(fiction) Traveling 'Tales' : Intro and Tale #1
Author's note: I've written a few stories so far and posted them on this blog. A number of themes keep popping up in my head: falling in love, polyamory, fidelity (or lack thereof), unconventional relationships. In the past, I've tried to keep the descriptions out of 'NC-17' territory. More because of where my comfort zone is (because of my impression of my own skill) than offending anyone. After all, I don't write these stories with the thought in my mind of anyone else reading them, I just want to get them out of my skull. With that being said, reader beware, I'm treading in new territory with this group of vignettes.
Traveling 'Tales'
I always thought that the old saying; 'when life give you lemons, make lemonade', was trite and condescending. When life started giving me lemons, I had a hard time seeing an upside of my situation, or making 'lemonade'.
In October, my girlfriend, Laura, and I split up. Our relationship wasn't 'going anywhere' according to her.(I thought we were good together) and apparently 'good' wasn't 'good enough' for her. I suppose that it's understandable, that if someone's ready for that next step and the other person in the relationship isn't...there's only so long she's going to wait around, right? All the signals she was sending equated to: I needed to either commit or let her go. I felt that it was probably best not to take steps towards marriage if unable to commit 100%, so I told her that I wan't ready, and that I understood that maybe that meant we needed to go our separate ways. I believed that I was doing that noble 'if you love someone, let them go...' cliche thing. She was obviously upset, but resolute. She packed her stuff and moved out. I saw her a couple of times at some of the places that we used to frequent; the coffee shop, the grocery store, the local pub. Conversation was strained, we were civil, but of course it wasn't the same as before we broke up. I swear each time she had a different man in tow, and when we talked she ignored him, other than to demonstrate that she wasn't alone. Maybe I imagined it but my heart ached whenever she smiled, (with her arm in his), and I think she knew. She flaunted her arm candy; whether to make me jealous, or just to twist the knife. I didn't know; but, I started to go to different places just to avoid running in to her. I genuinely hoped that she'd be happy, even if it wasn't with me, but to see her, hurt too damn much... By Thanksgiving, I'd thought I was over her (or at least in a place where I could see being over her) regardless, dinner with my folks was one awkward conversation after another regarding how I was now single.
A couple of weeks later, I nearly got an ulcer worrying about my job security. Rumor had it that our company was going to be bought out, and when that happens there would be layoffs. Corporations that merge tend to find synergies and redundancies. In human terms, that equals a bunch of pink-slips. I had to dust off and update my resume. In addition, the lease on my apartment would be up in June. I wasn't sure if I'd have a job or would be searching for a new one, and the management company would want me to lock in my lease renewal a quarter in advance. Between the break-up and the uncertainty at work, I felt like life had body-slammed me and was kicking me while I was down.
In October, my girlfriend, Laura, and I split up. Our relationship wasn't 'going anywhere' according to her.(I thought we were good together) and apparently 'good' wasn't 'good enough' for her. I suppose that it's understandable, that if someone's ready for that next step and the other person in the relationship isn't...there's only so long she's going to wait around, right? All the signals she was sending equated to: I needed to either commit or let her go. I felt that it was probably best not to take steps towards marriage if unable to commit 100%, so I told her that I wan't ready, and that I understood that maybe that meant we needed to go our separate ways. I believed that I was doing that noble 'if you love someone, let them go...' cliche thing. She was obviously upset, but resolute. She packed her stuff and moved out. I saw her a couple of times at some of the places that we used to frequent; the coffee shop, the grocery store, the local pub. Conversation was strained, we were civil, but of course it wasn't the same as before we broke up. I swear each time she had a different man in tow, and when we talked she ignored him, other than to demonstrate that she wasn't alone. Maybe I imagined it but my heart ached whenever she smiled, (with her arm in his), and I think she knew. She flaunted her arm candy; whether to make me jealous, or just to twist the knife. I didn't know; but, I started to go to different places just to avoid running in to her. I genuinely hoped that she'd be happy, even if it wasn't with me, but to see her, hurt too damn much... By Thanksgiving, I'd thought I was over her (or at least in a place where I could see being over her) regardless, dinner with my folks was one awkward conversation after another regarding how I was now single.
A couple of weeks later, I nearly got an ulcer worrying about my job security. Rumor had it that our company was going to be bought out, and when that happens there would be layoffs. Corporations that merge tend to find synergies and redundancies. In human terms, that equals a bunch of pink-slips. I had to dust off and update my resume. In addition, the lease on my apartment would be up in June. I wasn't sure if I'd have a job or would be searching for a new one, and the management company would want me to lock in my lease renewal a quarter in advance. Between the break-up and the uncertainty at work, I felt like life had body-slammed me and was kicking me while I was down.
True to my fears, everyone in my company got a fun Christmas gift: financial uncertainty! BigCorp had bought us out and we wouldn't know until sometime in January what that meant. It turned out that I was offered a severance package or a roll of the dice on a placement somewhere else at the new combined company. After looking at the dim prospects, I took the severance offer. I was pleasantly surprised. I got two weeks pay for each year of service, a buyout of my unused vacation time, and the annual 401K contributions. That didn't suck as severance, and I'd have another sixty days to 'transition'. (which got me to another year of service, and a bump in my compensation) 'Transition' is corporate speak for training someone over video conference to do my job, surfing on LinkedIn and Monster to chase employment prospects, and sitting around.
By then I had resigned myself to single life, at least for the time-being. I wasn't in a hurry to enter into a new relationship. It wasn't that I didn't like the idea of getting a new girlfriend, or having some company in the bedroom, but I wasn't the type to be a 'pick up artist'. The idea of hanging out at bars or using a phone application to find someone looking for a hook-up, just wasn't 'me.' I didn't feel that I had the emotional currency to invest in anything more meaningful, not when I had recently joined the ranks of the soon to be unemployed. That's what I told myself; that it: 'wouldn't be fair' to whomever I met. In reality I was lonely, maybe borderline depressed, my self esteem was in the dumps. I missed the companionship and the intimacy of having someone else in my life. At the same time the reason for the breakup was fresh in my mind; 'don't start something you don't intend to finish'.
