The Emperor and I

Chapter 2

After finishing their coffees, Taka and Toru hopped into Toru’s car and drove to the nearest spa. On the way, Toru casually mentioned that he needed a massage too—he’d been swamped with chores and running errands for his father over the past few days.

They arrived at Odaiba Tokyo Oedo-Onsen Monogatari, the city’s largest artificial hot spring complex. The place was famous for its wide array of baths, each with varying temperatures, textures, and therapeutic effects. What caught their attention most, though, were the ashiyu—the special foot baths—which seemed like the perfect remedy for their aching bodies and tired minds.

After paying at the reception, they headed to the changing area, where warm lighting and faint scents of hinoki wood greeted them. Each took a small locker for their clothes and belongings. Toru peeled off his suit, carefully hanging it before unbuttoning his shirt. Beside him, Taka let out a soft groan as he slumped to the floor, already craving the cool tiles beneath him.

“I could sleep here,” Taka mumbled, eyes half-closed.

Toru raised an eyebrow, folding his shirt neatly. “You’re not even in the bath yet, and you’re already giving up?”

Taka cracked a tired grin. “I’m conserving energy. Spa mode activated.”

With a chuckle, Toru tossed a yukata at him. “Come on, Grandpa. Let’s get you into the water before you melt into the floor.”

Taka quickly stood up as soon as Toru approached to assist. “I can handle this,” he insisted, beginning to remove his jacket with stiff determination. “I’m not a kid!”

Toru chuckled, unbothered. “You’re a bit strange,” he muttered playfully, folding his arms as he watched Taka struggle with a stubborn sleeve. “You push yourself until you’re practically crawling, but heaven forbid someone offers you a hand.”

“I said I’m fine,” Taka huffed, finally freeing himself from the jacket and tossing it into the locker.

“I didn’t say you weren’t,” Toru replied, smirking. “Just that you’re strange.”

Taka gave him a sidelong glance but didn’t argue further. Deep down, he knew Toru meant no harm. It was just his way—teasing wrapped around genuine concern. And though he’d never say it out loud, that strange balance was something Taka quietly appreciated.

After slipping into their yukatas, Taka and Toru made their way toward the bathing area. As they stepped inside, the warm, steamy air wrapped around them like a blanket. Taka paused for a moment, wincing slightly as he noticed several people casually walking around naked before entering the pools.

The sight made him instinctively tense.

Living with Sofu-san, modesty had always been second nature. Taka wasn’t used to exposing himself like this—especially in public. In fact, he was certain that if Sofu-san ever caught him strolling around unclothed, he’d get a stern scolding followed by a lecture on dignity and restraint.

He tugged a little tighter on the front of his yukata, unsure if he was more embarrassed by the people around him or by how flustered he felt.

"Aren’t you going to join me in the pool?" Toru called out, already waist-deep in the steaming water.

"Uhm, I think I’ll just take a shower and then head to the spa," Taka replied, forcing a casual tone as he took a deep breath and quickly turned away. He made a beeline for the nearest shower cubicles, trying to ignore the amused shake of Toru’s head and the exaggerated eye roll that followed.

He didn’t care. Not really.

As Sofu-san always said, “Our bodies are sacred and should only be seen by our beloved, not by anyone else.” Taka mentally rolled his eyes. Seriously? Did Sofu-san think he was a girl or something? Great.

Just as he was about to enter one of the cubicles, a voice snapped him out of his internal monologue.

"Excuse me, are you going inside? I’ll close it if you’re not," a stranger asked, hand already on the door.

Caught off guard, Taka nodded without thinking. "Yeah—sorry."

Then it hit him.

He had just agreed to share the cubicle. With this guy. And worse… showering. Together. Completely naked.

His brain short-circuited.

Oh no. Oh no no no.

He plastered on a polite smile while screaming internally, mentally preparing for the most awkward five minutes of his life.

The door clicked shut behind them with a finality that sent a shiver down Taka’s spine. The cubicle wasn’t exactly cramped, but it wasn’t roomy either. Just two shower heads on opposite walls, a tiled floor, and enough space to turn around without bumping into someone—barely.

Taka kept his eyes glued to the floor tiles, which suddenly became the most fascinating thing he’d ever seen. His brain scrambled for an escape plan, but his feet stayed rooted to the ground as the stranger—already starting to undress—casually pulled off his towel.

Taka averted his eyes so fast he nearly gave himself whiplash.

