“Be brave, and good luck, Tanaka!” Ken hugs his younger brother.
“Bye, Ken. I’ll write to you. And don’t worry about me, Tokyo isn’t that far from here. You can always visit me on holidays.” Ken waves as his brother enters the Nagoya Japan Railway Bullet Train Station. He returns home right away, for tomorrow is a new week and he has to get up early for work at the factory.
On the train back home, he yawns and realizes his train station is next, for he’s already crossing the bridge over the long canal that leads to the sea. He smiles as he remembers once having fished there with Tanaka.
As he gets off the train, he climbs the stairs to the overpass crossing the tracks to the exit. Just in front of him he notices a strong man walking hurriedly. He rushes in large steps and ends up dropping his wallet.
“Sumimassen, kaban!” Ken shouts in a broken Japanese, something like, “I’m sorry, wallet!” And he takes the old black fat wallet and runs after the man, who stops and turns around, as if annoyed. Ken recognizes him right away.
“Takao-san!” That is, Mr. Takao. The unfriendly man takes the wallet, bows, and leaves right away. Ken walks to the bike parking lot and watches Takao way ahead of him, who turns around, as if being chased. He keeps on walking fast. Then he rushes out with his bike nearly running over a few girls who shout at him to be more careful. Ken unlocks his rusty bike and cycles back home up the hill. He knows that Takao will have to go up the hill, and ride a long way towards the factory where he lives in the old back deposit. He must be in great shape to be ridding his bike uphill and so fast.
As Ken passes in front of Sun Plaza Supermarket, he notices its dark façade. Earlier today, Tanaka and he were in the same supermarket, and his younger brother even offered to pay for the groceries, even though he was leaving the town. He stops his bike by the traffic lights, and admires the pay phone booth that his brother and he used to make calls to their parents back in Brazil. The light is then green and he continues riding back home. He takes right at a dark narrow street, when he notices somebody behind him cycling away in a hurry. He turns and cannot distinguish the man.
Was he Takao? Why was he coming this way? Has he been following me? Ken peddles faster and dismisses his thoughts. He arrives at his house and notices six bikes parked. Five belong to his cousins, and one, to Tanaka, for he couldn’t take his bike along. He enters the house and talks to his cousins, who are watching TV.
“You have to watch for him, Ken. Takao is a dangerous man. He belongs to the yakuza.” Shigeru says.
“I don’t know. He doesn’t seem to be a bad man to me Shigeru. Besides, doesn’t he work at our factory? If he’s a yakuza, shouldn’t he be rich?”
“Anyway, I wonder who’s going to move out of this house next, Mineko says.”
“I am!” Shigeru says. “And my sisters too. It’s all settled with our brother in Cariya City.” They all remain silent.
“My mother is coming to Japan sometime. Once dad died, she sees no point in staying in Brazil anymore.” Mineko says.
“The car accident was terrible and traumatic.” Tetsuo, her younger brother says.
“Well, in this case, I’d better start looking for a place for me.” Ken adds.
“You should stay with us, Ken. It’s better this way.” Tetsuo suggests.
On Monday morning, everybody is cycling to work. The company that they work for makes water boiler parts. Ken, Tetsuo, and Shigeru enter the changing room and put on their light brown uniforms. Ken admires the locker besides his that is now empty.
Work is hard as usual and they all complain about the heat. And during their lunch, Ken steals glances at Takao, who always eats lunch by himself in the corner of the canteen. He’s rarely seem talking to anyone.
“Ken, why are you staring at Takao? Has he done anything to you?” Tetsuo asks, while finishing his lunch. He always saves his tiny piece of beef for last. “Geez, I can’t wait to go back to Brazil and eat a huge juicy steak! Not this thin slice of meat!”
“No, I’m not staring at him.”
“They say he was a yakuza.” Shigeru whispers.
“I don’t believe in that. Besides, he hasn’t got any tattoos on his body and he’s still got ten fingers on his hand.”
“Well, this is what everybody here says. And that’s why nobody wants anything to do with him. And we shouldn’t either.”
“I see. And just because of that, he has to live in the deposit building at the back of the factory. Poor Takao-san.” They finish their lunch in silence.
A month later, Shigeru, Yoko, and Tieko move out of the house. Mineko, Tetsuo, and Ken remain.
Ken receives wonderful letters from his brother. He is making plenty of money working for Honda. He asks him to join with the two other brothers who also live in Fujisawa, which is not far from Tokyo. His brother is also taking private Japanese classes with a cute Japanese girl. Her name is Issa.
Mrs. Murata arrives in Japan and stays with them in the old house. She is always smiling and making jokes, an odd behavior for someone who’s just became a widow, Ken thinks. She stays home all day and cooks dinner for them, cleans the house, and does the laundry. On the following weekend, Mrs. Murata takes her children to Nagoya, to visit some relatives who are natives in Japan. They leave the house quite early on Sunday morning. Ken also gets up early and takes his brother’s bike for a ride to his favorite spot. He calls it Kama Park, because it’s near a huge department store with the same name.
He puts his bike in the parking lot by a public library next to the park. He visits the small zoo and has fun watching the animals. About lunch time, he takes from his backpack the obento, which is a delicious assorted cold meal on a tray. He buys a coke from a vending machine and takes his chopsticks and eats his lunch. When he’s finished, he walks happily to his favorite spot, the rose beds by the big lake. He sees at the distance the public pool that is closed, for they’ve having a water shortage in the city.
As he returns to take his bike, he decides to enter the public library. He manages to speak with the librarian in his broken Japanese where he can find some books in English. She smiles and helps him find some materials. He thanks her and picks a few and looks for a table to study. Just then, their eyes meet again.
Takao closes the book he was reading and abruptly rushes out of the building. Ken is surprised by his reaction and sits by the same table. Just then, he notices the writing material he’s left behind. He collects them and rushes to deliver them to him, but he’s nowhere to be seen. He decides to return to the library and reads the books he’s taken. He is quite happy as his English has improved. He even borrows a pen from the librarian and begins to copy some of the difficult vocabulary to look them up in his Oxford Learner’s Dictionary at home. As he is running out of paper, he doesn’t feel like disturbing the librarian again and tears a blank sheet from Takao’s notepad.
On the following day, at the lunch break, he approaches Takao.
“You left these on the library yesterday, Takao.” Ken hands him the bag of writing material. Takao takes them back, bows his head, and mumbles something incoherent. “Do you study English too?” Takao then looks at him defiantly.
“Did you read my stuff?”
“No, of course not! But I admired your beautiful handwriting.” Ken smiles. “Look, this is my handwriting,” he doesn’t wait for Takao’s reply and shows his English lessons he’s been doing by himself.
“Your handwriting is good. The grammar can be improved, though.” He frowns and shakes his head.
“I met you on that Sunday night, when I saw my brother off at the bullet train station in Nagoya. But you didn’t want to speak with me.”
Takao looks down and smiles for the first time.
“No one ever, speaks with me, Ken. So, what’s the point of, trying to be nice?”
From that day on, Ken abandons Tetsuo and Mineko and sits across from Takao. They practice their English, and Ken even says he’s got a Daily Yomiuri newspaper subscription.
“That’s a newspaper in English, Takao.” He says proudly and hands him an issue.
“Very interesting. Can I keep it?”
“Of course!”
Their sudden friendship draws attention from everybody in the factory. People are probably wondering what they talk so much in a foreign language. Ken and Takao compete in their knowledge of the language. As Ken’s mother tongue is Portuguese, a Latin language with Germanic roots, he has a very good vocabulary.
