CHAPTER THREE: The Arrival

Days had passed, and finally the day of Felix's birthday party had arrived, and Keitaro was getting ready in front of his mirror. He spritzed his perfume on himself and took a look at his reflection. He cocked his head and smirked.

While he wasn't really one to fawn over himself, he had to admit, he looked good. While he hadn't really changed his hair, the black suit he had been recommended by William fit him amazingly. William really was incredible at his job. He looked over to his desk where his tie laid. He picked it up with a sigh.

After the events in Dick's Store for the Elite, Keitaro had barely even touched the thing. Every time he had looked at the fabric, he could only think back to what could've been. Had Yoichi and the others not come into the dressing room, he and Hiro would've gotten so close they'd... they could've... kissed. And Keitaro could only imagine what that experience would've been like.

Their kiss would've been slow and sensual, as if they had been waiting for the event to happen for their whole lives. Hiro's lips would've been soft and sweet because of the lip balm that Eduard had recommended to him (he had tried some of Hiro's before. It was their first indirect kiss). He could just feel the heat in his hands as he placed them on Hiro's ass while Hiro tangled his fingers in his hair, tugging on the brown strands. Keitaro just wouldn't be able to get enough. He had never been able to get enough. Hiro was always somehow on his mind. Despite Hiro seeming like the obsessed one, secretly, it was Keitaro that couldn't seem to keep away from Hiro. He just hid it well. Hiro to him was everything. His laugh, smile, lips, moans, Hiro, Hiro, Hiro-

"Where are you going out all dapper like that?"

Keitaro startled at the distraction of his thoughts. He turned to the voice and there stood his sister leaning in the doorway, a perfectly shaped eyebrow arched over her green eyes identical to his own.

After almost six weeks of silence from his elder sister Katie, he had woken up to her frying bacon. She had staying in the house for a good five days, and yet Keitaro had still not gotten used to having another body in the house. He turned back to the mirror, letting out a sigh as he began to get on his tie.

"I told you, I'm just going out to a party."

"A party? Like that? I didn't even know you owned a suit."

"I got one."

"Where? When? Hey, since when did you have money to buy all this stuff?"

Keitaro looked away from his mirror to make a face and chuckled at Katie "Jeez, what's up with all the questions? Calm down a little, sis."

His sister pouted and crossed her arms "Can't I know what's going on in your life?"

Keitaro turned to go put on his shoes. He shrugged his shoulders at Katie's questioning. Ever since she'd been home she had been poking and prodding, asking him non-stop questions about what was going on in his day-to-day life. He wouldn't have minded, but these days, it started to sound more invasive than actually caring.

"Goodness gracious Kate, keep on going like this and it'll almost look like you care."

Oh yeah, Hunter had definitely started to rub off on him. Katie stood straight and made her way into his room.

"Excuse me? When did you get so damn secretive? I swear, all this sass is because of your idiot excuses of friends. What happened to us, Keitaro?"

For the first time in their conversation, Keitaro paused to think of his response. What did happen to them? Where did their easy smiles and inside jokes between one another go? When did the 2am cereal dinners and the early morning movie nights just come to an end? Keitaro himself never would understand. They last time he did those things was... was... with his friends.

Hunter was the one he always he a easy smile with no matter what. Natsumi and him always could joke about their past memories. Him and Hiro ate their Frosted Flakes late at night and it was with Yoichi and Taiga at camp where they all had movie binges that went well into 8am. It was them that had his back, it was them that he had spent every moment with and it was them that he had seen more often than Katie herself. They... they were his family damn it. These days more than his own sister. He wasn't gonna stand by and let her insult them. They wouldn't let him be insulted, so he was going to the same for them.

"Idiot friends?! If they're idiots, then call me a moron Katie, cause I'm one of them! Insult them all you want, but they've been here for me more than you've been for a long while! And you're saying I'm the secretive one? You're the always going out! You're the one never home! You don't tell me anything!"

He stomped his way to his wardrobe door, yanking the blazer off its hook. He really didn't mean to get in a huff, but he was quite protective of his friends. And the fact that she had left him alone for so long only fuelled the fire.

"How can you ask me all these questions if you're doing the exact same thing?! That is... just... so hypocritical!" He yelled, finally having enough.

