Don’t Cry Mama - Chapter 2

Present
He felt like his body was floating and his vision was blurry. The voices were far away. Just as everything faded out, the familiar ceiling and lights came into focus.
Takashi Imakura looked left and right as he rubbed his eyes. He finally reallzed that he’d been dreaming. He was relieved, but a little embarrassed as well. He rolled over and fixed his bangs. The clock next to his bed read 7:15. It was after 2:00 when he went to bed. ‘Just a little bit more’ he thought as he pulled the sheets up.
When he rolled over, his nose hit something warm. There was that reassuring smell. Bringing his face close and closing his eyes, a finger touched his cheek. Imakura thought he’d been sleeping. The finger tickled and he started giggling.
The finger moved down to his chin. It lifted his face, and he came eye to eye with his boyfriend, Yuichi Higashiyama. Even though he was unshaven and his eyes were only half open, Imakura thought he was handsome. That handsome face gradually came closer and kissed him.
The finger that had been caressing his face moved to his back, and Yuichi hugged him just a bit too hard. They had been kissing softly, but suddenly Yuichi’s thick tongue moved past his teeth and into his mouth. It wrapped around Imakura’s tongue. The wet, sloppy kiss was more than his sleepy head could take, and it was hard to breathe.
When Yuichi finally let go, his head was light from the lack of oxygen. He swallowed the spit in his mouth, not knowing if it was his or his lover’s. He wiped his wet lips, but when Yuichi started to nibble on his ear and whisper ‘Imakura’, it sent chills down his spine.
It had been three months since they started living together, but his lover still called him politely by his last name. He said that it would be okay to use his first name, but Yuichi replied that he was comfortable the way it was. still, when they were making love, there were times when he called out ‘Takashi’. He was not used to hearing it and it made his lover seem like another person, and that sometimes made him lose his rhythm.
“Do you want me?”
Yuichi pressed his knee into Imakura’s unprotected crotch. It was as if he were ridiculing his erect penis, and Imakura blushed.
“N...no...”
He shook his head adamantly. He saw his lover looking up at him from below.
You were hard when you pressed up against me. I thought you were pressing up against my thigh because you wanted some.”
Imakura was embarrassed by such dirty talk so early in the moming.
“I was dreaming, and...”
His lover snorted and jumped on top of him.
“What kind of dream?”

He grabbed his head as he asked. When Imakura stayed silent and closed his eyes, he just asked again.
“Were you dreaming about me?”
Imakura’s eyes opened in shock. “How did you know?”
Yuichi grinned as if he had just been lucky with his guess. “What was I doing in your dream?”
He said nothing because he didn’t want to tell. Whenever Imakura clammed up, Yuichi always squinted his right eye.
“I see you’re not willing to talk...unless I do this!”
Before he was even done speaking, he was tickling Imakura’s armpits.
“Don’t.. .stop.. .stop.”
His armpits and feet were especially sensitive. He tried rolling over the bed to escape, but Yuichi didn’t give up, so he had to capitulate. Breathing heavy, he confessed.
“We were doing it.”
His lover blushed as he listened.
“Where?”
“The restaurant...”
“How?”
He glared up at his lover. He didn’t want the conversation to go this far.
“It was before opening, and I was the only one there. You suddenly appeared, and even though I said it was too late because customers were coming, you took me to a table in the back and..

Speaking the words out loud had embarrassed him and his voice was soft. He licked his lips and when he looked up, their eyes met.
“You certainly are a freak.”
He frowned like he did when he ate something he didn’t like.
“You’re the freak. I said no, but you still...”
Yuichi shook his shoulders in an over the top fashion.
“I may have forced you, but it was the me inside your head. Apparently this is something you fantasize about. You must want to screw me at your workplace.”
He could only shake his head at Yuichi’s bold words.
“I’ve never thought of such a thing.”
Even though he denied it, Yuichi just sat there with his arms crossed glaring at him.
“You want to do something exciting with me. You want to do it someplace where there’s a danger of being seen by others. Shall we try it in the park at night?”
İt didn’t sound like a joke, but when Imakura loudly said ‘no!’ and threw out his legs, the sheets that had been covering his lower half fell to the floor. They were both stark naked on the bed. His lover licked his lower lip like a wild camivore and inched closer.
Yuichi’s hand was hot on his knee. He tried to prevent his legs from being opened, but Yuichi just doubled his efforts. His legs were opened wider than he normally liked. He was embarrassed and tried to cover his face with his hands, but Yuichi gradually positioned himself on top of him. His moist tip was already pressed up against him.
“You want to fool around now?” he said in a high pitch.
As an answer, Yuichi thrust. He felt himself open up, but his hips protested.
“I don’t like it in the moming..
Yuichi whispered, “You’d let this go to waste” in his ear as he lightly pinched his erect penis. His hips began to tingle.
“It will go down if I go to the bathroom. I’d rather do that than to have my hips hurt all day..
Yuichi gently brushed his bangs as he complained and kissed his forehead.
“I’11 be gentle. If you do your part, it’11 be over in no time.”
Yuichi held him tight and repeatedly whispered ‘please’ in his ear. He moved his hips as if pounding on Imakura with his hard penis was asking to be let in. But if they had sex in the moming, he sometimes hurt down there all day long. It made it uncomfortable to sit or walk. That was why he resisted. He thought Yuichi would give up if he was adamant, but...
Putting his hand on his lover’s back, Imakura closed his eyes. It’s not like it hurt, and he could put up with the discomfort...
“Just don’t take too long. I don’t like being rocked back and forth.”
“Okay.”
When Yuichi’s penis penetrated, Imakura reflexively let out his breath. He knew from experience that it was only uncomfortable at the beginning and that it only got better after that.
“It’s all in.”
He felt hot breath on his ear.
“You’re so good. You take me all in.”
Imakura blushed at the play by play.
“Can’t you tell?”
Yuichi pushed his nail into Imakura’s erect penis, and he moaned with pleasure. He quickly covered his mouth. He caught a glimpse of Yuichi’s happy expression and felt somewhat vexed.
He rocked back and forth holding both knees. The numbness in the bottom half of his body caused by the friction was gradually spreading throughout the rest of his body. He felt as if he was drunk. Plus, it was hotter down there than usual. Why...
“Yu-chan.. .did you put on a condom?”
The rocking stopped and Yuichi grinned wide.
“I forgot. But don’t worry. I won’t come inside you.”
He started to move his hips fast and there was no time to think. After one last forceful thrust, his lover started to shake and Imakura felt hot semen inside him. Immediately after, Imakura also came. When Yuichi pulled out, Imakura glared at him.
“You liar. You said you wouldn’t cum inside.”
Even though he was genuinely angry, Yuichi hugged him hard and kissed him, and the anger faded.
“I held it as long as I could. But then you squeezed at the last moment. I couldn’t hold it any longer.”
 

