Chapter 8

" Ryo comes every morning? " Shin asked, amazed.

" Reliably at nine o'clock. Drink the tea, stay a while, and then leave."

Mamoru stood behind Sakamoto, lifting his coat, helping him to put it on. Shin had shown up at Ai the night before the party, already close to bedtime. Aiko welcomed him with open arms, squeezing him tightly before guiding him into the bedroom. They talked almost until dawn, but the subject of the merchant's visits was the agenda only when Shin was already dressed.

" And do you suspect the reason?"

" He commented to Shiromiya about his resemblance to the woman he loves, but I don't think that's the reason."

" And what do you think?"

Mamoru spun Shin, bringing him in front of him. Acting in the usual dedicated manner, he began to button his coat.

" I believe that Ryo blames himself for the way he treated Shiro."

Shin laughed.

"And why the hell would he blame himself for slapping a prostitute? Spare me, Mamoru. As if the kid had never been beaten in his life!"

Mamoru was deeply hurt by the thoughtless words and did not hide his feeling. Pushing Shin, he turned away, ready to leave the room. However, he didn't go, as he was held at the waist by Sakamoto, who brought him to him and hugged him from behind.

"What would you do if it were me in Shiro's place?" He asked, cornering the commander. " Would you also think it normal for someone to hit a simple pimp? A courtier who owns a brothel? Did you know that many people expect me to die in a fight at Ai? Or that I have a sexual illness and that it rots alone within those walls?

Shin laughed again, and Aiko tried to pull away. However, before he managed to move towards the door, the man's lips stilled him. He felt the soft touch slide down his neck, shivering him instantly and, by simple instinct, took a step backward, sticking his slender body to the other.

"If someone touches you, Mamoru," he heard the sensual whisper, "I will destroy the person with my own hands." No matter who it is, no one will ever hurt you, I promise."

"You shouldn't make promises you won't keep," he objected.

He felt Shin's hand tighten on his arm, making his body spin. Within seconds, they were both facing each other. He noticed a tremendous unease in his friend and regretted the sentence.

" What you mean? " Shin asked. " Do you doubt my capacity?"

"I don't doubt anything," he said. " I just think that one day you can try to annihilate me yourself."

" Why?"

Aiko opened his eyes wide, realizing that he was increasingly exposed to a trap that could destroy it.

"Shin..." he said. " Forget."

" I will not forget! What you mean?"

" You have the aptitude to afflict me. Only that."

The older man's gaze darkened for a few moments. He seemed to study Aiko, which worried him even more. However, to his relief, it was then released.

"I'm going to the Imperial Palace, but I'll be back before the night party," he said. " Where is Minikui that I haven't seen him yet? " He said, talking about the cat.

"He likes to stay in the kitchen at that time," Mamoru explained.

"Take him to the salon when I arrive," he asked. " I want to stay with him tonight.

It was an unusual request, but Aiko was used to it. Lowering his forehead, he nodded.

***

The sound of laughter filled the entire room. Aiko smiled with Minikui on his lap as he walked among the customers. The Ai was silent for more than a month, and that much vexed the courtier. Luckily, he managed to maintain the standard of living for women - and for himself - without major problems. Ryo's financial assistance eased tensions, even though he still couldn't face him with the old fraternity.

In the distance, he heard Shin's laugh. Sakamoto, however, had been in a good mood since returning from his trip. Although Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in early December and the Americans then declared war on the Japanese, everything still seemed quite comfortable to his friend.

It was as if the conflict didn't matter. Well, it was true that life hadn't changed much since the beginning of the war, but Aiko still resented the frequent absence of his friend.

He turned to Shin and saw him laughing at Ryo. It was a reunion after months of separation, and Mamoru thought it best to leave them a little alone to talk about their important matters. Beside them, another officer drank sake with a smirk on his lips. Aiko had seen him before, he was a frequent visitor to Ai before the war. His name was Hiroshi, he must have been about forty years old and he had recently been promoted to captain of the army.

