. .
. . . . .
Takaba noticed the crowd was beginning to move toward an entrance that led into another area. Asami stood off to the side, obviously waiting for him.
"Oh," Anaïs said, "I think they are serving dinner now. Perhaps I will see you after?"
"Um... yeah." Takaba replied. Asami's gaze intensified. It was as though he was calling him to his side with that look.
Takaba felt momentarily annoyed. What if I don't run to your side like an obedient pet?
Asami's intense look turned into a smirk.
Takaba realized he had been glaring at Asami and his face reddened with embarrassment. I've got to stop allowing my emotions to show on my face! I should be grateful to him for bringing me here tonight. Takaba sighed and walked over to Asami.
"Are you enjoying yourself so far?" Asami asked.
"Yeah. That girl I was with... she's a photographer. Her name is Anaïs and her pictures are on display here. We went back to one of the galleries... so she could show them to me."
"A photographer..." Asami raised an eyebrow. "What a fortunate discovery for you." They both turned to follow the crowd.
"She's... " Takaba was about to blurt out "married" but then realized how obvious that would sound. I have no reason to feel guilty for just talking to someone! "She's from France."
"A pretty young female photographer from France... who seems to relish your company." Asami appeared to be unconcerned.
Again Takaba felt the gentle pressure of Asami's hand on the middle of his back, guiding him through the crowd. At first, Takaba had the urge to squirm away from his hand, but then he felt a pleasant warmth spread through his body from Asami's touch.
I sort of like him doing that.
Takaba suddenly stiffened. Why am I having such strange thoughts?!
At dinner, Takaba sat next to Asami, who was on his right. Their table seated eight. Takaba noticed the other couples at the table were all married; mostly foreigners accompanied by their wives.
We are the only male couple at this table, Takaba observed nervously.
MALE COUPLE?! No, no, no! We just happen to be here at the same time... together.
They all introduced themselves to each other. On his left, was an older man who could best be described as a thin Santa Claus. He introduced himself as William McLaurin.
"McLaurin? You're the one that took those black and white photos in the Amazon jungle?!"
McLaurin was pleased by the recognition. "Yes! Oh, that was a fantastic trip! It rained constantly. I don't think there was a moment that I was ever dry. I had a difficult time keeping my camera gear protected."
For most of the dinner, Takaba listened with rapt attention to the older man as he described meeting and befriending the natives, and the challenges of camping in the rainforest.
"I was amazed at the spiders we came across! Some were as big as these dinner plates. I even saw pink tarantulas."
"Pink tarantulas!" Takaba laughed. "Those ALMOST sound cute. I'm not a big fan of spiders though."
"They eat them over there. I did try one... not the pink one, but some other kind."
Takaba shuddered at the thought of eating spiders. "What did it taste like?"
McLaurin chuckled, "Crab."
Before Takaba knew it, the four-course dinner was almost over. They brought out the desserts and Takaba noticed that each person at their table had something different. Takaba tried his and guessed it was espresso ice cream with a foamy cream that tasted like hazelnuts and something vaguely alcoholic. He promptly finished it. As soon as he was done, Asami switched his dish with Takaba's. Takaba grinned and put his fork into the small decorative cake that was now in front of him. When he took a bite, he was surprised to find the cake had a thin crispy layer on the outside and a delicious custard inside. Takaba closed his eyes and moaned softly, prompting an amused look from Asami.
"You have no IDEA what you're missing... you should try this!"
Asami leaned toward Takaba's ear and spoke in a low voice. "My dessert is watching you lewdly devour that cake."
Takaba nearly choked on the cake. "I really wish you wouldn't say weird stuff like that," he growled at Asami.
. . . . .
The area where they were having dinner had a bar set off to one side, and a small stage with a grand piano on it in the front of the room. During their meal, a 4-string quartet played on the stage. As people finished their meal and wandered off to explore the rest of the museum, servers cleared and began removing the tables that were next to the stage. They left a few in the back so guests could sit and socialize while sipping their drinks. Most of the attendees that remained in the room, however, gathered near the stage. Takaba spotted Anaïs, Leo, and a younger man talking together. Takaba wanted to go to them but he also felt obligated to spend time with Asami, since he was attending as Asami's guest.
Asami followed the direction of Takaba's gaze and then looked at him with a slight smile. "This is your night... so why don't you go play?" Asami turned and walked toward the bar. Once he got there he ordered a drink, and then turned around to watch Takaba.
