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Is love enough to overshadow conventions, or does it succumb to societal expectations?
Joon Kane Junto and Toshiro Haben Kanaye were from a well-off family who wanted nothing but the best for their children. Both went to the same prestigious university in their country’s mega city.
Joon finished a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration, Major in Financial Management, and a minor in Economics, while Toshiro completed Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Major in Law, and a minor in International Relations.
Joon was charming and gracious. In college, girls swooned over him because of his hot looks and charisma. He was never romantically involved with any of his admirers, though. He was athletic, and he had friends from all year levels. Even the faculty loved him because he was smart and polite. Toshiro, on the other hand, had always been a shy boy. He was drop-dead gorgeous but quirky. His sense of fashion was out of this era, but bearing a beautiful face, he always seemed to pull it off and was never bullied. He was extremely intelligent as well. He was the type of person who loved talking to inanimate objects rather than actual human beings. That was contradicting, considering he was vying for honors in a degree where arguments and discussions with those with different views were as common as the air they breathe. In the classroom, he was popular among his classmates and professors because of his smart ideas, and a lot of his peers wanted to be grouped with him just because of that. Outside the classroom and school activities, however, he was left alone with various inanimate objects and non-speaking living things to talk to. He was often alone in his dorm, which he could readily afford without a roommate, studying and painting. He was the type who never got invited to parties and friendly trips, but it was always amazing how people flocked around him during school activities.
Joon and Toshiro had nothing in common. And it was odd how Joon and Toshiro met. Joon and Toshiro were in the same class on Economics. It was the first day of class, and Joon was surprised to see how his peers crowded around a tall, slender boy, and they all seemed particularly chatty as if vying for his attention. The lanky boy was wearing a gray-patterned woven vest with a green long-sleeved shirt underneath an oversized khaki pants that could fit another set of legs in its width. His brown loafers reminded Joon of the ones his grandpa wore. His brown beret failed to hide the dark waves of his long, sloppy hair underneath.
Joon was immediately intrigued (read—captivated). Toshiro’s dark, oval eyes met his as if begging him to get him away from the crowd. Toshiro shyly looked down and proceeded to his seat, where the group followed him.
“Hey, what’s up here?” Joon asked his friends.
“We want Toshiro to be in our group. This is a difficult subject. And we heard from last year’s class that the professor groups the class and gives difficult projects,” one of them answered.
“That group is important because that would be your group for the entire year,” another one added.
“How many members per group?” Joon asked again.
“Five or six, depending on how many the students are in a class.”
Joon looked at Toshiro, who maintained his eyes on the floor. “Why do you want to group with him? He doesn’t seem interested.”
“He is very intelligent. He’s vying for honors, so we are sure he won’t mess up with his grades,” one of his peers whispered to him.
“So you want to ride on his coattails?” Joon asked rather loudly.
Toshiro looked up to Joon, and the latter noticed how Toshiro’s pink lips curved downwards, his lower lip pouting.
“Get a life, Joon. We let Toshiro decide, won’t we?” His friend winked at Toshiro. He blushed and looked down.
As the professor entered the classroom, the students immediately took their seats. Joon took the one behind Toshiro so he could keep a watchful eye on him. The class took out their devices as the professor opened the online attendance checker. As expected, the professor told the class that they would remain in a group for the rest of the school year, and the group would have six members. The class scampered towards Toshiro. He gasped as his classmates’ legs unintentionally hit his chair, almost making him fall off to the floor. The professor held out his hand, disappointed in how immaturely the class behaved.
“This is economics, sir. It’s a difficult subject. With Toshiro, we will have a fairly good shot of passing this class,” one of them explained.
Joon stood up. “Need I remind you that I’m good in this class as well?” He felt offended that none of his peers remembered that he was good in Economics, too.
“Sorry, Joon, but he’s better,” his friend said, pointing at Toshiro.
“Enough!” The professor said. “Because of this behavior, you will only be grouped in two’s. Junto, Kanaye, you are grouped together. Leave these misfits to themselves.” There was a low, disgruntled moan from the rest of the class.
Joon widened his eyes. He didn’t want his rival to be his partner. What has gotten to the professor? Joon needed to prove that he was a better, more intelligent person than Toshiro. Both Joon and Toshiro stood up so they could take the seats side-by-side each other. Joon noticed that Toshiro was slightly taller than him, but the former had leaner, more defined muscles.
As the days went by, Joon found himself more and more drawn to Toshiro. Economics was their only common subject, and they didn’t get a chance to meet each other outside that class. For Joon, Toshiro was really pretty with his dark, full eyebrows, prominent nose, and wide lips. But his lips were almost always carved into a thin line. Joon, somehow, made it his mission to make Toshiro laugh. Amazingly, the two seemed to hit it off well despite their lack of common habits. Joon genuinely thought that Toshiro was quirky—from the way he laughed when he looked at the cloud formation, to the way he tilted his head when he didn’t agree on something, from the way he walked almost on tiptoes, afraid to make a sound, to the way he pouted every time Joon teased him. (Not that Joon was minding every Toshiro’s movement and behavior, no. That would be weird. Joon was definitely not checking Toshiro out.) The more he found Toshiro quirky, the more he couldn’t take his eyes away from him.
It was lunch, and the cafeteria was full. Almost all of the students were there, and Joon wondered where Toshiro had his lunch. He sent Toshiro a text message, pretending that he was concerned with the submission of their project in Economics.
Hey, where are you at? I have a vacant subject
after this so we can probably meet up to
talk about the Economics projects.
Toshiro replied almost immediately and Joon’s heart swelled with glee.
I’m taking my lunch. The project isn’t due until
the end of the month. Don’t you think we have
more than enough time to complete it?
I didn’t expect that from an honor student,
to be honest.
When Toshiro didn’t reply, Joon panicked. He sent another text message.
We can never be too prepared.
Come on. Where are you at?
When Toshiro didn’t reply again, Joon got worried that he offended him. A few minutes later, a sloppy mop of dark hair was bouncing from the cafeteria door. Joon stared at Toshiro. The latter was wearing a red North Face jacket with dark brown oversized pants and black backless loafers, obviously by Ferragamo. The cafeteria suddenly hushed down, all eyes on Toshiro. Realizing that he got everyone’s attention, Toshiro blushed deeply and retreated to the door and out of the cafeteria. As if on cue, Joon stood and followed him, completely ignoring his peers seated with him at their table.
“Hey, where are you going?”
Toshiro was walking away, almost on tiptoes, head bowed.
“Hey! Stop!” Joon ran after him. Toshiro stopped walking and turned around, but head still bowed.
Joon lifted Toshiro’s chin with his finger. “Hey. Are you okay?” He asked when he noticed that Toshiro was still blushing deeply. He was genuinely concerned.
“Have you noticed how the cafeteria became quiet when I entered?” Toshiro looked straight into Joon’s eyes. Joon felt he would combust on the spot. He found himself too weak for Toshiro.
“It’s because you are very beautiful; people can’t help but notice.”
“Before Economics class, have you ever noticed me?”
Joon shook his head. He wasn’t even sure that Toshiro had been studying at the university since the first year. “Honestly, no. But, have YOU noticed ME before?”
“No.”
“See, it’s a big school. What’s the big deal?”
“I feel like people are laughing at me.” Toshiro paused. “I don’t like attention.”
“What if I give you mine?” Joon was shocked by his sudden brazenness.
“Are you mocking me because you find me—um, effeminate, too?”
“No. I want to spend a lot of time with you.”
Toshiro looked away from him and continued to walk away. Joon followed him. “Where are we going?” He asked.
“We have a lot of time for the Economics project. And if you are really as good as you say you are, we can finish it in no time,” Toshiro said, taking long strides as if trying to shake him off.
