pederasty

Part Five

Youhei lay awake on his bed. He fooled Hanamichi by pretending to be asleep. He knew that Hanamichi would have stayed if he knew that he was still awake.

He turned to his back and faced the ceiling. Sleep won’t be coming tonight no matter how much he wanted to. Pictures of what happened that night flashed through his consciousness.

Takenori had made it plain and simple of what he thought of Youhei now. Youhei shouldn’t care but he did. He curled in fetal position as he remembered the look he got from Takenori. He had started valuing Takenori’s opinion of him since Usagi’s birth. The two of them had taken care of Usagi when Hanamichi was at school after Haruko’s death. He honestly didn’t know when the respect he had for Takenori transformed into something deeper. He fought it all the way but realization sunk in that he was into deep when he watched Takenori tutored little Usagi. He actually found himself envying the little girl for the attention that he’d never have and never will.

Answers of long ago questions rained down on him. He always wondered why girls never caught his attention of no more than five minutes. He thought that he was just very picky. He had never been attracted to the same sex as well so he just thought of himself as straight. The gang often teased him that he’d meet the woman of his dreams in the form of an animal. Hanamichi usually had the loudest laughter, for he always pointed out Gori as the look-alike of the woman for him. He smiled sadly at the irony of it all.

Hanamichi had been supportive since he found out. But it was no solace for the pain that he endured that night. It would have been okay if he just met the woman, but did he also have to bear Takenori’s indifference in his feelings as a homosexual?

Youhei fought his tears. He would not cry over him, he would not be like Hanamichi that cried a river when Kaede left him. He would be strong. He may be gay, but he’d be damn if that would make him weak.

“Time heals all wounds,” he whispered the words that he once told Hanamichi. It never healed Hanamichi’s, but maybe it’ll heal his.

***

“Good morning, Usa-chan,” Hanamichi brightly greeted his daughter.

Usagi smiled sleepily at her father. “Good morning, Dadee. You’re early today,” she commented with a yawn. She opened her arms to Hanamichi for horniorning hug.

Hanamichi lovingly hugged his daughter. “Wanna go to the zoo today?” he asked softly. “Mamoru would be coming too.”

Usagi pouted. She didn’t like Mamoru that much. “Will father be there?” she asked as she let her father go.

Hanamichi blinked. He thought for a while. “You mean Kaede?” he asked after a moment.

Usagi nodded. She climbed off her bed sat beside her father on the corner of the bed. “He told me to call him father,” she said with another nod.

Hanamichi rolled his eyes at Kaede’s action. He stood up and threw Usagi into the air. “Why don’t you take your bath now? So when Kaede arrives, we’ll directly go to the zoo!”

Usagi squealed as she was thrown into the air and her father catching her in time. She immediately ran to the bathroom as soon as Hanamichi put her down.

Hanamichi watched his apple of the eye exit the room. He sighed as he cleaned the little girl’s room, and prepared her clothes for the trip to the zoo. He smiled as he remembered Usagi calling Kaede father. If he found out a day ago, he would have given Kaede a punch or two. But now, that they were together again, he could only smile.

There was another problem though. But Hanamichi knew that Youhei would be mad if he hovered around him too much. Youhei wanted space and Hanamichi would giveto hto him. That’s why he made a sudden decision to go to the zoo. Usagi would be curious of why Youhei didn’t even greet them when he arrived from his dinner date with Akira. Youhei might snap at Usagi if the girl became too nosy. Hanamichi would be sure of one thing too, Youhei would never contemplate suicide as a way out of misery. Youhei’s stronger than that, and he was no coward too. He had protected Hanamichi since they were children, even though Hanamichi had been bigger him him. Youhei considered Hanamichi as a little brother since he was born a few months before Hanamichi.

*“I’ll be your older brother from now on,” child-Youhei said after he and child-Hanamichi finished a fight with a group of bad boys.*

Hanamichi smiled at the fond memories of childhood. He could not remember not having Youhei by his side, and vice versa. The two of them, along with Ookuso, Takamiya, and Noma, had undergone pain, disappointments, failures and triumphs together, and they would do so again. The other three might not be here, but what matters was the presence of the heart.

Hanamichi finished cleaning Usagi’s room and exited the room with light steps. He smelled bacon and cheese from the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Hanamichi greeted the person cooking as he entered the kitchen.

Youhei turned to face Hanai. “i. “Good morning, Hanamichi,” he said with a smile. He averted his eyes as he apologized. “I’m sorry I made you worry last night.”

Hanamichi laughed. “It’s okay. You rarely do that anyway, compared to me.”

Youhei faced the stove again. “Are you going somewhere?”

“Yeah,” Hanamichi answered as he set the table. “Kaede thought of going to the zoo with the kids.”

Youhei smiled at the sunny side-up eggs. “Are you back together?”

Hanamichi laughed happily. “Yep! We talked last night. He told me he loves me.”

“Good for you.” Youhei carefully placed the co egg eggs on a plate. He then garnished it with melted cheese and bacons.

Hanamichi glanced at Youhei with masked worry. “Wanna come?” he invited though he knew what Youhei’s answer would be.

“Nahh,” Youhei murmured as he added more cheese on Usagi’s plate. “I wanna be alone today.” He straightened and gave Hanamichi a glimpse ulneulnerability. He looked away after a few seconds of eye contact.

