The morning after, I find myself wrapped up in twisted sheets and a warm body. It's one thing to wake up next to your lover, it's another to find yourself naked with your lover after a long night of passion. I think it was around four when we actually fell asleep so it's no surprise when I see that it's a little past noon at the current moment.
I can't help backtracking to the events from yesterday. A lot happened after all. As a matter of fact, we had been so busy that it wasn't until we went to Ni-chome that we learned the big news. Yesterday, April first of 2015, was the same day that the Shibuya ward (back in our hometown) decided to offer special partnership certificates to same-sex couples. Not exactly the legalization of gay marriage but a huge step in that direction. And what it means is that as a couple, they will be recognized as such for hospital visits or other civil matters. So it's kind of a big deal.
Patiently, I wait for Shinya to wake up and when he does, I brush his hair out of his sleepy face. I don't want to start the day off bad. I don't want to immediately swap tales about what happened that night that fucked everything up so much. So instead, I smile and kiss him on the forehead.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," I say.
Shinya sits up, pulling me closer and kissing me again. "Good morning to you too, sunshine."
We throw our sheets into the washing machine and take a shower together though nothing too sexual happens. Maybe a little groping and making out but nothing beyond that. Once that's done, we each get a mug of coffee and sit at the table, ready to clear the air.
I talk about everything that happened at Kiseki concerning Yuusaku and how he was petty enough to get me fired for it. Shinya was reasonably upset about that and even proclaimed that he was going to get the bastard back for it. But I calm him down enough so that he can tell me what happened at Barazoku Bar. Like him, I get pissed at the pervert but not at Shinya. Sure, what he did was wrong but he really does seem sorry for it. I can't hold it against him. I did warn him that I would not be as tolerant in the future and he promised that I won't have to punish him in the future. I believe him.
"So… We're good?" Shinya asks, taking a sip from his coffee.
"To be honest, I don't know," I sigh. "But I do know that life has many ups and downs and this was just one of our downs."
He laughs a bit, tightening his grip on my hand. "Yeah. We'll get through it. Together, right?"
I nod. "Together."
A few weeks pass after that and Shinya got himself a job as a bartender in Ni-chome. Hana promised to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't stray. I actually trust him not to do anything though. It's essential in any relationship, after all.
I'm also no longer attending school anymore as I've graduated and went straight to work at the same video game company that had let me go. Kouji snooped around and found certain pieces of evidence that would prove Yuusaku's infidelity towards his wife. Using that evidence as blackmail, Yuusaku was able to take back what he said about me, claiming that the real culprits were apprehended and that he had been too intoxicated to realize that it wasn't me.
In May, Shinya and I go to a cherry blossom viewing party hosted by Izumi. We are the last to arrive because we ended up having sex in the morning and forgot that we had a prior engagement with our friends. When you have so little time in a day to see each other, you kind of end up doing it at any chance you get.
Junpei is at the hibachi, grilling meats because he trusts neither Takuya nor Kouji to barbecue. Izumi is serving everyone some of her delicious homemade fettuccine. Kouji and Kouichi are relaxing and sipping some tea. And Takuya is playing volleyball with Katsuharu and his gang and a couple of his students (Yuuya and his friends) he brought along.
"Hey, you guys are late!" Izumi giggles when she sees us approaching.
"We lost track of time," I say.
Shinya and I are holding hands as we get closer to the group. It's weird to think that everything that happened in the last couple of months actually happened. We started dating back in November so it's almost been eight months since then. And, well, it's been one hell of a ride. We know it'll only get bumpier from here on out but the point of it is to enjoy the good parts. We can survive the rest.
Shinya and I are absolutely and hopelessly in love with each other. But that doesn't mean that love is a straight and narrow path. There are so many twists and turns and forks that it's more like an elaborate labyrinth that you can easily get lost in. Hell, we have gotten lost in it. But so long as we don't split up, we'll be okay. At least, that's what I think.