“Ken, everybody is talking about you and Takao.”
“Let them, dear. Do you know what? Takao has already been an overseas student in Canada and has already taught English at a university! No wonder he has perfect grammar and is all the time correcting me when I make the slightest mistake!”
“Oh, really? Then why is he working here and living in a filthy deposit by the factory? Is he running away from the law or something?”
“He hasn’t spoken to me about that, cousin.”
“Anyway, Ken. Guess who’s going to be moving out next?”
In two weeks, Mrs. Murata is already moving in with her new boyfriend in another town. She is taking Tetsuo and Mineko along.
“Guess what Takao? I’m going to have to move out of my place, for everybody else has done so.”
“I’ve heard that Tetsuo and Mineko are leaving this factory.” He looks down.
“I’d hate to move to a place away from the factory. I can’t imagine myself riding the bike at night alone, when I have to work extra hours.”
“Well, I live in a big place. But it’s, old and dark, and not too clean either.”
“Are you suggesting I move in with you?” Ken smiles.
“Only if you want, Ken. Besides, you won’t need to pay rent.” He smiles shyly.
“But are you sure you won’t mind sharing the place with a stranger, a foreigner?” Ken feels very insecure, for foreigners, especially the ones from Brazil living in Japan have a poor reputation of being dishonest and shoplifters.
“But you’re not a stranger to me, Ken. Besides, you’re as foreigner as I am in my own country.”
“No, Takao. I don’t want to be imposing.”
“Then suit yourself.” Takao shrugs his shoulders.
After a week, on Saturday after work, Ken is already moving his stuff to the back of the factory, to the surprise of everybody. The factory owner thought the arrangement odd, but accepted Ken’s request.
“See, you have your own bedroom here. The rice tatami is kind of new. And look at the view from your window!” Ken looks out and smiles.
“Wow, it’s beautiful! Look, the rice fields and orange trees!” Takao smiles and touches his shoulder gently and points to the horizon.
“I bet you’ll like to see the lake behind these hills. It isn’t big, but for me, it’s my private ocean. I always go there, to think about life.” He looks down.
“I’d love to go there on Sunday.”
“Let’s go there tomorrow then.”
“Geez, is tomorrow Sunday?” Ken looks puzzled. Takao chuckles.
“You’re losing track of time, my friend?”
Takao then offers to help Ken fix his bedroom. He even sweeps the new tatami and prays over the room for good luck. Then he sprinkles some sake and salt.
“It’s for good luck, safety, and prosperity.”
“You Japanese have so much tradition. Not to mention superstitions too, my friend.”
“Don’t you have a tradition about moving in to a new place in Brazil?”
“I suppose we drink champagne and throw a party for family and friends.” Ken smiles. Takao’s face lights up.
“I’ve got a new bottle of sake.” He rushes to bring a bottle and two small porcelain cups. He pours a cup for Ken and hands him the bottle. Ken pours some sake for Takao, for in the Japanese culture you never pour yourself a drink when in the presence of others. They toast. “To your happy stay here!”
“Kanpai!” Which means cheers. They drink.
“I’m sorry I have no friends to bring to your bedroom inauguration party.”
“That’s ok, Takao. You’re here, aren’t you?”
“But I already live here.” Takao then shows him the kitchen, bathroom, and cozy living room. “As you can see, there’s plenty of room here for two or even three people!” Takao removes his cotton T-shirt. Ken turns away. “You don’t like when I get changed in front of you?”
“Takao, I’m sorry. There are so many things about myself that not even I have figured out yet.” Takao nods and folds his T-shirt. Ken notices his muscular hairy chest and large belly.
“Why are you staring at me like that? Do you think you’ll find any tattoos on my body?” He looks defiantly at Ken.
“So, you know that people talk about you.”
“I’m just a normal guy like you, Ken. On top of that, I’m already forty-five and haven’t figured out myself yet.”
“You surely do look younger than that, Takao. All Asian people do.” He smiles.
“And you’re twenty-something, aren’t you? People here like to talk.” Then they begin to laugh. “Let me show you something.” Takao leads Ken into his large bedroom. Ken admires the neatly folded clothes, gym equipment arranged in the corner, a small prayer altar, some stacks of books, and some family album. “See, this is my family album.” They sit on the tatami and lean against the wall.
“You are an only child! Hey, look at you playing baseball! Is that you wrestling?” Then he finds a loose photo. “Oh, look at this one.” Takao blushes and takes the photo from Ken’s hand. Their hands brush.
“That was my first Halloween Party abroad in Canada.”
“You look nice in your Batman costume!” He chuckles and rushes to his closet again.
“I think it’s still here somewhere. I haven’t seen it in a long time.” He fumbles through some old clothes.
“What are you looking for, Takao?”
“There it is! My Halloween costume! I just hope it still fits me. But it surely stretches!” He just drops his shorts, revealing his small tight-fitting cotton briefs. “I’m sorry, Ken!”
“That’s all right, Takao.” He puts on his costume. “Let me help you with the back zippers.” Ken admires his huge muscular hairy back, love-handles, firm round hairy buttocks, strong muscular legs, and muscular arms.
“I wonder where the cape is.” Ken finds another bag.
“There it is, the trunks, cape, gloves, and mask.”
“So, how do I look, Ken?”
“Wow, you look better than Batman himself.” Ken notices his bulgy trunks, large belly, and big pecs.
“I wish I too had big muscles like you, Takao.”
“Do you want to feel them?” He invites Ken to touch his big pecs.
“Wow, they’re surely hard. And your chest, back, and legs are quite strong.”
“I can give you some basic work-out training if you want.”
“Deal! And I’ll clean the place up for you!” Takao’s face lights up.
“I hate doing house-cleaning. It’s not manly you know.”
“I don’t think cleaning a house should be just left for girls. Everybody has to help around.” Takao chuckles.
“My ex-wife used to say the same.”
“You were married, Takao?” He nods and picks up another photo album.
“This is my wedding album.” He hands it to Ken. “I know, Fumiko looks quite masculine. Well, she wanted to leave her house and become a lesbian. I agreed to marry her so we both wouldn’t be persecuted by our families for our sexual orientation.” Ken turns to him.
“How do you mean, Takao?”
“I’m a homosexual.”
“You’re gay?” Ken stares at him. Takao lowers his head and nods.
“I-I’m sorry, Ken. I hope you, well, I understand if you change your mind and decide to move someplace else.” He removes his costume and puts on his T-shirt and shorts.
“By why would I do that?” He touches Takao’s solid shoulder. He looks at Ken’s eyes, something not common for Japanese people to do. Ken also looks in his eyes.
“Because as a gay man myself, I find you, quite attractive, Ken. And you may not want me staring at you or making you feel uncomfortable while staying here.”
“I don’t feel uncomfortable being here with you. I rather like your company, Takao.”
“I knew you were special. You’re not like the others, who are prejudiced and intolerant.” He looks away. “Geez, I don’t know why I’m saying these things.”
“Please, Takao, say whatever is in your mind.”
“I know, Ken. Well, the first time I saw you, a couple of years ago.” He takes his cup and asks Ken to pour some more sake for him. He gulps it and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “I, fell in love with you.” He walks towards the window.
“Takao, I think you’re the first person I’m talking about this, too.” Ken asks for a drink and Takao pours sake for him. Ken also gulps his sake too. “I don’t know how to talk about it. In Brazil, people always called me names, like, faggot and sissy.” He looks in Takao’s eyes. He strokes Ken’s face. “In Brazil, I suppose we’re not used to be so open in matters of sexuality, like here. Not to mention get naked in front of each other.”
