When I was studying at university in the States, I used to go back to Japan in the summers to see my family and friends. On one of these trips, my mom suggested that we go visit my grandparents on their farm in the countryside. I hadn’t seen them for a while, but I still remember when we used to go visit them. My grandma is so kind and sweet. My grandpa is quiet, but honest, decent, the salt of the earth. There are some things I really like about being out in the country: the open space, the fresh air and just the whole atmosphere. It is nice to get away from the bustle of town now and then.
Anyway, the next weekend, my dad drove us. Shonan where my parents live is a beach resort, but as we headed west we got into farming country. We saw cows and horses, and some of the men were wearing cowboy hats, American-style. When we got to their house, dad turned into their driveway. There was a shed at the side and their big house further in. The front is old-fashioned looking, all wood, stucco and glass with a tile roof and door that locks, but inside there are tatami (straw mat) rooms, sliding doors and an engawa ledge opening out onto the garden. At the back, they’ve added a modern addition with a western-style bedroom higher up. Grandma came out to welcome us, and gave me a hug.
“Emi! My, how you’ve grown! And so beautiful too!” she smiled. I don’t think I look that different, but it was nice to hear.
Inside their house, Jumpei was sitting on the tatami, while his parents and Grandpa were gathered around the dining room table. Jumpei is like my cousin, but I think my dad said he was adopted, so we aren’t related by blood. He’s gotten taller, and had a bit of a tan from being outside. His skin is so smooth, clean shaven, but his hair was a bit of a mess. He’s a good-looking guy I guess. He reminds me of Ryosuke.
My parents joined my grandma in the dining room. I smoothed my pleated navy mini-skirt, and plopped my bottom down on the tatami across from Jumpei. He peered over at me, clearly curious about me as well. I was wearing a pink tank top, a bit gaudy and revealing for out in the country. Maybe I have changed.
“So Jumpei, what are you doing with yourself these days?” my father asked.
“I’m going to college, studying Physical Education.”
“Oh really?” I blurted out. “What sport?”
“Swimming.”
“Oh really? I swim too,” I noted, so surprised he’d chosen the same thing. It turned out their relay team had finished 2nd in the prefectural finals.
“Wow. That’s almost like Olympic level!” I gasped, impressed. I’d heard all about the Japanese swim meets from my old classmate, Yoshi in Kamakura. They are ultra-competitive. I eyed Jumpei. His shoulders do seem pretty wide, and I could kind of imagine his pecs even through his jacket. It was nice to hear he is into swimming. Something we have in common! Cool!
Before I could ask more, my dad started asking about the farm. I listened, but Jumpei kept stealing glances at me, peeking up my mini-skirt. In the States, even in Tokyo, most people sit on chairs, so I wasn’t really sure how I’m supposed to sit on the tatami. I’d splayed my legs out to either side in an M shape, but that meant Jumpei could see my panties. I tried to recall what panties I was wearing. They might have been Hanky Panky, lace and somewhat see-through. Not sure what to do, I just kind of sat there, letting him look. I had been kind of eyeing his muscles too. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I couldn’t help feeling a bit of tension in the air, electricity between us. Dad mentioned the shed we saw on our way in.
“I thought it was a garage for your car,” I admitted.
“No, there’s just implements out there and a tarai, an old wooden basin from before we got our steel bath tub.” I guess I’d heard of tarai, or saw them in old pictures or movies. It looks like a big barrel, and it’s used as a bath tub of sorts. You see them in American movies of the old west.
“How did you heat the water?” I asked.
“A big pot on the stove. Or even the water from the hose isn’t that cold this time of year.”
I mulled this over. In Oceanview, I met a Japanese girl who stayed in the Philippines, and she got a kick out of bathing outdoors there. It seemed she got a sexual thrill out of stripping naked outside her home stay. It did sound like fun, like a hot spring almost. I guess in some hot springs in Japan they still have wooden tubs.
My grandma noted that Seiichirou still lived nearby. He was a local farm boy. Apparently, someone had said that the two of us would get married some day. I vaguely remembered him. He’s tallish, earnest, affable. He’s nice enough and everything, but honestly, the thing between us wasn’t as big as they were making out. My grandma seemed to think it was enormously funny. Maybe she was the one who said we should get married.
“Anyway, where am I sleeping?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“You can use the room in the new extension. The bed’s all made up.”
“Oh OK. I’m going to get ready for bed. It’s been a long trip.”