The local job market was shit. One would think that a low unemployment rate was a good thing, and that employers were looking to hire...but that didn't mean there were any good jobs to be had in the area; not in my field anyway. Not that I would starve, even if I didn't tap into my severance payout. I could live off the unemployment checks for a while, and I knew I could find always find some job, but nothing that would replace the career I was just edged out of. I was dreading settling for a position I was overqualified for, or starting over with something entry level, and I wasn't seeing many listings even for those. My unemployment benefits would last only for a few months, the clock was ticking, and I needed to make some tough decisions before my lease was up; my options were to start over in another town, where I knew no one, or take a shit job where I lived now until something opened up. There would be a lifestyle change; I'd have to tighten my belt and I'd probably need to find a roommate to defray rent costs, or move in to someone else's place or worse, my parents'. A prospect that I was not looking forward to.
Then it hit me. My severance package would last quite a while if I was somewhere with a lower cost of living. What was keeping me here? No job, no debt, no girl, and soon; no lease on an apartment. My friends and family would be here when I eventually returned. I should do my job search from the beach and I could relocate after I found something, and take my time doing it. While I'm at it, I may as well do some exploring. I'm not going not just any beach, I could job search from anywhere, I'm going to see the world!
By the time my 'transition' finished, I ended up feeling mildly guilty about starting to cash my unemployment checks (and stashing whatever percentage I could, damn expensive COBRA insurance) while spending more time planning a trip than seriously looking for work. However; I did the obligatory posts of my resume on some job placement sites. Nevertheless, I'll never regret 'taking the plunge' and going on 'sabbatical'. I had done my research, had a current passport, got my shots up to date, (then dropped COBRA and signed up for a cheaper 'marketplace' option, thanks Obamacare!) and pooled a bucket of frequent flier miles. By the time I was ready to go, nothing was holding me back, no responsibilities, no rent, and no job prospects. I didn't renew my lease on my apartment and sold off or gave away my furniture, and schlepped what was left to my folks'. Planning vacations was always a task that I enjoyed and I considered my stops carefully. There were websites for hostels and 'couch-surfing' and (under the table) temp work. As long as I kept booking 'space available' flights on my 'sky-miles' account, I should be able to get around the world in a reasonable number of stops. I spent some weeks collecting unemployment, waiting out my lease, and planning my excursions. I wondered if there was a way to write it off on my taxes, I was technically searching for career prospects. My last unemployment check hit my account while I was in the air, en route to LAX.
*****
Trip #1: Nippon
I hopscotched across the Pacific: L.A. to Honolulu to Haneda airport, Japan's 2nd busiest. I always wanted to see Tokyo. There were lots of hostels to choose from, but food was pricey and work was impossible to find (Tokyo is huge!). I spent about a week being a tourist then took an overnight bus to Fukuoka, then went via local train to Itoshima. I figured living expenses would be much cheaper than in Tokyo, and Itoshima had a beach. I was able to land a part-time job at one of the resorts. A social networking site for side gigs listed it as 'worker', I figured I'd be busing tables or hauling luggage. I don't know why the listing had specified speaking English. I reasoned that it probably would be an asset, as military personnel from the U.S. bases in the area would go there for 'R&R'. For sleeping arrangements I checked into the cheapest place I could find. It was at the end of a strip of hotels of greater or lesser splendor, a reasonable walk from the beach.
To me, my room at the 'Happy Coral Guest House' was a new definition of no frills. Even for a Minshuku (bed and breakfast), it was basic, almost to the point of being monastic; no television, telephone, or furniture other than the futon that was stored in the closet (to spread on the floor and sleep on at night). Amenities included: my 'cozy' room (six tatami mats, or about a hundred square feet) a shared bathroom (shower and toilet, a public bathhouse was about a block away if one wanted a bath), WiFi, and access to the breakfast room/lobby. All for the rate of a very affordable 1300 yen/night (1,175 if booking a week at a time), about $75.00 US for a week! That included breakfast (some combination or rice, eggs, and miso soup), tea, and and 'cup noodles' if I wanted a snack. I paid for a week upfront, dropped my bag, and settled in. It had privacy and was cheaper than a hostel, it was perfect. I figured I'd say for a week or three until one of the tours I was on stand-by for came through. Mainland Southeast Asia, the part of the world formerly known as Indochina, was next.
The part-time job was at a resort a couple of blocks away. I would be a weekend 'bar-back', my Thursday through Sunday evenings would be spent restocking glassware and beverages, and being a general 'gopher' for the bartender (an American ex-pat, explaining the request for an English speaker). Japan did not have a 'tipping' culture, which was refreshing. I could concentrate on doing a good job and not on having my hand out. The job paid cash, 'under the table', unreported, the equivalent of about $40 a night for five hours of work. It was almost ideal. I would work from about 8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. could sleep until the late morning and have my days free to be a tourist, or hang out at the beach. Once I made friends with some of the folks in the kitchen, most nights I was able to get a meal of whatever was left after the dinner rush.
One Wednesday night, I was relaxing in my room after a soak at the local 'Sento' (bathhouse), when there was a gentle rapping on the frame of the sliding door that led to my room.
She looked vaguely familiar, did she work here at the guest house? Did I see her at the resort? (or at the Sento earlier, or at the beach?)
"Konbanwa, Shitsurei shimasu" (good evening, pardon me for interrupting) She said as she entered with a large wicker basket.
"Konbanwa" I returned her greeting. < "Umm, is there something I can help you with?" > I asked in my broken Japanese
"No, thank you, I'll only be a minute setting up." She answered in English, then proceeded to cover my futon with a large terrycloth sheet. She then lit incense, and placed candles at several locations in the room.