He couldn’t remember the climax and could only reply, “oh...”
“It’s too much when you squeeze like that. You shouldn’t grip me so hard.”
Imakura had no recollection, but he could not deny that it might have happened that way. And he couldn’t be angry if it was his fault. all he could do was sulk.
“I have a little bit of time before I go to work. Let’s take a shower. İMİ clean you up.”
“...Okay...”
Yuichi carried him to the bathroom. On the way, he felt a drip and thought that he wouldn’t be able to hold it in, and when he told Yuichi, suddenly he felt a finger plugging him up. He gasped loudly, but Yuichi coolly said, “l’m just keeping it from leaking. Did that feel good?”
Imakura had no idea that a second round of lovemaking was waiting for him in the bathroom.
“Cherbourg,” the restaurant where Imakura worked, was located on the 34th floor of the Jackson Hotel, which was close to Roppongi Station. The hotel had opened recently and had many overseas guests because it was a part of a foreign chain.
The interior of Cherbourg had been designed by Owen, a Swede, and its masterful mixture of wood and metal gave it a modemistic but cozy feel. Imakura liked looking at the restaurant when it was empty. It was designed to look beautiful even when there was no human presence.
There was no one on the floor when Imakura showed up for work at 4:00. Though the young cooking staff could be heard busily preparing for dinner in the kitchen they were not visible from the floor. Cherbourg was open for lunch from noon to 2 pm, but its menü was limited to two entrees and three wines, so there was no reason for the sommelier and wine expert to be there. Night was the main event.
Imakura put his things in his locker and changed into his uniform. When he tightened his bow tie his back automatically straightened and he was ready for work.
First he checked the reservation list in the small offîce. If the guests had dined with them before he looked up their previous wine orders and came up with several recommendations for tonight’s meal. For new customers who chose the prix fixe menü he drew up a more orthodox list of wines.
After he finished creating his wine recommendations he headed for the wine cellar. Opening the heavy doors he went inside. As always it was dark and a little chilly. With the door closed, it was silent inside, and it felt like he was in a different world. It was completely soundproofed. He checked the temperature and humidity, cleaned the cellar, and counted the inventory.
Imakura wished they’d increase their budget for wine, but the restaurant manager had refused. He’d showed skill at finding good, inexpensive wines, but the more expensive brands had a certain character and taste, and a deepness that the inexpensive wines couldn’t match. He wanted as many people to experience them as possible, but customers were also restricted by their budget, and so there were few opportunities to offer better choices.
After counting the inventory Imakura found that they were running lower than normal on rose. It was easy to drink, went with anything and was very inexpensive, so they tended to ran out of it quicker than other varietals. He added a number of bottles of rose to the order list and left the cellar. Though checking and cleaning the cellar and recommending wines to customers was usually the job of the sommelier, Cherbourg only had one, so as hail staff and wine expert, Imakura helped in that capacity. As he walked down the narrow linoleum hallway used by employees, he heard someone hurrying behind him.
“Imakura! Sorry I’m late!”
He tumed and saw the sommelier Miki Ogawa running towards him. She looked as though she’d just arrived, and was still wearing a light green coat as she scurried along.
“It was my day to check the cellar.”
Looking at his watch, he noticed that it was almost 4:30. She was a half hour late. Imakura sighed with resignation.
“Don’t worry. I’ve already done it. All’s that’s left is the glass check.”
“I’m really sorry.”
Miki joined her hands in front of her face and bowed in apology. The sommelier was seven years younger than Imakura, and bad at managing her time. This wasn’t the first time she was late, but he wasn’t angry. She was never later than a half hour and very serious when it came to actual work.
Imakura couldn’t help but think that he’d become much more tolerant. He used to hate people who were late, and he’d saved two or three extra verbal abuses for them. He used to get jealous when he saw someone eaming more than him, or when someone did a better job than him, and was always mean to them. He was constantly this way at his former job in the pharmaceutical company, and there were times when he was tumed off by his own behavior.
When the pharmaceutical company went bankrupt, he suddenly had the chance to change to a career he enjoyed, and this did wonders for his personallty. In his old position, he had constantly tortured himself over his lack of self-confidence, but here he was recognized for his abilities. He gained confidence. Once he was comfortable with himself, he noticed that he could be kind to others.
“I was up late last night drinking with friends and overslept,” Miki confessed.
“We got off work around midnight. You went out after that?” Imakura was surprised and impressed by her stamina, although he was keenly aware of the differences between the body of a twenty-something and that of a thirty-year old such as himself. He was short and had a young face, so people often mistook him for being in his twenties, but Imakura was thirty-two. Even so, he was still a newbie to the restaurant business since he’d only been working in it for a year and a half.
Miki was the only sommelier at Cherbourg because the former sommelier had died in an accident. The young woman had been a co-sommelier and was in France on a study trip at the time but was hired by the restaurant after a quick search. She was the daughter of rich vineyard owner in Yamanashi Prefecture, and though she would often say that she didn’t know much, but the truth was there were very few who had a better nose and palate when it came to tasting.
Imakura was hired around the same time as hail staff in a training position for future sommeliers. Even though he had never worked at a restaurant before he was hired because of his extensive knowledge of wine and unique ability to pair wines with food.
The more expensive the restaurant, the more management wanted experienced staff. But the main chef of Cherbourg was only thirty. He was not as bound by tradition and was known for his ability to come up with revolutionary ideas for French food that matched the palate of Japanese customers. Instead of a stiff sommelier that favored traditional picks, the management wanted someone who could pick wine that went well with the food and satisfied the customers without being too outrageous in price. That is why they had chosen Miki and Imakura. -
Miki clasped her hand and giggled.
“Yesterday was the opening of a new bar by the owners of the place where my friend works. They even put out Dom Perignon. And vintage at that!” “Really?”
Imakura got caught up in her story. In good harvest years they would use more than the usual amount of grapes in making Don Perignon. These so- called “vintages” went for four to five times the normal price for a bottle.
“I’m jealous. I’ve only had vintage once.” Imakura sighed, and Miki looked as if she were trying to remember the taste.
“It was very good. The bar was cool as well. They go beyond the normal cocktails and have a good stock of wine. We should go sometime.”
“Sure...but, Miki. You need to change. If the manager sees you, he’ll get on your case for being late again.”
Miki scurried past Imakura. After a few steps, she stopped and tumed back.
“Did you take a shower before work?”
“Yes.”
She laughed through her nose.
“I can smell your shampoo. It’s Eliair by Carvy, right? My friend uses it. Do you like Eliair?”
“Someone gave it to me. I don’t really know.” Miki didn’t stop there.
“You live alone, don’t you? Isn’t it strange to be using shampoo someone gave to you? Whose house did you shower at?”
“Huh? Wh-what do you mean?” Imakura stuttered and blushed. He buried his face in the wine order sheet.
“Why does what I do matter? We’ve had this problem before...your questions could be considered sexual harassment.”
Miki giggled into her hand and declared herself to be just like a dirty old man.
“You certainly are straightfonvard.” He was being completely played by a younger woman. Trying to change the subject and regain his status as the elder in the relationship, Imakura straightened his back and cleared his throat.
“Enough about me...I’ve checked the cellar and we are short on rose. I thought I’d order more. In addition to our normal stock of Tavel and Mateus, I want to get some Callfornia rose as well.
Miki brought her index finger to her cheek.
“You mean wine from that Callfornia winery you like? The one that’s dry and has the fragrance of roses? It was both popular and inexpensive. I liked it too. Sounds good to me.”
“I’ll order it today.”
Her nose and palate might be the best, but Miki was not a very organized person, and the ordering was usually left to Imakura. She didn’t care how cheap the wine was, or if it was an unknown brand, but she was particular about taste, so he had to be careful.
“Oops. The manager...”
Through the open door to the corridor, they could see their manager, Mr. Tani, the “smiling demon,” Crossing the floor. Miki ran off quicker than a rabbit to the changing room. Mr. Tani looked into the corridor, but he didn’t notice her.
Imakura went to the office and picked up the phone. If he ordered the rose today it would be here by tomorrow aftemoon. He dialed his favorite wholesaler, but they were busy and he had to wait. Just as he was thinking it was taking a long time, he noticed that his hips were getting numb. After rolling around on the sheets, they had done it once more in the bathroom...because Yuichi had gotten aroused while cleaning Imakura.
Though there were times when he was not very nice his lover was mostly a kind man. When he thought about the times they had sex, his heart started to race. He truly felt that he was loved.
They had been boss and employee at the pharmaceutical company. Finding themselves left behind on a deserted island, they were forced to live together and depend on each other to survive, and after a while they fell in love. Now they lived together and were very much in love, but it hadn’t all been smooth sailing. When they were finally rescued from the island, Imakura had retumed to find that their company had gone bankrupt and that his mother didn’t approve of their relationship at all. Imakura and his mother were all each other had, and from an early age she had taught him to keep nothing secret from her. It didn’t take long for him to spill the beans about his relationship with Yuichi, and she yelled at him so loudly he thought that he’d been struck by lightning.
“But Yu-chan is a good man!” He argued meekly and to no avail.
“Would a good man seduce a ‘man’ like you?”
He hadn’t been seduced. It had happened naturally. But his mother wouldn’t hear a word of it.
“I...I love him.”
“You’ve been a fool. You’ve let a gay man play you.”
 

Even though Imakura trusted Yuichi, hearing over and over that he’d been ‘played’ made him gradually began to believe it himself. He was also afraid that if he continued to say that he loved Yuichi, his mother would disown him. He was at least going to try to cut off contact until his mother’s anger subsided, but then he found that Yuichi’s number had been erased from his celi phone without his knowledge. His company address book was also missing, but he couldn’t muster up the courage to ask his mother about it. He was sure she would ask why he wanted it. Then, one day she suddenly announced that they were moving. He thought that was the end of it. He had no way to combat his mother’s crusade to rid him of Yuichi.
Now unemployed, Imakura began studying wine in eamest. He had always wanted to do so, and now he had an excuse to get other things off his mind. He went to wine class in the aftemoon, and tasting after tasting at night. He didn’t even look for another job, but thought only of wine...even though he was afraid his mother might get angry. She on the other hand seemed to be occupied with a new relationship, and each weekend she would dress up and head out.
Everything was fine when he was busy with wine, but before he went to bed each night, he would remember his time on the island. The way they kissed and slept while holding each other, all away from the prying eyes of the world. There were times when he couldn’t hold back the tears. How could he be so sad if it wasn’t really “love”?

Around the end of what had been a lonely autumn, his mother shyly announced that she was getting married...to the bearded man from the omithology institute. The same man from the pair of bird watchers Imakura and Yuichi had ridden on the boat with to the island. Because his mother had raised him alone since his father died his feelings were complicated. He wanted to be happy for her, but he didn’t know if he could be.
“You reflısed to let me love the man I want, but then you do this? How is that man different from Yu- chan?” Or so he wanted to say to her.
At first, his mother insisted that he accompany her to Miyagi, but the bearded man told him, “You’re a grown man. You should do what you want to do.”
When she announced their plans to marry, Imakura proclaimed that he was going to stay in Tokyo and continue leaming about wine, but his mother tearfully pleaded with him. If she was going to be that dramatic, he thought he would go. But when her fiance said it wasn’t necessary, she changed her mind so quickly that it almost felt like a slap in the face. It was quite a shock. He reallzed that now the omithologist was more important to her than he was.
At first, living alone made him terribly lonely, and he tried to fiil the void with wine. He didn’t do this because he missed his mother, but because he wanted to see Yuichi. But he was too scared to. He could find out his address and phone number by contacting other ex- coworkers, but he hadn’t contacted him in four months. Yuichi was kind, but he must have given up on him by now. If he searched for him and found him only to be told it was already over, he didn’t think he’d ever recover.
 
