Part Seven
The moment the AK-47 came out, the stakes of the confrontation climbed higher than just two teenagers expressing themselves to the masses. It was now a very serious that could, and if not handled carefully, could cost both Kajou and Tanukichi their lives.
With hands raised, Tanukichi looked at Blue Snow, then back to Riley. He watched Riley's right hand carefully, his index finger over the trigger. The Moral Authority didn't use guns when they arrested Tanukichi's father, they used numbers to surround and overpower him, and his father was a big, strong man. Guns were easier you get in Japan than condoms and they were sold in underground markets.
Tanukichi said, "This has gotten way out of hand, Riley." He looked to Kajou and shook his head, no silly dirty jokes about hands and she to agree with a nod. "Time to seriously talk things out."
"The time for talk had ended, this requires immediate action," Riley said, frighteningly calm.
"What are your demands?" Tanukichi put himself in the role of negotiator, although he doubt he could give Riley what he wanted. He took a step forward. This was also a way to protect Kajou if Riley did anything stupid.
Riley gave two jerks with the gun towards Tanukichi. "I want you to find Tanukichi Okuma and bring him back here, so I can profess my undying love to him. It was love at first sight. Tanukichi Okuma is the most beautiful person I've ever seen!" Tanukichi grunted with embarrassment. "Once he's here, I'm sure I can persuade him to accept me. Together we'll have beautiful babies."
"That's biologically impossible!" Tanukichi said factually. "But after what you did to him he won't come anywhere near you. And I can assure you, he'd demand those naked pictures you took of him back or be deleted. Maybe if you apologize and change your ways, he might become a friend…"
"I'll never delete them. I can look back on them and remember his lovely body in a state of bliss and restfulness. My only regret is that I didn't choose to take more time to enjoy the wondrous moment. I do, however, regret tasering him."
"That's a start," Tanukichi said. Taking naked pictures of him was another matter.
Having Riley arrested wouldn't do any good and it would only draw unwanted attention, and with his father's connections, Riley would most assuredly get off scot-free. So, Riley had him over a barrel. Tanukichi had no recourse but to bite the bullet.
"You need help, Riley," Tanukichi said. "There are professionals who can reform you. This sexual obsession is unhealthy. There is a difference between what SOX is doing and what you've crafted in this place. This must've taken you months to build, right?"
"With my own lovely two hands," Riley replied with pride.
"Did you ever once stop and think that this tethered on obsessive behaviour?" Tanukichi asked. Then he decided Riley probably didn't, because most people with extreme OCD like Riley's can't control their actions or even consider what they're doing is wrong.
Riley cocked his head, but he didn't give a response.
"SOX was birthed to help people deal with their sexual frustration," Tanukichi went on," and to find a voice and to release pent up tension. Chastity only leads to unhealthiness, even old medical journals agree. Nowadays, medical articles in other countries are even writing op-ed's regarding the old practise saying that it's completely healthy for the sexual health of teenagers."
"Actual bliss is better," Riley retorted.
Tanukichi agreed with that. Twice Anna had cornered him and twice she forced herself upon him fully. While it wasn't "bliss" per se, he had to admit, he enjoyed it to an extent.
"I built this place to share with others inspired by places I've visited," Riley said. "Places hidden deep in the underground under Japan where the Moral Authorities can't reach. If they're discovered, then they just move someplace else. That's also where I got this rifle."
Tanukichi blinked. "You mean, there are more people like you out there?" It was a scary thought.
Riley frowned. "I don't like the way you said that," he said, pointing the rifle at Tanukichi.
"I'm sorry, please—go on," Tanukichi said. He knew he had to take things carefully. Riley was unstable, and anything he said could trigger an unwanted response. He didn't want to get shot.
Riley said, "To tell you the truth, even members of the Moral Authorities frequent these "Dens". The old ways, it seems, is hard to break—even after sixteen years. And just thinking of this, I could do so much to my sweet Tanukichi that he'll beg me for more. Once he experiences it for himself, he won't reject me anymore. The release you get with that kind of stimulation is really quite exhilarating!"
