Heaven Far Away

Chapter Twenty One - Exit

For the entire afternoon, after the incomprehensible scenario, Kazuya had decided to motivate himself by staying in his room. He feared that as soon as he stepped out of this room, he will find a reason, or two, or more to back out of this exclusive. Therefore, when someone knocked on his door, Kazuya quickly bolted up from packing in his bedroom and aimed for the door. It was almost as if he was looking for someone to stop him from going. Thus, when he saw the owner on the other side of the door, a little part of him jumped at the sight and wondered about what Chitose said this afternoon.

Could it be true?

“Owner-sama…”

“Is it final?”

The owner reeked of alcohol. Kazuya was confused as to why the usually prim and proper owner decided to inhale so much alcohol tonight; he was even more confused as to what the owner is talking about.

“Owner-sama?”

“Is there no other way out of the exclusive?”

Kazuya’s heart skipped a beat and his hand dropped from the door to his side, his lips twitched, but he did not have an immediate answer. “What does it matter if I go on exclusive or not?” He asked finally, looking up at the owner with a somewhat resigned look on his face. “I will still be earning money for this club…”

“Money? Do you think that’s all that matters?”

“Then what else?” This could be the last time Kazuya ever sees the owner and yet they’re having such a frustrating conversation. It was almost as if they were both dancing on the rim of a certain topic, but neither was brave enough to dive in. “I don’t have any friends in this club and I am extremely new, I should just take this opportunity and fatten up my resume, no?”

Konbayoshi frowned and had to clench his fist to remind himself of what little control he still has to retain.

“What about Chitose?”

“What about Chitose-san?”

“Will you not even consider staying for him?”

“… why would I…”

If he was mildly curious before, Kazuya was most certainly very confused as of this moment. He could not understand why the owner thinks Chitose is anyone to stay for; did he misunderstand the scene this afternoon and think that they’re great friends? Oh how ironic; if only the owner knew what their positions are truly like.

And then, there was that long moment of silence. Awkward silence.

“… if there…” Kazuya started.

“And me?” Konbayoshi started quietly; it was so quiet that Kazuya almost missed it. And yet when he did hear it, his eyes widened and surely he forgot how to breathe at that moment.

“What… what about owner-sama….?”

“If I asked, would you stay for me?”

Was this fate’s favourite game to play? Throwing him hope just when he thought the tunnel was going to cave in on him? His heart accelerated and his breathing was something he had to voluntarily tell himself to achieve.

“Owner-sama, about you, I…”

“No.”

And just as quickly as he had said it, the owner was quicker at withdrawing, pulling himself back physically and verbally. “No.” The owner shook his head. “That was out of line, I should never have said that. Pretend this entire conversation never happened.”

“Wait, owner-sama, I…”

“Have a good evening.”

Kazuya reached out wanting to grab Konbayoshi’s arm but the owner was faster in turning his body away and fleeing from the scene. Ah, but the owner would like to think that he walked away rather than fled away. Behind him, he left a breathless host who could only stare at the spot where the owner last was.

There was no hint of those three words being spoken, but if he was allowed to hope, that question alone was enough to represent those three words, right? Swallowing to control his own heart beat, Kazuya told himself to close the door so he may grin with joy and then weep with worry? Even if it’s little, even if it may have been a mistake produced due to too much alcohol, Kazuya is willing to hold on to it and let it be his beacon of light.

It is possible.

It truly is possible.

Neither Konbayoshi nor Kazuya noticed that at the end of the hallway, Chitose and Bakusui have stopped when they rounded the corner at the sight of those two. Certainly, both of them toyed with the idea whether they have suddenly turned invisible. When Kazuya’s door closed, they were granted a long stretch of empty hall way that allowed them some sort of pseudo-privacy.

“What do you think they were talking about?”

“Whatever it is, it was evidently engaging enough for them not to have noticed us.”

