LOVER BOY chapter 6 of 7
CHAPTER 6
The moment they arrived at the airport, Tetsu distanced himself from Hyde. He only said “I’ll contact you.” And then left to the baggage claim area. Hyde understood very well that his fiancée must have been here to pick him up. He who traveled lightly with only a back-pack, immediately went home.
On the way to his small rented house, he passed the Takarai’s Residence and decided to drop by. He had found out that his stepsister had bought her own house and moved out from there. But to his disappointment his sinister stepmother was still there, greeted him.
Even before he spoke, she had already known his intentions.
“If you’re here for the boat, you’re too late. She sold it 2 days ago.”
Hyde’s eyes widened in surprise, “What? How could she? She has no right to sell it. I know Dad left everything to me.”
“Don’t you dare speak to me about rights. All your rights as a Takarai have gone the moment you left this house.”
Hyde shook his head, “No, that’s not true. I met with Kuruyama-san and he informed me about his will.”
His stepmother sneered, “Did your sister ever tell you that your father hand changed his will only a few days before he died and used a different lawyer?”
Hyde shook his head in sadness, “I don’t really care about other things, I only want the boat. Please…”
She laughed mockingly, “And what for? Buy it? A poor queer like you cannot afford such luxury.”
Hyde clenched his teeth in anger and sadness; deep down inside he knew she was right. He couldn’t afford renting a dock and maintaining its condition, let alone buying it. Yet his heart couldn’t just let go. There in that boat was the most precious memory he had with his father.
“If there’s nothing else, you should leave. You know the way out.”
She turned her back and went away. Hyde hurriedly left the house, running as fast as he could towards the nearby harbor. Takarai Residence was located near the shore line on a higher ground. From the back porch he remembered he could see the harbor.
While he was running he wished hard that it would rain so he could hide his tears. He kept on running downhill and his sight became so blurry because of the tears. He didn’t bother wiping it away. As the road turned, he was almost hit by a car, but he kept on running…
***
Megumi leaned on his shoulder, talking about the preparations she had made for their wedding. Tetsu looked out the window of the car, listening to her half heartedly. He only listened to the part where she decided to change the venue to Osaka instead of Tokyo without consulting him. That made him quite angry, but he chose to remain silent for the moment.
Suddenly the driver stepped on the breaks and both Megumi and Tetsu jerked forward. Megumi cursed and scolded the driver. Tetsu saw a man was almost being ran over by the car. He seemed upset and as he passed by the side of the car, Tetsu recognized him.
“Hyde! What’s he doing here? Is he… he’s crying! He turned his head around to confirm what he had just seen but the car started to move away.
“What’s the matter, darling?” Megumi asked.
“Nothing… by the way… if I’m not mistaken, that road leads to the small harbor, right?” He asked pointing to the road taken by Hyde.
Megumi smiled, “Yes… do you want to sit there and watch the moonlight like the last time we were there?”
Tetsu gave her a fake smile, “Maybe…”
Inside his head he replayed the scene when Hyde was running pass the car. His face looked so pale and his sorrow showed. He couldn’t help wondering what was going on, and he wanted to know.
He talked to the driver, “Uchida-san, Please stop the car and let me out. I’d like to make some business phone calls. You can pick me up at the harbor an hour from now.”
And gave Megumi a light kiss, “Just an hour to take care of my business in Tokyo, I promise you I’ll be back before dinner.”
He got out of the car and waited until the car disappeared from view before tracing Hyde’s steps. He walked and walked and didn’t see him. He was about to arrive at the harbor and was ready to give the artist a call when suddenly he saw a familiar figure.
He saw Hyde was sitting alone under a tree on a high ground facing the harbor. He walked out of the main road and followed the path. Hyde was unaware as he approached him and he could hear him sobbing.
Tetsu had never heard a man cried that hard. He waited for a while, until Hyde’s cries subdued. There was a part of his heart that wanted to protect him. He wanted to make him smile again. A strange feeling that he had never felt for a long time… since Kamijo’s death.