-X-
Zero Unit here. This project has been my favorite to work on because I personally have a connection with LGBT stories. With the not-too-long-ago tragedy in Orlando, I think it's more important than ever for visibility of our community to exist. Thus, this story was born. Now, I'm sure there are a myriad of questions so I'll see if I can guess which ones you have. And the ones to answer them are Tomoki and Shinya!
Q: There are a lot of places mentioned throughout the story, are they real?
Tomoki: General areas such Shibuya and Ikebukuro are real districts in the metropolis of Tokyo. Shinjuku Ni-chome is also what is actually known to be the gayborhood of Tokyo, filled with several bars, shops, boutiques, and other places that cater to LGBT patrons.
Shinya: However, specific places such as Kiseki or Barazoku Bar are not real places. And if they do exist, well, that was completely coincidental. Furthermore, Raira Academy, the place where my brother and Junpei works is actually the school from Durarara! while the Olive Tavern and Capypa Land are references to Noragami.
Q: What about events? Certains dates and times and such.
Tomoki: TV and movie showings are accurate to the time in which the story takes place which is near the end of March in 2015. The crossover between Shuriken Sentai Ninninger and Kamen Rider Drive actually did happen on March 29. The live-action Assassination Classroom film was released earlier in the month and Durarara!'s final episode of their first cour did premiere days before the showing in the story.
Shinya: Most importantly, on April first, those same-sex certificate things are a fact. As of September 2016, a total of five places in Japan offer it.
Q: Nana mentions a lot of gay manga, even furry ones. Are they real and are they available for purchase where I'm from.
Tomoki: All of them are real. And I know for a fact that Gengoroh Tagame's Endless Game can be bought translated in the US. However, unless you live in New York City, the best we can tell you is to look online. But don't look for scanlations because the authors need to make money and if people actually buy their stuff, then the more likely they will continue to make it.
Shinya: We also do highly recommend certain gay manga. From the furry side of things, there is Brothers in Arms by Maririn and on the human side, we've got the Priapus series by Mentaiko.
Tomoki: Tagame also has a non-sexual story called Otouto no Otto which translates to My Brother's Husband. The men are still huge but there is like no sex because it's more family oriented. It's a really sweet and sometimes heartbreaking story and despite the lack of romance, it is definitely worth the read.
Shinya: Definitely one of my favorite manga currently. And one of Zero's too.
Tomoki: Also, if you're going to read comics by artists, be sure to support them. We want them to continue making their great artwork and tell their stories.
Q: There is supposedly a little easter egg concerning Nana's character in his one scene in Chapter 9. For those who don't get it, what is it?
Shinya: When he recommends KENN's work with a wink, it's actually a tribute because Nana Hoga is one of his characters. Actually, he is the very same character that appears in Age Gaps Make No Difference. Yes, that is right, Nana is originally a rabbit beastman in a world of furries.
Q: Are there any other hidden references?
Tomoki: The scene in the bathroom concerning Yuusaku and I is actually stolen from another furry artist by the name of Artdecade, another highly recommended artist. Only If You Know is the last part of the trilogy in which the scene is taken from.
Shinya: Surprisingly enough, it actually gets less sexual with each one.
Q: What about yaoi recommendations? Any of those?
Tomoki: Well, neither of us really like yaoi. I do watch some for the comedy aspects like Sekaiichi Hatsukoi and Junjou Romantica.
Shinya: For the most part, they are awful representations of the gay community and so many of the "gay" characters aren't actually gay. No, they're straight that happen to have fallen for a man. Not to mention all of them have to be super pretty and lanky. Of course, there are good ones here and there. Junko is a pretty decent writer. I especially like Konbini-kun and Starlike Words though the latter is absurdly unrealistic. Oh, and Watashi ga Motete Dousunda is all about this fujoshi in a harem and it's hilarious!
Tomoki: What was that other writer you mentioned to me? Yamamoto Kotetsuko?
Shinya: Oh! Honto Yajuu is great despite having elements I despise. But what I really love is Konya mo Nemurenai. Every other yaoi can die!