Tanukichi shivered. He wanted nothing to do with these "Dens". He recalled now that his father had mentioned about one of these places, but they were not for kids. And he made light of them being: "A place for adults to socialize with other adults in a pleasurable environment of ones own liking."
"Can you show me?" Blue Snow spoke up. "I'd be interested in visiting one of these places."
Tanukichi jerked his head towards her with a look of dismay and shock. He couldn't believe it. He knew her interest was a bit fanatical to the point of being obsessive, but was she going to betray him just to see one of these hidden and illicit "Dens"? She gave him a sideways glance and gave him the tiniest wink. He breathed out a sigh. It was all he needed to know she wouldn't leave him for Riley.
"I would be delighted, if you can bring me Tanukichi?" Riley said, his attention now on Blue Snow. "Whoever brings me my love, I will show them the true gratification of what these underground cults offer."
"You don't need Tanukichi Okuma," Kajou said. "He's a whinny bitch. He's always so adamant about obeying the rules, because he wants to step out of father's shadow, being an ero-terrorist. I've seen him around, and everyone knows his history. He's stupid and rumour has it—he shoots blanks."
Tanukichi looked at her, shocked beyond belief, his eyes wide. What the hell are you doing, Kajou? Why are you trashing me like this?
"You don't want him," she continued, "and I have it on good authority he's asexual, he's neither one way or another, making a personal vow of chastity because he wants to become morally healthy. So, you're barking up the wrong tree with that loser. You might as well give him up."
Tanukichi clenched a fist at his side. He figured this was probably a plan to make Riley fall out of love with him, but she was talking it a bit too far. She was damaging what little reputation he had. While morally acceptable in society, if these lies every saw the light of day, he might has well become a hermit.
Riley shook his head. "Then you don't know him at all, Blue Snow. I've watched him on campus and I know the real Tanukichi Okuma, and he's nothing like you described. He definitely likes girls and looks at them all the time. He tries to hide it because he doesn't want to look unhealthy. And I've seen how he looks at one girl, Kajou Ayame, who is also a member of the Student Council. It's obvious that she is special to him. So, everything you say are nothing but fabrications and lies."
Tanukichi gasped. What the heck? When have I ever ogled Kajou? He did sometimes stare at her more than I should, but he never had any immortal thoughts about her. Stop it, Riley!
Kajou Ayame/Blue Snow gave Tanukichi a smile underneath her mask.
Okay, they'd have to deal with this later, Tanukichi thought.
Tanukichi cleared his throat, wanting to switch the conversion in another direction. "Let's get back to the issue," he said firmly. "I've seen this Tanukichi guy, and he definitely likes girls, so your pursuits to make him yours will be fruitless. He won't switch sides. So, let's talk things out, Riley. I'm sure we can come to some sort of compromise?"
The rifle shifted in Riley's hand. Tanukichi now had his full attention. Riley appeared to think for a moment, eye him from head to toe, then nodded, and said: "Yes, maybe a compromise can be made. You have a very healthy body, T. Perhaps you can satisfy this yearning I have instead?"
"And what do you mean by that?"
The AK-47 locked onto his position, Riley cupping the under carriage with both hands, a finger near the trigger. "I mean, I wish to see it all. Strip now. All of it, except the mask. Not knowing who you are is part of the excitement."
Tanukichi's eyes widened. "What? No! You're completely unhinged, Riley. I won't strip to satisfy your lust!"
Riley laughed. "You think I'm unhinged? You're one to talk. Look at what you're wearing and tell me you're not completely sane? No mentally stable person would wear something like that out in public."
Tanukichi looked himself over. The black panties, the garter belt and suspenders, the black stockings and boots, the woman's underwear over his face to hide his identity, even his green track pants draped over his shoulders, tied around his neck like some sort of cape. He didn't feel shame in the slightest. In fact, he thought of it as a dedication to his father's plight for freedom and expressionism.
