Rainy season - when the smell of rain drift through the night breeze. Late June, 2001.
Shingo came straight home from Shiki Green Hotel.
It's almost 8 o'clock in the evening. The day at the hotel was uneventful.

Immediately upon entering his apartment, Shingo stared at the half open glass door (usually left ajar so the cats can pass through) between the living room and the hallway. Kishou has a habit of storing away his shoes when he returns. Shingo listened intently, trying to discover what's going on inside.
"... He must be here. Grace hasn't come out"
Grace is Shingo's female cat. There is also Milk, a male cat.
"Forget Milk, if Grace hasn't come out..."
She must be on Kishou's lap.
Knowing fully well who is the master of this house, the cats like to stay near Kishou.
Milk's usual spot is Kishou's double bed, and once Kishou returns home, Grace's spot is on his lap.

"I'm home! Did you eat yet?"
Shingo took off his shoes, placed them on the side of the entrance and spoke toward the living room.
But,"...Sorry, were you sleeping?"
Shingo opened the slightly ajar door to Kishou's bedroom; he apologized as soon as his eyes met Kishou's, resting in an armchair.
"No. Just resting my eyes."
"Umm.. . did you eat yet? There's some miso-marinated black cod we got as a gift if you like..."
"I don't have much of an appetite. Don't worry about me."
Kishou replied with a slightly softer tone in his voice. He doesn't seem to be depressed.
Shingo nodded and left the room, heading for the kitchen to prepare dinner.

Lately Kishou doesn't seem too energetic, barely speaking after returning from work.
He's always prepared to answer any questions at the Concierge Desk, so the gap between his private self was even more noticeable, making Shingo increasingly concerned.
Is Kishou having problems with a lover he doesn't know about?
Shingo wanted to ask today, finally, but still found it difficult to do so.
Takatsuki is in Bangkok on business, and sent Shingo a short e-mail about the city, weather, and appearance of the people in the streets.
Current information like these were much appreciated by Shingo and Kishou who work in the limited environs of a hotel.
Takatsuki and Kishou stopped being lovers several years ago, but Shingo still have a hard time believing it. Perhaps it's more that he hasn't given up on this relationship; they still keep closely in touch and trust each other.
Recently, Takatsuki has been coming to Tokyo frequently on business.
On those occasions, Takatsuki stays in this apartment. Kishou even bought a set of futon for him to sleep on. They usually lay it out in Kishou's room.
Takatsuki wanted to sleep in Shingo's room too, but it was usually too cluttered and had no room for a futon on the floor.
Shingo could easily clean the room for Takatsuki to whom he is greatly indebted, but he purposely doesn't create enough space for a futon. That way, Takatsuki will give up and sleep in Kishou's room.
He couldn't resist making every possible attempt, no matter how small, if it might create an opportunity for them to get back together.

"... I really think you need a stable lover...."
Shingo mumbled to himself while cutting lettuce and cucumber for the salad.
Kishou would never admit this, but Shingo is convinced that Kishou is more lonely than he is.
Kishou is the most mature, respectable, unassailable person he knows... but sometimes he appears to stare at Shingo with eyes that seem starved for loving attention.

"Takatsuki has Kaoru... so they probably won't get together"
Shingo was beginning to realize that by his stepbrother's age, the mental part of the relationship was very important, separate from the physical one. He's been around enough male-male romantic relationships to learn this.
Just then, Kishou entered the room with Grance in his arms.

"If I open a bottle of wine with salad and fish, would you have some with me?"
He turns toward Shingo's voice, away from the sofa where he was going to sit, heads to the kichen and sits on a stool at the counter.
Grace comfortably has her eyes closed; Shingo lovingly glanced at the sight.
"You're inviting me to have wine? That's unusual."
"Masamichi sent some to taste. Italian reds and whites, half dozen each"
"I heard Kaoru put him in charge of one of the business talks in Italy"
Masamichi is Hagiwara's oldest son, now 25 years old. He's the young 'prince' of HagiwaraTrading, and everyone says he greatly resembles his father when he was younger. Takatsuki is teaching him the "Spirit of work and resolve of business negotiation". He is Takatsuki's most important current project.

