What is this life?

What is this Life?

Chapter 23

Ryuichi and Hiro shower and head back to Ryuichi’s suite to await their companions. Maybe calling it Ryuichi’s suite isn’t accurate anymore. For the last month Shuichi and Hiro have not slept in the room down the hall. The only thing that room is good for now is storage for their clothes. Ryuichi’s bedroom closets are overfilled with his everyday and performance clothes. That room’s closets were just used for holding clothes before the young men moved into the mansion, so, as the saying goes, what goes around comes around! Their bed is pushed in a corner and another pair of dressers and chest of drawers occupies most of the previously vacant wall-space of the room. These hold the remainder of the clothes that don’t need to be hung up.

Ryuichi looks at his watch and notices it’s been almost an hour and a half since the pairs split up. He’s starting to wonder what happened. He glances in Hiro’s direction and remembers why their shower took so long. A smile graces his face. Between massages and showers he’s being kept very happy! Perhaps there’s a similar reason why Shuichi and Tatsuha haven’t come upstairs yet. He looks at his watch again. “Where are they? We have dinner reservations in Kyoto at 7:00p.m.”

Hiro looks surprised since it’s the first he’s heard that Ryuichi is going out for the evening. “Who has dinner reservations in Kyoto?”

“We four do. I made them this morning while you three were setting up for the party. Didn’t I mention it before?” Ryuichi can’t believe he didn’t say anything about it, he’s sure he did.

“”Uh no. Since when are we allowed to go into the city and socialize like regular people? Aren’t you afraid we might try and take off or say something out of place?” Hiro is curious now. “I mean, we’re still slaves and there is always that possibility.”

Ryuichi’s expression changes to somber. “I thought we were past this slave business. It’s a technicality now, but you know I don’t think of you or Shuichi that way. I thought you knew that I love you.” A tear forms in one of Ryuichi’s blue eyes. “If you decide to leave while we’re having dinner, I won’t try and stop you.”

Hiro knows he’s hurt Ryuichi deeply and that’s the last thing he wants is to do. “Please don’t be sad. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that there are certain rules that we have to abide by.” He reaches over and wipes the forming tear from the outside corner of Ryuichi’s eye with his thumb.”There’s a chance Seguchi-sama will find out you take us into the city. I don’t want you to have to put up with another display of his anger. Shuichi and I seem to be his favorite reason to fly into a rage. I’m still not sure he won’t harm you.”

“I don’t care what Tohma says. I can handle him!” Ryuichi sniffs back any remaining tears. “It’s just that you say something like that and I question how you really feel about me. If I’m wrong about that, then I don’t really want you to stay here with me. “

“No, please, don’t say that! You know I love you too.” Hiro’s heart feels like it got pushed into his stomach. “I’m worried that someone will see us and say something that could cause you problems.”

Ryuichi looks at Hiro’s distressed features. His brow is wrinkled and his mouth is downturned. Such looks are not handsome on that gorgeous face. Ryuichi sighs. “I know what I’m doing. We’re all going to have dinner in Kyoto and damn anyone that says anything about it. This is what I want!”

The expression of Hiro’s face softens. He won’t deny anything that makes his lover happy. He takes Ryuichi’s hand between his two larger hands. He looks him in the eyes. “If that makes you happy then who am I to say no?” He smiles. “I guess we should get dressed and find Shuichi and Tatsuha.”

Ryuichi nods and keeping his hand sandwiched in Hiro’s hands, he stands up. He leads the way into the bedroom. He gets a mischievous grin, after all they are alone. “I guess we have some time…..”

Just then, the door opens and Shuichi and Tatsuha walk in. They are dressed in the clothes that Tatsuha pulled from his closet before their shower. Tatsuha is wearing a fitted dark purple silk shirt, black dress pants and black leather ankle-high boots. Shuichi is wearing a matching outfit only the shirt is lavender. The color sets off Shuichi’s violet eyes perfectly. “Hey, are we missing out on something here?” Tatsuha asks as he approaches the couple.

“Tatsuha, where have you two been? We have to leave in less than half an hour to make the dinner reservations on time.” Ryuichi’s tone is more of haste than anger. He looks at Shuichi in his new clothes. Forgetting the fact a simple shower took over an hour, he’s awestruck at the way looks. “Shu-chan, you look stunning. It seems Tatsuha’s eye for size and color for you is perfect.”

Shuichi blushes. He wondered why Tatsuha’s clothes fit him so well. It all makes sense. “Thanks, Ryu-san.”

Hiro stares at the pair. Although the clothes are the same style, the fit on the two men is different. Tatsuha is tall, lean and well built, but not really muscular. Shuichi is shorter and lean all over. They make an odd looking but handsome pair. Hiro’s staring is interrupted when Ryuichi pulls his hands.

