Chapter 27

Ryo stopped in front of the open door, observing the poor, but the extremely clean and fragrant environment inside the bedroom. The wooden walls painted in a light beige tone were adorned by small cheap pictures of smiling children. He took a step forward and scraped his middle finger on the side table, realizing that there was no speck of dust on the furniture.

Then he noticed the dark, old wardrobe with a crooked door, almost falling. It caused him tremendous discomfort. He hated poverty or anything that reminded this. However, he ignored the spot shortly afterward, looking away at Shiromiya, who was sitting on the futon, folding clothes.

"Good morning," he greeted him, drawing his attention.

Shiro looked up, amazed by the presence.

" Ryo-san?"

Ryo smiled. Shiro's face made his surprise clear, and that motivated him to continue.

" Shiro, can I sit down?"

There were no chairs available, so Shiro was amazed to see him sitting on the futon on the floor. It was true that the merchant had been surprising him lately. He no longer spoke harsh words, nor did he try to buy and use it. He just used to stay by his side to talk about trivia. At that very moment, his posture showed no second intention. Observing him well, he found it even simpler, without the expensive clothes he used to wear. Then he noticed a small bag in his hands and feared it.

"I have something for you, but I'm afraid to give it to you," Ryo said seriously. " I'm afraid to offend you."

Shiro's heart started to beat faster. He also feared Ryo's words. He feared that, because of them, they would move away again. He knew that he was unable to express any confession to his friend about his secret feelings - and, truthfully, he believed that he would never be able to love anyone freely. - However, being close to him, feeling his presence, and receiving any friendly words, cherished his heart.

" My servant cleaned my wardrobe and ended up finding some clothes that I no longer wear. So, if you don't take offense, I want to know if you want to keep them " he handed the package to Shiromiya.

It was a lie. The truth is, Ryo hated to see him wearing rags and old clothes. Always wearing the same rags and old clothes. The only time Ryo saw him well dressed was when he was transformed into a geisha. Besides, they were just clothes that Mamoru no longer wore. And, taking into account that Aiko himself did not have many resources there to buy new clothes, the condition of Shiro's clothes was always deplorable.

So he went to one of the best tailor in Tokyo and asked him to prepare five new shirts and five pants, as well as three kimonos. As soon as he could (or that it wasn't so obvious), he would also take him shoes.

" They are beautiful, Ryo-san," Shiro said, opening the package and looking at the perfect and expensive fabric. "They are so new ... It seems they have never been used."

"Ah, but I did use them " Ryo stepped forward, preventing himself. " But they were kept for almost two years. "

" Really? "

" Yes, they were just taking up space. So, as we have the same size, I thought you would like it."

" Oh yeah. Thank you very much, Ryo-san."

That treatment made him have a wild manifestation within him. He congratulated himself on Shiro's grateful look but wanted to hear "Ry-chan" from his lips. Ryo needed it here, like the air.

" Call me Ry-chan, " he asked.

Ryo must have been crazy. Had he said those words out loud?

" Ry-chan? " The black eyes widened. " I would never be so disrespectful to a friend."

" It's not disrespectful if I ask " Ryo pinned him. " I want you to call me that, please."

" Why?"

Ryo considered the answer. So, he decided to be frank.

" I saw my future, and you were in it. " The phrase surprised the other, who opened his mouth in amazement " And that's what you called me ... Ry-chan. When I heard the sound, I was surprised, but then I realized that I liked it a lot."

Shiro smiled. Ryo's eyes focused on that beautiful row of teeth. He noticed the way his upper lip seemed to cover his teeth, a smile as beautiful as it was discreet.

" So we will be friends forever?"

Friends? He thought about the vision again. The way Kazue's naked body showed languidly in his window meant no bond of friendship.

Only then did he realize something that until then had gone unnoticed. Shiro was in his future, and not just as a friend, but as a lover. Why then was he so desperate? The realization that it was only a matter of time before Shiromiya fell into his arms encouraged him.

" Yes, forever."

" I'm happy about that, Ry-chan."

Ryo's body reacted to the words. Unable to contain himself, he held Shiro's face in both hands. He approached his face, but in front of the frightened eyes, he turned away from the lips and kissed the fluffy cheek.

A characteristic clearing of his throat made him get up. Looking at the door, he saw Aiko staring at him with unreadable eyes.

" I just came to bring some old clothes for Shiro " Ryo explained.

And he didn't stay to hear the other's protest.

As soon as Mamoru and Kazue were alone, Aiko approached the other, curious. After a brief explanation, he said:

" Ryo never bothered to donate clothes " he looked amazed. " I'm glad he seems to be showing a little compassion to his neighbor."

Aiko sat next to Shiromiya. The boy held out a shirt for Mamoru to look at.

"It is beautiful."

" Doesn't it look new? " Shiro asked.

" It seems ... But rich people usually wear clothes only once or twice, and then they fall apart."

" Really? What a waste."

"I think so, too," Mamoru laughed. " But lucky you."

They both stayed in the room watching the new clothes and making small talk until close to noon.

***

" So you mean Shiro and you ...?"

" Exactly."

Shin narrowed his eyes doubtfully.

" When did you have that vision?"

" You know, I've had it since I was a kid. Then the years passed, and it took on a more seductive form. And then I met Shiro, and the geisha of my visions was becoming him. At first, I considered it bullshit, after all, I always saw it as if we were married. But the latest visions made it clear to me that we were lovers."

" Lovers in Hokkaido?"

They were in Sakamoto's home office. The air was mild, calm, and peaceful. A few days before the meeting, Europe was experiencing one of its crucial moments: Mussolini declared a fascist state in northern Italy, while the official Italian government was waging war against Germany. The year was moving towards the end without great prospects for peace.

