EDITOR'S NOTE: This chapter takes place during and alongside the fic Issho Ni. It is advised that you read Issho Ni first. Thank you! -Taiki Matsuki
Otoko No Chigiri
Pledge VI: Family (Kitagawa Kenta)
I feel safe doing this. It's Christmas Eve, too, they're in a good mood. The holidays always do that to my family. And...I think they'll accept it. They...have a right to know, they are my parents after all. I shouldn't keep this hidden from them forever...
...And I-I'm...lonely. I know I won't ever be with Hirokazu, he's straight. There's no questioning that. He's...not into anything even remotely "gay." ...I just hope he wouldn't be so upset he'd hate me or not want to be around me. ...I-I love him, but...He doesn't love me, he's just...
...The best friend I've ever had and ever will have. And that's...not counting that I love him. But...I'm alone. Everyone else checks out girls and they talk about...dating...and stuff. I-I'm tired of pretending that I'm interested, I really am... Jen, a while ago, wouldn't stop asking me about this girl with a "cute red hat" and stuff... ...I didn't even bother looking, I just stared at... ...a really cute guy I recognized from my math class.
If...I came out, I-I could...date. I could be with someone. It...won't be Hirokazu but...I-I won't be alone anymore. I know I'm the only gay one in the group. The others...might not accept that but...
...I just want...to not be alone anymore. I-I can't take being so hung up on someone I know would never like me back.
So...This is it. I-I'm doing this... I'm...really doing this...
Mom and Dad sit in front of me on the couch, I'm on the armchair across from the couch...I'm nervous as hell. Our Christmas tree is off to the side, on the way to the door.
"Kenta, what's wrong?" Mom asks. "You wanted to talk to us about something and...you've been quiet this whole time."
"I-I'm sorry for that...I'm just...really nervous..." I reply. It's no lie, I'm shaking. I think they'll accept this. They...don't have a problem with gays, I think, it's a topic that's never really come up. But, we saw a movie a while ago, a comedy from China...About this gay couple, they try to hide their relationship from one's parents and even plan a fake wedding with his boyfriend's sister. It was really funny, my parents...want to get it when it's out on DVD, too...That's...a huge plus for 'acceptance' in my book.
"Did...you do something?" Dad asks, giving me a skeptical look. "Or did Hirokazu do something?" ...Hirokazu is the 'worst influence on Earth' according to my family but... They know nothing would stop us from being friends, they just...do their best to pretend Hirokazu isn't 'corrupting their son,' which is mostly a joke. They like Hirokazu...on those rare occasions he's 'being good.'
"H-Hirokazu...? No," I shake my head. It's not Hirokazu's fault I love him. "...Mom, Dad...I-I...I need to tell you this. This is something I've known about myself for years now and...I want you to know and...I hope you can...accept this." I look up...My Mom already looks worried, I think she...knows what I might say. My Dad...is confused.
"...Kenta...? What are you...trying to say?" Dad asks, quietly. He...has a suspicion, too.
"I-I...I'm..." I take a deep breath...I have to do this. It's too late to back out...
"Kenta, a-are you...telling us you...think you might be..." Mom trails off, her expression goes from worry to...Wh-What the...? She's...Gods, she's...starting to cry!
"M-Mom? Wh-What's wrong?" I stand up, I-I didn't...expect that kind of reaction! Sh-She's gotta be thinking I'm about to say something else. I-I'm gay, Mom! Not dying or anything! J-just gay, you don't...have to cry over that! Gay...isn't something you should...cry about!
...Is it?
"Kenta, is...that what you're saying? You...think you're gay?" Dad says, louder...A little sternly. That's not good...
All I can do is nod. ...I'm gay, Dad.
"Oh, GODS!" Dad screams, Mom starts to sob harder.
"M-Mom, why...Why are you crying?" I ask, ignoring my Dad's reaction. "I-I'm...I'm just...gay...Please, don't cry-"
"Kenta...Why? Why would you...want that?" My Mom asks. W-Want this? I-I didn't want this...It's just what happened!
