Here's chapter three! Reviews from the last chapter at the bottom.
NOTICE: Before anyone makes a comment on this, this story is indeed a mixture of Japanese and American culture. I like to blend the two together, as different people prefer different story settings. It all depends on if you would rather have a "Tai Kamiya" or a "Yagami Taichi." In all honesty, I like both. :3
DISCLAIMER: I still do not own Digimon: Digital Monsters. But now I have a spiffy new KARAOKE MACHINE! Now I can imitate my favorite cliché fanfictions!
--
In the Rough
Chapter Three: Kicking Hyeneeghs and Taking Names
--
Takeru told me over the phone about the very interesting Sunday he spent with Yamato, who had insisted on "brotherly bonding."
"We had lunch at that cool pizza place," he said, voice sounding a bit strained. "But the waitress kept stuttering and blushing whenever Matt uttered one syllable. Finally, when we were paying for our meal, she just freaked out and screamed "WILL YOU MARRY ME?!" It was pretty embarrassing. Matt just kinda sat and blinked at her, before gently turning her down. Then the waitress got all sad, but she was happier when she got an autograph out of the deal. Matt told me that even though that happens to him, like, a dozen times a week, he's still surprised every time."
"He said to me it's because he still thinks it's impossible for someone to like him," I said, twirling the phone cord around my finger and spinning around in my computer chair. Saying this, I was reminded of the time Yamato turned beet-red at dinner when Tai told him that he looked really good in black.
"Really? That's stupid. Half the people inhabiting the globe want to have his children… men included, mind you."
I laughed my head off at this. Suddenly, however, there was a silence.
"Hey… Kari?"
"Yeah, 'Keru?"
His voice was nearly inaudible. "Do you think they'll ever get married?"
"Oh, TK," I sighed, reverting back to his old nickname. "You know they would if they could. I think they would've gotten married when they were thirteen, if that was possible."
"It's so dumb," Takeru snarled, "that marriage is restricted like that… That whole "sacred union between man and woman" thing? Tai and Matt have more love and devotion in their relationship than any other couple I've ever seen."
"I know," I said reassuringly. "But… gay marriage is legal in some countries. They could easily go get a marriage license in Canada or Spain, or somewhere like that."
"I think they want to wait it out," Takeru said slowly. "It would mean so much more if they could get married here in Japan."
"Yeah…" I murmured.
We both sat in silence. I could practically see his blue eyes softening, so different than his brother's.
Contrary to popular belief, Takeru looks nothing like Yamato. Whereas Yamato is small and slight, Takeru has always been tall and lanky, with wire-thick hair and a round face, nose, and eyes. Everything about Takeru is softer, and less noticeable, while Yamato has the kind of sharp, slanted beauty that makes people on the street think to themselves, "Holy crap, I think I just saw an angel… in couture."
As I sat, mulling this over, Takeru said he needed to hang up, since his mother was freaking out about something living in the sofa.
Yamato may be gorgeous (forgive me, Taichi)… but Takeru is Takeru-ish. And that may be even better.
--
The day is Monday, and the time is approximately 2:35. I, Yagami Hikari, am about to show you exactly how simple-minded my friends and I are.
The following note was passed around my Art Appreciation class for almost twenty minutes before Nara-sensei snatched it from Daisuke's hands.
(Italics is Daisuke, bold is Takeru, and underlined is me)
i totally had everyone n that ice cream shop beleeving that Ken n i were goin out. This week is gonna b so ez!
You're an idiot. I've said it a thousand times, and I'll say it again.
It's really horrible, what you're doing, Dai.
o, come on! u dont think its funny?
I'm so very tempted to tell Miyako that your relationship is fake. She certainly freaked out at lunch, when you two came in holding hands. Iori had to restrain her from murdering you with a spork.
u tell Miyako and i kick ur hiney.
Isn't it "hinie?"
It's not even a word, morons.
or maybe "hineey"
Or "hynee."
Hikari, don't get sucked into this! It's so retarded.
or "hynie"
Perhaps "hieneey."
what about… "hhynnei"
… Takeru's right. This is stupid.
or "hhyhneih"
Hey, Kari, while Matt and I were "brotherly bonding," he mentioned something about having a serious discussion with you. What was that about?
"hiehnyee"
I was getting relationship advice for Ken. I figured your brother would be the best person to go to.
