Chapter 1: The Uke Trade-Off
Shinobu growled at his phone for the entire taxi ride to Marukawa Publishing Building, which soon came into his view. He stared at the tall skyscraper with curious eyes, since his lover asked him to go there to talk about some weird prize that he won.
He did not even enter a contest with this company, or he ever dream of entering the building. His mind was still on Miyagi telling him about Shinobu's lacking qualities. The main things were Shinobu's age difference and his urge to see Miyagi more than one day a week.
Seventeen years is not that big of a gap! You and my sister were five years apart, but did that stop you from…Shinobu tried to not imagine his lover with his older sister. They were divorced, which caused Shinobu to flee from Australia like a tornado to see Miyagi. His heart yearned to understand and be closer to his older lover…but Miyagi was only romantic with him in private.
Shinobu hated his position as being the younger lover, as the car stopped. He paid the driver and stepped out in front of the huge building of stone and glass. He wanted to be honest to the world, his family and to Miyagi…he loved Miyagi with every inch, cell and his entire soul belonged to that old man. Shinobu would do anything to get Miyagi comfortable with public displays of romance…there was so many times Shinobu could have told his family about them. His father was complaining once about homosexuals …which made Shinobu run to Australia in the first place.
His father said, "homosexual men just occur to the lack of understanding women. There should be more classes out there for dating, than just the basic studies that M University offers. I cannot understand why a man could not be interested in a woman. It's just not natural to be homosexual."
It's just not natural to be homosexual…Shinobu remembered sitting there, unemotional as usual, but his heart was breaking. He was unnatural to his father for being in love with Miyagi. It was not fair! Shinobu tried to love girls but…after that day with Miyagi…all he wanted was that old man. Women just could not make his pulse race or erect quicker than Miyagi could.
Shinobu sighed and walked into the door. A warm receptionist said, "hello, welcome to Marukawa Publishing. How can I help you?"
He studied her for a second, wondering how could men find the opposite sex so inviting? She was plain with her boring suit of gray, her shiny hair pulled back, and her green eyes staring at him like he was a client. Shinobu just did not get it, so he wondered was he always gay. He did have friends that were girls but as lovers…he never imagined breasts were that inviting to touch.
He said, "I am here to see Yoh Miyagi. Where is he?"
The receptionist giggled and took her business phone. She dialed a number, while holding her hand up to stop Shinobu from asking another question. She said, "yes sir, there are two here. Will I wait for the third then take them to you? Understood." She set the phone down and pointed to the waiting room.
Shinobu growled, "what is going on?"
"Sorry sir, but I am not paid enough to tell you the inner workings of this company. You can wait with Mr. Takahashi in there." The receptionist said, as Shinobu turned to see an antsy man pacing the room.
Shinobu went into the couch clad room, where Mr. Takahashi paced like a wild animal in a cage. He kept muttering words like "Usagi," "idiot brought his manuscript, right?!", and "why me?! I am not falling for his tricks again!"
Shinobu sat close to the door, as he looked over this man…he was not bad looking, but he was very stressed. His face never looked into Shinobu's, but his eyes wildly kept looking out towards the receptionist. He looked like he was waiting for a disaster to happen.
Mr. Takahashi dressed like a college student; plain clothes that were body fitting but not overly expensive. His hair was dark brown, which swept his head with gentle grace. His eyes were brilliant green and wide with anger. His small body structure made Shinobu wonder about his own body.
Shinobu looked at his shirt, and he realized he had very little muscle mass…did Miyagi like guys with muscles? He always felt like a girl near Miyagi…he wanted that old man to adore him for years than for a few days then the same old fight…seventeen years apart….BIG DEAL!
His fists clenched as he turned his focus back to Mr. Takahashi. He stopped stop pacing and looked directly at Shinobu. Mr. Takahashi was staring at Shinobu with interest and blushed slightly. He spun away then asked "how long have you…"
Shinobu rolled his eyes and said, "does it matter? You seem upset, so why don't you just yell at the bastard and get it over with?"
