Kiss me to Springtime - 19. Chapter 19

Four Years later

“How does it look?” Soubi asked, eyes closed refusing to look into the mirror.

His fingers wrapped tightly on the armrest of his swiveling chair. He’d been sure if he watched the hairdresser chop his hair down he’d have ran out of the salon, again.

“Open your eyes,” Sakura insisted to his left. “Come on, it’s not that bad.”

“Oh my gods, it’s horrible, isn’t it? I shouldn’t have done it. I shouldn’t have let Sasha talk me into this.”

Sakura laughed, her laughter quickly joined by a cute young one.

“Toshi, look at your uncle. He’s so afraid to look in the mirror.”

“You two stop making fun of me.” Soubi decided to take the plunge.

He could handle this change too. He blinked at the light and stared at his hairdresser, Tomo. She grinned at him and wiggled her fingers dramatically.

“Prepare to be dazzled,” Tomo said and swung his chair around to the mirror.

Soubi almost didn’t recognize the young man staring back at him in the mirror. All his hair was gone, replaced by his face, he thought with a small smile. Tomo had cut and coaxed his hair into rich mid-length razor layers, short at the back, thick and full at the top that turned into side swept bangs. The style was edgy, definitely pushing the conservative boundaries. She’d also changed the color into a healthy golden brown.

Soubi shook his head and was happy to see the bangs didn’t get into his eyes.

“You have a very striking, beautiful face,” Tomo complimented him. “It made it so easy to style your hair this way. I know you wanted to try a conservative cut but you’re Soubi Tanaka. It wouldn’t suit you.” She ran her fingers through the top of it and smiled. “This is an Asian faux hawk that can be worn kind of conservatively if you wish it. What do you think?”

He laughed lightly. “I love it.”

“Great,” Tomo smiled in relief. “I was worried for a moment.”

Sakura clapped and Soubi glanced at her with a raised brow.

“We’re going to need a set of bodyguards from now on.”

“Why?”

“So they can keep you safe from the mob of women and men who’re going to be chasing you down.”

“Do you think this is a Kdrama?” Soubi asked, as Tomo removed the wrap around his neck.

He jumped off the chair and bent down to pick up Toshi who was watching him with wide brown eyes.

“Your mother needs a life, little Toshi.”

Toshi tugged at his bangs.

“She cut your hair with scissors.”

Soubi laughed and nodded.

“Yes she did, it’s all gone. No more hair for you to stick in your mouth kiddo.” Soubi turned to Sakura. “Thanks for coming with me. I walked out last week without getting it cut.”

“I heard you ran out in fear.” Sakura teased, adjusting her handbag on her shoulder. “You look handsome, Soubi-chan.”

Soubi held Toshi closer as they thanked Tomo and left the hair salon. The stress of getting his haircut disappeared as they went out into the warm Shimokitazawa afternoon. He bounced Toshi in his arms as Sakura walked beside him.

“When are you doing the shots for ‘Samurai Spirit’?” Sakura asked.

Soubi smiled thinking about his recent work. Samurai Spirit was the third book in a series of four called Feudal Lords. He was currently working on the fourth book while his publisher promoted Samurai Spirit. Sasha and Kaito had come up with an ingenious clothing brand based on the characters in the books. He was supposed to help them with the photo shoot for the posters.

“Tomorrow,” Soubi said. “Afterwards, I have a meeting with my editor.”

“You should come over for dinner. I don’t think you’re taking care of yourself alone in that house.”

“It’s the best place to write.” Soubi defended his choice to remain in Ryo’s penthouse.

Sakura had moved in with Kaito two years ago. He hadn’t seen that one coming, but in the end, it turned out to be a good match.

“You and Kaito should be glad you don’t get to deal with the mess I can make sometimes.”

“I’d be happy to deal with your mess, if it meant having you in our house.” Sakura insisted as they crossed the street headed toward the Furiroda shop. “Kaito misses your cooking sometimes.”

“You should flog him for saying that,” Soubi advised, bouncing Toshiro in his arms. “You two are practically husband and wife; the only cooking he should miss is yours.”

Sakura laughed.

“We are husband and wife, but you’re his best friend. He worries about you.”

