[We return to a time shortly after Purrcy, Michael, and the guards have returned to Log Horizon Systems from their trip around the world. Things have finally settled down into a pattern of work and play in the company guild hall.]
"I'm going to kill her!" Gareth had barely let the door close behind him before uttering the words. He was standing over Tetorō, his hands clenched and his muscles so tight he was almost vibrating.
Steeling himself, Tetorō stood and put his arms around Gareth, reminding himself this was the proper thing to do so Gareth wouldn't run right back out and really follow through. He was to be the proper restraint at times like this.
He was rather stiff about it, but there wasn't much he could do about that. "Where do you need to go?" he asked.
"Take me clothing shopping. Saturday morning at the entrance to Harujuku. Shake off the tails that will follow from here. They're still bad from all the press and the convention." Tetorō stiffened. "You promised."
Tetorō slumped. "Fine. It's something useful to do at least. Just don't go making assumptions this time. It's just clothing."
"Fine." Having been given an external restraint and a near-future release promise, Gareth was able to relax another ten minutes later and return to his post.
-:-:-:-:-
Tetorō stopped by Henrietta's office Friday afternoon and again at her apartment that evening. Saturday morning he walked out of the guild hall with a large plastic shopping bag on his arm and headed down the street for the subway.
He picked up two tails. He scowled slightly, not sure how he rated. If they were getting desperate, though, they'd hope to find him useful story fodder since he'd been the announced favorite in the movie.
It wasn't hard to lose them in the subway, but it wasn't hard to guess where he was going either. Stepping out of the subway car door, two more were waiting for him, cameras already in hand. He quickly calculated his passageway to make it so they couldn't corner him and ask questions. The crowd was always helpful for that part, too.
In his case, he couldn't duck into a public restroom. There was a place he'd found that was perfect, though. Hidden down in a back alley on the way to the shopping district was an out-of-the-way place that had a unisex bathroom.
Tetorō managed to hide which alley and then which door he went into. He slipped into the bathroom when the store personnel weren't looking and locked the door.
Out of the shopping bag came his emergency supply Henrietta stored for him since they'd started going lolita shopping together. Her closet and selection was greater than his, since he didn't want to rudely take up much of her closet. She was willing to let him borrow a few things as well.
Makeup, wig, leggings, long shirt with fluffy sleeves and low neck, corset, short fluffy skirts, bodice, platform shoes. All were on in rather short order. He was practiced enough now and it was early enough in the morning that he wasn't disturbed for the entire half-hour.
He put his other clothes into the plastic bag he'd carried everything in before. That, the makeup, and hairbrush were shoved down deep into a big leather unisex bag that matched the style of lolita he'd picked for the day. Then out of the bathroom, the store, and the alley (when no one was looking) walked a perfect female lolita.
Tetorō liked it. He got to dress up (checkmarking the requirement to relax and have fun being the full Tetorō for the sake of the others in the guild), he got to be female (checkmarking the box to keep Gareth at a distance), he got to not look like him (checkmarking the boxes to hide from the paparazzi and his father), and he got to make people look at him with jealous eyes (checkmarking the stroke to his vanity). It worked.
-:-:-:-:-
Tetorō arrived at the entrance to the high class shopping district and looked around, taking a deep breath and holding his bag jauntily over his shoulder. It was nice to be back for a day. He looked around for his shopping companion. (He studiously ignored Purrcy's scolding voice correct him with, "Partner!") He expected to see a lonely dark-sandy-haired American getting sympathetic glances and humorous giggles.
Instead he found a gaggle of girls gathered around one side of a building. He peered through from his distance and caught sight of maroon. He went just a little cold. Surely Gareth hadn't worn that?
Then he was just as sure Gareth had. It would be his clue as to where and who he was, plus...he probably liked it. That made Tetorō blush slightly. He ran over and shoved his way through the girls, not caring when several squawked at him.