“Good idea,” my grandma cooed. “Early tomorrow, we’re going over to your uncle’s place for brunch and then to the cemetery.”
Hmm. I’d been kind of hoping to just take it easy, and stay near here. Anyway, I took my bag up to my room. It was nice, all new, clean wooden floors with a futon laid out for me. I came back down to have a shower. To sleep, I changed into a football jersey. Jumpei was still here when I came out, but I thought I heard he and his parents leave a bit later. The house went quiet, and I drifted off to sleep, nice and comfy.
The next morning, I vaguely remember Grandma calling upstairs that breakfast was ready. I was still sleepy from the flight, so I stayed in bed dozing. It sounded like my parents and them all ended up going without me.
When I finally got up, the house was all quiet. I called my uncle’s place. Gram said she’d left a shopping list for groceries we’d need later. I had a bite of breakfast, and then went outside to look for this tarai-basin thingie. I found it in the shed. It was still in good condition, the dark slats of wood bound together with twine or something. I rolled it out of the shed, but I couldn’t very well bathe in the middle of the driveway. Cars driving by might see, so I rolled it back around behind the shed. This was next to the hedge, tall enough to block the view from the road, but still quite close to it. I used the hose to put water in the basin, then heated a big pot of water on the stove, and poured that in to warm things up.
A bit hard to explain why, but I was kind of getting excited as I stripped out of my clothes. The sun was shining, and there was a bit of a breeze tickling my skin. I could hear cicadas mee-mee-meeing, the sound of summer. It felt weird to be naked out in front of their house, so close to the road, but I guess in olden times everyone used to bathe like this. I washed my jersey and panties, and hung them to dry on the hedge. The wind was whipping all around getting me aroused, so I eventually stepped into the tub. The water was still a bit cold, but bracing, invigorating.
As I sat there though, savoring the feeling of being naked outside, I heard a scraping sound like boots on gravel. Is someone coming? I guess I should have set up further back from the road. Whoever it is might see me! I cupped my breasts, now quite large, vaguely trying to cover up my body.
I listened some more, and the noise stopped. Did they pass by? Then, back towards the house, I could hear someone knocking on the door.
“Hello. Is anyone home?”
I sat straight up terrified. Here I was naked, and someone, a guy, had come to call. I got out of the tub, and went down to the corner of the shed to see who it was. Shoot! They were definitely here to see us, and looking closer, I realized it was Seiichirou! I guess he’d heard that I was here, his bride to be(?) But I can’t let him see me like this! I’m stark naked!
I backed away from the corner, and soon, I heard a second voice. Jumpei it turned out was still here, and answered the door when Seiichirou knocked. Oh no! I’ve got to hide somewhere before they find me!
I hotfooted away, but in my bare feet, it was a bit hard to walk. I heard Seiichirou say something about the hose, and then, I heard his voice coming this way! Quick as I could, I turned tail, and ran, going all the way down, and around the corner of the shed in view of the road now. Oh oh! This isn’t good! I couldn’t see any cars, but I could see the fields opposite.
I pushed myself flat against the wall of the shed to hide, but my breasts were heaving, all pointy from the excitement. It sounded like Seiichirou had come around behind the shed, and found my clothes! I didn’t know where Jumpei was, but I wondered if I could maybe get back to the house without them seeing. I came out from behind the shed walking that way, but slowed down as I realized I was out in the middle of the driveway now, stark naked, and clearly visible from the house and road.
Seiichirou meantime had doubled back. I saw him come out from behind the shed, but luckily, he was facing the house, so maybe he didn’t see me. Panicking, I ran the other way, right out onto the road! I was really freaking out now. I could see a neighbor’s house further down and a truck puttering along on a road back towards town. I vaguely covered my pussy with one hand, but I must have looked quite the sight, standing here naked, my breasts glistening in the sun.
Frantic to find cover, I hobbled along the hedge, scampering down to the edge of the property before turning into the trees. I think a policeman lives here, but what could I do? My whole body felt like it was on fire, fear mixing with excitement. I wasn’t even touching myself, and already I felt like I might… I might… well you know.
I looked back towards Gram’s house, but I couldn’t see Seiichirou. I hid in the shadow of the trees, breathing heavily, trying to slow my pounding heart. Once I thought he was gone, I made my way back to their driveway. I went straight to the front door, and came back inside, so glad to have made it!