Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Holy shit…”

It was damn busy today at Sunshine and Majima didn’t really know why. Businessmen easily beat out the average man outside of the cabaret club and it didn’t really make much sense. It wasn’t like it was a particularly popular day to go out and see the hostesses, but who was he to judge? He was just the manager. The man with the plan. The guy who could turn a bronze girl into a gold star hostess in a night. Maybe that’s why it was so bumpin’ on a Wednesday night.

That or the obvious shouting to see ‘Yuki.’

Majima shimmied past the customers and pushed his way through the doors, shutting them behind him.

“Youda, what the hell is up with the lineup outside?” Majima huffed, straightening out his suit. “We aren’t even open yet and they’re all chantin’ for Yuki,”

“Ah! Majima-san!” Youda scratched the back of his head. “That’s the problem! Yuki called in sick at the last minute and we’re already short staffed,”

“What about the other girls?”

“Well Ai is making sure everyone is ready, but Hibiki already was feeling tired from the other day. We can’t get ahold of anyone else…”

“Damn…talk ‘bout bad timin’…” Majima frowned, hand on his hip. What the hell were they going to do?

Being down one and a half girls as it is was going to be hard to deal with, and considering the men outside, any of their lower ranked girls just weren’t going to cut it. These guys were tigers on a good day, but to hand them a 6 out of 10 when they expected a 20 out of 10 would just be trouble. Trouble they didn’t need if they wanted to knock out any competition.

“Majima-san!” Ai called from the backroom, waving him over. “You’re here! I have a plan!”

“Eh? Look at ya, workin’ hard for everyone,” Majima smiled and Youda followed him into the back, finding all the girls standing by the vanity. “So what’s the plan?”

“Well, with Yuki sick and Hibiki needing longer breaks tonight, we figured we needed the best of the best,” Mana said with a smile.

“Someone better than a platinum girl! Someone who knows men better than us,” Saki pointed out.

“A diamond girl,” China chimed in.

“Soooooo,” Ai came out with a long black dress, a stunning number with a slit down the side and a low neck line. “We figured the only one who fit that description was you!”

“Absolutely not,”

“Oh c’mon!” All the girls whined, grabbing Majima’s arms and dragging him to the vanity. “We need your help!”

“If I’m out there, in that, who the hell’s gonna run the tables?!”

“Youda!”

“You girls are gonna be the death of us boys,” Majima sighed, shaking his head. “I’m not doin’ this,”

“Majima-saaaaaan,” All the girls whined.

Well…this was a predicament.

“…Fine,”

The girls cheered and sat Majima down, making quick work of his ponytail and pulling at his clothes.

“Oi! Watch the merchandise!”

“Stay still, Majima-san!” Ai scolded, grabbing his chin to hold him as she began to powder his face. “If you squirm you’ll look ugly!”

“And stop scowling! How are we supposed to put lipstick on you if you’re frowning?” Saki sighed, brushing through his hair.

He swore it took much longer than the girls to get him even remotely acceptable looking. His hair had been slightly curled, the long black tresses parted and swooped over his left eye to cover some of his eyepatch. Red lips gave his angular face the allure of a femme fatal, but the soft powder blue to his lips with the small little line of eyeliner softened the hardness to his chocolate eyes. Majima really didn’t recognize himself like this, but it…didn’t feel as wrong as he imagined.

It was hard to explain. He wasn’t even dressed in a gown yet and he felt…different. Different but right. The tint to his cheeks, the way the girls brought out the features he hated on himself and made him beautiful made something bubble within him. He always had felt different, but it wasn’t like he had time or the Will to explore that. Growing up he had looked at women not as objects of sexual desire, or as lesser. He saw them as a standard to rise to. A beauty he wished he could reach as a man. And now he has. And it felt…good.

“Woooow! Majima-san! You look stunning!” Hibiki smiled and turned him around in the chair, “We need to get you in a dress,”

“I think we have some that are larger to fit his build,”

“What about shoes?”

“I’m sure we have something…he can’t wear those boots, that’s for sure…”

“What about nails and jewelry?”

“Oh! I almost forgot!”

Majima couldn’t even get a word in as he was dragged to his feet and pushed towards the changing curtain with a black dress and red heels. Accessories were handed over and the girls wagged their fingers at him before shutting the curtain, letting him undress himself.

With a sigh, Majima began to strip out of his usual suit and slipped on the dress and low heel, mindful of his balance. Then he put on the gold bracelets and rings, leaving his watch and gold chain on before stepping out.

“Alright, ya had yer fun. How do I look?” He asked, holding his hands out as all the girls stared wide-eyed. “Okay, say somethin’, ‘cause if I look ugly after ya put me through this, I’m gonna be pissed,”

“You look…”

“Wow…”

“Yeah…wow…”

“I didn’t know you had tattoos!” Ai grinned. “You’re…you’re gorgeous!”

