Ore-tachi ni Deatta no Wine 2010 Multi-chapter Contest Entry
Ore-tachi ni deatta no wine.
Chapter 1
It was a normal day at work and he loved going to work. Ever since he began working at that wine bar, he gradually became happier and happier as the days went on. He had always loved wine so getting a chance to work in a bar that only sold wine could only bring him closer and closer to what he loved.
He was Kamenashi Kazuya. He began baring a love for wine since he was 16 and now he grew up to be a perfect 24 year old man. He was beautiful- people often stared and dozed off while looking at him; he was pretty tall- compared to how tall other Japanese people were; he wasn’t from a wealthy family but he had enough to get his own apartment and now he just started his dream job. Well, not really just started. He had been working at the same place for over a month and he couldn’t be happier about it. There, he even found a close friend although he never really saw him drinking wine.
- Kame-chan, when you are finished with that…, his friend began, opening the door to the cellar; please do carry those boxes out.
- But Tat-chan!!! he began complaining, not wanting to carry that heavy load.
Maybe Kamenashi Kazuya was almost perfect. He enjoyed whining a bit to much for his age and when he did, he was always successful. Well. He was if the other was Koki. With Tat-chan the chances always were 50-50. There were moments when Tat-chan would just plain humor him and do the job in his stead and there were moments when he wouldn’t bulge a bit and turn even worse.
- Kame-chan…., Ueda Tatsuya began on a soft voice. If you don’t carry them…maybe you would like to wait outside for the new shipping of wines, he pointed at the big glass window from where they could see the heavy rain.
Kazuya gulped a bit and then licked his lower lip. Between carrying those boxes and going out in the rain, he would rather not have to do any of them but he had to choose one so he did. He reluctantly walked towards the cellar, opening it then closing the door and walking towards his target.
There was one particular wine that he loved. 2005 Parson’s Flat Shiraz Cabernet. He researched a bit about it after he discovered it. It had 14,5% alcohol in it, coming from Padthaway, South Australia. While reading about it, he discovered that they grow the vines in sandy loam over limestone on the hillside and read loamy sold over limestone on the flat. 80% of it was American and 20% was French but that was not why he loved it.
The wine had a dense ripe cherry color, with a really beautiful purple hue. When he first smelled it, the mixed of forest berries, spicy pepper, clove, caramel and mocha took him over, but one single thing made him consider it the best. The concentrated array of smoky cigar box was a perfect touch for it. At first, it tasted like blackberry and it made him twitch a bit because of the sweetness but afterwards, the peppermint flavors kicked in and made him shriek in joy. It amazed him how beautiful and risky was the taste of it.
He encountered all sorts of wines, from the most fruity to the spiciest ones, but he wasn’t able to quite explain why loved that wine the most. Coffee beans…smoky cigar box, they made a really beautiful combination. He smiled and lifted the box of wines, then headed back to the counter. He began placing them on the shelves when a really strong smell of coffee and cigar filled the air. For a minute, he believed he spilled some wine but it wasn’t like that. As he turned around to see where it was coming from, he noticed a tall, well built, gorgeous man standing at the front door, looking for something or maybe someone. For a moment, Kazuya couldn’t move. Not only the looks were amazing but the smell of his body was alluring.
When Ueda came from the back, he stammered a bit upon seeing the image. Usually, Kazuya would run to immediately attend to the guest but this time he was just stuck in place, only looking at the new client, as if he was stroked by lightning.
- Welcome! Ueda spoke first, making Kazuya snap out of it.
- Ah…good evening. Are you still open? the client asked, getting closer to the counter, taking a seat.
- Of course, would you like something to drink? Ueda offered, seeing as Kazuya still wouldn’t move nor say anything.
- Sure... .
The stranger looked around and seemed rather confused. Of course, they saw that image several times since they began working. Most people had no clue about wines and would just step inside the wine bar looking for something to drink and waiting for others to tell them what would be nice. It was probably the same this time around.
- If you’d like, we could suggest something for you…, Ueda offered, pulling Kazuya’s arm making him move forward and closer to the counter and the client.
- Ah…yes…of course…we could think something that would be suitable for you.., Kazuya smiled.
After all, it was his job. He was supposed to help those that had no idea what it was that they wanted to drink and make them feel a sense of accomplishment after drinking just a single glass and always ask for more. It was rather difficult to decide just what type of wine would please someone so they always began a conversation from where they could get information such as what type of fruit, smell or foods they liked. It wasn’t supposed to be any different this time around.
