Chapter 9
One clear summer day, Rick and Kai were off having a discussion by the pier. The glasses-wearing chicken farmer looked quite angry, while the bandana-wearing traveler looked rather nervous.
"Listen, just stay away from my sister, you got it?"
"What? What the heck is this about?"
"Don't play dumb with me! I know that you've been getting pretty close to my sister, and it feels a little too close for my liking!"
"Hey! Watch it! I'm not trying to go that way with her! I'm just---"
"I know you've had plans to take her with you once the summer's done, but I won't allow it!"
"I'm...not...forcing her to. In fact, I'm still patiently awaiting her final answer as we speak. Besides, I didn't suggest this for my sake. She just seemed so... cooped up in here. Maybe you keep complaining about her being so childish is because you're not giving her time to grow! Have you ever thought about that?"
"You sound just like my irresponsible father! Making some "romantic" excuse while going off on a whim! Well, I'm not going to stand for it! I'm not going to let you take her away, only to abandon her when it's convenient!"
"...I'm... not like that..."
"Really? Well, didn't you just leave behind your family without any notice?"
"..."
"I thought so!"
"But... she's my friend! I wouldn't hurt her like that! I promise!"
"Yeah... just like how Dad promised to return..."
An eerie silence filled the air of the beach. Both young men exchanged uneasy glances. At the same time, Mitchel watched on in secret. He seemed to have mix feelings about the conversation that unfolded before him.
"I swear, I'm not like that... I really just want help her."
"She'll be fine just here!"
"I see... well... I'm not interested in causing her any trouble..."
"...then you better realize what really is best for her."
The two gave each other one more antagonizing glance before Rick stormed off, passing Mitchel as he non-chillingly picked up beach herbs. The raven-haired chicken boy then slowly approached Kai before he could make it back into the restaurant.
"Kai..." Mitchel called out sternly.
Kai sighed as he slowly turned around, only to be surprised by who stood before him.
"Mitchel?" Kai exclaimed.
"Listen, like I told Rick earlier, I'm not---"
"I already heard what you two had to say." Mitchel interrupted. "Besides, what is it you were expecting me to say?"
Kai remained silent.
"Good gosh, man! You're assuming things about me! That's the crap I couldn't stand while living in the city! People always assumed the worst of me due to my "unusual" behavior, and I always got punished for things that wasn't my fault! I hated that!" he complained.
The purple-bandana man stared in shock. Apparently, that was something he could relate to.
"I'm sorry..." Kai quickly apologized.
"Anyway, I suppose there are some assumptions you made that were right. I'm... personally concerned about you hanging out with her, as well. I'm just not interested in scolding the daylights out of you like my comrade." he explained.
Kai nodded. "So you're pretty close to her as well..."
"Yes, I suppose I am." Mitchel said in a casual tone.
"Then, of course I'll listen to what you have to say." he replied.
Mitchel smiled faintly. "That's good hear."
He then brought his hands together and went back into a serious posture.
"Well, that young girl with fluffy pink hair has been good to me. I guess... her significance to me is similar to Rick's, but I prefer to be nice older brother. Being overprotective has never been my style, but life-altering choices are definitely a concern for me." he explained.
He then exhaled anxiously before going on.
"...Please don't let my comrade rattle you so much. I can tell you value what he has to say, but even I can admit he can be overzealous. Although he usually means well, sometimes my comrade can be an overbearing jerk. In this case, I have a feeling a lot of his resentment is there because you remind him of his father, and I can understand that issue for two reasons.
One reason is because he abandoned a fine woman like Lillia. Now, she may not be my actual mother, but she's been very kind and considerate since my stay here. I guess you can say she's the closest thing I have to a mother here. And I suppose I resent Rod, since he didn't seem to consider his wife's opinion before going off on some random trip.
The other reason is that I personally despise my Dad, as well. He's just done so many unforgivable things to me, and I suppose he "helped" in my decision to move to Mineral Town."
A swift breeze blew by as Mitchel stood by in eerie silence.
Kai looked carefully at this usually easy-going guy's discomfort.
"So, he had a bit of a troubled past, too..." Kai thought to himself.
