~Aoi’s POV~

            “You’re up early.” Kai commented as he wandered sleepily into the living room where I was pouring over the morning’s newspaper, highlighter in hand.

            “I’m looking for a job.” I explained. “I need money.”

            “Is this about the rent?” Kai asked. Typical Kai he knows perfectly well I can afford the rent for the next few months. He helped me work out my budget. He’s just tactfully asking me if I plan to spend the money on alcohol.

            “No. You know I can afford rent.” I say deliberately vague.

            “So the job?” Kai asks.

            “Isn’t a man entitled to work?” I ask. Winding up Kai is so much fun.

            “Yes. Off course you’re entitled to work.” Kai replies. There’s worry in his eyes. It’s amusing but it’d be cruel to wind him up too much.

            “I need money so I can treat Uruha.” I respond. “He seems like the kind of man who has a lot of money. He wears expensive clothes, has a nice car. And what am I? I’m a jobless bum.”

            “You’re not a jobless bum.” Kai responds.

            “Not your fault.” I say for about the billionth time. Kai always feels guilty when I mention my unemployment. He had been my boss before he’d had to fire me. “I would have fired me too.”

            “Well what kind of job are you looking for?” Kai asks.

            “Anything that will have me working there which will keep me free of temptation.” I respond holding up the paper. I’ve managed to find two jobs. One is working at the reception the other is at a shop that sells vegetables. There’s also a third job at a woman’s clothes shop but it might be weird for a man to apply for that job. Even a gay one. I’ll save that job for back up.

            “Well good luck.” Kai says. “I’ll give you a glowing reference off course.”

            “You’d better.” I respond with a grin. Kai is the best. He really is.

~Uruha’s POV~

            I wake up about midday to the sounds of someone at the front door. I got back late and then couldn’t sleep because my brain was too busy fantasying about Aoi.

            I figured it would be one of my sisters. Nobody else comes without calling first. Tiredly I get out of bed and answer the door wearing nothing but my underwear. I know I look a mess but my sisters have seen it all before.

            “Ruki!” I say shocked and instantly embarrassed about my appearance. Ruki is off course dressed like the model he is. He’s my friend and co worker. He obviously looks shocked to see me in such a state. Like him I never go out dressed anything less than perfect.

            “Is this a bad time?” Ruki asks. It’s written all over his face that he things I’m hung over.

            “I was out late.” I explain. “Come in.”

            “Ok.” Ruki says coming in. As he takes off his shoes his eyes are scanning for empty wine bottles. Off course there are none. “So… you were out last night?” he asks.

            “Yeah. I went for a meal with this guy at his place.” I say.

            “A guy?” Ruki repeats.

            “Yeah. I met him at a meeting. He’s really nice.” I explain. “We were up talking all night.”

            “Is this wise?” Ruki asks. “I know how you are around men.”

            “That was the drunk me. The sober me is sensible.” I assure my friend.

            “Still. If one of you slips and drinks you’re going to drag the other down with you.” Ruki points out. It’s a good point. I hadn’t even thought about that.

            “Then we’ll both have to be strong for each other.” I reply.

            “I’m not so sure…” Ruki began to protest. But I interrupt. I’m not going to let anyone say bad things about Aoi. He’s perfect.

            “Why don’t you watch TV while I get dressed.” I say walking into my bedroom and firmly shutting the door. It’s a little rude but Ruki and I are close enough that it won’t affect our friendship.

            I return about 10 minutes later looking more like my usual self. Ruki is sitting on  the sofa but the TV is off.

            “Tell me about this man.” Ruki says. His voice is neutral but I know he’s giving me an order. I sit down beside him and wonder where I should begin.

            “His name is Aoi.” I explain. “He’s beautiful. He’s really kind too. He’s a lot of fun. I really like him.”

            “What’s his job?” Ruki asks.

            “Well he doesn’t have one right now. He used to work as a waiter but he got fired because of his problem.” I admit. I’m annoyed at Ruki now. I don’t want to think about anything even remotely bad concerning Aoi.

            “So he’s after your money.” Ruki says.

            “No! He’s not!” I cry. Great. Now I have yet another worry concerning Aoi. Why can’t Ruki just let him be perfect. “He doesn’t even know I’m rich.”

            “What does he think you do for a living?” Ruki demands.

