A FEARLESS WARRIOR'S FIRST KISS
An Otomen (Live-Action TV Series) Fanfic
AUTHOR'S NOTE: This entire fanfic is based on the live-action TV series that was released on Japanese TV back in 2009. I started reading the manga itself just recently and noticed many differences but otherwise the same storyline and concepts. I'm more familiar with the TV series so I'm basing this entire fic beginning from the ending of final episode.
CHAPTER 3
Asuka Masamune (Tokyo)
The night before the flight to Fukuoka...
"Asuka-san, you're cute.
Whenever I see you, you make me want to protect you."
Last summer, you said you wanted to protect me.
That same summer, I also fell in love with you.
And the more that I see your flaws reveal in front of my eyes, knowing you're giving it all to make things right, the more that I want to protect you in return. With that, I also wanted to get closer to you, more than any other guy should. I may sound selfish for saying this, but somehow, I believe in fate, and fate spoke to me within that among all the girls who have been eying on me for the longest time (as I was told anyway) that you and I are meant to be.
Ryo, no matter what everyone says, you're the perfect Yamato Nadeshiko to me. Instead of telling everyone how wonderful you are, I decided to show you to the world that even the clumsiest of the clumsy can be that ideal Japanese girl to the eyes of those who can see you both inside and out.
I may have many rivals and tough competition when it comes to Kendo in all aspects, which was expected, but knowing that as long as I'm having fun while giving my all to advance to wherever my skills and fighting spirit can take me, I'm completely satisfied. Even if I lose to a match, whether if it was in training or in an actual tournament, it also tells me that anyone in the sport, no matter how strong or weak they may be, can be a number one fighter in the entire country, even if it's only for a year.
People tell me that I'm every girl's dream guy, but that's because I'm trying to live up to my mother's expectations, wishes, and of course, my promise to her- to be the manliest man of all Japan, to be the true Nihon Danshi in this modern time where everyone is liberated to be who they want to be (I wish I had that kind of liberation too while being this young). It wasn't my intention to attract girls to me, but somehow fate decided this for me. Like you, I don't have any experiences in love and romance either, and because of that I often have to get advice from the school's biggest player, a guy named Tachibana Juta, before I can make my move. Surprisingly, miraculously somehow, Tachibana was always right, one way or the other.
Somehow though my habit of reading various shoujo manga comics, especially Love-Tic, taught me a lot about how it feels like to be attached to the one you love. It seems that we've done so many things together since we've met. We cooked meals together, baked cakes together, even planned some things together for the Kendo team, studied together, worked in a part-time job together, walked home together, and even shared one umbrella together when the rain came to shower us.
With that in mind, I can't afford to have competition with other guys over you. In fact I was a little scared when you transferred in my homeroom class when all the guys including Tachibana began to eye on you, but as fate decided that we've met the day before school and at that time I wanted to somewhat brag to all the guys that I saw you first and I claim you as the girl who captured my heart and prayed that you would let me capture yours in return. I have to admit that I really feared for the worst when you told me that you were leaving Tokyo for Fukuoka to take care of your bedridden grandfather, right at the same time as Kaasan making me go through this whole miai thing with a potential business partner for my family's company, just for the sake of business.
I don't know what on earth Tachibana told you when you came to that engagement ceremony and rescued me from some evil syndicate aiming to rule the world. I guess that meant that you also didn't know about what I was going through at that time. I hope that once I get there to Fukuoka that I'll have a chance to tell you what exactly happened on that day. As my girlfriend, you deserve to know.
What a love story we have, don't you think, Ryo? It's usually the guy who would come to rescue the girl from being forced to be married, and yet the other way around happened. It's even made in to a shoujo manga series too. Then again, as long as the entire fanbase of Love-Tic doesn't know that it's actually based on a true story, then all the more that we are happy, especially for Sachihana Jewel-san.
Right now, Shihan- your father, that is- invited the entire team to sleep over at your place so that we can all go to the airport together and that no one gets left behind by the time we wake up very early in the morning. It was a good thing also because Kaasan had to travel up in Hokkaido for a business trip with some colleagues on that day so I was free to do the things that I can do for the team besides training them. Even up till now though, many of the guys in the team still don't know my real self, that being an otomen, except your father, Tachibana and Kuriko-chan, and Tonomine. Still though, the last thing that I ever want to happen is for Kaasan to find out about my so-called other half.
Kaasan approves of you and me, Ryo, but she can never approve of me loving cooking, baking, sewing, reading shoujo manga, eating sweets, dessert, stuffed animals and anything else cute, sparkly and feminine. Truthfully told, I do miss my mother's happy self when my father was still around. Maybe when the right time comes that I'll do what I can to search for my father and bring him back home. Maybe then Kaasan would approve of me like she did when I was a kid- before Tousan left us to live out in the world with this new half.
Dinner came and your father requested for me to take charge of the kitchen so we have a good home-cooked meal for the boys. I'm still conscious about this so I convinced Tachibana and Kuriko-chan to aid me in the kitchen to make it look like that Kuriko-chan is the real chef while Tachibana and I were just the assistants.
We need more girls who regularly hang out and do support work for the Kendo team, Tachibana once joked. The problem with this was that both of us only see you and Kuriko-chan as the only two capable girls who can fit those roles properly.
Then again, Kuriko-chan always wanted to learn how to make Katsudon, her favorite dish. For that, we'll be having Katsudon for dinner, not just because it's her request, but to also bring the best luck for us when we enter and compete at this year's All-Japan High School Kendo Meet in two weeks. It was indeed the perfect time after all.
"Asuka-senpai, thank you so much!" Kuriko-chan cheered happily once she and Tachibana wore their aprons while I was busy taking out the ingredients that we recently bought from the groceries. Your father had to take care of some things at the police station at this night, which was why he wanted me, the team captain, to look after the boys after a long, strenuous training day that we went through right after school today.
"Not a problem, Kuriko-chan," I answered in return, just the usual smile that I give to others who show appreciation with the things I do for them. "Let's divide the tasks so it'll be a whole lot faster when we prepare them. We've got a whole team of hungry stomachs waiting for their dinner."
"Good idea!" Tachibana snapped his fingers with that usual player-like grin on his face. "Man, reminds me of the good old days when Ryo-chan used to be here with us. Remember that awesomest Teppen Burger Curry that you made for the Gin-1 event last month? It's not the same anymore because Ryo-chan isn't with us anymore..."
"Why don't you shut up, Juta?" Kuriko-chan glared right at her older brother. Sometimes it made me wonder what kind of a relationship these two siblings have. Sometimes I'd hear Kuriko-chan call him Oniichan respectively, and then at other times she'd just call him by his first name as if they were buddies or that she doesn't have that much respect for him. Then again, I wouldn't know how it feels like to have a sibling. You and I were both the only children with no siblings after all. How ironic was that.
"You oughta be happy that you've got a team manager who was willing and able to take care of our awesome Kendo team, you know that Juta? I mean, this entire Kendo team can be really picky with their team managers, you know? I know lots of girls who have been itching to become this team's manager but very few can ever be a trusted team manager. I mean look what happened when that crazy cutesy teacher became your manager that one time..."
Before things get worse between the two siblings- and I really don't like it when people fight while we're in the kitchen preparing food to feed the hungry mouths of our fighters- I decided to join in.
"I'm sorry about that, Kuriko-chan," I apologized. After all, I'm the one who chooses and approves who gets to be team manager and Moematsu-sensei pretty much volunteered myself to be the team manager back then. "Ryo- Miyakozuka-san- got stuck with her at Home Ec when she couldn't sew an ideal doll and had to stay after school to redo it again on that day. I had no choice but to have her as our manager that day."
"Oh God," I noticed the younger Tachibana roll her eyes. "That has gotta be the worst day ever, with all those idiots following that cutesy teacher all around school like they're a bunch of Hachi clones. Worst, worst day ever!"
"Don't fret over it now, Kuriko-chan," I said, giving a slight chuckle at her reaction. "You're the team manager now and I'm sure you can do a lot better in taking care of the boys and everything else."