He had surgery to remove his foreskin. He at least wanted to get rid of the main source of his insecurity. It didn’t make his penis any bigger, but when he looked at the pinkish tip for the first time, he finally felt like he was looking at his true self.
In early December, he was hired by Cherbourg. He was lucky and he knew it, so he didn’t stop studying. There were times when his inexperience led to poor customer service, and he was unhappy when scolded, but there were just as many happy times. He threw himself into his work over the next year and had begun to think less about his lover when suddenly in mid-January they met again.
His mother found out about their reunion almost immediately. Though Imakura was worried that she would be angry and shun him, Yuichi was calm and collected. Even though Imakura’s mother heaped abuse on his lover, Yuichi stood his ground. He didn’t even say a word when she slapped him. Seeing him act so manly almost made Imakura embarrassed at his own nervousness.
“I love Yu-chan and there is nothing you can say to change that.”
He was able to actually say this thanks to the courage that Yuichi had given him. His mother cried as she retumed to Miyagi and they did not communicate for a while. She had started to call again recently, but they never talked about Yuichi. It seemed that she still hadn’t accepted that her son’s lover was a man.
The two men thrown together by fate on the island wanted to see each other and make love every day like old times. This naturally led to them living together. They would kiss endlessly each night and sleep in the same bed. He felt loved when Yuichi caressed his hair and body. As they murmured their “I love yous” their feelings deepened. He became gentler...
The wholesalers voice boomed, “Thanks for waiting.” Imakura snapped to out of the daydream he was lulled into by the recorded music. He put in his order while checking the sheet and was told that it would arrive tomorrow aftemoon. After hanging up, he entered the types of wine, number of bottles and prices into the Computer. Once the order was finished and he was catching his breath, the phone started to ring. Thinking it was the wholesaler, he picked it up.
“Thank you for calling Cherbourg. How can I help you?”
After a short silence, he heard the voice of his lover asking, “Imakura?”
“Yu-chan?”
“Oh. It is you.”
He had just been thinking about his lover, and now simply hearing his voice made his heart race.
“What’s wrong? You’ve never called me at work before.”
‘Tm sorry to bother you when you’re busy, and this is rather sudden, but is there any way I could make a reservation for seven or eight people tomorrow night?”
Imakura quickly found the reservation list. It was very full, but if they shuffled some tables, they should be able to handle eight.

“It could work.”
He heard the sigh of relief on the other end. “Thank you. My boss wanted a celebration dinner at the spur of the moment and we couldn’t think of anywhere else to hold it. She is very particular and refuses to eat at places that don’t have good food. I thought your restaurant would be perfect.”
Imakura was happy he would consider his restaurant, but then he lowered his voice to a whisper. “You know we’re kind of expensive. Is that ok?”
Yuichi laughed on the other end.
“You remember how I told you that those products our department created were popular? Well, the president threw a little bonus our way. Price isn’t a consideration this time.”
Imakura was relieved.
“What would you like to eat? Or will you decide when you get here?”
“Everybody has things they like or don’t like. We’ll all order separately from the menu.”
“Understood. I have your reservation for eight people at 7 p.m. tomorrow night.” He ended the transaction professionally. His lover giggled, but he also had a question.
“Can we request a particular hail staff?”
“We don’t normally do that, but I will attend to your table.”
“I can’t wait. Oh, and have a great night at work.”
Imakura hung up. all of a sudden, his motivation to work picked up. He was happy that Yuichi had thought about him in his time of need. He wanted to present them with a wine that would make his finicky boss say “delicious”. If he could do that, it might help Yuichi look better in the eyes of his boss as well.
He played out a number of wine-food combinations in his head. In addition to how a wine matched a certain plate, personal tastes were also considered: did they like dry or sweet wine, light or heavier ones? If she chose beef, he would go with a traditional medoc.. .he mumbled as he walked down the corridor when he heard his name called from behind. Tuming around, he saw the sommelier Miki cleaning wine glasses with a cloth.
“Do we have a 1985 Chateau Haut Brion?”
“Yes”, he replied while stopping.
“We have a couple coming in tonight to celebrate their wedding anniversary. If it fits in their budget, I’d like to serve it. That was the year they were married. Wouldn’t it be romantic?”
“That would be great. ’85 was a good year as well.”
Exiting to the floor, Imakura mused on the idea of a wedding anniversary. A lot of their guests were celebrating either anniversaries or birthdays. He started to wonder when Yuichi’s birthday was. Even though they’d lived together for three months, he hadn’t thought to ask.
He thought it would be nice to put on a big celebration. He wanted to make him very happy. He’d ask when he got home tonight.
“Imakura. We’re about to start the meeting.”

Mr. Tani, the smiling demon, called to him. Imakura retumed to work mode and headed to the room where the meeting was to be held.
His shift was over, and when he exited from the employees’ entrance, the cold stung his cheeks. Even though it was the end of April, it was still chilly at night. Having brought only a light jacket Imakura was forced to hunch over to stay warm. After dropping Miki off at the station Imakura walked under the raised highway. Small cherry blossom trees along the road were in bloom and they swayed in the breeze.
It was 1 a.m. by the time he got home. The light was still on in the entrance. In the living room, he found Yuichi asleep on the sofa with a thick book resting on his chest.
“Fm home.”
Yuichi lifted his head slowly at his voice. When their eyes met, he smiled.
“Welcome back. I bet it’s cold outside.”
“Yeah. It’s warm during the day but still cold at night.”
Yuichi beckoned him with his hand and Imakura obliged him. Taking Imakura’s right hand, he said “You’re so cold.” He brought it to his cheek. “You’re warm.”
“That’s because I’ve been inside. Come here. I’ll warm you up.”
Imakura was drawn in and sat on his lover’s knees. Yuichi hugged him tightly. His eyes closed halfway, lulled by the warmth, but a sudden caress on the back of the neck made a shiver go up his spine.
“You had this on you.”
Lifting his head, he saw Yuichi holding a soft pink flower petal.
“I walked past cherry blossom trees on my way home.”
Yuichi teased his lips with the petal and then put it in his mouth.
“Did you swallow it?”
“It tastes like cherry blossoms.”
“Really?”
As if to prove it, Yuichi lightly kissed him. He couldn’t taste the petal, but it was still sweet. They continued to kiss, and it felt good when Yuichi caressed his hair and back with his warm fingers. Imakura closed his eyes half way like a purring eat. He felt like he could have sex right now... he wanted to have sex right no w, but Yuichi didn’t seem to be in the mood as he made no attempt to touch him deep inside.
“Go warm up in the bath.”
“Um...”
still longing to be touched, he rocked on top of Yuichi’s knees. He tried to think of something to say so he wouldn’t have to move, and then remembered...
“That’s right. I got you a table, but it’s in the back. You’ll be able to see the view, but still..
“Anywhere is fine. I’m sorry for asking you at such a late date. And it’s easier to talk in back because you don’t have to worry as much about other people.” Imakura breathed a sigh of relief at this response. His manager had been really angry when he found out that Imakura had added the late reservation. It had been hard rearranging the tables, but it was for his lover. Imakura didn’t want to disappoint him when he got home.
“I was wondering... when’s your birthday?” His lover blinked and tilted his head.
“My birthday?”
“Yes. What day?”
Not sure what to think, Yuichi replied that it was May 14th. That was only two weeks away!
“It’s just around the comer. We have to do something to celebrate. What do you want for your birthday?”
Yuichi chuckled.
“Nothing, really. I’m not much into birthdays.”
“But I want to do something.”
It was the day the man he loved was bom, and this was the first opportunity Imakura would have to celebrate it with him. He kept staring at Yuichi until he gave in and answered while caressing his cheek.
“On my birthday, I want you to think of me the entire day.”
“It should be more than that...”
“That would make it the best birthday ever. One doesn’t always get to monopolize another person’s thoughts for the whole day.”
Imakura’s chest started to hurt, even though he was happy. He was short, timid, and didn’t know much about anything besides wine, and yet this man loved him. He thought he might cry, and buried his head in Yuichi’s warm chest.
After a bath, they went to bed without having sex. Imakura gazed at his lover sleeping next to him and thought hard about what he could do for the man he loved so much.
The next day at 7:00 sharp, Yuichi arrived at Cherbourg with his boss. There were three men and five women in their party. Imakura watched out of the comer of his eye as Mr. Tani led them to their table in the back of the restaurant. He supposed there were more women because it was a cosmetics company, which made sense.
After they were seated and things had settled down, he approached the table. He was strangely nervous since the table included someone he knew, and his legs shook.
“Would you care for an aperitif?”
His eyes met those of his lover. He was slightly embarrassed by the gentle look he was given.
“Let’s see...”
A woman with shoulder length black hair looked over the wine list. She looked somewhere around forty, somewhat older than everyone else at the table. She must be the boss. The woman ordered a Peacher Kir. Yuichi, and another man that seemed somewhat lower in rank, ordered glasses of champagne, while the older man and the rest of the women decided to share a bottle of salon.
The man who had ordered the salon was movie-star handsome. It wasn’t just his face, either. There was something in the way he held himself. The best way to describe him in one word might be ‘sexy\ He must have stood out, because even Miki commented that there was really good looking guy at the table that Imakura was serving.
Once they had decided on their meals, Imakura went to take their wine order. Perhaps because it was a large party, they ordered a bottle each of red and white.
The first tasting was carried out by the woman who appeared to be the boss. Imakura was about to quietly take his leave when she stopped him.
“Are you Higashiyama’s friend?”
The question shocked him at first, but Yuichi gave him a reassuring smile.
“Yes.”
The woman studied his face intently as if she were memorizing each detail.
“Could you come a little closer?”
Even though he was unsure what was going on, he did as she asked.
“A little closer. And lean in.”
He bent over thinking she was going to show him something small when suddenly, warm, soft fingers touched his cheek.
“So soft...” she exclaimed.
“I just couldn’t help but notice how beautiful your skin is. Not only is it white with no blemishes, it is soft. It’s perfect!”
The other women exclaimed that they wanted to touch his skin as well. Imakura wasn’t quite sure what to think as one by one their fingers touched his face.
“It’s like a baby’s bottom. I can’t believe it.”

