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Walking through those doors, it was as if he passed through the Gate into one of the myriad other worlds connected by it.
From the bright evening sun shining on the streets of Kabukicho, Masato has stepped through the opening into a world of red velvet and mood lighting. 'So this was Tsukuyomi senpai's host club', he thought. It was so lavish, with expensive lighting fixtures and the furniture covered in red velvet upholstery. Perhaps a bit over the top, even. But that was the aesthetic these types of places went for, so he supposed it was to be expected. He hesitantly walked further into the lobby of the host club, approaching an empty front desk. There didn't seem to be anyone present. Was he too early, he wondered. He was certain that he said to be here around this time.
He looked around for a moment, and still could not find anyone. It made some sense that they would not be busy or offering services at the moment, considering that it was still early evening. These types of places received most of their business at night. But if they were not open, why would he have been invited here at this time? He poked his head around the corner into the greater space of the club, and still no one in sight. Masato frowned. He was unsure of what to do in this situation. He mentally shrugged and figured all he could really do was announce his presence.
“Um... pardon me! Is anyone here? I was told to come here at this time! Are you... open? The front door was unlocked so I simply figured...”
He trailed off at the end, not really finishing his thought. Upon further mental inspection he realized that wasn't really a good excuse for simply walking into this business without checking to see if they were actually open. He stood by the front desk for a quiet moment, not hearing anyone respond. Maybe he had the wrong time somehow. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled the note that had been left on his dorm room door. In it contained hastily and somewhat sloppily handwritten instructions to meet at the host club at this specified time. He unfolded it to double check it said the right time, then cross referencing with his cellphone. 'Yep', he thought, 'This is the right time... so where is anyone?'
It was at that moment he heard approaching footsteps from the back of the main floor of the host club. They seemed to be a little hurried, but not fast or hard enough to be running or jogging. The sound was somewhat muffled by the carpeted floor of the host club. It was then that a large figure rounded the corner and was now in front of Masato. Not surprisingly, it was Tetsuya, who had lifted up his sunglasses to get a good look at him.
“Ah, Masa! You're here. Follow me.”
He said in his usual calm and cool tone of voice. With that he simply turned to lead him further into the club. Masato would follow behind, now feeling a little more comfortable. Seemed he was expected after all. The feeling of the dim light and red velvet all around him was vastly more overwhelming now that he was actually in the midst of it all. Upon reaching what appeared to be an intimate booth, Tetsuya gestured to it with a sweeping hand motion, instructing him that this would be his seat. Masato simply nodded, shifting into the seat. This booth didn't have a chair, simply a curved cushion bench, though he supposed it could fit one. Or perhaps the table had been temporarily removed.
“Your date will be here in a moment.”
Tetsuya responds with a wink before wandering off. Masato would normally be happy about that. However, lately, he was beginning to have misgivings about their relationship. Ever since he learned that he was simply an amalgam of souls, Masato had begun to wonder if the affection his love felt toward him was truly for him, or if it was because of the nature of his existence. What if he was simply attracted to him because of someone in his soul? Or his abilities? These thoughts had begun to plague him of late, as much as he tried to push those thoughts of out of his head. In turn, his love had noticed he was a bit more distant because of it. Perhaps that was the reason he was invited here, Masato thought. He was trying his best ot ignore these thoughts, but the doubt just seemed to build even more with the denial.
The moments in silence as he waited seemed to crawl on forever. As he waited, those thoughts began to creep back into his mind once more. What if it was only because he reminded him of his former lover? What if this is simply because they had similar abilities? Maybe he can see in his soul. And if that is true, then his love isn't for him, himself. But then again, does he even have a self? He's simply an amalagam, after all. He could feel his heart drop more and more as these thoughts flooded his head. His thoughts were interrupted, however, as he once again heard the sound of footsteps. These were different than Tetsuya's, however. Looking up, he saw him walking up to the booth.
It was Shino, dressed in a very smart black suit with a vest and red shirt underneath. The man wore a pensive smile, and he could tell he was blushing underneath the fur on his cheek. Shino approached the booth, and softly took Masato's hand in his. His large, furred hands gently wrapped around his hand as he looked into Masato's eyes.
“I-I'm glad you came, my precious flower...”
This was his nickname for Masato, that he began to use awhile ago. There was a tenderness in his rough voice as he spoke, a tenderness he showed no one else but him. Normally, this would make Masa smile so widely. It would make his heart skip a beat and make him want to leap into Shino's big musuclar arms. But these thoughts dragged him down, and his smile in response was weak and seemed like only a facade.
