Duan Xiu Zhi Pi
Chapter V: Caught (Li Jianliang)
Grandpa Jiyan has been here for one week...I'm going insane. Grandpa Jiyan made it clear to Lianjie he didn't want to even hear the words 'Dynasty Warriors.' Lianjie still has no idea what he's so upset about. Grandpa Jiyan just doesn't want his grandchildren influenced by such a 'perverse game.'
...I also haven't seen Takato outside of school in that time. We can't be a couple at school. We did sneak a kiss in the bathroom at one point, someone almost walked in on us...
I...I really need to see him, I'm going insane from Grandpa Jiyan.
At dinner, someone mentioned Hypnos again. Yamaki's name came up...Lianjie was surprised to learn that Yamaki's first name is 'Kensuke.' He almost said 'I thought it was Mitsuo,' I pretended to choke on my food. My Father told me after dinner he appreciated it, he didn't realize his work at Hypnos would be such a potential problem. I...told him I didn't know how much more of this I could take. He understood, he...was going a little crazy, too.
I think Grandpa Jiyan also knows there's something going on. ...I know I haven't been as excited as I usually am to see him. I'm pretty sure he suspects something's up. Not...the real issue, just that there's a problem.
My cell phone goes off. I've been in my room, pretending to study while I just think to myself. I answer my phone, the caller ID says it's Takato. "...Takato?"
"Hey, Jen...How's the visitor?"
"Going. Insane. Need. You."
Takato laughs. "...Um...I-I know you don't want to risk anything, but... Um..."
"...Go on." I smile, I can't help it.
"...Wanna go meet at the park?"
...Grandpa Jiyan has a lot of trouble walking these days. And...he'd never think to look for me there if I left, and he probably wouldn't leave the apartment anyway. Xiaochun's here, Jialing and Lianjie, too. ...Yeah, it's...It's safe.
"Definitely." I say. "I'll meet you there, soon."
"Are you sure? I-I feel...bad asking, with what you told me and all."
"Trust me, this is...exactly what I need right now," I say. I need Takato, just...to be with someone I can talk to about this. And the fact he's Takato doesn't hurt, either. "See you in a little bit."
"See you, Jen...kun!" He hangs up. His parents must have been near. I understand, I'd have done the same if Lianjie, Jialing or Xiaochun were near.
I go out into the living room and to the door.
"Heading out somewhere?" Grandpa Jiyan looks up from the couch, he'd been watching television.
"O-Oh, yeah, just...meeting a friend for a late lunch," I say.
"Jianliang, is something bothering you?" Grandpa Jiyan asks. "You seem distant."
"N-No, I'm fine...Just a little stressed from school, that's all," I say. I usually don't like lying like this, but... ...This is a special situation. I put on my shoes and head out. "See you later, Grandpa!"
"...See you later..." He...sounded a little upset in his tone. ...I feel a little bad, I-I know he...really cares about me. He was my favorite relative and I used to think of him as, well, one of the nicest people I knew... ...Not anymore, but... ...He's still nice, just not to...people like me. If he knew about me, at least.
The park isn't far, it's right between Takato's place and my apartment. It's really convenient. We meet there all the time. Before and now. Now it's more of a 'secret spot.'
Takato usually beats me there and this time is no exception. We're in a patch of trees, no-one around. No paths or anything. He's waiting by a tree. ...We...sort of like sitting in a tree and being together. I don't know why, I just...really enjoy it.
Takato waves to me as I approach. I hurry over to him, I give him a tight hug, he's taken by surprise. "M-Missed me?" He says.
"...So much," I reply with a laugh. "It's...been a long week. My Grandfather got upset over an ambiguously gay video game character."
"What character?"
"Zhang He. Choukou," I say, using his Japanese pronounced name. The one Takato is familiar with.
"...Ambiguously gay?"
"Okay, flaming, but you know what I mean," I sigh. "I just...needed a break. I really did."
"I missed seeing you," Takato says. "Just at school isn't enough anymore, I guess."
"I still can't believe we kissed in the bathroom like that," I laugh.
