Tuesday 7am

Asami, couldn't help himself. The more he looked at the boy, the more painfully his chest hurt. For the first time in his thirty-two years, he had fallen in love at first sight. Purely by chance or maybe, it was fate that he was stuck in Tokyo traffic because of road repairs and just happened to look up at the building on the right to see the a blonde haired boy, sitting at the fourth story window. Looking out, wistfully as tears rolled down his cheeks. Which was heartbreaking yet beautiful. He reminded Asami, of those Renaissance paintings of figures poised, beautiful, and expressive yet still; but haunting to the mind by the sheer beauty and mystery of their existence.

Now more than a week later, he had yet to see the boy do anything other than cry. For the first time in his life, Asami hesitated. What good would it do to bring, something so beautiful and sad into his world. The boy, would not even last a month in his world before he crushed him. No. it would be best to let him be. Besides, how ridiculous was love at first sight.

Tuesday 7:10 am

Akihito; always felt like he was just a step behind everyone. All his life, he was often made to feel as though his existence was a nuisance, an irritating interruption in the lives of the family he was born into. He never fit in. Even in school in rural Japan, he was different from his more rugged peers. He thought about things deeply, loved to read, was an introvert, and yet was up for adventure. He saw different ways of doing things, which led to problems with his classmates. Who saw his curiosity and creativity as a way of saying he was better than them.

As a result, he went through primary school, friendless but a favorite of his teachers. Whose help got him a scholarship to a great secondary school. It was there, that Akihito felt that he had finally found a place to fit. He made two great friends, whom he roomed with, Kou and Takato. Who came from villages similar to his. They were outgoing and because of them he was finally able, to be social and let his true personality shine.

It was, through those five years that he developed many interest and met lots of interesting people. His family life, however, remained the same. His only saving grace was, Kou and Takato, his real family. However, even that changed over the years. They both fell in love with great women and got married; choosing to move to different parts of the country for work, they unfortunately didn't see each other often anymore. Just the occasional phone call between the busy life schedules.

This left Akihito, alone and adrift again; a freelance photographer, struggling to make his way. Out of sync with the city, lonely and desperately wishing he could fall in love just once. It was the only thing, Akihito was jealous of other people, their ability to fall in and out of love. It had never happened for him. He never had a model of what love looked like at home. He knew unhappiness but not romantic love. He wanted what his friends had. True Love. Even his mentor told him he would never make it in photography because; his photos lacked feeling. They were empty, without life, devoid of passion.

He knew his mentor, Yagi- Sensei, was right. His work didn't move anyone. He couldn't capture what he had never experienced. He was slowly losing hope. He may have to give up on photography and find himself a practical job. If he couldn't have, love or success. He may as well, ensure that he had a future that would leave him comfortable and secure when it came to his retirement.

Akihito left his apartment, portfolio in hand and headed to gallery. He really hoped that his series of photographs from my window, would make an impression on Yagi- Sensei. He hoped that the photographs that captured people going about their lives from his window would be able to satisfy his mentor's expectations from him. He really hoped that at least one of his photographs would be chosen for the auction that the Gallery had to give exposure to budding photographers and to have the proceedings support Breast Cancer Research.

This was also going to be his last chance, if none of his pictures were chosen. He would end it and find a sensible job.

'Ah, Akihito, you made it.' Yagi- Sensei said.

'Good Afternoon Yagi- Sensei. I hope I didn't keep you from anything important.' I replied

'No, not at all, bring your portfolio and follow me into the office.'

Walking through the Gallery to Yagi- sensei office was always nerve wracking. The walls were lined with the work of the greats and even some of Yagi- sensei's own prize winning work.

'Okay Takaba, let's see what you have', said Yagi sensei as he removed the portfolio from my hands.

It was a tense couple of minutes, waiting silently as Yagi sensei, silently looked through my work. His face betrayed nothing. Finally he stopped at a photo, looked at it and looked at me for a moment. Then he continued.

'Takaba… you know that I think you have promise.' He began. I instantly deflated. This was it the end of my dreams. I just stopped listening, I didn't want to hear, that I had promise but my work lacked passion and emotion. I was failing not from a lack of talent and drive, but as a human being.

'Yagi sensei, thank you, for all your help,' I said interrupting the man's flow of words that I stopped listening to. I reached forward to take back the photos and make a quick exit before I cried in sensei's office.

