Six Months Later - Part 13
One last streak of smoke makes its vehement escape from the man’s lips, then crashes on the cold, grey door and dispels into the chilly night breeze. The cigarette falls on the floor and dies with a sigh. The large figure stands still, staring at the key clenched in his sweaty palm. Slowly, he raises his fist and knocks on the metal surface softly. The wind responds with a whistle through the corridor’s iron railings, sending a shiver down Asami’s spine. The second knock comes louder, more urgent and demanding. “Akihito?” Silence. “I know you’re in there, Akihito. Open the door.” Are you alright? The tormenting knot in his stomach is throbbing with agony. Are you still crying? Have you hurt yourself? His heart is about to burst, his reason threatened by paranoia. Is somebody there with you? Have you run away? The third knock is a blow that shakes the door from its hinges. The man is panting heavily against the metal, squeezing the key in his fist, gasping desperately for self-control. “Let me in, Akihito!” Please.
“Asami?” The weak voice from the other side of the door sends waves of relief to the tense muscles of the large body. “Akihito.” His voice as composed as he can possibly fake it. “Are you alright?” A brief moment of silence “Yes.” Was that a sob? “I heard what happened with Ren today.” He licks his lips. “He was lying, Akihito.” More sobs escape through the metal barrier. “You must believe me.” Standing in the chilly darkness, the yakuza hears nothing but his lover’s muffled whimpers. The key itches in his palm. No, not this time... Resting his forehead on the cold door, he takes a deep breath. “Please.”
“I...I believe you, Asami.” When the words sink in, the man jerks with surprise. His heart leaps for a brief happy moment, then sinks in a new surge of concern. What’s wrong then? “I am glad to hear it, Akihito. Very glad, in fact. May I come in now?” The door trembles slightly. Asami can feel the weight of his lover pressing against the barrier. As the sobs become louder, he caresses the cold surface with his hand. Talk to me, dammit!
“No. Go back to him.”
“What?” Shock quickly gives way to confusion and irritation. “What are you talking about, Akihito? There is nothing betwe-”
“He loves you, Asami.” Akihito’s scream resounds with his pain. “He accepts you. You should be together.”
“What’s this nonsense? Open the door, Akihito.” The older man feels his patience slipping away like sand through a sieve.
“He’s the one for you, Asami. Not me.”
“Have you lost your mind over some empty words, brat?” Drowning in the flood of his emotions, the yakuza bangs his strong fist on the metal door. “Open the damn door or I’ll--”
A swift click on the lock and the door flies wide open. Taking a small step back in surprise Asami stares at the slender shadow trembling in front of him. “They were not just empty words, bastard!” Through the darkness, two golden eyes search for Akihito’s face, caressing the shimmering traces of his tears, his swollen lips, his burning eyes. I can’t miss this chance. “Oh?” Striving to keep himself composed, the yakuza takes a large step into the apartment as casually as possible and closes the door behind him. “They weren’t?”
For a few heartbeats, the two men stand still in the dark room, their bodies painfully close but not touching. Damn. Say something! Suffocating in this awkward silence, Asami reaches for the switch. Akihito squirms at the flood of light. He rubs his eyes slowly, then he picks up something from the floor and hands it over to the man. “Look at him, Asami.” The elder man scowls at the sight of the photograph lying in his hands, crumbled and wet, doubtlessly from his lover’s tears. “It’s a good angle. Good job. Now what does this have to do with us?” “He is glowing.” Akihito’s eyes still fixed on the floor. “Well, he’s a model. He’s paid to look good.” “No, that’s not it.” The young man lifts his head only for a second, then buries his gaze back into the floor. “He’s glowing because he’s talking about...the person he admires and loves.” The blond blushes, feeling the persistent golden gaze on him. Taking a deep breath, he musters all his courage and turns his eyes onto the other man. “He loves you Asami. Unconditionally. He accepts all of you. He said that he would stand by your side, even if you were a criminal. I...” He swallows hard. “I can’t say that.” As new tears attack his eyes, the young man covers his face with his hands. “I can’t.”