Chapter 1
This is a literary story told in a reflective, narrative style. Below is a natural, fluent English translation that preserves the tone, pacing, and detailed descriptions of the original Japanese text.
At my age, fatigue tends to build up easily. Working with students in particular makes me feel overwhelmed at times. I accept that losing stamina is an inevitable part of getting older, but still, hoping for a good solution, I asked my friends for advice. They suggested I try yoga, which has recently become popular among women.
“Yoga? You mean that thing where you move really slowly?”
“Yeah. The movements are slow, but it’s actually pretty tough.”
“Huh, is that so.”
I listened without taking it too seriously. However, a friend of mine who had started going for one reason or another seemed to love it.
“Apparently, yoga is good for your mental health too.”
“Mental health?”
“They say it reduces stress and helps recover from fatigue. Yoga classes are really popular right now, especially among women.”
“Huh.”
“It’s not just for women—I think men can benefit from it too. Besides, you’ve always been proactive around women. Wouldn't it be nice to exercise alongside stylish, fit women?”
“Hmm, maybe you have a point.”
It was certainly an appealing suggestion. After that, I looked into yoga. Just as my friend had said, I found that yoga is effective for recovering from fatigue. By releasing muscle tension and improving flexibility, it reportedly restores the body's natural balance. On the mental side, through breathing techniques and meditation, it calms the mind and relieves stress.
I got information about a yoga studio from my friend and decided to check out a local one nearby. When I went to the studio for the first time, a woman at the reception greeted me with a smile.
“Welcome! Is this your first time doing yoga?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I see. In that case, why don't you start with a trial lesson?”
“A trial lesson?”
“Yes. You can take one class for free. Please try it out and see what yoga is like.”
“All right. I’d like to sign up for a trial lesson then.”
With that, I registered for the trial lesson. The woman at the reception asked for my name and contact information, then checked the date and time for the trial.
“The trial lesson will be this Sunday at ten in the morning. Does that work for you?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Great. On that day, please bring comfortable workout clothes and a towel. We will provide the yoga mat, so don't worry about that.”
“Understood. Thank you very much.”
And so, I eagerly looked forward to the trial lesson at the yoga studio. Just hearing my friend talk about it had sparked my interest in yoga. I wanted to experience it firsthand and see what it was really like.
On the day of the trial lesson, I headed to the studio. After giving my name at the front desk, the receptionist guided me to the classroom.
“Here is the room. Please, step inside.”
“Thank you.”
Stepping into the classroom, I found a spacious room with a large mirror covering an entire wall. Yoga mats were laid out on the floor, and several students were already seated. Among them were young women as well as middle-aged women. Overall, it was predominantly female; including myself, there were only two men.
“Please sit wherever you like. Wait a moment until the instructor arrives.”
As instructed by the receptionist, I sat down on an open yoga mat. Then, I looked around. Directly in front of me sat a woman. She was around my age and had long black hair tied back in a ponytail. Noticing me, she smiled and greeted me.
“Hello. Is this your first time?”
“Yes, it is. Nice to meet you.”
“I’ve been coming here since last year. Yoga feels wonderful.”
“Is that so? I’m looking forward to it.”
As I was talking with her, the door at the front of the classroom opened. The person who entered was a young woman. She wore fitted yoga attire that clearly outlined her figure. Entering the room, she waved to the students.
“Hello, everyone. Let’s start today’s yoga session. I’m your instructor, Ayaka Takashima. Nice to meet you all.”
After introducing herself, she stood in front of us. Seeing her, I was involuntarily captivated. She was remarkably beautiful, with refined features and lustrous black hair. Above all, her body was striking. Though slender like a model, she had curves in all the right places, carrying a distinctly feminine grace. Her hips and buttocks, in particular, were round, full, and attractive even through her yoga wear. Mesmerized by her presence, I completely forgot about yoga for a moment.
“Now, everyone. Let’s start with breathing. Inhale, and exhale. Slowly and deeply.”
