Chapter 21: The Seminar (part 2)
Hiroki tried his keep his laughter of the entire situation down, but also his anger rose with babysitting Usami's new problem…Mio smiled and looked around excitedly.
He moaned and watched the youngest Usami. Mio was sort of like Akihiko, but he was more…Hiroki tried to think of a word, excited? Yes, Mio showed his emotions more than Akihiko at that age.
Mio clapped his knuckles and said, "are we going to a real college?! I would love to…wow! It is so huge!"
Hiroki rolled his eyes, when the taxi stopped and the driver shook her head at Hiroki's money. She said, "that other man paid enough for both trips, good day." She drove away, as both men slowly walked to the crowded college.
The seminar must be in full swing now…the Poetry Slam was one bit of interest for Hiroki, since he was introduced that concept by Miyagi's research on American Poetry. The students will probably stumble on the words or something…degrading Literature even more with their weak interpretations and stupid excuses.
He snorted at that fact, but he noticed Mio was gone…his heart sank, when he looked through the crowd. There were hundreds of people chatting and looking around the college. The Dean used this seminar also as a high school tour day, so hundreds of every age group stood around admiring the school. Mio was nowhere in sight…
"Mio!" Hiroki yelled, while some people looked at his frantic face.
He ran inside and kept screaming Mio's name. Akihiko would…be happy if Mio disappeared, but it would haunt me! Hiroki ran past people into the boys' bathroom, where Mio came out of the stall…
Hiroki growled and gripped Mio's shoulders. He growled, "Mio, you should have told me that you were leaving! Do you ever think?! You could have been kidnapped or worse…Mio?"
Mio was different…completely different than Akihiko…Mio's face twisted in pain and fear at Hiroki's anger. He sobbed, "I am sorry…I mentioned earlier I had to go to the bathroom…I guess I should have said it again…you looked like you were day dreaming…I'm sorry! I am…" The kid whimpered and tears fell down his face.
Hiroki completely softened and let the kid go. He hugged Mio and soothed him with gentle cooing noises. Mio grabbed Hiroki's shirt and bury face into it. The kid cried openly, while Hiroki gently rubbed Mio's back.
"I am sorry Mio…I am so sorry…I was scared and…shhh, take it easy." Hiroki said deeply, while Mio shuddered and whimpered.
Poor kid…he must be confused, upset, and scared…who wouldn't be?! He was shoved into a new land, meeting his older brother for the first time, and his parents abandon him because of his sexuality choice…wow, this kid has been through a lot today…no wonder he is crying so hard. Hiroki took a moment to gaze this kid closely.
Mio was completely identical to Akihiko as a teenager, but their body types were slightly different. Mio was a bit shorter, where his head lie on Hiroki's heart, when Akihiko at this age was growing past Hiroki. Mio was also in clothes that were casual, but on the expensive line. Akihiko never stepped out of the house without a tie. Mio wore an orange shirt, smoky jeans, top-of-the-line sneakers, and his left wrist had a very fancy watch.
Hiroki smiled, when Mio looked up and sniffed a smile.
Mio said, "sorry…it's been bad for a few months at my home…I am glad to leave…but I am going to miss my mom. She was always nice to me and my boyfriend."
Hiroki tried not to look shocked, but he said "does he know you are here?"
"We broke up a long time ago…before I went into the homosexual correctional services." Mio sniffed and more tears came down. He sobbed, "they were nice there, but they called us…they called us unstable and we need to dedicate our lives to loving women! Why, dammit?! Why can't I love men?! I want to be a homosexual and for my father to accept me! I want to be so much more, but he calls me a freak because of my sexual preference! I am not a freak! I am not! I am NOT" He sobbed harder, while Hiroki hugged him harder.
Hiroki felt like crying too...I feared my parents like this too…I never admitted that I loved Akihiko or Nowaki in fear they would call me…a freak. I was so scared that Akihiko would never speak to me…I was horrified to death if Nowaki would leave me after hearing my parents saying that…I just hid my feelings and accepted that hiding was better than the truth…poor Mio, he told the truth and this is what he gets! That bastard deserves not a single cent if Mio claims to be a Usami…Mio deserves so much more than Milan Allens has done to him.
Mio gulped and cuddled close to Hiroki. He said, "I haven't been hugged by a man since my boyfriend…thanks."
Hiroki stiffened slightly, but he rubbed Mio's back for the final time before parting. They smiled weakly at each other, when Mio wiped his face. Hiroki went to the stall for tissue paper, while Mio composed himself slowly.
"Are you going to be around Akihiko for a while? Akihiko seems to not like me…it would be great to have an ally…if you don't mind." Mio said.
Hiroki smirked and said, "of course, I will be—"
"Hiroki, you are in trouble! You are cheating on both men with a child half their ages! Bad boy is in the bathroom!" Miyagi teased, when he came in and looked over Mio.
Mio growled, "I am not Hiroki's boyfriend. He is way too old for me!"