“Oh, don’t worry about it. I can finish it. You don’t even have to do a single thing.” He smirked. “So, we have time for a milkshake right now?”
Toshiro side-eyed him, his lips forming a line. It was very obvious that he was scared of Joon’s true intentions.
Those lips, Joon thought to himself. And those eyes...that face. Toshiro, you would be the death of me. Joon had no idea what was happening to him.
“Will you just please be STRAIGHT with me? What do you want?” Toshiro asked, spinning around and facing Joon, interrupting Joon’s thoughts. He was taken aback.
“I’m not really sure if I’m straight anymore. I mean, before, I was sure I was STRAIGHT, but then again, I was never really interested in any girl—or boy—until I met you.” Joon said a matter-of-factly. He looked at Toshiro, biting his lower lip as if in deep thought. “Maybe I’m not straight to begin with.” He ended, shrugging his shoulders.
Toshiro dropped his jaw and looked at him, confused. “What?"
“What?!” Joon asked back. “You said, will you be straight with me—” Joon stopped, realizing his mistake. “Oh.”
Toshiro chuckled, his lips curling upwards, showing a little of his pearly whites. Your laugh is music to me, Joon continued in his thoughts. What?! What am I even thinking? Why am I thinking like this?
They went to have a milkshake, and after an hour of talking about anything and everything, Toshiro said he would return to his dorm. His last class ended by lunch, and he would have time to do his paper on International Law.
During class, Joon couldn’t stop thinking about Toshiro—the way he talked, his deep, soothing voice, always gentle, and always careful with words. His laugh sent an unknown rhythm down Joon’s spine as if it were the most melodic music he had ever heard.
They continued spending time with each other, and Joon decided that they were very compatible. He told Toshiro about it, and the latter only shrugged. A positive thinker that he was, Joon accepted the shrug as an agreement that they were indeed made for each other. Though they were never officially dating, oftentimes, Joon felt they were. Joon didn’t like paying romantic attention to anybody else but Toshiro. They never discussed their status, though, and both of them didn’t seem to mind. They were already content with spending time together, bereft of words and physical intimacy.
Joon ran for Student Council President and won. Their university, albeit already popular, made its name better known because of Joon’s projects linking their university to international companies headquartered in their city. Many of the university students were able to get on-the-job training and even apprenticeships in these companies, which gave immediate job opportunities to their graduates. Their prestigious university also became a lot warmer towards the lower classes and offered scholarship grants to deserving kids.
Unbeknownst to many, the Student Council’s projects were actually Toshiro’s ideas, but since he lacked leadership and charisma, Joon was the one who ran as President and implemented the projects. Toshiro didn’t even run for any position in the council. He was already content being Joon’s partner even if nobody else knew about it. In their partnership, Toshiro was the brain; Joon, the brawn.
Joon was often invited to parties, but he found them less enjoyable, especially when he realized that a certain quirky boy was never really invited to one. He tried getting Toshiro to come, but Toshiro said he never really enjoyed the loud music and the dancing people around. So, Joon would drop by a few minutes late, spend some time with different groups to let his presence known to some, and immediately leave afterward. He would then go to Toshiro’s dorm, where they would finish their projects together. Economics was their only common subject, but Joon always wanted to spend his time with him.
“I have an idea,” Joon suddenly said one evening, looking up from the term paper that he was reading. He was sprawled on Toshiro’s bed while the latter was on his study table, writing his response to a case study.
Toshiro looked at him, his body relaxed in his ergonomic swivel chair, “What is it?”
“Let’s live together. I’m always here anyway.”
“I can afford the rent on my own. Thank you for your offer.”
“Then continue to pay the rent on your own. I will just be in charge of the groceries. In financial management, 50/50 is a trusted expense-sharing method; there’s no bone about it.”
Toshiro eyed him suspiciously. “Is that your way of getting to my pants?”
Joon heartily chuckled. “We never even kissed.”
“Why don’t we?”
It felt like a challenge. Joon stood up from the bed and turned Toshiro’s chair towards him. He knelt on the floor between Toshiro’s legs. “Are you ready for our first kiss? Pucker up, princess.”
Toshiro blushed and tried to push him away. He rolled himself out of Joon’s grasp and let out a soft giggle.
“Come on. Don’t you want to at least kiss me before we move in together?”
“But are WE together?” Toshiro asked. His eyes spoke volumes.
“Yes. Do you doubt it?” Joon sighed. He pulled Toshiro’s chair towards him again. “I’ve never felt like this to anyone before. You are quirky and weird, and funny, and kind, and generous. You are so beautiful, and it hurts me to see how other people look at you. You are the missing piece of me. I’m so very much in love with you. Will you be mine, Toshiro?” It was so spontaneous that Joon felt tugging in his heart. He was nervous about being rejected, but, being a positive thinker, he felt that Toshiro loved him, too.
Toshiro bent forward, almost touching Joon’s lips. He smiled sheepishly but faded fast. “I can ruin you.”
“Then ruin me by all means. I’m yours for the taking.”
“No. A relationship with me will ruin you—your reputation, your possible career, your future.”
Joon understood what Toshiro meant. In this society, one is judged by their preferences and not by their accomplishments.
“It will pain me not to let the whole world know that you’re mine, but I would like us to be official—even if it would just be between us.”
“Then, I agree.” Toshiro leaned a little more forward, and Joon met him halfway to capture his lips. Their first kiss was chaste, genuine, and full of affection. Joon felt fireworks in his heart. Toshiro pulled away shyly, but Joon pulled him closer and gently laid him on the bed. They smiled at each other and spent the rest of the night making out.
When they lived together, nobody suspected that the two of them were dating. But Joon had no qualms in showing affection to Toshiro wherever they may be. After all, they were each other’s firsts. He would put his arms around Toshiro while walking, offer him snacks and treats, and smile at him sweetly. Either people were too self-absorbed to notice, or they were just too respectful to say anything. In the end, no one on their campus cared about what was happening between the two boys. The Student Council President had taken their school to unprecedented heights with the quirky, shy, intelligent boy almost often by his side. They spent the rest of the school year together, and by graduation day, they met their families in an exclusive, expensive restaurant for celebration. Toshiro graduated with the highest honors, while Joon graduated with honors. Their families were very happy about their accomplishments and told them that jobs from reputable companies were already waiting for them.
The families were a bit surprised to see another set of people in the same room, each group thinking that there must be some mistake in the restaurant reservation. When the restaurant confirmed that the reservation was correct, Joon and Toshiro appeared shortly after their families settled down. They stood side-by-side and close enough to feel each other’s hands without really interlocking their fingers.
“Mom, Dad,” Joon said, addressing his parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Kanaye,” he looked at Toshiro’s parents. “We both love you with everything we are, and we do hope that you will find it in your hearts to accept us.” Joon looked at his parents. “For the first time in my life, I’m in love. And I know this is for the long haul.” His dad had a shocked look on his face, and his mom was wiping away her tears. He then looked at Toshiro’s parents. “Your son is the most precious being on earth. He is not just intelligent. His ideas and views of the world are what inspired me to be a better person. I’m in love with him.”
Toshiro looked at his parents, expecting the worst. But his mom was beaming with tears in her eyes, and his dad was holding his mom’s hands, nodding, his lips forming a thin line of smile. He rushed to his parents and held them tight. “Thank you, Mama. Thank you, Papa.” His parents kept kissing him on his cheeks. He sat down beside them and looked at Joon, who was still standing.
Joon looked at his parents, waiting for some reaction. “You got yourself a keeper, son,” Mr. Junto said. Joon let out a sigh of relief and hugged his parents. Toshiro approached the Juntos, and Mr. and Mrs. Junto enveloped Toshiro in a loving embrace. “If he hurts you in any way,” Mrs. Junto started. “Tell me, and I will personally bash his head.” They laughed heartily.