Brought back to my senses by Ayaka Takashima’s voice, I began breathing along with the other students. Following her instructions, we moved into various poses. I had thought yoga movements were simple, but actually attempting them proved far more strenuous than expected. The sensation of stretching muscles and the feeling of sweat trickling down were refreshing. Watching Ayaka Takashima made yoga all the more enjoyable. With every pose, she carefully explained each part of the body. Her voice was gentle yet firm, guiding us smoothly. Her body moved fluidly into the yoga poses, forming beautiful contours. I couldn't take my eyes off her. In particular, her curves changed into various shapes depending on the pose, keeping me completely enchanted. As she bent forward, her curves rounded prominently, displaying a firm shape. When she spread her legs, the lines shifted, revealing subtle contours hidden between. Entranced by her figure, I temporarily lost track of the lesson.
“Professor, teacher... Am I doing this right?”
Suddenly, the woman sitting next to me spoke up. Snapping back to reality at her voice, I looked over at Ayaka Takashima. She was looking in my direction, smiling softly. I hurriedly averted my eyes and checked my own pose. She adjusted the pose of the woman next to me and returned to the front.
“Next is Downward-Facing Dog. Get on all fours, placing your hands and knees on the floor. Then, raise your hips high and arch your back. Lower your head, facing the floor. This pose helps stretch the muscles in your back, shoulders, and arms.”
Saying this, Ayaka Takashima demonstrated Downward-Facing Dog herself. Seeing her form, I gasped. Her hips were thrust toward the ceiling, perfectly sculpted. The yoga wear fitted tightly against her body, emphasizing every line. Mesmerized, I attempted to assume the Downward-Facing Dog position myself. However, unable to raise my hips as high as she did, my lower back sagged.
“Mr. Nagai, are you all right? Try raising your hips a little higher.”
Ayaka Takashima called my name and offered guidance. Surprised, I looked at her. She walked over to me and placed her hand on my lower back.
“Like this. Relax your tension and try pointing your hips toward the ceiling.”
Saying this, she gently guided my hips upward. Surprised by the touch of her hand, my body stiffened.
“No, don't tense up. Please relax. Yoga isn't about forcing it.”
As she spoke, she smoothed her hand across my lower back. Shaken by her touch, my heart pounded. Her hands adjusted my position, guiding me into the correct pose. Entrusting myself to her hands, I held the Downward-Facing Dog.
“Yes, that’s very good. Keep breathing like this.”
Saying so, Ayaka Takashima lifted her hands from my back and returned to the front. I watched her step away and continued the pose. With the lingering sensation of her touch, excitement welled up inside me. I felt a strong attraction toward her. She was beautiful, kind, and professional. Drawn to her, I felt a strong urge to talk with her.
When the trial lesson ended, the students began cleaning up. I rolled up my yoga mat and returned it to the front desk. Ayaka Takashima then approached me.
“Mr. Nagai, how was the trial lesson?”
“It was wonderful. Thanks to you, I realized how enjoyable yoga can be.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Please come again.”
“Yes, I certainly will. Professor, would it be all right if I talked with you sometime?”
“Oh? Talk?”
“Yes. I’d love to hear about your philosophy on yoga and perhaps about yourself as well.”
I put it to her directly. She looked slightly surprised at first, but soon smiled.
“All right. Let's talk next time we see each other at the studio.”
“Thank you very much. See you then.”
Saying goodbye, I left the studio. Looking forward to our promise, I could hardly wait for the next yoga session.
A week later, I visited the yoga studio again. When I gave my name at the reception desk, the receptionist smiled warmly.
“Mr. Nagai, hello. Welcome back today.”
“Hello. Thank you again today.”
I entered the classroom and found my yoga mat. Ayaka Takashima was already standing there. When she saw me, she waved.
“Mr. Nagai, hello!”
“Hello, Professor. Looking forward to today’s class.”
“Likewise!”