They all expressed their amazement.
“We should use him in commercials instead of using models that need to be touched up.”
The attention was a little uncomfortable. The older woman touched her own cheek and looked at him enviously.
“Age can be hard on skin. How old are you? Around 20?”
He blushed, and Yuichi jumped in.
“Ms. Takanağa, would you believe that Imakura is older than me?”
“Oh my.. .you’re kidding. I’m sorry. So you’re around 26 or 27?” She wasn’t going to give up on this üne of questioning.
“Actually, I’m 32.”
The instant he said this, a cry went up around the table. He could hear them whispering to each other that there was no way this was true.
“He’s about the same age as you, Fujiwara,” one of the women said to the older, handsome man. He chuckled. He looked smart in his tailored suit, and must be accustomed to eating at better restaurants because he didn’t seem overwhelmed by the menu. He even looked good when he brought the wine glass to his lips.
Imakura wondered how they could be so different. They were both humans, both the same age...
“Imakura, I’m sure you have other tables to attend to.”
Yuichi’s words helped him escape. With eight people at their table, the wine disappeared very quickly, and when he retumed, the older woman apologized for making a scene earlier. He didn’t want her to feel bad, so he told her, “I have quite a young face and everyone thinks I’m younger than I really am. Please pay it no mind. Please enjoy your meal and the wine.”
While he was busy waiting on other tables, they left. Mr. Tani said, “The woman in the group, the one who looked around 40, thanked you for the delicious wine. She also said something weird. “Be sure to take care of that beautiful skin. Does that mean something?”
Later, on his way home after work, he was surprised to see Yuichi waiting under the raised highway along his normal route. He had seen someone standing there, but it was dark, and he hadn’t recognized him from a distance.
“What’s up?”
He ran over, and Yuichi said he’d come to meet him.
“There was no reason to do that. You could have waited at home.”
“I wanted to come.”
He took Imakura’s right hand and began to walk. Though Imakura was worried that others might see, he was also happy. His lover was still in the same suit he’d wom at the restaurant, and he was wearing a cream colored coat on top of that. He must not have gone home yet.
“Did it make you feel bad?” Yuichi asked as they walked along.
“What?”
The only thing on his mind had been Yuichi’s warm hand and he didn’t quite know what he was talking about.
“When they were talking about your looks and touching you. I was worried it had made you feel bad.” He stopped naturally, as did Yuichi who tumed to face Imakura.
“It was fine,” Imakura said. “I’ve always had a young face, and I’m used to the comments.”
His lover sighed in relief.
“You’re such a worrywart.”
The wind started to blow. It wasn’t as cold as it can get in the winter, but it was still chilly. Imakura squeezed his lover’s hand.
“Let’s get home. It’s cold.”
“You’re cold?”
“A little.”
The second he said so, Yuichi quickly pulled him in and hugged him tightly. He looked around nervously, but it was late and night and the Street was deserted. still...
“Yu-chan...someone might come.”
He didn’t resist Yuichi’s lips. There was the slight hint of liquor...not wine. They must have gone somewhere else for drinks.
“To tell you the truth, I was angry,” Yuichi whispered in Imakura’s ear. “I couldn’t believe they would all touch you that way.”
“It was just my face.”
“I was still angry. Your face, your entire body, is mine alone.”
His heart raced. Lifting his head, their eyes met. Yuichi did not look happy.

‘Tm a very jealous person. It pissed me off that they would keep touching you when you were obviously uncomfortable. I never should have taken them to your restaurant.”
Imakura felt a tinge in his chest when his lover confessed that he was jealous. He knew he was loved, not by his words, but by his warm embrace.
Forgetting that they were out in the open, he did his best to reach up. He kissed his jealous lover. Yuichi blinked in surprise.
“Let’s get home,” he said somewhat embarrassed as he looked down. Yuichi nodded his agreement.
“When we get there, we can continue this.”
It wasn’t until later when he noticed what he how bold these words had been. Yuichi rubbed up against his cheek like a dog and whispered in a low voice, “When we get home, will you let me touch you all over?”
Imakura did not lift his gaze when he answered,
“Sure.”
“Will you let me suck you?”
Just hearing these words made it feel like his crotch was being grasped and he felt weak-kneed.
“Uh...sure...”
“As I lick your dick, will you let me stick my fingers in and swirl them around?”
Imakura blushed bright red. Even though they did this type of thing every day, it seemed so raw to actually hear the actions voiced out loud.
“Uh...ok.. .but only when we get home.”
 
Yuichi laughed. He placed his arm around Imakura’s shoulders and they hurriedly walked along the path below the raised highway back to their love nest.
It was a bright moming, and a nice, warm day outside. Imakura lived close enough to work to walk, and could usually make it on time if he left at 3:30, but today he left before noon. He headed for the department store near the next station to look for a present for his lover’s birthday, which was coming up in ten days.
Though he’d attempted once again to ask him what he wanted, the answer had been the same: he merely wanted Imakura to think about him the entire day.
But Imakura wanted to get him something that would be a reminder of the day. He thought it over, but nothing came to mind. Since he knew about wine, he considered a bottle of vintage wine, but Yuichi wasn’t as big a fan as he was. If Imakura opened a bottle Yuichi would have some, but he was more likely to drink beer.
He went to the department store hoping he would find some inspiration. He walked through the men’s fashion and accessories departments, but nothing caught his eye. Even though Yuichi had nice things, he didn’t seem attached to any particular brand. He had checked the tags of his clothes and logos of his accessories, but there was no common link except for being subdued in style and functional.
Imakura browsed through the store for an hour, but found nothing to buy before he ran out of time. He had to get to work. As he passed through the cosmetics department on the first floor, his eye was caught by the booth for Yuichi’s company. They had recently experimented with selling vitamins along with their products and this had proved to be extremely popular. There were two women who looked like customers sitting at the booth having make-up applied by an employee. He also noticed a man standing off to the side. A man wouldn’t be buying cosmetics for himself, so he must be purchasing a gift. But when Imakura looked closer, he recognized him. The man also noticed him, and bowed slightly.
“Hello, Mr. Imakura,” he said brightly as he approached. Imakura bowed politely. When he was closer, Imakura was finally able to place him. He was one of the men in Yuichi’s group at the restaurant the other night. There had been three men, including Yuichi, and while one of the other men had stood out because he was so handsome, the younger man sitting next to Yuichi hadn’t made such a strong impression.
Standing next to him, Imakura noticed he was six feet tall. While he wasn’t terribly handsome, he had a kind face, an impression that was helped by the fact that his eyes slanted slightly downward.
“My name is Kaitani. The wine you recommended the other night at the restaurant was really good. Mr. Higashiyama said it would be, and you did not disappoint.
Imakura was genuinely happy at his words.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
“It opened my eyes to wine, and I went to my local liquor store to buy some. It was white. But this one was bitter. Not at all like the one at the restaurant.”
Kaitani rubbed the back of his head and chuckled.
“The wine from the other night was a white wine from the Mosel region of Germany and was sweet. I thought a sweet wine would be better because there were a large number of women in your group. The one you bought might have been a dryer type of white.” Kaitani seemed impressed.
“The next time you go to a store, look at the label and choose a German wine. Ones that say Auslese or Eiswein are sweet.”
“Sommeliers really are different.”
Imakura quickly disagreed.
“I’m not a sommelier, just a trainee.”
“Really? But you know so much.”
His envious gaze was getting uncomfortable. The information Imakura had given him was basic wine knowledge, something even a beginner would know.
“There was another man with you the other night...I think his name was Fujiwara. He seemed to know a lot about wine.”
When he mentioned the handsome man’s name, Kaitani’s bright expression instantly soured.
“He likes to show off. Fujiwara’s my boss, but I get along much better with Yuichi. He’s good at his work, but he doesn’t shove it in your face, and he’s interesting. I eat lunch with him a lot. Speaking of lunch, it’s a weekday. Do you have the day off?”
“No, I’m working tonight. I start at 4:00. Are you out on a sales ran?”

Kaitani laughed.
‘Tmheretocheckonthe sales of our products... and to do some research on other companies.”
“Oh.”
He heard the strains of Kiyoko Suisenji’s “365 Step March” and Kaitani hurriedly took out his celi phone. After answering “yes” several times, he said he would get back to the office immediately and hung up.
“It’s not like I’m goofing off, but my boss is a hard ass. Of course, I guess you could say that I’m blowing off work while talking to you.” There was a slight smile in his eyes.
Imakura liked the fact that Kaitani was able to see that about himself and thought he was an interesting man.
“Why don’t you and Yuichi come out drinking with me sometime? You can teach me more about wine.”
“I’d like that.”
“See you later, then.”
He smiled and tumed. As he watched his tall back move away, Imakura suddenly remembered whey he was here. He hurriedly chased after him.
“Excuse me...”
Kaitani stopped in the middle of the Street and tumed around.
“What’s wrong?”
‘Tm sorry to bring this up, but there is something I’d like to ask you.” He had been running and was trying to catch his breath as he talked. “Would you happen to know what kinds of things Yuichi likes?

What’s the first thing that comes to mind?”
“Something Yuichi likes?” Kaitani furrowed his brow and tilted his head. “Something Yuichi likes...hmm. Wait, I’ve got it! He loves the beef bowl at Hiyoshiya. He once said he would eat for every meal if he could.”
Offering this important seed of information and a bright smile, Kaitani took his leave. Hiyoshiya was a national chain of beef bowl restaurants known for its slogan ‘Cheap, Fast, and Delicious’. Even Imakura had eaten there before. If he remembered correctly, it only cost 340 yen to eat there...
“Hiyoshiya beef bowl...”
He may really like it, but it only cost 340 yen. Food might work as a gift if it was Matsuzaka beef, caviar, or foie gras, but that was a little too cheap.
Looking at his watch, he saw that it was already after 2:00. He was making his way back to the station when the bright red sign of Hiyoshiya jumped out at him from across the Street. A number of banners proclaimed the 340 yen price for a beef bowl. Imakura stopped and stared at them for a moment.
When his shift ended and he exited the hotel, it was past midnight. Even though it was late at night, the road was full of cars. Just as promised, Yuichi was waiting by a tree planted next to the guardrail. He wore a light windbreaker over his shirt.
“Is that...”
Miki noticed Yuichi as well when she came out.