"But yeah, this is about Popuri, isn't it?" Mitchel said as he rubbed his head bashfully.
"No, that was very well said." Kai said seriously. "She told me some things about her father's sudden absence, and I'm actually glad to hear an outsider's actually concerning himself with this issue."
"Thank you." Mitchel softly uttered.
He then turned towards Rose Square with a thoughtful gaze before turning back to Kai.
"Well, you're the one who's known her longer, and she's said plenty of good things about you. And personally, I believe you're a fairly nice guy, so I have enough trust in you." Mitchel confessed.
"That's a relief..." Kai said with a partial smile. "Actually, this whole Three-season was meant for next year. I know she still has some growing up to do, and she's still depending on her family, so I can't take her away from all this immediately. But the thought of getting to see the world, and maybe even having the opportunity to see her father again, really excited her. I decided to give her time to think it over, but now she's becoming increasingly hesitant about it..."
"Hesitant?" Mitchel blurted.
"Yeah. I think she discovered another reason to stick around..."
"Then why did you have to put up that front with my comrade when you thought she was going to reconsider?" Mitchel nearly shouted.
"Because he was right. I was planning to take her with me after sumer's end one year, and I still intend to." he stated.
"I see... so must you REALLY liker her... a lot..." he said in amusement.
"Yes I do. But it seems you might care about her more than you let on." Kai answered back.
Mitchel said nothing. He simply drummed his fingers on the side of his leg and looked back at Kai with a tired look.
"She talks about you quite a bit, as well. Popuri shared with me how you've got along with her since the Spring, when you arrived here. She says you're a kind and fun friend, and that she's glad she has someone to share her chicken fetish with someone other than her family. She's always enthusiastic whenever she brings you up, so I figured you were a pretty interesting character. You sounded like the kind of friend she was missing for a long time."
Mitchel chuckled lightly. "I feel like I have a solid "buddy" relationship with her. I'm fine with it, though. It keeps me relaxed." he grinned.
"Yeah, that's what I believed what was going on between you two as well, but she's been behaving a little differently, lately. I think her outlook on everyone's starting to change..." Kai said cryptically.
Mitchel had a puzzled look on his face.
"Uh... she isn't starting to see me as a jerk after what happened at the Inn, is she?" he thought nervously.
"For one thing, all she used to do whenever we talked about Rick was complain about her, but now she's actually being more sympathetic towards him..." Kai said in amazement. "I think she's even behaved more sensitively around me."
"I guess she must really like him back, then." Mitchel thought.
"But she still looks up to you, like someone she can depend on." Kai finished.
"Like another Big Brother to look after her?" Mitchel said with a smirk.
"More like a close friend she values dearly..." Kai answered.
The eccentric chicken farmer dropped his smile immediately.
"A "close friend" doesn't say much to me." Mitchel uttered in disappointment,
"Nor does it to me, but it certainly says a lot when she said she looks up to you. It says even more to me when she's starting to change..." Kai confessed.
Mitchel looked up at the clouds with a glazed look in his eyes. "She's behaving more and more like that woman I saw in her one day. I guess it makes me happy that she's changing like this, but what's causing this?" he thought to himself.
"Are you accepting this change?" Mitchel asked wistfully.
"Yes. Those past fond memories mean a lot to me, but I believe she may be changing for the better." Kai answered.
Mitchel blinked a few times while still gazing into sky.
"Do you think Popuri will still be herself with all of this going on?" Mitchel asked more meaningfully.
"I'm sure she'll be the same, sweet, pink-haired girl I've grown fond of." he answered.
Mitchel then slowly lowered his head, revealing a cheerful grin.
"I like you."
Kai gave Mitchel a funny look.
"What?"
"Like I said before, I don't have any hard feelings towards you. You're a pretty neat person, so I actually wanted to be friends." Mitchel said in a friendly tone.
"But... weren't we just talking about a certain somebody not too long ago?" Kai asked.
"Yes, but this conversation is between the two of us. Besides, I got to learn a few things about her that you already knew, and you were able to do the same. I think we can get along well." Mitchel calmly explained.
