"Kiro, lets go!" I shout as the bus came to a halt. He groaned and pulled his book bag over his face, "Kiro, come on. We're here," We flew into Tokyo, Japan yesterday evening. He slept on the entire flight, even after driving to the hotel he fell sleep again. This slug.
"Five more minutes..." he pouts.
Pausing to glare at him I snatch his over weight book bag, "what did you put in here," I complained.
Finally, he rubs his eyes and looks over at me with a sour face. I return his glare, "Get up sleepy head, everyone's ready to go."
He softens his face and looks towards the front of the bus as the first section of tourists are already departing. He stretches and yawns, "Well, what are you waiting for? Let's get going!" Automatically brightening his feature with a perfectly white smile. Subconsciously easing me, setting a smile on my lips.
Soon, we file out alongside everyone else to dig our suitcases out of the compartment under the bus. As soon as we retrieve them Kiro takes his phone out, "Okay, now to find the lodge. I think we have to check in first."
We decided to stay at the hot springs while we're here, it's one thing that I've always wanted to try in Japan. Of course, he's already came, but he wanted me to experience it for myself too.
Kiro has been my best friend since early high school days. He became an actor and model right out of high school and I went straight to college and found a part time job. We've been so busy lately now that I only have one semester left of classes. And he recently started filming for an action series. But, we finally found a good break to go on this trip we've been planning for years.
I waited outside the lodge for him to check us in, I never had the time to become fluent in Japanese. I can only catch a few phrases here and there. But since Kiro's family are Japanese, he is completely fluent. I always envied his ability of being bilingual even at a young age. Luckily he agree to be my translator on our visit, so hopefully I won't have anything to worry about.
Soon he came back out with a thumbs up with woman dressed in a kimono leading him. He grabbed his suit case before we made our way up the hill through the streets. Good thing it stays cool up here during the summer, or I would really feel bad for the hostess.
We soon arrived at our secluded house for the week. She opened the door and bowed before we brought our bags in and left them in the common room. We thanked her as she took her leave.
I look around, "okay, let's find our rooms so we can put this stuff away," I motion to our suitcases.
He nods and leads me upstairs carrying my suitcase. The first room was on the left and the second on the right. Beautiful traditional art covered the walls throughout the house, "this place is so pretty," I admire.
Kiro glances at me with a warm smile before packing my things into the first room, "you want this one right? It has the best view," he looks out the huge window at the beautiful landscape.
I smile and nod, "this is perfect," I look around the spacious area and pause, "where is the bed?" My eyes dart to Kiro.
He laughs, "you didn't know? They use futons, the are like floor mattresses."
I nod casually as if nothing happened, "I see," trying my best to hide my embarrassment. But I could feel my face warm up. Kiro laughs, "what are you laughing at?" I pout.
"It's okay," he smiles, "I'll leave you here to get situated. Let's meet back in the living room to go over the plan," I nod shyly recovering from my embarrassment.
I hang my clothes up and organize my toiletries in the bathroom on the far end of my room to the left. I decide to leave the futon in the closet and look up how to use it. It says it should stay in the closet until needed and be put back as soon as you wake up. I shrug, I think everything here is done.
Wondering back down to the living room I look at the art and calligraphy. When I make it to the living room Kiro is no where to be found. I decide to wander around.
The living room had short ceilings and a traditional table on the ground with floor chairs around it.
To the left is a sliding door, I walk over and pull it back. It leads to the kitchen. Equipped with modern appliances in a traditional theme. Somehow they made it work.
I'll have to try to make sushi sometime this week for sure. That was also on my bucket list for Japan. After discovering some closets and the main bathroom I traveled back to the living room and sat at the table with my supplies to organize the trip.