Chapter Two: Joker

Hiroki sat in the literature section of a bookstore he frequently used, drinking coffee and perusing a large textbook with his usual scowl, though his long bangs somewhat covered his brow. He needed a haircut soon, as he was getting tired of brushing back his hair constantly. But right now all he could think about was a certain "friend," if one could even call him that, who was currently taking over his flat.

"Stupid Akihiko," Hiroki growled to himself. That idiot had a deadline for a novella and was currently on the run from his howling editor, and where did he choose to hide? Hiroki's bed. It hadn't helped that Hiroki was feeling particularly forlorn and ill-tempered today, having misplaced a book he very much wanted to finish. Not to mention he was lonely as he hadn't seen his friend in two weeks. And to have the object of his unrequited affections suddenly show up and conquer his apartment when he felt so vulnerable was too much. Hiroki had split, fearing that if he lingered around he might do something stupid while Akihiko slept.

The literature student had then gone to his secondary refuge of the bookstore and found a text for a class he was going to have next semester. Always wanting to be one step ahead, he had begun to read it and soon lost himself in the lines of text running across the page like ants, each character bringing him closer to understanding.

He stayed there for several hours, not even noticing when the light outside dwindled and turned to night. But after finishing nearly half the book, he finally took out his phone to see what time it was. He had turned it off when he got here and was surprised to see how late it was. Not to mention a couple missed calls from Akihiko, who apparently had come back to the world of the living and was wondering where he was.

Hiroki shut his cell phone, not bothering to call him back. What did Akihiko care where he was anyway?

With a bit of a grunt, Hiroki stretched his lean arms over his head, his back hurting like a mother from being up against the bookcase too long. But as he glanced around, he noticed one other person in the store who had also lost himself to the world of books.

Well, if one could call comics that. Hiroki nearly snorted as he saw what appeared to be a teenage boy devouring manga like there was no tomorrow. Though Hiroki had to admit, upon closer inspection, the teen was rather handsome. A little baby-faced, but no one would call him unattractive.

As if he sensed the man's gaze, Kisa glanced up from his page and Hiroki quickly looked down at his textbook, willing his face not to burn in embarrassment for staring at the boy. But the dark-haired youth didn't seem to notice. He simply peered at his watch and began to gather up the books, taking them over to the register and buying them all. Afterwards, he slipped the manga into his messenger bag and left the store, heading across the street in the direction of a bar.

This caught Hiroki's attention immediately. What the hell did that kid think he was doing? That establishment wasn't some raunchy bar where they let you in if you were cute enough. Hiroki had been to this particular joint numerous times and was always carded, even if the bartender recognized him. That dumb kid was going to get himself in serious trouble. But what did he care? It was no concern of his.

Hiroki pushed the stranger to the back of his mind and wondered where he himself was going to go. He couldn't go home, as Akihiko was probably waiting for him and he had no desire to see his friend at the moment. But the store was closing soon and he'd have to go somewhere for the time being.

Hiroki sighed and resolved that what he really needed was a drink. Shoving the textbook back into the shelf, he gathered his things and headed out of the store and into the breezy summer night, walking in the direction of the nearby bar.

After being carded four times, Kisa finally had procured a beer and was sitting on a bar stool, scoping out the fare of faces. This bar was right by several large businesses, and he could see plenty of old suits, which was exactly what he wanted at the moment. He was tired of fuckers his own age who had absolutely no experience. No, he desired someone older at the moment, and by the looks he was getting from the other patrons, chances were he would get one.

Kisa smiled to himself and reached into his messenger bag, pulling out a deck of cards and arranging them into a game of solitaire. He had learned years ago that this was an easy conversation starter, and gave plenty a handsome face a reason to sidle up to him.

Suddenly, the bell over the door rang, signaling a new customer had arrived. Kisa looked towards the door, and his curiosity was peaked as he saw textbook guy from the bookstore, but in an entirely new light. The brunet's long bangs had been mostly obscuring his face, but as he pushed them back, Kisa's eyebrows flickered and his body stirred.

Now that was a face: a lean, handsome countenance with subtle cheekbones and a narrow jaw, all framed by cinnamon locks and fiery eyes. What's more, he was alone.

Kisa tried hard not to grin when he realized the stool next to him was the only empty seat in the house and quickly went back to his cards. The brunet approached and ordered whiskey from the barkeep, which caught Kisa's attention even more. This one was a heavy-drinker, and in his experience they were far easier to persuade.

After he'd gotten his drink, Hiroki looked around and realized there were no empty seats except at the bar. Not only that, but that manga-reading "kid" he'd seen in the bookstore was sitting next to the only empty stool, having a beer and playing solitaire. Hiroki could hardly believe someone who looked so young was actually old enough to drink.

Biting the inside of his mouth sullenly, Hiroki went and sat down on the available seat, taking a long draught of his drink while he glanced discretely at the other guy's cards. It was then that he noticed something strange and quietly muttered to dark haired youth.

"You forgot to take the Joker out."

"Hmm?" Kisa replied, looking at the stranger with wide doe eyes. "Oh whoops, guess I did. Thank you."

Once again, Hiroki was struck by how young the other customer sounded, especially when the youth turned to him and smiled, the Joker card still in his hand.

"I'm Kisa Shouta. Nice to meet you."

"Kamijou," Hiroki offered plainly, taking another sip of his drink. "You know, I'm sure you've heard this before, but you don't look old enough to be in here."

Kisa laughed good-naturedly. "I get that a lot."

"So, how old are you really?"

"Twenty-one."

Hiroki nearly choked. Not only was this Kisa well over the legal age, but he was a year older than he was.

"How about you?" Kisa asked, resting his chin on the back of his hand with interest.

"Er—twenty."

It was Kisa's turned to be shocked. He had pegged Kamijou at least twenty-three. His demeanor and the way he conducted himself was so decidedly mature that Kisa assumed he'd be older. But even if he was younger, this one had caught Kisa's attention, and he didn't give that up easily. Kisa had chosen his target for the night, and now it was only a matter of setting up the web.

Thanks to all who have reviewed and subscribed so far!

Guest and Kiyame-Hikari- extra special thank yous for your kind words!

JoanIncarnate- My thoughts exactly. Eeep!

Cerberus Revised- Oh darling, hearing from you is a joy.I'm so glad I've been able to convey Kisa in a realistic way and flesh him out for I did have great inspiration to go off of with CD :) Hope I'm adept at Hiroki as well, though I'm sure you'll let me know promptly. Heh heh. Kisses!

Love,

TBF101