"This is all very nice, but..."
"Please, disrobe and lie here, then I can get started."
"I don't understand."
"Your massage, I can't give you one with your Yukata (robe) on."
"Oh, but I didn't book a massage..." I weakly objected as she helped me to disrobe and then guided me to a face down position on the futon.
"Let's get started, just relax, and remember rule number one: I touch you, you don't touch me..."
"Of course."
"Good, now close your eyes and relax..." She said as she started working on my muscles with her hands which were slick with warm oil. I lost myself in the experience, enjoying the massage I didn't ask for. I thought that some other guest is going to be disappointed that they got stood up. I wondered how much this was going to end up costing me, I imagined a couple days' pay at least.
She was using her hands and forearms, kneading and pressing. I sighed as I felt her rub away my tension, aches, and pains I didn't realize I was carrying. Whatever the cost, I decided that it was worth it. Presently I heard the rustling of fabric and an increased amount of pressure on my lower back. Vertebrae creaked and popped into proper alignment as she walked on me.
I grunted. "You're a goddess! No one has ever done this for me before, thank you."
After a few minutes of her ministrations I felt her step off me and sit astride my hips, she rubbed the length of my back with long strokes of her hands, then with her entire upper body. She had oiled her torso, I felt all of her against me, delightfully slippery. I noticed the hardness of her nipples as they traced a path along either side of my spine, and the slight abrasiveness of the patch of her hair that glided along the backs of my thighs, obviously she was nude. I didn't know if this was anything like a legitimate massage anymore, but, it was wonderful. I decided that I didn't care.
"Turn over, please." She instructed.
"I can't, I mustn't" I objected.
"Why not?"
"I'm afraid of offending you. I've never had a massage like this and... I'm....aroused."
"I would hope that you are. That was my intent. Now, turn over."
"?!" It had been a while since I'd been 'with' a woman, I figured it had been long enough, so I mentally shrugged and allowed myself to be seduced. I turned over. Her body glided over mine and without realizing exactly when we began, we were having sex. I tried to embrace her.
"Rule number one, sir. Hands to yourself, please." She gently pinned my arms while she performed pelvic acrobatics; bouncing and twerking on top of me.
'Seriously?' I thought to myself, 'We're doing this and I can't touch her?'
Eventually the only contact between us was her hands on my sternum and her hips working on mine. It was excruciating; I'd never been so passive during sex and I wanted to wrap her up in my arms, to make her mine, not just be 'taken'. At the same time it was also exquisite, all of the sensation was focused where our bodies met, the feeling of her internal anatomy grasping and fluttering around the part of me inside her was intense, and delicious.
Her breathing was starting to come in huffs and gasps, timed to the tempo of her gymnastics. I found that my breathing was matching hers. I wasn't going to last long. Apparently nether would she. I felt her insides gripping me as she cooed, she was relishing her release. A few seconds later she maneuvered herself differently and wedged my manhood between us. I received the contact I was longing for, as she rubbed her body up and down mine, her womanhood 'kissing' me externally. I erupted.
"My God, woman...." I managed to utter while catching my breath. She giggled cutely and grabbed a cloth to wipe off the mess I had made on her. Once she was done she did the same for me then proceeded to bathe me with a damp towel. I wallowed in the decadence of being pampered so.
"Sleep well." She bid as she packed the last of the gear into the wicker basket and prepared to leave. A cascade of thoughts tumbled through my brain, all at once: 'who is she? I don't want her to go. How did this even happen? How much do I owe her? I'm not one for one night stands but, in for a penny, in for a pound!'
"Stay with me." I beckoned.
"I should not."
"Please, we don't have to 'do' anything else, but, I would like it if you stayed, and allowed me to hold you." I hoped I didn't sound pathetic.
She responded by neatly folding her clothes and sliding under the blanket next to me. I gathered her in my arms and she nuzzled on my chest. My last thoughts before drifting off to sleep were about how nice it was to finally not to be alone, if only for a night, and how pleasant her hair smelled.
I was in the conformable, wonderful state between sleep and wakefulness; cozy, warm, rested. I wasn't alone. A wave of gratitude and relief washed over me, the previous night wasn't a dream. My new lover was still nuzzled on me, currently planting little kisses on my clavicle.
"Good morning." I offered a greeting.
"Ohayo (good morning), I trust that you slept well?"
"I did, thanks to you. I've never done anything like that before."
"I do not believe that. That I took your virginity."
"That's isn't what I was referring to, and you didn't. I meant I've never had sex with someone without getting to know them first."
"It isn't a common occurrence for me either; but, I wanted something, and I saw that you were alone...and here we are." She answered while stroking me.
"Is that what you wanted?"
"Something different than my usual, without too many complications."
"So you picked a client and gave and extra nice massage?"
"You are not a client, you're a guest. I'm not a masseuse. My family owns this house. I guess you'd call me the property manager, but, yes, I picked you. I knew you were only going to be in town for a while, I find you attractive, and my partner had no objections so..."
"Your partner? I didn't realize that I was 'the other man', but I didn't really stop to think about it..."
"My partner is a woman, I said I wanted something different than my usual. You're not 'the other man', so to speak."
"Oh.... what happens now?"
"Make love to me."
Then, for the first time our lips met. I was hesitant, self-conscious that I hadn't yet had a chance to brush my teeth, I noted that apparently she did, she tasted of mint. Similar idle thoughts were rapidly leaving my brain, washed away by the flood of endorphins. Being with her then was very much the opposite of the previous night, more intimate. My hands roamed over her, as her's caressed me, we seemed not to be able to get enough of each other. We tried to maximize the area of skin in contact with each other. She embraced me while lying beneath me, then as we made love slowly, our lips rarely separated.