He came full stop at the inner edge of the encircling girls. Gareth was standing against the wall as cool as could be, the pose just right, the complete disinterest in the female squabble going on around him absolutely perfect. Tetorō felt his heart thump once, just a little harder.
With the sudden supporting surge of jealousy that Gareth could play this game as well as he could, Tetorō leaped forward and grabbed Gareth's hand. Since Gareth was looking foreign, Tetorō spoke in English. "What's with you and drawing all the other girls to you! Wasn't it me that said I'd take you shopping today?"
"What's with you and taking so long?" Gareth answered back in English. He pulled Tetorō in and wrapped his arm around Tetorō's waist, settling them close together. He kept his cool pose, not even smiling, but it told everyone in the crowd just how things stood.
Tetorō put his free hand on Gareth's chest. "I came as fast as I could," he pouted. "Even dressing up nice for you today."
"Nice," Gareth agreed and pushed up off the wall. He kept his arm around Tetorō until they were past the gauntlet. "So, what shall I call you?" he asked in Tetorō's ear rather intimately, although the tone wasn't. It was still all so perfectly in role that Tetorō could only huff in jealous irritation again.
Tetorō tossed his head, the curls of the wig flying off his shoulder. He leaned into Gareth cheekily. "Hitome. And you get to be -"
"Brad." Tetorō really huffed at him this time, puffing out his cheeks and pulling away to put his hands on his hips. Gareth just looked back mildly. More loudly he said, "Come on, Hitome, are we going shopping or not?" That was in Japanese. Flawless, almost unaccented Japanese.
Tetorō gaped at him open mouthed, then folded his arms at him. "When did you learn to do that?"
"You've been listening to it this whole time without paying attention," Gareth shrugged. He moved fast and had Tetorō around the shoulders and a hand waved at the street. "Which one?"
Tetorō took a deep breath to calm down and focused on the street, looking for the shop he wanted. He pointed with his dainty hand, the nails polished under the white lace finger glove that stopped at his wrist. "That one."
Gareth let him escape again so that they only walked side by side down the street. Gareth's far hand was in his pocket casually, but his near hand was the one to watch to make sure it didn't grab him again. Tetorō's glances to make sure it stayed put meant he kept seeing Gareth, though, and every time he did it was hard to tear his eyes away.
Tetorō finally gave a frustrated flounce, grabbed Gareth's arm, and cuddled in close. "It's not fair," he pouted quietly. "You pull it off too well."
Gareth reached over with his other hand and patted Tetorō on the head, then went back to his relaxed, casual stroll. "I do like it. Thanks for picking it out for me."
-:-:-:-:-
They walked out of the Visual-K shop with several shopping bags and Tetorō's purse was more full than it had been. They hadn't gone over the deep end, as Gareth's pay wasn't all that much, but he had another couple of fashionable outfits to wear as his disguise the next few times he had to escape the guild hall. Tetorō, too.
It had been a rather fun time trying all kinds of things on Gareth. He was slight enough build to look good in almost everything Japanese. Tetorō had fun being the bouncy not-quite-girlfriend, collecting pieces of outfits and watching the one-man fashion show.
He'd been surprised by Gareth's patience with it ...and that he'd been as seriously interested in understanding the final outcome as Tetorō had been. On occasion he'd make disparaging comments, like, "You can't be serious," but most often it had been simpler comments as to fit or comfort or to express an opinion.
Tetorō stretched his arms out in front of him, interlinking his fingers and stretching his hands. He took a deep breath of air and said, "Okay. Where to next?"
He wasn't prepared for the fingers that slid behind his neck and the pull that put him back into Gareth's chest. As Gareth's face came towards his, Tetorō turned his head sideways. Gareth simply slipped his cheek next to Tetorō's. "We're being hunted for. I recognize those two. Hold it for another two seconds and they'll have moved on." Gareth whispered.
