Chapter 109: Onsen

"I always thought men and women can't bathe together in an onsen together," Lyca mumbled as they followed the older woman wearing a Yukata towards the room that they rented. Luckily, the old woman didn't hear her words as she continued talking about the hot spring. 

"This is just alone side the To River and surrounded by greeneries. We have both a mixed bath and a women's only bath. On the mixed bath, women needed to wear towels while men can go there naked or use a towel to cover their lower body." She halted her steps and turned towards the two. "To ensure privacy, we have no camera's inside the baths. The Camera is only in the hallways. The bath is open until twelve midnight. However... the room that you booked comes with its own personal bath so... that shouldn't be a problem." She then started walking again. After a few minutes, the woman stopped walking and opened a sliding door that would lead them to another hall. 

Lyca was about to complain about walking too much then the woman finally stopped walking and held her hand towards the room. The woman then smiled and said, " We have twenty rooms in this inn. Ten of which is complete are amenities and a small private hot bath. This is one of those rooms. We also provide traditional cuisine that you can enjoy while you stay on the premises." 

Lyca and Shen Qui walked inside and immediately gasp when they saw the beautiful interiors. Paper walls are in abundance. Mostly, the place was made of wood and minimal decorations. A sound of running water immediately caught Lyca's attention. She walked towards the balcony and immediately realized that the source of the flowing water was a Buddha that sat on top of a huge rock. Water flowed from the Buddha's head then into the small steaming pool beneath it. The marbled tile that surrounded the hot bath made her smile.

She found the space peaceful and perfect for someone like her. If only she could stay in a place like this forever.

"This is beautiful."

The woman smiled before she bowed and bid them goodbye. Lyca turned her attention back to the beautiful private hot spring before she heard Shen Qui muttered.

"No bed."

"Huh?"

"This is a traditional inn. They have no huge bed just like the one in your room." He explained. He had suspicions that Lyca didn't check the specifics of this room and just book the most expensive one thinking it would give her the absolute comfort that she needed. 

As expected, she frowned and sighed. Indeed, she didn't check the amenities in the room and just booked using a secret account with another name. However, Lyca didn't let this dampen her mood. She immediately tied her hair up into a bun and removed her shirt.

"What are you doing?" Shen Qui asked. Of course, half of him already knew the answer to his question. He let out a sigh when Lyca removed her clothing and immediately sat on the onsen or the hot spring. "I will go set up our luggage." He said and left without waiting for her to answer his words. He couldn't just watch her naked inside a small tub of hot water without feeling all kinds of swirling emotions inside his body. 

Seeing his disappearing back, Lyca laughed and shook her head. Then she closed her eyes and enjoyed the perfect temperature of the water. She leaned against the rock that surrounded the small onsen and didn't even notice that she had already fallen asleep. 

"I heard that onsens have at least nineteen minerals." Lyca jumped out of the onsen when she heard a man voice next to her ears. However, she quickly realized that it was Shen Qui.

"You are jumping around while naked." Amusement laced his tone as he pulled her back to his arms.

"Did you set up our things?"

"Yes, Madam."

"And the CCTV?"

"Yes, Madam." He beamed and kissed her neck. "I can assure you, this place is secure without any CCTV's that could spy on us." He said, his voice hoarse as he kissed her temple. This onsen was like a part of the room. Walls made of wood also surrounded the onsen. However, to make sure that enough life would be able to pass through, the roof of this space was transparent, allowing anyone to see the stars at night. 

The space was actually very intimate and private. Perfect for newlyweds like them. "You know…" Lyca turned and look at him, smiling. "Bath's like this weren't allowed in the past. It was illegal. Of course, it's a shame. I'm sure men would want to enjoy the show of watching a woman bath in front of them." This was a practice that was considered illegal in her previous world too.

"Well… we weren't born in that era so we were lucky." He chuckled, his light brown orbs slowly turned darker.

"That was the reason why… some couple put a screen in front of them. A thin one." She leaned closer and brushed her lips into his. Then her tongue darted out and slowly traced the bow on his beautiful lips.

"What would happen?" He asked.

"They watched their women touch their own body behind the screen."

"So, they would watch the women masturbate?"

"Hmm." She pulled away and nodded. 

"And after?"

"Well… I don't know." She shrugged. "I haven't tried it yet." She didn't miss his fevered gaze as she chuckled. 

"To be honest, that sounds horrible." He smiled. "I couldn't watch you do something like that in front of me. I would probably ruin the screen."

"Brute."

"What can I say?" He lifted an eyebrow and smiled at her. "I have such a beautiful wife."

.....

Disclaimer: The history that I mentioned was purely out of imagination and not based on Japanese or Chinese culture. 

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