"Ugh, don't remind me...What was worse? The smell or Takeshi almost walking in on us?" To be honest, I think Takeshi suspects something now... ...He winked at me in our algebra class. I-I had...no idea, Takeshi...
"I think I'd leave that to a coin toss, I couldn't pick," I shudder. I look up to our usual tree. "...Shall we?"
Takato nods, smiling. "Oh, you won't believe what I found..."
"What's that?"
"Take a look..." Takato takes me around to the back of our tree. There's a carving in the trunk. It's...so old, it's mostly regrown, it's more of a scar than a carving.
It's a heart below the name 'Kiichi.' In the heart, it's carved with "Y + J." ...It...It couldn't be...
...I'll...have to ask my Dad about this...As soon as possible.
"Weird...I guess we're not the only ones who like this tree," I say, trying to hide my disbelief. Takato's already starting to climb up. I follow him.
We sit in our usual position. He's in my arms, I sit against the trunk. "Why does your Grandfather...hate 'us' so much?" Takato asks.
"I...I don't know, really," I shrug. "He just does. It's...not love, it's lust, he says."
"I'm pretty sure this is love, Jen-chan," Takato smiles at me. "Sorry you have to put up with that."
"I'll survive. I just really needed a break," I smile.
"Before, when you used to talk about him," Takato begins, "he was really important to you. I remember you told me about how much fun it was whenever he came to visit you."
I nod. "That...was before I heard about what he thinks, but...Yeah, he and I were really close. I'm sort of his favorite grandson. But, if he found out, Takato..."
"I know, but...He hasn't. I-I just...Kai and I really close, you know?" Takato says. Kai...Takato's cousin in Okinawa. I remember meeting him a few times. "If I knew he'd hate me for this, I'd just...keep it from him. I still have all those memories of before and I know how important he is to me. If he found out, I'd try to make him understand. I guess...I just wouldn't want to write him out of my life so easily."
"My Grandfather isn't exactly into 'understanding' when it comes to this sort of thing," I say. "Kai, I'm sure he'd listen to you, but...My Grandfather got so upset over a video game. I...I just can't accept that. ...Which sort of reminds me..." I kiss Takato on the forehead.
"What?"
"...Just wondering, um, do you ever...Not so much 'check out' other guys but...think they're cute or anything?" I ask.
"Um...Like...people at school or...?"
"Just...Say you're watching television..."
"Oh, um, sometimes..." Takato blushes. "Why?"
"...I just...I realized I do that the other day," I say, referring to my 'rating' of Wei Generals the other day. "I-I just couldn't believe I was doing it." I look down at Takato, smiling. "I'm gay, Takato."
"Jen, you're gay? Really?" Takato laughs, giving me a mock-shocked expression. "I had no idea...Does this mean I'm gay, too?" I join the laugh.
"It's only gay if you kiss me back...And enjoy it."
"Oh, then...I'm really gay." Takato laughs.
"It's just sort of weird to me," I shrug. "I-I really...never realized it until after your confession. I think you were the first person I ever felt this way about and...I just mistook that for a close friendship." I give him another kiss on the forehead.
"I-I'm sort of honored, Jen-chan...I really-WH-WHOAH!"
"T-TAKATO!"
Takato almost falls off the tree, I grab onto him tightly, I barely manage to keep him from falling. I look in horror at why Takato almost fell...
...Grandpa Jiyan has his foot hooked on his cane. "GET OFF OF HIM! GET OFF MY GRANDSON!"
...Oh...shit...
I-I can't believe he's here...Did he follow me? How?
Takato manages to get free from his cane, he's shaken from the close call.
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Grandpa Jiyan screams. "Damn it, no...Not again...Not this again..." He lowers his head, groaning. "Am I cursed?"
"...Takato, think you'd be okay jumping down?" I whisper.
"It's...a little far, but...Yeah," Takato nods, looking down to the ground.
"He can't run, jump down and run to Guilmon's spot. I'll meet you there."
Takato gets up, holding onto another branch for balance. He gets ready to jump.
