How Not to Be a Gentleman: The Onsen Trip Part 2

"Dinner was pretty good." Takumi opened the door to their room. "I've never had bamboo shoots before."

"The tempura could have been better." Kaoru wrinkled her nose. "But after the rotenburo…" Her voice trailed off. "Why is the light on, and this food? Why is it here?"

A quiet voice from the corner said, "Welcome. Dinner is served." A young woman in a dark blue kimono was sitting seiza by the table. She bowed down in front of them. When she straightened, her face was serious.

"What's this?" asked Daichi.

"This is the meal that you ordered as part of your reservation," said the woman.

"I remember you," said Takumi. "You met us at the check-in counter."

"Yes." The woman bowed lower. "My name is Hatori Mayumi. I'm terribly sorry for not showing you to your room this morning, but we were short-staffed at the time." She gestured to the dinner. "I hope you can enjoy your meal."

Daichi turned to Kaoru. "I thought you cancelled this when you booked the rotenburo meal."

Kaoru gasped. "I forgot to check. On the website it said that all of these places were connected. I thought the rotenburo would do it."

Yui grabbed Daichi's arm. "Ka-chan forgot something!"

"The world is coming to an end!" Daichi shook. "Hold me, Yui."

Kaoru crossed her arms and glared at the two.

Takumi went to the woman. "Mayumi, thank you very much for the meal, but we've already eaten. Didn't the rotenburo down the street tell you this?"

Mayumi took out her phone and checked the reservation. Her face didn't change. "Ah, yes, it did. This is our mistake. Please accept our apologies. This meal will not be charged to the room. One moment, and I'll have this cleaned up."

"No worries," said Daichi.

Mayumi left quietly.

"Who was she?" asked Takumi.

"The nakai-san, or the attendant," said Kaoru. "I forgot to ask about her at the check-in."

"That's the second thing Kaoru forgot." Daichi slapped his cheeks. "Oh my god!"

Yui staggered into Daichi. "Hold me, Dai-chan. I'm feeling weak."

Kaoru threw a pillow at them.

• • •

The next morning, Takumi turned off his alarm, stretched and glanced at Daichi. The other man was still balled up in his futon.

"What time is it?" Daichi mumbled.

"Seven. I like to get up early," said Takumi. "You should try it."

"I hate you. A gentleman would let me sleep in peace. Tatami is way too hard. Give me another hour." Daichi turned over and pulled the futon tighter around him.

Takumi shook his head and left the tatami mat sleeping area. After getting his clothes, he slid the shoji door shut and looked at the bed. It was covered in shadow, but the girls were still sleeping. In the wash area, he splashed some water on his face and frowned. "What was that noise? It sounds like a chainsaw."

When he came out, he took a second look at the bed and bit back a chuckle.

Yui was on the far left, sleeping on her side. Her legs were pulled up tight to her chest. Kaoru had stolen the blanket and dumped it on the floor next to her. She had flipped around, and her feet were now on the pillow, next to Yui's head. Her pajama top had ridden up, exposing her stomach.

Takumi smiled. She sleeps with her mouth open. That explains the chainsaw. No one would ever believe this. I have to save it. He took out his phone and snapped a picture.

The click woke Kaoru up.

"What was that?" she asked, sitting up suddenly.

"Nothing." Takumi quickly put his camera away. A worm of guilt worked its way through his chest. Why had he done that?

Kaoru narrowed her eyes at Takumi and pulled down her pajama top. "You'd better hope that 'nothing' gets deleted, and soon."

"Of course." Takumi's face turned a deep shade of red.

"If I find out that 'nothing' is still here, there will be a much bigger 'nothing' coming," said Kaoru darkly. She got out of bed and pushed past Takumi into the wash area.

The door to the tatami mat room slid open. "Send me the picture." Daichi yawned. "I'll make sure she never finds it. Welcome to my side of the fence."

Takumi bit his lip.

• • •

Afterwards, Kaoru gave Takumi the stink-eye through breakfast in the common room on the first floor. Whenever he asked her a question about the day's plans, she ignored him and spoke to Yui.

Takumi tugged on the edge of his yukata.

When Kaoru got up to get some more food from the buffet, Yui leaned forward. "What's going on between you two?" she asked. "I haven't seen Ka-chan this upset since high school when Dai-chan lost her homework notes."

Daichi shuddered. "Don't remind me about that. I still have nightmares."

