By the way, the meatball sandwich was an accidental and very crude pun. It's a pun on the word meatball, seeing as Tai is gay and gets beaten up for being so. It was rather…ironic he was eating something that was made with meatballs. Balls, yes, that's what I mean, a very crude term for a boy's privates. It wasn't the cleanest or…the best kind of joke, but it was a complete accident and it just seemed hilarious.
Lord Pata- You're right, Takari is sooo meant to be…sometimes /laughs evilly/ I just can't help but think it's damn adorable. But I really wanted a kenkari…I don't know how that's going to go with this one, though…it doesn't look to good for Ken… However! The kiss thing I didn't think to be too over the top. It had to be a little bit, though, for Daisuke-kun to react the way I wanted him to. Plus, I kiss my friends all the time. They don't mean anything other than "You're awesome, love you, buddy." I'm serious. My friend Anna and I do it and I'm not gay. It's a friend thing. Well…maybe for weirdoes like me…and Takeru-kun apparently.
Iron Reaver: I'd like to apologize ahead of time for Jyou-sempai. He will never get a lot of screen time. There are just so many of them, more are coming, and it gets really convoluted. Now that Mimi-san and Jyou-sempai are together…they aren't going to get much more. I didn't even put in their date. I want to put more Izzy/Tai and Kenkari in. Daiyako and Daikari, too. Then, there's Takori, which I love, and Akizuki needs screen time now (you'll meet her soon) and another character needs to be introduced soon. I think this Christmas, not next year's. Anyway, I love all your praising! I won't blame you, however, if you are angry for the long wait for this chapter.
Cool-Hanyou: I put in an explanation of the meatball sandwich above. It's rather crude, though completely accidental. LOL. Izzy just talks weird, love, it's what he does.
SageoWind: THANK GOD! You understand the meatball sandwich joke. So crude, ne? LOL. Tai's dad is a bit in the middle. It's probably hardest on a father to know his son is gay, ya know? That could be a stereotype, but it just seems that way to be…if I exempt my family. If my brother ended up gay…well, my stepmom is crazier than my dad… Did I put in the last chapter that sodomy is on fact NOT illegal? Hmm…well, it'll definitely come up in chapter fifteen.
Rokutagrl: I'mg lad it made your night better. That makes me feel worse about this coming out so late. /sweatdrop/ But I'm glad my story is such an influence. You guys are giving me a big head. Taito is too over done and just would not work. -.- It just won't, sorry, they'd kill each other. Grrr. I'd kill them for them. Grr. Anyway, once again, scroll up for meatball explanation. I personally think CC is getting better, too. I'm glad you agree.
DarkNekoGirl: I love your jumbled love of CC! It was soo much fun reading those reviews. I should definitely put in more Kenkari. The problem is, after the time skip…Taishirou will be losing focus for a while so I can sort out the four lovebirds and introduce some new characters (two OCs and a person we should all know and love). It makes me ache inside to think of it, but I can't leave those four twelve-thriteen year olds to suffer much longer.
EternalDamnation: I love you, too, Hanna-chan. I hope you review my later chapters, too, lovey! I also hope you comment was a good one….hmmmm. LOVE YOU HANNA-CHAN!
Kitty: Oh golly. I talk too much. That's a whole page of review replies up there. Thank God I PM reply now. *sweats* I'm trying to beat inspired-to-Dream to the end, but I don't think that's going to happen. LOL.
Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. (When did I stop doing this?)
Edited: 4/25/12 (I just realized I said chapter 12 was edited 4/26. …*facepalms* It was after midnight when I posted it and I overcompensated.)
Chocolate Covered
Chapter Fourteen
Chocolate Covered Beginnings
Takeru gripped the thin rectangles of paper in his hand tightly. It was barely eight 'o' clock in the morning, but Takeru was already getting ready to leave for school. His bright blue eyes stared down at his clenched fingers with a dark frown.
"I'm so stupid." He whispered to himself. "Why'd I act like that? I acted like a child, a stupid, jealous child." Takeru closed his eyes and breathed deeply. "I'm sure…I'm sure if I explain, Iori-chan will understand. He's a really good person…" Too good for you. A teenage boy too ashamed of himself to tell the truth. He's not afraid of himself, he's not afraid of who he is or who he loves. He's not trying to run away because he's too scared of letting other people know what he can barely tell himself. Being gay is hard…harder than it should be, Takeru decided with a sigh.
"TAKERU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING! YOU'RE GOING TO BE LATE!"
Takeru jumped up and winced as his mother's voice screamed through his door. "Sorry! I was thinking and forgot to stop."
"What?"
"Never mind." Takeru grabbed his book bag and stuffed the tickets down the front pocket. He ran towards the front door, sliding into the kitchen to snatch cold Pop-Tarts and continue towards the door.
"If you get in trouble your first week of school, you're grounded and you won't see your girlfriend for a month!"
Takeru winced again. Girlfriend…right…
The door slammed shut behind him.
.
Iori smiled at the girl running towards him.
"I'm so sorry! I had to do afternoon chores! Well…actually, Maaki-san did, but she said she had to get to cheerleading practice early and begged me to take her place. I couldn't say 'no'." She smiled sheepishly.
