Generation

Life is full of PLEASURES

The story took place in Tengearion, a small square-shaped country equally divided into nine square cities: Wind, North, Fire, East, Earth, South, Water, West, and its capital located at the center—Helix City. More than half of its population are PLEASURE users for here is where they originated.

The culture and design of each city is different with the other. North City could be compared with America, Las Vegas to be exact. It is the Gambling Capital of Tengearion and here is where most love hotels are. It is said that life at North City begins at night. Fire City was once a lively residential city but six years has passed and it is now known as the Abandoned City. Crooks are said to be lurking around the whole city now. The East City could be associated to Japan. This city is termed as the Hot Spring Capital of Tengearion because of their Japanese themed hot springs. Most houses in this city are designed after Japanese houses as well. The Earth City on the other hand is the Agriculture Capital of the country. Plantations of Rice, Corn, Wheat, and other crops are found here. They are also famous for their advanced technology of producing tropical fruits such as bananas and pineapple though climate here is not that of a tropical country. While South City and West City are more of a typical residential cities. Water City is known as the Summer Capital of Tengearion. Because of their abundance in water, the most luxurious hotels, beaches, and resorts are found here. It's been said that the whole Wind City was once owned by a single clan only, whose mansion is located at the city's center but that was ages ago. This city is famous for their rich industry, competence, and continuous advancement as seen in the city's surroundings and architecture. Lastly is the Capital, Helix City whose architecture is similar to a mixture of European and Modern Japan. Most industries are located here as well as the major Government Branches and Offices.

And from Fire City is where the story begins...

PROLOGUE

† His Eyes †

It was a dark and cold night. A seven year old lad with hazel-brown hair, pitch black eyes, and a stud crucifix earring pierced on his left ear entered his room. The lights were off. A single bed on the center left-hand side of the room facing the right wall was being illuminated by the bright full moon that seemed to be just outside the opened wall-sized sliding glass door covered with dark blue curtains opposite the door. The curtains danced in the cold winter wind.

"Neon," a woman's voice from nowhere called. The wind blew hard as the voice vanished. The curtains danced fiercely as if trying to escape from the curtain rod. The boy lied down on his bed.

"Why doesn't he just admit that he hates me?" the lad murmured. "Why do they keep on comparing us?" he continued as if he was talking to someone when in fact he's alone in the room. "I want to live far from this house. She is starting to hate me," he said. "He just pretends to be good," the boy added.

"You know Neon, I would slap you if I could!" the woman's voice exclaimed.

"You're just like them!" he shouted as he sat up.

"You don't understand anything! You're being selfish. Have you ever thought of his sufferings, his sacrifices, his…his past," the voice said hesitatingly.

"Fine. Once again, I'm the one at fault. If it's his past, then I would be interested to know. Would you mind telling me, Miss Sam?" he asked. "I know nothing about my dad's past."

"Don't take it as a joke, Neon," the voice said.

"I'm serious," Neon made a faint smile, "It might help me understand what I really want."

"May we also hear it?" a beautiful lass with long silky-straight black hair reaching her bottom and deep black eyes together with seven other kids, one girl and six boys, peeped from the door.

"You were listening?" Neon asked.

"When did you start hiding things from your twin?" the lass asked as they entered.

"I tell you, there are things which you should not take for granted," the voice warned and all the kids sat on the bed and eagerly listened.

PLEASURE 01

It was a cold winter evening of December inside Front Square, a coffee house that also serves wines and spirits. It was dark and cold and quiet. A single yellow light bulb at the wine bar was the only light opened. Two shadows were seen at the bar as Front Square seemed to be already closed though it wasn't yet their supposed closing time.