"They were for the final." Yui shook her head.

Takumi ran his hand through his hair. "When I woke up and saw the way Kaoru was sleeping, it was just so unexpected, I stopped thinking and took a picture. She heard me."

"Yes. Why haven't you sent me that yet?" asked Daichi.

"Because I promised to be a gentleman, and I wasn't," said Takumi. "I need to apologize before this gets any bigger."

"Yes, you do." Yui frowned. "But I can see why you did it. She's a real bed hog, isn't she?"

Takumi nodded.

"What are you talking about?" asked Kaoru, setting down her plate.

Takumi stood up. "Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked her.

"I'm busy. I don't want my food to get cold."

"I'll keep watch over your yogurt, Ka-chan." Yui rolled her eyes. "Go talk with Takumi. He has something to say."

Kaoru narrowed her eyes, but followed Takumi off to the side of the dining room. "What?" she asked.

"I'm sorry I took the picture of you this morning." He rubbed the back of his neck. "If I could go back, I'd definitely stop myself, but you were just so unlike yourself, I couldn't believe it. Even when you were sick, you weren't anything like that."

"Like what?" Kaoru's voice rose slightly.

"So natural."

"That doesn't mean you can take my picture and send it to him." She crossed her arms.

"No, it doesn't, and I didn't send it. I erased it. Look." Takumi opened his phone app and showed her his empty trash folder. "If anything, seeing you that way this morning just makes you more real."

"What do you mean?" asked Kaoru. Her voice still carried a dark edge, but was softening.

Takumi smiled. "You're always trying so hard to be perfect that when you do make a mistake, you're so cute."

"Cute?" Kaoru narrowed her eyes.

"Sorry, I meant, real," said Takumi, turning red. "Of course, foot meets mouth."

"Huh? I didn't understand. That was English," Kaoru said.

"Sorry. I said I keep putting my foot in my mouth. It means I keep embarrassing myself. Yui and Daichi know you very well, but I've always felt a little outside the group, even after all this time. It's nice to know you can let your hair down and be real with me here."

Kaoru sighed. "You promised to be a gentleman. I don't expect perfection, but this was a big black mark. Never do anything like that again!"

"I won't!" Takumi put up his hands.

"I suppose I should be grateful Daichi didn't take it," Kaoru said, sighing. "He couldn't be a gentleman even if you paid him."

"Daichi could surprise you. Look what he did with Quiet Signal Records."

"I guess, but he didn't want to tell you what happened." Kaoru sighed.

"But he did." Takumi brought his hands together and bowed. "Don't worry. He'll never get the picture."

Kaoru gave him a small smile. "I don't forgive you, but I'll try to put it behind us."

"That's all I ask." Takumi smiled.

• • •

Yui opened the door to the room. "You two are dressed. Wait out here. Ka-chan and I are going to change out of the yukata and do our make-up."

"Fine," Daichi said. "We'll go explore the garden."

"I went there yesterday to think. It's quite beautiful." Takumi grabbed his bag.

"Okay. We'll meet you there," said Kaoru. "I planned a nice hike in the forest before Yui's baking class this afternoon."

"Ugh. A hike," Daichi groaned.

"You need to get into shape, Dai-chan. I think you're getting love handles." Yui pinched his waist.

Daichi slapped Yui's hand away and jumped back. "Come on, Takumi. Maybe they'll take so long they'll forget about the hike."

Takumi followed his friend. In the garden, he led Daichi to the same rock he had seen yesterday. "Hey, they changed the pattern in the sand."

"Yes," said Mayumi. She stepped around the corner. "They change it every day."

Daichi jumped and hid behind Takumi. "Where did you come from?"

"From Iga," said Mayumi. "If you're going to go hiking, please remember to take water with you. The sun is quite strong today, and you don't want to get heat stroke." She bowed and went back to the front.

"Iga, huh." Daichi watched her leave. "She must be part ninja."

Takumi smiled. "Maybe she studied with Mrs. Kurogane."

"Our old cooking teacher? No. That woman was a master. She could erase her presence in a heartbeat," said Daichi.

"Well, Mayumi did get the jump on you. I swear you screamed." Takumi chuckled.

"Did not." Daichi grabbed Takumi's collar. "And don't you dare tell the girls."

"Mum's the word," said Takumi. They sat down and stared at the rock. "Just relax. They'll be here when they're here."

Daichi sighed and pulled out his phone.

