Kokoro No Kikkou
Hirokazu and Paperweight: Courage
My friends are...insane! Well, okay, maybe not insane but...Weird. Weird works. Weird works very, very, VERY well to describe them.
It all started when Takato got a pet turtle from his parents. A pet turtle that he's been obsessed with ever since. I get that it's his first real pet and all but he treats it like the greatest thing since Guilmon! Dude, it's a turtle!
And then Kenta bought a turtle for each of us...A first month's anniversary type thing. I felt really bad I didn't keep track like he did. Not only can't I believe I've been with Kenta a month, I can't believe I've been with Kenta period! I did not want to admit that I liked him, but... ...After what happened, I was hoping it'd make him happy if he knew how I felt...
...Takato's gay, like, totally Jen-obsessed GAY! I found that out through his journal. I couldn't believe it when I read the first official "Takato's Gay for Jen" page. ...And then another and another and another and another and another and another...You get the idea. It was like...Y'know those sitcoms where they show the teenage daughter on her bed, writing in her journal about the dreamy captain of the soccer team and all that?
After what I read, I can totally picture Takato doing that. Except that along with the "dreamy Chinese boy" stuff he throws in "The cute thing my pet turtle did today." ...Really, he...He actually makes notes of cute things Tama-kun does! I-I can't believe this...
Not that I don't like Paperweight. He's kinda cool, except he embarrassed the hell out of me in the first five minutes I had him. I should have known better than to just pull out whatever magazine he was sitting on if it was under my bed, though. He's really active, too, I think that's cool. He doesn't like being in a tank that much, he tries to break out of it a lot. As soon as I get home, he's banging his shell on the side like he's screaming "Lemme out! Lemme out!" I let him out and he does laps around my table as I do my\copy Kenta's homework.
And since Paperweight likes roaming around so much, Kenta thought it'd be a good idea to take Paperweight and Jin to the park. Kenta and I are sitting on a bench while Paperweight roams around the grass with Jin across the sidewalk from our bench. We're watching them, but it's not like they can outrun us if they tried to escape...
...Though Paperweight did get to my bed pretty damn fast.
"So, how's the baby at home?" Kenta asks. He still calls the turtles our 'babies.'
"Very funny," I roll my eyes. "He's good, he makes a crapload of noise, though." I thought Tama-kun could be loud with digging and all that, Paperweight is even worse! And he turned his entire tank inside out one night, the litter was all over everything! Even managed to fling some out onto the floor outside of the tank! But he dug himself a hole...He likes his hole. "What about Jen's 'baby?'" ...Even sarcastically, I can't believe I called it that...
"His whole family loves it, they named it Shouseigame," Kenta says.
"I like how Takato tricked Jen into picking out his turtle," I chuckle. I didn't know Matsuda could be sneaky like that. Hehehe!
Kenta nods. "Rinchei's been watching television with him, his old Ninja Turtles DVDs."
"...Great, you're all insane!" I roll my eyes, glancing to Paperweight and Jin. Paperweight is doing laps in a circle around Jin while Jin just rests in the grass...Paperweight's kinda weird with his obsession with doing laps. I once counted, he did more than thirty around my table before he took a break!
Kenta laughs, "You never got excited over a pet before?"
I shake my head. "And don't make the Guardromon comparison again. Digimon are not pets!"
"I won't, I won't," Kenta shakes his head. He looks to me, "What abou-"
"SHIT!" I scream, bolting up. Kenta looks ahead at the turtles in horror.
A cat just came out of some nearby bushes and just jumped on top of Jin!
"JIN-CHAN!" Kenta and I hurry to the turtles.
I hear a hissing sound. "What the hell is-PAPERWEIGHT?" I look forward in shock as Paperweight is hissing at the cat, his mouth wide open. He's charging at it!
