Being so immersed in the culture, Daniel is anxiously awaiting participating the upcoming holiday celebrations, but Aero, who has been rejected by his family for being gay and not following in the family traditions, dreads the holidays because of bad memories. They do become good friends, however, enjoying their time together. Daniel, out of respect, is waiting for his sensei to acknowledge his feelings Aero thinks that Daniel, who is twenty years younger, would never be interested in him. He and Daniel have corresponded over the years and Aero knows, besides being an excellent artist and understanding Aero's work, Daniel has totally embraced the Japanese lifestyle, language, and customs.ĭaniel and Aero work together amazingly well and both are physically attracted to the other although neither act upon their desires.

Amazingly enough, he ends up hiring an American, Daniel Beck, who, coincidentally, is a big fan of Aero's work. Sota proposes a contest and Aero runs with the idea. Aero is now faced with the daunting task of finding another assistant. Aero, editor of a popular manga magazine, only wants to work with one assistant he thinks anything else is like working with too many cooks in the kitchen. It will take all of Daniel's charm and the prayers offered at the shrine to make Aero take a chance on the romance they both want.Ī story from the Dreamspinner Press 2014 Advent Calendar package 'Celebrate!'.Īero Kurokuma is at loose ends when Sota, his long-time assistant and friend, decides to retire. Daniel is a perfect assistant, but it doesn’t help Aero see past the twenty-year age difference between them. The first time he lays eyes on Daniel, Aero realizes he’ll have a hard time hiding his attraction. But a winner emerges: a young man from America, Daniel Beck. Placing impossible rules on the contest, Aero is sure no one can win.

After Aero collapses from exhaustion four years later, he is forced to run a contest for an assistant. Akiyoshi ‘Aero’ Kurokuma, author of the wildly popular manga, Ecos, lost his assistant when his best friend retired.

Coming of Age by Venona Keyes