Joon went to the Kanayes and shook the hand of Mr. Kanaye. “I love him very much, sir.” He bowed deeply.
“It’s quite obvious.” Mr. Kanaye laughed.
Mrs. Kanaye hugged Joon. “You’re Toshi’s first love, I suppose so.”
“And he, mine,” Joon responded. “My first and last.”
With all the musings and low cheers during a sumptuous dinner, not one of the parent ever told their sons to be careful or hide their relationship. They trusted that their sons knew the right and the best thing to do. After dinner, as they said their goodbyes, Joon’s parents, especially his mom, kept swooning over how gorgeous Toshiro was. “Take care of him, son. But then again, I have no doubt you would.” She kissed her son’s cheeks. “I bet he would make good money,” his dad added. “Good money that I will not fail to manage properly,” Joon joked.
The Kanayes, on the other hand, bid their goodbye by hugging Toshiro tight. “Joon seemed to be a nice young man—very macho, don’t you think, Toshi?” His mom teased. “Is he a good kisser?”
“Shucks, Ma!” Toshiro blushed. “We haven’t done a lot of that for me to judge.” They all laughed.
After taking their parents to their respective cars, Joon and Toshiro went to theirs and drove back to their flat. Toshiro couldn’t fail to notice how agitated Joon seemed. Toshiro got nervous. He couldn’t help but think that maybe the Juntos said something and didn’t approve of them as a couple. They might just be too ashamed to admit it in front of his parents.
When they reached their dorm, Joon kissed him passionately and started unbuttoning Toshiro’s dress shirt and taking off his own. Toshiro returned the kiss, but then he remembered to ask the reason for Joon’s agitation. Despite the kisses, Toshiro felt Joon’s nerves.
Joon gently pushed Toshiro to their bed, and he freed himself from his pants until he was only in his boxers. Toshiro, wide-eyed, sat up and tried to crawl out of bed, trying to hide his wide, nervous smile, but Joon hovered on top of him. Toshiro was lying in a prone position, and Joon trailed his spine with soft kisses.
“You smell so good. How come your skin is so soft?”
Toshiro is trying hard not to giggle but asked instead, “You seem agitated. Don’t your parents approve of me?”
“Oh, they do. A little too much than I expected,” Joon responded between kissing Toshiro’s nape, ears, and back.
“Then why do you seem so tensed?”
Joon abruptly stopped kissing him and rose from the bed. Toshiro sat up straight, facing Joon. Joon took something from his pants and knelt on the side of the bed.
“The future is bleak, but we will be the only constant in each other’s lives. I’ve landed a job in the Mayor’s Office as a budget analyst. We’ll be busy building our careers, but I would like to continue dating you. Now that our parents know about us, the more that I don’t want us to break up.” He took out a small, blue, velvety box and opened it, letting Toshiro see what was inside. Toshiro gasped and teared up. Joon continued on to say, “Will you wear my ring?”
“Yes!” He exclaimed gladly. He took out the Tiffany Band Ring and, wore one on his ring finger of his left hand and gave out one to Joon. “I’m yours, Joon.” Joon wore his ring on the ring finger of his right hand. “So our rings would kiss every time we hold hands.” They both chuckled. “Now, where were we?” Joon crawled back to the bed and started kissing Toshiro again. He slowly removed Toshiro’s pants.
“I have an internship offer in Germany. I will be paid €1,700.00, excluding housing and daily subsistence.” Toshiro said meekly as they continued to make out. Joon’s hands were gently trailing his sides while sucking on his neck. That would leave marks.
“That’s good. How long will the internship be?” Joon was computing Toshiro’s salary versus his own. He would barely make half of it working in the Office of the Mayor.
“A year and a half.”
Joon stopped and looked him in the eyes. “That long?”
“Yes. But I get to go home for a week once every two months.”
Joon pouted a little and then continued to kiss Toshiro’s lips and chest.
“But I haven’t accepted it yet.”
Joon looked at him again. “Why not? Did you get a better offer?”
“This is the best offer among the ten offers I received,” he said without a hint of ego. “I think this opportunity would boost my experience in Law and International Relations.”
“So why haven’t you accepted it yet?”
“You haven’t said yes,” Toshiro said, kissing him in the jaw. Joon bit his lower lip, trying to muffle his moan. Joon thought that he was a bit unfair to Toshiro. The former immediately said yes to working for the Mayor without consulting Toshiro. On the other hand, despite the very good offer, Toshiro hadn’t accepted the internship because Toshiro was waiting for HIS APPROVAL.
“Love, I’m sorry I didn’t ask for your permission if I could accept the job for the Mayor,” Joon said honestly.
“Love?” Toshiro said, eyes wide again.
“Really? That’s all you got from it? I was beating my conscience for not asking permission from you because you are asking for my permission, and all you got was ‘Love’?”
Toshiro chuckled. He took Joon’s hand and interlaced their fingers. “I know I don’t have to ask for your permission. But this is a year and a half away from you.” He kissed Joon in the mouth.
“We’ll make it work.”
True to their word, Joon worked at the Office of the Mayor while maintaining his long-distance relationship with Toshiro. Joon continued to have romantic offers from women, but he never, even once, dared say yes to any of them. He also found out that he wasn’t exactly as attracted to any man as he was with Toshiro.
On the other hand, Toshiro had the time of his life in Germany. After a few months of studying the language, he found himself acclimated to the customs and the culture of the people. Even if there were other interns in the German company, nationality didn’t seem to be an issue. It was also an incredible feeling how free people could be without the fear of being judged or subjugated. He also had a lot of romantic offers from all gender spectrum, but he was never even tempted to say yes to any of them. For him, Joon was his love, his soulmate, his best friend. And he wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what they had.
On his first two permitted breaks, he went back to his country, and nothing much had changed. Because they were in constant communication, they didn’t need to catch up with each other. But with Toshiro telling Joon how good freedom felt, Joon decided to take an official leave, and he went to Germany to visit Toshiro, initially with both of their parents, to make it appear like a family holiday. For the next succeeding breaks, Joon insisted on going to Germany again, making it a point that he would also learn the language. Toshiro couldn’t be happier. They could go out in public while holding each other’s hands.
Before they knew it, the internship was over, and so was Joon’s contract with the Mayor. The two of them decided to take their Master’s in Public Policy in Germany together. For the two-year program, they also decided to work while they studied. Toshiro was accepted in the same company where he had his internship, and Joon got a job as a financial management consultant in an international financial firm based in Germany.
The freedom they had for two years was overwhelming but highly addictive for them. They went to the same classes, and the whole batch, even the faculty, looked at them with adoring eyes and referred to them as the “adorable Asian couple.” They lived together and even ate on the same plate in public, and nobody looked at them with condescending eyes. They attended concerts and art museum showcases and publicly displayed their affection by holding hands and hugging each other while walking. Everything they did seemed alright, and nobody seemed offended with their PDA. While they saw same-sex couples being intimate in public, they weren’t as brazen as that.
Within the fourth month of their stay in Germany, Joon had an idea. “Thank you for taking me here. I love it here, so much so because I get to spend every day in this beautiful country with my beautiful Toshi.”
They kissed, and Toshiro held out his forefinger, immediately stopping Joon. “I feel like you will ask something from me.”
“Yes. You know me so well.” He paused dramatically and scratched his head. “Will you let today be the first sentence of one long story that never ends? Will you?”
“Oh my, that is beautiful!”
“It’s the adverts and tagline of Tiffany and Co. Do you like it?” Joon teased.
Toshiro sighed and pouted. “I thought you were the one who made it.”