"Yeah, Tuscan wine and olive since middle of last month. By the way, red or white? Which one?"
"Whatever you want. Maybe white for black cod?"
Shingo mumbled yeah, it's fish, and took out the wine from the fridge, placing it on the counter.
"Open it"
"What? You can't open wine?"
"But I don't drink them. I did learn how to open champagne from Mr. Kazama"
"Come over here. I'll show you how"
Kishou took out a corkscrew from a drawer on the side of the counter.
Shingo stopped tearing the lettuce, shook his hands, and apologized.
"Oh..., you do it. What if I mess up?"
"If you can't even open wine, you might get in trouble in the future"
"Future? You mean Concierge has to be able to open wine?"
Shingo opened his eyes wide, surprised. Kishou chuckled.
"Don't laugh!"
"No, not work, I'm talking about when you have a family"
Family? Family, as in marriage?
Shingo stared incredulously at his brother who unexpected said this. Marriage!?
"M...m... marriage !?"
"It's a possibility right? You said you're not gay"
"Ur.."
"Come over here. It's adult manners. You can't lose by learning it"

He couldn't help but leave the kitchen when it's referred to as 'manners'.
Last week, Ken referred trying all newly released condoms as 'adult manners'. 'Manners' seem to have a different meaning to Ken and Kishou.

Kishou was holding a corkscrew that opened like a jack knife.
"This is the type most sommeliers use. It's called 'waiter's friend'."
Kishou placed Grace on the sofa and stood behind Shingo.
"You have to use a 'lever' to open wine. But before that, wipe the bottle with a napkin. ... See, clean it well"
"... sounds a little obscene"
"What is? Then you use the knife part and cut the foil. Don't cut your finger, Shingo"
"I won't! Where do you cut? You can peel it with your fingers can't you? It's lead, right?"
"Looks more pleasing if you cut it at the top, but it's a matter of taste. Lately, sommeliers' are cutting near the middle because even a little lead is harmful when mixed in food and drinks."
"There's mold on the cork!"
Shingo yelped in a panicky voice as soon as he removed the capsule. Kishou peeks over Shingo's shoulder.
He's so close, even the minutest movement will cause Shingo's lips to touch Kishou's face. Shingo notices his soft fragrance and feels as if he is surrounded by it.
"Just a little mold - that's OK. Next insert the tip of the corkscrew straight in... Wait! I said straight. Don't tip it sideways even a little. It'll get ruined."
"Oooh, do it yourself!"
Uneasy from the warmth surrounding his shoulder and back, Shingo tried to pass the corkscrew in his right hand onto Kishou. He only pretended to take the object, placing his hand on top of Shingo's, making him hold the bottle one more time.

"See, hold the bottle with your left hand and support it with your chest. Insert the tip into the cork... see, you can do it. Then use your wrist and twist once or twice. Bury the screw until the edge of the part that's hooked touches the mouth of the bottle, then use the 'law of levers'."
Shingo carefully began pulling on the cork with Kishou's hand still on his. He suddenly stops his hands, as the surface of the cork shows a small crack.
"I messed up"
"It's OK, you just went through the other side. Don't use any force. Here, hold the bottom of the bottle between your thighs. It's better if you know how to deal with emergency situations."

Not only was a cold bottle was shoved between his legs without his consent, he himself was now held between Kishou's thighs.
In other words, Shingo is in the inside and Kishou is outside folded on top of each other. (T..the hips are touching... Kishou's zipper's brushing against my ass... )
It's much more than brushing; it's close contact rubbing.

"No more~~~ Do it. Please"
"Just a little more. Be patient"
Kishou holds Shingo even tighter as he tried to slip away. Doesn't Kishou feel anything being this close? Shingo bit his lip.
"See, it's coming out slowly. Pull out gently... Good boy"
"What, good boy?"
"The cork. It squeezed out through a tight passage. Praise it."
Just at that moment, the cork came out with a nice pop.
Shingo's entire body sighed with relief and Kishou released his grip at the same time.