“I understand how you feel, Ken. For me, it also took some time to, accept and feel pride about my homosexuality. I guess you need your time to figure out when to come out and tell others. But I’m glad you’ve taken the first step and told me. I promise I won’t tell anybody. Not that I have a lot of friends, so your secret dies with me.” He smiles shyly. “But, I still have feelings for you, Ken.” He takes his delicate hand. Ken smiles and kisses the large hand.
“I’m sorry I’m being so awkward, dear.” He releases the hand and looks away. “I-I’ve never thought it would be this way.” He turns to Takao. “Can I kiss you, dear?”
“Sure!” He grins. “I’ve waited for this moment, for a long time, Ken!” They kiss awkwardly as Ken has never been so close to a man before. Takao embraces him and has tears in his eyes.
“This feels so special, dear. Kiss me again, please!” They kiss once more and Takao’s tongue becomes daring. Ken breaks away. “I-I’m sorry, Ken. I-I shouldn’t have done it.”
“Oh, dear! It was so, warm and nice.” Ken smiles and covers his own excitement. “I’m sorry too, dear! I suppose when you kiss a man, your body responds to it right away.” Just then he notices Takao is also hiding his boner.
“Am I your first one, Ken?”
“Yes, dear.” He smiles. “I’ve never kissed a man on the mouth before.” He runs a finger over his lips and smiles.
“And, did you like my kiss?” Takao straightens his body and expands his chest proudly. Ken nods.
“It was very nice, dear. I’ll never forget it.” Without thinking, Ken strokes Takao’s cheeks, chin, ears, and short black hair.
“It feels so good when you stroke my face, Ken.” He grins.
“Wait until I tell my brothers and my parents about this experience. I bet they’re going to freak out.”
“A-are you going to tell them?” He looks down and paces around the room.
“Well, yes! I’m so happy, dear. I need to share this happiness with my family! Besides, they need to know that, I’ve finally found, someone special, like a boyfriend.”
“My family have cursed me for being who I am. I mean, an outcast and a gay man.” He looks down. Ken embraces him and runs his hand over Takao’s strong back. “But now I feel happy because you’re in my life, my boyfriend.”
“As time goes by, dear, you’ve got to teach me more about, well, gay sex.” Ken blushes.
“Everything has its own time, Ken. Of course I’ll teach you all that I know on this subject. And I promise to be very patient and wait for your time to explore my body.”
“I find you quite attractive and your body is very strong and hairy, dear.”
“I know my body is quite different from most Japanese man, for I’m hairy. You like the way my body is?” He grins and begins to strip slowly. He removes his T-shirt again, his shorts, and finally, his cotton briefs. He smiles and turns around. Ken admires the chubby muscular hairy man in his full glory. He admires the hairy back, round firm hairy buttocks, the forest of black pubic hair, his long fat uncut cock, his large hanging balls.
“Do you like me, Ken?”
“Yes, my boyfriend.”
“Now it’s your turn, my boyfriend! I want to see you naked too!” Takao licks his lips and leans against the window.
“But dear, I feel so conscious of my slim smooth body.” Ken blushes. “But as we are consenting adults, all right! I’ll do it! But promise me you’ll not to laugh at me, dear.”
“I’ll never laugh at you, Ken.”
He removes his own T-shirt, revealing his smooth white slim body. He turns around, disclosing his curves and smooth arms and shoulder blades. Takao lowers his large hand and covers his hardening cock.
“Are you all right, Takao?”
“I-I guess so.”
Ken smiles and undoes the button of his jeans. He lowers his zippers and drops them.
“Fuck! You’re like a model and look so hot, Ken!” Takao takes his briefs and covers his fully erect cock. Ken smiles and turns around, revealing his round buttocks in a white pair of briefs. He turns around and removes his underwear. “Geez, I’m lost! What a cute god you are, my boyfriend!”
“I feel odd being naked in front of you.” He smiles. “Can I put my clothes back on?” They both get dressed.
“If you’ll excuse me, I still need to fix my bedroom.” Ken smiles and exits awkwardly.
“Oh, yes, of course! If you need some help lifting heavy things or carrying things for you, just call me.”
“All right. Thanks dear.” Ken exits and closes the sliding door of his lover’s bedroom.
Oh, dear! What am I doing? Ken smiles to himself and shakes his head, as he unpacks his clothes and puts them in piles in the closet. In Japan it’s not common to have closets with hangers or drawers. Instead, they have a huge empty closet space divided in two parts, like a bunk bed, but squared. As Ken finishes organizing his room, he hears Takao preparing something in the kitchen.
“Dear, we haven’t spoken about cooking arrangements yet. I need to help you pay for our food. I know that food in Japan costs much money.”
“Ken, I don’t want you to worry about our food. The company pays for my expenses, which is more than sufficient for two people. You can always buy snacks or whatever else you wish to eat and I’ll pay for you. And by all means, you can also help prepare our meal. I’ll teach you the names and uses of all the ingredients and food stuff in the kitchen, for I believe you’re used to eating different food.”
“I’ll eat whatever you eat, dear.”
“I know that in Brazil you eat red meat every day. And you also eat rice and beans.”
“I agree with you, dear. But red meat in Japan costs a fortune. I’m all right with fish, chicken, and sometimes pork.”
Ken helps Takao prepare dinner and they have a feast. Takao turns out to be a great cook. Ken does the dishes and cleans up the kitchen while Takao takes a bath in the ofuro, or hot bathtub. As he is done, he watches some TV in the living room. Ken also enters the bath and enjoys the warm water. He then joins Takao later. As he doesn’t own a sofa, he puts some large cushions in a pile and nestles among them. Ken joins him shyly and they watch TV together. Takao invites Ken to snuggle in to him. Ken hesitates at first, but then decides to try it.
“Now we’re like a real couple.” He kisses Ken’s head.
“I’m still getting used to having a boyfriend around me, dear. Wow, you’re so warm and your muscles are hard.”
When it’s sleeping time, each goes to his own bedroom. Ken closes his sliding door gently. As he is spreading his thick cot used as a mattress, he realizes he doesn’t have a pillow. He gently opens his sliding door again and tiptoes to Takao’s bedroom. As he is about to knock the door, he hears him moaning and grunting. He smiles and returns to his bedroom right away. He folds a large towel and uses it as a pillow for the time being. He closes his eyes and thanks his stars for his new life.
On the following day, Ken hears a gentle knock at his bedroom door.
“Ken, are you awake?”
“Yes, dear.”
“Breakfast is ready!”
“Oh, ok! I’ll be there in a minute!” Ken rubs his eyes and yawns. He gets up, folds his thick cot, and gets dressed. He opens his sliding door gently and puts on his slippers.
“Good morning, Ken! Take a seat and let’s have breakfast!” Takao is all smiles.
“Good morning, dear.” He smiles and admires the table. “You didn’t have to prepare this feast, dear.”
“I wanted to, my boyfriend!” He helps himself to the rice from the electric rice cooker. He spoons some and puts it a bowl for Ken. “There, fresh steamy rice! You won’t get any fresher than that!”
“Thanks, dear.” Ken takes his chopsticks and eats some rice from his small bowl, some pickled radish, a piece of omelet, some broiled fish, and natô, or fermented beans in soy sauce and topped with chopped green onion.