“So, what’s your answer?” Joon let out a couple of The Charles Tiffany Setting in black titanium with emerald-cut diamond.
He and Joon started buying properties around Munich, including their parents’ retirement home in Berg-am-Laim. In Toshiro’s mind, he wanted to settle there with his family after his parents retired. He and Joon could live near their parents, and they could live happily ever after. He loved his country, but he never really felt that his country loved him, and people wouldn’t accept them as a couple regardless of their contribution to their society. Their family had been giving jobs to the people for decades, and their economic contribution to their city had been vast. He very much wanted to stay in Germany. But getting married to Joon, Toshiro knew, meant they needed to go back to their country one way or another, and he was pretty sure that Joon would immediately jump to that opportunity if it would only present itself. But despite his anxieties and uncertainties, Toshiro felt that getting married to Joon may be the best thing he’d ever do. He couldn’t think of anybody else to marry and spend the rest of his life with other than Joon.
Joon commented, breaking Toshiro’s thoughts, “I’m so nervous here. I have already set the date and invited our parents and friends here. It would be embarrassing if you’d say no.” He scratched his head again. “I honestly didn’t foresee you saying no, so I didn’t have any other alternative if you DO say no.”
“What a shotgun wedding this is.” Toshiro laughed. He took one ring and placed it on the ring finger of his right hand. Joon smirked and wore the engagement ring on his left hand. Then, Toshiro said, “So our engagement rings will kiss every time we hold hands.”
They got married in a simple, exclusive ceremony attended by their families and close friends. They continued to live together and do their jobs and their studies.
By the end of the two-year Master’s degree program, the couple contemplated staying in Germany for good. But their City Mayor, Joon’s former boss, called him and said that Joon should run for council because the threat of having more and more corrupt politicians running for office was imminent. This was what Toshiro feared. But he didn’t get in the way of Joon responding to the call of their country, and the couple left their perfect life in Germany and went back to the country they should call their home.
After a successful run in the council for four years, Joon was elected Mayor. In those years he served in the council, Toshiro managed his programs and worked closely with Joon’s Chief-of-Staff. Toshiro worked in a private, international firm based in their city, and they avoided all public gatherings together as much as possible. In their country, same-sex marriage is prohibited, and while they knew their rights, publicly displaying their relationship status wasn’t a good move for a public official like Joon.
As he was the number one contender for Mayor at the time he was in the council, one of the things he learned while he was in the council was that he CAN NEVER be seen with Toshiro. Speculations arose that his “best friend” and he were having an affair, and homosexual relationships were taboo. Pictures of him and Toshiro having dinner with their respective families circulated and were treated as a scandal. Because none of his colleagues knew the real score between him and Toshiro, he needed to—painfully so—publicly deny his relationship with Toshiro, saying that they had been best friends since college, and the statement was attested by their university mates. The news died down almost immediately. But they knew that it was only a matter of time before people knew that the couple were married.
Being on the council taught Joon a lot and how much he needed to work on because he was being groomed for mayor. Before he met Toshiro, running for public office was all he thought he was cut out for. None of this family ran for the government, but Joon had always thought that he could do more for his country and people. Then, when he met Toshiro, he became more grounded and committed to creating projects for the disadvantaged. Yes, while it was true that both he and Toshiro didn’t experience any financial hardship in their lives, it didn’t mean that they couldn’t do anything about making other people’s lives better.
Then, they got a taste of freedom in Germany. Suddenly, he questioned his dream of running for public office. Suddenly, he questioned the society where he grew up. Contrary to popular belief, being in a same-sex relationship didn’t automatically mean that they would be failures in their chosen career, neither should they be confined to one, mostly in the entertainment and beauty industries only. But a lot of German same-sex couples were successful in their fields, even those in science and technology, finance and management, and governance sectors. Suddenly, he questioned his decision about why they went back to their country and disrupted their perfect, quiet life in Germany. He questioned himself why they didn’t just stay there where they weren’t judged and condemned.
But he guessed that service for his country by occupying a public position was something he couldn’t easily shake off. And Toshiro—perfect, beautiful Toshiro—decided to be his perfect partner and soulmate, never questioning his decisions, as if Toshiro had always known. When his former boss asked him to go to council and run for office, Toshiro asked for his decision. After careful thought, he decided to go back home, and Toshiro immediately filed for resignation and went back to their country with him.
Joon didn’t know if Toshiro was happy with his decision. He asked him several times, and Toshiro’s only reply was, “This is part of our long story that never ends.” That tagline from Tiffany and Co. got Toshiro. But again, Toshiro, being Toshiro, didn’t find any difficulty in finding a job and settling down.
Now that he was Mayor, Joon was accorded free housing, complete with the security personnel he needed. He wanted to live there with Toshiro, but the latter declined, conscious that people would spot them together, which would ruin Joon’s image.
Their parents continued to be supportive of them, but they never interfered with the couple’s decisions. Both sets of parents, however, were by Toshiro’s decision that they needed to keep a low profile, with Joon’s parents reprimanding their son for being careless and reckless about displaying their relationship. “This isn’t college anymore, Joon. Politics is a lot more devastating if you’re not careful. You earned rivals here.”
There were several instances where Joon would throw a tantrum like a toddler if Toshiro would not accompany him in public gatherings. Other times, Joon would coerce Toshiro to go out on a dinner date with him under the guise of “bromance.” “Everybody knows who you are,” Joon would argue. Both of them had been included in the list of the most eligible bachelors in their city. “But they don’t know who I am to you, do they?” Toshiro would reply coolly. But internally, Toshiro was torn—of course, he wanted to spend time with Joon, but they needed to be very careful with their public appearances.
Sometimes, when Joon would take an official leave from office, he would “surprise” Toshiro with an out-of-town or out-of-country vacation that both meant that they would be seen together. The only place they felt safe was when they would go to Germany, albeit via airplane separately (to Joon’s disappointment), but they would meet in their home in Munich. Being in public office was a game changer, so much so that their families were well-known in their country. Joon’s antics of exposing his same-sex relationship would not only be explosive against his position in the government but also for their family business as well. But Joon was a positive thinker. He knew that their parents would retire soon and they would live in Germany after they sold their company. He and Toshiro owned some properties in Germany, and they plan to gift their parents with luxurious county homes for their retirement.
If he were to be honest, Joon was tired of being Mayor. Out of his four-year incumbency, he was already on his last two years of service, and he couldn’t help but feel burned out. He served on the council for four years and as Mayor for two. Just a little bit more, he would tell himself. He loved his job, but he hated the people he needed to deal with. He loved his constituents, but he hated those who rose supreme and those who had power over them. Toshiro came up with so many successful projects for the underprivileged and the underemployed, but never once can Joon publicly thank Toshiro for his ideas. Joon always claimed all credit while Toshiro stood by the sidelines, quietly cheering for him. Joon hated how extramarital heterosexual affairs were more acceptable in society than a monogamous homosexual marriage. He hated how he couldn’t introduce Toshiro as his spouse. He hated how he would reduce Toshiro as his best friend from college, and he hated more how women openly flirted with Toshiro right in front of him. He hated how guys checked Toshiro out as if judging him, pretending to be straight but making advances with Toshiro, too. These men all considered themselves to be macho and thought that they could just take advantage of anyone. To all these things, Toshiro would just make a smart remark about case studies from all around the world on how all forms of harassment were criminalized except in their own country. At least most of the time, intelligence was a big turn-off. So, Toshiro avoided all public gatherings with Joon as much as possible, to Joon’s dismay. They also lived in separate houses. Joon didn’t like it one bit. Joon felt like he was in the university all over again, with him sneaking out of his dorm and parties to spend time with Toshiro.