“There’s no need to worry, Sakura-chan.” Soubi promised as they came up to the shop.

Furiroda had grown, he decided as they walked into the busy main shop. Kaito now employed a full staff to run the store including a store manager. Sakura led the way to the back where Kaito was waiting for them.

Toshiro squirmed and Soubi let him down. Soubi smiled as Toshiro rushed Kaito who was sitting at the worktable busy drawing.

“Look whose come to visit!” Kaito exclaimed when Toshiro reached him. “Did you miss me, little Toshi?”

“Yes, Daddy,” Toshi replied happily.

Soubi smiled when Toshi called Kaito ‘daddy’. He was glad Kaito and Sakura were together. They both deserved their happiness.

“Oh my goodness,” Kaito exclaimed and Soubi frowned looking behind him for the reason. “Soubi-chan, you chopped it all off!”

Soubi turned to Kaito in a panic realizing the exclamations were for him.

“Is it that horrible?”

“No! Surprising,” Kaito said, his eyes wide. “I almost didn’t recognize you. I thought you were another guy Sakura picked up from out there. I was going to start beating you up—

Sakura punched Kaito’s arm making Soubi laugh.

“You look awesome, Soubi.”

Soubi felt relief flood him. Yes, he was full of vanity and proud of it. He’d have died if Kaito hated his new cut. He went to sit on the old green couch that never changed.

“I guess that’s what I was going for. I figured if I was having my hair cut, it best be dramatic.”

“You’re full of drama, Soubi-chan,” Sakura accused affectionately.

“Ryo’s gonna cream in shock,” Kaito said still staring at him.

“That’s if he ever shows up,” Soubi replied sulkily. He’d talked to Ryo two weeks ago. Two weeks!

“What do you mean?” Kaito asked, putting Toshiro down. “Hasn’t he called you?”

Soubi made an impatient sound.

“He’s in the middle of yet another big project. His time is limited, blah, blah, blah.”

Kaito sighed. “Go see him in New York.”

“Have you met my literary agent, or my publisher?” Soubi asked. “I have a packed up schedule and I’m still working on the fourth book. Ryo can also get on a plane and visit me.”

Kaito raised his hands up in surrender. “Let’s drop the subject.”

Soubi hated feeling like a bastard. He was being rude with Kaito and he knew it. It wasn’t Kaito’s fault that he was feeling neglected. Soubi stood abruptly.

“I gotta go.”

“Soubi,” Kaito said, rushing to stop him. “We don’t hang out as much anymore. Maybe you can make me some ramen?”

“Sakura can make you the ramen.” Soubi forced a smile and waved at Toshiro. “I need to get going. Sakura, please take care of them.”

“You’re running away,” Kaito said dropping his hand from Soubi’s arm.

“Let me, Kai,” Soubi begged softly. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the shoot.”

Soubi hurried out of Furiroda and started a brisk walk headed for the train station. Visiting Shimokitazawa was getting painful. Kaito and Sakura’s happiness was hard to face.

Soubi wondered how he could be jealous of those two.

****

On the train ride to Ginza, Soubi's thoughts filled with Ryo and their four-year separation. He cried himself to sleep every night that first year, the loneliness in that bed…Soubi shuddered. He woke up having nightmares of being alone forever.

He coped by filling his days with work, and classes, taking a bigger course load than needed each semester. Kaito and Sakura had thought he was losing his mind. Eight months into the separation and Soubi turned into a workaholic who barely slept. He spent more time in the library than he cared to admit, and kept up a grueling work schedule with Sasha Inc.

Exhaustion hit him one afternoon while he was doing a photo shoot. Sasha rushed him to the hospital when he dropped on the ground like a log. The good doctors diagnosed him with fatigue. They ordered Soubi to sleep and take it easy for a month.

Easier said than done, Soubi scoffed remembering the days and nights of trailing around the penthouse trying to escape sleep. Ryo emailed him everyday and called on Skype, but Soubi forced Sakura to promise not to tell Ryo about his exhaustion. They all struggled along to the next year with Sasha and Kaito forcing him to regulate his schedule.