"Thanks, Asuka-senpai. At least you're one of the very few who appreciates all the things I've been doing for you guys- unlike some people around here." Right then she stuck her tongue to her older brother, who also stuck his tongue in return.
"You haven't had the chance to teach her how to sew and knit stuff, Asuka-chan?" Tachibana asked me curiously. "Well, then again, you've been spending a lot of time teaching her how to cook and bake that you haven't really had the time to show her how to sew, even with just broken stitches."
I shook my head. "You know how life is. Things suddenly come up and you just couldn't help but to live through these things and then the things you've planned in the near future just fade away from your mind."
The whole engagement thing with the Sakiyamas' granddaughter... I don't even know why I agreed to go through all that in the first place. She reminded me of you a lot except she was rich and... cute... and despite her upper class look, also had a kind heart, like you. The only thing that made my heart refuse to love another was that even if she was similar as you, she wasn't you.
I told myself the day after you left for Fukuoka, contemplating of the events that happened before we escaped from the chapel: Never again. Never, ever, ever, again.
Tachibana finally finished pounding the pork cutlets while Kuriko-chan just placed the rice and water in the rice cooker. I, on the other hand, just finished the coating for the cutlets. I asked Kuriko-chan to heat up the oil in the frying pan while I instructed Tachibana to mix the ingredients for the broth in a bowl. All I'm doing now is coating the cutlets with the coating mix from dusting them with flower, dipping them in the scrambled egg batter and then coat it with the panko crumbs. Then they'll be ready for frying.
"So, that reminds me, Asuka-chan," I heard Tachibana breaking the silence and changing the subject. "How's it going?"
I raised my eyebrow in curiosity. "How's... what... going?"
"You and Ryo-chan, of course! Duh! Have you guys been keeping in touch since she left for Fukuoka?"
I nodded with a small smile. "From time to time, yeah. Exchanged emails, text messages. We even talked on the phone for hours at one time earlier this week."
"Ah!" Kuriko-chan cheered happily and turned her head towards her brother and me. "How's Miyakozuka-senpai doing? Is she adjusting to her new school? Did she make any new friends? Are there any ikemen hot guys there?"
"Kuriko!" Tachibana exclaimed in shock, probably as a reaction to the latter question.
"Juta, just chill, okay?" She turned her head towards me. "Asuka-senpai, seriously, if there are any ikemen hot guys over there are her new school, then you're seriously in trouble, you know that?"
"I don't think Ryo-chan is the type of girl who would see some random hot guy and then forget about Asuka-chan, Kuriko. Plus they're going out already for a week, even if they're long distance now. Besides, she saw Asuka-chan first before she even noticed the other guys who came up to her when she stepped in to Ginyuri High for the first time those months ago. And we're talking about Asuka-chan here, definitely the hottest guy in all of Japan right now. I don't think there's any other guy- me included- who could ever match the coolness, elite-ness and hotness of Masamune Asuka-chan right now. Right, Asuka-chan?"
"I wouldn't go that far, Tachibana. Let's not be confident about that." I shook my head, softly chuckling at the same time. "Besides, even if you feel that you're good at the things you're in to now, there's always going to be someone out there who is better than you."
"I can't think of anyone else in my mind who are better than you, Asuka-chan," Tachibana said, already contemplating about the statement I made earlier. "Tonomine may be bad-ass too on the ring but he still got nuthin' on you!"
The only person I know who's better than me at this point is you, Ryo. Even so, there's no such thing as perfect people in real life. I like it this way though that there are certain things that you're better at than me and certain things that I'm better at than you. With this, we can learn a lot from each other. With this, it brings us a lot closer together at the same time. Right now, there's nothing a lot happier for me than being with you. Even if we're apart now, starting tomorrow we'll be together again, even if it's just for a short period of time.
"Well then, let's check on the oil and see if we can start frying our first batch. " I didn't want to discuss any more further about our relationship while we're in the kitchen. Gossiping can be hazardous too when you're doing things that are deemed dangerous at the same time, such sa heating up the cooking oil in the pan.
"I can't tell whether the oil is already heated or not," Kuriko-chan said, staring right towards the pan. "I'm a little confused as to why you put the oil in immediately when the pan's still cold, wouldn't it take awhile to heat up the oil that way when you can heat up the pan first before you put the oil?"
"You can do that," I answered her. "However, we're using a non-stick-coat pan, which is completely different from a regular cast iron pan. If you heat the pan first with non-stick coating before you add in the oil it can damage the pan. You can tell if the oil is heated when it becomes less dense and becomes watery that it can coat the surface on its own without rolling the pan yourself. You can also tell if the oil's heated when the surface glistens and shimmers too."
"Ah, got it! Thanks, Asuka-senpai!"
"Rice is ready too," Tachibana said after hearing the beep from the rice cooker. "I should just leave it as is now until the cutlets are ready right?"
"Great! Thanks, Tachibana. Looks like everything's good now. We're almost finished." I instructed Kuriko-chan once more on how to fry the cutlets. After the frying, they needed to be drained out of the excess oil and gave her additional steps that involved the broth mixture to finalize the finishing touches of a standard, simple Katsudon dish. Her brother and I decided to clean up the dishes right after, so in that way in case someone enters the kitchen it would still look like it was Kuriko-chan who was actually cooking with us guys being her assistants.
"This is actually fun!" Kuriko-chan chuckled, now frying the cutlets just as I instructed. "When we get to Miyakozuka-senpai's grandfather's place, oh man, we should have a group cooking session like what we're having right now- you, me, Miyakozuka-senpai and Juta! It'd be like old times again, except I'm in it, you know?" I nodded at her suggestion. That would actually be a lot of fun, I thought.
It was a good thing that I brought my sketchbook today so I can sketch something that we can prepare during our two week stay at Fukuoka. I thought about sticking to just local-based dishes such as the Gameni and the Hakata Ramen, but I thought that maybe it'd be a lot more fun if we mix it up a little. As a start, I thought about adding Chinese and Korean dishes in there, like shark fin soup for the colder nights and maybe Tousan's version of the Bibimbap. I can still remember the eclectically flavorful flavors perfectly balanced together. My god, how I miss eating those dishes at home.
This is quite hilarious now. I know you're looking forward to the All-Japan High School Kendo Meet, Ryo, looking forward to seeing us giving it all to be at the top ranks and here I am thinking about what we're gonna cook and what we're gonna eat when we get there to your place. Sounds wrong, don't you think?
The first batch of cutlets were ready to be served over the bowl of rice. After we washed and cleaned up the utensils, Tachibana began serving the rice over the empty bowls while I placed the cutlets and the extra broth and egg mixture from the pan and other finishing touches as garnish. We've got our first bowl of Katsudon ready to serve. With that, I heard Ariake's voice coming closer to the kitchen.
"Asuka-sensei! Sorry I just arrived," Ariake said once he peeked his head through the kitchen. "Isono and I didn't expect that we'd receive so many gifts and flowers from our classmates and even from our neighbors around school. Took us awhile collecting and packing them in boxes, but luckily we had some help from some staff and gave us a ride here."
"Come in, Ariake," I invited the first-year student inside the kitchen. The girly-looking kid exchanged his hellos to the Tachibanas and then began to look around the scenery.
"Man, are we having Katsudon? Wow, that smells so good!"
"Yeah," I said, nervously chuckling. "It's all thanks to our manager Kuriko-chan here. It's a family recipe. Right, Kuriko-chan?" Quickly I gave a wink to her and to her rice-serving brother.
"Uhh... yeah! Um, I recently learned it from my mom. Juta was there to witness it and helped me out making my first batches of Katsudon bowls two nights ago for dinner, so I thought maybe we could try it out with you guys tonight since it was such a success, right Juta?" I noticed Kuriko-chan somehow gritting her teeth with nervousness, knowing that Ariake still has no clue about my hidden self.
"Of course, Kuriko, like duh!" Immediately Tachibana played along with our little charade. "And since you're the first person to enter our kitchen, you have the honor of receiving our very first katsudon bowl!"