Tomoki: As you can see, he has very strong feelings about this. No offense to them.
Q: Television dramas or movie recommendations?
Shinya: I can't think of any Japanese ones off the top of my head. But there is a Thai drama called Lovesick: The Series. The first episode is an absolute mess, the cast even admits that, but if you can get past that, I think it will be worth it. One of my favorite series.
Tomoki: There are also two Thai movies that Shinya introduced me to. Love's Coming and My Bromance which are both adorable and personally, I think it centers a lot more on the friendship elements rather than the romantic ones. Don't tell Shinya.
Q: Novel recommendations?
Shinya: Our knowledge is limited to YA novels but anyone can enjoy them really.
Tomoki: David Levithan and Alex Sanchez are both great gay authors that we highly recommend checking out. I particularly like Everyday though Shinya says it's not gay enough.
Shinya: If you'd like to learn more about our trans brothers and sisters, we'd highly recommend Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kristin Cronn-Mills and Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark. Both of them are excellent reads.
Tomoki: There's also Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg. But I warn you, it made our author, Zero, cry like a baby.
Shinya: If you're into sci-fi stuff, there's Alex London's Proxy series. Or if you're into the superhero genre, there's Hero by Perry Moore.
Tomoki: I love Jandy Nelson's I'll Give You the Sun, E. M. Kokie's Personal Effects, and Celeste Ng's Everything I Never Told You. They all have dysfunctional families that will make you shout at the characters but they are amazing narratives. Also puts things into perspective since they're not so direct with the gayness.
Shinya: Zero would just like to say that he predicted the nature of Jack since one of the earliest chapters. He likes to brag about that.
Q: Does the writer, Zero Unit, draw upon his own experiences when writing this story?
Tomoki: No, not exactly.
Shinya: Breaking news, Zero is actually a super virgin. Never dated, never had sex, and never even had his first kiss. Whoa, scandal!
Tomoki: Shinya!
Q: In this story, things get really angsty and dramatic. Was it really necessary? Tomoki and Shinya seem like such a perfect couple!
Shinya: At the end of Love or Lust, I made a New Year's resolution that I'm willing to bet most people forgot. It was to make Tomoki as happy as possible. Doing that has consequences. When you try your hardest for the happiness of someone else, you forget to take care of yourself. That's what Zero was trying to convey with this story.
Tomoki: And bad things happen. Sometimes because you make the wrong decision and sometimes because you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. Nothing is ever perfect. But two people can be perfect for each other.
Q: Zero Unit previously posted a spin-off story called Old or Young but then took it down. Why? Also, what happened with Junpei's story anyway? We were given a few details in this story but could you fill in the blanks?
Shinya: Because Zero didn't quite have the inspiration or motivation to finish. Lazy fuck.
Tomoki: Shinya!
Shinya: Anyway, to fill in the blanks. Well, first of all, Junpei got into a sexual relationship with Kariya, the hot, middle-aged construction worker. Then, Junpei ended up as a substitute physics teacher after my brother begged him with his job on the line.
Tomoki: That's where Yuuya comes in. Chiaki's younger brother and the kid who's had a crush on Junpei since forever. But obviously Yuuya was scared. He had just come out to his father who did not take it well. Yanking out shreds of his hair which caused him to shave his whole head rather than wait for it to grow back. He lives with his older sister now.
Shinya: For a while, these two men were pining for Junpei's affections while the foreman/teacher had other problems on his mind.
Tomoki: He enjoyed both working in construction but also enjoyed teaching kids. Not to mention, he was conflicted about his own sexuality. After coming to us for advice since we were the only gay couple he knew, he realized that while he did have an interest in both sexes, he had no interest in being the bottom. Apologies to the horny Kariya. But the construction worker is doing better for himself now. And Yuuya was told to ask about Junpei again when he's older and if he still felt the same way for the older man. Junpei also chose to become a teacher full-time while working with the construction firm during vacations.
Shinya: That man is a machine.
