Heaven Far Away

Chapter Ten- That Monster Called Jealousy

[Opiate]


A few days after the wedding, Chitose truly did remind Kazuya of what the owner said at the wedding. Kazuya had hoped that it had been a passing remark, but apparently the owner had thought otherwise when he reminded Chitose, whom in turn, reminded him. So, that was how he ended up sitting in Chitose’s room watching him explain a famous Japanese ink painting from heaven knows how long ago.

It was supposed to teach eloquence, expression and sophistication. At the same time, it was supposed to promote tranquility, serenity, patience and utmost tolerance. Of course, after almost an hour at this, Kazuya feared that all those promoted virtues were quickly becoming lost on him. The host in training didn’t know where to place his eyes. The ink painting was boring, but starring at Chitose would be considered rude even in his mind. His eyes ticked from left to right and all around the room for something interesting to keep himself sane.

No offence, how did Chitose manage to become number one with such hobbies? Perhaps Kazuya didn’t understand enough about clients’ mentality, but if he were a client… if he were a client, he wouldn’t be asking for Chitose in the first place!

When his eyes returned from their vacation, Kazuya found that Chitose had already ceased his soft speech and was looking at him with a small smile. For a brief moment, he didn’t even know what or how to respond to that look.

Ah shit.

That was one thing, for he was caught not paying attention.

“This is a bore to you.” It wasn’t even a question, Chitose had stated that calmly. Kazuya liked to think that it was without offense as well.

“Well, I admire ink paintings, they’re certainly beautiful and elegant, not to mention…”

“But they’re still boring.”

Here, Kazuya could only offer a nervous grin but said nothing of it. He’s already been caught red handed, there wasn’t much he could do, and especially not when the number one host has already pinned a verdict on his head. Chitose laughed lightly and sat back slightly to lean against the back of his floor seat. No matter the situation, Chitose always chose to dress in a proper kimono. Although this one is nothing compared to the magnitude of the one that he attended the wedding with, it was still expensive even just by looking at it.

“You know what, let’s try something else. We will call it a wrap for today, so your assignment for the rest of the day is to think of something that you want to do. Then, we will do that tomorrow. Show me something about you; after all, not all hosts should be the same.” Besides, he was getting trained by Bakusui anyways. Chitose could not imagine a host who’s combined both his style and Bakusui’s style. It’s a freak of nature!

“Seriously?” Kazuya’s eyes widened as he straightened up in surprise. He had thought that Chitose would suggest meditation or yoga or something to calm their spirits again. “Anything? Even if it means going out of the club?”

“Yes, anything.”

“But… the owner…”

“Forget about the owner.” Chitose waved away the owner’s title with a casual lift of his hand. It was clear that he didn’t have a care for the owner’s temper. “He decided to leave you with me, so I call the shots. Anything you want, please show me tomorrow.”

And a smile broke out on Kazuya’s face. It’s been a long time since he last left this host club. Between his job as a page boy and getting training, there wasn’t much time for him to spend for himself. He’s always told himself that once he becomes a host, he will have more free time and wouldn’t need to be cooped up in here all the time.

“I’ll see you tomorrow then!”

The number one isn’t so bad after all! Kazuya thought with excitement coursing through his veins. From the first second that he realized Chitose’s identity, there was that automatic aversion. Yet, as time went on, Kazuya couldn’t even pick out anything that he really disliked Chitose for.

So with that, early evening training was brushed aside and Kazuya could skip down to the restaurant for dinner. Except that he found loneliness tended to multiply when he was alone in a crowd. Dinner time marked the beginning of business traffic for Opiate. Many clients stepped through the door during this time to have dinner with their favourite host, or to simply whisk the host away for a night out. As the night progressed on, there will be a steady flow of clients in and out of the building. Kazuya’s shift didn’t end ‘till a couple of hours later. So after dinner, it was back on the job for him.

On the other hand, contrary to the boisterous lobby, the fifty-fifth floor was always silent. Konbayoshi’s office and attached suite were the only rooms that occupied this floor, there wasn’t usually traffic.

When Chitose arrived at the door of Konbayoshi’s office, Haruno was just buttoning up his jacket to leave for the evening.

“It must be nice to have a family.”

“What’s wrong, Chitose-chan? Are you sad that Hoshino-san married someone else?”

“Not so much that, but I’m beginning to think that I should settle down and have a family as well.”

