Chapter 11 – Unwavering Hope
"Hooray, hooray, hooray!" Atsushi stopped just short of jumping around like a yaoi fangirl.
"What are you so happy about?" Yumoto asked.
Feeling comfortable talking about it with the absence of the other Chikyuubouei-bu members, Atsushi proclaimed, "I'm going on a date with En-chan!"
"Let me guess… at a really fancy Greek restaurant?"
"You really are the Gay Whisperer, aren't you?"
"People keep on calling me that… Have you been talking with Naruko-sempai?"
"Yeah. Thanks to him, you've just earned a reputation for being the most knowledgeable gay student at this school."
"Except I'm the only openly gay one, so it hardly counts."
"I do find that fact very problematic… Part of our mission is to help people feel more comfortable coming out, after all. I suppose that's something that we should discuss with Io when he-"
"Oh, speak of the devil," Yumoto spoke as his blonde sempai entered the room.
"You're not looking well, Io. What's up?"
"Nothing, really…" Io's voice barely suggested signs of life. "Ryuu's not here, is he?"
"No," replied Yumoto. "He was here a few minutes ago, looking for you. But he gave up and left."
"I see… That's good. I would head for the hills if I saw him right now."
"How did things go with your confession?" Yumoto shook with anticipation. "Did he act all excited? Did you steal a kiss from him?"
Io's face contorted at such a ridiculous suggestion. "Far, far from it. Not only did he coldly reject me, but he also gave the suggestion that he has no attraction to men whatsoever. Ergo, my feelings will never be requited."
"I can't imagine the hell you must be going through…" Atsushi consoled. "I am very sorry."
"Don't be. You're going on that date; you shouldn't worry about a browbeaten person like me. At least this whole Ryuu situation hasn't impacted my grades or my stock market earnings. If it did, then I think I would go absolutely-"
"Naruko-sempai, stop it!" Yumoto's embrace quieted Io. "I'm not going to let you beat yourself up this way!"
"B-But Yumoto…" Io sniffed. "What should I do? I've never felt so much emotional distress in my entire life."
"I'm not exactly sure, in all honesty, but we're going to help you through this."
"I've got an idea! When I see En-chan again, I'll ask him for help. He's very trustworthy, so you've got nothing to worry about, Io."
"Thanks, guys." Io's tears became tears of joy. "I'm not going to give up hope on Ryuu. Otherwise, what would that say about the strength of my love for him?"
"Exactly!"
My network of friends is very reassuring, Io thought as Chikyuubouei-bu adjourned for the day. Yes, I have no doubt that the icy flurry will warm into a summer light.
As Io had predicted, the weather permitted a relaxing outing for Atsushi and En. Scents of various Greek dishes wafted throughout the outdoor dining area, enticing potential customers to spend their nights there. Atsushi enjoyed the pastitsio he ordered and the red wine-like drink he ordered with it.
"So, that's why Io has been isolating himself from everyone." En took a sip of the wine-like drink. "I have to say, he's in a very precarious situation."
"What should we do? Even the Gay Whisperer Yumoto is at a loss for words."
"I'm sorry, the Gay Whisperer?"
"He's become the expert on giving gay guys romantic advice. You haven't heard?"
"No, but I'm glad now. Back to Io, though. What has he told or shown Ryuu, exactly?"
"All he did was confess to him. After that, Io's been avoiding Ryuu at every turn."
"There's the root of the problem. If he refuses to even speak to the man he loves, how can he get anything done? My suggestion is this: have Io show Ryuu a form of utmost devotion, so moving that Ryuu just can't say 'no.'"
"That's perfect!" Atsushi's voice stirred the curiosity of certain people he knew. "En-chan, you are too smart for your own good. I'm sure Io will-"
"Hey, Atsushi!" the familiar people called. "Fancy meeting you here!"
"That can't be…" Atsushi turned to see the face of his mother. "Mom! Dad! What are you doing here?"
"Noriko said that this place is great for dates. Ergo, the four of us are currently on a double date."
"Onee-san is here, too?"
"You bet I am!" Noriko showed her face, which showed slight disdain upon noticing En's presence. "What are you doing here – and with my little brother, no less?"
"You said that this place is great for dates," En replied coolly. "Ergo, the two of us are currently on a date."
"We'll be taking our leave now." Noriko motioned for the bar. "I'm sure the two of you don't want us homophobes raining on your parade."
"That's too bad," En spoke in Greek. "I was hoping to teach you a little bit about Greek food and language."
"What did you say?" Noriko, halting her route, expressed curiosity. "Wait, let me guess. Something about… Greek language… or something."
"You're mostly right. Do you know any of the language?"
"Eh…" Noriko attempted, "'The dictionary did not find any matching words?'" Sorry, that's the only meaningful sentence I know in Greek."
"If you like, I can come to your house any time and teach you."