“Hello, Shino...”
Shino, despite being rough around the edges and not one to fuss over details, was able to pick up on the sadness in Masato's eyes and voice. He would move to sit down next to him, still holding onto his hand tightly. It was clear he was worried about this change in Masato's personality. He knew he was being plagued by these feelings, and was doing his best to try to ameliorate those feelings. Little worked, so far. Hence why he was doing this now. He had something planned, something he hoped would show to Masato that his feelings were genuine.
“... My flower, my Masato, I... I know you have been questioning the legitimacy of my feelings for you... and that is why I asked you here. I wish to show you that this lowly dog's feelings for you are true. That... as unworthy of your feelings as I am, I wish for you to see that my heart is yours.”
Shino began to explain. Masato tried his best to keep up the facade, but the words that were meant to express Shino's love and devotion only stabbed a knife deeper into his heart. Those thoughts gained more ground. Masato's gaze drifted down as his hand simply rested in Shino's grasp. It was a quiet moment before Masato began to speak.
“... But what if you only think you're in love with me? What if the only reason you like me is because I remind you of her...?”
Shino's eyes went wide. He knew he was having doubts, but he was unsure of the true extent of it. His grip reflexively got a bit tighter around Masato's hand. He closed the gap between them on the seat a bit more, getting in closer.
“I am certain! My love for you is not because of that. My feelings for you lie in yourself! The you that stands before me! You are my precious flower, only you! It is you alone who changed my view on life. It was you who made my heart beat again for anything other than battle! You are the reason I am here and I wish to only be with you!”
Shino spoke his heartfelt plea. He lifted Masa's hand in his grasp, pulling it in closer against his chest. As if attempting to back up his metaphor, Masa could feel Shino's heartbeat through his grip. But all he could do was feel his eyes well up with tears. He looked to meet Shino's gaze, and Shino would see a sorrow he had never seen Masato experience before. He looked gutted, tears flowing down his cheeks.
“... What if there is no 'me'?! I'm... I'm not even real, I'm just... I'm just a composite of other souls! How can I even say my existence is my own?!”
Masato cried out, shaking from the overflowing emotions he was now feeling. This was the root of his problem, and now the floodgates of his doubts and worries had been opened. He grit his teeth, trying to hold back the sound of sobs. It wasn't just Shino's feelings that he had been doubting. It was his very existence that was in doubt. It was everything he had experienced and felt while he was here in Tokyo. He couldn't even believe he himself was real, let alone Shino's romantic feelings. In that moment wracked by these feelings of doubt, despite the fact that Shino was sitting right next to him, he felt so lonely and isolated. As he had been feeling often lately.
He again dropped his gaze to the floor. He didn't want to see any potential disappointment in Shino's eyes. He couldn't look at him, thinking his feelings were misplaced in him. He felt Shino's grip lighten as he removed a hand from Masato's, but then felt it under his chin. With a curled finger his chin was lifted up, and was forced to look Shino in the eye, now. Shino wore an expression of concerned determination. He could see that he was holding back tears himself.
“That is simply not true...! I cannot believe that! I REFUSE to believe that!”
Shino's voice was shaky but emphatic. The hand that still held onto Masato shook a little. Despite his outward resolve, it was clear that Masato's doubt had shaken him. He couldn't stand to see the one he loved so much doubt himself so much. To devalue himself so much. His other hand would move from his chin to his cheek, caressing it. He shook his head to accentuate the fact that he rejected the idea.
“You are more than that. Everything you have done, all of your comrades and friends... that is because of you, and none of the souls that form your being. I... I may not truly understand how this truth has made you feel, but... I firmly believe you are yourself, and that is who I love. No one else has made my heart feel this way...”
Masato's blinked, staring at Shino as he spoke. He was at a loss for words, hearing him express these feelings. This was so unlike him, to be so outspoken and forthright with his feelings. Perhaps there was truth to them, he thought. Maybe he truly believed this. His lips quivered a bit as he heard him say that. He had to hold onto Shino's hand tighter to keep it from trembling. He didn't know what to say to this. He stared wordlessly at Shino.
Now was the time, Shino thought. He stood from his seat, moving from beside Masato to now stand in front of him. He knelt down in front of him, so that he may be at eye level with him. His expression suddenly became very serious as he gazed upon his beloved. He still held his partner's hand, but his other retracted from his cheek and into his vest pocket. It lingered there as he took a deep breath, seemingly trying to calm his nerves. He had to know his feelings. He had to say it now.