Soubi visited Ryo in New York at the start of the second year. He came back to Tokyo on the verge of breaking when Ryo managed to spend only one day with him in the space of a week.

Four years had felt like a lifetime those days.

Ryo's busy schedule and work demands made it impossible to visit him for an extended period.

That second year forced Soubi to focus on what he wanted too. Soubi figured since Ryo was busy working hard to gain his father's trust, he too should make an effort. With Sakura's help, Soubi called Sei and made her keep the promise to introduce him to his literary agent, Mika Shinji. Soubi spent that second year working with Mika learning the publishing industry.

His third year in college produced the first book of Feudal Lords.

Soubi kept up a full coarse load each semester and with the promise of early graduation, Mika got him an editor. He gratefully immersed all his thoughts in the project. With his time caught up in his writing, Soubi had very little time to think about not seeing Ryo. Sakura and Kaito started dating much to Sei's shock and disapproval. That drama kept her attention away from Ryo and him for a while. When Sakura put her foot down and actually moved to Shimokitazawa, Sei was forced to accept the relationship.

Soubi figured Sei had agreed in order to keep seeing Toshiro.

During the summer that third year, Soubi went to visit Ryo again.

He blushed as he thought about the blissful two weeks they spent in Ryo's apartment. They hadn't left Ryo's apartment, choosing to spend it making love, lazing around in bed and just being with each other. It had been harder to leave New York that time, but Soubi cherished those memories more than anything else.

Soubi was faced with his first publicity crisis when his book was published that fall. Due to his modeling with Sasha inc., he'd never needed to hide his sexuality or the fact that he was proud to be gay. He figured there was no need to hide it as a published author. Kaito, Sasha, Sakura and his friends in Uni had supported his decision, and that had meant more than he could say.

With their support, Soubi went ahead and gave an interview with Editor's Choice. He closed his eyes as he remembered the evening Sei descended on him at the penthouse after the article was published.

"How could you do this?" Sei demanded shaking the newspaper at him. "You've just made it impossible for you and Ryo to be together."

"Why?" Soubi asked, hating her demeaning attitude. He hated how she chose various battles as long as they suited her own agenda. "It's my life. I won't lie about who I am. What right do you have to tell me what I should or shouldn't do?"

"As long as you're living in this penthouse, you're part of the Asada family." Sei declared with a flourish, throwing the magazine on the coffee table. "Ryosuke's not ready for this, you know that."

"Ryo is in New York, where you sent him because the stupid board members of your awful group wouldn't understand us. Isn't that the pitch you gave me?" Soubi stood up clutching his laptop. "I don't stay here for you or the darned Asada Group. I stay here because of Ryo."

"If you loved him, you wouldn't flaunt your orientation on every magazine that wants to print your sorry story." Sei sneered at him. "I should have known you'd end up—

"Stop right there," Soubi roared tired of her. "Your turn to listen to me. I don't give a fuck what you or your Asada Group thinks anymore. I've spent the past three years in hell, I’ve learned a few things since you, and I fought about whom I love. My love for Ryo is separate from my chosen careers. If he has a problem with my interviews and who I tell I'm gay, he'll get on the phone and call or bloody get on an airplane. Since I haven't had any complaints from him, I figure he's alright with my current choices. Sei-san, your son, Ryosuke, is gay and happy to be so. Don't you think it's time you accepted that?"

"How dare you?"

"I dare," Soubi retaliated. "I dare very much because you managed to convince the man I love to leave me for four years. You have no idea what it’s been like sleeping in that bed upstairs alone. Waking up reaching for him and he's not there, you have no idea! When he comes back, I'm sticking to him like moss on a stone. You're going to have to cut me off with a knife to get us separated. I'm giving you fair warning. Ryo steps back on Tokyo soil, and its open season. You're not taking him away again."

"Is that a threat?" Sei gaped at him. "After all I've done for you, introducing you to Mika—

"Thanks for that," Soubi said with a small smile. "Knowing Mika has certainly helped launch my career, no doubt about that, but I wrote the book. And yes, it was a threat. Ryosuke Asada belongs to me now."

Sei had glared at him and stalked right out leaving him shaking in the living room. After that little showdown, Soubi expected a publicity war with her, but she'd oddly gone silent.

