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Toto took a shot from his whiskey glass, easing himself up. It was his turn. The TV widescreen just displayed the song at the bottom what he had chosen awhile back. The truth was his singing was only confined to the four corners of the flat and his shower cabin in Asakusa.
Ron mentioned once that his love for singing in the shower was one of the rare times when Toto let himself go apart from his innate resoluteness. But come to think of it, Ron didn’t say much about the quality of his singing voice, yet Toto took it as a critique and had been self-conscious ever since that incident that he avoided belting out a tune whenever he stayed at Ron’s apartment.
Who suggested going to the karaoke bar anyway? Ah, it was Kawasemi-san. Today was the last day that he was going to be in town and coincidentally his birthday that for all intents and purposes, Dr. Mofu asked him what else he wanted to do in Tokyo before going back to Aichi.
They rented a private room at the Karaoke Kan in Shibuya. The shop became famous when it was featured in a Western film in the early 2000s about two Americans, who found each other amidst the backdrop very alien to them: from food to cultural references. The premises have become a Mecca for tourists. No wonder the huge number of foreigners hanging out there.
The whole gang was here, including Toto’s boss Amamiya, who tagged along these days. She and Dr. Mofu didn’t have the time when they went to Kamakura for sightseeing two days ago. So, they made sure that they were present this time around before sending Kawasemi-kun back to his flat in Nagoya. The only one who was missing was Spitz, who couldn’t leave London at the moment and was disgruntled with a dash of envy in his body when he found out their plans.
“Ack, Tototo! I am going to miss your performance. Ron-kun says that he has a rock ‘n’ roll singer living in his house.” Toto laughed when he heard this.
Should Toto stand up? Should he go all out for this song?
An arm gathered around him, as if grounding him. While the hand gripped his shoulder, firm and yet tender. Toto turned to his left, to the owner of that arm and hand; Ron’s blue eyes confronted him, communicating to him. Relax.
“Y-yeah…” Toto calmed down a bit.
The first notes of a raunchy electric guitar surged; he posed to belt out the text that flashed on the screen.
“I'm an alligator/ I'm a mama-papa comin' for you / I'm the space invader / I'll be a rock 'n' rollin' bitch for you / Keep your mouth shut … Keep your 'lectric eye on me, babe … Press your space face close to mine, love / Freak out in a moonage daydream, oh yeah!”
His friends were fired up, hooting at the way Toto playfully sang a David Bowie song. Chikori-kun’s admiration skyrocketed to 200 per cent. Her eyes screamed of glowing stars. Kawasemi -kun sang along. He knew it by heart and had been a Bowie fan. He was so glad that Toto made a little research about him. Dr. Mofu’s face broke into a giggle as she stopped conversing with Amamiya, who couldn’t stop smiling. Toto, gyrating before her very eyes, transformed into another person. And Ron? He was looking at Toto with his hungry eyes, his hands wouldn’t stop rubbing his thighs clothed in loose jeans. He then placed his right hand into his pocket and reached for a small box inside, feeling glad that he hadn’t lost the engagement ring.
You deserve all the good things in the world, Toto!
As the Tokyo police officer hit the end notes, Toto bowed to the delight of his friends clapping and whistling on his way.
“Thank you so much!”
Ron handed him a glass of water and half-hugged him when he was already seated.
“You did well, Toto!”
Toto mouthed his thanks as he downed another glass when the next song started to play. Chikori-kun couldn’t stop herself from gushing when he noticed that Ron stood up.
Oh, he’s next. Toto was darn curious now. He knew that Ron could sing really well as expected from him.
The first notes floated.
“Wise men say / Only fools rush in / But I can't help falling in love with you / Shall I stay? / Would it be a sin / If I can't help falling in love with you?”
All of a sudden, the whole room turned quiet. Ron’s baritone voice bounced in the room. No one clapped, nor whistled. As if a magician did his trick enchanting the audience. Bedazzled. Everyone was glued on the person standing next to Toto, who was playing his interpretation of a popular Elvis Presley song.
Toto was fastened on his seat, mouth agape. Ron was looking at him, his intentions were clear. His heart beat faster, aware of his surroundings and the four sets of eyes that were focused on them.
“Take my hand / Take my whole life, too / For I can't help falling in love with you…”
Ron sat next to Toto and seized his hand. He began to speak.
“I am glad that our friends are here to give me moral support and witness the promise I will say here today. Too bad that Spitz isn’t around but he already knows my plans.”
Toto’s face was beet-red now not because of the alcohol but specifically because of Ron, who was in front of him, who was now removing an object from his pocket.
“Toto, I know that this is all so sudden. But, after all the things that happened between us, I believe that there is an understanding that we can’t live without each other and instead prepare to die together if we are faced with a choice. With that are you willing to be my partner for life? Will you marry me?”
Toto’s mouth quivered, why didn’t he never think that this day would come? Ah, there was a reason he could never keep up with Ron when sleuthing was involved.
He didn’t know what came over him, but he grabbed Ron’s face and in front of everyone kissed him, his fiancé. Without remorse nor embarrassment while their friends uttered their congratulations.
“Isshiki-kun, I am so happy for you!” The reporter wiped the tears from her face.
“Thank you Chikori-kun,” Toto couldn’t take his eyes off Ron, who kept on singing the last stanzas.
Kawasemi-san, elated, clapped his friends’ shoulders. Somehow, he wasn’t able to dodge the emotional punch of his friends’ love story. He was so taken, he’d wish he had someone too until he felt a hand snaked its way to his waist.
“Amamiya, you!”
“I know what you feel. But no, we can never be together,” Amamiya held her former colleague’s hands.
“I know,” Kawasemi squeezed hers back.
“But we are happy that finally these two decide to tie the knot,” she replied with a tear in her left eye. The Aichi police inspector nodded his head. He knew how much she cherished Ron.
Walking home, after all the thunderous claps and endless well wishes, the friends parted their ways and only Ron and Toto remained. They agreed again to meet at the train station for a coffee before they said their farewell to Kawasemi.
Upon reaching the Maison du Kamonohashi, Toto wanted to ask Ron something. Something that bruised his ego in a long while.
“Have… have you ever been bothered by my habit in the shower?”
“What gave you that idea, Toto? The house has been alive ever since you showed up,” quipped Ron, who was a bit confused, turning the lock of his apartment. “Besides, I am not prone to flowery words if I thought your singing voice would be hideous. Really, Toto…”
The police officer pressed the younger man behind the door, gave him a kiss on the lips that prevented Ron to say anything further. Tongue-tied and feeling silly now, he bowed his head.
“I am glad to hear that, will-be husband.”
“Ack, my pure, idiot, naïve Toto… as the owner of this building, I am giving you a carte blanche to do everything you want to do in this house. Sing all you want, trash all you want. Except destroying or burning it of course. Unless it would be necessary.”
Ron’s hearty laughing warmed Toto’s heart.
Minutes later, they found themselves entwined to one another, their arms wrapped each other, never letting go with a big smile on both of their faces.
~ fin ~