Takumi shook his head and watched a bird land on the rock. It scratched its wing and flew away.

He smiled.

• • •

Daichi lay sprawled out on the tatami. His face was red, and mosquito bites covered his arms. "Why is nature so … natural?" He sneezed.

"Next time, you should wear sunscreen with insect repellent." Yui giggled.

"There won't be a next time," said Daichi. "I've decided I'm allergic to nature." He sat up. "I'm going to the onsen to soak." He grabbed a bag for his clothes and left the room.

"You okay, Kaoru?" Takumi set down a bucket of ice next to her. He placed some ice in a plastic bag and wrapped a towel around it.

Kaoru leaned back in a chair with her foot on the chair opposite her. An ice pack was wrapped around the ankle. "Yes. I just twisted my ankle and forgot to bring enough water. I'm going to take it easy here. I've already taken some headache medicine, but a quick nap might help."

"Okay." Takumi placed the towel-wrapped ice on her forehead.

"What's this for?" asked Kaoru.

"My grandmother always did this to me when I was suffering from mild heat exhaustion." Takumi adjusted the towel. "It might be better to lie down in the bed, though."

"Thank you."

"I can't believe you forgot the water." Yui shook her head.

"Let it go, Yui." Kaoru leaned back and pulled the towel over her eyes.

Yui looked at her watch. "It's almost time for the cooking class. I'll catch you guys later."

"Can I come with you?" asked Takumi. "I don't want to disturb Kaoru, and Daichi is in self-pity mode. He'd be no fun to be around right now."

"Sure," said Yui. "We have to go now, though."

Takumi turned off the lights and followed Yui to the cooking hall. "What are they making today?" asked Takumi.

Yui looked at the chalkboard on the side of the room. "Katayaki. Wow! I've never used sesame seeds before."

"Really? Is it difficult to make?" asked Takumi.

"No. It's supposed to be the hardest sweet in Japan," said Yui. "If you don't want to crack your teeth, you have to break it apart with a wooden mallet before you eat it."

"Sounds interesting. I'll be careful." Takumi crossed his fingers. "Let's go inside."

• • •

"I don't know where I went wrong." Yui looked at her pastries. "I followed the recipe exactly." She picked one up, and it flopped over in her hand.

"It's still pretty tasty." Takumi put one of the small balls of bread into his mouth. "It's very chewy, though."

Yui shook her head. "How'd yours turn out?" she asked.

Takumi smiled. "You said it was supposed to be hard. Maybe I baked it for too long?" He handed her one.

"This feels like stone." She bit into it softly. "It's as hard as one too. How did you do this?"

"He didn't use enough water," said Mayumi, stepping up beside the two. "However, you used too much water. The ratio is tricky for first-timers. However, the chewy version is quite popular with children."

"What about mine?" asked Takumi.

"They would make great substitute shuriken," Mayumi said with a small smile on her face.

"You do a lot here, don't you?" said Takumi.

Mayumi nodded. "My family has owned this place for many generations. Besides, I enjoy seeing the guests have a good time. Just be sure to leave a good rating for this class if you post it online." She bowed and went back to the front.

"You could try the pastry again," said Takumi.

"I might, when we get home, but not here. Let's go back to the room. Ka-chan should be up." They packed up their food and cleaned up their work area. Yui paused and started tapping her chin. "Ta-kun," she said.

"Yes, Yui?" Takumi replied.

"How do you feel about Kaoru?" Yui asked suddenly.

Takumi stopped cleaning and slowly turned to Yui. He looked her in the eyes and swallowed. "She's a good friend. Just like you and Daichi."

"Really?" said Yui. "Nothing more there? I mean, you took a picture of her sleeping."

"Nothing, and I quickly regretted that picture." Takumi threw his cloth into the cleaning bucket, picked up his pastries and headed for the door. "Kaoru and I are in a good place now, and I'm not going to blow that."

"So, no more sexy pictures?" Yui hid a smile.

"No." Takumi shook his head. "You coming?"

Yui smiled and followed him.

• • •

Kaoru held up one of Takumi's katayaki. "Are you sure I can eat this? It looks like it'll break my jaw."

"They just might. Even I'm hesitant to try them." Takumi sat across from Kaoru at the small table on the tatami mat. "Yui's are much better, even if they are too soft."

"The first time is always the hardest," Yui said. "And I'll try it again. Who knows, maybe a soft version will help get my bakery off the ground."

