
It was silent outside. The only sound was the sound of the wave hitting the beach. Shoji looked at the sea from the balcony. The sea surface was glittering under the moonlight. He turned around and got back inside the room, closing the doors to the balcony. He took out two mugs from the cupboard and poured down the boiled water into the mugs, brewing the tea inside.
The shower door opened and Hana appeared, wearing a towel robe. Her hair was tied in a bun on top of her head. Shoji held the tea mugs each in his one hand. The hot steam rose above them. He sat down at the side of the bed and gave one mug to Hana. She sat beside him. They took a couple of sips and sighed in relief.
“Long ride, wasn’t it?” Shoji said, putting his mug down on the bedside table. Hana gave her mug to him and he put it beside his mug. “You tired?” he asked.
“Yeah, but you took me to this nice place,” she smiled lovingly at him. She got up and walked slowly toward the balcony doors. She opened it and they could hear the sound of the wave clearer. She stepped out to the balcony fence and stood watching the glittering sea.
Shoji stood up and walked toward her. He stopped behind her and put his arms around her, his chest pressed against her back. They stood in silence. He breathed in her scent on her hair and bare neck. She closed her eyes smiling, and put her hands on his arms.
The wind suddenly blew a little stronger. She shivered. “You cold? Let’s get inside,” Shoji let go of one arm and walked her back into the room. He closed the balcony doors.
Hana climbed into the bed. She laid on her back, let out a sigh of relief and closed her eyes.
Shoji turned the lights off, leaving the bedside lights on. He laid down beside her on his side, facing her. He put one hand on her cheek and gave her a little kiss. “You sure you want to sleep?” He asked, half whispering.
Half whispering, she said, “I’m tired and very sleepy. But–” Her eyes slowly opened. “–how can I resist you?” she continued in a whisper. She raised her hand and put it on the back of his head, pushed his head gently toward her face and pressed his lips on hers. They closed their eyes and started kissing.