"hyeneegh"… wait, what wuz that about ken?
That's true, Kari, Matt would definitely be the most reliable. Did he help any?
wut r u guyz talkin about?
A little. But now I'm afraid to talk to Ken about it. He has such fragile nerves…
r u dissin my guy? cuz i will totally kill u.
Oh, what're you gonna do, kick our hyeneeghs?
Or maybe it's "highknees."
no, no, thats an exercise…
--
I really don't like my P.E. class. They group all the freshman and sophomore girls together, and then throw them out into different groups to play volleyball, soccer, or tennis. I usually play volleyball, as it's easiest just to sort of stand in the back and run whenever the ball is flying my way.
We don't have P.E. uniforms this year, but I kept mine from last year, before our school suffered its heavy budget cuts. The uniform has consisted of the same two garments for decades: gray, drawstring shorts, and a navy blue tee shirt with "ODAIBA HIGH SCHOOL PHYS. ED" printed in white letters.
Most of the girls go through P.E. in shorts and sports bras. I guess the coaches figure it doesn't matter how scantily-clad the students are, as the genders are divided. I would never go out in just a sports bra, however; God, I can just imagine all the jeers. I have had the body of an eleven-year-old since I was… eleven. I don't think that's changing any time soon.
I had been standing in the back of the playing area, minding my own business and picking at a hangnail, when out of the blue, the volleyball (or rather, deflated soccer ball) crashed into the middle of my face, and I toppled over in surprise.
I felt my lip throbbing, and as I raised two fingers to it, they came back dribbling with blood. A girl with a long, dark brown ponytail helped me up, and I looked over to see Sayae smirking at me.
"Better look out, Yagami," she sneered., "Scrawny little fag-hags usually don't do so well in sports."
I didn't know what to say, and worst of all, I felt tears welling up in my eyes. The brunette girl who had helped me up suddenly spoke.
"Well, brainless snobs usually don't do so well in the real world!"
Sayae blinked. "Standing up for the pancake, Shimane? I'd expect better from you."
"I don't need you expecting anything of me, Oita," the Shimane girl snarled, and then she escorted me out of the gym, her gray eyes still narrowed.
"You didn't have to do that," I told her seriously, when we were almost to the nurse's office.
"I'm sick of Oita Sayae bossing everyone around," she muttered. "I used to be her best friend, until…" she broke off, and then her eyes softened. "I don't think we've ever talked before. I'm Shimane Hoshi."
"Yagami Hikari," I replied.
"Yes, I've heard Sayae talk about you a lot. I've actually seen you a few times; don't you sit with Motomiya-kun?"
"Yes, he's one of my best friends."
Hoshi sighed, and we sat down outside the office, as the door was closed while the nurse treated another patient. "See, that's probably why Sayae doesn't like you. She's had the biggest crush on Motomiya Daisuke for almost three months. Mind you, that's a while, for Sayae. She sees that you're close to him, and so she automatically assumes you're in her way."
"Hasn't she heard that Daisuke is dating Ichijouji Ken, though?" I asked suspiciously, attempting to protect Ken's love interest.
"Yes, but I'm sure she doesn't care. What Sayae wants, Sayae gets… that's the way it's always been. I hate it. She treats people like garbage."
"There are always going to be people like that in this world," I said softly, remembering something Koushiro said once, "and it takes a powerful individual to stand up to them. You were great back there, by the way."
"Thank you," Hoshi said, smiling faintly, "but now I should be going… I have to move my shoes from my locker, before Sayae puts hair cream in them, or something."
"Does she always do things like that to you?" I had long forgotten that my lip was fat and oozing blood. It wasn't like I was going for an appearance, or anything.
"Oh, always. Ever since I told her I didn't want to be friends anymore."
"Hey," I paused, as she began to walk off. "Would you like to sit with me and my friends today at lunch? We'd love to have you."
Hoshi grinned. "Sure! Thanks, Yagami."
"You can call me Hikari, or Kari, if you like," I said with a smile. "Hika-pika-pie is reserved for my brother, though."
Hoshi laughed. "Alright. I'll see you later, Hikari."
--
"You're friends with Shimane Hoshi?"
Takeru, apparently, didn't find this fact all that positive.
"'Keru, she's perfectly alright."