"Ah!" Ariake shrieked and raised his hand. "It'd be kinda rude that I'd eat first so can I just serve these at the dinner table and then call the guys from the dojo later? My gosh, just the smell alone is making my mouth water now."
"Would you, Ariake? It'd be a great help!" I asked with a huge smile on my face. I quickly reached for the tray at one of the kitchen cabinets. I memorized the locations of which utensils were placed in which cabinet. After all, I was the one who organized the entire kitchen the first time you invited me in to your house, Ryo. I also directed Ariake where the plastic-made chopsticks were located also so he can serve the bowls along with the chopsticks and other proper utensils such as napkins and teacups for the usual hot green tea.
"Kuriko-chan, you're amazing, really!" Ariake exclaimed cheerfully while he placed the katsudon bowls and everything else I instructed him to do. "I didn't know you can seriously cook like a pro."
"Uhh... well, I'm still a beginner, you know, so I'm learning slowly and gradually, Yamato-kun, heh," once again Kuriko-chan continued to play the charade.
"Okay then, the first few bowls are ready to serve. I'll be back!" Ariake bowed his head slightly at us as he exited the kitchen. Immediately, Tachibana and I sighed out in relief.
"Oh my god that was close," Tachibana murmured softly and then stood right next to me. "Asuka-chan, I understand that you don't exactly want the public to know your true blue otomen self, but then Ryo-chan, Kuriko-chan, Tonomine-kun and me are the only ones who know about this. That poor dude Ariake thinks you're a living god and you're not letting him in your secret about your awesomeness otomen self? What on earth do you have in mind, Asuka-chan?"
"Just leave him alone, Juta," Kuriko-chan immediately responded with annoyance on her expression. "Sure Love-Tic is pretty much a love biography but Asuka-senpai's life isn't an open book, you know."
"Look, let's not talk about that, please," I demanded in a calm tone. "I don't have time to worry about my personal worries right now. As long as I can get by these next two weeks without looking obvious that I'm an otomen, I'm good. That means both of you keep this to yourselves, okay? Especially you, Tachibana!"
"Not a problem, Asuka-senpai! You know you can always count on us!" Kuriko-chan flashed a peace sign right at me.
"Your secret's safe with me, as always, Asuka-chan," Tachibana followed with a thumbs up.
Fifteen minutes later, the entire team and I were at the dining area now, enjoying our katsudon rice bowl and exchanging some stories and chats. I even made sure that Kuriko-chan got all the credit for the tasty katsudon without Tachibana having the wrong idea that the guys would be eying on her again.
"Eat up, boys!" Kuriko-chan played her role so well that it made me feel a lot proud and secure at the same time. "This will be our last meal here in Tokyo before we take off for Fukuoka tomorrow!"
"Thank you so much, Kuriko-chan!" The boys gave their thanks as they continued on with their rice bowl feasting.
Tonomine, who was sitting right next to me, slightly nudged me on the side. He then whispered: "Kuriko-san didn't actually come up with this recipe from scratch, didn't she?"
Slowly I shook my head and murmured: "Not exactly."
"Figures. As expected of you, Masamune." It has been only six months and it seems that Tonomine himself is beginning to know me more now than he used to.
At that time, Shihan arrived at his household. We all stood up from our seats and greeted him with a bow. Kuriko-chan invited him for dinner with us, however he only replied:
"Finish up your meal, team. I need to rest up for a bit. I'll eat later. Enjoy."
"Sir! Yes, Sir!" He retired to his bedroom right then. Maybe he needed to wash up and switch in to his home clothes first. Either that or he may want to call you to let you know about our flight information.
After we finished our meal, Ariake collected the dishes to be washed. I took over the kitchen again with Tachibana and Kuriko-chan wiping the dishes dry before they place them back in the cabinets. At this time, we ended up with the usual chatting again.
"You know, Asuka-chan, that reminds me. What happened to you and Ryo-chan after she rescued you from getting married? Or rather, engaged to be married? I kinda need an idea to finally complete the ending."
"In full detail?" I frowned nervously, making me wonder why the entire Love-Tic story had to be the exact same thing as my own love story with you.
"Did you guys share your first kiss before you took Ryo to the airport for Fukuoka?" I found myself stunned for a bit when the subject of first kiss suddenly appeared on the question.
"First kiss?" I wondered. "Were we supposed to have a first kiss on the first day we confess our love for each other?"
"No way, are you serious, Asuka-chan?" Right then I can feel that Tachibana was about to burst in to laughter. "I'll just assume that when you said goodbye to Ryo-chan at the airport you didn't make a move to... you know... secure your love and your connection to one another... am I right, Asuka-chan?"
"In public? Are you insane, Tachibana?" I found my eyes widened in pure shock when I saw Kuriko-chan slap her brother on the back of his head.
"Asuka-senpai isn't a player like you, Juta! Just because he's got a girlfriend now, doesn't mean he's gotta act like you with Miyakozuka-senpai!"
Tachibana immediately turned his head towards the concerned sister. "Why are you still here, Kuriko? This whole talk is between two men!"
"Are you kicking me out of the kitchen, Juta? That's real nice, you know?" Before things go out of hand then, I hushed them both.
"I'm... not ready for that yet, Tachibana," I started to continue the conversation. This was the first time that I've ever talked about this subject with both the siblings present. I never really shared about this sensitive subject to anyone in school, not even with my mother, except Tachibana himself.
"Asuka-chan, you're a dude in love! After you almost got nailed by that business partner people by getting you engaged to that cutesy rich chick against your own will last weekend, after the men in black at the chapel almost nailed Ryo-chan so she can get you the hell out of that situation, after you took Ryo-chan by the hand to get her and yourself out of the chapel gates, after you finally got all romantic little by little by sending emails, text messages and even a phone call that would make your mom crazy when she sees your phone bill, you're telling me that you're not ready for your first kiss with Ryo-chan?"
"Juta, don't you think you're taking this seriously?" After Tachibana expressed his reply to my rather simple reply, his energetic younger sister joined in. "And you call yourself the love expert? Please, Juta."
"I'm not finished talking, Kuriko, stop butting in-"
"Guys, come on," I interrupted immediately before another argument between the two breaks out again. "Don't argue over my situation, plus we're at the coach's home. It'd be rude to Shihan to argue in his kitchen, you know?"
"Oh? Asuka-senpai, this house isn't just your coach's home. It's also the home of your one and only true love- the daughter of the honorable coach of the almighty Ginyuri High Kendo Team." Right then the young team manager chuckled right at me. "You know, Asuka-senpai, as you know, you and the Miyakozuka Family sure have a lot of things in common. Strong Kendo background- it's in your blood altogether- yours and Miyakozuka-senpai's that is. If you end up marrying Miyakozuka-senpai when the time comes, not only that you'd be the heir of Masamune International, but you'd also be the heir to this house and to the dojo at the other building from this house. And then you'll be having a lot of hot-looking kids who can also kick ass-"
"Kuriko, your imagination's running wild again, heh... heh..." Tachibana immediately covered his sister's running mouth. I didn't mind though, I actually liked hearing Kuriko-chan's imagination about you and me. Somehow thinking about them really made me blush.
Our first kiss... I wonder when that will happen...?
And the idea of us getting married... To be honest, I don't really care about being the heir of Masamune International or even the heir to your father's dojo. Even if I lose the rights to be the heir to both, as long as we're together, Ryo, I could seriously die a happy man.
"Oi, Asuka-chan, all of that hasn't happened yet and you're already blushing," Tachibana brought me back to reality again. "You still are the coolest, most popular dude in all of Ginyuri High, but in person, you are one freaky kid, dude. You and Ryo-chan together!"
Kuriko-chan suddenly released herself from her brother's hand and spoke out: "That is why Asuka-senpai and Miyakozuka-senpai are so perfect for each other!"
Ryo, I don't think I've ever told you this, but ever since last weekend, while you still want to remain on the down low about us, all of Ginyuri High already know about the two of us...
… so much that I was told that there was a petition going around school to bring you back to Ginyuri High, so the prince and princess may finally be bound together through their love for one another under one place and live happily ever, just like in the fairytales.