"Keitaro-"

"Do NOT 'Keitaro' me! You don't understand how it feels when you wake up to only find your sister up and gone! It's like you don't care anymore! You're just like Mom and Dad!"

Katie gasped, her hand clutching her arm in surprise "The old Keitaro would never yelled and gotten angry like this!"

Keitaro grabbed his invitation and phone from the desk and went to stand face to face with the other brunette in his room.

"The old Keitaro grew a backbone and realised that his negative emotions were valid and feeling angry doesn't make me a jackass. The old Keitaro had his sister around more often. And the old Keitaro is the same Keitaro you're looking at, it's just you've been gone so for long you just didn't notice. Oh, and I grew an inch."

He had never seen Katie look so angry at him before "Keitaro Nagame, how dare you! We are going sit down and we are going to talk-"

A honk sounded from outside the Nagame home. Keitaro shoved his way past.

"My ride's here."

Grabbing the backpack containing his change of clothes, keys, wallet and camera, he rushed to the entrance of the house and opened the door. There by the pavement sat Natsumi's car. A window rolled down and revealed a dressed up Hunter wearing sunglasses at the front seat. The blonde leaned his arm out the window, lowered his shades, and smirked.

"Hey Keitaro! It's Britney bitch."

Another window rolled down, behind this time was Taiga, a similar smirk on his face with Yoichi smiling behind him. Taiga cupped his hand around his mouth.

"GET IN LOSER! WE'RE GOING SHOPPING!"

Keitaro let out a laugh, alright feeling much lighter than how he did in his house. He bounded towards the car, bag shaking on his back in tow.

"Pfft Taiga, did you just quote Mean Girls on me? I didn't know you liked that movie."

Taiga jokingly pointed a finger at Keitaro "Hey! If you know the quote that just means you've seen it! Ha! You're not any better than me, ya dummy!"

Hunter scoffed and leaned back into the vehicle "Oh please, the both of you are hopeless. We've already watched Mean Girls during the Halloween break, now cut the chit chat and let's go!"

Yoichi barked out a laugh "Damn Hunter, don't call us out like that! You know Taiga's masculinity is sensitive OW HEY WATCH IT DYNAMITE!"

Natsumi leaned back from behind the wheel and smiled at his friend "Keitaro! There you are! Wow you look great!"

Keitaro smiled back. He may have looked good, but his other friends looked stunning. Taiga, with his silver suit and black collared shirt, Natsumi with his navy blue suit, Hunter decked out in his light yellow suit and baby blue shirt, and lastly Yoichi, the only one not wearing a blazer, instead opting for a grey suit vest. All of them were wearing their signature colour in their ties.

Keitaro placed his bag in the trunk and made his way to the backseat, ready to hop in beside Yoichi and Taiga, but before he could Yoichi put his arm out and stopped him from doing so. Yoichi cocked his head in confusion.

"Ayo, is that your mom?"

Keitaro startled "My- what no. Who are you talking about?"

"That chick making her way to the car moron."

Keitaro stopped. He turned to align himself the same way Yoichi was and saw his sister trudging her way over. He deflated.

"Ugh, that's my sister. I don't even know what she wants."

Natsumi brightened "Ouu I'd love to say hello! We've never actually met any of your family Keitaro!"

Hunter nodded "Yes, that's quite true. You guys have even met my parents once or twice, and we haven't even talked to her before."

Taiga nudged him "Oh hey, here she comes."

While the other COC members were excited to meet his sister, Keitaro let a scowl take over his face. His friends had always told him how difficult it was to actually frustrate him and make him upset. But today Katie seemed like she wanted to be a scientist, because with her shouting inside the house, insulting his friends and now with her coming up to him, she really was testing him and his patience. Getting back out from the car, he crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

"Katie what on earth do you want?"

Katie slumped and inhaled. Before she could speak, Natsumi made himself seen and waved.

"Hello miss! You must be Katie! It's very nice to meet you! I'm sure you've heard of us! I'm Natsumi!"

"Oh, hi-"

Hunter leaned back and showed his iconic small polite smile "Hello! It's lovely to finally meet you! My name is Hunter."

