Make a Wish

Make a Wish Part 9

"I'd never had a regular before. Who would want a Jester? No one but Souma."

That was what Akechi - his world's Akechi - had once said. In his world Souoma was dead. Tricked into parting years before by Aoe Shouga, the two lovers had never even had the chance to say goodbye. Despite believing he had betrayed him, Souma had left him all he possessed. Making his world's Akechi very rich and powerful.

This world's Akechi was still stuck working as a host under a very alive Aoe Shouga. Had the two ever even met? Katsuki wondered. Regardless of the answer to that question, he knew the chances of his and Izumi's benefactor being Souma had to be a million to one.

"You've been so quiet." Souma commented. "I'm starting to think it's me."

"I'm sorry." Katsuki apologized. "I've had alot on my mind lately."

"Oh. I didn't mean to berate you." Souma assured him. "It's just that I've never been fond of silence." His eyes were distant and serious. "It comes from being raised in the city, I suppose. Silence has always seemed unnatural to me. In my memories, the worst moments of my life were punctuated by silence."

"I guess it's personal experience." Katsuki commented thoughtfully. "In contrast, I'd have to say my worst memories hold distinctive sounds."

"How strange. Sound reminds me of happier times. Laughter and music. The sound of glass breaking."

"The sound of glass breaking reminds you of a good memory?" Katsuki questioned, his tone was doubtful.

Souma chuckled. "It's a distinct memory. Of someone...unforgettable." His smile grew sad. "No matter how many years pass, the impression was too strong."

'Could he mean Akechi?' Katsuki wondered. "What was their name?"

Souma hesitated, then shook his head. "It doesn't matter. It was years ago. Still, they remain the only person who could always make me smile. Regardless of the troubles I faced."

"Experience again." Katsuki commented. "Ironically, the person who's impression was strongest to me...is the one person who is able to bring me to tears."

"...Let's not talk about the past anymore." Souma stood up. "You said your friend was a co-worker. Where do you work?"

Katsuki hesitated a moment, then came to a conclusion. He watched Souma carefully as he replied. "The Blue Boy."

Souma's expression spoke a thousand words. "The B&B?" His tone was tight. "Under Aoe Shouga?"

"You know it?" Katsuki tried to keep his tone casual.

"I-I've heard of it." Souma replied stuntingly. After a moment he chuckled to himself. "What were the chances?" Katsuki heard him whisper.

"Yabi-san? Are you alright?"

Before he could answer the ding of the elevator announced new arrivals to the floor. Katsuki glanced over as Reiji, Kiichi, Haruomi, and Marudo got off the elevator.

"Katsuki." Kiichi came over, but Marudo froze to the spot - eyes on Souma.

"Kiichi-san." Katsuki greeted.

"Izumi still in surgery?"

Katsuki nodded, noting Marudo's reaction. He didn't doubt now that Akechi and Souma's history remained unchanged. Marudo had been a host nearly as long as Jin. In his own world, he'd always been a font of knowledge about the earlier days at the B&B. He focused on Kiichi. "The doctor's are supposed to notify us when he's out."

Further conversation was disrupted when Marudo crossed the room and cuffed Souma across the face.

"Marudo!" Katsuki was shocked.

"How dare you show your face around Aoe property." Marudo glared at Souma, ignoring Katsuki's outburst.

Souma only raised a hand to his swelling cheek. "What did I do to deserve that, Marudo-san?" Souma's tone wasn't angry in the slightest. Instead, Katsuki thought he detected a note of sorrow in it.

"You even have to ask?" Marudo responded. "Go back to Haitana property where you belong. You aren't welcome here."

"I see." Souma's look grew cold. "Is that Aoe-san's word? Or yours?"

Marudo glowered. "You have no business at the B&B anymore, remember? You're no longer a member of the club."

"I ask you again - has Aoe-san said I was unwelcome or not?"

"My father has given no such orders." Reiji broke in. "However, if your presence is upsetting my workers, I must ask you to leave."

Souma glanced over at Reiji cautiously. "Reiji-san, you are in charge of the B&B now? Did I somehow miss word of Shouga's unfortunate demise?"

"If only we could all be so lucky." Reiji retorted.

Souma chuckled at his words. "Luck has never been my lover." He glanced at Marudo, then over at Katsuki. "Please keep me informed of your friend's condition."

"Izumi's condition is none of your concern. None of us are." Marudo cut in.

Souma hesitated, then turned to bow to the frailer man. "I don't understand your animosity, Marudo-san. But I know you are only ever so volatile to protect those you care about. It's a quality of yours I have always admired. And I will follow your wishes." He turned to Katsuki and bowed again. "It was good to meet you, Katsuki-san. Farewell." He headed toward the elevator, stopping one last time to bow to Kiichi, Haruomi, and Reiji. "I hope your future is brighter."

Katsuki couldn't think of anything to say as he entered the elevator, the doors sliding shut behind him with a final sounding thud. 'I told him sounds always punctuate the worst memories...' He thought to himself. "Marudo-san, why did you do that?" He couldn't help but ask.

