Chapter 11
After that, Kanesaki continued to travel to Niigata Prefecture at least once a week. On one occasion, he brought back crab. On another, he brought back Botan shrimp. Once, he had bought a Russian matrosyhka doll — a doll with several smaller dolls nested inside.
“We usually pack drugs in here to bring them back,” he had said, and this time Kisaragi had thrown the doll back at him exasperation.
“I was just kidding, doctor. I won’t use you like that.”
Those kinds of interactions had become a part of Kisaragi’s daily life by then, when he met with Hasunuma one day at the end of November. Kanesaki had made an unusual suggestion to meet up in the hotel lobby this time for their usual appointment － the lobby of a luxury hotel that was fast-becoming a famous location in Roppongi.
Kisaragi was sitting in the coffee lounge, looking at his iPad while waiting for his coffee to arrive. He felt the atmosphere around him suddenly change. He looked up see two men in black suits, sporting stereotypical yakuza-style perms. They glared menacingly at the people around them as they approached. One man had a large cut on his cheek. They were Kanesaki’s subordinates.
Although Kisaragi was already familiar with their faces, they did indeed sorely stand out in the hotel lounge. He could understand why the prim and proper people around him would stiffen in astonishment.
“Doctor!” said the men loudly as they spotted Kisaragi’s face. They stomped noisily over and bowed deeply. “We’re sorry. The boss is going to be a little late. Something bad’s come up, but he says it’ll be cleaned up soon.”
“Sure. I’ll wait.”
The men went out the same way they had come in, throwing piercing glares at those around them. Kisaragi felt the eyes of the patrons gather on him, and hastily looked down at his iPad.
My goodness… they can’t act like they’re in Kabukicho.
“Kisaragi.”
He heard a familiar voice call his name, and for a moment Kisaragi forgot where he was. He looked up to see Hasunuma standing in front of him with a perplexed look. Kisaragi felt his heart beat faster. He swallowed hard.
Oh… will you look at me. He was still in love with Hasunuma. Not that it would make a difference, Kisaragi thought as he purposefully arranged his face to look cheerful.
“Hey,” he said raising his hand. “Hasunuma, what a coincidence! What brings you here?”
Hasunuma glanced in the direction that the men had gone. “Who were those guys? Your friends?”
“No, not friends. Acquaintances of an acquaintance, you might say.”
Hasunuma sat down in the open seat next to Kisaragi’s.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I’m pretty sure all of the other customers in this lounge heard it, too. Look at the way they were talking to you! They almost sounded like yakuza. Don’t tell me you’re associating with the wrong kind of people.”
Hasunuma’s face was serious, and Kisaragi was starting to feel pained. “It’s nothing. There’s nothing for you to be worried about.”
“If you say so.” Hasunuma reached for Kisaragi’s knee and gave it a firm clap. “You’ve got yourself together and you’re smart. I trust you won’t make any mistakes.”
Kisaragi averted his eyes, barely able to restrain the heated feelings that threatened to spill over. Hasunuma, I haven’t got myself together at all.
Suddenly a deep voice spoke from above.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, doctor.”
The two of them looked up at the same time to see two men in black suits staring down at them.
“Let’s go, doctor. I’ve reserved us a suite in this hotel. Let’s hurry up and get down and dirty, shall we?”
Kisaragi felt his cheeks burn. “Mr. Kanesaki!” he hissed unwittingly. Kanesaki grabbed his arm roughly and made him stand up, deftly scooping up the iPad that had slid out of Kisaragi’s hands.
“Let’s get going. A good day to you, sir,” he said to Hasunuma. Hasunuma, who had been staring in astonishment, came to his senses and bolted up.
“Kisaragi!” he exclaimed.
Kisaragi did not want to be the target of attention any longer.
“I’m sorry. Excuse us,” he said shortly, brushing Kanesaki’s hand away. “Mr. Kanesaki, please stop.”
“As you wish, princess.” Kanesaki’s tone was light, but his smile did not reach his eyes. As they walked side by side, he opened his mouth again. “Was that him?” he muttered.
“What are you talking about?”
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter.”
Kanesaki had been telling the truth when he said he had reserved a room. The suite was on the topmost floor of the hotel. Once they stepped inside, Kanesaki popped the cork on the welcome champagne left on the table.
“Have a drink.”
Kisaragi remained silent as he drank. Kanesaki drank with him, also silent. On their way out of the lounge, Kisaragi had thrown a glance over his shoulder. Hasunuma was in the midst of returning to his own table, and a young woman had been seated there. She was wearing a cream-colored suit. Her long hair, parted down the middle, was glossy.
Kisaragi was certain that it was Hasunuma’s fiancé.
“That should be enough,” Kanesaki said once they had emptied the champagne bottle, and invited Kisaragi to the bedroom. As always, once Kanesaki climbed on top of him, he launched into conversation about the negotiation he had been having earlier, and TV dramas that he had been hooked onto lately. He spoke not a single word about Hasunuma.
Kisaragi felt as if the man had seen right through him, and felt himself choke up.
Once they had relieved themselves of their pent-up desires a few times, Kanesaki finally disentangled himself from Kisaragi. He ruffled the man’s head.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Kisaragi’s voice shook in spite of himself, and he turned his back to the other man.
“Why aren’t I saying anything? You’re the one who’s clammed up, doctor. I’ve been blabbering nonstop.” The man’s hand continued to stroke Kisaragi’s head as if to soothe a small boy. “Doctor, let me tell you something. There are some things you can’t have, no matter how hard you try. And there isn’t anything you can do about it. But if you want it and you can’t help it, there’s nothing I can do.”
The man’s voice was gentle and carried no hint of reproach. Kisaragi felt the man’s warmth against his trembling back, and desperately tried to hold back the sobs that were about to burst out of him.