Tokyo Boys

Please see notes in chapter 1.
Additional notes:
nabe - Japanese stew pot served during the colder seasons.

TOKYO BOYS
Chapter 3

The students crowded in front of the bulletin board, where the rankings of the final exams were posted. Yuuto tried to squeeze his way between the other students. He found himself pushed to the first row, but it was difficult to see anything with the mass of people behind him shoving and sticking elbows in his face. He quickly scanned the list from bottom to top and spotted Daisuke in the 43rd place and his own name up high in the third place. His face lit up in a bright smile and he bent under someone's arm, trying to get away from the crowd.

Walking backwards, he realized that if he squinted, he could see his name on the list, above the students’ heads. A feeling of achievement filled him. Third place! In the last ranking he came in 7th. He made his way to the staircase, deciding to boast a little to Daisuke.

"Kaname-kun." He heard Midori calling his name and turned around.

"I saw you were ranked third, congratulations." She smiled at him, her hands on her thighs.

"T-thank you..." With all the pushing and shoving near the bulletin board, he forgot to look for her name. He hesitated whether or not he should ask how she scored.

“I got in 11th place…” she rescued him from the little tight spot he nearly got himself into.

He smiled nervously, “That’s great! Almost in the top ten!”

“Midori, are you coming?” two girls called her, giving Yuuto a look. He lowered his head.

“I have to go, talk to you later, Kaname-kun.” She smiled at him again and returned to her friends.

Yuuto could hardly cover his smile. His little chats with Midori have gotten more frequent lately, maybe she really did like him. If only he didn’t get cold feet and involved Daisuke that time…

He sighed and went to the roof to look for Daisuke.

The door made a grating squeak when he opened it, so he caught it quickly with two hands and sneaked in, closing it slowly so it won’t make a sound. A cold breeze welcomed him and he shivered. Daisuke didn’t go to the roof during winter, but Yuuto couldn’t understand how March was any different than the chilling air of February. Maybe Daisuke was too impatient to wait for April.

He walked around the wall, knowing that Daisuke always lounged there in the back, in case a teacher decided to show up at the doorway.

The first thing that caught his eye was Daisuke’s school uniform’s jacket thrown on the floor.

“Dai-“ He started saying, but his mouth remained open when he raised his eyes to see Daisuke making out with another guy. He was holding the boy – Yuuto noticed it was a third year student – up against the wall, kissing his neck and rubbing his crotch through the dark pants. The boy seemed completely into it, his eyes were closed and he was moaning and holding on to Daisuke.

Yuuto felt his stomach making a free fall and he stepped back, hoping they didn’t notice him. He was planning on making an escape and pretending he never saw what he just did.

Unfortunately, Daisuke turned his head, without moving away from the older boy he was still groping. When he saw it was Yuuto, he let go of the other boy and quickly shoved a hand in his pocket, rubbing the back of his neck with his other hand.

“Yuu-chan… what’s up?” He almost sounded uncomfortable.

Yuuto just stared at him for a moment, feeling his bottom lip starting to shake. Somehow, he was unable to move. He wasn’t sure how long it took but then he managed to utter, “I’m sorry for interrupting!!” before bowing low and running off.

“Yuu-chan, wait!” Daisuke caught up with him and grabbed his arm. “Did you need something?”

Yuuto just stared at Daisuke’s collarbone that was directly in his eyelevel. A couple of kissing marks were visible. He shifted his eyes, feeling his cheeks burning with embarrassment. He shook his head and threw his arm from Daisuke’s hold.

“Why are you upset? I told you I was going to do it,” Daisuke put his hands in his pockets. “It’s really not that different than doing it with a girl…”

“It’s weird!” Yuuto exclaimed, throwing his arms. “It’s a guy!”

How could he explain his feelings to his thick headed friend? How could he explain that he felt his position in Daisuke’s life was threatened even more than when Daisuke was dating girls? He couldn’t even explain it to himself.

“Hasabe… I’m getting cold,” the third year interrupted them.

Daisuke turned his head to him and Yuuto took the chance to get away.

