Have fun trying to follow the dialogue between Matt, TK, and their parents. I purposely made it a bit confusing for a humorous effect, but I failed.
Sorry that I can't respond to reveiws on this one. In a bit of a hurry.
Hating You 12: Sibling Love
Matt was gone. Sora was gone. Tai was gone. Matt's girlfriend was gone.
TK was alone in the flat with Kari.
"Fuck," he muttered as he dropped an egg in a simmering frying pan, shell and all. He was too nervous to cook anything.
Not that he was that good in the first place.
He had hoped to impress Kari with a lavish breakfast.
So far, he had managed to burn bacon, burn toast, and adulterate an omelette with egg shells.
He was no chef, but he certainly wasn't this terrible on normal days.
"TK, are you awake?"
Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
TK seized the frying pan and threw it into the sink.
"Uh, yeah! I'm in the kitchen!" he said frantically. "Don't come in though. I'm naked!"
Fuck. Why would you be naked in the kitchen? he thought angrily. Good one, TK. You're absolutely brilliant.
"TK, why are you naked in the kitchen?"
"I, uh, I just am."
He wasn't ready. He just wasn't.
"TK, are you all right?"
"Yeah! I'm just…" He grabbed a towel and began wiping the messy counter. "Just close your eyes. I'll run to my room and put something on."
"Okay, they're closed."
He peeked his head out of the kitchen. Kari's head was turned the other way.
"D… don't peek," he said, nervously wondering if she would spin around and see him fully clothed.
"TK, I'm not perverted."
"Ha-ha, of course not."
What a stupid thing to say, he thought as he made a mad dash to his room, closed the door, and bolted it.
"You have bags under your eyes."
"Thanks for noticing." Ryo dropped his head on the table with a loud thud that was enough to send shivers down Rika's spine. "I need sleep."
"Then sleep."
"How can I when you won't leave me alone?" he growled.
Rika sat beside him. "Ryo, do you want me to leave?"
"No, I want you to die."
She pretended to pout. "I'm so sad you think of me that way, you goddamn bastard."
Ryo lazily looked at her. "I'm too tired to fight with you."
"You deserve to be tired," Rika said seriously.
"Why?" He let out an airless chuckle. "Because I tried to kiss you? It's the only sort of affection you'll ever get from a guy, anyway."
She frowned, stood up, and kicked his leg.
"Ow!" He smiled still, enjoying his newfound amusement. "Rika, don't act like you didn't like it. Don't think I didn't notice that you didn't pull away—"
She kicked him again. "Shut up."
He chuckled. "I'll kiss you again later when I'm more awake, if you want."
He had no intention, of course, but he would not have minded it either.
Many people thought he only went for the most attractive girls. This was false; he didn't discriminate.
"You're disgusting."
He smiled smugly and closed his eyes. "Good night."
"I hope you die in your sleep."
"Aw, you want me to experience a painless death," he said playfully. "If you really want, we can even fuck a li—"
"I have to talk to you."
After taking a full twelve minutes to "change", TK had come outside to discuss with his future wife. In the duration of that time, he decided to do what he was best at: charming her.
TK smiled cutely. "Yes, dearest?"
Kari raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you're all right?"
TK smiled and took her gingerly in his arms. "I'm perfect. How are you?"
Kari squirmed uncomfortably. "Well…"
TK kissed the side of her head. "So, since I'm useless and burned our breakfast, how about we go out? Sounds good, hm?"
"TK?"
"Yeah?"
"You're acting very odd."
He chuckled. "I can't show a little affection to the most important person in my life?"
"You mean your mum?"
"No, you!" TK said cutely, burying his nose in her hair. "Kari, have I ever told you that I love you?"
Kari frowned and pulled away. "Judging by your behaviour, I'm guessing Sora told you, so let's get to it. You called me Hina last night. My question: why?"
TK laughed nervously. "Well, I was drunk…"
"Yes, I saw."
"And… well… you see…" TK saw the torn paper on the floor. "In my quest for better understanding… er… and an… Kari, I was drunk. I don't even remember saying that. Listen, Hina and I are over. We've been over for a long time. I know it might look like we're really great friends, but it's awkward and we hardly ever talk or—"
"Just answer this for me, TK." Kari stared directly at his eyes, chilling him. "Do you still like her?"