Takaba muttered, "What do you think I am... a little kid?"
Takaba wandered over to Anaïs and Leo. They appeared to be having a lively conversation. Leo turned to Takaba, "Ah! Takaba Akihito, right? Now, which name am I supposed to use? Takaba or Akihito?"
"Akihito is fine."
Anaïs elbowed him in the side. "You are being rude again..." She indicated toward the younger man.
"Oh! Akihito, this is David... my date for this evening."
"Hello, " David said, shyly shaking Takaba's hand.
Takaba looked at Leo's companion. In contrast to Leo's bushy blond hair, David had dark wavy hair that fell just to his shoulders, and large brown eyes. So this is the boyfriend. He looks younger than me.
David looked around. "I can't believe how many famous people are here! I wish I could meet some of them."
"Me too. And I wish I could take their pictures. That would put me in good with my editor, but everyone would probably be annoyed if I did that."
"You work for a newspaper?" Leo asked. "Which one would that be?"
"The Weekly Headline but I doubt you've heard of it. It's just a local newspaper."
Leo looked at both Takaba and David. "They're just people, you know. They may be a bit weird but still... do you have a phone that can take photos?" Leo asked Takaba. Takaba nodded. "Come on you two... I'll introduce you to some 'famous' people."
Leo took them to one celebrity couple he knew and introduced them. David was completely star-struck and couldn't say more than "hello". Takaba took the initiative and explained that he worked for a local paper in Tokyo and that they wanted pictures of the guests who attended their city's new museum. The couple agreed to allowed Takaba to take some shots.
They repeated this a few more times before Leo winked at him. "I think these people might have enough alcohol in them that it shouldn't be a problem now."
"Yes... thank you for your help!"
Leo took off with David following him. Takaba approached another group of people on his own, apologizing for the interruption but would they mind if he just took a few pictures...?
After a while, Takaba had gotten most of the pictures he wanted from the people in the room.
You are watching hardworking photographer Akihito Takaba at his professional best, Asami!
Takaba turned to look at Asami but Asami's attention wasn't focused on him. Instead, a young sexy starlet was at the bar talking to him. Asami had an easy, relaxed smile on his face as he listened to her.
You missed watching me work! And that girl shouldn't be wearing such a revealing dress at a museum!
Annoyed, Takaba left the room in search of other celebrities he might have missed. He found a few more and got their pictures, and then he saw McLaurin speaking to Anaïs near his exhibit. McLaurin happily posed next to one of his pictures for Takaba. Takaba asked Anaïs if he could take a picture of her next to her photos as well.
Takaba and Anaïs both walked back together to the dining area. Takaba looked over at the bar and saw Asami was still with the starlet. Asami had his head inclined toward her as he spoke. The starlet had moved closer to him as if to hear him better.
You didn't even notice I left the room. And she's standing way to close!
Takaba and Anaïs walked past a table that had some filled champagne glasses. Takaba grabbed one as they walked by and finished drinking it before they reached Leo and David.
"Did you get all the pictures you wanted?" Anaïs asked him.
"He couldn't have... he didn't get one of ME yet!" Leo grinned mischievously.
Anaïs rolled her eyes as Leo did his signature pose for Takaba. It was the same pose he did for all his publicity photos. Takaba snapped a few pictures.
"Let me see your phone..." Leo asked, holding out his hand.
Takaba handed his phone over. Leo tapped on it a few times and then moved next to Takaba, putting his arm around him. He angled the phone toward the two of them, took a picture and then lowered the phone so they could both look at the photo. It was an unusual candid shot of Leo. Takaba thought the picture looked like two good friends casually posing together.
"That came out quite nice, didn't it?" Leo handed the phone back to Takaba. "Don't publish that one, all right? It's special just for you," Leo smiled warmly at Takaba. Takaba agreed.
Takaba looked over at Asami again and saw he was still speaking with the starlet.
Well, I suppose there's nothing wrong with him wanting to talk to other people too... just stop putting off that sexy aura!
"I could use another drink," Takaba grumbled.
Leo stopped a server that was walking by. "Hold on... " He downed his own glass quickly, and then put his empty glass on the tray and grabbed two more. He handed one to Takaba. Takaba took the glass and thanked him, and placed his empty glass on the server's tray.
David looked at Leo, "You should be careful, shouldn't you? You have to play soon."
