Chapter 30

The sound of applause was still echoing in the ears of the false geisha who sneaked down the halls in search of her room. After a very troubled start to the year, not only for Ai, but also for Eixo, the month of March brought good news, both to the country and to its home. Aiko Mamoru, after almost two months holed up in the bedroom refusing to see anyone, had finally come out of the cocoon on the morning of the 19th. Shiromiya was even startled to see him wandering around the garden, still with wet eyes and red eyes. eyes, like a ghost. However, the fright became happiness, and he ran to the other, receiving him with a resounding "good morning". The following day, radio stations reported the German occupation of Hungary. Aware of the blood that ran in the veins of his idol Aiko, Shiromiya felt a mixture of joy at the good news to the Axis, and apprehension for what could happen to Aiko, in case his secret was revealed by Shin.

However, in the first three months of the year, Sakamoto had shown no sign of life. Even Sergeant Saito does not mention his name. His visits, always courteous, were just a breath, a warmth.

When Shin said that Mamoru had died for him, Kazue did not believe the words. Now, love is not forgotten, he well knew. But, in the absence of him in the corridors of Ai, there was no doubt that the severity of the blood that flowed in Aiko, had separated them.

But no one died of love, that Shiro knew too. Mamoru could suffer, cry, even wish for death, but the truth is that he would survive. He was not weak like his mother, who had given herself up to despair. He and Aiko would grow old together, laughing at the nonsense of youth.

Suddenly, a tug in the dark took him out of lethargy. The interrupted thoughts centered on the other man who seemed to come out of his dreams. Ryo held him against the wall, making Shiro aware of how much he was looking forward to that night.

He wanted to complain, but the mouth was soon covered by the other. It was not a wild kiss like the others. It was sweet and kind. Also slightly inebriate. It didn't take Shiromiya much to realize that the merchant was drunk.

" Ryo-san? " called, in a mixture of doubt and uncertainty, as soon as the mouths came off. " What are you doing?"

Ryo laughed. He looked like a mischievous boy, caught in an art.

"I want to invite you ... " he said, his voice thick.

His mouth reached Shiro's ear, and he felt a slight bite to his ear. He wanted to complain, but at the same time, an intense shiver ran through his body. He held on to Ryo, believing he could fall at any moment. Shiro did not understand his reaction, he had never been so hot at the touch.

"I don't want to hear it," he whimpered, imagining that the other might want to buy it again.

Their relationship had been perfect for some time. Ryo showed up in the mornings, drank tea, talked about the weather, about books, about movies or places that Ryo had already visited, and then he left. Sometimes he took Shiro for a walk, sharing pleasant afternoons in the sun. However, apart from the occasional light touch on the hands, there were no uncomfortable approaches.

However, drunk and inconvenient, Ryo seemed to have lost the ability to ration and respect the limits. He touched every piece of skin that the kimono showed, not only with his hands but also with his mouth.

"I want it to stop," Shiro pleaded, trying to remind him of his long-held promise.

Taking a deep breath, he noticed the other move away slightly, leaving him free.

"I don't want to scare you, Shiro ..." he whispered, raising his hands to his red face, and sliding his finger across his lipstick-stained mouth. " It's just getting harder and harder to stay away from you."

The confession caught him off guard.

" You're just drunk, Ryo-san ..."

" Ry-chan! " corrected him, for the thousandth time, since he asked to be called that way.

Shiro nodded.

" Ry-chan ... " he murmured.

"Shiro, I want to invite you to travel with me," he said, suddenly.

The smallest opened his eyes wide.

" Travel?"

" Yes, would you like to meet Hokkaido? "

" Hokkaido?"

" We can go by plane, I have an acquaintance who has a single-engine. But I prefer to drive to Aomori. There, there is a ferry, we can make the crossing to Matsumoe. A few more hours by car and we will be in Sapporo, where I own a home." He laughed, seeming to remember the place." I have houses scattered throughout Hokkaido, but Sapporo's is the most beautiful, best equipped. I have beautiful guest rooms, you would love it. Of course, the trip by car would be tiring, but we could stop at parks and hotels along the way.

After that narration, Ryo was silent, waiting for the answer. His heart was heavy when he heard it:

"No, thank you."

He wanted to scream, blaspheme, kick the ground, scold ... But all he did was ask:

" Why?"

Shiro feared to be alone with Ryo but chose to make another excuse.

" Aiko-san needs me ..."

Ryo was possessed but simply hid his hands in his pants pocket, trying not to show his spirit.

" How silly! Aiko is just like that because he fought with Sakamoto. But, before you know it, they'll both be fine."

Shiro did not dispute. However, he did not reverse his decision.

" But one day you will go with me to Hokkaido, Shiromiya " the other provoked. " I know, I saw it in my visions."

" Your visions must have deceived you, Ry-chan " he called him as much as he wishes. " I will never walk away from Aiko-san."

Ryo smiled. I knew there was nothing to fear. Then he simply reached for Shiromiya's hands and, after kissing them, left without saying goodbye.

***

"Kaiten," Shin said, laughing. "Frogmen," he explained. " Or simply fukuryus[41] .

