Mirai No Kodomo
XLI: Mistake (Hidemura Tarou)


It's been a month since Kensuke met the Matsudas…It went…okay, I guess. Kensuke was obviously really nervous about being around three gay couples at once. One of which including his own brother, too, I know that was…really weird to him at first. Although, he told me I'm "a surprise but, not that much of a surprise." …I was always worried I was a little obvious but Kensuke insists that Dad has no idea that I'm gay. Thank the Gods.

Kensuke's gotten more and more open towards the idea, though. I think the ultimate ice breaker was, um…

…I-I can't believe this but…

…Kensuke really likes Ai To Kirai. He could not believe Takehiro plays it, he knows what Ai To Kirai is, too, he's not that clueless when it comes to games. But, Takehiro had an idea…

"Kensuke-kun, let's play a game my girlfriend and I play: I pick three characters I want to end the game with, you pick three. We play each other chapter, final chapter is rock-paper-scissors to decide who picks dialogue options and we freely sabotage each others' picks: Whoever ends the game with one of their picks wins. You pick three girls, I'll pick three guys."

"O-Okay—Wait, you can date girls in this game?"

…Okay, he's still a little clueless but…Ai to Kirai is more infamous as a shounen-ai dating sim than anything else (it encourages it, ending with some of the girls is a challenge).

Ryougi and I watched as they took turns playing and…Kensuke was perfectly okay with it after a little bit. And now…

…He actually asked if he could play my copy that Ryougi-chan gave me for Christmas (I love that game! I couldn't thank him enough!), even after I told him "Niisan, um, it's…All gay, no girls and…Really gay fanservice-y."

"I'll take my chances, these are fun!" …I played it with him and…

…Kensuke and I haven't hung out or spoken this much in…so long! Since before I realized I was gay…Actually, I think that realization is why we haven't been as close. I was so afraid of him somehow finding out. Now? I'm glad he found out, he's so supportive. He and Takehiro are good friends, too. They hang out at school a lot, now. And plan to spend a lot of time together during Summer break, it starts the Monday after next for all of us.

They already invited us to their grandparents' place to use their pool. It's almost June, too, perfect weather for it!

I wonder if Akio will get a "Takehiro Induced Nosebleed" again. Ryougi told me about that theory, I think he's right. I, um, told him I noticed how Akio stares whenever Takehiro's in his martial arts vest and pants. Looking back, that was kinda obvious.

We really like the Matsudas and they say they like us…I'm getting a little worried with all the times they invite me (now us) to dinner and for bread (and for that really cool night at that club) that I'm, um, becoming a bother but…Ryougi-chan insists that Takato-san loves to cook for us. I-I hope he's right but with all the bread Ryougi brings me…

…I sort of want to learn to make bread for Ryougi. Wormmon bread! Or just something easy like a heart.

In fact, Kensuke and I are getting ready to go to dinner at the Matsuda's. I step out of my room, Kensuke's in the living room watching television. He turns off the TV, saying, "Let's go, Takato-san said he's making extra Guilmon bread, right?"

I nod.

"Hold it. Both of you!" We freeze as he hear the tone of Dad's voice…He sounds upset.

"Dad? Wh-What's wrong?" Kensuke turns, Dad's standing in the door frame into the kitchen with his arms crossed.

"Both of you have been going to the Katou's a lot, and you've been going to dinner there more often than you eat here practically. Look, they're obviously very nice people…I don't want them to think my sons are taking advantage of that…" …For once, Dad and I agree on something: I feel really bad sometimes about how much I stay for dinner or eat Takato-san's breads for free.

"W-We aren't, Dad, really!" Kensuke says.

"I know, but…I want you both to invite Ryougi and Takehiro here for dinner. Tomorrow, if possible." Oh, crap! "It's time we returned the favor."

"Er…Dad, um…I-I don't know if—"

"No excuses," Dad shakes his head. "Tarou, don't be ungrateful. The Katous sound incredibly nice to put up with you two taking so much of their food. I want them to know they're allowed here, too. And, if possible, I'd like to meet Mr. and Mrs. Katou sometime, too."

