A Place To Call Home Part 1
“I’m so alone…”
The rain beat down upon a little boy huddled under the roof of a old run-down restaurant. Even as the boy curled tighter and pressed himself against the wall, the small overhead wasn’t enough to cover him as his knees were still in the onslaught of the pouring waters.
“It’s so… c-cold…”
Gently he rubbed his trembling hands together, trying to warm his now numb and pale white fingers. With what little heat he could generate from his hands, he quickly pressed them against his cheek, trying desperately to keep warm. As his hands flew to his face however, the warmth died and all that he felt against his bruised and battle worn cheeks were his own ice-cold fingers. His eyes were worn with bags under them, tired from sleepless nights and the hauntings of his past. A single cut on his face, still healing slowly was stained with dirt, the result of being pushed down into the rough concrete. What little clothes he had on his body provided no protection against the gusting winds as they flew in tatters and served only to press the cold rain waters against him.
“Somebody….help me…” The boy whispered before he could stand the cold no longer, and his eyes closed as his body gave in to the exhaustion that harassed his body.
“Please…” With that, he felt his entire being grow cold and as his mouth opened to speak again, he gave in fully and passed out.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
“Hey…”
“mmh…”
“Hello? Are you okay?”
“mmnhh…”
A stranger had happened upon the little boy huddled in the small overhang of the restaurant.
“Are you okay?” the strange boy asked.
“I…I’m… fine…”
“You don’t look okay….Why don’t you come with me… and let’s get you into some clean clothes okay? What’s your name? My name’s Keito, Keito Okamoto” The stranger offered his hand.
“Y-Yuto…Yuto Nakajima” Yuto said as he cautiously took the stranger’s hand. Normally, he had enough sense not to take the help of random strangers, but there was just something in Keito’s warm brown eyes that seemed to draw him closer to the boy. As he stood up his groggy eyes finally regained focus as he realized that they were worlds apart. Keito smiled at him as he noticed Yuto staring at him. He was ... like a prince, dressed pure white and black, the simple collared shirt with a loosely looped scarf around his neck, and the leather shoes he wore…
“Ah!” Yuto jumped as he noticed his wet pants splashed some dirty water onto Keito’s.
“Y…Your pants… I’m sorry!” Yuto bowed quickly, fearing that he had already offended the boy.
“Haha, it’s okay, it’s only a little water. Sasaki, please bring a towel will you? Oh, and one of my shirts please.” Keito motioned behind him. Yuto’s eyes widened as he peaked behind Keito and noticed a man standing next to a magnificent silver car who merely bowed and quickly went to the car’s trunk, extracting a towel and what seemed to be a green shirt. He watched as the man walked towards him and handed him the two items.
“Go ahead, dry your pants off with the towel, and you can switch shirts, you must be freezing with that wet shirt of yours…” Keito frowned as he quickly took the towel from Yuto’s hands and wrapped it around the boy’s waist, gently drying the thin fabric.
“Yuto?” Keito asked as he noticed the boy wasn’t moving.
“Uh…oh!” Yuto jumped to attention, awakening from his daze. He quickly took off his shirt and toweled off the damp remnants from his thin frame before slipping the new shirt over himself. The fabric of the shirt felt so smooth against his skin, unlike the dirt crusted t-shirt he had been wearing, he could almost feel his entire body tingle at the feeling of something so different against him.
“C’mon” Keito smiled as he offered his hand and pulled Yuto in the direction of the car. Seeing that he wasn’t moving, Keito reached for the other boy’s hand and pulled him towards the car. Yuto felt the soft hands clasp his and he again stopped in surprise as he allowed himself to be pulled to the car.
“I-I don’t want to get your car dirty…” Yuto frowned as he stood before the door, looking at his shoes, the rain had washed dirt up to the bare and torn socks he had on.
“It’s okay, I will clean it when we get home.” The man said as he bowed and opened the door. Keito smiled as he gave Yuto a gentle push in the direction of the car. As he entered, the subtle smells of the soft leather met his nose and the cushioned seats of the car felt so soft against his back that had until now, known only the hard concrete and brick that he slept against.
When both the boys were in the car, the man, Sasaki, went to the front and began to drive, Yuto watched the outside scenery as he passed his haunts, the small shelter where he had hidden from yet another downpour, the small restaurant where the owner would give him leftovers if he had any, and even the small public bath, where the manager would let him bathe and even wash his clothes if he got there right before he left. Before he knew it, he could feel the soft cushions beckoning him to sleep as the gently humming of the car rocked him to sleep. Noticing the other boy was feeling groggy, Keito smiled as he watched Yuto try to stay awake, but ultimately fail as his head hit the headrest, and his eyes closed. Without a word, Keito pulled a small blanket he kept in the front compartment and put it over the boy and motioned to the driver to drive slower so as not to wake him.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
“Yuto? Wake up… we’re here…” Keito shook the sleeping boy gently.
“Mm?” Yuto groaned slightly as his eyes focused on the person before him. When he could make out Keito’s gently smiling face, his eyes widened. He was so sure it had been a dream, but as he stepped out of the car, he gasped as he noticed a mansion sitting before him, its grand white doors opened as if welcoming him in. With his mouth open in awe, he followed the man and the strange boy… Keito, into the house.
“Sasaki, please show Yuto to his room, I need to go put something up in the study.” Keito said as the man bowed and motioned for Yuto to follow. He led him through countless hallways and after a sharp turn, he stopped before a door, trimmed with a gentle jade green.
“This will be your room, please treat it as your own, Lunch will be served one hour from now, I will come and get you before then. Please go ahead and take a shower, clean clothes will be brought to you.” Sasaki said as he showed Yuto the bathroom.
“W-Wait…Why… is this happening? Who’s house is this?” Yuto asked as he noticed the man was leaving.