I-I doubt this will work, but I speak, "G-Grandpa Jiyan...This...This isn't what it looks like-"
"Jianliang, I know exactly what this looks like! Why? Why you? This...This isn't right! You can't..." He...He's really taking this hard. He's...angry but almost crying. "Why my family?"
Takato jumps down while he's looking away. Grandpa Jiyan takes a swing at him with his cane as he runs off, he misses...Thank the Gods.
"Jianliang, come home with me...We'll talk about this. Your Father and I can help you. You don't have to be this way! Please, come ba-"
"N-No! I-I...I can't. I really can't..." I turn and jump down away from him, I nearly fall over when I land but I hurry off. There's no way I can convince him to accept us, I...I just have to get out of here.
"JIANLIANG!" He screams. He sounds...terrified and hurt at the same time.
I run all the way to Guilmon's spot. There's...There's no way he could have followed me. I'm amazed he even made it to the park. He can barely walk these days! ...Why would he even follow me? Or even think to look there?
I find Takato inside of the stone structure, he's crying. "...I'm sorry, Jen. Th-This is my fault...I wanted to meet-"
"Takato, don't apologize. This...isn't your fault," I say. "I...I'm going to call my Dad. He'll...He'll know what to do..." I reach for my cell phone and dial my Dad's number.
"Jianliang?"
"Dad, two things...Um...One, I'm so, so sorry. Two...Does the name Kiichi mean anything to you?" I know this isn't the best time to bring Kiichi up, but...I have to know. I really, really have to know...
"...I assume Grandpa Jiyan found you and Takato in Yama's tree." ...Oh, Gods...
"...S-Seriously? Th-That was..."
"I'm...actually just as surprised. Whose idea was it to use that tree?"
"M-Mine..."
"Like father, like son, I guess." ...I'm sort of disturbed by this revelation. Takato, why did you have to show me that carving? "What happened?" He asks.
"T-Takato and I met in the park. I-I didn't think he'd follow us or even think to look there-Well, okay, now I know why he'd go there but... ...I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize, Jianliang. If you two were doing that with him in the other room, I'd be upset...This? ...No, this was an accident. What happened after he found you?"
"We ran. We're in Guilmon's old spot...I don't think he followed us. He tried to pull Takato off the tree with his cane."
"Is Takato all right?"
I look, Takato's...still crying. "...More or less. He blames himself, he was the one who wanted to meet."
"Hand him the phone."
I pass the phone to Takato. "My Dad wants to talk to you."
"Mr. Li, I'm...so...so sorr- ...A-Are you...serious?" Takato stops crying, he looks to me with his eyes wide. "...I-I understand...W-we'll...wait here..." He passes the phone back to me, his jaw down.
"...What did you tell him?"
"I told him that it wasn't the first time my Father caught a Li with another male in that tree and not to feel bad." My Dad says, with a laugh. He's...taking this better than I thought he would. "Jianliang, I want you to wait there. If he catches you, call me with your new hiding place and I'll meet you there instead. We're...going out for a last meal and then going home. ...Your siblings are going to find out, probably."
"...I know. If he's already back at the apartment, he's probably told them."
"Be strong. I won't let him win again."
"Thank you...Sorry ag-"
"Don't apologize, remember?"
"R-Right, I won't. See you soon." I hang up. Takato's...still looking at me with his eyes wide. "...Takato-chan?"
"...Jen-chan, I-I had no idea Rinchei was gay..."
"Wh-What?"
"Y-Your Grandfather caught him in that tree, right?"
"...Takato-chan, it wasn't Lianjie." I shake my head.
"Then...who was it? ...Your cousin?" ...I, actually, don't even have a cousin Jiuxian. I just...didn't think my father wanted me to tell Takato what he told me.
"...Um...We'll wait until my Dad gets here." I look away. "He's going to take us to a last meal, then I'm going to face my Grandfather and family."
"...I want to be with you. I-I was the one who wanted to meet. I-I...I want to support you."