Hanamichi nodded in understanding. He remembered five years ago that the gang never left him alone, even if he begged for it. They knew that he’d try to harm himself so they guarded him vigilantly. The case of Youhei was different with his. Youhei was more stable emotionally than Hanamichi.

“Would you like some take-out pizza?” Hanamichi changed the subject tactfully.

Youhei smiled at his best friend. He knew he could count on Hanamichi. “Yeah. That would be nice.”

Their conversation was interrupted as the doorbell rang insistently.

Hanamichi frowned as he walked to the door. “Kaede told me that they’d be coming around twelve and it’s only eight.”

“Maybe he just wants to see you,” Youhei yelled from the kitchen.

Hanamichi’s frown deepened. The three raven-haired males had only left around six that morning. Akira had fallen asleep sitting on the couch, while Kaede and Hanamichi had tucked Usagi in bed. They gently laid Mamoru beside Usagi so the boy could have a good sleep too. The two lovers went to Hanamichi’s room and talked about what happened five years ago till morning.

Hanamichi’s eyes widened when he opened the door to reveal a bespectacled man with a large suitcase.

“I’m sorry if I’m intruding,” Kiminobu Kogure said with an apologetic smile. “But could I stay here?”

Hanamichi snapped out of his shock. “Come in, Megane-kun,” he said as he ushered Kiminobu into the house. He helped the doctor drag his huge suitcase into the house as well. “What the hell happened? Where’s Ayako?”

Kiminobu’s smile strained when his wife was mentioned. He was saved from answering Hanamichi’s question when Youhei suddenly appeared.

“Who’s the visitor?” Youhei stopped in his tracks when he saw Kiminobu. “Megane-kun! What’s up?” His eyes dropped to the suitcase and widened considerably. “I’ll go fix some more breakfast,” he muttered as he hurriedly made a turnabout.

Hanamichi helplessly watched his best friend make a quick escape. The huge suitcase spoke volumes louder than Takamiya’s speaker. He sighed as he looked at Kiminobu, who turned his eyes away. He decided to talk to the doctor later after breakfast.

“Come on, Megane-kun,” Hanamichi motioned for Kiminobu to follow him. “I’m sure Youhei won’t mind if you used his spare bedroom.”

“I’m sorry if I’m making such a fuss,” the young doctor apologized with a bent head. “Its just that I can’t think of anywhere else to go.”

“h,” h,” Hanamichi abolished Kiminobu’s apologies with a careless wave of his hand, he was dragging the large suitcase with the other hand. “It’s no fuss. I think Usagi would love to have you near. She always listened to your medical lectures like it was the word of God or something like that.”

Kiminobu smiled gratefully at the large man before him. Questions were written on his face but he was refrng fng from asking them. Hanamichi had grown up.

“What do you mean?”

Kiminobu didn’t realize that he spoke out loud until Hanamichi asked him a question. He chuckled silently. “The old Hanamichi I’ve known would have rattled me hard to get me to answer his questions. Yet now, you didn’t ask me anything which I know that you’re dying to ask.”

Hanamichi didn’t reply. He wordlessly opened a door opposite Youhei’s room. “We have time for interrogations. Will this room be okay for you?” he asked Kiminobu.

Kiminobu looked at the room and nodded in satisfaction. “Does anyone use this room? It looks clean and well maintained.”

“No one uses this room. But Usagi sometimes plays on this room so I keep it clean.”

“How long have you stayed here, Hanamichi?”

“Two days,” Hanamichi replied as he pushed the suitcase inside the room. “But you know that I spend more time here than at my apartment.”

Kiminobu nodded. “Thank you,” he uttered.

Hanamichi laughed. “Thank the owner of the house.”

Kiminobu nodded again. “I will do just that.”

Hanamichi looked at the suitcase. “Need help in unpacking?”

Kiminobu shook his head. “I’ll be just fine.”

Hanamichi nodded. “Okay. Just go down to the kitchen. Youhei cooked breakfast for four.”

Kiminobu smiled gratefully. He watched as Hanamichi walked out of the room with a worried expression. He didn’t want his present predicament to be common knowledge to his friends but he needed someone to talk to. He knew Youhei was the type of person that people could unload their problems and made them feel okay. That’s the reason why Youhei took psychology as major in college.

Kiminobu sighed as he dropped to the bed. He hoped to God that he’d be able to handle his problem. Maybe with Hanamichi and Youhei, he’d be able to.

“I’d better not forget Usagi too,” he laughed under his breath. That kid could make the thunderstorm feel like summer breeze every time she smiled.

***

Usagi frowned as she studied the three men before her. Her Dadee’s happy but apprehensive. Her Uncle Youhei’s sad, and her Uncle Kimi seemed off to space somewhere.

“What’s going on?” Usagi whined as she felt the disturbing emotions multiply as the minutes ticked away.

Hanamichi stared at her in shock. He immediately hugged his daughter to calm her. “Don’t worry, Usa-chan. Everything’s fine,” he reassured the sensitive girl.

“Liar!” Usagi’s eyes brimmed with tears. She looked at the guilty faces of Youhei and Kiminobu. “Why are they so sad, Dadee?”

Hanamichi didn’t know how to answer that. He took a deep breath as he looked away. With renewed resolution he turned back to Usagi and kissed her forehead.