“Come on Hiro, we have to get dressed now.” Ryuichi continues back on the path to the bedroom. When he opens the door he spies two outfits on the bed. Both have the same type silk shirts and dark slacks. Ryuichi walks over and picks up a black silk shirt and holds it up, measuring it by sight against Hiro’s outline .He smiles and says, “I think this should do you well.” He hands the shirt and a pair of pants to Hiro. He picks up a dark green shirt and examines it. He speaks loud enough to be heard in the outer room, “Tatsuha, you did quite well.”

The pair gets dressed quickly and all four are soon on their way to Ryuichi’s surprise dinner party.


The restaurant is one of the finest in all of Kyoto and caters only to the wealthy and influential people. Tatsuha opens the outer door and Ryuichi is the first to enter and makes his way to the Maitre D’s station. He’s greeted by the tuxedo-wearing man, “Sakuma-san, how good to see you again.” He looks at the other men in the dinner party and turns his nose up a bit. “Are THESE your guests?”

Ryuichi doesn’t like the man’s attitude. He takes a step towards the insulting person and is about to say something when Hiro gently touches his upper arm. Ryuichi turns and sees Hiro shaking his head from side to side. Ryuichi understands that Hiro doesn’t want a scene made, so he takes a half step back. Turning back to the Maitre D’ he says with just a bit of distain in his tone, “Yes, these GENTLEMEN are with me.”

Ryuichi’s emphatic tone is noted. Without actually acknowledging anyone else, the Maitre D’ focuses on Ryuichi and nods. “Very well, sir, if you will follow me. Your table is ready.”

Ryuichi leads the way with everyone following in single file. As they pass a few tables, heads turn and other patrons’ whispers are heard. “Is that Sakuma-sama?” and “Who are those gorgeous men with Sakuma-sama, are they singers too?” Ryuichi just smiles at the overheard comments and questions. He is quite pleased that his lovers are making such an impression.

The Maitre D’ pulls out Ryuichi’s chair and after Ryuichi sits, he aids in the seat being properly adjusted at the table. He makes no move to assist the other unknown men to their seats. As the three remaining men take seats around the table, the Maitre D’ speaks directly to Ryuichi. “Hajime will be your waiter this evening. I hope you enjoy your meal, sir.” With that the snobbish man retreats to the front of the restaurant.

Shuichi looks around the room. It’s a modern Japanese restaurant. The décor reminds him of a Japanese garden more than a restaurant. In the middle of the room is a good-sized pond with koi swimming around. The pond is back-dropped on one end by a large rock formation from which water cascades down and empties into the pond. Lotus blossoms float on the surface. Bamboo and other water plants stick up near the waterfall and along various points in the pond. Hanging lanterns with electric candles illuminate the room and cause the water to sparkle. The walls have murals of sakura and pagoda’s gracing them. Each mural is outlined in bamboo. The tables have small lanterns which upon first glance appear to be made of paper. These seem out of place in such an expensive establishment. When he touches the outer shell of the lantern, he finds it’s actually fine silk. The candles inside the lanterns are real not electric. Each lantern candle sits in a delicate crystal lotus-shaped holder. The refraction of the flickering candlelight through the crystal gives the appearance of fireflies dancing against the outer shade. Each lantern is set upon a red linen tablecloth embroidered with gold dragonflies. Matching napkins sit under gilded silverware. Gold rimmed water and wine glasses sit majestically just behind the forks. Shuichi lets out an “Ah” at the display.

Ryuichi smiles at the wonder in his young lover’s face. He’s pleased that the surroundings are making a good impression. He mentally pats himself on the back for choosing this restaurant for their first official date. Ryuichi looks at Hiro and sees him also surveying the room. A sense of wonder is observed.

When Ryuichi turns his attention towards Tatsuha he gets a totally different impression. Fear and dread are painted on Tatsuha’s face and he’s staring at a table half-way across the room. Ryuichi follows Tatsuha’s line of sight and finds the cause of that look. Tatsuha’s older brother Eiri is sitting there with their sister Mika. Of all people to be having dinner at the same restaurant at the same time as their party, these are two of the worst. Only Tohma Seguchi sitting there would be worst. Ryuichi scans the room quickly for any sign of his best friend but doesn’t see him. Just as he’s about to say something to Tatsuha about not staring, Mika lifts her hand and gives a small wave. They’ve been seen!

Tatsuha looks at Ryuichi, his face drained of all color. The expression on his face causes Hiro and Shuichi to look across the room at the cause. Shuichi starts to panic and hyperventilate. Hiro’s heart skips several beats as anxiety overtakes him. Ryuichi doesn’t know exactly what to do, but he knows he has to keep calm. He reaches his hand out to the side and touches Shuichi’s arm. “It’s ok, Shuichi. Just relax, everything’s fine.” He turns towards his other lovers and gives a reassuring smile.

