Chapter Ten: Working Out My Feelings
Class hadn't gone very well that day. Following his time spent at the house where he recovered, Tracey couldn't stop thinking about the same thing. Do I feel more for Kazuki and Keita? Do they feel more for me? He had been scolded for daydreaming by most of his teachers. The only one who didn't tell him off was Umino-sensei, only because the Biology teacher was concerned that Tracey was still worried about what had happened the week before.
Marill wondered just what was bothering her trainer so much. She hoped it had nothing to do with what had happened to Keita, nor what had happened to himself those years ago. She'd never seen him appear so spacy, and she'd been with him for most of his life. She decided to ask. She approached her trainer and nudged his hand. "Marill ma?" Tracey?
Tracey blinked out of his thoughts and turned to the mouse. "Is everything alright, Marill?"
"Marill rill marill. Marill marill ma rill marill marill." I should be asking you that. You've been quite out of it since you got back yesterday.
"Oh, I'm sorry for causing you worry. I'm alright, I'm just thinking about something."
"Marill? Rill marill." What is it? Maybe I can help.
"Okay. Yesterday while at the house, Kazuki showed Keita and I a photo album filled with images from the time I was there. We saw one photo of all of us sleeping, and Kazuki remarked that the three of us were meant to be friends. Then, Keita asked if all three of us were meant to be more than friends. I still feel like I would intrude on their relationship, but they've both assured me that I wouldn't, and as we left the house, Kazuki suggested that we all think about it. So, I'm trying to figure out how deep my feelings for them are. Are they platonic? Romantic? And, how do they feel about me?"
Marill could see why her trainer was in such deep thought. She closed her eyes and let out a low hum as she tried to work everything out in her mind. Her eyes opened. "Marill. Rill marill marill ma rill marill marill, ma?" Think about this. You know you've been reunited with old friends now, right?
"Yes..."
"Marill, rill marill marill rill ma marill rill ma." But, when you first arrived, they felt like strangers.
"That's right."
"Rill marill ma rill, marill marill rill ma rill." Even so you would let them in, and they would always be there for you no matter what.
"Yes, they were."
"Marill, marill rill ma?" So, how much does it mean to you?
"It means a lot. Even though at the time it seemed like we were strangers, Keita was willing to show me around the school, and Kazuki did the same. I found myself forming a strong friendship with them, not realising we already knew each other. I'd even told them a lot that not even Ash and Misty know of..."
Marill nodded.
"When that event last week happened, I can't think of many other times I'd been so frightened. You had to bring me to my senses to call for help. If you hadn't, Keita could've..." He trailed off, not wanting to think about the worst case scenario. "I was so relieved when I learned he'd recover from his injuries."
"Marill ma marill rill?" And as for Kazuki?
Tracey nodded. "As for Kazuki, I was glad he'd come to talk to me after he'd seen Keita. I thought after what happened he would just be by Keita's side, even while he was resting. But, he came to see if I was also alright after having to be sedated. He told me things that only those he can really trust ever learn, and even helped revive more pleasant memories."
"Rill marill marill. Marill rill ma marill?" They've both always been there. Has that helped?
"I can understand how much I appreciate them in my life, but I still can't work out just how strong my feelings are."
Meanwhile, Keita and Kazuki were lying on Keita's bed. They too were thinking of their feelings for Tracey. Keita's broken arm was being supported by a pillow. "Hey, Kazuki?"
"Yes, Keita?"
"Is it really alright if I love Tracey too?"
"Of course it is. Do you?"
"I do feel very close to him...but at the moment, it's not the same to the same extent when I started realising my feelings for you."
"You've always been close to him ever since the reunion. Even though you weren't aware that you already knew him as a close friend, you were always close to him."
"How about you, Kazuki? It's a big thing to tell someone about that, isn't it?"
"It is. But, I know I can trust Tracey."
"Hmm?"
"I still hold that same level of trust for him as I did when we were younger."
"I...I don't know what I feel."
"Keita?"
"I mean, sure, I am very close to him, I've been initiating physical contact, and you're really the only other one who I'd do that to. But, I haven't noticed my heart pounding."
"Maybe, it's because you've already experienced how it feels to fall in love, it's not as noticable to you anymore."
"Maybe..."
"Keita...I think I do love him."
"Huh?"
"It's hard to explain, but the feeling is there. I want to protect him just as much as I want to protect you, because the thought of either of you falling in harm's way kills me. He's someone I always want by my side."
"Kazuki..."
"Don't you find yourself feeling the same way? On that day, I heard you tried to face against that group yourself. You didn't want them to go anywhere near Tracey."
"No, I didn't. I think I can understand your protective instinct. As soon as I saw that gang, I knew that I only had to do one thing. Protect Tracey from harm. I know it got me hurt, and that hurt you and Tracey, as well as everyone else very much. But, at that time, all I could think of was keeping them away from Tracey, my own safety didn't come into it."
Kazuki nodded. "Yes. That's exactly how I feel. Never mind myself, as long as you're safe, that's all that matters. That's what I thought that time I grabbed Jin-san's scalpel by the blade."
"Then...I think I do love Tracey."
"We might still need time to sort these feelings out, but I think we're working on it."
"Yeah. The more time we spend with him, the easier it will be to work out our feelings."
Tracey let out a frustrated huff as he flung himself on the bed. "This is all too confusing!"
Marill nodded, she was starting to feel the frustration herself. "Marill ma?" Tracey?
"Yeah, Marill?"
"Marill rill marill?" What else comes to mind?
