AN: Hope that you enjoy this chapter 😊
Kuon 4 - Risks
I really wish that I didn't feel like a stalker right now. I'm standing somewhat near the side entrance of LME waiting for a particular actor and I don't think he'll recognize me. I kept thinking of my mother the previous night, how sad she was about what happened to me. I don't want my dad to think of me as dead, he's too valuable to me even as an old man. I take a shaky breath in before seeing them together and my mother's eyes light up.
"Ah, Takagawa-san," she bows to me and my father's eyes widen as he takes me in, seeming to be out of breath. "It's such a pleasure to see you again. Is there a reason that you're here? Perhaps trying to see someone?" she asks and I know that she means Kyoko but this time it's not Kyoko.
"Hizuri-san," I bow only half the amount that she did, "I'm honored to see you as well. I was actually," I cough a little, maybe I shouldn't have jumped into the pond but I couldn't risk her being even more careless, "I was actually hoping to talk to your husband. I'm a huge fan."
"Are you really -" Dad says as he stands there as if paralyzed by fear, I nod trying to brace myself for his reaction, "who I…" I pause and he walks forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. I flinch and he immediately removes it. "Am I allowed to know?"
"I wanted to tell you, I came here hoping to explain myself," I cough again and Mom looks at me more panicked.
"Let's find somewhere for you to sit. Maybe a glass of water would be helpful, let me find that for you," Mom says quickly and she can't resist but to smooth my hair back.
"I know of a quiet café, why don't you let us treat you, Takagawa-san," Dad says nervously as if expecting me to vanish at any point. "We can get you a coffee and something to eat. Are you eating okay?"
"I could eat better," I tell him and he looks at me sadly, "Could we go get something to eat?"
"Of course, of course," Mom says looking a bit excited about this. She puts her hand on my shoulder and tilts her head to the side as Dad leads us to a place away from where anyone might bother us. "What would you like to eat, sweetheart?" she says quietly as Dad wraps an arm around Mom.
"Would you feel uncomfortable going to the early bird meal at a burger place," I ask them. I don't want them to be surrounded by people all within my new age bracket if that makes them uncomfortable. I know that this situation must be really hard on them but they aren't pushing me away, they aren't ridiculing me because of my age. They both look very concerned about it.
"Of course we wouldn't and I know a great place," Dad tells me. He puts a hand on my upper back and then sees the walking stick that I've been using. "Let's go slowly, okay?" he says. He moves his head so that the two of us can make eye contact and smiles weakly, hoping to be comforting. "You really sacrificed your youth for Kyoko."
"Heh," I chuckle softly and Dad rubs my back a little, I don't know how he knows of the pain that I'm feeling in that exact spot. "It seems that way. Being an old man has its difficulties," I tell him and I see him pause, his face drains of color as he stares at me.
"Do you need to go and see a doctor?" he asks with a little panic in his voice. "Is there some kind of medication that you need to take? How about the walking stick? We can get you something sturdier, maybe something of a different textile."
"You worry too much, who are you, my father?" I joke and Dad tries to smile at that.
"It's not too far of a walk, do you think you can make it?" he asks concerned and Mom pauses, she looks around the street as if trying to locate something. She finds a bench and tries to direct us towards it, when Dad sees it too he pretty much pulls me until I'm able to sit down. "Let's just rest for a few minutes," he says and his concern is obvious.
"I'm fine," I try to tell him, taking a few deep breaths in and he watches me. "You don't have to…."
"I'm glad that you're alive," Dad says honestly, "With the media saying that you're dead and gone….I much prefer this to…" we both pause as Mom sits the other side of me and starts dabbing the sweat away from my forehead with a handkerchief. "Come back to the US with us," he says as he leans forward. "I don't know what changes your body is going to go through or what it already has gone through but we want to take care of you. Come back with us."
"I'd be better here," I try to argue and Dad rubs my back again, he's still trying to take in all of the changes and the fact that I look much more like his father than his son. My mother starts to dab at my cheek, treating me as if I'm a child.
"We just want what's best for you," Dad says before he slips his finger down my shirt and undoes the buttons to make sure the birthmark is still there. He nods shakily. "When you're ready we can go to the restaurant," he tells me before looking into my eyes and whispers, "Even with your age difference, you're still my son, okay? I still get to be your father even if it's not publicly known."
"And I get to be your mother," Mom chimes in and I nod solemnly. I really do want to be part of their family just as I want Kyoko but she's one woman who I don't deserve to have.
…..
…..
