Chapter Nine
Takashi
Tak wondered if the super-caustic soap was what they always used to scrub the baths in the bathhouse, or if they had whipped up a special batch just for him. Whatever the reason, it was eating through the flesh of his fingers. He quickly finished scrubbing the tub he was on and turned on the tap, using his hands to slosh the water down the sides of the tub. The coolness of the water on his skin was so divine he felt inspired to write a haiku on it.
Tak turned off the water to attack the tub again, this time with a softer, sweeter-smelling soap, mostly to wash away the remains of the other soap. This was the last tub, and he was done for the day. The day had beaten him by ending a few hours ago. He gathered up his rags, brushes, and soaps, putting them all back in th