Oh man, I'm beginning to sound like Sakiyama Iruka-san now...
The clock struck at 9:00 pm now. The boys in the team, along with Tachibana our new sports columnist for the The Silver Lily Courier, the school's official newspaper (so he says), were currently having a meeting, more of like relaxing and talking and bonding with each other until the hour for sleep arrives. Your father allowed Kuriko-chan to sleep in your bedroom for the night, considering that it is a girl's room and even as a father who raised you as a man, there is no way he would let a guy sleep in there. It just feels awkward. Even I would feel awkward if your dad assigned me to sleep in your room instead.
According to Kuriko-chan, your room looked like it hasn't been touched and she even saw a lot of your Ginyuri High memorabilia including your school uniform still hanging on your door's clothes hanger. She even invited me to come inside to your room so she could show me all your things still intact, but even though that we have trust and confident with each other, I still find it rude of me to enter your room without your permission.
Tachibana also said to me that he would also be using Ryo's room to write his first article for the school newspaper. He brought his laptop with him as well as his set of markers and pens to do his occasional art manuscript for his Love-Tic manga project. He even told me that I shouldn't worry about having another guy alone in your room when his sister will be present at the same time.
I still remained at the dining table and kitchen area because your father came out from his room and was now feasting on a bowl of katsudon that the Tachibanas and I cooked for tonight's dinner. Being the team captain and your boyfriend at the same time, I didn't want your father to dine alone. Like the first time we served your father our version of the Gameni, we both sat adjacent to your father's position. I'm at that exact same position as before, except there's a huge space right next to me, where you used to sit back then.
"Itadakimasu," your father said with his palms pressed as he feasted on his katsudon rice bowl, while I watched him eat on the side.
I wanted to tell you that this past week that even though your father still remained his stoic, stern self during training, I can tell just by looking straight in the eyes that he was feeling lonely. He still looks at you as a man of all men on the outside, however whenever he and I were alone having general talk about Kendo and everything else, he would sometimes talk to me about your mother, and how much you're beginning to resemble your mother.
That indicated to me that he was going through self-grieving again, except this time, it was the loss of you. He may only care about real men among men and the real essence of masculinity, but speaking as a man, there is no such thing as a man being equal to a rock. In other words, he misses you very much, Ryo, and he wants you back home, where you belong. After all, there's no other place like home, right?
And in turn, I end up missing you a lot more, Ryo. It's not just because I'm sharing the loneliness your father is going through right now, but as a guy seriously in love with you, I probably share an equal amount of pain as your father right now.
I wanted to tell you myself about your father, Ryo, but I think it would be best if you and the coach talk about this whole family situation amongst yourselves. It would be rude of me to be in the way.
Once I saw Shihan finish his bowl, I humbly asked him: "Would you like another bowl, Shihan?"
"There's more leftovers?" Your father said to me with a rather surprised look. "Just one more bowl, please. This is one delicious katsudon. Thank you so much, Asuka-kun."
"Thank you, Shihan. It'll be the last bowl and all of the katsudon will be finished." I took his empty bowl and served him the last bowl.
As he ate his second and final bowl, he broke his silence. "I'm not used to being alone under one huge roof, Asuka-kun. I really am not, which is why I decided to invite you and the entire team to sleep over so we can head to the airport for Fukuoka in the early morning hours. I apologize."
"No need to," I answered him. "I know how you feel, Shihan. Your loving wife being taken away by the heavens so early and now your daughter left to take care of your father back in Fukuoka. I'm also... sharing your loneliness too whenever you mention your daughter, Shihan."
He then sighed deeply and slightly lowered his head. "I'm still feeling awkward about talking to Ryo since she left for Fukuoka last weekend. If I did I'll be begging down on my knees for her to come home even when I told her that I respect her decision to go back to Fukuoka to take care of my father- her grandfather." He then lifted his head again and turned his eyes to me. "Thank you so much for updating me about Ryo these past few days, Asuka-kun. I really do appreciate it."
At this point this would be yet another long conversation between the coach and myself, only this time it's not going to be about Kendo in general or even the upcoming national meet. I bowed my head to acknowledge his thanks.
"I also admit that I too feel empty without Ryo, Shihan. Even until now we haven't had a transfer student who would take Ryo's empty desk at homeroom. I even prayed that the school administration would not accept any more transfer students at my grade level simply because I wanted that desk to be empty. I guess, you could say that I've been hoping and praying and wishing that Ryo would come back to Ginyuri High again so she can reclaim that empty desk again."
"You're a man in love, Asuka-kun," your father said, still with that same stoic voice, but reading between the lines, I can feel that he really meant it. "You know, I really felt a lot of relief after learning that you feel the same way for my daughter. Ever since she moved to Ginyuri High and got to know you more, she couldn't stop talking about you. She described you as a true, ideal man of all men, as well as you being a very well-exceptional, astonishing Kendo fighter on the ring. However, the more she talked about you in that sense, as a man who has been in loved once and probably will never love another again, I can already tell that she has fallen deeply in love with you. She never realized it herself right until she heard about the whole crazy engagement thing that you were about to go through. Thank God that there is a guardian angel for you and for her who was willing to bridge you both to each other at times of desperate need..."
Were you talking about Tachibana, Shihan? Never mind, let's not bring him up in this conversation right now.
"I fell in love with your daughter the first time I met her right after the prelims tournament, Shihan, the day before her first day of school at Ginyuri High. Well, back then I wasn't sure when I just found myself having a hard time breathing while my heart was racing like crazy once we parted on that day. But during her first day at Ginyuri, I got to know her more... and then an... accident happened at the school's kendojo and she backed me up with fixing the problem. It was then that my feelings were confirmed. It was love... at first sight."
The coach bowed at me, acknowledging my reply in return. I waited for his answer that may relate to his reactions to you and I being a couple as of last Sunday, but instead, he gave me a reply that I didn't expect at all.
"That's what your father told me when he met your mother back in the young days, Asuka-kun."
"Shihan... you knew my father?"
"Masamune Mondonusuke-san, Asuka-kun. We met when we were college students and we also attended the same family-owned kendojo, trained under the greatest masters of Kendo back in those days. We even competed from the local level, university level, and of course the national level. You could say we were also rivals at the individuals. He had equal titles he won on those tournaments as much as I did. He thinks that I'm the better fighter because I had more passion, but I feel that he's the better fighter because he knew exactly what the true meaning of being a real swordsman is like- not letting your inner emotions getting mixed up with your game once you step on the ring..."
As your father continued to tell me the story of his history with my parents, I was rather in shock. It wasn't because of the fact that all this time that you and I are connected a lot more than we thought, but it was because that my mother never even had the heart to tell me past stories about my father, especially the fact that she and your father also knew each other all this time.
I wonder what other things that Kaasan has been hiding from me about Tousan. In fact, I have this urge within that one of these days that when I become independent- hopefully after graduation from high school- I'll do what I can to find Tousan on my own whether Kaasan likes it or not.
I have to thank your father for this information. I'm really grateful right now. It made me realize that you and I really fated together. Not only that my hopes and wishes involving you actually became real, one way or the other, but the fact that our families themselves are connected without even our knowledge until now.
We really were meant to be together, you and I.
"You look rather surprised, Asuka-kun. You seem rather lost."
I shook my head slightly to get myself back to reality. "Shihan, I'm sorry for that reaction. It's just that... I never knew about all this until now. You and my parents, that is."
"Hm? Your mother never told you about me? You did mention my daughter to your mother at least once, have you?"
"A few times." Considering that she is the principal of Ginyuri High we barely eat dinner together, not to mention breakfast and lunch at home, even on the weekends. She was always out on business meetings and school board meetings and I was always focused on Kendo, especially on the weekends. Granted, I guess you could say that when it comes to my social life, we weren't as close like the way you and your father are close. "We're both busy people, her running the school and me with my studies and Kendo and other things, so we don't get-together much often just to talk in general."
