Mirai No Kodomo
XXVII: First Dates (Matsuda Liangji)
Takehiro's been in the bathroom for almost an hour now...I know he's out of the shower, what could he be doing in there? I mean, it's been half an hour since the water stopped running...
I knock on the door. "Niichan. Are you done in there yet?"
"Almost! You can open the door. Does my hair look right?"
I open the door, there's a lot of steam in the bathroom, but Takehiro's dressed and combing his hair. He's in his lucky blue shirt with the TA Katakana on it, Tou-san says it makes him look kinda like Tou-chan when he was in high school, too. He's even got his yellow headband, he wears it like Tou-chan used to wear goggles. Same color, too, Takehiro went with "that look" after seeing Tou-chan with his goggles in an old picture.
Takehiro's in high school now, school started for both of us earlier this week. I haven't had too many problems, considering that my only "bodyguard" (his choice of title, not mine) is Akio. Akio is dedicated to his job, though…
"Um, looks the same...?" I shrug. "I-I don't know... You're insane, I mean...I doubt Kyoko's gonna be as dressed up. And it's a movie, who's gonna see your hair in the dark?"
"...The people in the lobby...?" Takehiro shrugs. "A-All right...Just...stick to the normal look...Right." He's Tou-chan's real son, all right...He worries just like he does...
"Remember: Moumantai," I say. It means no problem, relax, don't worry, hakuna matata and hurry up 'cause I gotta go!
"You've been talking to Terriermon waaay too much," Takehiro rolls his eyes. Hehehe, I picked that up from Tou-san's partner...He let me talk to him a few times on my birthday and if my grades were really good. Takehiro's talked to Guilmon a few times. They get along really well, actually. He and Terriermon, too.
We both talked to MarineAngemon once...Um...Uncle Kenta had to be there to translate, though. How he understands him, I will never know!
Yamaki-san also talked to Culumon once while I was there as a kid. He let me join him. Culumon thought we were still playing hide and seek! And that Yamaki-san and I were the best hiders in the universe. It's easy to hide when you're not in the same dimension.
"You're more nervous than Tou-chan near his and Tou-san's anniversary..." I trail off.
"You mean 'Hot Springs Boner Day,' right?" Takehiro holds back a laugh. I barely manage to, too, but...I-I hope no-one else heard him say that...
...I'm amazed Uncle Hirokazu is still alive after that. It was kinda weird, Ruki showed up the next day after Uncle Hirokazu and Uncle Kenta came over again and…Uncle Hirokazu looked really depressed when Ruki showed up. Akio, Kae, Takehiro and I stayed up stairs, Tou-san made it very clear it was adults only and I think they were getting some sort of payback for Uncle Hirokazu telling us about "Hot Springs Boner Day."
We don't know the story, but...
...We have our theories...
...I think it was Tou-chan, Takehiro thinks it was Tou-san. My theory is based on the fact that, while both of them were bright red, Tou-chan was "embarrassed" red (I know that one really well), while Tou-san was "Target Sighted: KILL IT" red. Takehiro, I think, just doesn't want it to be Tou-chan.
"Mom, Tou-chan and Tou-san are waiting downstairs. And I really hope Kyoko isn't early..."
"Why not?"
"'Cause it's five past six." This will get me the bathroom!
"CRAP!" Takehiro reaches into his pocket for his cell phone to check. "I hope she's not waiting! Mom tells the most embarrassing stories!" He darts past me, grabbing his wallet from his room before going downstairs.
...I get the bathroom! Finally! I haven't had to go this bad since Uncle Hirokazu, Uncle Kenta, Takehiro and I last played the Daiken drinking game with Ramune JOLT sodas...
I hear a crashing sound from the stairs as I dart into the bathroom and close the door…
…Niichan's clumsy when he's nervous. I hope he's okay…
Takehiro left for his date just as I went downstairs. Mom, Tou-san and Tou-chan were drinking tea together. I joined in for a little bit until Uncle Kenta showed up to buy bread for Uncle Hirokazu to bring into work…
…He was also checking on the "Goggled Spawn Porn Preference Betting Pool" results. I'm amazed he bet on straight!