The cat ignores Paperweight and focuses on Jin, Paperweight circles around until he's behind the cat. Paperweight bites down on its tail. HARD! The cat lets out this loud screech and takes off, just as Kenta goes to pick up Jin. I get Paperweight, pulling a ball of fur out of his mouth. I actually had to chase him a little, I think he was trying to keep going after the cat!
I sit next to Kenta with Paperweight in my lap.
Kenta's cradling Jin in his arms. "Jin-chan! Jin-chan! Please be okay, Jin! The cat's gone, it's okay! It's okay! You're safe now! Come on! Come out of your shell! PLEASE!" He says, he looks close to crying. Please let that turtle be okay...
After about a minute of Kenta holding him, Jin pokes his head out of his shell. We both check to see if he's hurt...
...He's fine, not even a scratch on his shell. He must have ducked in there as soon as the cat jumped on him.
Kenta holds Jin close, saying, "Thank the Gods...I was so worried about you, Jin."
"...Kenta..."
"Hiro-chan, please, I don't want to hear how crazy-"
"Paperweight was AWESOME back there!" I shout. Seriously! My turtle took down a cat! He saved Jin's life without even thinking about it! Kenta gives me a surprised look as I hold Paperweight up, looking him in the eye. "Good turtle! You're a badass! You deserve a treat!" I look to Kenta. "What do turtles eat for treats?"
"Um... ...Fruit...?" Kenta shrugs. "Tama-kun likes strawberries and mangos."
...Fruit? ...Crap...
Wait! I got just the thing!
I set Paperweight between us. "Wait here, Paperweight. You deserve a treat!"
I reach into the backpack I have on the ground next to me, I pull out a packet of tissues and unfold one in front of Paperweight. Then I get his treat...
"...Hiro-chan, that's not what I meant..."
I break up a strawberry pocky stick and put it on the tissue in front of Paperweight, saying, "Eat up! You deserve it!" Paperweight eats one piece, then another and then chows down. Hehehe! He likes pocky!
"...I can't believe that..." Kenta says.
I break up a few more pocky sticks for Paperweight, then pass another box from my backpack to Kenta. Green tea flavor. "Want one? I got like ten of 'em."
Kenta nods. "Thanks..." He sets Jin on the bench, Jin crawls over to Paperweight. Paperweight moves aside and shares his pocky.
"Aw, they're friends..." I say, grinning and petting Paperweight's shell. "Good hero turtle! Good!"
"Thanks for saving Jin-chan, Paperweight," Kenta smiles. "Seriously, I didn't know turtles could hiss...Or do any more against a cat than hide in their shells."
"Paperweight doesn't run away from a fight!" I say. This turtle is officially awesome!
Kenta laughs, "Thanks again, Paperweight." He pats Paperweight's shell, he keeps eating with Jin. I break up a couple more pocky sticks.
I wake up, hitting the 'off' button on my alarm clock with a yawn. I hear a metallic rattling sound...
I look over my bed, Paperweight is on the floor, pushing a hard candy tin. Ever since the other day, when he saved Jin, I realized how much he hates being in a tank. He's a free roam turtle, now. He's waaay too big for that little tank, anyway, I'd hate it if I were him!
I got a dish of water and some food in a corner of my room for him. He mostly does laps around my room or sleeps under my bed.
It's worked out so far, he's too big not to notice so I don't trip over him and he likes the extra space a lot. He exercises a ton, too, he pushes heavy things he finds on my floor...
...My turtle is kinda cleaning my room, actually. He moves a lot of it under the bed but the floor is getting cleared, one thing at a time. Ha ha ha! Now I really like this turtle!
Today's the day of the "play date" for all of our turtles at Takato's place. Takato said he's even setting up a "play pen" for them. Takato and Kenta are taking the whole "play date" idea seriously, I'm mostly going because I know how much it would mean to Kenta...
...I love Kenta. I really do. I was freaking out for the first year or so when I realized it. I was in love with Kenta and that scared the crap out of me. I'm not really into the whole...liking other guys-thing.