“Are you going after Konbayoshi? He did not look all that well.”

“… no, I think it’s best if he gets some time to himself.”

“Is that so.”

“I will speak to him tomorrow. I feel that it’s about time to close the curtains on this ridiculous play and turn over all of the cards.”

“Oh? Is the princess going to be severely serious now?”

“Call it closure, Bakusui-san. Severely serious makes me sound like some unemotional tyrant.”


[Next Day; Afternoon; Kazuya’s Room]


Kain was impatient with the thought of returning to his warm countries and luxurious cruise ship. He hasn’t been in Japan for the longest time and thus cannot appreciate this winter climate any more than he can appreciate dissatisfaction in service. When Kazuya called him yesterday to confirm the exclusive, Kain immediately booked a flight for tomorrow to Miami. Was there an attachment to Kazuya? Not particularly. The boy was fresh and he looked good enough; after the couple of meetings, he assessed that they should at least be able to get along civilly. Kain was not here to look for an ever lasting romance, just a partner who can keep him company for these long ten years ahead.

Entering Opiate, he wasted no time heading for the elevators to take him up to Kazuya’s room. He did not anticipate a long stay; after all, if both client and host have consented to an exclusive, then it’s just about the settlement of payment. Of course, money is never the problem. Therefore, he knocked down Kazuya’s door and entered with confidence, removing his gloves first and then his jacket.

“I see you have started packing.” Kain noted towards the opened suit case on the floor in Kazuya’s bedroom. “You don’t have to bring much, everything can be bought in Miami before we leave or on the ship or at the various ports that we will be docking at.” Ten years will literally grant them the opportunity to see the entire world. Maybe they’ll even have a trip back here in Japan as well. “There is also no need for winter clothes; we will not be encountering any winter climates.” Draping his jacket and suit coat over the nearest chair back, Kain finally turned to look at Kazuya.

Oh? The host looked hesitant and almost scared.

Kain lifted an eyebrow and strolled towards the younger, finger underneath his chin to tilt up his face. “What is the matter? Apprehensive about being so far away from home? There is no need to worry, there are translators on the ship and I will always be within reach.” The cruise ship may be big, but it is only so big after all.

“No… it’s not that…”

“Then what is it?”

Kazuya took in a deep breath and looked up into Kain’s eyes with conviction. “I… I cannot go on the exclusive with you.”

Silence. Wait for it, something is coming.

“Excuse me?” Kain’s fingers gripped Kazuya’s chin a little too hard, but the host did not utter a sound other than a light crease of his eyebrows. “Did I hear that correctly? Are you backing out of a deal that you had agreed to yesterday?”

“I’m sorry!” Kazuya broke their eye contact and bowed to Kain deeply. “I can apologize to you for as long as you would like, Kain-san; but… I really cannot go.”

“Why?”

“… for personal reasons.”

“Absurd! This is ridiculous!”

“I’m sorry!”

“Your apologies mean nothing! I already have everything arranged from plane tickets to our suite on the ship. And you tell me that you cannot go; a day after you agreed to the exclusive? Are you high on drugs?”

Kazuya wished that he had some sort of a witty come back, but even he knew that it was unprofessional of him to be doing this at such a time. Without anything to say other than apologies, Kazuya remained in his bowed position.

“Your refusal of the exclusive is obviously denied on my part. I do not appreciate being played for a fool.” Kain stepped forward and seized Kazuya’s arm harshly, pulling him towards the door. “We are going to settle this with the owner right this moment. Let us hope that he has more brain cells than you.”

[Konbayoshi’s Office]

Chitose had stepped inside to a properly dressed Konbayoshi and Haurno, both were apparently looking over whatever paper works that were required to keep this club running. One glance at the owner and Chitose knew that Konbayoshi did not enjoy a good sleep last night, and is probably suffering from a hang over this precise moment as well.

“Chitose-chan, it is rare to see you these days, even when we work in the same building.”

