Boy's Paradise

Chapter 2

Sendoh looked up from the proof photos he had been flicking through. The photographer who went by the name Masao was sitting comfortably in the chair on the opposite side of his desk waiting expectantly. He was a young and handsome man, with effortless style and oozing confidence. He had worked as the in-house photographer for the Sendoh clothing brand for three years now and had never fallen short of his reputation as both an artistic genius and an incurable playboy.

Though Sendoh wouldn't have minded throwing criticism at his work just to bring the man's artistic ego back down to earth for a while, finding fault with him was almost impossible. The pictures were stunning as always.

"Disappointing, right?" Masao commented into Sendoh's silence, a suggestive smile on his face as he stroked his short stylish goat thoughtfully. "I don't think the line has as much sex appeal as last year. I mean, really, this model was so hot I almost wanted to smash the damn camera and fuck him then and there, but he still looks like a dustman in that suit ah" he sighed theatrically, "isn't it just awful?"

Sendoh ignored his equal parts of fastidiousness and crudeness. As far as he could see, the pictures were everything he had hoped for, but still he recognised that of the two of them Masao was the true genius of photographic promotion, and despite his often questionable manners, Sendoh trusted his judgement.

"What do you need to make it better Masao?" he asked with a small sigh.

"Better clothes" Masao prodded mercilessly.

Sendoh nearly rolled his eyes. "The line has been finalised for the season and production is already in full swing. The clothes are the one thing I can't change. What else?"

"I guess I'll think about it" Masao replied moodily, as if Sendoh were being unreasonable. "How was the meeting with that Matsumo arsehole?"

Sendoh hesitated, knowing that Masao was going to laugh at his expensive over the failed meeting. "He didn't show up" he conceded finally.

As expected, Masao burst into laughter. "I told you that man is a total pussy fag. He talks big but you can tell his cock is tiny. He's just that kind of man."

"He's run highly successful campaigns for several billion-dollar brands" Sendoh pointed out patiently. "Besides, he called and apologised and I'm going to meet him tonight instead."

Masao threw up his hands dramatically. "You're the boss. But I'm telling you we don't need him on the campaign."

"I'll certainly take your opinion into account" Sendoh agreed amicably. Masao looked like he didn't believe him.

Later that night, and for the second consecutive night in a row, Sendoh found himself presiding over a glass of whiskey in the now almost familiar bar of the Boy's Paradise club.

He'd already spoken at length with Matsumo. They had come to a natural conclusion to their business and, as their conversation lulled, they'd both turned their eyes instead upon the stage where Yukari was dancing for them effortlessly.

Thoughts of marketing strategies and promotional events vacated his mind as Sendoh watched the boy move entranced. He stared not with the same desire as Matsumo but with something more innocent. It seemed strange but although Yukari's body didn't affect him, his beauty did. He was drawn not to his sexuality, but to his intrigue. He had no wish to hold and posses him, but he found himself wanting to know more. It was a little troubling. He sighed.

"This boy" Matsumo commented, "I think I'm in love."

Sendoh raised an eyebrow but didn't avert his eyes. "He's a good dancer" he conceded.

Matsumo laughed from the very depths of his gut. "Believe me, it's not his dancing I'm interested in."

Sendoh resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Instead he kept his attention focused on the boy. He had been surprised to see that Yukari's appearance this night was startlingly different from yesterday. His brown homely beachside curls had been replaced with shoulder-length choppy blond bangs, and his costume was tight gothic black leather and lace against pale skin. The eyes he threw over his enraptured audience like a net were a dazzling emerald green. A different night, a different dance, a different persona.

Sendoh had wondered for a moment whether this preoccupation with outward appearance was a sign of a materialistic nature. But the way the boy had so jealously guarded his name in their conversation last night made Sendoh realise that more likely it was a way to hide his true identity behind a mask. Changing colours like a chameleon until the real colour could not be distinguished from the rest.

Sendoh wondered what the boy's true personality was actually like. Was he as extroverted and theatrical as his stage presence suggested, or was he quite different? How would he look without costume and make up?

Yukari's darting eyes picked out their table amongst the crowd and stopped there for a moment though he continued to arch and curl his back sensuously for the benefit of the men who leaned forward by the stage, keen to tuck thrifty notes securely between skin and lace. He took in the sight of Sendoh and Matsumo both, his movements slowing slightly as if he had become distracted by what he saw. The next moment however he had turned his head away in a toss of blond hair and continued with renewed vigour, determinedly not looking in their direction again.

Sendoh was puzzled at this sudden cold shoulder. Was it because he was sitting with Matsumo despite Yukari's advice against him? Did it seem to Yukari that Sendoh had been insincere in his gratitude yesterday? He was so concerned that this might be the case, and that offence might have been given, that he didn't listen to Matsumo's conversation.

"So, tomorrow afternoon then?"

Sendoh blinked. "Sorry, what?"

"The proofs." Matsumo repeated. "For the marketing campaign. I will have them sent to your office tomorrow afternoon for consideration"

"Ah yes. That will be fine. Thanks."

The song came to a close and Sendoh lifted his eyes to see Yukari leave the stage and another group of dancers take his place. With that distraction gone he looked back at Matsumo only to see him pulling on his coat.

