Chapter Text
“Kanpai!” with a “cling” sound the glasses hit each other, the golden shimmering fluid splashes in the glass.
Today is a good day to celebrate this club's many achievements, and for these they met up.
“Just because of you all we were able to secure our spot in the top three clubs rankings! For this we have prepared a bonus for everyone!” The owner of this Club raises drinks first, and everyone follows.
Just for this special occasion they built a Champagne tower, something they only do when it's really a special day or the customer pays up to get one. It's quite a show, to watch the champagne flow into the glasses.
A dashing young man in a white suit stands a little bit offside, drinking his glass by himself. The other one approaching him is much smaller than him, and his youthful looks make it seem as if he is still a teenager, which is part of his great appeal towards the many customers in this club.
“Hey, don't you want to celebrate as well? You are one of the top hosts ranking this week!”
The blue haired young man looks up, looking as if he is lost in thought.
“I guess I am, but I kind of feel like I haven't done as much as the top tier Hosts here. I have to push myself to new heights next week!” he looked at his hands and put it into a fist.
“You shouldn´t overwork yourself, always keep that in mind. And these have their returning guests, you better get some yourself and you might be able to catch up. Some day.” He takes a sip from his glass.
“Hey, Langa! Don't you want to come on stage as well? We have to prepare our opening number soon!” Someone shouts from over to his left, trying to be louder than the chatting of the celebrating hosts and hostesses.
“Guess work calls.”
“Don't try too hard, or you will lose your charm and be all overworked. That...nobody wants that.”
“I know to appreciate your advice thinking about what happened to your friend, but don't worry. I´m not trying to get to the top so quickly.” With these words he leaves his co-host Miya and makes his way to the stage. One of the men on stage wears a beautiful shiny traditional garment, the huge tie is covered with rhinestones which all reflect the many lights on the ceiling.
His hair is put up and held together with two wooden sticks, and his soft face completes the regal and elegant aura. His customers are mainly women, who appreciate his feminine looks and soft spoken demeanour. But that's all for show.
This fellow gets too angry and rough with his co-worker, a man with a tan, that because of them they had to replace quite a few glasses and plates.
“Our opening act today is a song, here.” The slender man hands him a sheet with lyrics and pointers.
“Ah, this one. I already sang it a few times, I should be good without it.”
“Today a few of our regulars are our guests, and they said they are going to bring a few new customers. We have to leave a strong impression beforehand and give them enough of a show, so they will pick someone and spend as much money as possible.”
Because in the end, it's still about the money. If they don´t rake in the money and customers, none of the workers gets their money and the further they drop down the rankings, the harder it will be to stay in the business. The leader in this industry is a fearful man, and his club often crushes the smaller ones to show the others to keep up their hard work. Behind the scenes, it's quite depressing. Langa makes enough money by using his natural charms, to not feel bad about squeezing his customers dry.
Hmm, who unveils the Champagne Tower?” he points towards the giant glass tower that is being covered by a curtain, which is lowered from the ceiling above the table.
“That's the gorilla's job today.”
“Hey, hey, Cherry. No need to call me a gorilla.” A muscular tan man comes closer, he isn't wearing a shirt as usual. This Host can do as he wants, since it's part of his appeal and he is one of the top three in this establishment. One of the best earning hosts, sharing his spot with Cherry and a hostess, whose fiery red hair is part of her appeal.
“You are, and now get in your position. There isn't much time left until we have to open.”
The boss of this place approaches, a clipboard in his hand, checking and ticking off tasks to do before opening.
“Are you good here? Everything settled?” he asks them.
“Yeah, Langa says he already knows this song well enough now. We are going to make sure to put on a show and make this a great time for our customers today.” He looks pleased, nodding.
“Glad to have you here Cherry, you really are one of our best gems.”
Cherry looks a bit flustered, which surprises Langa. Isn't he used to receiving a lot of compliments by now?
“Ten more minutes, ladies and gentlemen! Get into position!” Their boss claps into his hands, ensuring everyone listens to him for a moment.
“You know who the greeting committee is?”
“That would be us!” one of the hostesses, a beautiful woman with silky long black hair, raises her hand. Equally men and women are standing next to her, dressed in their best suits and dresses.
“Good, what about the food and drinks?”
“Everything is ready!” Joe finished lowering the curtain, hiding the champagne tower.