His heart was pounding hard and he raced down the stairs and all the way to the classroom. The students in class were a little surprised to see him storming in looking so agitated. He dropped himself in his chair and buried his face in his hands. After a moment he took out his drawing pad and started sketching with a pencil. Drawing was always a comfort.

Unexpectedly, Daisuke arrived in the classroom shortly before the bell rang. The atmosphere in the room completely changed, everyone stopped what they were doing to watch Daisuke as if he was a level higher than them mortal human beings. Yuuto scoffed inwardly.

“Congratulations on hitting top 3,” Daisuke said and tousled Yuuto’s hair playfully. Yuuto reached up and flicked his hand away.

“What, are you mad at me now?” Daisuke sounded amused. He sat in the chair in front of Yuuto’s desk, resting his chin on his hands.

“No.” Yuuto pressed the pencil hard against the paper until the tip broke. “Do what you want.”

Daisuke leaned in, rocking the chair. “Are you jealous?”

“Like hell I would be!!” Yuuto snapped at him, all flushed. He realized everyone in class was watching them and shifted in his seat. “No,” he whispered. “It’s just…”

The bell started ringing and Yuuto leaned back in his chair, relieved the conversation was bound to end.

“I won’t see him again, don’t worry.” Daisuke got up and went to his seat.

~*~

As spring started to show its signals, the days have become a little bit longer and it wasn’t so dark anymore at the end of club hours in the afternoon. Daisuke wondered if he should appease Yuuto by going out with him to a diner, but what he really wanted to do was meet up with the guys in Shinjuku, smoke dope and have sex till his senses became dull.

Daisuke never gave as much as a second glance at his friends from the track club. He wasn’t passionate about it like they were. The truth was, he only joined the club because the manager, a third year girl, was really cute and he wanted to impress her and possibly do other things with her. There were also cute members in the girls’ team, so it seemed like the right choice to make.

But now when he walked into the dressing room, it suddenly seemed full of new possibilities. As befits athletes, all of the boys had a body to marvel. Boys fooling around half naked, hitting each other’s bottom with towels and making obscene comments or gestures, was a common sight inside the dressing room. Daisuke didn’t really think about it until one of the boys groped him as a joke when he was changing his clothes.

“Don’t do that…” He grabbed the culprit’s wrist and turned around to face him. “Will you take responsibility if I got a hard-on?”

They ended up sitting with crossed legs between the lockers, masturbating each other. The rest of the boys had already left with the girls to their regular hangout place and they had the entire room for themselves.

“It feels good…”

“Want to try something even better?” Daisuke moved to his knees, his face just a few inches from his partner’s face.

The boy glanced at the door. “Should we really do it here?”

“Isn’t it more exciting?” Daisuke grinned at him.

When they walked out of the dressing room, it was already dark outside.

~*~

“That’s an interesting painting, Kaname-kun,” Matsura-sensei, the supervising teacher of the art club commented as he took a peek at Yuuto’s canvas.

“I’m not so good with oil colors…” Yuuto mumbled as he looked at his gloomy painting that was supposed to portray spring. But the use of cold and dark colors was excessive and the drawing was very abstract, that even Yuuto wasn’t sure anymore what he was trying to paint. In a way, it was an accurate reflection of the way he felt; confused, angry, gloomy.

“All right, listen up everyone.” The teacher clapped his hands. “I have an announcement to make.”

Everyone looked up. They were already after their big projects and were only coming to the club to pass the time until spring vacation, so they had no idea why the teacher would sound so dramatic.

“I’ve received a job opportunity elsewhere, so I won’t be returning for the new school year,” he said. “I know most of you here are first years so you won’t miss me too much… But I made sure they’ll put you in good hands.”

The students finished cleaning the club room. Yuuto was on supply duty so he helped the teacher store it in the art supply room.

“Is everything okay at home, Kaname-kun?” the teacher asked. “You seemed a little out of it today.”

“Ahh… everything is fine…” Yuuto stammered.

“You’re very talented, but today’s painting was… how should I say? Not your usual style.”

“I’m sorry… I was thinking about some things…” Yuuto fiddled with the brush he was holding. “I’ll do better next time…”

The teacher smiled. “Leave those to me.” He pointed at the boxes Yuuto was holding. “You can go home.”

