Heaven Far Away

@_AshLee_: Thank you very much for the review, I'm glad you're enjoying this story so far. Ah, if this could be made into a manga, it would certainly be a dream come true! Hahah. I hope future releases will not take too long! *crosses fingers*

Chapter Three - Then and Now

“Oh would you look at who the cat dragged in.” Even before Kazuya could set his second foot into the shack –it really was a shack!-, the mocking sing-song voices of the inhabitants have already spoken up. The aspiring host didn’t even flinch a muscle. “What is this? I thought you had forgotten all about our existence.”

“Shove it, you dicks.” Kazuya replied with equal strength, though more amused than annoyed. As did the rest of the guys appear. “If I had forgotten all about you people, I wouldn’t be here, now would I?”

The group snickered and huddled closer to give him a sitting place. This wasn’t an area that Kazuya liked to venture back. However, he could not deny that these people have spent with him some of the toughest times and he wasn’t one to forget these things. Although their words are nasty and bitter, Kazuya still liked to believe that their comradeship couldn’t be broken after all that they’ve been through.

Now, he was the one who seemed out of place. Although he could not afford the international brand names that those hosts wore in the club, no longer was he covered in drabs and dirtied clothes. Yet these differences made no real impact on anyone in the circle.

“How have you guys been?”

“You know, the same old, same old.” Taro replied with a shrug of his shoulders, the cigarette hanging from his lips was almost gone. Kazuya suddenly felt a bout of sympathy; he could understand what “same old, same old” entailed. It meant if they did not slug a certain amount, they weren’t allowed to go back into the house. And if they were caught, no one would save them. And if they get beaten, then they were beaten, but the quota each day had to brought in.

It was so the drug addictions could be fed.

“If you guys ever need a place, you know you can always come find me.” He couldn’t help but offer. Although his own assistance would be limited, he felt that he just needed to do something for them.

“Nah, we wouldn’t survive in that world of yours anyways. Too rigid for us, ain’t it right, boys?” Jun nudged the guy next to him and the entire group laughed and nodded in agreement.

Kazuya knew that they would never take up on his offer, but at least he could bring some relaxation into their lives. Even for a second.

Today, he had the entire day off. Bakusui was nice enough to give him a break, and not to mention he just got paid last night. It was a great evening! Not as great as that evening he spent in the owner’s bed though. It’s been a week since that little predicament, and although he woke up to an empty bed, just the idea alone was enough. He made no attempts to confirm whether the owner slept in that bed with him or not, he figured it was much nicer to dream.

Of course, his training was ever present, and the owner did not act any differently from before. It was all expected.

“Alright, now that I’m here! Let’s go out and have some fun!” Kazuya announced and hopped up from the stool that had been given to him. Before, he couldn’t sit on stools because his status wasn’t high enough. Now, they probably regarded him as a fragile little boy and had to take pity on him.

Well, he would be quick to tell them that Bakusui’s training would put any pimp or gang leader to shame.

Kazuya didn’t want to have fun like what the hosts would do. Go out and play billiard, go lounge in the sun, or perhaps take a road trip. No, those things were for the rich and for him and his friends, fun meant what they used to do. First, it would begin with tracking down the targets that they had in mind, and then Kazuya would be the bait. With his young face, large eyes, and the preppy clothes, those victims would always fall for his acts.

And the next thing you know, when they get home, they would have realized that something would be gone from their bag. Wallet. Cell phone. IPod. All the expensive things. It was the way they used to live and while Kazuya knew that it was wrong, this was how they’ve always behaved.

Then next in line would be to hide in some abandoned building and throw random things at people passing by. Of course, they would hide themselves strategically and watch as the passer-bys put on the most hilarious show of trying to find out just who had done it. Who had thrown that rock at them!?

Kazuya laughed and forgot about all his duties. He wasn’t a host in training right now; he was just a twenty-year old kid having fun, with the rest of his friends. This was where he belonged, he couldn’t put up with those fancy dinner parties that Takumi had brought him to. He wasn’t even sure if he could fake it with a client like every other host seems to be able to. No, Kazuya knew that he had to love that person before he could do anything.

When the sun was on its highest peak, the group sat down on the rooftop with lunch and beer while looking out at the city.

