Chapter 04

Mamoru Aiko wiped the damp cloth on the wooden counter while chatting animatedly with his most regular client. There were a few days when Mr. Watanabe did not appear in the bookstore, and Aiko missed him. He sat in the same chair, in front of the same window, to religiously do the three things that, to the owner's analysis, seemed to be his favorite activities: drinking coffee, reading, and making small talk.

When he finished reading the last volume purchased, he immediately bought another book. And in that way, the routine followed. In addition to the company, Mamoru saw the elderly as a source of culture and always listened carefully to his stories about youth, about his participation in the First World War. Minikui used to raise his head in the face of irritating words and then go back to sleep on top of the pillow that Aiko put on the counter.

Looking away from the old man - who was already reading again - Aiko looked at the cat, wondering how long he would still resist. Minikui no longer heard right, did not see right, and did not even walk right. Sometimes he ended up doing his needs lying down, like any grandpa without control; but he seemed to refuse to leave.

Probably for love, since Aiko had lost everything in the War. His eyes clouded as he thought of Nana, Shiro, and at girls. He had spent his whole life being pampered and accompanied by people who wanted him well. At the moment, he was completely alone and needy. He wanted friends, hugs, and company. He wanted someone to have dinner with him, to accompany him to the park on sunny Sunday afternoons. However, just like that winter that arrived on that freezing Friday of December 1st, Mamoru's life was without heat and sad.

The bell on the door to notify the arrival of customers took him out of lethargy. He saw a tall, handsome man to enter. Aiko had already seen that customer a few times, he used to come every Friday, buy a classic and then leave silently. That day, however, he seemed more determined. He picked up the first book he saw on the shelf and went to the counter.

"It's 400 yen," Mamoru said, opening the cash register.

The man pulled the money out of his pocket and held it out. It seemed to tremble and Aiko was surprised. He watched him curiously, noting that the client never looked up at his. He was attractive and young. He looked twenty-five years old, had well-cut hair and new clothes. He did not lack shyness to attract attention, so his self-conscious attitude became even cuter.

Aiko handed the receipt to the man and saw him heading for the door. He returned his attention to the cat, stroking his beautiful fur when he realized that the boy was returning.

" I'm Arata" he introduced himself.

Aiko smiled.

" Aiko."

The other looked nervous.

" I know. Mamoru Aiko, isn't it? I've been here for some time."

He spoke as if the bookstore owner didn't know.

"I always try to gain the courage to speak to you," he admitted. " But it is hard..."

" Why?" Mamoru was curious.

" Because it's too beautiful, Aiko-san.

He hadn't heard a compliment in a long time and almost laughed at it. However, it was clear that the young man in front of him, in a lovely embarrassed expression, had outlined these words with enormous difficulty, overcoming many internal barriers. So, all Mamoru did was thank him.

" I ..." the other continued. " A good movie will be shown tonight ..." he commented. " I know you probably already have an appointment ... You certainly have an appointment ... Ah, what I'm saying, of course, you would never accept watching a movie with me ..."

"I accept," he said suddenly.

The boy looked surprised.

" Really?"

"Yes," he said. " What time will you come for me?"

The other took a deep breath as if he didn't believe it was happening.

" At half-past seven, could it be?"

" I'll be waiting."

As soon as the young man came out the door, Aiko smiled. It had been so long since he left home that he was immediately anxious. He knew, of course, that the other could have fallen in love with him, but ... Why not? He had the right to meet new people, to create new bonds. A new best friend or ... a love? Arata was handsome, and he seemed to be a good person.

"It looks like you have a new friend," Mr. Watanabe rose from his chair and approached him, smiling.

" Yes," Aiko confirmed. " It seems so."

" I'm happy, Aiko-san " the old man patted his arm. " Young people need company."

When the customer left, Mamoru turned to his old cat.

"Look, Minikui," he commented, softening the words. "He spoke of human company, rest assured."

The low purr gave him the certainty that his old friend had understood.

***

Shin Sakamoto tossed the small cloth ball as far as he could. He noticed about ten dogs running after it and smiled.

