It all began a week ago. Misayo Nakane, a good friend of mine from the neighborhood association, won a first-prize, three-day, two-night hot spring trip for two in a local shopping district raffle—and she invited me to join her. At first, I felt a bit guilty about having such a wonderful experience while my husband was busy working, but since he happened to be away on a business trip during those dates, I decided to go...