"What do you mean?"
"Rill marill." In regards to your feelings.
"Do you mean something like how I'd feel if either of them were to leave?"
"Marill." Yes.
"I'd be devastated. I was already fearing that the other day, and that was before the memories came back. I was scared that Keita was going to...and then I feared Kazuki would leave me."
Marill nodded. "Marill marill rill. Marill rill marill?" That's exactly what I mean. Have you felt like that before?
"Come to think of it...I have, but not to the same extent. That time, it was as if my world was going to end if they were no longer part of my life."
"Marill rill marill ma!" There's your answer!
"Huh?"
"Marill ma, rill marill marill ma rill rill marill." Tracey, you are in love with them and you didn't realise it.
"I..." His eyes widened as he slowly sat up. "You're right!"
"Marill marill? Marill rill marill!" What are you waiting for? Go and tell them already!
Tracey hugged the blue mouse affectionately. "What would I ever do without you?"
"Marill marill rill." Let's hope we never have to find out.
He set the Pokemon on the bed before rising to his feet. "Alright, I'll go tell them right now! Thanks for your help, Marill." He hurried out of the room.
Kazuki sat up as he heard a couple of knocks on the door. "I know who that is," he chuckled as he got to his feet and approached the door. He opened it, not surprised to see the Watcher standing there. "As I thought. Come on in, Tracey."
Tracey entered the room. He followed Kazuki to the bed and waited until Keita had sat up. "I've been thinking about what you said. About how maybe the three of us could have meant to be more than friends. I've found my answer."
"As have we," Keita replied.
"I'm still trying to work out my feelings, but I'm sure that I've fallen in love with both of you. I can't stand the thought of my life without you in it. I want to be with both of you forever and beyond."
"I feel the same way. All I could think about that day was keeping you safe. Even after I'd...anyway, I could only keep thinking thank goodness, he's safe."
"Tracey, I've also realised I feel that same way," Kazuki added as he sat beside Keita. "I am still trying to work out my feelings to their full extent, but for now...I'd like to give us a chance. All three of us. If both you are fine with that?"
Keita nodded. "Of course, Kazuki! How about you, Tracey?"
"I was thinking the same thing. We can see if we'll work while we sort our feelings out."
"Then, from today..."
Kazuki nodded. "It's just a trial for now, but we're forming a three-way relationship."
Keita smiled widely. "Then, that means I can do this." And, at that, he rose to his feet, moved closer to Tracey and suddenly leaned in close. "You can stop me if you want."
Tracey was blushing, but he couldn't conceive the idea of saying no to what Keita was suggesting. He closed his eyes and leaned in that extra inch, allowing his lips to meet with Keita's.
Keita's eyes fluttered closed as he lightly massaged Tracey's lips with his own. He pulled back after a few seconds, his eyes opening. "I liked that."
Tracey nodded, still blushing. "Me too." He turned to Kazuki. "May I?"
The Chairman nodded, a smile gracing his lips. "Of course, Tracey." He waited until the Watcher had bent down enough before he leaned up just that extra couple of inches, and allowed his lips to meet with the younger teen's. He did as Keita did, and felt Tracey was reciprocating his actions.
Keita watched the kiss with a smile. This really is meant to be...
The kiss ended. Kazuki's eyes opened as he turned to Keita. "And of course, you can't miss out." He gave Keita a sweet kiss, not making it too passionate for the time being.
Tracey sat beside Keita on his other side. "They say that when you find the right person, your kiss has that extra spark to it. I felt it. With both of you."
Keita and Kazuki nodded in response. "As did I," they replied in unison.
Tracey and Kazuki wrapped their arms around Keita. Keita wrapped his good arm around Kazuki while resting his cheek against Tracey's to make up for not being able to embrace him. The atmosphere in the room was very peaceful, and all knew at that moment that the relationship between them had changed, but for the better.
Keita/Tracey: HAMU-HAMU HEAVEN!
Tracey was walking through Bell Liberty forest with Keita, both were still in their chibified-hamster forms. They found Yukihiko strolling along, he appeared to be deep in thought. "Naruse-san!" Keita called while Tracey called out "Yukihiko-hamu!"
The tennis club captain turned to the younger hamsters. Of course he was still in his chibified-hamster form. "Oh, Keita-hamu, Tracey-hamu."
"Is everything alright-hamu? You looked like you were thinking hard-hamu," Tracey commented.
"I'm alright-hamu. Just thinking about something-hamu."
"Can we help-hamu?" Keita asked.
"No, it's alright-hamu. Say, are you helping Tracey-hamu find that perfect thing to sketch-hamu?"
Keita nodded. "It's easier with more people-hamu."
Yukihiko nodded. "Maybe you can help me-hamu."
"Oh-hamu?"
"I'm trying to think of how to perfect my serve-hamu. Any suggestions-hamu?"
Neither knew how to answer. Keita had played tennis before, but he wasn't experienced enough to give pointers, and Tracey had never played a game in his life.
Yukihiko noticed the younger hamsters had gone quiet. "Hello-hamu?" He tapped them both, but no response. "Oh no-hamu. They're statues-hamu!"
Still confused, Tracey was tapping that blackboard with that baton again. Keita stood by the other side of it.
Yukihiko popped up. "Everyone is starting to work out their feelings for others-hamu. But, there are still two who need help-hamu. Is it time to interfere-hamu? Next time in Newest Student At BL Gakuen: It's Time To Step In. For those who keep reading, I shall show you something special!"