Iori vaguely remembered incidents where the fellow classmates continually begged a stammering girl to do their chores or help them with homework. She must've been the stammering girl in those foggy recollections.
"Helping people out is a good thing to do, Akizuki-san, but too much of a good thing is unwise," Iori advised her seriously.
She blushed and shifted under his gaze. "I-I kn-know that. B-But…they ask for help and they j-just plead with m-me and it seems so mean to say 'no'," she stammered. Iori patted her head gently and she smiled up at him through her blush. It was kinda nice to stand next to someone shorter than him for once.
"It's all right, I guess. I suggest, however, you start learning how to say 'no'. So, to the park?" Iori reminded her.
"Yes! I'm afraid we can't have a very long time together because I do need to help my Otousan with the desserts cart, but walking there and maybe getting a free dessert will be enough. Is that okay?" she asked anxiously, brown eyes wide.
"Hai."
They silently walked side by side. Like most Japanese schools, they had a half day on Saturdays. It was barely past noon, bright and sunny, and Iori couldn't wait for that crepe in the park. He was really hungry and it would taste delicious after sharing the large lunch he brought, just in case she didn't have her own. He wondered if her father would have drinks there or if he should share his thermos of tea.
"Ano…Hida-san?" He turned towards Akizuki with a vague smile.
"Yes?"
"That…that boy…that older boy from yesterday…who is he? He's so pretty and older than us. I wondered how you knew him," Akizuki mumbled, shuffled awkwardly and blushing at her boldness.
"His name is Takashi, Takeru." His voice was oddly flat and cold. "We had been dating, but he jumped to conclusions."
"D-d-d-d-dating?" she squeaked.
"Oh, hai." He blinked and looked down at her again. "Do you have a problem with homosexuality? I don't recall you saying anything against Haruma-sensei the other week."
"Oh, ano, iie! I really don't have an opinion about that. I mean, I don't like to be hateful towards someone I don't know. What if it hurts their feelings if I say something mean about them?" Iori felt his lips tug upwards. "I-I was just surprised. I never…I never realized you could be dating someone and you were… homosexual." She was still blushing vividly and staring down at her toes.
"I didn't want to discuss it at school where anybody could overhear and then you would be humiliated. I know how hard it was for you to express your feelings to me," Iori explained. "I let my mouth run away with me just now. I did not mean to say it in such a way. Pardon me," he begged with a small bow. Akizuki shook her head rapidly.
"Oh…you're so thoughtful, Hida-san." She pressed her knuckles against her lips. "If…If you don't mind my asking… why are you here with me now…if you're gay and have a boyfriend?"
"I realized I had completely forgotten your confession and felt like it was the least I could do. You seem so shy and I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I wanted to make it up to you and to tell you the truth about me."
"Oh…" He just feels sorry for me. She sighed and her hand fell back down to clasp the handle of her briefcase-like book bag. It bounced against her thighs lightly. "You said…you had been dating, what does that mean…if you don't mind me asking, I mean!" Akizuki squeaked at the end. She glanced up to see if she had offended him and gasped at the cold anger in his eyes.
"When you came up to me yesterday, Takashi-san made an accusation that angered me. He refused to apologize and I haven't spoken to him since," Iori stated coldly.
"Was it because of me?" she exclaimed horrified. "I couldn't stand it if you and that beautiful boy broke up because of stupid me!"
"You aren't stupid!"
"Everyone says so… I hear them say it. How stupid I am for doing their chores and homework, for being unable to stand up in class without crying and unable to pass tests because I panic half-way through." Her voice was small as she spoke. "I know I'm stupid. No wonder you only feel sorry for me. I should've known a smart, cute boy like you would already have somebody."
"You shouldn't say things like that!" She stopped and turned to see Iori standing outraged just a few inches behind her.
"They're true, aren't they?" Her voice was so low and quiet.
"Of course not! You're just too kind and too scared! You just need to realize that you are smart and can say 'no'. You just need to… be… stronger…I guess." He frowned and thought about it.
"Stronger? How will strength help me?" she asked bewildered. He smiled, suddenly inspired.
"Stronger mentally. Here, in your mind." He took a step forehead and pressed his forefinger to her forehead. Her eyes crossed looking up towards his finger.
"Pardon me, but how?" Akizuki queried, frowning a bit in confusion.
"You can train with my grandfather and me," he told her, confidently.
"Train?" she repeated, bewildered.
"Hai! I've been learning kendo for years now with me grandfather," Iori explained.
"Yes, I know." She immediately regretted saying that. Did that make her sound like a stalker? Everyone in their class knew!
He didn't take it that way, of course. He realized that their class would easily have learned about his training. "You can learn with me. It teaches how to focus your mind. Meditation is one of my grandfather's basic lessons, and listening with your mind and heart together."
"I don't know…when do you train?" Akizuki pointed out hesitantly.
"We train early morning every day and in the afternoons and weekends sometimes."
"Oh my…"
"Of course, it depends on how far you live from me, what your parents think, what my grandfather thinks…" he trailed off. He turned towards her with earnest, blazing olive green eyes. "I think it will be good for you, though. I hope you really consider it!"
All-all right." Akizuki agreed, blushing and nodding. At his gentle smile of approval, her spirits lifted. Maybe she'd be learning how to hit people with wooden swords, but at least Iori would be there. They continued towards the park, chatting in soft, muted voices about kendo, and then books and movies.