After some time, I prepared to pause our session...
"I'm close." I warned.
In response, she wrapped herself more tightly around me, pressing against me with her heels. She not too gently grabbed fistfuls of my hair and pulled me to her...
"Stay in me, fill me!" She gasped between kisses, climaxing. I complied.
We cuddled as we recovered. After several minutes she reluctantly got up and started to dress.
"I have to go. Visit me at the front desk later and we can speak and share tea." She said as she tied her sash and scampered from the room
After breakfast I went to the reception desk to chat. I found out her name is Kotori, which I thought was appropriate, it means 'little bird'. I didn't get a chance to really look at her the night before (candlelight, the low lighting of early morning, and being horizontal, didn't allow for it) but I then saw that Kotori was quite petite, maybe 145 centimeters, or an inch or two below five feet, tall. She had a small frame and I'd describe her as more 'cute' than beautiful. Like an elf. Her eyes seemed large in her round face, the irises were the color of espresso. Her hair was straight and cut in a stylish bob, the color the same as her eyes. She started to blush. I was staring, smitten with her...
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, staring at you like that..I couldn't help it."
"It's all right, I suppose I'm flattered. No one ever seems to notice me."
"I'm guilty of that as well, someone else checked me in and I don't recall seeing you before last night. I can't believe that I didn't notice you prior, as you are quite pretty."
"You don't need to talk sweetly to me..." She suggested while blushing.
"I'm being sincere."
"..."
"...About last night..." I stammered.
"Yes?"
"Thank you, I've never...um...been treated like that before, it was wonderful. I'm afraid you've spoiled me."
"You're welcome, but seriously no one's slept with you before?"
"That was nice too, and the love-making was...wow, but that's not what I meant. The massage, and the bath, letting me hold you, and cuddle, the whole experience was...I don't know the words...I... it was so nice to be in your care. It was a new experience for me."
"I am glad that I was able to make you happy. I believe pampering is important, to take care of one's self, or let someone take care of you. Massages, baths, manicures, haircuts, all of that is important."
"Manicures?"
"Oh yes! And pedicures too, and facials! All of that. It's good for your mental health. Maybe later you could rest on my lap, and I'll clean your ears. I like pampering you."
"Is that a thing? I've never ...That seems a little... As for my nails, I always just clipped them myself..." I was stammering again.
"That won't do! Get a proper manicure, a pedicure too! I know someone, I'll set it up. Are you free later this afternoon?"
I found her difficult to read, was she disappointed that I wasn't enthused with ear cleaning?
"Sure, I need to go to work tonight, but not until eight." I replied,
"Come back here in an hour or so, I'll make some calls..." She said with a big grin on her face.
I decided I was imagining things, she seemed very happy to delegate grooming me to someone else.
Later that afternoon I visited the salon as Kotori arranged for me. When I approached the door, I was disappointed to notice the "We're Opening Soon" sign on display, I assumed that I had made some kind of mistake, they were closed. I was about to turn around and walk back to the guesthouse when a young woman unlocked the door and beckoned me inside.
"You're Kotori's friend, right? I'm Mitsuko, I've been expecting you." She said in English.
"Yes I am...I'm sorry, am I making you work on your day off?" I asked as I entered. She closed and locked the door after me.
"No, not at all. We close early on Thursdays, and I was here anyway. Really, don't worry about it."
"But I'm making you stay late? I didn't want to inconvenience you."
"No, it's my pleasure...please have a seat over here."
She guided me to a seat that reminded me of the shoe shine chairs I saw at the airport, higher than a standard chair, entirely practical in that when she went to work on my feet they would be at a level she could reach wile sitting on a low rolling stool. As my feet soaked in a little tub, she started massaging my hands while standing. Then took care of my cuticles, trimmed and filed my nails, and gave them a buff (no varnish). She was quick and efficient. We chatted while she worked:
"Kotori tells me that you're travelling alone? We don't get many many American tourists in Itoshima, other than from the base, that is, and they rarely leave one of the resorts or the beach. What made you decide to visit our little corner of the world?" She asked as she rubbed my feet, then proceeded to give me a pedicure.
"I literally threw a dart at a map, and used a Google search for cheap lodgings near where the dart landed." I answered. We shared some idle chit-chat, and I responded on autopilot, distracted by what I found attractive about her.
She was more than pretty, she was a classic 'foxy' beauty: symmetrical features, well defined cheekbones, a narrow chin and slightly upturned eyes with smoldering charcoal irises framed by the longest and fullest eyelashes I'd ever seen. Her hair was thick and a lustrous black. When I say thick, I mean each strand was thick, and she had a lot of it. It looked silky and was styled with bangs in the front and tied up in the back with some contraption of a pin and bracket. A small lock that had escaped from her hairpin bounced cutely as she worked and gestured. From the vantage point I was sitting at, I also couldn't help but notice her cleavage that was less obvious earlier.
I apparently didn't realize how distracted I had become, I missed the last thing she had said.
"I'm sorry, I missed that. Can you say that again?"
"I said I'm only episodically heterosexual, Kotori has what usually 'does it' for me, but there's something about the taste of a man that drives me wild. This morning, the two of those things together...Well, I'm having an episode...I was beside myself, I could hardly stand waiting to meet you..."
"I see, so, this morning?"
"Yea, I sort of had you both for breakfast. Our Kotori had a unexpected treat for me, from you. Ever since, I've been..." She interrupted herself, as she started working my shorts open. "Please, let me..." I didn't get a chance to either object or consent before she started fellating me.
"Oh, my sweet...oh..." I sighed. She was profoundly good at what she was doing. I undid her hairpin and let her hair cascade to my lap. I caressed her, on her cheek or ear, or ran my fingers through her silky tresses while she bobbed. She moaned, either from my touch, or from being turned on from taking care of me, or from what she was doing to herself with her free hand. She paused and and quickly removed her top (apparently irritated that it was in the way?).