Tetorō tipped his head down just a little to hide his face behind Gareth's shoulder. "Did they follow you to know what you look like?" Tetorō asked.
"No. I changed on the way. But I can't hide my face well regardless. Unlike you, taking the male role means no makeup today."
"Ah, that's why you're hiding in my hair, then?" Tetorō understood.
"Yes." Gareth lifted his head a little to look and slowly pulled away, his eyes searching the street as he did. "I think lunch is next. Where do you recommend?"
"The cafes are this way," Tetorō took Gareth's arm again and turned them towards the fashion cafes of the district. "One - or more - of whatever catches your fancy. Maid cafes, kitten and puppy petting cafes, lolita cafes, visual-k cafes, you name it, it's here."
He was struck by a sudden thought, his eyes going wide. He turned away just a little. "Actually...this is the only district with open places. One for women, three for men."
Gareth's head swung around to stare at Tetorō. "Seriously?"
Tetorō nodded, still not able to look at him. He bit his lip. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with either really, ...but I'd be willing to show you where they are so you know for future reference ...if you want."
Gareth was quiet for a while, just directing their feet. "Well ...I guess if you'd be willing to go even that far, I would like to know. I don't know if I'll ever visit them, but it might help if things ever got really bad."
Tetorō was surprised by the sudden twinge of jealousy and he had to stay silent for a while to repress it. He didn't realize he'd held on tighter to Gareth until he heard, "I won't if you don't want me to," said very softly.
Tetorō's eyes swept up to look into Gareth's. They were sincere, but not demanding, compassionate but without pity. He dropped his eyes. He didn't have an answer yet. He only knew he didn't want to give Gareth up just yet to anyone else.
That was confusing in itself, so he took them to the lolita cafe that he and Henrietta liked to frequent. That surprisingly didn't go well. Tetorō got the nastiest looks he'd ever gotten.
Gareth pulled him back from the line they were waiting in. Whispering in English, he asked, "What's going on? Why does it feel like they're about to start a cat fight?"
Tetorō glanced around the room, then looked at Gareth again. He sighed and took Gareth's hand and pulled him back out of the cafe. They stood on the edge of the sidewalk, Tetorō putting his thumb to his mouth and Gareth standing close, but not touching.
"I forgot. True lolita's hate men. They aren't dressed up for the men to like them or the fashion. It's actually specifically geared to turn them off. To take a playboy in as one was to be a traitor. We'll have to look for somewhere else."
Gareth put his hand on Tetorō's shoulder and looked around at the cafes around them. "Visual-K will have to wait. I really don't want anything to do with cats today since I'm trying to forget my day job." Tetorō snickered at that. He could relate.
"Can a playboy walk into a maid cafe and not be tossed out?" Tetorō had to shake his head at that, too. "Well, let's keep walking and see if anywhere looks mixed enough to be able to handle the two of us."
"We are a very opposing pair today. I guess I didn't think of that part," Tetorō apologized.
"It's okay. For us to be so different and then walk into the Visual-K, I thought the clerk was going to freeze on the spot for an hour in mental shut-down. I think he must have decided we were more cos-players than real fashionistas," Gareth smiled slightly.
Tetorō froze, then grabbed Gareth's hand in both of his hands. "That's it! The cos-play cafe." His smile beamed but he barely noticed Gareth's reaction in his excitement of having been reminded. "Come on, it's this way."
They reached the cafe and entered. Tetorō relaxed. This place would be okay. There were plenty enough other lolitas there and it was mixed sexes, too, although fewer males as could be expected.
He caught the eyes that ran over him and Gareth as well. In the cos-play cafe, the costumes were judged, not the people, so he couldn't complain about the whispers. He did keep his attention alert, though.
While they waited in the line to order their food, a couple of other lolitas came up to talk to Tetorō about his outfit. That he enjoyed doing, and was willing to tell them and ask questions of his own about theirs.