.
"That was soo hard!" Tai exclaimed as he and Izzy met at the high school entrance gate.
"What was? Do you need help in one of your classes?" Koushirou barely managed to keep his grimace hidden. The blazing white bandages wrapped around Tai's head and the band-aids smoothed over his cheek and elbows. Looking at them, he could recall the tightly wrapped gauze around Tai's dark chest and belly. To top it off, his puffy left eye was ringed with dark bruises.
"No! Just going through the entire day of class with a raging headache! What was the point? I should've just stayed home!" Tai whined pitifully.
"You really should've. You should also not do the concert tonight. Your head isn't going to like it," Koushirou pointed out sternly, knowing it to be a lost cuase even as he spoke.
"I have to. I made a promise to do my best for Yama-kun, Izzy-koishii. It's for my honor now."
"And your pride," Koushirou muttered.
"Huh?"
"We should get home and put a bag of ice on your head," Koushirou said instead.
"Nu-uh. We have to go to soccer field first, sneaky." He wrapped his arm around Izzy's neck and noogied his bright hair.
"TAICHI!" Koushirou exclaimed with his face rapidly flushing as students walked by whispering and giggling.
"To the soccer field!"
Koushirou looked up as they neared the soccer fields. Tai had long since released his throat and was walking nonchalantly with his arms swinging slightly at his side, but Koushirou could see another story in Tai's eyes, a story of pain and betrayal…and loss…a loss of pride, loyalty, trust …love. Tai loved soccer. He had always loved it, from the time he could barely walk and his father gave him a ball too big for him to hold. Giving it up because of some ignorant bastards was tearing him up inside, and his usually cheery, honey-brown eyes were dark with the pain.
"OI, COACH!" Tai called out.
"YAGAMI!" A huge roar answered. A large horde of young boys ran towards the two boys. Both Tai and Koushirou froze in place, rigid with shock. Almost every face was anxious, warring plainly with anger was they saw the bandages.
"WHOA! Hold off! No jumping on me! I ain't up to it!" Tai exclaimed, throwing up his hands in an effort to halt the large mass of running teenage boys.
"Oh, sorry, sensei!" The entire group of first years bowed.
"You guys!" Tai laughed, sweating a bit as Koushirou tried not to chuckle.
"Yagami, I'm not really fanatic like these kiddies," the third year paused, staring down at the first years before rolling his eyes, "but you're a good captain and a better player. Whatever you're here to talk to coach about…think about it real hard, ne? The captain I know is a really hard worker."
"Tsunaki-san… thanks." Tai winced as the third-year nudged his head with a fist.
"Yeah, yeah. Why don't you just start doing your job and get these weaklings in shape." Tsunaki-san turned towards the crowd of first and third years and waved them back. "C'MON SLACKERS! BACK ONTO THE TRACK! WE'RE GOING TO RUN IN TEN SECONDS SO GET IN YOUR POSITIONS!" They all jogged down to the track, waving and calling out encouragements to Tai as they did, leaving a huddle of shamed-faced second years and an equally shamed-looking coach.
"Yagami-san! We're sorry our classmates jumped you! We had no part of it! Kanaka-san and the others… we don't care if you're gay or not! You may be a first year, but you're a damn good player and captain!" one of second years quickly blurted. Everyone's head bobbed in agreement.
"I should've… I should've realized what was going on. I'm sorry, Yagami. I didn't do my job because I was uncomfortable with you being so openly gay." The older man scratched the back of his neck. "I thought they were all talk and that I should just let you handle it when I should've stopped it immediately."
"You're completely correct. This whole incident might have been avoided if you had made penalties for their behavior." Koushirou angry voice interrupted the apology. The coach looked down in surprise. Snapping black eyes bored into his dark brown. "However, the only ones truly at fault are those who did it. What has happened to them?"
"I…I could only disband them from the team. Yagami didn't lodge a formal complaint and he didn't actually ID them. We all know…but we can't prove they actually did it without a word from Yagami," the coach informed Koushirou, trying to calm the angry boy who looked younger than some of the coach's first years.
Koushirou looked up at Tai. He looked away edgily. "You didn't tell me that, Taichi," Koushioru ground out angrily.
"I…I didn't want to make a big deal."
"You almost had a concussion! They broke your ribs! You cannot see out your left eye! How many times do I have to repeat myself?"
"Yeah…well…I ain't gonna rat on them."
Koushirou lowered his face and his shoulders began to shake.
"Izzy…you aren't crying are you?" Tai grabbed his shoulders and leaned down a bit to try and see his face.
"You imbecile! You stupid brat!"
"Brat?"
"YOU ARE ACTING LIKE A FOOL- like a child!" Koushirou shouted, his face bright red with rage. The coach was hiding his grin with little success. This little redhead reminded the coach of his wife.
"What?" Tai gasped, shell-shocked by the sheer volume of Koushirou's voice.
"They hurt you, Taichi, and put you in the hospital! Yet you're more concerned with your dignity. These people are bullies!" Koushirou's blazing black eyes were glaring fiercely into Tai's, making the taller boy cringe and sweat. His lips were pressed tightly together and his whole body was shaking. "I refuse to believe you don't know who they were."
