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A light rain was beginning to fall as Mahiro left the train station. Great. Dark, rainy. The worst combination for a person with vision issues. He yanked up the hood of his jacket. At least his apartment wasn’t far from the train station. Mahiro headed for the direction of home, squinting against the glare of streetlights and neon signs. His eyes already hurt from work today. A nice, soothing bath would help him unwind. Then cuddles with his cats.
As he was walking by Family Mart, a man outside caught his attention. Tall, handsome, blonde - and wearing an unfortunate beige suit. His suit and pretty face weren’t what made Mahiro stop in his tracks. He was flickering . Pointed ivory horns emerged from his hair while his clothes changed to a split suit - white on one side then red on the other. Oni masks, flowers, and clouds decorated the suit. It was something an artist would wear. Even though he knew it was stupid, Mahiro took his glasses off. He cleaned them then put them back on. Same effect. What the hell? Was he some kind of hologram? Had Family Mart decided to entice customers inside with a handsome oni? Mahiro took a few steps closer. Their eyes met when the man raised his head from his phone.
“You have horns,” Mahiro blurted.
The blonde raised an eyebrow. “You can see them?”
“Yes?” Was he not supposed to?
He left the shelter of the Family Mart awning, clearly unconcerned about the rain. So much for Mahiro’s hologram theory. Though the strange flickering continued. Mahiro swallowed when the tall blonde moved to stand before him. Mahiro had to tilt his head back to meet his gaze. “You’re… not a hologram, are you?”
The blonde laughed. “I’m not. My name is Kouki. What’s yours, cutie?”
Kouki thought he was cute? “Mahiro,” he replied. “Kurosaki Mahiro.” He bowed his head politely. Even though he had no idea what was happening. How could Kouki be flickering like this? Why did he have horns with the elaborate suit and not the beige one?
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mahiro.” Kouki flashed him an enchanting smile. “I’m happy to tell you all about my horns in a dry place. I know a good restaurant that isn’t far. If you’re interested.” He brushed his hair back to expose more of his horns.
Mahiro could practically hear his parents urging him not to follow a strange, horned man anywhere. “You’re really not a hologram?” He pushed. “I see you in an oversized suit then you’re wearing a split color suit. And you have horns.”
Kouki raised an eyebrow again. “Huh, you really can see through my glamour. Not many humans can.”
Unease prickled down Mahiro’s spine. “You’re… not human?” He asked, voice coming out higher than he liked.
Kouki shook his head. “No. I’m not a hologram either.” He gave Mahiro a reassuring smile. “You don’t need to be scared or nervous. I promise on my word as an oni of the Tokyo clan that no harm will come to you while you’re with me.”
“Oni?” Mahiro echoed. More like squeaked. “B-But you can’t be an oni! You’re too beautiful!” He had the height and the horns, but oni were supposed to be ugly with blue or red skin. Wearing a tiger skin loincloth and carrying a club.
Kouki laughed. “Thank you. I assure you, I am 100% oni. We’re not all huge and ugly. That’s just a stereotype.” He smiled playfully. “So, are you going to accept my dinner invitation? Or would you rather gape at me in the rain?”
“...Are you asking me on a date?”
“Well, you are gorgeous and can see through my glamour, so yes. If you’re interested in a date that is. It can just be an exchange of information if you’re not.” Kouki waited patiently for Mahiro to either accept or decline. Even though he knew it was probably a bad idea to go out on a dinner date with an oni (something Mahiro still struggled to believe), he found himself nodding.
“Yes. Where is this place?”
“A train ride and a short walk away.” Kouki flashed him another charming smile then offered Mahiro his arm. Amused, Mahiro accepted it. He was surprised to feel silk beneath his fingers rather than the typical suit material he’d expected. Was Kouki truly wearing the split suit while the beige one was his glamour? Something the average human saw? Why was this happening to him now when he’d never seen the supernatural before? Mahiro was going to give himself a headache if he kept thinking about this.
At the train station, they swiped their Suica cards. Mahiro pushed his hood back and glanced expectantly up at Kouki. “Over here.” Kouki guided him toward the track leading to Tokyo’s main hub. "Le Château is in Ginza.”
