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DANCING IN THE DARK
Kuroda was out of his black swivel chair as the clock chimed 5pm sharp.
Shooting towards the lift and glaring at any of his employees who blocked his way, he anxiously tapped his foot as he willed the lift to finish its slow crawl down 93 stories.
On the driveway outside the main glass doors of Kuroda Finance Inc. stood one of Kuroda�s black limousines.
�Go! Go Go Go!� Kuroda snapped impatiently as he leaped into the car.
Fujimoto grinned wryly, � Yes, Kuroda-san��
--
The brilliance of the sunset was over. The moon stayed hidden behind the translucent clouds, the sky a rusty reddish-black.
The weather today was fair for a day in the middle of the frosty winter. The air was light and a breath drew mist. It was not snowing, perhaps as the people of Tokyo are too busy to appreciate the crystal-like flakes of gentle ice.
But the distinct smell of rain was whiffing up again, and Ryu was ecstatic.
It had been eons since he had done it and he longed to do it again.
�Maybe it�ll snow at last, after tonight�s down pour�� he thought with a wistful smile touching his lips.
True to Ryu�s instincts, petals and petals of rain fell, shedding themselves from the skies above.
Ryu stepped unhesitatingly onto the wide damp field behind the Dance Academy. It was a desolate area where people rarely went, an abandoned and unused grassland in which you can simply look up and watch the stars twirl by.
The water caressed his skin, making him shiver a little. He was feeling the fiercely low temperature in only a grey Academy t-shirt and black track pants.
His eyes shut as he lost himself completely to where his imagination would take him. The strains of dreamy music reached his ears, the imaginary rhythm making his heart race in excitement.
As he started dancing, his thoughts wandered. His steps quickened to match the pattern of the falling droplets.
{ Yuube mita yume ga nazeka atama kara hanarenai yo Kuzure ochiru tou no naka Ikura tasuke motomete mo sakebi utsuro ni hibiku dake Dareka koko kara tsure dashite
Last night I had a satisfying dream, but now my head is empty I fell and shattered inside I asked for assistance, but my yell just came back emptily Someone in this place should come to keep me company}
It was the undeniable fact that Ryu suffered from insecurity. It was not paranoia as much as it is fear. The reassurance and loyal support that he hoped was never enough. He was thankful that Nuriko and Yamada were his buddies, shedding some light in his otherwise dreary life.
{Hikari to kage no rabirinsu deguchi mitsu kara nai mama Itsuka kagayaku sono toki wo yume miteta Daijobu dayo kitto jibun ni ii kikasete Ashita ni mukatte yukkuri to Aruki dashite miru yo mou ichido
I'm in a labyrinth of shadows and lights, the secret exit is empty enough as it is Until that time my shining dreams will stay concealed And I assure myself that it will be okay and good Tomorrow I will slowly face my fears Only to see that I have already destroyed them}
Ryu jumped and spun in the air, landing softly as he dodged a couple of rain drops.
Maybe he was successful, he had attained his goal to fufill his desire to dance. But was he satisfied, he could not figure. There always was someone promising, but not dedicated. Memories of the countless girls he had attempted to date and love, faded like withered roses.
{Te ni shita mono wa itsu datte sugu ni yubi no sukima kara Kobore ochite yuku keredo Koko mune no okuni ima mo aku chiisana honoo wa Kieru koto naku yurete iru
I can get lost in anything but soon my fingertips will find the crevice However, I'll stay calm and die in a flood Now, in this place, my heart opens to the small flames This place vanished and I awaken, shaking and crying}
It never occurred to him till a couple of years ago that he might be gay. The knowledge that he would be beaten up badly by his father if he still bore the Iwarou name sickens him. But now, he had gradually taken up a more open perspective to his own sexual preferences.
And most of all, Kuroda was in his life.
--
Kuroda clenched his fists in frustration to know that Ryu was not at the Academy. Trying not to appear dejected, he made his way back to the limo with Fujimoto sheltering him calmly with a large black umbrella.
�He�s not there.� Kuroda said dully to Fujimoto.
�Why, did you want to take him out for dinner?� Fujimoto gave a merry cackle.