“It’s much better having breakfast with one’s boyfriend.” He is all smiles.
“Oh, yes, dear. But tomorrow is my turn to prepare it, dear!” Ken notices Takao wearing an old thin light navy blue kimono barely covering his upper body. He is also wearing shorts.
“Ok! By the way, I suggest we make some rice balls, take some pickled veggies, a bag of chips, some apples, and some cupcakes to our picnic, what do you say?”
“Hey, that’s a cool idea. And we can buy cold drinks on the way to the lake.”
“I heard Brazilians like to barbecue steaks and sausages on the grill in the park. Maybe we can also do it sometime.”
“Takao, my brother Tanaka is inviting me to visit him in August, during the week-long holiday. I want you to come along, dear.” Ken takes his large callused hairy hand.
“I-I don’t know, Ken.”
“What is it, dear? You don’t like to travel?” Ken looks in his eyes. He looks away.
“I feel shy, Ken. Your brothers might not like me, for I’m,” he forces a smile. “I know that Brazilians hate Japanese people. Not you, of course.”
“But dear, that’s where you’re mistaken. Not all Brazilians are the same. Just the same way that not all Japanese are the same. Don’t you love me, dear?”
“I do. But I’ll think about it, I promise. Now, let’s finish eating before the food gets cold.”
“All right, my Japanese samurai!” He smiles. Takao frowns.
“I thought you’d call me, ‘my Japanese yakuza boyfriend!” He looks hurt. Ken smiles.
“All right, my yakuza boyfriend!” Ken kisses his hand. Takao beams with pride. “But I’m glad you’re a nice man and not a ruthless criminal.” Ken strokes his warm cheek.
“I like to be a big boss so I can impress you, my love. I like to be the head of the household, to protect and take care of you. You can always count on your yakuza boyfriend, my love.”
As they finish, Ken clears the table and does the dishes, while Takao prepares their stuff for a picnic. Ken looks out their small kitchen window and sees a man in a navy blue uniform and cap stop by the front door and dropping an envelope in the mailbox. He approaches the door and takes it. Wow, post office delivery even on Sunday! That’s efficiency for you! He smiles.
“There’s mail for you, dear.” He hands the fat envelope to Takao.
“Did you look what was inside it, Ken?” His face is stern and his eyes narrow.
“No, dear. It’s sealed. What is it?”
“It’s nothing important.” He looks down and folds the envelope and puts it in his shorts’ pocket.
“All right. But you don’t need to be so uptight, dear.” Ken kisses his face. He nods gently and forces a smile.
“Sorry, but there are some things about my life that, I’d rather keep it to myself, if you don’t mind.”
“All right, dear. If you feel like sharing them with me, I’m all ears. But I won’t judge you or press you further. Like I said, you’re at home, a place that you feel safe and comfortable. Nothing should disturb your peace, including my being here.”
“I know that, Ken.” He turns away and goes to his bedroom. He closes his door with a bang.
Ken takes his diary and begins to scribble a few lines. He hears some rock music coming from Takao’s bedroom. He smiles and finishes writing his entry for the day. He comes out wearing a black T-shirt and some jeans.
“I’m going to do some groceries before we head for our picnic.” He speaks dryly.
“In this case I’m coming with you.”
“But you don’t have a large backpack. Besides, the supermarket is down the street. You’ll get tired riding the bike up the hill on your way back.”
“I’ll be all right, dear.”
They leave at once and Takao rides his bike quite quickly. Ken at times tries to catch up with him, but quits. He knows where the supermarket is and joins him in the bike parking lot. As they enter the supermarket, both take a shopping basket.
“You go on picking whatever stuff you want, snacks, candies, that kind of thing. I’ll go and pick some food stuff.”
“Maybe we can pick things together, dear.”
“Oh, all right.” Takao doesn’t seem too pleased with Ken’s suggestion. They go on shopping and Ken meets Berenice and Raul, some old Brazilian friends.
“Oh, hi guys! What a pleasure to see you!” He kisses and hugs Berenice and Raul. “Let me introduce you to Takao!” They bow rather awkwardly. Takao excuses himself and takes Ken’s shopping basket.
“I’ll finish the shopping and wait for you outside, Ken.”
“Wait! We can do it together.” But Takao is already heading to the fish section.
“So, how’s your new factory and accommodation? And how’s married life? I heard you got a new car?” Ken forces a smile.
“We’re still in our honeymoon phase, aren’t we, my love?” Berenice kisses Raul.
“The new factory is very good and the accommodation is also fine. We’re doing a lot of extra-hours, you know, to pay for, the new car. And what about you and our old factory? And how come you’re shopping with that guy? He’s a yakuza, you know?” They both turn to him at the distance. Ken shakes his head.
“He’s not a yakuza, dear. Anyway, we’re now living together.” Ken tells them about his new living arrangements and relationship with Takao. They look at each other and gasp.
“But Ken, he’s not a man to be trusted. Others said he had problems with the law. No wonder no one wants anything to do with him.”
Ken goes on defending Takao. In the end, they offer him their number in case he needs a place to stay and a new job. They kiss and Ken promises to visit them sometime. Then he looks around for Takao. He goes through the cashiers and spots him sitting on a bench, sulking.
“Did I take long, dear?”
“Did they say bad things about me?” He stands up and goes out to get his bike.
“Let me help you carry something, dear.”
“I’m all right. But you didn’t buy your favorite snacks, candies, and your favorite food, Ken.”
“Takao, stop treating me as if I were a spoiled child or a doll! I can also do things and I want to help you, dear. Why won’t you allow me to help you?”
“Ok. I’m sorry, Ken.” He hands Ken some shopping bags. “But the heavy stuff I put in my backpack, ok!” He looks stern.
“I love you, dear.” Ken smiles. He knows that in Japan people don’t show affection in public, much less kiss in public. Instead, Ken puts his hand on Takao’s back and rubs it gently.
“I-I love you too, my Ken.”
Rarely have they reached their house, Takao is on his knees.
“I’m really sorry for the way I behaved today, my love. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I won’t do that again, I promise, Ken!” He has tears in his eyes.
“Dear, it’s ok!” He takes Takao in his arms and hugs the big man. He rubs his hand over his muscular back. He kisses his burning cheeks.
“I’m not a bad guy, Ken. I won’t deny that I have my dark secrets, and, I need to keep unpleasant things away from you, for I don’t want you to run away from me.” He produces the envelope from his pocket and hands it to Ken. “I want you to have this.”
“What do you mean, dear? I saw this envelope being delivered to you earlier today. I handed it to you.”
“Please, take it.” Upon his insistence, Ken takes it, and opens to check its content.
“Takao! What’s the meaning of this? That’s a lot of money!”
“Yes, my love. There should be $10,000.”
“What? You’ve got to explain to me how come you’ve got so much money delivered to you! That’s at least three month’s worth of my wages in this envelope!”
“I-I’ll explain it to you, my love. A while ago, a man hired me to, settle an account with his acquaintance. This man was making out with his wife. He wanted me to scare him but not kill the man.” Takao closes his fist.
“Oh, dear! Takao, did you, hurt him?”
“It was dark. I hit him a couple of times. I wasn’t expecting him to have a knife though.” He lifts his T-shirt, displaying his furry chest and armpit. “See. The wound is superficial and difficult to see.”
“But when I asked you about this scar, you said it was from a machine in the factory!” Ken inspects the wound and looks in his eyes.
“I’m sorry I lied to you, Ken!” He looks down. “I’m a dishonorable man. That’s why you should never call me a samurai. You should call me, a yakuza, like everybody else who has crossed my path.” He looks away.