Mahiro blinked. “That’s ironic. I just came back from a photoshoot in Ginza. I live just down the street from the Family Mart I met you at.” Maybe he shouldn’t have said that. Unless Kouki also lived nearby and that’s why he was there. How strange that he’d finished a kimono photoshoot in Ginza, met an actual (and handsome) oni, and was now returning to Ginza to go on a date with him.
“You do? I was visiting a friend. So, a photoshoot? Are you a model?”
Mahiro made a face. “I’ve had to pause my modeling career due to… health reasons. I work primarily as a photographer’s assistant now.” He paused when their train arrived. They boarded and found a seat together. He combed his fingers through his damp hair. “I have an eye disease,” he admitted. “The camera flash started hurting my eyes too much.” His doctor had even informed him that his vision would start to erode over time if he exposed his eyes to too many bright lights. Fortunately, Ruki was a wonderful boss. They’d found a way to work around Mahiro’s condition so that he could keep the job he loved.
Kouki reached for his hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze. Despite the rain and the chill, his hand was warm. “I’m sorry to hear that. When did you start to see the world as it truly is?”
Mahiro frowned. When did all of this begin? “About a month ago. We were doing a photoshoot outside in the autumn leaves. Uruha is my boss’s favorite model. I noticed he had this golden haze or shimmer around him. I thought it was just my vision problems.” He hadn’t mentioned it to anyone except his doctor.
Kouki mulled that over. “Since Uruha is a model, I assume he’s beautiful?”
“Beautiful is an understatement,” Mahiro replied. “I’ll show you a picture of him later.” He took his glasses off, absently cleaning them with a cloth from his coat pocket. That was better. He put them back on. “I don’t mean to be rude, but is there any way you can stop flickering?” It was going to give him a headache if this kept up.
Kouki glanced down. “I’ll drop the glamour at Le Château. That should help. As for the flickering, that’s something you’re going to have to train your eyes to adjust to. I’ll introduce you to a friend of mine if he’s there tonight. Hakuei can help you.”
Mahiro smiled wryly. “Does Hakuei have an eye condition like me?”
“In a way. Hakuei’s right eye sees what a regular human does. His left eye sees through glamour to view the world as it truly is. He wears an eyepatch sometimes. Switches which eye he puts it over.”
Mahiro frowned, wondering if Hakuei got the better deal there. If he got tired of seeing through glamour he could just cover his eye. No more ghosts or flickering people. “That’s interesting. I would like to meet him. Do you think he’ll be there?”
Kouki hummed thoughtfully. “Hakuei comes and goes. If we don’t see him tonight, I’ll give you his number so you can text him. Send a picture too. He’ll definitely answer when he sees how gorgeous you are.”
Mahiro blushed. “Charmer.” So much for the monstrous oni. Or was Kouki the exception?
Kouki winked. “That’s me. Can you show me Uruha’s picture? If you see him shimmering, he’s likely part yōsei.”
Mahiro pulled out his phone. He counted Ruki and Uruha among his friends, and liked to take behind the scenes pictures of photoshoots. “This is him today.” He showed Kouki a picture of Uruha in an elaborate red and gold kimono with his hair hanging loose around his shoulders, yet still artfully styled.
“Wow. You were right about him being gorgeous,” Kouki said. “He’s absolutely part yōsei. Have you met his parents before?”
“A couple times. He looks a lot like his mother. So, she and her son are part yōsei and that’s why they’re so beautiful?” Mahiro asked.
Kouki nodded. “Yes. That’s why you see him shimmering too.” He returned Mahiro’s phone as he glanced up. “Our stop is next.”
The next time Uruha’s parents stopped by to see their beautiful, model son at work, Mahiro would have to see if his mother shimmered like he did. He also wondered if he should ask his own parents if they’d ever seen something supernatural. Retinitis Pigmentosa was genetic. Maybe this new “sight” of his was too.
Kouki got up when the train stopped. He took Mahiro’s hand again and exited the train with him. He held Mahiro’s hand all the way to the station exit. The light rain from his neighborhood had turned into a harder one now. Mahiro made a face and pulled up his hood again. At least he had one. The rain hadn’t seemed to bother Kouki though. “I’ll get us an umbrella.” He leaned down and kissed a surprised Mahiro on the cheek.