Ryuichi decides it’s best to be on the offense, so he rises from his chair and walks over to Eiri and Mika’s table. As he approaches he slightly bows and says, “Konbonwa Eiri-chan, Mika-chan. It’s good to see you here this evening.”

Eiri looks up at Ryuichi and then over to the table he just vacated. He sees three familiar faces but says nothing. Mika on the other hand is quick to speak up. “Ryu-chan it’s nice to see you too. I see you brought some guests along.”

Ryuichi isn’t sure how to respond. He knows that Eiri recognizes his and Mika’s younger brother, but does he remember where he’s seen the other two young men before? He centers his attention on Mika. “Yes. We are celebrating Suguru and K-san’s upcoming nuptials. I would be remiss if I didn’t ask if you’d care to join us. I’m sure that Tatsuha would love to see you both.”

Eiri takes a puff from his cigarette and glares at his baby brother. “I don’t think he wants us there.” He looks back and Ryuichi. “We’ll pass. Thanks anyway.”

Mika looks at Eiri and scowls. “Speak for yourself. I want to see those gorgeous men sitting next to Tats-kun.” She starts to get up and Eiri grabs her wrist, stopping her assent.

“That’s not advisable. Leave them alone.” He leans in and whispers something in her ear that Ryuichi can’t hear.

The look on Mika’s face doesn’t change from a scowl. She pulls her hand away from Eiri and talks directly to Ryuichi. “So, those are the ones. I’m impressed, Ryu-chan. I didn’t think you’d take a chance that Tohma would see you here with them.” She sees Ryuichi’s eyes get big and his body start to tremble slightly. She gives out a small laugh and pats Ryuichi’s hand. “Don’t worry. I’m not saying anything to my husband. What he doesn’t know won’t hurt anyone.” She turns to her brother. “Right, Eiri?”

Eiri looks at his older sister. “What’s to say? Sakuma-san is having dinner at the same restaurant as us, so what? I don’t care who he eats with, as long as he doesn’t impose them on us.”

Mika and Ryuichi relax a little. Although neither likes how Eiri worded his response, they are glad that word of Ryuichi’s outing won’t find its way back to Tohma’s ears. Mika looks at her younger brother who’s staring at her from half-way across the room. She smiles at him. “I think you should go back and be with your company. Please give my regards to my baby brother.” She looks at her dinner companion. “I think we’re done with our dinner Eiri. Why don’t we leave and let them eat in a more comfortable setting.”

Ryuichi bows slightly and bids the pair good night and returns to his table. Soon after Eiri is seen paying the waiter and escorting his sister from the restaurant. Neither of them looks back at the table where Ryuichi and his lovers are sitting.

Once the Uesugi siblings leave the restaurant, Ryuichi exhales the breath he didn’t know he was holding. “It’s okay, we can trust them.” He relaxes into his seat.

The waiter saunters up to the table. He takes an order for a bottle of champagne from Ryuichi and leaves. Tonight is for celebration not tension and Ryuichi’s going to see to it that everyone gets in the mood. Once the waiter leaves, Ryuichi examines the faces and body language of everyone else at the table. Although there is still a little tension there from the close call with Eiri and Mika, everyone seems to be relaxing. Shuichi has stopped hyperventilating, Tatsuha’s color is returning to his face and Hiro sits back into his chair as his heart starts beating in a normal rhythm. “Come on guys, cheer up! We came to have a good time and that’s exactly what I plan on having.” Sighs come from everyone. The mood lightens and casual talk starts among everyone.

The waiter brings the champagne and pops the cork. After pouring a small taste for Ryuichi’s approval, he fills each person’s flute and places the bottle in the chilled stand next to Ryuichi. He leaves the table.

Ryuichi picks up his glass to propose a toast, “To us!” He waits until his partners raise their glasses and they all clink them together and take a sip. The atmosphere around the table is finally joyous and by the time the waiter returns to take the dinner order, the run-in with Eiri and Mika is forgotten.

Everyone enjoys their meal and after dessert, Ryuichi pays the check and they head back to the mansion.

Ryuichi gives a self-satisfying mental pat on the back. His evening was a success. Everyone had a good time. He makes a mental note to talk to Mika before trying another such outing to be sure Tohma is not going to be at their destination. The rest of the ride home is good, everyone is talking and laughing. Ryuichi looks at the assembly of men. They are all so happy. He wonders what could possibly top this night. He smiles inwardly. He knows exactly what that could be. He puts the thought on hold and joins in the conversations as the chauffeur drives leisurely back home.

TBC.