"No, I don't like her," he said clearly.
She brought her face several centimetres closer. "Honest?"
"Scout's honour."
She lowered her head. "Tch, like you were a scout."
He grinned. "I used to be a boy scout."
She narrowed her eyes. "If you say so."
"I was!"
She stood up. "Come on. You owe me breakfast."
He took a sigh of relief.
"TK?"
He perked up as a dog would upon hearing a can opener. "Yes?"
"We have to meet our parents at one."
"Oh, perfect!" he said, not even caring what the reason was for.
Now all he had to do was avoid Hina for the rest of his life.
"Rika, was I your first kiss?" Ryo teased.
He was now fully awake and currently obsessed with Rika's discomfort.
She, on the other hand, was ignoring him.
"That's cute," Ryo continued, not completely believing it. "I remember my first kiss. I was eleven."
He paused, even though he knew Rika wouldn't respond.
"Yep, I was good," he boasted.
He saw her roll her eyes.
"I was!" he defended. He let out a satisfied sigh.
She ignored him.
"What kind of a girl are you? This is what girls do, isn't it? Sit around and talk about how wonderful their first everything is? Gossip about guys?"
She rolled her eyes again.
"Come on, Rika. I'll admit that you aren't completely repulsive. You can't be a complete virgin when it comes to relationships."
"I am," she said monotonously.
He didn't believe her. Attitude and personality aside, Rika was not an unattractive girl. Complete poison on the inside, but on the outside? No, definitely not.
"I can't believe you're such a loser," he responded, going along with it anyway. "You're seventeen years old! Have you done anything somewhat exciting in your life?"
She lit a cigarette, not caring that it would make the room smell anymore. Ryo wasn't complaining, she wasn't complaining, and their parents never came in.
"Except smoking like a fucking chimney?"
She ignored him.
"So you're telling me you never kissed a guy before?"
"Technically, now I have." She glanced at him. "And I still have to kill you for that, by the way."
She was lying. She had to be. If she had never done it, she would more likely jump off a cliff than admit it to him.
Ryo looked at the back of her head, suddenly very curious about her love life. She was a bit mysterious. He didn't know much about her, and she didn't make an effort to fill him in.
"Ever have sex?"
She turned her head. "Why are you suddenly caring so much?"
He smiled innocently. "Because you look like such a complete disaster. I'm just wondering."
"I am."
"You're lying," he objected accusingly.
She let out a short, sharp laugh. "I'm as much of a virgin as you aren't."
"How do you know I'm not?"
"It's kind of implied."
He smirked. "Well, that shows how little you know me."
She rolled her eyes. "I've had every single class with Hina since I was fourteen. She brags." She rolled her eyes again. "As if sex with you is some sort of grand accomplishment."
"I'll let you know that sex with me happens to be the most amazing thing a person could ever get," he boasted. "You're just angry because I won't do it with you."
She let out a bitter laugh. "I would rather fuck a cow than you."
"See, that's just revolting. I'd rather do you than a cow."
"I'm flattered."
Ryo grinned. "Rika, come on, you can tell me. We're practically the best of friends."
"Basically."
"Rika, tell me."
"I already answered. What do you want me to do? Lie?" Rika rolled her eyes and stood up. "Oh, fuck off already."
"Why are you so vulgar?"
"Why are you so annoying?"
"Because you're easily irritated, and it's kind of funny."
"That's why I'm vulgar."
"Wait, I missed it. Why are you vulgar again?"
"Ryo." Rika gave him a sharp look. "Shut. Up."
He smiled. "You called me by my first name! And here I thought you didn't know what it was. Rika, I'm honoured. Really, I am."
"I was thinking white and gold!" Mrs. Kamiya said excitedly.
"No, I like silver a bit more," Mrs. Takaishi disagreed. "TK, what do you think?"
"Oh, what?" TK lifted his head from its resting position and looked up. "Um, whatever you want, Mum."
Mrs. Takaishi looked pleased.
From the corner, Matt made a face of absolute elation. "Whatever it is you wish, Mummy dearest," he mouthed.
