The room smells of sex as I lie, uncomfortably hot, underneath the silk sheets. Tonight, a hint of Chanel is in the air. Yesterday, it was Calvin Klein. It's stifling. Untangling myself from Ai-chan, I listen to her soft breaths, and reassured that she is still sleeping, tiptoe out to the balcony for a much-needed smoke.
It might be well past midnight, but the street lights of Tokyo are still twinkling. From my 35th floor penthouse, I can see the truth behind the city. It's beautiful, in a rather ugly way. The people who give this city life during the daytime are also the ones who ruin it as the darkness comes by. Every single person is an angel in his own right, yet a devil at the same time. There's the lonely corporate man, hurrying to the subway to catch a train home. He must have called his wife and children a few hours back, begging them to forgive him as he works late. He probably did, too, for thirty minutes or so, before taking that new female employee to the closest love hotel. Then there's the college students, loitering about in small groups, drunken grins plastered on their faces. Exams are just over, so they're really going all out, causing a ruckus even at this time of night. I pry my eyes away as a particularly lecherous guy pulls his struggling girlfriend into the alleyway, already starting to unbutton her blouse. And as if that wasn't enough, there are the -
My thoughts are abruptly cut off as I hear Ai-chan approaching. Her blue eyes narrow and glossy pink lips pout when she sees me.
"Mizu-kun …."
Inwardly, I cringe. I hate being called that. But I brush it away and smile warmly at her.
"What is it, Ai-chan?"
"You left me all alone, Mizu-kun," she pouts even more. "I can't sleep without you."
"Gomen, my sweet princess, will you forgive me?" I bow down on a knee and place a tender kiss on her hand. This action, amongst many others, has become second nature to me.
"Of course, my handsome prince charming," she giggles, blushing and coyly twirling a strand of bleached blonde hair.
I pull her close as I stand up, and am rewarded as a pair of moist, strawberry flavored lips capture my own. Sensing what Ai-chan wants, I gingerly nip at her lower lip, and she complies, granting me access to a delectably sweet mouth. The cigarette, long forgotten, flies away in the cool night breeze as my hands wrap around her waist, gently carrying her back to the bedroom.
To be continued.