|Void

Under the starry night, the numbing sounds of laughter and dancing shoes filled the room. The glamorous dresses and lights went hand in hand with the vigorous and jovial atmosphere. Truly befitting. They all dressed for the occasion. Bottles of wine being switched out swiftly and also recklessly but who cared?

The somewhat mixed smell of cigarettes and colognes filled the air and if paid attention to, would have been nearly suffocating. This was one of the popular hostess clubs in Tokyo, Zenex Tokyo.

Even the neon covered sign right outside didn’t do it justice. The lighting highlighted the multiple women in eye-catching dresses and men actively in pursuit despite many of them being worn out.

From an outsider’s perspective, it surely had a grounded yet mystical feeling involved. Her black heels clattered as she strolled majestically in her bright, red, silk dress that accentuated her slender figure and long legs covered in a pair of black tights.

She wore a dark cardigan that covered up her arms and complemented her short hair that had a fluffy, cute yet mature look. She enthralled not only her guest but every other guest willing to lend an eye. A couple of eyes turned and rolled as she gave a wry smile and a subtle wink. A sight for sore eyes indeed.

In her tender hands were a bottle of Cabernet for her customer. From the look of it, this wasn’t his first bottle so his present state was of no surprise.

“Here’s your bottle, Mister. Let me pour it for you.”

“That would be a pleasure. Go ahead.”

“The pleasure is mine.”

“Pretty and modest. I like that.”

“Save that for the other girls.” she was completely focused on the drink she poured.

“Well, those that are pretty are pretty, right?”

“I’m assuming that’s everyone?”

“Haha, it’s just my luck.”

“Fair enough.”

“Why don’t you drink, though?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Nonsense. A hostess scared of alcohol?” he chuckled.

“You see, it is in my contract. Past a certain point, every glass that touches my lips is at my own discretion.”

“Aren’t we supposed to let loose and get wild??” he said as he gestured with both his hands. He was clearly not having it.

“Well, I’ll do whatever you want.” she nodded slightly.

“Is that also in the contract?”

With a sigh, she turned to the man.

“It seems like you’re a regular here.”

“I haven’t seen you here before. Your first time?”

“Something like that. Maybe that’s why everyone is taking kindly to me. Including a gentleman that immediately enquired my services upon seeing me arrive.”

“Guilty as charged. Uh..Leah-san?” he snuck a glance at her cleavage.

“That’s me.”

“That’s a weird name. Are you a foreigner?”

“It’s a pretty cool name, don’t you think?”

“Agreed.”

“You see, I named myself that. One of my favourite actresses is named that.”

“What about your actual name?”

“I threw it away. Mainly because I hate the people who gave me the name to begin with.”

“I see.”

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to bore you out with my sob story.”

“No no.. That’s fine. I’m a pretty good listener.” he exclaimed as he clumsily moved closer to the young lady.

“It seems like your colleagues are caught up in karaoke. Wanna join in?”

“No..I’ll rather not. Spending some more time with you is much better.”

Upon hearing this, she smiled. He was as unbearable as she imagined.

“I’m a pretty special person around here, you know? My experience will reflect that.”

“I’m aware….. That’s why I’m here, right? Straight from the glass house.”

“Woah. I’m not that special then.”

“Haha. Some of the customers there are just like you.”

“To add to that, for some reason, talking to you doesn’t feel like a service. With all the other girls, their attention is an accessory. Just like this drink. It spoils the flavour, you know? You are different.”

“Oh my. You are such a sweet talker.”

“You bet. Even if the world is about to end, I’m satisfied with things as they are. That’s how much I’m enjoying your company.”

“I’m flattered.”

‘That stupid line again’, she thought. Lacking creativity, consideration and sincerity, it was one of the few words that instantly pushed her buttons, no matter the context, or the lips they slithered from. It was a common thing now, but it didn’t make it any less annoying.

She smiled wryly and crossed her legs. He blushed and found himself staring, observing every single detail. From her firm thighs to her ample chest and hair that split open like an umbrella at the side. She had him wrapped around her finger. In other words, mission accomplished.

Right now, his expenses were none of her concern. She stood up and grabbed him, pulling him away from his chair, towards the empty seats in front of the boisterous bartender.

“Get me the regular.”

“Two, please.”

“Two cosmopolitans, coming right up.”

While the bartender craftily prepped the ice and shook the alcoholic blend as though he was pouring his very essence into the glass cups, the dark haired lady and her guest were chatting away.

“Enough about me. Let’s talk more about you, Mister.”

“Me?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you want to know? I’m not exactly mysterious or anything of the sort.”

“I can tell that. Of course, you strike me as an open book but I don’t want to be rude.”

“Unfortunately, you hit the nail on the head.”

He brought out a pack of cigarettes and gestured to the bartender who was on standby. As it lit up, he took a long and exhausted breath.

“What makes you say that?”

“I am just a grown man making use of the opportunities I have in front of me. That’s all.”

“At least you’re honest in that regards.”