"Don't hold back...give it to me..." She said quickly before returning to work. I didn't need to be told twice and soon came. She didn't stop, seemingly unsatisfied that I was done. Her further ministrations tickled. She 'worked' on me until I was again 'ready'. A moment later, she slipped a condom on me (where she pulled it from, I have no idea). "I can't take it anymore. Shove that thing in me." She demanded as she looked over her shoulder at me from where she had bent over. I complied.
We didn't make love, not like Kotori and I had that morning, instead, we fucked. For the next hour or so, we screwed like weasels during mating season: wild, restless, almost in a frenzy. After our third (or fourth?) time, I couldn't continue, she had worn me out. You can't push a rope.
"Please...we have to stop. You'll kill me. It's how I want to go; but, I'm not ready to die yet!" I jokingly begged while trying to catch my breath.
"Mmmm..." She purred. "Okay, you've earned a rest...and I need something to drink. You're a good boy, I haven't had a session like that in I don't know how long." She tossed me a PET bottle of (what I'd guessed was the local version of Gatorade) and opened one for herself. Then took a large swig. "Good stuff! Let's get something to eat. You like ramen? Not that instant, terrible stuff, the real thing?"
"Yea, for some reason, I'm starving!"
"Get dressed. Give me a minute to freshen up, and I'll treat you to the best ramen this side of Wakayama."
I was a mess, she had 'ridden me hard and put me away wet', the washcloth she gave me got me somewhat (I hoped) presentable.
The ramen was excellent.
I went to work, my shift uneventful, and returned to the inn well past one in the morning. I was exhausted. I had to double check that I entered the correct room (I had), surprised to see that majority of the floor was used up by two futons, one had a sleeping person on it, the other with sheets folded back to welcome me. I shrugged, deciding that I was too tired to resolve a problem if there was one, and went to bed.
"Welcome home, Anata (Dear)." The other occupant of my room said as she cuddled on to me.
"It's good to be home, Little Bird." I answered drowsily, confirming her identity by the familiar scent of her hair.
The next morning, I was awakened by Kotori once again placing tiny kisses on my clavicle, her hair tickled my neck.
"Ohayo, I trust you slept well?" she greeted me once she felt me stir.
"I did, I love sleeping with you in my arms." I replied.
"Sweet talker. I have some time before I need to man the front desk, let's make love."
"Wait, you should know that yesterday when I went to visit your friend at the salon we..."
"I know, that was our deal, I get my 'something different' and my partner gets a certain 'itch scratched' as well. I'm sorry I didn't warn you. She wanted a chance to get to know you once I told her about you."
"I don't mind, really, but, if she gets to know me any better she might break me."
"She's fun. She told me that she took you out to her favorite izakaya for ramen. I'm impressed. She didn't show me off to her father until after our third date."
"Her father?!"
"Yes, the proprietor of the restaurant is her father."
"Oh..." Her lips covering mine interrupted our conversation.
"Can we stop talking about other women and their fathers while I am naked and in bed with you? Can't you think of anything better to do? We don't have all morn...mmmph" I interrupted her with a kiss. (I can take a hint)
Those days at that cheap minshuku were not luxurious. Often the food was simple; rice porridge and pickled plums for breakfast, 'cup noodle' for lunch. It was the rainy season and muggy, the air conditioning was sporadic and noisy. There wasn't a lot to do in town, and as often as not, trips to the beach were interrupted by downpours. Yet, those were some of the happiest days of my life.
When the three of us made love that last night, it was bittersweet. I was bidding farewell, part of me didn't want to go. I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to miss a moment of being with them. Holding them, being held. I wept the entire train ride to Kansai Airport.
The part-time job was at a resort a couple of blocks away. I would be a weekend 'bar-back', my Thursday through Sunday evenings would be spent restocking glassware and beverages, and being a general 'gopher' for the bartender (an American ex-pat, explaining the request for an English speaker). Japan did not have a 'tipping' culture, which was refreshing. I could concentrate on doing a good job and not on having my hand out. The job paid cash, 'under the table', unreported, the equivalent of about $40 a night for five hours of work. It was almost ideal. I would work from about 8:00 P.M. to 1:00 A.M. could sleep until the late morning and have my days free to be a tourist, or hang out at the beach. Once I made friends with some of the folks in the kitchen, most nights I was able to get a meal of whatever was left after the dinner rush.
One Wednesday night, I was relaxing in my room after a soak at the local 'Sento' (bathhouse), when there was a gentle rapping on the frame of the sliding door that led to my room.
She looked vaguely familiar, did she work here at the guest house? Did I see her at the resort? (or at the Sento earlier, or at the beach?)
"Konbanwa, Shitsurei shimasu" (good evening, pardon me for interrupting) She said as she entered with a large wicker basket.
"Konbanwa" I returned her greeting. < "Umm, is there something I can help you with?" > I asked in my broken Japanese
"No, thank you, I'll only be a minute setting up." She answered in English, then proceeded to cover my futon with a large terrycloth sheet. She then lit incense, and placed candles at several locations in the room.
"This is all very nice, but..."
"Please, disrobe and lie here, then I can get started."
"I don't understand."
"Your massage, I can't give you one with your Yukata (robe) on."
"Oh, but I didn't book a massage..." I weakly objected as she helped me to disrobe and then guided me to a face down position on the futon.
"Let's get started, just relax, and remember rule number one: I touch you, you don't touch me..."
"Of course."
"Good, now close your eyes and relax..." She said as she started working on my muscles with her hands which were slick with warm oil. I lost myself in the experience, enjoying the massage I didn't ask for. I thought that some other guest is going to be disappointed that they got stood up. I wondered how much this was going to end up costing me, I imagined a couple days' pay at least.