~*~

Daisuke wanted to savor the final days before the end of the school year. They were no longer given homework, there were no exams to study for, the classes were more lenient and even fun, and best of all – a few other boys were open to his suggestive flirts and fell prey to his manipulative charms.

He wasn’t attracted to them, he told himself. He just sought out the carnal pleasure before giving in to society’s dictate. It was expected of him to be focusing on his studies in order to get into a good university and become a boring, but successful businessman with a pretty wife and the whole shebang, for his parents to be proud of. It was a time he wished won’t come, or at least not too fast. Life with no responsibility other than buying condoms was his goal. He began rejecting girls with no qualms and even boys that got too clingy after he seduced them once.

His time with Yuuto also decreased.

“Yuu-chan, let’s go to the arcade.” Daisuke startled him. They were both on cleanup duty and it was only a couple of days before the anticipated spring vacation.

“Why, did you run out of boys to molest?” Yuuto furrowed his brow. “And don’t call me Yuu-chan.”

Daisuke laughed briefly. “Don’t be such a sourpuss, I want to spend some time with you.”

“Okay, I’ll go…” Yuuto sighed. He was too weak against Daisuke. Apparently like everyone else.

~*~

Because there was no club activity the boys arrived at the arcade fairly early. They were about to head inside when someone called out Daisuke’s name.

Yuuto saw the young college student they met when Daisuke dragged him to the gay clubs district. Upon recognition, he made a U turn but Daisuke grabbed him by the collar and forced him to come with him to greet Yoshimura.

“Ah, it’s cute Kaname-kun, it’s been a while~” the guy beamed at him.

Yuuto wondered how frequently Daisuke had met that guy since that time, they seemed quite acquainted.

“Want to come over to watch a movie?” Yoshimura asked Daisuke, brushing dust from the younger boy’s coat.

Daisuke threw a glance at Yuuto. “Probably not a good idea.”

“Come on, it’s a comedy, rated PG… and there’s no one at the den at this hour.” He persuaded him.

Daisuke turned to Yuuto for approval. Yuuto shrugged. Watching a movie was actually more to his liking than spending all his allowance losing to Daisuke in the arcade.

~*~

The moment he entered Yoshimura’s apartment, Yuuto already started to regret it. The air in the room was stale and musky, a mix of cigarettes and something else. His impression of Yoshimura Takashi, which was pretty low to begin with, went down a few more points. What kind of a man could live in such a pigsty?!

Yoshimura cleared for Yuuto some space on the sofa – by throwing the mess to the floor. He lit up a cigarette and offered it to Yuuto.

“Don’t.” Daisuke flicked his hand away.

“Ah, the guardian dog…” Yoshimura grinned and puffed a ring of smoke.

Yuuto felt his eyes well up because of the smoke. He sat down with a sigh, careful not to touch anything around him.

Yoshimura brought some refreshments, turned off the light and started the movie.


Daisuke shoved popcorn into his mouth, chewing loudly. Yoshimura was caressing his hip, giving his crotch a light massage. Daisuke didn’t say anything, just continued to watch the movie. Yoshimura unzipped the pants and shoved his hand into Daisuke’s underwear. Daisuke shifted a little to give him an easier access.

“Yuu-chan will see us…” he whispered.

“I thought you didn’t care if I didn’t…” Yoshimura whispered back and kissed him.

Daisuke responded to the kiss, but broke it soon. “I care that he cares…”

“We’ll be quiet…” Yoshimura lifted the remote and raised the volume.


Yuuto felt highly uncomfortable. He tried to concentrate on the movie, but it was near impossible. He could only see their silhouettes in the dark room, but even though he was a simple guy, he wasn’t that naïve as to not realize they were making out on the other sofa. He already regretted not choosing the arcade; he could have been home by now. That’s what he got for being stingy.

The ending credits rolled and he stretched his arms. Daisuke was quick to get up.

“We should go home,” he said.

“Already?” Yoshimura sounded disappointed.

Daisuke took out his phone and showed him the screen. “29 missed calls and 14 emails. I’m sure 27, 28 calls are from my mom.”