"My disguise is perfectly appropriate for SOX's cause," he said confidently. Although, he did get a little chilly. "It flies in the face of what's normally acceptable in society, and it's sexually ambiguous, which is one of the standing principles of SOX. It's a personal choice" —although he did find it hidden in a box of woman's clothes and put it on to originally to hide from Anna who had cornered in when he was surrounded by a stash of dirty magazines. But it later suited his purposes and decided to keep it. "I also find it comfortable and unrestrictive, so when I fight my enemies, I can fight free."
He wiggled his hips in a playful manner.
"And not to mention, pretty damn sexy," Blue Snow added, winking at him.
Tanukichi smiled. He turned back to Riley. "So, let's analyze your attire, Riley, if you think mocking mine is so important. Why all the leather? You seem to like it or you wouldn't be wearing it?"
"I enjoy wearing it, Riley said, looking at him. "It makes me feel alive!"
"And that's the kicker," Tanukichi said. "You just described a guiding principle of SOX. Some call us erotic terrorists or disruptors, but SOX is also a form of 'Expressionism'. We are expressionists, much like artists who create paintings. We help those trapped within step outside themselves, to help them express themselves in ways that they're too afraid to do otherwise. The Moral Authorities may have tried to take this away from Japan years ago, but that's why SOX was created, and it is high time things are put back in the hands of the people. And that also includes their own genitals." He laughed short.
"Brilliantly said, Tanukichi," Kajou said, then suddenly slapped a hand to her mouth. "Oh crap! It was a slip of the tongue!" And she meant it seriously, not as a dirty joke.
Riley eyed him suspiciously. "Tanukichi? You have the same name as my beloved?"
Tanukichi swore, but then took off his mask. Riley's eyes widened in both surprise and awe.
"Tanukichi Okuma? You're Blue Snow's partner?" Riley said shocked, then looked to Blue Snow. And then Blue Snow unveiled her own identity by taking off her mask. "Kajou Ayame, the Vice President of the Student Council? Both of you are members of SOX?"
The shock was evident on Riley's face, but Tanukichi stood proudly, even with his identity exposed.
"Yes, Riley," he said. "And we are the founding members of SOX. Our resistance against the Moral Authorities is growing. There are even more members of SOX than you know and our message is getting out the people spreading quickly. I do this for my father Zenjuro Okuma, a true freedom fighter for our cause. I believe in what Kajou is doing and fight at her side."
"Oh Tanukichi, how rapturous you look in those clothes," Riley said, as if completely ignoring the last segment of Tanukichi's speech. "I just want to eat you up!"
"I want those naked pictures you took of me back, Riley. And I'm willing to fight for them."
"Naked mud wrestling," Riley said quickly.
Tanukichi blinked. "Since you've already seen the goods, I'm almost inclined to agree. But I won't. And do you want to know why? Because doing so would demean the very nature of SOX. What I fight for is for the respect and dignity of people's rights and freedoms. Education of the masses is essential for healthiness. They must learn the fundamentals. You're just some crazy psycho who wants to hurt people. And we also want your father to stop those Shock Collars! They're a danger to basic fundamental rights. I hear legal action is already in the works against them."
Riley laughed. "I won't get into a philosophical debate with you about rights and freedoms," he said. "And since you've exposed me, I may turn you both to the Moral Authorities. As for the Shock Collars, I've even expressed concern with them. You're correct, they will remove all basic fundamental rights and they can be used to control people. Trust me, they probably won't see the light of day."
Tanukichi crossed his arms, at least the Shock Collar issue was dealt with, but… "Fine, do it! Expose me. But I believe what I'm doing is right. Besides, I can then spend some quality time with my father in prison. SOX may end, but the fight will go on, and others will step into our shoes. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. The public is aware and resistance is growing."
Riley grumbled under his breath. "You're so infuriating! You've lost and yet you stand their proud and victorious. I have the upper hand and I will reign supreme. I was wrong about you, Tanukichi. You're not sexy at all. In fact, you disguise me now. So, I'm left with only one option."
And Riley depressed the safety of the rifle, preparing to shoot.
To be continued...