“You’re Imakura’s friend. I’ve seen you several times before in the restaurant.”
“We’re going out, so I can’t walk with you to the station tonight.”
Miki laughed and said that it was fine.
“It’s a major Street and well lit. If anything should happen, I’11 show them what I’ve leamed in my beginners judo class.”
Imakura’s eyes opened wide in surprise.
“You know judo?”
“Didn’t you know?”
She smiled as she said goodnight and tumed towards the station. Imakura knew she was strong, she could even lift wine crates that were too heavy for him, but he didn’t know she had taken judo lessons. He had made it a point to accompany her to the station because it could be dangerous for a woman to walk alone, but now he saw that wasn’t it necessary at all.
“Let’s go.”
Tuming around, he saw a taxi waiting. He scurried over and got in back with his lover.
“Did you wait long?”
“Not really. About ten minutes.”
He didn’t sound angry, but he seemed to be in a foul mood. They could usually make small talk for hours at a time, but the air seemed heavy and Imakura sat silently with his head down. The taxi continued west. “Where is your friend’s place?” “Seibo-machi.”
He wasn’t familiar with that area. Yuichi let out a heavy sigh. Hearing that, Imakura regretted making such a big deal about going tonight.
It all started very innocently four days ago. still trying to figüre out what his lover might like for his birthday, Imakura decided the best thing to do would be to ask those who knew him.
“Who’s your best friend?”
Yuichi was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed. After thinking about it for a second, he answered that it would be Tomoharu.
“What does Tomoharu do?”
Yuichi was strangely at a loss for words, but he finally answered. “He has his own place. It’s a bar.” “Really? Is it close by?”
“Not that far. About two stations away.”
This was his chance.
“I would like to meet Tomoharu.”
Yuichi seemed flabbergasted at the request. “What do you mean?”
“I’d like to talk some of your friends. Would you take me to his place?”
Though he was never at a loss for words, Yuichi clammed up.
“You said it was close-by. I’d like to go.”
He grabbed his shoulder and shook him, but Yuichi still didn’t answer. He didn’t seem too pleased, but Imakura had to do his research.
“If you don’t want to take me, I can go myself. Just tell me the name of the bar and where it is..
But Yuichi yelled “no” in a loud voice. “There is no way I’m going to let you go to Tomoharu’s place alone.”

“Why?”
He didn’t understand why Yuichi had raised his voice. Yuichi opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. He gaped like a carp for a second and then closed his mouth. Then he gathered himself and tried a different direction.
“You can’t go alone. No way. It is only open at night, and it isn’t in the safest area.”
Imakura pouted.
“I can go at night. I’m not a child, you know.”
“That’s not what I mean...”
“What do you mean then?”
Yuichi wasn’t sure what to say anymore. He brought his hand to his forehead.
“You just can’t go alone.” He was dead set against it.
“Then take me. I’d like to go with you.”
“Yeah, but...”
The conversation remained the same. Even though Yuichi was reluctant, Imakura didn’t give up. Finally, after three days of light badgering, Yuichi relented...but only on the condition that Imakura wouldn’t leave his side.
In about fifteen minutes, the taxi reached a narrow Street that was lined with bars and restaurants. Yuichi got out of the cab, but he didn’t move once he hit the Street. Since he didn’t move, Imakura didn’t move either. They both stood silently on the side of the road.
“Are you really sure you want to go to his bar?” Yuichi asked. Imakura did want to go, but his lover’s mood made him pause and he couldn’t answer.
 
“We’ve come this far so I should tell you. Tomoharu is gay, and he runs a gay bar. The patrons are veterans of the dating scene, and some of them can be very tough.”
“I just want to meet your friend. I don’t care about everyone else.”
His lover gritted his teeth as he started to move forward. Imakura hurried to keep up with him. Even when he grabbed the hem of his windbreaker and tugged on it, he didn’t slow down.
A dozen yards later, Yuichi came to a dead stop. A simple sign with the name “Belzaud S” hung on the black door.
“Is this it?”
Yuichi grabbed his arm and retreated about ten feet.
“I’ll take you in, but...” He trailed off and wouldn’t look up as he spoke. “You have to promise not to leave my side. If someone other than Tomoharu should try to talk to you, ignore them. If anyone is looking at you, assume that they are trying to try to hit on you.”
Imakura tilted his head quizzically, and then laughed.
“No way someone’s going to try to hit on me. Besides, it’s a gay bar. There’s singing and dancing and weird shows, right?”
“There are bars like that, but Tomoharu’s place is designed for drinking.”
It was the first time Imakura had heard that there were various types of gay bars.

“There are men in there who have come for no other reason than to try to pick someone up.”
“Got it. But I’m here with you.”
Yuichi gave a surprised expression and twisted Imakura’s nose, playfully but a little too forcefully nonetheless.
“Ow. What’s that for?”
Yuichi was angry, but his lover laughed and took his hand. He still held it tight when they walked in. Though it looked small from outside, it was long and quite large inside, although dark. In addition to the bar, there were five tables. its interior had the feel of America in the 60’s with antique chairs and dark rugs on the wall.
“Oh my god. Is that you, Yuichi. How are you?” The man from behind the counter called out to him. He was well built and looked like he could be a pro wrestler, and impression was made stronger by the fact that he wore clothes that showed off his muscular body. But he also had a beard and a very feminine way of talking...Imakura was perplexed by this strange contrast. Yuichi lead him to the bar and they sat down.
“Hello. Nice to meet you.”
He had a large smile and closed in when he talked, making Imakura pull back unconsciously.
“It’s not like I’m going to bite you,” he said with humor.
“I...I’m sorry.”
He took the hot towel the man offered and wiped his hands. He had known that there were gay men, and, of course, he was one himself. But he had never been to a place like this, and this was also the first time he had ever met someone who was so obviously gay.
“Look at the cute guy you’ve found. Now I understand why you haven’t been around.”
Yuichi’s body twisted strangely at these words.
“He may be cute, but keep your paws off him or I’11 kili you.”
This didn’t seem like something he would say to his best friend, but the man just replied, “Oooh! I’m soooo scared.”
Imakura was still nervous at his first foray into this new world, but Yuichi introduced Tomoharu and said they were the same age.
“Why don’t you introduce me to your cute friend?”
His lover looked straight ahead and didn’t say a word, so Imakura introduced himself.
“I’m sorry about before. My name is Imakura. Yuichi is.. .a good friend of mine.”
His lover tumed and gave him the evil eye. “You’re my lover, aren’t you?”
“Uh...yes, but.. .but we’re in public.”
“Don’t worry. This is that kind of establishment.”
“Um...”
He had been nervous at first, and now that Yuichi was angry with him, his mood sunk lower.
“Well then, what would you like to drink? I can make you just about any kind of cocktail.”
Seeing the uncomfortable situation unfold before him, Tomoharu interjected.
“Um.. .do you have wine?”
“Don’t go there,” Yuichi grumbled to his side. “It’s cheap shit. You won’t like it.”
“Watch your mouth!” His friend the bartender seemed genuinely insulted. Tomoharu put his hands on his hips and furrowed his brow. Tuming to Imakura, though, he gave him a big wink.
“It really is cheap. If you would like wine, why don’t I make you a wine cocktail?” How about a sangria?”
“Sounds good.”
He let out a sigh, but felt something around his hips. It was his lover’s hand. He was putting his hand around his waist as if to tell everyone that they were very much in love, even though his face showed his displeasure. Imakura did not understand him at all.
“Yu-chan. Your hand...” He whispered his words to try to calm him.
“What? Don’t you like it?” Yuichi’s voice still signaled that he was angry.
“No...I was just wondering if you really want to be doing that here?”
“What?”
“Aren’t you embarrassed to do it in front of others?”
Yuichi’s words were bitter cold. “It’s not like I can put a sign on you saying that you’re mine. I have to do something so the others get the picture.”
Imakura tumed back and noticed that all eyes were on him. He became nervous and began to slouch.
 
“Here you go.”
The cocktail was very colorful. Along with Tomoharu, the three of them, even his moping lover, had a toast.
“Taka-chan, how old are you?”
Tomoharu was already being familiar with him. He smiled as he waited for the answer.
“You must be out of your teens. If not, you wouldn’t be able to come in.”
Though somewhat tired of being seen as younger than his true age, Imakura answered.
“Fm 32.”
Tomoharu’s eyes looked like they were going to pop out of their sockets.
“You’re older than little ole me? You lie. Liar. You skin is much too beautiful to be that old. You must tell me how you look so good at your age.”
He stuck out his thick finger and was just about to touch Imakura’s face when an angry voice jumped in.
“Don’t touch him!”
Tomoharu’s shoulders shook in shock and he pulled his hand back.
“What? Don’t be so possessive. If you don’t like the idea of him being touched, you shouldn’t have come here.”
“I didn’t want to. He did.”
Tomoharu’s face filled with glee.
“I know nothing about Yuichi from the days before I met him. I was sure you would know things about him...”