"It was before your time, Katsuki-san. Believe me, you'd feel the same way I did."

"Things aren't always as they seem." Reiji told him. "Especially where my father is concerned."

"In this matter, I am more informed than you, Young Owner."

"In the matter of things with my father never being as they seem? Or in the matter of Yabi Souma?" Reiji asked.

"Both." Marudo responded. "At the end of that man's time at the B&B, Nishiki was ill. Your father demanded of my company quite often. The matter is complicated."

"You told him to go back to Haitana territory. I didn't know he was one of Haitana's men." Reiji mentioned.

"As I said, the matter is complicated." Marudo replied.

"A matter for another time then." Reiji turned to Katsuki. "Were you with Izumi? Why didn't you call the B&B to report?"

"With what? I don't have a phone." He'd expected to have to face an irate Shouga. Meeting this world's version of his world's owner instead was both better and worse. Better because he was in less danger. Worse, because it was harder to lie to Reiji. Izumi's phone felt heavy in his pocket as he told the lie.

"Every B&B host has a phone. It's company policy." Reiji scowled.

"Katsuki is not a host, Young Owner." Marudo put in.

"I'm sure Katsuki would have called if he could. But I doubt he knows the number." Kiichi put in.

"I thought he worked at the B&B." Reiji looked over at his brother.

"Yes and no. It's one of father's little games. I'll explain." He turned to Marudo and Katsuki. "Why don't you two head back to the B&B? I'll let you know the minute there's news."

"But-" Katsuki began.

"Katsuki-san." Marudo laid a hand on his arm. "Jin-san will be back from his client soon. He'll expect you to be waiting for him."

Katsuki hesitated, then nodded.

Naoya stormed into the bar, pushing his way through the crowd. A few people turned to object, but stopped when they saw the scowl on his face.

"Hey, watch it!" Someone snapped.

Naoya turned to snap back, but stopped. "Izumi?"

"Naoya?"

Naoya seemed surprised and relieved at the same time. Then he glanced around, uncertain. "You here with Hideki?"

Izumi's look darkened. "No, Hideki called it off."

"Oh. Sorry?" Naoya didn't seem to know if that was the right words to say.

"It's fine. I was tired of being accused of cheating left and right anyway."

"To tell you the truth, I never liked Hideki much." Naoya confessed. "But you seemed determined to make things work."

"I'm over it." Izumi passed it off. "What are you doing here?"

"I need a drink!" Naoya all but exploded. "He's acting like I invaded his life. I never asked to be there to begin with. If he wants to take over so much, then why doesn't he step up and tell Haitana-san that? Instead he keeps using childish pranks to-"

"Izumi?"

Izumi turned. "Oh, Takamiya." He took the glasses from him, handing one to Naoya. "Do you think you could get one more glass? We'll snag a table."

"Takamiya-san?" Naoya stared.

"Good evening, Naoya." Takamiya smiled. "I'll be right over." He disappeared into the crowd again.

"What are you doing here with Takamiya?" Naoya asked, eyes wide.

Izumi flushed. "Well, he witnessed my break-up with Hideki, and came to check up on me. And he offered to come with him to this horse farm he was visiting. I actually got to ride one - it was so amazing. So we ended up at dinner, so drinks just...sort of ended up on the menu too."

Naoya took one look at his friend's red face and smiled slyly. "I get it."

"Don't you get any ideas." Izumi scowled at him, then turned to lead the way to the table.

"Who's getting ideas?" Naoya asked him.

"He's from England to begin with. His uncle runs a Bed and Breakfast outside of London. He translates books for a living, and he speaks different languages. He took us to a french restaurant, and even ordered in French. In fact, he's clearly rich, because the restaurant? It was that new French restaurant all the papers and magazines are raving about. So he's rich, and educated, and only in town on business. So it's ridiculous to think he'd be interested in me."

Naoya was biting his lip to keep from laughing as they slid into seats at an empty table "Uh-huh."

"If he is interested, it's only for a fuck. I don't do casual fucks." Izumi stared into his glass.

Naoya's expression grew serious. "Hey, don't sell yourself short. You're in college, you're at the top of some of your courses. You're way better than me at English. Not to mention, you're a really good friend."

Izumi waved his words off, blushing a little. "If I'm such a good friend, why am I going off about Takamiya when you clearly need to get stuff off your chest. What happened at Haitana's? Who were you going off about?"

"Wataru." Naoya crossed his arms and sat back. "Haitana's adopted son. I don't know what to do about him."

"Maybe you should start from the beginning."

Naoya nodded.


"Jin should be back within the hour." Marudo told Katsuki as they entered Jin's room at the B&B. "Do you want me to stay?"

"I'll be fine."

Marudo nodded, but hesitated. "Hey, Katsuki, could you do me a favor?"

"What?" Katsuki tilted his head in inquiry.

"Don't mention Souma to anyone. Especially not Akechi."

"Why?"

"...it's just better that way."

"Marudo, why did you treat Yabi-san like that? What does he have to do with Akechi?"