“How are you enjoying your new life, huh?” Taro asked. He sat beside Kazuya looking towards the edge of the sky and the edge of this city. Kazuya and Taro have always been close when they were on the streets; they covered each other’s asses and made sure that they’ve always met the quota to get a roof to sleep under at night.

Kazuya shrugged and took a swig of his beer; he contemplated his answer before speaking. “Truthfully, it’s better than on the streets, of course. However, when you look at it deeper, even I know that it’s just a fancy house for prostitution.” Kazuya hated to say that because it would make the owner look like an immoral bastard, but deep down, he knew that was the truth.

“I don’t see how that’s better than the streets.” Taro shook his head with a face full of disapproval. “I mean, on the streets, yeah it was tough, but at least you don’t have to spread your legs to those who you don’t want to be screwing you up in the ass.” He paused and then frowned. “Other than those men who would come and force it on you, but that doesn’t happen often.”

It happened often enough to Kazuya that he felt no difference being forced to spread his legs or doing so willingly.

“Yeah, but the environment is different. There, you get paid for spreading your legs. I don’t know about you, but that’s better than kissing some asshole whose mouth is dirtier than a toilet bowl.”

Taro chuckled and took a swig of his beer and looked up at the sky. They were silent for a moment. “You’ve changed, Kazuya.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“How so?”

“You used to hate it when other people touch you like that. I remember the first time that happened; you nearly broke someone’s neck.”

Ah, when he first got a taste of what punishment was like on the streets. Kazuya had fought and fought and fought and then some, he thought that if he could kill those men, then he could prove himself. Turns out, the more he fought, the worse they beat him. Then, he understood that he couldn’t possibly get away from them.

“I still don’t like it.” Kazuya admitted. “However, now I have a reason, and I have a goal to work towards?”

“Oh? Let’s hear them.”

Here, involuntarily, he actually blushed and glanced away from Taro. “I want to repay the one who saved me. I want to make him proud of me.”

“Oh you’re shitting me, my brother.” Taro clapped him on the back and Kazuya thought for a second that he was going to fall off the roof edge. “You’re telling me that you’re doing this for love?” His jeering laughter grew louder and Kazuya then thought that he was going to fall off the roof edge. “Oh get real, you’re too much Kazuya. What’s the real reason?”

“That is the real reason.”

Taro looked at him with the strangest face for a long moment before it dissolved into something that Kazuya recognized as disbelief. Taro couldn’t believe that he would fall this hard for someone, anyone at all.

“Who… who is… I mean, is it the dude who picked you up that night?” Taro had been there, everyone had been there. They all saw the owner pick him up from the floor and carried him out of the door, and eventually, out of their lives.

“Yes.”

“Dude, that man is like so much older than you! I don’t think he’d love someone who tried to steal his wallet before.”

Yes, that was –unfortunately- how the two of them met.

“I know, but at least I can try.” Kazuya said with a smile. “If not love, then I’ll make sure that he can see me every single day, know that I’m there and won’t forget me. And that I’ll always be a part of his life.” Here, Kazuya started growing a little more animated, his face showed his own determination. “My ultimate goal is to have him love me back, of course. However, I thought a more realistic goal would be to reach number one place in the club and then I’ll precious, I’ll be irreplaceable. Then I can have grounds to bargain with him and then…”

“But you’ll always just be another host.” Taro interrupted and spoke quietly.

“Yeah, but I’ll be number one. I’ll gain more of his attention, and he’ll be proud and…” Kazuya trailed off, he wanted to say “love”, but didn’t know where that would fit. However, he knew that no matter what Taro would say, he would not give up on that goal.

[Opiate]

“What do you want?”

Ren lifted an eyebrow and looked at the moody host sitting in his room sipping tea, as per the usual. “I heard you were being punished, so I came to see whether your ass is still in one piece, but… you look more than content.” And comfortable as well. “What? Is old man Bakusui losing his touch?”

And there went the tea cup in Gen’s hand.

“For fuck’s sake!” Ren cursed as he dodged the porcelain that landed on the wall behind him and shattered. Yet another cup that was trashed by Gen, but he wasn’t deterred. Ren shoved his hands into his pocket and moved further into the room, inspecting the more traditional setting as compared to some of the other rooms. “God, how the fuck does Shuzo put up with you?”

“Shoto Ren, I promise, the next time, I will not miss.”