Hiroki gulped back a snarl, and he said "he is Akihiko's—"
Miyagi gasped and pointed at Mio. He said, "that author had a kid?! Oh my, wait until Misaki hears about this!" He started to text quickly, when Hiroki tried to stop him. They danced in circles, while Mio grabbed the phone.
Miyagi and Hiroki stared at the kid quickly texting to Misaki. Mio finished the text, when the door slammed open and Misaki rushed to look at Mio.
Misaki gasped and said, "Usagi's….brother?! He has another brother! Since when?! My god, I need a pillow and ten pain killers…" He held his head and leaned on the bathroom stall for support.
Mio gave Miyagi his phone and looked at Hiroki. He said, "can we go to the seminar? There was something special going on. I wanted to…"
Goda came in and blinked quickly at Mio. He came fully into the bathroom and walked around Mio. Mio stiffened and growled, "what is it with Japanese men?! I am real, okay?!"
Goda stopped and said, "sorry…I had no idea another player could be—"
"NO, he is only fourteen and under Akihiko's care. He will not—" Hiroki said.
"WHAT?! Akihiko did not say that a teenager is staying with us!" Misaki said and spun to face Hiroki.
Hiroki looked squarely into Misaki's eyes and nodded.
Misaki slipped to the floor and said, "no way, this is torture! Who are you and why are you here?! Speak Usami!"
Mio moaned and dragged Hiroki away. He said, "I am not going to explain anything to strangers, so if you want answers, speak to my older brother. He is at the hospital with some Takahiro guy."
Misaki and Goda shrieked, "what for?!"
Mio dragged Hiroki away to the auditorium and his eyes set on the food. He said, "can we eat, please? I am starving."
Hiroki blinked twice at the mini Akihiko…this will be interesting to see if Akihiko will allow Mio to stay longer than a few days, but Hiroki sort of liked the kid. Mio spoke up to Goda, Miyagi and made Misaki limp. Not bad for a teenager.
Hiroki nodded, as both of them went to the food. Mio grabbed a mixture of fruits, vegetables, and some deserts. Hiroki took some fruits, while both of them sat in some free seats near the podiums. The students for the Poetry Slam were preparing their lines, while the crowd ate or filed into seats.
Mio swallowed some apple slices and said, "what do you do, Hiroki?"
"Please call me Sensei Kamijo, I am a assistant professor here at this college." Hiroki said.
Mio took some more fruit and said, "why does Sensei Miyagi calls you Hiroki?"
Hiroki shook his head and said, "my first name is Hiroki, but you are new, so call me Sensei Kamijo. Also, how did you know Miyagi was a teacher?"
"Name tag, so can I participate in the Poetry Slam too? I know loads of American Poetry, heck I even wrote some." Mio smirked and ate some chocolate cookies.
Hiroki shrugged and said, "if they allow it, but how long did you know about being a…Usami." He whispered the last name, since he did not want to give too much attention to Mio.
Mio gulped and said, "a few weeks…my mother read some book, cried and told me about her previous life in Japan. I always felt a strong connection to this country…so, I swore to myself to come here when I could. Here I am! Free of charge."
Hiroki nibbled his orange slices and moaned at the vibrations in his pant's pocket. He checked, while a text was shown. The sender was Miyagi…the message read: question, can Deans seek our employees?
He grimaced and furrowed his brows. His fingers text back: what are you talking about?
Miyagi quickly text: Dr. Tekido came to me and offered me a job at T University…I am still freaked out about it.
Hiroki gasped and his plate of food dropped to the floor. Mio looked at him and his expression; Hiroki's mouth dropped and his eyes enlarged at the text.
He text back: WHAT DID YOU SAY?!
Miyagi quickly replied: you sound as bad as me! Hahahahahaha! I basically said no…but can he do that, Hiroki? Can he come here and ask me to join his college? Should I mention this to the police?
Hiroki shook his head and replied: no, you should not. Have you forgotten the college trinity between M, T, and U Universities? All the Deans and staff are sort of interchangeable, if there is a need to…wait, is your contract being revised?
Miyagi replied with his voice, when he sat down beside Hiroki, by saying "yes."
Hiroki restrained his nerves by saying, "what is going on? Are you on a regular schedule for revising of your contract?"
Miyagi moaned and said, "no, there is a retirement coming soon and of course everything needs to change for this retirement. This change is in the Literature department and—"
"Why have I not been notified?!" Hiroki growled, but their conservation was not paid attention to. The crowd of people was producing overbearing noise, which the men got closer to speak to each other.
Mio said, "can I speak to them, Sensei Kamijo?" He pointed to a group of high school students, Hiroki looked and snarled at their direction.
Miyagi snickered and said, "go on, be in clear sight and be back before the Poetry Slam begins."
"Also Sensei Miyagi, may I speak in the Poetry Slam?" Mio asked, when he gave Hiroki his plate of little scraps.
Hiroki tried to speak, but Miyagi said "if there is time, so have some fun."