Tomoharu’s mouth widened showing all his teeth.
“I do. all sorts of things...”
Yuichi leaned fonvard suddenly, thrusting his upper body over the bar.
“Don’t say too much.”
“But Taka-chan wants to know.”
As they were talking, a voice called to Yuichi from behind. When he tumed, he saw a young man in a dark suit. He was tall but thin, and looked very young for his age. He was friendly because his eyes met Imakura’s and he smiled. But he spoke to Yuichi.
“Long time no see, Yu-chan. I was wondering what had happened to you since I haven’t seen you around.”
“Oh.. .yeah.. .good to see you.”
Yuichi’s eyes wandered in his nervousness. He kept looking between the man and Imakura.
“I have a lot to talk to you about. Can I have a seat?”
Yuichi tried to wave him off, raising his thumb towards Imakura.
“I don’t care if your boyfriend is here. I’ve been doing my own thing as well.”
His tone was soft, but he didn’t give the impression that he was going to give up. Was he also a friend of Yuichi’s? When Imakura said he didn’t mind if the man joined them, Yuichi suddenly stood.
“Don’t talk to anyone but Tomoharu. Got it?” Saying this, he went with the man to the back of the bar. Watching them go, Tomoharu put his hand on his hip and giggled.
“Don’t feel so bad. Everyone has a past.”
“A past?”
“Yes, a past.”
Imakura didn’t quite understand what he meant by ‘past.’ Had the two fought before? It didn’t seem important enough to ask. Yuichi was in the back sitting across from the man. He didn’t look like he would be back that soon. This was his chance.
“Tomoharu. You’re friends with Yu-ch... Yuichi, right?”
“You call him Yu-chan? How cute.”
Imakura blushed.
“It’s me you’re talking to. You can call him Yu-chan if you like.”
He looked down at Imakura, and placed his cheek in his hand.
“So, what do you want to know? Fil tell you anything.”
Rubbing his still hot cheeks, Imakura looked up.
“Do you know what sort of things Yu-chan likes?”
Tomoharu tilted his head slightly.
“Things he likes?”
“His birthday is coming up and I want to buy him a present, but he’ll only say that he doesn’t need anything. I was wondering if you know what sort of things he likes, or what he might want.”
“How precious! ” Tomoharu practically yelped as he clapped his hands in front of his face. His voice was so loud that it drew the attention of others.
“You are such a find!”
“Um...Tomoharu...could you please keep your voice down?”
Tomoharu said he was sorry and stuck out his tongue.
“I am just so happy to be talking about something so simple just like back in my school days. all 1 ever hear is who slept with whom, or who got dumped and when. So, you want to know what Yuichi likes?”
Tomoharu nodded.
“He has more of a desire for the flesh than for possessions. He plays around, but not too much. His technique down there is good enough, and he has a serious side.
Imakura thought he’d misheard when the word ‘flesh’ came up...but was he supposed to take ‘technique’ at face value?
“That’s it! There isn’t really anything that he wants, but I know his type.”
Imakura’s heart raced.
“Type?”
Tomoharu wagged his finger at him.
“Yes. He really, really likes them young.”
The word ‘young’ cut at him like a knife.
“Once when looking at students from Oran High School, he commented that he wanted a lover like that.”
Without thinking, Imakura gulped down the rest his sangria. Tomoharu’s eyes widened.

“Would you like another...no...I’ll get you a gimlet.”
Tomoharu called to his employee to bring a gimlet. Imakura was hanging his head in silence. The bar owner had to ask if something was wrong.
“Uh.. .no.. .nothing...”
“Did I say something wrong? He may like them young, but it’s nothing more than a preference. Besides, you do look so young, dear.”
Tomoharu tried his best to gloss over his words, but it was too late. His mood had already darkened. As he sat there silently, the gimlet arrived. He drank it, but it tasted different than he remembered.
“It’s a bit dry...”
“We make it that way. We use fresh limes.” Imakura gulped down the drink in one breath. Tomoharu let out a sigh.
“Don’t go overboard. Yuichi will get angry with me.”
“Fil take a martini, please.”
He pushed the empty glass forward.
“How about a mimosa? That uses champagne.”
“Make it a gibson.”
Tomoharu gave up and called for a gibson. “It’s strange for someone with a cute face like yours to drink so much. You should have something that isn’t as strong.”
He had been picking drinks heavy with alcohol for a reason. His fingers were already getting hot.
“I like wine better than hard alcohol.”

“How refined. But you also seem to know about other drinks as well.”
“I’m studying to become a sommelier. I work at a restaurant and can make cocktails if I have to.” Tomoharu listened with interest.
“I’m in this business, and I do have friends that are sommeliers, but it’s still not your everyday job.”
Imakura’s face was getting hot, and he rubbed his cheeks.
“I used to work at the same pharmaceutical company as Yuichi. When it went bankrupt, I decided to leam about wine and become a sommelier.”
The gibson arrived. Tomoharu urged him to take it slow, so he only took a sip. The dry liquor bumed his throat. He felt a tide rush over his head. He was so sad that tears gushed out of both eyes.
“Hey, hey! Why are you crying?”
Tomoharu grabbed his right hand.
“I’m...so sorry...”
“Sorry for what?”
He brought his left hand to his eyes and then wiped his nose.
“I have to apologize to Yu-chan.
“Apologize? Why? Did you cheat on him?” Imakura shook his head and went on, “No, I haven’t cheated. And I never will. I’ve led him astray.” Tomoharu tilted his head in confusion.
“I used to be very fat and had never slept with a woman. I got stranded on an island with Yu-chan, and one thing led to another... I’d only been attracted to women before, but ever since I fell in love with him, I reallzed that I was really gay. But Yu-chan isn’t...” Tomoharu gasped.
“He said that he’d only done it with women before me. I don’t know what made it better, but he became so enamored of me that he tumed gay. I can’t believe I let this happen.”
Tomoharu put his hand on his cheek and asked if Imakura really believed what he was saying.
“Have you asked Yuichi about this? That he became gay because of you? As far as I know, he’s always been...”
Imakura pounded the bar with his right hand. It’s the only way I can explain it. Yu-chan is so cool and such a nice person. He could have any woman he wanted. But he fell in love with me... I don’t care if I’m gay, but I can’t stand the fact that I’ve tumed his world upside down. I’m so sorry.”
Tears began to flow again. “1 know this is all because of my ego. But I don’t want to lose him...” He’d been scared to even say the word “lose” and tears continued to flow from his eyes.
“That’s why...why I want to be my best for him. He sacrificed himself for me. I want to do what 1 can for him...”
When he remembered that Yuichi had a thing for younger partners, he couldn’t hold back and actually sobbed. On top of everything else, he was making him settle for someone older. He was so glad that he at least looked young. If not for that, he would have nothing else to fail back on.
“Um...now that I know you love Yuichi so much...I...uh...sorry for asking this but...was Yuichi your first male lover?”
Tomoharu asked in a low tone. He had just met Imakura, but he knew that he held no prejudices when it came to sex, and he was drunk. Tomoharu could not hold back.
“Yes. And I had never dated a woman before either...”
Tomoharu let out another loud yelp that could be heard throughout the bar. Yuichi flew to his lover’s side.
“What did you say to Imakura?” Yuichi was enraged, but Tomoharu maintained his innocence.
“I haven’t said a thing. I was listening to him. You should be ashamed of yourself, doing what you’ve been doing to someone so pure.
Yuichi looked like he was going to explode, and pulled Imakura to a table. The man he was with earlier was gone. Sitting him down, he grilled Imakura like a poliçe interrogator about what he had said.
“This and that...”
“Why won’t you tell me?”
Fresh tears started to flow. His heart hurt when his lover was angry with him. still, Yuichi looked frantic as he shook his shoulders.
“Why are you crying? Because I got angry?” “No. I was drinking strong drinks...”
The tears gushed. His lover wiped them and then tussled his hair. Imakura went over and sat on Yuichi’s knees. While he had been embarrassed earlier by the hand on his waist, he didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed now. He had forgotten that they were other people around them.
“Yu-chan, I love you.” He nuzzled his lover’s neck with his nose.
“And I, you.”
He was happy, but he still cried. He heard an exasperated sigh.
“Did Tomoharu ask you something you didn’t like?”
“No, but...”
He should have never asked. His lover liked younger partners. If he liked thin people, he could lose weight. If he liked fat, he could gain weight. He might even be able to change his personallty. With money, he could even change his face. But age was something he could do nothing about. Even if he prayed over and over, he would never be younger than Yuichi.
He kissed the man he loved and clung tight. Saying ‘I love you’ made him sad...but even in his sadness, he buried his face in Yuichi to breathe in the familiar scent he had come to love and fell asleep.
It was almost noon when he woke up. He saw the familiar sights of their bedroom. He only had a vague recollection of what happened once they got out of the chair, but he seemed to remember Yuichi carrying him to a taxi.
Drifting in and out, he seemed to hear Tomoharu say “It’s fine to fail deep in love, but don’t let it go to your head. You can’t blame me for everything.”
“Imakura!”
The voice from behind caught him by surprise.
 
He dropped the glass he was cleaning, and it crashed to the floor with a loud noise.
“Oh. I’m sorry I startled you.”
Miki’s face showed the words were sincere. Imakura chuckled that it was OK.
“I’m out of it today.”
“Fil clean it up before Mr. Tani sees it.” Imakura stood in a daze as he watched her pick up the broken shards.
“Are you done with the cellar check?”
When he asked, Miki seemed a little perturbed.
“Yes. I gave you the inventory list, didn’t I?” “Did you...?”
“Get a grip! What’s wrong?”
She didn’t have to say anything. He was very aware that he was having problems concentrating. It all started the night they went to Tomoharu’s bar. Miki put her hands on her hips and tilted her head.
“You’ve been down for the past couple of days. You won’t smile, and you seem very out of it. Even Mr. Tani said something to me. He thinks you’re worried about something.”
That was, of course, the case, but he could only hang his head. Miki looked around and then, taking Imakura’s hand, led him through the employee’s corridor to the offıce. There was no one inside.
“If something is bothering you, why don’t you tell me?”
She forced Imakura to sit on a small folding chair. He slowly looked up at her.