…We don't really mind the joke that Takehiro is "like father, like son." I…I don't know how but it just doesn't bother him…
…I think it's because, well, Takehiro's just that confident in being straight, you know? Like most guys freak out and deny any implication that they're gay and, well…Takehiro just doesn't care. Gay isn't a bad thing at all to him, he's got Tou-san and Tou-chan as proof of that…
…I know gay isn't a bad thing, I-I can't thank Tou-san and Tou-chan enough for adopting me. I don't want any other family but…
…I still have some moments where the idea I might be gay or bi…scares me. Especially since…I-I've realized I have a 'preference' towards guys…I-I sometimes wonder if I even like girls at times because of it. And it scares me so much when I really think about it…I don't know why, it just does. I'm better about it online, I talk to Tarou now and then, but not really about how I feel about this, just…Shounen-ai or Digimon pairings we like. I don't accept an interest in shounen-ai as "evidence" that I'm gay...If it were conclusive, Takehiro would make Uncle Kenta look straight…
…I envy that about Takehiro, I think if he was gay he would have told us or just come home with his boyfriend saying "This is who I love" like it's nothing out of the ordinary. To him, it's nothing unusual…
…To me, it's…Well, let's just say gym class involved a lot of staring at the floor when it came to the locker room. I hate gym class. Akio and I share one. Having him standing next to me in his underwear asking "what'd you drop this time?" And trying to "look for it" with me DOES NOT HELP!
…Not that I like Akio that way or anything…Akio's a good friend. And, with the whole "Ryougay" thing, he helps keep the others from bothering me in there. Akio's a good "bodyguard."
Aside from that, I'm…kinda getting used to it. I still have the occasional "No, I don't want to be gay" moment when I think about it before bed or something but…I'm...coming to terms with it, I guess...
...I like guys...I...I'm...
...I-I don't want to say it...
I still don't want to label myself until I find someone, though…What I "like to see" (as Akio would put it) is different from "who I love." ...It comes from my family, we take love seriously here. Tou-san and Tou-chan especially. Uncle Kenta, too.
I sometimes think about telling them but I chicken out every time. And…
…I need to talk to someone about this. Just…for a few minutes...
…I-I need to forget about this, I'm starting to get worked up again.
I log onto Three Kingdoms and my character appears in the training hall...Tarou's online!
I put on my headset as I hear his voice over voice chat. "Ryougi-kun!"
"Tarou-kun," I grin. "Wanna go slay some Yellow Scarves?"
"Tea first?"
"Definitely," I say. I see Tarou's character approach, we head over to the tea garden, known as "The Garden of Tranquil Love." …Okamatsu-sama comes up with really, um, "interesting" names for things like that.
Tarou and I sit at a table, an AI waitress takes our orders and serves our tea. I get a tea that boosts my attack and guan dao specialization EXP gain. Tarou's boosts his fire spells and reduces their MP cost. He also got the "Ocean Smile Badge" from Uncle Lianjie's email, which boosts his magic defense and water resistance.
Our characters start to drink tea while we chat.
"Hao cha," I say as my character sets his tea cup down.
"…Ryougi, you speak Chinese?" Tarou asks.
"Huh? My name…didn't tip you off?" Ryougi is not a Japanese name. If you didn't know it was the Japanese reading of a Chinese name, you'd think my Dads just made it up!
"Not really..."
"My Tou-san and I are Chinese. He taught me and my older brother how to speak it," I say. Takehiro, I admit, speaks Chinese a little better than I do sometimes...But Tou-san and I speak in only Chinese a lot, especially in front of teachers! It impresses them every time!
Tou-chan isn't as good, he mispronounces words now and then and mixes up his tones but we can usually understand him…Tou-san always tells him how much he appreciates Tou-chan trying to learn Chinese for him. And he really likes it when Tou-chan says things like 'I love you' and romantic things like that in Mandarin…Tou-san teared up one time when Tou-chan recited a love poem he learned for him for their anniversary...
"Wait, just you and your Dad? What about your brother?" Tarou asks.
"I'm adopted," I say. "Takehiro, my older brother, is…um…" …Well, I'm a gay guild. Tarou…won't ask stupid questions. "…Takehiro's the real son of my other Dad."
"…Wait, so…Um…Your Mom…remarried or something…?" …What?
…Tarou…You…You…
…You're the FIRST PERSON I HAVE EVER MET who came up with THAT as a reason for the "two dads" scenario…And you're in a gay guild! I know you love shounen-ai! And… …You think Tou-san remarried…?
…Thank you, Tarou-kun…
I-I'll tell him the truth, though, "N-No, actually…My Dads are gay. Takehiro was born through a close friend and I was adopted."
"…Seriously? You're…You're lucky," Tarou says. I've never gotten that response to 'I have two dads' ever! "My Dad…He'd freak out if he knew I was part of this guild…Or gay. Especially gay."