Soon after, he noticed Shin staring at him. Sakamoto waved and he approached. Sitting down beside the men, he handed the cat over to its owner.

"Aiko is taking good care of you, my love? " Shin asked the cat, stroking it with his mouth. " Who's Daddy's baby, Little Love?"

Mamoru laughed a little, noticing Minikui raising his tail and rubbing himself wholeheartedly on the other man. Then, the cat sat between Shin's legs and purred at the affection he received. The courtier's mind then fixed on the thought of how Shin could be so loving to an animal, but just as cold to people.

"I didn't know you liked animals " Hiroshi commented, smiling.

"Shin loves animals, " Ryo said, commenting. "He just doesn't support people.

"People are dull," Shin agreed with his friend.

"Not all " Aiko interrupted. "I love animals, but I also like human company."

Shin made a noise with his mouth that sounded like an ironic joke.

"Next month is your birthday" Mamoru remembered, facing his best friend. "Will you be in Tokyo? Can I organize another party ..."

"Unfortunately, I will spend my birthday on Okunoshima Island[23].

"Okunoshima Island?" Mamoru raised his eyebrows. " What will you do there?"

"Secret, sweetie " Shin smiled, bringing Aiko's ears to his mouth, making him shiver. "Just a routine visit to a factory. Nothing important." He walked away again. "However, good news: my uncle will present me with a birthday trip. I will meet an idol, a person I love and admire."

Everyone looked at each other, surprised.

" Are you going to meet the Führer? " the question came from Ryo.

" Führer? " Mamoru asked. " Are you talking about the German leader?"

" Yes, Adolf Hitler " Ryo nodded. " Shin talks about him in all the letters he sends me."

" Because he is truly one of the most admirable people who has ever been born " the other firmly stated. " Keep my words, dear countrymen, in a few years, the whole world will praise the day that Hitler came into the world. After our beloved Emperor, Adolf Hitler is the greatest leader the world has ever known. I've been fascinated by it since I read Mein Kampf[24] ."

" And what is so special about this book? "

"Why it is a man's greatest work," he replied, in a compliment. " It is as if it were possible to hear him talk about his adolescence, his youth, and his dreams. I read a translated version, obtained by a distant cousin. They say that some messages were lost in the translation, but even so, the work is still unique, almost divine."

Aiko smiled at the idolatry.

" Well, I would like to read one day."

" Oh, dear " Shin patted his thigh. " You wouldn't understand " undervalued. " I will tell you in a way that you understand as soon as possible."

Ryo and Mamoru exchanged a critical look at the words but said nothing. Because, seconds after the fierce words escaped Shin's lips, Hiroshi murmured with laughter in his mouth:

" You should worry, Aiko-san. The Nazis would kill him as soon as they saw you."

For a few moments, the shock of the words just made Aiko stiff, stunned. Then, however, the heart began to beat so quickly that a sudden unease took over. Feeling that he might pass out, he held on to the wooden table, trying to get some support before his face showed despair.

" What you mean?"

The raw question came from Shin. There was an uncontrollable rage in Sakamoto for the scathing words. Hiroshi noticed it immediately and explained himself, still smiling.

"Nazis hate sissies. You did not know? They even had Ernst Röhm killed, and that is the officer was one of those responsible for the National Socialist Party to come to power."

The words brought such relief to Aiko that he almost sighed. However, he did not reach his goal, because Sakamoto roared like a lion beside him.

" Sissy? How dare you talk to Aiko like that?"

Hiroshi blushes.

" I apologize, it was not my intention to offend."

Mamoru smiled, accepting. Not that being gay was offensive, after all, since long in known history, men had relationships with men. Even in the Edo period, samurai and daimyos[25] lived stories of love, giving women only the role of mother and wife, never a lover.

However, since the arrival of the English in 1867, homosexuality has ceased to be seen as something natural among men, one more aspect of friendship. Even at that moment, sitting next to the man he loved, and receiving all protection from Shin, Aiko was not comfortable with the term used to him.