“Of course, after the corruption point. I’ve learned that life is incredibly feeble. Might as well live it to the fullest.”

“I’ve got to say, that’s the right attitude for us to have.”

“Right?”

“But then again, if the person in question uses that as an excuse to hurt others, I wouldn’t be able to get behind that.”

“Right..”

“Mister, you said you’re ordinary right? That can’t possibly be true. After all, you’re definitely a big shot.”

“Don’t take me too seriously.”

“Correct me if I’m wrong. You’re a manager at a construction company.”

“What made you go with that?”

“Just a random guess. Am I right?”

“I wouldn’t reveal too much but you’re half right. I work for the government. I managed to climb up a couple of ranks and now, I can look down without ever thinking of falling.”

“Must be amazing. You have a family too, right?”

“Huh?” his lips pressed against the cigarette rather aggressively and he gave the lady a blank stare.

“Mister, I’m not dumb. Many men come here with different troubles. I just took a safe guess.”

“I see. I was just surprised you brought it up.”

“I don’t see why not.Plus…”

Her confident gaze had him speechless and curious. Awaiting her next words, he simply gazed in awe at her.

“Don’t worry about it. I’m here for only one thing and that’s to make you feel good, Haruto-san.”

“I appreciate that. My wife will kill me if she finds out I’m here.”

“Do you have any kids?”

He sighed lightly after hearing the question then put out his cigarette.

“What’s the matter?”

“I just find it funny that assuming you met my wife, she probably wouldn’t have told you she had kids.Really, is that woman trying to grab a younger man or something?”

“I’ve met a bunch of women like that. Some women love to brag about having children while others do the opposite, I guess? Weird thing.”

“Tell me about it. Anyway, I do have a son.”

“How old is he?”

“About ten years, I think. He’s awfully quiet most of the time but he’s quite the intellectual. His name is Tappei.”

“So Tappei is a genius?”

“Yeah, I’m proud of the kid.”

“I’m sure he’ll love to hear you say that.”

“Yeah, right. Let’s talk more about you. You’re just reminding me of my shitty life.”

“Hmm. What do I do? My life is full of some pretty shitty things too.”

“That’s great. But to be honest, unexpected. I mean, you look so pretty. Like a teenager, your looks are deceiving but that’s what makes you even more special.”

“By the way, I can relate to all your parenting troubles. I’m a mother myself.” she chuckled as he pushed his drink forward, his jaw dropped.

“Hey, bartender. This doesn’t look like…”

Indeed, the drink had a light blue glow that radiated in tandem with the deep red.

“Yes, madam. I added my own touch to it.”

“What do you call it then?”

“The voyager.”

“Hmm. Not bad. What do you think, Mister?”

“Are you serious???”

“Oh, you’re still on that. Yeah. I had a kid in my teens and now the rest is history.”

“...”

“ I’m doing all this for him. I just hope he doesn’t grow up to hate me, I won’t be able to bear that.”

He averted his gaze to the drink that he stirred repeatedly.

“Too heavy?”

“No, it’s fine. I was talking about how shitty my life was until I heard yours.”

“Well, everyone thinks their life is shitty until they hear the next person’s story.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“Let’s forget about that. I’ve basically told you all about myself. ”

“Then let’s just drink.”

“Right… No need for the gloomy talk. I’ll keep you company.”

She gulped down the drink even faster than the man beside her.

“It seems like you’re fired up.”

“It’s because of you, Haruto-san. You’re really fun to be with.”

“You’re teasing me again.”

“You started it, remember?”

He extended his right hand and reached for her slim waist. She stared cautiously from the corner of her eye and grinned.

“Mister, I suggest you don’t do that. No sexual contact, remember?”

His gaze shifted to the two guards behind them, clad in black, patiently waiting to step in if she had any issues with the customer.

“Come on, you’re also enjoying my company too.”

“Unfortunately, I’m not fond of that type of company.”

“Haha my bad. Perhaps I should take it easy with the drinks.”

“Last time I checked, a drink doesn’t make you touch other people. Liar..You men are all liars.”

“No, really…”

She stared at him without a single hint of emotion. With that look of disgust missing, the man calmed his nerves.

“I’m sure you thought since you were VIP, the rules didn’t apply to you.”

“You know that rule just exists for the sake of it, right?.”

“Well, there’s an exception to every rule, but I hate being the exception.”

“It’s not like that.”

“I’m not falling for it.”

“Come on Leah..Just forget about all that.”

“At this point, that won’t be necessary. Now we have reached the climax. I guess there’s no use hiding it.”

“Huh?”

“Mister, remember when you asked me if I was fired up?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Well, are you?”

She moved closer to his beet red face as he stood in place like a mannequin, whispering in his ears softly.

“Are you, haruto? I’m willing to forgive you based on your answer.”

“Y-yes. It feels like I’m about to explode.”

“I see…Well….”

As she grinned mischievously, her voice and mannerisms took a U-turn.

He leaned back, cleared his throat and grinned.

“I’m a guy, you know?”