“Don’t worry too much, okay, Usa-chan? Dadee will take good care of Uncle Youhei and Uncle Kimi.” Hanamichi turned to the two. He smiled as they nod their heads. “See? They’ll be just fine.”

Usagi looked at the three with doubt. She wanted to inquire more but the doorbell rang.

“Who could that be?” Hanamichi wondered. His eyes followed Youhei as he went to open the door.

Kiminobu coughed delicately. “I’m sorry, Usagi-chan,” he apologized. “You shouldn’t worry too much of me, ne? I’m sad but it would not last. I’ll be back to being happy, just give me time, okay?”

Usagi studied Kiminobu with a small frown. She smiled and nodded at Kiminobu after thinking things through.

Kiminobu smiled in relief. He felt a little better now that Usagi gave him a heart-warming smile. He looked up when a heavy hand landed on his shoulder.

“Hello! What are you doing here, doctor?” Hiroaki Koshino asked Kiminobu. He took out a chair and slumped into it. “Hello, Usa-chan! How’s my favorite girl in the world?” he beamed at Usagi.

Usagi forgot Kiminobu. “Hello, Hiro-chan! I’m fine and we’re going to the zoo!”

“Really?” Hiroaki looked at Hanamichi, who kept Usagi within his arms. “With your Dadee?”

Usagi nodded vigorously. “And with father too, and that mean boy, Mamoru!”

“Father? Mamoru?” Hiroaki’s eyes widened dramatically. “Who are those people, Usa-chan?! You didn’t forget me, did you?!” He added tears for more effect.

Hanamichi smiled at the guy’s obvious attempt in averting Usagi’s attention. Only Hiroaki could do that.

Usagi wiggled out of Hanamichi’s hug and patted Hiroaki’s head like a puppy. “Don’t worry, Hiro-chan,” she reassured like a mother. “I’ll tell father to bring you a take-out pizza.”

Hiroaki’s eyes brimmed with tears. “Really?” he sniffed.

Kiminobu, Hanamichi, and Youhei silently laughed at Hiroaki’s antics. They tried to pull that kind of stunt on Usagi, and they ended up being reprimanded by the girl.

Usagi nodded vigorously again. “I promise. Cross my heart.” She made a cross sign on her chest.

Hiroaki wiped his tears away. “Okay,” he sniffed again. “I’ll hold you word to that.” He hugged Usagi and patted her bottom. “You’re getting heavy, Usa-chan.”

Usagi giggled. “Dadee said so too.”

“It must be true then.” Hiroaki wriggled his nose, making Usagi giggled again.

Hanamichi glanced at the clock and was surprised to see that it was already ten-thirty. He turned to his daughter. “Usa-chan, I think you should wear your clothes to the zoo now. I’m sure Kaede and Mamoru will be here any minute now.”

Usagi nodded then ran to her room as soon as Hiroaki set her down.

The four adults watched her disappear from their view as she noisily climbed the stairs.

“Aren’t you gonna help her get ready?” Hiroaki asked Hanamichi as he turned around. He tackled the leftover food in front of him hungrily.

Hanamichi shook his head. “Usa-chan hates being treated like a kid. I let her think she can manage.” Hanamichi pushed his untouched food to the obviously hungry Hiroaki.

“Didn’t you have dinner last night, Hiro-kun?” Kiminobu asked as he watched Hiroaki.

“Can’t eat dinner,” Hiroaki said with his mouth full. “The restaurant was full of customers and the freaking manager had fired some personnel. I worked like a dog last night.”

Youhei sat down besianamanamichi, across from Kiminobu. He sweat-dropped when Hiroaki scowled fiercely at him.

“And that man,” Hiroaki pointed an accusing finger at Youhei. “Just had to bring that pervert with him.”

Hanamichi glanced at Youhei. “Do you mean Akira?” he asked Hiroaki as he moved his eyes back at him.

Kiminobu giggled as Hiroaki sputtered.

“You know the guy?!” Hiroaki seemed surprise.

“Akira Sendoh is Kaede Rukawa’s brother,” Kiminobu answered for Hanamichi. “You know Kaede Rukawa?”

“The heartbreaker,” Hiroaki answered. He wiped his lips with a paper napkin then leaned back to his chair. He looked at a blushing Hanamichi then to Youhei then back again. “Don’t tell me that you’re back together?”

Hanamichi breathed in deeply then let it out with a whoosh. He glanced back and forth at Hiroaki and Kiminobu. He smiled sheepishly. “Yeah,” he answered with a single breath. He laughed at the goldfish look on the two man’s faces.

Hiroaki rolled his eyes at Hanamichi while Kiminobu smiled at the happy redhead.

“Congratulations!” Kiminobu murmured. He was truly glad for his friend.

“Oh come on, Kimi! The guy broke Hanamichi’s heart before. Are you just gonna let it be?” Hiroaki scowled at Kiminobu, who just sweat-dropped. He turned to Hachi chi and said bluntly, “You’re crazy.”

“But I’m happy,” Hanamichi retorted with a silly smile.

Hiroaki rolled his eyes again. “Well, fine! But better be that…that brother of his not mess my life, or else he’ll be walking without his testicles for the rest of his life.”

“You mean Akira right?”

“Whoever hurts us first,” Hiroaki shrugged. He turned to Youhei. “That was one delicious breakfast, You-chan.”

Youhei nodded. “Thanks.”