“This is young master Keito’s home.”
“You mean… his parents right?”
“No, his parents are usually in their homes in other countries, this house was built specifically for the young master to live in. Now please…” The man bowed as he turned to leave again.
“W-Wait, you didn’t answer my question… Why me?”
“It seems, that the young master has taken an interest in you… it has been a while since I’ve seen such a gentle and happy smile on his face…perhaps, he sees something in you…” The man sounded reminiscent as he smiled, then, realizing it was time to go, he excused himself and left, closing the door. Yuto looked around the room, feeling so small compared to the enormous room. It was decorated with a nature theme, had a second floor nook with a large window, streaming with sunlight. He walked to the bed and touched it with the palm of his hand, it’s soft plushy cushion molding around his fingers.
“Uwa… it’s so soft…” Yuto commented as he walked towards a door that Sasaki had said was the bathroom. With a small push, the door opened to reveal a large Jacuzzi bathtub and an adjoining shower, he gazed in awe as the grandeur of the room sunk into his mind. He walked to the tub and turned in the water. He tore off the clothes that he had on, dropping the towel and pants onto a basket he assumed was the laundry basket and stepped into the warm waters. When he submerged himself in the waters, he sighed as tears of joy came to his eyes. It was the first time in a long time that was able to take a decent bath. He closed his eyes as he let the hot waters warm his body and break apart the dirt that was on him.
“Ahh..” He sighed again as he dropped into the waters, the waters washed away his dirt-stained face, revealing a pure white Yuto that had not seen the light of day for quite some time. Gently, he lathered himself with the soap and rinsed off, stepping out he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around himself, relishing the soft feeling against his body. He stepped out into the room and saw that a set of clothes had been put on his bed, complete with a new pair of shoes and socks.
Carefully, he slipped on the new shirt and pants, again the feeling of such high class materials against his skin caused him to tingle with nervousness. He sat on the bed, letting his feet dangle as he fell backwards, the bed’s softness enveloped him and he gazed out of the small window the ceiling provided and looked up into a clear blue sky.
“Young master Yuto? Lunch is ready.” Yuto sat up as he noticed the man, Sasaki standing there.
“Y-You don’t have to call me that, I’m not your master…” Yuto blushed at being addressed as such.
“Anyone that young master Keito welcomes into our home is our guest and shall be addressed as such.” The man replied as he waved in opposite direction down the hallway.
“Are the clothes okay? Do they fit?”
“Un! Perfectly…thank you.” Yuto replied feeling slightly nervous.
“Good, ah we’re here.” The man bowed as he entered the room and after pulling a chair at the table for Yuto, excused himself and left through another door.
“Yuto! How are you feeling?” A voice asked, causing Yuto to snap to attention, looking at the small table that was set up, he could see the other boy waving to him, motioning for him to come closer.
“I-I’m fine…Thank you..” Yuto said as he took the seat next to the boy. His eyes widened as he looked at the plates before him. He had never seen so much food in his life! There were plates of sushi, fruits, breads, it seemed that anything he wanted, there would be a plate of it somewhere on the table.
“Please, eat… I can’t finish it at all.”
Keito smiled as he watched the boy eat with a dire hunger. He loved how the boy reacted, tasting the food. He thought it was cute the way Yuto would always take a little first, so as not to waste, before helping himself to more. He even loved the way the boy’s face squinted together as he would taste something that was particularly good, and the way it contorted when he tasted something he didn’t like.
“Did you like it?” Keito asked, as he noticed Yuto putting down his utensils. The boy could only nod as his mouth was still full of food.
“Ne..O-Okamoto-san?” Yuto started but stopped, trying to figure out how to phrase his question.
“Haha, you don’t have to call me Okamoto-san, just Keito is fine.” The boy laughed as he took a sip of his water.
“K-Keito-kun… w-why did you…bring me here? I don’t have anything I can give you, I don't have money, but I’d be glad to work for you, to help you, anything.” Yuto stumbled as he looked down at the table, feeling too shy to look at Keito. A maid came and removed the plate in front of Yuto and he saw his own reflection against the waxed table and he looked away, too scared to look even at his own eyes.
“Yuto… I don't want anything from you… maybe… just friendship? Is that okay?” Keito asked as he stood up and walked over to the other boy and squatted down beside the chair.
“F-Friendship?”
“Yes, is that okay? I want to be your friend, and I hope you want to be mine.” Keito smiled as he looked Yuto in the eyes, making the boy feel at ease. There was definitely something in Keito’s eyes that did something to Yuto. Each time the boy would look at him, Yuto would feel so at ease, as if Keito’s eyes offered safety, peace and it seemed, a family. Something that Yuto had yearned for.
“ Yuto? Are you okay?” Keito asked as he cocked his head to one side.
“I-I’m fine, sorry…” Yuto bowed slightly in his seat.
“It’s nothing to apologize for really!” Keito chuckled as he stood up and sat down in his seat again.
“Why don’t you just…. tell me about yourself?” Keito began as he looked intently at the boy.”
“I…I don’t know where to begin….” Yuto said, shrinking into the back of the chair.
“Well, let’s go to the sitting room and lets talk there.” Keito stood up and grabbed Yuto’s wrist, gently tugging the boy towards the door.
The two came to a room decorated with many different portraits and musical instruments. Together they sat on the large chairs in the center of the room and Yuto kept his head down, still unable to bring himself to look at the boy opposite him.
“Yuto… you don’t have to be nervous, you can look up, I promise… I don't bite.” Keito smiled as he noticed how Yuto stared at the ground.
“S-Sorry..” Yuto bowed shyly again.
“So… why don't you tell me about yourself, and then I’ll tell you about myself.” Keito began as he leaned back in the chair.