" When will you be back from Germany? " Ryo interjected, trying to soften the charged mood.

" Still do not know. But I believe that by June I will have returned. Perhaps the war is over by then."

" But the United States joined a few days ago ..."

" Well, don't you know that Americans are weak people, without pulse or courage? " Shin scoffed. " They say they do not honor their parents, nor do they keep their word. They are pitiful people."

Ryo said nothing, but by the movement in his face, he seemed to agree with Shin. However, soon after, he asked Aiko to accompany him to the garden.

"I need air," he argued to his friend.

Involved in a discussion ranging from American military might to Hitler's supposed deity, Shin Sakamoto just moved his hands up, agreeing to the withdrawal. So, Ryo and Aiko were soon in the garden, breathing the cold night air, watching the flowers illuminated by artificial light.

"You still don't look me in the eye," Ryo whispered, drawing his friend's attention.

" I haven't forgiven him yet."

Ryo bit his lip, putting his hands in the pockets of his dark velvet coat.

" It's fair. I said things I shouldn't and lent myself. But I need to know: what does it take to make you forgive me, Aiko?"

The other shrugged.

" Now that he will not come every day, perhaps this departure will be beneficial to us. I hope that the bad feeling goes away."

He noticed Ryo narrowing his eyes as if the words were not fully understood.

" Why come I will not come again?"

" Shiro is already better and in that night he will dance again. There is no longer a need for it to come."

Shiro ... he preferred to call him Kazue, but he liked the way Aiko talked about the other.

" I will keep coming, and I want you not to let him dance."

There was an uncomfortable silence between them. Mamoru digested the words carefully, fearful that he got it wrong and ended up causing some confusion. However, Ryo's intention was quite clear and forthright.

" You must be kidding."

" I'm not. I pay to double that he doesn't dance."

" And what would be the reason? Are you, who have always been disgusted with relationships between men, now fascinated by an orphan boy, without financial or moral conditions?"

Ryo felt inflated by the words.

" Of course not!"

" So what do you want? "

" I want..."

The thought sought any justification, but only then did it realize that it had none.

"I find it degrading for a man to dance like a woman," he said at last.

Aiko was not satisfied.

" Our culture is historically represented by Taikomochis, so please use another argument that at least I can tolerate."

" Why argue? " Ryo insisted. " My money is my argument. Since when do I need to give satisfaction?"

" I will not take the star of Ai offstage simply because you want to " Aiko was firm. " Respect that, and we will have no problems."

Mamoru prepared to turn away when he was held by the arm.

" Can I keep coming? " Ryo asked, his voice pleading.

" For what?

" Damn it, Aiko! " scolded. " Can you just say yes without that interrogation?"

" I can, but curiosity inhibits my discretion."

Ryo looked down. The black leather boots contrasted with the white stones in the Ai garden. For a few seconds, the realization kept his attention, until he raised his face again, and confessed:

" It bothers me to see the image of my wife dancing for other men."

Aiko was amazed.

" Are you aware that Shiro is a man and is not yours?"

" Yes of course. Just ... " He was speechless for a few seconds. " You couldn't understand myself, Aiko. You don't know how I feel when I see him as a woman ...

Mamoru shrugged. He was not yet ready to have mercy on Ryo. Not after what he saw, not after what he did.

" Shiro will continue dancing every night, receiving his salary for this " decreed. " If you don't like the situation, just don't come to Ai. Also, Shiromiya will decide if he wants to continue receiving his visits."

Ryo nodded. When Aiko started to leave, he intervened.

" I have one more thing to say."

" Yes?"

" I want you to build a bomb shelter. "

For a few seconds, the silence between them was so intense that even the sound of an owl in the distance seemed loud. In then, however, a milder and low tone, Mamoru snapped.

" Shin could see this as a betrayal, a show of disrepute to the army."