"R-Right…" I nod. "We'll invite Takehiro and Ryougi and…let you know when they can come over."

"Good, tell their Mom and Dad I said 'hi,' too. And thank them for that bread," Dad says.

Kensuke and I nod, put on our shoes and leave. "Bye, Dad!"

We wait until we get to the street before we discuss Dad's request.

"…I don't want Takehiro-kun to hear any of the crap Dad says about him," Kensuke says. "His Dads, too."

I nod. "Ryougi's…told him some of his greatest hits, um…Actually a lot of my recent 'jokes' are from Takehiro."

"Re-Really? …That makes me feel better about laughing at them, then," Kensuke nods.

"He got a lot of them from his Uncle Kenta, too, I think."

"Now I'm guilt-free," Kensuke smirks. He actually really likes Kenta-san, he was less nervous after Kenta-san joked around with him that first night. "Still, we should invite them…In theory."

"Yeah, I know what Dad's saying. I feel really bad about how much of Takato-san's bread I've eaten. And we both know how much MarineAngemon bread you can eat."

"Takato-san said I can have all I want…He encourages it!" Kensuke shouts. "…And that stuff is good."

I nod. "Takehiro told me it's okay to 'play along' with Dad because it's better than him finding out, but…" I sigh. "I-I'm getting tired of it, Niisan. Really tired."

"Me, too…Maybe we could talk to him, just not mention you're gay or about Ryougi and Takehiro. Just…try to get him to see it's…not that big of a deal. I mean, I-I thought…It'd come up a lot more than it does. Aside from Ai to Kirai or you and Ryougi being together…It's like hanging out with any other friend. I-I feel like an idiot for thinking it'd be any different."

"Don't, I felt that way about The Way of the Mauve Fist."

"The…What?"

"Oh, um, I didn't tell you about that?" I look to Kensuke. He shakes his head. "It's a gay guild in Li Rinchei-sama's MMO. It's…actually, it's how I met Ryougi."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, um, with him he joined the public betas because he's Li Rinchei's nephew, well, early in the game a lotof players were from the Tokyo area because of an installation CD promotion," I say. "It's how I joined up for the beta tests. Ryougi joined the guild 'for fun' while he was still 'figuring things out' about himself. Because you mentioned Takehiro once, that he had a younger brother, um, I realized Ryougi and I went to the same school because he said he had two dads and a brother named Takehiro…I guess I owe you, sort of, for being with Ryougi."

"Glad I could help," Kensuke grins. "So, when you met…Love at first sight?"

"Pretty much, I guess…I was his friend online but, well, seeing him real life? He introduced me to his Dads as his gay best friend," I say, smiling. I didn't think Ryougi thought of me as his best friend, especially since we'd just met but…I was really happy to have the title.

"What…was it like being out like that?" Kensuke asks. "I mean, I know it's really big that I know and don't have a problem but…That's not 'out,' that's 'a secret,' you know?"

"Aside from a few questions or comments…It doesn't come up that I'm gay too often. It's the fact that no-one cares that…It's huge. Like there it's completely normal, I'm not weird, I don't get a second glance…I'm just Ryougi's gay best friend."

"No, you're not."

"What?"

"You're Ryougi's boyfriend."

I laugh, "I-I never thought I'd hear you say something like that. Ever."

"Me, neither…But…It's cool, Tarou. It's really cool you have someone you love so much. I can't believe my nerdy little brother dates more than I do, too…Ha ha ha!"

I laugh a little. "I-I can't believe I'm…dating anyone. I never thought I'd…go that far."

"Speaking of going 'that' far…Have you had that first kiss yet?"

I blush, shaking my head. "We…don't need to rush."