"Is that so?" Kai said with an amused grin. "Popuri's right. You really are quite the character!"
"Why, thank you!" Mitchel proclaimed with a stage bow. "I'm just glad to know we've gone through this whole thing without making a problem out of it!"
"I'm glad to know you're really fine with everything!" Kai answered.
The two young man then shared a hearty laugh together as they can finally relieve themselves of the heavy atmosphere from before.
"So this is the one named Kai, then? The same guy that most the women go far, and all the men grumble about? I don't see what's really wrong him. There are things he actually cares about!" Mitchel thought to himself.
"Thank you for the good time, Mitchel! And sure, I'll be happy to call you my friend." Kai grinned.
"Wait a sec! You mean you have to go now? I actually wanted to talk about something without worrying about dying of tension or something!" Mitchel exclaimed.
"Yeah, but I do have a job to do, and I don't want to be held up. So we should just stop this conversation." Kai said regretfully.
Mitchel nodded in understanding. "Okay. I guess I better get these herbs back to the Shipping Bin before 5:00 if I want to be paid for It." he groaned.
"Well then, how about coming over to my shack, sometime? I have plenty of cooking experience, and I can make a pretty mean pizza!" Kai said proudly.
Mitchel shrugged. "Maybe... if I find time. But I better leave you to your work now, right? Good bye then!"
The black-haired chicken boy was about to leave the scene, but Kai didn't move an inch.
"Wait a minute..."
"Yes?"
Kai lowered his head slightly, showing off more of his purple bandana.
"What would you say if I believed that... maybe you had something to do with how Popuri's been maturing lately?" Kai asked seriously.
"I would have to say that I'm not too sure about that..." Mitchel answered.
Kai nodded in confirmation.
"Goodbye, Mitchel."
"Goodbye, Kai."
Immediately, the two young men went on with their lives. Mitchel headed right out of the beach, towards the town, while Kai went back into his Summer Beach house.
Later that day, Mitchel approached Rick for his side of the argument.
"Hello, Rick." Mitchel greeted the spectacled young man.
"Good Evening, Mitchel." Rick said back.
"You know, I happened to be at the beach earlier today, and I saw you and Kai talking about something. Now, I just wanted to say that---"
"You were there?" Rick exclaimed. "So then you know what that scoundrel Kai is up to as well, huh?"
"Actually---"
"You see it, too? How bad an influence Kai's been in this town, believing he can have his way with the women? And now he thinks he can just whisk Popuri away like in some cheesy romantic fantasy? Well, he's had another thing coming! Mitchel, I'm glad to see we're finally at an agreement on something else besides chicken care!" Rick cried.
Mitchel sighed in frustration. "Rick" he announced in a stern voice, "As my comrade, I'm glad to know someone who understands my appreciation of chickens; however, I must admit that I have a few problems with you. So I feel should be honest with you on this..."
"Really? What is it you have to share with me?" Rick asked curiously.
"I think you're getting carried away again. Kai's actually an okay guy, and you really don't have to make a big deal out of it." Mitchel said.
"I'm getting carried away?" Rick shouted. "You've got to be kidding me! Kai's trying to take Popuri away from her only family, and you think I should just chill out?"
"You sound more concerned that she may actually have feelings for him." Mitchel said.
"Well, of course I'm concerned about that, too! Popuri's still such a naive little girl, I'm afraid how easily she can be manipulated! Do you know the kind of things he could do to her?"
"I think you're more afraid of loosing someone in your family you actually care about." Mitchel replied.
"Yes! But why are you trying to be difficult with me?" Rick asked.
"Do you really know what your sister wants, and why?" Mitchel asked back seriously.
Hearing that question, Rick started to crack up.
"Oh man! You had me going there for a minute! For a minute there, I thought that maybe you had feelings for my little sister! But that's impossible! I know how much you just like to pal around with her, and besides, you really like Ann, right?"
Mitchel let out a frustrated growl. "Honestly... I don't like Ann. Cliff can have her for all I care." he said seriously.
"Yeah right!" Rick cried while still laughing.
Mitchel then folded his arms while standing erect.