Blushing, Mahiro touched his face then gave Kouki a shy smile. “Okay.” If it wasn’t for his horns, Kouki could be some kind of angel. He waited patiently for Kouki to return with a large, clear umbrella. They shared the umbrella as they walked. Kouki kept him close like they were old lovers instead of two people who’d just met. The closeness felt nice though.
Mahiro wasn’t sure what to expect of this restaurant in Ginza where yōkai and people who could see them (unless Hakuei was some kind of yōkai himself) came to mingle. If Kouki hadn’t stopped and pointed out Le Château, Mahiro would’ve walked right past it. Le Château was a brick building with the name glowing in the window in elaborate gold. Mahiro blinked several times. The restaurant seemed so… normal. It could be any other French restaurant. There wasn’t even a flicker or indication of glamour being used! “...Is it supposed to look like this?” Mahiro asked. He glanced up at Kouki to see him grinning.
“Did you expect oni and kitsune to be advertised? Maybe a sign saying ‘Vampires Welcome?’” His tone was genuinely curious rather than insulting, despite the playful words.
“Well, nothing so in your face,” Mahiro admitted. “I just… I don’t know, expected more.”
Kouki closed the umbrella. “That’s fair. If Le Château looked mystical and otherworldly though, wouldn’t everyone want to come inside? People who see an ordinary French restaurant aren’t likely to suspect their dining companions are yōkai.” He smiled again as he opened the door, gesturing for Mahiro to enter first.
“Good point.” Mahiro stepped inside and did a double take. He’d seen pictures of French palaces before. This restaurant could easily have come from there. It made the other French restaurants he’d been to look like hovels! “Wow, it’s beautiful.” He noticed an umbrella holder (which was an art piece in itself) and offered Kouki a bag for their soaked umbrella. Kouki bagged the umbrella then put it in the holder.
“There’s a club downstairs. This floor is a lounge and the restaurant is upstairs. Fancy going to the club sometime?”
“Let’s see how our first date goes before I agree to a second,” Mahiro replied. He turned to see if he could find where the staircase or door leading to the club was then jumped. Kouki had dropped his glamour entirely and appeared as the tall, beautiful oni that he was. Though the split suit patterned with oni masks made Mahiro wonder if Kouki dressed so for the irony of being an oni wearing an oni mask suit or if he did it for fun.
Kouki grinned. “I hope you’ll give me a second date.”
“Who is this enchanting beauty that you’ve brought to my establishment, dear Kouki?” A rich, musical voice asked.
Mahiro turned again. A handsome man with long, blonde curls and a silver coat over a ruffled blouse and black pants tucked into high black boots had appeared out of seemingly nowhere. He looked like he belonged in the French court of ages past rather than present day Tokyo. “My name is Kurosaki Mahiro.” He bowed his head politely then blinked when the man took his hand. He raised it to his lips and kissed the back of it as if Mahiro were a court lady.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, dear Mahiro,” he said as he released Mahiro’s hand. “My name is Kamijo.”
Mahiro gazed up into brilliant blue eyes. What was Kamijo? The lack of shimmer ruled yōsei out. He didn’t have horns, but perhaps they were hidden beneath his hair. “Are you an oni too?” Kouki had proved that oni weren’t like the legends said. Maybe they could look like French royalty too.
Kamijo raised an eyebrow. “Hardly,” he drawled. He smiled, canines extending into long, white fangs. “I am a vampire. You are truly breathtaking, Mahiro. Should you tire of Kouki, do seek me out. I would love to acquaint my fangs with your neck someday.”
Mahiro swallowed heavily. He backed up, relieved when he bumped into Kouki’s reassuring warmth. How the hell was he supposed to respond to something like that? “Uh, thanks?”
Kouki wrapped his arm around Mahiro’s waist. “Kamijo, stop creepily flirting with my date.”
“Are you intending to get your little oni fangs into that divine neck of his?”
“Only if he wants me to.”
“Would both of you stop talking about my neck like I’m not here?” Mahiro snapped. He was still pressed against Kouki and was wondering if he should try bolting from the restaurant.
