Spirit Game

"IT's THE POOL!"

Rain and the others screamed in unison when they arrived at their destination.

The indoor pool was a haven where every man's dreams came alive. It buzzed with vibrant energy, a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement as friends, families, and individuals enjoyed their time in the water.

Near the hot springs grotto, couples enjoyed a more intimate experience, whispering sweet nothings and sharing quiet moments as they soaked in the warm, bubbling waters. The bar area was lively, with people gathered around, enjoying the expertly mixed drinks and engaging in animated conversations.

The bartenders, ever attentive, crafted custom cocktails and offered recommendations, ensuring everyone had their perfect drink in hand.

Private cabanas hosted small gatherings, where friends celebrated special occasions or simply enjoyed each other's company in a more secluded setting. The gentle mist sprayers kept everyone cool, while the built-in sound systems played personalized playlists, adding to the festive yet relaxed ambiance.

Women in bikinis added a splash of color to the scene, their swimwear ranging from classic one-pieces to chic two-piece bikinis that showcased a variety of styles, from playful patterns to sleek, solid colors.

Some women lounged gracefully on the plush sunbeds, their skin glistening under the ambient lights, sunglasses perched stylishly on their noses as they sipped on refreshing cocktails.

Others swam gracefully in the pool, their laughter and cheerful conversations blending harmoniously with the gentle sounds of the cascading waterfalls.

"Ah . . ." The boys' noses flared as they inhaled deeply, trying to capture every detail of the scene and preserve it in their memories forever. They could almost smell the enticing mix of the women's perfumes and imagine the girls chasing after them in their minds.

"This is heaven!" they exhaled in unison, eyes fluttery in dreamland.

"Nathan really had a brilliant idea coming here."

Nathan raised his chin with pride. "What can I say? My intelligence sometimes scares me."

The others applauded while Rain smiled.

Earlier that morning, Nathan and the others had shown up unannounced, surprising Rain with their unexpected visit. Because of that, he had to postpone his entire day's agenda in the Spirit Realm. Thankfully, there wasn't anything major happening in his village, and he had promised himself he would hang out with his friends once his busy schedule allowed.

"Yosh! I'm going over there to scout some nice chicks — I mean, take a swim!"

"Wait! I'm coming too!"

"Hey, I saw that first!"

Everyone raced over to the adult poolside, drawing the attention of the lifeguards.

"Hey, you kids! This is the adult section. The teenagers and kids are over there!" one of the lifeguards called out.

"Ugh?! But we're already eighteen!"

"You can't fool me, kids. My years of experience as a lifeguard have trained my eyes to spot fakers and pretenders. Get lost!"

"No way! We paid for this!"

"I'm going to complain to the manager!"

While the others argued with the lifeguard, Rain and Nathan stood off to the side, laughing at the scene.

Nathan stopped and turned to Rain, his expression shifting to one of genuine concern. "I'm glad you finally decided to grace us with your presence, Rain."

Rain laughed awkwardly. "I didn't have much choice when all of you stormed into my apartment."

Nathan's smile faded slightly, and he addressed Rain more seriously. "What have you been up to lately? You've been so out of it."

Rain scratched his head, trying to come up with a plausible explanation. "Ah, well . . . I've been busy with other things."

Nathan raised an eyebrow. "Like? Don't tell me it's games again?"

Rain shook his head quickly. "Uh, no . . . C-College exams?" Whoa, he was getting better at lying, though he knew it wasn't something to be proud of.

Nathan looked surprised before bursting out laughing. "Ahahaha! Come on, man, I know you! You never study for finals, and now you're studying for college? We're not even sure if you'll graduate at all!"

"Hey! I will graduate, you know. Don't jinx it!" Rain protested.

"With those grades, you'd better pray to all the gods you know," Nathan continued, still laughing.

"W-well . . . My parents are reminding me that I'd be dead if I don't get into college, so . . .

And graduation is around the corner."

"It's still a good seven months away," Nathan deadpanned.

"You mean only seven months, right? You should study too if you want to get into the university you want."

Nathan sighed, shaking his head. "That's still far away, Rain. I'll study when it's near. It always works for me."

"Well, maybe for you because you're smart. But an average guy like me needs extra effort."

Nathan slapped Rain playfully on the head. "You're smart, you just don't want to exert the effort. There's a difference. You can't fool me, Rain."

Rain forced a laugh, rubbing his injured head. Though consumed with guilt, he couldn't exactly tell him the truth about his secret life in the Spirit Realm.

Nathan's face turned serious once more. "Look, I get it if you don't want to tell me what's keeping you busy. But I want you to know that I'll always be here if you need any help, alright?"

Rain's eyes shook with emotion at his best friend's words. Ah, he really didn't deserve a good friend like Nathan. "Thanks, Nathan. And don't worry, I'm fine." Rain forced a grin.

"I don't know about that." Nathan said, then put an arm around Rain's neck. "But right now, let's just enjoy this weekend and not think about exams."

"R-right!" Rain nodded, feeling a warmth spread through him at Nathan's support despite his shortcomings.

As they walked towards the pool, the sun setting behind them, Rain couldn't help but feel a little lighter. For the first time in a while, he allowed himself to relax and enjoy the moment.

The challenges of the Spirit Realm and all the obligations he had on his shoulders as a Lord could wait. Right now, he was just a teenager enjoying a day out with his friends, and that was enough.

=======

Later that night, Rain and the others were dead asleep, exhausted not from swimming, but from running away from girls they had pranked by attempting to loosen their swimsuits. Just a little slip of the side or underboob was enough for a thrill, though they secretly hoped for a full wardrobe malfunction that would have made their day.

Though bruised and battered, they had returned with countless pictures and fond memories of the ladies' accidental slips. It had indeed been an eventful day for the boys, one that they would laugh about for years to come.

However, when Nathan woke up, he found himself in a forest, and everything changed.

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