“Help! I’m the Chosen One (and I Didn’t Sign Up for This)!”

"Why is this happening again?" Kazuya groaned as he trailed behind the group, clutching the Jewel of Desire like it might bite him.

"I told you," Fergus said, leading the way through a misty mountain trail. "The next step in your journey requires purification."

"Purification?" Mika repeated skeptically. "That sounds suspiciously vague."

"It's not vague!" Fergus said, his voice growing defensive. "It's tradition. Every great hero must visit the Hot Springs of Eternity to cleanse their aura and strengthen their bonds."

Kazuya frowned. "Why does everything on this quest sound like a trap?"

"It's not a trap," Fergus said, grinning.

Moments later, they stepped into a clearing, and Kazuya's jaw dropped.

Steam rose from a massive hot spring surrounded by smooth rocks and lush greenery. The water shimmered with a faint, golden glow, and the air was thick with the scent of lavender.

"This," Lyria said, her eyes lighting up, "is amazing."

The Ritual of Chaos

"So," Fergus said, clapping his hands together, "here's how it works: you soak in the springs, meditate on your journey, and let the magic do its thing. Simple, right?"

"Simple," Mika muttered, eyeing Fergus suspiciously, "but where's the catch?"

"No catch!" Fergus insisted. "Just relaxation and spiritual growth. Oh, and, uh... the spring has a minor side effect."

"What kind of side effect?" Kazuya asked warily.

Fergus cleared his throat. "It, uh... amplifies emotions."

"Amplifies what?" Mika snapped.

"Emotions," Fergus repeated, smiling nervously. "It's perfectly harmless!"

Into the Springs

Despite their reservations, the group eventually decided to give the hot springs a try.

"I'm not stripping down in front of you," Mika said firmly, pointing at Kazuya.

"Like I want to see anything!" Kazuya shot back, blushing furiously.

"Relax, you two," Lyria said, already halfway into the water. She sighed contentedly. "This is heaven."

Kazuya reluctantly climbed in, doing his best to avoid looking at anyone. The water was warm, soothing, and... oddly tingly.

"This isn't so bad," Mika admitted, leaning back against a rock.

"See?" Fergus said, lounging on the edge of the spring. "I told you it'd be fine!"

The Side Effects Kick In

For a few blissful minutes, everything was peaceful.

Then the magic started working.

Mika's eyes snapped open, and she glared at Kazuya. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm not!" Kazuya yelped, holding his hands up defensively.

"Yes, you are!" Mika said, splashing water at him.

Lyria giggled. "This is getting interesting."

"You're not helping!" Kazuya shouted, dodging another splash.

"Fine," Mika said, crossing her arms. "But if you even think about—"

She trailed off as a faint blush spread across her cheeks.

"What's wrong with me?" she muttered.

"Oh, no," Fergus said, his grin widening. "The spring's magic is kicking in."

"Define 'kicking in,'" Kazuya demanded.

"Amplifying your deepest feelings!" Fergus said cheerfully.

Mika and Kazuya froze, staring at each other in horror.

"This is bad," Mika said.

"This is really bad," Kazuya agreed.

The Confessions Begin

Lyria, unaffected by the chaos, floated lazily in the water, enjoying the show.

"This is amazing," she said, watching as Mika and Kazuya tried to maintain some semblance of dignity.

"I'm going to kill Fergus," Mika muttered, her blush deepening.

"I'll help," Kazuya said, avoiding eye contact.

"Aw, don't be shy," Fergus said, grinning. "The magic is just revealing your true feelings!"

Mika glared at him. "If you say one more word, I'll drown you."

"Fiery as always," Fergus said, winking.

"Stop flirting with the creepy guide!" Kazuya snapped.

Mika blinked. "Are you... jealous?"

"WHAT?!" Kazuya yelled, nearly slipping under the water.

"You are jealous," Lyria said, her grin widening. "This is priceless."

"I AM NOT JEALOUS!" Kazuya shouted.

Things Get Out of Hand

The spring's magic continued to intensify, and soon, the group was a mess of awkward confessions, poorly concealed blushing, and increasingly ridiculous arguments.

"You always act like you're better than me!" Kazuya shouted at Mika.

"Because I am better than you!" Mika shot back.

"Only because you cheat!"

"I do not cheat!"

"Do too!"

Lyria, meanwhile, had started braiding Kazuya's hair while he was distracted.

"What are you doing?!" he yelled, swatting her hands away.

"Making you look fabulous," she said, smirking.

Mika rolled her eyes. "This is the dumbest trial yet."

The Climax (Not That Kind)

Just when things couldn't get more chaotic, the water began to bubble and glow.

"What's happening now?!" Kazuya yelled.

"The spring is purifying your bonds!" Fergus shouted over the noise.

"That's not a thing!" Mika snapped.

The light grew brighter, and suddenly, the group was lifted out of the water by a swirling vortex of magic.

"This is not relaxing!" Kazuya screamed.

"Stop whining!" Mika yelled back.

Lyria just laughed. "Best day ever."

A Lesson in Humility

When the magic finally subsided, the group found themselves back on solid ground, soaking wet and thoroughly embarrassed.

"Well," Fergus said, grinning, "that was enlightening."

"I hate you," Mika said.

"Ditto," Kazuya added.

"Aw, you guys," Fergus said, wiping away a fake tear. "This is what bonding looks like!"

"Can we please never speak of this again?" Mika muttered.

"No promises," Lyria said, smirking.

As they set off on their next adventure, Kazuya sighed.

"Why does everything on this quest make me want to die?"

"Because it's hilarious," Lyria said, patting his shoulder.