"Well, just like Ryo and I, Asuka-kun. Being a police detective and doing some part-time community service like coaching our Kendo team, often times I don't even come home due to a long-term case that I was assigned to. Sometimes, you can't help but to be focused on your job." He sighed softly and then changed the subject. "Asuka-kun, I'm rather surprised that your mother never told you about me, even when you even mentioned Ryo to her. I only found out about you being her son during the Yamato Nadeshiko Contest a few months ago. Then again, I'm a lot closer to your father than I was with your mother after all."
Something inside really wanted to open up to Shihan, more specifically about my father's whereabouts. I prayed that your father would help me provide some clue about father. Knowing Kaasan she would never say anything positive about Tousan, not especially after he left us so he can continue his life being this new half. The only times when she mentions Tousan was that if I ever make a mistake- more specifically, if she finds out about me being an otomen- that he would compare me to Tousan and say something negative about that mistake.
I don't really care if anyone else would insult me or talk negatively about me behind my back, but if it was my mother, then it would truly break my heart.
"Shihan," I called to your father, "I really want to know more about my father, how he was like as a person, a training partner, teammate, friend, rival. I also want to know if you even have a clue- even if it's a tiny bit of a clue- about what happened to my father and where he is now?"
Your father scooted closer to me and simply patted me on my shoulder. "Asuka-kun, I'll be glad to if I ever hear anything new. Even until now I can see that you still have a lot of troubles in your plate. But not right now. Not tonight and not during these two weeks at Fukuoka. You need to get your head in the game when we're there, we've got the nationals to compete and to win."
I bowed my head slightly to thank the coach. "I won't let you down, Shihan."
"Don't dedicate this entire tournament to me alone, Asuka-kun. Think about the team, your family, your friends..."
Actually, I want to dedicate this entire tournament- both individuals and team competitions- to you, Ryo. Just watch me when those days come. Win or lose, just watching me on the sidelines truly gives me a lot of motivation and a lot of strength and concentration, not just to fight on the ring, but to show you how serious I am in aiming at my personal goals and also our goals together.
"Asuka-kun," Shihan called for me. "I know I may sound selfish, but... once we're there at Fukuoka for these two weeks, I have a personal mission that I hope would go through. I may even need your help on this one also."
"What is it, Shihan?"
"Convincing Ryo to come back home and to Ginyuri High..."
I didn't know how I should feel—- happy or upset. Happy because we'll be together again regularly like we were these past six months. Upset because it is a selfish act when he even said that he respected your decision of moving to Fukuoka to take care of your grandfather.
"I... I'm not sure how I could be of any help, Shihan, however... just let me know what you want me to do and I'll see if I'll be successful with whatever it is you want me to do."
"She listens to you a lot more than with me, Asuka-kun, in case you haven't noticed. Ever since the beginning. She's changed a lot in to a proper, gentle young lady, thanks to you. Somehow, it made me feel blissful. It took me a long while to realize how much I miss my daughter here at home. If I fail in convincing her to come home... would you talk to her for me then?"
I too also want you back home and back at Ginyuri too, Ryo. I hope that you would give me the time to talk to you and try to understand my side, if not your father's side. I hope that you wouldn't be angry with me at that time. At the end, I bowed my head to Shihan, acknowledging his favor.
"Gochisousama deshita," Shihan said right after he finished the entire second and final bowl of katsudon. "Thank you for the scrumptious katsudon. You inherited this recipe from your father, didn't you?"
"Shihan- how did you know?"
Your father just simply grinned. "You're not the only one who knows of your father's hidden talents, you know."
"Thank you, Shihan."
"Well then, let's clean up and meet the rest of the team at the dojo." We stood up and bowed to each other, as I quickly washed the silverware and utensils at the kitchen. Shihan waited for me at the doorway of the kitchen so we can head to the family dojo together.
We went through a series of simple breathing exercises and meditation. We even gone through some cooling stretches to ease our muscles from the rigorous and strenuous training session we had back at the school's kendojo. We did through these resting exercises and meditation for thirty minutes so we can finally retire for the night.
Once we were finished, Shihan reminded us again that we need to make sure that we have all our personal belongings packed in our luggage before we head to bed tonight. Our flight was at 5:30 in the morning. We should arrive there at around 7:30am or 8 in the morning. We will be picked up by a charter bus since there's around twenty of us, however it will bring us to your grandfather's home. Right then, we'll see each other at your doorstep.
In team competition, in each round there are five legs who will be representing each school. Their coaches and trainers choose their top five among the entire club to fill up those five spots. Depending on the coach and their strategies based on each of the players' skill level, they would always place their top player at the fifth leg.
Since I entered Ginyuri High and joined the kendo team, the coaches always placed me at the fifth leg. Sometimes I would be on the the other leg, depending on which opponent school- and which players- that the opponent placed in those five legs. When Tonomine transferred to Ginyuri High six months ago, being second best in the team (and in the world under me), your father placed him on the first leg so we can have a higher advantage of advancing to the next rounds. In this case, your father was letting Tonomine do all the work while I'm doing the waiting game at the reserves.
When we were spreading out our futons, blankets, pillows while others wait for their turn to use the restroom, I caught up with Tonomine, who was hiding underneath his blanket reading the latest version of Love-Tic. I wasn't aware that Tonomine had an interest in shoujo manga in general, but considering he is much of an otomen as I am, I shouldn't be surprised. I lied down on my futon mat with my arms behind my head.
"This year is going to be one interesting national meet," I began the conversation.
I shifted my eyes quickly towards him and Tonomine placed his tankoubon down and gazed right at me. "Indeed."
"You've gotten a lot better since you transferred to our school, Tonomine. You're also getting along with the rest of the team also. I'm not going to judge how you were when you were still at Kinbara High and I'm also not going to question your reasons for transferring to Ginyuri other than defeating me. But somehow my gut feeling is telling me that you have improved big time."
"Heh, I'll make you regret for saying those things to me, Masamune, once I take over your spot as the new current champion this coming nationals."
Tonomine wasn't the only kenshi who gave me warnings like that. There were actually other kenshi who tried to intimidate me worse than the way Tonomine would. With Tonomine, I've gotten used to his boasts and somehow that only pumps me up to be a lot more aggressive in my upcoming matches than ever, not just against Tonomine but all of my matches.
"I have to admit one thing," Tonomine continued on. "Somehow I like Ginyuri's team rapport more than my old school's. I know a lot of the team members here still don't like me, simply because they idolize you more and I'm the minority who looks at you differently, however I didn't feel a lot of pressure like I always received back at Kinbara."
"You were Kinbara's team captain last year, weren't you?"
"Maybe it was too early for me to take on a really high position within the team back then. I was only a first-year student back then and the trainers dubbed me as being the best in my team, though in my opinion a lot of them in that team were really good."
"I'm curious now, Tonomine. Since you transferred to Ginyuri, have you been keeping in touch with your old friends back at Kinbara?"
At that point, Tonomine fell silent for a few moments. Then he answered: "Not as much, but we're still cool with each other."
"Those friends of yours- they really are... something." They were indeed something alright. When I discovered your real self back then, Ryo, you saved me from his friends. I don't even want to imagine what may have happened if you hadn't stepped up to save me. I wouldn't be in the team anymore if I inflicted any more violence, especially that we were under the roof of the school's kendojo.
"Sorry about that. They will be coming to Fukuoka in two weeks for the nationals to watch me fight again, but they're also aware that those guys and I will be on opposing schools now."
"Good to hear they still support you, Tonomine. That's what real friends are for."
"I'll make sure they won't go after you if I lose to you again, Masamune."
"I'm not really worried about that, Tonomine. I've been attacked from behind before, but it wasn't that bad. Now that reminds me..."
"Team competition..."
"I have a gut feeling that in team competition we'll be facing your school again at the last few rounds if not the final round. Despite that Ginyuri won against your school at the prelims a few months ago, Kinbara is still is a really good team altogether. Your first leg fighter pretty much defeated the first four legs in the Ginyuri team at the final round before I faced him. That's really amazing."
"With that, heh, they really don't need me to be there to advance if you weren't in any of those legs. Once you stepped up to the ring at the prelims that day, I knew my former team had no chance of a sweep against you."
"They did their best also, Tonomine, for advancing all the way to the finals, so that's also something to be proud of."