- Really? Can you really give me a wine I could enjoy? How come?! the customer asked surprised, looking both at Ueda and then at Kamenashi.
His big, brown beautiful eyes set upon Kazuya, making him flinch a bit and step back a little. The outside appearance of the man was rather complex. With his mouth closed, just standing there, he looked really cool, almost too good to be real, just like any magazine model that had to wear a suit and be flirty. The moment he opened his mouth and smiled the big smile on his face made him look like a big child, a bit too innocent for his age and truly adorable. It felt like two people in one, a really intriguing combination that could have proved to be dangerous.
Risky? Kazuya looked up for a moment, licking his lips and then looked back at the boxes he had just brought to the shelves.
- Can I try something? He asked a bit unsure while directing his attention to the client.
- Try? He looked confused at the younger one, wondering what it is all about.
Ueda was pretty curious himself. It wasn’t like Kazuya to just jump and offer a customer wine without previously asking just what likings the person had. Nonetheless, he trusted Kazuya because he knew the young man had studied a lot and really loved doing his work. Even if it would have ended up as a fail, at least it was a step forward. Maybe, Kazuya could have developed some skills in choosing a wine for a person just by looking at them. Now that would have made him amazing. Tatsuya only nodded and allowed Kazuya to do as he pleased.
Kamenashi looked at the boxes and picked the bottle of wine he loved and then smiled. He felt that it suited the new customer and that it could make him happy. He was choosing that because of the smell the client had. The smell of coffee and cigars made him remember of that wine.
- Please try this…, Kazuya smiled, pouring some wine in a tall glass. This is Parson’s Flat Wine Shiraz Cabernet 2005, he introduced the wine, showing it’s label so that the client may see it.
- Ooo… a recent wine…, the client smiled, shaking the wine a bit. Why did one?
- Mister….uhm…may I ask for your name? Kamenashi blushed a bit, not sure if he was too blunt or if it was alright to ask something like that.
- Jin. Call me Jin. You are? The client smiled, still not tasting the wine as he felt the young man still had things to tell him.
- Kazuya, Kamenashi Kazuya. This is Ueda Tatsuya, he introduced his boss, feeling a bit too embarrassed to leave things just like that. He had to be polite.
- Kazuya…, Jin smiled a bit, looking at the beautiful color of the wine. Why this wine?
- Can I say something unreasonable? Kazuya still felt a bit shy, not daring to fully express himself.
- Hm? Ah..yes…, please do.
- You strike me more as a coffee person. You drink coffee and smoke. You might drink alcoholic beverages but I doubt the more whisky flavored 1999 Parsons Flat Shiraz would suit you and you really don’t look as if you like mocha so the 2001 Parson’s Flat is pretty much a no-no as well.
Upon finishing what he had to say, Kazuya kept looking at the client, waiting to see his reaction and find out if he made a mistake or not.
- WOW! Jin just stood up, carefully placing the glass on the counter before doing so, almost clapping his hands, impressed by the younger one. How did you know that?!
Ueda found himself chuckling a bit upon hearing that and seeing Kazuya blush even more. Maybe Kazuya did have a special skill that allowed him to simply pick wines for people. Kamenashi blushed, surprised by the clients reaction. Many customers were glad when they received wine that they liked, but none actually went happy like that.
- Uhm..and what exactly did I knew? Kazuya asked confused.
- It’s true that if it’s alcohol…tequila is better, Jin began talking. And coffee… I really don’t see the need for mocha and cappuccino and all those complicated sorts of coffee. Normal coffee is better. But awesome…you knew I smoke and like coffee. Awesome!
- Well…anyone can pretty much tell that. You smell like coffee and cigars, Kazuya chuckled while stating the obvious.
His words made Ueda burst into laughter and Jin blink confused. It was unexpected and it made the client feel a bit ashamed of himself. He did smoke almost everyday but it was the first time he heard someone saying it like that and making him feel embarrassed. Kazuya thought he said something wrong upon seeing Jin just stop and stare but Ueda continued giggling without saying anything. He did have to say something so he stepped forward and poured another glass of wine.
- Sometimes, the clients tell us what they like and we choose one for them, sometimes they simply tell us what they want. I suppose this time your preferences were obvious so it was easy to decide, Ueda explained politely, curious to see just how good was the wine Kazuya choose.
- I see… , Jin laughed this time, sitting down and taking the glass in his hand again.