�Of course. I booked a table at the finest French restaurant in town.�
�He might not like French cuisine, Kuroda-san�� Fujimoto replied sternly.
�I�m willing to sit at a roadside ramen stall just to have dinner with him!� Kuroda growled with intensity burning in his expressive black-blue eyes.
�Would you like to try going to the hostels, Kuroda-san?� Fujimoto asked in a lazy drawl.
�Oh yes, dammit, I forgot! Onward, Fujimoto! Let�s go!!� Kuroda urged as he impatiently tapped his fingers on his lap.
Just as the limo was cruising its way around the road corner, Fujimoto braked suddenly, sending Kuroda slamming against the seat in front.
�Itee! FUJIMOTO! What�s your�� Kuroda trailed off as he followed Fujimoto�s careless wave towards an almost empty field behind the Academy premises.
--
The cool breeze tugged at Ryu�s hair and rustled the dewy grass below.
Ryu paused, unmoving, as he gasped a little to catch his breath.
{Hikari to kage no rabirinsu kaki kisare souna omoi Dakishime nagara ikiteta yo itsu datte Daijobu dayo kitto hitori tsubuyaite miru Zutto egaiteta ashita wo Shinjite mitai mou ichido
I'm in a labyrinth of shadows and lights, and disastrous flaming memories I'm held tightly, though leaving was a mistake "Surely, it's okay" I mutter to them, and I see An eternal smiling face Tomorrow I will face my reality}
He blinked as he attempted to get the rainwater out of his eyes.
Sighing slightly at the still visible blinking stars above, he mused about the grace of the night.
He started as a pair of arms snaked themselves around his slender waist.
�Hush�it�s me.� Kuroda chuckled as he buried his nose against Ryu�s hair.
�Hey�� Ryu greeted uncertainly as he stiffened under the contact. �Erm, what are you doing here�?�
�I was watching a lone figure dancing in the rain�� Kuroda�s muffled reply came.
�Oh.� Ryu felt his ears burn as he shifted nervously.
�Say�would you teach me how to dance?� Kuroda whirled Ryu around in one swift movement.
��are you sure?� Ryu looked at Kuroda warily with a merry twinkle in his eyes.
�Doubting my ability?� Kuroda glared in mock ire.
�Well, no�it you want�� Ryu shrugged carelessly, attempting to hide his amusement.
�Good! You�ll teach me then!� Kuroda nuzzled Ryu�s neck and licked his earlobe teasingly.
�Uh�shall we go for dinner?� Ryu suggested as he tried to contain the excitement he was experiencing. �That was my intention�but I think eating you up is just as tempting�� Kuroda whispered hoarsely, pulling Ryu�s tight body closer to him.
�Wait�� Ryu�s mind raced to process as he mentally struggled with how fast things were going.
�I can�t do that�� Kuroda answered as he daringly let his hands wandered lower and lower.
�Kuroda!� Ryu gasped as he swallowed a moan.
�Masaya�� Kuroda instructed with a wink.
�Fine�Ma, er, Masaya-kun�� Ryu tried valiantly to ignore the hands on his butt.
And there it came about, the whole zesty and zealous big deal of Ryu�s first kiss being breathlessly taken by Kuroda, accompanied by pounding hearts and the magnificent electricity that flowed and raced through their blood.
All under nothing but the endless sky, generous rain showered upon them, but never cooled the heated fervor that was in the tongue-mating kiss.
Ryu�s hands gripped Kuroda�s back with amazing strength, fingers desperately clingling on as he titled his head back for easier access.
Kuroda was calmer, in control but yet equally overwhelmed as he held Ryu so close he could really feel his heartbeat.
The special spark lingered as Ryu withdrew a little to catch his breath.
In his whole life he has never felt so exhilarated, not even when he emerged champion in any prestigious competitions. Blinking a little, he looked away.
�What�s the matter with me�? Am I moved? Why am I feeling this way�?� Kuroda stared at the endearing shyness of Ryu and felt yet another stirring in his body and soul.
�I�I think�how about coming to my place to change before we go for dinner?� Kuroda grasped Ryu�s left hand lightly.
The rain splattered on,
drenching the people of Tokyo, mourning the flickering flame of an uncertain
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