“Alright, alright.” He put up his hands and settled down across the table from Gen. “I won’t speak of Shuzo.”

“Not of Bakusui-sama either.”

“Now that one would be a bit harder.”

Gen’s fingers curled around the next tea cup and Ren reached out quickly to pull that away from him. At this distance, he wasn’t sure if he could dodge it quickly enough. Shuzo may have had practice with it, but he certainly hasn’t. And wouldn’t exactly want to either.

“Bakusui-sama has done nothing wrong.”

“Nothing wrong? That man could be the next devil after the current one dies!”

“Watch your mouth!”

“Look, what do you see in him, mm? What’s so good about him, mm?”

“Everything.” Gen hissed out, he leaned forward with narrowed eyes half glaring at Ren. “You’re just pissy because he broke you in and trained you like you’ve never been trained before. You’re just angry that even after all that work, you’re still just number two and will never be number one. You’re just a childish prick who cannot see what value someone has.”

Ren’s jaw tightened and he starred at Gen calmly, as if contemplating upon how to beat up this young host who dared to speak so insolently towards him. In the end, it was words instead of actions that spoke. “I could say the same for you.”

“What?”

“You’re just jealous that you are not number one either. You are mad because no matter how hard you work, neither the owner nor Bakusui will approve of you. And you mind the fact that Shuzo originally wanted the number one but he wasn’t around so he had to settle for you.”

This time, Gen did not hesitant to brush aside the porcelain tea set on the table, sending them crashing to the floor. Ren looked over at the mess before snorting. “You’re going to get double the punishment for that one.”

“Shut up!” Gen squeezed out, his eyes intended upon murdering the older host. “You don’t know what you’re talking about! I don’t want the number one position; I don’t care about the number one position! He can keep his number one for as long as he’d like, it’s got nothing on me!”

Ren looked up at him calmly before rising from his seat with ease, as if this was a normal recurrence. Which, mostly, was true. “Well, since it looks like you’re enjoying your punishment just fine, I see I have no ground to worry.”

Worry?! He was never worried!
Gen wanted to rip this man’s face apart and throw him to the bottom of the ocean to feed the dying fish. God, never has anyone irritated him so much! Other than Shuzo, that man took irritation to a whole new level.

“Try not to kill your client, number two.”

Ren’s parting words were met with a huff and Gen promptly turned on his heels to retreat further into the room. The two futon lay there and he could only stare with heavy breathing. One was for Shuzo, but he hasn’t been back since Gen had last chased him away. He heard that Shuzo was off in Kyuushuu for a photo shoot. He recalled Ren’s words and tasted the bitterness in his mouth.

Was he just jealous?

No. He’s long reasoned it out with himself. Anyone would like to see what number one is like, so of course, everyone wants to ask for number one. And then, they’ll be disappointed with number one, then they will choose and pick carefully. Gen may be number two but he could offer real substance that the number one could not offer, therefore, he was the wiser choice and any man who’s ordered him must agree with him as well.

Exactly.

Therefore, Ren had no idea what the hell he was talking about.

[Night – Club]

“Are you sure we can be in a place like this?” Taro nudged Kazuya as he was just placing their orders of alcohol for the moment. Kazuya turned and gave him a look. “I don’t know, everything looks way too expensive here.” From left to right, all around them, there were people dressed in the latest fashion, talking about the latest gossips and drinking expensive concoctions. To his friends, they’ve never been allowed to be in such a place; in fact, they used to steal from those who would exit a place like this. And now that they’re sitting here, every little bit was unfamiliar and somewhat terrifying for them. Kazuya had felt the same when he first was brought into such a club, but now, it all just feels so normal. This just goes to show you that one could easily move from the lowest slumps up to luxury but not the other way around.

“It’s alright, really! Just enjoy yourselves! We can go dancing if you want. Order whatever you like, my pay cheque can cover it!”

His friends still looked uneasy and Kazuya couldn’t help but sigh as well. Maybe he was being cruel. He watched as they sipped at their own drinks carefully, they were used to drinking canned beer, suddenly alcohol in a high neck glass didn’t seem right to them. What’s more, they had gone shopping for the day and Kazuya had purposely redressed them for this evening. He knew that they tugged at their new clothes they had, uncomfortable in these material as compared to the slack that they were used to.

