Make a Wish

Make a Wish Part 7

Izumi set tea cups in front of Takamiya and Reiji, glancing over at Haruomi. "Nothing for you?" He repeated.

"No, thank-you, Sakashita-san." He replied from where he was keeping watch outside of Izumi's bedroom door. Kiichi and Naoya were still inside. The bedroom having been the only place in the small apartment to hold a private conversation. They'd been inside awhile, and Izumi was rather concerned. But Naoya had agreed to the conversation, and he was trying to be a good host. Even if his "guests" were uninvited.

"So, Izumi, how is it you have tea in your apartment at all? It's not a common drink in Tokyo." Takamiya picked up his cup to sip from.

Izumi noted the familiarness in which the man had addressed him, but found it hard to be disturbed by it when Takamiya was smiling brightly at him. The man had an alarmingly charming smile, he decided. 'Watch yourself, Izumi.' He lectured mentally. "I attended a business orientation as part of my university studies last year." He explained. "At the orientation, they served tea and I found I liked it. Naoya says I've become addicted to it. I hope it's alright."

"It's delicious." Takamiya assured him.

"It's too strong." Reiji sniped, glancing at his watch in irritation.

Izumi glowered at the man. "Don't you have any manners! It's rude to insult what your host gives you!"

"Yelling at your guest isn't exactly well-mannered." Reiji told him. He pulled out a cigarette and lit it up.

Despite the fact that some of his friends did the same thing all the time - Konna came to mind - Izumi was tempted to remind him it was polite to ask before lighting up. He was interrupted by his cellphone ringing. He frowned at the number, glancing hopefully at the bedroom door. It didn't open, though. "I have to take this really quick." He slipped into the kitchen, hoping it would provide some privacy despite the open doorway.

"Sakashita Izumi." He greeted, despite knowing the caller's ID. He was very aware of the three strangers in the other room. The voice over the other line sounded irritated. "Hideki, this isn't a good time. I have company...Didn't you get my text? No, Naoya needs me right now...Don't be like that, it isn't true...I'd do the same for any of my friends, even Konna...Don't be such a jea-" He cut off, glancing at the open kitchen doorway. "Seriously, can we not do this right now?" There was a burst of angry words from the phone, then silence. "Hideki?"

Izumi glanced at the phone screen. 'Call ended.' It read. He gave a sigh, reentering the living room. "Sorry about that-"

"Your boyfriend sure sounds like the jealous type. Or should I say ex-boyfriend?" Reiji commented, overriding whatever excuse he was about to use.

"Reiji." Takamiya's tone was lecturing.

Izumi flushed red. "Shut up! It's none of your business!"

"Then don't hold a private conversation in public." Reiji was unaffected. He took a drag from his cigarette.

"This isn't public! It's my apartment. You invaded, remember? And I don't recall you asking permission to smoke."

"So you have an ashtray for decorative purposes?" Reiji countered.

Izumi clenched his hands and resisted the urge to throw anything else. Konna had brought the ashtray as a gift to his housewarming party. He'd reminded him he didn't smoke, to which his friend had pointed out that he did. And proceeded to light up. He'd rolled his eyes at his friend's logic. Still, the ashtray had seen it's share of use over his year at the apartment.

Takamiya seemed to heave a sigh at his friend's behavior, drawing Izumi's attention to him. "Reiji, try to behave. We did rather force our way in. Atleast you did."

"I wasn't going to stand outside all day. And I didn't see you stopping me." Reiji glanced at his friend suspiciously. "What's with you lecturing me anyhow?" He paused, then cast an equally suspicious glance over at Izumi, then back at Takamiya. "Oh, shit. Don't tell me you've got a hard up for the brat over there. He isn't even anything much to look at. And he obviously has a jealous boyfriend to boot."

Izumi's face flushed red again. "Don't go talking like that in front of a guy, you bastard!"

"Reiji, your behavior is really atrocious today." Takamiya frowned at him. "I'll tell Kiichi if you don't start behaving."

Reiji sighed, stabbing out his cigarette. "You are hot for him. You usually have better taste. You been going without lately or what?"

Before the situation could deteriorate more, the bedroom door opened and Kiichi and Naoya emerged. It was obvious Naoya had been crying, and Izumi shot Kiichi a glare as he hurried to his friend's side. "Naoya, are you okay? If he said anything -"

Naoya shook his head, smiling a little at Izumi's protectiveness. "You're really a good friend, Izumi-san. I'm sorry for all the trouble I've caused you."

"You," He stressed the syllable, "Haven't caused any trouble. I can't say the same for them."

Naoya bowed slightly. "Thank-you for letting me stay and the offer to extend it, but...I have to go see Haitana. For everyone's sake."