"Thank you, Takato, but...My Grandfather probably thinks you 'turned' me this way. Seeing you, he's...going to just be angry at you. He tried to hurt you already. Twice."
"I know, but...If my parents found out, you'd be there for me, right?"
I nod. "Without question."
"Then I have to be there for you, Jen-chan." Takato sighs. "I'm sorr-"
"Takato, don't apologize for this. My Dad doesn't blame you for this."
"...He should."
"Takato, don't..." I give Takato a hug, kissing him on the cheek. "Please, don't. I wanted to meet, too. I would have called you if you didn't call me. Okay? This isn't your fault."
"Thanks, Jen-chan."
We wait for about half an hour. I keep an eye out for my Grandfather, Takato's managed to calm down.
My Dad shows up, we were both sort of sitting together in each others arms when he walks in. Takato's...a little embarrassed by that.
"Takato wants to come with me," I say as I stand up. "For support."
"Takato, don't blame yourself for this. I have a chance to...fix things, let's say," my Dad says.
"J-Jen-chan would be there for me, I want to be there for him," Takato says. "Please."
"All right."
"Also, Dad...He thought Lianjie was the one you were talking about."
My Dad bursts into a fit of laughs. "L-Lianjie? T-Takato...Jianliang didn't know this until he asked just now, but... ...That was my tree."
"Y-Your...tree?" Takato's eyes go wide. "M-Mr...Li...?"
"...I'm bi, Takato. My father caught me and another male in that tree when I was your age. He made sure we stopped seeing each other for years. That's why I support your relationship with Jianliang so much. I understand."
Takato stammers a bit. My Dad and I laugh, just from the look on his face. I know, I looked just as shocked but...Given how casually we talk about it at this point, it's...normal to me. Kiichi is still a shock, though. "S-So-Sorry, but...This is...just a huge shock." He says.
"I understand. I'm telling you since I'm sure my father will bring it up when we get back. This way, you won't be taken by surprise." My Dad says, adding, "And Takato...I don't blame you for this. Yama-chan and I did the same thing."
"Yama-chan...?" Takato asks.
"Mitsuo Yamaki."
"Y-Yamaki-san?" Takato shouts. "Y-You...and...?"
I nod. "I...was just as shocked, Takato-chan. More than the first revelation." The look on Takato's face tells me he has the same level of shock for both revelations that I had.
"Come on, we're going to where Mitsuo would want us to have a last meal," my Dad says.
Takato and I follow. Takato is more or less in a state of shock. I can't say I blame him.
This...is it...My siblings are going to find out, if they haven't already, and I'm going to face my Grandfather...And he's going to either accept me or hate me. I-I just hope he doesn't tell everyone about my Father's past...I know he doesn't want my brother and sisters to know. I don't think he even wanted Takato to know, as casual as he acted...
...I'm not sorry, Grandpa Jiyan. I didn't choose this, I'm not lusting after Takato, I'm in love with him. ...And I'm happy. That won't change, I won't let it.
Please, accept us.
Or leave.
Ori's Notes:
And back-to-back outting chapters!
I actually didn't plan that, but I sort of like how it turned out.
And I have no idea why, but I noticed I tend to put Jianliang and Takato in a tree a lot. Let me count the fics...
Blasphemous Rumors (Major plot point)
Catch You, Catch Me (Entire fic)
Kako Mo Ima Mo Mirai Mo Kakenukero (Mentioned)
...And now this one as a major plot point.
No idea why, so when I noticed the trend I decided to put it to use in a major way...With Kiichi. Kiichi, by the way, means "Tree One" or "Number One Tree" (Ki = Tree, Ichi = One). So Yamaki's not completely insane with giving trees random names.
Taiki's Notes:
Jenrya and Takato sitting in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G!
What? With what Ori just said about trees, who didn't see that coming?
Ori tells me the next chapter is the longest in the fic by far so it's going to go up alone. I haven't seen it yet but he says "You may be shocked by the revelations within."
I'm not even going to try to guess because I'm never even close to what he's planning when he says things like that.
-Taiki Matsuki