Kishou moved away from Shingo and took out glasses from the cabinet holding wineglasses.
He takes the bottle out of Shingo's hand and pours just a little wine, for tasting.
"Mmmm... Nice. See"
Shingo tipped his head back as the same glass was pressed onto his lips.
Cold white wine trickled down his throat. The sharp initial swallow contrasted with the rich fragrance as it spread in his mouth.
"A little strong, isn't it?"
"No, I think it's supposed to be like this. Try having a little more"
Tasting while standing up may be against good manners, but Shingo took another sip as Kishou pressed the glass against his lips and tried rolling the wine over his tongue.
This time, the distinct smoothness of a dry white wine trickled down his throat with a tickiling sensation, perhaps because his throat is now accustomed to the feel.
"For a long time, world of wines was limited to men"

Kishou's soft utterance brings Shingo back to reality.
"How is the taste that firmly refused women?"
Shingo suddenly coughed. His teeth hit the glass and Kishou pulled it away quickly.
"Be careful! You'll cut your mouth!"
"Who's... (cough) ... fault is it? You jerk"
Shingo glared at his brother whose every word sounds so obscene.
From now on, his brain will think of white wine as the taste of men because of him.

Shingo headed to the bathroom to wash his flushed face when Kishou grabbed his shoulder.
"Don't gurgle with tap water. It'll ruin the aroma of the wine"
Kishou pulled out a bottle of cold water from the fridge.
The bottle of Volvic has 'Mine" written on it; Shingo buys them for himself so he can drink straight from the bottle.
Kishou moved away from Shingo, and placed the just baked fish on a plate.
He already divided the salad in a glass bowl, so the only thing left for Shingo to do was to grab a small plate and chopsticks.
"Don't you think warm mashed potatoes would go nicely with this wine?"
"I'll make some now"
Kishou likes mashed potatoes that's boiled in water and mashed while still hot with a little cream and milk. Takatsuki had taught him this recipe, and it has become one of Kishou's specialties.
"It'll be done soon. Let's chill some more wine. Aren't you warming any bread?"
"You said you had no appetite"
Kishou has a habit of wanting one more dish after starting a meal.
I guess it's better than not eating, Shingo thought to himself as he placed a large pot of water on the stove.

Unlike a meal at a restaurant, meal with only two men is quite informal even with wine on the table.
They set the meal at the round table, but the cats had smelled the mashed potatoes and fish, and were now purring and rubbing themselves against their legs and had to be pushed away.
Whenever Takatsuki stayed over, the cats were locked in one of the bedrooms. However, they've learned that on a day such as this, they can get some table food at least one out of five times, so they keep trying to jump up on Kishou's lap.

"Great wine. Send Masamichi an e-mail and thank him"
"If you're gonna open another one, do it yourself. I'm not doing it"
"I'll help you if you start to mess up, so you do it"
"NO WAY! You're drinking more than me"

After a little bickering, Kishou stood up. Shingo glanced over at his back with a sigh of relief.
...Maybe he doesn't have to have a lover.
If they can spend an enjoyable time together like tonight...
He begins to think this, then reconsidered his thought. His brother definitely needs someone who whispers love into his ears.
Kishou had been pushed only a short distance away from his love, and he probably has no place to pour his overwhelming feelings.
Every time he thinks of his brother pouring love and holding Takatsuki in his arms, who is also wellbuilt grown man, Shingo's body temperature rises with embarrassment. In this fantasy, Kishou looks like he will melt with happiness.
Only during this time, his cool, collected eyes become filled with warmth, calm, and kindness.
The appearance of his eyes even make onlookers feel happy.

"Get yourself a lover. Please..."
His muttering doesn't reach Kishou opening a bottle in the kitchen.
Second cork was removed with a nice pop.

END