- I do hope you like it, Kazuya flashed a smile and began licking his lips nervously, hoping his wine would be well received.
Jin began to slowly enjoy the taste of the wine. At the beginning, he felt like he was having the drinkable version of a chocolate cake but then the spiciness hit hard and it made him go all “wow” while still tasting it. The wine surprised him more then he had thought. It actually made him happy and he felt the need to do something as a thank you. He drank the entire glass and then ordered another one, not getting used at all to the changes in taste. Every single time it surprised him and he began wanting to fully understand it so he kept asking for more.
Of course, Kazuya was more than happy to see that. He seriously loved that wine and seeing someone else taking a liking of it made him feel even happier. He had always felt satisfied doing his job but just this time, he felt he could continue like that for ever as long as that man would keep smiling like that. He was having a really enjoyable moment when a cell phone began ringing. Jin picked it up and his attitude completely changed.
- Yes, I will be there right away, he responded in a polite tone, standing up, getting ready to leave.
- Ah…, Kazuya let out a small noise, surprising himself since he never really cared when a customer left or not.
- I will definitely be back. Thank you for the wine, he continued talking just as politely while placing some money on the counter.
Kazuya and Ueda both bowed as they were supposed to in order to thank the customer and then smiled at each other. Picking up the money, Tatsuya realized the client, Jin, left not only the exact amount of money the wine was worth as a bottle but a little bit more, probably as a tip. He had a strange feeling about it since unknowing customers couldn’t have any idea just how much it could cost without asking before head. It was as if that Jin person knew exactly how much it was. He wanted to tell something to Kazuya but seeing his friend and employee so happy, made him change his mind.
Kazuya was happy indeed, but he was also a bit confused. He didn’t really know why he felt that wine suited Jin, nor did he know why he was so happy because it was well received but that sincere smile Jin gave him really made him want to jump in joy.
A few days passed since then and Kazuya found himself waiting for Jin to come. He kept calling him Jin every day, feeling that he wasn’t worthy of the status of client. It felt rude to call Jin just a client so not even once did he refer to him as that. It gave Ueda quite a shock because sometimes he would find Kazuya looking at a bottle of wine and hear him say: Jin might like this.
Kazuya kept waiting. Every day, he would glance at the door every time it opened, hoping it was Jin. Every single moment, he kept wanting to see Jin again.
Chapter 1
It was a normal day at work and he loved going to work. Ever since he began working at that wine bar, he gradually became happier and happier as the days went on. He had always loved wine so getting a chance to work in a bar that only sold wine could only bring him closer and closer to what he loved.
He was Kamenashi Kazuya. He began baring a love for wine since he was 16 and now he grew up to be a perfect 24 year old man. He was beautiful- people often stared and dozed off while looking at him; he was pretty tall- compared to how tall other Japanese people were; he wasn’t from a wealthy family but he had enough to get his own apartment and now he just started his dream job. Well, not really just started. He had been working at the same place for over a month and he couldn’t be happier about it. There, he even found a close friend although he never really saw him drinking wine.
- Kame-chan, when you are finished with that…, his friend began, opening the door to the cellar; please do carry those boxes out.
- But Tat-chan!!! he began complaining, not wanting to carry that heavy load.
Maybe Kamenashi Kazuya was almost perfect. He enjoyed whining a bit to much for his age and when he did, he was always successful. Well. He was if the other was Koki. With Tat-chan the chances always were 50-50. There were moments when Tat-chan would just plain humor him and do the job in his stead and there were moments when he wouldn’t bulge a bit and turn even worse.
- Kame-chan…., Ueda Tatsuya began on a soft voice. If you don’t carry them…maybe you would like to wait outside for the new shipping of wines, he pointed at the big glass window from where they could see the heavy rain.
Kazuya gulped a bit and then licked his lower lip. Between carrying those boxes and going out in the rain, he would rather not have to do any of them but he had to choose one so he did. He reluctantly walked towards the cellar, opening it then closing the door and walking towards his target.
There was one particular wine that he loved. 2005 Parson’s Flat Shiraz Cabernet. He researched a bit about it after he discovered it. It had 14,5% alcohol in it, coming from Padthaway, South Australia. While reading about it, he discovered that they grow the vines in sandy loam over limestone on the hillside and read loamy sold over limestone on the flat. 80% of it was American and 20% was French but that was not why he loved it.
