Otoko ga Otoko wo Aisuru Toki 1

Otoko ga Otoko wo Aisuru Toki 1
When a Man Loves a Man- A Hunt for the Passion
(Chapters 1-3)

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Frontispiece
(Page) Table of contents
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When a Man Loves a Man
A Hunt for the Free

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(Shinjuku. Kabukichou. Evening.)
Manager: Alright everybody. Before our guests arrive, I'd like to have a meeting to distribute last month's pay
First I'll announce last month's ranking

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Manager: No.1 last month was Shinkawa Takaaki-kun. Good work.
Down at No.2, first in a long time, is Takaaki Ryou-kun. Better luck this month.
Here in Shinjuku we're overrun with host clubs

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Manager: I hope you'll stay in close touch with our guests and see to their needs, without letting the bad economy get you down and without stealing clients from other clubs.

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Takaaki: No fair, you.
Shinkawa: Huh? What do you mean, Takaaki-san?
Takaaki: All *your* clients are young women. I only get the older ones.
Shinkawa: What's wrong with that? Your tips are higher too. (I don't get much.)

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Takaaki: And you're pretty strange too. Normally people don't fall all over the number two guy, even if I *am* your senpai

Shinkawa: You're different. I became a host because I was so attracted to you. A lot of the guys here did.
Takaaki: Crap. I'm an old man. (And I'm only 26...)
Shinkawa: Don't say that.
Takaaki-san, I heard from the manager...

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Shinkawa: Are you really bi?
Takaaki: Just a god-damned minute! I don't hide it, but you don't say that in a place like this!
Shinkawa: Would- would I do? I don't mind that you're a guy. I'll do anything you say
Manager: Welcome, sir.

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Manager: Is there anyone in particular you want?
Customer: Is there a guy called Takaaki here?
Takaaki: Wanna say that again, more nicely?

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Manager: Takaaki? Certainly. Please come this way. He'll be with you shortly.
'Scuse me- 'scuse me Taka-chan. You've got a request
It's a man. I don't *think* he's trying to hire you away, but still...

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Takaaki: How do you do. Thanks for asking for me

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Man: You're Takaaki?
Takaaki: (thinks) What's with him...?
I hope you don't mind my sitting here?

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F/X mixing drink
Man: Nice job
Takaaki: Hm?
Man: Mixing drinks like that, sucking up to women. And you get paid for it. D'you get that watch from a woman too?
Takaaki: (thinks) Jerk...
(aloud) Yes. From a client. She said I should wear good-quality stuff.
Man: And that's how you got money out of my sister too?

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Takaaki: I'm afraid I don't understand you.
Man: My name is Uroshizaki Kazunari.
Takaaki: Huh?
Uroshizaki: You still don't know, even hearing my name?

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Uroshizaki: Uroshizaki Chiyoka! She's one of your clients, right?
Takaaki: The most basic rule in this business is to remember our clients' names. I remember the name and face of anyone who's been good enough to ask for me, no matter how long ago
Uroshizaki: But when you actually hear their name you don't remember them.
Well, never mind. My sister's been taking shady jobs just to make money for you.
I want you to stop encouraging her. Even if she comes here, I don't want you seeing her.

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Takaaki: Is that how you ask people for favors?
Uroshizaki: What??!!
Takaaki: Excuse me. You're disturbing the other guests. Please sit down.
I know what you mean, but there's my position to consider as well. I can't be expected to cut down the number of my clients

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Takaaki: But--
If you become one of my customers, I'll think about it
(thinks) Bet he can't
Uroshizaki: Alright
Takaaki: (thinks) Hunh??

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Uroshizaki: It's better than having my sister doing that kind of work.
I'll come and ask for you, have a drink, and go home.
Takaaki: But you know that's not all you do with a host
There's sexual services too

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Uroshizaki: Get your hands off me!
Takaaki: Wha--
Uroshizaki: (breathing heavily)
Takaaki: (thinks) I see. That's what it is. He hates us hosts that much...

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Takaaki: I haven't been this mad in a while, but now I am!