“Yuu-chan didn’t get any calls from his mother?” Yoshimura looked at Yuuto’s direction.

Yuuto scowled at him, hating to hear his name said in that way on that person’s lips. “I told my mom I’ll be late tonight…” he muttered.

“Such a good boy…” Yoshimura fawned. “I want to hug you but I think you’ll beat me up.”

Yuuto shuddered and went to get his coat, although he wasn’t sure it was the cold that made him shiver.

Yoshimura escorted the two boys to the train subway station and gave Daisuke a quick goodbye kiss.

“I don’t like that guy…” Yuuto muttered when Yoshimura disappeared from sight.

“Good,” Daisuke replied and moved a strand of hair from Yuuto’s eyes. “You shouldn’t hang around with people like him.”

“You shouldn’t either!” Yuuto protested.

“I can take care of myself…” Daisuke pulled out his pack of cigarette and picked up one. Yuuto gestured at the large no smoking sign behind him and Daisuke shoved the cigarette back. “Well, fuck.”

~*~

Daisuke sprawled on the seat in the train, leaning against Yuuto. He loosened his scarf and pulled out his mobile phone to read his emails. The bulk of them were from his friends, especially his friends from the club, asking him to come over to hang out with them. One email was from Akira, his younger brother, telling him their mother was pissed off he didn't call in.

"Yuu-chan, can I stay over tonight?" Daisuke asked as he clicked reply.

"You should've called your mother..." Yuuto moved his arm to hug his friend. "Of course you can stay."

Daisuke continued to tick on the keys and then hit send. A few moments later his phone buzzed with incoming mail.

You owe me.

"Little asshole..." Daisuke whispered and grinned. “She’s been taken care of.”

~*~

"Yuuto?" His mother called from the kitchen when he opened the door.

"I'm home." He took off his shoes, followed by Daisuke, who did the same.

"Ah, Daisuke-kun, it's been a while... how are you?" Yuuto's mom smiled at him.

"I'm good, Chika-san, thank you." He smiled, "Sorry for interrupting."

Kaname Chika was probably the mirror opposite of Hasabe Akiko, Daisuke's mother. She was 52 years old, but her tired eyes could make her look older. Her silvering hair was pulled back into a bun, her clothes were simple and homey and she didn't look like she's just returned from a raid in the finest designer boutiques in town.

"I prepared nabe,” she said ruffling her son’s hair as she spoke. “I’ve been working late recently so I thought you’d like a fresh meal for a change. I’ve just served it to the table so sit down.”

“Thank you.” Yuuto didn’t want to disappoint her by telling her he had already eaten outside. Daisuke seemed to have had the same idea and sat down next to Yuuto.

“Chika-san’s nabe is the best,” he said.

She smiled softly at him, “You’re such a charmer.” She dried her hands with the hand towel and removed her apron. “I have an early shift so I’ll call it a night.”

“I wish my mom was more like yours,” Daisuke said and stuffed his mouth with a large ball of rice.

“Your mom just worries about you because you look like a punk.”

“I do not… okay, maybe a little…”

“If she knew all the things you’re doing, she would probably die…”

“Probably…” The thought seemed to have amused Daisuke. “Better not tell her then…”

“So you need to stop fooling with the entire school, what if rumors started?” Yuuto pressed on the matter. It probably bothered him more than it bothered Daisuke.

“Firstly, I don’t care. Secondly, it’s easy to refute rumors. And any way I’m not doing it with just anybody…”

Yuuto snorted.

“It’s true! I have standards.”

Yuuto shook his head in feigned sympathy and started collecting the dishes. “I’ll wash the dishes, you can use the bathroom first.”

“You’re not coming in with me?”

Yuuto put the dishes in the sink, not looking at Daisuke. It felt weird, because they took many baths together in the past, but he couldn’t help but think this time was different. What if Daisuke suddenly touched him, they would get carried away, fool around… would he also become one of Daisuke’s long list of conquests?

Before he had the opportunity to let his imagination run any wilder, Daisuke touched his arm, calling his name. Yuuto was startled and dropped the glass he was holding. It shuttered into pieces in the sink.