It was the comment in a female voice behind him that made his heart fall, though. "Oh, cos-play was it? When she pushed out of the circle we thought she was your girlfriend. You play a very good playboy. Will you show us some more?"
The lolita's talking to Tetorō tried to get his attention back. He stared at them soberly and their guilty looks confirmed it. They'd been roped into helping get him away from Gareth. He turned his head sharply at them and angrily turned back to Gareth, grabbing him closely, about to give a sharp comment.
A light finger fell on his lips as an arm slipped around him. "I only play for Hitome. If that's going to be a problem for you, we'll eat elsewhere."
The arm turned him around. While he was still trying to process what had happened, and his anger being suddenly diverted, they were back out on the street. "I'm sorry Hitome. I really didn't like them ganging up on me before. I think it would have been an uncomfortable lunch to have had to sit there all over again."
Tetorō slumped. "It's very much narrowed down where we can go, I'm afraid. That was our best option. Terrible luck to have gone in when some of them were there."
Gareth took him in a gentle hug and this time Tetorō didn't resist. He just lay his head down on Gareth's shoulder as Gareth said, comfortingly, "We'll try again. If we can't find anything we can go somewhere else, or we can change early this time. A food stand picnic in a park a long way from here might be alright. I'm about done with people generally."
Tetorō nodded agreement. "Okay. One more, and we won't go with this outfit pairing again."
"It seems like mine is the more problematic one," Gareth said sadly. Tetorō knew he liked it.
"Well, there are other places you could wear it and blend in better. Just not this street, I guess." Gareth just held him until Tetorō sighed and pushed away to look around. "Well, come this way."
Feeling shy about it, but still sort of needing it, Tetorō slipped his hand into Gareth's and led him quietly, without pulling. When Gareth gave a shiver, Tetorō moved to take his hand back. He didn't want to cause Gareth too much discomfort or confusion, but Gareth's hold tightened on him.
Tetorō paused, then let it be. Perhaps Gareth was needing it in the same way. To be rejected and set upon that much was more than either of them had anticipated. It shouldn't be this hard when one was male and one was female.
They paused outside one, but Gareth drew too many girl's eyes again. At the next he got dirty looks from the boys and too many of them wanted Tetorō. "This is soo hard," Tetorō finally complained. "It's not supposed to be. Why?" he whined.
Gareth laughed softly. "Life is like that generally, not only specifically. Why don't you show me the other places so we can say we did something useful in this part of town, then we'll leave for a park."
"My feet are hurting," Tetorō complained. "I haven't had to wear shoes like this in a long time and we've been doing a lot of walking. If we could even just sit down for a drink...," he sighed and led them down just a little farther. At the right place he stopped and waved a hand.
Gareth looked around. Two cafes on the other side of the street and one on this side were for gays. Closer on this side was the one for lesbians. "Why only one for the women?" Gareth asked.
"Most of them have gone lolita," Tetorō said without much enthusiasm in role playing any more. "But there isn't anywhere else for the guys to go. Some of them are only playing - rebellious, practicing role play - but some are serious. I don't know how to tell the difference because I never cared enough to come find out. I preferred to be this way."
Gareth turned to the lesbian cafe. "Go find us a seat and hold it. When they come asking, tell them we aren't dating, but you're not confident yet so you've asked me to come help you give it a try. If they get overwhelming before I get to the table play the timid soul and ask them to back off so you can get comfortable, or hint you won't be back because they were too forward too soon.
"If they accuse you of role-play feel free to hint it's true. The real ones will rag on you, but the other cos-players should come band around you to give you tips and hints ...if there are any here." Gareth looked at Tetorō soberly. "We don't have to stay to eat, but that will at least get us drinks and your feet a rest."
Tetorō sighed. "Okay. I can probably role play the one more. Timid doesn't take as much energy, and I really do need both a drink and to get off my feet." He shifted a few times, "Then..., if you're willing ...a quiet afternoon in the park in more normal clothing does sound nice."