After greeting the other students, she commenced the session. Following her guidance, I went through various poses. Just like before, her beauty held my attention throughout the class. Every movement of her figure under the workout clothes captivated me, and I continued practicing while unable to look away.
When the class ended, the students filtered out. I remained behind to speak with her. Noticing me, she walked over.
“Mr. Nagai, great work today.”
“Thank you. Great work to you too, Professor.”
“By the way, you mentioned last time that you wanted to talk, right?”
“Yes. If it’s convenient, could we talk now?”
“Sure. Come over here then.”
Saying that, she led me to a corner of the room where a small table and two chairs were set up. She gestured for me to sit and took a seat herself.
“Please, sit down.”
“Thank you.”
Sitting opposite her, I looked into her face. She smiled and met my eyes.
“So, what did you want to talk about, Mr. Nagai?”
“Well, first, I’d love to hear about your thoughts on yoga. What made you start practicing in the first place?”
“I started because I simply love yoga. It promotes health not just for the body, but for the mind as well. Doing yoga allows me to face myself inwardly, which I believe is deeply important.”
“I see. Since starting yoga, I feel lighter too. Your instruction in particular is really wonderful.”
“Thank you. But you’re improving quickly too, Mr. Nagai. Your poses are much more stable than last time.”
“That’s thanks to you. You’re an excellent teacher.”
“Oh, not at all. You listen to my advice so earnestly, which makes you very easy to teach.”
She laughed lightly. Captivated by her smile, I felt a warmth in my heart. Wanting to talk more, I asked another question.
“Do you have any other hobbies?”
“I enjoy reading and listening to music. I’m especially fond of jazz. Jazz feels free, creative, and very comforting.”
“Oh, jazz? I like jazz too. What kind of jazz do you listen to?”
“I love Miles Davis. His music constantly evolved, and every time I listen, I discover something new.”
“I completely understand. Miles Davis was a great musician. Personally, I like Bill Evans. His piano playing is delicate, poetic, and moving.”
“Bill Evans is wonderful too. His pieces are actually perfect as background music for yoga.”
We hit it off talking about jazz. She was knowledgeable, sharing various songs and artists with me. Impressed by her knowledge, I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation. Her animated way of speaking and natural charm drew me in further. I grew increasingly fascinated by her.
“You’re truly charming. You excel at both yoga and jazz.”
“Thank you. But you’re very charming yourself, Mr. Nagai. Being called ‘Professor’ makes me sound so much older, so it’s a bit embarrassing.”
“I’m sorry. Then, may I call you Ayaka?”
“Oh? Sure. Though, it’s the first time someone’s called me by my first name right after meeting.”
She blushed slightly as she spoke. Pleased by her reaction, I used her name.
“Ayaka, talking with you is genuinely delightful. You are beautiful, intelligent, and kind.”
“Mr. Nagai, you’re quite a flatterer! But I’m really not all that—just a regular yoga instructor.”
“No, Ayaka, you are special. I feel fortunate to have met you.”
Hearing my words, she looked into my eyes in silence for a moment before finally speaking.
“Mr. Nagai, you’re a wonderful person too. You’re kind, sincere, and attractive. I really enjoy talking with you as well.”
“Thank you, Ayaka. Then I suppose we both think highly of each other.”
“Yes, I suppose so.”
She laughed. Mesmerized by her smile, I felt an impulse to draw closer. Taking her hand, I looked straight into her eyes.
“Ayaka, I’m deeply drawn to you. I want to get closer to you.”
“Mr. Nagai... I’m drawn to you too. But... I have a boyfriend.”
A shadow of sadness crossed her face as she said this. Surprised by her words, I released her hand.
“A boyfriend?”
“Yes. He’s also a yoga instructor like me, and he’s very kind. But lately, we’ve been arguing a lot, and things aren't going well between us.”
“That must be tough.”
“It is. I’m torn over whether I should break up with him. But I still care about him, so I can't bring myself to make a decision yet.”
