FILE 8: HOT SPRINGS PART 1

Mars was sulking. We arrived safely at Tokyo Haneda Airport and I tried my best not to laugh out loud as I carried my sullen partner in his cat carrier to the Uber pick-up.

The driver was a short lady and very talkative as we drove to the hot springs.

"Onsen ni hairu no wa haijimetedesu ka? A, kitto ki ni jairudeshou!" she winked. I had to binge-learn the Japanese language, so I only understood a bit of what she said.

From what I gather, she told me, "First time, you'll love it!" First time doing what, exactly?

She's not implying that? I blushed. I'm handsome, true, but she's on the job! I just nodded and looked out of the window the rest of the way, avoiding her as she continued her chatter.

We drove quite a distance, and the scenery became very beautiful. From the city, it transformed into a landscape.

The cold buildings transformed into woodland and mountains. I wondered what woodland creatures lived there. I heard of the infamous tanuki, but I probably won't see any since they're shy.

I held back a sigh of relief as the driver finally stopped talking. She pointed to a small, rocky hill. Mars let out a small, excited meow. It was Haneda Hot Spring.

We made it. I thanked the driver as I paid her, bowed in Japanese fashion, which she found funny for some reason, and booked us in. I studied the onsen as I waited for the receptionist to search for my name on the computer. 

The place certainly was worth its money. The surrounding gardens were large and neat, full of giant cherry trees, and several fountains. The entrance was already extremely luxurious, with a high ceiling and a huge chandelier.

A giant HOTEL & SPA sign stood across from the reception desk. The middle-aged lady typed, and after giving affirmation, I was led to our room. Disappointedly, I was shown the way by a robot thingy. 

What happened to the traditional Japanese onsen? Mars was pleased with my dissatisfaction. That mangy cat. The AI flashed an ENJOY YOUR STAY across its screen.

I hate it. Get lost! I waved with a fake smile in its camera as it disappeared, the wheels buzzing.

"We're alone. Now let me out, I want to take a bath!" Mars yipped. What a sourpuss. I pouted, "It's only the first day, and I'm already not having fun."

Mars jumped out as I unlocked his cat carrier. He licked his paws as we examined the room. It was a large room, with a queen-sized bed, and I was happy to see the flat-screen TV and the free Wi-Fi.

Oh, look, a tiny corner was decorated for cats! A three-story scratch pad, a sandbox, a cat bed, and toys. 

I spotted a kimono on the bed, so gazing at each other in agreement, I happily grabbed the kimono, and we dashed for the doors to the Hot Spring. Although Mars was not allowed, there was no one there, so we didn't care. 

It was the end of March, so the weather was quite pleasant. The flora was starting to show signs of blooming, and birds were returning from their migration to the south.

Mars waited impatiently as I undressed, meowing at me when I folded my clothes. "It says I have to fold my clothes. It won't kill you to wait longer," I told the yowling cat.

Eventually, we went into the men's bath and sank into the lush water. Well, I did. Mars dived as if he were a pro. While he swam in delight, I lay back against a boulder and soaked in the warm water.

"This is worth the eight hundred thousand won. Plus, we have extra to spend on souvenirs for Mom and Dad and more renovations to the house," I moaned happily.

"Ever thought about investing? You can make more money that way, you know?" Mars came floating towards me.

"I thought about it, but then came across an article about a guy who lost all his money in stocks. So I'd rather not. It's too much of a gamble," I said as I flipped my wet hair.

I gazed distractedly at my reflection as I spoke. Irritated, Mars splashed water at me. "Stop admiring yourself. Sheesh, what a bothersome child. Let's stop talking about money and get to business. Your parents contacted me about your latest report," he informed me.

Right, about the activist jail. "Why? Did I do something wrong? I reckon I did an excellent job being by myself and all," I bragged. Mars swiped and meowed angrily, "Don't be stupid.

It was more than one person could handle! You even needed help from the prison warden! If it wasn't for him, you might have died! Why didn't you call me? Or take me with you?"

"Okay, okay, calm down before someone hears you. I'm sorry, but it's all right. I won't do it again. But it's over, and I'm here unharmed, right? Now, what did Dad say to you? What's wrong with my report?"

"He said to stop writing it like it's your personal diary, but I suppose you won't listen to him. As for Amelia, she suggested you learn SHADOW."

"SHADOW? That's great!" I snatched an objecting Mars and tossed him in the air. "It's about time I learned a new skill," I chuckled happily. Mars kept pushing me, so I dropped him, and he landed with a splash.

He looked dissatisfied but remained calm as he continued to speak; "I'll take this trip as an opportunity to train you on this new ability. I'm only teaching this to you because your mother got worried after she read the prison report.

Since you had difficulty hiding from danger, she thought the skill SHADOW might help you. I didn't want to teach you until you reached maturity, but oh, well."

"I should contact Mom to thank her. And what do you mean by 'until I reach maturity? I'm nearly twenty-six!" I objected.

"Your body is, but your brain seems to have been left behind," Mars said cattily. Darn cat! We scuffled in the water, causing small waves and splashes. 

[That looks like fun. Can I join? I love playing too.] A female voice giggled. Both of us froze. The mist wasn't very thick, and even though I was hot, I didn't feel faint. Yet I clearly heard a voice, but there wasn't anyone there, and Mars himself kept glancing around.

"Hey Mars, I'm done for the day. Let's go and get a massage," I offered. Mars assented, and I bolted, dragging a wet cat with me.

"Did you see anyone?" I asked him, as I dried myself with a towel. Mars lay licking himself. "No," he answered shortly. That wasn't good.

The rest of the day passed quickly as I roamed around the spa, getting a massage, a facial treatment, and even a pedicure. Women gossiped and stared at me as they swooned over me. 

Luckily, they all spoke English, so I could smile and flirt with them. While I was getting massaged, my partner got his own treatment. He was groomed, had a pedicure as well, and got a pet massage.

In the end, he was purring, causing the woman who took care of him to hug him like crazy.

At dinner, we got sushi. Mars and I both always wanted to try sushi in an onsen, but I was pissed that I had to pay extra. This was the life.

I crashed that night, barely wishing Mars a good night, before falling asleep. I do not know why, but I had a horrible nightmare, and I rarely have nightmares.