"It's nice-"

Taiga jumped up and down in his seat "Hey, the names Taiga! Katie, right?"

"Uhm-"

Yoichi finger-gunned from behind the redhead "Yoichi. Probably already know all about me. Frogboy can't stop talking about me. Don't blame-"

Keitaro glared at his friends "Guys!"

Everyone shrunk down in the car. Keitaro sighed again.

"What do you want?"

Katie seemed timid now "Listen... Kay-"

Keitaro narrowed his eyes "Do not call me Kay. You don't get to call me Kay and you know it. Now will you stop putting on a god damn show and tell me why the hell you're here?"

The air got very tense after he spoke. Like he said before, it was hard to make Keitaro mad, so the group seeing him upset was both unfamiliar and worrying for them all. His sister continued on, placing a hand on her brother's shoulders.

"Keitaro, listen. I'm sorry."

Keitaro paused. What was he thinking? Maybe he really was overreacting. He should be grateful that his sister was putting in effort. Maybe after the party, when he came home, they could sit down, and maybe they could talk-

"I'm sorry I'm holding you and your friends up or something. I'm just here to let you know I'm going out for a bit, so... uhm.. I won't be home when you get back."

Keitaro blinked. He shook his head. Was... was she-

"ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?"

Everyone let out a gasp.

"Keitaro-"

"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! Are you god damn JOKING? You get mad at me, you call my friends idiots, you ask me all these damn questions, you only stay for less than a damn week after a month, and now you're telling me you just gonna fucking GO?!"

"I- I don't know when I'll be back."

Keitaro shrugged Katie's hand off his blazer "Typical Katie, avoiding and ignoring whatever I say, cause all you do is avoid your problems. Glad to know I'm one of them."

Keitaro pushed his way into the car and put on his seatbelt. Before he could speak, Katie held onto the car door.

"Uhm, hey, m-maybe when I get back... you can tell me about your party?" She asked shakily.

Keitaro gave her a death glare "Funny, Katie. Let go of the door."

Katie withered and let go of the door, finally letting Keitaro slam it shut.

Silence.

"Let's go Natsumi."

They drove away. Keitaro never bothered to look back at the house to see if she had left.


The car drove on to Hiro's home, with nothing but the sounds of the outside filling the silence inside the vehicle. It had been like that for a good minute. Finally, Keitaro slumped and let out a sigh.

"... I'm so sorry you had to see that."

Everyone reacted immediately, with shaking heads and concerned filled eyes. Yoichi spoke up first.

"Dude, as awesome as it was to see you blow the fuck up, it's obvious that you're upset. We don't give a shit if you get angry man."

"But that's the problem! We're going to a party, we're supposed to be having fun." He sighed "And me and my mouth went to go ruin it."

Taiga leaned back on Keitaro to give him comfort "Hey, Keitaro, you know it's not your fault. You haven't ruined anything. You could burn a house down and we'd still have a good time."

Hunter turned around in his seat to look at his friends behind him "Taiga is right. You've helped all of us when we've had our issues. It wouldn't be fair to get mad at you just for having a problem too."

Natsumi looked at the front small mirror upfront and made eye contact with Keitaro as they pulled to a stop at a red light "Keitaro, we're all your friends. And friends help each other out. We completely understand. We may not really know what went on, and we aren't sure why it did occur, but I promise you, we're here for you. Right guys?" Natsumi ending his speech, along with the four other boys humming and nodding in agreement. Keitaro sighed with joy.

"Oh guys, I don't know what to say... thank you, seriously. I... I'll tell you guys about it one day, I promise. But right now, let's just have a good time!"

"YEAH!" Everyone chorused.

"I'll turn on the radio-"

"NATSUMI NO!"

"Fine! Sheesh, tough crowd."


Finally after more than enough of '29 Bottles of Frog On The Wall' (with a lovely backtrack by Taiga), they reached Hiro's house. Hunter stumbled out first, rubbing his temples with his fingers.

"Keitaro, you are an amazing person and friend, but for the sweet love of baby Jesus never do that again."

Natsumi followed, wearing a small frown "See Hunter, this all could've been avoided if I was allowed to put on the radio!"

Keitaro climbed out next "In our defense Hunter, would you rather have crashed and died to Jason Derulo, or have had a safe car trip listening to quality acapella?"