“I… I just….my parents had trouble making ends meet so they thought to give me a better life and so they gave me up to the public system… I went through almost 20 different homes… and none of them worked out for me… my last home….they…” Yuto began sniffling as his painful memories were uncontrollably spouting out of his mouth. He had no idea why he was telling all this to someone who he had just met, but it felt so…. cathartic.
“Did they abuse you?” Keito asked, his face full of sympathy as he sat down next to Yuto.” The skinny boy could only nod as he lifted up his shirt, revealing bruises along his side.
“Yuto… I’m so sorry…” Keito hugged the boy and held him tightly in his arms,
“I ran away… I needed to.. .I couldn't be a punching bag anymore! “ Yuto cried, the tears streaming down his face.
“I know…I know…”
“I did… everything to make money… I did anything I could… to keep myself afloat…I even tried…I even tried… that…” Yuto cried harder as he could remember the feeling of someone’s hands caressing his body, it was a terrible feeling. He even remembered the person’s eyes, greedily soaking up his naked body, before it became too much and he ran away.
“I’m so sorry… but you’re safe now… I promise…” Keito comforted the sobbing boy in his arms.
“K-Keito…” Yuto sobbed, he didn’t have anything else to say, but he could only tighten his embrace around his prince and cry into his shoulder. Somehow in his arms, Yuto found a place where he was safe, and a place where he could finally let out the tears he’d been so afraid to show.
After a few minutes, Yuto calmed down and sat up. He smiled shyly at Keito, slightly embarrassed that he had turned into such a baby in front of someone he had just met!
“I-I’m sorry Keito, tell me about you…” Yuto said as he wiped away the last few drops of tears in his eyes.
“Haha, okay, well… what would you like to know?”
“I-I don’t know… “
“Yuto, we’re friends aren’t we?” Keito asked, putting his hand on Yuto’s and looking him in the eyes.
“Y-Yes…”
“Then you shouldn’t be afraid to ask me about anything… ask me anything about my self… and I promise I’ll tell you.”
“Then… tell me about your life… your family… I want to know.” Yuto said sitting up on the chair.
“Ah.. haha okay. Well.. my father is the head a hospital corporation and my mother is the head director of an international performing arts association and me… well I’m just me.” Keito shrugged as he smiled at his new found friend.
“But that’s amazing!” Yuto exclaimed.
“Haha, the glamour dies off when you’ve been to your first formal dinner party, your parents are just so eager to show you off it’s not funny…” Keito giggled at the innocent reaction Yuto showed.
“But what else…?”
“Well…. After a while, my parents decided to give me this house, so that I could stay rooted in one place, instead of moving around with either of them. My father spends most of his days in the little house he made on the very top floor of his hospital… and my mother spends most of her days flying around between Paris and here, coordinating.. I believe she said a ballet charity event…” Keito thought for a minute before nodding.
“So… you’re left… alone?” Yuto asked
“Not alone, I have Sasaki with me, he’s been my caretaker since I was little… almost like… another father to me.” Keito smiled happily as he embarrassingly scratched his head a little.
“Young master Keito…” Sasaki walked into the room and bowed.
“It’s getting late and we still have that dinner tonight, we, as the hosts, cannot be rude.” He continued as he advanced into the room.
“Oh! Is that tonight!? It slipped my mind… thank you Sasaki, would you please… find Yuto here something suitable to wear?” Keito nodded in the boy’s direction and the man nodded.
“Certainly, would you please follow me Young master Yuto?” He gestured to the door he just came from and Yuto stood up to follow.
“I’ll see you soon Yuto…chan.” Keito paused as he added the last part.
“Un! Keito…chan” Yuto blushed at being able to use such a suffix with someone like this.
“It seems you and the young master have already gotten very close.” Sasaki commented as he led Yuto down a long hallway
“I-Is that bad?”
“Not at all, Keito-sama is very good at judging characters, and it seems he is quite taken with you.”
“Taken with me?”
“Ah… maybe he doesn’t even know it yet…” The man sighed and waved off his earlier comment
“W-Wait… taken with me?” Yuto wanted to know, but Sasaki said no more.
“These are for you to try on, please find one that you like, and I will have one of the maids tailor it for you if it is too big.” The man opened a closet full of coats and pants.
“These are…?” Yuto asked, wide eyed as he walked into the room.
“These are the young master’s coats.”
“Oh! I can’t take these! They’re his!”
“Anything of mine is yours.” Keito’s voice suddenly rang out. The two in the closet looked at the door, seeing Keito walk in.
“Anything of mine… is yours.” Keito repeated as he put his hands on Yuto’s shoulders.
“I think… this one will be good for you.” He said as he picked up a white jacket and the matching pair of slacks.
“E-Eh?” Yuto could only stare at him.
“And these too.” Keito continued, as he pulled out a pair of shoes that looked more expensive than Yuto felt.
“Good choice, young master Keito.” Sasaki commented as the boy smiled and pulled out his own suit.
“Anyway, good luck Yuto, I just came in to get my clothes.” Keito waved as he walked out of the room, smiling as he imagined how Yuto would look.
“Would you like to go ahead with this outfit?” Sasaki asked
“Y-Yes… please..” Yuto was still stunned.
“Very well.”
It seemed that only a few minutes had passed before the maid came in and measured Yuto and had the suit corrected.
“Sasaki-san… can you tell me… what this dinner is?” Yuto asked as he spread his arms for the maid to put on his jacket.
“It is a dinner that the young master has once every month, with a close few friends.”
“Close few friends?”
“Yes, I believe there are 8 of them coming.” The man nodded to the maid as he pointed out where the suit should be taken in a little more.
“Keito’s friends….” Yuto shivered nervously.
“It’s okay Yuto-sama, they aren’t vicious, and I’m sure if Keito-sama likes you, they will too.” Sasaki smiled, noticing the boy’s nervousness.