"Sorry, Tarou-kun…" I had a feeling this was the case, Tarou asked that we only use voice chat if he starts it, he only uses it when he knows it's safe (or on dungeon raids, you kinda need it for dungeon raids).
"It's okay…What's it like with two Dads?"
"Not real different from any other family, I think. Our Mom, who we used think was our 'Aunt' visits a lot and does things with us all the time, too. She's here tonight 'cause Takehiro just went on his first date."
"Re-Really? Wow! …Um, I hope you don't take offense but…Can I ask…?" He trails off. …Tarou, you apologized if I would be offended first with 'the question?' …Gods, I-I…
…I would be so less freaked out over the whole 'gay or bi' thing if this is how people asked me if I was gay all these years! Thank you, Tarou-kun.
"He's dating a girl he likes," I laugh. "Takehiro's straight…I'm not really sure yet."
"What do you mean?"
"I just want to know who I love, not just who I'm attracted to…I think I'm bi, but…I don't know."
"That's…kinda deep," Tarou says. "I really like that, Ryougi-kun."
"Thanks…What about you?"
"Gaaay~!" Tarou laughs, saying 'gay' in a way Uncle Kenta would. Ha ha ha! "I…I'm only 'out' online, though. And…I like to be really open about it since, at home, I could never be like this. Dad and Kensuke would freak out… …We're 'not natural,' y'know?"
"We're artificial, fewer calories that way," I joke. Tarou laughs.
"Hey, um…Real quick, you said your brother's name is Takehiro? He's older, right?"
"Yeah, he's in high school, I'm in middle school."
"…Okay, don't freak out but… Um…Do you go to Kamedama Middle School by any chance?" …Wh-What?
"H-How…did you know?"
"Um…Kensuke, my brother, is in high school and he shares a science class with a guy named Takehiro. And, well, he came home and told us about how he was 'this weird kid with two Dads' and told us about him…He mentioned Takehiro has a little brother, but Kensuke didn't remember his name."
"…W-Wow…" I…I'm stunned, I don't know what to say. "You…go to Kamedama?"
"Yeah, I'm in…Mr. Fujita's class as homeroom, you?"
"Sugiyama," I reply. "…Um…Tarou-kun, you…wouldn't…Um…Would you mind…?" …Should I ask this…?
"…Meeting?" Tarou finishes.
"Ye-Yeah, only…Only if you want to, I mean, I understand if you don't!" I say, quickly. This…is really bold, we've only known each other online for a little while and all…
"…If you want to," Tarou says. "Um…Where do you want to meet?"
"Stay outside Mr. Fujita's, that's on my way to the cafeteria for lunch…We'll…meet then…Maybe?"
"Su-Sure! Sounds great…I can't wait, actually. I-I mean, since…I-I don't know anyone 'like me' in real life, you know?"
"Same here…"
"Um…Didn't you just say you had two dads?"
"Someone I can…talk to, I mean," I laugh. "I-I haven't told them or anyone else, just you. I don't know why but…I'm just afraid to tell anyone."
"Trust me, I understand the whole 'don't tell Dad' situation…I'll keep quiet!"
"Thanks."
We chat for a little longer about meeting before we head off to slay demons…
Tarou's really nice, I want to meet him, especially since it's so easy to talk to him about this! I don't know why but…It is. Especially after all that…
…Thanks, Tarou-kun.
Niichan's date went…sorta well…
Kyoko's ready for a second date, Takehiro…not so much. Not that he doesn't want to go but…
…As soon as he got home, he had to change his pants. He's clumsy when he's nervous and, well, he spilled both a soda and a milkshake in his lap. Soda before the movie, milkshake after…
…But Kyoko told him he's cute when he's nervous. She really likes him, but she was worried he was "like father, like son," she said. Takehiro told her he liked her a lot but didn't think she'd ever like him back…
…Kyoko told him he needed glasses. Hehehe!
Tou-san, Tou-chan and Mom, of course, had their million and one questions for their "little boy who's all grown up now." Hehehe, I listened in from the stairwell…Takehiro spilled tea in his lap! Seriously, in the middle of it…He had to change his pants again!