That was when Izumi noticed the bags Kiichi was giving Haruomi. Naoya's bags. He frowned, but reached out to squeeze his friend's shoulder. "Hey, don't hesitate to come back whenever. If you need to crash here again, you know I don't mind."

Naoya smiled in earnest. "Thank-you."

Haruomi led the way, as the group headed for the door. "I am sorry about your doorknob." Kiichi told him.

Izumi resisted the urge to swear again. He'd forgotten about the damned doorknob. He sighed instead. "I'll have to call the building manager."

"If you're billed for the repairs, just sent it to Reiji." Kiichi smirked, glancing over at his brother. Reiji glowered at him, but didn't dispute his words.

"I wouldn't know where to send it." Izumi pointed out.

"Do you have paper? I'll write it down for you." Takamiya offered.

Spying on of his notebooks from college, Izumi grabbed it up and offered it to him. Takamiya wrote quickly, handing it back to him.

"Are we done now?" Reiji snapped, glaring at them all.

Izumi didn't look at the notebook as they said their goodbyes,. When he closed the door behind them, though, he felt his eyes drawn to it.

The address of the hotel Reiji was apparently staying at was written neatly at the top. Underneath, though, was a note and a telephone number.

'I'll be staying here too. If Hideki is an Ex, feel free to call.'

Izumi felt his face heat in a blush and he set the notebook face down on the table. "Dirty old pervert." He muttered. But the memory of Takamiya's bright smile came to mind and he found himself glancing over at the notebook as he cleared away the tea cups.

The wishing charm chimed...


"Aoe-sama won't be back for a week." Seiichi zipped up the suitcase he'd been packing. He glanced around the room one more time. "This is it." He pulled his B&B cellphone out of his pocket and set it on the nightstand. "Aren't you finished packing yet? You have less than I do."

Katsuki glanced at the half-filled overnight bag he'd come to the B&B with. The rest of his things were scattered nearby - waiting to be packed He added one more thing in, then stopped. "Amagai-sempai..."

Amagai frowned, perplexed. "Katsuki?"

"What do you think will happen when Aoe-sama realizes you've run off with Tomoki?"

"I'm not even sure. He'll probably try to send people to bring me back. That's why we're leaving the country. Not that he doesn't have contacts all over the world. But it still won't be as easy to capture us as it would be in Japan."

"What will happen if he captures you?"

"...I couldn't answer that either. Something very...unpleasant, I'm sure."

"But even knowing that possibility, it's worth the risk, right? You love him that much?"

Seiichi glanced away, a smile brightening his features. "It's worth it. Because I really do love that much. Even a single extra day, no more than that...an extra hour, even, is worth anything."

Katsuki studied the items around him, thoughtful. He had a feeling he knew who his other self was thinking of in that moment.

"Katsuki, you're going to make us late." Seiichi chided teasingly.

"Amagai-sempai...I'm not going."

Seiichi stared. "What did you say?"

"You don't really want me there." Katsuki grinned. "You want to be with Tomoki. Nothing's worse than having a third wheel - except maybe being one. I wouldn't want to put a damper on your reunion. And Kiichi's risked alot to set this up for you."

"I can't leave you here. Aoe-sama will take his anger out on you for sure. I love Tomoki, but I'm not abandoning a friend in danger. I'm not that selfish."

"It's my choice. The truth is...I've been happier here with you, Izumi, Marudo, and the others than I was in my regular life. It's pathetic, but it's true."

"But it won't be like that once I'm gone. I won't be here to protect you anymore."

"Not that I haven't appreciated how you've always looked out for me, but Sempai - I'm not as weak as you think. Let me be the one to look after you for a change."

Seiichi shook his head. "When did I ever accuse you of being weak? You're my Kohai. Looking out for you is natural. And you're talking crazy. Why risk staying? What could be worth risking Aoe-sama's wrath?"

Katsuki looked away. "Tomoki's worth it for you."

"...Jin's not worth it."

"....maybe he's not. But it's my choice."

"Just because Aoe-sama said he'd give you to the highest Seme doesn't mean he will. His word means nothing to him."

"I know that too."

"Katsuki, if anything happens to you because of me-"

"Idiot! How would it be because of you? I conned you into letting me stay here the first night. From the start, I've been the one responsible for my situation."

"you didn't understand the danger. I did."

"Ignorance is not an excuse."

"Bullshit."

Katsuki chuckled. "Sempai...it's my life, and it's my choice."

"You won't regret?"

"I might. But then I'll just have to take the blame for my unhappiness."

"...when did you get smarter than me?"

"Idiot, I've always been smarter than you."

