If the incident with Kozuka was crazy, the next episode surpassed their collective imagination. A good inspiration for some of the authors who Ren worked with.
The opening paragraph was innocuous. A getaway at the beach which coincided with a long weekend.
The drive there was also tranquil except for an unwelcome message on Ren's phone.
He frowned and Shinobu, who was at the wheel, gave him an inquiring glance.
"It's Kozuka," Ren said miserably. "He wants to meet up to apologise."
"What are you going to do?"
Ren huffed. "Block him? Ignore him? Anyway, forget it. Let's not spoil our weekend."
"I'm sure that I can distract you."
Shinobu kept his eyes on the road but Ren spotted the slight lift on the corner of his lips.
He teased, "Does the hotel have good soundproofing?"
"We'll find out."
Ren laughed and looked out of the window. The sun was out. The sky was a cerulean blue. He would have Shinobu all to himself instead of losing the man to work.
Perfect.
After they checked into the hotel and entered their room, he noted the massive and plush bed.
Ren recalled the makeshift futon at Arai's inn. "A bit different from our first trip."
Shinobu gave him a knowing glance. Ren knew exactly what he was thinking about.
"Hey, we should at least do some tourist stuff first!"
"Oh, we will," Shinobu came around to his side and whispered into his ear. "But I plan on doing you. A lot."
"Shinobu!" Ren protested. Nevermind that it was a lame and half-hearted attempt.
Shinobu ruffled his hair affectionately and opened the doors to the balcony, which looked out to a beautiful sea view.
Ren joined him and whistled. "Wow. You've outdone yourself."
"Glad you like it." Shinobu smiled when he saw the happy, amazed look on Ren's face.
Ren encircled his neck with his arms and kissed him softly. "Thank you for taking me here."
"You're welcome."
They stood there for some time, just locking lips and exploring each other's mouth. When they finally broke up, both were breathing hard.
"Maybe we should head to the beach," Ren said.
"You better get changed before I change my mind," Shinobu told him honestly.
That earned him a playful jab in his sides and an affectionate peck before Ren went to unpack his clothes.
Shinobu wondered how long they would last in the sands and sea before caving in.
xxxxxxxx
The first sign of trouble appeared on the second night.
By then, they had swam in the sea, visited a nearby shrine, indulged in sex and got some sleep (not necessarily in that order or in equal measures). Instead of checking out a bar, they bought alcohol from a nearby convenience store and headed back to their room.
"Let's drink these at the balcony?" Ren suggested as Shinobu fished for the key card in his pocket.
"Sounds good."
Sudden distinct and amorous noises down the hallway caught their attention.
They watched in surprise as two men appeared to have stumbled out of the lifts, groping and making out enthusiastically. One of them pressed against the door of a room as the other seemed to struggle to retrieve a card from his jacket.
Usually, Shinobu and Ren would just mind their own business.
But the faces were known to them.
Hence the muscle paralysis.
"That's..Nozawa," Ren choked.
"And Chiaki," Shinobu supplemented.
"Oh my god," Ren sputtered.
Shinobu cursed beneath his breath.
A pair of eyes spotted them and halted. Pulled away from his stunned paramour.
The four of them stared at each other.
"What do we do?" Ren whispered fervently.
Shinobu, taciturn as ever, simply nodded in a greeting.
Chiaki eyed them intently before abandoning Nozawa to approach them.
Ren watched as a mixture of mortification and defiance washed over the face of his former high school friend.
"Heyyyy! Here on a lover's break?"
"What else?" Shinobu shrugged.
Chiaki teased, "Sorry, did we shock you? You shouldn't be, Kurosawa."
The smell of alcohol lingered. His cheeks were flushed.
Ren had an unreasonable urge to peel the sultry smile which he was directing at Shinobu off his admittedly very pretty face.
His attention was however distracted when Nozawa appeared behind Chiaki.
The awkwardness and tension in the hallway was ridiculous and palpable. They were all adults and free to do whatever they wanted.
But Ren could see Nozawa's eyes boring into his. They haven't seen each other in years. They were both older but there was something different about Nozawa. A certain hardness in his demeanour.
"Fujiwara," he said quietly, ignoring Shinobu.
"Nozawa. Hi," Ren managed.
Chiaki appeared tickled and said airily, "Whatever. I'm heading back to our room!"
Nozawa didn't follow him and asked Ren instead, "Can we talk?"
"N-now?" Ren stammered. That was unexpected.
"Why not?"
Shinobu's expression was cool but he told Ren, "Go ahead. Call me if you need me."
"I'm not abducting him, Kurosawa," Nozawa finally addressed him pointedly.
Shinobu gave him a frosty smile.
Ren said hastily, "Let's go."
It was a reflex but he tilted his head and kissed Shinobu, "Be right back. Don't start drinking without me."
Nozawa blinked and turned away.
Down the hallway, Chiaki watched them with interest.