“Hn. You really admitted that Akira could hurt you,” Hanamichi teased Hiroaki. He laughed as the younger man blushed.

“Did not!” Hiroaki shouted his denial. His blush deepened as the rest of the company laughed with Hanamichi.

“I think Hiro-kun’s having a crush,” Youhei butted in the teasing.

“I think so too,” Kiminobu seconded Youhei.

Hiroaki felt his face burn at the teasing. “Oh stop it! I’m only here so I could have breakfast, not to take your childish banter. By the way, why are you here, Kimi?”

Kiminobu fell silent. He was dreading that question.

The two best friends stared at Kiminobu with worry. Hiroaki felt the tension and fell silent as well.

Kiminobu forced his face to smile. “Ayako left me,” he croaked.

Three ree pair of eyes widened in disbelief.

“She found someone else,” Kiminobu continued. His eyes were brimming with tears now. “I… I had been too busy. I had forgotten that I had a wife. I don’t blame her for turning to someone else.” He placed a hand to his mouth to stop his cries.

Hiroaki gingerly hugged him. Hanamichi and Youhei stood up and placed comforting hands to his shoulders. Kiminobu fought to contain his tears but it flowed uncontrollably.

“Uncle Kimi?” Usagi asked with worry. She startled the adults in her sudden appearance. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

Kiminobu turned his face away from the girl while Hanamichi picked her up. Usagi tried to squirm out of Hanamichi’s arms but Hanamichi only tightened his hold.

“Usa,” a baritone voice called out softly. “Don’t give Dadee a headache.”

Hanamichi looked behind him and found the withwith Mamoru. “Fox,” he said as he smiled at his lover. “Where did you come from?”

“From the door,” Kaede answered coldly. He let Mamoru go and opened his arms to Usagi. “It was open.”

Hanamichi placed the squirming girl into Kaede’s arms. He squatted and smiled at Mamoru. “Hello, Mamo! Ready to go to the zoo?”

Mamoru nodded. He glanced at the three people on the table warily. “Who died?”

Hanamichi laughed at the question. “No one, Mamo,” he reassured. “We’re just sad about something.”

“Uncle Kimi’s crying, father,” Usagi told Kaede. “He wasn’t crying this morning.”

Kaede looked at the three. He could make out a slumped figure of man being held by another who was glaring at him, and Youhei, who stood like a guard. He turned back to Usagi. “Didn’t I tell you last night not to worry your beautiful head?”

Usagi frowned. “But, father…” she whined.

“No buts, Usa,” Kaede softly warned. “Dadee will take care of them, and they can take care of themselves. You only take care of yourself.”

Usagi pouted but nodded. “Okay,” she agreed softly. She glanced down at Mamoru. “Hello, broomhead.”

“Hello, weirdo,” Mamoru growled.

“Hmp! You ruined my day,” Usagi said snobbishly.

Mamoru glared at her angrily. “Does she have to go with us, Uncle?” he asked Kaede without looking away from Usagi.

Hanamichi chuckled at their petty quarrels. He patted Mamoru on the head. “I’ll go get my coat,” he said as he straightened. He looked at Youhei, but Youhei just shook his head.

“Go. We’ll be just fine,” Youhei said.

Hanamichi nodded. He held out his hand for Mamoru as he finished putting his coat on. “Zoo here we go,” he cried as he ushered Mamoru out of the house.

Kaede followed with Usagi more leisurely. He nodded at Youhei as he closed the door.

Youhei nodded back.

“So that’s Kaede Rukawa,” Hiroaki sneered. “He better not hurt Hanamichi again, or else I’ll…”

“Don’t worry, Hiro-kun,” Youhei interrupted. “Kaede won’t leave again this time.”

“How sure are you?”

Youhei smiled secretively. “Because Hanamichi won’t let him go.”

Hiroaki stared at Youhei before nodding. He looked at Kiminobu beside him and shook the guy. “Forget her! I’m sure someone is just hovering in the horizon for you.”

Kiminobu smiled gratefully at the two. He sniffed as he nodded an agreement.

***

Youhei let water cascade all over his body. He’s alone since Hiroaki had dragged the depressed Kiminobu out of the house. He agreed to let Hiroaki use the other spare room till Kiminobu managed to get to his feet once more.

Youhei gave a small laugh at his house’s situation. He was used to having his friends suddenly turning up on his doorstep. Hanamichi would be the one who does that often, and Hiroaki would often turn up during his day off to just relax and laze on his lounge. But this was the first time that more than three persons had decided to stay.

He didn’t know if it was planned for he was really depressed on the outcome of his pathetic love life, if there ever was.

Youhei sighed as he remembered Takenori last night again. He felt a tingling sensation as he pictured the man’s angular face and muscular body. He smiled as he envisioned them both under the shower.

Youhei gasped softly as his body responded to his mental stimulation. He moaned as he took a step further in his fantasy by holding his penis. He started to move slowly at first, his mind picturing himself being pushed into the wall by the bigger bulk of Takenori’s body. He ran his other hand around his chest and pinched his nipples hard. He cried out when he imagined it to be his fantasy lover’s lips. He began to move his hand faster now. Climax was so close that he actually heard ringing.

Wait, there’s ringing around the house.

“Doorbell,” Youhei gasped in frustration. He wanted to ignore the insistent ringing but the visitor seemed impatient. Youhei growled under his breath when the ringing kept interrupting his fantasy. He decided to give up his present goal and finish it later, when he’s alone once more.