The female laugh on the other side of the bed made him laugh too. He raised his hand, raising a glass of sake, pouring the burning liquid into his throat, in a mixture of relief and disgust.

" They will fix the delayed effect bombs on the ship's hulls ..."

��But then the soldiers will not die along with the Americans?" The prostitute interrupted, asking.

"It is an honor to die for our country," Shin said angrily.

Realizing that the mood of the member of the royal family was changing, the pretty harlot tilted the slender body higher up on the man, rubbing her perfect breasts on the male chest. But the pleasure, both sexual and the conversation itself, was already over, and Shin pushed away.

Experienced, the woman let herself go, without trying to provoke even more anger in the other. However, she breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the door open. The sergeant who accompanied the man on other nights to that whorehouse came back to pick him up.

" Go away " Sakamoto complained when he saw Saito.

" You told me that he would stay home that night " Jiro became possessed.

" And since when do I have to give you satisfaction from my life? " The smell of alcohol flooded Jiro's nostrils. " Just because I'm not eating that whore from Ai anymore, it doesn't mean I can't have fun."

Sakamoto barely had time to react when he was hit by a strong punch, right above the eye.

" Never disrespect Aiko's name again, do you hear? " the sergeant was possessed.

" Don't quote that name in my presence! " warned him.

Jiro took a deep breath, leaning over and pulling Shin. He supported him on the shoulders and took him from the bedroom. Before going, he threw some bills at the woman, who seemed to be mitigated by the two of them going.

He drove like crazy to Sakamoto's mansion. Upon arriving, Saito did not take him to the bathroom for a cold shower, as was his custom for three months. That time, he tossed him on the bed, carelessly, holding on so as not to start a fight that could result in a permanent separation.

"You need to see Aiko," he said at last. " How long does? Four months! Four months I spend my days taking care of you like taking care of a brat. You drinks without thinking about tomorrow, tells anyone important and secret information about the Empire" Saito took a deep breath. "You was talking about the retaliation plans that are planned against the Americans, right? What will you say tomorrow? From Ishii Shiro's advanced research and how much Japan is preparing for a bacteriological war?"

" Are you worried about that? " Shin almost laughed in front of the other.

" I don't care about the future of the war, but I do care about you! Yours acts without thinking, you has become inconsequential since he learned the truth under Mamoru. How long will it continue like this? He's in pain ... he doesn't even take care of Ai anymore. He spends his days locked in his room, watching for you. Have mercy and go see him, at least try to talk."

"See him? Give thanks that I don't have him killed" Shin shot. "Leave me alone!" He shouted, nervous.

Aware that the conversation would not have positive results, Jiro left him alone with his ghosts.

The following morning, a middle-aged officer appeared, bringing with him important papers that needed Shin's endorsement. Jiro received him at the office and informed him to wait, as soon the other would come down to read the notes.

Alone, the man seemed more relaxed, and soon began a conversation with the sergeant about the Chinese beauties he had enjoyed in the occupied country. He asked Jiro if he also had fun in the other country, but received a cold look in response. Then, instead of quieting, he formed a huge smile on his face, and he couldn't resist the provocation.

"They say the sergeant prefers more ... harder bodies," he blinked, making it clear that he was available.

Saito pretended not to hear, looking away and pretending to read some notes from Shin on the desk.

"I also heard that Shin Sakamoto chases other beauties around Tokyo," he went on, not feeling shy about the other's silence. " Is Aiko Mamoru available now? I don't want to end up like Hiroshi, with his head being carried in a bag " he laughed, mocking.

Suddenly, a cold pipe reached the back of his neck. Swallowing hard, the officer realized it was a Type 14 Nambu pistol sticking hard against his skin.

" Do you have any more questions? " Shin asked. The tone was wild and cruel.

"No question, Sakamoto-san," the officer quickly corrected. "I don't even know why I questioned such a thing," he laughed nervously, trying to hide the tremor in his body. " I have no interest in this matter. I was just trying to talk to the sergeant."

Shin lowered the gun, and the man turned to him. He bowed to the ground, asking for forgiveness, and then ran off, leaving.

"You can't threaten people like that," Jiro said, just as cold.

"I can do whatever I want," Shin said. " I am a member of the Imperial Family, I am the Emperor's protégé, my beloved uncle, and I can threaten anyone who wants within my country."

Saito acquiesced, not prepared for a clash.

" Did you think about what we talked about yesterday? About Mamoru?"

" I think you went deaf and didn't hear me " Shin continued with a demonic look, which shivered. "Be satisfied that I don't have that bitch killed now," he said. "You told me once, Jiro, that you lived on time. But it is the owner of Ai who lives. Mamoru survives as long as I want, as long as I can contain my anger. But if he provokes me, or tries to get closer, I have him killed right away. So, stop mentioning his name, I never want to hear about that individual again. Did he die for me, understand?"

Bowing his forehead in disgust, Saito nodded.

"I thought you had changed," he said, however. " That the war had made you more human, less racist."

Saito did not stay to hear the other's angry response. Quickly walking out the door, he was out of sight of his master.

