02: Mentoring Program

At the conclusion of Blue Boy's full week of open candidacy, all eight alternating interviewers along with the two division managers were requested to attend a meeting with the owner and his personal assistant at the executive conference room located on the same floor of the owner's office.

In the history of Blue Boy, such a meeting was unprecedented to begin with. Unfortunately it was necessary. In the past year alone, Blue Boy's number one uke had retired due to heart problems while the number two uke has signed a long term exclusive contract with a renowned supermodel. Also both number one and two seme are semi-retired as well. In addition to these losses, Blue Boy's reputation for quality escorts was under fire from the competition as newer host clubs emerged within Shinjuku and Gion. A few of their hosts had even jump ship with the promise from the rise of such competitors for a higher status as number one host and a higher salary as well as increase side perks. Due to these changes, Blue Boy had lost a few of their clienteles to these new fares.

Aoe Reiji, said owner of Blue Boy, would have liked to forgo the sordid business altogether in his personal opinion. However, that was not an option. He had begrudgingly vowed to his late father to carry on his empire and despite his abhorrence to do it, Reiji always honors his word.

In the olden days during Aoe senior's reign, new recruits were brought in by extortion, blackmail and even bought. Fortunately for everyone, including his successor, the only trait the father and son shared was their dark good looks and ruthless business sense. Reiji hated his father and vowed never to use such methods. When he took over the reins ten years ago, Reiji conducted a rare one on one meeting with all his employees and asked them a single question: would they wish to leave his employment and be compensated or chose to stay and start a new contract? Many were dumbfounded at first to be given such a choice but oddly most of them chose to stay.

In the beginning, the number of hosts remained steady. Then as the years go by, a few did retire, some moved on to other positions within Reiji's employment and a few even got married. The number of hosts was never as high during Aoe senior's reign but the son was fine with Blue Boy's profit margins. It wasn't until competitions arise that he soon questions the hire by recommendation method he previously employed.

However, since he's given his word, he can't help but strive for the top and care for the hundreds of people he employs. So with such vacancies to fill, the campaign for refreshing and alluring new faces was conducted. If this method works out, Reiji plans to conduct such a search once a year in different cities and even countries. This expansion would certainly bring in more clients with varying taste and refinement.

From the two hundred applicants that applied, only ninety-seven made the first cut from the interview process. However after their references and background history was checked out, only two-thirds passed the second cut with a quarter of the applicants still on the in-need-of-more-information list. They had managed to weed out the weirdoes, along with quite a few sex offenders and criminals, even a handful of nosy reporters very easily. All in all, the number of possible candidates looked quite promising in their favor. They were bound to find a few diamonds in the rough.

The two managers were hopeful as they presented applicant after applicant to the owner via random order. Unfortunately, Aoe Reiji immediately discarded the first five upon just opening up the folder and seeing their pictures. A few more files later, he spent a couple of minutes reading over their profile before they too were discarded into the pile listed as unacceptable. Thus the owner continued this process for ten more profiles and still none were chosen as acceptable. Both managers shared a concerned look with each other before they turn to the most senior host from the group of interviewers for his interception.

Jinnai Kuniaki caught their imploring glances and smirked in amusement. Whether he was ignoring them, no one could tell as he lit a stick of cigarette and sank back into the comfy leather chair. The man even closed his eyes as he smoked lazily.

Both managers sigh to themselves and resign to wait it through.

It was eight o'clock in the evening when the large stack of application forms were whittled down to twenty profiles that had yet to be reviewed. Of the forty that was perused, only five were actually consulted upon and discussed among the group. Out of these five, only four were deemed acceptable by the owner in the end.

"Next, is number sixty-nine, owner. He's quite a remarkable fellow," cheered the manager that oversees the uke division. The three hosts that interviewed the applicant perked up in unison upon hearing the number and nodded in agreement.

Reiji raised a brow at their eager expressions and open up the folder to see for himself. A grin appeared suddenly and disappeared, but the three hosts and manager caught the rare gesture and smiled to each other. That grin reappeared when Reiji took another look at the photos taken from the hidden cameras and reread the profile on the applicant. For the person to project such candor and friendliness to have such a sexual profile, Reiji's interest was piqued.

"He's fascinating to watch. Very animated and blushes very easily," supplied one of the three hosts.

"Yes, very opened too. I think he's adorable and kind of kinky," declared another.

"I think he has a lot of potential," the other jumped in as well.

Reiji couldn't help but find their enthusiasm on the person amusing since his hosts were taught to remain aloof most of the time. He couldn't help but agree with their assessment though. There was certainly potential. No doubt about it. From the applicant's animated expressions to his appearance in formal wear and complete nudity to his sexual profile, the boy was quite a find. It would have been preferable if he was a virgin like another candidate but given the person's profile to have only two sexual partners it was an oddity.

Unlike the double digits and even triple digits some applicants reported (which was most likely inflated), the singular digit made the statement seem true. Thus given such a history if one was to base on the number of partners, the applicant's sexual history indicates that either his past lover was quite skilled or the person was in the process of being trained.

Either scenario presented a problem. In addition, Reiji frowned when he notice how little reference was given. The fellow barely qualifies to be placed in the stack before him. Upon further notice, just as he suspected, said applicant was on the list of those who needed further background checks. A thorough inspection could take months. To invest in the kid now was risky business. And that was something he couldn't afford. Reiji was about to place the folder on a separate pile when his most senior host joined the fray.

"I would like to train him," Jin stated without preamble.

Reiji turned towards the host and stared questionably. The man did not elaborate further however as he continued to smoke lazily with his eyes closed.

Amused by Jin's rare offer to volunteer as trainer, Reiji promptly reminded the host of the circumstances, "He'll need to be kept under tabs before we declare him work-able, Jinnai."

The host merely flashed him a wicked grin before he said, "that'll be more than enough time, owner."

"Hn."

With that as the owner's response, file number sixty-nine was placed with the other four folders as another was handed to the owner.

Three days later…

Takaba received a letter in the mail that was forwarded to him from his alias residence in the Gunma prefecture. He opened the manila envelope with dread as he perused the contents and release a heartfelt groan. Oh how he had hoped and wished that the offer would not come.

Two days later…

Takaba packed a duffle bag full of his essential belongings and bid his beloved cameras a tearful goodbye.