~Eito~

School ended, the people who were so suspiciously plotting something during lunch are gone again. Where am I? I just followed them out. They went around the corner and entered one of the storage rooms. The one next to the stairs at the end of the hallway.

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Before I know it, I hear footsteps coming from the stairs below. Without any hesitation, I quietly make my way over to the staircase and hide, holding onto the railing for support. I take a look through the space and see a bunch of older guys. Who are they? They don’t look like they go to our school. At least anymore. They walk up to the storage room and knock on the door, which quickly opens.

“Hey, you’re here, great!” A girl with a long ponytail says.

“Anything for my little sis.” The guy says and signals for his squad to follow him into the room. He has bleached slicked back hair with shaved sides, is quite buff and is wearing a black leather jacket and baggy, yet somehow fancy looking jeans. He's wearing very expensive looking black sneakers as well. These are some expensive looking gangsters. Oh wait, that somehow makes sense. I quickly make my way over and put my ear on the door.

"You're sure you weren't followed?" A male voice asks.

"Yes! While we entered the school, one of us stayed behind every few meters and once it was clear, we regrouped. We are experts when it comes to sneaking around." This time it was a different voice from blonde shave dude. Followed from downstairs you mean? Well, unfortunately to you I was already here.

"Fair. So we all know why we are here?" A girl asks. How many are in this room?

"Yes, we are here to plan an... appointment with Tomisaki from your class, correct?" Blonde shave dude's voice. Wait what do they mean?

"Correct! And why does he need an appointment?" Here is little sis.

"Well, tell me Nao!" Older brother sounds a bit annoyed now. Nao is her name apparently, such a sweet name.

"Ugh, it is because he is so touchy with my- I mean our dear Satome-kun! No one is allowed to touch him unless Satome is okay with it! Actually, scrap that! Only we are allowed to touch him!" Okay never mind. She is sadistic! What does she mean by no one can touch me besides them? What are they going to do to Haru?

"Okay, so you want us to teach him a lesson, right? Just the regular I assume." This time it is another guy. Shivers all over my neck and back. This is not good. I mean, they can't kill him, but a bunch of buff dudes in their 20's and an "appointment" plus "the regular" doesn't sound like a picnic at the park.

"Yes, the regular, no need for broken bones. Just a few bruises is fine, but not in visible areas as the teachers will get worried. That disgusting piece of crap will learn!" Okay I am seriously hating this Nao girl. She sounds like a maniac. Just a few bruises? Is she insane? I need to find a way to keep Haru safe! But how? When are they going to plan this attack?

"Okay, so when are we doing this?" The same guy from before asks. YES TELL ME!

"In case someone is hearing us or has planted a device on you, not that they would cause you said you were careful, we'll talk about this in private. For now, leave the building." Nao you conniving bitch!

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Fuck they are on their way to the door.

From the same hidingplace as before, I can see the 5 guys and 4 girls leaving the room. 4 guys are pressumably friends of Nao, one of them being her older brother. The other guy is a guy from class. Fucking hell! They really didn't spill when they are going to attack! How am I going to keep Haru safe? Agh, first I have to go to my shoot at 6pm... I am going to ask Toya about this! I desperately need advice.

"Toya, I have so much to talk to you about later today." Send!

"Bro, I know, you were just saying that 3 hours ago." Ah Toya keeps track.

"Okay so, I need advice about two very important topics, so get your brain ready!" Send!

"Eito, you're so annoying sometimes. But okay..."

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~At the studio ~

It took me half an hour to get to the photography studio. Today me and Toya are modeling for a very androgenous line. I took a shower at the studio, cause I just got out of school and after putting on my outfit went over to hair and makeup. Then I went to the little waiting area where Toya was, curled up in a ball on the sofa. He notices me and shoots up.

"Oh my God! This outfit is so breezy!" Toya says, holding out his arms to point out the lack of fabric todays clothes have.

"Yeah, but they aren't that bad. They are a nice soft fabric and honestly, they look good on you." I say playfully looking him up and down and smirk. Toya looks at me with a leering expression.

"I know you just wanted to talk today, so stop making me feel a certain way, mister!" Toya says and quickly turns around.