“Come here, dear.” He embraces this strong man and kisses him. “You’ve got to trust me, do you hear me, dear?” He strokes Takao’s face. They look in each other’s eyes.
“I-I’ve never had anyone care about me, my love. No one cared. I’m but a disposable cheap laborer doing the lowest job in this factory. No one would ever hire a man like me in the market. My folks expected so much from me. And when I fell short, I became violent. It has ruined my academic career and life. You see, all the proceedings I make, I save, for when I get old, who’s going to take care of me? In Japan, you need to have a child, preferably a son to take care of you in old age. If you’re old, single, and penniless, they’ll throw you out on the street. Or what is even worse, you are sent to an institution full of old sick people. Such places are hidden away from society. I’ve seen a few myself and,” he has tears in his eyes, “you live at the cost of someone else’s money. You live from hand to mouth. In Japan if you opt for that, you are disgraced, you’re done for.” He looks down.
“I also think of old age, dear.”
“But you’re still so young, handsome, charming, intelligent, and sociable, Ken! You attract people, you dazzle people with your light and aura, you turn even the saddest and darkest place, a home by your light presence. I feel it. On the other hand, look at me! I’m already middle-aged, have trouble with the law, work in a dead-end job, and on top of that, I am gay. Not to mention that people call me a yakuza. I just have zero chance of finding someone nice. And out of the blue, you’ve appeared and, has brought so many changes in my life already.”
“You’re a fine man, dear.” Ken hands him back the fat envelope with the money.
“I gave it to you, Ken, because I love you. I don’t want you to feel I’m buying your affection. I want you to accept it as a gift from, someone who dares to call himself your boyfriend. Please, you’ll make me happy if you take it.”
“You are my boyfriend, Takao. And I am here because I need you too. I know that in Japan, one hardly expresses his feelings, or display affection in public. But we’re different, dear. I’ll accept your gift, but you’ve got to let me pay for all our bills too from now on! You’ve got to understand that you don’t owe me anything, dear. We’re on the same level.”
“All right, my love! Anything you say, but please, don’t leave me!” They kiss on the mouth.
“Of course I won’t leave you, my brave yakuza boyfriend!” He smiles.
“Perhaps, we should put the food away in the cupboards and fridge, my sweet geisha.” Ken smiles.
As soon as they finish putting the food away, Takao does the laundry, a task he thinks a girl should do, and not a proud yakuza boyfriend. Ken smiles and cleans the bedrooms, living room, and toilet.
“That was a productive morning, dear!” Ken takes off his rubber gloves, after cleaning the toilet.
“What do you say we have our picnic by the lake, my geisha?”
“Good idea, dear. I’m dying to see it! Let’s go!”
This time, Takao rides his bike slowly. They enjoy the view of the green rice-fields and flower beds all over the landscape. They take a small paved farm road and reach the smooth calm lake.
“Hey, that’s a cool place! I wonder how come I’ve never been here before!”
“Shall we unpack and have lunch? I’m starving, my love!”
As they sit under some trees, a lot of other families are also gathered for their picnics. Ken looks around and notices some smoke from grills.
“Look, dear! I can’t believe it! That’s Berenice and Raul over there! Oh, and look! Shigeru, Taís, and Mitsuro are with them! I haven’t seen them in a long time!”
“Do you want to join them, Ken?” Takao looks serious.
“Let’s go and say hi, dear. I’m sure you’ll like to meet them. Shigeru, Taís, and Mitsuro come from the same city in Brazil that I do.” Ken smiles and waves.
“Oh, all right, of course, my love.” They all turn to them and wave back.
“Hi, guys! Long time no see!” Ken hugs and kisses everybody. “Let me introduce you to Takao! He’s my Japanese boyfriend!” They all look at each other. Raul then shakes hands formally with him, and so do the others.
“You’re joining us for a barbecue, Ken and Takao!” Raul says. His wife looks at him disapprovingly.
“Well, why not? We’ve brought some food too. We’re buying some drinks later.” Ken is all smiles.
“Perhaps I can go and get the drinks, Ken.” Takao says.
“You stay here and help set the table with our food dear. Mitsuro and I shall get the drinks. Right, Mitsuro!”
“Sure thing. Let’s go!” They head towards the vending machine near the parking lot.
“Your boyfriend is a big man, Ken. I’m glad I’m finally meeting him. When Berenice and Raul told us about him, we couldn’t believe it, Ken.”
“We’re trying to make things work between us, dear. And the more I know him, the more I fall in love with him.”
“Well, I’m glad for you, Ken.”
“I won’t deny that he’s had a troubled past, dear. But he surely deserves a second chance in life.”
“I’ve heard that he’s got a short temper. And that has caused him trouble abroad and in the university that he’s taught.”
“I’m sure he’s going to tell me about his experiences as he feels more comfortable.”
“Well, as far as I know, in Canada he just gambled and had a good time. Drunk driving is a serious offence there. And in Japan, he was dismissed from the university after breaking the nose of another faculty member. Apparently his colleague outed him during a heated argument.”
“Like I said, dear. I’m sure he’ll tell me these things as he feels more comfortable.” Ken buys some beer, soda, and juice from the vending machine. They put everything in two bags and return to their group. Takao is by himself by the table.
“I’m back, dear!” He puts his hand on Takao’s shoulder.
“I helped Raul light the fire. Taís and Berenice went to the toilet and haven’t returned yet.
“Wow, look at this table! I haven’t had potato salad in a long time!” Ken smiles.
“I can’t wait to have some real barbecue!” Mitsuro opens a can of beer for himself. Takao looks at him.
“Can I serve you some beer, Mitsuro?”
“Oh, all right! I’ve forgotten that in Japan you serve drinks to others!” They all laugh.
“So, you’d better start serving me my soda, dear!” Ken smiles to Takao.
“Sure, my love!”
The girls arrive and Raul announces that the meat is almost ready. They all speak in Portuguese and Ken manages to translate everything to Takao either in his broken Japanese or English.
“I’m amazed at how Ken just throws himself at every situation and speaks his Japanese like a native speaker! I’ve never seen someone learn it so fast.”
“Oh, dear! But I bet I speak it incorrectly!” Ken blushes and kisses Takao’s cheek, who blushes completely.
“You should also learn Portuguese, Takao! I bet Ken will teach you!”
“That’ll surely came in handy someday.” Takao smiles.
“Anyway, I just find you guys so cool! Speaking English and Japanese!” Berenice says, while Raul brings in the roasted meat on a spit.
“Takao, this is how Brazilians eat barbecue.” Raul shows Takao the farofa, or manioc flour in a bowl. “You coat the meat with the farofa and eat it.”
“Oh, I see. It gets coated and crunchy! Wow, it tastes good!”
“I miss farofa very much!” Ken smiles and helps himself to a rice ball and piece of meat dipped in farofa.
“And do you have Japanese or Western breakfast, Ken?” Raul asks.
“Japanese breakfast, which is the best.” Ken says and Takao smiles, and also kisses Ken’s cheek.
“He cooks very well, by the way.” Takao says.
Ken asks Mitsuro, Shigeru, and Taís how they are doing at their factory. They say they’ve been saving a lot of money. But they also say they sometimes like to eat out and go shopping, which is a bummer, for they spend money as well.
“And what about you, Ken? When do you plan to return to Brazil?” They all turn to him. Takao looks down. Ken takes his hand.