Because he frequented Toshiro’s apartment, that made Joon hired bodyguards and household help referred only by their close relatives (their friends never knew about them). These people have been requested to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, with Joon thinking it would convince Toshiro to live with him. Toshiro was adamant, though, and continued to live in his high-rise condominium. “It’s more peaceful here,” he said in German. When they were together, they made sure to speak in German so that they could only converse between themselves. Despite the Non-Disclosure Agreement of staff, they could never be too careful.
“Then why won’t you invite me to live with you instead?” Joon asked. He got an early off from work and told the Vice Mayor to represent the City in the gala party he was supposed to attend that night. He missed Toshiro terribly and wanted to spend the night with him. Toshiro had always been cautious about them spending time together. It had been a little less than two months since the last time they made love and almost three months since they slept together in the same bed.
“Because we don’t need speculations from people.”
“People whom I’m giving up my freedom only for me to be judged too harshly,” Joon commented sadly. Joon was starting to feel the burden of being in office, dealing with their issues, and commanding his staff to implement the projects that Toshiro formulated. “Why won’t you just be my chief of staff? I want to spend every day with you.” Joon was very much aware that he was acting like a whiny side-chick, begging for attention.
“Because you don’t pay your staff well.”
“But we have a lot of money already!” This was true. With Toshiro making tons of money (and Joon making less), Joon was able to invest in the right companies, and he managed their finances quite well. All of their businesses, even the passive ones, were earning almost six digits every month. Joon spoiled Toshiro and doted him with gifts every chance he got; it was mostly Toshiro’s money, anyway. He only stopped giving him gifts since he became Mayor because stores would keep track of the prices of the items he bought. So, Toshiro said that it would probably be best to invest instead and save in the bank.
“I need to make sure I have more than enough when I get a family. Raising kids is expensive, you know.”
“You want to have kids with me?” Joon was absolutely elated. He got ahead of himself and already imagined white picket fences, backyard pool parties, and snowy Christmas mornings opening presents. He had always been a dreamer and a positive thinker.
Toshiro laughed. “I can see your imagination running wild. For now, you have to finish your term and do so with flying colors. It’s just two more years.”
“I don’t want to finish my term anymore. Our parents’ shares in their companies had been sold and their houses in Germany were finished. They can move in there before the end of the month.”
“What about you, hmm?”
“I want to live with you,” Joon said again. “I want to spend every waking and sleeping moment with you.”
“You always go home late. By the time you are here, I’m already asleep.”
“It doesn’t matter. I still get to see you,” Joon approached Toshiro who was sitting down on a couch. “Come on, Love. Let me live with you.”
Toshiro shook his head. “No. Too dangerous.” He stood up and went to his bedroom. “I’m going to change.”
“Won’t you want to shower with me first?”
“No. I just need to be at this party that a friend from work invited me to. He’s been asking me for like forever but I always tell him no. But tonight, I’ll go. It’ll be quick. I don’t intend to stay after midnight.”
“What?! You will leave me here alone?”
“No, silly.” Toshiro chuckled. Joon felt relieved. He seriously thought Toshiro would leave him. Joon got up and went to the bedroom to get some change of clothes, too.
“Should I wear smart casual or formal?” Joon asked.
“What? Joon, Love, I can’t take you to the party with me. You’re going back to your house.”
“No! I’m the Mayor and I can do whatever I want! I want to go to that party!” Joon was aware he was acting up like a real brat, his German language was broken and his voice was almost pleading.
“You can’t Love. It’s a gay party outside of this city. You can’t be seen in one.”
“Why are you going to attend a gay party?”
“Because I’m gay, Joon.” Toshiro changed his clothes while Joon remained in the doorway. Toshiro walked back to the living room, getting annoyed at Joon for how he was behaving.
“So am I, but how come I’m not attending it?”
“The company I work at, there are lots of foreigners there, and their freedom is so enticing. I remember how we were in Germany. I just really want to attend this party.” Toshiro sighed. “I just want to relive the feeling of not being curtailed or being judged just by loving you,” he added in a whisper.
“You can’t attend if I’m not there.”
Toshiro’s thoughts were disturbed by Joon’s sudden brazenness, and Toshiro turned to face him as he felt anger rise in him. Then he said, “No.”
“Are you going there to have hookups? You’re tired of me, aren’t you? It’s the reason you don’t want to live with me.”
“You’re unbelievable.” Toshiro checked his pocket for his wallet and grabbed his keys.
“I’m the Mayor and this is insubordination. I forbid you to go out. Leave that door and you can never come back.”
“This is my flat, Joon. YOU leave and never come back.” Toshiro was out of the door and walking along the hallway when Joon called out to him.
“No,” Joon ran towards Toshiro and hugged him from the back. Toshiro panicked. He knew his neighbors didn’t care about the personal lives of other people but he knew that the hallways had CCTVs. Joon’s face was probably all over the security cameras by now. Toshiro dragged Joon inside his flat again, very irritated. “What is wrong with you? We’ve been very careful about your identity.”
Joon was smiling like an idiot. “Sorry, Love. I love you very much. I miss you so much,” he said as he smothered Toshiro’s angry mouth with kisses. He knew he was acting like a total fool and irresponsibly by going out of the hallway. But he wanted to go to the party with Toshiro.
Toshiro, albeit fuming inside, was melting with Joon’s kisses. He looked around and motioned one of his trusted guards to make sure that the security footage didn’t reveal Joon’s identity.
“I can wear a mask, you know. Those dainty masks people wear at play parties. We have that from the parties we went to in Germany.”
Toshiro finally gave in, and moments later, they were at his coworker’s private party outside their city. It was exclusive and chic, and its lewdness was tastefully and artistically done. Joon was having the time of his life, all the while being glued against Toshiro’s body. They had some cocktails and some food, and Joon spent the rest of the night cuddling and kissing Toshiro. Although Toshiro enjoyed every minute of Joon’s clinginess, he couldn’t help but be weary of cameras and reporters, even if he knew that this was a private party. Toshiro introduced Joon as “John,” his date for tonight. A lot of his gay friends swooned over “John” because of his build and handsomeness despite him wearing a mask.
The host of the night, Toshiro’s friend, Müller, approached the couple and spoke in German, “Hey, do you want to take your date upstairs? There’s a vacant red room there that I think you might enjoy,” he chuckled naughtily. “There are no CCTVs anywhere here, so no one would know that Mayor is here.”
Both of them gasped in surprise. “What?!”
“Look, babe, I know your secret. And it’s safe with me,” Müller kissed Toshiro’s cheek. “He’s a keeper, no? He’s got his hands all over you.” He laughed naughtily.
“Thank you,” Joon said, shaking Müller’s hands happily. “We’ve been together since college, and we’ve been married for almost ten years. We got married in Berlin,” Joon replied happily, relieved to have a new German friend who understood them. He felt as if a thorn was taken out of his heart. “It’s been a while since we’ve done something. Which room?” He added excitedly.
“Hold up,” Toshiro was always the one to approach things with caution. “What?!” He looked so angry at Müller, but Joon was looking at his husband with adoring eyes.
Müller continued speaking in German, “Everyone here knows he is the Mayor, hon. One cannot remain unnoticed with looks like that.” Müller wrapped his arm around Toshiro's. “And that dude,” he pointed to the slender guy with a beret, who was also wearing a mask like Joon but with a different design, “works in the Judiciary. He and his partner are here often.”
Müller continued to introduce each of the high-ranking guests to Toshiro and Joon. He also said that he often hosts parties like this so that couples can somehow feel a sense of freedom. “It’s so strict in this country. If it weren’t for my partner, I wouldn’t have stayed here. We’re polyamorous, but I decided to come with him here in this country. His contract will end by the end of the year, though.” He smiled teasingly at Toshiro. “I’ve always felt that you have a lover, too. That’s why I’ve always invited you to my party. I just didn’t assume he was as hot as this dude.” He hugged both of them tightly. “Go get your room. You’re safe here.”