"If that were true, you wouldn't have ended up under Aoe Shougo with me."

"Touche."

Silence reigned for a minute, then Amagai crossed the space between them to pull him into a hug. "I don't trust Jin any further than I could throw him...but I trust you with your happiness. I'll be in touch. If you change your mind..."

"You'll be the last to know." Katsuki returned the hug despite his words.

The wishing charm chimed...

It was pitch black around him. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, then opened them again, but there was no change. Below him the surface was hard and cold. Concrete. Maybe even metal? He tried to push himself up but felt too weak to stand. The scrape of his clothing against the floor as he managed to sit up sounded muted. The silence and darkness seemed almost alive around him.

Then there was a loud sound, almost a banging from right in front of him. A small door swung open and bright light pierced his eyes. They watered in protest and he blinked as he tried to clear them and adjust to the light.

"Bring him out." Aoe Shougo's voice.

The cube he was in was small. The ceiling was barely above his head sitting. If he'd tried to stretch out instead of sit up, he'd have hit the walls. A man he didn't know reached in to grab his arm and drag him out. He forced him to his knees in front of Aoe. He noted that Kashima and Jin were there as well.

"Memory improved yet?" Shougo asked him.

"I really don't know where he went." His voice was dry. How long had he ben in the box, he wondered.

"You're testing my patience."

"Killing me won't bring him back."

"Oh, I won't kill you. But, believe me, you'll wish I had." The threat hung between them. "Get Kiichi." He ordered Kashima. "Tell him he has a temporary patient."

Kashima spoke briefly to the man who'd pulled him out of the box. He exited the room. "If Amagai was still in Japan, we'd know by now. Maybe he really doesn't know."

"Useless." Aoe scowled at him. "What am I supposed to do then?" Reaching out he grabbed a handful of his hair, yanking his head back. He gasped, but managed not to cry out. "He's Seiichi's leftovers." His eyes studied him, calculating. "Pretty enough. What do you think, Jin? A host?"

"His manners are atrocious." Jin pointed out nonchalantly.

"Some of the clients don't care about attitude. Or willingness. A pretty face and pleasant body are enough."

"They aren't high payers. Not like Seiichi's clients."

"He isn't Seiichi's clients type. More like Izumi's."

"He'll never tempt Izumi's customers."

"You don't think so?" Releasing his hair, he grabbed his arms - pulling him to his feet and turning him to face Jin. "You don't find him tempting?"

Jin faced him coolly. "Not at all."

Shougo chuckled. "Come now, Jin. You're trained to take anything. A pretty thing like this? You must be dying for a taste."

Jin shrugged. Katsuki wondered if his other self's heart had broken at the rejection. Atleast he'd always known his Jin found him physically attractive. It was his heart that had been a mystery for so long.

"With Seiichi gone, you're top seme again, Jin. You've been recrowned King. Don't you want the King's Page?"

"That's the terms of his contract." Jin reminded him.

"His contract is what I say it is." Shougo smirked. "You say he won't cut it as a host? Because he's untrained? Or because you want him? Are you jealous, Jin? I let Seiichi have a perk I never gave you?" He pushed him into Jin's chest. One of Jin's hands gripped his arm to keep him from falling. "Then let's remedy both. Shall we?"

"You want me to train him?"

"He's your Page. What you do with him is up to you. With one exception." Shougo circled behind him. "You said you weren't tempted by him, so you can't take him. Teach him to please you in any other way you like, but if you take him you're admitting you were wrong. That he could make me money as a host. I'll take him away then and make him a host. He can start making up the money Seiichi's losing me with his little rebellion. Until then, though, my recrowned King, enjoy yourself."

Shougo exited, but Kashima paused. "Kiichi is on his way."

"He just needs food and water. Send some to my room."

"As you like." Kashima's smile seemed knowing as he exited.

"Can you walk?" Jin's tone was cool; detached.

"I can make it." He pulled away but his legs collapsed beneath him. Jin caught him before he hit the floor.

"You keep lying to me and you'll regret it." He warned. The next thing he knew the host had thrown him over his shoulder.

In his weakened state, the sudden movement took away his breath. The world spun, and he leaned his head against Jin's back with a weak moan.

Jin chuckled. "You need Kiichi?"

He closed his eyes. "I don't know."

"Hn...we'll see." He started off. Even that movement was hard on his weakened body. Al he could do was cling to Jin as he carried him out of the room.


The wishing charm chimed.


It was dim when he opened his eyes He was on Jin's bed, though from the way his dream self looked around he didn't recognize the room. He looked down at himself to find he was dressed only in a bathrobe. This, too, was apparently a surprise.

"You awake now?"