"You two are so shy, you're perfect for each other…Just don't be like that couple that died of excitement their 'first time,' okay?" Kensuke looks to me, I'm sure I'm the brightest shade of red I've ever been. He…He actually…joked about THAT? "…Okay, going by that look, I'll know if you ever do go that far, the papers will report 'it happened again – This time a gay couple! Death by shyness!' I'll miss you, Tarou, but it's probably the best way to go out."

I stare at Kensuke for almost half a minute before we both break down into a fit of laughs.

Kensuke…is totally comfortable with things and that is official proof!

Thank you, Niisan…Thank you so much for accepting Ryougi and I…

…But we are not going to go that faranytime soon!


After dinner that night, we talked to Ryougi and Takehiro…We invited them, telling them we were worried about how our Dad might treat "the other Takehiro" and "his" two Dads at dinner…Takehiro said it wouldn't bother him, and it would help make it so our Dad was less likely to find out.

…They'll be here in a few minutes, Ryougi-chan just called to say he's leaving the bakery with Takehiro. Dad's making chicken, rice and his own attempt at Guilmon bread. He told us, "Takato-san and Juri-san give us so much bread, I want to try to give them some of my own secret recipe! They'll probably hate it but…I don't want them to think my sons are there just to eat their food. I owe them some bread!" Dad's…got sort of an honor thing. I guess, maybe, he would have understood if I told him that time I was making lunch for Ryougi as a way to pay him back…Maybe if I did that more often, he wouldn't feel the need to invite him and Takehiro over…

…Not that I don't want to thank them but…I-I don't know if I can take this. Ryougi's been to dinner here a few times before we were together. I somehow managed to get through dinner without crying…I cried when I saw Ryougi down to the street when he was going home…I told him how sorry I was for all the things Dad and Kensuke said…

…He gave me a hug and told me it was okay. The next day, he and Takehiro gave me a bunch of jokes to tell, just so Dad wouldn't suspect me from my lack of enthusiasm to join in his rants or jokes…

…If he goes on a rant…Gods, please don't let him do that. Let's talk about anything but gays…ANYTHING! Please!

There's a knock on the door, I answer. Takehiro and Ryougi stand in the hall, I bow and let them in. They take off their shoes. "Th-They're here, Dad!"

Dad walks into the room, bowing his head. They bow low. "Welcome. And, Takehiro, I'm glad to finally meet you. Kensuke and Tarou told me a lot about you. Is it true you know Tai Chi? And Chinese?"

Takehiro nods. "Shi. Wo de xing shi Songtian. Wo de ming shi Ganghong." He just said his surname and given name in Chinese (Songtian Ganghong).

Dad laughs, "Amazing, but isn't Ryougi the Chinese one…? Where did you two learn it?" Crap…They can't say—

"Uncle Jianliang, or 'Jenrya,'" Ryougi replies. "He's our Uncle on Mom's side, adopted like I am. He speaks Chinese and taught us when I was adopted. Mom already knew it but Dad learned it for her and us, so he wouldn't feel left out." …I-I can't believe it…

…Ryougi, you and Takehiro…Re-Remember that story you told me? Whenever someone assumes either Jenrya-san or Takato-san is one of your Uncles? You two always corrected them? Because you're not ashamed of your Dads…

…I'm sorry you have to do this, Ryougi-chan. I wish you didn't have to.

Dad nods. "I see, that's…great! I was impressed when I heard Tarou speak a little Chinese not too long ago. And Kensuke, too, I heard he's picked up a little."

"Xiao," Kensuke and I say in unison, meaning "a little." Dad lets out a laugh.

"Can I get you two a drink?"

"No, thank you," Ryougi says.

"We're fine, thanks," Takehiro bows his head.

"All right, go have fun playing games or something. Dinner will be ready soon. I hope this bread I made comes out good, I want you to give it to your Mom and Dad to thank them for all the bread my sons have eaten."

Ryougi laughs, "We're happy to share, they usually eat the stuff we can't sell." This is true, I try to stick to the stuff they're going to throw out later…

…But fresh any bread is so tempting, let alone their Digimon breads! But Takato-san usually makes that just for all of us, so I don't take anything he's planning to sell, but…We all eat a ton of bread.