"But she's a cheerleader!"
"So? Your brother was one, too!"
"Augh! Hikari, that was for three months, and he only did it because the squad was in desperate need of another boy!"
"He brought home six trophies in those three months, Takeru." I reminded him.
"… It's not my fault Yamato succeeds at practically everything! And we're getting off topic. Why were you talking with Shimane anyway?!"
I narrowed my eyes at him. "She really helped me out when Sayae was being a witch. She's sitting with us at lunch today, so get used to it."
Takeru's round eyes grew even rounder.
"You invited her to sit with us?"
"You're being very overdramatic, 'Keru-"
"But she won't fit in with our group! She-"
"I don't know why this is such a big deal; I was only trying to be nice-"
"Stop interrupting m-"
"No, you s-"
"Quit it-"
"Ta-"
"Hi-"
"UGH!"
We both cried out in frustration at the same time, turning away from each other. Why was Takeru acting like such a control freak? This wasn't the calm, rational Takeru I knew. Something had him acting differently lately, and I was determined to find out what.
"Takeru, have I done something to make you angry?" I asked hesitantly.
He turned back to face me, staring. "What?"
"It just seems that you're awfully short-tempered around me recently. I want to know if it's my fault."
He immediately sobered, reaching out to touch my hand, like he always did when we were kids. "No, Kari, it's nothing you've done, trust me. I'm sorry… it's alright if Hoshi sits with us. I overreacted."
I felt an odd, melancholy stirring in my stomach as Takeru looked down at me from his towering height with such remorse in his wide, blue eyes.
"It's okay, 'Keru-kun… just please, know that you can always tell me what's bothering you." I murmured.
He nodded his head in the way that was oh-so-Takeru, just as Daisuke walked up, grinning toothily and munching on a green apple. It seemed that Daisuke was always eating some sort of food, and I had no idea where he got it all from.
"Whasshup, bitches?" he asked through a mouthful of apple, spraying bits all over Takeru and me.
"Aww, Dai! You sick freak!" cried Takeru, frantically brushing the mush off his tee shirt. "Do you think we like having your half-eaten food all over us?!"
Daisuke snorted, swallowing his mouthful and shaking the apple at the taller boy as if reprimanding him with it. "You need to chill out, TS. I swear, sometimes you're just as feminine as your brother."
"God, what is it with people talking about my brother lately?" exclaimed Takeru, grabbing fistfuls of his thick hair. "I'm not Matt!"
"Calm down, Takeru," I said sternly, grabbing his arm. "Nobody said you were Yamato. You're nothing like Yamato; you're Takaishi Takeru, so just take Daisuke's advice, and chill."
Not for the first time that day, he looked immensely changed, and straightened himself. "Again, I'm sorry, Kari-chan… I'm going to get a drink of water. I'll meet you guys in the cafeteria."
When Daisuke and I made it to our table, Iori was there first, as per usual, eating his packed bento lunch.
"Hello, Hikari, Daisuke," he greeted us, inclining his head so his dusty brown bangs dipped in front of his solemn eyes.
"Hey, Iori," I replied, resting for a moment as Daisuke hopped back up to go get a lunch for himself, and one for me. Daisuke is very good at telling when someone doesn't really want to move.
"Is something wrong?" he asked me, concerned.
"A lot of things are weird right now…" I shook my head, and then quickly changed the subject. "Are you excited about going to America in a few weeks, Iori?"
He looked back down at his sandwich, considering his answer.
"To be honest," which he most always was, "I'm not sure. I'm very intrigued at the prospect of visiting another country, as I've never been out of Japan… but I'm worried, because I don't speak very much English, while the rest of you are so good at it..."
I nodded, seeing his dilemma. Takeru, Daisuke, Miyako, and I were average with our English, having never had a chance to try it out for real. I knew that Yamato spoke it perfectly, without even an accent, as he had been there many times. Koushiro, Jyou, and Sora were also relatively fluent. Iori, however, being the semi-recluse that he was, barely knew twenty words, and most of them were food items or curses, taught to him courtesy of Daisuke.
"You'll be fine, Iori," I told him assuredly. "If you have any questions, or I guess if we have any questions, because, you know, I've never been there either, we can just ask Yamato, Mimi, or my brother."