“Stunning!”

“Beautiful,”

“He could compete against me and I’d lose, for sure!” Mana giggled.

“He can’t go out there as Majima Goro though. He needs a girly name,”

All the girls stared at one another and Majima shifted his weight from foot to foot.

“How about….”

“Goromi,” Majima interjected.

“Ohhh!! Yes! That’s perfect!” Ai said and grabbed his arm, “You’re going to be great out there! I just know it, Goromi-chan!”

“Oh! Let’s tell Youda to open the club!”

“We have to line up!”

“Where should Goromi stand?”

“Let’s go, let’s go! We can figure that out out there!”

———

“Wow…Goromi-chan is a natural…” Hibiki leaned on the bar, sipping a juice on her small break between clients.

“Majima-san is so good at training us to be great Hostesses, it’s no wonder he’s also good at hosting himself,” Chika nodded.

Goromi had been requested a lot after the first hour of their shift. Word spread quickly around the clubs, and it didn’t take long for word of the unique, tattooed hostess to become the new shiny toy for Osaka’s richest. Drinks were bought, the most expensive fruit was offered and it seemed she had each man wrapped around her finger. Her smile was practically infectious, and every man could hardly contain themselves as they asked her question after question.

Favourite food? What do you look for in a man? Are you single? Where are you from? What do you do for fun?

She was asked it all and seemed perfectly content to answer anything and everything.

With the time on her table finally coming up, Youda lead her back to the bar, where Hibiki got her a water and Chika waved as she was called for next. Goromi sat down with a tired sigh and sipped her drink as Chika took the arm of a grey suited man, leaving his friend in white by himself in line. He glanced over and their eyes met, the young man quickly blushing and looking away. Goromi snorted and turned to Hibiki.

“I didn’t realize how men looked at you girls until now. This happen even outside of the club?” She asked.

“Oh, all the time. I don’t mind though. I usually just tell them to stop by our club to see us!” Hibiki giggled as Youda came over again.

“Sorry, not much of a break, but you’ve been requested again, Majima-san,”

“Ugh…no wonder Yuki called in sick…” Goromi stood and straightened out her dress.

She was taken to the table of the man in white and she bowed.

“Good evening, sir, I’m Goromi,” She said with a smile and sat down beside him, close enough to take in his features.

Baby smooth, not a hint of facial hair. Young, really young. But he clearly had money with how he was dressing.

“It’s nice to meet you, Goromi-chan. I’m Kiryu,”

“Let’s start with a drink, Kiryu-chan! Ya look tense,” She said and raised her hand, giving Youda the signal for a guest glass and Champagne. “Are you from Sotenbori?”

“No, Kamurocho. I’m here on business,”

“Ooooh, a businessman! What kind of business?”

“Mostly real estate,”

“Wow, lots of money in that,”

“I guess so. I’m still learning, but I seem to be pretty good at it,” Kiryu chuckled, rubbing his neck.

“I’m sure yer doin’ great if yer requestin’ Hostesses at top Cabaret Clubs,” Goromi teased, touching his arm gently.

She watched his gaze flick to her tattoo and she flicked her finger under his chin, lifting his gaze to hers.

“Likin’ what ya see?”

“I-I— sorry, I—“

“Curious boy, aren’t ya?” Goromi smirked. “Ask away, Kiryu-chan,”

“How’d you lose your eye?”

“My momma always said don’t run with scissors. I didn’t listen though…Oh don’t give me that look! I ain’t goin’ into the gory details! It’s fiiiine. I may not have 20/20 vision, but I still got 20!” She giggled.

“Okay, what about the tattoos? That’s kind of a Yakuza thing, isn’t it?”

“Yer a smart one, Kiryu-chan. But I just thought they looked cool,”

“I’m sure your parents don’t feel that way,”

“Eh, probably not. But it doesn’t seem to deter the men ‘round here tonight. Even you still wanted me,”

“Ha…I suppose that’s true,” Kiryu smiled and reached out, tucking a loose piece of hair behind her ear, making her cheeks grow pinkies than they already were. “Even with tattoos, you’re stunning,”

“Kiryu-chan, aren’t you a charmer,” She looked away, covering her mouth to hide her smile.

“Do you take after hours dates?”

“Eh?!”

“I-I-I just thought…maybe…you’d want to do more than just…drink and talk,” Kiryu shrugged. “Like, maybe go somewhere nice to eat? Maybe go to the arcade or something?”

Oh.

How innocent.

“I like Engawa,”

“Huh?”

“Sushi. I like Engawa. We can go for sushi,” Goromi laughed.

Kiryu stared at her for a long time before blinking and giving her a cheeky little smile. “Okay, then when time’s up…sushi,”

Time seemed to slow. In the best of ways as they talked about what felt like everything and yet nothing at all. After extending their session once already, Goromi asked for the check and pulled Youda in close.