"You mean it? That would be absolutely wonder- Wait a minute… You're just using that as an excuse to do kinky things to Atsushi, aren't you?"
"Oh…" En, humiliated by this suggestion, hid his face in his hands.
"Haha, just kidding." Noriko ruffled En's hair. "I'll gladly take you on your offer. Well, enjoy your date, because we have our own to enjoy!"
"That sister of mine…" Atsushi giggled as he continued his meal. Noticing his boyfriend's complete mortification, he tried to shake En awake. "En-chan, you okay?"
"I can't believe she'd suggest such lewd things…"
"Don't mind her. She likes playing vulgar jokes like that. Hey, I know what will make you feel better! Why don't I come to your house? It's been quite a long while, anyway."
"You really are my boyfriend, aren't you?" En smiled as he called for the waiter to bring him the check. "No matter what you do, you know exactly what can cheer me up."
The couple felt fortunate that they could barely avert the cold wind threatening to freeze the vicinity. The wave of warm air that greeted them at the Yufuin residence refreshed them, adding to their otherwise pleasant night.
"You know, my favourite part of winter is when it's over," Atsushi remarked. "This cold is unbearable."
Just then, En could hear an obnoxious shouting coming from the kitchen – a shouting he recognized as that of his mother. "I'll tell you what's even more unbearable – hearing my mother scream her head off in French. I can't speak that language, but I can understand every word she says. Sometimes, I really wish I didn't."
"You can't do that, Dad!" Mrs. Yufuin emerged from the kitchen, making way for the front door. "You've got to save money for your summer trip! No, you can't splurge on lottery tickets! Ugh, I'm done for the night. Have a good night."
"Are you all right, Mom?" En asked his mother in Greek.
"Your grandfather's been gambling again." Mrs. Yufuin shook her head. "At the rate he's going, he'll run out of his retirement money."
"Ouch…" En cringed. Atsushi had no idea what had just happened, but he could tell from that wince that something was wrong.
"Anyway, enough about my dunderhead of a father. You were really late for dinner, so Sachiko and I ate without you. All we have are some leftovers."
"That's okay." En seized Atsushi by the shoulders. "I went on a dinner date with my boyfriend."
"Hi there, Atsushi!" Mrs. Yufuin stumbled upon her words. "Um… You have good night, yes?"
"Of course. Your son is simply charming."
"I'm glad to hear that. Forgive me, though. I… I speak not good Japanese."
"It's not a problem! I can understand you just fine."
"Now as for you, En, your father will be coming home from work soon. Why don't you clean the house a little bit?"
"Yes, Mom." En obliged.
"Can I help, too?" Atsushi offered.
"That is good, but you guest. You no do anything – you stay and have good time." Reverting to Greek, Mrs. Yufuin hollered towards the stairwell, "Sachiko! Get over here and help your brother clean the house!"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" An annoyed teenage girl voice descended the stairwell, growling in Japanese, "I was just getting to the best part of the episode, too… Hey, is that you, Atsushi-san?"
"Sachiko!" Atsushi greeted his boyfriend's little sister. "It's been years! You look like you're going to get taller than me."
"I wouldn't be surprised, haha." Sachiko gave Atsushi a hopeful look. "So, is it true that you're boyfriends with Onii-san now?"
"Yeah."
"Squee!" Sachiko frolicked about. "I got to meet my big brother's boyfriend today! Now I can enjoy all the yaoi to my heart's content."
"You really…" Atsushi wasn't sure what to make of Sachiko's odd behaviour, "are a big yaoi fan, aren't you?"
"You bet! I own just about every yaoi manga you can name, and I watch at least one hour of yaoi anime a day."
"Sachiko! Get your butt back to cleaning!" Mrs. Yufuin warned.
"Yoicks!" Sachiko scrambled for a duster. "Talk to you later, Atsushi-san."
When the kitchen diverted Mrs. Yufuin's attention again, Atsushi snuck to grab a broom and subtly swept the living room. As En had finished picking up trash and various objects, he now motioned for the broom, but Atsushi greeted him, "I can't believe your sister is such a big yaoi fan at the tender age of fourteen! I hope she doesn't get caught buying mature-rated yaoi manga, or she's in deep doo-doo."
"Atsushi, give me that broom."
"Why should I? I just swept the entire living room – you're welcome."
"Well, in that case… Sachiko! Did you get all the dusting and wiping done?"
"Yep!" Sachiko motioned for her room. "Now I can get back to that wonderful yaoi anime I've been watching."
"It appears we're done with our chores," En concluded. "Come, Atsushi, you must be very tired."
"You don't mind me sleeping over?"
"Not at all! Just don't tell Noriko, or she'll lose her shit. This way."
Before En could lead Atsushi to his room, an irritating racket sounded in the silence. The Lovracelet on his left wrist rang, intruding the romantic moment as quickly as it had formed.