Sorry, Niichan, but…You're funny when you're nervous…
Tou-san and Tou-chan are in bed now and Takehiro's in his room…
…He's probably asleep. If he's asleep, I-I won't bother him…
…I hope he's asleep because I don't know if I can do this…He'll at least know something's up if I just go in there, stammering like an idiot but…
…I guess, with meeting Tarou tomorrow, I-I need to tell someone about all this and Niichan's always been there for me. From protecting me to just being there to listen, so…
I-I feel bad I didn't tell him this sooner, I feel so stupid about being so afraid to tell the people in my life who not only can help me with this but would never have a problem with it in a million years! And out of all of them, I think Takehiro is the easiest to 'come out' to…
…Gods, I'm doing that…Aren't I? I'm coming out…I'm telling Takehiro I'm…bi…Or, possibly, gay…I-I don't know because, well, over the past year I've developed a 'preference,' like I said. Even though he's straight, I think Takehiro is my best option to turn to about this…
…With Tou-san and Tou-chan, it's just…embarrassing to talk to your parents about stuff like this. Same with Mom. Takehiro, I guess I should have come to him sooner...He does whatever he can to help me, usually.
I quietly open the door…"Niichan…?" I whisper.
…Crap…He's…He's wide awake, he's at his computer…
"Liangji?" Takehiro clicks on something on his computer and turns to me. "What's going on? …Questions about the date?"
"N-No, just…" I step into his room, closing the door. "I…just wanted to know if you had some time to talk…"
"One sec," Takehiro clicks a few more things at his computer, then closes it. "What is it?" He goes from his desk to his bed and sits down, he motions for me to sit. I sit at his desk chair…
…This is it…Unless I can think of something else to talk about…
…C'mon…
…Think…
Please…You made a huge mistake with this…
…You're an idiot, Liangji…An idiot…
"…Liangji…? …What's wrong?" I'm freaking out over liking guys…I wish I could just say that! Why is this so hard to say? I-I'm in a gay household! Why is saying 'I think I'm gay' so hard to say?
…Because I think I'm gay… …It's…different when it's yourself…I guess, I-I don't know if this is normal or not for 'this.'
"Liangji, se-seriously, what's wrong? Yo-You…You look really scared all of a sudden…" Takehiro trails off, giving me a worried look. …I-I…I have no choice. I have to tell him, there's no stupid excuse I can come up with to explain why I'm so scared right now…I-I have to tell him…
…I 'might' be gay.
Here goes…
"I…met someone through Uncle Lianjie's MMO. He goes to Kamedama, too…We're going to meet outside of Mr. Fujita's class tomorrow."
Takehiro's expression changes, he lets out a relieved sigh and grins, saying, "Cool! What's his name?"
"Tarou…We're in the same guild."
"Oh, did you join that Zhao Zilong Guild I told you about? It's really big right now, actually."
I shake my head. "N-No, I…I'm in The Way of the Mauve Fist."
Takehiro stares at me for a moment, he tilts his head a little saying, "…Way of the Mauve Fist?"
I nod, I-I'm starting to shake.
This is it, even if I just ran out of the room, he'd figure out what that means…
…I'm coming out…Gods, help me…I'm coming out…
"…Isn't that the guild Uncle Lianjie almost killed that guy over?" He asks after a few moments of silence between us.
I nod. "Yeah."
"Liangji…Why are you a member of that guild…?" The look on his face tells me he knows the answer, but I think he's not saying it because…He knows how much I hate being assumed as gay…
…Thanks, Takehiro.
"…I…I..." I take a deep breath, I let it out quickly. "…Niichan, I…I think I'm bi…" …I can't believe I actually said that…I-I really can't.
There's a short silence.
"…Gross." Wh-What?
I look up at Takehiro…Did he…really just say 'gross?'
"…Niichan…?"
"Liangji…That's so gross…If you're bi, that means…means…" Takehiro gives me this horrified look. "…You like girls, Liangji! Girls! That's sick!" …Ni-Nii…Niichan…!
…Ha ha ha ha ha!
"Wh-What about…Ha ha ha…" I try to hold back my laughter…I-I didn't expect that of all reactions from Takehiro! Ha ha ha! "What about…ha ha…you, Mister 'I-Just-Had-My-First-Date-With-A-GIRL?' Ha ha ha!"
Takehiro gives his this scared look, quickly saying, "Do-Don't…Don't tell Dad and Dad, Liangji…Please! I-I can't help it…It's who I am…I'm so sorry, Liangji…I'm so sorry…" …Bravo, Niichan! I-I love the fake crying…With Tou-chan, Ruki once said, 'for someone who spends half his income on tissues and shirts with absorbent sleeves, Takato can't fake crying for crap,' well, okay, she didn't say 'crap.' But Takehiro? He can be sort of convincing if he wants to be. He usually does it as a joke.