Actually, Ryougi is making his own bread these days and Takehiro's been helping Takato-san in the kitchen at dinner. Takehiro's pretty good with tempura, manju and stir-fry, actually, he made us all dinner once when Takato-san and Jenrya-san were on a date. He learned a lot of those recipes from Juri-san, too. And, of course, he knows how to make Guilmon bread (really well!).

Ryougi's really good at baking, too, he asked Kensuke and I to taste test his breads a few weeks ago. We tried one of just about everything on the menu, his version…

…He's good, I-I liked his Guilmon bread almost as much as Takato-san or Takehiro's version.

We all sit down at the couch and watch television, Kensuke turns it on to a rerun of Digimon Adventure. The VenomVamdemon episodes…

…Dad doesn't see the famous Taito scene, or all of us making the motion of taking a shot and laughing. Kensuke's gotten into Digimon thanks to those drinking games. He has an "ongoing" game with Hirokazu-san and Kenta-san for Xros Wars: The Taikiriha drinking game, even though Hirokazu-san thinks Taiki belongs with Zenjirou…I agree! Kensuke…declines comment but…

…I think he might just support Taiki and Zenjirou, too. My brother was serious about learning to be "okay" with things!

When it comes time for dinner, I sit across from Ryougi and next to Kensuke. Kensuke sits across from Takehiro while Dad is closest to Ryougi and I at the head of the table. We pass around the plates of chicken, rice, sauce and rolls. It's really good, Dad's not a bad chef. He just works really late most of the time, it's why Kensuke usually orders out. In fact, the reason he wanted Takehiro and Ryougi over today was because it's one of his "early" days, where he doesn't work as late.

"How's the bread? I'm sure you two are the experts," Dad says. "Be brutally honest, I don't expect anyone to like it."

"It's not bad," Takehiro says. "The crust could be a little more brown but otherwise, I'd say it's great."

"Agreed," Ryougi nods. "Hao mianbao."

"Ha ha ha, that means…?"

"'Good bread,'" Ryougi replies.

"I recognized 'bao,' that's um…Manju, right?"

Ryougi nods. "My Grandma and Dad make the best manju."

"Dad uses Grandma's recipe, Ryougi, but…I think Dad using more baking powder makes it better. More cake-like, you know?"

"Yeah, but only if he's not going to use a lot of filling," Ryougi says. "Hidemura-san, do you like baozi?"

"Always get a ton of it when we order Chinese," Dad says. "Kensuke, what's that place we usually order from?"

"The place on Sakaki," Kensuke says. "They have really good manju!"

"Akio-kun eats there a lot," Ryougi says. Ruki-san orders out more than we do, actually. Akio knows all of the best restaurants from that. If I ever get a tip from him when it comes to restaurants, I know he's right! "It's his favorite."

"Akio…?" Dad trails off.

"He's a friend of Ryougi's," I say. I know Akio pretty well now and he's met Kensuke, too. Kensuke still has no idea Akio is gay (I still have trouble believing it! Even when Ryougi told me he was going to tell Akio about us so he'd have someone to talk to). Akio is…sort of over Takehiro, but…

…I'm told I looked a little more in love than he does (staring at Takehiro) when I'd look at Ryougi. But just a little. No-one suspected him, though, because…He's AKIO!

"His Mom is the owner of Girly Girl Magazine," Kensuke adds. "Ruki Makino!"

"…Wait… I-I heard about that…" Dad trails off. "Didn't the editor's son come out or something? I heard on the news, they did an article on 'having a gay son.' How to deal with the depression I guess…" Dad shrugs. …Thanks, Dad…

"Th-They did?" Kensuke gives an apologetic look to Takehiro and Ryougi, they both give him a 'this is news to me, too' look. I-I didn't know, either!

"Akio's…not like that is he?"

