by Z. Allora
Daiki turned his head and saw Sage watching him. His pencil froze, and he set it down. “My apologies.”
Azami cleared her throat. “Sensei, BL Delight understands and appreciates your need to sketch the details around you, but Mr. Nakamura might not—”
“It’s Sage—and Daiki, please continue. I don’t see your drawing as disrespect but as reinforcing my faith in you.” Plus Sage wanted to see what would emerge from the page under Daiki’s attention.
“Thank you for understanding.” Daiki nodded but didn’t look at Sage. He flipped his pad of paper over, but he still held the pencil.
Azami went through the basic timeline from the release of the first manga to ten months for the anime, with recording and concerts falling into place after that. Then she started to dial down on how they would accomplish each step. “Of course, that’s only the typical schedule. Kashi-sei’s might be different. You’d be better equipped to marry the music schedule needed to meet the timeline, so I will leave that to you. However, we’ve engaged an agency to review and select the candidates for the other band members and—”
Daiki’s grip on his pencil tightened.
“You don’t agree, Daiki?” Sage couldn’t help but ask.
“It’s not my place to disagree on anything other than my manga, and since that’s not being discussed, I have no need to say anything,” Daiki stated without emotion.
Wow, Sage’s dad would have been impressed by how the noncommittal statement completely sank any option of moving forward without exploring what he meant. “Except who the band members are does affect the manga and… what?”
Daiki’s eyes widened as if he’d been surprised that Sage caught he wanted to say more. “I’ve learned to keep my storylines and sketches general enough to please but retaining the ability to change direction as needed.”
Sage cocked his head and stared at Daiki. When Daiki’s gaze met his, Sage’s heart tripped over itself, and it was as if he were being caressed and stroked in all the right places. Daiki bit his lip and looked away, and Sage wanted to get his attention back.
Azami cleared her throat, reminding Sage other people were in the room.
Daiki glanced back at him.
This might be crazy, but their connection was total and immediate, and his dad had taught him to go with his gut. Settling back into Daiki’s gaze, Sage stated, “It would be better if you were involved in every step of the process.”
Daiki gave a sharp inhale. His eyes screamed yes, but he said, “That’s not usually done.”
Azami shook her head. “No, it is not.”
Her words snapped into sharp focus for Sage. He didn’t care. “In other ventures that’s probably true. Maybe. But I want—need—involvement at a deeper level.”
His dad’s wisdom echoed in his head, reminding him that Daiki had gotten a great deal in terms of percentage points beyond the manga, so he’d definitely be vested in the band’s success. Could Daiki be a real partner in this?
“What do you say, Daiki?”
Daiki’s long eyelashes fluttered for a moment, and his lips curled up ever so slightly. “Let’s see how matters proceed.”
Those words felt like everything to Sage. A start. A win. A completion. “What would you recommend?”
Raking his fingers through his shoulder-length hair, Daiki said, “You should be choosing the members. A talent agency won’t have all of the factors you wish to consider as their filter. If I understand, your intention is visibility. They might not be filtering based on your hopes. I imagine you’d know what to look for in the members better than anyone else.”
Sage had assumed the agency would know best, and even if he could work with anyone, having more control would be better. But what did he know about interviewing people?
“Would you have time to interview with me?” Sage pushed the boundaries, but that’s what this was about…. Okay, this had nothing to do with the greater good. Hopes of convincing Daiki to be more of a partner and, well, possibly wanting to spend more time with Daiki factored into the suggestion.
Azami shook her head. “Oh, Sage, I’m sorry. I don’t think Daiki would have the time with all his deadlines.”
She was either trying to give him an out or didn’t want Daiki involved to that level.
Daiki’s frown turned into a smile as he addressed Azami. “I appreciate you trying to respect my time and manage me, but I would like to accommodate Sage’s request.”
Sage got the distinct feeling he was stepping in it. “She’s probably correct. You’re too busy to—”
Pressing his lips together for a moment, Daiki took a deep breath and released it. His eyes narrowed. “I’d like to help you. Boys’ love, or yaoi, as you call the genre in the West, is meant to have no climax, no point, and no meaning. As my editor knows, I want to change that, and working with Kashi-sei will give more purpose to my work.”
“Your work has touched so many people already.” Sage wanted Daiki to know that.
Daiki tilted his head and shifted closer, allowing Sage to inhale a rare treat. Daiki’s light scent wasn’t overwhelmed by hair product, and an earthy patchouli mixed with a subtle hint of jasmine set Sage’s imagination on fire.
“You know my work?”
“I’ve read a few of your series,” Sage admitted. Though he’d stop the confession there, otherwise he’d begin gushing about how hot the characters were, and how the interesting and sexy storylines kept him up in more than one way.
Daiki looked away from Sage’s gaze and then said, “I’d like to be more direct with some points and have them make more of an impact.”
“Yes. Exactly.” Excitement wound through Sage. Everyone else around the table disappeared, and the moment hung between them.
Finally, after endless phone calls and emails exchanged with various people organizing this project, Sage felt someone was buying into what he wanted to do, not just giving him lip service.