"That's why I'm drinking!" Leo turned to Takaba and looked at him apologetically. "I'm always nervous before a performance."
The lead singer of a popular rock band... who does concerts all around the world... gets nervous about performing here?!
"You're going to play tonight?" Anaïs said surprised. "I had not heard this!"
"I was here for the rehearsal this afternoon. Just wait... you're going to be in for a real treat!" David looked toward the stage. "I think they want you up there now, Leo."
Takaba looked up at the stage, and sure enough they were trying to get Leo's attention.
"Bollocks," Leo swore softly. He downed his drink and handed the empty glass to David, and then walked toward the stage.
Anaïs turned to David. "But... the rest of his band is not here, and he doesn't have his guitar."
"Oh, he's going to play the piano. You don't know his history? He's a classically trained pianist. He rebelled against his parents and his upbringing, and formed a rock band instead."
Someone on the stage introduced Leo, then said Leo would be playing a piece by Beethoven. Leo sat at the piano and took a deep breath before he began to play. The music at first was slow, soft and moody, but then it suddenly turned fast, loud and lively. So fast that Takaba couldn't believe how fast Leo's fingers flew over the piano keys. Realizing how unusual it was to see the rock star sitting at a grand piano, Takaba took out his phone and snapped some photos, mentally reminding himself that he should ask Leo for permission for them to be published. Ten minutes later, Leo finished the piece and the crowd broke out in loud applause.
"You were right, that was a treat!" Anaïs said to David.
"No... that wasn't what I was talking about."
The string quartet came back on the stage and took their seats. Leo began playing another song that Takaba recognized as one of Leo's band's hit songs. It was a love song. Originally, it had been recorded as a guitar solo. The stringed instruments played along with Leo. Somehow, the song done with piano and strings made it sound more intense than usual.
Anais tapped Takaba on the shoulder and pointed to David. David was staring at Leo, his infatuation obvious on his face. Takaba looked back at Anaïs. She smiled and put her hand to her chest to show it was affecting her heart. Takaba imagined Asami walking up to him, putting his arms around him and lowering his head to kiss him.
This song is affecting me, too.
He glanced over to where Asami was standing. The starlet was now gone but instead of paying attention to the performance, Asami was closely watching him. His piercing gaze felt as if it was violating his innermost thoughts. Asami smirked back at him and Takaba quickly looked away.
This is bad. What kind of face did I just show Asami?
Takaba tried to move deeper into the crowd so that he was no longer within Asami's sight. He found himself next to an exit. The champagne is going straight to my head. I think I've had too much.
Overwhelmed, Takaba turned and quickly made his way through the exit into the corridor.
. . . . .
At that moment, Takaba needed to be alone to calm his rapidly beating heart, but there were other guests wandering around looking at art displays. Takaba finally found an area that was empty and he rushed in. He closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to clear his head.
He opened his eyes again and found himself standing in front of a painting, but the top of the frame was broken into pieces, looking as if it had exploded. At the broken point, the two-dimensional painting suddenly turned into a three-dimensional image of a bird flying free. Another painting was of a sushi chef. He was offering a piece to someone outside the picture. Out of the front of the painting popped a giant piece of sushi. It was as if you could just walk up and take it.
Takaba was delighted over the art in this room. "These are GREAT!" He took out his cell phone and began taking pictures of the paintings. He suddenly sensed that someone was at his side. He turned and saw an older Japanese man, who was also staring at the painting.
"Whimsical, isn't it... this art?" The man said. "Well, at least these are all done by Japanese artists. This museum should only be filled with Japanese works."
"This is an international museum," Takaba told him. "Don't you think it's great that you can see art from all over the world just by coming here? It's a great way to get new ideas by seeing different perspectives."
"I think there is too much Western influence in our country. The art in this room reflects that." The man pointed to another painting of an ocean shore. Near the corner, the paint left the canvas, appearing as if it was flowing down the wall and pooling onto the floor. In a swirl of blue on the floor were painted dying fish.
"Our culture has become quite messy," he continued. "It is slowly dying. A painting is a painting; it should not try to break out of its frame and seek to become something different than what it was meant to be.
"There are those who would not hesitate to tear down our traditions and morals. It is the responsibility of those of us who are in power to be the protectors of our culture. However, there is an occasional rogue who likes to make trouble." The man turned to face Takaba. "Rogues like... Asami Ryuichi."