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Uroshizaki: Well?
Why'd I have to bring you home with me just like that?
Takaaki: I told you. That's what it is to be a client.
Uroshizaki: Hm...
Takaaki: (thinks) A likely story. Would anyone really believe that ordinarily?

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Takaaki: So, I don't suppose Chiyoka-chan lives here with you?
Uroshizaki: You go on and on about your 'clients' but you don't even know that? She lives with our parents.
Takaaki: (thinks) No way *I* would know...
(aloud) Hmpph
Uroshizaki: Sit over there. I'll go make some coffee.
Takaaki: Mh?

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Uroshizaki: Don't go thinking I'm the same as everyone else
Here-
Takaaki: (pushing U's tie away from coffee cup) Your tie- it's wet.
F/X Uroshizaki jumps and drops the cups

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Takaaki: You're over-reacting- how come...
F/X coffee dripping on floor
(Uroshizaki stands hugging himself with a hand to his throat)
Takaaki: (thinks) Come to think of it, just now he...

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Takaaki: Don't tell me...
Uroshizaki: Sorry...
Takaaki: (grabbing Uroshizaki's tie and wrapping it around his neck) You're sensitive here, yes? Not just that- you like being strangled, right?

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Uroshizaki: Cut it out--
Takaaki: You want your sweet little sister to stop playing around with hosts, don't you?
(Kisses him)
Uroshizaki: That's not fai---

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Uroshizaki: You crazy homos do this sort of--
F/X Takaaki pulls tie tight
Takaaki: Who're you to talk, with tastes like this?

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Takaaki: Guy who looks like you do and talks so big- get him down to his skin and now we see what you're like
Better to be crazy like you say we are
Than repressed like you.

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Takaaki: Make yourself happy. No-one's gonna blame you for it

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F/X pants and groans

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Takaaki: You're very stubborn
(Kisses neck)
It's not really enough, right?

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Takaaki: Stop holding out. Why not have the best sex you can? Bet you've never been really satisfied till now?
(grabs tie and holds it across Uroshizaki's throat)
Takaaki: Say 'please'

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Uroshizaki: ---please

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Takaaki: You should've started with that.
You want the thrill of doing it with someone who might kill you? I understand that.
Silly to care about a silly thing like appearances
and ignore what really turns you on

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Takaaki: I don't care about stuff like that.
Men- women- as long as I'm turned on, it's all the same

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F/X sounds of hard screwing ^_^

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F/X phone rings
Takaaki: Hello
Chiyoka's voice: Listen, o-nii-chan! I don't know what Dad said to you, but I don't need you interfering!

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Chiyoka: If you make Takaaki-san dislike me, I'll never forgive you!
Takaaki: Wait- Takaaki--
Chiyoka: Don't pretend! I know Dad told you about Shinkawa-san.
Hey, are you there! O-nii-chan!
Takaaki: That's right- his name is Shinkawa *Takaaki*

(Page)
Chiyoka: Hey--
F/X Takaaki disconnects
Takaaki: What a dork.
Well, since you were wrong from the start, I'll ask Shinkawa to hold off on Chiyoka-chan

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Takaaki: Well- even if it comes out, he won't be able to leave me now...
F/X Takaaki pulls the tie taut with a snap

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A Hunt for the Exs

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Takaaki: You're an unusual client. Saying you'll pay a host money just to talk in a place like this

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Takaaki: But as long as I'm paid, I'll do what you like.
Voice: (the mangaka's?) I'd like to ask you about hosts and clubs and things like that
Takaaki: Collecting material?
Voice: Umm, something like that.
Takaaki: Hmmm.
Well, people come and go a lot. In my club who's been there more than three years? Only me and the number 1, Shinkawa, maybe.

(Page)
Takaaki: Last month we had a guy quit. Watanabe was his name. Drugs, so we couldn't keep him. He wasn't much good with clients, and didn't know that drugs wouldn't solve the problem
There's lots of reasons for quitting- changing clubs, or they get hired away. Some just can't take being hosts
And there was one guy with a different reason for quitting

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Manager: Thank you all. You worked hard today. Now let me introduce our newest member. He'll replace Watanabe who left last month
Saeki Naoya-kun. 20 years old, with hosting experience.
Saeki: How do you do?
Manager: Saeki-kun, this is our no.1, Shinkawa Takaaki-kun
This is our no.2, Takaaki Ryou-kun
Takaaki: Hi

(Page)
Saeki: How do you do. I'll do my best to become like Shinkawa-san and Takaaki-san
Takaaki: There's something about the new guy I just don't like
Shinkawa: This club is tough for that kind to handle. When the no.1 and no.2 are friends, they can't start factions going.
Takaaki: You're weird, you know? And just who said we're friends, idiot?

