Disclaimer - I don't own Digimon.

I was supposed to be camping at the moment, but my mother got sick and we had to come home so she could go to the hospital.

Twilight Love
Chapter 2: Diner Conversations


After Ayaka, Yuuta and I proceeded off the stage, I sat quietly onto a bench and looked up to find Daisuke standing above me, holding a glass of water.

I can't believe that was only five minutes, I said, panting slightly. I'm exhausted.

Here, drink this, he said. Wearily, I accepted the offer whilst he had taken a seat next to me. And that's because it wasn't five minutes - more like twenty.

I was too thirsty to care and drank the water greedily, gulping every last bit. When I finished, I handed Daisuke the glass, surprised to see him with a look of confusion. Perhaps it wasn't right for me to hand him the glass? Perhaps I should have stood and set the glass down myself? Suddenly, I felt very self conscious, although my mind was screaming at me not to be. Paranoid about the way I looked, talked, moved - about little things that I did not usually care for.

Let's go talk about things.

I cocked an eyebrow, but decided against opposing because of the serious expression on his face. Already I disliked the expression, and I've only known him for a mere hour. The feeling of discontent faded away as he handed me a soft pale blue robe to wear.

We went to a different room this time that was still on the main level. Daisuke waited until I walked inside before he shut the door and locked it. I wondered why he would lock the door, but shrugged the uncertainty off and crossed my arms. Daisuke walked past me and and opened the closet, taking out a tin can. I realized this room was completely different than the change room I had been in. There was a small bed in the corner and this one had a smaller dresser stuffed to the point where clothes were hanging out. Like many rooms, there were a few pictures frames and the usual hygiene things that I even had in my duffel bag.

Who are these two? I asked, picking up one of the frames. There were two females in the picture, one with really wild hair and the other looking quite a bit older. Simplicity was the first thing that came to my mind; the two woman looked content, free, happy, except there was a lingering in their eyes that told me neither was content. The young girl looked six––seven the most. Perhaps it wasn't so simple, but the complexity of the photograph's subjects gave the picture an image of simplicity.

Put that down, Daisuke said, scowling as he dropped the tin can and leapt up to snatch the picture away.

Putting down the picture, I stuck my hands up innocently and continued to look around. So this is your room?

Daisuke nodded and went back to attending the tin can whilst I leaned against the wall, wondering what he was doing. As if on cue, he opened the lid and spoke.

Do you smoke?

Is this a trick question that could possibly cost the job? I asked, uncrossing my arms.

No. I don't give a shit who smokes and who doesn't.

I do smoke, I said, beginning to fish around the loose change I had earlier. I was about to hand him the change when he shook his head and pulled out two cigarettes and a lighter.

I followed him to the to the other side of the room where he sat at the window ledge. Daisuke looked up at me and patted the seat next to him, sliding one of the cigarettes into his mouth. When he handed me mine, I immediately slid it into my mouth and had taken a seat next to him. The feeling of inhaling a cigarette after he lit it was unbelievable; I hadn't smoked in at least a week, and to have one was like seeing God.

So tell me, Daisuke said as he exhaled, what brings you around here?

I shrugged and took another inhale of the gift. I'm looking for a job.

Do you have a place to stay? he asked, eying me curiously.

I'm aware that I have to answer this carefully. If I say I do, he may ask to see it and then I would be screwed. If I say I don't, I might not get the job due to not being stable enough and the shit that comes with that.

You're a runaway, aren't you? Daisuke asked.

The question caught me off guard and I nodded. I had the feeling that might not be the right way to answer, but Daisuke gave me a look filled with some sort of compassion on the topic, which was reassuring. Not to mention that the cigarette gave me a calm sensation, one I hadn't felt in quite the time. At least, it felt that way.

Thought so. My old man said you got the job and can live here as long as you give a quarter of your earnings over, Daisuke said. Upon saying that, he turned and began staring at the city below. He looked sad and hopeless, as if he were in the same situation I was. Did I look like that? I suppose I do since I feel sad and hopeless, and even scared. Never did I want to admit that to anyone, even to myself, but a few weeks ago I was forced to after hearing a song on the radio that sounded similar to a song Yamato's band had sung at a concert once. It had persuaded feelings that I hadn't experience, even when I had first taken off.

All right, I said. I'll take it. As long as I get some money, I'm good.

Daisuke seemed to force a smile and took one last inhale of his smoke. It's your decision. Not mine.

I was confused and about to ask what he meant by that when there was a knock on the door. However, the visitor didn't wait for a response and I could hear keys jingling as the door opened. Daisuke plucked the cigarette out of my mouth and I gave a startled cry as he threw them out of the window.

A sturdy man walked in with a cigarette hanging from his mouth. Daisuke, are you smoking again?

Daisuke shook his head and said, I was burning incense.

The man grunted in what seemed to be annoyance, but never said anything else about it. Instead, he looked in my direction and asked, Did Daisuke give you the conditions of staying here?

I nodded and the man left abruptly. Daisuke scowled and stood.

I'll show you to where you'll be living from now on.

I followed him to the room next door. It looked similar to Daisuke's, but lacked the sheets on the bed. The room even had a window ledge, which I was grateful for.

I'll fetch you some spare bed sheets, Daisuke said, turning on the light. And I'll give you another cigarette since the old man forced me to throw it out. He hates when I smoke and give others cigarettes.

That was your father? I asked, almost surprised. I didn't know why I was so surprised, but it was something about the atmosphere that made me think he was more of an assistant manager or something. Perhaps it's because of the way he and Daisuke spoke to each other.