Joon excitedly dragged Toshiro upstairs to a red room, and they spent the night experimenting with the different toys they found there. It felt like another honeymoon for Joon, considering he missed Toshiro terribly. Toshiro, on the other hand, couldn’t find it in himself to put his guard down. With Joon so giddy and happy, his every thrust sent Toshiro’s soul to heaven and back, but he couldn’t fully enjoy himself, at least, he tried his best not to. Joon’s kisses were raw but sweet and full of love. But it was during their switch that Toshiro’s walls came tumbling down. With Joon’s antics of playing coy and teasing him, flexing his muscles and thighs while he danced on Toshiro’s lap, Toshiro squirted the lube directly onto Joon’s puckered hole and hammered sinfully into him while Joon was on fours. Joon’s walls were slippery and hot, and his hole clenched deliciously around Toshiro’s member.
“This is so good, Love. Wreck me...” Joon moaned loudly. “Kiss me, Toshi, kiss me...” he whined.
Toshiro flipped Joon, so the latter was now lying on his back. Toshiro held Joon’s legs up and bent him to his waist so they were now face to face. “I love you so much...”
Joon rolled his hips aggressively around Toshiro’s shaft. Toshiro was losing his control, and he felt he wouldn’t be able to last any longer. Their kisses were sloppy, and Joon started pumping himself, “I’m so close, Love. This is so good...”
“Come for me, Love. You’ve always been so good to me. I love you,” Toshiro answered back, all cautions were thrown off the window, considering how loud they were.
Joon came, and Toshiro followed seconds later. They cuddled and cleaned up for a few minutes before deciding it was time to go home.
When they went out of the red room and came downstairs, they noticed that the house was still filled with people, with everyone having fun. It was all clean fun, meaning everyone came to their own volition, and no one was hurting anybody without their consent. They found Müller, hugged and gave their thanks before going out of the house. The cold, early morning air was refreshing, and Joon cuddled behind Toshiro until they reached their parked car. On their way home, they decided to stop by a deli to grab some snacks, and Joon couldn’t help but continue to be clingy with Toshiro. Toshiro, a few centimeters taller than Joon, walked first, with Joon comfortably glued in Toshiro’s back with a tight back hug. Both of them were wearing hats and face masks to hide their identities, but they still managed to get some condescending stares from the deli employees and customers just because both of them were men. But Joon didn’t care; he just had the best time of his life, and no one would make it otherwise. As they paid and grabbed their takeaways, Joon showered Toshiro’s back, nape, and shoulders with small kisses. Toshiro kept his grin hidden underneath his mask.
Joon removed his mask as he got inside the car and helped himself with the deli. He kept the window open because the early morning breeze was refreshing. Toshiro removed his mask as well as he started the car engine. Joon took a bite from his deli before feeding Toshiro as the latter drove.
Such a party didn’t happen again, but Joon was already thankful and very elated to last him a whole quarter. Toshiro and Joon seldom see each other after the party because Joon gets caught up with his work, much to his disdain. His projects on Education and Employment (actually Toshiro’s) were all well-accepted and highly successful. They started focusing on renewable energy, and international industries supported that project, which generated income from local households. Toshiro’s views of self-entrepreneurship were well-received, and unemployment gradually decreased. Wage employment also increased because more companies were opening up vacancies. Because of these initiatives, Joon won a national award for Outstanding Men of the Year.
The award was presented to him a few days before their parents migrated to Germany. Joon practically begged Toshiro to attend the ceremony with him; otherwise, Joon would not attend at all. With their parents’ promptings, Toshiro agreed, but he didn’t trust Joon one bit. Toshiro asked Joon if he could take Müller with him, his one close friend whom they trusted with their secret, to which Joon agreed. Müller had always kept a low profile from the public eye regardless of his wealth, and he didn’t give himself unnecessary attention by behaving or dressing wildly. Toshiro thought he needed a morale anchor because he genuinely felt that Joon would put him on the spot. He felt that Joon was up to something, and he was scared of what Joon would do.
During his speech, Joon explained how he thought about the project with his best friend. What he didn’t mention was that Toshiro thought of it, and it was conceived after Toshiro topped, and he thought about a trend in policy formulation in creating green jobs. Joon thanked his parents, his staff, and some other important people. Towards the end of his speech, he mentioned Mr. and Mrs. Kanaye for loving him as their own son. Toshiro held his breath. This was the moment he feared.
“And before I conclude my speech, I would like to make a special mention to Toshiro Kanaye, my soulmate, my best friend. You know you are, and will always be, my lifeline. This success cannot be spelled without “u.”’ Joon smiled charmingly, which solicited a thunder of applause from the audience. Müller silently cooed at Toshiro, winking at him, but at the same time, brought him down to earth when the former noticed that Toshiro was already hyperventilating.
They spoke in German, and Toshiro excused himself and Müller from their parents as they went to the men’s room.
“Bloody hell, that guy,” Toshiro said, exasperated. He spoke in quick German, careful not to mention any names that other people may understand.
“Hon, he’s just in love,” Müller answered in German. “He’s madly in love with you. Aren’t you proud?”
“I’m also in love with him, but you don’t see me putting him on the spot.”
“You have to get rid of your flustered face, hon. Your reaction is giving you away, not your man’s speech.”
Toshiro looked at his reflection in the mirror. He was indeed still blushing deep red. He was very happy that Joon got the award, but he didn’t need to be thanked publicly for that.
They went back to their parents and saw Joon sitting with them at their assigned table. Müller pulled a chair beside Mrs. Kanaye, who chatted happily with him, practicing her German.
“Liebling...schatz” Joon started in German, “Ich liebe dich sehr. Sei nicht böse.”
Toshiro gave him the side-eye, and Joon pouted sadly. “I felt like I didn’t deserve the award. It was all you,” Joon continued to explain in German.
Both of their fathers were busy conversing with Joon’s mother about the trip they would have after they settled in Munich. Mrs. Kanaye and Müller, on the other hand, were already talking about how they would meet up in Munich and redecorate the house.
“You put me on the spot,” Toshiro explained. “I don’t like attention. You know that.”
“I told you years before. I will give you all of mine.”
Toshiro merely let out a sigh. Joon had always been a brat and would always do anything he wanted. Toshiro couldn’t stay mad for long. There was something about Joon that he just couldn’t say no to. They held hands under the table, away from prying eyes.
Their parents went to Munich, and they took a two-week vacation to help them settle. Müller resigned from their company and came with them. Toshiro was shocked to know that Müller and his mom became BFFs all of a sudden, to the point that Müller resigned just to be with her. (But Müller said he broke up with his partner, and since he hated their country, Müller decided to go back to Germany instead.)
It was graduate studies all over again. Joon forgot that he was Mayor, and he was more than happy to shed his authority and political authority. He enjoyed his freedom, and he felt like he had done his calling already; he served his people and his country, and he wouldn’t want to lie to himself anymore. He just wanted to be with Toshiro and start their family together. He realized he was nothing without Toshiro. He lived and breathed for Toshiro.
The couple felt like they were really married while in Germany. They held hands, they kissed, and they lived together for two straight weeks. They went for a three-day vacation with their parents, and when they went back to Munich, Müller was there, ready to assist their parents. Their happiness was short-lived, unfortunately, and by the time they went back to their country, Joon felt exhausted after merely reporting back to the office for one day.