" Mamoru, I will be frank and direct. I already built my shelter in Hokkaido. I have a smaller scale on my Tokyo property. I want you to build one at Ai. Make a big one, preferably more than two meters deep. If you can't afford it, I'll give you the money."

" Didn't you hear me? " Aiko persevered. " Shin-chan ..."

" Enjoy his trip to Germany. Hire people from afar, people who wouldn't say anything. Close Ai for another week or two, just the time needed for construction. Sakamoto doesn't need to know."

Aiko remained undecided.

" Do you think we will lose the war? "questioned, suddenly.

" Yes."

" Oh, Ryo-san! "

" I would never say that out loud, Aiko. Just for you, I'm saying why we are soul brothers, longtime friends. I would trust you with my life. This war will take years, and the chance of losing it is huge.. Americans have a lot of weaponry and great strategists. We Japanese are blinded by our pride."

There was a mixture of feelings so intense in Mamoru at the words: the fear of the bombings, the concern for Shin, and the relief of defeat. Only Kami-sama knew how much he rooted for the allies.

" I'll do the shelter, Ryo-san."

***

Mamoru and Ryo returned to the hall just before the lights went out. While Ryo sat next to Shin, Mamoru stayed next to the stage. All the faces had returned to the stage immediately and, in seconds, Shiro appeared before them, ready to dance seductively.

Ryo realized that he was smiling. It was as if he missed the performances as if he longed to expose himself as if the musical rhythm entered his soul and dominated his heart.

Shiromiya changed the choreography with the fans that night. Instead of lifting them and swinging them in the air, the boy slid them over the body, making his audience sigh audibly.

Shortly after, he took his last step and bowed to receive the applause. The lights went out again and when the venue lit up again, the stage was empty. There was a mixture of mystique and passion in the air, and most men seemed absorbed. Ryo was one of them. As much as he fought hard against the feeling of possession and madness that took him, he felt every nerve in his body tingle at the sight.

" I already ate " Shin whispered in his ear, mocking. " It's not a big deal. The only thing that catches the eye is the appearance.

For a few seconds, Ryo tried to understand what he was talking about. Stared at Shin and saw him with a laugh on the corner of his lips, the look ironic, cruel. When perception took over, the body acted without any order from the mind. Before he could stop himself, punched his best friend hard, causing him to fly towards the ground.

Shin Sakamoto didn't expect that, so he was between indecision and bewilderment. Beside him, Minikui looked even more astonished but left the torus as soon as he realized his disadvantage.

" Why the hell did you do that?" He asked, his hand on his nose.

Ryo was unable to answer. He visualized, in his mind, Shin on top of Shiro, stroking him, kissing him, intensely taking him. He went crazy and threw himself at him, ready for more. However, in seconds, he felt two strong hands squeezing him.

"Both: street!" Exclaimed Mamoru, indicating to the security guards to expel them from Ai. Then the courtier lifted the cat off the floor, keeping him safe in his arms.

" Why? " Shin shouted. " I did nothing!"

"I'm fed up with both." Aiko was sincere. " You known the rules for years, and yet don't respect it! " He turned towards the security guards. " On the street, now!"

" But I did not do anything! " Shin persevered.

However, nothing he said changed the other's opinion.

***

" Gomen[26] ... " Ryo murmured while placing his hand on Shin's face, to check the severity of the injury.

The other shook him away.

" You almost broke my nose!" He complained. " Why did it?"

Both were outside Ai. Ryo turned his body towards the huge wall that separated him from Shiro and, ignoring his friend, started looking for elevations.

"Help me here," he asked Shin, who was staring at him in disbelief.

" What you want?"

Ryo joined the two hands, showing the friend that he wanted him to make a support.

" Why are you going to jump over the wall?"

It was a question that even Ryo avoided asking himself.

Seeing him in silence, Shin finally joined his hands. Putting one foot on the makeshift human ladder, Ryo budgeted himself up. With some difficulty, he held on to the top of the wall, putting his legs between the concrete. Two seconds later, it gave a strong boost.

