Chapter 4: A Harsh line.
Tokyo Japan, Current day.
'Everybody had been drowning lately...whether it be in sadness, debt or even their own minds. We're all taught the basis of right and wrong yet where does the reaper draw the line? People will kill for sport and say they were 'driven' to it. A mother can kill her children for freedom and say it was 'too much responsibility'. Society draws a precocious line between expectation and reality. Deceiving the young into believing success is the correct way to live, devastating smaller businesses for daring to be independent of the government. Gathering debt from youngsters too young to be choosing a career path without adequate life skills. All of it is chains to our ankles, not everybody knows they're drowning but trust me, you are in deeper than you think.'
A deep passionate voice finished reading the dialogue from the paper and pushed it aside. Intertwining his fingers the atmosphere in the conference room was deadly. Okurada entertainment and publishing industries had been an ongoing successful company for many decades, many big names walked in and out of that building with a smile yet only 5% of business is legal. Under the roots was a troublesome calamity, and this poor boy was looking at him. Blonde whispy hair that covered his eyes slightly, a huge muscular body ready to burst out of the designer navy suit. A beautiful blue snake tattoo slithered up his neck to behind his ear. And most profound of all, his glimmering dark blue eyes. The kind of man that would even make a straight guy question his preference, the young man thought.
"Wow...Don't you think that's a little too diminishing boss?" Chuckled a man from the corner. As always his mad-dog sidekick lingered nearby, his auburn hair long and deeper than blood. Smaller in height and build uncompared to Jun but clearly extremely muscular and quick. It was such a teasing voice he spoke with like a child that knew a secret. A small pale boy shuffled uncomfortably his eyes fixated on the member ahead of him. Tiny taps from the man's pen reverberated across the table sending shivers down his spine.
"It's shit." The pale young man stiffened and slowly swivelled in his chair.
"I'm sorry?" Suddenly the man sitting at the end of the conference table shot up, throwing his chair next to the young artist and sighed.
"Mr. Jun I-I can do b-b-better, sir!" Sitting down next to the trembling man was none other than Okurada Jun. Up close you could smell the overwhelming scent of this man, it was rich like sandalwood but mellow like daisies, Even though the young man was a Beta he struggled to catch his breath.
Okurada Jun, "This is the problem Mr. Sakayawa, your job is to cover the real-life media article for our company but all I see here is a sad little pussy having a bad day." Tomioka Sakayawa had been the main article control manager for the building for a while but he still made mistakes, his most recent was a column summarizing changes in societal finances and how it had impacted the younger generation. Instead, he made it a personal rant and got mixed reviews for such dark literature. Usually, Okurada didn't attend meetings he had plenty of money to pay others for that tedious stuff, however when it impacted the company image and raised suspicions he had no choice but to show his face. Still, Tomioka didn't know how he was going to get out of this one. These people were extremely dangerous, he could potentially lose his life if this were to be taken further.
Tomoika, "Mr Jun, I'm e-extremely sorry for the article, if you could please give me a chance I'll revise it." Quickly cut off by chuckling he glanced at the blonde beast ahead of him and shuddered, his smile said plainly as day 'It's too late for that shit.'
Jun. "This is what's going to happen. You're going to give me a name for another business article writer, someone not well known or publicized, someone I can crush in an instance and nobody would bat an eye." Aggressively he threw his phone down and glared at poor shrunken Tomioka in his chair waiting for him to find someone. Did that mean he was no longer needed? Who wasn't well known these days, who could possibly take on such a hard role in such little time without proper training? Frozen with stress he finally fumbled through the phone and then suddenly remembered something from a while ago. While he was sick he would browse anonymous posts for ideas on RedAnon, a small media posting website where people would post, poems, inspirational speeches or just gloomy life quotes. Then he read one thing that made him sob until he fell asleep and it always stuck with him and in the profile, it mentioned a business degree.
Tomioka, "If you can trace his IP account from this post then you'll find them. I think they're very under the radar but also provide profound knowledge on current day and age impacts, especially when it comes to secondary genders." Jun was just about ready to send the kid to heaven where he sat until he overheard the final bit. Secondary genders were this company's selling point. In rural areas in Japan, it was very much hush about people's genders whereas the capital serialized it into a trend and developed multiple groups and fanbases. Alpha's were elite, as were some Omega, there wasn't much hierarchy on the surface but underneath the ground times were harsh and you usually had to sacrifice precious things to make it. Jun was the underground demon in the Yakuza world, not many people even dared look his way, you made sure never to disturb his peace. However, he reviewed everything in what little time he had and was an incredible businessman despite the devil underneath.