She was using her hands and forearms, kneading and pressing. I sighed as I felt her rub away my tension, aches, and pains I didn't realize I was carrying. Whatever the cost, I decided that it was worth it. Presently I heard the rustling of fabric and an increased amount of pressure on my lower back. Vertebrae creaked and popped into proper alignment as she walked on me.
I grunted. "You're a goddess! No one has ever done this for me before, thank you."
After a few minutes of her ministrations I felt her step off me and sit astride my hips, she rubbed the length of my back with long strokes of her hands, then with her entire upper body. She had oiled her torso, I felt all of her against me, delightfully slippery. I noticed the hardness of her nipples as they traced a path along either side of my spine, and the slight abrasiveness of the patch of her hair that glided along the backs of my thighs, obviously she was nude. I didn't know if this was anything like a legitimate massage anymore, but, it was wonderful. I decided that I didn't care.
"Turn over, please." She instructed.
"I can't, I mustn't" I objected.
"Why not?"
"I'm afraid of offending you. I've never had a massage like this and... I'm....aroused."
"I would hope that you are. That was my intent. Now, turn over."
"?!" It had been a while since I'd been 'with' a woman, I figured it had been long enough, so I mentally shrugged and allowed myself to be seduced. I turned over. Her body glided over mine and without realizing exactly when we began, we were having sex. I tried to embrace her.
"Rule number one, sir. Hands to yourself, please." She gently pinned my arms while she performed pelvic acrobatics; bouncing and twerking on top of me.
'Seriously?' I thought to myself, 'We're doing this and I can't touch her?'
Eventually the only contact between us was her hands on my sternum and her hips working on mine. It was excruciating; I'd never been so passive during sex and I wanted to wrap her up in my arms, to make her mine, not just be 'taken'. At the same time it was also exquisite, all of the sensation was focused where our bodies met, the feeling of her internal anatomy grasping and fluttering around the part of me inside her was intense, and delicious.
Her breathing was starting to come in huffs and gasps, timed to the tempo of her gymnastics. I found that my breathing was matching hers. I wasn't going to last long. Apparently nether would she. I felt her insides gripping me as she cooed, she was relishing her release. A few seconds later she maneuvered herself differently and wedged my manhood between us. I received the contact I was longing for, as she rubbed her body up and down mine, her womanhood 'kissing' me externally. I erupted.
"My God, woman...." I managed to utter while catching my breath. She giggled cutely and grabbed a cloth to wipe off the mess I had made on her. Once she was done she did the same for me then proceeded to bathe me with a damp towel. I wallowed in the decadence of being pampered so.
"Sleep well." She bid as she packed the last of the gear into the wicker basket and prepared to leave. A cascade of thoughts tumbled through my brain, all at once: 'who is she? I don't want her to go. How did this even happen? How much do I owe her? I'm not one for one night stands but, in for a penny, in for a pound!'
"Stay with me." I beckoned.
"I should not."
"Please, we don't have to 'do' anything else, but, I would like it if you stayed, and allowed me to hold you." I hoped I didn't sound pathetic.
She responded by neatly folding her clothes and sliding under the blanket next to me. I gathered her in my arms and she nuzzled on my chest. My last thoughts before drifting off to sleep were about how nice it was to finally not to be alone, if only for a night, and how pleasant her hair smelled.
*****
I was in the conformable, wonderful state between sleep and wakefulness; cozy, warm, rested. I wasn't alone. A wave of gratitude and relief washed over me, the previous night wasn't a dream. My new lover was still nuzzled on me, currently planting little kisses on my clavicle.
"Good morning." I offered a greeting.
"Ohayo (good morning), I trust that you slept well?"
"I did, thanks to you. I've never done anything like that before."
"I do not believe that. That I took your virginity."
"That's isn't what I was referring to, and you didn't. I meant I've never had sex with someone without getting to know them first."
"It isn't a common occurrence for me either; but, I wanted something, and I saw that you were alone...and here we are." She answered while stroking me.
"Is that what you wanted?"
"Something different than my usual, without too many complications."
"So you picked a client and gave and extra nice massage?"
"You are not a client, you're a guest. I'm not a masseuse. My family owns this house. I guess you'd call me the property manager, but, yes, I picked you. I knew you were only going to be in town for a while, I find you attractive, and my partner had no objections so..."
"Your partner? I didn't realize that I was 'the other man', but I didn't really stop to think about it..."
"My partner is a woman, I said I wanted something different than my usual. You're not 'the other man', so to speak."
"Oh.... what happens now?"
"Make love to me."
Then, for the first time our lips met. I was hesitant, self-conscious that I hadn't yet had a chance to brush my teeth, I noted that apparently she did, she tasted of mint. Similar idle thoughts were rapidly leaving my brain, washed away by the flood of endorphins. Being with her then was very much the opposite of the previous night, more intimate. My hands roamed over her, as her's caressed me, we seemed not to be able to get enough of each other. We tried to maximize the area of skin in contact with each other. She embraced me while lying beneath me, then as we made love slowly, our lips rarely separated.
After some time, I prepared to pause our session...
"I'm close." I warned.
In response, she wrapped herself more tightly around me, pressing against me with her heels. She not too gently grabbed fistfuls of my hair and pulled me to her...
"Stay in me, fill me!" She gasped between kisses, climaxing. I complied.
We cuddled as we recovered. After several minutes she reluctantly got up and started to dress.
"I have to go. Visit me at the front desk later and we can speak and share tea." She said as she tied her sash and scampered from the room
After breakfast I went to the reception desk to chat. I found out her name is Kotori, which I thought was appropriate, it means 'little bird'. I didn't get a chance to really look at her the night before (candlelight, the low lighting of early morning, and being horizontal, didn't allow for it) but I then saw that Kotori was quite petite, maybe 145 centimeters, or an inch or two below five feet, tall. She had a small frame and I'd describe her as more 'cute' than beautiful. Like an elf. Her eyes seemed large in her round face, the irises were the color of espresso. Her hair was straight and cut in a stylish bob, the color the same as her eyes. She started to blush. I was staring, smitten with her...