Tomoki: Shinya, weren't you going to mention that thing about Yuuya?
Shinya: Hm? Oh, right! Remember the first chapter of Love or Lust? When I went to Tomoki's apartment after coming from a client's? Well, Yuuya, conflicted about his feelings for Junpei, called me to talk. We ended up almost doing the deed but he was unable to continue. So nothing really happened. I just sort of left and went straight to Tomoki's after Yuuya made me promise not to say anything. So I made up a lie about an unsatisfactory sexcapade with a client.
Tomoki: And that's when our story began.
Q: Is there anything else you can teach us about Japan's gay subculture? The history? Social dynamics?
Shinya: We can trace back gay and lesbian movements in Japan back to the Japanese International Lesbian and Gay Association (JILGA), founded by Minami Teishir. A group known as Occur broke off from JILGA and they got entangled in a lawsuit with a youth hostel in the town of Fuchu, Seinen no Ie.
Tomoki: Occur filed the lawsuit because they claimed that members were harassed while they were taking baths. They were victims of derisive jokes, pejorative terms, and rude jeers. And when they tried to go to their rooms, they were denied because of the "no sex" rule. Which was the whole point of sex-separated rooms. But Occur claimed that this rule should be enough of a deterrent and in the end, they did win the lawsuit.
Shinya: Why this is so important is that it created a legal definition (borrowed from the US mainstream definition) of male homosexuality for the first time in Japan.
Tomoki: This was a departure from the previous definition which identified homosexuality as an act, otherwise known as sodomy. This also erased the previous idea that homosexuality was unhealthy and annulled the illegalization of sodomy.
Shinya: A lot of people are ignorant about the existence of Occur though. This is because of the demise of JILGA and their magazine platform, Adon, in the late 90s.
Tomoki: However, since queer movements were still gaining ground and visibility, there came a rise to other magazines like Badi and G-Men. Their success may have something to do with the downfalls of Sabu in 2001 and Barazoku (origin of the word "bara") in 2004.
Shinya: By the way, Gengoroh Tagame was incredibly influential in gay magazines having drawn for many of them. But again, unless you're into hardcore BDSM aspects, his work may not be for you. Though there are the occasional tame manga. Oh, but Jiraiya took Tagame's place as the sole cover illustrator for G-Men back in like 2001.
Tomoki: The magazines expanded on the discourse on sexual identity by stressing positive aspects of both gay life and sexual activities, thus influencing gay circles to have frank and open discussions of sex and allowed greater freedom to talk about HIV-related issues.
Shinya: However, many people don't like these magazines for the same reasons they don't like yaoi. It's a complete misrepresentation of the gay community. Where yaoi incorrectly portrays the social and romantic life of gay men, these magazines generally make it seem as if 50% of our time is devoted to sex. And heaven forbid is it just vanilla sex.
Tomoki: Keep in mind, the Japanese, like many other countries outside the US, was actually indifferent towards sexuality. There are many old stories that depict same-sex relationships. It wasn't until the US visited us that we redefined what we saw as indecent behavior.
Shinya: And yet, there's a stereotype that the Japanese are prudes.
Tomoki: Can we focus on the topic?
Shinya: Oh, right. Actual cases of homophobic discrimination in Japan are really uncommon though.
Tomoki: Even teachers come out but they don't face any kind of discrimination. This might be because of the lack of religious-based dissent towards homosexuality. However, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Several of them could just go unreported out of fear like how Shinya did back in Love or Lust.
Q: Will there be a sequel to this sequel?
Shinya: We have no idea.
Tomoki: It all depends on what Zero thinks. If there is one, expect to learn more about Japan's queer history. Who knows, maybe, by then, same-sex marriage will even be legal here.
Shinya: We'll be staying strong until then so continue to support us! Our ship name is Shinoki! Bye!
Tomoki: We're glad you guys could join us on our journey of romance, sex, and drama. Until next time!
If you have an account, go ahead and PM me if you have other questions or just want to talk. I'll try to get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for everything!