“Don’t you have a family already?” Haruno spoke with a smile and looked over at Konbayoshi, Chitose followed his gaze and they both sighed in mock exasperation. “Never mind, he isn’t much of a family.”

“Hiro-chan will one day grow up, get married and leave me as well. Alas, I fear I may need a lover also.”

“You two.” Konbayoshi’s voice evinced restrained annoyance. “Do you two have nothing else to do? Shuuhei, hurry up and leave!”

So the manager left the vicinity and Chitose closed the door after him. “I heard there were some problems with the financial balances?”

“Not problems per se, but more like inconsistencies. It’s all about matching receipts to the computed data to make sure that there isn’t anything missing.” True to Konbayoshi’s words, his laptop was to his right on the desk while open files were spread all across the rest of his desk. Chitose walked over and picked up a binder, he flipped through the pages nonchalantly with an impassive expression.

“Ah, it’s at a time like this that I wish I had a lover.”

There was a warning glance from Konbayoshi, and Chitose chuckled.

“Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Let’s finish this tonight.” Taking the binder with him, Chitose deposited himself on the leather sofa comfortably with a pen and high lighter.

The job required keen eyes and a detail-orientated mind. Initially, the rows of numbers alone were enough to give Chitose a headache. It’s been more than four years since he last looked at something like this. Time away on exclusive had spoiled him. Yet, with a couple of pages out of the way, he’s found his rhythm once again. Experience defeats all. And since Chitose has been doing this since he came into the Konbayoshi household, the years of experience buffered the temporary period when he’s had no exposure to these numbers.

It was almost like the old times, when Konbayoshi first took over all the family business from his uncle, Chitose and he used to sit up ‘till unholy hours in the morning working out financial balances. It was the same as then, Konbayoshi affirmed and Chitose confirmed, both then reaffirmed and moved on.

More than could be said of their relationship.

From the beginning to the end, there was no affirmation, therefore, there was no room for a confirmation, thus, leaving out a reaffirmation.

When Konbayoshi looked up after a certain number of hours later, he noticed that Chitose had slumped himself against the arm of the sofa in a sprawled out manner. It was a clear sign that the host was tired. His lip service stopped and Chitose waited for a few seconds before looking up in confusion.

“Mmm?”

You need to rest. Konbayoshi wanted to say, but in the end, he could only shake his head and rise from his seat. Ah, every single muscle in his body was sore. “I’m going to take a shower.” He watched as Chitose nodded half heartedly at his claim before entering the joint suite. Konbayoshi made sure that he took extra long so that Chitose will be fed up and go take his rest.

So the owner was never good at expressing what he truly meant.

Half an hour later, Konbayoshi exited his bathroom with damp hair and a thick, black velvet bathrobe. Now, he just needed a cup of coffee before he could get back to work again. The two of them have been able to get most done, there was only a marginal amount remaining. However, when he walked back into his office, his feet stopped at the threshold between his bedroom and his office.

There, ensconced in his large leather chair, Chitose was already asleep with a binder spread out on his lap. His vivid kimono was a sight by itself in his monotonous office and he was still the only colour in his life. Carefully, he approached. Konbayoshi’s bare feet slid against the thick carpet that covered the floor of his room before standing next to the leather chair. Eight years ago, the two of them had fallen asleep virtually everywhere in the building. The beds and sofas were the preferred places, but there were also stairs and floors. Each time he woke up, Chitose would always be awake and Konbayoshi realized that he had used the other’s legs as a pillow.

Always.

Carefully, he picked up the binder and put it on his desk, the host didn’t even stir. For a brief moment, he allowed himself a smile and his gaze to linger. In the shroud of this silence, it was like they were the only people in this world. Flash back, and this was almost like all those nights in that cove.

But reality came then, and it will come again, always.

Leaning down, he slid his arms underneath the host and picked him up gingerly. Even though he could see the make-up that Chitose has always applied, Konbayoshi’s always felt that he’s remained the same, no matter if he was fourteen or twenty seven.

Thirteen years.
Almost fourteen years.

Half way to his bedroom, there came a knock at his door and Konbayoshi looked over with mild surprise. “Come in.”

The door knob twisted and in stepped Kazuya with a sweet smile. Just a glance and Konbayoshi remembered what happened down in the cellar a few days ago. It was wrong of him to do; he had stepped over a thick line.