Tears welled in her eyes. Feeling deep sympathy for her, I tried to offer comfort.
“Ayaka, that must be really painful. But please prioritize your own feelings. You should choose whichever path brings you true happiness.”
“Thank you, Mr. Nagai. You’re truly kind.”
She squeezed my hand back. Sensing the warmth of her hand, I felt an urge to embrace her, but remembering she had a boyfriend, I suppressed my desire.
“Ayaka, I respect you. Until you break up with him, I want to remain your friend.”
“Mr. Nagai, you really are a wonderful person. I want to be your friend too. But... if I do break up with him, could we perhaps become something more?”
She looked intently into my eyes. Seeing a mix of expectation and anxiety in her gaze, I answered her.
“Ayaka, if you break up with him and choose me, I will cherish you for the rest of my life. I want to build a happy future with you.”
“Mr. Nagai, really?”
“Yes, really. I love you.”
I confessed my feelings directly. Moved by my words, she kissed me. Our lips met, intertwining together. Her lips were soft and sweet. Swept away by the kiss, I held her tightly, and she clung to me in return, gently stroking my back. After a long kiss, our lips parted.
“Mr. Nagai, thank you. I like you too.”
“Ayaka, I love you.”
Exchanging those words, we smiled at each other. Then, leaving the classroom, we parted ways. Recalling her kiss, my heart raced. I eagerly awaited the day we could be together as partners.
A few weeks later, I received a message from her. She told me she had broken up with her boyfriend. Overjoyed by the news, I went to meet her immediately. Upon seeing me, tears spilled from her eyes, and she threw her arms around me.
“Mr. Nagai, I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting.”
“Ayaka, it’s all right. I’m just so happy you made up your mind. I love you.”
“I love you too, Mr. Nagai. I want to be with you.”
“I want to be with you too, Ayaka.”
Confirming our mutual feelings, we kissed again, feeling overwhelmed with happiness. Then, we headed to her apartment—a clean, beautiful unit in a nearby complex. She guided me into the living room and invited me to sit on the sofa.
“Mr. Nagai, please wait a moment. I’ll make some tea.”
“Thank you, Ayaka. Is it okay if I look around?”
“Huh? Look around where?”
“Oh, nothing. Take your time with the tea, please.”
I smiled at her. Looking slightly puzzled, she eventually laughed and stepped into the kitchen. Watching her walk away, I stood up from the couch, feeling an urge to explore her place. I walked into her bedroom and opened the door. It was her private space, furnished with a bed, closet, and vanity. Sensing her scent in the room excited me. Sitting on her bed, I hugged her pillow, breathing in her scent while imagining her presence.
Driven by a desire to feel closer to her, I opened her lingerie drawer, where her undergarments were neatly arranged. Picking up her silk and lace bras and panties, I felt their fine material. Holding a pair of her panties close, I caught her delicate fragrance. Deeply entranced by her scent, I paused in quiet excitement before putting her undergarments back neatly where they belonged. Leaving her bedroom, I returned smoothly to the living room.
“Mr. Nagai, sorry to keep you waiting! Here’s your tea.”
She brought over the tea and served it to me. Accepting the cup, I thanked her.
“Thank you, Ayaka. Please, have some too.”
“Yes, thank you.”
As we drank tea, our conversation resumed. She opened up about the reasons behind her breakup. Her ex-boyfriend had been overly possessive, restricting her freedom. Feeling suffocated by the relationship, she had ultimately decided to end it. Listening quietly, I understood her feelings completely.
“Ayaka, that must have been really hard on you. But you found the courage to break things off. You’re a very strong person.”
“Thank you, Mr. Nagai. Your words truly supported me. I’m so glad I met you.”
“Ayaka, I’m happy I met you too. You’re my ideal woman.”
“And you’re my ideal man, Mr. Nagai. You’re older, calm, kind, knowledgeable, and someone I can truly respect.”