“My plans were to work in Japan for only two years. But now that I’ve met this special guy here,” more kisses, “I’m going to stay here longer.” They all clap their hands. Takao smiles and squeezes his hand.
“You should take Takao back to Brazil with you, Ken!” Berenice smiles. Ken translates it to him. Takao then kisses Ken.
“By the way, guys, as we can see that Ken has found his boyfriend, Taís is writing to this guy, Armando!” Mitsuro spills the beans.
“Shut up!” She tries to cover his mouth.
“Oh, I see.” Ken turns to Takao and explains that the Brazilian community has a weekly publication, a sort of newspaper. There are personal ads. And he knows a lot of people who have dates this way.
“In Japan there are TV shows about dating as well.” Takao says. Everybody claps theirs hands.
“I watched it last Saturday, Takao!” Shigeru says. “It was hilarious! I loved it!”
“And when are you going to participate in that show, dear?” Ken smiles. Everybody claps their hands.
“I heard there are lots of married men and women here that, take up a partner in Japan.” Taís says. “This is so disgusting!”
“I know, dear. This is why couples should not be separated.” Ken explains to Takao that lots of Brazilian husbands stay in Brazil while their Japanese descendent wives try their luck in Japan. And in some cases, they even abandon kids, husbands, and family just to start a new life in Japan.
“This is so unfair, my love.” Takao says.
“We also think this is terrible, Takao.” Raul says.
“Oh, guess what, guys! Last night I’ve made some brigadeiros!” Berenice says. Brigadeiros are hard caramel balls coated in crisp chocolate shreds. “Hon, why don’t you take them from the car. And by the way, since Takao is here and he’s Japanese, ask him to read this paper we got this morning, dear.” She hands Takao a folded sheet with some Japanese inscription. Takao’s face turns serious and smiles nervously. Ken notices it right away.
“All right, honey!” He rushes to their car.
“Geez, I forgot to hand him the keys!” She says.
“I’ll take them to him.” Takao offers to help.
“Thanks, dear.” They all continue laughing and cracking jokes.
“Why are they taking so long,” Berenice looks around.
“That’s because they’re still rolling the balls to make brigadeiros, dear! You know how sticky the dough gets.” Ken jokes and everybody laughs.
“That was funny, Ken! Oh, there they are!”
“Were you guys rolling brigadeiros?” Berenice asks and they all laugh. Ken notices Takao’s stern face and Raul’s nervous smile.
“Guys, I need to go to the toilet. And Takao is taking me there. Shall we go there, dear?” Ken takes Takao’s big hand.
“You guys better behave!” Taís says. Ken and Takao move to the toilet.
“Takao, dear, what is it?” They go behind a large tree.
“Ken, I won’t lie to you, like I did before. Your friend Raul is in big trouble!” Takao produces the paper from his pocket and looks in Ken’s eyes. Ken sees fear in them.
“What does it say in the paper, dear?”
“Raul told me he’s found the paper on his car windshield this morning, before coming here. I’m going to translate it from Japanese to English. It says: Learn to park your car properly asshole! Meet me at the parking lot on Sunday at four thirty to apologize. Yakuza.”
“What’s the meaning of this, dear?”
“Ken, unfortunately we don’t have much time! It’s already a quarter to four P.M.”
“All right, dear. Explain to me and I’ll think of something on the way.”
“Your friend Raul parked his car in the wrong parking spot. Probably because of the heat, he parked his car under a tree, on the spot of a yakuza. It’s no big deal, but it can piss them off! That’s why he wants an apology. Otherwise, things can get messy and violent.”
“All right, dear. So, what can he do?”
“I’m accompanying him to the parking lot and be a sort of body guard and an ambassador for him. The yakuzas know me and will listen to me. Then we hope he’ll accept the apology and drop it off.” He forces a smile.
“Damn it! I didn’t want you to get involved with any criminal activity and there you are again! I can’t ask you to that it, Takao.”
“Ken, I’ve got no choice but try to help Raul! Your friend can be in big trouble, for yakuzas are dangerous people! Please, Ken, let me do it! I’m your brave yakuza boyfriend and shall do anything to protect you and your friends.” Takao looks in Ken’s eyes.
“All right, dear. But listen to my plan,” Ken thinks fast and speaks to him. Takao’s eyes squint and he nods.
“You’re so crafty, my love!” Then they return to the party.
“You guys took a long time in the bathroom!” Berenice smiles.
“Well, it was because it was hard to find it, dear. Anyway, Raul, would you be so kind as to take Takao home, since you have a car. I just remembered that I have this lovely ice-cream bucket that I got from the store. Also, take him to the confectioner store and get us a nice cake, please!” Ken is all smiles.
“A cake? What for?” Berenice asks.
“Well, it’s our first month’s anniversary, dear!” Ken kisses Takao’s cheek.
“We won’t take long, we promise!” Raul and Takao rush to the car.
“These guys are acting quite strange.” Berenice says.
“Hey, why don’t we play the truth or dare game?” Ken is all smiles.
“Wonderful idea! I start!” Taís shouts. They make room on the table and she rolls the empty beer bottle.
They play the game and have a ball. Ken discreetly checks his watch, four twenty-five P.M. He takes a deep breath and rolls the bottle. It lands on Berenice.
“Truth!” She says. Everybody claps their hands.
“All right, dear, here it goes. Have you ever been involved in a fight or row? And what about Raul?” They all clap their hands. Berenice smiles and eats her fifth brigadeiro.
“Back in Brazil, I had a row at the restaurant. Another girl was flirting with Raul.” They all clap their hands. “Well, but then I apologized for I was being a real bitch. The girl was just an old school friend and she thought she had recognized him, and that was all! About Raul, I don’t think so, for he’s the sweetest and kindest man in the world!” They all clap their hands.
By five P.M. Ken is checking his watch again. He’s suggested they play mimic, which Berenice loves. Just then, he spots at the distance Raul bringing a bag while Takao is carrying a box.
“Here we are, children!” Raul shouts.
“Wow, look at this cake!” Taís shouts.
“It’s for our friendship that Takao offered to buy this cake!” Raul says.
“But I thought Ken said it was for their first month’s anniversary, dear.” Berenice turns to her husband.
“Well, dear, can’t we combine our celebration!” Ken smiles and serves ice-cream for everybody. Takao helps him using the silver ice-cream scoop and hands Ken the bowl. Ken passes it around.
Then it’s time for their cake. Ken cuts it and hands Takao his first slice.
“Takao, this is for our first month’s anniversary!”
“Kiss him, Takao!” Everybody claps their hands.
“All right. I love you, Ken!” They kiss.
After their lovely cake, Ken tells everybody they’ve got to be going. They hug and kiss. Raul gives Takao a big hug.
“Thanks for coming, Ken!” Raul gives Ken a big hug. “You saved the day, Ken. Thanks!”
Both Takao and Ken ride their bikes back home silently. Ken admires this strong man in his bike, making all sorts of sacrifices for him. As they reach their dark house, Ken gives Takao a big hug.
“You must have had a hard day, dear. I’m sorry about it.”
“There’s nothing to be sorry about, my love. I just did everything for you, my love. But of course, I’m having a great time too, for never before, had I so much fun, and a boyfriend too.”
They enter the house and sit by the kitchen table. Takao takes out an old empty envelope from his shorts’ pocket. Ken takes it.
“Raul says he’s paying me back in installments.” Takao says. “I wanted to refuse it, but he insisted. Do you think I did the right thing, my love?” He takes Ken’s hand and kisses it.