Kazuya was not prepared to see the owner in his bathrobe, and his body reacted accordingly. Even more so than that, he was definitely not prepared to see Chitose in Konbayohi’s arms. Of course, his body reacted even more accordingly. Suddenly, he felt his smile stiffen and he couldn’t take his eyes off of a slumbering Chitose.

“Kazuya, what is it?”

“Ah…” Quickly, he returned his gaze back up to the owner’s face. “I just… wanted to inform you that I’ve had my session today with Chitose-san.” Whom you are holding in your arms right now. His mind spat out bitterly, but he forced himself to look content. This came as part of training; no matter when or what, there must always be a pleasant expression on a host’s face.

“I see. How did it go?”

“Fine.”

“I trust that you’re leaning from him.”

“Yes.”

Curt answers, short responses, Konbayoshi gauged the tone and wondered what went wrong where. Kazuya’s always been timid in front of him, but tonight… ah, or maybe he’s just thinking too much. “If there is nothing else, then you can rest for the evening.”

Kazuya bowed and left the room without another word. Inside the room, Konbayoshi frowned at the abrupt actions but could only sigh and continued to move Chitose to his suite. Outside the room, Kazuya took in deep breaths, shuddering with every inhale and exhale. His teeth fought with one another, pressing down as if his life depended on it.

There was no doubt where the number one will be spending his night this evening!

And that enraged Kazuya. After the owner had kissed him in the cellar, Kazuya was even more certain that no matter the method, he will be the one to remain by Konbayoshi’s side ‘till the very end. Yet, it was Chitose who could immediately spend the night next to the owner so casually! In the heat of the moment, he quickly pulled out his cell phone.

Taro

Change of plans. Let’s show him what we’re all about tomorrow! There is no need to hold back.

Kazuya

Satisfied, he flipped close his phone and looked at the closed door once again. Count him dead wrong. Everything about Chitose was disliked.

[Next Day – Early Afternoon]

“Ah, Chitose-san, there is no need for you to bring so many things with you!” At the door, Kazuya feigned his gush at the handbag that Chitose had brought downstairs with him. At the door, Chitose had been stopped and he could only look from bag to person and back to bag again. “Please, there is no need for that. Let me help you keep it at coat check.” Kazuya conjured up a brilliant smile and reached for the bag. Today, Kazuya was determined to play Chitose’s own game back at him. He’s figured this number one out! Behind all those lovely smiles laid a person of immense evil. So today, Kazuya will offer all the smiles in the world, and keep his true intentions to himself.

Chitose looked at Kazuya’s eager expression and couldn’t help but smile. He wondered if the younger man knew how obvious he was sometimes. This sudden change in attitude, Chitose would be a fool not to have picked it up.

Tread carefully, that’s what the number one’s instincts told him.

“In that case, thank you very much then.” He lowered his arm and let the bag go; Kazuya gripped it with a smile and quickly excused himself. Fate did not fail him; he knew that Chitose was going to come down with that usual attire of kimono. So once he got rid of the other’s bag, then there shouldn’t be anything on the number one’s body.

Perfect.

“Where are we going?”

“Well, I hope you don’t mind walking around a bit.” That was the stage of calming one’s prey, in Kazuya’s mind. “Then, we’ll go to where I used to hang around before the owner picked me up.”

“Walking sounds fine with me.” Outside, it was a mild day. Although without the sun, in the shadows, one could easily discern the month to be October. Near November, near winter, near that dreadful season that everyone disliked for one reason or another. “How did you and the owner meet?”

Here, Kazuya flushed lightly and chuckled in embarrassment. “I… mm… tried to steal the owner’s wallet and he caught me. Then something happened and he took me back to the club.”

Chitose looked over in surprise, not sure which piece of information he was more surprised with. The fact that Kazuya used to steal, or the fact that Konbayoshi let in someone who used to steal. “Despite that, he still took you in, mmm?”

“Yeah. I was surprised as well.”

“Looks like he’s growing soft.”

“What?”

Smile, but no response. “Are we walking towards a particular destination?”

Kazuya wanted to grit his teeth and hiss at the other’s haughty behaviour. What was with that attitude?! Did he think that he was the only one who knew a thing or two about the owner? However, the more truthful part of him had to admit that Chitose probably knew more than just a thing or two about the owner. The scene he walked in on last night played in his mind again, reaffirming his beliefs once again.