Kamijo bowed his head while Kouki apologized. “Of course. I do sincerely apologize for my poor manners. Teru, come seat our guests. Would you prefer a table by the window?”
“Yes,” Mahiro said. He took Kouki’s hand, wondering if oni or vampire could hear how loudly his heart was beating. A man with a silver bob, indecently short black shorts with high black boots, a ruffled white shirt, and a black and silver jacket approached them holding two menus. This must be Teru. Was he a vampire too? Mahiro didn’t want to ask in case Teru also started drooling over his neck.
“Please follow me,” Teru said. He led them towards a spiral staircase. Mahiro probably would’ve tripped if he’d been wearing boots with such a heel. Teru managed them and the stairs effortlessly. The restaurant was done up in a white and gold theme with a number of potted roses. There were some other diners there. Mahiro did his best not to stare at anyone as he followed Teru over to a table by one of the windows.
Teru set the menus down. “Your waiter will be out to take your drink order soon. The house wine is delicious.”
A little dazed, Mahiro sat down. He’d been hit on by an oni and a vampire tonight and was now going to have dinner with said oni in a restaurant owned by the vampire. So much for going home to his cats and a relaxing bath. His evening had turned out a lot more exciting than he’d planned.
“Sorry about Kamijo,” Kouki apologized. “I’ll tell you a secret about him once he comes upstairs.” He grinned when a pretty blonde in a crimson ball gown escorted a short, surly brunette with a number of facial piercings to the table next to them. “Kyo!”
Kyo returned Kouki’s warm greeting with a scowl. “Kouki.”
“Where’s Subaru?”
“He’ll be here soon.” Kyo sat down. He could easily have stepped right out of a gothic fashion magazine in his all black ensemble and hat.
“Are you a vampire too?” Mahiro asked before he could control himself. Was it rude to ask someone if they were a vampire?
Kyo actually smiled at him, though it quickly turned into a scowl when Kouki started laughing. “Oni,” he growled.
“Kyo wishes he was a vampire,” Kouki said cheerfully.
Mahiro tilted his head. Perhaps Kyo’s oni horns were hidden beneath his hat. “So you and Kouki are both oni?”
Kyo’s glare turned murderous when Kouki laughed again. “Your boyfriend can stay. You can fuck off, Kouki.”
“He’s a yōsei,” Kouki announced.
Mahiro’s jaw dropped. He could believe Uruha being part yōsei because of his ethereal beauty. Handsome as Kyo was, he didn’t seem to have that yōsei look. “You’re a yōsei? B-But you’re not shimmering!”
Kyo sighed loudly. “I learned to control that so I don’t look like a fucking glitter bomb exploded on me. Kouki, your boyfriend is way too good for a brat like you.”
“I’m not his boyfriend. We just met.”
“He thought I was a hologram.” Kouki smiled fondly at him. “Also, how rude of me. I haven’t introduced the two of you yet. Kyo, this is my lovely date, Mahiro. Mahiro just started developing the Sight last month. Kyo and I met soon after I arrived in Tokyo. We’re old friends, though his grumpy attitude would have you believing otherwise.”
Kyo sniffed. “I keep you around to reach tall shelves.”
“You’d be bored without me on karaoke nights.” Kouki winked at Kyo, who scowled, before turning his gaze back to Mahiro. “Kyo spoke truthfully about the shimmer effect. Normally, a yōsei will shimmer to anyone with the Sight. It can be controlled or toned down though. He’s not like Tinkerbell.”
Kyo opened his mouth to no doubt say something rude, only to shut it when Kamijo came upstairs with an adorable blonde man. He was wearing a shiny black and blue headband that matched the rest of his outfit. The rest of him seemed to shine too. Mahiro didn’t have to ask to know that this man was a yōsei. One who looked like Kyo’s polar opposite.
“That’s Subaru,” Kouki whispered. “Kyo’s boyfriend. Watch his face.”
The cute blonde beamed and ran over, throwing his arms around Kyo’s neck and kissing him on the cheek. “Kyo! Sorry I’m late.”
Kyo raised his arms to embrace Subaru in return as a lovesick, adoring smile appeared on his face. Mahiro hadn’t thought he’d be capable of making such an expression. “It’s all right. Kouki was just being his usual annoying self. In front of his date.”