"Rick... what would you have to say if it was true that I had feelings for Popuri?" he uttered in a low tone.
Rick stopped laughing when he saw the serious expression on Mitchel's face. He just stood there and gazed curiously at the black-haired farmer until his mind reached an apporpriate conclusion.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA---"
Rick's second outburst of laughter was immediately halted by a fist sent straight at his nose. Mitchel then marched away, consumed by anger. Rick simply twitched in confusion with the impression he was left with. He also had to hold his nose to help stop the blood flow.
"What the heck was that about?" he asked himself.
Omake: Kai's Secret Life
Mitchel, Popuri and Karen decided to stay at the Beach House for lunch. All three of them split a combo pizza with perfectly melted cheese.
"mmmmmm! Kai, you always make really good pizza!" Popuri cheered.
"It's not quite wine, but at least it's satisfying." Karen grinned.
"This stuff's just as good as those franchise pizza places! You have quite a knack for this!" Mitchel shouted.
Kai laughed humbly as he was paid all these compliments. "It just comes with experience. Thanks, guys."
"Where DID you learn how to cook like this, anyway? I rarely come across a person with this kind of culinary skill!" Mitchel cried.
Kai stared uncomfortably at the pizza the party of three was consuming. Numerous memories both sweet and sour made up his former life.
Kai was in fact, the disowned son and heir of Don Parmesan, the Godfather of the Pizzeria Mafia. While they delved in illegal arms in secret, this infamous group operated openly as an internationally successful franchise appropriately named after their very leader. This "Don Parmesan" Pizzeria had a quirky bovine mascot, which appealed to many children over the years with its trademark moo and its irresistible eyes.
Apparently, Kai himself had to learn the art of making pizza as part of his initiation. Being the easygoing guy he is, the purple-bandana man picked up on the art quite easily, and thanks to the support of the many pizza masters under his father's command, managed to make the art his own. He grew to love cooking various other foods, but things grew grim.
As heir of a Mafia, Kai also had to learn how to deal with the underworld trade. While the first few operations proved to be harmless enough, the following ones resulted in suffering and despair, whether it was because of a botched trade that injured Kai's subordinates, or a devastating crossfire that resulted in numerous casualties in both ends.
Kai's good nature could no longer take this, so he was forced to leave behind the family business, as well as his own family, to pursue a life of his choosing. He's been on the run, trying to perfect his cooking skills, ever since he fled to start his own life.
"Uh, Kai? Are you all there? I was just asking where you learned to cook a pizza of this caliber!" Mitchel cried out.
"Oh, um, right..." Kai muttered aloud. "Er... it was all self-taught!" he proclaimed.
All three customers gave Kai a blank stare.
"Really?" Karen asked curiously.
"Is that so?" Mitchel said patiently.
"Wow! I'm Impressed!" Popuri cried.
Kai slowly nodded. "...Sure! It required a lot of work, though. I wasn't exactly a natural!" he said aloud.
After giving more words of praise to Kai, the purple bandana guy gave a sigh of relief as the customers proceeded to talk amongst themselves.
"What was I supposed to tell them?" he thought to himself.
Author's Notes: Oh no! It's approaching the end now? "Really? That was fast!" I know it's going by pretty fast, but I wasn't intending to draw this conflict out any longer. There's gotta be a resolution to all of this, and it's coming up quickly. Two Chapters left, people! I wanna see more reviewers, so if you've just been reading this for a while, please review now! Of course, I doubt that's really gonna happen, so thanks for sticking by rosebabykiss, Hammermaster, Kairi Tsubasa (sorry for slaughtering your sacred cow over and over and over...), and Blaze 909. I hope to see future fics of mine that can get this kind of attention...
Or at least see a few more Ray or Jamie fanfiction out of the lot of you. Come on, guys! We need more Ray and/or Jamie fanfiction! More for the fisherman! More for the misunderstood androgynous cowboy!
(Seriously, people! Jamie isn't some jerkish bad boy/girl! He/she's more like that grumpy old guy in your neighborhood that complains about how morality has slipped in society, except Jamie's younger looking!)
