“Thank you, Ren. You can set the attaché on the floor. I’ll manage the rest.”
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“You can’t wash your body like that.”
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“Just being in the tub is good enough.”
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“I’ll wash your body for you.”
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Ren picked up a bottle of body wash supplied by the hotel and squatted down by the tub.
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“If you try to wash me, the attaché case will get wet.”
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“Doesn’t matter. Sit on the rim of the bathtub. I’ll get your back first.”
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“Okay.”
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Kazutaka sat down on the edge of the bathtub as Ren suggested. The floral scent of the soap filled the air inside the bathroom. Kazutaka felt strange. He felt Ren’s fingers at his side. A little bit to the right of his armpit, just by his shoulder blade. Kazutaka then heard Ren’s calm voice.
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“It looks red right here. The attaché case must have hit this spot.”
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“I don’t remember. All that fighting and running around. I had no time to feel pain.”
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“You're right.”
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Being naked and having someone wash your body is a graceless situation. When there was a pause in the conversation, Kazutaka felt awkward. He had to say something in an attempt to cover his embarrassment.
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“This is the first time I've ever had someone else wash my body like this.”
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“I’ve never washed anyone like this, either.”
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Ren’s reply was far from being romantic.
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“Did you and Fuwa have something going on?”
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“We had a lot of things between us, but that’s all in the past.”
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There was a silence. When Ren was finished washing Kazutaka’s back, he placed a mat down next to the bathtub.
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“Turn around and put your feet on the mat. I’ll wash your front.”
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“You don’t have to wash me there.”
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“Don’t worry. I see mine every day. I’m not at the age to get excited just by looking at other peoples’ property anymore.”
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Kazutaka thought it might convey the wrong idea if he hesitated for too long. Kazutaka mentally prepared himself to go along with Ren and turn around.
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren casually washed Kazutaka’s front. From his neck to his shoulders, from chest to abdomen, and groin, thigh, and inner thighs, Ren maintained the same pressure the whole time. Lastly, Ren knelt down to wash the bottom of Kazutaka’s feet. As Kazutaka watched Ren’s shoulders, he thought that he didn’t look like a person washing another person’s body. Ren seemed so businesslike.
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“You have nice feet.”
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Ren was holding Kazutaka’s right ankle.
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Ren lifted Kazutaka’s foot, pulled his head away a little, and examined Kazutaka’s foot as though appraising its value. Ren shook Kazutaka’s ankle a couple of times and then tapped on his calf with a finger. Ren now looked like a craftsman who was checking out some tools.
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“You know, it’s my foot. Not a machine.”
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“I know. This is a good foot. When a job requires a lot of standing hours, they say the calcium level responds and strengthens your bones. Your muscles are naturally seasoned as well. I can tell that this is the foot of a person who spends many hours standing at work. Nice shape, too. It’s perfect.”
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Ren’s observation, to Kazutaka, was a bit strange. Still, Kazutaka was happy getting a compliment from Ren. Kazutaka got carried away and made an off-color joke.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I haven’t been seasoning this leg, though.”
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Ren nonchalantly stretched an arm toward Kazutaka’s groin and examined his virile member.
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“It’s well built. Not bad. I can’t tell about its precision and durability until I test it. But overall, it’s a winsome fellow.”
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The way Ren described Kazutaka’s manhood sounded weird. Kazutaka started laughing.
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Ren had said he and Fuwa “had a lot of things” between them. If that was the case, Ren should show a more emotional reaction to another man’s penis, Kazutaka thought. Instead, all Ren talked about was its “precision and durability,” nothing to overtly imply an ulterior motive or a sexual feeling.
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So blunt, but it was typical of Ren. Kazutaka felt at ease and didn’t think too much of it until Ren began to examine his “precision and durability” with his palm. A man’s member sometimes doesn’t have a conscience and reacts rather bluntly. Kazutaka was anticipating its reaction to Ren’s touch. Feeling self-conscious, Kazutaka tried covering his groin with his right hand but Ren pushed it away.
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“When was the last time you went on a date with your girlfriend?”
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Kazutaka didn’t understand what Ren was talking about. A few seconds later, however, Kazutaka realized Ren was asking him when he had last exercised his third leg.
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“I don’t have a girlfriend. I've never gone out with a girl.”
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“I see. What about a boyfriend?”
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“I don’t have one at the moment,” Kazutaka replied, trying not to sound too needy, but still remaining honest. Ren frowned.