Yuto found comfort in the old man’s words and relaxed a bit. He was going to meet Keito’s friends, he couldn't afford to mess this up!
“Sasaki-san, if… I do anything stupid… please guide me.” Yuto said aloud
“I will, young master.” The man replied.
“Yuto, you worry too much.” Keito whispered to himself, as he stood outside the room smiling. With a glance at his watch, the boy stood up and walked down the hallway, chuckling to himself at how cute Yuto was to worry.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
The night quickly came and the guests soon arrived. They all came at the same time, in the single car and Yuto watched in amazement as they all stepped out.
“Sasaki-san… I’m scared….” Yuto quivered as he watched the 8 boys step out of the car from the second floor window of his room.
“Of what?” The man asked curiously
“These… people… I don't belong here….” Yuto sighed, defeated. He sat down on the nearby chair. He glanced at himself in the mirror, dressed in full white, his pale skin seemed to glow with radiance as the light bounced off his clothes and he sighed again.
“I look so different on the outside, but on the inside, I still feel like… I don’t belong in this rich world…” Yuto worried as the older man came over and patted him on the back.
“Then if you don’t feel like you belong, you must make a place in this world where you can belong, and meeting these people will do that, come, let me tell you about them.” Sasaki led Yuto to the window again.
“There, the boy on the far right, that is Yabu-kun, his family owns a large trading corporation, some say that his family can influence the very economy of Japan.”
“Yabu-kun…”
“The next boy is Yaotome-kun, though I believe he prefers just to be called Hikaru, he is the heir to one of the largest arts foundations in all of Japan, second only to Keito-Sama’s mother’s association. Some say that the Yaotome institute raises up and coming artists, dancers and writers every day, their very school impacts the culture of Japan.”
“Yaotome-kun… uh Hikaru…” Yuto quickly corrected himself
“The next boy is Inoo-Kun, he is the heir of the largest university network in all of japan, the noble Kei university was named after him by his parents. His vast network of schools, impacts the very foundation of education in Japan, naturally Inoo-kun is very intelligent himself.”
“Inoo-kun.” Yuto nodded his understanding.
“There’s Takaki-kun, he is well known as the heir to the largest entertainment corporation in Japan Unfortunately for him, many girls offer to go out on dates with him just to try to get into the entertainment business. He prefers to keep his life private so as not to attract attention, but it is well known that his family is the first and foremost when it comes to information dissemination.”
“Takaki-kun…”
“Ah, there’s Arioka-kun, he prefers to be called by his name, Daiki, or Dai-Chan. He is a rather interesting figure. Officially his family owns a chain of high-class restaurants noted for having some of the world’s top chefs and recipes. Unofficially however, his family is the head of a large underground group, similar to the yakuza. It’s wise to note that he is not someone you should cross.”
“He… could make me dissapear?” Yuto shivered.
‘Yes… but don’t worry, young master Daiki is a very gentle soul, he won’t do anything to you.”
“Daiki…kun” Yuto nodded, taking extra care to note which one he should be careful about.
“Ah, the last three boys, there is Yamada-kun, they call him Yama-chan. His parents are both high ranking government officials, combined, his parents have the influential power to effectively change the very laws and structure of Japan.”
“Yama-chan…” Yuto nodded
“Then we have Chinen-Kun, his family is well known for their development of martial arts, they have recently been introducing a new form of karate that includes aspects of gymnastics, it has been said that it is the herald of a brilliant new martial arts form. Some say that it was Chinen-kun himself who created the form. People come from all over the world to be instructed by his family’s dojo.”
“Chinen-Kun..”
“And finally, there is Morimoto-Kun, the youngest of the boys, sometimes they call him Ryu-Chan. He is the heir to the largest real estate and travel companies in the world. His family effectively controls the very land upon which Japan sits.”
“Morimoto-kun…” Yuto nodded again
“Ah… scary~” Yuto jumped down the stairs and pounced on his bed.
“Young master?” Sasaki asked as he stood beside the bed.
“How can I relax, when all of those boys are going to be sitting in front of me...? Those boys have such influence, such power, and I have nothing! Keito’s the head of a hospital corporation, one of them is the head of the yakuza. It’s just too much it’s just too much!” Yuto shook with fear as he tried to hug the pillow in his arms tighter.
“Yuuto-chan, are you ready?” Keito’s voice came as the knob on the door to Yuto’s room turned slowly.
“K-Keito!” Yuto sprang up, trying not to let the boy know how scared he was.
“Are you ready?” Keito smiled.
“U-un!” Yuto nodded, something in the way Keito smiled, seemed to melt all the tension he had just a few seconds ago. When the other boy reached out and grabbed his hand, the slender boy had that same feeling of safety envelop him as the two walked towards the front door in time for all the boys to walk in.
“KEITO!” They all laughed cheerfully as they ran forward and hugged him, Yuto felt his sense of security fade again as their joined hands were separated by the hugging mass.
“Hello, what’s your name? I don’t believe we’ve met.” A voice said, as Yuto turned his eyes widened as the boy that Sasaki had pointed out as Daiki Arioka smiled at him.
“Y-Yuto…Yuto Nakajima.” He shook with terror.
“Well hello Nakajima-kun, it’s nice to meet you.” Daiki smiled warmly as he shook Yuto’s hand.
“Yoroshiku…” Yuto replied his tremors steadily calming down. He could feel such warmth coming from the boy’s hand, why exactly was he scared of him again?
“C’mon, lets go see the other guys.” Daiki said as he tugged Yuto in the direction of the boys,
Well he had met one of them… now it was down to the other 7….
Yuto sighed as he walked towards the huddled mass… it was definitely going to be an interesting night.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
Uwa this was a reaaaaaly long chapter... this is my first attempt at making a good multi-chapter story, so please let me know what you think so i can make it better~
~Emmie
The rain beat down upon a little boy huddled under the roof of a old run-down restaurant. Even as the boy curled tighter and pressed himself against the wall, the small overhead wasn’t enough to cover him as his knees were still in the onslaught of the pouring waters.