“Oi, he wants an after hours,”

“Majima-San…do you plan on going?”

“It’s the best way to find out how to teach these girls how to handle one, so yeah, I am,”

“Ahhhh, you’re so brave!” Youda smiled wearily and then gave Kiryu the check, taking his cash and scurrying off.

Kiryu motioned for Goromi to get out of the booth first and then followed behind her as she exited the club into the night. She shivered a little, and he quickly unbuttoned his coat, throwing it around her shoulders. Goromi smiled and let Kiryu slide his arm around her.

“I’m new to town, so I don’t know where the best place is for Engawa,” he admitted sheepishly and Goromi laughed.

“Don’t worry. Been here long enough to know all the good spots. Come on,”

They found a little spot with only a few bar spots and ordered Engawa and a few other varieties that Kiryu seemed interested in. Goromi shoved a piece of sushi in her mouth and sighed, forgetting to even sit like a lady as she stared off towards the wall.

“Goromi-chan,”

“Haw?”

“How long have you been a hostess?”

“First night,”

“No way,”

“Way,”

“You’re really good. A diamond Hostess in my opinion,” Kiryu smiled, sipping his beer. “I don’t usually go to cabarets though. My Kyoudai would always make fun of me for never being interested in women or dating or anything he was into,”

“Kyoudai? So…you’re….”

“Was. Not anymore,”

“Ah…I understand what you mean,”

“I figured you thinking Irezumi’s were cool was just a way to play the part,” Kiryu chuckled and watched as she grabbed another piece of Engawa. He reached out and gently tucked her hair back over her shoulder.

Goromi paused, cheeks going red now and then quickly shoved the fish in her mouth.

“Do you normally moonlight as a woman?”

She slowed her chewing and her expression fell. No. She didn’t. But she still wasn’t sure why it all felt good. Why this felt right. Why she wanted to feel this way more. Maybe it was because it was a way to just not be Goro for a while and escape the imprisonment of this place. Or maybe she always felt this way.

“No, I don’t,”

“So why tonight?”

“My top girl called in sick. Wasn’t my idea, but ya probably saw how slammed we were. I should be able to help my best gals out if it comes down to it. I’m the one who helps them be better, I better be able to walk the walk and talk the talk,” Goromi shrugged, and then sighed softly, growing quiet.

Frowning beside her, Kiryu looked down at his spread of sushi and picked up a piece of salmon with his chopsticks, holding it out to her. Goromi glanced over and turned, raising a brow.

“Here,”

She opened her mouth, and Kiryu carefully fed her, eyes watching her red lips wrap around his chopsticks, pulling the piece of salmon into her mouth. Their eyes stayed locked, at least until Goromi felt too awkward and quickly turned away. 

“I’m surprised ya even asked for a date if ya figured me out, Kiryu-chan,”

“Are you really, though? I’m having a great time,” He smirked, cocky and confident and she rolled her eye. “I also said my Kyoudai made fun of me for not being interested in women,”

“How bold of you to admit that in 1988,” Goromi snorted.

“Well, would you have really accepted this whole plan if you didn’t feel the same?”

“Y’know…ya got me there,”

They finished their food and Kiryu paid, ever the gentleman, then offered his arm to hold as he took her out on the town. They walked in silence, taking in the neon lights and artsy crowds of Sotenbori. Breaker Dance battles  were almost on every corner and guitar playing singers sang their hearts out the closer they got to Iwai bridge. Goromi gripped Kiryu’s arm tight as they stopped by the railing looking over the river and they leaned against it, watching a river boat float its way past. 

“Have you always felt this way?” Kiryu asked, turning to look at her. 

“I…I don’t know,”

“Oh?”

“I guess it’s always been there, but…”

Kiryu hummed softly, patiently waiting for her to continue.

“My dad wasn’t exactly someone who would approve of something like this. I wasn’t a good kid anyway. I was actually kind of a bad kid,” Goromi laughed and smiled sadly as she shook her head. “I suppose this isn’t as bad as bein’ a Yakuza, but I ain’t even that right now. Maybe I wouldn’t feel so scared like this if it was a different time. But ya know how it is right now,”

“Back home there’s a great spot with people just like you,”

“Earth Angel, I know it,”

“It’s my favourite spot, when I’m around the area anyway. For a place to drink, it’s quiet and the Mama is nice,” Kiryu shrugged. “And no one gives a damn what you are,”

“Guess it’s been so long, it’s hard to imagine someone else like me,” Goromi sighed, playing with the bracelets on her wrist. “Not just a man, not just a woman. People like me are everywhere and nowhere, and yet we’re all just seen as freaks. I ain’t mind bein’ a freak, but it’s…weird, bein’ out like this for the first time tonight and have men fall over themselves to have a taste. Maybe they’re too drunk to notice the lack of tits,”

“Or maybe they see a beautiful butterfly dancing in the night and just can’t help themselves,”

Goromi snapped her gaze up to Kiryu’s and snorted. “That’s cheesy as hell,”

“But it’s true. You are a butterfly. Stunning and fleeting…” Kiryu reached out, gently caressing her cheek. 