"Done," Gareth took the deal, "or I'll have to go killing again anyway. The morning was fun but another depressurize for both of us is necessary, I think."
They walked into the cafe, not touching, although Gareth did open the door for Tetorō politely. Tetorō scanned and picked a table near the corner on the door side of the cafe so he didn't have to walk far. Gareth fearlessly, and still as casually as his clothing demanded, walked to the counter. It was late enough after lunch now the line wasn't as long. That was also a relief.
Tetorō suddenly realized he should have taken the bags Gareth was carrying. He set his purse at his feet, putting it between them so it didn't get taken and their cover blown. He lifted both of his feet and pointed the toes, then flexed them. He'd take the shoes off but he wasn't sure he'd get them back on again.
"Nice shoes," a female voice purred.
Tetorō looked up. He was the center of attention of every table around him. He froze slightly. "Thanks. I haven't worn them enough to break them in, though, and it's a long walk back here." He got a few helpful pointers, most of which he already knew but he let them natter on. That was better than having to think of anything to say.
"So..., why're you in here with him?" It was accusatory, but interested.
Tetorō sighed. "We were hoping for the cos-play cafe, but there were too many others interested in him that he wasn't interested in."
"Why?" They were continuing it even with Gareth walking up to the table? Were they really so insensitive?
Tetorō looked up into Gareth's eyes helplessly, not wanting to go through this again, and not really liking the attention either. Gareth put six cups of liquid on the table. Given that American's would rather drink from massive cups rather than the small delicate ones the Japanese were used to, Tetorō wasn't surprised. He'd always wondered where they put all the liquid and all the food.
"Everything okay, Hitome?" Gareth asked kindly as he sat down across from Tetorō. He casually glanced at all the eyes on them. Tetorō picked up the closest cup and drank from it. Gareth held a cup in his fingers but waited. "It looks like you're all waiting for a question to be answered? Maybe I can help?"
"Men don't come in here. Why have you?" was asked. It felt like they might be surrounded by Nazuna's and Rieze's, not a fun combination.
"Because I have the experience but there is where she doesn't want to go." Gareth gestured with his head outside the cafe. "Since it was supposed to be a fun cos-play day, and we apparently picked the wrong time of day to hit the cos-play cafe, we've run out of options."
"You're dressed for over there," another one said.
"I'll wear it again another day," Gareth shrugged and drank his cup in one. He got blinks for it, but only gave a slight grin. "We'll just hide here for a bit, then head out. The shopping's already done."
"You sure? We could watch her for you while you go check out what's over there."
Gareth shook his head "Thanks, but today it was her turn. Maybe on my turn we'll see if she can pass as a male, although she'd have to be very brave, I think."
Tetorō gaped at Gareth and shuddered. "What?" Gareth leaned on his elbow on the table. "I think you could at least try, since I put up with that terrible crowd of women while waiting on you. Your role-play seems to be good enough generally. Or are you not confident?"
Tetorō scowled at Gareth. "I hate you."
"I know," Gareth grinned back. "Just like I know you can't turn down a challenge like that one."
The ladies around them laughed. One patted Tetorō on the shoulder. "You can do it, honey. They'll know you're not right off, but they won't throw you out."
Tetorō gave a smug look to Gareth, who grinned wider and nodded. If Tetorō could fool the ladies into thinking he was a woman, very likely he could fool the men into thinking he was a female playing at being a man. That would be a crowning achievement, actually.
Tetorō put his feet up on Gareth's lap and happily clapped his shoes together lightly a few times, settling down into his chair to nurse his drink while Gareth went through all the rest himself as if taking shots of alcohol. Cups in America must be very big indeed.
They actually had fun chatting for about an hour and almost should have ordered lunch. Tetorō did get a few helpful hints for how to play the next round from the cos-players in the group who were willing to speak up once he and Gareth had been accepted by the more stern non-cos-players.