“It’s so… c-cold…”
Gently he rubbed his trembling hands together, trying to warm his now numb and pale white fingers. With what little heat he could generate from his hands, he quickly pressed them against his cheek, trying desperately to keep warm. As his hands flew to his face however, the warmth died and all that he felt against his bruised and battle worn cheeks were his own ice-cold fingers. His eyes were worn with bags under them, tired from sleepless nights and the hauntings of his past. A single cut on his face, still healing slowly was stained with dirt, the result of being pushed down into the rough concrete. What little clothes he had on his body provided no protection against the gusting winds as they flew in tatters and served only to press the cold rain waters against him.
“Somebody….help me…” The boy whispered before he could stand the cold no longer, and his eyes closed as his body gave in to the exhaustion that harassed his body.
“Please…” With that, he felt his entire being grow cold and as his mouth opened to speak again, he gave in fully and passed out.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
“Hey…”
“mmh…”
“Hello? Are you okay?”
“mmnhh…”
A stranger had happened upon the little boy huddled in the small overhang of the restaurant.
“Are you okay?” the strange boy asked.
“I…I’m… fine…”
“You don’t look okay….Why don’t you come with me… and let’s get you into some clean clothes okay? What’s your name? My name’s Keito, Keito Okamoto” The stranger offered his hand.
“Y-Yuto…Yuto Nakajima” Yuto said as he cautiously took the stranger’s hand. Normally, he had enough sense not to take the help of random strangers, but there was just something in Keito’s warm brown eyes that seemed to draw him closer to the boy. As he stood up his groggy eyes finally regained focus as he realized that they were worlds apart. Keito smiled at him as he noticed Yuto staring at him. He was ... like a prince, dressed pure white and black, the simple collared shirt with a loosely looped scarf around his neck, and the leather shoes he wore…
“Ah!” Yuto jumped as he noticed his wet pants splashed some dirty water onto Keito’s.
“Y…Your pants… I’m sorry!” Yuto bowed quickly, fearing that he had already offended the boy.
“Haha, it’s okay, it’s only a little water. Sasaki, please bring a towel will you? Oh, and one of my shirts please.” Keito motioned behind him. Yuto’s eyes widened as he peaked behind Keito and noticed a man standing next to a magnificent silver car who merely bowed and quickly went to the car’s trunk, extracting a towel and what seemed to be a green shirt. He watched as the man walked towards him and handed him the two items.
“Go ahead, dry your pants off with the towel, and you can switch shirts, you must be freezing with that wet shirt of yours…” Keito frowned as he quickly took the towel from Yuto’s hands and wrapped it around the boy’s waist, gently drying the thin fabric.
“Yuto?” Keito asked as he noticed the boy wasn’t moving.
“Uh…oh!” Yuto jumped to attention, awakening from his daze. He quickly took off his shirt and toweled off the damp remnants from his thin frame before slipping the new shirt over himself. The fabric of the shirt felt so smooth against his skin, unlike the dirt crusted t-shirt he had been wearing, he could almost feel his entire body tingle at the feeling of something so different against him.
“C’mon” Keito smiled as he offered his hand and pulled Yuto in the direction of the car. Seeing that he wasn’t moving, Keito reached for the other boy’s hand and pulled him towards the car. Yuto felt the soft hands clasp his and he again stopped in surprise as he allowed himself to be pulled to the car.
“I-I don’t want to get your car dirty…” Yuto frowned as he stood before the door, looking at his shoes, the rain had washed dirt up to the bare and torn socks he had on.
“It’s okay, I will clean it when we get home.” The man said as he bowed and opened the door. Keito smiled as he gave Yuto a gentle push in the direction of the car. As he entered, the subtle smells of the soft leather met his nose and the cushioned seats of the car felt so soft against his back that had until now, known only the hard concrete and brick that he slept against.
When both the boys were in the car, the man, Sasaki, went to the front and began to drive, Yuto watched the outside scenery as he passed his haunts, the small shelter where he had hidden from yet another downpour, the small restaurant where the owner would give him leftovers if he had any, and even the small public bath, where the manager would let him bathe and even wash his clothes if he got there right before he left. Before he knew it, he could feel the soft cushions beckoning him to sleep as the gently humming of the car rocked him to sleep. Noticing the other boy was feeling groggy, Keito smiled as he watched Yuto try to stay awake, but ultimately fail as his head hit the headrest, and his eyes closed. Without a word, Keito pulled a small blanket he kept in the front compartment and put it over the boy and motioned to the driver to drive slower so as not to wake him.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
“Yuto? Wake up… we’re here…” Keito shook the sleeping boy gently.
“Mm?” Yuto groaned slightly as his eyes focused on the person before him. When he could make out Keito’s gently smiling face, his eyes widened. He was so sure it had been a dream, but as he stepped out of the car, he gasped as he noticed a mansion sitting before him, its grand white doors opened as if welcoming him in. With his mouth open in awe, he followed the man and the strange boy… Keito, into the house.
“Sasaki, please show Yuto to his room, I need to go put something up in the study.” Keito said as the man bowed and motioned for Yuto to follow. He led him through countless hallways and after a sharp turn, he stopped before a door, trimmed with a gentle jade green.
“This will be your room, please treat it as your own, Lunch will be served one hour from now, I will come and get you before then. Please go ahead and take a shower, clean clothes will be brought to you.” Sasaki said as he showed Yuto the bathroom.
“W-Wait…Why… is this happening? Who’s house is this?” Yuto asked as he noticed the man was leaving.
“This is young master Keito’s home.”
“You mean… his parents right?”
