YNoMH? (BL)

34

Chapter 34: Where Home Is (10)

Kei had made up his mind. He didn't know his chances for success. He only had a somewhat vague idea of what he would say, but he would play it by ear—similar to picking a time to go to commercial or to move on to the next segment. There was no staff to coordinate with and nothing to rehea.r.s.e.

But he would do it anyway.

Kei checked his cell phone several times during the taxi ride, but he didn't receive any calls or messages. He had included his cell phone number in the message for Eba. If Eba was busy, he would probably call Kei to let him know, but he didn't even call to ask what the message was about. There was the possibility that he just plain ignored it. It was a gamble, the first of many, but Eba was surprising compa.s.sionate, and he seemed to have taken a liking to Kei. But whether it was enough to accept his meeting request, Kei wasn't too sure.

Kei could see the taxi approaching the hotel where he had stayed at with Ushio. Kei prayed in his heart, Please be there, as he took the elevator up and arrived in front of the guestroom that he had prepared.

Kei knocked on the door twice before using his card key to enter the room. The light was on inside.

"It sure feels strange to see in person someone who was just on TV a little while ago."

Eba was watching TV leisurely in an armchair with his feet up on an ottoman. On the table, there were cans of beer, wine, and small bottles of whiskey from the refrigerator.

...d.a.m.n geezer, did you drink through the entire minibar?

"I didn't think that announcers made so much. I still only use business hotels for my election campaigns."

"This isn't something that I routinely do."

"By the way, how am I supposed to watch the adult channels if they don't sell TV access cards here?"

Kei didn't answer and turned off the TV, but it didn't anger the old man.

"So?" Eba raised an eyebrow. "Let's hear why you specially called this senile old fool all the way here."

"I have a personal favor I would like to ask."

"This is a lot of arrangements for a favor."

"I didn't want to fuel any more rumors or speculation if people were to see us speaking."

"So what's the favor?"

Kei sat on the bed and met Eba's gaze.

"I would like to visit Wakamiysensei's residence."

"Wakamiya? Why that again?"

"It is for a personal matter."

"If you want to visit, then go by yourself. Don't tell me you don't know the address?"

"I know it."

Kei had checked the premises using Street View. The estate looked like the property taxes alone could blow through a new graduate's annual salary.

"However, I would likely be turned away at the door if I were to go alone. I wish to avoid any fuss that could get me reported if things happen to go awry, and there is also the matter of the neighbors who could be watching."

"Then you can make up some business there. Like an interview or news coverage."

"I do not want to involve the network. My business with them is strictly personal. As an uninvited guest, I think your help would allow me to get inside, Ebsensei."