Together With You

Rainy Day

I can't stand rainy days like this. I peer out the window and see a small river running down the street. Just knowing my shoes are going to get soaked. I sigh and stand up. I guess I have to get my day started. I live in a city apartment on the fifth floor. It is nothing too fancy. However, it is designed with modernism in mind giving it a simple wealthy undertone.

I button up my suit and slip on my freshly polished dress shoes. I polish them nightly to get a real nice sheen on them. (He forgets the night after the bar). I grab my coffee and umbrella and head out the door. 

I hate this old elevator. Whenever it passes the third floor it stops for just a second. But it is enough to make my heart race. I step out onto the sidewalk filled with bustling people. I am not sure why everyone seems so happy. Couples sharing umbrellas. How pitiful. I walk my usual way to work. Taking the same train I always take. When I first moved here there was so much to look at. Now all I see is people and shit.

I arrive at the office and enter. As soon as I step through the door Narumi, the longest secretary we have ever had, hands me a file.

"Good morning Lian, The boss is in one of his moods today so I would skip the meeting. This is the gist of it. There is a drug meetup tomorrow. One of our people is selling to an unlisted partner. They think something else is going down too, but I'm sure you can handle it." She's right.

It will be fine. I am the enforcer after all, when people get out of line it is my job to push them back into shape. Typically they fight back and it ends with someone dying. But in this line of work that's how things have to be. You can't control this many criminals without use of force. I take the file and begin to walk to my desk. People would be surprised how much paperwork I have to file in my downtime. But I guess that's what I get paid for.

...

The clock strikes 6pm. I stand up from my chair, grab my jacket and begin to head out. A lot of people would say that working late is necessary. They would think differently if every field job they took lasted all night. I just know tomorrow's job is going to be a shitty one. I fluff out my jacket, pulling out any wrinkles before putting it on. Making sure I stay sharp as always.

"See you tomorrow Narumi." I begin to walk out of the building. I go to take my umbrella from the holder only to see. It's gone, the holder is completely empty. The vain on my forehead begins to throb as I take a deep breath. I hate the rain. I step outside watching the storm cover the streets. When off in the distance I see a glowing building. A drink would be night right now. It is my angel in the darkness you could say. I brace myself and jog over to the restaurant.

When I enter it is quite busy. I shake my head, feeling like a dog, to try and get some of the wet off of me. It looks like all of the tables are taken. Damn, maybe I could squeeze in with someone II know. That table is cops, so no. That one is an old buddy of mine from my school days, a shiver runs down my spine, definitely not. Out of all the tables one seemed probable. One man with a drink and one open seat.

I walk over to him. "I'm sorry, would you mind if I sat with you, it's been a long day." I just realized I am a dripping wet man, not only that but I have been told by many that my appearance is not the most- trustworthy. The man looks up at me and smiles. I am kind of taken off guard. His hair is bright yellow and he is quite young to be in a bar after work, well I guess we seem the same age so I can't be one to talk.

"Please sit! As long as you don't mind I can be quite the chatterbox." His face was already slightly flushed from the drinking (It was not from the drinking, it was because his shirt was soaked making it see through). "People call me Sho." That is an odd name for a man.

I sit across from him and the waiter fills up a drink for me. I take off my jacket and place it beside me. "My name is Lian," I state.

The man is just staring at me, kind of weird. "So man, what do you do for work." I ask hoping to make some casual conversation.

"Nothing too important, what about you?" Way to dodge a question. What a weird guy. What could he do that is possibly so bad. Maybe he is- ah whatever doesn't matter. (In reality the Sho saw Lian's tattoos and didn't have the courage to tell him that he is a cop.)

I think for a moment "You could say I do law enforcement." I mutter. (Sho could tell that that was not the case.) "How old are you?" I am looking for something to say.

"Twenty-seven, my birthday was actually a week ago." He says with a half smile. He's two whole years older than me. Who would've guessed.

We continued to talk for a few hours.

After the drinks kicked in I am ready to make some actual conversation with this guy. "So Sho, what is such a pretty boy like you doing around these parts? I know many people work around here, but this bar at night might not be safe for someone so- handsome." What has gotten into me. Maybe I had more to drink then I can remember, or maybe I just spent so much time around men that I didn't think anything of that comment. But I can tell Sho did. His face got bright red.

"Thanks, but I don't work around here, I actually live right down the street." He scratched his neck awkwardly.

A look came across my face. "You LIVE around here. I mean I don't mean to offend you or anything, but why here?" I leaned in closer waiting for the details. But looking at him this close, kind of made me feel funny. He really is a good looking guy.

"I inherited it when my mom died, and I can't really bring myself to move away from it." He said. I am a pretty cold guy at work but I do have some emotions too. His mom living around here probably means she was a night worker, this area is known for that. Work is just work, we do what we have to do. I am not one to judge.

Just then a strange, and incredibly drunk man, walked over to our table picking a fight.

"Well isn't that little Sho! Are you taking over mommy's business?" His hands slammed down on the table. I knew it, his mother must have been- Just then the man threw money at Sho. "Come home with me and I'll make it worth your while, you kinda look like your mom anyways." I could smell the alcohol on his breath.

I couldn't take it. I stood up and flashed my signature smile. "Do we have a problem here sir?" It was a killer smile. One where people knew what was about to happen.

His demeanor calms. "Nope no problem. I'll just meet you at home Sho. You know your mom would want you to." Sho's eyes began to tear up as he wa slooking down at the table. I couldnt take it. As the man began to walk away I grabbed his collar pulling him close. He laughed "I dont think those cops over there would appreciate a fight." Fuck. He was right, I quickly let go before anyone would notice.

"Watch your back." I say as he walks away.

Sho collects all of the money and gets up. "I should get going, it is getting pretty late."

As he begins walking I stand up and grab his arm "Hey man you're not really-" It is a hard thing to say out loud, but the way he looked at me said it all.

"How about you come home with me instead." I say, not thinking before I speak. "No- not like that. I just can't imagine what would happen if that dirtbag was waiting at your door. You will be safe, I promise. I can even give you money for the train ride home."

Sho's brown eyes stop tearing "R-really. You mean that?"

"Of course I do. Let's go." I keep hold of his arm and guide him out of the restaurant. For some reason, I never let go of his arm.

"Fuck, its still raining." I say

"We can use my umbrella!" Sho says, pulling his clear umbrella out over our heads.