Ryo had fallen off his chair laughing when Soubi told him about their little argument.

At graduation, Soubi had almost fallen off the podium when he walked up to receive his degree and spotted Sei Asada seated beside Grandma, Sakura and Kaito. They forged a truce after that day and were now strange friends.

Now, the fourth year was ending.

Soubi stared at his hands. Three books later, he was a successful author, and a reluctant super model. He had a family that loved him. He visited Grandma every Sunday, and tried to visit Kaito, Sakura and Toshiro when he could. Sasha practically ran his social life, if it weren't for Sasha, he would live holed up in the penthouse until Ryo decided to appear. Despite all that support, his heart still ached…steeped in loneliness.

No wonder he was so jealous of Kaito and Sakura, Soubi thought.

What he wouldn't give for a month with Ryo in his arms.

Soubi got off the train in Ginza with a quick glance at his watch. It was already four o'clock and he was late for his appointment with Editor's Choice journalist Saki. He arrived at the hotel she had chosen five minutes late, and found her settled at a private table sipping coffee. When she saw him, she stood up and gave him a short bow.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting," he said in apology.

Saki urged him to sit.

"No, Sensei. I took the liberty of ordering coffee for you."

Soubi thanked her and settled into his seat. They spent a few minutes exchanging pleasantries before she finally got around to starting the interview.

"My readers have sent many letters asking for an interview with you," Saki explained. "I know you've promoted your books and answered many questions about the Feudal Lords series. I was hoping to approach this interview from a more personal level. Would you allow me to intrude with a few questions?"

"Only if you accept that I'll not answer all of them," Soubi countered with a small smile.

Saki nodded and continued.

"Alright, first question. What is the most significant moment in your life?"

Soubi stared at her for a moment, then he smiled wide.

"A simple night when a certain dark angel found me in a club tossed me over his shoulders and carried me outside. I wasn't very happy then, but now that I think about it, it was the best thing that ever happened to me."

***

Two days and five hours left to go, Ryo thought staring out the living room windows in his New York apartment.

The weather was still cold, despite the fact that spring was knocking on the door. He glanced at his watch and smiled when he saw it was time. He turned away from the windows and went to the couch, turning on the television.

"...Feudal Lords author Soubi Tanaka has launched a third book in the series. We caught up with Tanaka-sensei in Osaka for a short chat about his new book Samurai Spirit."

Soubi smiled at the show host and Ryo felt his heart clench when he noted the change. Soubi had cut his hair. He looked real good too, Ryo sighed, mourning the long dark locks he'd come to love.

His Soubi had gone and grown up on him.

Soubi had filled out in his absence, his hair even though in a faux Mohawk made him look more mature. Soubi was celebrating his twenty-fifth birthday this year. Hard to imagine this Soubi was the same one he'd practically dragged out of a club some five years ago.

"The Samurai Spirit craze is taking over the nation," the host praised Soubi. "The other day I walked into an anime store and all I saw were posters of Samurai Spirit. What have you done to the people, Sensei?"

Soubi laughed. Ryo couldn't help his smile. He'd always loved Soubi's laugh.

"I'm humbled by the love from my readers. Many thanks for buying the books and keeping my characters alive. I see you're wearing a Samurai Spirit t-shirt too."

The show host touched the black t-shirt he wore so that everyone could see the silhouette of a man with long hair, in wide kimono trousers holding a sword over his shoulder, his chest bare.

"Yes, I walked into the anime store and came out with one of these. I couldn't resist the magic."

"It looks good on you," Soubi complimented and earned applause from the live audience. "I hope you read the book."

"Of course," the show host pulled out a copy of Samurai Spirit from his desk and held it up. "I even brought it with me so that you could sign it."

Soubi clapped for the host and was joined by the live audience. He pulled out a pen from his jacket pocket and signed the copy. The cameraman focused on Soubi's elegant signature.

"Now that I have my signed copy you can too," the show host told the audience. "Before the show, we got Tanaka-Sensei to sign copies of his book. Of course, our audience here gets a copy each, but for you at home, you get a chance to win a copy. Three lucky viewers will get a copy of Samurai Spirit. All you have to do is tell us the names of the first two books in the Feudal Lords Series."