Mr. Takahashi moaned and faced him, "if it was that simple! You have no idea who he is…who are you?"
"Why? Are you a cop? I have no business with you, so keep your distance and be sure to not ruin the rug. I know this is expensive and your meager pay check could never recover the sale price in nineteen years." Shinobu said plainly.
Mr. Takahashi stiffened and yelled, "you are not the boss of me! How dare you insult your superior?!"
"I do not know you, so I can insult you all I want." Shinobu said.
Mr. Takahashi stiffened his fists and growled, "brats like you piss me off!"
Shinobu made fists too and said, "so you want to scramble, grandpa?"
Mr. Takahashi was making a statement by his fists, but he stalled as the receptionist came to the room. She said, "common gentlemen, your third party member is here. We can proceed to meeting room 4 on the second floor. Come and follow me."
Shinobu came out first and saw that man…Hiroki Kamijo, the man Miyagi flirted with at M University…his fists clenched tightly as he purposely shoved Hiroki's arm.
"You did not just do that on purpose." Hiroki growled.
Shinobu spun around and said, "and what if I did? What would you do?"
Hiroki came close, as his hazel eyes burned with daggers, but Shinobu grimaced darkly.
"You will not touch me." Shinobu said simply.
"Oh really, what makes you so sure?" Hiroki said darkly.
"My father signs your paycheck, trust me. One bruise on my face and say bye-bye to your job. Punch me, I dare you." Shinobu smirked at Hiroki as his hands shook with rage.
Shinobu loved this, but he heard "gentlemen, can we continue?" The receptionist and Mr. Takahashi were at the elevator.
Hiroki growled at Shinobu and went to the elevator. Shinobu followed, as the door closed and they went up.
"Hello sensei." Mr. Takahashi said timidly.
Hiroki growled, "you owe me a paper, Misaki. Do not make me give you another zero, since your average could dip into the D's very easily."
Misaki gulped and said in a whisper, "consider it on your desk tomorrow morning."
Shinobu growled loud enough, "coward."
Hiroki said, "if you were in my class, you would show respect to your professors."
"Maybe you should show respect to the son of a certain someone? I really do not care of you have an authoritarian complex over your little penis. But believe me—"
Hiroki slammed Shinobu into the wall and growled, "you better take that back, you little rich boy. Your papa cannot protect you from everything."
Shinobu was frazzled by the sudden shove, but he quickly recovered. He said, "well, aren't we the angry one? Sorry, did I touch a sensitive nerve by insulting a member of your body?"
Hiroki held out his fist, but the receptionist said, "please! Can we just—" The elevator stopped and the door opened.
"Hiroki let the kid go." Usami's voice rang, as he came into the elevator to separate the pair. Usami stared at Shinobu and grinned devilishly.
Shinobu stiffened and felt like he was naked in Usami's gaze. This man was a famous author of very confusing novels, so Shinobu expected the man to be…unnerving.
"Gentlemen, follow me." Usami said, as Hiroki growled and Misaki followed. Shinobu followed them feeling like this was not going to end well.
"Akihiko, what the hell is going on? I was called…you are not putting me in your smutty manuscript, correct?" Hiroki growled.
"Oh dear friend, this is entirely new and different. Also Misaki, be sure to stay clean…understand?"
Both Misaki and Shinobu stiffened. Shinobu definitely knew something bad was behind that…Usami opened the door, as Miyagi and some tall guy stood beside him in a dark room except to illuminate these two men.
Miyagi stood very tall, but the guy beside him smirked weakly towards Hiroki. Usami and the three men went into the room. Shinobu want to run to Miyagi, but the lights turned on. All the men groaned, as a woman yelled, "welcome gentlemen! We are here to discuss a game called the Uke Trade-Off!"