TK frowned. He looked at Kari. "I thought you said our parents would be here."
"TK, stop getting so irritated," Kari said, patting his arm. "Matt's more bored than we are. Remember that."
Their family meeting was for one very clear purpose: discuss the wedding.
"This is nice," Matt said, grinning wildly. "Having the family together for such a joyous occasion and all."
Mr. Ishida gave Matt a look.
"You don't mind if I film this, do you?" Matt asked, taking out his video camera. "It's just too much of an emotional moment to pass up."
Mr. Ishida gave Matt a firmer look.
"Mum, make Matt stop."
"Matt, listen to your brother."
"Why? He's just trying to be cool." Matt lowered his camera. "Which you aren't."
"Shut up, Matt. You're embarrassing."
"I'm embarrassing?" Matt scoffed. "Deal with it, squirt."
Matt lifted his camera.
"Mum!"
"Matt!"
"What?"
"Listen to your brother! He's embarrassed!"
"He's a big baby, that's what he is."
"Am not!"
"Matt!"
"What?"
"Don't insult your brother!"
"What's wrong with being a baby?"
"I'm not a baby!"
"Ha, says you!"
"Matt!"
"What?"
"Don't insult your brother!"
"Mum, you're taking his side again!"
"I'm not taking TK's side. I'm—"
"Dad, tell Mum she's taking TK's side."
"Matt, don't bring me—"
"Matt, don't bring your father into this."
"I'm not. I'm just asking him a question."
"Yamato Ishida, this is family time. Don't you dare ruin it by humiliating your brother in front of his fiancée."
"Ha-ha, you're engaged and you aren't even out of school yet."
"Matt, don't insult your mother's beliefs."
"But, Dad—"
"Don't argue with me."
"TK, tell Dad Mum's beliefs are weird."
"Um…"
A loud groan.
"You two always take each others' side. Dad, why can't you always take my side?"
"Because you're always wrong."
"Shut up, Mr. Kamiya."
"Pardon me?"
"Oh, no, not you, sir. I was talking to TK."
"Ha-ha."
"Shut up, TK."
"You sounded like a jackass."
"TK, don't curse."
"But Matt curses."
"Oh, sure, tell on me. Shows how mature you are."
"Matt, you can't curse either."
"But, Mum, TK's being a jackass."
Silence.
"Mum, Matt just said 'jackass!'"
"I'm sorry, honey, but your brother thinks I always take your side so I'm trying to prove him wrong."
Groan. "Dad, Matt just called me a 'jackass.'"
"Matt, don't call your brother a jackass."
"Hiroaki!"
"What?"
"Do not curse in front of children!"
"I didn't!"
"Actually, Dad, you did."
"TK, I'm trying to help you here."
"Oh, sorry."
Silence.
"Can I leave?"
"No, Matt, you may not."
"Why not?"
"Because this is family bonding time."
"Oh."
Silence.
"But this has nothing to do with me."
"It has to do with your brother, so it always has to do with you."
"Oh."
Silence.
"Can I leave?"
"Tai."
"Yes?"
"Stop being immature."
Silence.
TK turned to talk to Kari. Kari turned to talk to TK. Matt turned to laugh with Tai. Tai turned to laugh with Matt. Mrs. Kamiya began discussing wedding plans with Ms. Takaishi. Ms. Takaishi continued as well. Mr. Kamiya sat there. Mr. Ishida stood there.
And all was well once again.
"I felt bad about asking perverse questions earlier…"
"Oh," she replied, uninterested.
Ryo sat on the couch beside her, uncomfortably close to her. "So guess what I did for you."
"What?"
"Guess."
Rika stared at the telly.
"Guess!"
Rika ignored him, still staring at the telly.
"Chocolates!" he said excitedly, ignoring her ignoring of him. He put a box in her lap. "It's one of those assorted ones."
Rika looked at the box. She looked at Ryo. She looked back at the box.
"Why did you buy me chocolates, Ryo?"
"Because I can," he said, beaming. "Now, open it."
She stared at him suspiciously. "You open it."
Rolling his eyes, he did so. "Okay, now eat them!"
"Ryo, what the fuck are you trying to do?"
He laughed. "You don't trust me." He took a random chocolate. "I'll eat one first."