(Page)
Takaaki: Well, let him do what he likes. He won't last long.
Host: Huh? Shinkawa-san and Takaaki-san?
Saeki: Anything you can tell me about them. They're both so cool, I was just wondering what they're like.
Host 1: They're friends. But I get the feeling Shinkawa-san would like to be more than that
Host 2: Yeah, true. He's only nice to Takaaki-san. (And cold to everyone else.)
Host 3: And Takaaki-san hates drugs. It's thanks to him this club is clean.
Host 4: As far as business and everything else goes, it's really Takaaki-san who makes this club what it is.

(Page)
Saeki: (thinks) What? This place is the pits. All hosts use drugs. I thought I could start dealing with the customers right away. I even brought some for the top guys here.
Can't I use my drugs here...?
Yeah, that's *it*!

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Host: We're closing early. Well, there's a recession on...
Host 2: Long day. Take care.
Shinkawa: Takaaki-san

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Shinkawa: Takaaki-san, what're you doing now? Come and have a drink at my place?
Takaaki: Baka. Why would I want to go to your place?
Shinkawa: Ohh c'mon. Why not say OK for once? How many years have I been asking you over?
Takaaki: Next time.
Shinkawa: (thinks) Next time, huh?
(aloud) You still going out with that Uroshizaki guy you were seeing?

(Page)
Shinkawa: I did what you asked me then, but I still haven't gotten my reward.
Takaaki: (thinks) You got a damned nerve, looking at me like that
(aloud) OK.
Saeki: Takaaki-san!

(Page)
Saeki: There's something I'd like to talk to you about. Can I get your advice.
Shinkawa: Listen, you-
Takaaki: It's OK, Shinkawa. Wait for me.

(Page)
Takaaki: So? What's the problem?
Saeki: It's something I saw just now in the staffroom
Shinkawa-san was putting all these drugs into his bag
Takaaki: What?!
Saeki: Well... and everyone was saying how you can't stand drugs... so I thought maybe I should tell you...

(Page)
Saeki: And I was thinking... last month... when Watanabe quit because of drugs... the person he got them from--
Mightn't it have been Shinkawa-san?
Takaaki: (thinks) That bastard!
Saeki: Hey! Takaaki-san!
Takaaki: Shinkawa!!

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Shinkawa: That was fast
Takaaki: Let me see your bag.
Shinkawa: What?
Takaaki: *Let me see your bag!!*

(Page)
F/X zipper opening
Shinkawa: Drugs...? What're they doing there...
Takaaki: Shinkawa- you...

(Page)
(Takaaki looks up at Shinkawa, then looks down at Saeki at the bottom of the stairs)

(page)
Takaaki: (to Saeki) Shinkawa doesn't do drugs.
Saeki: Why're you saying that? He had them on him!

(Page)
(Takaaki pulls Saeki's sleeve up to reveal needle marks)
Takaaki: I thought you might be shooting up
You want me to tell you why I hate drugs?
It's part of our work to charm our clients. How can we do that if we're half-cocked ourselves?

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Takaaki: A guy who'd use stuff like that is basically third-rate.
Shinkawa: So why'd you decide to come here after all?
Takaaki: Because back there I suspected you for a moment.

(Page)
Shinkawa: Oh. Like that, huh? And I was hoping you'd started to fancy me...
Takaaki: Asshole. Don't push your luck.
Shinkawa: I *will* push my luck, now you've finally come to my place.
Takaaki: Look- it's cause you feel like that that I can't just screw with you for fun. If I get into a relationship with someone from work and it goes bad...
Shinkawa: Then if you ever left the club, would you think about it?