"If you ask me though, both individual and team, we got this tournament bagged."
"Bagged?"
"I'm saying we're gonna own this meet, Masamune. I can see Ginyuri's name all over the ranks for this year's nationals. For individuals, although I would be really satisfied that I defeat you, I can see our names underneath Ginyuri's name as the honorable kenshi that would bring victory to the school name."
I wouldn't say that I'm not confident in terms of competing in a tournament as major as the All-Japan High School Kendo Meet, but I'm not going to boast anything about the team, its players, its trainers or even myself. In any sports event, a team may win one time or numerous times but a team can't win everything. That's the same for individual athletes also. Knowing Tonomine, even if he isn't as bad as he was before, some things, like his occasional self-boasting, for example, is going to remain in his persona.
"Let's give it all in every match, not just the match that you may end up advancing, Tonomine. Every tournament, local or national level, there's always going to be new players entering and competing, plus there will be the usual players who may have changed their ways of training, changed schools, changed their outlook and strategy, you get the picture. We can't afford to underestimate our opponent every time you step on the ring, even if you've fought them before at the past competitions. Each player may have their own tricks underneath their sleeve, and we need to keep that in mind as we play our game."
I heard Tonomine sigh, then shifted his position to get himself comfortable on his futon. "You really do know how to play the game like how a real samurai should know how to fight and go for his kill, Masamune. Although you are still my rival I have to admit that you're one clever fighter."
"Let's just say I tend to stick to the basics whenever I get my head in the game, Tonomine."
"Right, whatever."
"Like you, for example. Should we end up fighting against each other at the the individuals final round, I'm not going to expect to fight the same guy as I fought against with from last year. We've fought and trained together under the same roof and under the same trainer, so you and I know all the tricks and tips that we have under our sleeves once we get in to that ring. It'll probably take a long while for one of us to score one whole point in that one match."
"When that happens, Masamune, I'm also expecting the same as what you said just now. Heh, that seriously pumps me up big time every time I think about it."
"That's what I want to hear from you, Tonomine."
The two of us ended up snickering at the thought of our possible one-on-one match at the finals with each other, but at the same time, those snickers on our faces also meant that we also have a good feeling that this year's nationals is going to be one heck of an interesting tournament. There was a long silence between us, which also meant that conversing as kenshi officially ended at this point.
Knowing that, just a few moments later, Tonomine broke the ice once more.
"This story is way too good to end early," he said. He referred it to Love-Tic when he tapped the tankoubon lightly on his pillow. "There should be a sequel to this, seriously!"
"I'm sure Sachihana Jewel-sensei can't end the story so early when the story was just beginning, you know?"
"The beginning, huh? On the other hand, you do have a point. It is the beginning- the beginning of the real love story of you and-" Before Tonomine was about to complete his statement, we both got startled when we heard Ariake's rather high-pitched voice called out for me.
"Sensei! There you are!" Immediately Tonomine threw his Love-Tic tankoubon underneath his pillow as both of us lifted ourselves from the futon and posed like what real men would actually pose when lying down. He arrived with a huge box in front of him. He placed it right next to me, since I'm sleeping at the corner and right close to the door to your bedroom, where Kuriko-chan was allowed to sleep in. We were positioned this way so in case Kuriko-chan needed something that she would go to me first before she goes to wake up your father.
"Ah, Ariake! What's up?" I asked curiously while Tonomine stared at Ariake curiously without saying a word. "What's with this box?"
"Your gifts from your fan club, Sensei! Isono and I had to collect them while we were cleaning up the kendojo back in school because they were swarming the doorways there thinking you're gonna show up or something. They didn't know that you went straight here with Shihan right after school to prepare for our off-campus training and preparation for tomorrow's trip!"
Here's one thing that not too many people know about me when dealing with the fan club. I don't really give them much attention because I've got other priorities that are ranked higher than with the fan club, such as my studies, Kendo, my other hobbies and you, Ryo. However when the fan club does give me various presents- mainly flowers, little cute trinkets, stuffed animals and even sweets, I actually do keep them.
The flowers, I just place them on the vase to give some color in the house. If the flowers I received looked out of place for the house's interior I just hand them over to Kurokawa Kitora-kun. You can never forget Kitora, Ryo. He's the guy who sat behind you at homeroom and the one responsible for making our school campus blooming and colorful with all sorts of flowers here and there. I've been getting a lot of gardening advice from Kitora lately for a special project. You'll find out soon when I get there.
The little cute trinkets to use to decorate your cellphone, I keep them too. I actually put them in a secret clear case so I can look at them when I'm lonely or stressed. I don't necessarily use them for my phone, but I do like just looking at them.
The stuffed animals, I use them for my sewing, knitting and crocheting projects. Most of the stuffed animals I receive as gifts looked really plain and that I felt that I can make them a lot cuter than the original, so I add the accessories and features, like a ribbon or a knitted hat or a little bag on the arm. If I find the stuffed animal looking rather dreadful or out of place I dissect them and redo the entire thing along with the extras. I donate some of these to daycare centers, some I even enter them in sewing and knitting contests (I do enter those contests- one little secret that I haven't told everyone yet, not even you or even Tachibana). If I find them too precious, I'll just keep them at a safe place where my mother wouldn't see or find them.
The sweets, especially if they're a box of chocolates or even a box of daifuku and even sakuramochi cakes, well. You already know. I eat them right away and if it was too much, I'd give them to Tachibana and Tonomine. Sometimes I'd take samples of them and dissect them so I can discover the ingredients and how they were being made.
I wanted to just take the entire box Ariake just placed next to me and get everything out, but with Ariake in front of me I can't just indulge at my free will. I don't know why I'm still conscious of my manhood when I'm in front of the disciple, but I would feel bad for this kid when his illusion of what a real man should be like gets shattered if he ever finds out that a so-called manliest man like me isn't really the manliest man of all men after all.
"Um... Ariake," Slowly I broke the silence. "Would you... do me a favor... and... read me the notes attached to those gifts? Well, just take out the notes, read them to me and I'll have Tonomine sort the gifts."
"Are you insane, Masamune? Why on earth would I-" Before Tonomine began to protest, I hushed him in silence, giving him the eye that he should trust me on this one.
"This is Masamune Asuka-sensei's fangirls we're talking about, Tonomine-san," Ariake instead protested in my place. "You should be grateful and honored that he was the one who asked you to help out with these gifts too!"
"Why on earth would I feel honored just to sort out these gay-looking gifts anyway?"
"Don't take it seriously, Tonomine, he's just kidding." Before things heat up, I decided to answer with that statement in place of Ariake instead. "Just sort them: one section would be food, another section would be stuffed animals, another section would be for everything else that aren't food or stuffed animals. If there are fresh flowers, set them aside too. I'll have Kitora pick up the flowers tomorrow morning after we're gone."
"What a darn shame that we have to leave them behind," Tonomine sighed, referring to the flowers.
"Okay then, I'll read the notes for you and I'll pass on the gifts to Tonomine-san then, right Asuka-sensei?" I acknowledged Ariake with a nod. "Okay, let's go!"
I'm not saying that I'm annoyed with Ariake but the temptation of staring at those stuffed animals and indulging in those sweets are already overtaking me that I had to find a way to make him go away so I can indulge with my inner weaknesses temporarily without feeling ashamed. That is, as long as if Tonomine and even Tachibana were around and no one else, I won't have to feel ashamed with the rest of the team.
As Ariake began reading the notes, which I admit I wasn't actually listening, I couldn't help but stare at the gifts that Tonomine was reluctantly sorting for me. I admit, I can be selfish, by not thinking about the girls who gave me those gifts, rather at this point that I care more about the stuffed animals and the sweets than the people who willingly gave them. I can even see Tonohime looking rather tempted at the sweets section of the gifts instead.
Twenty minutes later, all the gifts from that box were sorted out and Ariake read ever single note attached from those gifts. Most of them were chocolate boxes and other types of dessert boxes, while others were fresh flowers. There weren't that many cute and original-looking stuffed animals and the way they were sewn looked out of place also. That would mean that I'll have to tear them up and redo them again myself so it would look right. I could use them to enter the local knitting contests or even give them to charity.