Taiga came up from behind "Yeah Hunter, don't kill my vibe bitch."

Yoichi shuffled out the car, shoes scuffing the pavement as he jumped out "We should legit form a band. Dibs being on the drums!"

Natsumi scrunched his face "Yoichi, I don't think you know how to play the drums."

"Pfft, playing the drums is just like fucking, Mr Perfect. Get your stick, bang that big ass, find your rhythm and just keep going!"

"Yoichi! Goodness that is so-"

"The both of you quit it we need to get Hiro. We're already a little late cause of Mr Yoshinori fawning over his little puppy."

"HEY!"

Taiga shrugged "He's not wrong Yoichi. The only reason we left sooner is cause Aiden distracted him with his sex appeal."

Yoichi shuddered "That is not an image I needed to remember Dynamite."

"Let's just go!"

They all began to walk up to the familiar orange door but Keitaro stopped to run back to the car. The boys waited in confusion as Keitaro opened the trunk, ruffled through his bag and retrieved his camera, making his way back to his friends. Yoichi placed his fists on his hips and cocked his head.

"Again with the camera. I may love that thing, cause it caught Natsumi falling over-"

"Hey!"

"But I didn't think you'd bring it over."

Keitaro grinned sheepishly "Well to be honest I never really go anywhere without it. At school they always say that catching the best picture is the moments you live in life!"

Everyone raised their eyebrows at Keitaro's philosophical message. Keitaro blanched and cast his eyes downwards.

"Ugh you guys don't believe me do you?"

"Nope."

"Nah."

"Sorry."

"Not a word."

"C'mon guys we're going to a expensive party of our friend's! Of course I'd bring my camera. And look at us! We look so nice in our suits so of course I'd want to get a picture. It's all about making memories!"

Taiga coughed "Oh yeah, we all know you'd love to get a pic of 'You Know Who'." he said, wiggling his bushy eyebrows. The gang laughed as Keitaro blushed harder.

"Guys this isn't about having pictures of Hiro! I already have enough of those-" He went on, that is, until he realised what he had just said, clamping his hands over his mouth. His friends only laughed harder.

"BWAHAHA, oh jeez Frogboy, you're in so deep, HAHA!" Yoichi howled, clutching at Taiga to keep himself upright. Hunter snickered delightfully.

"Pfft, I gotta say Keitaro, that was embarrassing."

Natsumi covered his mouth to conceal his laughter, failing miserably to do so "Haha, c'mon guys, let's leave poor Keitaro alone, he's gone so red already!"

Indeed he had, as they all looked at a pouting Keitaro with a red blush brushed across his cheeks.

"Can we please just go inside now?"

After they had calmed down, they finally made their way to the door and knocked, waiting for a response. Not a moment after, the door creaked open, showing Hina Akiba, decked out in her apron and her long brown hair tied into a bun.

"Oh boys! You're here! Oh, you all look so lovely! Please come in."

The boys stepped inside, smiling at the warm welcome. Hina was always a great host, enjoying their company despite their loudness, and greeting them with freshly baked treats. Hina turned back to the boys and smiled.

"Thank you for bringing Hiro to the party, Natsumi. I can't be thankful enough."

"Of course Mrs Akiba! Hiro's my friend, and I always enjoy helping out!"

"You boys are so good to my Hiro. I'm so happy he has friends like you." Hina turned to the staircase and began to walk up the steps. "I'll go check on him now, you boys just sit tight."

The boys formed a small circle by the staircase as they waited for Hiro to arrive. Yoichi leaned against the wall and sniffed.

"Ugh, can Torch Head hurry the fuck up, I can smell his mom's cookies from here, and ain't no way in hell I'm eating them cold. This stupid surprise of his better be worth it."

"Yoichi, as much as I enjoy Mrs Akiba's baking and cooking, we'll be eating at the party. Are you sure you wanna fill yourself up before you even get there?" Natsumi asked a little concerned.

"You underestimate my power to never get full Mr Perfect. I'm offended honestly."

"I think we should leave the eating to Hiro." Taiga laughed "I don't think anyone can out eat him."

"Heck yeah you can't!" A voice exclaimed. Keitaro brightened and turned to face the voice.