“Whatever is your problem, will you share it with me?” Tetsu walked closer now.
Hyde was so surprised to see him and didn’t even have time to wipe his tears off.
The artist seemed so vulnerable now. He had lost his cool and smile. His eyes didn’t sparkle and his lips trembled. Tetsu hurriedly sat beside him. He wiped Hyde’s tears with his thumbs and then gave him a hug.
“Nakanaide, onegai… (Please, don’t cry.)” He whispered softly in his ear before releasing his hug.
“Master Ogawa… what are you doing here?” Hyde asked.
Tetsu smiled, “I was about to ask you the very same question.”
Hyde turned his face away, trying to hide whatever sad expression he had on his face.
“I came to say goodbye to… to that.” He pointed towards the harbor.
Tetsu frowned, “To those 3 fishing boats?”
“No… just one, the one on the left, the one with the strange name.”
Tetsu looked again, “L’Arc-en-Ciel is not a strange name. It means Niji (rainbow).”
“Not many people know about that.” Hyde commented coldly.
“Well… I studied in London and I often went to France during that time.”
Tetsu realized that Hyde wasn’t interested in why he knew the meaning of the words and how to pronounce it.
“So, what’s the story of this special rainbow? If it makes you cry that hard, it must have nostalgic value to you.” He asked.
Hyde nodded. After taking a long sigh he told Tetsu everything about his father, step mother, the boat and how he had lost the only chance to get it.
“Something that my step mother said today made me realize that I have to say goodbye to that boat for good.”
“What did she say?” Tetsu asked with curiosity.
Hyde smiled sadly, “… a poor queer like me can’t afford such luxury…”
“Oh come on, Hyde… That’s not entirely true.” Tetsu took Hyde’s hand in his inadvertently.
Hyde noticed his gesture, but didn’t seem to mind.
“Oh, but it is, Ogawa-sama. It is very true.”
Tetsu was so captivated by him. His sorrow seemed to bring out the dark side in him and although Tetsu love the cool and merry Hyde, it turned out that the sad and dark Hyde had gripped his heart even more tightly.
He came closer and caressed Hyde’s beautiful face. His dark eyes, although had lost their sparkle, looked even more beautiful.
“You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever met.” He smiled at Hyde and continued, “I promise you, you will get that boat again one day. I know you can.”
Hyde looked deeply into his eyes, “The way you said it makes me believe it could come true.”
Tetsu nodded, “I believe it can.” He said, moving closer and closer until Hyde’s face was merely a few inches away from him.
He wanted to kiss him, but suddenly Hyde turned his face away.
“Not here, Ogawa-sama… If you’re seen with me in public place…” Hyde said, softly pushing him away.
Tetsu felt like a fool. What he had almost done was unthinkable. He was about to say something but Hyde rose on his feet.
“I must go home. I’ll go back to Tokyo tonight by train, Master Ogawa, to continue the work.”
Tetsu followed him and at that time he saw his car approaching. He glanced at his watch.
“Wait, Hyde. Let me introduce you to my fiancée. She’s here to pick me up.”
Hyde’s face changed, but Tetsu didn’t see it. As the car stopped, he realized that only the chauffer was inside.
“I guess she decided not to spend time watching sunset and moonrise on the harbor after all.” Tetsu smiled, “Maybe next time.”
Hyde nodded and looked relieved, “Sure.”
“You know what? Why not I take you home? Where do you live?”
Hyde shrugged, “I live in an apartment about 5 blocks from here. You don’t have to…”
“I want to.” Tetsu opened the car door, in a way forcing Hyde to get in.
Hyde gave him a smile, “Arigato.” He said while getting in the car.
Along the way to his apartment they didn’t talk much. Tetsu seemed a bit tense while on the contrary Hyde had returned to his usual relaxed and cool manner.
Once they arrived in front of the apartment building, surprisingly Tetsu got out of the car to follow him.
“Can I see your apartment?”
Hyde smiled happily, “Of course. It’s on the fifth floor.”