“Dammit… I’m sorry!” he called out in panic.

“Are you okay?” Daisuke asked.

Yuuto nodded, still looking spaced out.

“You’re bleeding…” Daisuke grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Yuuto’s left hand. “You’re so clumsy, Yuu-chan.”

“I’m sorry…” Yuuto mumbled. ‘Even though it was your fault…’

Daisuke removed the towel and grabbed Yuuto’s hand, checking the wound. “Doesn’t look deep, you’ll be fine.”

Yuuto pulled back his hand. “I’ll finish washing the dishes and join you…” he said meekly.

~*~

Daisuke was inside the bath when Yuuto walked in. Yuuto removed his shirt and when he was about to unbuckle his pants, some strange sensation of self consciousness overwhelmed him. Would Daisuke look at him differently now? Would he compare him to the guys he was with? He couldn’t help but overanalyze the situation from every possible angle.

“Yuu-chan~ hurry up!” Daisuke prompted him.

He sounded his usual self, Yuuto pondered. He finished undressing, putting his clothes in the laundry basket and sat on the small stool to soap himself clean under the stream of water.

He then stepped over to the tub, his hands covering his loins. Daisuke was busy soaking himself under the water and Yuuto used that moment to hop in. They were facing each other in the small tub, their legs touching. Yuuto felt his face flushing. He raised his eyes to Daisuke. Daisuke's hair looked darker and longer when it was soaking wet and stuck to his skull. It brought out his chiseled cheekbones and fine features. Yuuto felt his stomach flutter. He forced himself to look away and dunked his head in the warm water. He quickly emerged, gasping for air. Daisuke didn’t seem to notice he was in any kind of turmoil.

“Ah~ this feels so good~” Daisuke leaned his head back.

“It’s just a regular bath…” Yuuto muttered. “Besides, why did you insist to take it together? We’re in High School now”.

“Because it’s more fun with Yuu-chan~” Daisuke smiled cheerfully and moved in to hug Yuuto.

Yuuto made a face, at the same time he became more aware of the feeling of Daisuke’s slippery body on his skin. He tried to move away, but they were trapped in the small tub.

“Don’t worry, I won’t molest you,” Daisuke said, amused.

Yuuto blushed. “I-idiot!!”

Daisuke let go of him. “I’m just joking, calm down.”

Yuuto wrapped his arms around his folded knees. “I don’t understand you…”

“Hm?” Daisuke played with the water, sprinkling a little at Yuuto.

“You have everything… you’re handsome, you’re popular… you have… well, your grades aren’t so bad… and you even dated Horie-chan… everyone wants to date her…”

“And?” Daisuke asked nonchalantly. “Point?”

“Well, that’s the point… you’re just fooling around, taking risks, instead of –“

“Stop, you’re starting to sound like my father…” Daisuke cut him off. “I’m young… I’m experimenting… I have my whole life to be serious.”

“But…” Yuuto hesitated. “I thought you loved Horie-chan…”

Daisuke furrowed his brow and shrugged. “I liked Kasumi… I still like her… I just don’t believe in love.” He wrinkled his nose. “Especially if love means you have to be with one person and work hard to keep them happy… I’m glad Kasumi broke up with me!”

Yuuto shivered. It was time to get out of the bath. But Daisuke’s words bothered him. He wasn’t an expert on love or anything, but it seemed wrong.

“I don’t think you have to, I think you should want to…” he said.

Daisuke scoffed, “What do you know? You’ve never even kissed anyone.”

“I’m sorry… “ Yuuto got up and grabbed his towel. “I upset you.”

“No, forget it.” Daisuke got out of the bath as well and picked a towel. He faced Yuuto. “You’re a lot smarter than me, Yuu-chan.” He put his hand on the wall behind Yuuto, trapping the shorter boy and towering over him. He leaned in, his face a breath away from Yuuto’s head. “But you’re wrong.”

Yuuto didn’t dare to raise his head. Instead he fixated his eyes on the floor, looking at how close their feet were.

Yuuto thought Daisuke was going to talk more, but he just started to dry himself up. Maybe it was better to just leave things as they were.

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