After a little more laughing between us, Takehiro asks, "So…Why do you 'think' you're bi?"
"…You know I've had crushes on girls before, right?" I ask. Takehiro nods. "…Well, looking back, I…I realized there were…other guys I liked a lot, too. And, well…I-I just…I just realized I like guys, too… ..A lot. …I think I might…even have a preference between the two…Maybe I'm gay, I-I'm just not sure." …That's what really scared me, when I realized I was starting to like guys more than girls. And, like I said, gym class does not help! Especially when Akio wants to spend our time in the locker room chatting away next to me while we both change…H-He has…some, um, personal boundary issues with that place sometimes…Or anywhere, he…he sometimes gets close and hugs me with one arm or something and…I-I just don't like close contact from anyone but Tou-san, Tou-chan, Mom or Takehiro…
…Sorry, Akio, it's not you it's… I just don't like being that close with…ANYONE! It's…sort of like when I was a baby, like Tou-san always tells me: I cried whenever someone I didn't know came near me…Tou-san, Tou-chan and Takehiro were the exceptions, he said. I was even afraid Uncle Kenta when he first met me. I don't know why I've just…always been like that.
Takehiro nods. "…Well…" …He's probably going to tell me to go talk to Tou-san and Tou-chan, I mean, he's straight…What does he know or care about this? "…If you like guys, I'm guessing you're not taking that well."
I shake my head. "I-I know, it's…nothing to be upset about, but…It's scary. Especially with the whole 'Ryougay' thing… I-I don't like everyone knowing but not knowing, you know? It's…like they know more about me than I do. I-I don't like that."
"…Yeah, that's…gotta be really annoying…I'm sorry they do that to you, Liangji," Takehiro says. "I always told them you weren't gay, and…Well, I'll keep it up for you whenever I can, since I know you want to keep it a secret…Sorry I'm not at Kamedama anymore."
"Thanks...And, don't worry, Akio does a good enough job. …Sorta."
"And…I won't tell Tou-san or Tou-chan," Takehiro adds. "You don't want to tell them, right?"
I nod. "It's…stupid, I know-"
"Liangji, no…It's not," Takehiro shakes his head. "When…I think I was ten or so, I asked Tou-san about when he came out and why it scared him so much when Grandpa and Grandma Li and, well, everyone else in the Li family, didn't have any problem...They weren't upset at all. Why be afraid to come out? Well…He didn't know they'd be so accepting but…He said 'telling anyone, especially someone you care about, is one of the scariest things you can do.' He said, even when he knew Tou-chan was gay, he still had trouble telling him he was the same. Liangji, it's scary. You don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to, even if it's Tou-san and Tou-chan who…Well, I know they'd definitely have a…better understanding that I do about this but it's up to you."
"…Thanks, Niichan," I was wrong. Takehiro…I don't know, he just knows this sort of thing, I guess. He grew up with two dads, too.
"So, um, Tarou, right?" Takehiro asks, I nod. "He's in the guild, too? Is he gay or just a friend?"
"Gay," I reply. "He's…really open online but not in real life. His family…Like he said, 'we're unnatural.'"
I can tell my Takehiro's sudden change in expression, he didn't like hearing that at all. "…Poor guy," he sighs. "And he goes to Kamedama?"
"Yeah, he'll be outside of Mr. Fujita's class tomorrow at lunch…That's how I'll know it's him."
"Think he might be cute?" …What?
…Did Takehiro…really just…ask that?
"Ex-Excuse me…?" I'm sure I look like a deer in headlights…I was not expecting this to come up! Especially from Takehiro!
Takehiro grins. "I mean, think he might be someone you've seen in the halls, going 'he's so cute!' Or something like that? Be honest, Liangji…If you're like me, I did the same thing with girls...Not anymore since I'm with Kyoko but…" …This is official proof that he's a member of the Matsuda family: My straight brother is actually talking about cute guys with me.
"…I-I…sometimes...Um…" I feel the blush on my face. "…N-No…No comment, actually…"
Takehiro laughs, adding, "C'mon…"
"I-I have no idea what he looks like, he has no idea what I look like," I say. "We…only found out we go to the same school because, well…I mentioned your name and he said his brother, Kensuke, is in your science class."
"…Kensuke? …Oh, yeah…I-I think I know him, he was…really weirded out by the 'two dads' thing…We talked for a while and it came up when we talked about our families. And…Unless we're lab partners, we don't talk. And when we do…Yeah, I don't think he likes me very much for…certain reasons."