“... This time we have spent together... I always worried it would be fleeting. Because I have learned I always want to be with you. I always wish to be by your side, support you in all things. And that is why...”
He paused, looking down nervously at his pocket. Slowly, from his vest, he produced a small velvet covered box. It rested in his palm as his gaze returned to his love. Masato's eyes went wide as he had a feeling as to what was coming next. With trepidation, Shino continued.
“... I... do not truly understand this tradition, but from what I was told, this is how in this world one's lifelong devotion is expressed. If this is the gesture that will show you how I truly feel... no matter how undeserving I am of reciprocation... then it is fine, if you know this lowly dog's feelings...”
With a flick of his clawed digit, the box flipped open. He would lift it up closer to Masato, so he could see inside. Resting in the center, standing up right, was a gleaming silver ring. Atop it rested a white diamond, flanked by two pink stones in settings shaped like cherry blossoms. The setting around the center diamond also gave the impression of a flower, fitting the theme of Shino's nickname for his loved one. Masato let out a small, yet audible, gasp of shock as his suspicion was confirmed. Shino watched his expression before he spoke once more.
“... Will you be by my side? As I wish to be by yours, always?”
Not exactly 'will you marry me', but the same intent. Shino waited breathlessly for Masato's response. Despite his earlier proclimation that he was unworthy he desperately hoped, in his heart of hearts, that he would say yes. He hoped this would show him that his feelings were true, that he loved him for himself.
Masato sat there, stunned into silence. In all the scenarios he thought would happen due to this invitation, this was not one of them. He never thought he would be proposed to. He simply stared silently at Shino, shock on his face. Tears would begin to well up again, filling his eyes. Shino was now visibly worried. Did this mean he did not desire this? Was he saddened by this? He looked away in despair, already fearing the worst.
“... I-I understand if this worthless cur does not deserve such a life with you-”
Without a word, Masato lept from the couch and wrapped his arms around Shino. It was so sudden that Shino had to make an effort to not drop the outstretched box. Masato buried his face in the bit of chest fur that was exposed by his suit. Shino could feel that the tears were now truly flowing, wetting his shirt. Without thinking his other arm wrapped around Masato's back, but his look was one of shock as well as he looked down at him.
After a moment of sobbing, Masato would look up to Shino, now with a smile on his face. Gone was that loneliness and sorrow that painted his expression before. Tears still streamed down, but his smile was one of elation. His arms wrapped tightly around Shino now, holding him in as close of an embrace as he could manage around the much larger man. His voice was ecstatic as he finally spoke.
“Yes! Yes, yes, yes!”
That was all the response he needed to hear. Overtaken by emotion, Shino pulled him up into arms, and into a passionate kiss. He held Masato there for a long moment. He didn't want to let go; he never wanted to leave this hold. His lips locked with his lovers as they held each other there and their outpouring of feelings mingled into one. It was only with great reluctance that Shino pulled back. He would quickly lift Masato's hand in his own, as he plucked the ring from his box. As he was intructed prior, he would slip it onto his finger lovingly. It glided onto his ring finger with ease, and rested there as if it were destined to be on Masato's hand.
“... I will be by your side... always...”
Shino repeated his earlier words softly, lifting his hand to gently kiss his now fiance's fingers. Masato's heart skipped a beat. He grinned, nodding to him. For the first time since discovering the truth about his being, Masato felt like he was more than a reflection of those in his soul. This display of love and devotion made him feel that maybe, those around him may love and care for him as a unique individual.
“... I-I love you, Shino...”
Masato's words were gentle, but full of sincerity and wamrth. Shino couldn't help but uncharacteristically smile at this. He leaned in for another kiss, planting it on his lips. With that, his arms would wrap around Masato as he stood up, bringing up his beloved in his arms. He'd carry him back onto the couch, resting him there. Shino would sit next to him, his hand holding onto Masato's gingerly. He gazed into his lover's eyes with nothing but contentment. Upon seeing that the proposal was a success, Tetsuya would instruct the host club staff to serve them. The table in front of their booth was replaced, and glasses were now being filled with tea for the two betrothed.
“Now... let us toast, to our future!”
Shino spoke, smiling widely as he raised his glass. Masato would do the same before they both took a drink. Getting an idea, Shino would scoot closer, grab Masato's glass, and hold it up to his lips. With a little chuckle he would drink for him. Seems Shino had some amount of playfulness after all. With that, his hand would move his waist, his arm wrapping around his back and pulling him into yet another kiss.
Now, in this tumultous Tokyo, the one for whom his heart stirred would always be by his side. And this time, he thought, he would protect his beloved. Always.