"You're right, I do know." Taichi sighed. "Oi, Coach, I got get home. I was gonna quit, but…I guess I don't need to anymore." Taichi sighed again and reached down to grasp Izzy's hand.
"Taichi! Do not ignore me!"
"Let's get home, Izzy-koishii. See ya, Coach! I'LL BE BACK MONDAY, YOU SLACKERS!" Taichi winced at his own voice.
"HE WILL NOT! YOU WILL NOT, YAGAMI, TAICHI!" Taichi pulled the angrily yelling Koushirou away from the soccer field.
"OI YAGAMI!" Taichi looked over his shoulder at another third year named Yonoha.
"WHAT?"
"YOUR BOYFRIEND LOOKS LIKE A GIRL! AND ACTS LIKE ONE, TOO!"
"SCREW YOU, YONOHA! MY BOYFRIEND IS A HELL OF A LOT SCARIER THAN ANY GIRL!"
"Are you really sure?" asked a dangerously low voice. Tai stiffened. "Girls can be really scary, too. Shall I prove it to you?"
"Taichi…I would be angry about that comment…but who is this?' Koushirou asked, glancing from the wild-haired girl to the cowering Tai.
"H-H-Hi, Motomiya-san." Tai sweated slightly and turned. A very thick and dark aura was emanating from her slight form. She darted forward and grasped his collar tightly.
"Do you know how much shit I'm in because of you, you pansy fairy?"
"That's a little harsh, Motomiya-san."
"YOU BLEW ME OFF FOR TWO WEEKS! DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF A LAUGHINGSTALK I AM IN THE JOURNALISM CLUB RIGHT NOW? I SWORE THEM AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW RIGHT AFTER YOU FIRST CAME OUT! YOU'RE ALMOST OLD NEWS NOW! YOU WILL TELL ME WHAT COLOR UNDERWEAR YOU HAVE BEFORE I'M THROUGH WITH YOU!"
"Izzy!" Tai squeaked, glanced over his shoulder.
Izzy merely shrugged.
"Her claim seems irrefutable. You promised an interview and ignored your promise." Black eyes flashed dangerously. "Should I wait here for you or just meet you at home?"
"Izzzzzy!"
"Oh, this is Izzy?" Her eyes glinted evilly. Koushirou took a step back. Too late. His wrist was captured in her iron grip. "Goody, we'll just make it really good and have a double interview. No more laughingstock for me."
.
Takeru watched as the two not quite ten-year-olds chatted animatedly and ate banana-chocolate crepes. A man at the crepe both called something out and the girl…Aki-something… stood up and waved toward him. She turned towards Iori-chan, bowed, jumped forward to hug him, pulled away, bowed again, and ran towards the cart. She turned to wave, her blush clearly visible, as she tossed the small paper her crepe had been wrapped in into the trash can.
Iori-chan waved back and turned towards the path that would lead him out of the park. Takeru quickly walked forward and quietly stepped up to Iori-chan's side. Silence remained between them as Iori-chan nibbled away on his crepe.
"Did you have fun today?"
"I did."
"Good."
"I did tell her, too. She was very understanding."
"I see."
"Good."
The silence came back and wrapped them in a thick, awkward bubble. Iori-chan crumpled the paper in his hand as he put the last bit of thin, baked dough in his mouth. The exit to the park loomed in front of them.
"My mom doesn't know I'm gay," Takeru finally broke the silence. Their steady footsteps stopped. "My mom thinks I have a girlfriend."
"…"
"My brother…doesn't know, either. He thought I was trying to date Hikari-chan and reamed into me for breaking up her relationship with Motomiya-kun."
"…"
"I don't have any friends…not really. Not even the guys on the basketball team are very close to me. Well, at least, I haven't been able to tell anyone about it." Takeru dragged his hand through his hair heavily.
"So…you're a hypocrite," Iori stated bluntly.
"I guess so."
They remained standing still.
"I'm scared." Takeru's voice whispered into the silence. "I'm scared…of being hated…of being hurt…of being looked at funny and of being laughed at. I'm a weak…and selfish person. But I love being surrounded by people. Which is weird, I guess, when I can't even make a real friend. But…" He gripped his chest tightly. "I sometimes feel…like I have this other me…this horrible, selfish, dark person who lives inside my mind. He laughs at people who cry, who do stupid things. He doesn't want any to know his weakness, but he can't stand if someone he wants…acts like he wants someone else. When…when that girl came up…and she was cute and your age…and you smiled at her…that other me…got angry. It wanted to hurt you because you dared to even talk to someone who wasn't me. It's like…I want to lock you in a box and keep you there so only I can have you…but I don't want anyone else to know." He stared at his toes with narrowed, hard eyes. "I'm pathetic. I'm sorry, Iori." His eyes pressed tightly together, grimacing painfully.
A small hand touched his own. He looked up surprised, blue eyes bright.
"It's all right." A soft smile lightened Iori's normally somber features. "I'm sure even angels have doubts of who they are. No one is perfect." That soft little hand reached up and caressed Takeru's cheek. "I want to put you in a box sometimes, too. I don't want anyone else to see you and love you, Takeru-kun. I don't want anyone to turn when you walk by and look at you like I do. I want to keep you all to myself, too. But another part, the part that smiles when you hold my hand, wants to show everybody that we're together. That you're holding my hand and you say you like me. I want everyone to see the prize I caught." Iori's quiet chuckle made Takeru's heavy heart lift.