"Alright alright. I know, but who says we can't have a bit of fun before?" I say cheekily. I honestly need something to distract me. Actually, this is how we clear our minds anyway. After this we can talk with more focus. Toya turns around and puts his hand on his hip.

"Touché! Okay then, I hope it's worth it, cause I was actually planning on going to the club tonight." He says.

"Guys! It's time! Please make your way to the photographer!" We turn around to see a staff member, peaking his head through the door.

"We are on our way!" I say and signal Toya to come over.

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After the shoot we normally change into our own clothes and leave the clothes in the dressing area, but since these clothes are a bit more risqué than usual they told us we can keep them. Makeup and hair today was the longest process, they had to make us look feminine yet masculine at the same time to fit the vibe of the line. They did a pretty good job, but as someone who doesn’t wear a lot of makeup I am not sure how to take all of this off properly.

“Hey so, it is still April, so it is damn cold! Should we change or go to the hotel wearing these clothes?” Toya asks. Changing into regular clothes just to take it all off again is counterintuitive. Besides, I came her directly after school so a guy in full makeup and a school uniform, going into a hotel with another guy does not sound like it would go well either.

“Uhm, Toya, I appreciate your enthusiasm and feel really bad that you are cold but won’t it look weird for me to go into a hotel with my school uniform with us both in full makeup?” I say. Toya’s face lights up with realisation. He proceeds to laugh before grabbing the chair next to him for support.

“Haha! But isn’t it odd enough for two young guys to go to a hotel together anyway? I suppose we can at least wear our coats and pants.” Toya has a point. Normally we just invite each other over at our house and get it done as we couldn’t go to L♡︎VE Hotel’s.

“Eito you look so dazed. We can cancel the booking if you wanna go home, but the hotel is closer. They see enough interesting people here, they won’t question it. Probably.” He doesn’t make it sound less suspicious, but it beats going home in this outfit.

“Let’s just go, I really have to get this off my shoulders.” I say and get my stuff ready.

~Hotel~

We finally got to the hotel. For one night this is already on the more high end level for what we are going to do here. I just want to relax and then talk about myself and that Haru kid. We take our shoes and coats off and put them in the closet next to the door. The suite looks quite spacious, not that we are going to make much use of it. As we get to the bedroom we are met with a bed full of rose petals neatly placed in a heart shape. We both look at it in horror. This is the tacky stuff you hear couples rave about.

“They were definitely onto us. Kinda.” I say. I notice a bottle of champagne, red wine and wine glasses on one of the nightstands as well. I am not sure if this is bad or good service. Toya turns to look at the bottles and then back at me.

“Seems they also thought we liked to do it drunk. Not completely off though. What do you say? Wanna mess up the drawing?” Toya says in a suggestive tone. I look back at him and smirk. This guy really knows what he wants. Good thing that I am more open when I’m tipsy. I won’t be holding back and that only makes it easier to talk. I walk over to the wine and start opening the bottles.

“Well, let’s get the drinks ready sir.” I say that but we aren’t any different in age.

“Ew, never call me sir ever again.” He says. We both laugh and sit on the bed.

“Wine or champagne?” I ask holding onto the glass. Not that we are not going to drink most of it. But the first drink is always important to set the mood. Toya thinks for a bit.

“Let’s hit the wine for now and drink the champagne while you pour your heart out.” Toya says. I roll my eyes and pour both of us a glass.

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“Ha! I seem tipsy enough now.” I say and lay back on the bed. It is surprisingly soft. Toya turns to me, his eyes change ever so slightly.

“Seems we are both ready.” He says and moves closer to my lower area. His hand slowly unbuttoning and then unzipping my pants.

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“So, what'd you wanna talk about?” Toya asks. He takes the last sip of is champagne and signals me to pour him more. I do so and adjust my sitting position. I was relaxed a minute ago but now I am suddenly filled with worry and anger.

“Right, so as you know, I started school again.” I say. Toya nods and takes another sip.

“And this guy, who sits in front of me, was the only one who did not acknowledge who I was. So naturally I was a bit disappointed.” I say, take a sip of my drink and take a deep breath.

“As I sat down there were all kinds of whispers, but the thing was the kid next to me.” Ah the anger is coming on strong. I need another glass for this.