***

Ryo approached his office door when he was intercepted by his secretary. He barely looked at the middle-aged woman as he asked her what she wanted.

"A member of the army asked to speak to you," she explained, in the face of the chief's bad mood. "So I asked him to come into your office, and I served it with tea."

The merchant guessed it was Sakamoto. Sour as he was late, he allowed a curse to escape his lips, causing the woman to be ashamed and walk away.

However, when he entered the room and watched the man sitting at his desk, his irritation became revolt. What was that bastard Saito Jiro doing at his job?

Not that they still had a disharmonious relationship. However, they were not yet friends. Perhaps they never were. He didn't like the way the sergeant was close to Shiromiya.

" What you want?" asked, without even looking him in the eye.

"Good morning to you too," Jiro returned, smiling.

"I have a lot of work, Saito," he replied, sitting on the chair. " And I don't have time for small talk ...

" Even because you like to end your activities at noon so you can have lunch with Shiro and, if possible, spend the afternoon with him, right?"

The sure opinion made him nervous.

" I do not know what you're talking about."

Jiro shrugged. He hadn't gone to see Ryo confront him about Shiromiya and the feelings that the merchant reluctantly harbored. Leaning his body, he decided to be straightforward:

" I need your help."

Help? Ryo was curious.

"About Aiko and Shin," he explained.

Aiko and Shin? What did that interest him? Ryo knew they had been fighting since the beginning of the year, but he imagined it was for any nonsense. It was a matter of time to walk hand in hand like two shameless gazelles.

"I know you're friends with both," Jiro continued.

"I'm only friends with them because I don't get involved in their problems," interrupted him.

"You'll have to get involved," Jiro persisted. " I need to help. I fear for Aiko's life, and Shin's sanity."

" Why?"

" Unfortunately, I can't tell you about the problem that separated them. But maybe Mamoru will tell you if he thinks it's necessary. But it is not just a boyfriend fight. It's a serious thing that can kill Aiko. And about Shin, he is unable to face such a situation. Last night, I caught him telling secret army plans to a prostitute. He's talking too much, exposing too much ... He seems to be putting himself in a position of danger on purpose ..."

The situation worried Ryo, despite not wanting to demonstrate.

" And what do you want me to do? " he said, however. " Both are men, owners of their own lives ..."

" Get closer to Shin, " Jiro asked, interrupting him. " Go out with him more. Stay close to him."

" Shin isn't going to Ai. Staying with him means walking around any Tokyo muffle."

Jiro nodded.

" I know it is asking too much to get away from your dear Shiromiya ..."

" What does Shiro have to do with this? " interrupts, annoyed. " You must know that I'm a man, and Kazue is just a friend."

" For sure, I know " Jiro preferred not to reply. " It's only temporary, I need help. It's getting harder and harder to control Shin, he doesn't respect me. I am much less socially, but Sakamoto will listen to you. I ask in the name of the friendship that you have nurtured for so many years."

***

The moon shone brightly in the sky. Through the half-open window of the smelly and dirty brothel, Ryo could see the freedom that was so close to him. Ai should have opened its doors about two hours ago, so probably in fifteen or twenty minutes, Shiromiya would start dancing. And he would miss that. Whose fault?

He turned his eyes forward, watching his friend drop his face onto a dark wooden table. Shin Sakamoto had already drunk two bottles full of sake and had stopped talking a half-hour ago. At the moment, he seemed to be asleep, exhausted, without pity for the other who was looking at him angrily.

"That's enough," Ryo murmured. " Are we going home."

Shin made it clear that he was awake when he answered.

" What House? I have no home ..."

"Do you mean that huge mansion is just an illusion?"

" That is just a construction. My house and my home were Ai " he assumed.

Ryo knew that Shin was only assuming that because he was completely drunk.

" And why don't we go there? Whatever made you fight with Aiko, for sure, a good conversation will leave everything behind."

" A conversation doesn't make him a Japanese."

Ryo arched the whites.

" What?"

Shin raised his head and looked at his friend. The extremely red eyes showed more than a drink ... They were tears.

" Do you know who Mamoru's father is?"

"A lieutenant," Ryo replied bluntly. "A hero of the first war," he added. " Everyone knows that the geisha Masami had involvement with Lieutenant Yoshiaki. Aiko even got his name."

"The lieutenant and the geisha were brothers," he said without fear. "They were never lovers, just staged it to hide the truth about the boy she made."

" Who is Aiko's father, then?"

He was suddenly apprehensive.

"A Chinese ..." murmured the reply. "A bloody Chinese to whom the whore spread her legs. " He felt the tears fall. " You and I spend our lives calling Mamoru a friend. We spend our lives next to a Chinese bastard ..."

Ryo was startled. Rotating his body, he tried to see if anyone had heard Shin's whisper. Luckily, the music and side conversations left them camouflaged.

" You can't be serious! " he said, rising.

Finally, he understood Jiro's restlessness. Ryo needed to get Sakamoto out of there before he opened his mouth. He needed to keep his friend quiet, to cherish his betrayed heart. So, perhaps, Mamoru would survive the war.