"Good." Takeru abruptly wrapped his arms around Iori's waist and pulled him close. "My Iori-chan, ne? No one can have you, okay?"
"Okay…tenshii." Takeru smiled against Iori-chan's soft hair.
"I think it's my turn to be open with people…like you. Will…will you hold my hand when I tell my mom and brother…and my dad, too?"
"Of course, Takeru-kun. You wouldn't be able to handle it without me." Iori's voice was baldly matter-of-fact. Takeru laughed into that thick fawn-brown hair. He pulled away and placed a soft, timid kiss on Iori's small mouth. Iori's narrow eyes widened in shock and a small blush covered his cheek bones.
"I know." Takeru's eyes lit up suddenly. "Before I make an ass of myself again, you wanna go to my Onii-chan's concert tonight? I got some awesome tickets!" He stepped back and dug through his pockets. "Here they are! Whaddya say?"
Iori-chan plucked a single slip of paper from Takeru's grasp and eyed it apprehensively. "I guess I could. I need to ask my parents, however. I'm usually not up past nine…"
"Nine?"
"I'm only nine, Takeru-kun," Iori sighed. Takeru snickered behind his fist.
"I always seem to forget that part. I better walk you home real quick, ne?"
"Hai." Their hands clasped and they left the park behind, smiling happily.
.
Mimi wiggled excitedly in front of her mirror.
"Last night was absolutely delicious! And tonight makes my weekend absolutely perfect! It's barely even started!" she exclaimed. Her crimped blonde hair bounced as she spun around. "Aren't you just so excited?"
Sora smiled back. "Duh! I got perfect seating!" Sora thumbs-upped.
"Oh…right…that would be why." Mimi sighed out the side of her mouth and plopped on the bed.
"Should you get the rest of your clothes on? I don't think Jyou-san will appreciate it if you go to the concert wearing only your underclothes."
"I'm not going in my panties and bra, Sora-chan!"
"I didn't know you liked going commando…" Sora trailed off with thoughtful frown. She grinned when Mimi punched her head just a little too soft to hurt.
"Anyway! Didn't you think up a game plan?"
"The truth worked last time."
"After me screaming at you and calling Koushirou-san the 'ph' word, and Tai-kun almost hating you," Mimi retorted, deadpanned. Sora laughed humorlessly.
"I get the poin," Sora assured her. "But in the end, you forgave me. Even Tai-kun. I'm sure…I'm sure Izumi-san will at least see reason, if not forgive me."
"Koushirou-san is a great person and very understanding. He's…very wise, sometimes. And a downright genius, too. I'm sure he already knows why you did what you did. And now that he has his guy and you aren't being a bitch about it, I don't see why he won't forgive and forget." Mimi winked cheekily. "Now, let's get you maked-up and me dressed."
Sora laughed and rose with her long time friend.
.
"WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN?" screamed Yamato-kun.
"Please, Yamato-kun, we were abducted by an overly enthusiastic high school reporter," Koushirou sighed rubbed his head.
"My head really hurts, man. I don't know if I should do rehearsal," Tai moaned.
"You are doing, rehearsal, Tai. Put in earplugs, and we'll tell you if you mess up."
"EARPLUGS! I can't wear earplugs!" Tai slapped his hands over his ears looking horrified. "I have to hear what I'm playing or I'll get all edgy. I'll keep thinking I'm messing up when I'm not and I'll start correcting myself for no reason! I'll get paranoid! Worse than you!"
"You play by ear?" Yamato-kun's voice was dangerous.
"I guess so…It's hard to read the notes fast enough, and my mind moves slower than the music, ya know? I just stop thinking and play. I only start thinking if I hear something twang wrong or something." Tai shrugged. Yamato's fingers reached for Tai's throat, just barely stopping short and twitching madly.
"Yamato-kun…please…put your hands down. That makes me feel uncomfortable." Koushirou pressed slightly downward on Yamato's outstretched arms.
"You'll rehearse with earplugs. Didn't you know we'd have to wear them onstage, you dumbass?" Yamato seethed, shoulders high and tense.
"Why?" Tai gaped at him.
"BECAUSE WE'LL BE SURROUNDED BY SPEAKERS AND AN AUDIENCE THE SIZE OF A FOOTBALL FIELD, YOU DUMBASS! IT COULD BLOW OUT YOUR HEARING!"
"You're going to blow it out first," Tai muttered rubbing his ears.
"EARPLUGS-NOW!"
The team quickly set up their gear and passed around a newly opened pack of earplugs. Tai glared at them and tentatively put them in.
"What if I can't get them out? Or I accidentally shove them in farther when I try? Will I have to go to hospital again?" Tai asked worriedly, a little loudly due to his muted surroundings. Koushirou smiled and squeezed his shoulder.
"Just play your best." Koushirou spoke loudly and carefully mouthed his words.
Tai grinned. "What?"
