No Paradise in Eden

Though she tried to move, she couldn’t. He disappeared as the video continued its eternal broadcast. Another pretty boy appeared with more exclamatory text describing his charms and wit, but Kaho didn’t care. Her thoughts were still locked in processing the sight of Shuhei again, much less in this form. She thought they’d never cross paths again, and she had told herself she was okay with that. Yet now she felt her entire essence wanting to enter those doors.

It was a foolish notion. If Shuhei truly were a host, much less an important one at a major club like this, he would likely be drowning in the company of beautiful women every moment. There wouldn’t be a single second or thought that could be spared for someone as plain, aloof, and othered as Kaho. That was what her mind was telling her as her fingers fumbled along the raised scar tissue on her left shoulder. But her heart was saying something else.

It was reminding her of how he looked at the festival that night. How the candlelight danced in his cold eyes as they lingered in her gaze for a moment longer than expected. How his lips pulled down and parted with full, heavy weight as he gathered words that he wanted to type. How his fingers felt in her hand and against her back.

Nikko’s tranquility may have been gone, but there in Tokyo, amid the chaos and lights and crowds, he was right before her, so close and familiar, yet so different.

Kaho’s mind receded in partial defeat as reason and fear paused long enough to let longing, confusion, and curiosity win the day. She wanted to see him, even just one more time. If it had to be here, that would be enough. Even if it was from afar, and he was surrounded by women far more interesting and pretty than her, that would be enough.

This new curveball had ripped open every stitched seam in her emotional barrier that she had thought was sewn shut. As she stood in the street debating what to do, a new, overwhelming feeling permeated her body. It wasn’t The Surface. It wasn’t drowning. Kaho wasn’t sure what it was at all, but it was begging her to come back to that club tonight to see him one more time.

After a few moments of debating, she conceded and braced for whatever was to come. For now, she had at least one more ikebana gallery to visit. Then it would simply be a matter of time.

Hours later, darkness had overtaken Kabukicho, and now the roads were illuminated in vibrant neon and LED lights. Soft thuds of bass pounded through insulation and walls to send shockwaves into Kaho’s beating heart as she made her way to the club once more. She had hidden away in an internet cafe as she waited for the club’s doors to open, and now it was comfortably past the welcoming hour, so she felt it was time to approach. Details of the other ikebana class were barely present in her mind anymore as she nervously approached the now-illuminated high-rise.

Red lights soaked the building’s exterior, casting an alluring yet slightly unnerving crimson glaze over the entirety of the building. Letters spelling EDEN were now glowing golden yellow as they pulsed with beckoning energy. Crowds were already lingering around the stairway.

Hordes of young women stood outside the club screaming at the mere digital appearances of the hosts on the screen display. Dozens upon dozens of smartly dressed, appealing beauties all laughed with hands over faces as they took photos, videos, and audio notes of their glimpses of modern royals. Without even hearing their voices, Kaho knew the screaming was quite loud. When Shuhei appeared on screen, Kaho felt the very air ignite with cheers and worship.

Several girls were holding bouquets of flowers as though hoping that fate would allow them a chance to throw their petals at his feet if he made an appearance. Some fixed their hair and checked their lip gloss in handheld mirrors as they prayed for their knight to step out from his castle to see them.

Younger, less experienced hosts were waiting at the edge of the steps, casting alluring glances and flirtatious gestures to their fans and potential clients for the evening. Every motion they made was swanlike, calculated, and elegant.

One young man was in a vibrant three-piece suit with auburn hair slicked back. Another was without a jacket, but his tailored vest clung to a defined chest that begged for embracing. Another was still, almost cold, with a judgmental, haughty glare peering over his clear-framed glasses. Lastly, a beautiful blonde with straightened bangs was femininely leaning against a lamppost as he sang to passersby.

Every one of them could have walked into the building with a dozen girls on their arm if the girls could simply afford them. But for now, those cheers and cries of adoration were all that could be spared. Until Kaho appeared.

For Kaho, she simply approached the stairs without hesitation. The blonde began to speak to her, but she had no way of knowing what he was saying. Beside her, several girls stopped to watch. Kaho could feel their gazes mixing between admiration and condemnation as she brazenly continued to the stairs until the judgmental one in glasses tilted his head to observe her, causing her to stop for the moment.

In truth, she hadn’t planned on how to get in and had no idea what the process was like. The blonde had stopped singing and was now beside her, smiling a kind, charming smile that curved to the left. Kaho faced him to try and read his lips, making sure to brush her hair behind her ear as she did. Glasses tilted his head once more as he caught sight of the pink hearing aid, and Kaho noticed his eyebrows soften from their furrow. The blonde also noticed and immediately slowed his speech.

His lips formed into a rounded exclamation as he quietly said, “Oh…” while glancing at her ear. He was wearing more makeup than her. Fillers in his lips gave him an artificial plumpness, and his eyes had been pulled up, either by surgery or tape. But he was cute, and his curiosity didn’t feel fetishizing or immature. His hands slid in his pockets as he rocked onto his heels and leaned forward towards her, as though unsure of how to proceed.