Youhei grumpily turned off the shower and stepped off the shower stall. He groped for a towel and hastily donned it. He wanted the visitor to leave immediately, so he didn’t bother dressing up.

“Coming!” he yelled as he ran down the stairs to the door. He furiously pulled the door open. “WHAT?!” he yelled to his badly timed visitor.

Only to be struck motionless.

Takenori raised an eyebrow at the greeting. “Am I interrupting something?” he asked coldly.

“No,” Youhei croaked when he found his vocal chords again. “No, you’re not interrupting anything,” he lied. His body was still buzzing with his stimulation under the shower, and now it was electrified by Takenori’s presence.

Takenori studied him doubtfully. He looked behind Youhei as if looking for something or someone.

Youhei studied him as well. He noted that Takenori was wearing a white t-shirt and faded black jeans, quite contrary to his usual attire of polo shirts and slacks. His erection pulsed more obviously at his midsection in the unconsciously sexy pose that the guy was projecting.

‘I don’t think that Hanamichi was thinking that a day would come where I would really end up ogling at his brother-in-law,’ Youhei thought bitterly, but hopelessly traveling his eyes at the oblivious guy’s body. Youhei prayed vehemently that Takenori would not look down. That would be embarrassing.

Takenori looked back at the silent man. He seemed satisfied at what he had seen or not seen. “Aren’t you going to let me in?” he asked to break Youhei’s trance.

Youhei took a minute before his mind registered that it was not a sexual innuendo. He moved aside to let Takenori in. His heart skipped a beat when Takenori stood in the middle of the room and looked around. His eyes moved down to the guy’s ass.

“Wonder what it would feel like to knead those?’ Youhei thought with a slight gasp. He blushed when Takenori suddenly turned to face him.

“Are you okay?” Takenori frowned at the fever-look on Youhei’s face.

“Fine!” Youhei swallowed when he realized that he spoke too soon to be convincing. “I’m fine, really.”

Takenori scowled. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Youhei.

Youhei hoped that he’s not into mind reading. The hand that held the towel’s edges tightened when he saw Takenori’s eyes moved downward. He badly regretted not dressing up.

Takenori’s frown deepened when he noted Youhei’s erection. He blushed and looked away when he realized that he had been staring too long.

“Are you sure I was not interrupting anything?” Takenori asked Youhei again.

Youhei shook his head. His member had hardened even more at Takenori’s look, though unintended it might be. He decided to change the subject. “Why are you here, Akagi-san?”

“I’m supposed to be tutoring Usagi today,” Takenori stated. He looked around again. “Where is she?”

Youhei was disappointed. He hoped that maybe Takenori arrived so they could talk about what happened last night. But he masked his disappointment with a fake smile when Takenori looked at him again.

“She’s at the zoo with Hanamichi and Rukawa-san,” Youhei answered animatedly.

“Are they back together now?” Takenori frowned.

Youhei nodded.

“I’d better go then.” Takenori moved to the door.

Youhei panicked. He didn’t want the guy to leave yet. “Wait!” he called out. He fidgeted when Takenori turned around and stared at him. “Would you like some lemonade, Akagi-san?” he asked breathlessly. “You always say that I made the best lemonade here in Kanagawa so maybe you would like the new recipe I just recently made. It’s a new brew and tasted quite unique, Hanamichi stated it so. And we know how picky Hanamichi is when it comes to drinks and stuff. So would like to taste it?” Youhei stared at Takenori expectantly after his long chatter.

“You sound like a sales agent,” Takenori said with a small smile. He shrugged. “Okay! If you say so.”

Youhei brightened. “I’ll go fix it now then.” He turned around and went into the kitchen.

“Mito?”

“Eh?”

“Don’t you wanna get dressed first?”

Youhei looked down at his skimpy attire. He shrugged. “I’m fine. The day is warm anyway.” He went back into the kitchen and fixed the lemonade.

“Here it is,” Youhei appeared in the living room after a few minutes, carrying a pitcher and two glasses of lemonade. He halted when he found Takenori in the same spot that he left him. “Why don’t you take a seat, Akagi-san?” Youhei summoned Takenori to the huge settee near the living room window.

Takenori wordlessly took the seat. He watched Youhei took the single settee beside him. He looked at the two glasses.

“Which one is mine?” he asked the smaller guy.

“This one.” Youhei placed a glass near Takenori. He took the other glass and gulped down half of its contents. He smiled at the professor beguilingly.

Takenori stared at him before taking the glass. He sipped the contents experimentally. It did taste different from Youhei’s usual lemonade. He frowned thoughtfully at the glass. “What did you put in this one?” he asked, still studying the contents of his glass.

“It’s a secret,” Youhei shrugged. His eyes glinted at Takenori as he sipped the lemonade again. Youhei gulped the remaining contents of his own glass. He poured himself another glass of lemonade from the pitcher.

Takenori felt heavy. He blinked, and then realization sunk in that the lemonade was spiked. He glared at Youhei, his hands slowly losing its grip on the glass.

Youhei calmly caught the glass before it hit the floor. “Tsk! Tsk! Isn’t it your motto not to spill juice when you’re visiting someone?” Youhei placed the glass beside the pitcher. He could clearly see that Takenori was trying to fight the drug’s effect on his body.