Kensuke speaks up, "Trust me, Dad, I've met Akio. He is not gay, he hates 'girly' stuff." Um…Kensuke, you'd be surprised…

Actually, I once asked Akio about that 'girly' thing…I mean, there's the whole 'being gay makes you less manly' stereotype and things like that. Ryougi and I both thought that would be a factor in him being upset about his orientation (we were so wrong about him being upset, "I'm here, I'm queer, anyone who has a problem with it can kiss my ass!")…

…I will never forget his response…

"It's TWO MEN, stupid! How much more manly can you get? Being gay is not girly! It's manly!"

…Akio is weird in the best way possible...

"Sorry, just wanted to be sure. It's not an influence I want on Tarou or Kensuke. I mean, I'm sure you understand, Takehiro," Oh, Gods, no!"I bet a lot of kids at school mistake you for that other kid…Takehiro's not that common of a name these days, I hear."

Takehiro shakes his head. "Just me and that gay kid." …Takehiro…

…I know how much he hates homophobia, the fact he's playing along…

Dad, please, don't…Don't do this…

"Two Dads…I-I just can't believe they'd allow that." …Please, stop… "I mean, think of that poor kid and his brother. Both growing up, thinking that's normal! I bet school was a huge shock for 'em, finding out where babies really come from!"

"Yeah, when a Mommy and a Daddy love each other very much…" Takehiro trails off with a smirk. "Birds and the bees, not birds and birds…Though, um, I always wondered how you get a baby from a bird and bee, but… For that matter, is the bird the Dad or is that the Bee?"

Dad laughs, "I never got that, either."

"I mean, it should be birds and birds, bees and bees…In the sense that, well, if you mated a bird and a bee…" I get it, Takehiro's trying to change the subject…Thank you.

"Yeah, but…Poor kids think birds go with birds, bees go with bees…I bet you they even turned 'em. You know? Kids grow up thinking that's normal, what else is that gonna do? Warps 'em, they shouldn't let it happen…Two fags turning their kids like them. It's sickening!"

"…Dad…" I whisper. He doesn't hear me.

"Actually, Girly Girl's Editor's son…That makes sense, I've heard Girly Girl is for lesbians or something." What? Ruki-san is not a lesbian! She's…She's Ruki-san, I-I don't know how to describe her other than 'not a lesbian' and 'Ruki-san.' She's...one of a kind, like Ryou-san always says (usually adding "And thank the Gods for that.") "It's all about butch women, right?"

Takehiro shrugs. "I'm pretty sure anyone in this room who knows what's in a magazine called 'Girly Girl' has some explaining to do." I see Ryougi hold back a chuckle at that, actually…But…

Takehiro, you shouldn't have to do this! I…I can tell when he looks away from my Dad now and then…He doesn't like doing this, he's…putting up with it for my sake…

…I'm so sorry, Takehiro...

Dad starts laughing, "Good one! I-I should make it clear, I don't, I just heard about it on the news. He wrote this article for her magazine about being gay and she wrote one about being the mother of a gay kid…Which…Geez, I feel for her husband..." Ryou-san…supports Akio… "I bet he's thrilled to have his kid paraded around as some sort of gay icon for women's magazines!"

…Dad, stop, please, stop…

All my life, he's been like this…Mention homosexuality and he rants and jokes about gays—No, fags. He rants and jokes about fags.

Damn it, I just know there was a fag on the train today. That guy did not 'accidentally' bump into me like that!

Fags are just perverts, Tarou. It's some sick fetish for other men. They're messed up in the head and want everyone to think they're normal…Tarou, Kensuke, remember this: They're not.

Wait, you met a kid with two Dads, Kensuke? What the hell's wrong with that school? Did he hit on you or is he by some miracle straight? If he is, poor kid…

Tarou, why the hell are you making lunch for another boy like that? Girls and fags do that!