He ate it.
"Eat that one," Rika said, pointing to another one.
You know, just in case he had planned it out.
He ate it.
"Come on, I didn't buy it for me!"
Rika shrugged, closed the box, and handed it to Ryo. "I don't like chocolate."
"Manners, Rika, manners. It isn't about if you like it or not."
"I don't like chocolate."
"Fine, well, if you feel like eating it, they aren't poisoned." Ryo stood up. "I'm going out. You stay here. Don't go anywhere until you tell either your mum or my parents, okay?"
"Yes, sir," she said sarcastically.
He smiled. "Okay then. Eat the chocolate."
"Chocolate!"
"You dumbass, ice cream!"
"Ice cream melts. Now who's the dumbass!"
"Who has chocolate cake at a wedding?"
"Who has ice cream cake at a wedding?"
"I would!"
"That's because you're stupid!"
"You're stupid!"
"Oh, ouch, good one."
"Shut up, Matthew."
"My name's not Matth—"
"I like red velvet," Kari said suddenly.
"Oh, red velvet's disgusting," Matt offered.
"No it isn't," Tai objected. "Not as good as ice cream, but—"
"You'd eat anything. You're like a fucking horse. Listen to me Kari, chocolate is the way to go."
"I do not eat like a horse and—"
"Tai!"
"Matt!"
"Yes?" they answered in unison.
"Is this your wedding?" Ms. Takaishi asked.
"No," they replied in sync.
"Then stop talking."
"I'd stop if Tai wouldn't have stupid ideas. Honestly, Mum, ice cream cake. What's poor Takeru going to do when he cuts the cake that has turned to liquid? He'd cry, Mum. You know he would."
"Shut up."
"You would."
"Red velvet's fine," Mrs. Kamiya said, who had learned long ago to just ignore the teenage boys.
"Yes, I like it," Kari agreed, who had learned the same.
"Ha-ha, TK's a bayyyyyyyyyyyybeeeeeeee," Tai teased.
"Am not!"
"I have a funny story about TK and wetting his bed," Matt said loudly.
"MATT!"
"TK, don't interrupt. So, one day when he was—"
"Yamato," Mr. Ishida said warningly.
"Come on, Dad, you know it's funny."
"Matt!"
"It's funny!"
"You ate my chocolates!" Ryo said excitedly.
Rika looked up. "Don't look so pleased." She gestured to the box of chocolates on the table. "I didn't eat them. I threw them out."
He frowned. "You're so ungracious."
"I'm allergic to raspberries, and it tells you on the box they have them." Rika glared. "I'm not stupid, you know. And I can't even believe that you'd try to kill me in the first place."
He frowned again, stepping into the bathroom. "You aren't any fun at all."
"Finally, you're done." Rika pushed Ryo out of the way and walked into the bathroom. "Nice glasses, by the way. You look completely retarded."
He straightened them. He had to admit, glasses were the most annoying things on Earth and they decreased his attractiveness a little in his opinion. It wasn't really the glasses—it was more how thick they were. Kylie used to call them magnifying glasses.
But Kylie did such a fantastic job blabbing out that he had bad eyesight, he supposed it wouldn't kill him to wear the thing once in a while. After all, Rika wasn't the kind of person who would spread it around school.
And he supposed having bad eyesight wasn't too terrible; many people did. He just preferred that people thought of him as physically flawless.
"They're Armani, Rika. They're stylish."
"You sound gay."
"I can't help it if I look good, Rika."
"You look like one of those stereotypical nerds."
He straightened them a bit more. "I look amazing."
"Rika!"
"Yes?"
"What is this?"
"What is what?"
"This!"
Rika stood up and walked to the bathroom. "What is 'this'?"
"This!" Ryo pointed to the spotted sink.
"Oh, those are your dried contact lenses."
His eyes dilated. "You dried out my contact lenses?"
"Oh, yes, I thought I'd get back at you for trying to feed me raspberries. I wanted to break your glasses too, but I figured if I ever need you to go with me somewhere—"
"You dried out my contact lenses!"
"Yes."
His mouth went agape. "Rika!"
"What's wrong?" she answered matter-of-factly. "I thought you said your glasses were stylish."