“Yes, dear. It was a wise decision to make. He feels totally indebted to you. That’s the way honorable people behave, dear.”
Takao tells Ken about their meeting with the yakuza, who happened to be an old friend. This friend was also surprised to see them together. Then Raul apologized and Takao handed the envelope. He took the money and dropped off the offense.
“I told you to use the money you’d given me, dear.” Ken says.
“It wasn’t necessary, Ken. Besides, I didn’t want to touch your things in your bedroom. But Raul was surely horrified by our living conditions here, my love.”
“Well, in this case,” he stands up and goes to his bedroom. He takes out the envelope and hands it to Takao. “I want you to have it, dear, for all your troubles.”
“You know I won’t take it, Ken. I’m also a proud man. I meant it when I gave to you the money.” He smiles and hugs Ken.
“My daring yakuza boyfriend! I love you!”
“I love you too, Ken!” They kiss on the mouth. “Maybe I should take a bath now.”
“How about taking a bath together, dear?”
“Do you really mean it?”
“Yes, dear. I feel ready to take a bath with my handsome yakuza boyfriend.” He strips and smiles. Takao smiles and also strips.
They enter the bathroom and take the pan with warm water and wash each other. Ken soaps Takao’s back, chest, buttocks, genitals, and legs. Takao does the same. Then they rinse each other and enter the tub and kiss.
“I’m glad this tub is big enough for two people.”
“It was made for us, dear.” Ken leans against his lover.
“I wanted so much to bathe with you here, my love.”
“We’re surely going to have a different life from now on, dear.” Ken plays with the hair on Takao’s arm.
“Do you feel ready for your first lesson in gay sex, my love?” He kisses Ken’s ear.
“Yes, dear. Just teach me how to become the perfect lover.” They exit the tub and dry each other slowly. Then they head towards Takao’s large bedroom.
“From now on, this bedroom and everything in it also belongs to you, my love.” He shows the room proudly.
“I like it here, dear.” They kiss on the mouth. This time, Takao’s tongue becomes daring and it explores Ken’s mouth.
“Wow, you know how to kiss, dear.”
“And you also know how to do it, my love.” He gently takes Ken’s hand and guides it over his furry chest, belly, and forest of pubic hair. “Oh, yeah,” he moans as Ken grabs his pulsing cock. “Your next lesson, Ken, is to please me by giving me a blowjob. I want you to suck my cock. Do you want to try it?”
“Of course, dear.” He kneels down and faces the long fat pulsing cock.
“First, you have to pull back the foreskin. Oh yeah, like that. Your hand is very gentle, my love.” He moans and hisses. “See, how the big mushroom head of my cock is shiny? It’s the precum all over it. You can lick the head of my cock clean. Do it very gently, for it’s quite sensitive.”
“Like this?” Ken slowly does his trick and savors the salty flavor. “It’s my first time licking a man’s cock, dear.”
“I understand, my love. And I feel so proud to be your first man. Now, you can use you tongue to lick the head as much as you want.” He moans and spreads his legs. “Now, you can also try to fit it in your mouth. Don’t get your jaws worked out. Move slowly and don’t open your mouth too much, the way we do it at the dentist. Learn to relax it. I feel you’re still very tense, my love.” He closes his eyes and smiles. “Wow, this is exactly how to do it! Just watch for your teeth. Yeah, use your tongue at the same time as you use pressure. Fuck! This feels so great! Yeah, use pressure! Just watch so you won’t gag! Don’t try to take in too much cock. Yeah, you’re doing a wonderful job! Now, I want you to use pressure, use your tongue, and alternate thrusting my cock back and forth. Like if I were jacking off, but using your mouth instead of a hand. Fuck, Ken! This feels incredible! Yeah, don’t stop it! Yeah, careful not to gag! FUCK! FUUUCK! YESSS!” He shouts and pants. Ken struggles to accommodate so much hot semen in his mouth. “You can swallow that or spit it out, my love.” Ken takes his time and swallows his cream as much as he can. His large cock continues spurting more and more hot semen. Ken swallows and licks his cock clean. Finally, he gasps for air and breathes.
“How did you like it, dear?”
“You were amazing, my love!” He brings Ken to himself and they tongue-kiss once more. “I want to feel the taste of my cum in your mouth, my love.”
“It was scary at first, dear. Your cock just kept of spurting more and more cream. I hesitated at first, but then, managed to swallow your hot semen, dear.”
“Now, it’s my turn to give you a blowjob.” They kiss once more and he gets on his knees. He takes Ken’s cock and licks the precum from the tip. He pulls the foreskin and licks the head of his cock clean. In no time, he swallows Ken’s cock and makes him cum. They kiss once more and smile. “Let’s take a rest in my bed, my love.” He spreads his thick cot and they lie down together. Ken leans his head on Takao’s furry strong chest and plays with the hair.
“Now I’m all yours, dear.”
“And I’m all yours too, my love.”
On the next day, Ken opens his eyes and realizes he’s not in his bed. He turns around and sees Takao, sleeping naked, just like himself. He exits the room quietly and heads towards his bedroom to get dressed. With a big smile on his face, he gently washes the rice and starts to prepare breakfast. He chops some veggies, prepares some lean cuts of meat, and fries them. Finally, he sets the table. After all is set, he joins Takao in bed. He kisses his hairy muscular shoulder.
“Time to get up, my dear yakuza boyfriend!” He kisses his cheek. Takao grins and sits on his cot.
“Good morning, my love! Did you sleep well in your new bedroom?”
“Yes, dear!” They kiss.
The week goes by fast, as they work very hard in the factory. Ken has also moved his stuff in Takao’s bedroom. Then something comes to cloud their happiness. As they finish eating dinner on a Saturday evening, Takao enters his bedroom and gets dressed up.
“Where are you going, dear?”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you, my love.” He looks away. Ken runs his hands over his lover’s black shirt and jacket, and black dress pants. He notices the black polished shoes.
“Does it have to do with your yakuza friend?” He looks into Takao’s cold narrow eyes. He nods.
“Kazuo-san has me by the balls, Ken. It’s a duty of honor as a man.” He remains stiff.
“Then go, dear.”
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“It’s a path that you’ve chosen to take, Takao, my handsome yakuza boyfriend. Just make sure you come back to me. And remember, Takao, I love you no matter what.” They kiss on the mouth.
He exits and walks towards the black car that is waiting for him by the road. Ken shuts the blinders of the living room window and goes to his bed, in his own bedroom. He is fully aware Takao will only come back late at night. He hopes he comes back in one piece.
As he spreads his mattress, he wipes his tears and lies down in bed. He hugs his small pillow, which makes rasping noises. He smiles and feels the dry rice tusks, which stuffs his soft small pillow. He closes his eyes and murmurs Takao’s name over and over again in his prayer.
In the middle of the night, he hears loud banging at his front door. He starts and checks his alarm clock. It’s three A.M. He rushes to the door and meets some officers. One of them speaks perfect English, though with some Japanese accent.
“Nakamura Kenji-san? We came to ask you to follow us. As you probably know Oyama Takao-san, we need you to helps us. We need you to identify his body.” Ken nods and asks for some time to get changed and take his wallet. Intimately, he was already trained to, expect the worst. He is taken in the officer’s car to the morgue. They reach a dark hidden building. He enters a meeting room. Another officer introduces himself and reports in details Takao’s case.