“The drug is meant to paralyze a person temporarily, Takenori,” Youhei purred as he stood in front of Takenori. He bent down and licked the stiff man’s lips. He placed his hands on Takenori’s sides as he deepened his advances. He carefully straddled the stiff legs, his lips traveling on Takenori’s jaw to his ear. Youhei bit the cartilage before licking it.

“You may hate me after this, but I won’t let this moment to pass easily,” Youhei whispered. His hands moved in their own accord as they pulled at the white shirt to expose a bit of skin. He kissed Takenori again as he rubbed his erection on the guy’s lap. He smiled as he felt Takenori’s breathing quicken. His hands now touched heated skin as the shirt was pushed aside.

“So what do you think?” Youhei asked as he lowered his head to Takenori’s neck. His hands found the small nubs of flesh and pinched it. Takenori’s gasp was Youhei’s reward.

“Damn you,” Takenori managed to utter. The drug’s effects still heavy on his body.

Youhei chuckled as he shifted a little. “Don’t worry! You’ll be the seme,” he murmured before he opened Takenori’s fly.

***

Hanamichi sang loudly. The two kids sang along with him. Kaede, in the meantime, listened while driving his car to Youhei’s house.

The trip to the zoo had been educational. Usagi recognized all the animals and pointed to the adults which part of the world they could be found. Mamoru snoozed most of time. If he were awake, he would torment little Usagi. Usagi would retaliate with a spiteful remark. It was only due to Kaede’s presence that the two didn’t come to blows.

Hanamichi was responsible for Mamoru while Kaede took Usagi. Mamoru liked to piggyback on Hanamichi. It gave him more security when he fell asleep. Usagi frowned at the attachment Mamoru had on her father but shrugged it off when Mamoru glared at her for getting Kaede’s attention.

“Enseewheensee spider went up to climb again,” Hanamichi sang in chorus with the kids.

Kaede smiled as the kids screamed with the redhead. His ears were a little bruised due to the off-tune singing. But what the heck! The four of them had fun.

“We’re here,” Kaede informed the oblivious three. He stopped directly in front of Youhei’s gate. He smiled again when Usagi whined.

“Now! Now, Usa-chan! You have tutoring schedule with your Uncle Takenori today, remember?” Hanamichi chastised the girl softly. He turned to unbuckle her seatbelt when Mamoru informed him of something amiss in the house.

“What do you mean, Mamo?” Hanamichi asked as he looked at the house.

“There are some strange shadows in the window,” Mamoru pointed his chubby fingers to the living room window.

Usagi fell silent and turned luminous eyes at her father. “I fell something strange,” she said as she frowned thoughtfully.

Hanamichi met Kaede’s eyes. Kaede nodded.

“I’ll go look,” Kaede said as he opened the car door. “You watch those two,” he ordered Hanamichi.

Hanamichi nodded in agreement. He watched Kaede make his way near the window. He frowned when Kaede immediately made a turnabout.

“So? What was it?” Hanamichi asked Kaede as he settled back in the driver seat.

Kaede shook his head at Hanamichi. He easily maneuvered the car back into the traffic.

Hanamichi caught the sign for him to be silent. But Usagi asked anyway.

“What was it, father?” she inquired curiously.

Kaede shook his head. “Don’t mind it too much, Usa. It was just your Uncle Youhei.”

Usagi seemed unconvinced. She knew that she could sense *things*.

“Trust Uncle, weirdo,” Mamoru butted in. “You think too much.”

Usagi puffed up. “At least I think! Not like you, you microbe!”

Mamoru glared at her. “Miss think-like-a-computer!”

“Broomhead!”

“Weirdo!”

“Chickenhead!”

“Test-tube!”

Hanamichi sweat-dropped as the two kids rained numerous names at each other. He turned to Kaede beside him. “We’ll talk later,” he whispered to Kaede.

Kaede nodded.

***

Hanamichi laughed at Hiroaki as they fixed dinner together. Hiroaki was telling him of what happened that afternoon when Hiro and Kimi shopped for new clothes for the doctor. He shook his head at the doctor’s feeble attempt in buying clothes that would look nice on him without him looking like a teenager.

“The pretty saleslady pointed to Kimi that the teens section was on the second floor,” Hiroaki said breathlessly. He had been laughing hard on his friend’s behalf. “You should have seen Kimi’s face. He actually had to show to the saleslady his ID as MD in Kanagawa Hospital.”

“Well, he can’t blame the saleslady,” Hanamichi replied. “He looks 16.”

“I advice him to have plastic surgery.” Hiroaki arranged the lettuces on a salad bowl. Hanamichi passed him the chopped vegetables.

“You know that Megane-kun is skeptic about the abilities of plastic surgery,” Hanamichi said as he watched Hiroaki expertly tossed the salad. “He would never consider it.”

Hiroaki shrugged. “How was your trip to the zoo? Had fun?”

“Of course!” Hanamichi beamed. “Usagi had so much fun, while Mamoru slept most of the time.”

Hiroaki frowned. “Is this Mamoru Kaede’s son?”

“No,” Hanamichi laughed. “He’s Akira’s little boy.”

“Akira? As in the pervert Akira Sendoh?”

Hanamichi laughed. “As far as I know, Akira’s bisexual. He married some socialite five years ago. They parted after Mamoru was born.”

Hiroaki scowled.