“No, his parents are usually in their homes in other countries, this house was built specifically for the young master to live in. Now please…” The man bowed as he turned to leave again.
“W-Wait, you didn’t answer my question… Why me?”
“It seems, that the young master has taken an interest in you… it has been a while since I’ve seen such a gentle and happy smile on his face…perhaps, he sees something in you…” The man sounded reminiscent as he smiled, then, realizing it was time to go, he excused himself and left, closing the door. Yuto looked around the room, feeling so small compared to the enormous room. It was decorated with a nature theme, had a second floor nook with a large window, streaming with sunlight. He walked to the bed and touched it with the palm of his hand, it’s soft plushy cushion molding around his fingers.
“Uwa… it’s so soft…” Yuto commented as he walked towards a door that Sasaki had said was the bathroom. With a small push, the door opened to reveal a large Jacuzzi bathtub and an adjoining shower, he gazed in awe as the grandeur of the room sunk into his mind. He walked to the tub and turned in the water. He tore off the clothes that he had on, dropping the towel and pants onto a basket he assumed was the laundry basket and stepped into the warm waters. When he submerged himself in the waters, he sighed as tears of joy came to his eyes. It was the first time in a long time that was able to take a decent bath. He closed his eyes as he let the hot waters warm his body and break apart the dirt that was on him.
“Ahh..” He sighed again as he dropped into the waters, the waters washed away his dirt-stained face, revealing a pure white Yuto that had not seen the light of day for quite some time. Gently, he lathered himself with the soap and rinsed off, stepping out he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around himself, relishing the soft feeling against his body. He stepped out into the room and saw that a set of clothes had been put on his bed, complete with a new pair of shoes and socks.
Carefully, he slipped on the new shirt and pants, again the feeling of such high class materials against his skin caused him to tingle with nervousness. He sat on the bed, letting his feet dangle as he fell backwards, the bed’s softness enveloped him and he gazed out of the small window the ceiling provided and looked up into a clear blue sky.
“Young master Yuto? Lunch is ready.” Yuto sat up as he noticed the man, Sasaki standing there.
“Y-You don’t have to call me that, I’m not your master…” Yuto blushed at being addressed as such.
“Anyone that young master Keito welcomes into our home is our guest and shall be addressed as such.” The man replied as he waved in opposite direction down the hallway.
“Are the clothes okay? Do they fit?”
“Un! Perfectly…thank you.” Yuto replied feeling slightly nervous.
“Good, ah we’re here.” The man bowed as he entered the room and after pulling a chair at the table for Yuto, excused himself and left through another door.
“Yuto! How are you feeling?” A voice asked, causing Yuto to snap to attention, looking at the small table that was set up, he could see the other boy waving to him, motioning for him to come closer.
“I-I’m fine…Thank you..” Yuto said as he took the seat next to the boy. His eyes widened as he looked at the plates before him. He had never seen so much food in his life! There were plates of sushi, fruits, breads, it seemed that anything he wanted, there would be a plate of it somewhere on the table.
“Please, eat… I can’t finish it at all.”
Keito smiled as he watched the boy eat with a dire hunger. He loved how the boy reacted, tasting the food. He thought it was cute the way Yuto would always take a little first, so as not to waste, before helping himself to more. He even loved the way the boy’s face squinted together as he would taste something that was particularly good, and the way it contorted when he tasted something he didn’t like.
“Did you like it?” Keito asked, as he noticed Yuto putting down his utensils. The boy could only nod as his mouth was still full of food.
“Ne..O-Okamoto-san?” Yuto started but stopped, trying to figure out how to phrase his question.
“Haha, you don’t have to call me Okamoto-san, just Keito is fine.” The boy laughed as he took a sip of his water.
“K-Keito-kun… w-why did you…bring me here? I don’t have anything I can give you, I don't have money, but I’d be glad to work for you, to help you, anything.” Yuto stumbled as he looked down at the table, feeling too shy to look at Keito. A maid came and removed the plate in front of Yuto and he saw his own reflection against the waxed table and he looked away, too scared to look even at his own eyes.
“Yuto… I don't want anything from you… maybe… just friendship? Is that okay?” Keito asked as he stood up and walked over to the other boy and squatted down beside the chair.
“F-Friendship?”
“Yes, is that okay? I want to be your friend, and I hope you want to be mine.” Keito smiled as he looked Yuto in the eyes, making the boy feel at ease. There was definitely something in Keito’s eyes that did something to Yuto. Each time the boy would look at him, Yuto would feel so at ease, as if Keito’s eyes offered safety, peace and it seemed, a family. Something that Yuto had yearned for.
“ Yuto? Are you okay?” Keito asked as he cocked his head to one side.
“I-I’m fine, sorry…” Yuto bowed slightly in his seat.
“It’s nothing to apologize for really!” Keito chuckled as he stood up and sat down in his seat again.
“Why don’t you just…. tell me about yourself?” Keito began as he looked intently at the boy.”
“I…I don’t know where to begin….” Yuto said, shrinking into the back of the chair.
“Well, let’s go to the sitting room and lets talk there.” Keito stood up and grabbed Yuto’s wrist, gently tugging the boy towards the door.
The two came to a room decorated with many different portraits and musical instruments. Together they sat on the large chairs in the center of the room and Yuto kept his head down, still unable to bring himself to look at the boy opposite him.
“Yuto… you don’t have to be nervous, you can look up, I promise… I don't bite.” Keito smiled as he noticed how Yuto stared at the ground.
“S-Sorry..” Yuto bowed shyly again.
“So… why don't you tell me about yourself, and then I’ll tell you about myself.” Keito began as he leaned back in the chair.