The night before, he had saved a puppy trapped in a manhole while returning from a bar. With the new resident, he had about thirty dogs. The majority who rescued could not resist, after all, when Sakamoto found them, they were already very weak, but Shin managed to give them a respectful death in a warm shelter, where they had food and water at will. Those who survived were kept on the huge estate with him. He had kennels built and hired about five new employees who worked to keep everything clean and entertain the animals.

Everyone who knew him believed he was crazy, seemed not to remember that he always desired the presence of animals much more than he appreciated that of humans. He always endured men and women, he did not keep them around for any reason, beyond pure necessity. The exception was only his closest friends.

"Sakamoto-san?" a servant approached respectfully and bowed to him.

" Yes?"

" He arrived."

Every Friday afternoon, he received a special visit. He smiled and waved for the woman to direct the visitor to the courtyard, towards him.

He turned his attention to the dogs and noticed a puppy approaching, seeking cuddle. That short, brown-haired dog had been found dying, days after the end of the war. He was the first dog Shin had saved.

" Hello, Baka-san[3]."

The dog lay on its back, and Shin willingly scratched that particular part. Seeing the tutor's affection, three more dogs approached, seeking cuddle.

" Ahou[4], Boke[5]" turned to bitch "Busu[6] ..." greeted them, caressing the face of each one of them.

" It is curious, Sakamoto-san" the one who arrived commented. "All your animals have an aggressive name. It looks like you're cursing them when you call them."

Shin laughed at the fact.

" I heard that Americans fear a being from their mythology that provoked God and was expelled from paradise. This "fallen angel" is said to make humans make mistakes. So, I'm seriously thinking about naming Lucifer my next dog."

The man laughed, accompanying him with laughter.

" I will never understand your need to shock."

" The world needs someone to make people wake up to the fucking life they lead. Most of them like to delude themselves and imagine themselves in a fairy tale, where they are the protagonists, waiting for their happy ending. Someone needs to make it clear that there are no happy endings."

Then he left the dogs and went back to his own home. The man followed him.

" Want a drink?" offered, as soon as they entered.

" Hot tea would be nice. The cold wind is causing pain in my bones."

"That's because you're an old man, Watanabe-san," he laughed.

" Better to grow old than to die."

Shin laughed.

" That's why I like it. You never try to look like a victim, despite my words."

"Is that why you took me out of the garden to work as a spy?"

" Of course. It was time for you to retire from the land and spend the afternoons sitting, reading, drinking coffee ... Isn't it much better?"

"I do not deny it, my lord," he bowed.

Shin gestured to him to sit down.

" And then? What have you got for me?"

" A boy invited Aiko-san to go to the cinema today."

" What time?"

" Seven-thirty."

Shin smiled.

" That's great! How long had it been since we had fun?"

"The last one who asked him out was a year and a half ago," he seemed to recall.

" Wasn't it the one who broke a tooth?"

" I believe so."

" I regret that. I even paid the dentist for it later. The poor guy still thinks he messed with someone from Yakuza[7]."

Watanabe was silent as soon as the servant arrived with a tray. The two cups of tea seemed to be steaming, and Watanabe felt your mouth water at the fine green drink. Then he turned his attention back to his boss and found him quietly sipping.

Watanabe liked that man. It wasn't a false word, he didn't want to please anyone. Shin spoke to him, an old ex-gardener, as naturally as he would speak to the American president. Perhaps that was the best - or worst - characteristic of Sakamoto: for him, all people were God's poop.

" Speaking of regrets," the Imperial member spoke again "I regret a few things in this life. One is that I did not give Mamoru the importance he deserved."

"It was a different time," Watanabe intervened. " Other values ​​..."

"I already shit for society at the time, so it's no excuse," he muttered.

Realizing that Shin was entering a world of commiseration, the other got up, excused himself, and left.

***

" Shit!" Shin grunted. " It's really cold!" He said to the man, rubbing one hand against the other.

Camouflaged by the darkness of an alley, they both watched the street from Mamoru's house. It was seven o'clock at night, but Shin knew that any man who was interested in Aiko would never would be late. Most of them used to be nervous and anxious, and they always arrived earlier.

His thought was accurate, for seconds later, Watanabe grunted at his side. Shin looked at the old man and noticed him pointing at a person on the street.