They took an elevator and walked along a narrow corridor. The building was clean, but old. Some of the tiles were broken. This must be a very cheap apartment, Tetsu thought.
“Come on in, Master Ogawa. It’s not much.” Hyde let him in and closed the door.
At that moment, Tetsu grabbed him and pulled him. He kissed Hyde’s lips greedily, like a thirsty man given a glass of cold water.
“I don’t want to see you crying… ever again.” He said in the middle of his passionate kiss.
Hyde was hardly able to breath, but he welcomed him as passionately.
Once Tetsu let him go, Hyde leaned at the door gasping for air.
“Don’t go back to Tokyo tonight. You can go tomorrow.”
Hyde shook his head in confusion, “… Ogawa-sama, there’s nothing here for me. I really need to get away from here as soon as I can… or.. or… I’ll end up crying again.”
Tetsu grabbed his shoulders, “No. I need you to wait for me here. I’ll come back to you tonight. Promise me you’ll be here!”
Hyde let out a sigh, “I don’t understand. We will meet again when you come back home in Tokyo. It’s not like my work will be finished in just a couple of days. I really need to go away from all this.” He waved his hands on the air.
Tetsu shook him hard, “No! Hyde… don’t make me beg.”
Hyde sighed again, longer than the previous one.
“Wha…” He was about to ask a question but Tetsu shook his shoulders again.
“I need to find out something. I need to know something. And I need your help.” Tetsu said, “Help me!”
Hyde looked deep into Tetsu’s eyes and didn’t see anything there but emptiness.
“Okay… I’ll help you.” He finally said.
Tetsu pulled him and hugged him tight. Then he opened the door and went out. His action was so erratic that it was confusing Hyde. Tetsu looked back at him.
“Be here tonight!” He said and Hyde bowed like a loyal servant.
He closed the door and shut his eyes. His hand touched his lips. Tetsu’s tongue left its warmth inside his mouth and he could still feel it. He opened his eyes and murmured:
“It tastes so good…”
The moment they arrived at the airport, Tetsu distanced himself from Hyde. He only said “I’ll contact you.” And then left to the baggage claim area. Hyde understood very well that his fiancée must have been here to pick him up. He who traveled lightly with only a back-pack, immediately went home.
On the way to his small rented house, he passed the Takarai’s Residence and decided to drop by. He had found out that his stepsister had bought her own house and moved out from there. But to his disappointment his sinister stepmother was still there, greeted him.
Even before he spoke, she had already known his intentions.
“If you’re here for the boat, you’re too late. She sold it 2 days ago.”
Hyde’s eyes widened in surprise, “What? How could she? She has no right to sell it. I know Dad left everything to me.”
“Don’t you dare speak to me about rights. All your rights as a Takarai have gone the moment you left this house.”
Hyde shook his head, “No, that’s not true. I met with Kuruyama-san and he informed me about his will.”
His stepmother sneered, “Did your sister ever tell you that your father hand changed his will only a few days before he died and used a different lawyer?”
Hyde shook his head in sadness, “I don’t really care about other things, I only want the boat. Please…”
She laughed mockingly, “And what for? Buy it? A poor queer like you cannot afford such luxury.”
Hyde clenched his teeth in anger and sadness; deep down inside he knew she was right. He couldn’t afford renting a dock and maintaining its condition, let alone buying it. Yet his heart couldn’t just let go. There in that boat was the most precious memory he had with his father.
“If there’s nothing else, you should leave. You know the way out.”
She turned her back and went away. Hyde hurriedly left the house, running as fast as he could towards the nearby harbor. Takarai Residence was located near the shore line on a higher ground. From the back porch he remembered he could see the harbor.
While he was running he wished hard that it would rain so he could hide his tears. He kept on running downhill and his sight became so blurry because of the tears. He didn’t bother wiping it away. As the road turned, he was almost hit by a car, but he kept on running…
***
Megumi leaned on his shoulder, talking about the preparations she had made for their wedding. Tetsu looked out the window of the car, listening to her half heartedly. He only listened to the part where she decided to change the venue to Osaka instead of Tokyo without consulting him. That made him quite angry, but he chose to remain silent for the moment.
