Joey

Chapter 43, part 2: I Could Have Danced All Night

Published online on February 7th, 2025. Available to purchase on Comic Days, or rent for 10 days on Yanmaga.

Norman holds up the tablet as Suzuki greets Nino through the ongoing video call, while Aki freaks out a bit that the famous Nino Zolche is actually talking to them. Nino says that he'll be joining their training team soon, and will be in Japan within the week.

After handing over the tablet to Suzuki and stepping aside, Norman is approached by Saichi. Saichi sees him watching Suzuki talking to Nino, and says (in English) that Norman is actually a meddling yet kind man. Norman tells him not to address him with such poor pronunciation. He asks what his first name is, and Saichi answers that it's Takashi. He wonders whether he should call him Takashi or Saichi, and just as Saichi starts to answer with his last name, Norman starts calling him by his first name. Norman says that he heard Saichi tried to quit, but Max laughed and threw out his resignation letter. He then asks how Shun is doing, and Saichi replies that he's been hanging around his place, and also started going to the gym to blow off steam. Norman says that's probably because Saichi suggested that to him, and says that they both seem to be meddlers.

As time passes and the next day comes around, we see a series of what the Shinyas have been texting each other while apart. Suzuki asks questions like "What are you up to?" and "Did you make it home?", and the responses he gets in return are mostly one-word or other short answers. Suzuki sends a selfie with the message "Love you too", to which Sugiki thinks that he didn't say "Love you" in the first place. He texts back suggesting they should get something to eat together, which gets Suzuki excited.

They meet up at the same restaurant they visited in volume 1's special chapter "Samba de Men's Love" (it did not have a name back then, but is now called The Yanmaga Grill & Wine Bar, referencing the current publisher). Sugiki comments that it's hard to believe they're here together again, but interrupts himself as he's distracted by Suzuki, who has his arm around him and is repeatedly kissing his cheek.

He cautions that they shouldn't act so cozy in front of other people. Suzuki calls him "mi bebito" (my baby) and wonders why he's worried about that now. Sugiki grabs his hair and pushes him back, calling him "darling" and says he shouldn't be showing such an alluring and indecent looking face to anyone else. Suzuki questions if he's in any position to talk, since it seems like he's been trying to provoke him. Suzuki then flirtatiously utilizes his sexy accented English, and Sugiki runs his thumb down to his lips, grabs his face, and kisses him.

Suzuki suggests that they get out of there, but Sugiki refuses, saying that he won't have sex with him until after the 10 Dance competition is over. Suzuki tells him not to tease him like that, but Sugiki insists that he means it. Suzuki internally spirals into negative thoughts, wondering about things such as how the selfies Sugiki sends all look the same, and it's possible that he can't be bothered to even take new pics for him and is just changing the backgrounds. He worries whether Sugiki actually loves him back, but Sugiki seems to sense what he's thinking about, and threatens that if he says anything stupid he'll have his way with him right then and there. Sugiki says that they have an important goal to work toward in the 10 Dance, but Suzuki argues that it'll be hard to focus on the competition like this. He warns Sugiki not to make light of him, and wonders if Sugiki thinks he's so caught up in love that it'll cause him to mess up. Sugiki replies that they're both caught up in it, making Suzuki blush.

A voice calls out saying it's been a while, addressing them as "amigos". Suzuki recognizes the man as Marcelo, the one who played guitar and sang while the Shinyas danced back in the "Samba de Men's Love" chapter. He says that thanks to them, the restaurant lets him play gigs there now. He asks if they want to do another number together, and simultaneously Sugiki thinks and Suzuki says aloud that they'd like to do a cha-cha. Marcelo starts to play, and before the Shinyas begin, Suzuki wonders what their connection will convey to each other now. When their hands join, both look stricken by the intensity. While the other patrons clap and cheer them on, Suzuki and Sugiki smile at each other as they finally reunite in dance.

Previous chapter: #43 part 1