Chapter 3

Mishima was back at the Airsoft store, chatting to Iwai.

"So," began the other man, reclined and relaxed in his chair. "How was the fruit ration?"

"Better than the oatmeal, t-that's for sure. It tasted like canned fruit."

"Damn, kid, I did not expect you to actually eat those."

Mishima laughed. He knew Iwai was no longer being condescending toward him, This was just the way he talked. It was the same way a big brother, a close friend, or even a father might give his son a hard time.

"Mind a personal question?"

"Hmph, depends on the question, I'd say. Fire away and I'll decide if I wanna answer or not."

"You have a lot of replica military equipment here. Have you ever served?"

"Nope."

"Why the interest in it, then?"

"I like guns and the gun culture. I sell military stuff because the two go hand in hand. I'm a businessman, Mishima."

"Oh, I just wondered is all."

"I do have a background in guns, but not the reputable kind."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Oh."

Mishima threw him a playful smile. "And, because you want to keep up this facade of a dark brooding shop owner, you will let that one hang, huh?"

"Yep," he said as he removed the cigarette from his mouth, "Like a man from a tree."

Mishima kept coming back, not every day, but 2-3 times a week. Over the span of a month, he got to know Iwai better. He also had his share of the dreaded rations. Mishima wasn't sure why he kept doing it, but each time he visited, he bought one, and then told him about the experience the next time he stopped in. For him, it was more a reason to keep coming back and to have a way to start the conversation. Mishima was learning that Iwai was the kind of guy that needs a reason to talk, so he gave him one.

This particular visit, Mishima had picked them up some ramen from a nearby store. The two of them watched the rain fall outside. There had hardly been a customer all afternoon.

"Let me ask you something," said Iwai in between mouthfuls of ramen and broth, "and don't take this the wrong way, but don't you have other friends? You come here quite often. It can't be for the rations."

Mishima was not embarrassed. He'd grown comfortable around Iwai since their first awkward run-in.

"Hmmm…. I have people I hang out with sometimes after school. But, most of my friends were on the volleyball team. It's… a bit painful to get together. Too many memories crowd in. I don't want you to get the wrong impression, I do have friends, but they are more the type that you talk to about surface-level stuff or watch a movie with. They don't really want to talk about their futures, past, or anything like that."

"Hope you know, I'm not your therapist, boy."

That glow again, when Iwai teased him…

"Never thought you were, but we actually talk about more than recent events, or baseball, or whatever."

"Don't you got a girlfriend or, hell, a boyfriend for that matter to talk to this sort of stuff about?"

Mishima's cheeks were feeling very warm. "Never really dated or had a girlfriend."

He shrugged. "A boyfriend then. That kind of thing is common these days."

"W-well- I mean, Umm… how do I put this?"

Iwai's laugh was low and filled with irony, "With words, boy."

"I-its just that I've asked some girls out, even dated for a bit, but-"

Iwai finished for him. "But never with a boy. Hmmm… how about with a man?"

"That's no different!"

"It is, Mishima. A boy is someone who still thinks of himself as a kid. A man knows he isn't and has seen something of the world."

Mishima wasn't sure he dared to say it, but he did. "So, in essence, you?"

Iwai grinned, showing all of his teeth. The act made him take on the look of a wolf. "Exactly. I'm a man, and you are still just a boy."

He was glad that there was something to hide his lap. If not, this could have been awkward for them both.

"Come on, Iwai, you may be older, but I am a man too."

"Prove it."

"I am not going to pull my pants down just to prove that I am a man."

"Then use your words."

Mishima took a deep breath. "I'm 18. I may not have served in the military or graduated yet, but I've encountered demons in the past. While I may not have overcome them, I have been working on them. Unlike other boys my age, I'm trying to grow each day."

"Hmph. I'm not sure if I agree with all of it, but I will give you a few big boy points, at least you can speak up, even if your ears are ruby red, along with your cheeks."

"Well, when a Man teases you, what are you supposed to do?"

"Exactly what you did, Mishima, blush like a boy."

"And what about you, Iwai? Sounds like you like teasing boys."

"So?"

"Do I detect something there?"

"Meaning, am I gay? I have a son, what does that tell you?"

"Really? That's news. But, all that really tells me is that you have had at least one round with a woman."

"Getting sassy with me, kid?"

"No, sir, just using my words." Said Mishima with an impish smile.

"Keep it up, and I will bend you over my knee and smack that smirk from you."

Thump! Thump! Mishima's heart did something strange in his chest. He wasn't sure why, but right now, he really wanted that, badly.

"I-I see you sidestepped my question, Iwai."

"I know what I am doing, Mishima. If I don't wanna answer a question, I won't. You, on the other hand, rush to do my bidding. And that tells me all I need to know about you, boy."

"Well, I am not sure I agree with that."

"Wasn't asking your opinion, I was telling you. And I am telling you that you are the type of boy who loves being told what to do. I'll prove it to you."

"How?"

"Easily." He said, and finished his ramen bowl. "Take that back into the kitchen for me, Mishima."

He did so, and when he came back Iwai had both boots up on the counter and the type of look that his volleyball team use to give to the other team when they'd won, at least they had before Kamoshida…

"So," Began Mishima, "are you going to prove your point?"

"Already did, and you didn't even notice. I gave you an order. Mishima, take my bowl out to the kitchen. And you did. Bet you were not the team captain of your volleyball team. That means you are naturally used to taking orders. It's what you do best, Mishima."

"B-but I was just being polite."

"No, you weren't. You were following your base instincts to serve. And that's okay. There's nothing wrong with that. Just make sure that whoever you end up with, you serve them well and they treat you right."

Mishima had no response to that.

"Now, boy. Head home."

And after buying a ration, he did. Oatmeal again. Even though he did not want to, he followed his pattern and ate it. Maybe Iwai was right about him.