The sound from inside made Shin laugh. Surely Ryo had fallen like a rag doll on the lawn in Ai garden.

" Are you alright?" He asked as soon as he managed to calm his laughter.

"I don't think I broke anything, but my arm is hurting," the other said.

***

He felt like an idiot sneaking through the trees in the garden. In the distance, he saw the other men walking with the women, drinking quietly. The image worsened his perception of idiocy, imagining that, in any other situation, he would be in the lounge, drinking and having fun.

Hiroshi appeared in the hall next to Rika. He then learned that the officer had hired the services of the beautiful woman, and once again, he reproached himself.

When the couple entered the room, he sensed that the path was clear for them. Slowly, he walked down the corridor, advancing to Shiro's door. As soon as he reached her, he remembered the last time he had been there and the bullshit he had done.

"How did you get in here?"

Mamoru's voice made him jump. He turned and found the courtier who faced him with cold eyes.

"Didn't I put you on the street?"

"Can I talk to him? Two minutes?"

"I can't understand what your purpose is, Ryo-san, but I swear I'm more and more irritated with him."

Ryo prepared to defend himself, but at the same moment, the door opened. Shiro emerged, already completely free of all the apparatus of fantasy and makeup. He was back to being the simple, yet handsome, boy.

As soon as the almond-shaped eyes focused on the merchant, Shiromiya ran to Aiko, quite nervous. Stunned by the reaction, Ryo flushed with guilt and shame. They had only been together for a long time, and Shiro still feared him in the night light?

"I want to talk to you," he said, however.

"Why? " Mamoru pressed him. " If you don't want to talk in front of me, you can go. Shiro does not serve customers in particular!"

Ryo then bit his lip. He took a deep breath and approached.

" Shiro "started, calling him for the first time like that, hoping that the gesture would show friendship. "Mamoru told me that, since you introduced yourself again, there is no longer a need for my morning visits," he clarified. " However, I am making myself available to proceed with them."

" Why? " Aiko persisted.

" Please, can I come tomorrow morning to see you? "

" No " Mamoru answered for him.

Ryo felt a powerful and angry feeling forming in his core. He held on to the urge to advance against Aiko and get Shiro out of him. What did he think it was? Owner? How dare that bastard stand against his new ... friendship?

"Mrs. Catherine married Mr. Linton and went to live at Tordo ... And Mr. Heathcliff returned to ... " Shiro counted down. " I can't live without knowing how their reunion will be and what they will do with their renegade love."

Aiko stared at Shiro, eyebrows drawn.

" What you mean?"

"From Wuthering Heights," Ryo said. " I'm reading to him."

Mamoru looked seriously at his friend, trying to find any trace of a lie in him. Anything. Kazue was being blunt about the mornings shared with Ryo.

"Okay, Shiro " The courtier agreed. " You can stay in your make-believe world."

Shiromiya smiled at his friend, grateful. Then he went back to the room, closing the door. From the noise made, Ryo was sure he was locking the place and protecting it with chairs. He blamed himself once more.

"Time to go " Mamoru pulled him by the hand. "You can come in the morning, but you won't be welcome at night."

"For how long?"

"Until my anger is gone."

They reached the gate. Aiko reached for the bolt but turned to his friend first.

"It's the last time I'm going to ask " Aiko caught his attention. "Why?"

" If I had known the answer, I would have told you the first time asked."

Faced with the enigmatic words, Mamoru opened the gate. On the other side, Shin was waiting for them sniffing.

"I didn't do anything ..." he complained.

Aiko laughed, bringing the man into her arms. Shin would always be a big kid.

"Come here " kissed him on the cheek.

"You threw me out," the other expressed his hurt.

"Yes, forgive me. "

"Never do that again!"

Forgetting Ryo, they turned their backs on their friend and went back to Ai. The merchant still kept his gaze on them for a while, but then he turned away and left.