Duan Xiu Zhi Pi
Chapter IX: Forgiveness (Li Jianliang)

Takato's parents have...more or less accepted him. It's been a day since he was outted. I was so glad his mother accepted him without much trouble. His father...Takato overheard him telling a customer this morning, proudly, "My son speaks perfect Chinese! He learned it for his boyfriend!" ...I-I can't believe that impressed him so much. Takato says that he can't get over it, he really can't.

Then again...It...really impressed me and...I couldn't believe what he said. I know he meant it, too. I thanked Lianjie for teaching him when I got home, because it's what made Takato's father more open to our relationship.

Lianjie called his friend, by the way. They're going to meet this weekend. I'm the only one who knows. It's still not something he likes to talk about openly. He's getting better, though. I caught him saying, "I'm bi" in the mirror to himself this morning...I think I should try that, too. I guess...I'm still in the "realization" stage.

Jialing is working to help Lianjie. She even gave him his own copies of her favorite shounen-ai manga to help him "ease into things" the day after he came out.

...He brought said manga to my room, saying, "I'm here, I'm bi, I ain't readin' this" and dropped them in my lap. I didn't complain, it's a really good series...

...And I can't believe I'm admitting to that, either. I told Takato about it and...

...I never knew Takato read shounen-ai manga. I traded the couple volumes I've read for the first couple volumes of his favorite series.

I can understand why Lianjie gave them to me, because I'm still having trouble believing that I'm reading these things. Though, something tells me he won't ever go as far as reading shounen-ai manga. He's still Lianjie.

Takato and I are going back to my apartment for a Dynasty Warriors tournament with Lianjie and Jialing. We were at the park when Lianjie called us. We were sitting in...Kiichi. ...I know Kiichi's history, but... ...It's a really comfortable tree.

I open my apartment door...

...And I can't believe who I see in the living room.

"...Grandpa Jiyan?"

My parents, Lianjie, Jialing, Xiaochun and...him...are sitting in the living room.

Lianjie speaks up, "Dad made me call you with that video game tournament thing. I wanna make that clear. And I'm leaving my opinion of Gramps to you. He's...sort of apologetic, though." He looks to Jiyan, adding, "And you really thought I was joking when you left?"

Jiyan nods. "I really did."

"Here, bi, won't cry." Lianjie says, warningly. And...sort of proudly. Good work, Lianjie.

"I get it." He...doesn't sound thrilled, but... ...He 'gets it.'

"Jianliang," my Dad speaks. "Your grandfather told me he 'may have made a mistake' in the past."

"...You did?" I ask. ...I'm...actually frowning at him. What he did to my father and, then, what he did to Takato... ...If Takato's parents didn't accept him, I wouldn't even let him speak right now.

"...I did," Jiyan says. "Jianliang, I...can tolerate you and...Takato. I-"

"You sure?" I interrupt. "After what you did the other day? I-I can't believe you actually did that! If Takato's family didn't accept him..." I trail off, almost growling. "And, even with their acceptance...I-I can't forgive-"

"J-Jen-chan," Takato puts a hand on my shoulder. "...I can forgive him."

"...Takato-chan?" I get a glimpse of Jiyan's face before I turn to Takato, he was surprised to hear that, too.

"I know, he...tried to do what he did before, but...He didn't. Yamaki-san helped us and...I told you what my father said this morning. Jen, I never wanted to tell them, the only way they would have found out was either that or accidentally seeing us kiss or something. Last night, my Mom knew how upset I was about what happened...She told me how sorry she was for calling me like she did, again, and...She told me it doesn't matter to her if I'm with you. My Dad is getting more accepting of it, too. If...it didn't go that way, I'd...agree with you but... ...Jen-chan, he's...still family. I-I don't want to cause so much trouble for your family. And before, you told me...how he was your favorite relative. How close you used to be. And he's trying to accept us...Please, Jen-chan."

I nod. "...Thank you, Takato-chan." He's...got a point. If...Grandpa Jiyan is willing to tolerate Takato and I for my sake, then I should make the same effort for him. I turn to my Grandfather. "...If...If Takato can forgive you, then I can, too. Thank you for your tolerance."

"...Just...be happy." Grandpa Jiyan says.

"Okay, you're my Gramps again," Lianjie says. "...Don't get pissed at who I bring home this weekend, though." He says with a smirk.

"I'll...do my best..." Grandpa Jiyan rolls his eyes.

"So, that means you called him?" Jialing says with a huge smile, Lianjie turns bright red.