"He's done very well," Katsuro Asada said behind Ryo and Ryo stood in surprise.

Ryo muted the television and turned to greet his father.

"I'm sorry, I didn't hear the doorbell."

"That's alright." Katsuro waved his apology away and came around to take a sit on the couch.

Ryo sat beside his father fighting his need to keep watching a smiling Soubi on the screen.

"I've read the first two books. Do you think I'd win if I tried to send in an answer?"

Ryo turned and gaped at his father.

“You've read Soubi's books?"

"He's a good author, why wouldn't I?" Katsuro answered with a small chuckle. "I do read for entertainment, Ryosuke. You must be looking forward to going home."

Ryo nodded. "I miss Tokyo."

Katsuro cleared his throat and shifted to face Ryo.

"I'm sorry for what happened with the board four years ago. The situation was beyond my control, I hope you understand that much, Ryosuke."

Ryo glanced at his father and nodded.

"Tohaku's death was hard on all of us. I just didn't realize that it would cause so much trouble for the family even in business,” Ryo said.

"Ryosuke, I have something to say before you return to Tokyo." Katsuro sighed. "My parents knew who I was going to marry even before I was born, and knowing that made me slightly rebellious when I was growing up. When your mother and I met, I'm afraid I wasn't very honest with my feelings as she was with hers. I viewed her as a burden set on my shoulders to carry the Asada name forward. I allowed her to live thinking I would love her as she did me, but then I met my current wife and things changed."

"Father, I don't have to hear this."

Ryo shook his head not wanting to make any more judgments. He'd worked hard in the past four years to create a relationship he respected with his father.

"Yes you do, especially because of your responsibilities as they are now." Katsuro gave him a small smile and continued. "I was greedy. I wanted to hold on to my children, as well as a love that would hurt your mother. As a result, the environment in the estate got difficult. Heading a clan is not easy, Ryosuke. So many different people with ideas you can't always control. Your mother suffered embarrassment after embarrassment living as the shunned wife and I did nothing to help her or protect her. Still I held her down, because I was afraid if she left, she'd take you and Tohaku and never return."

Ryo closed his eyes at the thought of what his father's treatment of his mother had created.

"Tohaku grew angry with me," Katsuro said quietly. "He wanted me to compensate for your mother's pain. He hated her bitterness and blamed me for it. I fear I dragged him into the abyss. His obligations to the family and the business suffered and I'm to blame for that."

"Tohaku made his choices," Ryo said. "I too saw my mother's pain. I chose to live a different life."

Katsuro kept his silence for a moment.

"When you took over after your brother, I was afraid of what would happen if you broke under the pressure. Your mother's constant lobbying and the pressure from the board, the only logical choice was to bring you here."

Ryo stared at the screen where Soubi was talking again, and he felt his heart clench in pain. He missed Soubi so much at times it felt like he might suffocate from being so lonely.

"It's done now."

"Thank you for what you've done to sort out your mother." Katsuro reached out and took Ryo’s hand, squeezing it gently. "You managed to do what I couldn't."

"Remember, I did it with the understanding that Toshiro Asada gets to live his life however he wishes until he's ready to take over from me." Ryo glanced at his father. "The family obligations shouldn't be such a burden."

Katsuro nodded in agreement. He turned his attention to the ending show on the screen.

"What about Soubi Tanaka? Will he take you back?"

Ryo sighed and squeezed his father's hand before he reached for the remote.

"I'm not going to give him a choice. I can't go another week without him."

Katsuro laughed and stood.

"Very well, have a safe trip to Tokyo. When you two are settled, bring him to see me in Minakami. We can go fishing."

"I'll be sure to tell him," Ryo said.

When his father left, Ryo got up from the couch and headed for a desk by the wall. He stared at the ticket on his desk with a frown. He couldn't wait another two days, he decided wanting to see Soubi's smile, hear him laugh. Pulling out his cell phone, he rang up his secretary.

"Diana, get me on a flight to Tokyo today. I don't care what class; just get me on a plane in the next few hours."

***