Subaru squeezed Kyo a little tighter then pulled back. “Ohh, Kouki brought a date?” He grinned at Mahiro. “Wow, you’re gorgeous!”
Mahiro found himself blushing again. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Subaru sat down across from Kyo.
Kamijo turned to go. Then paused and gave Kouki a warning look. “Don’t you dare.”
“What?” Kouki’s expression was pure innocence. It clearly wasn’t fooling Kamijo, since the vampire glowered at him. Did Kamijo know about this secret that Kouki planned to reveal? “You frightened Mahiro. It’s only fair that he knows you grew up the poor son of a poet in the Edo Jidai and didn’t get your wealth or French aesthetic until you got your fangs.”
Kamijo scowled as Kyo snickered and Kouki grinned. “I left that life behind once I became a vampire, you ill-mannered oni.” He held his head high. “Mahiro, I do apologize once again for my behavior. You are welcome to order anything you like from the menu. I will cover your meal tonight. Kouki, you can pay for your own dinner.” He swept his coat around himself like a cape and practically flounced off.
Mahiro blinked, glanced at his menu, then up at the disappearing vampire again. “Uh, all right. Er, what do you three recommend since you all seem to be regular patrons?” Between the three of them he was able to place an order for the recommended house wine and then a dish he hadn’t tried before but came highly recommended from Kouki. “Is your friend here? Hakuei?” Mahiro asked. Maybe if he could meet Hakuei, he wouldn’t feel so overwhelmed about everything.
“Not tonight,” Kouki replied. “You’d recognize him right away if he was. He’s even taller than me and had hot pink hair when I saw him last week. He really makes Subaru and Kyo look like little tiny yōsei,” he teased, prompting Kyo to glare again while Subaru giggled. It really must be a case of opposites attract with them.
“Tall, pink hair, and an eyepatch? He sounds like an interesting person.”
“He is. Anyway, I promised you answers and I can tell by your expression that all I’ve done is make you confused and overwhelmed. I’m sorry about that.” Kouki gave him a gentle smile. “Do you have any questions for me?”
Mahiro took a breath. Where to begin? He had a number of questions for Kouki. “You keep mentioning ‘sight,’' he imagined the quotations around the word. “Is it something hereditary? I’m… very new to all of this.” He thought back to books he’d read and movies he’d watched, what the characters had done to be able to truly see the world. “Also, glamour. What exactly is it?”
“In general, yes. Either you’re able to see spirits and yōkai or you can’t. Sometimes a parent will block off their child’s abilities through shrine visits. Charms, talismans, all that can help. Hakuei said his grandmother tried that with him when he was six. He almost chased a ghost boy off a cliff after the ghost promised to play with him.”
Mahiro shuddered as he pictured how terrifying that must’ve been for both Hakuei and his grandmother. “That’s awful!”
“Yeah. Thankfully, she caught him in time. She has the Sight, Hakuei’s parents don’t, and he only has partial Sight. There are also ways to gift a person with the Sight. Either a potion or a special ointment can do it. Mirrors and glasses can be enchanted too. I haven’t heard of contact lenses being charmed yet, but I imagine it’s possible.”
“Enchanted like a video game?” Mahiro asked.
“Kind of,” Kouki chuckled. “As for Glamour, that’s what us yōkai use to blend in with regular society. It’s something all of us are born with. I use Glamour to conceal my horns and occasionally my clothes.”
Kyo snorted. “Kouki, that makes it sound like you’re wandering around nude and just pretending to have clothes on.”
“You’d have really startled Mahiro if you did that!” Subaru giggled. “Also, sorry to eavesdrop. I thought I’d help you with some answers” He grinned at them. Subaru truly was adorable.
“I definitely would’ve been stunned to see a naked oni,” Mahiro deadpanned.
Kouki blushed. “I wouldn’t do that! Kyo’s just being a pervert.”
Mahiro quickly spoke up before the two could bicker again. “You have this eccentric, colorful suit that you’re actually wearing, but in your Glamour you had that oversized, brown suit…” He trailed off. He didn’t want to insult the suit outright. It was unflattering on someone so handsome.