"What do you mean? I-I...Mom, I didn't cho-"
"How did this happen?" Dad lets out a sort of growling sigh to himself. "Kenta, you're...You're just confused. You can't be gay...I-I thought...I raised you better than this..." ...Dad... Y-You had...nothing to do with this...This isn't...something I chose, this isn't something that I 'got' from anyone or anything...
...It's just what happened.
"I-I didn't...choose this," I whisper, I don't know if they heard me. My Mom just sobs harder...I-I'm starting to cry, too. Th-They...think I chose this? They...think they...didn't raise me the right way? The 'straight way?' I-I...You didn't...do this, I didn't choose this...
...Gods, what have I done?
...Mom...Dad...I-I'm so sorry...
"Kenta, tell me...Why?" Dad looks to me, he looks sad...Almost like my Mom does. "Why are you...Why this? Why you?"
"I-I don't know why," I say, my voice cracking. I lift up my glasses and wipe my eyes. "I-I just...Dad...I'm sorry, it's...It's who I am-"
"No! It's not who you are! Kenta, please...I-I don't want to deal with this!" Dad screams, he goes to Mom and tries to comfort her...She's...just crying... M-Mom...Why...is this...making you cry?
"Mom, please...Don't cry..." I whisper. "I-I'm...still me-"
"Kenta, no, you...You're confused. This is...This isn't who you are!" ...Dad...No...D-Don't say that! Please... "You're not..." He...looks like he might...cry, too. "How...did I screw up?" He whispers. ...Gods... Y-You...You really...said that, Dad? ...You...want to know how you...screwed up...?
I-I...I don't want to hear this...
I don't want to be here...
...I CAN'T TAKE THIS!
I turn and run, I run past the tree and almost trip over a couple gifts, I accidentally send one flying aside as I go to the door. I slip on my shoes and grab the first coat I see as I open the door and...Run! That's all I can do. Run.
I get to the end of the hall and I hear my Dad screaming for me to come back. I take the stairs instead of the elevator, I don't want to wait for it. I don't want to risk my Dad catching up to me. He's still screaming for me to come back, I know he's following me.
N-No, Dad...I-I can't come back...Not after what you just said...Not...with this...I-I'm sorry, this was...such a mistake! I didn't think you'd react like this...I didn't want to...make my Mother cry... ...because of something I had no control over...
I'm sorry...I'm so sorry! ...I should have...just kept it a secret...
I run out of the apartment building and down the street, I still hear my Dad's faint screams. He ran after me as far as the street, but...I think he lost me in the small crowd of people on the sidewalk. I just keep running as long as I can. I-I don't care where I go, anywhere but here!
It's been...snowing non-stop all week. The streets are covered in snow, there are huge piles from plows on every corner. And...all I have is a light coat and the t-shirt I was wearing when I came out. These pants...aren't exactly 'winter apparel' either...But I can't go back. I can't go back...
...I-I need...to go somewhere...Gods, where...could I go?
...Wait...I'm on...Nami Street...
...I can't believe it...I thought I was...just running anywhere to get away from them but...This is the way I take to...get to Hirokazu's.
...Hirokazu... ...Should I?
H-He'll...find out, if I go there. He'll...find out my secret tonight. I mean, I-I can't just show up and ask to spend the night like I wanna have a sleepover or something. Especially not on Christmas Eve...I-I need to tell him I had...a fight with my parents...And the reason for that fight...
...Hirokazu, y-you're...my best friend. Please, don't react like my parents...I-I don't think I could live with that. Please...
I sob and shiver at the same time, leaning against a street light and panting. I ran the whole way here, this is...about the halfway point between our apartments. I-I can't believe I ran this way.
It's...late at night and I'm freezing. This coat is...not going to keep me warm and...the lack of sleeves and gloves and...Any winter apparel period is...I-I need to get to someone's place.