"Hiro! There you-"

He stopped. Keitaro was sure time itself stopped. He dropped his camera, letting it dangle from his neck. Everyone was silent in shock. Because standing at the top of the stairs was their friend Hiro Akiba.

Hiro. In a dress.

A long, black off the shoulder dress. Despite Hiro not having breasts, somehow he had filled the chest area of the dress with his pecs. The sleeves were wrapped to his biceps, showing off his slender shoulders. The dress clung to his figure perfectly, displaying his almost hourglass figure. The cut in the dress revealed his leg, muscular thigh and calf and all. And best of all, he's was wearing heels. Hiro rubbed his arm shyly.

"Uhm, hehe, surprise?"

Hunter was the first to wake up from the stupor. He rushed to the stairs, jumping excitedly.

"WOW! Hiro, you look AMAZING! Gosh, I gotta draw you sometime! You think you can pose for me?"

Hiro laughed and blushed brightly "Aww, thanks Hunter! Of course you can!" Natsumi joined Hunter at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hunter's very right! You look great Hiro! I love your shoes!"

Taiga and Yoichi pushed their way forward, both smiles shining on their faces.

"Dude! What the fuck! You're not allowed to look this good! Stop trying to make us all look like peasants, people don't need to know how poor I am!" Yoichi cried, still in some state of shock.

"Hiro, when you said surprise, I didn't think you'd try to kill us all with those heels." Taiga said, looking at the bottom of Hiro's feet where his heels were. Hiro giggled.

"Pfft, don't be jealous I look good Wolfboy! I'm just that handsome!" He stopped and looked over his friends' shoulders. He frowned. "K-Keitaro? Are you ok?"

Everyone turned to look behind them were Keitaro stood, where the boy was blinking stupidly with a ever so red face. Keitaro didn't hear them. All he could hear were angels singing. He was pretty sure they were angels. The only thing he could see was Hiro. His dress, his body, his face and oh dear lord Hiro was wearing lipstick.

"Ah Jesus Hiro I think you killed Keitaro."

Hiro made his way down the stairs, sadness beginning to rewrite itself over his features.

"Uhm, Keitaro? Do you not like it? I'm-"

"You look beautiful."

Hiro's eyes widened, his blush starting to match Keitaro's.

"I- Uhm- r-really?"

Keitaro suddenly grabbed Hiro's hands, grasping them with his own. He finally stared straight at Hiro, looking deep into his sparkling orange eyes.

"Of course Hiro, the dress looks amazing on you and- wait are you taller than me?"

Hiro looked confused at the out of nowhere question, until he smirked smugly.

"Haha, yeah, it's cause of the heels. It's kinda like I finally outgrew you!" He perked up "I'm gonna go get my stuff, there's cookies in the kitchen!"

With that, he swished back to the staircase and walked back to his room. When he was gone, everyone turned to Keitaro and smirked gleefully.

"Damn Keitaro, Hiro's eyes are on his face, not his ass." Taiga laughed, looking Keitaro up and down. Instead of blushing and protesting like he usually did, Keitaro slumped against the wall and let out a groan.

"Guys, I can't do this."

"Uhm, do what?"

"This! Go to the party! With Hiro! He just-"

"Just what?"

"He looks too good!"

Everyone laughed.

"Don't worry Keitaro! If it really bothers you, Hiro will change at the party! Then you'll be able to concentrate." Natsumi comforted, patting him lightly. Keitaro sighed.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. I should calm down."

"Alright mom, I'm leaving now!" Hiro shouted and he clambered down the stairs with his bag. Hina appeared and smiled.

"Oh, before you go, let me take a photo! You all look amazing, I'd love to keep a memory of it!" Keitaro came forward and offered his camera.

"Here Hina, use mine!"

"Thank you, Keitaro dear. Now, everyone say cheese!"

Everyone got in the camera's line of vision and smiled. Keitaro looked at a dolled up smiling Hiro. He smiled. The camera flashed.

"And perfect! Now you boys get going, you're going to be late!"

Everyone said their goodbyes and hurried outside to the car.

"Everyone got their invitations?" Natsumi asked as he helped Hiro out his things in the back. The rest of the COC nodded.

"Then let's go party!"