Chapter 33
After his father insisted, Tempest chose to rest up for the next few days. He continued to go to his cooking class and then watch the sumos train, but the more he would watch, the more he wanted to do it.
But there was a big problem.
When he was at the association, he spoke with his father about the issue he had if he were to be a sumo wrestler. "I'm really shy dad… I don't think I could wear what they wear…" he explained.
His father didn't appear to be that bothered by the subject, however he spoke rather carefully. "If you do not wear what they wear, you cannot be a sumo wrestler. The mawashi belt and loincloth are to show that each wrestler is battling with their own talents and abilities and makes it impossible to hide a weapon to use against said opponents…"
"I know that dad, I read the history of it!"
"Then what are you going to do about it?"
Despite how supportive he is, Garou can be rather blunt when it comes to another's problem. "I… don't know."
He was merely seated in the cafeteria having a snack, when he finished it. "I know." He announced. "First, we are going to have to change your clothing…"
#
"Uh… really?"
Tempest stood rather oddly in shorts, a t-shirt and bare footed. Athena took the liberty in making him clothing to wear, this was but the first step. His father nodded his approval. "This is less clothing than what you are use to wearing. You are going to wear this until you are comfortable. When you are, we take you down another outfit. Tank top and short shorts. When you can walk around in that without embarrassment, we strip you to your boxers…"
"Whoa, wait! Boxers?!" he demanded. "Dad… you want me to walk around here in my underwear?!"
There was no smirk on his father's face. "Yeah, since after that, you are going to do it in a loincloth and mawashi belt." He stated bluntly. "Now, get moving, start walking around and talking to heroes, even if it's about the weather. Don't be shy, you got to break that. After all, a Yokozuna can't be intimidated nor can they be bashful!"
He took a deep breath and sighed, he was right of course. With that, Tempest began his new training.
He walked about without much notice. Although the girl heroes were starting to blush at the sight of him. He tried to ignore the looks as he move along, he has to look to the future, he has to get beyond his shyness and find his courage to wear even less than what he is wearing. He endured the whispers and comments, and continue to move forward.
He even went to his cooking classes in t-shirts and shorts, but wore shoes after his mother insisted upon it.
He was getting more and more attention by the women around him, however it started to no longer bother him as much. Even the googly eye girls at the school didn't bother him. However, he began to notice the blushed look on Misty's face every time he turned to her during class.
In about two weeks he grew comfortable enough to go down to a sleeveless t-shirt and short. His mother refused to allow him to wear short shorts as his father suggested. That merely lasted a day, when he was at the association the next day, he was down to his boxers!
"TEMPEST!" his mother shouted. "WHERE ON EARTH ARE YOUR CLOTHES!?"
He blushed a little and explained that he was training. "I have to learn how to wear less if I am going to do this mom… I am not a fan either, but I have to… after all, a loincloth and mawashi belt don't leave much to the imagination…" he explained.
His mother sighed aloud to his explanation but he was right. "Very well then… wait, have you been fitted for one yet?" she asked.
"Athena has the measurements, she is going to make one for me," he explained.
She nodded once more. "I hope you are ready to wear it, it's not going to leave much of you covered…" she explained. But then paused as she heard something. Her glare turned and went right at some of the young women heroes admiring him from a distance. "KEEP WALKING!" she ordered.
They pouted and moved on.
"It's not bothering me much anymore mom, really. I am actually feeling more confident than I did before. Dad's training and the fact that I am not instantly turning to my serpent form when I feel embarrassed is something to be proud of."
She nodded in agreement. "Just be careful around the ladies, sometimes they can get a little zealous."
He nodded in agreement.
It wasn't long before he decided to push himself, in three days after walking around the association in boxer shorts, he went with the full sumo look.
The eyes couldn't be peeled away from him.
He walked the halls in a loincloth and mawashi belt, he cringed a little since he could really feel the air against his backside. He felt naked and yet, at the same time, rather proud of himself. His Brawler body wasn't anything to be ashamed of. He was broad to say the least as he paused to look into one of the reflective walls. He saw his whole body and realized how remarkable it was. His arms were massive, his hands, huge to say the least. Although he appeared remarkably slim for such a big build, he still had define muscle tone that could be seen. He gave but a smile to it all. But he also noticed one other thing.
He looked more like his mom than Amai in his eyes.
Although people told him he appears much like Sweet Mask, he never saw it in his face. Tempest didn't care to try and look for it. But what does it matter to him? He continued to walk the rest of the day in the Mawashi belt and loincloth. Some of the other heroes were starting to glare at him oddly, he couldn't help but feel the resentful looks.
"Did… I do something wrong?" he asked himself.
"Tempest!"
He peered up and noticed his father approaching. "Looking good. Rocking the belt I see. Good job, you ain't even blushing!"
He smiled proudly, but the grin vanished when he noticed the other heroes staring at him oddly. "Uh… dad… why are they looking at me like that? Did I do something wrong?" he whispered.
His father turned and glared at the heroes who were giving Tempest dagger eyes. Instantly the looks dropped from their faces, as they peered away. "They are jealous of you."
"Huh? What's there to be jealous about? I haven't done anything amazing that they have? I defeated one monster with my siblings…"
"It's because you look good in a loincloth. You got the body for it, not to mention the ladies have taken notice of you… draw attention away from them to say the least." his father explained.
Tempest sighed aloud. "That's what it is…"
"I think you are nearly ready kiddo. You feel good?"
He nodded. "I… feel confident. I haven't felt like this before…"
"You're proud of your own body, that takes courage alone to muster and also convince yourself of. We will go back to regular training tomorrow if you want, we will have you wear your belt too, get you in the mind set of becoming a sumo!"
His eyes lit up. "Yes dad!" he said with a proud grin.
"Tempest? Oh, he's over here with daddy…" Tempest paused as he heard Luna's voice.
"I was wondering if everything was okay, he was acting… so… different…" Luna turned the corner along with Misty who suddenly froze and turned beet red at the sight of him.
Tempest smiled and gave a small wave of his hand. "Hi Misty…" he said in a rather shy tone. "Uh… I think I need to put on some pants if we want to practise our cooking right?"
"And a shirt," corrected Luna.
"Right, I'll go change now." Tempest turned to leave until he heard Misty gasp.
"Oh God… there nothing covering his behind… My God what a fine ass!"
This time, he couldn't help but blush…