Takaba froze at the mention of Asami's name.
"He is a very powerful man. At first glance, he seems to be the perfect example of a Japanese gentleman, but there are whispers that he has certain... how should I put it? Predilections." The man stepped in front of Takaba so that he was looking at him directly in the eyes. "You know what I speak of, don't you?"
The man smiled, "To be fair, we all have our dark secrets and unusual desires. As long as it is kept quiet and behind closed doors, what does it matter? But power can go to a man's head. He begins to believe he can do anything he wants... like showing up to this event with a young, golden Adonis at his side, flaunting his homosexual plaything in public."
"You have the wrong idea," Takaba protested. "I'm just..."
"I have been observing both of you since you arrived this evening. Asami never takes his eyes off you." The man scowled, "Do you enjoy being the object of a powerful man's lust?"
Takaba started to dodge quickly out of the gallery. "Excuse me, I need to get back to..."
The man roughly grabbed Takaba's arm and jerked him back. "To HIM? He cannot protect you as well as you think!"
Takaba wrenched his arm from the man's grip and glared at him. "I don't need his protection! I don't want to make a scene in this nice place, but if you continue to block me from leaving, I'll give you a good idea of just how capable I am!"
"Then let me leave you with this thought before you go running back to your master. Long have I wanted to bring that man down, but it seems he is untouchable. This arrogant behavior of his tonight will not go unpunished! I may not be able to take him down, but perhaps I can unsettle him... by hurting YOU."
"You can't hurt me. Trust me... I've dealt with FAR worse people than you!" Takaba roughly pushed him aside and began to walk away.
"TAKABA AKIHITO... photojournalist employed by The Weekly Headline." The man's voice rang out, stopping Takaba in his tracks. "Your editor's name is Shinotake. You have a close colleague whose name is Mitarai. Your father, mother, and grandmother all live together in Yokohama. I also have the names and addresses of several of your friends. Not ONE of these people know of the sexual relationship you are having with the CEO of the Sion Group."
Takaba whipped back around with a feeling of fear growing in the pit of his stomach.
"Soon, ALL these people will know your secret. By the time I'm done with you, you will have neither a job nor friends. How will your parents and grandmother react, I wonder?" He made a tsking sound. "Shocked, I would imagine. Perhaps they'll even disown you. So go cling to your owner because that's going to be all you have left... until he realizes what a useless thing you have become to him."
Takaba heard the sound of someone slowly clapping behind him. "What a performance! A pitiful, cowardly man making empty threats toward someone who is not even his opponent." Takaba turned to see Asami standing near the entrance, smirking. "This man is wasting your time, Akihito. He is incapable of saving his own failing business. He won't be doing anything to you... he is only a paper tiger."
"Those were not empty threats! You may be untouchable but this young man is not! And... there is nothing you can do to stop me from ruining him."
Asami's eyes flashed dangerously as he approached the man. "There are many ways I can stop you, Oshima. It's only a matter of deciding which one will do you the most harm..."
"STOP!" Takaba stepped in front of Asami to block his approach. Asami stopped and looked at Takaba in surprise. Takaba looked back at him pleadingly, "I can take care of this myself." Asami gave a short nod but then returned his menacing glare back toward Oshima.
Takaba turned to Oshima. "You just said that you can do nothing that will affect Asami. So there's nothing for you to gain by hurting me, except to possibly create a new adversary. How is that good business sense? All I ask of you is to think about that... before you act."
Oshima's gaze flickered back and forth between Takaba and Asami, and then he smiled shrewdly at Asami. "It seems you are not as bulletproof as you would like everyone to believe." Oshima carefully side-stepped around Asami and quickly exited the gallery.
"Wh-what did he mean by that? Is he threatening to shoot you?!"
Asami glared angrily in the direction where Oshima had exited, "It's just an expression." Asami's mood changed from serious to playful as he smiled slightly. "Are you worried for me, Akihito?"
"Don't be an idiot! Why would I be!? But... I think I've had enough of tonight."
Asami nodded in agreement. "I'll have Kirishima bring the car around."
. . . . .
. .
Oshima is obsessively jealous of Asami's power and success. For years, he had heard whispers about Asami occasionally "enjoying the company" of a young man. The invitees list along with the names of their guests for the Museum gala had been made public. Oshima came across Takaba's name in this manner. He had him quickly investigated which is how he knew so much about Takaba before meeting him face-to-face.