“Hana,” Kaede called out. “Have you seen the game boy?”

Hanamichi grinned at Hiroaki before turning to face Kaede. Kaede and Mamoru decided to have dinner with the rest of his friends.

“I think I saw it last under the side table of the settee,” Hanamichi replied. He smiled happily when Kaede pecked a kiss before leaving in search of the elusive game boy.

“He watches over the two children like he’s the father of the two,” Hiroaki noticed. “What does this Akira do for his son?”

Hanamichi faced Hiroaki again. He immediately finished setting the table. “Akira watches over the family business. Kaede mentioned to me that he’s not very good at that.”

“So Akira’s the provider while his brother baby-sit?”

“Yep! Hisoka-san didn’t want Kaede to handle their business. He said that Kaede refused to work with people. Akira is perfect for the job for he likes to associate with different people.”

“Your Kaede is anti-social?”

Hanamichi chuckled at Hiroaki’s shocked tone. “Surprising, isn’t it?”

Hiroaki wanted to retort but Usagi entered the kitchen with a pout.

“What is it, Usa-chan?” Hiroaki questioned the little girl.

“He won’t allow me to play with the game boy,” Usagi told him. “He’s being mean again, Hiro-chan!”

Hanamichi scooped her up. “Would you like to help us with the salad, Usa-chan?”

Usagi looked at the table. “But it’s already set, Dadee!”

“Here,” Hiroaki said as he passed sliced strawberries at Usagi. “Put them on the salad, Usa-chan.”

Usagi gleefully squirmed out of Hanamichi’s arms. When Hanamichi placed her on a chair, she enthusiastically got to her task.

Hanamichi smiled gratefully at Hiroaki. Hiroaki just shrugged.

***

“So how in the world did you get that bruise?” Hanamichi asked Youhei as the guy sat beside him in the lounge.

They just had dinner. It went surprisingly well. Kiminobu laughed at Hanamichi’s jokes, Kaede fed his nephew, and Hiroaki pampered Usagi with extra bits of strawberries. Youhei had been silent all dinner and the bruise on his right eye was screaming in attention but, due to Usagi and Mamoru’s presence, no one commented on it. It was some sort of miracle that little Usagi ignored it.

Youhei shrugged. He refused to look at Hanamichi in the eye. “Is Rukawa-san going to sleep here tonight?”

Hanamichi frowned. “Yes. He’s currently tucking the two kids into bed.”

Youhei nodded as he sipped lemonade calmly.

Hanamichi’s frown deepened. He knew that Youhei hated being bug, but Hanamichi’s curiosity was eating him. He studied Youhei closely. The guy was too calm and off to space most of the time. And there was that little smile on his face too.

“What happen this afternoon, You-chan?” Hanamichi remembered Kaede’s calm words to the children in the car. He watched as Youhei’s eyes widened in silent question. He shrugged. “I didn’t see anything. It was Kaede who looked at the window to reassure the kids that no burglar was present.”

“What did he say?” Youhei seemed to be hyperventilating. His face was redder than Hanamichi’s hair.

Hanamichi narrowed his eyes suspiciously at his best friend. “What happened, Youhei Mito?”

“Nothing!” Youhei denied, but his actions were telling different tales. He fidgeted as Hanamichi raised an eyebrow at him. “Okay! Fine! I seduced him okay?!”

“Seduced who?” Hanamichi picked up his glass of lemonade and sat back in his seat. It seemed that this conversation would take a long time.

“Takenori.”

Hanamichi’s glass smashed on the concrete floorings of the lounge. Youhei winced slightly at the sight of one of his favorite glass collection.

“That explains the bruise,” Hanamichi muttered after gaining his composure back. He stared unbelievingly at his best friend. “My God, Youhei! How the hell did you manage to restrain the guy? Clubbed him on the head?”

Youhei gave a bark of laughter. He shook his head. “No. I drugged him,” he admitted without a single twinge of guilt. He smiled broadly at Hanamichi. “It was fun.” anamanamichi eyes bugged out. “Oh,” was all he could say.

Youhei laughed at Hanamichi’s expression. “Shocked ya, didn’t I?”

“You’re kidding me!”

“No,” Youhei sobered. He looked away with a wistful look on his face. “I know that he hates me now. I should be regretting raping the but but I enjoyed it too much.”

“Even with the bruise?” Hanamichi couldn’t help asking.

Youhei smiled pensively. “Its a trivial price.” He suddenly looked at Hanamichi, and grinned likeat tat that got the canary. “I know that he enjoyed it too.”

“Oh?” Hanamichi raised an eyebrow in disbelief.

Youhei nodded vigorously. “He’s in denial. That’s why he hit me.” Youhei seemed to lose it and laughed maniacally.

Hanamichi sweat-dropped.

“What’s so funny?”

Hanamichi and Youhei, who stopped laughing, looked at the newcomer. “Hello, Akira,” they chorused.

Akira Sendoh smiled at the two. “Hello to you too.” He sat down in one of the empty chairs and helped himself with the lemonade. “So what’s so funny?” he asked again after gulping down a glass of lemonade.

Hanamichi pointed his lips to Youhei. “Youhei just got himself laid,” he said casually.

Akira’s lips formed a silent ‘oh’. He stared at Youhei. “Who’s the lucky girl?” he asked as he poured himself another glass of lemonade. He was gulping the fruity drink when Hanamichi answered the question for Youhei.

