Ryokan

For someone who hadn’t really left the area around their home in a really long time, the trip to Tokyo Station alone filled Kana with anxiety. Still unable to leave the house without at least a mask, she tried to make herself as inconspicuous as possible with her small travel bag.

The shooting location was in Atami on the Izu Peninsula, and it only took her an hour with the Shinkansen to reach it. Too nervous to stomach anything all morning, she arrived at Atami station with confusing energy surging through her. She went to the pickup location to actually find a car with a person next to it, which had a sign saying Takagi. The driver confirmed he was sent by Hasemi Sakuya and proceeded to drive Kana through the city of Atami. But he didn’t stop at any of the big hotels. He kept going and going, ever south until they had reached the outskirts and drove along the seaside. Finally, he pulled into the driveway of a very modern looking ryokan. Kana had half a mind to ask him if he had taken a wrong turn, when she saw Sakuya waiting outside the door on a bench.

“What in the…”

With only a bag to her name, she jumped out quickly and was welcomed with a smile and a hug. Sakuya looked good. He wore a white bucket hat on his pink hair, a light blue shirt and short, beige trousers. Kana had opted for a blue dress that day and was not so secretly happy to match.

“I missed you,” he said and squeezed her arm. “I already checked in. Come on.”

He took her by the hand and led her through the foyer, where the employees greeted them. Kana felt entirely out of place. After climbing two sets of stairs, Sakuya opened the door to a room and ushered Kana in. The place was huge, beautiful and overlooked the ocean. It was kept in the same elegant, understated design as the rest of the hotel. Kana let her bag fall in disbelief.

“Wait? Are you secretly super wealthy?” she blurted out.

“Got me.”

“No, really?”

“Uh. Didn’t you watch the casting show?”

“Not close enough, apparently.”

“It seems so. My things were a running gag on the show. Expensive clothes and so on…”

“The fuck, man?”

Sakuya burst out laughing, the force of it shaking him so much he collapsed on the floor.

“Keep rolling, I’m going to explore my sudden fortune.”

Kana left Sakuya in the entrance and walked further into the room. The first thing she noticed was the fact that there were two separate beds. She had already—wait.

“Is that an onsen bath in our room?” she shouted.

But suddenly the bath on the terrace wasn’t the most important thing anymore as Sakuya stood right behind her and his arms sneaked around her waist. He put his chin on Kana’s shoulder and held her close. And Kana… actually didn’t mind. She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the warmth.

“Yeah. I thought it would be lonely to split up to bathe. You brought your swimsuit?”

“Sakuya… Why are we here?”

“Because I wanted it to be special for you. I know how hard it was for you to say yes. Besides, we can’t go outside and risk someone seeing us, and the mole can’t find us here. I booked this myself, not through the agency.”

“You don’t do anything by halves, do you?”

Sakuya shook his head. “I always jump in head first. That’s why I am where I am.”

“I don’t hate that about you,” Kana said and put her hands over Sakuya’s.

And then… her stomach growled. Sakuya laughed.

“Let me order some breakfast.”

——

It was the first time they just sat together and talked. They had discussed many things through text messages, but this was different. Seeing Kana laugh at his silly jokes right in front of him was better than he imagined. He couldn’t forget her face when she told him about her history with Haruki. He was determined to bring out the smiling Kana he knew must exist.

They snacked and talked until well in the afternoon, about everything and nothing. At some point, Kana had found her way into Sakuya’s arms, lying with her back to his front, both slumping on the large couch. She had her head leaning against his shoulder while he played with her hair.

“This is nice,” she whispered. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“Thank you for trusting me enough to come.”

“Mhm.”

“Kana?”

She turned her head towards him.

“Yes?”

“Can I kiss you?”

He turned so that he was leaning over her, Kana’s body sinking into the cushions. She was beautiful. If she had continued to be an idol, her fans would be legion. Deep, brown eyes, a small mole on the left side of her cute nose, and full lips, slightly open as she seemed to process his request. Her tongue darted out once, wetting her lips.

“Yes.”

Sakuya leaned forward, feeling her breath even before their lips met, gently and unhurried. A shiver ran through his body at the contact and he unconsciously put a hand in her hair to deepen the kiss. Kana went willingly where he pulled her, her fingers holding on to his shirt. Her lips were so soft, so warm. Sakuya licked along the inviting bow and received a short, hitched breath as a reward. When they parted, Kana’s face was red. It looked perfect on her. He smiled and gave her another quick peck.

“Thank you,” he said.

Kana sighed, and it sounded content. Sakuya grinned and drew her once more into his arms.

“Should we try the bath on the terrace?”

“I thought you’d never ask.”

——

Kana already sat on the edge of the bath in her black swimsuit, when Sakuya emerged in just his yellow swimming trunks. Oh god. He was active, you could see it. No extra fat, defined muscles and… was that a sixpack??

“It’s unfair how good you look,” she said. “I haven’t trained in three years and started baking.”

“Nonsense. It’s just the constant running from obligation to obligation. I can’t even eat enough. Besides, you look great to me.”

Sakuya sat down next to Kana on the edge of the tub, sinking his feet into the hot water.

“You’re biased,” she said.

“Yeah and I’m your bias, so we’re even.”

Kana chuckled. “That you are. Though I haven’t gotten to know Sasaki Jun yet.”

“Don’t bother. He’s boring.”

“Really?”

“No, he’s great, I’m just preemptively jealous. He’s a bit too earnest, but hardworking and positive. I’m glad to have him with me.”

Kana slipped into the water and Sakuya luckily took that as a clue to stop talking about his band members before the conversation derailed. He entered the steaming pool after her, sinking into the warmth. Kana sighed in bliss.

“God, I haven’t been to an onsen in ages. I missed this. There’s nothing like it.”

She looked over to Sakuya, who already sported a becoming flush due to the hot water. He looked edible, the way his skin blushed and the steam made his hair cling to his face. With more courage than she felt, Kana shifted, so that she straddled his lap. Sakuya made a surprised noise, but his hands found her hips quickly. She leaned in to continue where they had left off, kissing him thoroughly, proud to leave him slightly dazed when she drew back. Their bodies were touching in the water, but even though they were wearing swimsuits, she could feel his interest.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “I can't control… that. You should—”

“It’s fine. I don’t intend to do anything about it, but it doesn’t bother me.”

“Oh. Okay.”

It was still light out, but since the sun was setting on the other side of the peninsula, the sea was already turning dark at the edges. Sakuya held Kana closer and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders in turn.

If it doesn’t work out, at least I had this.

Kana wistfully watched the birds fly along the shore as she sunk further into Sakuya’s arms.