The ones that I find very special, I'll save them for something special. You'll know about it one day.
After Ariake left to use the restroom, Tachibana arrived with his sketchbook and his box of art supplies for his manga artwork. At this time the team were at their own places around your residence. The night air was really chilly for a fall season night air. Good thing there was no rain tonight so the team members can explore around outside, as long as they don't disturb your father's sleep.
With the sweets that the girls from school gave me from that huge box Ariake brought, we split the sweets amongst the three of us so no one else in the team would spot us getting tempted to the cutest of the cute and the sweetest of the sweet. In this case, the chocolates and pastries Tonomine sorted from the other gifts.
My god, I thought. Girls sure would go all the way to even buy the most expensive collection of chocolates they could ever find. They really looked good presentation-wise; they even had a very pleasant aroma that really draws you to them. Since the restroom was still occupied and a long line behind it at this time, I reached for a bonbon in the first box I opened and took a bite.
"So... how was it, Masamune?" Tonomine asked curiously. I can see through his eyes that he wants to try one himself.
"Quite delicious, Tonomine. Though, it's really rich and the liqueur essence is also too strong. They're trying to simulate a taste of a standard rum cake," I analyzed the chocolate I just took a bite on.
"I bet a million yen you can kick that chocolatier's ass with a better version of that same bonbon you just bit on, Asuka-chan!" Tachibana cheered with a slight snicker on his face.
"Of course, Tachibana, if I had all the time right now I'd head back to the kitchen and make my own box of chocolates. As in!" I never said that I'm never boastful, but if I were to boast something with real meaning behind it, my love for cooking and baking and candy-making, as well as sewing, would probably the only things that are worth boasting.
"As expected, coming from you, Masamune, heh."
I then offered the open box to both Tachibana and Tonomine: "Want some?" Immediately the other two indulged quickly on the chocolate and we packed the rest of the sweets in our duffel bags for in the coming days.
The clock stroke at 11:30pm now and everyone had gone to the restroom already to take their baths, wash their faces, brush their teeth and all the things you do before you go to bed. As team captain, like my usual placement in Kendo team competitions, I was the last person to use the restroom and get myself ready for bed. It's not because that I always have to be the last all the time, but it's because I feel that it's just the honorable right thing to do, being team captain and the national defending champion of Kendo at the high school level, that is.
The lights were dim when I got out of the restroom, now just sporting a plain white sweatshirt and our school PE uniform's sweatpants, I placed my wet towel over my slightly open duffel bag and then reached out for my cellphone. I haven't checked my cellphone for any messages this entire day because of some last-minute errands in school and finalizing our new equipment before we can load them at the charter bus that was going to pick us up from your place at the early hours. I sat upright on my futon, just relaxing myself for a bit.
"Alright guys," I called to the rest of the team already at their futons. "We're only going to have about less than six hours of sleep tonight if you don't sleep right now, so lights off. Goodnight, guys. See you in the morning."
We all exchanged our goodnights right then. I waited for everyone else to go to sleep until I was the only one left awake. Even with sleeping, I'm also the last one to shut my eyes. Just some minutes later I noticed two book lights were open: Tachibana's futon, right across from Tonomine, still working on his artwork sketches for his Love-Tic series project and Tonomine, right next to me, still reading the latest volume of Love-Tic.
I, on the other hand, have my cellphone open with several messages still unread. There were several before yours, but being a guy in love, you're always my priority. I moved my cursor to your name and opened it to read your latest email.
To my fearless warrior prince named Masamune Asuka,
I can't sleep. At all.
My heart has been racing all over the place that I couldn't even get back to my normal breathing when I lie down my bed and close my eyes. My normal sleep hours are usually at 10pm, just like your normal sleep hours too when you get home early, but as I am about to push the "Send" button on this email it'll already be 11pm.
I've never felt this way before. Maybe it's the anxiety that you will be here at Jiisan's home before I even wake up. There's just so many things that's going through my head now, like what would happen in the morning when you and the boys and Tousan and the Tachibanas arrive here. I've never felt this excited before, it's so hard to describe. You're a lot better at describing these things than I do, so maybe you can imagine how I'm feeling right now.
Hakkinran High only has five days a week of school, meaning we're free on the weekends. That means I'd get to spend more time with you when you arrive on these two weekends. I come home earlier than the usual on weekdays since I haven't really found a club I'm interested in joining. They do have Kendo and Judo clubs here, but there's no program for girls. I'm still a little scared at joining the other non-athletic clubs, like calligraphy or cooking or even tea ceremony. I'm still getting used to the atmosphere of Hakkinran High until now, but it's really difficult compared to how I was able to adjust easily at Ginyuri High. Even at the end of the week I still hang out with my cousins, Mei and Arisa, and I only made one friend at homeroom, Kamakura Koichi-san. Like you, he's also the team captain of the Hakkinran High Kendo Team, and like you, he's also secretly in love with their team manager, Otori Himeko-san.
I used to live here in Fukuoka during my childhood until my family and I moved to Tokyo when I was in 4th Grade. Tousan was in really high demand by the police that his sharp skills and dedication really convinced him to climb forward through promotions from a plain traffic cop to a police detective like he is today, which was why we moved around a lot. It's been a long while since I've been here in Fukuoka, to be honest, and I've completely forgotten how life in Fukuoka was like, not to mention the places where my family and I used to go, so I'm afraid I'm not a very good tour guide.
Why do I feel nervous all of a sudden? I mean, we've been together, well what I meant to say was that we've always hung out with each other for six months when I was still at Ginyuri without any form of shyness or nervousness with one another. But now I'm feeling a lot nervous. I get embarrassed thinking about it. I know it's only been over a week that we've been apart from each other, but all of a sudden I feel so conscious about myself and how I should present myself when we meet here at my Jiisan's home's doorstep. I'm sorry I'm just blurting out all these emotions at you right now because I don't know what to do when morning arrives. I'd feel all shaky and embarrassed if I was still asleep by the time you arrive at my house. Oh man, this is really bad...
Well, I better end this email right now. I'm sure you're probably busy again getting ready for your flight tomorrow. If you do read this email early on before you go to bed, would you say hello to my father for me? Tousan called again, but he spoke to Jiisan, and it was around the school hours too. I don't understand why he wouldn't call later and talk to me. Is he angry with me? I mean, I can understand that he's speaking to his father but he won't even take the time to talk to his own daughter?
I'm sorry for bugging you so much. I better head to bed now and try to sleep so I can wake up earlier before you and the team arrive here.
Take care, sweet Asuka, and I'll see you in the morning.
From this simple yet nervous inexperienced girl named Miyakozuka Ryo.
You get cuter and cuter everyday as I get more of your emails and replies, Ryo. I'm not saying that to flatter you, but I just can't help it but find every little thing about you really cute. You may probably not realize it, but every little worry that you think of, especially when they're involving about being feminine or involving me altogether, attracts me a whole lot more than before.
From this simple yet nervous inexperienced girl named Miyakozuka Ryo - why did you make it sound as if I'm the experienced one? Somehow, I think we're a lot more unique than most couples because I think, with both of us with no experience, it's fun that whatever moments and struggles that come to us that we get to learn, experience and grow through them together. I like the fact that while others think of us as a prince and princess, to each other, we can be ourselves without being shy about anything.
On the other hand, I also thought about what I would do or how I would react if I arrive at your home and you'd still be asleep. I could ask for advice again when we get on the plane but I may probably even forget when I wake up in the early hours in general too.
Luckily Tachibana was still awake. I closed my cellphone and called for the player boy across from me still sketching his artwork away. I sat up and called for him without waking anyone up.
"Psst... Tachibana! Got a moment?"
Right then, the shoujo manga artist closed his sketchbook and pushed himself up, sitting up and faced me. I signaled him to come closer so we can chat quietly.
"What's up, Asuka-chan?"
"What would you do if you arrive at your girlfriend's house in the morning, only to learn that your girlfriend is still asleep?"
"Say what?"