'You're welcome Takaba; this photo is amazing, it's a pity you didn't do others. I'll just have to submit this photo alone. I think Waiting should be the title –

'What?' I shouted, the words he just said finally registering. 'You want one of my photos'

He sighed. 'Weren't you listening, the other photos in the series are the same as all your previous work great, but lacking. This photo of you, however, it's stunning. You finally captured emotion, it's incredibly vulnerable. I reminded of me Rapunzel, in the fairytale after her hair is cut off. Waiting in the window, looking out wishing that somehow a Prince would come along and save her.'

I took the photo from Yagi sensei, in disbelief. I hadn't taken photos of myself. Yet here it was, a photo that I accidently took, while setting up my camera on the tripod. I had accidently hit the timed function. The camera had captured me sitting at the window crying, as I thought about my inability to find love and having to give up photography. I hadn't meant to include to it, it just got accidently bundled in.

'Umm- Yagi Sensei, this photo was a mistake,' I apologized, 'it wasn't intentional, I hadn't meant for this to be in there-

'Takaba, stop being so hard on yourself, can't you see you managed to get that emotion, maybe you should be your own subject for a while, and you'll be surprised at what you can learn looking at yourself. It may help you to capture it in your subjects. Besides, some mistakes result in genius.' Yagi sensei, laughed. 'Now go away, and I'll see you on Friday for the auction.'

Friday 9pm.

The gallery was bustling with the who's who of the upper crust, Avant Gard and the elite. Surrounded by the beautiful and glittering people, Akihito felt intimidated. Although his black suit fit perfectly, anyone could tell it only cost a fraction of what the patrons were dressed in.

The Gallery's annual function not only helped a worthy cause but also helped to launch some careers as the some of the artist were lucky to find a Patron to support them and their work. He quickly walked through the Gallery looking to locate his photo.

There it was located all the way to back in a dark corner away from the bustling crowd and larger photos, spotlighted by a light from above. He understood why, Yagi sensei, placed the photo in such a dark lonely corner of the gallery. The Akihito, in the photo, shocked him, he had no idea, that he had revealed so much of his pain and longing on his face. Taking one last look at the photo, he turned and headed back to the crowd.

Friday 10pm

Asami walked into the already bustling Gallery, he was only here to make a contribution to Yagi Sensei for the Cancer Research. As soon as he walked in he was being flocked to by people and young artist hoping to gain his attention. However, most didn't even make it near him thanks to Kirishima's polite fielding and Suoh's intimidating build.

'Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank you for coming out to support these young artist and Breast Cancer Research. Now if everyone could gather here in the main area we'll start the auction.'

Moving to the back of the crowd Asami stood there flanked by Kirishma and Suoh as the auctioneer began. As he watched the impressive pieces of Yagi sensei's protégés being sold, his mind drifted back to the boy at the window, after Tuesday he hadn't seen him again.

'Now we have a special piece, by a young promising artist titled Waiting. Let's start the bidding at 50,000 yen. Do I have 50,000?'

Asami, started. It couldn't be, there he was the boy in the window. The photo was spectacular, the fading lights of sunrise framed the boys tear stained face in an ethereal glow. It was an angle Asami hadn't seen from his limo, yet the same pain and beauty that he had seen was etched poignantly in boy's eyes.

'80,000 yen going once… twice… '

'5 million'

A hush fell over the crowd, every eye in the room turned to back. A murmur went up in the crowd as the crowd realized that the bidder was none other than Asami Ryuichi.

'5 million sold'

Akihito couldn't believe it, as he stared dumbfounded by what he had just heard from his corner of the room where he was happily stuffing his face. He looked at the man who had just bought his photo and he couldn't breathe.

He was the most attractive man, Akihito had ever seen. He stood there proudly flanked by two men like some Samurai lord. He tailored suit fitted him like a suit of armor. Everything about him seemed surrounded by mystery. I want to photograph him.

Just as he had that thought, the man turned his head and looked in his direction. As their eyes met, Akihito felt something, his heart started to beat faster. The man's eyes were golden like a predators, he looked surprised for a moment when he looked at Akihito, almost like he hadn't expected him to be there. Akihito watched as the surprise changed to something else.

As if he had made up his mind about something. With one last look at Akihito the man turned and walked up to Yagi Sensei said something, looked at Akihito once more smirked and walked out of the gallery.