"Leaving?" he asked surprised. The night was still young; it had not yet gone eleven.

"Yes, as I said I have a meeting quite early tomorrow…"

"Of yes of course, you said…" Sendoh nodded, not recalling that part of the conversation at all. "Well then."

Matsumo nodded and smiled. "It's good to do business with you, Sendoh-san. I truly admire your taste."

Sendoh didn't understand what he meant by that and if there was some kind of double meaning to those words it escaped him as they bowed to one another and Matsumo headed off towards the door. Sendoh sighed and twirled the remaining liquid around his glass distractedly. No longer interested in watching the stage now that Yukari was gone he rose from his isolated table and drifted over towards the bar to sit along the high stools instead.

"Didn't expect to see you back so soon" the bartender was smiling at him from behind a row of clean glasses. "Have you come to realise your true preference?"

Sendoh found himself smiling back. Although the man's large body had an intimidating appearance he seemed friendly enough and this time Sendoh did not deny him his indulgence in small talk.

"No, I was just meeting someone."

"Ah, that Matsumo-san? But I see he has already left, yet you are still here?" the man winked and laughed.

His observation was true enough and Sendoh nodded with a smile because he had no come back and ordered a last drink.

He wondered whether he had stayed because of the surprisingly comfortable sensation of the place, or perhaps because of the way Yukari's dancing had so effortlessly swept all his business concerns away. Or had he stayed because he held a half-wish to see that Yukari again, to speak to him more, to set right the bad feeling the boy seemed to have towards him?

The bartender drifted further down the bar to serve other patrons, leaving Sendoh alone with his thoughts.

Yukari had been right when he'd said that Matsumo was a smooth talker. The man was highly likeable. He seemed so open and unashamed of his sexual orientation that it was easy to see him as a genuine and self-aware individual. However Sendoh held back his judgement, Yukari's words having raised his guard far more effectively than Masao's complaints.

After all, Masao was only seeking to protect his own prospects within the company but Yukari had nothing to gain by slandering Matsumo without cause.

"Hey Soma…" a nearby voice made its way into Sendoh's thoughts and he looked up to see that a second person had appeared behind the bar alongside the bartender, his back to Sendoh. The newcomer was dressed in a plain white t-shirt over loose jeans. He had a simple hoop of silver in each ear almost hidden behind his mop of typical oriental black hair. There seemed to be no conscious styling involved in his fashion, but his tall and slim frame added a kind of poise to his otherwise plain and masculine clothes.

"Yukari!" the bartender, the one addressed as Soma, exclaimed in surprise, casting a critical eye over Yukari's appearance. Sendoh was also surprised. Without his flamboyant and effeminate costumes he hadn't recognised the boy at all.

How surprising to see him with normal Japanese hair just like the rest of us. And actually looking like a real boy too. I suppose he is mortal after all.

"You know you shouldn't come on the floor dressed like that." Soma began, "If the boss sees you…"

"Relax" Yukari chided him, "I'm not going on the floor. I'm going out to look for Inoue. Can you cover for me?"

The bartender was taken aback for a moment by the request, but then his eyes twinkled with mischief. "I always knew you don't-give-a-damn attitude was just an act" he teased.

"Well someone has to find him" Yukari snapped back irritated.

"Right, right" Soma waved a hand, still amused, "I got it. Go right ahead."

Yukari huffed and turned away to leave, but as he did so came to notice the watching Sendoh sitting behind him. He froze as if caught in headlights. Sendoh stared back at him in equal surprise.

Blue. He realised.

His eyes are blue.

For the second time that long-ago name rose on his tongue confusedly "Kaede…?"

Yukari's eyes widened, but then he turned swiftly on his heel and vanished into the back of the bar. Sendoh rose from his seat meaning to call out to him, but he was too late. He strained his neck to look, but Yukari had already gone. He dropped back into his seat dazed.

Is it possible?

I didn't notice their similarity before but, when he is dressed more plainly, the resemblance is uncanny. But how can I be sure?

He pursed his lips in indecision before calling the bartender back over.

"That boy Yukari" he began, his lips strangely dry. "Do you know his real name?"

The man guffawed loudly in response, "seems you have an awakened interest after all!"

Sendoh shook his head, "It's not that, I just…"

"Oh, you don't have to explain yourself to me" Soma exclaimed in amusement, clearly still with the wrong idea, "but in honesty – no. I don't know his real name. No one does. And even if I did I wouldn't sell him out to you. He's a good kid, Yukari, and I'd keep his secrets as if they were my own."

Sendoh sighed in disappointment, but nodded his head in understanding. "Then, is there some way for me to meet up with him? I want to talk to him…"

"Oh sure. Talk to him. That's what they all say" Soma seemed hopelessly amused. "But listen, if you really want to meet Yukari, you'll have to do what everyone else does."

"What?" Sendoh pressed.

Soma grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed teeth.

"Pay" he said.

~tbc

ANs: My muse is totally on fire with this right now. I just wish that someone somewhere out there is reading it - Oh well.

I'm looking forward to pitting a more experienced Rukawa against a less experienced Sendoh :D Reversal of the usual Senru scenario ^.^

Reviews are, as always, deeply appreciated.