Front Square opens at seven o'clock in the morning and closes at nine in the evening. It is a coffee house that serves not only all kinds of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, wines and other spirits but also snacks like biscuits, cookies, cakes, doughnuts, rice cakes, different kinds of breads, etc., and even ice cream. It has a glass swing door, inside are rectangular tables located at the north and west wing with two three-seater sofa per table facing each other with the rectangular table in between, on the middle area are four-seater round tables, and at the right wing is the glossy wooden wine bar with five round stools arranged in a row. It's quite dark inside just like in typical bars. While outside, one can enjoy the warm kiss of the morning sun as its golden rays illuminates the vast blue sky, and the scenery of a lovely fountain on the middle of a beautiful floral garden surrounding some white square tables having four white chairs each, although some has only two for dating couples. Transparent polycarbonate sheets and climbing flowering plants serve as roofing and shade from rain and the too much heat of the sun at noontime.

At Front Square, a different bartender is pre-assigned everyday and all their employees were terribly cute guys wearing light blue, some others light pink, ruffled aprons on top of plain white tees and khaki-colored shorts partnered with roller skates of the same color as their aprons. Their aprons have two pockets, one at the lower-left side and the other at the lower-right side with the nickname of the employee embroidered at the lower-center part of the apron.

A young boy with skinny body and hazel-brown hair, wearing an oversized rugged shirt, who seemed to be unconscious was tightly embraced by a young girl with long straight black hair; they were wrapped in the wide angelic wings of the boy, white on the left and black wing on the right. Huge tears coming from the girl's lovely royal blue eyes moved upwards as they fall down, head first, from a huge waterfall.

Inside Front Square, a fifteen year old guy with hazel-brown hair wearing black straight-cut jeans paired with white t-shirt inside his thick but soft, medium-blue hooded sweat shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows was sleeping soundly on the wine bar, his head bowed on the wooden bar counter using his two arms as cushions as he sat at the middle stool. While a seventeen year old bartender with messy blonde hair and golden yellow eyes stood before him at the other side of the bar as he dried a couple of wine glasses with a yellow-orange hand towel.

The sleeping lad opened his teary, pitch black eyes. "That dream again," he said to himself, "I wonder where you are now, Natsumi."

"Tik-tak-tik-tak~" The ticking of the vintage clock hanging up on the center of the wall behind the bartender was the only sound that could be heard.

"Hey Sato! It's already eight-fifty in the evening; you'd been sleeping for almost two hours already. It's better if you go now before it's too late," the bartender warned.

"Huh? Ah, thanks." The lad stretched out his arms breaking free from his good night sleep. "John, aren't you finished yet?"

"Almost," the bartender replied. "I'm almost done here. Go now. I can manage these things on my own," he said and made a cheerful smile.

"You sure?

"Ha, to whom do you think you're talking?" John raised his left eyebrow.

"Yeah. You're John after all," Sato smiled. "Bye then," he waved.

"Yeah." John waved back at Sato but without even looking at him.

It was then nine o'clock in the evening. Sato was walking on a dark road with the streetlights turning on and off, there was no sign of another person, it was too quiet whereas only the rushing leaves of trees could be heard. Rain started falling, and it's getting colder when suddenly he sensed danger coming.

Meanwhile at the nearby street, a beautiful lady with long straight sky blue hair wearing a pink, off-shoulder top paired with gray pedal pants on her high heeled, silver step-ins was cornered by three middle-aged men.

The lady took a deep breath to compose herself, "Water PLEASURE…Mis~t —Whoah!" She was surprised when her feet suddenly left the ground. It was Sato who came running and carried her away from the three goons. "Hey! Who are…you?" Her visions suddenly got blurry. "Put me—down…" The lady fainted.

"This feeling…It's as if there are seven more people around here," he thought. Carrying the lady, Sato ran towards his house. He stopped in front of the main door, thinking how to get the key in his side pocket, then he thought of something…and they instantly vanished leaving only traces of glittering blue dusts.

Sato's house was located by the entrance of a small forest at the end of the long dark road just at the outskirts of the city. In front of his house is a long, shallow azure river.

