Ian walked down the streets of Shinjuku gloomily aware of the lack of money in his pocket. He thought moving to Japan would be everything he dreamed it would be. He'd been living in Japan for a year now, and he was poorer than when he lived in America thanks to the falling rate of the Japanese yen and the company that paid him the absolute bare minimum.
He sighed as he looked in the shop window. His reflection did little to help him. He hadn't been eating well and it was showing. He lost weight and his clothes were beginning to look baggy on him. He once had a defined body, but the muscles he developed through college have shrunk and the confidence he had along with it. His brown hair fell flat and bags drooped under his eyes. He was tired and wanted to live the life he had in college, chilling, relaxing, and fucking bitches. He was proud of his cock, and he was upset she hadn't had a chance to use it.
There was an excited yell of people and a cascade of footsteps that caught his attention. People were taking photos and excitedly in Japanese. Because he wasn't looking, he didn't see the new rush of people. The crowd knocked him down in their excitement and Ian fell into some water.
"Damn it!" Ian shouted.
A few heads turned, but none stopped to help him. His frustration rose as he thought to himself 'Who the hell even is this?'. A short white guy dressed all in pink was waving and talking to everyone. His Japanese was perfect, and he was living his best life. Jame's depression worsened after seeing that.
Someone took pity on him and helped Ian to his feet. Without looking, he thanked the man in Japanese.
"No worries," the voice said in English. "I'm sorry that you got knocked over."
Looking up, he saw a tall Japanese man smiling down at him.
"It's not your fault", Ian said. The man laughed and shook his head.
"It's slightly my fault. I let my partner, Blakey, wander off, and he's become a bit of a celebrity."
He paused for a moment to look at the crowd growing larger, "We're going to be here a while, maybe even a few hours. Why don't we head to my flat nearby? I think I have something that will fit you."
"I couldn't impose like that," Ian protested. "I'm also on the way to work. And, no offense, I don't know you well enough."
"I'm sure your employer will understand that you need to get cleaned up. Japanese companies don't like their employees to be unkempt. If you want, I'll talk to them and sort it out. My name is Takeshi Tanaka, and not to brag, but my name carries a bit of weight amongst the upper echelons in Japan. I assume you work for an eikaiwa. Please, allow me to do this."
He didn't give Ian a change to respond. The man spoke with confidence and certainty.
"Ummm, sure," I stumbled. "Thank you, Tanaka-san. My name is Ian Smith."
"Please just call me Tanaka," he said.
Ian felt cold as the man, Tanaka, gave him a look that did not allow for protests. Ian dialed up his manager and handed the phone to Tanaka. Tanaka smiled and introduced himself in Japanese. Not for the first time, Ian regretted not learning Japanese. He thought the conversation went well as Tanaka smiled throughout the conversation. Tanaka took a photo of Ian and sent it to someone. Probably as proof Ian thought to himself. Tanaka ended the call and gave Ian back his phone.
"Your manager understands and is going to cancel your classes for the day."
Ian blanched a bit at the idea of losing a day's wages.
"Since you're losing money, I'm also going to be repaying you what you would have lost in wages." Ian tried to protest, but the other man waved it off. "I already know the amount and I won't take no for an answer."
Ian sighed but just nodded.
"My flat is just down the street," Tanaka said. "I'm certain that I have something that'll fit you."
Ian looked at Tanaka and wanted to laugh. Tanaka was what Ian dreamed of looking like. He was tall, broad, and well-built. Ian wasn't gay, but if he was, Tanaka would be at the top of his list.
"Tell me about yourself, Ian," Tanaka said. "I ask Blakey to tell me about himself and it usually devolves into him giggling and making a Tik-Tok."
Ian heard of a guy named Blakey around Tokyo. Many of his students were obsessed with him and have shown him more than a few videos. Ian remembers even accidentally liking the videos before unliking.
"Well, I'm from the States. Louisiana to be more precise."
"Interesting. You must be very popular with the guys around here."
"I wouldn't know," Ian said. "I'm not gay."
"It's not gay to appreciate beauty," Tanaka retorted. "I'm with Blakey, and he's as male as you and me, just more feminine and more beautiful."
"I appreciate that, but I like women," Ian said, and Tanaka switched subjects.
"I'm sure it'll work out," he said. "A big country boy like you is bound to make a few heads turn."
"I don't know about that either," Ian admitted. "I've lost a bit of muscle because I haven't been able to eat well."
Tanaka took this in quietly and nodded. Despite his wealth, he was not unaware of the struggles people went through.
"What made you decide to come to Japan?" Tanaka asked as he made a turn and entered a building, almost having to drag Ian.
"I've always wanted to get out of my small town," Ian said. "There was too much hate and ignorance. I wanted to try teaching English, but it's not what I thought it would be. Plus, I wanted to find a girlfriend out here."