Yamato-kun grabbed his hand and quickly dragged him over to his bass stand. Several minutes into the rehearsal, most of the members had already stopped playing and just stared in amazement at their newest member. Tai's face was a mask of frustrated concentration as he glared fiercely at his fingers. He stumbled slightly, rushed to catch up, and then realized he had moved too fast. He groaned and tossed his guitar to ground.
"I can't do it!" he hollered loudly.
"Oh, shut up!" Yamato-kun's voice was completely without venom, however. He massaged his forehead as he replaced the microphone to its stand.
"Yagami-kun is right. He's a really good, but once you put those earplugs in, he overthinks his movements. He can't flow." Yotsuya leaned on his drums and frowned.
"He can't wear 'em, man." Kizue shook his head and placed his own guitar on its stand.
"He'll blow out his hearing," Yamato protested.
"People in the front row don't wear 'em, and their right in front of the speakers. My friend just said he's deaf for about a day." Tomo pointed out.
"A day?" Yamato-kun chewed his lip.
"He has a head injury. It'll hurt him more than any adrenaline-rushed teenager in the front row," Koushirou disagreed as he picked up Tai's guitar. Tai was cautiously trying to pry out his earplugs. "Stop it, Taichi. I'll get them."
"What?"
Koushirou pushed away his hands and eyed the earplugs. While Koushirou quickly removed the offending pieces of foamy-stuff, Yamato frowned in thought.
"We're going to have to chance it." Yamato sighed.
"What! No! You can't be serious, Yamato-kun!" Koushirou snapped, throwing the bright orange pieces into the trash.
"Tai, do you think you can handle about four hours of really loud noise?" Yamato asked, completely ignoring the sputtering redhead in front of him.
"Maybe. But not if we have the amps up as high as we usually do for practice." Tai said.
"All right. We'll keep them just loud enough to hear for now, ne? Then, during the concert, we'll give you an hour of straight noise. If you can't handle it, we'll stop at the break," Yamato decided, blue eyes worried.
"Only an hour?" Kizue frowned. "We haven't done a show that short since our third month in."
"An hour will be good enough for our first concert and new player. We'll just say we have to break him in," Yotsuya spoke up, shrugging.
"Or we could say the truth? I was beat up when some assholes tried to sabotage the concert." Tai shrugged. "I don't really mind if you even tell them I'm gay. As long as I don't get shot for it."
"I really don't like this idea," Koushirou muttered. Tai glanced towards him, frowning.
"Do you really think it could really damage my brain?"
"Yes, but I don't know for sure. I could call your doctor and find out," Koushirou suggested.
"Yeah, you do that. We'll rehearse while you do. We're running out of time." Kizue pointed towards the clock.
"All right, suit up, guys," Yamato called out.
Tai kissed Izzy's cheek and smiled. "I'm sure it'll be fine, Izzy." Koushirou smiled back before hurrying to the back room to make the call.
"Koushirou-kun!" He turned towards Hikari's voice and waved. She quickly jogged over.
"I thought you'd be here." She smiled up at Koushirou. "Meet my friend, Ichijouji, Ken." She turned and frowned.
"Where is he?" Koushirou asked in not a little confusion. Surely Hikari wasn't hallucinating a new friend from stress… right?
"I have no idea…" Hikari puffed out her cheek irritably. Koushirou sighed in relief. "I think he went to get a drink. I thought he meant after I introduced you. That was stupid of me."
Koushirou chortled. "I have to make a call, so if you'll excuse me."
"Yeah, no problem! Hurry up so we can chat some, Kou-kun!"
"All right." He smiled and walked away typing in a number.
Hikari rocked back on her heels and hummed slightly. "Concert, concert! I'm at a concert! For free! Whee hee!" Hikari giggled at her nonsense song.
It had been a good day. Mostly because it had been a half-day at school, and so hadn't seen much of her ex-boyfriend. In fact, because it was mainly PE day, she hadn't seen him at all. At least, he didn't see her looking at him. She had spent the PE class indulging in her hunger and watched him run and smile and laugh around the soccer field. The ache was a slow burning in her heart now. It was a little comforting, feeling its slight pain constantly inside her. Like it was proof she wasn't unfeeling or dead. There was still something beating in there, weakly and painfully, but beating.
For him…maybe one day…I'll be with him again. But for now…I should move on and return Ichijouji-sensei's feelings for me. He's been so understanding and good to me. Dating him would be nice…even if I could never feel for him what I feel right now for the idiotic redhead. She giggled into her palm and spun on her toes.
"Concert! Concert! I'm at a concert!" Hikari sang happily as she started towards the canteen.
"Well…if that isn't just lucky. I am, too." Hikari felt her spine stiffened. Her fingers pressed against her lips. She…She couldn't turn around. "Aren't you gonna say hi or something? You ignore me at school." His footsteps thudded lightly in her direction. She could barely suppress the shudders racing through her. "I know the truth, Hikari-chan. I'm…I'm sorry I couldn't trust you."
A small sob was building in her throat as his familiar voice filled her ears. She couldn't turn around, but she was desperate to, longing so intense it hurt.
"I was never good enough for you, you know? I was always thought you would break up with me. You're so pretty and kind and good…your only fault is your pride, I guess. It took a long time for me to realize that's what it was. Pride." His voice was so sad.