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“When was the last time you did some maintenance?”
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“I don’t remember.”
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“You need to do regular polishing. It’ll get rusty otherwise.”
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Ren was right about that. But Kazutaka didn’t think he needed instructions in that from anybody. It was none of Ren’s business how Kazutaka handled his parts. It was true that his part had been neglected for a long time. It didn’t function automatically with subtle cues. Its existence was all but forgotten.
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“Why are you asking me such a question, Ren?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Everything needs to be properly used and maintained in accordance with its purpose.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“The maintenance system and schedule should be up to the owner, shouldn’t it?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“This part is special because it can be shared with someone else.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Kazutaka couldn’t continue this conversation. While they were talking, Kazutaka’s penis had become engorged and almost ready for use.
✦ ✦ ✦
They were in an interesting situation. Two men in a bathroom, one was handcuffed and the other was fully dressed and checking out the former’s groin. On top of it all, Ren was asking Kazutaka when he got laid the last time. Ren was touching Kazutaka’s penis and acting as though he was merely inspecting a piece of machinery. It didn’t seem that Ren thought this was a strange situation, though.
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Kazutaka wondered if he was being too self-conscious. It felt nice to be touched down there but it was awkward, too. Since Ren was acting so natural, Kazutaka thought he might be the one who was confused over nothing. “I want to rinse off the soap. Can I get back in the tub?”
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“I self-manipulate regularly, once a week. You need to lubricate the system frequently, or you’ll become distracted and make mistakes. Safety management starts from the waist-down. That’s my slogan and it’s on the wall at my factory.”
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“You gotta be kidding.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“You’re right, just a joke.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren started massaging Kazutaka’s shaft. Now that he was done with his examination, Ren seemed to be testing its functionality. Kazutaka thought this was going too far for a joke.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ren, that’s not a piece of machinery. That’s my body.”
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“Not necessarily yours. This is mine, too.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“How so?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“You said that you loved me.”
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“I was desperate.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“I could tell you were serious. In life or death kind situations, people usually don’t lie or make things up. Besides, you are honest by nature. Look, your part is telling its own truth.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren held Kazutaka’s dick tightly and Kazutaka squirmed.
✦ ✦ ✦
“This is saying that it likes me. Isn’t that right?”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ren, wait.”
✦ ✦ ✦
Kazutaka tried to remember how long it had been since his dick had been touched by someone else. The last time had been when Kazutaka was still in college. So, it had been five, or maybe even seven years ago. Kazutaka couldn't recall the feel of shared physical love.
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Ren stroked it gently as though fine-tuning a delicate tool. Kazutaka trembled and lurched. His soapy bottom slipped and Kazutaka fell backwards into the tub with a big splash. “Whoa!”
✦ ✦ ✦
With the sudden immersion, Kazutaka totally lost his composure. The attaché case fell onto his chest, which was pushed to the side by Ren. “Ah, Ren!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Ren came into the bathtub, climbing over Kazutaka. Kazutaka was in the tub, up to his earlobes. Kazutaka sank under water as Ren kissed him. Actually, Kazutaka’s head was still above the water but his self-control was sunk.
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“Ren, what are you doing? Get away from me.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“You're not used to this sort of thing, I suppose.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“No. What am I saying? What are you thinking, hopping into the tub with your clothes on?”
✦ ✦ ✦
Lukewarm water sloshed about for a moment before something hard said hi to Kazutaka’s member.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ren, yours is touching mine. Ren, they’re touching.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Don’t mind that. Everybody’s is pretty much the same.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“It’s not about minding or not minding. Whoa, it’s slippery. Careful, Ren.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Don’t worry. I’m an expert.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“You shouldn’t do things like this with someone you don’t even like! Runaway lust only brings regret. By then it’s too late.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Runaway lust is only natural. Rather than regretting what I didn’t do, I like to do what I want.”
✦ ✦ ✦
“Ren!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Kazutaka desperately pushed Ren away. He placed the attaché case between his legs to protect himself.
✦ ✦ ✦
“Think before you go on. Everyone has lust but someone always gets hurt afterward. Think of...your teacher or parents for a minute before acting on your lust. You're young and I’m not saying you shouldn’t have sex. But love doesn’t grow from curiosity and lust!”
✦ ✦ ✦
Kazutaka had said this many times to his students but knew it might not be convincing to Ren. But Kazutaka didn’t want to get hurt by going all the way due to circumstances and the heat of the moment.