" It's him."

As soon as he confirmed, as agreed, he left in the opposite direction, disappearing from view.

Shin, on the contrary, went to the boy. He walked in staggering steps as if he were drunk. Then Sakamoto bumped into him, holding on to the young body.

"I'm sorry," he said.

" It was nothing" the other wanted to hold it, lest it falls.

It was nice, by the way. Not those silly good people like Aiko, but the kind of person who can hold another, in kindness without retribution. Unfortunately, however, pity was not one of Shin Sakamoto's qualities.

"Come with me," he said firmly, showing that he did not need help.

The boy felt something against his stomach and looked down. He noticed the metallic tone of a gun.

" Please..."

" If you don't accompany me quietly, I'll shoot you in the middle of the street."

At that, the other followed him. They returned to the dark alley, where Shin threw the boy against a wall.

"I have money," he motioned for permission to fiddle with his pockets.

"It's not a robbery, you idiot," Shin laughed. " Just a warning. I heard you were asking my lover out ..."

" Aiko-san?"

Faced with confirmation and with the pistol pointed at his head, he tried to explain:

" I didn't know he had ..."

"Well, I know," Shin interrupted. " And that's the only reason you're not dead yet." lowered the pistol. " You are young and beautiful, you do not deserve to die, just be warned. So, let's agree: go back to those bars and fag parties you go to and tell them all that the bookshop owner has a lover of his own. It is good to be on your guard to protect your friends, isn't it?"

" Yes sir."

" Great! " Shin loved the immediate agreement. " Did you know that the last one who tried to go out with him didn't accept that easily? I had to break it up. I'm not a bad person, I hate having to hurt others" he shrugged. "You are smart."

"Thank you, sir," he looked like he was about to cry. " I can go?"

Faced with Sakamoto's acquiescence, the other ran. As soon as it was gone, a low laugh broke out.

"He almost shit in his pants, Sakamoto-san," Watanabe commented.

" It's a boy. Naturally, there are some stones on the way, before meeting the right person."

"Good luck," the old man commented, making a gentle gesture with his hands.

"Yes, to find your right person and take your eyes off mine," he joked.

After that, they both went to a brothel to drink the lucky night.

***

Aiko Mamoru looked at herself in the mirror. He was beautiful, despite the time that had passed. The hair was never the same length as it was displayed at the time of courtier, but it had grown after the war and was already below the shoulder. They remained black as coal, although he already had two lines two lines below the eyes on his delicate peach skin.

As soon as he thought about it, he remembered Sakamoto. Aiko had seen him two weeks before, under his window. He noticed the discreet gray in some strands, although both were only thirty-two years old.

Blowing his thoughts away, he stepped away from the mirror and reached for the coat in the closet. It was almost time for Arata to arrive and he did not want the other to think he was not interested.

He went down to the bottom of the house and stayed in the bookshop, waiting for his new friend.

However, time passed bitter and cruel, and the boy showed no sign of life. At half-past eight, Mamoru turned off the lights and went upstairs. He took off his clothes, telling himself that possibly he had an unforeseen event, as did the others. It was better than admitting that there was something wrong with you or that you were destined for loneliness. After all, in all those years, he had already been asked to leave five more times and in all cases, he had been left to see ships.

Unlike other times, however, he was not so sad. He undressed and lay down on the bed. The old cat came to sneak into the covers beside him. And with that quiet purr, he soon fell asleep.

***

Ryo Satoshi ran towards the small bakery. He went in, shaking his jacket slightly, looking anxious to ward off the intense cold.

It was the first Saturday in December, and the morning came a little melancholy. Thick clouds were forming in the sky, but he didn't know if it was the rain coming, or the cold itself that had formed a barrier, preventing the sun.

"Please, hot tea," he asked the lady who answered it at the counter.

The drink soon arrived and he drank it hard.

"It's new around here," she commented, making a point. " What brings you to Kibou?"

Ryo smiled. He desired to answer simply: " I came in search of my love ". However, he knew there was no certainty on that trip.

