Even though the tub in Yumiko's apartment was small, we decided to have a hot bath together in the typical Japanese style.  Bathing with others was no longer foreign to me and I had gotten used to the idea.  When you are naked, you are just a human being.  All the differences that persist in society due to its obsession with outward appearance and designer goods disappear when all you have is a small bath towel on your body.  When Yumiko massaged my back and shoulders with the towel, I realized how stressed I had been during the week so far.  I would always recall it as the easiest interview and would not believe that I had a dream job without much effort, but I still felt drained by the experience, especially the intense discussion with LaCroix.  When Yumiko let the hand towel slip into the tub and started massaging with her hands, I simply closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensation of Yumiko’s warm and soft fingers.  I could have given out moans of pleasure if only I could.  I did not know what was going on in Yumiko’s mind but she continued to knead my muscles and as she worked her way downwards and touched the armpit area, I realized that I was wet.  Yumiko stayed away from my chest though her hands continued to stroke my back in a manner that was part therapeutic and part something else. 

When Yumiko softly asked how I felt, I could barely mutter my thanks and dared not even look into her eyes.  Yumiko shortly stepped out of the tub while I closed my eyes once again and let my body slide more comfortably into the tub.  With my body covered with warm water, I wanted to sleep like that for a while.  I did not realize how much time had passed by until I was woken up from my slumber by Yumiko standing at the bathroom door with the pizza box in her hands.  What surprised me even more was what Yumiko was wearing – a black slip with red roses that made her look younger than she actually was.  The translucent fabric did not do a great job of hiding her body.  As I stood to get up, I caught Yumiko’s eyes on me and we both smiled at each other as if we had realized what was going on in each other’s minds.  While it is impolite in Japanese culture to attach any meaning to communal bathing, it was something that everyone found hard to follow.  Except when communal bath was a family affair with young children around, the onsen experience always had an undertone.  Of course, staring is a taboo and no one did it but one need not stare to please the eyes.  My face was still flushed while I dried myself.   

I noticed Yumiko’s eyes on me even when I emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me.  As I walked to the room at the back to change, Yumiko followed me.  I proceeded to open my suitcase to find something to wear but Yumiko moved faster than me and pulled out a pink camisole and matching panties.  “Why don’t you wear this tonight?  This will look good on you – after all you are the little princess tonight!” Yumiko said.  With a wink and then a smile, Yumiko pulled off my towel.  I shouted in horror and grabbed the camisole from Yumiko, turned my back towards her and quickly pulled it on.  As I bent to wear the panties (Leak proof panties), I felt a light pinch on my hips.  I turned around and saw Yumiko smiling with the innocence of a little girl who had just played a trick and was ready to be discovered.  “You are so naughty, Yumiko,” I said.  Yumiko stepped towards me and we both hugged passionately.  “You are my good friend now and I miss having such friends here in Tokyo.  People here are so shallow and vain.  They fake too much and you can never know if someone is genuinely interested in you.  That is why I am so glad to see you here and to know that you will now be here.  I want you to live close to me so that we can hang out together more often,” Yumiko said as she stroked my back.  I was now feeling more emotional too and as our bodies felt each other’s warmth, I put my head on Yumiko’s shoulders.  For several moments, we just heard each other breathe and stood quiet as our chests thumped against each other.  “Let’s go eat now”, Yumiko said, and holding me with her right arm, we proceeded to eat.