"Well, you know... we'll be arriving at Fukuoka like around seven in the morning and you know, still early in the morning for the weekend."
"Asuka-chan, it's Saturday. There's no way in hell Ryo-chan is going to sleep past seven if she's gonna be heading to school-"
"That's the thing. At her new school they're off on Saturdays, unlike at Ginyuri where we have to go to school half-day every Saturdays."
"Hmm... you know I never really thought of that situation..." Tachibana sat up and got himself in contemplative mode. I waited patiently for his answer.
After quite a long absence, he shook his pointer finger repeatedly and spoke: "The Sleeping Beauty move!"
I raised an eyebrow wondering what he meant by that. "What the heck is that, Tachibana?"
"Asuka-chan, you don't know the fairytale called Sleeping Beauty? It's when a sleeping princess awakens from a hundred-year sleep with a true love's kiss from Prince Charming. You get it?"
I contemplated for awhile regarding Tachibana's suggestion. I am familiar with the old fairytale, who wouldn't anyway? But to use that act in real life when you're only going out with the girl you love for only a week at her house? Maybe it would work in the Western world, but in Japan...?
"I can't do that, no way!" I exclaimed, still in a low voice. "Besides, it's Ryo we're talking about here..."
"You asked for my opinion and advice and that's the only thing I could think of, Asuka-chan. Besides, here's your chance to give her what every girl dreams of in their short teenage lives..."
"Give what, exactly?"
"Your first kiss, of course!" I admit that I never thought that whole first kiss issue was going to pop up again in this rather late night silent conversation. "Even until now all girls still dream of a first, true love's kiss from their dream prince right now."
I wanted to say to Tachibana right then that we weren't just talking about some girl here. We were talking about you, specifically. He may say that all girls dream of a first, true love's kiss, but all of those girls are not you. I was ready to say it until an unexpected third party had to join in.
"What's this? First kiss? Sensei?" Ariake, why are you still awake? "Oh, don't mind me, Sensei, Tachibana-senpai. I was already asleep and then the words 'first kiss' came about so I got curious."
"Go to sleep, Ariake," I told him in a rather low tone. "This has nothing to do with Kendo or learning how to be a real man."
"But Sensei, I'm also curious as to how real men handle things when it comes to their girlfriend and... you know... true love! You and Miyakozuka-senpai are Ginyuri High's cutest couple now, of course you guys would get a lot cuter than the cutest when you share your first kiss too!"
I thought you wanted to be a real man, Ariake... I had no idea you even care about my love life too...
"Well, what do you know, even the protege-wanna-be wants to know how the Kendo Prince of Ginyuri High would give his magical first kiss to the girl of his dreams too," I heard Tachibana murmur with that grin on his face.
"Guys," I found myself slightly in a bind right now even if it was just the three of us in the conversation. "Never mind... I'll just wake her up in my own way." I quickly moved back to my futon before the rest of the team wakes up and make a huge fuss about this whole first kiss thing.
"Remember, Asuka-chan! Sleeping Beauty!"
"Tachibana, enough already!"
I hid myself underneath my blanket and remained silent, waiting for Tachibana and Ariake to head back to their futons and finally go back to their sleep. Once I waited, I heard Tonomine's voice speaking through my blanket.
"Why on earth are you asking for advice from a philandering player like Tachibana, Masamune?"
Slowly I lifted my blanket to face Tonomine, who just tucked himself in with his face gazing right at me.
"Do you have a better idea on how to wake Ryo up in case she's still asleep when we arrive at her grandfather's residence?"
"Well... not really. Do I look like the love expert here?"
"Then don't question and complain, Tonomine."
"Whatever."
"See you in the morning, Tonomine."
"Yeah."
Right then, Tonomine shut his eyes while I reached for the light switch to turn the lights off.
VOCABS
Nihon Danshi – literal translation: "Japanese Boy." It's the term for the ideal, manly, all-out true-blooded Japanese boy, just like how Yamato Nadeshikois the term for the ideal, refined, graceful, all-out true-blooded Japanese girl.
Shihan – title/honorific stem for a martial arts coach/chief instructor. This term is only used for trainers in any martial art (ie. Kendo, Karate, Judo, Aikido, etc.). The title for a coach for any other sport team (ie. basketball, baseball, soccer, etc.) is simply "coach." If there is one "shihan," the students/trainees will call their trainer "Shihan." If there are more than one, it becomes an honorary stem after that trainer's last name.
Teppen – (The) top; opposite of bottom, not the toy.
Hachi – the famous faithful Akita dog (Hachiko) back in the 1920s-1930s known for waiting loyally for his master to come home at the subway station even right after his master's death. Two films were spawned based on the dog's life: Hachiko Monogatari (Hachiko's Story) and the Hollywood version, Hachiko: A Dog's Story. Hachi/Hachiko was also featured in the animated movie Scooby-Doo and the Samurai Sword. There are also two children's books based on Hachi/Hachiko's story that were published and released in the U.S.: Hachiko: The True Story of a Loyal Dog and Hachiko Waits. The animated series Futurama also had an episode that spoofed Hachi/Hachiko's story.
Katsudon – rice bowl dish consisting of a deep-friend pork cutlet, egg and condiments. It's also a modern ritual for Japanese students to eat the dish before taking a major test or final exam as the word katsu can also mean "to win" or "to become victorious." The katsu in Katsudon simply means "pork cutlet."
Ikemen – Japanese slang term for a hot/gorgeous guy in general.
Dojo – literal translation - "place of 'the way'"; a training center in general from meditation to wrestling, but it is most famous for being a training center for any form of martial arts. For instance, the training center for Kendo practitioners is called kendojo, which is a fuse of kendo and dojo altogether. In this case, the dojo in Ryo's home (and at Ryo's grandfather's home) is a multi-purpose dojo, since the Miyakozukas also train in other types of martial arts and self-defense other than Kendo.
Oniichan – honorific term for an older brother. In Korean, it's oppa (if the younger sibling is female) or hyeong (if the younger sibling is male) (thanks to my sister's Korean bf for this!). In Filipino, it's kuya.
The Silver Lily Courier – The name "Ginyuri" is literally translated as "silver lily" (gin (silver) + yuri (lily) = ginyuri), so I used the English translation to name their school newspaper. You will also notice that the school logo in the manga and the TV series is a silver-colored lily. You see it from their school uniforms and even on the Ginyuri High Kendo fighters' body shields (do).
Kenshi – literally translated as a swordsman; in this case, a (higher/senior-level) Kendo practitioner/fighter. Kendoka is a more common term to refer to a Kendo practitioner/kendo fighter in general at the international level. The English term kendoist is also used for English speakers, but as of the modern times the term kendoka is used even on Western countries.
In Otomen, Asuka and Tonomine refer to one another as a kenshi. Miyakozuka-shihan (Ryo's dad) also refers Asuka and Tonomine as kenshi, most probably because of their senior/higher-leveled skill and ranking. The rest of the fighters in the Ginyuri High Kendo team were referred to as kendoka.
"Itadakimasu" - A general courtesy expression when you are about to eat a meal, generally translates as "I'm about to humbly receive this meal" or "Thank you for this meal that I'm about to receive." It is also similar to saying grace.
"Gochisousama deshita" - A general courtesy expression after you finish your meal right to the last grain or crumb. It generally translates as "Thank you for the meal, it was delicious."
tankoubon – a volume of a manga or a novel series (think your favorite manga series or serial novels such as Harry Potter or Twilight).
Daifuku – a small powdered glutinous rice cake filled with sweet azuki bean (red bean) paste. The full name of it is daifukumochi.
Sakuramochi – same as daifuku, except they're pink and are covered with sakura (cherry blossom) leaves.
SIDENOTES
When I started writing this fic, originally I was just going to keep it on Ryo's point of view, but I found it rather difficult to come up with a story with just from her point of view, plus I'm also afraid that I might write Ryo in out of character. Adding Asuka's point of view in the story somehow made it a whole lot interesting and a lot easier to write.
Otomen © 2006-2011 Aya Kanno/Hakusensha. Live-action TV series © 2009 FTV.