"How's that going?" asked Takumi.

Yui sighed. "I'm graduating from baking school soon and have a job lined up. The café's nice, but it's not the same. I'm still looking for a place to open a bakery, but I can't find the right place."

"You'll be all right," said Takumi. "Your cookies are wonderful."

"Thank you." Yui leaned back in the chair and smiled.

"I can't risk it." Kaoru put Takumi's katayaki down. "I have a presentation next week, and I'm afraid this would wreck my teeth. I'm just starting to feel better from the heat stroke." She tried one of Yui's pastries. "Now this is perfect. I can't stand really hard food anyway."

The door opened, and Daichi walked in. "That bath was heaven. Now I'm hungry. Do you have anything to eat?" he asked.

"We made some katayaki," said Yui.

"Ohh, great. I love hard food." Daichi went to the table, picked up one of Takumi's pastries, and popped it in his mouth.

"Wait!" Takumi shouted, but it was too late. A loud crack filled the room.

• • •

"Mayumi told me there is a dentist down the street that can fit you in, Daichi," said Takumi. "Come on. I'll drive you."

Daichi rubbed his mouth. "Ow! Why didn't you tell me I was eating a rock?"

"You didn't give me a chance," said Takumi. "Don't worry, you'll be fine." He waved goodbye to the two girls and closed the door.

Yui cleaned up the remaining pastries and bit her lip. "Ka-chan?" she asked.

"Yes, Yui?" Kaoru replied.

"Ta-kun takes really good care of Daichi, doesn't he?"

"Yes, he does. He's very polite and tries hard. He's a good friend when he's not taking stupid pictures," said Kaoru.

"You don't think about him in any other way?" Yui asked.

"No. Should I?" asked Kaoru.

"No. Just curious," said Yui. "I think the same thing about Ta-kun. We've come a long way since you started the English Circle. Look at Dai-chan."

"He's really gotten better. I'm glad I met Takumi too." Kaoru paused. "Did you know he called me cute?"

"Really?"

Kaoru smiled. "He was just nervous and took it back, but it's been a long time since anybody's called me cute."

"I don't know why. You're one of the most beautiful women I know." Yui hugged Kaoru.

Kaoru hugged her back. "Thanks. I'm going to get some souvenirs for my co-workers. Then we can go to the onsen together."

"Sounds good." Yui watched Kaoru leave and frowned.

• • •

"I hope you enjoyed your stay." Mayumi bowed. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, lighting up everything.

"Yes, we had a great time," said Kaoru.

Daichi groaned and handed over his credit card.

"Is your friend okay?" asked Mayumi.

Kaoru nodded. "Yes, he just had a bad experience with a pastry."

"Ah," said Mayumi. She ran his credit card and handed it back. Daichi put it in his wallet and sat down in the lobby.

"You have a beautiful place here," said Takumi. "I hope I can come back again someday."

"Me too." Kaoru reached for her bag, but Takumi beat her to it.

"Don't worry about it," he said. "Could you get the door?"

"Sure," Kaoru said, smiling. "You can be a gentleman."

"I try." Takumi followed her out.

"I'll get Daichi!" Yui called out. She went over to the lobby chair and shook his shoulder. "So. What do you think?"

"About Takumi?" Daichi asked. "Well, he seems to have gotten over being rejected by Quiet Signal Records. So, this vacation was a success."

"No, about Ta-kun and Ka-chan getting together?" Yui asked.

Daichi paused. "Well, he almost ruined things with that picture, but she forgave him quite quickly. That's a bit odd for her. She usually holds a much longer grudge. Maybe she's relaxing."

"I know he likes her, but he won't admit it's more than that." Yui bit her lip. "She's the same way."

Daichi shook his head. "Leave it alone, Yui. Do you remember the last time you tried to play matchmaker?"

Yui turned red. "It won't turn out like that one."

"Let them find each other when they're ready." Daichi stood up. "Now, let's get home. I have to call Quiet Signal Records and turn down their offer. Then I have to see my dentist. My tooth is killing me." He moved towards the door.

"I'm not giving up yet," said Yui.

"That's a good choice," said Mayumi, appearing next to Yui.

"Where did you come from?" Yui asked, spinning around.

"I'm on my break." Mayumi smiled. "Please think of us if you plan the honeymoon."

"You know, that's a good idea." Yui picked up her bag and followed Daichi out the door.