His lover was armed and was going to murder another yakuza leader. He got caught and taken as a hostage. The leader ordered Takao to be stripped. He used a short rusty kitchen knife instead of a samurai’s sword for this murder, for it represented the lowest rank among the yakuza’s method of execution. He was first castrated, for being a gay man. His tongue was also cut off for professing his love for another man. His ears were also cut, for not listening to the advice of his elders. They also used a flag pole, as a symbol of betrayal to his nation’s values, to impale in his anus. His entire body was burnt with lighters, to get rid of his body hair, as a way to symbolize cleansing and also, lack of manliness. And to their surprise, every inch of his entire body was covered with little cuts, causing him to bleed to his slow death. His eyes were gouged, his nose broken, as well as all his teeth. Even the soles of his feet were sliced with little cuts. He must have agonized in pain before he bled to death. The report ends and Ken nods, only wishing to see his lover and find instead, the body of someone else. He holds to his hope until he sees the white sheet covering the body of a strong big man.
“The body has been washed, for it was covered in blood. Well, do you recognize this man’s body?” The officer holds the white plastic sheet, which now reveals the pale washed cold body covered in purplish and black marks all over his pale body.
Ken approaches him slowly and looks all over his dead lover. He lowers himself and kisses his sliced forehead and nods.
“It is he.” He watches the cold muscular body laid on the metallic shiny table. He looks more like a skinned animal in a butcher’s shop than his handsome yakuza boyfriend. Even both of his knees are busted, disclosing the torn disks, bones, and ligaments. He kisses his large strong hand and notices that all his nails are missing on the ten fingers.
Back to the house, the officers inspect Takao’s room. Ken’s boss is also present and shakes his head. The officers find three large suitcases that Ken has never seen before. They were hidden in a secret hollow spot on the wall. Ken looks and can already guess their contents. They reach a rough estimate of $10 million. Ken closes his eyes and sees in his feverish state, his handsome yakuza boyfriend in a black shirt, a black jacket, black pants and polished shoes leaving him for the night. He sheds silent tears, knowing that he will not come back for him, as he’s promised. That was his first and last broken promise to him. Now Ken knows he’ll have the company of this agonizing disfigured ghost to keep him company. He kneels down on the spread cot and buries his face against his lover’s pillow.
“Takao, I should never have let you,” he cries and wipes his eyes. “Why did I let you do go. Why did I let you meet your fate!” Then he feels some hands on his shoulder.
“Ken! Ken, my love! Wake up!” Takao is already hugging him.
“What! Are you? You can’t be a ghost! But it’s you, my handsome yakuza boyfriend!” They kiss. Ken looks around his quiet bedroom. “Where are the officers?” He feels Takao embracing and kissing him many times.
“I think you were having a nightmare, my love!” He smiles tenderly.
“A bad dream? It was a dream?” Ken looks around himself and realizes he’s in his bed. He checks the time and it’s still three A.M. He smiles and wipes his tears. Takao sits in a lotus position on Ken’s cot and listens to the entire story. Ken notices his large feet in black socks, for he hasn’t had time to remove them.
“Geez, Ken! Your yakuza boyfriend being butchered like that! Just like a meek animal!” He shudders.
“Please, my dear master, I beg you to abdicate from your duties as a yakuza! I don’t want to lose you again, please? I implore you!” Ken kneels down. Takao stands up and takes him in his arms.
“I’m your Japanese yakuza boyfriend, aren’t I?” He grins.
“Yes, dear.” He kisses Takao on the mouth. Takao takes his hand and guides it to the large bulge in front of his black dress pants.
“To prove that I’m alive and well, I’m going to teach you your final lesson, my delicate geisha.” He goes to his own bedroom and comes back with a bottle of lube and some condoms. They kiss again and Ken helps his lover to undress. He remains still, as Ken removes each article of clothing.
“I’m ready for you, my master. Your submissive geisha waits for your command.” Ken strips and kneels down.
“I’ve got to get you lubed well.” He uses a lot of lube on Ken’s private hole. He also uses a lot of lube on his pulsing cock. “I’m not using a condom, my love. I’m clean and free of any STDs.”
“I’m ready for you, master.” Ken gets on his fours as instructed while Takao gets in position behind him.
“Oh, yes! Nothing like a virgin ass! It’s been a long time since I’ve had a treat like this! Your yakuza boyfriend needs to celebrate tonight’s event in style!” He rubs the large head of his cock against Ken’s private hole. “Yeah, I can tell you’re very tight, my love! But your master is an experienced man! I’ll proceed to penetrate you very carefully, my geisha! Yeah, relax while I force the head gently in. Feel the head entering slowly. Breathe, my geisha! Feel how it is entering your tight hole!” He gasps and moans. “You’re very tight, my geisha. But I’m a persistent master and will conquer your private hole. It’s my prize. Oh, yesss! I’ve already fit the whole head of my cock in! Are you all right, my love? Yes? All right, now, feel my cock entering you slowly, gently. Yeah, you can stop me if you feel you can’t take the pain anymore. Relax your sphincter muscles, my love! Relax and trust your master. Oh, yes, I’m getting in again. FUCK! FUCK! How great it feels to fuck a tight warm hole like yours, my love! I’m almost there! Yeah! Feel my balls banging against you. Do you feel them? Yes, my love? Your master is already all the way inside you! Now, I’m going to thrust my cock in and out like a piston. FUCK! This feels amazing! Oh, yes! Yes! I think I’m going to. FUCK! FUUUCK!” He shouts as he shoots jets after jets of his hot semen inside his lover. “I’m done, my love!” Takao wipes his sweaty forehead, neck, shoulders, chest. He is perspiring and panting. “Let me pull off, my love. Slowly.”
“My hot yakuza boyfriend, I love you!” They kiss. Takao cleans his cock and Ken’s private hole with a white hand towel. Ken sees the blood and smiles.
“It’s normal to bleed a little when doing anal, my love.”
“Shall we take a bath, my dear master?”
“Sure, my love.” He carries Ken to the bathroom and they get washed. Takao gently dries his lover and brings him to his bedroom.
“Before you go back to sleep, my love. I need to tell you something important.”
“Yes, my master.” He strokes Takao’s face. He kisses his hand countless times.
“From now on, I’m no longer your yakuza boyfriend, my love.” He grins.
“What? Why not, dear?”
“I’ve met with some yakuza leaders tonight. I’ve abdicated my position and stepped down from the organization. They accepted my request and on my way back, they handed me this. I want you to have it, Ken.” Takao hands him a silk paper envelope.
“What is it, dear master?” Ken opens the delicate envelope and looks at the check. “Holy fuck!”
“Yeah, my love. You’ll never have to work again.”
“But I can’t accept it, master.”
“But you must, my love. Otherwise, how are we to live in Brazil? I don’t have a bank account in a Brazilian bank to cash it.”
“Do you mean,” Ken has a grin on his face. “You want to,” he has tears in his eyes.
“Yes, my love. I trust entirely on you and put my destiny and happiness in your hands. Now I know I have found someone who would take good care of me when I grow old. And besides, I’m tired of living in Japan. I feel I need a change of air.” They kiss. “I love you, my geisha!”
“I love you too, my yakuza boyfriend!”
“And by he way, how do you say, ‘I love you my beautiful geisha’ in Portuguese?”
“Eu te amo, minha linda gueisha.” Takao repeats the line slowly.
“Também te amo, meu namorado yakuzá orgulhoso.” Ken smiles.
“What does that mean, my geisha?”
“I also love you my proud yakuza boyfriend.” And they kiss again and fall asleep in each other’s arms.