Even so, the conversation between friends was nothing like the difficult time they lived.

" Lovers in Hokkaido? There is! " Shin repeated the question, this time giving an ironic exclamation at the end. " Just over Aiko's corpse."

The observation made them both open their eyes wide. Suddenly, Shin leaned forward.

" Aiko ...?"

" I have no idea. I don't see Mamoru in my visions. Neither you."

" Do you think we will ..."

" Not! " interrupted him. " If something so important happened, I would know."

But he wasn't so sure. What if Kami-sama was just being merciful to spare him the pain of knowing about losing the two best friends?

***

The entrance to a new year was not filled with hope and desires. On the contrary, there was a feeling of apprehension and fear in every person in that country. The last news that appeared in the newspapers at that turn of the year was that the cruiser SMS Scharnhorst, a source of pride for Hitler and all of Germany, had been sunk by the British.

"Perhaps the British just helped to weaken a future enemy," Saito said, after reading the news. His tone was so mocking that Aiko shivered. " Certainly, Japan would come into conflict with Germany after our certain victory."

" Stop talking like that " Mamoru scolded, irritated. " What if someone hears you saying such things?"

" But what did I say so badly? " played innocent.

" Not 'what' but 'how'. His scathing tone leaves no doubt which side is on!"

Saito dropped the newspaper on the table. They were in the tea room. The conversation had turned over the night of New Year's Eve until Jiro's auspicious eyes caught the leaflet under a cup.

" And what would they do? " remained playful.

"You know very well," he said. " Let's change the subject?"

Saito nodded.

" It's ok. Tell me, how's that beautiful heart?"

Aiko sighed.

" I wonder if Shin will come for the New Year's dinner at Ai. It would be the first time, since we met, that he would pass the event away from the Emperor."

" Did he comment?"

" He didn't say anything, but now we are ..."

Aiko didn't know how to name your current relationship. It would be much simpler to classify your involvement if he were a woman. However, how to call what lived with Sakamoto when both were men?

" What are you?"

Staring at Saito, he realized that Saito was cornering him on purpose. He seemed to be amused to see him without words.

"Partners," he found the word as offensive as possible.

" Oh yes, but you were always partners Now you are more than that. You are lovers.

Aiko was embarrassed but did not deny the words.

" Do not worry about it. I'm sure Sakamoto will not fail to come " calmed him.

" You'll be here too, won't you?"

" Of course. Where else could I be?"

Mamoru smiled, pouring more tea into Jiro's cup.

" I hope that the year 1944 will be the year that this war comes to an end, and that a peace reign over all peoples " Aiko wished.

" Ah, for sure it will happen."

The way Jiro retorted was so bitter that Aiko shivered.

***

Shin Sakamoto parked the car at the gate of Ai. As he did all year, Aiko gave the girls a break to spend the holidays with the family, so the whole environment was empty and quiet. The gate was open. He entered the place, seeing Jiro, Shiro, and Nana in the distance. He smiled at the three and received a smile from two of them. Nana just grunted, upset by the presence.

He ignored the old and went to the bedrooms. Aiko's bedroom was all open, well ventilated, and cozy. Mamoru finished buttoning the kimono and, seeing it, practically ran towards him.

"I thought you weren't coming," he admitted, as soon as they both parted.

Shin kissed his hands.

" I won't admit spending a second off you, Mamoru. No longer."

How romantic it was! Romantic and tacky. However, Mamoru laughed happily, extending his arms for another hug.

" Did you come straight from the barracks here?"

" Yes, I didn't even bathe or rest. I haven't slept since yesterday."

" Want to get some rest before dinner?"

" Yes, if it's not uncomfortable. I would also like to take a shower."

Half an hour later, the Emperor's dear nephew lay on the neat futon. His hair was wet and Mamoru's pajamas looked too small for his expansive muscles. Still, sleep overcame him. Alone in the bedroom, he dreamed of a world where he and Aiko would grow old together, sharing all the joys and sorrows of life.

He woke up shortly after. He looked at the clock on the wall and realized it wasn't too late. Around twenty-two o'clock, dinner was soon due.

Shin got up and remove on his pajamas. He looked at the uniform folded on a chair and felt that it had an unpleasant smell of sweat. So he decided to go to Aiko's wardrobe, get some kimono to wear.

The carefully stacked clothes were his first sight. He looked at them carefully before choosing a white linen kimono that was on the bottom. When he picked it up, he noticed a small metal box, strategically hidden in the bottom of the furniture.

It was probably the place where Aiko kept the money.

Remembered that there is a time Aiko had prompted money. Involved in the war, he completely forgot to take it to him. And Aiko hadn't asked for anything either, probably embarrassed to ask for the second time.

Annoyed with himself, Shin pulled the box out. Sakamoto would see how much money was there. And, possibly, the accounts should also be being kept in that location. So he would pay them all, to apologize to his lover.

He opened the box. There was no money, but there were a handful of papers and photos.

***

Aiko Mamoru smiled as he headed towards his room. He could hardly believe that Sakamoto was there. It was like a divine gift after so long waiting.

He opened the bedroom door and saw him sitting on the futon.

"Shin-chan?"

The call made Sakamoto look at him. When he turned his body, Aiko saw in his lap a handful of papers and photos that he recognized immediately. His whole body froze, in tremendous agony.

He looked at Shin then. The cold, cruel look hit him immediately. All the words of Nana during those years came to him with the same fear with which they had been pronounced to him. Aiko was dead. Worse than dead, he would be taken to an extermination camp, to be tortured until he lost his strength.

It was the worst fate he could imagine.