Just then, I saw something out of the corner of my eye. Miyako had one hand on Ken's shoulder at the opposite end of the cafeteria, and she appeared to be speaking to him roughly. Ken looked rather shaken.
I immediately went to them.
"Because he doesn't even know you, Ken! I, on the other…" Miyako broke off as I approached. "Hi, Kari. Could you wait up a minute? I need to talk to Ken here a little more."
I looked at my blue-haired friend curiously, and saw the pleading in his dark eyes. I went back to Miyako.
"Anything you need to say to Ken, you can say to me, Miya. He's my friend too."
She blinked, undaunted. "Okay, then… Kari-chan, you know as well as I do that Daisuke isn't right for Ken. This whole relationship is a big mistake. They just… they're just not right for each other. Do you see where I'm coming from?"
I crossed my arms, eyes slanting. "No, Miya-chan, I don't. Why exactly aren't they right for each other?"
She paused, then said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, "Kari… surely you can see why it won't work. You've known how I felt about Ken for ages, Kari. Hell, I'm not afraid to say it; I like you, Ken! And you know as well as I do that you and I would work better than you and Daisuke."
Ken was frozen, so I spoke for him, my agitation with my bespectacled friend growing with every word.
"Miyako, I really don't see why you two would make a better couple."
"Hikari… don't take this the wrong way, but deep down, it's just better for a boy to be with a girl. It's more physically, emotionally, and spiritually compatible, as well as being more easily accepted in society… Kari, do you want Ken's family to look down on him? I care that much about him, and I want what's best for both of us."
What…?
"So, you're saying," I spoke slowly, "that it's always better for a male to be with a female, no matter the circumstances?"
"Well, I suppose so… Yes."
My heart was beating quicker, as I stared at Miyako. She couldn't know what se was talking about…
"I… I used to… I used to cut myself, Hikari." Matt's voice echoed in my mind.
"You're wrong."
Miyako rolled her eyes. "Kari, yeah, yeah, we all know your brother is gay, and we're all happy that he's with Matt, but you and I both know that it would be better if--"
It would be better if…
SMACK.
At first I wasn't sure what had just happened, until I saw Miyako's head snap back with a red hand-mark imprinted on her cheek, and I heard the cafeteria explode into a silence that nearly suffocated me.
Then I saw that my hand was still raised. I had just slapped my best friend.
OH, MY GOD. I'M UNSTABLE!
Miyako was gaping at me, slowly sinking into the crowd as I felt two pairs of arms grab me and drag me off. Ken's eyes bored into my soul, filled with shock and disbelief.
--
"Hikari! You got in a fight?"
I lowered my head, taking off my shoes and dropping my backpack on my way in the door. My mother was livid.
"It wasn't a fight, Mom," I told her, not feeling like another argument. "I got mad and I hit one of my friends."
"Kari, this just isn't like you…" Mom sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"She said something that offended me."
"What did she say?
"She was talking about… homosexuals… and, I dunno, it just riled me up."
Mom looked at me with suddenly-sad eyes. It's scary how much my mother's eyes resemble my own.
"Oh…"
Both of us were quiet. It was well-known how protective the both of us were of Tai and Matt.
"Well… I'm sorry that happened to you, Kari-chan…" Another pause. "I ordered takeout tonight… your favorite."
I smiled weakly. "Thanks, Mommy…"
--
Twenty minutes later found my mother and I curled up on the sofa, Ju-On flickering in front of us. I wrapped the blanket tighter around us.
I was filled with a strange sort of sadness… This reminded me of a few years ago, when we would snuggle up and watch movies as a family, with Taichi in the middle, one arm around each of us, laughing at the parts he (and only he) found funny.
Three weeks couldn't possibly pass by quickly enough.
--
The next day at school, Hoshi found me in the hallway.
"Hi, Hikari," she greeted me, and as we walked, we attracted a lot of blank stares. "I couldn't find you yesterday at lunch."
"Oh…" I paused, uncomfortable. "I'm so sorry, Hoshi. I was sent home early yesterday."
"How come?"
"I got in a bit of a… disagreement with my friend, Miyako."
"What happened?" she asked, genuinely concerned.
"Miyako took things a little bit too far when she said she wasn't going to support a gay relationship. It just made me think too much of my brother's boyfriend, and I love him very much."