The wine had a dense ripe cherry color, with a really beautiful purple hue. When he first smelled it, the mixed of forest berries, spicy pepper, clove, caramel and mocha took him over, but one single thing made him consider it the best. The concentrated array of smoky cigar box was a perfect touch for it. At first, it tasted like blackberry and it made him twitch a bit because of the sweetness but afterwards, the peppermint flavors kicked in and made him shriek in joy. It amazed him how beautiful and risky was the taste of it.
He encountered all sorts of wines, from the most fruity to the spiciest ones, but he wasn’t able to quite explain why loved that wine the most. Coffee beans…smoky cigar box, they made a really beautiful combination. He smiled and lifted the box of wines, then headed back to the counter. He began placing them on the shelves when a really strong smell of coffee and cigar filled the air. For a minute, he believed he spilled some wine but it wasn’t like that. As he turned around to see where it was coming from, he noticed a tall, well built, gorgeous man standing at the front door, looking for something or maybe someone. For a moment, Kazuya couldn’t move. Not only the looks were amazing but the smell of his body was alluring.
When Ueda came from the back, he stammered a bit upon seeing the image. Usually, Kazuya would run to immediately attend to the guest but this time he was just stuck in place, only looking at the new client, as if he was stroked by lightning.
- Welcome! Ueda spoke first, making Kazuya snap out of it.
- Ah…good evening. Are you still open? the client asked, getting closer to the counter, taking a seat.
- Of course, would you like something to drink? Ueda offered, seeing as Kazuya still wouldn’t move nor say anything.
- Sure... .
The stranger looked around and seemed rather confused. Of course, they saw that image several times since they began working. Most people had no clue about wines and would just step inside the wine bar looking for something to drink and waiting for others to tell them what would be nice. It was probably the same this time around.
- If you’d like, we could suggest something for you…, Ueda offered, pulling Kazuya’s arm making him move forward and closer to the counter and the client.
- Ah…yes…of course…we could think something that would be suitable for you.., Kazuya smiled.
After all, it was his job. He was supposed to help those that had no idea what it was that they wanted to drink and make them feel a sense of accomplishment after drinking just a single glass and always ask for more. It was rather difficult to decide just what type of wine would please someone so they always began a conversation from where they could get information such as what type of fruit, smell or foods they liked. It wasn’t supposed to be any different this time around.
- Really? Can you really give me a wine I could enjoy? How come?! the customer asked surprised, looking both at Ueda and then at Kamenashi.
His big, brown beautiful eyes set upon Kazuya, making him flinch a bit and step back a little. The outside appearance of the man was rather complex. With his mouth closed, just standing there, he looked really cool, almost too good to be real, just like any magazine model that had to wear a suit and be flirty. The moment he opened his mouth and smiled the big smile on his face made him look like a big child, a bit too innocent for his age and truly adorable. It felt like two people in one, a really intriguing combination that could have proved to be dangerous.
Risky? Kazuya looked up for a moment, licking his lips and then looked back at the boxes he had just brought to the shelves.
- Can I try something? He asked a bit unsure while directing his attention to the client.
- Try? He looked confused at the younger one, wondering what it is all about.
Ueda was pretty curious himself. It wasn’t like Kazuya to just jump and offer a customer wine without previously asking just what likings the person had. Nonetheless, he trusted Kazuya because he knew the young man had studied a lot and really loved doing his work. Even if it would have ended up as a fail, at least it was a step forward. Maybe, Kazuya could have developed some skills in choosing a wine for a person just by looking at them. Now that would have made him amazing. Tatsuya only nodded and allowed Kazuya to do as he pleased.
Kamenashi looked at the boxes and picked the bottle of wine he loved and then smiled. He felt that it suited the new customer and that it could make him happy. He was choosing that because of the smell the client had. The smell of coffee and cigars made him remember of that wine.
- Please try this…, Kazuya smiled, pouring some wine in a tall glass. This is Parson’s Flat Wine Shiraz Cabernet 2005, he introduced the wine, showing it’s label so that the client may see it.
- Ooo… a recent wine…, the client smiled, shaking the wine a bit. Why did one?
- Mister….uhm…may I ask for your name? Kamenashi blushed a bit, not sure if he was too blunt or if it was alright to ask something like that.
- Jin. Call me Jin. You are? The client smiled, still not tasting the wine as he felt the young man still had things to tell him.
- Kazuya, Kamenashi Kazuya. This is Ueda Tatsuya, he introduced his boss, feeling a bit too embarrassed to leave things just like that. He had to be polite.