I-It's just Kenta, though! ...And Ryou... ...But Ryou's just hot. Kenta's...Awesome! Kenta's a great friend, too! He's always thinking of me (I try to think of him just as much, but...Uh...) and he'll do anything for a friend. Like what he did for Jen and Takato. I-I still can't believe he did that. I know it took a lot for him to do what he did for them.
When I found out Takato was gay with him that night, I had to know if it would bug Kenta. I was so happy to hear he wouldn't have a problem with it. I mean, that meant that if he ever found out things'd still be cool between us.
But the fact he was so quiet and looked upset after we read the journal had me worried...
...Then I kinda put two and two together. Kenta was gay and liked Takato. I sorta suspected it for a while, that Kenta was gay, just from how he's not all that into checking out girls with me (I'm bi, thank the Gods, so I had no trouble hiding my thing for Kenta...). And, uh, he's just got this..."Thing" about him. You just get that feeling around him, especially if romance comes up!
...Come to think of it, Takato sort of had the same vibe when it came to romance, too, he just did not like talking about girls or dating...Not until Jen. Now "what I love about Jen" comes up more than "Tama-kun is so cute!" In fact, now it's more "Jen-chan is so cute," too. Hehehe! He kinda is-Er... I mean...
...S-So, when I finally asked him if he was gay and he said yes... ...I was happy I wasn't alone and had a shot but...I wanted him to be with Takato, since he was who Kenta liked. I even told him a way he could let Takato know without letting him know he read his journal.
...But...
...He wanted Takato with Jen, who Takato was obviously in love with. I know he cried when he "went to the bathroom" after his talk with Jen. We both know and...Jen felt so freakin' guilty. I mean, I almost had Jen crying on my shoulder...
...I told Jen I was bi before I told Kenta. I told him that to make him feel better...I-I was nervous as hell...
"I...I can't believe this. I feel terrible, Hirokazu-kun. I want Takato, too, but... ...Is this right?"
"Jen, Takato...really wants to be with you and Kenta knows that. Like he said, he'd rather Takato was happy with you. He'll...get over it. Eventually."
"I-I know, but..."
"...Jen, um, look, if it...makes you feel better...I-I... ...I, um...Well, with Kenta...I..."
"...Hirokazu?" I was bright red and shaking. I-I still can't believe I admitted to this! I-I was barely able to tell Kenta! If Jen wasn't so wracked with guilt, I'd have just told Kenta and kept it a secret between us!
"...I...I sort of, um... ...I like girls, okay?"
"...I know that, Hiro-"
"I just like Kenta more!"
"...Wow...Y-You? I-I had no idea, Hirokazu-"
"Just...don't tell anyone, okay? Please, Jen? I'll talk to Kenta tonight...Maybe he'll feel better."
"Right...But, wait, you like Kenta? You told me you wanted to help him be with Takato..."
"Same reason he wants you to be with Takato...Unless you wanna trade him. You and me go out, Kenta and Takato go out."
Jen laughed a little, shaking his head. "N-No offense, Hirokazu, but..."
"Yeah, I know. I'm too good for ya, anyway."
"Ha ha ha!"
When I checked on Kenta a little later, I just knocked on the door.
"...Kenta? It's...been almost half an hour. You...okay? Breakfast that bad?"
"...I-I'll...be out soon...I-I'm fine. S-Sorry..."
"It's okay, um...Take your time. And...I'm really sorry, Kenta."
"I-I'm okay, really...Jen and Takato...They'll make a great couple."
"...Kenta..."
"R-Really, I'm just...not feeling well. Bad breakfast...L-Like you saaid... I-I'm...I'm fine...Hiro...kazu..." He did his best to not sound like he was crying again.
"I'll...let you have some privacy...Hope you feel better, Kenta-kun."
"...Thank you..."
Kenta came out a little while after that and we just talked about how Jen could tell Takato and came up with the "it's because of Tama-kun" thing. We know Takato'd be pissed if he found out I read his journal...