I start to walk towards Hirokazu's apartment. H-How should I tell him? How...will he react is...more important... I-I won't...tell him I love him or anything. That...would screw everything up even if he did accept me. I mean...He's not into...gay. Period. Otoko Shibuki...
...I-I'm...getting a little tired of Otoko Shibuki. Just...the fact that it's...how Hirokazu models himself. He's...all man. I'm gay...That doesn't make me all man, probably. It makes me...gay. But...
...If there is one thing about Hirokazu, other than Otoko Shibuki, one thing that defines him...It's his loyalty to his friends. If a friend is in need, he'll help that friend. Always... Even...if that friend is...something he doesn't like.
...No, he's...not a raging homophobe or anything. He just...doesn't like being accused of being gay. All those times, he's never said 'fag' or...ranted about how gross 'they' are and...Then there's...that one time at school...
That...jerk. Yes, MarineAngemon is an adorable little pink being of absolute cuteness...But to say he's 'the gayest thing he'd ever seen.' No, Ruki can get away with that, she's allowed to joke about that...Not some jerk who thinks we all 'created' our partners like Takato...I-I was...so offended that day, especially when he looked at me and asked if...I was "some kind of fag." Of course, Hirokazu didn't let him finish that sentence. H-He lost it as soon as that guy said "fag," even.
I've seen Hirokazu fight, he can hold his own against...Anyone! He and Jen once 'sparred' at Hirokazu's request...To Jen's (and everyone's, especially Ruki's) surprise, Hirokazu was able to hold his own pretty well, like...it was almost a draw! And Jen's really good at martial arts. Jen won in the end but he was only holding back so no-one would get hurt, not to make things easy for Hirokazu. Hirokazu was proud of himself, he almost beat Jen.
So, when Hirokazu punched that guy, he...meant business. And he didn't hold back. That was obvious when I stood up and saw the aftermath...
The guy was on the floor, blood coming from his mouth as he spit out a tooth. Hirokazu just looked down at him, I've never seen him that angry or look that serious. I know he protects me, but...Just for calling me a fag? ...That...set him off in a way I've never seen, like that guy insulted him or his family or his honor code. All three, even... ...And not just me.
Except, it was just me. I was the one he was insulting. And because of that, Hirokazu took it more personally than anything else before...
...I will never forget what he said, "...Listen up. No-one insults Kenta. Ever. If you call Kenta that word again, I'll knock out the rest of them. You do not say that about my friend or his partner. Kenta's amazing, MarineAngemon is amazing. Kenta is one of the nicest, smartest and most awesome people I know...And I would still say that even without the Digital World and MarineAngemon. You, however, are an asshole who doesn't know when to keep his mouth shut. You have no right to judge Kenta or MarineAngemon like that, all right? MarineAngemon was the strongest of our partners at all times, looks can be deceiving...Not like a dumb bastard like you would ever know. We were lucky to have MarineAngemon's support, he saved our asses a couple times. Without him, we'd have been in trouble...So much for the 'gayest thing you've ever seen,' MarineAngemon's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen! Now get the hell out of my sight. And if you even think to insult Kenta like that again, like I said, you won't be eating solid food ever again. Got it?" ...And that's what that jerk did, he picked up his tooth, crying (after making fun of Takato, too) as his friends helped him get away from Hirokazu. They were too afraid to say or do anything.
That guy was...um...I don't want to say like Hirokazu but...He was one of those 'super manly' types, super-hetero or something, I guess...But it's different from Hirokazu's Otoko Shibuki. Very different. This guy was just...a 'manly' jerk that Hirokazu put in his place...
...I take back what I said about being tired of Otoko Shibuki, now that I think of that incident. That jerk was acting like a 'man' based on a bunch of stupid beer drinking macho stereotypes...Hirokazu and Otoko Shibuki are sincere. Otoko Shibuki...It's about a sailor and his duties. He goes to sea, not afraid of storms or any danger, fulfilling his duty to bring back a huge catch for his family to live on, never breaking his pledge as a man, being true to himself and sincere in his thoughts and actions...
