The Gun & The Sword

Chapter V: Accidentally in Love

Motoko looked over at Keiranto. She had surprised herself by saying she would share a room with him. Sure, he was a very handsome guy, but he was still related to Keitaro, and she knew how perverted that Urashima could be. She looked at him again. He was typing away at a small laptop computer, one he said he had built himself. She had found out just how much this guy could actually do with a soldering iron and a few spanners when the motorcycle had broken down on the way to Hokkaido. Keiranto has had the engine cover off, told her something about a blocked carburettor, fiddled about with something and after about ten minutes the motorcycle had started first time. She idly wondered what else he could do with his hands and then chided herself for thinking such things. She decided that what she needed was a nice hot bath.

Over on the other futon, Keiranto was also thinking about the motorcycle ride, and was having trouble concentrating on what he was supposed to be doing, namely searching the internet for another motorbike. It was Motoko's birthday in about two weeks and she had been talking to him about wishing she had something to travel round on instead of having to walk or use public transport. He couldn't stop thinking about that ride to this place though. The feeling of Motoko's arms around his waist and her body pressed against his back had caused him to miss two turnings and almost lose control in one corner. He wondered what she would feel like pressed against his front and shook his head. He banished those thoughts and decided that the best thing he could do was to have a nice long soak in the hot spring bath here.

"Err, Motoko-Chan, I'm just heading off to the hot spring," he said, just as she said exactly the same thing. They both blushed and Keiranto stammered, "err, well, I read that this hotel has a mixed bath in their hot springs, would you, err, like to join me?" Motoko blushed an even deeper red, but nodded.

"OK then, I'll meet you down there." He said, not believing that he had asked her that. He smiled at his good fortune and headed on down to the changing room.

Keiranto stepped out into the outdoor bath to find it was deserted, and it was still snowing. The water was warm and refreshing and he sat back against a snowy rock to listen to the music that was playing. The song was one of his favourites; "Accidentally in Love" by Counting Crows. He hummed along to the tune and waited for Motoko. She came out a minute later, dressed in a small two piece swimsuit that showed off her athletic figure well. Keiranto realised he was staring and averted his eyes quickly. She sat down opposite him and sighed as she sank into the water. She loved hot baths, and the snow made it even more beautiful. She could feel the romance in the air and wondered whether Keiranto could feel it too. He looked so handsome, just sitting there in a pair of shorts. Keiranto snuck a quick glance at Motoko; she looked so beautiful with her short black hair flecked with white snowflakes. He reached for the loofah provided by the side of the bath, he might as well get clean. He was interrupted from his washing by Motoko's voice.

"Hey, Keiranto, could you come over here a moment?" He swam over and saw Motoko also holding a sponge.

"Could you just wash my back here," she said, "I can't reach."

Keiranto was struck dumb but somehow managed to stammer out a "sure." He soaped his hands and started to scrub her back, surprised at how soft and warm her skin was. Motoko was surprised at how gentle his touch was, despite the roughness of his skin. Keiranto was still washing her back when Motoko made a snap decision, turned her body round and kissed him. After an initial moment of surprise he kissed back. She tasted faintly of chocolate. Keiranto was overwhelmed by how good this felt, he had never kissed a girl before. Motoko eventually broke the kiss, much as she hated to do it, she needed the air. It had been her first kiss too, and again she had been surprised at how gentle Keiranto had been. Keiranto was the first to speak. "Motoko, would you, ah, would you like to be my girlfriend?"

Motoko smiled, "I think you know the answer to that one already," she said and kissed him again. The music continiued to play.