He had left Tokyo the day after he met the old traveler. He had knocked on Tadao's bedroom door at half-past four in the morning and had told him, with emotion, the incredible story. He handed him a power of attorney so that the servant could make decisions for him while he traveled. He also told him Nobu's name and location and asked him to find a good place where the old man could spend the rest of his days.

Then he got in the car and left. Most of the roads were still under renovation, and he went through some tightening but managed to reach Kyoto a few days later. He rented a hotel room, took a good shower, and tried to sleep one night so that he would have the strength to face the reunion with Shiromiya. Failed. Then, that Saturday morning, he set off for the village. Half an hour later, he arrived at the bakery.

"I lost touch with a friend in the war," he explained to her. " However, I met a person who told me that maybe he is here."

" After the war, we received about five new families. They all got a piece of land from the Americans. What is your friend's name?"

Ryo ordered another cup of tea, avoiding to talk. The truth is, he didn't know whether or not to let Shiro - if - was Shiro! - to know he were there. Kazue had left his home after the night of his engagement. So, it was likely that he had found out that Ryo was getting married.

"That was certainly the reason ..." Ryo muttered to himself.

The woman returned with the full cup. Ryo took the cup from her hand and changed the subject:

" Is the garage next door yours?"

" Yes, I had a car, but it was destroyed when they bombed Kibou."

Ryo nodded.

" Could you rent the garage for a few days? I don't want to leave my car on the street."

The woman seemed to meditate, but given the high note placed on the table, she quickly agreed.

" And would you have a room? Maybe, I don't use it," he warned. " But, I can leave paid."

Once again, she agreed.

"In any case, it will be available," she said solicitously.

Ryo then handed her the car keys. The woman called her husband, who talked a little with Ryo, before going to park the vehicle.

Then Satoshi went to the window and watched that small town. Unlike traditional cities, where houses huddled together, Kibou was very rural. The houses were about a hundred meters apart, and there weren't many people insight. As he had been warned in Kyoto, this was an agricultural city.

Where he was, possibly in the center, in addition to the bakery, there was a grocery store, a health post, and a building that appeared to be the public administration. Ahead, there was a small school, where an elderly man could be seen arranging the flowers.

"I'm telling you ..." heard a surly woman's voice.

Ryo turned his face to street and realized that she was an elderly woman who was talking to someone. From where he was, the other person's face was not visible, as he was out of the window angle, so it looked like the old woman was talking to herself.

" I can only Udon[8] quality using your chickens' eggs.

Suddenly, a lovely laugh invaded Ryo's ears, causing his whole body to boil. For a few moments, he felt that his breath was gone, and his heart stopped beating.

He would recognize that timbre anywhere ...

He wanted to run in that direction, he longed to move, to face the face of the one he loved with all his heart, but his body froze in place.

" It must be because the chickens there are treated with love."

The old woman and the man started walking, and Ryo could finally see his face. Thick tears appeared in his eyes without warning, while his mouth dried and he held on to the window to keep from falling.

It was Shiro ... Your Shiro ... It was a little different, it looked bigger ... But still ... Your Shiro.

He saw him taking off his coat, despite the enormous cold. He realized why the size. He had muscles in his arms and his body was more ... masculine. He had an ax in his hands, and from the way he was sweating, Ryo knew he had just left work.

"When we want meat, I buy Mr. Urashi's dead chickens." Shiromiya continued counting, oblivious to the look that followed him. "I would never have the courage to kill mine ..."

"But they are animals," said the old woman.

" I know. But thanks to them, I always have eggs in the morning. For that, I am very grateful to them."

The woman agreed and changed the subject.

" Thank you so much for helping me with the roof."

" No problem " Shiro looked shy. " If it rains again inside the house, let me know, I'll go there and cover again."

"But I have to pay for you." She looked uncertain.

" A warm afternoon bread will be more than enough."

The old woman smiled, shaking her hands.

"Thank you very much," she bowed.

"Don't bow, Grandma," he stopped her. "Your spine," he pointed out. " Now, I need to go to work."

"You help out on weekends at Urashi-san's property, right?"

" Yes, thanks to him, I have money to buy the ..."

The rest of the voice was lost as the steps moved away.

Feeling his whole body reeling with emotion, at last, Ryo managed to move. Dropping the cup on the counter, he ran after the man in his life.