"Er...N-No..." Lianjie looks away. "I-I don't know what you heard me say, but-"

"I KNEW IT!" Jialing gives Lianjie a hug. "Come on, what's his name?"

"Gramps, you wanna go hit that bar you mentioned when you got here? I suddenly need a drink..." Lianjie groans.

Takato stayed with us for dinner...My Grandfather didn't complain. The look on his face at times was...a little discouraging but I know he's making an effort. He's definitely less hostile toward Takato, they even chatted a bit during dinner...I think it has to do with how Takato defended him.

Thank you, Takato-chan. I'm...so glad you were with me. I'm a little embarrassed by how I reacted. I should have...made the effort, too, without Takato's help.

Lianjie, of course, joked around with him like before. And he found it just as funny. My sisters were...a little less open to the idea of having him back, but Xiaochun gave him a hug after dinner after he apologized for scaring her that day. My Mother, I can tell she's not thrilled...But she is glad that he's making such an effort.

I guess this is for the best. I...I didn't really want to write him out of my life. If my Dad wouldn't do that, even after what he did to him and Yamaki, then I shouldn't either. It's...more like before.

I go to my Dad's work room after Takato leaves. "...Dad?"

He turns to me from his computer, I close the door. "Yeah?"

"Why...did you invite him back? You...were so upset when I told you about what he did at the Matsuda Bakery."

"I know, but...Do you know where I found him?"

"Where?"

"Near Kiichi. He was watching you and Takato. He'd been there for a while, he said. He didn't try to break you up again."

H-he was...there? ...Crap...I-I can't believe we were being watched... "That's why?"

"I was passing through, I saw him. We talked...Jianliang, he's still my father. What he did to Mitsuo and I...hurt more than you can imagine, but the fact he was willing to make such an effort for you and Takato...I had to forgive him."

"...I understand. I-I should have done that at first, too."

"I left it up to you. I wouldn't be upset either way, what he did to Takato was...in character, we'll say."

"Takato told me how bad he still feels. He thinks he's causing trouble for our family. He still doesn't believe me when I tell him he isn't."

"If anything, this was a good thing," my Dad shrugs. "You and Takato don't have to hide, Lianjie is coming to terms with himself, Grandpa Jiyan is tolerating his grandsons, he apologized for the past...And Yamaki got that punch he always wanted to give him."

"I'll try to make things like they were before with him. Takato and I...We won't throw it in his face as long he doesn't try to make us change." Lianjie's...sort of having fun doing that to him. Not excessively, though. He's just being Lianjie. Mostly playing the battle of Jie Ting after dinner, with Zhang He...

...And he actually convinced my Grandfather to give playing a try. I had a bit of a laugh when my Grandfather picked Xiahou Yuan. Fifty characters to choose from and he picked the one they're hinting that Zhang He has a thing for...Jialing thought it was especially hysterical. We didn't tell him why everyone was laughing, of course.

"Thank you, Jianliang."

"Thank you for...accepting everything. And helping me with all of this. I'm...still getting used to it."

"How so?"

"Certain things, like...Jialing's manga... I-I...I can't help it..." I sigh. "I never thought I'd read those things..."

"...I... ...I might have read one or two of those when she has them laying around, too..." My Dad looks away. "...Give Ai To Kirai a read, it's really good."

"Just started volume five. It's amazing so far."

"Wait until you get to volume seven. You won't believe what happens!"

...Am I really having this conversation?

Ori's Notes:
Okay, okay, I know there's probably some people upset over one of two things:
1. Jiyan's been more or less forgiven.
2. Jiyan's been more or less forgiven and STILL retains some homophobic tendencies.

...Look, in real life, this is the best you can hope for sometimes. It's hard, but...It's better than the alternative. Jiyan is making an honest effort, too.

Also, regarding the Zhang He\Xiahou Yuan thing that's come up a couple times - Koei really is sort of hinting at this in a few cutscenes in their Xtreme Legends expansions. And, like Jianliang, Xiahou Yuan is the LAST person I'd pick if I were Zhang He. Ugh...Gimme Cao Pi or Sima Yi and that big sexy brain of his.

For the record, I tend to avoid pairing historical figures, even if they are heavily featured in video games\anime. I just don't want to get beaten up by a bunch of pissed off Chinese generals after I die...

I know two of 'em are already waiting with nailed baseball bats. But I've come to accept that inevitability.

Taiki's Notes:

I see his point, as much as I don't like Jiyan's views. I was shocked that Takato, of all people, was the one to defend him. I'm glad it made Jiyan warm up to him a little.

-Taiki Matsuki