The encounter at the bathhouse remained fresh in Ichiro's mind the following day, and even while helping his parents to close up shop, he couldn't stop thinking about how soft and warm that young woman's skin had felt beneath his fingers.

Despite the obvious dangers of becoming intimate with a stranger, a part of him still regretted holding back.

She'd been wholly accepting of his touch, and he could have taken advantage of that by allowing his hands to wander elsewhere. However, the presence of the other patrons, as well as his own cowardice, had limited him to rubbing her stiff shoulders until she'd shrugged him off in satisfaction.

Afterward, he'd resigned himself to admiring the way those slender legs carried her out of the bathing area, his dry mouth and empty stomach only adding to his frustration.

It was just as his old friends used to say. He possessed an adequate amount of wisdom but lacked the courage to pursue the things he truly desired. After all, a bolder man would most certainly have barred her from leaving and then coerced her into submission, regardless of what others thought or said.

Yet, if his parents' relationship was any indication, behaving in an aggressive and domineering manner was a poor way of winning over someone's affection. In fact, when he considered all of the married couples living nearby, it seemed as if the happiest women were the ones wed to men who were kind and gentle.

It was all very confusing, so he decided to seek counsel from his father that evening as they waited for his mother to begin serving dinner.

"Father," he began after clearing his throat to get the man's attention. "May I ask you something?"

"Of course, son. Nothing should be a secret," Susumu said in reassurance, arranging his chopsticks so that they were parallel to each other.

Ichiro hesitated and then proceeded with his question, knowing that there wasn't anyone else he could consult. "Well, father, how... do I make a woman desire me?"

Susumu gave him a look of disbelief. "This again? It's like I told you last time."

"Really? I don't think I remember..."

"You are a charming and virtuous young man. Just be your usual self, and she'll be bound to warm up to you."

"That is another problem in itself, father."

Susumu raised his eyebrows. "How so?"

"If she doesn't want me in the first place, then how can I convince her to become my wife?"

"You worry too much, Ichiro. There was a time when I thought your mother was too young for me, but as the years passed, the distance between us shrunk. Sometimes, I even feel as if she is my senior..."

"But, father, that was an arranged marriage."

"Exactly. If you cannot find a worthy or willing woman, then we shall do so for you."

Ichiro sighed, realizing yet again that his autonomy would always be secondary to the will of his parents.

He lowered his head in defeat, feeling reluctant to look up as the sound of his mother's approaching footsteps and the smell of freshly cooked rice and vegetables let him know that dinner was soon to begin.

******

With his mother busy preparing the second meal of the day and his father handling some delivery, the duty of managing the shop space had fallen upon Ichiro's shoulders.

However, he couldn't complain. It was easier than carrying heavy loads to and from the market, he didn't have to shout over others, and the people who approached their house tended to be more courteous.

The morning went by at a leisurely pace, and he felt content with his situation until a distant figure aroused his dread. He soon recognized them as none other than Shinrokurō, whom he'd befriended shortly after arriving in this town as a child. They'd been close for two years before adult responsibilities, and their families' difference in wealth had led to them drifting apart.

It had been over a year since he'd last seen or heard from his old friend, so the young man's sudden appearance on this street either boded very well or very ill.

He prayed that it would be the former, and as Shinrokurō drew nearer, it relieved him greatly to see a broad smile on the young man's face.

"Ichiro!" Shinrokurō exclaimed after greeting him with a bow. "Long time no see! How have things been lately?"

"They've been well," Ichiro replied, putting on a similar facade of pleasantry. "How about you?"

"My life has been splendid as usual, but there's one thing I wish to discuss with you. You see, it's about my wife, Chiyo..."

Ichiro swallowed in fear. He was aware of Shinrokurō's recent marriage but had never bothered to find out the bride's name or which family she'd come from.

He remembered the flirtatious young woman from the bathhouse, and everything began to make sense.

"Ch-Chiyo?" he stammered, already failing in his attempt to sound brave.

"Yes, that's her name," Shinrokurō replied, his smile showing no sign of fading. "She's told me everything, you know. You were really good to her, weren't you?"

"I... I don't know what you're talking about. She must have been mistaken."

Shinrokurō chuckled in a manner that he found dubious.

"You say that, but we both know that it's difficult to forget a face like yours. She described you in great detail, too."

Ichiro felt his own chest tighten as he stared back. "It... it wasn't what you think. She asked me to massage her shoulders, nothing more..."

An uncomfortable silence fell between them before Shinrokurō evidently realized his mistake and burst into laughter. "You poor fool! I'm not trying to accuse you of adultery!"

"What?" Ichiro muttered, feeling most confused.

"I apologize for giving the wrong impression. I merely wanted to show you gratitude for being so proper around my wife..."

He relaxed a little upon hearing such words. "This... this is news to me. I am flattered..."

"I'm glad you feel that way. Now, how would you like to come to my house tomorrow for some tea and conversation? Chiyo and I would both be happy to have you around..."

"Ah, I might have to ask my parents about that," Ichiro answered, thinking of his mother in the kitchen and his father, who was somewhere else in town. "There are only three of us, after all."

"That's alright. I understand," Shinrokurō said with a smile, though his eyes seemed to show disappointment. "I'll tell Chiyo to have her utensils ready, in case you do decide to visit."

"Thank you for being so thoughtful, but-"

"No, the pleasure is all mine. It's the least I can do after neglecting our friendship for so long."

Ichiro couldn't help but feel touched, despite having his doubts about Shinrokurō's true intentions. "I see. In that case, I appreciate your invitation, and I hope to receive your hospitality tomorrow..."

"That's good to hear. I must say that I enjoy your company even more than I remember, so it would fill me with great dismay if you failed to show up."

"Of course, I'll try my-"

"Now, I believe it is time we said farewell," Shinrokurō interrupted, much to Ichiro's consternation. "I have my own duties to attend to, and I can only hope that we'll meet again sooner rather than later..." At that, he turned and departed along the same route on which he'd arrived, eventually disappearing into the distance and leaving Ichiro to mull over their exchange for the remainder of the day.