“Shouhei-san seems to enjoy avoiding me these days, did I do something wrong?”

“Oh my princess! You know I would do anything to bask in your presence even for a minute.”

“You two.” The owner’s voice sounded tired. “Chitose, if you’re here to flirt with Haruno, the two of you can do so outside of this office.”

“Actually, I came to speak with you.”

Konbayoshi gave him a look for him to continue. Perhaps there was some reluctance on Chitose’s part as Haruno is still in the room, but that hesitance only lasted a second. There isn’t much Haruno hasn’t seen or heard from the two of them already.

“Takahiro, regarding Kazuya…”

A series of rapid knocks on the door interrupted the moment and all three of them turned to look at the door. Without an invitation, it swung open and Kain walked in with Kazuya after him. Ah, as if the situation wasn’t already awkward enough. Yet, it was Chitose who recovered first and quickly offered Kain a small bow before taking a step backwards. “I will come back later then.”

“There is no need.” Kain reined in this situation quickly, used to being in command. “This will be done very quickly.” Letting go of Kazuya in the middle of the room, Kain looked at Konbayoshi with a light inclination of his head. “I am here to settle my exclusive with Kazuya. The time period is for the next ten years and the host has agreed to it.”

Somehow, everyone in the room –minus Haruno- saw this coming. Chitose looked from the client to the owner and back to the host. The owner remained silent for several heart beats being lifting his gaze to look at Kazuya. Between the two of them, last night’s slips of words replayed themselves and Konbayoshi frowned. “Is this true, Kazuya-kun?”

“Yes it is.”

“Then…”

“But that was yesterday!” Kazuya carried on immediately, his posture and expression pleading. “I’m sorry, I understand this is completely against the rules, but I really… really cannot go… I…”

After last night, how can you still expect me to part from you?

“To my knowledge, this club has a reputation of being creditable. Is this host not part of the club? Does he not need to follow the same rules as everyone else?”

Between personal issues and work, Chitose wondered whether Konbayoshi will make a clear decision this moment. He and Haruno shared a look and the manager quickly smiled and took a step forward. “Of course Kazuya-kun is part of the club and should abide to the rules as well. However, for an exclusive, we would truly need both the client’s and the host’s confirmation before such an arrangement can be made.”

“Like he said, he gave his consent yesterday.”

“But the situation seems to have changed.” Konbayoshi spoke up slowly and carefully.

“As the owner, as you implying that your hosts can freely change their mind whenever they wish? Have they not been taught to consider other people’s situation? Is this just a personal fault of Kazuya’s or is this the fault of the organization who failed to provide him proper training?”

“It has nothing to do with the training; it’s just that I…”

“I do not think you have the right to speak at this moment.” Kain concluded coldly before carrying on. “I came to Opiate because I have heard good recommendations on the professional contacts of this club, but it seems I am sorely mistaken. If I had known this would happen, I hope you do know that there are other host clubs to choose from. I dare say perhaps even Red Velvet has better service.”

That struck a nerve and Kain knew as well. Red Velvet, in comparison with Opiate is a club that thrived on the open door policy. Anyone who could pay could enter. At the same time, it lets in people from all avenues of life and the hosts have not been properly trained. It is sometimes fondly referred to as the glamorized brothel. To compare Opiate with Red Velvet is an insult to every single person working in Opiate.

“We cannot say anything for Red Velvet’s services, after all, we have never experienced.” Chitose commented lightly with a small, diplomatic smile. “However, I am certain that even in Red Velvet; you will be able to find first rate hosts and first rate services.” He felt compelled to at least add that little bit in. Perhaps it’s because he recently saw a former host from Red Velvet. “However, you are very right that a host from Opiate cannot behave in such an unprofessional fashion. Not only does it show a personality fault on his part, it is also a blemish on Opiate’s image as well. Isn’t that right, owner-san?”

I dare you to disagree with me.


To be continued...