(Page)
Shinkawa: That's a joke, by the way.
Takaaki: There's no reason for us to be separated.
Shinkawa: I'm still drawn to you, but I don't know if I love you or not.

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Takaaki: There's a way of finding out.

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Takaaki: You're not bi or gay, right?
So if my body affects you, it's got to be love.

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Takaaki: And the next day Saeki didn't come to work.

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Voice: Only one day? That was fast.
Thank you. This has been useful.
Takaaki: Mind if I go now? It's time I was at work
Voice: Can I ask one last question?
Why is it Shinkawa doesn't use drugs?

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Takaaki: Shinkawa would never do something if I didn't like it.
F/X door shutting.

Story 3
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When a Man Loves a Man 3
A Hunt for the True

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Takaaki-san is next door to being gay. I always wanted to ask him: How come you're a host?'

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(Schnapps host club in Shinjuku's Kabukichou)
Woman: What?? Shinkawa-san told you not to come to the club?
Chiyoka: That's right. It was-- what?- about two months ago? It was a huge shock. I thought some other woman'd taken Shinkawa-san away
So when he called yesterday I was so happy.

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Chiyoka: I cried so much..
Host: So your name is Chiyoka-chan?
Chiyoka: Yes. Uroshizaki Chiyoka. Here's my card.
Manager: (to Uroshizaki) Good evening.

(Page)
Manager: Sorry to keep you waiting. You want Takaaki, I assume?
Please come this way.
Woman: Oh- so men come to places like this too?

(Page)
Host: Yes. It's not usual, but that one's been coming here for about two months.
Has his eye on our no.2, it seems.
Chiyoka: Really! A homo? Where, where!?
(Shinkawa covers her eyes with his hand)
Shinkawa: When you're with me you mustn't look at other men.

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Chiyoka: Ohh Shinkawa-san, you're **jealous**! That's so cuuute!!
Host: (thinks) Done like a pro
Shinkawa: (thinks) In this business nothing's real
Chiyoka... fact is... I'm a bit hard up just now...
(thinks) And women who think it is are all dumb

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Host: Now I think of it
(looking at Chiyoka's card) There's a lot of people called Uroshizaki
I'm sure that guy's Uroshizaki too...
Takaaki: You've been coming quite regularly

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Uroshizaki: Well, you seem to have kept your promise.
Takaaki: Promise? oh... that...

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Takaaki: (thinks) My promise
Uroshizaki: I hear my sister's taken to staying at home quietly. Only the shock was pretty big- seems she cried a lot...
Takaaki: (thinks) Two months ago he came to see a host called 'Takaaki.'
To get him to break up with his sister.
(aloud) That's not why. It's cause you can't forget about having sex with me. Be honest.

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Takaaki: (thinks) But there's two of us called 'Takaaki' at the club.
Boy did this guy get the wrong one. But he amuses me, so I made Shinkawa break off with his sister.
He doesn't know that I wasn't the one with his sister. And he doesn't know that I screwed with Shinkawa.

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Takaaki: (thinks) So for the two months that 'promise' has been in effect... 'I'll be your client instead of my sister.'
And so we've had sex more often than I can count, imprisoned in this bed, bound by a lie

(Page)
Takaaki: Why do I care enough about him to do all this to get him?
Uroshizaki: Is Takaaki your real name?

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Takaaki: It's my Genji name.
Uroshizaki: Then... what...
Takaaki: Nothing.
Uroshizaki: Why'd you become a host?
Takaaki: Guy called Shinkawa at the club asked me that too. 'You're pretty much 100% gay, so why do carry on with women?'
Uroshizaki: So what did you tell him?

(Page)
Takaaki: I said it was like a guy who doesn't drink keeping a bar.
If a guy who likes to drink runs a bar he won't keep his hands off the supply, so how can he stay in business?
For me, women are like liquor.
Hey, why're you taking off like that? Why not stay? I quit early to come here. At this hour there'll still be clients at the club

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Uroshizaki: My sister had no idea you were so cold-blooded about her when she was so crazy about you! I can't believe people like you exist!!