Suddenly the driver stepped on the breaks and both Megumi and Tetsu jerked forward. Megumi cursed and scolded the driver. Tetsu saw a man was almost being ran over by the car. He seemed upset and as he passed by the side of the car, Tetsu recognized him.
“Hyde! What’s he doing here? Is he… he’s crying! He turned his head around to confirm what he had just seen but the car started to move away.
“What’s the matter, darling?” Megumi asked.
“Nothing… by the way… if I’m not mistaken, that road leads to the small harbor, right?” He asked pointing to the road taken by Hyde.
Megumi smiled, “Yes… do you want to sit there and watch the moonlight like the last time we were there?”
Tetsu gave her a fake smile, “Maybe…”
Inside his head he replayed the scene when Hyde was running pass the car. His face looked so pale and his sorrow showed. He couldn’t help wondering what was going on, and he wanted to know.
He talked to the driver, “Uchida-san, Please stop the car and let me out. I’d like to make some business phone calls. You can pick me up at the harbor an hour from now.”
And gave Megumi a light kiss, “Just an hour to take care of my business in Tokyo, I promise you I’ll be back before dinner.”
He got out of the car and waited until the car disappeared from view before tracing Hyde’s steps. He walked and walked and didn’t see him. He was about to arrive at the harbor and was ready to give the artist a call when suddenly he saw a familiar figure.
He saw Hyde was sitting alone under a tree on a high ground facing the harbor. He walked out of the main road and followed the path. Hyde was unaware as he approached him and he could hear him sobbing.
Tetsu had never heard a man cried that hard. He waited for a while, until Hyde’s cries subdued. There was a part of his heart that wanted to protect him. He wanted to make him smile again. A strange feeling that he had never felt for a long time… since Kamijo’s death.
“Whatever is your problem, will you share it with me?” Tetsu walked closer now.
Hyde was so surprised to see him and didn’t even have time to wipe his tears off.
The artist seemed so vulnerable now. He had lost his cool and smile. His eyes didn’t sparkle and his lips trembled. Tetsu hurriedly sat beside him. He wiped Hyde’s tears with his thumbs and then gave him a hug.
“Nakanaide, onegai… (Please, don’t cry.)” He whispered softly in his ear before releasing his hug.
“Master Ogawa… what are you doing here?” Hyde asked.
Tetsu smiled, “I was about to ask you the very same question.”
Hyde turned his face away, trying to hide whatever sad expression he had on his face.
“I came to say goodbye to… to that.” He pointed towards the harbor.
Tetsu frowned, “To those 3 fishing boats?”
“No… just one, the one on the left, the one with the strange name.”
Tetsu looked again, “L’Arc-en-Ciel is not a strange name. It means Niji (rainbow).”
“Not many people know about that.” Hyde commented coldly.
“Well… I studied in London and I often went to France during that time.”
Tetsu realized that Hyde wasn’t interested in why he knew the meaning of the words and how to pronounce it.
“So, what’s the story of this special rainbow? If it makes you cry that hard, it must have nostalgic value to you.” He asked.
Hyde nodded. After taking a long sigh he told Tetsu everything about his father, step mother, the boat and how he had lost the only chance to get it.
“Something that my step mother said today made me realize that I have to say goodbye to that boat for good.”
“What did she say?” Tetsu asked with curiosity.
Hyde smiled sadly, “… a poor queer like me can’t afford such luxury…”
“Oh come on, Hyde… That’s not entirely true.” Tetsu took Hyde’s hand in his inadvertently.
Hyde noticed his gesture, but didn’t seem to mind.
“Oh, but it is, Ogawa-sama. It is very true.”
Tetsu was so captivated by him. His sorrow seemed to bring out the dark side in him and although Tetsu love the cool and merry Hyde, it turned out that the sad and dark Hyde had gripped his heart even more tightly.