“Instead of keeping it all inside, it’ll help if you talk about it. If you can’t do a good job, it affects me, too. I’m not as good as you in ordering wine.”
He looked down and cupped his face in his hands.
“I’m sorry to inconvenience you.”
“It’s not an inconvenience, but I worry when I see you in such a bad mood. Is there something wrong between you and Yu-chan?”
Women’s intuition never failed to amaze him. He nodded yes. He had told Miki that he had a lover named Yu-chan that was five years younger than him, but he had not revealed that he was a man.
“Did you have a fight?”
“No...”
Miki crossed her arms and nodded.
“Did Yu-chan cheat on you?”
“No.”
“Did you propose but not get the answer you expected?”
“No,” Imakura chuckled.
“It may not be a big deal, but I have had to deal with it on my own.”
Miki moved in closer.
“You’ll feel a lot better if you talk about it.” He couldn’t decide what to do. It had been extremely difficult keeping it all bottled up inside.
“I met a good friend of Yu-chan’s. That friend said that Yu-chan liked people younger than him. I’m five years older...”
Miki couldn’t believe it was such a small matter and even said so before thinking better of it.
“It’s a huge deal to me.”
Miki shook her head, aghast at what she was hearing.
“Everyone has an ideal type, but reallty is often very different. You don’t have to worry. Just look at me. I think actors in foreign films are handsome and have even joined fan clubs, but my boyfriend is completely different from them. Is your girlfriend the type of person who would break up with you just because you weren’t her type? I don’t think so.”
Miki was right. She was right, but Imakura still could not shake off his fear.
“I have no confidence in myself. That’s why every little thing scares me. I really love Yu-chan, but I don’t know if the feeling is mutual.”
“What do you mean? You’re a great guy.” Miki took both of his hands, and squeezed them as if to give him strength.
“Your heart is pure. You have a cute face, but that isn’t as important. It’s your feelings, your heart that is most important. You should have more confidence in yourself.”
It was like a ray of light had finally cut through the darkness. Her words had helped him crawl out of the depths. More than age or gender, it was the heart that mattered most.
“You’re right. Feelings are most important.” “You bet they are.”
He held Miki’s hands and squeezed hard. He felt their friendship had crossed the divide that often exists between the sexes.
“Speaking of Yu-chan, have you decided on her birthday present? It’s coming up soon, isn’t it?”
Imakura gasped. He had been so traumatized by the “younger partner” news that he had completely forgotten about Yuichi’s birthday. That is why he had gone to Tomoharu’s bar in the first place: to do research. But then he had heard information that he wished had never come up...
“I’d forgotten all about it.”
“Even though you were putting so much effort into it? Didn’t you say you were going to ask people who knew her?”
“I did, but...”
Imakura hung his head in silence. Miki swung his hand back and forth.
“Yu-chan...”
He was having a hard time getting the words out.
“What? Just say it.”
“Yu-chan seems to have a thing for uniforms.”
“Like a stewardess or nurse?”
Imakura shook his head in frustration.
“No. Those from Oran High School.”
Miki let out a sigh. Not only did Yu-chan like younger men, she was into school uniforms. It was weird, but...she clapped her hands.
“That’s it. I have a friend who went to Oran High. You could wear their uniform for some costume play.”

“Costume play?”
“Yes. On your lover’s birthday, you can wear the uniform as a present. It’s sure to be a big hit.”
Miki stood up.
“When you’re in love, it can be fun to play around like that. Give me a sec. Fil give them a call.”
Miki was just about to leave the office when he grabbed her arm.
“Miki, wait. Actually...”
Imakura used a good chunk of his salary to reserve a room at the Jackson Hotel for his lover’s birthday. He was not able to get a süite, but he did manage to reserve a luxurious room with a beautiful view. He text messaged Yuichi, “After work, please come to room 2821 at the Jackson Hotel. There will be a key waiting at the front desk. Please text me about 30 minutes before you arrive.” Yuichi mailed back shortly after that he had received the message. So far, so good.
When the ‘30 minutes before’ text message arrived, Imakura rushed out of the hotel. When he retumed 15 minutes later, he changed and hid in the closet.
Exactly thirty minutes after the message, the intercom rang and Imakura heard his name being called. He did nothing, and shortly after there was the sound of the door opening. He could hear footsteps inside.
“Beefbowl from Hiyoshiya...?”
It seemed as if he had found the piping hot bowl of rice and meat on the table.
He read the prepared note next to the bowl out loud.
 
“Please text me when you have finished eating... what is he up to?”
Imakura could see his slightly confused face in his mind’s eye. Ten minutes later, his celi phone began to vibrate. He looked at the message: “Fve finished the beef bowl. Where are you?” Imakura answered with a message he had already prepared.
He heard Yuichi’s celi phone ring. He waited three minutes and quietly opened the closet door. Just as he had instructed in the message, Yuichi was standing looking out the window. He must not have gone home first because he was wearing the same clothes as this moming. If he followed instructions, he would not tum his back until Imakura told him to.
He was not used to walking in loafers. He approached cautiously from behind, carefiıl not to make a noise.
“Yu-chan...”
His lover jumped with shock but quickly regained composure and he didn’t look.
“Can I tum around?”
“Yes.”
Yuichi tumed slowly, and when he saw Imakura, his jaw dropped.
“Happy 27th birthday!”
His shocked expression didn’t change, and he looked Imakura up and down from head to toe several times. The first thing he said was “What the hell are you doing?”
“What...”
Imakura had overcome his embarrassment to wear the uniform from Oran High School for his lover. He thought he would be happy, but he felt like crying when he saw Yuichi’s cool reaction. To make it worse, Yuichi whispered, “Do you have a fetish for women’s clothes?” Imakura’s hands curled into fists and he began shaking.
“How could you think that? I’m wearing this because you said you like the uniforms from Oran High School.”
The pleats from his checkered skirt flapped as he took a confrontational step fonvard. Yuichi’s eyes narrowed, but then he finally understood.
“I remember saying a long time ago that I like the uniforms from that school, but it was the blazers that the boys wore, not the girl’s uniform you have on.”
Imakura blushed from the tip of his head to the nails on this toes. He had wanted to give his lover the thing he loved the most while wearing the clothes he liked the best. He didn’t want to just come out in the beginning; he wanted it to be a surprise. That is why he’d come up with such an elaborate plan.
Though he was embarrassed borrowing a girl’s uniform, Miki had said if dressing up as a woman would tum Yu-chan on, then fine, there were plenty of different types of people in the world, so she got it for him.
He didn’t like how open the uniform was, especially down below. To make it more real, he had bought blue leg warmers and black loafers. But the result wasn’t as he had hoped. His lover wasn’t even the slightest bit happy. Tears began to well up in his eyes.
He brought his hand to the tie that was the same pattem as the skirt and was going to rip it off, but his hands were shaking too much. When he finally threw the tie to the ground, he brought his hand back up to do the same to the blouse, but Yuichi stopped him.
“You’ll rip it.”
“I don’t want to wear it anymore.”
Yuichi held his arms so he could not move. In frustration, he stomped his feet.
“Settle down...”
His arms were released, but then Yuichi began to hug him. His breath in his ear tickled, and he instinctively relaxed. Yuichi picked him up and placed him down on the edge of the bay window. He had kindness in his eyes, and caressed Imakura’s cheek.
“And just who told you that I like Oran High uniforms?”
Not lifting his head, Imakura answered that it was Tomoharu.
Playfully cursing his friend under his breath, Yuichi bent down to pick up the tie and then carefully retied it around Imakura’s neck.
“Did you buy this uniform?”
He listlessly shook his head no.
“I borrowed it from someone at work.”
Yuichi bent down on his knees in front of Imakura and put his arms on his thighs. He looked up at him from below.
“If it’s a girl’s uniform, you must have specifically asked for it.”
“Yes...”
Yuichi laughed even as he called Imakura silly.

“Now that we know about the origins of the uniform, who told you about the beef bowl?”
“Kaitani,” Imakura replied even though he was unhappy at having to give everything away.
“When did you talk to him? It wasn’t during the dinner.”
“I ran in to him at the department store. I asked him if he knew what you like, and he said beef bowls. Would you really eat one at every meal if you could?” Yuichi brought his hands to his cheeks in surprise. Seeing this, Imakura was worried that perhaps he had misunderstood.
“Was I wrong about that, too? Do you like Mitakaya more than Hiyoshiya?”
“No, Hiyoshiya is right. I was just wondering how cheap everyone must think I am if they heard me say I would eat it all the time.”
“Hiyoshiya is pretty good. I like it myself.” Yuichi blinked at Imakura. He laughed and placed his head on his knees. Neither said a word. They just sat there in silence.
“What’s wrong, Yu-chan?”
“I’m just very happy. I’m basking in the warmth of happiness. Can you tell?”
“Because I’m wearing the girl’s uniform?” Yuichi lifted his head and reassured Imakura. “I’m happy because you did everything you could to make me that way. That is the best present ever.”
Imakura had been embarrassed and sad enough that he’d wished he could disappear, but that all went away with these magical words. He couldn’t hold back the flooding emotions, and caressed the head on his knees.
“The girl’s uniform looks pretty cute, too... when you wear it.”
“You’re just saying that.”
“No, I’m not. It’s cute. You may not want to hear it, but I think you look good in it.”
Yuichi stood, and Imakura kissed him with his back to the lights of the city. His calculations may have been off, but at least the desired effect was achieved; Yuichi was happy.
Yuichi whispered in his ear, “Can we do it while you wear the uniform?” Imakura felt a shiver down his spine.
“You can do whatever you like. It’s your birthday.”
Their eyes met, and Imakura looked away shyly.
“Really? Even if I get really freaky?”
Imakura laughed. “How would that be any different than normal?”
His lover replied whispering, “Just remember. You said it was okay.” He pulled Imakura down from the window and putting his hand on the hem of the skirt, he pulled it up. Imakura instinctively pushed it back down. “You’re wearing underwear.”
“Of course I am.”
“I thought you might be wearing shorts or something. For your first task, I want you to pull up the skirt and show me your underwear.”

“Huh...?”
“You said I could get freaky.”
He had promised. But this was the first time he had wom a skirt, and definitely the first time he was asked to pull one up. If that was what the birthday boy wanted, though, he would give it to him. Yuichi’s gaze did not move from the lower half of his body.
“There’s a stain on your underwear.”
His ears tumed red and started buming.
“You get excited just by being looked at. Are you even more embarrassed than usual because you’re in a skirt?”
Imakura gritted his teeth and nodded.
“Okay. Pull your underwear down. Down to your thighs. But keep the skirt up.”
He was extremely clumsy, even before he became aware of Yuichi’s gaze. He finally got the underwear down to his thighs.
Yuichi kneeled down in front of Yuichi and just stared at his penis without touching it.
“It’s gradually stiffening. The tip is moist and quivering. It looks like you’ll get hard without me even laying a finger on it.”
He gently blew on the tip, and Imakura let out a shout. His bottom began to tingle. Imakura knew what was coming next. He knew how good it felt to have the tip rubbed, to have it sucked hard.
And he was waiting for it to happen now, but Yuichi did nothing. He couldn’t tell him to do it. He had promised that Yuichi could do whatever he wanted today. He couldn’t let his own desires get in the way.
 