“My brother-in-law.”

Akira ungracefully graced the lounge flooring with lemonade. He coughed as water made a wrong turn.

Hanamichi calmly patted Akira’s back as the man freed his lungs with liquid. Youhei rolled his eyes at Akira’s reaction.

Akira painfully recovered. “Thank you, Hanamichi,” he managed to cough out. He smiled at Youhei apologetically. “I’m sorry. It’s just a great surprise to my system that’s all.”

“Why? Because I’m interested in Takenori?” Youhei scowled at Akira.

Akira raised his hands in surrender sign. “No. As a matter of fact, I congratulate your choice of partner,” he lied through his teeth. He sweat-dropped when Youhei heaved an exasperated sigh then stood up.

“I’m going to bed now,” Youhei told the two. “Good night.”

Akira looked at Hanamichi with disbelieving eyes as soon as Youhei disappeared from sight. Hanamichi nodded.

“My God!” Akira exclaimed.

Hanamichi shook his head. He took Youhei’s glass and poured himself some lemonade. “He told me that he had been into Gori since…since… I don’t know.”

Akira’s eyes seemed to remain wide. “Since you were in high school?”

Hanamichi frowned thoughtfully. “No. I don’t think so.” He gulped down his lemonade. “But this I know, Youhei is happy. That is all that matters to me.”

Akira nodded. He looked inside the house. “Where’s Kaede?”

“In bed, I presume,” Hanamichi replied carelessly.

“He’s not home,” Akira pointed out. “And so is Mamoru.”

“The two are sleeping here tonight. Kaede tucked the two kids about an hour ago.”

Akira nodded again. He sat back on his seat, and regarded Hanamichi with a hopeful look. “Youhei told me that you were close with Hiroaki Koshino.”

“Yeah. So?” Hanamichi yawned.

Akira slumped forward. “I’ve been to his house, but he’s not home,” he frowned. “His landlady informed me that he’s staying in some friends’ house.”

“What’s does that got to do with me?” Hanamichi knew exactly what Akira wanted, but he knew too that Hiroaki was not ready for Akira’s advances.

Akira knitted his brow at the off-handed question. “I was hoping that you’d tell me where he is.”

Hanamichi sighed. He stood up and motioned for Akira to do the same. He walked the man back to his car.

“Akira,” Hanamichi said as he stopped in front of Akira’s car. “I knew where Hiro-kun is, but he asked me to not tell you.”

Akira lightened up at what Hanamichi said. “So he remembers me?”

Hanamichi didn’t know how to answer that. He stared at Akira’s glowing face. “Akira, he told me that he doesn’t want to see you.”

“So?” Akira exclaimed excitedly. “It means that I made an impact on him. He remembers me and my name.”

Hanamichi moved his eyes sideways as he silently agreed. He nodded slowly.

“You better go now, Akira,” Hanamichi said after another yawn. “We still have to open a daycare tomorrow.”

Akira nodded. He waved at Hanamichi after he entered his car.

Hanamichi waved at the car as it disappeared through the night. He turned back to the house and yelped loudly when a shadow suddenly appeared.

“What the hell!” Hanamichi shouted as he grabbed his chest. “You scared me!”

“Sorry,” Takenori apologized calmly.

“What is it you want, Gori? Usagi is fast asleep now,” Hanamichi informed him. He remembered Youhei. “Wanna talk to Youhei?”

Takenori ignored Hanamichi’s nickname for him, but he jolted into alertness at Hanamichi’s last question. “He told you?” he asked in doubt.

“Everything.” Hanamichi nodded. He looked at Takenori closely.

Takenori sighed. He looked around the darkened neighborhood before looking Hanamichi again. “He raped me,” he said bitterly. “I trusted him, Hanamichi.”

Hanamichi agreed with him silently. “Do you hate him?”

Takenori looked away again. He leaned on the fence and covered his face with his hands. He breathed deeply for a few minutes before answering.

“I don’t know,” he whispered.

Hanamichi smiled at him sympathetically. “What are you going to do now?”

Takenori straightened. He stood in his full height. “I plan to have a vacation in Hawaii for months now. I finally decided to go tomorrow.”

“What about your job?”

“I called my college dean and informed him of my sudden decision,” Takenori replied. “I would have taken Usagi with me, but I need to be alone. And I don’t think you would appreciate me worrying Usagi.”

Hanamichi nodded in understanding. “Do you want me to tell Youhei?” he asked softly.

Takenori thought for a minute before shrugging. “That’s up to you,” he said. He heaved a heavy breath. “Take care of Usagi’s studies for me, will you?”

Hanamichi chuckled. “You don’t have to worry about that. Megane-kun’s here. He’ll handle Usagi’s studies.”

Takenori frowned. “What is Kogure doing here? Is Ayako with him?”

“No,” Hanamichi shook his head sadly. “He arrived this morning with a large suitcase. He told us that Ayako had found someone else.”

“I see,” Takenori whispered. “How was he?”

“He’s fine,” Hanamichi reassured. “He managed to bounce back due to Hiro-kun’s clowny attitude.”

Takenori nodded. He sighed again. “I want to see him, but I might see Youhei too. That’ll be too complicated.” He started to move away. “I have to go now. My flight’s in ten in the morning and I still have to pack.”

“Good night,” Hanamichi cried as he watched Takenori waved goodbye.

***