Chapter Three: Black Cat

"So, are you a student?" Kisa asked as he sipped his beer.

Hiroki nodded. "At Teito."

Kisa's eyebrows flickered in surprise at the mention of the prestigious school and he smiled.

"No wonder you were studying so hard in the bookstore."

Hiroki's cheeks flushed a little at the comment.

"Are you taking summer classes or something?" Kisa asked, noticing the blush with amusement.

"No," Hiroki offered plainly. "Just wanted to get a head start on advanced classical lit. Never hurts to be prepared."

Kisa pretended to agree, though in reality getting head starts was something he had never done nor would ever do. But it told him a lot about the person he was trying to pick up. Kamijou was clearly an intellectual, someone who valued the old and intricate. It almost reminded him of Minami, and Kisa was careful with his next few comments, as nothing turned off intelligent people more than incompetence.

"Are you a literature student then?"

"Yes, how'd you know?"

"I can just tell," Kisa smiled. "You were devouring that book with the vigor of someone who truly loves a written word."

Hiroki was taken aback by the stranger's very accurate observation of him and took a brief look into Kisa's eyes. But the dark-haired youth didn't allow him to make contact for long, and Hiroki could almost see a twinge of pink surface on Kisa's face. Was he blushing?

"Well, you would be right," Hiroki answered. "My apartment can attest to that, books everywhere."

"Mine too," Kisa said bashfully. "Except with more manga."

"Yeah, I noticed when you bought seven volumes of it."

"Was it seven?" Kisa said with wide eyes. "Sheesh, and I thought I eased up on this trip. Just can't help myself I guess. I get so caught up in the art and the story."

Hiroki nodded, knowing what Kisa meant even though he'd never had a taste for comics.

"You know," Kisa murmured, toying with his beer glass. "I once read a book that had a really good quote in it. 'Some books should be tasted, others devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly.'"*

Hiroki's face visibly lit up at the quote and he regarded Kisa thoughtfully. This youth clearly had a taste for words himself, and the sincerity of it was not lost on him. Few people understood what treasures the written word held, and how they could evoke every thought and feeling from the human soul. In fact, the only friend Hiroki had who appreciated such things was Akihiko.

But this boy—er Kisa was different, and Hiroki could sense something lingering underneath the surface of that cute face. Kisa struck him as smart, but not in an intellectual sense. It was more like he knew exactly what to say to people. But, Hiroki wondered, what exactly was that sixth sense being used for?

The answer was obvious, but as it crossed Hiroki's mind, he found he wasn't opposed to the idea at all. In fact, fucking this youthful body before seemed entirely pleasing.

"Need a refill?"

Hiroki glanced back to Kisa, who was nodding to his empty glass. Hiroki handed it to him, their fingers brushing as Kisa took it and his empty beer over to the bar tender at the other end of the counter.

Hiroki discretely admired Kisa's body as the youth went, small and sleek, like a little black cat with a flickering tail. He felt himself stir as the attraction and alcohol fogged over his mind, and he knew he wouldn't have to worry about finding something to do tonight.

A few hours and two rounds later, Hiroki and Kisa left the bar together, walking down the street in silence. Both of them were a little tipsy, but the cool night air helped Hiroki to gather his thoughts. First and foremost, they needed a place, and his apartment was clearly out. Even if Akihiko wasn't there, Hiroki never brought "dates" home, so he turned to Kisa. This youth was surprising him more and more and in entirely good ways. As the streets were deserted, Hiroki had fully expected Kisa to try and cuddle up to him as they walked, given the youth's friendly demeanor. But he did no such thing, in fact, he kept just the perfect amount of distance between them, shoving his hands in his pockets. Hiroki was liking him more and more.

The two had talked a lot while they drank, and Hiroki had learned that Kisa didn't have a proclaimed major at his college, he was just doing eclectic classes that caught his interest. Hiroki had suggested that maybe Kisa should try for publishing, seeing as how he liked manga so much.

Kisa was surprised by Kamijou's declaration, and appreciated the advice, as few people took his hobby seriously.

Kisa tried hard not to smile as the two of them walked down the sidewalk. He truly had hit the jackpot tonight. Not only was Kamijou a stud, his personality wasn't half bad either. In fact, compared to the chauvinistic snobs he usually dated, Kamijou was a saint. A little straight laced in areas, but Kisa liked the maturity he emanated. He only prayed that they guy was decent in bed.

Picking him up after all that talk and alcohol had been relatively easy, but now phase two was becoming a problem.

"Do you have a place?" Kisa asked Hiroki.

"I do, but it's occupied at the moment," Kamijou replied plainly.

Kisa hummed to himself in contemplation as they stopped at a crosswalk. The dorms weren't a great option and Kisa could hardly take a date to his mother's apartment, even though she would undoubtedly be passed out on the couch from too much wine and sleeping pills.

That only left them one option.

Once they crossed the street, Kisa took the lead and brought them several streets over, right up to the front of a love hotel.

"Are you serious?" Hiroki asked, looking a little disgusted at the thought.

Kisa shrugged, used to the reaction. "This one's not bad. I've used it before. Got any cash? I'll pay the other half."

Hiroki reluctantly took out his wallet and handed Kisa several bills.

"Wait here," the youth said before scurrying inside. He came out a few minutes later and held out one of two keys. Hiroki reached for it, but was surprised when Kisa grabbed his hand and licked one of his fingertips, his chocolate eyes taking on a sultry tint.

"Come inside whenever you're ready," Kisa purred. "It's room 113."

With that, the youth dropped Hiroki's hand and headed back into the hotel. Hiroki stared at the key in his hand, still feeling the wetness of Kisa's mouth. He couldn't deny that he was turned on at the moment, but something about using a love hotel made him feel cheap. Maybe he should just forget this and go home to Akihiko.

But Hiroki knew he would do no such thing. His body was becoming aroused, and he needed fulfillment before he could so much as look at his friend, lest he do something entirely regretful. A bitter taste rose in his mouth at even the thought of Akihiko's face, and Hiroki's features hardened. Gripping the key in his hand, he walked up to the entrance of the love hotel and slipped inside.

*Taken from "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke

Caution: approaching lemon. Please proceed at your own risk ;)