...But, seriously Takato, you should know me well enough to know I'd never pass up on a journal! Ever! Hell, I thought he'd have taken it with him, I would have if I had anyone staying in my room for over a week!
...I'm also amazed I didn't find any porn. I mean, Takato strikes me as someone with a hidden perverted side. Really hidden, I guess.
Jen left a little after we came up with the "Tama-kun" plan. Kenta was just quiet for a long time. Now and then it was obvious he was trying not to cry again or trying to wipe his eyes without me knowing. I just let him have his space. Tama-kun was there to cheer him up, kinda. He had Tama-kun in his lap or on his stomach for a long time.
After I thought Kenta looked a little cheerier...I told him how I felt and he was happy again. We had our first kiss later that night and slept next to each other on the floor (Kenta didn't think Takato'd appreciate us sharing his bed, even if we didn't do 'that!'). By the next morning, Kenta was his old self again...A good midnight make out session would lift anyone's spirits! Hehehe!
...And one month later, he bought me Paperweight. ...I really did appreciate the gift, I like having a pet. I think he's trying to get me to understand why Takato is so "happy" with his turtle. I just wish Kenta didn't refer to them as "the babies."
...And speaking of "my baby"...
Paperweight sees I'm awake and crawls over to my bed. I lift him up and put him on my stomach. I have to use both hands, this turtle is huge! "Hey, Paperweight," I say with a chuckle. I rub his chin with one finger as he curls his legs into his shell. "Dream of fighting off evil cats last night?"
I am so proud of him for what he did that day! That was seriously awesome!
Paperweight fights in the name of justice! He is the shelled terror that crawls in the night, the green bane of evil cats! He is reptilian vengeance! He is the original Ninja Turtle! He is...Paperweight!
Kenta asked me if I was going to change his name after what he did. Hell. No. Paperweight likes his name! It gives evil a false sense of security! Who's afraid of a paperweight? No-one! But anyone with brains is afraid of Paperweight!
I start to wake up with Paperweight on my stomach. He likes getting attention from me. Ever since he became free roam, if he's not doing laps or exercising (my turtle likes to bulk up!), he's watching television with me.
Last night, Kenta came by while we were watching a Zatoichi film and joined us with Jin. Kenta couldn't get over the fact I was letting Paperweight eat popcorn in my lap while we watched. Extra butter, Paperweight likes butter on his popcorn. Paperweight likes Samurai flicks, too! He's got good taste in movies! I can tell 'cause he faces the TV, puts his legs in his shell and sticks out his head more than usual (unless he's grabbing popcorn, he really likes popcorn!), if he doesn't like what's on he'll turn to me and scratch my stomach like he's saying "change the damn channel!" Or he'll just start doing laps from one end of the couch to the other.
He also likes Xros Wars, but I think that has to do with the fact I started him on it with the ChibiKamemon episodes. Kame-kame!
After I'm finally awake, I put Paperweight back on the floor and get him some fresh food from the kitchen. My parents are eating breakfast.
"How's the turtle?" Dad asks.
"Fine, he likes being a free roam turtle."
"And you do clean up after your 'free roam turtle,' right?" Mom asks. ...Oh, crap! I forgot about that...
...Haven't seen anything yet, so...
"O-Of course I do!" I say, quickly. ...I should put out a thing of those rabbit pellets or something, maybe I can litter box train him.
"Uh-huh..." Mom rolls her eyes as I get some chopped up lettuce and fruit from the fridge. "With that junk food you feed him, I'm sure you've had to clean up a lot." ...I'll check under my bed later. I really haven't seen any sign of that!
"If he likes it, he should eat it," I say as I make a plate for Paperweight.
"And why exactly did Kenta buy you that thing?" Dad asks.
"He thought I could use another friend," I shrug. "What? You don't like Paperweight?"
"No, it's not that...I'm just curious," Dad shrugs. "It's good you're taking care of him. He's lived this long, I take it as a good sign for your ability to raise a child one day."