"He was Akechi's regular years ago."

"But why is that a bad thing?"

"It isn't that..." Marudo sighed. "Under the circumstances, I guess it is best if you know."

Katsuki wasn't sure what circumstances Marudo was talking about. And he probably knew as much about the story of Akechi and Souma as Marudo did, if their history was the same as in his own world. He didn't object, though, as Marudo helped himself to a drink and seat.

"Yabi Souma's father was a small time Mafia leader. Nobody all that important, but rich enough. Souma became a member of the B&B and flitted through several of the Semes at first. Then he met Akechi. Jester did all the stunts that usually drove his customer away screaming. I understand he even drenched Souma in wine and broke an expensive vase at an art gallery that Souma had to pay for."

The sound of glass breaking, Souma had said, reminded him of better times. Katsuki remembered.

"Instead of being annoyed or demanding his money back - something Akechi's customers still do on a regular basis I hear - Souma was...amused, I guess. He kept asking for Akechi. And Akechi...Akechi fell in love with him. I was surprised, really. Not that a host had fallen for a customer. When you play at romance so much, you're bound to be burned sooner or later. But Akechi never played the games right. So for him to fall in love? It was...unexpected."

"Didn't Souma love him back?" Kastuki hedged.

"He claimed to. As I understand it he even claimed to want to buy Akechi from Shouga."

"What happened?"

"Souma's father was secretly aligned with Haitana. Shouga figured it out. That meant Souma was really a spy."

"That's not necessarily true. "Katsuki objected.

"True or false, the fact remained that he was Haitana's man. And he'd become a patron at the Blue Boy. That's a conflict of interest."

Akechi had never mentioned any of that. Was it true in his world? If it was, Akechi may never have been aware of that part of the story. He contemplated what to reply. "So Shouga kicked him out?" He suggested, even though he knew it was wrong.

"If only." Marudo sighed. "Like I said, Nishiki was ill. So I had the pleasure of Aoe-sama's company for many nights. He told me about what he did."

Katsuki stared. "You mean he...you..." In his own world, Reiji never touched the hosts.

Marudo gave him a look that was both amused and resigned. "Didn't you know? Aoe-sama makes use of the hosts whenever he feels like it. For the most part he rarely uses anyone but Nishiki anymore. But other times, he demands we service him over and over. Nishiki was ill. So at that time, I was his choice. Nishiki told me once I was his second favorite."

"I didn't know." Katsuki couldn't be certain his other self didn't know. But it was certainly news to him.

"At that time he asked Souma to spy for him. Souma refused." Marudo shrugged. "He should have known there would be consequences. The next time Souma asked for Akechi, Aoe-sama told him he'd taken an exclusive with someone else. He laughed as he told me about it. About how stricken Souma looked, and how he'd canceled his membership then and there."

Katsuki's hand clenched. "Bastard."

"Akechi knew none of it. Only that Souma had left. He was...if you'd seen him at that time. Souma's leaving killed him."

"But it wasn't Souma's fault. He was tricked." Katsuki protested.

"He brought it on himself." Marudo replied. "He knew there was a division of loyalties when he signed up for the B&B. Besides, shouldn't he have known better than to think Akechi would run off with someone else?"

"Shouldn't Akechi have had faith that if Souma had left the B&B, something was fishy about it?

"...as a host, even if a client says they love you. You have to wonder. Could someone really love a whore?" Marudo spoke quietly. "Won't they wake up one day and realize you aren't worth it?"

Katsuki's chest tightened at his words. Who else did they apply to, he wondered. "As someone who loves a host." His own tone was subdued. "Wouldn't you wonder of all the lovers they've had, what could possibly make you so special? Why would they choose you?"

Marudo looked up at him. "So you think I'm wrong about Souma?"

"I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt."

"...Aoe-sama would never have given him to him anyway. I think it's best not to revisit the past. Please don't tell Akechi about Souma. Or Jin."

Katsuki nodded slowly, but his mind was working.

Tomoki was laughing as Seiichi and he exited the restaurant into the rain. Seiichi opened the umbrella he carried, but Tomoki ran ahead to leap off the curb into a puddle. He turned a bright smile on Seiichi, which the other man returned. As they stood at the corner a limousine pulled up. Though it was a few feet down from the restaurant, Seiichi didn't pay attention to it until it was too late.

Two suited men grabbed Tomoki's arms and pulled him toward the limousine.

"Hey!" He threw the umbrella aside, running forward to elbow one man in the face. He stumbled back, releasing Tomoki's one arm. He turned to punch the second one, but someone from the limousine grabbed his arm, yanking him against it. He hissed in pain as his head connected with the car - vision blurring for a moment. He felt when he was shoved inside the vehicle. A warm but wet small figure pressed into his side, and he knew Tomoki had been forced in as well. The doors slammed shut, and the car started on its way.

Blinking to cure his vision he looked up, and felt his blood turn cold.

"Hello, Seiichi." Shouga greeted. "Long time no see."

To Be Continued...