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, staring at you like that..I couldn't help it."
"It's all right, I suppose I'm flattered. No one ever seems to notice me."
"I'm guilty of that as well, someone else checked me in and I don't recall seeing you before last night. I can't believe that I didn't notice you prior, as you are quite pretty."
"You don't need to talk sweetly to me..." She suggested while blushing.
"I'm being sincere."
"..."
"...About last night..." I stammered.
"Yes?"
"Thank you, I've never...um...been treated like that before, it was wonderful. I'm afraid you've spoiled me."
"You're welcome, but seriously no one's slept with you before?"
"That was nice too, and the love-making was...wow, but that's not what I meant. The massage, and the bath, letting me hold you, and cuddle, the whole experience was...I don't know the words...I... it was so nice to be in your care. It was a new experience for me."
"I am glad that I was able to make you happy. I believe pampering is important, to take care of one's self, or let someone take care of you. Massages, baths, manicures, haircuts, all of that is important."
"Manicures?"
"Oh yes! And pedicures too, and facials! All of that. It's good for your mental health. Maybe later you could rest on my lap, and I'll clean your ears. I like pampering you."
"Is that a thing? I've never ...That seems a little... As for my nails, I always just clipped them myself..." I was stammering again.
"That won't do! Get a proper manicure, a pedicure too! I know someone, I'll set it up. Are you free later this afternoon?"
I found her difficult to read, was she disappointed that I wasn't enthused with ear cleaning?
"Sure, I need to go to work tonight, but not until eight." I replied,
"Come back here in an hour or so, I'll make some calls..." She said with a big grin on her face.
I decided I was imagining things, she seemed very happy to delegate grooming me to someone else.
*****
Later that afternoon I visited the salon as Kotori arranged for me. When I approached the door, I was disappointed to notice the "We're Opening Soon" sign on display, I assumed that I had made some kind of mistake, they were closed. I was about to turn around and walk back to the guesthouse when a young woman unlocked the door and beckoned me inside.
"You're Kotori's friend, right? I'm Mitsuko, I've been expecting you." She said in English.
"Yes I am...I'm sorry, am I making you work on your day off?" I asked as I entered. She closed and locked the door after me.
"No, not at all. We close early on Thursdays, and I was here anyway. Really, don't worry about it."
"But I'm making you stay late? I didn't want to inconvenience you."
"No, it's my pleasure...please have a seat over here."
She guided me to a seat that reminded me of the shoe shine chairs I saw at the airport, higher than a standard chair, entirely practical in that when she went to work on my feet they would be at a level she could reach wile sitting on a low rolling stool. As my feet soaked in a little tub, she started massaging my hands while standing. Then took care of my cuticles, trimmed and filed my nails, and gave them a buff (no varnish). She was quick and efficient. We chatted while she worked:
"Kotori tells me that you're travelling alone? We don't get many many American tourists in Itoshima, other than from the base, that is, and they rarely leave one of the resorts or the beach. What made you decide to visit our little corner of the world?" She asked as she rubbed my feet, then proceeded to give me a pedicure.
"I literally threw a dart at a map, and used a Google search for cheap lodgings near where the dart landed." I answered. We shared some idle chit-chat, and I responded on autopilot, distracted by what I found attractive about her.
She was more than pretty, she was a classic 'foxy' beauty: symmetrical features, well defined cheekbones, a narrow chin and slightly upturned eyes with smoldering charcoal irises framed by the longest and fullest eyelashes I'd ever seen. Her hair was thick and a lustrous black. When I say thick, I mean each strand was thick, and she had a lot of it. It looked silky and was styled with bangs in the front and tied up in the back with some contraption of a pin and bracket. A small lock that had escaped from her hairpin bounced cutely as she worked and gestured. From the vantage point I was sitting at, I also couldn't help but notice her cleavage that was less obvious earlier.
I apparently didn't realize how distracted I had become, I missed the last thing she had said.
"I'm sorry, I missed that. Can you say that again?"
"I said I'm only episodically heterosexual, Kotori has what usually 'does it' for me, but there's something about the taste of a man that drives me wild. This morning, the two of those things together...Well, I'm having an episode...I was beside myself, I could hardly stand waiting to meet you..."
"I see, so, this morning?"
"Yea, I sort of had you both for breakfast. Our Kotori had a unexpected treat for me, from you. Ever since, I've been..." She interrupted herself, as she started working my shorts open. "Please, let me..." I didn't get a chance to either object or consent before she started fellating me.
"Oh, my sweet...oh..." I sighed. She was profoundly good at what she was doing. I undid her hairpin and let her hair cascade to my lap. I caressed her, on her cheek or ear, or ran my fingers through her silky tresses while she bobbed. She moaned, either from my touch, or from being turned on from taking care of me, or from what she was doing to herself with her free hand. She paused and and quickly removed her top (apparently irritated that it was in the way?).
"Don't hold back...give it to me..." She said quickly before returning to work. I didn't need to be told twice and soon came. She didn't stop, seemingly unsatisfied that I was done. Her further ministrations tickled. She 'worked' on me until I was again 'ready'. A moment later, she slipped a condom on me (where she pulled it from, I have no idea). "I can't take it anymore. Shove that thing in me." She demanded as she looked over her shoulder at me from where she had bent over. I complied.
We didn't make love, not like Kotori and I had that morning, instead, we fucked. For the next hour or so, we screwed like weasels during mating season: wild, restless, almost in a frenzy. After our third (or fourth?) time, I couldn't continue, she had worn me out. You can't push a rope.
"Please...we have to stop. You'll kill me. It's how I want to go; but, I'm not ready to die yet!" I jokingly begged while trying to catch my breath.