Daisuke-kun, Daisuke-kun! His name was screaming in her head. But she couldn't speak or her weakness would show. Her teeth dug into the thin skin of her bottom lip. His hand brushed lightly over her thick hair, his fingertips just barely grazing the sensitive skin of her neck. Goosebumps traveled down her body at his touch.
"I have a girlfriend, now."
Her beating heart stopped.
"She…She helped me when I was sad. She made sure I didn't catch pneumonia when I fell asleep in the rain...that…that day. She really likes me. And…and I really like her. So…So I can't just break up with her for a girl I never really got close to. A girl who couldn't trust me, just like I couldn't trust her. I wish… I wish we could've." His fingers fell and his feet shuffled over the gravel of the floor of the trashed out warehouse where the concert was held. He passed her without looking towards her face. His back was to her, and she never saw his face.
He was leaving her. He was leaving again. Her sob forced itself out as she spun around.
"Daisuke," she gasped. He didn't turn around even though his footsteps faltered. His fists shoved themselves into his pockets. She pressed her trembling fingers against her mouth. "I… I'll be waiting for when it happens… when we can trust each other," she whispered. He nodded, his face still turned away.
He didn't want her to see his weakness, either. His tears were his secret, too, now. Nobody would ever see him cry again, until the day she promised happened. He forced his feet to continue.
Hikari forgot about her need to go to the canteen, where he was obviously heading, anyway. What she needed was something bigger than her heartache, something indifferent to pain.
She needed the waves.
.
Ken sighed as he backed away from the smiling young woman, apparently one of the band members' girlfriends who tried to handle expenses by selling food and drink at concerts. He balanced his tray of drinks and his carton of nachos carefully as he walked towards the door.
I hope Yagami-chan likes nachos. I don't think she likes hotdogs more than nachos, though.
"Watch where you're going!" warned a girl's voice. It was… familiar. He looked up and blinked. "OH GOD! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"
"Ano…you're from my school…aren't you?" Ken blurted in surprise seeing the bespectacled, purplette in front of him.
Her hazel eyes twitched dangerously. "You don't remember me, do you?"
"You look different when you're in school clothes, Inoue-san." His voice was cold, indifferent. But he was correct. She looked completely different. Her jeans showed off her long legs and her 'Teenage Wolves' tank top showed off a lot of smooth skin he normally didn't see. Her normally braided hair was loose and framing her face, making her look softer…prettier…like her voice…when it wasn't screaming.
"I guess you're right? I look so dowdy at school," she sighed sadly and straightened her spectacles. "Despite your compliment-"
When did I say it was a compliment, even if it was?
"-I will not forgive you, Ichijouji-san! Bastard." She flipped that long purple hair over her shoulder. He saw more skin flash, showing off an amazing view of her throat.
She's really pretty…even if she's showing too much. Doesn't she have a boyfriend to stop her from doing that?
"Miyako-chan!" Her eyes instantly lit up happily. They looked prettier that way, too, just like the rest of her when she wasn't at school… disliking him immensely.
Like he disliked her, of course.
She turned and ran towards the boy approaching whom had called her name. "Daisuke-kun!" She hugged him and leaned back. "Are you all right? You look a little red-eyed."
"I'm fine." The guy smiled a huge stupid grin and hugged her waist. "You want some nachos?"
"Iie! I love hot dogs! Can we get some hot dogs?"
Ken already knew he had been dismissed from her mind when her boyfriend arrived. It didn't make him angry at all. She was annoying anyway. Who cared? Not him.
"Oi! Who are you? You look really familiar."
"Yes…you do, too." Ken realized, once again surprised.
Daisuke-kun's eyes widened. "You're from soccer! I played you at the summer championship!"
"Oh…right…you hurt my ankle." Ken realized. He looked down. "I have to go, however. The nachos are getting cold. Sumimasen. Motomiya-san, ne?"
"Hai!"
"Inoue-san."
"Ichijouji-san."
Their voices were equally cold as they nodded to each other. Ken hurriedly left. He left the small stand and looked around. People were slowly filling the warehouse in a line that crowded even the deserted docks. Hikari, however, wasn't inside the warehouse anymore. Ken continued past the crowds of people outside before he managed to find her. Her slight form was some ways a way, standing on a thick wooden pile, the wind tugging at her hair.
"You hungry, Yagami-chan?" he asked gently as he neared the wide post. She looked down at him. Her eyes and nose were slightly red.
"Daijobou desu ka? Your eyes are red."
Ken frowned. Was…Was that…Motomiya, Daisuke from Yagami-chan's school?
"Yes, thank you." Her smile was small and sad. "But…I need just a moment longer." She turned back towards the unfeeling, vast ocean and let its roar fill her up.
"All right."
"Ichijouji-sensei…I… I don't think I can love you right now…but…I know how you feel about me."
"I thought so," Ken acknowledged, shifting and feeling uncomfortable. He wasn't good with feelings.
"I…I wouldn't mind…going out with you…as long as you understood my feelings."
"I do."
"Good."
"Hai." They watched the waves silently. Her hand reached out and touched his silky hair.
"I'm glad I have you with me, Ken."
"I'm glad, too."
.