"How we long for romantic mates most of which are not our fate. For if you leave me standing there forever hate will linger where? I fought to match my parent's grades, yet still young I wander in a haze. Will I see you soon if I close my eyes, will you please take me in sweet demise? For money is not built of walls or stone value is that 'someone' when you face the world alone." Jun read it over and was pleasantly surprised at the feedback. Most people described it as a grief poem, others as a form of inspiration either way it was captivating. From a business perspective, this kid could be perfect for managing publicity and feedback. Jun clicked his fingers and in a flash, his mad dog cracked his knuckles pulled out his Macbook and began searching. Every now and again his daring red eyes jarringly stared at Tomioka and eventually the president.
"It says here the IP belongs to Hokkaido, a small town outside of the main city. Username for the Microsoft account was a little guarded but I managed as always." Full of himself he swung the laptop around revealing a picture and name. Tomioka couldn't help but gasp when he saw the man's picture. This person was unbelievably beautiful. With curly silver hair, pinkish big eyes, and almost translucent porcelain skin, he was petite like a small woman. It was always a big mystery about the writer's secondary gender but a lot assumed they were Omega when talking about societal struggles. Then when he looked at his ID and found him to actually be one a sudden nauseating guilt flushed over him. This kid would be eaten up here in a millisecond. Tomioka looked up at the president who had been motionless for some time. There was a winding tension in this room, even the president's right-hand man suddenly looked uncomfortable in his boss's presence.
"Boss, is there something wrong?"
Something was unmistakably wrong... more so than he ever imagined. As soon as those pink eyes found his he knew deep down, this person was a gamble in his personal life. Kagami Ren...surely it couldn't be the same but the description was remarkable.
"Get this little shit out of here, you go too I have something to take care of", with that Jun took a picture of the man on the screen and promptly left the conference room practically leaving a trail of dusk in his wake. Tomoika grabbed his chest and heaved finally feeling oxygen pour back into the room. That was the first time he'd seen the domineering president even a little flustered, what on earth was going on?
"You better stop the cogs turning kiddo or I'll rip them right out of your head." A firm hand followed by two intimidating eyes told Tomioka it wasn't his business to work that out and to leave quietly while the boss was being 'Nice'.
"Thank you for your time." Quickly he shot up and bowed before running out of the room, only crazy people knew to stay with the mad dog on their own. As his quick feet carried him out of the corporate building he saw the president drive off in a rush. Just like that, all of the animosity and fear suddenly fell on top of him and he couldn't hold the weight. Passerby ignored him as he fell to the ground hyperventilating. To think he'd walked into the lion's den and come out unscathed. But...what did this mean for the new guy?
Tomioka, "Kagami Ren... whoever you are, I'm sorry for sending these lunatics your way!" He whispered desperately as heavy rain fell over his dishevelled body. Everyone always dreamed of this place...but it was all false he thought. Idols had to sell their bodies, singers had to sell their souls and finances just to do something passionate. In the world of Tokyo's Hollywood, the weakest never survived.
------- Jun's House'-------------
Two wheels screeched to a stop outside of a private estate, it was late enough that the pool was now illuminated by blue and green lights, a pool meant for big parties yet he was the only occupier. Many people wondered just how many people lived in the 5,000 square foot property when in reality it was only Jun. Not every success story carried friends with it, not like it bothered him he was a cynical people hater, in every sense of the word. People to him were like cattle, as long as he leads them right no repercussions would come his way. It took Jun a while to step out of the car, his eyes fixated on his phone. Still, up a height about the whole ordeal, he slammed his Audi door shut and began walking towards the huge structure. As his armani shoes touched each cobblestone to the entrance sensory lights followed him. This house was a safe haven, secure from other houses. It was isolated in the hills, and he rarely made it there. Usually, staying in hotels was easier.
Its black beautiful features are reflected in the forestry, hard grey marble floors sparkling in the moonlight. As soon as Jun turned the key it came to life, all of the lights flashed on revealing a mesmerizing open plan house, there was a coy pond in the centre of the voyeur and a grand piano as soon as you entered. Jun's buttons twinkled under the overpowering glow of the crystal chandelier above. Two adjoining staircases met you as you walked through the door, quilted in ruby red. Honestly, everything about this place screamed wealth and comfort. Jun collected gaming tables, art, books anything he could find that he found personally attractive. Jun removed his shirt and waltzed over to his wine room. This was also a big part of his life, he had always been a wine connoisseur it was the devil's spit and he loved it. The whole room was also in red velvet, with racks of wine that could go on for days. Precariously he picked out an old 1933 Red and swilled himself a huge glass. Again he kept glancing at the phone before shaking his head. Jun slowly made his way up the huge staircase. Master bedrooms and private bathrooms as well as a cinema room made up the second floor, it was a passive part of living in this house, he rarely slept much. Where Jun wanted to be was his favourite place. A hidden staircase behind an old laundry door opened up to the third floor of the house, it was slightly more aged than the modern structure like the original dainty structure had been preserved.