“If I may interject.” Azami leaned forward, gaining their attention. “The agency has already set up interviews for next week, starting on Tuesday. Why don’t you scan the list and insert yourself into the process that is already set up? It will save you time. I can make the call arranging this… if you’d like.”
Sage looked at Daiki, who inclined his head. “Yes, we’d appreciate that.”
Azami stood. “I’ll email you the specifics.”
After a quick round of goodbyes, he was left with Daiki. They stared at each other for a long moment and then sat back down.
Wondering out loud, Sage asked, “So what is your process?”
Daiki traced his fingers over the pad in front of him as if he were still sketching. “Once the choices are made, you and the bandmates will most likely live together.”
Hmm, living together. “Right, I’d be living with several strangers to collaborate.”
“Forgot about the livestreams, TikToks, and YouTube videos necessary?” Daiki set down his pencil and poured Sage some tea.
Such a simple act, but not one of the guys Sage had dated—not even the two longer-term boyfriends he’d had—had ever poured him tea.
Sage swallowed the weird emotion that threatened to surface.
This was Japan. Everyone poured for their companions, but the only ones who ever did that for him were family. The simple act shouldn’t matter, but it did.
Why was he getting up in his head?
Sage gave Daiki a nod and then filled a cup of tea for Daiki with care.
Daiki received the teacup with two hands and a very sweet smile. He drank it all before setting the cup down.
Sage snapped himself back from the land of emotions and refilled the cup. “So you’ll be hanging out wherever the band is?”
“Yes. I will spend as much time as possible so the manga can reinforce Kashi-sei’s brand. I need to absorb who each member of the band is, and being with the band will help me find storylines.”
“It makes sense.” Sage liked that idea a bit too much.
The twins would remind him he wasn’t here to get a boyfriend but to make a difference.
Daiki twirled the pencil between his fingers. “I am hoping the manga and story arcs can be as close to reality as possible without negatively impacting you… or the other members. The themes will reinforce living your true self and visibility.”
The excitement that had dissipated during the preparation for this move found Sage again and skipped through him. “It’s been a whirlwind since I decided on doing this, and I haven’t had much time to think about the specifics.”
Daiki sipped his tea. “May I ask a question?”
“Sure.” Sage refilled Daiki’s cup and then slid a wrapped bun in front of Daiki and himself.
Positioning his cup with care, Daiki looked at him. “Why are you doing this?”
“I’m tired of gay equating to a problem. I want to hold up a mirror so people can see how ridiculous that is.” Sage drank his tea.
Daiki refilled Sage’s cup and remained silent, as if he were waiting for more.
Sage could give him more. Rage-filled years of too much, but he’d keep it simple. “Do you remember Fire and WTZ?”
“Of course. You couldn’t go anywhere without being bombarded with their pictures and songs.”
Sage spun the plastic-wrapped bun. “There are lots of reasons, but in LA you can be gay and not feel much, if any, negativity. I’ve been spoiled in many ways, but what happened to them really angered me. Watanabe Wayuu’s and Suzuki Zen’s bands imploded due to one hint of same-sex attraction.”
Daiki stared at the table and then studied at him. “Would you consider either of them?”
Would he? “Of course, but I doubt they would…. Is there a way of asking?”
“I’ll ask my editor to include that request in the email. The agency can contact their agents.” Daiki typed on his phone for a few moments before giving him a nod.
If that could work…. “That would be full circle, since they are one of the original reasons I became so angry. Sometimes this whole process seems overwhelming.”
Daiki nodded. “Um…. Do you have some free time?”
Was Sage being asked out? “Yes, why?”
“I’d like to take you to Animate.” Daiki moved toward the door.
“Animate?” Sage followed.
Daiki grinned as they accepted their coats. “Seven floors of all heaven for fans of manga, anime, yaoi, and games. It’s filled with merchandise, books, and DVDs.”
After a quick train ride to Akihabara, they started hiking up the stairs toward the street level.
At the second landing of the steps, Daiki stopped and pointed behind them. “Sage, hold on. Turn around.”
A huge billboard of six stunning men striking poses against a glittery background loomed in front of them. “They look familiar. A new musical group?”
Daiki nodded. “Yeah. You’ve probably seen one of the many pictures of them around Tokyo. Every convenience store has their faces on magazines, game cards, and special products. They are everywhere.”
Sage had even seen their image at the airport. Impressive, actually. “Branding at its finest.”
“Animate is just few blocks this way.” Daiki directed them to the flagship store.
Slipping on his gloves, Sage braced himself for the cold as they hit street level.
Tokyo felt like a mix of New York City and downtown LA. People were moving and focused. Their path took them past bars, restaurants, stores, hotels, and apartment buildings. There was a city energy that invigorated Sage but didn’t overwhelm him.
Daiki paused and grabbed a knit hat out of his messenger bag. He pulled it down over his ears and put on a pair of heavy-rimmed glasses. Once his reverse Superman was done, he gestured to a tower. “I present Animate.”
Sage followed Daiki through the first floor—filled with action figures, T-shirts, cell phone dangles, and various other merch—to the elevator.
“The kids are still in school, so it’s not crowded yet.” Daiki indicated with a slight bow and gesture that Sage should step in the elevator first; then he pressed the top-floor button. The door closed, revealing a picture of the men from the billboard.