Kaho pointed up the stairs. She didn’t want to ask for Shuhei because he was very likely already taken or likely reserved. Now she had the interest of all four young men, who stepped in front of her, not like guards, but escorts. Glasses was the quickest to think, and pulled a white business card and pen from his vest.

He began to write, then handed the card to Kaho.

His name, according to the card, was simply Ace. His Line information was there, along with his social media handles. More importantly, his message was written in rough, angled letters.

“Want to come in?” it asked.

Kaho looked at him and nodded.

Some girls cheered and clapped, but Kaho was unaware. Some swooned. One brave comrade ran forward to give her flowers, leaving Kaho utterly perplexed. To their credit, the blonde and the muscular, vested one were there to lift the flowers from her grasp and offer her their hand, causing more girls to scream. Kaho finally turned around to see throngs of feminine energy rapturously encouraging her. Only a few faces seemed to be sending death threats.

Glasses nodded to the door with a snakelike smirk as he turned to lead the way. As the four of them made their way up the stairs, the vibrantly dressed host gave a bow to the audience, letting them know that they would be gone for at least the foreseeable future.

Inside, lights were low save for the swaying strobes that glinted along the edges of mirrors. Leather booths were full of women and their designated partners. Bottles were placed on the center tables. Tablets sat waiting with images of young men intermixed with images of food and alcohol. The air tasted and smelled like sandalwood. Pulses and thuds on Kaho’s skin and chest told her music was playing, but not loudly.

The five of them reached an open booth and Kaho was encouraged to sit. As she did, her eyes scanned the room. There was an upstairs area that was lower-lit, making it harder to see. It felt elevated and exclusive. That was likely where he was, but she might not be able to see them. While she was distracted, she didn’t even notice all four boys and gathered pens, and the vested, statuesque one was now writing with elegant, measured letters.

“We’ve never seen you before. What brings you to Eden?” he wrote.

“I was just in the area, and I was curious,” Kaho lied.

Glasses responded.

“Curious about Eden, or about host clubs?”

“Both, I suppose.”

The vibrant one glanced at her with an analytical stare that lasted just a millisecond longer than it needed to. It made it obvious he was thinking before writing.

“You seemed very confident when you approached. Are you alone?” he asked.

Such a question would usually unnerve Kaho, and even now, she felt the slightest whisper of fear as she sat surrounded by these gorgeous strangers in their dapper clothes. The smell of the room was slightly too strong for her. That was probably because she cared about scent more than most. She debated her answer but decided to continue.

“Alone. I’m not confident, just direct.”

Glasses smiled at her answer and Kaho noticed he leaned in slightly closer as he judged her some more.

“I appreciate that you know there’s a difference,” he wrote in what could only be felt as a pur.

The chandelier was reflecting and refracting light across the walls around them, sending the occasional stray beam onto her table. In that moment, a ray of green and yellow darted across his narrowed eyes as he watched her for her answer.

Above them, it was too dark to see anyone. Shuhei wasn’t there. They were wearing too much makeup. The food was probably overcooked. She didn’t even like alcohol. This was a bad idea. She needed to move.

“I’m sorry. Where is the restroom?” she wrote as her pulse gathered in her ankles and throat.

“I can lead you there,” wrote the blonde, who actually didn’t seem like a threat.

Still Kaho shook her head. She’d heard horror stories of spiked drinks and life-crushing debts coming from these places. Unless it was Shuhei, she didn’t want to be in a dark space with any of these people. Did she even want to be in the dark with Shuhei at this point? She wanted to go. But she needed to calm herself first. For whatever reason, the bathroom made the most sense. Glasses rose slightly and pointed to a corner. Kaho prayed no one would follow her.

She bowed without looking at any of them. Racing heartbeats were surging adrenaline through her veins, and she almost turned to run out the door. But first, she wanted to splash her face with water. Maybe she could stay and endure. Shuhei might still be here. Maybe she could still find a justification for coming in here. Or maybe she should run and never look back.

All of those thoughts were exploding through her brain as she swiftly walked along the red carpet towards her darkened destination. Everything was becoming overwhelming, and The Surface was starting to turn choppy. Kaho didn’t even notice the figure moving swiftly towards her from behind. Just as she reached the bathroom door, a large hand reached out to open the door. Before Kaho could articulate a scream, a gentle nudge was guiding her into the privacy of the room and shutting the door behind them.

Panic seized Kaho as she started to shout, but then the tall figure turned to face her, and all she could do was gasp in overwhelmed surprise.

His hair was styled out of his eyes. His blue suit was fitted to highlight every bend of his broad, lean frame. He felt even taller. And in that moment, his eyes were wild with concern.

“Shh-haaae” Kaho muttered aloud.

His jaw trembled as he bit down to control his rage and fear. Kaho noticed he kept his distance firmly away from her as he glared at her with eyes that weren’t embarrassed, but afraid.

He spoke through gritted teeth, and Kaho couldn’t understand. But she could see his chest tremble ever so slightly as he clenched his jaw and removed his phone to type.

“What the hell are you doing in a place like this, Kaho?!” he asked.