Shinobu rubbed his eyes and looked towards the voice. A red haired woman beside a huge spinning wheel with name slots on the outside and she held three cards that could slip into the arrow. She smiled brightly, as she said, "well, we have three very charming gentlemen as ukes for this game. How wonderful!"
Shinobu grimaced and turned to Miyagi. His lover remained stiff, as his violet eyes never left Shinobu's. Shinobu felt this was not good at all, as Hiroki and Misaki started towards the door.
"Hold it gentlemen, I did not say the rules. You could win six million for playing my game." The woman said, as Hiroki and Misaki stopped in their tracks.
Shinobu felt dread and the urge to cry. Miyagi would not tell him about this because of six million…if Miyagi wanted money, all he had to do was ask! Shinobu would have loaned the money, but this…it felt like Miyagi was trying to sell Shinobu to the highest bidder…
Shinobu stared at his lover with a dark glare, as Miyagi slightly stiffened. Miyagi took a cigarette and took out his lighter to take a puff.
Why Miyagi?! Why?! Don't you love me?! Why sell me…Shinobu clenched his fists, as Hiroki and Misaki protested loudly to their lovers.
"Nowaki, you bastard! Why did you hide this from me?! You better explain or we are through!" Hiroki yelled.
"Usagi, you pick on me enough at home! Now you have to do this to me! Why, dammit, why?!" Misaki yelled.
"Enough!" The woman yelled in a megaphone, as everyone stared at her. She continued in the megaphone, "now gentlemen, I mentioned that the prize was six million dollars for living away from your original partner for two weeks."
"Like you have that kind of money." Hiroki protested and glared at the tall black haired college student.
"Actually I do! My name is Eri Aikawa, and I am the official for this new game. The rules are simple but absolute. One rule broken can make you lose a lot, so listen carefully and heed my warning. This is real and the money is yours after two weeks with a new partner." The red head said, as she clicked her fingers and three men came out from a door behind her. The men had two briefcases, as each man left a briefcase with the ukes and the semes.
"Just in case you do not know what I mean by referring to "uke." Uke means the feminine side to homosexual relationships, or the softer male." Hiroki and Misaki glared at Aikawa as she giggled, "no offense, but that is the term. Seme is the dominant male, or masculine type, which these men over there."
"Open the briefcases to see the contracts to be signed. Do you wish me to explain the rules or let you read?" Aikawa said, as all the semes and ukes opened their briefcases.
Shinobu found a new cell phone, a folder, and a small video camera. He took the contract and skimmed the paper. He got the idea that this was the worst thing Miyagi could ever do to him…
Shinobu looked at his older lover, as the same time Miyagi looked at him. Miyagi looked…unemotional, so his exact emotions could not be told. Shinobu wanted to yell, cry or run into his arms to beg for forgiveness…to stop this madness…but Shinobu could not bear the pain he felt.
He felt his heart was ripping away from Miyagi's from this ordeal. This game asked Shinobu to completely remove himself from Miyagi: no contact, no phone calls, no sex, date the new guy, camera watch, and a point system to fail the couple from the game.
"I will like to reinforce that Usami will use this information for a new novel, so is there anyone who wishes to opt out of this feature? Remember, one million will be taken away from the original couple. This feature needs to be a mutual agreement between everyone…if not, then the clause will be disregarded and the couples will keep the original six million. Agreed to allow Usami take information for his new novel?" Aikawa asked, as a few minutes of silence, but a hand rose…
"Shinobu…why?! Why allow this man steal your rights as a person?!" Miyagi yelled, as he threw his cigarette to the ground and crushed it.
Shinobu kept his hand held up high and said, "you don't own me."
Miyagi growled, "you are making a grave mistake, boy!"
Shinobu glared at Miyagi and said, "I am not your puppet. Besides, lies do not make you better than me."
Miyagi lost his temper and twisted his head to the ground. He took out another cigarette and lighted it. His quick inhales and exhales proved to Shinobu he was angry. Shinobu did not care…this was payback for blackmailing him into this stupid game!