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Takaaki: What binds Uroshizaki and me together is a lie
We both got caught by the same thing

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Takaaki: And when the truth comes out, all that'll be left is this pointless attachment I feel to Uroshizaki
Or maybe....
He'll still want me....
Well, no point thinking about it

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Chiyoka: Welcome back, o-nii-chan
Uroshizaki: Chiyoka, what are you doing here at this hour?
Chiyoka: O-nii-chan, can you let me have some money? No-one will lend me any until I pay back that loan
I'll work and pay you back right away

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Uroshizaki: Work! You mean you'll whore again? You're still in high school! What do you need so much money for?!
Shinkawa: Chiyoka, I'm kind of hard up now...
Chiyoka: Never mind what I need it for! Give it to me!!

(Page)
Chiyoka: I can't help it! Takaaki-san agreed to see me again! But he's going off with another client! I gotta do it now!!
Uroshizaki: (thinks) That bastard
Chiyoka: O-nii-chan!!

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Shinkawa: Well then, I'll be waiting for you, Akiko-san
Akiko: Yes. I'll come tomorrow, before you can forget what I look like
Shinkawa: There's no way I could forget. Say hello to your husband for me.
Akiko: (laugh) Nasty as ever.

(Page)
Takaaki: Sighing, were you?
Shinkawa: Takaaki-san!!
What happened? Today I thought you'd be away from work with that guy.
Takaaki: Mhh... I came back a little early
Shinkawa: I've just finished with my client

(Page)
Shinkawa: Forget going back to the club. Let's have a drink.
Takaaki: Asshole. Don't go getting carried away.
Uroshizaki: TAKAAKI!!

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F/X shrieks of bystanders
Shinkawa: What the hell're you doing??!!
Uroshizaki: I was wrong about you! You *didn't* break off with Chiyoka!!
The minute my eye's off you you're back leeching off of her!!

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Uroshizaki: I was a fool to believe you for a minute!!
Takaaki: Shinkawa...?
Shinkawa: It's your fault, Takaaki-san. You knew how I felt about you, but you used me so you could go on seeing this guy.

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Shinkawa: The only thing that connects you to him is me!
...So why am I...
Uroshizaki: What? What's happening...
F/X Takaaki dusts off his pants
Takaaki: Uroshizaki, how much did
Chiyoka-chan say she needed?

(Page)
Takaaki: Give it to her. I'll put the money up.
And the next time she asks you, give it to her too
(thinks) All my money will be gone, but I'll give it to you

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Takaaki: Sorry, Shinkawa. I was taking advantage of you. You make it too easy
Shinkawa: (laughs) How come you're so proper all of a sudden?
Weren't you the one who said 'a drinker can't run a bar'? That means you think women are just part of the job, right?
Taking money from women like that, isn't that what we *do*?

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Takaaki: Yes. But listen, Shinkawa- I've never once hurt that 'part of the job'.
What we do is 'recreation'- making people feel good without making them serious about us. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned...
Shinkawa: (laughs)
I'm really pathetic. Just as bad as the women I make fools of.

(Page)
Shinkawa: But... I...
You're not a client, Takaaki-san... You're not just 'recreation'
Takaaki: Shinkawa...

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Takaaki: I know. C'mon, up you get, Shinkawa
I'm sorry, Uroshizaki. It was all a lie.
As you heard, you mistook me for him. I asked Shinkawa to break off with Chiyoka-chan
But I'll manage something with Chiyoka-chan. You don't have to worry.

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Takaaki: Oh yeah. My real name is Kato Youji. You can decide which to call me.
(thinks) What am I saying?
Right now, neither matters
Uroshizaki: Takaaki!!

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Uroshizaki: I suppose you wanted to show me how sincere you are, talking about Chiyoka like that. But I still don't trust you.
And I don't care what your real name is. It's Takaaki I'm interested in.

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Takaaki: (thinks) Probably no point in taking this too seriously
(aloud) Shall we go and have a drink?
(thinks) It's very simple why I was so taken with Uroshizaki. I'm interested in someone who acts as naïve and honestly as he does.
That's all.

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Takaaki: Shinkawa, whenever we get serious, we really look pathetic.
We're so used to living a lie, that we think too much about what's real. We get all tied up about being 'real'.

Ch. 4-5

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