“Ugh, you wore that hideous thing?” Kyo shook his head. “Mahiro’s trying to be polite, but there’s no need to bother. That suit is fucking ugly. Makes you look like you robbed your grandfather.” Clearly tact wasn’t important to Kyo. They were old friends though. Friends could get away with insulting your fashion sense while a first date couldn’t. Not if they wanted a second date at least. It was too soon to judge that. Even though Kouki was clearly interested.
Kouki rolled his eyes. “Thanks, Kyo. Next time I need fashion advice I’ll go to Mr. Doom and Gloom.” He paused when Teru arrived with their wine. He carried a tray with the wine bottle and then four glasses. Teru smiled as he set two glasses in front of them. He poured their wine then turned to do the same for the yōsei couple.
Mahiro swallowed. When Teru smiled, he’d noticed his canines were longer than a human’s. Just like Kouki’s. Teru’s had been more pronounced though. Was he a vampire too? What about the beautiful blonde in the red gown? Was vampirism a requirement to work here? Mahiro reached for his glass and took a sip. Wow. He could easily say this was the best wine he’d ever tasted. Which was concerning given that he’d ordered red wine from a vampire. Wait. Mahiro looked at the glass, then up at Kouki. The castle scenes from Resident Evil: Village were playing out in his mind. “This is… just wine, right? There’s nothing additional? Like blood?”
“Ordinary wine,” Kouki assured him. “Kamijo wouldn’t give blood to a human. He saves that for vampires.”
That wasn’t too reassuring. There wasn’t any blood in his wine, but it was available for others. Mahiro took a tentative sip again. He really didn’t want to know where the blood came from. Hopefully not the same as Lady Dimitrescu’s maiden’s blood wine. “So… is everyone working here a vampire?”
“Yes,” Kouki said. “Hizaki, the blonde who brought Subaru in, is one too. Don’t let the dress fool you either.”
“He has a dick,” Kyo announced, prompting Subaru to choke on his wine. Kyo was lucky he didn’t have the wine spit out on him.
Subaru hung his head. “Mahiro, please excuse my tactless boyfriend,” he apologized. Kyo shrugged while Kouki chuckled.
“My friend, Hiyori, is deceptive too. He likes to wear skirts and dress up as a cute girl too.” Mahiro sometimes did it for photoshoots. Or for fun with his friends. “Our female friends grumble that he’s prettier than they are.”
Kyo snorted. “Sounds like my friends, Toshiya and Shinya.”
“Are they yōsei too?”
“Toshiya is. Shinya’s a vampire.”
“Toshiya is a tall yōsei. Unlike these two,” Kouki teased. Subaru giggled while Kyo scowled. Being short must bother him. Mahiro was used to it. It’d be strange to be tall. If he kissed Kouki (which he’d definitely like to) he’d have to stand up on tiptoe while Kouki leaned down to meet him.
Mahiro rubbed his temples. “This… is a lot to take in. Oni, vampires, yōsei. Do you think I’m part yōkai too or do I just have the Sight somehow? Is it because my actual vision is getting worse?” He couldn’t recall any of his relatives ever mentioning seeing ghosts or oni. Not that it came up in conversation. Would his parents think he was losing it if he asked them? Only one way to find out.
All three looked him over. “Honestly, I’m not sure. You’re beautiful. You could easily be part or full yōsei,’ Kouki said. He smiled when Mahiro blushed. “It might be possible to determine your ancestry from a taste of your blood, but you’d have to let a vampire bite you.” He raised his hands in a gesture of apology. “I know. Nothing you want to do.”
Mahiro rubbed his neck. “Definitely not.”
“I’d say he’s a siren given you’re already spellbound and drooling over him.” Kyo smirked at Kouki. “Joking aside, it’s difficult to say. You could just have the Sight. You could be a yōkai’s descendant. Perhaps it’s your eyes.” He shrugged. “Try not to agonize over it too much. You may never find out the how or why you can see us. Just know that you can.”
Kouki reached across the table to take his hand. He gave Mahiro a soft smile. “I’m sorry you’re having to deal with all of this so suddenly. I’m glad I was able to meet you though.”
“Definitely a siren,” Kyo said in a mock whisper.
Kouki ignored him. “Did you have other questions?”