Aikawa shrieked with glee and said, "excellent! Now, we can meet our watchers to make sure you play the game fairly. I will be one of them, and my boss, Ryuichiro Isaka." She pointed to a clever dressed business man near her. He smirked darkly and watched all the ukes for their expressions. "Also Kaoru Asahina," Aikawa continued, pointing to a tall and muscular man. He was creepy, if put lightly, as he nodded at his introduction. Aikawa shrieked and said, "but the main financier of this project is Hozumi Goda, the owner of the Goda Phones, you will be using his phones for the next two weeks."
Hozumi Goda was sexy…Shinobu could not tear his eyes away from this beauty of a man…his hair was light and fluffy with a styled grace about it. He had dark maroon eyes, which matched his form fitting suit. He was not overly muscular, but he did have some nice arms…Shinobu finally tear his eyes away. This Goda was sexy…but he did not have Shinobu's heart…but Miyagi's lies about this game caused Shinobu to wonder if their relationship could survive these two weeks apart.
"The phones are specially made to time your calls to your original lovers, but other calls will be free." Goda said, in this thick and husky voice….
Shinobu looked at Goda again, as Goda winked at him. Shinobu sucked in air quickly and turned away. He felt this guy…not good, just no good came from a sexy phone corporate.
"Now the fun begins! Sign the papers and the game begins. Anyone wants to end this now may leave, but the money goes with it. Couples go together, so if one stays, the other must follow. Well?" Aikawa asked.
Silence engulfed the room, as no one moved or said anything. It must have been Goda that proved that six million could be given away. Goda Phones was huge in America, Europe and began to gain fame in Japan. Goda is Japanese, but his phones did not sell at first…Shinobu imagined the fool who ignored Goda was eating his shoes now for not taking Goda's ideas to heart.
Aikawa clapped and said, "yes! We will state the original couples for the watchers to know, then we will switch. Please say your name and who your partner is."
Usami said, "I am Akihiko Usami, and my pet is Misaki Takahashi."
"I am no one's dog, your damn rabbit!" Misaki yelled, but he still blushed slightly.
Nowaki smiled weakly at Hiroki and said, "Nowaki Kusama, and my boyfriend is Hiro-san Kamijo." The black haired college guy said that. He had nice dark blue eyes, athletic build, and his gentle smile made Shinobu stare at him slightly.
Miyagi took out his cigarette, but Shinobu said, "I am Shinobu Takatsuki and that old man is You Miyagi."
Miyagi put his cigarette back in his mouth and glared at Shinobu. Shinobu grimaced and raised his eyebrows in defiance. Shinobu was not going to be nice this time.
Aikawa removed the blank slots and the seme names were revealed. Aikawa took out three arrow names, as she shifted them in her hands and picked one. She called, "Shinobu will be first." She placed the arrow over the name plate and spun it hard.
Shinobu watched, as his arrow slowed…he breathed slowly, as his name stopped at…Nowaki.
He stiffened and looked at the tall black haired man. Nowaki as well stared at Shinobu, as Shinobu shrugged and went to Nowaki.
Nowaki held out his hand and said, "nice to meet you."
Shinobu stared at his hand and growled, "ditto."
Nowaki slowly retracted his hand and smiled gently.
Aikawa got the next name and called, "Misaki." She placed the name on the arrow and spun it.
Shinobu watched Misaki stiffen, as the arrow slowly stopped at…Miyagi.
He watched at this college student slowly stroll to his new partner…Shinobu growled to himself one hickey on him, Mr. Takahashi. And you will wish that lawyers could save you from the financial ruin I could put you in!
Hiroki growled and went to Usami.
Aikawa said, "well, you have two hours to transport your stuff to your new place. Be sure to take all you need, because you can only lose points. There is no way to gain points after losing them, but if you look at your phones. You will see the point system always displayed. Be sure to take your briefcase and have fun. The Uke Trade-Off has begun."
Goda went to the door and opened them. The new couples left without saying a word to their original partners.