"Uh...Yeah... One day..." I roll my eyes and shake my head, starting to my room.
"You and Kenta plan to adopt, right?" Dad asks with a chuckle.
I freeze in my tracks. "...What did you say...?" I turn, my parents are both laughing. I let out a nervous chuckle...It was a joke! Thank the Gods!
"S-Sorry, son, I just overheard Kenta call them your 'babies' the other day. Kenta takes his pet ownership seriously, I take it," Dad says.
"Y-Yeah, you know Kenta..." Note to self: Train Paperweight the word 'baby' as a 'bite me, HARD' command for the next time Kenta comes over... That was too close!
"But tell him we said 'hi' when you go to Takato's today with Paperweight," Dad says.
"Right, I will."
"...And you two have our blessing. Congratulations, Hirokazu."
Again, I freeze, looking to my parents...They aren't laughing this time. I decide to start things. "Ha ha ha...Another good one! ...Ha ha ha..." They...give me this 'we know' sort of grin. I sigh and hang my head. "...How long?"
Dad shrugs. "About a year. We were wondering if you'd ever tell us, especially after Paperweight, so..." ...A year?
"...Dad, Kenta and I...It's only...been official for a month. Paperweight...was a one month...anniversary...gift." I feel my face turning red again as I shake a little. I try to keep my hands steady so Paperweight's breakfast doesn't fly all over the place. I hate talking about this! Especially to my parents!
My parents exchange shocked looks. "...Seriously?" They both say. Holy crap, they've...They really thought I was with Kenta for a year? I-I...I...Am I...Obvious or something?
I nod, quickly turning to hide the shade of red I know my whole face is by now. "...Thanks for the support..." I hurry back to my room, groaning. Paperweight is sitting in the middle of the room. I put his breakfast in front of him and he starts eating. "...They knew, Paperweight. They knew before I knew."
Paperweight looks up to me, almost like he understands what I'm saying...
...I'm starting to think turtles are smarter than I once thought they were. A lot smarter.
"...At least they didn't care," I sigh, sitting on the floor near Paperweight, petting his shell. He goes back to eating. "We'll head over to Takato's soon, 'kay? He says he'll have a huge plate of fruit out for you...And I'll bring some pocky for you, too!" Takato called me 'insane' for asking him to set out pocky for the turtles yesterday...
...Takato, you wanna talk to your turtle over the phone! I am not insane! Paperweight's just awesome! And if Paperweight likes pocky then Paperweight should eat all the pocky he damn well pleases! Why?
'Cause he's Paperweight!
Ori's Notes:
And we have Hirokazu and Paperweight! Yeah, I wanted to have some fun with Hirokazu learning to love his turtle...And being weirder than Takato is about Tama-kun without realizing it.
And, for the record, a turtle can hiss (sorta, I'd call it a hiss, but...I dunno, it's a vaguely threatening sound!) and fend off a cat. I based the scene on a video from youtube I once saw of a cat sneaking up to a turtle. The turtle turns around, hisses, snaps at the cat and chases it around a garden! And, don't worry, neither the cat or the turtle were harmed in the video. I do not condone violence against turtles (or cats).
With Hirokazu's parents...Since Jen was found out, I figure the other parents might have figured things out the same way...Except Hirokazu's parents were slightly off, but do you expect anything less from the parents of one half of The Ambiguously Gay Tamers?
Taiki's Notes:
Aw, Hirokazu does love his turtle! And has somehow figured out Paperweight's taste in television programming. And he said Takato was insane!
I was so worried about Jin, though! Poor turtle! I'm so glad Paperweight was there to save him, just like Hirokazu would save Kenta. Like Owner, like Turtle. Ha!
Though Hirokazu made Paperweight a free-range turtle? Can one do that? Well, actually, I've heard about letting iguanas and monitor lizards roam free like cats so I imagine a turtle would be much less of a hassle in that regard. I just hope Hirokazu actually remembers to pick up after him.
-Taiki Matsuki