Mahiro was distracted by the arrival of their meal. Over dinner (which was truly delicious) they talked about their lives and the Tokyo yōkai community. Kouki, as predicted, was an artist. A singer to be exact. He’d also lived all his life in Tokyo. Apparently various oni clans were spread out across the country.
“I know, it’s overwhelming,” Kouki said apologetically. “There’s a lot to take in.”
“There is. But I appreciate you being so willing to talk to me about all this.”
“He - ouch!”
Mahiro glanced over to see Kyo scowling at Subaru. The blonde’s expression was practically angelic. Kyo must’ve been about to say something rude and gotten kicked by his boyfriend so he couldn’t finish that thought.
“Please ignore Kyo. He’s being an unromantic bore.” Kouki smiled at Mahiro. “Did you want dessert? There’s an incredible chocolate torte.”
Mahiro didn’t have much of a sweet tooth. He liked the thought of sharing a torte with Kouki though. “Sure.”
Full from a delicious meal and some great conversation, Mahiro headed down the stairs with Kouki. Kyo and Subaru had already gone home - though not without Subaru stopping to hug Mahiro. Kyo had told him he had glitter on his hair, brushed some off, said he liked him, then followed his boyfriend. They were cute. A little strange, but cute.
“May I walk you home?” Kouki asked.
Mahiro raised an eyebrow. “Are you just trying to get in my pants?”
Kouki shot him an affronted look. “Not at all! I may be an oni, but I was raised to be a gentleman with romantic partners. I’d like to walk you home if you’ll let me. Or at least to the train station.” He collected the umbrella and opened the door for Mahiro.
Huh. Mahiro hadn’t expected that. “You can walk me home if you don’t mind having to backtrack back to your place.” He laid his hand on Kouki’s arm. “Besides, I’m not ready for our date to end just yet.”
Kouki’s dazzling smile returned. “So does this mean I get to take you on a second date?”
“If Kamijo can refrain from being creepy about my neck, I’d like to see the club. And what people really look like when they drop their glamours.” Mahiro moved closer as Kouki opened the umbrella for them. It was still raining. That and the dim light made visibility difficult. Having Kouki here was a good thing.
“I’ll make sure he behaves.” Kouki held the umbrella over their heads and wrapped his arm around Mahiro. This already felt so comfortable despite only having just met.
—
Kouki had been content to drop him off outside his apartment building, but Mahiro wasn’t. He wanted to spend more time with Kouki. His offer to come inside had been gladly accepted. Neither man was willing to end their date just yet.
Mahiro drew Kouki into his apartment. “Come on in. Just watch out for my cats.” He hung up his jacket and smiled as he saw one cat lounging in the hallway. “That’s Sephiroth.” He toed off his shoes.
Kouki grinned. “Sephiroth?” He removed his shoes along with his glamour. Mahiro glanced down at Sephiroth, who made no move to come over and greet him, and moved closer to Kouki. He laid his hand on his arm.
“I have a Claire too. Can you tell I’m a gamer?”
Kouki drew him closer. “One with good taste. Final Fantasy VII and Resident Evil 2 are great games. Some of my favorites actually. I loved playing the remakes.”
Mahiro smiled. That was cute. “Can I touch your horns?” He blurted as he gazed up at the horns that had intrigued him ever since he saw Kouki standing outside Family Mart.
Kouki blinked. “Of course.” He leaned down so Mahiro could easily reach them. Mahiro stretched out his hand to lay a finger on the left horn. It was mostly smooth, though it had a few ridges. Mahiro gained more confidence. He ran his fingers from the base of the horn to its tip. He pressed down on it. As expected, the tip was sharp. Good thing Kouki was too sweet to headbutt someone. Mahiro fought back a giggle as he pictured two oni headbutting each other like goats. Maybe in wrestling matches. Mahiro continued to explore the horns. Even going so far as to wrap his hands around them. He gasped in surprise when Kouki grasped the backs of his thighs and lifted him up into his arms. Mahiro wrapped his legs around his hips. Oh he liked this. Kouki didn't seem super muscular. Not like his friend, Junji. Oni must be stronger than humans.
Kouki grinned at him. “This should be more comfortable for both of us.”