Focus. Just focus. Get clean. Quick rinse. In and out. No eye contact. This is fine. You're fine. You're a rock. You're invisible. You are—why the hell is this guy humming?!

He glanced up for half a second—just to find the body wash—and immediately regretted it. The guy was now under the water, humming a tune like he was in a solo concert, utterly unbothered by the fact they were both very much naked in a shared space.

Taka, still in his yukata, edged to the corner and began undressing like a thief in the night—fast, silent, and suspiciously guilty. He turned on the water and stepped in, arms crossed protectively over his chest even though the other guy wasn’t paying him any attention.

Then the worst happened.

“Water pressure’s kind of weak on your side, huh?” the guy said casually, wiping shampoo from his eyes.

Taka stiffened. “Ah—yeah. It’s... fine.” His voice cracked on the last syllable.

“First time here?” the stranger asked, completely unaware of Taka’s internal meltdown.

“Is it that obvious?” Taka muttered, mentally cursing his life choices.

“Nah, just noticed how tense you are. Relax. Everyone’s naked here. No big deal.”

No big deal?!

Taka forced a stiff chuckle, which came out more like a dying bird. “Yeah. Totally. Super chill.”

He focused all his energy on rinsing off as fast as humanly possible, then reached for the towel with military precision. Within seconds, he had wrapped it around himself like a defensive shield, water still dripping from his hair and shoulders.

“I’ll, uh, go ahead,” he mumbled, bowing slightly as he shuffled toward the door like a retreating soldier.

“Suit yourself. Enjoy the spa!” the stranger called out cheerfully, still humming.

Taka didn’t look back. He couldn’t.

As soon as he exited the cubicle, he let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and muttered under his breath, “Never again.”

Taka barely made it two steps out of the cubicle before he was greeted by a slow, deliberate clap.

“Wow,” Toru said, leaning against the wall in his yukata like he owned the place. “That was quick. What’d you do, sprint through the shower like a ninja?”

Taka didn’t respond. He was too busy walking with the precision of someone pretending they hadn't just endured a small personal crisis. His towel was wrapped so tightly it could’ve been armor, and his ears were visibly pink.

Toru fell into step beside him, a smirk already forming. “So... did you make a new friend in there?”

Taka shot him a look. “Don’t.”

“Oh, come on, you’ve clearly been emotionally wounded,” Toru teased. “Was it the eye contact? The unsolicited humming? Or was it the communal trauma of shared soap dispensers?”

“Toru,” Taka warned through gritted teeth, but the flustered tone in his voice only made Toru chuckle harder.

They reached the spa area, where the lighting dimmed and soothing instrumental music filled the space. The air smelled faintly of eucalyptus and hinoki wood, promising peace and serenity. He sank into the nearest foot bath with a long exhale, the warm water drawing out the tightness in his calves from too many shifts spent standing behind the bar.

Toru settled beside him, more composed than he had any right to be. “You know, you’re oddly shy for someone who sings in front of strangers twice a week.”

Taka didn’t answer right away. He let the heat soak into his skin, let the quiet ease some of the fluster.

“Singing’s different,” he finally said. “That’s… performance. Controlled. Nobody’s looking at my naked ass when I’m holding a guitar.”

Toru barked a laugh. “Could be a selling point. ‘Naked Thursdays.’ Might pack the bar.”

Taka rolled his eyes. “You’re the worst.”

“And yet you keep me around,” Toru said, wiggling his toes in the water. “You’re welcome.”

Taka didn't respond, just stared out at the mist drifting across the baths. Toru, despite all the teasing, had been his constant—there when his grandfather got sick, there when tips barely covered the bills, there when he bombed a set so bad he almost quit playing altogether.

Toru glanced at him. “You know,” he said thoughtfully, “I’ve seen you face down furious producers, packed the entire club, and a literal typhoon once. But a naked man with a shampoo bottle? That’s your villain origin story.”

Taka groaned and sank further into the foot bath, pulling his towel tighter as if shielding his soul. “Remind me why I came with you again?”

Toru dipped his feet into the warm water next to him. “Because deep down, you knew I’d make your day better... or at least more entertaining.”

Taka shot him a sideways glare, but the corner of his mouth twitched—just barely.

“Shut up,” he muttered.

Toru leaned back, grinning. “You love me.”

“Debatable.”

“Still counts.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the warmth of the water soothing their sore legs. And despite everything—the awkward shower, the teasing, the exhaustion—Taka realized... he did feel a little better.

Maybe even grateful.

Though he'd die before saying it out loud.