They instantly appeared inside Sato's room. It was a small room with wooden floor and nothing but an electric fan on the side, a huge wooden closet with a full-length mirror as its door located at the far right side of the room if you came from the door, and a Japanese-style futon on the floor near the dual-paned windows covered with apple-green curtains. He laid the lady in the futon then he took his white bath towel that was hanging at the horizontal rod fixed on the wall near the huge closet and proceeded to the bathroom to take a refreshing shower. After a while he went back to his room, in brown pedal pants with the ends tied just below his knees and white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his shoulders, a small white towel was on top of his wet hair, and run hurriedly to the lady. By this time, the rain had already stopped.

"Oh! I forgot, she's all wet. What should I do?" he panicked. "Do I need to change her clothes or not, change it or not, change or not…Nooooo! I'll just wait till she wakes up, but she might catch a cough and cold or, more or less fe…" He stopped and touched the lady's forehead. "She has a fever!" He ran to the medicine cabinet that was fixed on the wall near the closet. "None? Nothing's left for fever. There is only one thing I could do now, but she might, oh never mind what's more important is for her fever to go down."

He got closer to the lady, his lips almost kissing hers, he closed his eyes then he released a certain amount of heat called "Life Force", a spiritual force given to someone who's ill to sustain life, can also be defined as life sharing or energy sharing but it doesn't literally share your life. The lady isn't dying, but originally Life Force is given to someone who's not feeling well to make him/her feel better. "This feeling…those seven again. Is it this girl?" Sato wondered.

The lady was awakened; she slowly opened her teary grayish-pink eyes and saw Sato over her. "Who is he? What is he doing…ah, is this Life Force? But how could he…" her mind was full of thoughts. She slightly moved her hand, ready to push Sato away, when she knew that Life Force is actually a good thing so she just pretended to be asleep. Then suddenly, she noticed a dim yellow light in the guy's chest coming from inside his shirt. "What is that light?"

Sato opened his eyes. "It seems I gave her too much." By this time, the light has already gone. Sato massaged his right temple as he felt dizzy, "Ah, this dizziness again. I really can't do Life Force sharing properly." He touched the lady's forehead. "Now, her fever's gone. I know! Tea would make her feel better especially when it's this cold." He got up and proceeded to the kitchen to boil some water.

The lady stood up. "It's Life Force, I know it is, but how did he manage to? Is he a...?"

After a while, Sato opened the door and saw the lady standing up. "Good, you look fine now but you're still in wet clothes." He went to the huge closet and took out a simple but elegant blue dress as well as a white bath towel.

"Ahmm…"

"Here, take it. I think this one will fit you perfectly." He handed the dress and the towel to the lady. "Still, you're free to choose among the others, there are lots in this closet. For your undies you'll find them on that drawer." pointing to the drawer beneath the closet. "Don't worry, they're all new."

"Thank you." She took the dress from Sato quite hesitantly.

"Hmmm...This may sound rude but I don't know how else to put it." Sato scratched his nape. "You may want to have a shower first."

The lady blushed. "No. Ahm, I'm fine with these. Thanks."

"Ahm, are you hungry. I'll prepare you something."

"No. I'm fine, thank you."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright, then I'll leave you first." And he walked out of the room. That very moment, the kettle whistled. He ran to the kitchen and prepared two cups of tea.

The lady opened the closet only to reveal lots of feminine shirts and dresses. "That guy, is he living with someone?"

Moments later, Sato knocked on the door. "Are you done?"

"Yes. Come in."

He opened the door with his right hand as he carried a black tray with two, green cups of tea with his left hand. "I think you're new here." He said, placing the tray on the floor and sat down. "Here, have some. It's Earl Grey."

"Thanks." She sat as well and took a sip of the tea. "This is good!" She smiled and felt so great as the tea warmed her body off the cold winter night.

"I'm glad you liked it." Sato let out a warm smile. "By the way, I'm Sato Ne—," he paused for a moment there. "Just Sato," he smiled. "What's yours?"

"I'm Maika (pronounced as Myka)."

"So, ahm Ms. Maika—"

"You're not going to ask for my surname?" The lady interrupted.

"Well, you didn't ask mine as well. I have my reasons and I'm sure you also have yours. That's fine, I guess" he smiled again.