“Café, there is a café nearby that I enjoy. I wanted to show you it.” No, Kazuya was not in the mood to share. However, he thought that it would be more believable if he started with things and places that weren’t suspicious. There was truth in his words; he did enjoy this café very much. On the limited days that he gets off, he would stroll to this café and enjoy a tasty slice of cake with a sweet beverage.

“Is that so.” A part of Chitose suddenly already had an idea of which café Kazuya was referring to. He wondered what Kazuya’s expression would be if he learned of the fact that Chitose was actually the owner of that café.

The two admired the exterior of the café from the outside only, Kazuya seemed hesitant to approach and Chitose didn’t want to push him either. Little by little, Chitose listened as Kazuya talked a portrait of Kazuya’s person; it painted itself for Chitose to decipher. The more he talked, the more Chitose wanted to tell him that he wasn’t suitable to be a host.

Leaving the café, Kazuya led the two of them into the bustling city centre. Even though Chitose wouldn’t complain, but he realized that he had chosen the wrong footwear to partake in today’s activities. The geta was slowly turning into the most uncomfortable binding for his feet, and he wondered if blisters would appear where he was experiencing pain.

In short, all over the sole of his feet.

The vigour of a youth really cannot be compared against. Even when the wind was the strongest and shops the most crowded, Kazuya could still push on with the same energy. Chitose realized how spoiled he’s been, having been taken care of from when he was much younger.

To Kazuya, this wasn’t all about enjoyment either. He purposely chose these places that would be the most difficult for Chitose and his attire. He utilized the fact that Chitose wasn’t the type to say no or stop if he was the one who had suggested for an activity. So even if he was tired, he pushed on for the sake of revenge.

For the sake of making himself feel better.

At dusk, Kazuya finally turned to Chitose and smiled brightly. “Chitose-san, for our next destination, let’s take a taxi!”

“That sounds great.”

It sounds rather amazing right now to Chitose! Even a minute of rest when the entire weight of his body wouldn’t be solely dependent on his feet would be great. Still, he stood with poise and waited with Kazuya for the taxi to arrive.

Looking out the window, Chitose realized that block by block, they were moving away from city center to an area that was run down and discarded. He looked at the old brick buildings and the alleyways that have gathered a multitude of people from different backgrounds, the pain from his feet dulled while a sharp alertness took over his brain.

He recalled what Kazuya said about having stolen from Konbayoshi before with a startle.

When the taxi rolled to a stop, Kazuya was fiddling around, making a scene of himself. Chitose looked at him for a moment before speaking up. “What’s wrong, Kazuya-kun?”

“Ah, well, you see, I kinda forgot my wallet back at the club, so…”

Do you know that you’re not a good actor?

In front of them, the taxi driver was already glaring at them. In the end, Chitose could only offer a smile before reaching between the folds of his obi. It’s a good thing that he hadn’t put this together with the bag that Kazuya had taken away from him. Pulling out his cell phone, Chitose shifted forward and handed it to the taxi driver.

“I sincerely apologize about this inconvenience, sir.” The driver wasn’t sure whether he should be paying more attention to the cell phone or the face in front of him. “As you can see, there are diamonds embedded within the surface of this cell phone. If you would so kindly take it as a replacement for money, we would both much appreciate it. Please.”

Eloquence. Someone good with words. A beautiful smile.

Kazuya couldn’t help but recall what Narumi had said at dinner a while ago. In front of him, wasn’t he witnessing exactly all those qualities? But he cannot give up now! So he sat with a tense smile and watched as the taxi driver grumbled something before taking over the cell phone. They were then dumped out on the street side and could only watch as the taxi sped away.

“Chitose-san, were those real diamonds?”

“Of course.”

“Che, that asshole certainly gained himself some good luck today!”

“It can’t be helped. We have to give him something.” And since Kazuya made no move to donate anything for the cause, Chitose could only offer the only thing that was on his body. “Kazuya-kun, where are we?”

“Ah, this is where I spent a few years. Come.” Here, Kazuya didn’t have to put up a mask and pretend. He knew his back alleys well and knew what sort of confidence he should put on. Back in Opiate, it was Chitose who was right at home. Here, it was Kazuya who had the upper hand and he knew his friends were all ready for this as well!

Kazuya knew that Chitose followed after him dutifully, and from the corner of his eyes, he could see the looks that the number one was receiving every time they passed a group of men. That smirk only grew in size on his lips. Those looks were enough to unnerve anyone; especially some delicate little host from an expensive host club.

“Yo, guys, I’m here.”

To be continued...