He'd turned to find Jin in the doorway. "I-"

"Passed out. Kiichi says it's not unexpected. There's food and water. Can you make it out here, or do I have to carry you again?"

"What happened to my clothes?" He ignored the taunt.

"You'd been in isolation for days. They stank. So did you."

"You bathed me?"

"You can return the favor later."

Threat or promise? He wondered at his other self's reaction, because Jin chuckled.

"Unlike Seiichi, I intend to make the most of you being here. Now can you walk or can't you?"


The wishing charm chimed...


He was dreaming still, but the memory this time was familiar. His memories. His world.

He was in his pageboy uniform, sitting on the edge of Jin's bed. Jin was packing his suitcases. "You're leaving today?" He'd asked him.

"Plane leaves in a couple hours." Jin replied casually.

"Why didn't you tell me last night?"

Jin smirked. "No reason to ruin a good night."

Despite his time past experience both as a gigolo, his cheeks heated at the reference. Jin had been insatiable the previous evening. He knew from past experience he'd be teased ruthlessly when he limped downstairs to start his shift. "You mean you didn't want to ruin your chance to score last night." He crossed his arms.

Jin only chuckled, and suddenly his arm was around his waist. "We both know I'd have gotten you in bed either way."

"So you think."

"Is that a challenge? I still have a few hours..." He nuzzled the back of his neck.

"My job requires walking." He pushed the host away.

Jin wasn't put out at all, and only chuckled. "See? You won't be missing me the first couple days."

"It's not just the sex I miss, you know." He hadn't looked at Jin when he'd said that. Habit more than rule. Neither of them were comfortable with expressing their feelings in words.

"Hn." Jin had closed the suitcase and gone to pour himself a drink.

"Christmas is in two days."

"Really?" Had been the sarcastic response. "I guess that explains all the tacky decorations in the lobby."

"I thought the client requested you for a New Year's Party in Sapporo."

"They're taking a trip to Europe first." Jin drank from the glass. He'd moved to the window to look out at the city below.

"So you'll be in Europe for Christmas and Sapporo for New Year's. Happy Holidays to you too." He'd stood up, but paused when Jin spoke.

"You should hear yourself. You're talking like your my wife."

Katsuki turned a glare on his lover. "Y'know, I already know you're the biggest jerk in the world. There's no need to prove it."

He'd stormed out, slamming the door behind him. In the dream, his dream self repeated the actions. But he was left behind, watching Jin continue to stare out the window. His phone rang and he answered it. "Jinnai."

He couldn't make out the words of the caller, but the voice sounded like Aoe Reiji.

"My bags are packed." There was something almost reluctant in Jin's tone. He listened to whatever was said next - a murmur he couldn't make out. "Amagai isn't back until tomorrow. Who else could you send? ...Forget it, he's still wet behind the ears...and I was right. He blew it his first time with someone this important...when you hire someone I trust for the job...Which is why I talked Amagai into coming back. But he can't be two places at once...never-the-less I will be spending it with a client. I will report to you upon my return, Aoe-san." He hung up the phone - draining the glass.

For a moment he stood perfectly still, gazing out at the Tokyo skyline. Then he slammed the glass into the windowsill - shattering it. He shook off his hand - dropping the stem of the glass on the floor with the rest of it's shattered remains. Walking over he picked up the company phone, pressing the button to ring through to the service desk. He heard Mitoki's voice greet the caller.

"It's Jin." Again he couldn't hear what Mitoki said, but it brought a fleeting smile to Jin's lips. "Hn. Is that so? Listen, I broke a glass in my room - I need someone to clean it up. No, not Katsuki. I'm leaving now." A murmur from Mitoki, sounding serious. "Just deliver a message to Amagai. Since he has the holidays off, he's responsible for him. He'll understand." A murmur from Mitoki brought a humourless chuckle from Jin. "I'm sure you do, too. Have a good evening." He collected the suitcases and exited.

The wishing charm chimed.

Katsuki opened his eyes, staring up at the ceiling of the B&B. It was dark and like every morning the past three days he hoped he was finally back home. Warmth by his side dispelled the notion even before he glanced over. Jin. Not his Jin.

He thought back over the dream. For once, it wasn't the dream-memories of this world that plagued his thoughts. But the final dream from his own world. Had it really all happened? The broken glass, the phone calls? And Jin's message to Amagai? Oh, he understood it without any translation. In fact, he felt a bit insulted by it. He didn't need Amagai to look after him. He was definitely going to have a talk with Jin about it...provided he ever escaped the crazy world he was stuck in.

To Be Continued...


Closer and closer. Not many more flashbacks to go, actually. And I think I know how this all works out...maybe...LOL