Daisuke nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him. I looked about my surroundings, a place where I would now be spending my nights. My duffel bag was already near the bed and the clothes I changed out of earlier were there. There was even a mirror next to the small dresser placed, and I found myself staring into it. Looking down, I untied the robe I was wearing and glanced back up to continue staring. Whoever thought that I, Takeru Takaishi, would be in this kind of situation? There was always a great expectation on me following Yamato and I failed to live up to it. Of course I had to leave; I wasn't good enough to stay.

Now, as I look at the lingerie I'm wearing and tilt my head for a different perception, I can't help but feel half ashamed and the other part is filled with anticipation for the new horizon I'm running towards. I finally will be in a steady job. I hope so, anyway.

***

One eye cracked open when the feeling of being watched arose. I couldn't see anything at first, but then a blurry figure came into place. Groaning, I forced myself to sit up and opened both eyes.

What are you doing in here? I asked, rubbing my eyes and yawning.

I thought I'd come to see if you want to catch some breakfast with me, Daisuke said, seeming a tad nervous.

I stole a glance at the clock, which read eight thirty. Are you out of your mind?

I can't sleep long. If you don't want to come, I'll––

I'll come with you, I said, grumbling as I tossed the covers off and stood. I looked around for the jeans and shirt I wore yesterday, and spotted them on the duffel bag still. Daisuke turned as I dressed, but there wasn't really a point considering I was wearing boxers and I only needed to put the clothes overtop.

he asked, turning around.

I followed him out of the room, taking a good look at him. It's rather odd observing a person from their back. You can't see their face, nor see what kind of facial expression they are wearing. However, you can form an idea of how they are feeling. Such as Daisuke now. His hands are loosely balled, which shows he's fairly relaxed. Although his hands show he's calm, his shoulders contradict that. They are stiff looking, like a board, proving he is somewhat tense. I tilted my head for another moment before catching up with him.

The first thing I noticed when I went into the main change room was the fact that half of the men that danced yesterday also stayed here. Ayaka, Yuuta, the man with a really big bust (whose name I learned as Kenta, but goes by the female name of Kaede), and another that goes by the name of Miki all have their own places. The others - Misaki, Rina, and Akane - stay here and pay a quarter of what they earn.

Are you going to get some breakfast? Rina asked, and I was rather struck by the manliness of his voice. It would take some time getting used to the fact that they're cross dressers and go by female names rather than their own. Not to mention that Kaede is a transsexual. The rest just wear fake breaks and take them off at leisure. I suppose I should be more open minded since I am bisexual, but it does take some time to get used to, especially since Daisuke just told me this a matter of moments ago.

Daisuke nodded. I'll bring you back your usual toast.

Rina gave a thumbs up and went back to chatting with Akane and Misaki.

Where are we going? I asked as we walked through the side door of the building. Why would we have to leave to get food?

Unless you want alcohol for breakfast, we need to head towards either the MacDonalds or local diner next to it. I rarely go to the MacDonalds, though, because having burgers everyday is tiresome, he explained, pointing in the direction that we were traveling.

I nodded in understanding. It didn't occur to me that Daisuke had to leave everyday to get the food. Briefly I wondered where he achieved the money to pay for such things, although he does look quite slim. Maybe he only eats one meal a day. Pushing the thought out of my mind, I asked, Why are those guys up so early?

They have no lives, Daisuke said dryly, and we both laughed.

The diner was quite worn down, but gave a homey feeling, probably because I actually fit in. We ordered quickly, even though it took me a while to decide between an omelette and scrambled eggs, but I ended up settling on the latter.

So how long has your father owned the place? I asked curiously, deciding to use the time in learning about Daisuke. Besides, I would be spending the next while with him and it might be nice to have a companion.

He's owned it for as long as I can remember. He used to own a convenience store when I was really little, but sold it, he said.

Do you go to school?

I could ask the same for you, he countered, smirking slightly.

I quit a month before graduating, I said, beginning to fiddle with the salt shaker.

Why would you do something like that? he asked, sounding very confused. Were you failing?

No. I didn't have the best grades, but was far away from failing, I replied, shrugging.

Then why would you do something stupid like that? he asked. I detected a hint of something in his voice. Anger? Jealousy, perhaps?

I looked up to find him glaring at me. I have my reasons.

An awkward smile followed until Daisuke said, I quit because there was no chance of me passing. It was too loud for me to concentrate on anything and I didn't have time for homework.

I nodded and decided it was time to change the subject because of the edginess of his voice.So who were the two woman in the picture?

My mother and sister, he replied, in even more of a colder voice.

I said quietly, realizing I hadn't seen them at all. I bit my tongue to not ask where they were, but couldn't help it and asked.

After my father sold the convenience store and bought this place, she left him and took my sister with her, Daisuke said, and he sounded very bitter. It was obvious this hurt him deeply and I couldn't help but feel sorry for him.

My parents are divorced too. My dad took my brother while my mother kept me, I said, once again engaging myself into playing with the salt shaker.

Is that why you ran away? he asked.

I'd rather not go there, I said quietly, hoping he wouldn't press the topic.

I understand.

The food came at that moment, which I was grateful for. I dived in immediately, hardly savoring the delicious taste of scrambled eggs.

You haven't eaten for a while, have you?

I looked up to find Daisuke staring at me with a concerned expression and myself with a full mouth. I nodded and continued to eat. He laughed and ate his own dish. There were few words exchanged as we ate, but it wasn't an awkward silence at all. I was beginning to find Daisuke a rather interesting person, a person I could see myself getting along with very well.


End of Chapter 2