...That's...Hirokazu. ...And...a lot of that is what I love about Hirokazu... ...Otoko Shibuki, Hirokazu.
O...to...ko... Shi...bu...ki... Let's fly the flag of the biggest catch of our life.
...Let me...fly the flag of... ...who I am...without fear. Otoko Shibuki!
After he punched that jerk, I'm amazed he didn't get a Sunday detention or anything. I guess that jerk never told any of the teachers. And the witnesses...Well, everyone knows that if Hirokazu throws a punch it's...usually serious. Not because he wants to fight. He has a reputation for fighting but it's almost always self-defense or for a friend...Usually me. A few times, over the years, I was bullied in school...But when Hirokazu found out, he put a stop to it. ...By any means necessary... ...He's...always been there for me. I-I didn't even ask him for help, as soon as he heard someone was bothering me, that someone was asked to stop...And if they didn't, Hirokazu..."asked again." Forcefully. ...They always stopped after that.
Well, not always...
...One time, third or fourth grade was when it happened, Hirokazu did fight someone who was really tough. Tougher than he was. He...got really beaten up, it's how he lost the last of his baby teeth, too, let's put it that way. But, no matter how badly he got hurt...and...it was really bad...I was crying and begging Hirokazu to stop before he got himself killed. No matter what, though, Hirokazu didn't give up. He eventually beat the guy and...Gods, he...collapsed. He was out cold after he "officially" won, the other guy...got tired and Hirokazu got some lucky punches in...He said he'd leave me alone, I think because Hirokazu was...so determined to make him stop that he respected that... Hirokazu collapsed less than a minute after the other guy was gone. He was out for almost an hour. I watched over him, scared out of my mind. I would have gone for help but...I didn't want to leave him alone.
...Hirokazu told me, after he woke up, he didn't give up because...He didn't want me to be bullied anymore. He wouldn't stop until that guy knew not to bother me. ...I cried so much because I thought it was my fault he was hurt to badly. He...told me, "Kenta...stop crying. Otoko Shibuki!" ...I-I had no idea what 'manly flying spit' had to do with...ANYTHING! I-I thought he got hit in the head too hard or something...I-I was scared out of my mind, my best friend had brain damage!
He then explained what he meant...That was the first time I ever heard Otoko Shibuki, actually...He sang the song to me and... ...It's been "our motto" ever since. Hirokazu's "code of honor."
So, with all that in mind...I don't think Hirokazu would...abandon me. And not on Christmas Eve...
...Hirokazu, you're the greatest...Things like that are...why I love you so much. Please...don't be upset if you ever find out how I feel about you... ...Because I know...you won't like it.
I walk up to Hirokazu's apartment building...I-I'm...freezing...I can't stop shivering and I'm soaked from the snow that's melted on my clothes. Th-This coat...does not retain any body heat...I-I need to get warm. If...I get kicked out, I'll probably die out there...Please, Hirokazu...Don't...Don't hate me for this...Don't...be like...
...My parents...Gods...My parents hate me...Don't they? M-My Mom cried because I'm gay...My Dad thinks he screwed up raising me...
...This can't be happening...
I sob as I walk inside...It's so much warmer than the outside, my glasses are actually fogging up and my tears are definitely adding to that. I-I take them off and wipe my eyes as I go to the elevator...
...The doors open almost immediately. I step inside...No-one else is inside. I put my glasses back on and press Hirokazu's floor number and the doors close... And I lose it. I break down crying, because...I-I might not be able to go home. My parents... ...Gods, I can't believe...my Dad said those things... Or my Mom...cried so hard...
And...What if Hirokazu's family...reacts the same? My own parents reacted that way! The Shiotas...I'm not their son...They have no obligation to care about me. Especially if...they're worried I might "influence" Hirokazu...
...Gods, Universe...Whoever or whatever... ...It's Christmas...Please, I know things don't always work for me...But, just this once, please, let...Let me at least stay tonight with Hirokazu? ...Let him hate me in the morning...Let me at least...have one last night with my best friend before... ...My life falls apart forever.