The doors opened to cardboard cutouts of six anime characters who looked like the guys following Sage around Tokyo. “Is this the band from the billboard?”
Daiki nodded. “Exactly. If you look around this area, you can see how they built up their audience base at each step.”
Sage walked off the elevator and into what looked like an exhibition. There were pictures and write-ups of the same six guys who looked like the anime characters. A bookshelf housed all the same series of manga. Some of the TVs suspended from the ceilings and walls depicted an animated show of the characters, while others featured the six guys singing. The counter displayed music and anime DVDs of the group.
“And now they are doing concerts.” Sage pointed at the poster behind the salesperson.
She smiled at him. “Tickets go on sale next weekend.”
“Thanks.” Sage smiled.
Her eyes narrowed in on Daiki. “You look familiar. Wait, I know—”
“Nah, I only look like him.” Shaking his head, Daiki turned and headed toward the door.
Daiki didn’t wait for the elevator, so Sage chased behind him down the stairs and tried not to chuckle. “An ex?”
Stopping midstep, Daiki shook his head and gave him a quick “No.”
Not that it meant anything, but that put a bounce in Sage’s step.
Pausing at the fourth floor, Daiki asked, “Mind if I stop for a moment?”
“Of course not.”
The floor was filled with shelves of manga, novels, and art magazines.
“I haven’t done this in a while. I just want to check on my titles. Usually my assistants do this, but I’m here.” Daiki made a direct line to shelves on the far left.
There was a whole section of shelf space dedicated to Ikeda Daiki. Sage pointed and grabbed a book. “Hey, this is all you?”
Daiki nodded and put a finger to his lips, indicating Sage shouldn’t let the world know that. The disguise made more sense now. Turning back to the shelf, Daiki ran a hand over his section. He stopped and put a book right side up, then reshelved three others in the correct order. “Thank you.”
“That’s it?” Sage closed the book he was trying not to drool into. They had only been there for three minutes.
“Yes.” Daiki turned on his heel and nodded to the salespeople behind the counter.
Sage sighed and replaced the title he held. Maybe he’d make a trip here tomorrow. The train seemed clean and straightforward.
At the bottom of the train station steps, Daiki asked, “Do you know how to get back to your apartment?”
Pulling out his phone, Sage displayed a train app. “I don’t, but this does.”
Daiki smiled and shifted from foot to foot. “I am looking forward to working with you on this.”
Nodding, Sage tried to think of something great to say and failed.
“Well, I should let you get on with your day.” Daiki pointed in the opposite direction Sage’s app suggested. “I’m heading this way.”
“Oh… um, yeah. Okay.” Think of a reason to go that way….
Daiki waved and hurried down the hallway. He stopped before getting on the down escalator and waved at Sage.
As he disappeared, Sage tried not to be bummed. Maybe he’d head back to Animate and get some of Daiki’s titles… as more research. Kindle mangas were great, but there was something about holding a paperback in his hands. He headed back to Animate to spend more time in Daiki’s world… or in the ones he created.
Chapter 5
ON TUESDAY, Daiki stepped off the train and was greeted by the very first signs of spring. A few of the trees had more than bare branches; on the very tips some had tiny buds of pink beginning to form. He hurried the short distance to an art deco building downtown. Today he would be sitting in on the meetings Sage Nakamura wa
s having with the musicians.
“Ow.” He flexed his right hand. Rubbing at the pain didn’t take away the pleasure he’d had putting all the storyboards and ideas that had rushed to the surface on the page.
He entered the sleek conference room, and just the sight of Sage made Daiki’s heart do a flip, illuminating why the last three days had also felt like years.
There was something Daiki always found alluringly rebellious about a man with bleached-blond hair. Who knew he had such a thing for hair caught up in a messy bun? Lots of teenagers wore their hair this way, and the style had never made an impact on him… until now.
What was happening? Did he think himself a character in one of his BLs? This was business, and by making this project successful, he’d get what he craved… more freedom in content and presentation. He peeked over at Sage.
His breath was stolen by how incredibly sharp and put together Sage looked in his tailored sports jacket over a graphic T-shirt. He swallowed hard as he couldn’t help but notice how the tight black denim stretched over his thighs.
So what? The guy knew how to dress.
Daiki forced himself to walk slowly to greet the person from the agency, Hina Mori. After all due respect had been paid, he turned his full attention to Sage. His fingers itched to capture that smile. The way his lips curled, it was almost a smirk, but the gleam of true pleasure in his eyes kept it out of the realm of the sarcastic.
“It is good to see you, Sage.” Daiki broke out his English on the off chance it might make Sage smile.
They bowed to each other.
“It’s a pleasure.” Sage’s deep voice had an accent that made Daiki shiver.
The smile they exchanged stretched out until the door opened and the first candidate walked into the room.
Strut would be a better term. His greeting lacked respect, and his arrogance seemed directed at Sage.
Sage either didn’t pick up on the disregard or chose not to respond as he went right into the concept of the band. “I want Kashi-sei to promote an understanding and acceptance of people who might be different.”
