Chapter Five
He finished his shower and walked out into the bright light, closing his eyes slightly against the glare of the afternoon sun. "Do you have anything on today?"
Sendoh looked up and gave a lopsided smile. "Later in the night. A booking for one of the many parties in our day and age."
He felt the age-old jealousy again as his mind flashed to all sorts of scenarios that could take place from one performance. The first time he had seen Malcolm dance…
*Flashback
The lights were down low, only a stark white one that was barely visible through the stained glass of the room. He watched as the tall man pressed a button on the player, and then music had flooded the room.
Blue eyes met blue eyes, bold and laughing, as the one who would be his teacher showed him how to make the best of his youth's agility and suppleness. Bending and twisting, swirling and bowing, in the most intricate of weaving steps, the soft music curling and enveloping more and more about the slender white body…
*End of Flashback
He had gone mad that day. And truly, it was when he had started loving Sendoh, not for the dancing he did so effortlessly, so captivatingly, but for the free spirit and ease in which he carried himself, the sensual confidence he instilled by his own manner. That same night...he had given himself to the art he had chosen, and to the master who served to better him. And he had not regretted it. There had been no changes, no disturbance, which upset their cocoon of security and—dared he say it?—love.
Strong arms embraced him. He had turned away, had not seen Sendoh coming up to him. Now he relaxed, resting his head against the taller man's shoulder. "I'll pick you up after that," he said softly.
Yet suddenly, a flash of eyes the color of dark honey filled his vision, and for a moment, that was all he could see.
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[A few hours later]
His parents were greeting the guests effusively, as he stood there and milled around with his colleagues, old classmates, and other guests. Haruko was at home, where her friends had planned a bridal shower.
He smiled, just thinking about her. He had liked Haruko so long, that it had been nothing short of immeasurable joy when she had accepted his proposal. He had waited until he had a stable income to support a family before asking her, and it showed that his plans were well thought-out and gave concern to her well-being, so he remembered Mr. Akagi saying.
Three more days… he thought exultantly, raising his glass and toasting one of the well-wishers, bringing the cool champagne to his lips and sipping it. And then I will be married to Haruko.
A black car passed by outside, and he turned to see who might have come for the dinner, but the sedan didn't stop, moving past the main gates noiselessly and disappearing around the corner. But not before he caught a glimpse of the driver. There were two people in the car, both dark-haired, and in that instant, the profile he noticed seemed oddly familiar. His grip tightened around his glass.
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As Sendoh opened the car door and slid out, Rukawa could only feel a sense of loss. It always took him this way. Sendoh had laughed when he had found the reason behind his lover's lukewarm attitude whenever he had a job.
*Flashback
"Kaede…don't be like this, will you?"
He had looked at the older man silently, and wished his heart was not as jealous, as possessive and as gone in love as it truly was.
"I wish you could stay here, by me, forever."
You ask the hardest things, the impossible things. Yet it could not be helped, for he understood, and as always, when he understood, he could not help but comply.
"Do you love me?"
The moment's pause was almost more than he could bear, until the other turned to face him, looking directly into his eyes.
"I would love you if only for the sake of loving you."
*End of Flashback