𝐃𝐎𝐋𝐋 ᴰʳᵃᵍᵒⁿ ᴿᵃʲᵃ

𝐊𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐢

Takamagahara felt predatory.

The air of the place, laced with perfume, reeking of alcohol, didn't help with the sleazy mood. At times, Johann couldn't help but feel like if he were in a brothel.

He couldn't help but feel like he was a lollipop in a candy shop, stared down and wanted by starved kids.

They were two women clinging to his arms, three more in front of him. They were talking about their husbands a minute, their co-workers the next, and, as if to not forget him, they would mention Johann's good looks.

He played his character well enough, Ukyou was a charming stereotype. Calm, cold, caring. It wasn't that different from his normal self. It was good at first, when this hosting job was a short-term solution for their, supposedly, short term problem, but it had been nearing two weeks, and he no longer wanted to feel like Ukyou at all.

Ukyou had taken life of his own, fueled by the delusions and careful prodding of his patronesses. Ukyou was now more than cold, he was at time vulnerable, then cruel, then soft, and then became distant again.

Johann never had to decide how to feel depending on the whims of others.

He didn't like it now that he had to do it.

He liked, every other day, throw in a cooking show. He liked sushi enough, and with his skill with knifes, it was good entertainment. He truly wanted to showcase the art of the nigiri. He respected cooking as an art form, and his patrons usually shared the same feelings.

The husband of one the women was a famous chef. He was always busy and cranky, so he paid no attention to his wife, who in turn, paid young men like Johann, to behave like her desire, who was Ukyou. That women had bought him some knives and a cooking book, the back of it signed by her husband.

Out of respect, Johann agreed to study the book, and worked relentlessly in his next prestation. He turned a page, sliced some fish, and shifted his eyes from the crowd to himself. It was some of the first times that he observed himself so much. He felt thirsty but avoided drinking water. If he did, then the women would start loudly grieving the vanishing definition of his abs.

"Looks like you're eating well, Ukyou!" They agreed among themselves. "But not too much, we still want you looking fit!"

He served the women, sweat glistening off his body.

They opened their mouths wide, demanding he feed them. On some days, when he would refuse, they would find his attitude flirty, coquettish.

"Playing hard to get?" they would grin, pushing each other around.

On other days, like this one looked to be, they would get outraged at his refusal. Without a stop, they would get up, demanding a refund. They bothered the supervisors of that day.

Their host wasn't playing along. He broke the fantasy they paid so much for.

So, Johann decided to abide by their wishes, and hand fed them their rolls. The chef's wife squealed in approval at the taste and the freshness of the meal. Before Johann could retract his fingers from her mouth, she closed her lips around his flesh. Her teeth bit him. She allowed him to pull out his hand, and with glossy eyes exclaimed, "Ukyou is not only great to look at, but he tastes delicious too!"

Johann tried to hide how uncomfortable he felt, how that moment of imagined tenderness felt like a strike.

He wished he was not Ukyou at all.

His shift was over, and he allowed himself to stay in the staff room for a moment more. It was the same one that he had care for Doll in.

He remembered tirelessly replacing her bandages and she sprawled out on the sofa. Whale had let them take over the room until Doll awaked, and now, the rest of the host could access it with no problems. Other than the Ace Team, there were around a dozen other hosts and servers. They were all exceptionally good-looking men, with their own charms and reasons.