He came closer and caressed Hyde’s beautiful face. His dark eyes, although had lost their sparkle, looked even more beautiful.
“You are the most beautiful man I’ve ever met.” He smiled at Hyde and continued, “I promise you, you will get that boat again one day. I know you can.”
Hyde looked deeply into his eyes, “The way you said it makes me believe it could come true.”
Tetsu nodded, “I believe it can.” He said, moving closer and closer until Hyde’s face was merely a few inches away from him.
He wanted to kiss him, but suddenly Hyde turned his face away.
“Not here, Ogawa-sama… If you’re seen with me in public place…” Hyde said, softly pushing him away.
Tetsu felt like a fool. What he had almost done was unthinkable. He was about to say something but Hyde rose on his feet.
“I must go home. I’ll go back to Tokyo tonight by train, Master Ogawa, to continue the work.”
Tetsu followed him and at that time he saw his car approaching. He glanced at his watch.
“Wait, Hyde. Let me introduce you to my fiancée. She’s here to pick me up.”
Hyde’s face changed, but Tetsu didn’t see it. As the car stopped, he realized that only the chauffer was inside.
“I guess she decided not to spend time watching sunset and moonrise on the harbor after all.” Tetsu smiled, “Maybe next time.”
Hyde nodded and looked relieved, “Sure.”
“You know what? Why not I take you home? Where do you live?”
Hyde shrugged, “I live in an apartment about 5 blocks from here. You don’t have to…”
“I want to.” Tetsu opened the car door, in a way forcing Hyde to get in.
Hyde gave him a smile, “Arigato.” He said while getting in the car.
Along the way to his apartment they didn’t talk much. Tetsu seemed a bit tense while on the contrary Hyde had returned to his usual relaxed and cool manner.
Once they arrived in front of the apartment building, surprisingly Tetsu got out of the car to follow him.
“Can I see your apartment?”
Hyde smiled happily, “Of course. It’s on the fifth floor.”
They took an elevator and walked along a narrow corridor. The building was clean, but old. Some of the tiles were broken. This must be a very cheap apartment, Tetsu thought.
“Come on in, Master Ogawa. It’s not much.” Hyde let him in and closed the door.
At that moment, Tetsu grabbed him and pulled him. He kissed Hyde’s lips greedily, like a thirsty man given a glass of cold water.
“I don’t want to see you crying… ever again.” He said in the middle of his passionate kiss.
Hyde was hardly able to breath, but he welcomed him as passionately.
Once Tetsu let him go, Hyde leaned at the door gasping for air.
“Don’t go back to Tokyo tonight. You can go tomorrow.”
Hyde shook his head in confusion, “… Ogawa-sama, there’s nothing here for me. I really need to get away from here as soon as I can… or.. or… I’ll end up crying again.”
Tetsu grabbed his shoulders, “No. I need you to wait for me here. I’ll come back to you tonight. Promise me you’ll be here!”
Hyde let out a sigh, “I don’t understand. We will meet again when you come back home in Tokyo. It’s not like my work will be finished in just a couple of days. I really need to go away from all this.” He waved his hands on the air.
Tetsu shook him hard, “No! Hyde… don’t make me beg.”
Hyde sighed again, longer than the previous one.
“Wha…” He was about to ask a question but Tetsu shook his shoulders again.
“I need to find out something. I need to know something. And I need your help.” Tetsu said, “Help me!”
Hyde looked deep into Tetsu’s eyes and didn’t see anything there but emptiness.
“Okay… I’ll help you.” He finally said.
Tetsu pulled him and hugged him tight. Then he opened the door and went out. His action was so erratic that it was confusing Hyde. Tetsu looked back at him.
“Be here tonight!” He said and Hyde bowed like a loyal servant.
He closed the door and shut his eyes. His hand touched his lips. Tetsu’s tongue left its warmth inside his mouth and he could still feel it. He opened his eyes and murmured:
“It tastes so good…”