"I am Lula Maritaka Daidoji. Just call me Maika and thanks for saving me earlier. I'm indebted to you." Maika said with a strong but soft voice.

"Don't mention it; I just happened to pass by. Anyway, what were you doing there at Dark Street."

"I-I live nearby." She answered an obvious lie.

"Oh no. You don't." Sato said confidently. "Six years ago, a demon showed here with fangs and a horn on his forehead. He also had sharp claws, and huge bat-like wings," he explained. "Because of that, the residents of this city flew to the neighboring cities and none had ever attempted to live here again."

"Is that true?" she asked in fear.

"Afraid?" he quite laugh. "Yes, it was true because I saw it too."

"Are you trying to scare me?" she asked irritatingly.

"Nope," he answered confidently.

"Then why are you not leaving this place until now?"

"Maybe because I know you'll come," he laughed. "That's because I know that, that creature was not really bad. I saw him crying and I also know that he doesn't want to be like that." Sato said seriously.

"Hey, that story...was that also the reason why this city, the Fire City, is now called as the Abandoned City?" Maika assured.

"Yeah. Most likely."

"Anyway, the reason I'm here's because I ran away from home."

"Hmm, a runaway princess. By Daidoji, you mean the Daidoji Clan, right? So you're indeed a noble. That's more reason why you shouldn't be here," he said casually. "Well, that's good."

Maika raised her left eyebrow, "What's good with that?"

"No! I mean, it's good that you finally opened up. Anyway, why ran away?"

"I just want to make my parents worry."

"Why make them worry?"

"To see how important I am to them or is it their work they love more." Maika said. "You see, my parents never mistreated me. It's just that they have no time for me. I could only talk to them in the morning before they go to work. All they do is work and improve our family business, saying that it's all for my sake."

"I kinda understand you but I don't think that this is the right way."

"How could you say those things when you don't even know the feeling! Since I was a kid, my parents were never there when I needed them. They don't even care to ask how things are going for me. I know that I'm not anymore a small child that they should look after but it's just that I've been longing for their parental love since then, especially now that my friends have their own stuffs to worry. They just do their work, work and work. I'm left alone…all alone!" she cried.

"Sorry, I don't mean anything like that, but I'm really sure that they care for you. You know I envy you for having parents who work so hard just to give the things you want."

"What I want! They don't even give me the love I need!"

"You've just misunderstood them." he explained. "They do that because they care for your future. They may be wrong and really had become workaholics but still…You know, my parents never did such things for me because they don't want me."

"What do you mean?"

"I have two brothers, one named Itara, my older twin, and the other named Yuu, the son of my dad to his first wife. My dad really loves Yuu. He praised him and supported him in all the things he does, the same thing with my twin but my dad never had eyes for me. You know, whenever we had visitors, he would always introduce them as his sons who'll carry our name to the highest peek. He wouldn't mention my name and if he does, he'll just say– 'He's Sato', nothing more, just Sato. On the other hand, my mom would always hurt me; there were times that she would locked me in a very dark room. My dad hated me because I never lived up to his expectations. I was a disgrace to our family. As for my mom, she just wouldn't accept me. That's why stop thinking that your parents ignore you."

"Sorry, I didn't know that you have a jaded past. But where are your brothers then?" she asked.

"My younger brother, Yuu, went abroad with our dad and his uncle to cure his weak heart. Weeks later my dad decided to go back alone, but unfortunately the plane he was riding, crashed. On the other hand, my twin and I lost each other, one night when we decided to do what you've done just now."

"You ran away? Why?"

"Because my brother can't take the things our mom was doing to me."

"Wait, is it really alright to tell me, a complete stranger, your past?"

"I just thought that it might help you reflect on your actions."

"I see. Thanks for the concern." And she let out her sweet smile.

"By the way, I apologized for having no bed in here, as you can see all I have are futons."

"Are you saying that I can stay here?" She was a bit surprised.

"Of course! But only for the time being. Reflect on your actions then whenever you feel like going back, just tell me and I'll accompany you. Actually, I think you should give them a call saying that you're alright." Sato was about to leave the room. "Good night," he said.