Langa scans the room from his view on stage. The high ceiling is covered with lamps, the walls are covered with a dark wallpaper to be in contrast with the royally red looking seats. Each and everyone is slightly enclosed, to make sure that the customers feel all by themself with their lady or gentleman.
Cherry raises the microphone stands and does the mic check for him.
“Here, let me powder your face one more time.” The stylist Takamiya approaches him, holding a brush and a mirror in hand.
“Alright, can you do it this quickly?”
“Who do you think I am?” she jokes and starts applying makeup to his face.
Someone behind the scenes puts on the ambient music, another group of workers get ready behind the bar. They aren't hosts, but rather regular cooks and bartenders preparing the orders.
“Shadow, can we leave this like this?” A host calls out for their boss, who rushes over to fix a light by screwing it tighter.
“Good, everyone, into another successful night!”
Everyone cheers and the greeting committee already stands in two rows in front of the door. Cherry gets his makeup refreshed, and Takamiya looks pleased with herself as she is done with him.
“Good Luck out there, some of the regulars are a bit of a hassle. Don´t hesitate them out if it's too much trouble.”
“I know, but let's hope for the best.” He smiles at her thankful and gets in position.
The doors open, and the first customers are being led in. This is their queue to start singing their little opening.
Oh, together again, hold my hand tight
Party into the night, can you see the stars?
With me at your side we can achieve anything
Singing his soul out on stage Langa watches the guests pouring in and being seated. Familiar faces, but there are also a few new ones.
Those who want to request him or Cherry, are waiting in a secluded entrance area.
Joe raises the curtain, and reveals the Champagne tower in its entire glory. The sparkling golden drink adds even more glimmer to this place.
Oh, do i long for you every day
Missing you with all my heart
In need of your love and warm touch
The last lines of the song, almost there. Although something happened he would have never anticipated. Watching the guests coming in, he notices a particular protruding person. The hair color might be it, or the suit that looks good on him, but he doesn't seem like someone who wears them usually.
A bright smile, with dark eyes shining like their own two lights in this room.
It struck Langa like Lightning, looking at him it awakened a different kind of feeling inside of him.
“Hey, hello and welcome our dear guests! Let's have a wonderful evening together!” Cherry greets the guests and Langa bows as well.
“Let´s have a good time, Ladies and Gentlemen!” and winked to add the extra fun.
Going off stage Langa feels the sweat forming on his forehead. This is not a good time to be unfocused.
Cherry folds open his fan. “Good job up there, you really improved your singing.” and gently smiles at the guy next to him.
“Ah, thanks, you telling me this makes this even better.” Langa brushes through his hair a little embarrassed. The waiter already rushes over to them, leading them to the remaining guests to be seated, who requested the two Hosts. And who would have guessed, the red haired guy looks at him with big eyes.
“Welcome, Ladies and Gentlemen. Who requested me?” and folds his fan together with an elegant gesture.
“It's us two, hope you are alright having us two today again!” two young ladies emerge and smile brightly at the pink haired Host.
“Alright, you requested me so I can't exactly say no to such beauties that you are.” A few are remaining, and who requested him?
“So, who has the honor of having my attention in the evening?”
“It's these two, is it alright for you to be host for two today`” Langa shrugs. “Fine by me.”
A woman with longer brown hair approaches, pushing the red haired guy in front of her and smiling as bright as the lights around her.
“I´m Saria and this is my friend Reki. I brought him here for the first time, so don't be shy around him!” and laughs, Reki immediately looks flustered.
Time to slip into host mode and forget all personal feelings, this is a job after all.
“May I have your hand to guide you to our seats?” and grabs elegantly Rekis hand, barely breathing a kiss on the back of his hand.
“Y-Yes!” he presses out, absolutely overwhelmed by Langas flirtatious approach.
Their seats are in the right corner of the room towards the wall. The red upholstery invites them to sit down comfortably.
“Who wants to sit next to me? Two next to me might be a little tight.”
“Ahhh, you can have Reki!” The young woman called Saria pushes him forward again.
“Alright, you first.” Reki lets him slip onto the seats first.
There is already a menu on the glass table, that´s a bit lower than their seats. A vase with a flower bouquet finishes the regal look of this place.
This evening is going to be something else. Pretending to flirt is something different than actually feeling like wanting to tell these things to the other person sitting next to you.
Langa braces himself for the coming hour. Only one hour, unless they extend their time. This is going to be a challenge, but he happily accepts.
He can't lose sight of his goal to become one of the top three hosts now because of a guest, no matter what.