“He said the kid is a f*g and the way everyone seemed to agree and the disgust on their faces was gruesome.” Toya’s eyes grow with shock. He stops drinking for a moment and blinks a few times.

“Wait, are they bullying him cause he is into dudes?” He asks. Toya looks down, but from his side profile it is still visible that he is frowning.

“Well, kind of, but the thing is that they don’t want him to be near me in fear he’ll turn me gay. They all sound like my parents and I hate it. But it seems something happened in the past that lead them to believe this guy is bad news. But he looks like he would cry if he stepped on a snail." I still don’t know what he did but I am sure it doesn’t justify the weird plan they set up. Toya looks puzzled. He too can’t seem to justify the kids weird hostility against him for allegedly being into the same gender.

“Okay, then that is just weird. Firstly he can’t turn a bisexual man gay, cause you are already into men. Second if he looks so innocent and kind, then being so antagonistic towards him is not logical.” Toya somehow sounds very serious right now. I am glad he is willing to listen to my story.

“Oh but there is more! During lunch I heard them plotting some weird scheme. I acted as if I didn’t hear it though. Then after class I followed them. They went in a broom closet and then some older guys showed up. I made sure no one saw me and stood next to the door. You won’t believe this. I need another glass.” I pour both of us a glass and take a deep breath once again. The bottle is nearly empty now, but if we finish that we can just drink the leftover wine.

“Go ahead.” Toya says, he signals with his hand for me to continue and takes a sip.

“They were talking about teaching him a lesson. They called it an appointment. They also said he deserved the regular which is no broken bones, just bruises in places no one will see. They said they have to teach him that he should stay away from me.” I’m about to tear up.

“This is all because of me and I can’t do anything to prevent it cause I don’t know when they will strike.” Toya moves over and hugs me.

“It’s okay Eito. Turn it around. Instead of staying away from him and not being able to save him. Maybe hanging around him is better? That way he is never alone. Besides, when did you start to care so much about someone again? Normally you are the one who initiates fights.” He has a point, but it will only make them more angry if I keep hanging around him. I am at a loss for words. I never cared about another guy this much besides my childhood friend. The way the kids at school sound like my homophobic parents makes me feel like I need to redeem myself for not being able to protect our friendship.

“Toya, I am just so weak. I couldn’t protect my friend back then and left him alone at school. I don’t know what he’s up to now, if he’s okay, if he’s safe. I can’t even contact him. I just feel like I need to do good so I don’t see another person getting hurt right in front of me.” My conscious will eat me up if I choose to ignore this. What type of horrible person would I be to let him get beat up just for talking with me? But I think Toya is right. He shuffles a bit and gets quiet.

"If I choose to ignore what I heard and just move on, this guy will get beat up. It is not like he can avoid me all day as I sit right behind him. But if I choose to always hang around him they will think he is trying to sway me or something and that will lead to their punishment becoming even more severe."

“Have you thought of telling him about it?” Toya suddenly says. This I have not thought about. But that might be a bad idea if I do it the wrong way.

“I have not, but telling him about it will just scare him. He will probably skip school and seeing as this is the last year that won’t be good if he wants to go to college after this.” Indeed. He can’t just up and leave cause that will affect his grades and maybe cause him not to be able to graduate.

“You were taught martial arts right? How about teaching him to fight so he can protect himself properly?” Toya looks at me, eyes full of hope, hands clenching the sheets. He seems confident in my ability. I won’t lie, that is quite smart coming from him.

“Besides, they won’t touch him if you’re with him and the moment they try something funny he folds them like origami!” Toya really surprises me sometimes. Why did I not think of that? I was taught martial arts since I was a kid so I could protect myself. I wear a mask and sunglasses so no one knows it is me, cause that will affect my public image and that of my family and the company. As soon as I suspect someone from wanting to steal my stuff I attack. I have built up quite a reputation as the Pink Tiger. Which is also my zodiac sign coincidentally. All I’m saying is that I am more than capable of teaching him how to fight. Assuming he is strong enough.

“Hey, you’ve gone awfully quiet. What now? Thinking of him whooping their asses?” Toya smirks. I chuckle and put my glass down.

“No, I was thinking of how good your idea was! Thanks Toya!” I say and pat his shoulders. I am sure I can teach him a thing or two.

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