The doors open, I more or less stumble down the hallway...I-I'm still shivering, the melted snow on my clothes, especially what I came in with that melted inside...I-I was too...upset to bother shaking it off. I-I'm soaked...And freezing again... ...There's still...unmelted snow in my hair, even...
I get to Hirokazu's door...
...Gods, please...Just this once...Please...
I knock, wiping my eyes with my other sleeve and sobbing...
...This...is it...
...H-Hirokazu...Th-Thank you for everything but...Please, don't...Don't ask this...I-I don't want to ruin things with you...I don't want to lose you.
The Gods...were nice to me tonight. Hirokazu's family didn't really react when I told them why I was there and they...told me I could stay as long as I needed.
I also found out that Hirokazu actually suspected me as gay for a while. Takato and Jen, too. I-I'm amazed it...didn't bother him, he'd suspected it for so long and...Nothing changed.
Hirokazu even hugged me, he told me...he was still my friend and...always will be. I-I needed that hug. I needed to hear what he said.
A-A lot of the crying I did was...because I was so happy that Hirokazu was still my friend. His family said I could stay as long as I needed...That...I was welcome because I'm Hirokazu's best friend. Even...with my secret. My secret that I don't have to hide from them anymore...
I-I love you and your family, Hirokazu. Especially tonight.
...But...After his parents when to bed...H-He...Gods, he wants to know...if I like anyone. I-I knew this...was too good to be true. I know he supports me but...I know how he feels about that kiss in the Digital World, I know how he acts every time someone (usually Ruki) mentions it or calls him and I the 'ambiguously gay tamers.' He...He wouldn't like it if he knew how I felt about him...
He...already asked if it was Takato or Jen. I-I should have just said 'Takato' or something, but...Knowing Hirokazu, he might...try to set us up somehow..Even though Takato's...not gay.
"...Anyone I know?"
"...Definitely..." ...Gods, please...Stop him from asking...
"...Does he look at me in the mirror every morning?" ...I'm so sorry, Hirokazu.
I stammer out a...really unconvincing denial. "U-Um...N-No...Not..." Okay, non-existent denial. I-I can't say a thing! Damn it! NO! I-I'm sorry, Hirokazu! I'm so sorry!
"Be honest." ...He...sounded...calm. Even...kinda playful. Like...he wants me...to admit to it? ...He...still won't like it.
...Will he? He is...Hirokazu...And Hirokazu...likes people talking about how 'awesome' he is. But...I don't think he's awesome-Well, I do...But... ...He wants me to admit that...I love him...
...I have no choice. He's not...going to let this go.
"...Maybe a little." I say, quietly, but...I sort of panic, trying to...explain my situation and feelings. "I-I can't...help it, Hirokazu. Please, I-I'm sorr-"
"Kenta, it's okay." Hirokazu laughs? ...H-Hirokazu, I-I thought you'd...freak out. "Y'know, if Santa could bring me anything for Christmas this year, do you know what I'd ask for?"
I...I shake my head. I-I can't even face him. H-He knows now...This...changes everything.
"...Mistletoe."
"M-Mistletoe? Wh-Why mistletoe?" ...Hirokazu...you didn't just say that...Did you? Did you...just...say mistletoe? F-For...a girl you like, right?
Hirokazu gets up from the couch and breaks off a little branch from his Christmas tree. He sits back down. "...I guess this'll have to do."
"...Hirokazu...?" ...H-He...has to be joking.
He blushes, looking away. "...Take the hint, Kenta. I-I don't want to spell it out..." H-Hirokazu...you're...gay...? ...A-All this time...? I-I'm dreaming...
"Y-You?" This is...not real. "...But...Hirokazu, you..." YOU'RE HIROKAZU! "I've seen you...check out girls...A lot..." From...hitting on Ruki right after our...first kiss...to...YESTERDAY! This...This can't...He's joking or...something...I-I can't believe this, as much as I want it to be true...