"Well, Kensuke went home and told everyone about you being the 'weird gay kid' with your 'freaky two dads.' Tarou recognized your name and Kensuke mentioned you had a little brother. Tarou asked if I went to Kamedama. We decided to meet tomorrow."
"I hope it goes well," Takehiro says. "You want to know someone 'like you' in real life, right?"
I nod. "Yeah, um…I-I mean, talking to you about this helps a lot but…"
"I understand, there are a lot things I wouldn't know," Takehiro shrugs. "Are you going to tell anyone else? Akio, maybe?"
"No, just…You and Tarou for now," I say. "Akio, um, well...His gay jokes might stop being sent towards you, at least. …Does that ever bother you?"
"I think it's less of a joke and more that Akio really is convinced that 'it's genetic.' I'm just 'in the closet' to him," Takehiro shrugs.
"That would make sense…" Akio's even gone as far as joking that Takehiro has a crush on him! Akio, you…You can be really full of yourself someti-…No, it's sometimes that he's not full of himself. Despite being shorter than I am (and I'm a little short for my age, according to measurement day, at least) and almost a year younger, Akio acts older, stronger and "wiser." Ever since he could talk, I think, he's been like that. "What about when he calls you 'Matsuda?' I mean, you're older..."
Takehiro shrugs. "Ruki does the same thing with Ryou-san and, sometimes, our Dads or Uncle Hirokazu and Uncle Kenta. I figure he got it from her, he idolizes his Mom so much."
"He would freak out if he ever heard that the others call him a 'momma's boy,'" I say.
"He…kinda is but isn't at the same time…Ruki's not exactly your average Mother…"
"Ruki's not exactly your average anything!"I say. "If I ever tell Akio…I'm sure she'll have something to say to Tou-san and Tou-chan…I'll tell Akio after I tell them."
"I wonder if she'll try to get any of her money back, claiming she just picked the wrong 'goggled spawn,'" Takehiro says with a laugh.
"Niichan, you're the only 'goggled spawn.'" I say. "Remember?"
"Tou-san said you're a Matsuda and we have the same Mom, you're a goggled spawn, too," Takehiro crosses his arms, grinning. Ha ha ha…Takehiro, I know you feel a little weird finding out you weren't adopted but…I think he's worried he might upset me with the whole 'real son' thing…
…Niichan, you're amazing and I wouldn't want any other brother on Earth. And the fact Tou-san wanted me to be his son so badly, I consider myself a Matsuda no matter what anyone or DNA says...
…But I can't ignore the fact I was adopted, either. "If it is genetic, it would explain why my DNA-Dad cheated on Fumiko Cao…" I trail off, with a laugh. Takehiro starts laughing, too.
"…Do you ever wonder what it would be like…with her?" Takehiro asks after a few moments. "Just…Any sort of image you have of her. When I thought I was adopted, I did wonder who my 'real parents' were sometimes."
I shrug. "I used to, I always saw her as really poor or something because of how she had to give me up, but really nice...Then I saw those papers and…Um… …Y'know that Disney Cinderella movie…? Or, no, even better! Sleeping Beauty, the evil witch! Crossed with Godzilla!"
"…You seriously picture your DNA-Mom like THAT?" Takehiro's trying his best to hold back a fit of laughs.
I grin. "Kinda, maybe a little less fire-breathing..."
Takehiro finally laughs.
"What about you?"
"…Well, um… I was more concerned with my DNA-Mom than my DNA-Dad, since I had Tou-chan and Tou-san. …And, I'm serious when I say this, I wanted my real Mom to be like one of my Aunts…Guess which one."
"…For real?" Actually…Takehiro was always really close to 'Aunt Juri,' so…That would make sense.
"…That's kind of why I was so happy the day I found out," Takehiro shrugs. "And, when you think about before…She was the closest thing we had to a Mom before then. She was always coming over to visit and never missed our birthdays. And, when we were kids, she wanted to play with us a lot more than even Uncle Kenta did. She never said 'No, I don't feel like playing' or anything."
"…Yeah, and knowing the truth… 'Aunt Juri' was a lot closer to us than any other Aunt. And we knew she wasn't really related to us as an Aunt, so…"
Takehiro nods. "I think, if she was still an 'Aunt,' at this point we'd suspect something…Back then, I'm a little surprised we didn't suspect anything."
"You did, sort of…Subconsciously or something, at least," I say. "…Speaking of…suspecting…"
"Yeah?"