"Mmmm..." She purred. "Okay, you've earned a rest...and I need something to drink. You're a good boy, I haven't had a session like that in I don't know how long." She tossed me a PET bottle of (what I'd guessed was the local version of Gatorade) and opened one for herself. Then took a large swig. "Good stuff! Let's get something to eat. You like ramen? Not that instant, terrible stuff, the real thing?"
"Yea, for some reason, I'm starving!"
"Get dressed. Give me a minute to freshen up, and I'll treat you to the best ramen this side of Wakayama."
I was a mess, she had 'ridden me hard and put me away wet', the washcloth she gave me got me somewhat (I hoped) presentable.
The ramen was excellent.
I went to work, my shift uneventful, and returned to the inn well past one in the morning. I was exhausted. I had to double check that I entered the correct room (I had), surprised to see that majority of the floor was used up by two futons, one had a sleeping person on it, the other with sheets folded back to welcome me. I shrugged, deciding that I was too tired to resolve a problem if there was one, and went to bed.
"Welcome home, Anata (Dear)." The other occupant of my room said as she cuddled on to me.
"It's good to be home, Little Bird." I answered drowsily, confirming her identity by the familiar scent of her hair.
The next morning, I was awakened by Kotori once again placing tiny kisses on my clavicle, her hair tickled my neck.
"Ohayo, I trust you slept well?" she greeted me once she felt me stir.
"I did, I love sleeping with you in my arms." I replied.
"Sweet talker. I have some time before I need to man the front desk, let's make love."
"Wait, you should know that yesterday when I went to visit your friend at the salon we..."
"I know, that was our deal, I get my 'something different' and my partner gets a certain 'itch scratched' as well. I'm sorry I didn't warn you. She wanted a chance to get to know you once I told her about you."
"I don't mind, really, but, if she gets to know me any better she might break me."
"She's fun. She told me that she took you out to her favorite izakaya for ramen. I'm impressed. She didn't show me off to her father until after our third date."
"Her father?!"
"Yes, the proprietor of the restaurant is her father."
"Oh..." Her lips covering mine interrupted our conversation.
"Can we stop talking about other women and their fathers while I am naked and in bed with you? Can't you think of anything better to do? We don't have all morn...mmmph" I interrupted her with a kiss. (I can take a hint)
*****
The next few days were much the same. I'd spend my afternoons lazing around the beach or chatting with Kotori at the guesthouse. As often as not, dinner was at the izakaya with Mitsuko before heading off to work at the resort. And there was sex, lots and lots of sex. Making love slowly and sensuously with Kotori in the morning or frantic sessions with Mitsuko in the back room of the salon before dinner, or 'quickies' whenever either of them found me alone at the guest house. It was wonderful. Eventually Kotori told me to quit the part time job and move in with her and Mitsuko. No rent meant no need to earn rent money, and more quality time in bed. I thought it was a great idea, but felt guilty about being a freeloader. Kotori assured me that I'd be 'earning my keep through vigorous labor'. I found out that when the three of us were together, their preferences changed. Mitsuko wanted to take her time, and Kotori liked to rut like a weasel in springtime. The next few weeks were wonderful, and not just because of all the sex. I could't recall feeling happier or more accepted before. The friendship I had with Mitsuko felt so natural, like we'd been together forever. We could talk about anything, we were comfortable being with each other in whatever state of undress without it being 'weird', and fall into bed at the drop of a hat (the two of us, the three of us, whatever), and there was no jealousy. They both seemed fine with sharing me and each other. My relationship with Kotori, it was something different. I was beginning to feel that we were becoming 'more than friends', something more intimate. I even gave in and let her clean my ears while resting on her lap (which was both weird and wonderful). We didn't talk about anything long-term, nothing beyond the 'now'. Maybe I was afraid of breaking the spell.
It was late-June, a few weeks into the rainy season, when I got the email letting me know that a tour I was wait-listed on had an opening for me. I debated with myself whether I should go or not. Kotori must've caught on that something was bothering me.
"You look so pensive, what's wrong Anata?"
"I got notice that there's an opening for me, the trip to Vietnam and Cambodia."
"That's great news! You said you wanted to see Angkor Wat."
"Yes but...", I replied. She didn't seem bothered by the idea of me leaving. Were my feelings one sided?
"Hush now, I know...from day one we all knew this was a short term fling. Those were the rules laid out when we started, and we all agreed. Viewing the cherry blossoms is poignant and especially beautiful because we know they won't last...We've had a wonderful few weeks together, we never fought, we'll have no melancholy memories. It's like a delicious dessert, sweet and perfect if the portion size is right. However, you can't survive on cake alone. It should be a treat that is savored, and is all the more enjoyable because you indulge in only from time to time"
"I guess, I never thought of it that way..."
"And, we look forward to the blossoms of next year. Get your wanderlust out of your system. Come back someday. Come in the spring when the trees are in bloom."
Those days at that cheap minshuku were not luxurious. Often the food was simple; rice porridge and pickled plums for breakfast, 'cup noodle' for lunch. It was the rainy season and muggy, the air conditioning was sporadic and noisy. There wasn't a lot to do in town, and as often as not, trips to the beach were interrupted by downpours. Yet, those were some of the happiest days of my life.
When the three of us made love that last night, it was bittersweet. I was bidding farewell, part of me didn't want to go. I couldn't sleep. I didn't want to miss a moment of being with them. Holding them, being held. I wept the entire train ride to Kansai Airport.
*****
The Trip So Far:
- Home to Los Angeles, short stay in L.A. 3 days
- L.A. To Honolulu, couch surf in Hawaii 3 days
- HNL to Tokyo, week stay 8 days
- Happy Coral Guest House, Itoshima 44 days
- KIX (Osaka) to Hanoi, Vietnam
- funds remaining (out of initial $18,500) $14,959 (US)
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