He saw Yuichi’s finger move towards his lower half. His body felt joy in the promise of an upcoming caress, but Yuichi did not touch his penis or balls.
Every time his finger touched something, Imakura heard a rough rustling sound. Yuichi was rubbing his light brown pubic hair, but avoiding all the other important areas. His hips shook with unbearable anticipation. He almost felt like doing the job himself if need be.
“Would you mind if I shaved down here?”
Yuichi twisted his finger in Imakura’s pubic hair.
“Shave it?”
“I want to shave your pubic hair. I want to see how cute it is when it’s smooth.”
He would look like a child without pubic hair. Imakura shook his head. “No...no way.”
Yuichi looked up at him as if to beg.
“It’s my birthday. I can get freaky if I want. I want to see what you looked like when you were younger.”
He understood the desire, but he was still resistant to the shaving. It might not hurt, and no one else would see it, but it was still.. .embarrassing.
“I’ll be the only one who sees it. Let me make it smooth...”
Imakura finally relented to Yuichi’s soft but insistent attack. He was lead to the low table in front of the sofa and lay down on top.
“This may be hard on your back, but it woıı’t take long.”

Yuichi took off his undenvear, and grabbing his knees, pulled his legs apart.
“Can you open them further? It will make it easier.”
After opening his legs as far as they would go, Yuichi began to shave using soap and a razor provided by the hotel. It was scary at first and his body shook, but he calmed down as Yuichi softly whispered that everything was okay.
The sound of the razor moving over flesh rasped in his ears. He wanted to cover his ears, but his hands were busy holding his knees up. He gradually became accustomed to the sound, and every time Yuichi’s fingers brushed up against his penis and balls, he felt shockwaves travel through his body.
“Imakura...”
He opened his eyes to see his lover smiling.
“Does it feel that good? It’s hard to shave if you are going to keep leaking like that.”
He hadn’t noticed anything come out, and felt like he was going to cry.
“I...I’m so sorry...”
“Hold on just a little longer.. ,wait a sec.”
His lover disappeared into the bathroom.
“They had the perfect thing. Fil put this on.”
The hotel had provided a free hair tie. Yuichi placed it at the base of his erect penis. Imakura had never felt anything as good and let out a loud moan.
“Just a little bit more...”
With no outlet for the pleasure, his body began to shake. He could hold it in no longer. He bit his lip and tears welled up in his eyes as he endured. Finally, the sound of the razor stopped and he could feel a towel being wiped over his crotch.
“Are you done?”
“I’m done.”
Putting down the towel, Yuichi laughed with glee.
“It looks really cute when it’s smooth. Take a look for yourself.”
“No way.”
When he closed his legs and jumped off the table, he was grabbed from behind and hugged.
“You should believe me when I say it looks good. Come take a look.”
Yuichi grabbed his arm and dragged him to the bathroom, despite the fact that he was still erect and it was hard to walk. Finding himself standing in front of the large mirror in front of the sink, all of a sudden he was grabbed at the knees and lifted. His lower half was sticking out like a child peeing.
“No...no...”
He sobbed as he made Yuichi put him down.
“Be good and don’t resist. It really looks cute.”
As Yuichi whispered over and over in his ear how good it looked, he fearfully opened his eyes. In the mirror he saw his now smooth crotch and erect penis. Rather than cute, it just looked strange.
“It’s weird.”
This time it really seemed like he would cry.
“What’s so weird about it? It’s cute.”

Sitting Imakura down on the edge of the sink, Yuichi moved his fingers along the area he had just shaved. Imakura could see it all in the mirror. Whereas it had felt like scraping before, now the feeling was smooth, and his spine shook at how sensitive the area had become.
“Ah...nnn...”
Yuichi was especially gentle when caressing his penis and balls. Though it was almost too soft, the fact that there was no hair to get in the way made him much more sensitive.
Imakura was taken aback when Yuichi whispered, “You’re so freaky, making your privates so smooth...”
“You’re the one who did it.”
“But you’re the one who said I could. You must have wanted me to shave you so you looked like a child and then touch you like this.”
He shook his head back and forth.
“I never...nnn...”
He could no longer resist when Yuichi bit his ear. When he squeezed Imakura’s penis and balls, he couldn’t stop moaning.
“Yu... Yu-chan...”
His lover whispered “What?” in his ear.
“Take.. .take off the hair tie.”
“You mean... this?”
He thought Yuichi was taking it off, but he just snapped it.
“Oh my...”
His hips shook when the tie snapped back on his throbbing penis. Before the shaking stopped, Yuichi’s long fingers pushed their way back to the area that had been ignored up until now and made their way in. For a second, he stopped breathing. After the shock subsided, he opened his eyes. Not only could he see himself in the uniform with his legs spread wide before the mirror, he could also see the fingers where they entered him, something he had never seen before. He fidgeted.
“No...no...”
When he tried to tum, Yuichi scolded him, ordering him to look.
“I want you to see how it looks when I love you.”
Even when he averted his eyes, he could hear the sound of Yuichi’s fingers moving around.
“I’11 let you come once you look at what I’m doing to you.”
He wanted to say no, but the sensation was too much to handle. He opened his eyes, and without missing a beat with his fingers inside Imakura, Yuichi deftly removed the hair tie.
“You’re beautiful...I love you...”
The second he heard these words, his penis began to throb and his body shook. Milky white semen shot onto the mirror and streaked down it.
Yuichi picked him off the sink and carried him to the bed. After roughly throwing him on the king sized bed, he dove in too. They embraced and kissed long and hard.
“I can’t hold it any longer either,” Yuichi whispered in Imakura’s ear.

“You got to come first. No w it’s your tum to make me feel good.”
Imakura was about to take off his clothes when Yuichi told him to leave them on in a strained voice. Imakura lowered the zipper on his lover’s slacks and lifted his hips and skirt over Yuichi’s erect penis. He then lowered his hips. The pressure was intense, but it didn’t hurt since Yuichi had already worked the area and relaxed it.
He moved his hips up and down, left and right as usual, but no matter how much he moved Yuichi didn’t reach his sweet spot. When he became a little too desperate, Yuichi grabbed his hips.
“Do you like it?”
Shivers ran down his spine.
“Do you like it enough to shake your hips wildly?”
His whole body blushed. Yuichi laughed that he felt him tense inside.
“It’s different than normal...”
“It’s the same. The size and length are the same.”
“It can’t be.. .it doesn’t reach...”
His lover opened his eyes wide.
“What do you mean it doesn’t reach?”
He couldn’t bring himself to say it and his lips quivered. His lover continued with his questioning, but it only made his sense of shame worse.
“There...”
“Where?”
“The place that feels good when rubbed.”
 

The instant he said it, Yuichi grabbed both of his breasts through the uniform. His hips again began to shake.
“Not there...”
“But that does feel good, doesn’t it? You like it when your nipples are rubbed, too.”
No longer able to hold it in, he blurted out “The place where your cock is.”
“Cock? You bad boy,” his lover laughed.
“You told me to say it.”
“It’s fine with me. I like it when you’re freaky.”
They quickly changed positions. Yuichi grabbed his hips and thrusted hard, making Imakura moan loudly. He pulled back and then thrust again. As this continued, Imakura’s hips became numb and he was aware only of the pounding. Even so, other parts of his body became strangely sensitive, and he moaned at the slightest touch.
The heat in Yuichi’s crotch started to scare him. It felt good, but it was scary. It felt so good, he thought he might die. He lifted both arms to the heavens as if accepting his fate.
“Yu-chan... Yu-chan...”
The angle became deeper and Yuichi hugged him tight. He reached his hand around to Imakura’s sweaty back and held him like he would never let go.
“Yu-chan...I love you.” Imakura said and the words flowed naturally from his lips. “I love you...so much...”
He was kissed until he could no longer breathe and as the rocking continued, he fell into a chasm of orgasmic joy and lost consciousness.
When he woke up, it was past noon. His eyes opened when he felt his hair being caressed and saw Yuichi hovering so close that he wouldn’t have to move to kiss him.
He thought he was about to get kissed himself, and it happened. It was the sofitest of kisses, and it felt so good that he hoped it would never end. His body was sore, especially in the area around his crotch, and his bottom stung, but...
When the kiss was over, Yuichi crawled under the sheets and began to suck on Imakura’s penis. He remembered being shaved, but he had to look under the sheets to confirm that it was actually true. It was nothing to get uptight about. It would grow back...but he still wondered how long it would take.
Yuichi took his entire penis and balls into his mouth and sucked hard. Even though he thought he was entirely spent from the night before, it still made him wobbly, but it was still a lighter sensation, like a baby kitten suckling on its mother.
“Yu-chan...”
His lover lifted his head.
“Do you really like my penis that much?”
“If I didn’t, would I be doing this?”
He smiled.
“But I love you most of all.”
Yuichi crawled back up and put his head on Imakura’s chest.

“I just love your aura when you say you love me.”
Yuichi’s words made Imakura happier than he could express. He was so happy, that his lips stretched into a wide grin.
“What are you smiling about?”
“I was thinking about how much you love me.”
He seemed proud that he had won this round, and Yuichi let him have the moment. In his joy, Imakura tightly embraced the source of his happiness.
It wasn’t until a little bit later that Imakura would find out that the man he loved so much had been gay since birth and it was Imakura who had been the puppet in him game...
THE END