"Brother's boyfriend? Hey… wait, Yagami Hikari? Like, Yagami?" Hoshi snapped her fingers."I knew it! You're Yagami Taichi's little sister, aren't you?"
Um, duh. "Yes, I am." I hadn't actually thought there were people unaware of this…
"I've heard Sayae talk about you before. She's just jealous because you're sort of indirectly related to Ishida Yamato."
I snorted. "Takeru is his younger brother. You could always just talk to him."
"Takaishi Takeru bites cheerleaders' heads off," she giggled. "We're all too scared to approach him."
"He's not so bad," I said quietly, doubting myself. "I grew up with Takeru. He's a really wonderful guy, when you know him like I do."
"Hmm… well, we'd better be getting to class, Hikari. By the way," she looked a little bashful. "I was wondering… See, my mom said it would be okay if I had a friend or two over for a little girls' night this Saturday. Would you like to come?"
"Sure I would," I told her without hesitation. "You can email me the details later."
I scribbled my email address on a slip of paper and handed it to her. As Hoshi waved goodbye and headed off to her English class, I caught sight of a pair of slitted, angry amber eyes behind glasses watching me.
Well, fine then. If Miyako was angry that I found new friends, that was her problem.
--
I was beginning to use a new motto: WWTD? What Would Taichi Do?
If Taichi's friend had offended him, he probably would've done more that just slap that person, but then he would've gone back and apologized later.
I didn't feel like apologizing to Miyako. If anything, she should be apologizing to me.
But Ken didn't feel that way.
"It's not her fault," he told me gently, as we sat together on the Pointless Brick Wall, with Ichiro nestled between us. "Miya was raised in a very conservative household. We can't persecute her for her beliefs. That would be completely hypocritical."
"Yeah, well," my speech slowed, as I saw someone familiar across the park. A tall, willowy, redheaded someone.
"Oh, my…" I trailed off. "Is that… Sora?"
Ken blinked. The florist had already caught sight of us.
"Ken! Hikari!" she called out joyously, jogging up to us.
"Hello, Sora," I greeted my older friend. Ken looked wary, as the two of them weren't very close.
"I haven't seen you in forever, Kari-chan!" she gushed, her crimson eyes sparkling. "How are things going? How's the gang? How're Tai and Matt?"
"Everything's fine, Sora," I told her, smiling. "You're coming to America in three weeks with us, right?"
She paused. "… America?"
"Yeah, duh, for the televised soccer tournament. You know, the one that Yamato… invited… you… to…"
As my words became jumbled, I felt like slipping away quietly. Ken groaned, and I realized what I had just done.
Sora looked irritated, and with good reason.
"No,
Kari, I have no idea what you're talking about. What's this about
a soccer tournament that Yamato
invited me to?"
"Uh…"
Oh, my gosh. WWTD?
--
My fingers twitched uncomfortably as I pressed the speed-dial button on the phone. Ken raised a thin eyebrow at me.
"You shouldn't be so nervous, considering you brought this upon yourself."
"Oh,
be quiet."
"Hello?"
"Hiya, Matt! How's it hangin'?" I chirped, overenthusiastic times five.
"…How's what hanging?"
"Haha, good one, Matt. You're so funny. And kind, and forgiving. It's what I love about you- you would never blow up at someone for potentially screwing up, would you?"
"…Hikari, what'd you do?"
"Yeah, see, here's the thing… I ran into Sora today at the park…" I paused.
"And? You have no idea how much you sound like your brother right now, Kari. Please don't beat around the bush, and just tell me what you did."
"I sound like my brother on the phone? That's so weird! Because, you know, we sound nothing alike in person, do we? I mean, you would know, considering…"
I could practically hear his impatience on the other end. I quickly dropped the farce.
"So, okay, I ran into Sora, and I let something slip about the championship in New York… funny thing, really, I didn't know she wasn't invited, and I sort of… invited her myself…?" My last words came out as a hesitant question.
Dead silence.
"YOU WHAT?"
"Matt, don't freak out, please! Y-you know what stress does to your complexion!"
"Kari, you invited Sora to come with us? No! No, no, no! It took me forever to convince Mimi not to tell her about it! I do NOT want Takenouchi Sora on that plane!"
"But, Matt, she's Tai's best friend!"
"I'M Tai's best friend!"
"No,
Matt, you're his boyfriend.