Then, the unspeakable happened. With the elections two years away, the couple didn’t expect black propaganda against Joon this early. It was probably because of Joon’s national award that revved the anger of his political rivals. The award made Joon outstanding and outshone his rivals, making him—again—the number 1 contender not only for re-election but even for the legislature. His popularity was no longer confined to their city but their whole country. And that didn’t stand well for the traditional politicians because they knew that Joon would not be in cahoots with them.
Several of Joon’s and Toshiro’s pictures when they were eating in their car from the deli after they went to Müller’s party several months ago spread in different forms of media. Joon was comfortably glued in Toshiro’s back, kissing his shoulder, while Toshiro was holding the deli. There was also a picture of Joon feeding Toshiro inside their car. There was no doubt about it—the pictures were genuine and not edited. The couple vividly remembered that time, and they both knew that it happened. The pictures had no captions, but previous issues of Joon and Toshiro’s relationship when Joon was still in council resurfaced as well. News clippings of Joon publicly denying his relationship were played and replayed on social media platforms captioned as, “He has been lying to us the whole time” and “He lies with a straight face.”
Toshiro’s world crumbled. He didn’t know what to do. All his years in law can’t seem to find an answer for the pain he felt inside. He wanted to press charges, and he wanted to protect Joon. Toshiro’s lawyer friends, although all of them were shocked to know about his relationship with the Mayor, thought of ways how they could sue people for defamation and invasion of privacy. But while Toshiro was anxious, Joon was calm. He honestly felt relieved that his relationship with Toshiro was out in the open, and he didn’t intend to deny it this time. Despite different media outlets asking for interviews, Joon continued his work as Mayor. He told his staff that the reports were true and that he and Toshiro were married. The information leaked to the media, with local news publicly declaring the Mayor’s confession. Some of the Mayor’s staff resigned because they didn’t want to be led by a “faggot”. A handful remained, stating that Joon was elected for his ability to lead, not because of his sexual preferences. The rest of the constituents continued to benefit from the programs of the Mayor, but most of them started to look at him with condescending eyes.
Good thing that their parents were in Germany. Joon continued living his life and he insisted on living with Toshiro because now, they could go out in public. Toshiro hesitated and still wanted to live in his condominium. Their loyal guards became even more protective of Toshiro thinking that the recent news would make someone physically hurt him.
One day, as Toshiro was walking out of his office building with two of his guards, several people started throwing tomatoes and eggs at him. The guards shooed the protesters and shielded Toshiro. The tomatoes didn’t hurt Toshiro, but the fact that the protesters were shouting and holding up banners to fire him from work hurt him a lot. He cried pitifully as protesters shouted “faggot” at him. He buried his face in his hands as the guards led him to his car and sped away.
The guards brought him to Joon’s house, and the Mayor was fuming. He felt his heart harden, and his anger escalated as he saw his precious Toshiro clean himself up from tomatoes and eggs. The guards let Joon see the CCTV footage of the protesters and what they did to Toshiro. He was crying silently, and Joon’s resolve broke. Joon came to him and cleaned him up, handing him fresh clothes. Toshiro cried on his shoulders as Joon enveloped him in loving arms. Joon’s heart shattered to a million pieces as Toshiro continued crying. Joon promised Toshiro that he would never hurt him, and that promise came with him ensuring that he protected Toshiro at all costs.
When Toshiro was asleep, Joon called for emergency media coverage via live telecast from his home office.
“I never lied to any of you when I said a few years back that Toshiro is my best friend. He really is. The reason I didn’t disclose that we have been married is exactly because of what is happening right now. We are being misjudged and condemned. All the projects that I spearheaded and implemented, the ones that are giving you jobs, the investments we got from international relations, are all because of the “faggot” you threw eggs and tomatoes at early this evening. That faggot has been with this faggot for more than 10 years and these faggots propelled our local economies faster than any other city in this country.
You disrespecting another human being is unacceptable. That human being has done literally nothing against you that would risk your safety, but you did something so inhuman against him and physically hurt him. The act you did has been caught on camera, and those responsible would have to face what the law sanctions.
It is my job as the City Mayor to make sure that our city would be the best it can be. All the programs and the jobs we created are all because of me performing my job as a mayor. I don’t need your thanks for that; neither am I expecting one. But it is also my job as a husband to make sure that my spouse is safe, and it is my job as a mayor to make everyone feel safe and secure in my city. My husband, a citizen and legitimate voter of this city and this country, feels unsafe. And I must do what I can within my power as husband and mayor to make him feel safe. I would have done the same thing to any of you, so if any of you have ever felt violated by this kind of bigotry and oppression, I would assist you and make sure that those responsible would be penalized.
I have been personally angered by how my husband has been treated. It reflects on what kind of culture we have and how disrespectful we can be just so we can fuel further our hate towards other people and our political rivals. It is not at all difficult for me to make my decision. Effective the end of this month, I resign as Mayor.”
He ended his speech and he saw Toshiro standing behind the door frame, eyes swollen from crying. Joon immediately went to Toshiro and hugged him. “I’m very sorry, Love. I should be the one experiencing this, not you. You have been nothing but wonderful.”
“I will file for resignation tomorrow. The issue I brought to my company is embarrassing. My colleagues were all professional and never questioned me about this. My mom and Müller called a few minutes back. Müller said he would come and take me back to Germany next week, where my mom would be waiting. I’m also contemplating changing my citizenship once I get there. I hope you can be with me by then.”
“I will be with you. I’m done with playing savior.”
“You are the elected mayor. You have done what you must as your position mandated.”
“But you are my priority. I will not let anybody hurt you again. Besides, I’m only the mayor until the end of the month. So, that leaves me 10 days before I become a private citizen.”
And they spent the rest of the night cuddled together, with Joon whispering sweet nothings to Toshiro.
The following day, Toshiro was ready to file for his resignation. Five guards were with him this time and it was surprisingly peaceful at the office. There were no protesters in sight. Toshiro timidly walked into the office, head bowed in shame, as he went to the secretary of the department head. The secretary led him to the conference room instead, and Toshiro was shocked to see that all department heads were there. He was blushing deeply with shame as he slowly retreated back to the door when the Director for Legal Affairs called on him. Toshiro raised his gaze, trying hard not to let the tears fall from his eyes.
“I’m really sorry, Madam, for all of these to happen,” Toshiro started. “I have never intentionally wanted to let the company be involved in my personal life. Joon and I have been married for 10 years and we got married in Berlin when we were getting our Master’s degree.”
The Director for Legal raised up her hands, “We know, Toshiro. We have seen your records and you disclosed your marital status there. Technically, you didn’t commit forgery and never tampered with any legal documents.”
Toshiro bit his lips. The Director for Legal continued, “What happened yesterday put you in harm’s way, and the company apologizes for not being able to protect you when you are within the company’s grounds. This is an international law firm, and it is only right that we file cases and penalize those involved in the protest, especially those who hurt you. Initially, we filed for morale and physical damages of € 1,700.00 for each of the people who were caught in the CCTV to have thrown eggs and tomatoes at you. We have already identified them and have already processed the cases.”
“Madam, I thank you with all my heart. Thank you and the rest of the directors.” Toshiro paused. “But I’m filing for resignation. The Mayor also resigned from his post effective the end of the month.”
“Yes, we heard the news,” one of the Directors responded. “We have no intention of firing you despite the clamor that we do so. We need to uphold our company’s reputation not only in this country but for the rest of the world. If they will insist on firing you and put pressure on us, then we will find another country to host us.”
At this point, Toshiro couldn’t hold back his tears anymore. He was very grateful.
“You have been one of our best employees. Rest assured that while we find your resignation a loss to the company, we will support you in your decision and make sure that you are accorded all benefits that are warranted to you.” The Director for Legal Affairs added.