“I’m sorry guys.” Finally, Kazuya gave into his own guilt. “Are you really uncomfortable? I didn’t mean anything with this; I had only wanted to show you guys a good time now that I am able and capable of it.”

His apology met frantic protests and negations; he wanted to smile at their quick refusals but knew that he was right.

“I heard from the bartender that you were in tonight.”

From the aisle, someone spoke to them, and all turned to look. Kazuya was the only one who recognized him immediately and quickly stood to offer him a bow. Konbayoshi stood near their booth and looked at the group with indifference. “Evening, what are you doing here, owner-sama?”

“Do I need a reason to be in my club?”

Kazuya looked up at him in surprise, it was the first time that he’s learnt that Konbayoshi actually owns other establishment as well. “Oh, I see… I didn’t know…”

“Nothing for it.” The owner waved his apology aside and looked at the orders they had placed. “Have fun, order whatever you want, it’s on me.” Then he turned to leave but paused half way and turned back to address Kazuya. “I’ll be here for a while, if you need a ride back just tell the bartender to take you up to my office.” Then, he was truly gone, snuck into the crowds and disappeared within them.

For a long moment, no one was able to recover from that little episode. Kazuya sat down slowly and felt the mad rush of his heart in its cage.

“Wow, who the hell was that?”

“Definitely some hot shot!”

“Look at the watch he was wearing! Fuck, that would gain a pretty penny or two.”

That’s right, Kazuya glanced over at his friends’ excited jests, this was more like it. When he was out on the streets with them, he talked like this too. Now, he couldn’t even begin to think of Konbayoshi’s watch in that manner. The months of training had conditioned him to think of the maker, label and country of origin before recalling compliments that would be directed at the watch. None would specifically allude to how much money it must have cost.

He sat there and smiled politely at their conversation, growing worse by the second. He knew that they were joking –as he had done as well once a long while ago-, but now, it just seemed inappropriate. Taro was the one who noticed his distanced behaviour and turned to him with concern.

“Kazuya, you alright?

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He answered and unconsciously offered Taro a smile that he’s practiced to be reserved for clients only. A smile that was almost tolerant of anything they would say, but it didn’t really hold much meaning. Taro noticed before Kazuya realized it. “’I’m fine!” He tried to correct that behaviour quickly, but the change didn’t come as easily as he thought.

Then, there was a moment of awkward silence.

“You know what; I think we should get going now.” Taro spoke once again hesitantly, but Kazuya couldn’t help the thought of I agree. They looked at each other before Taro stood and patted Kazuya on the shoulder and stepped out of the booth.

“Thanks, man.”

“Had a lot of fun, thanks, dude.”

“Let’s do that again sometime, man.”

And when they were gone and his ears were cleared, Kazuya could only look at the alcohol that was barely touched. Almost mechanically, he stood and wanted to clear the table before he realized that it wasn’t his job. That’s right, this wasn’t in Opiate, he didn’t have to serve; in fact, people were supposed to serve him here.

Everything’s changed.

He shoved his hands into his pockets and strolled out of the club slowly. Like Konbayoshi had promised, all the costs were on him, Kazuya didn’t have to spend a single penny.

Outside, the moon was already high up in the sky, he could only tilt his head back and stare. It was the same moon that he and his friends used to watch when they had a night off. The moon didn’t change, but the person watching it has changed dramatically. Listlessly, he rounded the club to find its parking lot, in it, he located Konbayoshi’s car with ease. He knew just about everything that came to Konbayoshi, knowing his car was just a small detail. Approaching it, he knew that Konbayoshi was still inside, so he placed his hands on the hood of the car and lifted himself onto it in a sitting position.

The moon was still the same, but he’s changed.

Although his friends said that they should do it again, he knew that there would be no second time. Their worlds have suddenly been ripped apart and in this ever changing world, eventually they would become two parallel lines, destined to never meet again. It was sad. He’s made friends in Opiate, but these friends who stuck with him through the toughest times were whom he was grateful towards. There was just something special about having risked your lives together that cannot be erased by anything else.

Other than the passing of time, of course.

Kazuya didn’t keep track of the current and more immediate passing of time either. It wasn’t until someone stood in front of him directly did he blink away his gaze from the moon and lowered it back down to find Konbayoshi looking at him. For a moment, they just looked at each other. Usually, Kazuya would surely have scooted forward to be as close to him as possible, look as cute as possible and elicit as many responses from him as possible. Tonight, he merely looked at the owner before giving a small smile.

