Hi all!
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
Please note, this copyright notice is retroactive to all stories I have previously posted on Nifty. They are distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 2.5 Australia License, Copyright (C) 2008.
DISCLAIMER
This story involves relationships between males aged 17-19. If you do not approve of this, why the hell are you even reading it now? If you are a parent reading through the Internet logs of your young child, do not punish your child for reading these stories. He/she clearly has some questions about his development, and it is YOUR responsibility to answer those questions truthfully and honestly. If this material is illegal in your area, leave now. Blah blah blah blah blah blah. You know the drill. If you aren't supposed to be reading this, Don't (although some flames would be lovely to publicly dissect :)).
FEEDBACK
I absolutely love feedback. Please submit your feedback, good or bad, lengthy or brief, in Japanese or in English, (although preferably English) to:
sakurakangen@gmail.com
You may also add me on Google Talk at the same address. I love talking to you.
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
And now, without further adieu.....
========================================================================= FINDING YOU: CHAPTER EIGHT - Housecleaning =========================================================================
Chris and I sat down around the table, having finished our sweeping chores for the day. The house was really beautiful, with traditional Japanese architecture once again triumphant in it's ability to be both practical and beautiful.
Sabu-chan was a big help, but only after we had persuaded him that he was under orders from his leige lord, and that it was his duty as a samurai to obey. I wasn't sure how healthy fostering his delusions was, but I guess children will always make up these imaginary games.
Tarou had made some tea, it was sitting in a pot in the center of the table. I helped my self to a cup. I offered some to Chris but he made a gagging motion. I guess green tea isn't everyone's.. well, cup of tea.
Tarou walked into the room.
"Ah, William, Chris, feel free to help yourself to the warm sake I just heated. It's in the teapot." he said, just as I had taken a huge gulp of the "tea" that I had just poured myself.
I dropped the glass and began clutching my neck as I felt the stronger than usual rice wine burn my throat.
"Why.. did.. you.. put sake.. in a teapot? doushite!?" I spluttered.
Tarou laughed, "To trick you, of course!". He walked over with another pot filled with real tea.
"Actually," he said, "I use a teapot to keep sake warm because teapots hold the heat better - and I am making sashimi for bangohan so I'm sure it will be good, ne?"
I nodded. "Right.."
Chris raised a hand tentatively, "What's sake? And sashimi? and bangohan?"
I realised how excluded Chris must feel, not knowing anything about Japan. I hugged him.
Chris blushed and said, "Uh, what was that all about?"
"I just realised how hard it must be for you not knowing Japanese."
"Hmm, yes," said Tarou, taking a seat next to us, and pouring some tea, "Perhaps I could get Sabu-chan to teach you. Ha ha."
"Uh.." interjected Chris, "With all due respect, I don't think..."
"Hmm?" Tarou looked surprised, "Oh, no, no, I wasn't serious..."
He thought for a moment.. "Tell me, Chris, do you know your way around inner Tokyo?"
Chris groaned and looked upward, remembering the day he had spent with Hayaka-san, "I guess so. Why do you ask?"
"Well, the concierge that works in one of my company's buildings, her name is Hayaka, she is very overworked, but if you were to assist her, she could teach you Japanese as well."
Chris narrowed his eyes, "I've met her."
Tarou downed the rest of his tea/sake, "You have?!"
I interrupted, "Ha ha, she helped us find you here. She sends her regards."
Tarou was surprised, "I see. I will thank her when I see her next." He looked at Chris, "So, would you like to work for Hayaka-san?"
Chris looked wide-eyed, "You are offering me a job?"
"Well, you won't legally be employed, but I will of course waive your housework responsibilities.."
Chris took a gulp of sake. "Deal", he said, placing the cup on the table.
Toby came back today. Callum was not looking forward to it. I mean, he seemed like a nice guy and all, but Callum liked things with just his Dad.
He was playing with his favorite marble in his new room. He had a computer now, but he hadn't started using it yet. Sometimes Callum liked to postpone exciting things - made them more fun later, or at least he thought so.
He dropped his marble when he heard the apartment door open. Dad was back, and he probably brought Toby with him.
His hypothesis was confirmed when he could hear them talking as they entered.
He just ignored them for a while, and continued playing with his marble, but he quickly realised that this was not a sustainable solution to the Toby problem. He would have to get used to this guy being around.
Callum marched into the living room, Toby was sitting on the couch watching TV, and his Dad was doing some ironing on the far side of the living room.
Callum walked up to Toby and said, "T..teach.. mm..me to make short- bread like you do."
Toby feigned shock, "What was that?" he asked, amazed that Callum actually spoke to him.
Callum stood there, looking pleadingly at Toby, with his lower lip trembling, his eyes beginning to well up.
"Looks like that's all you're going to get out of him." said his dad to Toby, "but I'd get in the kitchen and start making some shortbread!"
Toby smiled and stood up, "Okay, champ! Go and grab yourself a drink and we'll get started!"
Callum grinned and followed Toby, hanging on to the bottom of his shirt. His dad always found it curious that Callum could be so smart and yet also so innocent and child-like.
"Where the fuck have you been?" demanded an angry Jacob.
Tom attempted to explain, "Dude, we're sorry, but everyone's been saying you're a fag..."
"Who's 'everyone'? Huh? You think just because my brother's gay, that I am too, right?" Jacob was fuming, "and even if I was gay, what fucking difference would it make?"
Tom looked frightened, "Dude, it wouldn't make any difference to us, but.."
"But what?" Jacob gave him a chilling death stare.
"If we were seen with a gay guy.. like, people might think we're gay too."
Jacob snorted, turning away from the three "friends" he was talking to.
"Bullshit."
Dave spoke up, "Dude, it's true. Ever since you started hanging around with that gay year seven kid, the rumours have been flying, man. Case in point."
Jacob let his shoulders slump.
"You know what, fuck you guys." He said softly, "Just go and hang with all the macho guys at lunch."
"They're all gay anyway", he added, and left the empty classroom.
And that's all for this chapter. I will try and update around once a week. Promise!
JAPANESE PHRASES USED IN THIS CHAPTER (which did not have inline english)
Bangohan - dinner Sashimi - A raw fish delicacy Sake - A type of rice wine that can be served hot and strong or cold
and smooth. Doushite - Why?
I absolutely love feedback. Please submit your feedback, good or bad, lengthy or brief, in Japanese or in English, (although preferably English) to:
sakurakangen@gmail.com
You may also add me on Google Talk at the same address. I love talking to you.
Doumo arigatou gozaimashita.
-SK (written in vi improved 7.2.. beats emacs any day)