- Kazuya…, Jin smiled a bit, looking at the beautiful color of the wine. Why this wine?
- Can I say something unreasonable? Kazuya still felt a bit shy, not daring to fully express himself.
- Hm? Ah..yes…, please do.
- You strike me more as a coffee person. You drink coffee and smoke. You might drink alcoholic beverages but I doubt the more whisky flavored 1999 Parsons Flat Shiraz would suit you and you really don’t look as if you like mocha so the 2001 Parson’s Flat is pretty much a no-no as well.
Upon finishing what he had to say, Kazuya kept looking at the client, waiting to see his reaction and find out if he made a mistake or not.
- WOW! Jin just stood up, carefully placing the glass on the counter before doing so, almost clapping his hands, impressed by the younger one. How did you know that?!
Ueda found himself chuckling a bit upon hearing that and seeing Kazuya blush even more. Maybe Kazuya did have a special skill that allowed him to simply pick wines for people. Kamenashi blushed, surprised by the clients reaction. Many customers were glad when they received wine that they liked, but none actually went happy like that.
- Uhm..and what exactly did I knew? Kazuya asked confused.
- It’s true that if it’s alcohol…tequila is better, Jin began talking. And coffee… I really don’t see the need for mocha and cappuccino and all those complicated sorts of coffee. Normal coffee is better. But awesome…you knew I smoke and like coffee. Awesome!
- Well…anyone can pretty much tell that. You smell like coffee and cigars, Kazuya chuckled while stating the obvious.
His words made Ueda burst into laughter and Jin blink confused. It was unexpected and it made the client feel a bit ashamed of himself. He did smoke almost everyday but it was the first time he heard someone saying it like that and making him feel embarrassed. Kazuya thought he said something wrong upon seeing Jin just stop and stare but Ueda continued giggling without saying anything. He did have to say something so he stepped forward and poured another glass of wine.
- Sometimes, the clients tell us what they like and we choose one for them, sometimes they simply tell us what they want. I suppose this time your preferences were obvious so it was easy to decide, Ueda explained politely, curious to see just how good was the wine Kazuya choose.
- I see… , Jin laughed this time, sitting down and taking the glass in his hand again.
- I do hope you like it, Kazuya flashed a smile and began licking his lips nervously, hoping his wine would be well received.
Jin began to slowly enjoy the taste of the wine. At the beginning, he felt like he was having the drinkable version of a chocolate cake but then the spiciness hit hard and it made him go all “wow” while still tasting it. The wine surprised him more then he had thought. It actually made him happy and he felt the need to do something as a thank you. He drank the entire glass and then ordered another one, not getting used at all to the changes in taste. Every single time it surprised him and he began wanting to fully understand it so he kept asking for more.
Of course, Kazuya was more than happy to see that. He seriously loved that wine and seeing someone else taking a liking of it made him feel even happier. He had always felt satisfied doing his job but just this time, he felt he could continue like that for ever as long as that man would keep smiling like that. He was having a really enjoyable moment when a cell phone began ringing. Jin picked it up and his attitude completely changed.
- Yes, I will be there right away, he responded in a polite tone, standing up, getting ready to leave.
- Ah…, Kazuya let out a small noise, surprising himself since he never really cared when a customer left or not.
- I will definitely be back. Thank you for the wine, he continued talking just as politely while placing some money on the counter.
Kazuya and Ueda both bowed as they were supposed to in order to thank the customer and then smiled at each other. Picking up the money, Tatsuya realized the client, Jin, left not only the exact amount of money the wine was worth as a bottle but a little bit more, probably as a tip. He had a strange feeling about it since unknowing customers couldn’t have any idea just how much it could cost without asking before head. It was as if that Jin person knew exactly how much it was. He wanted to tell something to Kazuya but seeing his friend and employee so happy, made him change his mind.
Kazuya was happy indeed, but he was also a bit confused. He didn’t really know why he felt that wine suited Jin, nor did he know why he was so happy because it was well received but that sincere smile Jin gave him really made him want to jump in joy.
A few days passed since then and Kazuya found himself waiting for Jin to come. He kept calling him Jin every day, feeling that he wasn’t worthy of the status of client. It felt rude to call Jin just a client so not even once did he refer to him as that. It gave Ueda quite a shock because sometimes he would find Kazuya looking at a bottle of wine and hear him say: Jin might like this.
Kazuya kept waiting. Every day, he would glance at the door every time it opened, hoping it was Jin. Every single moment, he kept wanting to see Jin again.