"..I like both, but..." ...B-both...? ...He's bi... ...Gods, that...that makes sense... He's bi...
...Hirokazu is...bi... That means... ...I-I...I can...
...I can be with Hirokazu... ...Hirokazu...can love me back...
...This is really happening... Hirokazu is...really telling me this...
Hirokazu smiles as he holds the branch over my head. "Of everyone in the world...I like you the most." ...H-Hirokazu...
...What...do I do? What do I say? ...How do...I keep from waking up?
"Th-This isn't a joke?" I whisper.
...He...kisses me on the cheek... ...M-my second kiss...
...And it's from Hirokazu...
I throw my arms around him and...I-I cry, I can't stop myself. H-He...He feels the same! Hirokazu's bi! He...He feels the same! Hirokazu loves me!
...Thank you, Gods...
"Wh-What's wrong?" Hirokazu shouts.
"...I'm...happy." I sniff. "Trust me...I'm happy." I hold him a little tighter. "Thank you, Hirokazu..."
"...Merry Christmas, Kenta." He hugs back.
After Hirokazu confessed, we...kissed for a long time, using that "mistletoe." Close to midnight, I fell asleep in his arms, he...was my pillow, we were both under the same heavy blanket and everything...I forgot everything that had happened before Hirokazu got his "mistletoe," nothing else existed beyond that couch... ...Only Hirokazu, myself and...that "mistletoe." When I started to fall asleep, he got a blanket and let me rest against him... ...I don't think I've ever been happier than I was at that moment...
...Until we woke up to his parents standing over us... ...I-I was...really scared. Even with the way they were smiling, like it was funny. I was scared. I-I didn't...want to lose Hirokazu. I-I finally had him...
Speaking of Hirokazu...Um...I think he nearly pissed himself when his parents woke us up, singing "Hirokazu and Kenta sitting in a Christmas tree..." ...I-I...I was scared, too. Mostly because I was afraid they...would be upset that I "turned Hirokazu gay."
...Instead, um...We learned that last Summer Hirokazu forgot to erase his browsing history after reading shounen-ai manga online. And some "Daisuke and Ken Digimon gay romance stories." H-His parents actually read one of them and...He had no real way to deny what those manga and fics implied about him...
...I was surprised Hirokazu was a Daiken fan, too. I need to ask him sometime if he prefers Daiken with the Kaiser or Daiken with the "real" Ken...Probably the Kaiser, he loved the Kaiser arc the most in Adventure.
...Anyway, they...they thought it was possible Hirokazu and I were...already together. I...told his parents how thankful I was for their approval and for taking me in. ...And how...happy I was with Hirokazu. ...He was...bright red the entire time, but...
...Even with...my parents' reaction...Last night was the greatest night of my life. I-I kissed Hirokazu...For real. And he kissed back...I still count the Digital World as my first kiss but...last night was my first "real kiss."
I talked to my parents shortly after that, they called the Shiotas before they woke us up (they even found us sleeping like that for a while before they woke us...They took some pictures with a digital camera, too, before waking us after the call - Hirokazu wanted those photos deleted, but it's "not happening," his Mom says) and Mrs. Shiota told my Mom about Hirokazu as her gay son (Hirokazu corrected them at the point - He's bi, not gay... ...And he did not like how much of a shock it was to his parents when he told them that he also liked girls) and...Last night my parents also looked up some "help sites" and...
...My Dad apologized, he didn't know it wasn't a choice and he...thought I just had a "fetish" for guys, he really didn't understand much about what it meant to be "gay" or what I had gone through. He spent the whole night on that site, he felt really bad for his "screwed up" comment...I forgave him, I know he was...shocked, to say the least. ...His son had just...come out, after all. That's always a shock, no matter what.
Though, my Dad didn't sound too thrilled when I told him that Hirokazu and I were a couple...It was...hard for me to not sound... ...so happy when I said that. I tried to tone it down the best I could but... I-I never thought this was possible. Hirokazu and I...are together! We're more than friends... ...He...actually...still hasn't said "I love you," but... ...He's Hirokazu, actions speak louder than words and...Kissing screams louder than any word he could use.