Finally, he could sigh in relief. A rare keepsake of Jun was this space, the whole top floor was converted into one big room, and the ceilings were mostly glass so you could see the trees dancing among the fields for miles. There was a large white lounge chair situated in the centre, almost as if it was meant for the moonlight. Jun scanned the room scratching his curly blonde head, he was exhausted and couldn't really put his thoughts together clearly. Today's scandal wasn't even that big of a deal however the outcome was something he needed to ensure wouldn't cause calamity in the company. If that happened...
"What was all this bullshit for huh?" Gulping down his wine, he tore open a set of old wooden drawers in the corner, one that didn't fit in with the other aesthetic. It took him a good ten minutes of impatiently looking for something until he found it. A letter written on paper from a long time ago. With a final swing of his wine and a heavy heart, he sat down on his chair and spread out looking at the stars above. The dimming light followed every curve on his muscular body gently fading over his scarred skin. It took a while for him to build enough courage to read it, but when he did tears filled his eyes.
'It's been a while Oni-chan...
I hope you're doing well and eating properly, give Samba a pet for me too will you?
I know they said we could never contact each other again but I'm hoping maybe this will reach you one day. Mom and Dad are doing really well, they finally started up that bakery they always talked about. I do shifts to help out but they're really thriving. You probably have mixed feeling about that I'm sure. Hokkaido is boring, there are no extracurricular activities here the most interesting thing I see are fireflies. Or so I thought... You always told me not to fall in love and to live my life freely without any ties. But I've fallen pretty hard, you'd kill me but he's also an Omega. I really wanted to keep up your expectations Oni-chan but I can't let him go. I mean his personality is really bad and he has a foul mouth for such a pretty face. I guess in a way he reminds me of you, he's also had it pretty rough growing up. I guess I was just writing this to say I've been bonded with him for two years now and I would give the world for him. This is so selfish of me to ask of you but you are the only person I'd ever trust. So if anything were to catch up with me, I want you to help him. Ren doesn't have anybody to rely on apart from me and the thought of him being all alone without me to protect him makes me sick.
I'm happy I got a new start, I will always be grateful to you for that. But you know there is always something along the way that will bring me back there and when I refuse they'll probably get rid of me there and then, you know that more than anyone. So please Oni-chan. If I ever die promise me you'll find Kagami Ren and show him that a bad mask doesn't mean a bad person. I think you'll finally find the peace you've been looking for.
Sayonara Oni-chan maybe we'll meet upstairs one day. Your little brother Hiro.'
Jun threw his glass of wine furiously against the glass window above, it luckily didn't shatter instead the glass practically turned to dust from the force, and then his prize lounge was launched across the room, its legs breaking off into different directions.
"FUCK!" With nothing else to smash, he simply started beating his fists against the floor until a pool of red started to form beneath them. Heavy tears he was trying to fight back, in those deep pools of florescent blue. It was a pain he hated feeling more than anything, almost like the sadness was pumping in his veins. This was a letter that had been hidden on Jun's desk for years, it was from his estranged brother. Samba, which he mentioned at the start, was Jun's all-black Siberian husky he'd died many years ago, which hit hard. Samba was always so loyal to Jun but he also secretly really liked Hiro, he'd often find them playing together behind his back. Samba was amazing and she died too young, thinking of it, it was around the same time Hiro left the family.
Jun, "You were always a pain in my ass huh?" He muttered bitterly while also smiling. All four spaced-out walls felt like they were gradually thinning and coming closer, his heart was beating heavily so loud it was the only sound he could hear. Jun lay back on the ground looking up through the huge skylight. Eventually, he pulled out a pack of Marlborough Red, stuck between his lips and puffed profusely watching the birds settle for the night in the wilted Sakura trees. A profound feeling of loss consumed him, his little brother fell in love? After everything they'd been through he still chose an Omega? I suppose he could never change him, Hiro would do whatever he thought was right regardless of anybodies opinions. That's why he wasn't suited. That's why...he let him go.
Jun, "Kagami Ren huh? I guess you win Hiroshi, I'll take in your little Omega." Jun smiled sadly and looked at Ren's photo once more.
'You better be worth him.'
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