As everyone left the conference room, the Director for Legal Affairs remained and asked Toshiro to remain as well. “Well,” she started. “I am friends with Müller, and I saw you and the Mayor that night at his party.” Toshiro was horrified to learn that. She continued, “Müller and I have always known that you had a lover, but I guessed that he is someone important for you not to be bringing him to our company gatherings.” She hugged Toshiro tight. “You are safe with me. And I will personally see to it that none of the protesters would get away with what they did to you. I’m reviewing discriminatory actions and acts of bigotry and how those can be penalized in this country. It will take precedence over what happened to you. It can happen to anyone really. We also have allies in the judiciary.” Toshiro nodded, remembering how Müller said that one member of the judiciary and his partner frequented his parties. “I’m a lesbian myself, and what happened to you can happen to me, too.”
Toshiro spent the rest of the day in a peaceful state, quietly counting the days when they would go back to Germany. Meanwhile, Joon was spending the rest of his time in a turnover, talking to the members of the council about continuing the programs. He learned that the Vice Mayor was a part of his political rivals and would discontinue all of his projects once the Vice Mayor took the helm as Mayor. The Vice Mayor, as a matter of fact, was already busy making himself known and appearing in different media, talking to the people about how homosexuality is immoral and how he, once seated as the Mayor, would make sure that there would be no immoral homosexuals in his cabinet. The community hated Joon for the immorality he brought upon them. Meanwhile, Joon and Toshiro devised plans on how to make the internationally-sponsored programs continue so that the benefits of the community would not be hampered by Joon’s resignation.
Three days before the effect of his resignation, the weather station alarmed Joon that there was incoming bad weather, which had the potential to turn into a super typhoon, the strongest they had in 20 years, and it would directly hit their city. The Vice Mayor said that the Super Typhoon was Heaven’s way of cleansing their community with the years of immorality that was happening to them, all brought about by the current Mayor. Joon was having second thoughts about doing something, really, but Toshiro said that he was still the Mayor. Toshiro urged that it was still best to leave gracefully and for the one last time, Joon should take his responsibility as the Mayor.
Two days before Joon’s resignation took effect, the bad weather indeed became a Super Typhoon, and the first thing that the Vice Mayor did was fly off the city to another country, claiming that there was an official government meeting that he needed to attend. The councilors were all confused about what to do, and with the weather station briefing them on the possible damages and flood it could cause the city, they were mentally paralyzed. Without an experienced leader at the helm making commands, they all worked separately, and some of their activities overlapped each other, and some areas remained unresolved, like shelters and evacuation.
By that afternoon, Joon reported in office with Toshiro by his side. “Those who have a problem with me and my husband being here are free to leave. But, effectively, I’m still the Mayor and I will do my best to protect our city from this storm. I don’t see your beloved Vice Mayor anywhere, do I?”
There was a low sigh of relief, especially from the councilors, when Joon got there. They have thought of contacting him but for fear of being reproached, decided against it because once the Vice Mayor found out about them seeking help from Joon, their political dreams would perish.
Very effectively, Joon and Toshiro divided the councilors and the staff and gave them specific instructions on what to do. Toshiro talked with the Chief-of-Staff, and together, they called on the representatives of the private companies and appealed on their corporate social responsibilities to help in the pending calamity. They all agreed to open their buildings for the people living in low-lying areas to keep them safe from floods. And the best part of it was that the private companies were not at all expecting any tax deduction or anything in return. Joon and his social welfare and health department prepared for food and medical assistance. The police and the military were also tapped to prepare for possible search and rescue and retrieval operations. The agriculture department was advised to assist livestock owners and escorted them to the nearest towns that were least likely to be affected by floods and storms. Truck owners volunteered their services for free. One day before the storm, everyone in the community was safe and with food packages that would last them a week.
The super typhoon came. Joon and Toshiro were both safe in the condominium, confident that power failure wouldn’t affect the city because of the renewal energy projects they had established at the beginning of Joon’s term. Telecommunication also benefitted from renewable energy, so Internet connectivity was still possible, though more intermittent than usual. But it was good to note that the council and the community maintained contact with each other and that people were safe. Some trees, vehicles, and posts toppled over, but at least no one was hurt.
The aftermath of the storm left behind mud and broken properties. Low-lying houses were devastated and tough flood water subsided, cleanup was severely needed. Communities weren’t really in need of food, but they needed construction materials to repair their houses. It was Joon’s last day in office, and he and Toshiro coordinated with the nearby towns that weren’t as devastated about selling construction materials to them for a cheaper price. In return, they gave out food and some of their solar panels to help their sister cities. Out of nowhere, the Vice Mayor came, immediately went on a live broadcast and had himself interviewed by national media. The councilors, even if they politically belong to the same group, lost their faith in the Vice Mayor. They didn’t give any statistics to him, so all he gave during his interview was how he would update the national government on what they needed for help. The Vice Mayor circumvented the interview with how the city was punished because of the immorality of the incumbent Mayor and his husband.
On the other hand, when the local media released news about the spirit of volunteerism and how public-private partnership was exemplified during the storm, the national media took note of that and interviewed the communities instead. The Vice Mayor wanted to be interviewed as well but the national media said that they needed to broadcast what was actually happening on the ground. Joon was requested for an interview but he declined.
Since it was his last day, he and Toshiro, hands interlocked with each other, went to the office one last time to get his things, and he was surprised to see the councilors and ranking members of the different departments waiting for him.
“Your Honor,” one of the councilors started, “On behalf of the community, we would like to request that you retrieve your resignation. We decided that your marital status didn’t get in the way of you performing your official functions as Mayor.”
Joon held Toshiro’s hands tighter. “My marital status hasn’t been your concern; my sexual preference is.” Joon furrowed his eyebrows. He looked at the members of the community whose heads were bowed low. “You have been very disrespectful to my husband. In no way does a human being deserve to be treated like that, especially the one who contributed so much to this society. You decided to side with the Vice Mayor for your political ambitions and condemned us.” He sighed sadly. “I love my city. But I don’t think you deserve the commitment I gave you. I love my husband more, and I wouldn’t risk him again for something that did nothing but oppress us. I have served this city up to the last day, and by the closing of the office hours today, I shall be a private citizen with my husband.”
Joon walked away, tugging Toshiro’s hand. “I’m tired of risking you. I love you so much to continue hurting you,” he kissed Toshiro’s hand.
Suddenly, the Vice Mayor came in, mocking them. “Have you seen how the city has been punished because of your immorality? And the city needed to pay for your sins.”
Hands still interlocked with Toshiro, Joon faced the Vice Mayor and said, “Not one single citizen of this city got hurt because of the storm. Livestock and business would continue to thrive because of the projects WE implemented.” He pointed to himself and Toshiro. “And where were you, huh? We weren’t punished; we were purged from bad leadership who decided to run away instead of stay here and keep his constituents safe.”
The couple went home and gave the last paychecks and severance to their loyal guards. The couple arranged for their departure, and all documents for their properties had been processed. They went to the airport, and a news report flashed that some of the members of the council filed their resignation “because we wanted to serve under a leadership that shares the same values as us.”
When they landed in Germany, their parents greeted them lovingly, and there was no trace of pity for them, as if their parents concurred with their decision to emigrate from their home country. Müller was there, too, and told them the news, “I heard that our firm would end its contract with the city in three months. They would transfer to another country under the grounds of discrimination and bigotry...”
As Müller continued filling them in on the latest about the country's politics, the group walked toward their car. The couple smiled at each other, with Joon dropping small kisses on Toshi’s lips. They were both tired and hurt, but the smiles they saw on each other’s faces were enough to melt their pain away. They held hands, their wedding bands kissing each other as if today would mark another chapter of their long love story that would never end.