“Thank you, Ayaka. Being with you makes me feel youthful again—it makes me feel truly alive.”
We said this to each other and kissed again. We embraced on the sofa and touched each other's bodies. Her skin was smooth and warm, a delight to my hands. I stroked her breasts and buttocks, enjoying her reactions. She stroked my breasts and back, savoring my skin. We took off each other's clothes and became naked. I gasped when I saw her naked body. Her body was toned and firm from yoga. Her breasts weren't very big, but they were well-shaped and her nipples were erect. Her buttocks were round, large, and firm. Her crotch was covered in a dark patch of hair, concealing her private parts deep within. I gazed at her body intently, moved by her beauty.
"Ayaka, you are truly beautiful. Your body is a work of art."
"Nagai, you are wonderful. Your body is mature, masculine, and very sexy."
We said this to each other and embraced again. I licked her lips and kissed her neck and earlobes. She wrapped her arms around my neck and scratched my back. I kneaded her breasts and took her nipples into my mouth. She pressed my head down and moaned. I rolled her nipples with my tongue, arousing her. She reached down to my crotch and grabbed my penis. I felt pleasure from her touch and inserted my fingers into her vagina. Her vagina was wet and welcomed my fingers. I explored her vagina and found her weak spot. She moved my penis up and down, arousing me. I attacked her weak spot, bringing her to orgasm. We stimulated each other's genitals, increasing our pleasure.
"Nagai, that feels good. Do it harder."
"Ayaka, you're amazing too. I won't lose to you."
We said this to each other and moved even more intensely. I laid her down on the sofa and spread her legs. Then I buried my face in her vagina and licked up her love juice. She held my head and gasped loudly. I licked her vulva and sucked her clitoris. She thrust her hips against my mouth and reached her climax. I drank her juices and looked at her face. Her eyes were closed, her cheeks flushed, and she had a happy smile on her face. I kissed her face and whispered in her ear.
"Ayaka, I want to be inside you."
"Nagai, yes. Put yours inside me. Make me yours."
Saying this, she grasped my penis and placed it against her vulva. Following her signal, I slowly entered her. It was warm and tight inside, gripping my penis. I enjoyed the feeling inside her vagina and went deeper. She accepted my penis and let out a deep sigh. I looked into her face and said to her:
"Ayaka, I'm going to move."
"Yes, Nagai. Please move. Fill me with yours."
I responded to her words and began to move my penis inside her. I rubbed against the inside of her vagina, stimulating her sensitive spots. She moved her hips in time with my movements, scratching my back. We looked into each other's eyes and called each other's names. We became one, sharing the pleasure. I felt my limit inside her and told her.
"Ayaka, I'm going to come."
"Nagai, I'm coming too. Let's come together."
I followed her words and released my semen inside her. She climaxed at the same time, gripping my penis tightly. I felt my semen reach her uterus inside her and felt a sense of satisfaction. She felt my semen and felt happy too. We lay quietly in each other's arms for a while. Then I kissed her lips and said to her.
"Ayaka, I love you."
"Nagai, I love you too."
We said this to each other and smiled. And then, in her bed, we made love again. We desired each other's bodies all night, reaffirming our love for one another. I stroked her buttocks, savoring her beauty. She buried her face in my chest, feeling my warmth. We spent a happy time together until morning.
In the morning, she woke me up and made breakfast. I ate her home-cooked meal and appreciated her kindness. After breakfast, we returned to bed and shared a final kiss. Then, I left her house. I was sad to part with her and promised to keep in touch. She also looked forward to seeing me again and saw me off.
I considered meeting her to be a stroke of luck in my life. I wanted to deepen our relationship. I continued to attend her yoga classes and enjoyed our time together. I watched her practice yoga and was captivated by her beauty. After her yoga sessions, I talked with her and came to know her heart. I went to her house and we made love. I stroked her buttocks and savored her skin. I heard her voice and felt her love.