Mahiro smirked. “Agreed.” He rubbed his thumbs over the base of Kouki’s horns. Kouki shivered in response. He pressed down on that spot again, earning the same reaction. “Now this is a pleasant find,” he teased. “Is this a sensitive place for all oni? Or just you?”
Kouki held him a little tighter. “Definitely me. I think all oni agree.”
Mahiro smiled impishly. “Good to know.” He was already planning how to use this discovery to his advantage.
A surprised laugh drew Mahiro from his sleep. What happened? He was vaguely aware of a cat on his head and a warm body next to him. He opened his eyes, rubbed them, then groped for his glasses. “Kouki?” He yawned widely and looked over at his new lover. Last night had been phenomenal. He definitely wouldn’t be forgetting it anytime soon. If at all. His vision cleared enough for him to see Sephiroth next to Kouki. The gray and white cat’s head was tilted with one paw raised.
“Good morning,” Kouki said. “Your cat woke me up when he slapped–” he paused when Sephiroth lunged forward to swat his left horn. Kouki laughed again. “He did that.”
Mahiro blinked. “Huh. So cats can see your horns?”
“They can. Animals can see ghosts and through glamour.” Kouki scratched Sephiroth under the chin. Soon the familiar rumbling purr began. Smiling, Mahiro reached for his phone. Kouki scooped Sephiroth up as he sat upright and posed until Sephiroth squirmed in protest.
“They can be such effective alarms,” Mahiro chuckled. He set his phone aside. “I’ll go feed them. They’ll be properly distracted then and won't bother us.” He got out of bed and pulled on a silky black and purple robe. Mahiro almost tripped over Claire when she shot in front of him. The cats always raced him to the kitchen. Hungry cats could be such a tripping hazard. Mahiro fed them, set the coffee to brew, then returned to Kouki. Damn he was gorgeous. And so sweet. “Aside from Sephiroth, how did you sleep?” Mahiro asked as he got back into bed.
Kouki turned to face him. “Excellent. Though I did wake up earlier to one of your cats glaring at me.”
Mahiro giggled. “First they glare then slap you awake? What rude cats I have.”
Kouki drew him closer. He toyed with the tie of Mahiro’s robe. “They make up for it by being so cute. I get the feeling you have that in common with them.”
Mahiro laughed. “You’re not wrong.” He draped his arm over Kouki’s waist. “So…”
“So?” Kouki prompted.
Mahiro rested his hand on Kouki’s chest. “We had an amazing night together.” It had truly been memorable. “I’m looking forward to our second date.” He leaned forward to claim a kiss. “Hungry?”
“Me too.” Kouki grinned and rolled them over. Mahiro squeaked in surprise at the unexpected action. “That depends. Are you on the menu?”
Mahiro laughed. “I could be. You thinking of seconds?” He grinned and tipped his head when Kouki leaned down to kiss his neck. He tangled his fingers in soft blonde hair. A shiver of anticipation went down his spine when Kouki opened up the ties of his robe.
* * *
A week had passed since their first date. Neither had planned to fall for the other so quickly, but it happened. They were now dating with plans to meet up for dinner tomorrow. Mahiro would never have expected that his newfound ability to see the supernatural would land him a boyfriend. A handsome, oni boyfriend at that!
A shadow fell over his screen. “Who’s that ?” Ruki demanded. He pointed to Mahiro’s phone background. Currently, it was a picture of shirtless Kouki smiling as he held Sephiroth. By some miracle, Mahiro had even gotten his cat to look at the camera too.
“That’s Kouki,” Mahiro explained. “My new boyfriend.”
Ruki raised an eyebrow. “Is he the reason you’re always grinning at your phone on breaks?”
“Pretty much,” Mahiro said. “We met last week and just… hit things off. We made things official after our third date.”
Ruki smirked. “Official as in the clothes came off?”
Mahiro rolled his eyes. “Please, you saw how gorgeous he is. I took him back to my place right after our first date.” He wondered if Ruki could see the horns, but didn’t ask. He still wasn’t ready to tell Ruki about what he could see.
Ruki took another look at Kouki’s picture. “Smart. I wouldn’t have let him go either.”
“I definitely don’t plan to.”