“I… I just….my parents had trouble making ends meet so they thought to give me a better life and so they gave me up to the public system… I went through almost 20 different homes… and none of them worked out for me… my last home….they…” Yuto began sniffling as his painful memories were uncontrollably spouting out of his mouth. He had no idea why he was telling all this to someone who he had just met, but it felt so…. cathartic.
“Did they abuse you?” Keito asked, his face full of sympathy as he sat down next to Yuto.” The skinny boy could only nod as he lifted up his shirt, revealing bruises along his side.
“Yuto… I’m so sorry…” Keito hugged the boy and held him tightly in his arms,
“I ran away… I needed to.. .I couldn't be a punching bag anymore! “ Yuto cried, the tears streaming down his face.
“I know…I know…”
“I did… everything to make money… I did anything I could… to keep myself afloat…I even tried…I even tried… that…” Yuto cried harder as he could remember the feeling of someone’s hands caressing his body, it was a terrible feeling. He even remembered the person’s eyes, greedily soaking up his naked body, before it became too much and he ran away.
“I’m so sorry… but you’re safe now… I promise…” Keito comforted the sobbing boy in his arms.
“K-Keito…” Yuto sobbed, he didn’t have anything else to say, but he could only tighten his embrace around his prince and cry into his shoulder. Somehow in his arms, Yuto found a place where he was safe, and a place where he could finally let out the tears he’d been so afraid to show.
After a few minutes, Yuto calmed down and sat up. He smiled shyly at Keito, slightly embarrassed that he had turned into such a baby in front of someone he had just met!
“I-I’m sorry Keito, tell me about you…” Yuto said as he wiped away the last few drops of tears in his eyes.
“Haha, okay, well… what would you like to know?”
“I-I don’t know… “
“Yuto, we’re friends aren’t we?” Keito asked, putting his hand on Yuto’s and looking him in the eyes.
“Y-Yes…”
“Then you shouldn’t be afraid to ask me about anything… ask me anything about my self… and I promise I’ll tell you.”
“Then… tell me about your life… your family… I want to know.” Yuto said sitting up on the chair.
“Ah.. haha okay. Well.. my father is the head a hospital corporation and my mother is the head director of an international performing arts association and me… well I’m just me.” Keito shrugged as he smiled at his new found friend.
“But that’s amazing!” Yuto exclaimed.
“Haha, the glamour dies off when you’ve been to your first formal dinner party, your parents are just so eager to show you off it’s not funny…” Keito giggled at the innocent reaction Yuto showed.
“But what else…?”
“Well…. After a while, my parents decided to give me this house, so that I could stay rooted in one place, instead of moving around with either of them. My father spends most of his days in the little house he made on the very top floor of his hospital… and my mother spends most of her days flying around between Paris and here, coordinating.. I believe she said a ballet charity event…” Keito thought for a minute before nodding.
“So… you’re left… alone?” Yuto asked
“Not alone, I have Sasaki with me, he’s been my caretaker since I was little… almost like… another father to me.” Keito smiled happily as he embarrassingly scratched his head a little.
“Young master Keito…” Sasaki walked into the room and bowed.
“It’s getting late and we still have that dinner tonight, we, as the hosts, cannot be rude.” He continued as he advanced into the room.
“Oh! Is that tonight!? It slipped my mind… thank you Sasaki, would you please… find Yuto here something suitable to wear?” Keito nodded in the boy’s direction and the man nodded.
“Certainly, would you please follow me Young master Yuto?” He gestured to the door he just came from and Yuto stood up to follow.
“I’ll see you soon Yuto…chan.” Keito paused as he added the last part.
“Un! Keito…chan” Yuto blushed at being able to use such a suffix with someone like this.
“It seems you and the young master have already gotten very close.” Sasaki commented as he led Yuto down a long hallway
“I-Is that bad?”
“Not at all, Keito-sama is very good at judging characters, and it seems he is quite taken with you.”
“Taken with me?”
“Ah… maybe he doesn’t even know it yet…” The man sighed and waved off his earlier comment
“W-Wait… taken with me?” Yuto wanted to know, but Sasaki said no more.
“These are for you to try on, please find one that you like, and I will have one of the maids tailor it for you if it is too big.” The man opened a closet full of coats and pants.
“These are…?” Yuto asked, wide eyed as he walked into the room.
“These are the young master’s coats.”
“Oh! I can’t take these! They’re his!”
“Anything of mine is yours.” Keito’s voice suddenly rang out. The two in the closet looked at the door, seeing Keito walk in.
“Anything of mine… is yours.” Keito repeated as he put his hands on Yuto’s shoulders.
“I think… this one will be good for you.” He said as he picked up a white jacket and the matching pair of slacks.
“E-Eh?” Yuto could only stare at him.
“And these too.” Keito continued, as he pulled out a pair of shoes that looked more expensive than Yuto felt.
“Good choice, young master Keito.” Sasaki commented as the boy smiled and pulled out his own suit.
“Anyway, good luck Yuto, I just came in to get my clothes.” Keito waved as he walked out of the room, smiling as he imagined how Yuto would look.
“Would you like to go ahead with this outfit?” Sasaki asked
“Y-Yes… please..” Yuto was still stunned.
“Very well.”
It seemed that only a few minutes had passed before the maid came in and measured Yuto and had the suit corrected.
“Sasaki-san… can you tell me… what this dinner is?” Yuto asked as he spread his arms for the maid to put on his jacket.
“It is a dinner that the young master has once every month, with a close few friends.”
“Close few friends?”
“Yes, I believe there are 8 of them coming.” The man nodded to the maid as he pointed out where the suit should be taken in a little more.
“Keito’s friends….” Yuto shivered nervously.
“It’s okay Yuto-sama, they aren’t vicious, and I’m sure if Keito-sama likes you, they will too.” Sasaki smiled, noticing the boy’s nervousness.
Yuto found comfort in the old man’s words and relaxed a bit. He was going to meet Keito’s friends, he couldn't afford to mess this up!