His thumb ran over her lower lip, smudging her rouge. Their eyes met again, and Kiryu leaned in, lips barely touching hers, asking for permission. Goromi’s lips parted and she closed the gap between them, feeling Kiryu’s other hand slide to the back of her head, fingers tangled in her curls. He sucked her lip gently, pulling a soft moan from her throat. As soon as she pulled back for a breath, Kiryu was plunging in fully, tongue to tongue, deepening their kiss further. Her hand finally found its way to his neck, groaning as he bit her lip and pulled. They broke away after what felt like an eternity, and Goromi blinked, lip swollen from his kiss.

“Hope that kills the doubt for you,” Kiryu smirked as he pecked her lips again, watching her lean forward to chase his kiss. “You act like you haven’t been wanted like this before,”

“Maybe…I have and ya just got a way of with yer mouth,”

“Hmmm…I’m thinking…that you don’t get touched like this often…” Kiryu said with a smile, hands sliding down her back and under his jacket, finding their place on her waist. “And I thought I was the inexperienced one,”

“Yer jokin,”

“Nah,”

“Yer a virgin?!”

“Well, I didn’t say that,” Kiryu rolled his eyes and made the most adorable, grumpy face. 

“I can’t believe I’m lettin’ a little virgin boy make me feel like this…”

“Oh? I’m making you feel things?” That smirk was back on his face again and she huffed, crossing her arms. “I’m teasing, Goromi-chan!”

Goromi eyed him suspiciously, letting the silence grow between them before they both began to laugh. Kiryu pulled his hands away and reached behind his head, unhooking his gold chain and putting it around Goromi’s neck instead. 

“Consider it something to remember me by. And also remember that you’re special just like this,” Kiryu smiled and stood back. “Perfect. It matches your other one,”

Goromi smiled, touching the second chain around her neck. “Guess it does, Kiryu-chan,”

“Come on. We got the rest of the night to enjoy,” Kiryu said and grabbed her hand, pulling her along. “I have even won you something from a UGO catcher,”

———

It was late by the time they returned to the club, whose sign was now snuffed out. Kiryu gave Goromi a twirl and then stopped her momentum in front of the club doors. She laughed, shrugging out of his jacket and handing it back. 

“Gotta admit, ya show a girl a good time, for someone who says he ain’t interested in that kind o’ flavour,” 

Kiryu shrugged, chuckling. “I’m a guy regardless. Man, woman, I’m just here for a good time,”

“And apparently a fight too,”

“Well, mostly the fights,”

“My Prince Charming. The brawler,”

“Well, you gave those hooligans a run for their money too,” Kiryu laughed. “Seemed pretty surprised when you kicked them over the side of the bridge,”

“What can I say. I used to be a thug,” Goromi grinned and held up the blue Bunchan Kiryu had won her for the end of the night. “Thanks fer the bird,”

“I hear they’re popular,”

“I’ve heard the same. But mostly from kids,”

“Growing up is overrated,” Kiryu sighed and checked his watch and pager. “I should get going…Will…will I—“

“Maybe. I hope so. One day,” Goromi clutched the Bunchan tight in her arms. 

“Yeah…one day…Until then, Goromi-chan,” Kiryu turned on his heel and pulled out a pack of cigarettes, lighting one as he walked away. 

The moment his figure disappeared around the corner, Goromi sighed. “Okay, ya can stop hiding now, girls,”

“Whaaaa? How did you know?!” Ai frowned as she stepped quickly from behind the other corner, the other girls following suit. 

“A bunch of hot girls in trench coats and sunglasses at night doesn’t exactly scream subtle,” Goromi rolled her eye. “Did you all shirk yer jobs tonight?”

“Nah, we just met up as we finished with our clients,” Mana giggled. “Soooo…Did Majima-san have a good date? Did you two…y’know?”

“A good Hostess never kiss and tells,” Goromi put her finger to her lips and turned, entering the club. 

“Awww! Don’t be like that! Tell us!” Hibiki stomped her foot, following her inside.

“Maybe I’ll share once you girls help Youda clean the place up. I’m gonna take a nap on the couch,” Goromi yawned and stretched her arms above her head. “I better not find a speck of dirt! Ya owe me the best cleaning this place has seen makin’ me dress up tonight!”

“Yes sir! Er…ma’am?” Ai tapped her chin. 

“Ma’am, definitely ma’am,” Saki nodded.

“Hop to it!” Goromi shouted over her shoulder and shut the backroom door.