See,
those are two different things. Did Taichi know you didn't plan on
informing Sora? Because we both know there was a ticket reserved for
her."
"Well…"
Why, that sneaky little bishie. He was planning on ditching her this whole time. It's a well-known fact that Yamato has a certain distaste for the florist, but I didn't expect him to sink this low.
"Yamato, if you're still scared about Sora and Tai getting back together, it's time you built your self-esteem back up. It's plain for everyone to see that my brother loves you, not Sora. He would never leave you. I know this because I know Taichi better than almost anyone."
"But
Kari, I'm still worried. Sora hates me. She thinks it's my
fault
she can't keep a steady relationship."
(Well,
it sort of was.)
"Matt,
Sora does not hate
you.
She just needs to get her priorities in order."
"Fine…
I guess she can go with us. Urgh. By the way, would you like to come
over again tonight? I just perfected this new recipe for these really
light little crepes, and I wanted to try it out. You're welcome to
invite some people."
"Sounds great! How about Takeru, Daisuke, Iori, and Ken?"
"Cool, I'll… wait, what about your other friend… Inoue Miyako?"
I frowned deeply. "We're not talking right now."
"Okay, that's your thing. I won't meddle."
Another
thought suddenly struck me. "Actually, Matt, is it alright if I
bring a new friend over? Her name's Shimane Hoshi, and I'm sure
she won't be busy tonight."
"That's
fine with me, Kari, it's always good to hear about you making
friends with people outside your little "circle." You're so
antisocial."
"I
am not antisocial! It's just not exactly my way of life to run
around campus writing apocalyptic warnings on walls and
cross-dressing daily."
"Boy,
have you been missing out. I'll see you in a little while."
"Bye, Yamato."
I put the phone away, and looked over at Ken, who was changing Ichiro's diaper.
"I hope you don't mind; I just told Matt you'd be coming over for dinner tonight."
He shrugged. "That's fine. I also heard you say you're inviting Shimane Hoshi over."
"Yeah. She needs more social interaction, since Sayae kicked her out of the "popular" group… Now she can hang with our little clique!"
Ken looked at me curiously. "Hey, Kari… what would our clique be called, anyway?"
"I have no idea. The non-conformist clique, maybe?"
"Nah, that's already taken by those five kids with indeterminable genders who always wear black and all listen to the same angry music."
"Ironic, ne? Maybe we're the "single and ready to mingle" group."
Ken laughed. "Not including Daisuke and myself."
"I don't know if you two count or not," I mumbled half-heartedly.
"But Miyako has a boyfriend, too."
"She does?" I asked in surprise. "Who?"
"Some senior who's also named Ken. Not sure how I should feel about that. Anyway, we all know that you and Takeru are eventually going to end up together."
I turned scarlet. "That's not necessarily true, Ken! Takeru's my best friend!"
"So," he sighed, ignoring me. "Now all we have to do is hook Iori up."
I chuckled a little. "You sound just like Daisuke. Maybe your relationship isn't as fake as it's made out to be."
--
ShadowGirl4ever: Haha, maybe not die, just be put on some serious medication… either that or taken off some serious medication… XD
Miss Takin: Thank you! And, of course no one likes to see a sad Ken! ((hugs Ken))
Adel: Illiterate crackpot, indeed, teehee. I'm really looking forward to her next review. I'm sure it will bring laughter to my day.
Angel of the Night 213: You're a very talented writer. :3 Thank you for reviewing my story! I'll try to keep up with yours as well.
They-Call-Me-Orange: D'aww, thanks, Orange. Reviews from you are always nice, and the fav means a lot to me. (throws a brick at Dai for you, then hands him an ice-pack)
I LoVe ShInY ThInGz: Wow, so many compliments… I am undeserving! Thank you so much, luvvie!
cAnDi-SwEeT aS: Why, yes, I do like rocks. They are quite nifty. Lol, I'm just kidding, you rock too. For realzies.
Puffgirl117: Peace right back atcha, buddy, and may the sultry penguins be with you. XD
Thank you to anyone I forgot! You guys would get an 'A', but I don't believe in grades.
Next chapter: the rather eventful dinner party at Yamato's! Plus, can Hoshi be trusted, or is she just an annoying OFC thrown in for good measure? Find out sooon!
-Beezlee-