Mimi waved as she and Jyou entered the line. Sora watched as they were swallowed into the mass. She turned with a sigh to find the back door Yamato had spoken of. A crowd of young teenage girls and a few boys were crowded around it.
"Excuse me, I need to get to that door."
"Who are you?" sniped one girl. Another girl pushed her away. Sora blinked as Motomiya, Jun stepped forward.
"I didn't know Yagami-san and you were so close anymore. Did he really give you a backstage pass?" she demanded incredulously.
"No. Yamato-kun did. He told me to come here. Is it locked or something?" Sora replied automatically, more concerned about getting in than watching her tongue.
They merely stared at her. She edged around them and knocked on the door. A small slot opened at about hip level.
"Can I see your pass?" said a boy's voice from inside.
"Here." She shoved it through the slot.
"Oh, right, Ishiida-kun said you'd be coming. Did you see his brother?" The door opened as the sentences ended. She looked up to see warm black eyes looking down at her. "I'm Kizue-san."
"Konbon wa, Kizue-san. I didn't see Takeru-san, I'm sorry." She stepped into the room behind him.
"Too bad. I really hate opening that door. You just missed rehearsal. Follow me, okay, cutie?" He winked at her when she blushed. "You got really great eyes, miss…?"
"Sora. Takenouchi, Sora." She bowed quickly.
"Oh?" His warm eyes widened. "Sky…"
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing, I just like your name." He opened a door and she quickly entered.
"Sora-chan!" Tai exclaimed from the long couch in the middle of the drafty green room.
"Sora-chan! Cool! I'm glad you showed up." Yamato rose from his chair and walked over to her. "Did you have trouble outside the door?"
"No… apparently, they were so shocked that you gave me the pass, they froze."
The other guys laughed. Except for a lone figure standing by the water jug. He was looking away, utterly silent.
Oh no…
"Koushirou-kun is sulking right now," Yamato whispered loudly, smirking a bit.
"Why?"
"I still think it's a bad idea." Sora realized with a start she must've interrupted something when Koushirou turned around and glared up at his taller boyfriend.
"Izzy! Please…he said it was bad, not fatal," Tai wheedled. Koushirou frowned angrily.
"May I ask what's going on?" Sora spoke up, becoming more confused by the second.
"You already know he got beat up last night?" Sora jumped as black eyes met hers, filled with heat.
"Hai."
"He almost had a concussion. The doctor said it's a bad idea, really bad idea, for him to go out there and play without earplugs."
"Why can't he just wear earplugs?" Sora inquired, blinking.
"I can't play," Tai mumbled.
"What?"
"I can't play without hearing it myself," he elaborated, flushing somewhat.
"You'll go deaf up there anyway," Sora pointed out.
Tai shook his head. "I'll still be able to get into it. Once I'm in, I can't get out, I just get better, you know? But…if I can't start…it's dead." Everyone in the room nodded. "I have to hear it first, Sora-chan. I can't stop in the middle and pop those blasted things in, either. We have deal, though, that Izzy keeps forgetting. After an hour, if it's too bad, we'll stop, cut it short." He grimaced. "I'd really hate it, too, but I can't mess my brain up for a concert."
"It's only one concert, too. I'm sure he'll more than make up for it next time," added the drummer Sora remembered to be named Yotsuya.
"I know, I know. I just…I don't want you to hurt youself," Koushirou sighed. Tai quickly gathered him up into a backbreaking hug. "I don't want to be hurt, either, Taichi!" Koushirou gasped.
"We have to go on!" Tomo, the keyboardist, suddenly announced. Tai went pale and clutched Koushirou tighter.
"Let's go." Yamato motioned with his hand and then turned back to Sora. "Listen out for your song." He kissed her cheek and walked away.
"My song…?" She touched her cheek and blushed.
"Takenouchi-san, over here. You're supposed to stand over here." Sora moved towards Koushirou's still anxious voice.
She looked over at him. He was so busy concentrating on Tai, he didn't seem to notice. The first chords were struck, and they began warming up onstage. She looked past the stage and gasped. There were so many faces blurred together, it was amazing! How did they all fit in here! Yamato was held in a blaze of blue spotlight as he stepped up to the mike.
"I'm sorry," Sora blurted. Koushirou turned towards her, his mind still obviously onstage as he blinked at her in puzzlement.
"Excuse me?"
Yamato's voice filled the warehouse. "You all had fun at school?"
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I did some horrible stuff to you and Mimi-chan and Tai-kun, and I never apologized to you." She stared at the floor. "I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted." She looked up with surprised eyes. He smiled wryly at her. "Taichi forgives you, why should I hold a grudge? You hurt him more than you hurt me."
"What?"
"You only told me the truth. You lied to him. I have no right to hold a grudge for that. Nor for the truth you told Mimi-san. I just got there at a bad time." His smile gentled, looking rather embarrassed. "I was angry. Forgive my rudeness for that day."
Sora's mouth shaped words soundlessly. She let out a breath and grinned. "You're just amazing, Izumi-san."
"I am?" His black eyes were startled. Sora giggled and turned back to the stage. He turned back with her, rather confused, but he was too worried about Tai to think overlong on it.
.
Sweet. Chapter 14. Yeah. I'm done for the night with this editing business. Sorry, inspired-to-Dream. I can Beta only for so long!