You're…Ryougi's uncle? …Sorry, but…I gotta ask, you're…you're straight, right? …Sorry, Tarou but…this guy looks really faggy to me…

Hey, I'm just glad to hear this Takehiro you know isn't the same fag who two Dads!

Fag this, fag that…

…And he's saying it…to Takehiro and Ryougi…I-I'm used to him ranting like this to me, but…To them? And…about them! About their family! Ryougi-chan, you asked me once if you were a jerk? You're not…

Kensuke speaks up, "Dad, um, I don't think we really want to talk about a women's magazine over dinner, you know?"

…I am. Because you have to put up with this for my sake…

"Yeah, Kensuke, good point. I don't think there are many things gayer than—" AND I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!

I stand straight up, holding my hands to my side with my fists clenched. "…Stop it…" I whisper, my head lowered. "Please…Stop it…"

"…Tarou? What's wrong? Stop what?"

"This rant…About…'them.'" I say, I don't want to say that word. Ever. Again. "Please…Just stop it…"

"Ta-Tarou…" Kensuke whispers. "Ah, Dad, sorry, Tarou's had a long day at school, you know? He doesn't want to hear about…that kind of thing right now…"

"…Tarou, is that true? Why not? Some fag hit on—"

"STOP IT!" I scream. "No, I wasn't hit on! I'm just…so tired of hearing you rant like that about gays. I can't take it anymore! Please, Dad…Stop it…" I turn facing my Dad…I-I know any second I'm about to cry.

Dad stares at me for a few moments, I'm sure of what might be running through his mind as I study his expression, "Ta-Tarou…Why? What's wrong? Is—"

"BECAUSE I'M GAY!"


Ori's Notes:

…Huh, something tells me ending this chapter on those three words is gonna annoy some people with the whole "cliffhanger" aspect…

Anyway, we're nearing the end of the fic.

…Sorta.

Also, Kensuke's joke about the couple that died "their first time." I don't know if this is true or just a "weird Japan" urban myth but…Supposedly there was married couple so shy about romance that the night they finally "officiated" their marriage (years into it), they both died of heart attacks from the anxiety\excitement (take your pick). I just know it made #1 on 1,000 Ways to Die (which…a lot of those "real" deaths on that show are urban myths, hence my skepticism).

Yeah, I'm addicted to a couple shows on Spike (1,000 Ways to Die, CSI Classic and Manswers, mostly). It was the straightest thing in my life until they started airing that "gay chat" commercial at midnight.

No, seriously, on SPIKE TV! There is a gay hotline commercial that airs on SPIKE TV!

…I never thought I'd ever say this in a million years but…

…What the hell happened to the Girls Gone Wild ads? Seriously, I had to double check to make sure I wasn't really on Logo!

Of course, with Spike turning gay (just like we planned, mwa ha ha ha ha ha!) this means my dream may soon be realized…

…A GAY VERSION OF MANSWERS! Spike, you've already shown us the gay hotline commercial with the hot, shirtless men…Give us Gay Manswers!


Taiki's Notes:

"…Sorta?" Do I dare ask what he means by that?

And I hope Tarou is okay. I knew Ori wouldn't make things that easy for him! Ori, be nice to Tarou! Please?

Oh, why do I bother? He never listens to me!

I bet if Takato, your Tortoise, asked you to be nice to him, you'd do it! Then again, if you said Takato asked you I'd be worried about you. Very worried.

Ori, as Hirokazu said to Takato in Kokoro no Kikkou: Turtles. Don't. Talk.

Of course, it's not like that is going to stop him.

And no comment on the SpikeTV rant except that I will admit this: I would watch a gay version of Manswers if it existed. Ori, pitch that one to Logo! Please!

Again, happy anniversary to Jen and Takato (according to this continuity at least!), I hope they don't mind we're "celebrating" with these chapters, though. Poor Tarou. The next chapter will go up later today! I want Ori's cliff hanger to have some impact. You'll see the aftermath soon. I won't say what happens but I will say this: Ori, I did not see that coming.

-Taiki Matsuki