“Sasaki-san, if… I do anything stupid… please guide me.” Yuto said aloud
“I will, young master.” The man replied.
“Yuto, you worry too much.” Keito whispered to himself, as he stood outside the room smiling. With a glance at his watch, the boy stood up and walked down the hallway, chuckling to himself at how cute Yuto was to worry.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
The night quickly came and the guests soon arrived. They all came at the same time, in the single car and Yuto watched in amazement as they all stepped out.
“Sasaki-san… I’m scared….” Yuto quivered as he watched the 8 boys step out of the car from the second floor window of his room.
“Of what?” The man asked curiously
“These… people… I don't belong here….” Yuto sighed, defeated. He sat down on the nearby chair. He glanced at himself in the mirror, dressed in full white, his pale skin seemed to glow with radiance as the light bounced off his clothes and he sighed again.
“I look so different on the outside, but on the inside, I still feel like… I don’t belong in this rich world…” Yuto worried as the older man came over and patted him on the back.
“Then if you don’t feel like you belong, you must make a place in this world where you can belong, and meeting these people will do that, come, let me tell you about them.” Sasaki led Yuto to the window again.
“There, the boy on the far right, that is Yabu-kun, his family owns a large trading corporation, some say that his family can influence the very economy of Japan.”
“Yabu-kun…”
“The next boy is Yaotome-kun, though I believe he prefers just to be called Hikaru, he is the heir to one of the largest arts foundations in all of Japan, second only to Keito-Sama’s mother’s association. Some say that the Yaotome institute raises up and coming artists, dancers and writers every day, their very school impacts the culture of Japan.”
“Yaotome-kun… uh Hikaru…” Yuto quickly corrected himself
“The next boy is Inoo-Kun, he is the heir of the largest university network in all of japan, the noble Kei university was named after him by his parents. His vast network of schools, impacts the very foundation of education in Japan, naturally Inoo-kun is very intelligent himself.”
“Inoo-kun.” Yuto nodded his understanding.
“There’s Takaki-kun, he is well known as the heir to the largest entertainment corporation in Japan Unfortunately for him, many girls offer to go out on dates with him just to try to get into the entertainment business. He prefers to keep his life private so as not to attract attention, but it is well known that his family is the first and foremost when it comes to information dissemination.”
“Takaki-kun…”
“Ah, there’s Arioka-kun, he prefers to be called by his name, Daiki, or Dai-Chan. He is a rather interesting figure. Officially his family owns a chain of high-class restaurants noted for having some of the world’s top chefs and recipes. Unofficially however, his family is the head of a large underground group, similar to the yakuza. It’s wise to note that he is not someone you should cross.”
“He… could make me dissapear?” Yuto shivered.
‘Yes… but don’t worry, young master Daiki is a very gentle soul, he won’t do anything to you.”
“Daiki…kun” Yuto nodded, taking extra care to note which one he should be careful about.
“Ah, the last three boys, there is Yamada-kun, they call him Yama-chan. His parents are both high ranking government officials, combined, his parents have the influential power to effectively change the very laws and structure of Japan.”
“Yama-chan…” Yuto nodded
“Then we have Chinen-Kun, his family is well known for their development of martial arts, they have recently been introducing a new form of karate that includes aspects of gymnastics, it has been said that it is the herald of a brilliant new martial arts form. Some say that it was Chinen-kun himself who created the form. People come from all over the world to be instructed by his family’s dojo.”
“Chinen-Kun..”
“And finally, there is Morimoto-Kun, the youngest of the boys, sometimes they call him Ryu-Chan. He is the heir to the largest real estate and travel companies in the world. His family effectively controls the very land upon which Japan sits.”
“Morimoto-kun…” Yuto nodded again
“Ah… scary~” Yuto jumped down the stairs and pounced on his bed.
“Young master?” Sasaki asked as he stood beside the bed.
“How can I relax, when all of those boys are going to be sitting in front of me...? Those boys have such influence, such power, and I have nothing! Keito’s the head of a hospital corporation, one of them is the head of the yakuza. It’s just too much it’s just too much!” Yuto shook with fear as he tried to hug the pillow in his arms tighter.
“Yuuto-chan, are you ready?” Keito’s voice came as the knob on the door to Yuto’s room turned slowly.
“K-Keito!” Yuto sprang up, trying not to let the boy know how scared he was.
“Are you ready?” Keito smiled.
“U-un!” Yuto nodded, something in the way Keito smiled, seemed to melt all the tension he had just a few seconds ago. When the other boy reached out and grabbed his hand, the slender boy had that same feeling of safety envelop him as the two walked towards the front door in time for all the boys to walk in.
“KEITO!” They all laughed cheerfully as they ran forward and hugged him, Yuto felt his sense of security fade again as their joined hands were separated by the hugging mass.
“Hello, what’s your name? I don’t believe we’ve met.” A voice said, as Yuto turned his eyes widened as the boy that Sasaki had pointed out as Daiki Arioka smiled at him.
“Y-Yuto…Yuto Nakajima.” He shook with terror.
“Well hello Nakajima-kun, it’s nice to meet you.” Daiki smiled warmly as he shook Yuto’s hand.
“Yoroshiku…” Yuto replied his tremors steadily calming down. He could feel such warmth coming from the boy’s hand, why exactly was he scared of him again?
“C’mon, lets go see the other guys.” Daiki said as he tugged Yuto in the direction of the boys,
Well he had met one of them… now it was down to the other 7….
Yuto sighed as he walked towards the huddled mass… it was definitely going to be an interesting night.
(>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<) (>’_’)><(‘_’<)
Uwa this was a reaaaaaly long chapter... this is my first attempt at making a good multi-chapter story, so please let me know what you think so i can make it better~
~Emmie