"…Did you…ever suspect me as…?" I trail off.
Takehiro shakes his head. "No, especially with how much you don't like being asked 'that question.'"
"Think…anyone might?"
"If anyone does, it's Akio…And I don't think he voices it because, well, he knows how much you don't like it," Takehiro says. "I don't know about Tou-san, Tou-chan or anyone else, though…Uncle Kenta, maybe."
"Why Uncle Kenta?"
"Because when the gay is a afoot, Kenta Kitagawa is there," Takehiro says, we both laugh.
"Yeah, I-I…ha ha…I forgot, Uncle Kenta has…finely tuned gaydar…" I trail off.
"And Uncle Makoto…If he thinks you're straight, then…" Takehiro trails off, I laugh. Uncle Makoto thought Uncle Kenta was straight! Why? Because he's so obviously gay! Uncle Makoto's sorta weird but we like him. He and Aunt Xiaochun decorated the upstairs apartment not too long ago and Uncle Makoto buys a lot of Tou-chan's artwork for rooms he's decorating. Tou-chan even did a few requests for him.
One thing I know for sure, when I think about all of my relatives, both official and unofficial, I can only come to one conclusion…
…Our family is weird!
But that's a good thing…It's what got Takehiro his girlfriend. And Takehiro…
…Takehiro is the best brother ever.
Thank you, Niichan.
Takehiro and I spent a lot of time talking, until almost midnight…We talked about my secret, meeting Tarou, friends and family, how I'm handling school…Everything!
…I'm really glad I decided to talk to him in the end. I'm glad to be out to my brother at least. And, for someone straight, he knows and understands a lot of what I'm going through. I think a lot of it has to do with him being Tou-chan's son and, well, the fact we've got two Dads.
I know Takehiro asks them about their relationship and aspects of being gay more than I did...I think I didn't ask as much because I was either afraid of offending them or, when I started to realize I might have been attracted to guys, because I was afraid of myself...I can think of only a handful of questions I've ever asked about what it's 'like' being gay and two of them were about hot springs and…
…I still can't believe I asked that!
…Takehiro, however, figured out that 'trick' Uncle Kenta told Tou-san and Tou-chan and told me last night…
…I DID NOT NEED TO KNOW THAT, TAKEHIRO! AAAUUUGH!
…I-I…I do not handle subjects like that…very well… …Ugh…
"…Finally, at the battle of Sekigahara-" Our teacher stops speaking as the lunch bell rings. "We'll continue this lesson after lunch."
We stand and bow before going out the door, everyone starts down the hall to lunch, I keep an eye out for Fujita's class and whoever's waiting outside…
…This is it… I'm going to meet Tarou…
…And I…kinda hope he's cute… …And I still can't believe that subject came up again. I-I spent a good ten minutes talking 'cute guys' with my brother…Who actually had his own opinion on those cute guys…
…Takehiro has a level of confidence in his heterosexuality than most straight guys can only claim to have. He can talk about anything "gay" or about cute guys, play shounen-ai dating sims, be assumed as gay and none of it gets to him or embarrasses him…Because he knows he's straight and so does his girlfriend (though she did kinda wonder about him for a while).
Mr. Fujita's class is ahead…I see a boy my age waiting outside the door. He's wearing a Suikoden VIII T-shirt and shorts, he has shoulder length black hair and wire frame glasses…And…
...I-I know him…
…My first day at Kamedama, when that jerk was following me around…He was one of the two that defended me...
…I don't believe it...I-I wonder if he remembers that incident…
"Tarou-kun?" I say as I approach.
"Ryougi-kun?" Tarou says, he looks at me and smiles. "Ha ha, wow…So that's what you look like in real life…"
"Huh?"
Tarou glances away, blushing slightly. "It's…a good thing. Trust me…" He laughs, nervously.
"…Do you…remember me from…last year?" I ask.
"Yeah, um, I realized it after you signed off…Did that guy leave you alone after that?"
I shake my head. "I thought he would if I tried to talk the teacher out of detention but…Let's say I still owe a friend of mine five hundred yen."
"Sorry to hear that…" Tarou trails off. "That guy who, um, pushed him down…"
"Akio Makino, he's a friend of mine," I say. "He's my bodyguard, sort of…Usually, my brother stops the bullies but, with him in high school, it's Akio's 'job.' He takes it seriously."
Tarou laughs, "He…He definitely looked tough."
