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"It looked like you were having a harder time with the mud and rough terrain. Shouldn't all the members of the group look after one another?"
Sometimes the cultural mores of this country were stifling, but for the moment, Fumio was grateful. The set expressions and expectations could often get in the way of honesty and truth, but it wasn't as though telling the truth was always desirable over a handy stock phrase or two.
Hachiko shouted up ahead. "Hey guys we're going to the hotsprings first. Hey love birds! Hurry up!"
Fumio stopped in his tracks, nearly dropping Chou and nearly choking himself as she clung to his neck.
He staggered backward to spare them both from falling.
"Can't people just be kind to one another without that being involved?" he muttered under quickened breaths. He looked up the path. "You had probably best hold on tightly."
He took a deep breath and started running.