Something changed inside of Konbayoshi and he couldn’t help the hand that moved to touch Kazuya’s face. This was inappropriate. Although he was the one who set his own rules, he couldn’t move otherwise. “What is the matter with you?”

“Owner-sama, do you have any friends you are close to?”

Konbayoshi immediately thought of the entire club, but then only a handful of faces remained. “Why?”

“I heard that friendship is supposed to be the strongest glue for a person, but why is it that my glue fell apart so easily? Was mine a fraud?”

Konbayoshi looked at the young boy sitting on the hood of his car and wondered how he should reply. If he thinks carefully, there were only two people who have been with him for a long duration of his life. However, he wasn’t one who couldn’t survive if he had no friends in the world. As long as there were acquaintances, he’s always thought that then it wouldn’t make much difference.

“Come on; let’s get back to the club.” Finally, Konbayoshi patted Kazuya’s cheek and turned to head for the driver’s door. The car has already been unlocked as he was approaching; Kazuya was in a trance that he didn’t even notice. With a sigh, Kazuya hopped off the hood and moved for the passenger’s side. Where Konbayoshi had laid his hand, Kazuya could still feel its warmth. That moment had passed, but he couldn’t forget how gentle that hand was.

He was reminded yet again why he did this.

The trip back to the club was silent; Kazuya was curled up in his seat in a half drowsy state. He watched Konbayoshi out of the corner of his eyes, though it strained his visual organs, he thought it was worth it.

In this world, he’d think that just about everything was worth it if it was for Konbayoshi.

Sometime during the trip, he had dozed off leaning against the door. It had felt like an eternity, at the same time, it had felt like a second. Even in his dream, he had prayed that they could just drive on like this. It didn’t matter where they were going, or if they had a destination in mind.

In reality though, there was a very clear destination.

And when they reached it, Kazuya was awakened by the owner shaking him lightly. “Kazuya, wake up. We’re here already.”

Blinking groggily, Kazuya looked around him before looking up at the owner. Konbayoshi was leaning towards him through the opened passenger door. They were so close, he could see the dark blue of Konbayohi’s gaze, he could feel his breath and smelt the cologne that was him.

Armani Code.

“I don’t wanna.”

He thought he saw the owner’s eyes narrow ever so slightly. “Don’t be ridiculous, get out of the car.”

“No.”

“Do it.”

Kazuya pouted and looked at him with large eyes, to which, Konbayoshi starred right back at. Okay, so maybe the cute act wasn’t working on the owner.

“I’m tired, I can’t walk any more.” Kazuya tried and opened his arms towards the owner with a smile. His intention was more than clear.

This time, the owner did narrow his eyes and gave him a warning glance. “Stop it.” Kazuya knew that he was testing the owner’s patience and tolerance. He’s seen the owner angry before, and truly, it could rival with Bakusui’s anger. Not to mention he had the power to kick anyone out as he saw fit.

Or unfit?

“No?”

“No.”

“Then I’m not getting out!” Promptly, Kazuya crossed his arms and looked up at Konbayoshi with a determined gaze. Tonight, he wanted to know that there was at least someone else in this world who cared about him. Especially after how gently Konbayoshi had placed his hand against his cheek not long ago.

Konbayoshi looked at the young host –not even a host yet!- in his car and wondered why he was still here. Usually, he would have just slammed the door shut and left the person in his car. He was not a man who had patience, and at his age and status, there were rarely any people or situation that needed him to show such tolerance.

For this one, his hand just can’t seem to slam the door shut.

“If you be good and listen to me, then I’ll give you a present.” Konbayoshi said with a smirk.

Kazuya’s gaze lit up immediately and he had already begun leaning forward, then as if he thought of something else, he narrowed his gaze and starred up at Konbayoshi seriously. “You are not tricking me, right? Promise!”

Here, Konbayoshi felt a vein throb on his forehead. This time, he did straighten up and looked down at Kazuya with a lifted eyebrow. “One.”

Kazuya blinked and widened his gaze.

“Two.”

“It’s a promise!” In a mad scramble, the host climbed out of his car quickly and headed towards the club’s back entrance. Konbayoshi looked after his retreating back and chucked lightly.

Cute kid.

To be continued...