My hand is shaking as I try to hold up the burger enough to eat it. I never had problems with holding things but maybe I've developed arthritis or at least a tremor. I feel as if I'm going to drop the burger and have its contents fly everywhere. I put it down as my parents try not to look at me too much but I know that they are extremely worried.
"Here," Mom says as she gestures for me to put the burger down and then starts to cut it up into more manageable pieces. Dad looks at her before taking my hand, he lets his thumb run over the back of it and then lets it go as Mom returns the plate to me. "Let's see if that's better," she says as she attempts to keep her emotions in.
I lift up my fork and have to admit that it is easier. It tastes nice, you can really taste the beef in this burger or maybe that's just because my taste buds have changed. A waiter comes over to us and I shakily put the fork down, keeping my eyes on the table.
"How are you guys doing?" the waiter asks and I nod, "Aren't you Kuu Hizuri?" he asks as he points at Dad and I shift nervously. "Am I interrupti—"
"Actually, yes," Mom says with a graceful smile.
"Oh," the waiter says slowly, "I didn't mean any offense. I'm just a big fan. Are you guys doing okay with your meals?" The waiter tilts his head as he looks at me, "Sir, you have a little bit o-"
"We're fine," Dad says trying to make that clear for this younger man…well Dad is a younger man in my perspective as well. "Just enjoying lunch."
"Let me know if there's anything that you guys need," the waiter says before walking away from us. Mom nervously straightens some napkins as Dad returns to eating his own meal. Every so often though, he does raise his head to look at me and make sure that I'm doing okay. Mom looks around before picking up her coffee and taking a sip of it.
"Are you sleeping okay? Have you had a doctors appointment? Checkup?" Mom asks and I look down.
"I'm a little scared about doing checkups," I tell her and she pauses, takes a deep breath and places her hands flat on the table to avoid reaching for me. Even Dad has stopped eating at this point. I know that to prioritize me over food, he's taking this incredibly seriously. "I don't want to find out what's wrong with me."
Mom stares at me, "Ku-Katsuki, if something is wrong with you then it's better that you know. Do you want me to come with you?"
"I don't think that would help me conceal my identity very well," I try to smile but the concern for me doesn't leave her face. I wonder if she's worried about me dying in a very short time, that there is something about my age that means I could drop dead at any moment. This is probably her being over-concerned about me.
"But you'll make one, right? You'll call and let us know and if you need anything, you tell me or your father, okay?" Mom asks desperately and I can see the fear in her face, how can I do anything other than agree to this request? She just wants me to be okay. That's the type of support that you want from your mother.
"I promise," I tell them before looking away, "I'm nervous though, Kyoko….I love her but…"
"She loves you too," Dad tells me, "I think you should tell her but do it in your own time. Maybe tell her you're alive and then work up to seeing her," he suggests. It's a good idea. I can bring her some relief now and some more later.
"Thank you for treating this old man to lunch," I tell them before continuing with the meal and they share a look with each other wondering whether to say anything but decide against it and they both return to their own meals. At least I know that they still love me.
…..
…..
I feel my heart twist in my chest as I pick up the phone. She wouldn't want to have breakfast with an old man, she was just being kind to me when she was here because that is her behavior, her personality. I sweep my hair back and look at the pie that Mom bought me from the restaurant. I freeze. It's nice that there are literally Dennys restaurants in Japan, it makes me think of home.
I take a deep breath in and pick up the phone. I dial her number. I want to tell her but I need to pick my moment. I just want to see her. I listen to the ringing of the phone and then her voice, she sounds a little nervous.
"Hizuri Kyoko speaking," she says and I pause.
"Hizuri-san, it's Takagawa Katsuki, the old man who you spent some time with yesterday," I tell her and Kyoko pauses and laughs softly.
"I remember. Can I help you with something, Takagawa-san?" she asks and I pause. My heart is pounding in my chest.
"I was wondering if you would do this old man the honor of having breakfast with him tomorrow morning," I say and she pauses before laughing softly.
"That sounds nice," she replies, "Let me get my planner so we can decide on a time and Takagawa-san," she says with a pause and I wait, "it's really nice to hear from you."
End of Kuon 4
Thank you to the reviewers of Kyoko 3
Erza Tsuruga, Megumitasama, paulagato
Response to Reviews
I think that I'm better at writing Kuon/Ren than other characters but that's probably because I've roleplayed as Ren so much more. I think I've only roleplayed as Ren with one person though, most of my time roleplaying was either as Blaine Anderson or Yuki Sohma. Kuon is making things worse on himself right now but there will be development when he meets with Kyoko next chapter 😊
