have to burn it, then.
Hang on a moment.
That monkey seems to be crying.
You're right.
What's the matter, I wonder.
His wife ran off?!
Yeah.
So he was trying to heal his wounded heart in a hot spring.
Just being in a hot spring is relaxing, right?
You mean he's crying because he thinks Haruhiko took me from him?
Probably.
Not that I care, but what's the plan?
I bet we can stop the hot spring-ification if we mend that big monkey's heart!
Do you mean someone has to marry Monkey-san?
I heard what's going on.
I'll handle this!
This is from the drama club, too?
You look good.
Appears he liked it.
That was actually pretty awesome when you helped me.
I won't ever forget you.
Goodbye.
Farewell.
Goodbye.
Wait, huh? Huh?!
Wait, help me!
Dude, this can't be good!
Someone!
Someone help me!