Mio smirked at Miyagi and ran over to the other students. The students were stiff at first, but Mio got them laughing in a matter of minutes. They started to exchange cell phone numbers soon too.
Hiroki stared in horror, while Miyagi giggled. Miyagi said, "not part of this generation, are you Kamijo? These kids these days love to text and send their numbers around to get new friends. They even use texts to break up, make books, poetry, and loads of papers. Imagine a graduate student almost passing her last class with text talk! The teacher had a key that was five pages long…but the student had to revise her paper and graduated later that day. The new generation will always amaze me."
Hiroki growled, "no wonder you are dating a younger man."
Miyagi gulped back a snarl, and he said "listen to me, I need advice. Do I ignore Tekido or take his offer? I do love M University but…" He looked over his shoulder, while Hiroki looked too.
Dr. Tekido was standing with other Literature professors and Dean Takatsuki. Tekido looked at Miyagi and smirked.
Miyagi finished, "he is persistent…I almost question his motives by his stalking behavior."
Hiroki sighed and both men sat back. He said, "I would play it by scene by scene." Miyagi snickered at the slight joke, while Hiroki finished "Takatsuki would speak to you if there was a major change on the horizon, right?"
Miyagi moaned and said, "sometimes…professors lose their jobs like this…by rumors…by youth playing with older men's hearts…What if Shinobu's friends saw us? Shinobu is old enough now, but his father would never approve…I had a feeling that Takatsuki knew something. That is why I had to keep Shinobu away from me for a few weeks…it's been torture not seeing him, but now this game…and my contract revised in a few weeks. I am so stressed, you have no idea."
Hiroki now saw the reasons why Miyagi was like this for the past few weeks; the constant working, not much teasing, and Miyagi kept his phone close to the computer keyboard…Miyagi was scared for Shinobu and his job threatened by the youth of his lover…no wonder Miyagi was smoking more. Hiroki moaned and said, "just do what you feel is right, Miyagi."
Miyagi moaned and said, "if right was easy and kept my job. I love that brat…but this game and everything is changing. Could I love Shinobu the same way, if your lover does anything to him?"
Hiroki stiffened and said, "Nowaki is faithful! He will never leave me!"
"Yet he agreed to this game…go figure? Maybe, Nowaki wants you to leave…" Miyagi smirked darkly.
Hiroki grimaced and said, "Nowaki…must have a reason."
"You are sounding less convincing by the minute, Hiroki." Miyagi said, when Neko came to the microphone to tap it. The crowd slowly sat down, when Mio came back to Hiroki and Miyagi.
"I have a few new friends at my new school! I cannot wait to start next week!" Mio said, as he turned off his purple phone.
Miyagi stood and went to the platform. He went to the back with the students, while Hiroki sat there feeling heavier.
Nowaki will never leave me…seven years! He loved me! He loves…but why this game?! Why the money has to be so important?! Hiroki moaned, when he yelped by the sudden touch by Mio. He looked and saw Mio holding his hand.
Hiroki looked at the teen, while Mio said "upset, Sensei? Don't worry, I bet your lover still adores you."
Mio looked so sure…so mature…so smart for a fourteen year old, which made Hiroki smile slightly. Hiroki said, "thanks…but Nowaki and I…it's complicated."
"Isn't all relationships? The best kind can survive through all the bullshit and still be passionate about each other. I never experienced that yet, but I bet you have with this Nowaki fellow." Mio said.
Hiroki slightly blushed, but he looked away. Mio saw it and rubbed Hiroki's fingers. They held their hands tightly, when Miyagi came to the front.
Miyagi called for silence and said, "Welcome everyone to the American Poetry Seminar. My name is Dr. You Miyagi, and I would like to introduce my assistants. Misaki Takahashi," Misaki smiled and blushed by the clapping. Miyagi pointed to Neko and said, "also this is Neko Seito." The crowd hooted and clapped loudly at Neko's wave to the crowd.
Miyagi called for order and said, "Misaki and Neko will begin the Poetry Slam. Other students, who will introduce themselves, will come after. At eleven will be my speech, and noon will be question and answer. Please save your applause after the Poetry Slam and keep your phones off, also no flash photography, thank you."
The crowd clapped again, when Miyagi went beside Hiroki again. He said, "holding hands, how sweet."
Hiroki kept his hand firm on Mio's, and he said "he is Akihiko's brother and had a bad day. He needs some kindness today."
Mio smiled and said, "you have been having a bad day too, right Sensei?"
Hiroki moaned, when Miyagi said "ah, poor Hiroki. Tell me all."
Hiroki glared and said, "eat dirt, Miyagi."
Miyagi giggled, when Misaki came to the front of the crowd. The crowd silenced and looked at the red faced college student. Misaki looked a twist between throwing up or fainting.
Hiroki backed into his chair and asked, "is this a good idea?"
Miyagi sighed, "it better be. He speaks for a few minutes."