"Wait! Where are you going?" she asked curiously.

"You stay here. I'll just sleep in the living room. Okay?" He made a carefree smile.

"Why don't you just stay here? After all, the room is quite spacious though it's small," she said thinking twice.

"Is it really okay? I would accept your offer if you insist."

"Of course. In the first place this is your room and not mine," she smiled at Sato.

"Sorry. With that, I'll take your offer." He bowed his head.

"Why sorry?"

Maika sat on her futon as Sato took another from the closet.

"Who owns this clothes I'm wearing?" She asked out of nowhere.

"That belongs to my childhood friend Rica. We are like siblings to each other."

"She's living with you?"

"Nope"

"Huh?"

"Well, she really wants to stay here however she's needed somewhere. Haha...Long story."

It was eleven o'clock in the evening when they both lied on separate futons. The room was so dark but the full moon shone so bright that it gave the room light as it pierced through the curtains.

"Kill her…Kill her…Kill her…"

A creepy voice echoed in the dark moonlit room. It was one o'clock in the morning in his wristwatch when Sato suddenly awakened. His eyes are a bit red as he ran hurriedly to the shower room. Maika was awakened as well and she followed Sato.

It was a wide, square bathroom with a tinted glass sliding-door. On the left side was a rectangular mirror above a royal blue colored sink, beside it was the toilet bowl with the same color, while next to it was the rectangular shower room, with a crystal glass sliding-door.

Sato was sitting before the open shower with his back leaning against the concrete beige wall; water was pouring towards him. Maika followed holding the white towel that Sato used a while ago. She turned off the shower and placed the towel on Sato's head. She knelt and held Sato's shoulders.

"What happened?" she asked in concern.

"Stay away…"

"Are you okay?"

"Don't touch me. Please, stay away."

"Why? Please, answer me?" She lifted Sato's chin and looked through his eyes. Maika was shocked with what she saw. For a moment, she felt that she was engulfed inside Sato's eyes then she finally came back to her senses "Was that a demon," she murmured. Suddenly, she felt warm tears running down her cheeks. She immediately wiped the tears away and turned to Sato.

Sato bowed his head. "What did you see?"

Maika looked frightened.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you…"

Her heart beat faster. "I…I…I saw a young lad. His entire body was tightly chained; he was filled with wounds and bruises. The metal chain was covered with blood and so with the floor. It was a really dark place with blood spilled everywhere. But it wasn't only the boy, there's a demon behind him biting a long sword with his sharp fangs, that sword was the only thing not stained with blood, not even a single drop of blood. I think his guarding the young lad, and plans to kill him using the sword the moment the boy tries to escape. The boy was crying. I saw tears running down his cheeks," Maika narrated. "I don't know what happened. But for a moment there, I felt like time stopped and I was engulf in your eyes."

Sato quite smiled. "You have seen the same," he murmured. "Was he naked?" Sato asked.

"Yes, but I didn't see anything…," she blushed.

Sato laughed as he embraced his tummy. "It was me…," He forced a smile but it was obvious that he was frightened, "No, maybe I'm the demon behind."

"Sato, were you…that demon who showed in this city six years ago?" she asked with fear.

Sato didn't let out a single word.

Maika hugged him tightly. "Don't be afraid. It's not your fault; you don't want it, right? I'm here beside you and I promise not to leave you." Deep inside, Maika was surprised with what she just said. "This man, I just met him. He's a complete stranger to me and yet I feel really close to him. What's wrong with me?" she thought.

Sato suddenly remembered same words uttered to him by a young girl with purple eyes and golden yellow hair curled at the ends reaching unto her shoulders, ten years ago, one night in a maze garden, "Don't be afraid. I'm here beside you and I promise not to leave you." And by another young girl with long, straight black hair and royal blue eyes when he was about eight years old in an old, dark storage room where he lie on the floor half dead, "Sato, It's alright. I'm here beside you and I promise not to leave you."

Then huge tears fell from his eyes.

†

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