The Onsen Experience

Hiroshi had invited us out to visit his father’s onsen in Tokyo in celebration of Misako’s birthday. It was still a day away, but Hiroshi wanted us to spend her birthday there. We could not reject his offer; we would never be able to afford a high-end onsen on our own budgets ordinarily. Misako said she did not want a birthday party, rather a small get-together with her friends, but Hiroshi and I had hatched up some schemes for her big day.

“It’s MASSIVE!” Yuta yelled as we entered the onsen.

“Of course! It’s go big or go home!” Hiroshi howled.

The onsen was empty, Hiroshi had asked his father to close to building for the day so we could enjoy it for ourselves. Hiroshi was a money-boy I needed to stay friends with him. We first ate dinner before we dove into the hot-springs. Yuta decided to go with Yuki and Misako and swim with them in the ladies’ section of the hot spring. Meaning I was left alone with Hiroshi in the men’s section.

“You stay on the opposite side!” I yelled at Hiroshi, pointing at the opposite corner of the hot spring.

“You’re no fun! Let’s wrestle!” He yelled.

“You are naked! I’m not touching you!” I said red-faced.

“We can hear you boys there! Shut up!” Misako screamed from the other side of the hot spring.

I soaked myself deep within the hot spring, taking in the fantastic heat of the water. I was in complete bliss; I could have stayed in there forever. I was happy to experience my first ever onsen, it was as good as they made it out to be on the television shows.

“This is great, Hiroshi.” I thanked him.

But no reply. I opened my eyes to look for the man, he was out of my line of sight. The space was filled with mist from the hot spring, I could not tell if he was hiding or not.

“Hiroshi?” I asked, but no reply again.

I stepped out from the hot spring, covering my bits as I scanned the room.

“STEALTH KILL!” He yelled.

Hiroshi pummelled his frame into me, and I toppled to the floor. He was on top of me, holding me down like I was a fresh kill.

“Let go of me!” I yelled.

“I wanna see those muscles!” He snickered back.

I felt Hiroshi’s fingers prod my abs, I let out a yelp.

“S-Stop!” I said, embarrassed.

“You’re getting soft, kid!” He retorted.

“What are you doing to my boyfri-” A voice said.

In came Yuki, she held Misako up as she barged in. The two of them had covered themselves with towels. I could see Misako’s face turn into lava as she saw what was happening to me.

“Cousin, what are you doing?!” Yuki yelled.

“Just guy stuff! You won’t understand!” Hiroshi replied, screaming.

“Let me try that too!” Yuta exclaimed, jumping into the mix.

“Please let me go!” I squealed.

The evening ended with the three of us attending the in-house karaoke bar within the onsen. Hiroshi was first up, singing in that false-pitch voice I grew accustomed to. Afterwards, the five of us sang songs from different anime and live shows. I even sang from English songs that I listened to back home in Britain. We forced Misako to sing a solo for us, and to our surprise, she was an amazing singer.

“Stop looking at me like that.” She said to us.

“Your voice, it’s AMAZING.” I replied.

“Shut-up!”

“Sing another, sis!” Yuta asked.

And she sang three more songs for us as we watched in awe. We ended the evening heading off to our rooms. I saw Hiroshi outside his room, and decided to speak to him:

“Are the plans ready for tomorrow?” I whispered to him.

“They are. Just when it happens, make sure she doesn’t hit me.” He whispered back.

“No promises.”