            “I told him I’d been suspended from work but I don’t think I ever mentioned I was a model.” I say.

            “He could have seen you in a magazine. Besides you’ve obviously got money. He only has too look at the way you dress.” Ruki responds.

            “Stop trying to ruin this for me.” I sulk. I’d only just stopped worrying he was going to force me to have sex with him. Now I have to worry about this?

            “I’m not. I just don’t want you to get hurt.” Ruki responds. He’s probably telling the truth.

            “Why are you here anyway?” I ask. I don’t want to talk about Aoi anymore. Ruki is just ruining it.

            “Don’t get upset.” Ruki begins. Not the best start to a conversation. “It’s about that modelling contract. They offered it to me. I know you were looking forward to it before everything that happened. I’ll turn it down if you want. I don’t want you to be mad at me. I didn’t ask for it. Just so you know. So don’t be thinking I stole it from you.”

            “You can do it.” I say with a sigh. I had been looking forward to that contract but obviously it had been taken from me.

            “You sure? You don’t sound happy about it.” Ruki responds.

            “I’m just upset I lost it.” I explain. “But you take it. I’d rather it was given to my friend than someone I didn’t like.”

            “Thank you.” Ruki says with a grin. At least he’s happy. “Come on. I’ll take you shopping and buy you something nice as a thank you.”

            “Ok.” I say feeling a little better. I love shopping and Ruki is one of my favourite people to shop with.

~Aoi’s POV~

            “I’m here for the job interview.” I say as I walk into the vegetable shop. I’d only phoned them this morning but the man who had answered had seemed too eager to meet me.

            “Reita will be with you in a minute.” Says the girl at the till. “He wants you to fill out these forms.” She adds handing me some papers and a pen.

            “Sure.” I agree as I use the edge of the counter as a table. There easy enough and I fill them in with ease.

            “Finished?” asked a blond man as I put down the pen. I hadn’t noticed him entering the shop but I had been focused on the paper work.

            “Yeah. Are you Reita?” I ask.

            “I’m Reita.” He confirms. “I’m the manager here. At least until my Grandfather is well enough to work.”

            “I’m Aoi.” I say handing him the papers to the man. His nose is covered by a strip of fabric and I wonder what happened to it. It’s rude to stare though so I pretend I haven’t noticed.

            “It says Shiroyama Yuu here.” Reita comments glancing at my forms.

            “That’s my real name. But everyone calls me Aoi.” I explain.

            “Alright.” Reita says. “Aoi it is. Would you like to come to my office for an interview?”

~Reita’s POV~

            Aoi seemed like a nice guy. He was friendly and polite. He was defiantly one of the better candidates for the job and I was pretty impressed.

            “So why did you leave your last job?” I ask. It’s just a routine question but Aoi seems suddenly nervous.          

            “I…I got fired because I developed a problem with alcohol.” He admits. There always has to be something! “It’s alright. I’m getting help now.” He adds.

            “How long have you been sober?” I ask carefully.

            “Over seven weeks.” He responds. “I know it’s not long but I swear I’m fit to work. I won’t let you down.”

            “I’m not sure I should hire you.” I admit. “I need a reliable shop assistant.”

            “That’s me.” Aoi jumps in. “Why don’t you hire me on a weeks trial? I really need a job and you’ll see I’m a good employee. If you find me unsuitable you can always fire me.”

            I look down at his forms. He is qualified and he’s honest too. He could have made up some story about why he got fired but he told me the truth. My eyes fall onto the sexuality box. I hadn’t looked before because it’s unimportant. The box was only there as  part of a equal opportunities scheme. Wouldn’t it be more equal if this information wasn’t given? Well it’s not my form. My Grandfather was the one who had made it on his computer.

            “You’re gay?” I ask. That’s the box he’s ticked on the form.

            “Is that a problem?” Aoi asks sounding defensive.

            “No. It’s not. In fact I’m going to give you that weeks trial. As long as nothing bad comes up in your references.” I say. He looks delighted and assures me his references will be perfect. We arrange for him to start work the following week. I have a few other people to interview but I like Aoi. He’s honest and seems hardworking. He’s also gay which is a serious advantage. I’d had to fire the last guy for sexually assaulting one of the shop girls. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about that with Aoi. Maybe my decision hadn’t been entirely professional but nobody had to know.