"He's really nice, sort of full of himself but he's a great friend…" I shrug. "Oh! Before I forget…" I hold up my lunch bag. "I, um, brought some extra breads from my Dad's bakery. Have you ever heard of Guilmon bread?"
"I haven't but I've heard people talk about it. Is it like Dino-Bread?" Tarou asks. Dino-Bread? He must be used to one of the knock offs other bakeries sell…'Floppy Eared Dog' is another one (or 'Rabbit,' even though Terriermon looks nothing like a rabbit! …Or a terrier, but…That's another issue!). So far, none of us have seen 'Really Gay Looking Pink Thing' bread, so MarineAngemon Bread is still one of a kind.
"This is the original recipe, other bakeries try to copy it but Tou-chan's is the best! I also brought some Terriermon bread and MarineAngemon bread, too."
"Wow, thank you!" Tarou bows his head. "Your Dad…makes Digimon breads? Why?"
Er…That's a question I can't give the real answer two. We're not supposed to tell anyone our parents are real Digimon Tamers, the ones from the news all those years ago. Hypnos managed to keep their identities secret and we're definitely not allowed to talk about Hypnos! Tou-san fixes computers for a living…
…In the sense he makes sure the internet doesn't explode because of a rogue digimon.
"He's…a huge fan," I say. "Takehiro and I are, too. You?"
"Love it! I've seen almost every season of the anime and play Li Rinchei's Digimon Universe a lot," Tarou says. "But I'm no good at the card game."
"You've played Digimon Universe?" I grin. "I need to talk to you about some codes…"
…I think I'm going to like Tarou.
Ori's Notes:
And this is a revised version of D-A-T-E!
Quick note on Moumantai (since Liangji says it): It's Cantonese for "no problem," that's the most common usage as far as I know. And, in Mandarin, it would be Wuwenti.
The reason for this note on Moumantai is, as Taiki posted for me in the profile, Jen and his family should be speaking Cantonese, not Mandarin…However, I don't speak any Cantonese, so they speak Mandarin as it's what I'm familiar with. And for one other reason: Whenever Jen is referred to in Chinese (even on Chiaki Konaka's Tamers resource) he's referred to as "Jianliang," which is a Mandarin name…So, um, Tamers is sending some mixed messages on that front, too.
Fun fact: "Wong," his surname is the dub, is a Cantonese surname (The Cantonese form of Wang or Huang, I doubt the dub went as far as to give an official Hanzi for his surname, so in Mandarin it can be either one), Li\Lee is both Mandarin and Cantonese. I think the reason the dub changed his surname to a definite Cantonese name was to reflect his heritage a little more...
…Or they just thought "Li" was too foreign and "Wong" wasn't for whatever reason, I dunno! Dub name changes don't make sense to me sometimes!
…Though, I will admit some of them aren't too bad: Iori does look like a "Cody," y'know? That, I didn't mind. But I've never in my life heard the name "Yolie" before 02's dub. Also, I'm surprised the Tamers dub went with "Jeri" instead of "Julie." Twerp-chan and I like to joke around about "Jerry" being Jen's rejected dub name: "Takato's in love with Jerry! Not Julie!"
Oh, and when Xros Wars gets dubbed: $50 says Zenjirou's dub name is "Zack."
Also, don't ask, I have no idea what "Jianliang" is in Cantonese. Sorry, my sources are limited when it comes to Mandarin to Cantonese translations.
Anyway, with this chapter: I thought making Tarou the same person who defended Liangji in the earlier chapter would have made them a little closer at first. At least, on Liangji's side. The whole Liangji\Tarou aspect of this fic is getting the biggest overhaul while Takehiro\Kyoko is given…a little twist. I won't tell you what it is, though. You'll see later.
Again, hope you like the rewrite!
Taiki's Notes:
Ori says this chapter "still counts" as revised, so it's going up today as an extra chapter even though it's the one he put the most work into revising. I thoroughly prefer the newer version! Also, I believe this is the last of the "original draft" chapters until post-fic when we put up what's been cut out.
Since he mentioned it, yes, we do think "Jerry" was a rejected dub name for Je(n)ry(a) and like to joke about the implications of that with the Juri\Takato hints in the dubbed version. Honestly, if Takato said to you "I'm in love with Jeri" without you knowing who "Jeri" was, what would you think, exactly? Ha ha ha!
I'm looking forward to more of the Tarou and Liangji plotline! Like he said, Ori has put a lot of extra work into that part of the story!
Next chapter goes up later today.
-Taiki Matsuki