...We spent a lot of time that night pretty much...making out...More than most couples, I think...I think it has to do with what happened in the Digital World. I got to...live out how I wished things had happened. I...even told him that I had counted that as my first kiss, even after our "it doesn't count" decision...Hirokazu laughed and...gave me a hug and...Put his fake mistletoe to use.
It's the day after Christmas, Hirokazu and I are in the park...On date, sort of. Hirokazu doesn't want to be "out" in public, so it's...mostly just "talking"... No being super affectionate or anything, just to be...safe.
I'm...going to tell the others soon, though. ...Hirokazu might still wait on telling them about us or himself.
"...I still can't believe this, Hiro-chan," I say, smiling. I don't think I've stopped smiling since I left his apartment on Christmas day. "...You're bi." I still...have trouble believing it.
Hirokazu nods. "Y-Yeah...I would've told you sooner if...I knew you...Y'know." He's still not comfortable with the subject. But...He's Hirokazu and I'm just happy that we're a couple when we're alone.
"I was so afraid of how you'd react, I mean...Every time someone mentions the kiss..."
"Th-The first time was... I was...sort of dealing with...how much I liked you," Hirokazu blushes slightly. "It wasn't something I wanted to think about and Ruki just...would not shut up about it...S-Sorry if I...gave you the wrong idea with that..."
"I was worried, but...I knew, on Christmas Eve, you...wouldn't have left me out in the snow like that, even if you didn't approve."
"Damn right...But...Kenta, even if...I was straight, you're my best friend...I would never abandon you like that...I-I...I..." He stammers, his voice getting more and more silent.
I smile..."Are you...finally going to say it?"
"...S-Say...what?"
"Those three words I've said to you a million times that...you haven't said once." I reply. "But...I understand," I really do. "You're Hirokazu...Otoko Shibuki!"
"Otoko Shibuki..." Hirokazu sighs. "A-All right, real men...are brave and... ...This...takes a lot of courage...especially in public. Okay?"
"Hiro-chan, we're...alone, there's no-one at the park."
"That's what they want you to think...And I just know Ruki is somehow going to hear this..." Hirokazu trails off. "...Okay...Here goes... ...Kenta...chan..." His cheeks turn red as he says 'chan.' "I...I love you."
"...Permission to hug you and tell you I love you?" I ask, smiling. I know he'd be upset if I didn't ask first, we're in public.
"...Permission granted, but go-" I wrap my arms around him, holding him tight. "-easy." He finishes with a nervous laugh.
"...I love you, Hiro-chan...I-I love you so much..." I say, quietly.
"...Thanks, Kenta-chan..." Hirokazu give me a hug with one arm, patting my back.
...Thank you, Hiro-chan. You told me how you felt, you really do have courage...Because I know how hard that was for you.
Ori's Notes:
*Whew* That...was an interesting chapter... I know, we went over that jerk two chapters ago but I wanted to get Kenta's view on the scene...Mainly his comparison of that guy's version of being a man and Hirokazu's.
Also, I wanted to go into more detail on exactly why Otoko Shibuki is Hirokazu's code of honor and some of the history behind it. Here's hoping I didn't come up with something too insane...
I'm really having fun with this one. I hope everyone's enjoying it, too.
Taiki's Notes:
Trust me, Ori, when I say that I am definitely enjoying this one!
I read Issho Ni alongside this chapter after I edited it, by the way. I really like Ori's "tie-togethers" like this for fics. If you like this one, check out the following Jenkatos in this order if you haven't read them yet:
Christmas Dinner
Pass The Soy Sauce
Save File
Kako Mo Ima Mo Mirai Mo Kakenukero
The last one is Ori's first major slash project since he return and he pulled out all stops! It's a Jenkato EPIC!
I really hope everyone likes this one, too. The Hirokenta version of Kako Mo Etc! Please let us know! I know I'm having a blast editing it!
-Taiki Matsuki