Echoes and Lessons on Intimacy

Just like the night before, Hazuki forgot to take his medication in the midst of everything that was happening. Then, once again, he and Naoe found themselves in the crystaline, never-ending grove. There, they once again spent their dream holding one another as they talked of plans and ideas for what they wanted to see in their remaining time. Waking brought the subtlest hints of rest.

Daybreak arrived. Hazuki rose and joined Arthur on a trip to the nearest courthouse, where they retrieved records of Hazuki’s trust, which had been maintained by the state for years while he was a minor. Now, sitting there as a nineteen-year-old, he was beneficiary. His grandparents had left no stipulations on the accessing of funds or the schedule of dispersion. It was very simple and written in the thought that Hazuki would not be reckless with the small sum of money that was now his. Years of retirement and modest pensions had not left a large volume of currency, but Hazuki didn’t mind.

Using the money to support he and Naoe’s trip was all he had planned. Anything that was left would be donated to the park. Documents were signed and the clerk told Hazuki it would take a few business days to transfer to his long-forgotten bank account that his grandmother had once helped him created during summer break.

Back at the house, Naoe was wrapped in a blanket and still nervously blushing to herself, which Sayane noticed as she entered with two cups of tea.

“What’s that look?” she asked Naoe as she joined her on the couch.

“I… I have a question, or maybe a few,” answered Naoe.

“Ask away,” Sayane responded.

“You said you work in tourism. Could your tourism resources find a nice, secluded beach? Hazuki wants to take me to see the ocean. I told him years ago I’d never seen it, so he wants to follow up on that.”

“Aw, that’s sweet. That would be fun. Are you wanting quiet, or fully alone, just you two?” Sayane asked, to which Naoe blushed even more.

“Just us. When we talked about it years ago, I tried to embarrass him by saying that I swam undressed…” said Naoe as she pulled the blanket to her face in embarrassment.

“Oh?! OH!!” Sayane chirped in surprise

“It was a joke. When he mentioned it last night, it didn’t seem like he remembered that part. But I remember. And to be honest, for some time, I’ve longed to… to reveal myself like that to him. There’s something in me that I don’t really know or understand that craves to be fully vulnerable with him and seen by him. Is that strange?” Naoe asked.

“That’s not strange at all,” Sayane smiled like an older sister.

“So, are you planning on…” she asked Naoe, who did not immediately comprehend.

Sayane cleared her throat.

“That desire you feel. Hazuki might feel it as well. What is your plan if he wants to undress with you, and things become more… intimate?”

Naoe pulled the blanket over her head. Sayane took that moment to text a quick message to Arthur, who was now driving home with Hazuki and had his phone connected to the car audio system. Naoe’s message alert pinged on the car’s display screen.

“Play message,” said Arthur, to which the car’s digital voice spoke.

‘Message from Sayane: ‘I’m having THE TALK with Naoe! You should have it with Hazuki before you get home!!!’ End Message.”

Hazuki choked on his coffee and Arthur let out an unrestrained shout of a laugh.

“Whoa! Okay, so sorry about that!” Arthur blurted out as he swiped the message display away from the screen.

“Sorry, I… I didn’t even think about that,” Hazuki admitted.

Arthur paused, then refocused.

“Well, if they’re having the discussion, we should too,” he said in a kind tone.

“Forgive me for making assumptions, but I gather you have never had any experience in that matter?” Sayane asked Naoe.

“No. Our first kiss was the first kiss I’d ever had,” admitted Naoe.

“No, I’ve only ever kissed Naoe that one time, and that's it,” Hazuki admitted to Arthur.

“Well, that’s okay. Being intimate with someone can be a precious gift if you want it to be,” said Sayane to Naoe.

“But you need to understand if this is her first time, you should be gentle. There are things you can do beforehand that will make it more enjoyable for her, and in that sense for you as well,” said Arthur.

“If you want to be with him, tell him. In something as sacred and lovely as this, it’s better to speak openly and communicate your feelings and desires. Ask him to do the same.”

“If you both decide you are ready, and please confirm with her she’s ready. And stop if she changes her mind. Even if you’re in the middle of everything and she changes her mind, just stop. I know you’d do that, but it’s worth saying.”

“Take your time. There are so many parts of being connected and enjoying being together beyond just the main act.”

“Speak to her. Ask her what she likes. How it feels. Tell her what you are feeling. Don’t just lay there grunting. Terrible move.”

“Before it reaches that point, have him kiss you. Everywhere. Even there. That will help, and it feels lovely.”

“Be gentle. Use your mouth more than your hands. Take in her whole body and give it the proper affection.”

“When you are ready, and you know your body is ready, it should start very easily. There might be slight pressure at first, but if you ease into it, it won’t be terrible.”

“Is it true there’s blood?”

“Not always. But if it does happen, it’s nothing to panic about.”

“What if I’m not good at it?”

“What if he doesn’t like it?”

“You both care deeply for one another. This act is only the physical manifestation of that. You’ll be great if you just take your time, are a gentleman, and are present.”

“I’m quite certain he will enjoy it. It’s not just about the physical thing. But don’t make him do all the work. You can be on top, too. And for the woman that often feels just as good or better.”

“The good news is, this doesn’t have to be a one-time thing. You have time if you both want.”

“The great part of it, too is that you can always go again! Let yourselves be engulfed in it. Go again that night if you have the energy! But, woman to woman, I’d advise against laying in the sand at the beach for your first time. Or ever really. Sand gets in places you could not imagine.”

Naoe laughed slightly as her face burned red at the thought. Little did she know that Hazuki was kilometers away, also fully red in the face at the thoughts and images ricocheting in his mind.

When the two of them returned home, Sayane was ever ready to keep the vibes as discreet as possible. She showed no sign of the sacred discussion that had just occurred and immediately asked Hazuki about the process of resolving the trust. Answers about bank routing numbers, beneficiaries, grantors, and legal fees steered the conversation smoothly into neutral territory until the four of them were sitting in the room discussing plans for the day that would help Hazuki and Naoe be ready for their journey.

Blogs and brochures were scoured in secrecy until Sayane found an idyllic, secluded beach on the southwest edge of Kurashiki. Not only did the beach require indistinct trails to reach its isolated domain, but nearby was the lovely city of Kurashiki with its centuries-old tree-lined canal district and historic district. Dozens of well-appointed onsens and ryokans were a short route away. Arthur booked the bullet train tickets for the two of them as a surprise. That evening, the four of them made a shopping run so that the young couple would have travel toiletries, new clothes, luggage, and snacks.

Nightfall arrived, and food was shared over laughs and never-ending conversation. Once more, Hazuki forgot to take his medication. Once more, his hand never separated from Naoe’s. When sleep overtook them, they were together again in the crystaline grove. Sunrise broke swiftly, and it was almost time for the couple to set out on their first happy adventure.

The four of them ate breakfast together before Hazuki and Naoe took a walk to visit the tree as a temporary goodbye. Naoe’s propagation vial was now accessorized, and she found herself fascinated by the concept of stickers, which were procured at a nearby konbini. At the tree, Naoe rubbed the bark in loving greeting before whispering a few words. Hazuki’s fingers traced along the branches in appreciation. That was enough. They left and returned to a loaded van, with Arthur and Sayane ready to taxi them to the train station.