Tokyo Boys

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Note for this chapter:
* Chiba - prefecture/city in greater Tokyo area, along the Tokyo bay.
* hikikomori - a phenomenon in Japan of young adults who shun themselves from society and don't come out of their room at all.


TOKYO BOYS
Chapter 33

Daisuke saw Moriyama-sensei about to enter the classroom and dashed in, flying by him. “Yo, sensei~” He threw him a quick mock-salute and ran to stand behind his desk.

His eyes landed on Yuuto’s empty desk and his smile faded. It was quite rare for Yuuto to be late for class.

Moriyama-sensei was also surprised there was no reply when he read Kaname’s name. He looked at the empty seat and then at Daisuke, even though he didn’t think he could provide an answer.

Daisuke could only concentrate so much on Moriyama-sensei’s lips, hands and soft voice while worrying about Yuuto. He kept glancing back at his desk, partially from habit and partially in hope the boy would miraculously be there.

He knew Yuuto had been uncharacteristically angry at him the previous day. While they had bickered before, since Yuuto had a rather short temper and quickly became annoyed at Daisuke's teasing, he'd never before yelled and walked off swearing to never again speak to Daisuke.

But Yuuto would also never miss a class, no matter how angry he was at Daisuke. Something wasn’t right.

When the homeroom session ended Moriyama-sensei asked Daisuke to bring Yuuto homework. It was a bit of a problem, as Daisuke had already promised to meet with his mother that afternoon with Moriyama-sensei serving as the mediator.

Later that day, the two had met again for art class. Yuuto still hasn’t shown up and it was likely he was going to remain absent for the entire day.

“Hasabe-kun,” Moriyama-sensei called him once class ended. “Come here a moment.”

Daisuke excused himself in front of his friends and stepped over to the teacher’s side. “Yes, sensei?”

“Have you tried talking to Kaname-kun today?”

“Of course I wouldn’t break the school’s regulations and use my cell phone during school hours,” Daisuke uttered in one breath. “I’m shocked that you would suggest that… Reached his voice mail.”

Shouji sighed and picked up his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

“In any case, I think it’s just a coincidence he missed school today, it’s probably not because of what happened yesterday…” Daisuke added. “Yuu-chan only misses school when he’s really sick… even then teachers have to send him home if he shows up with fever… he’s weird like that…”

~*~

Daisuke tried calling Yuuto again throughout the day, but it seemed the boy kept his phone off, because the voice mail immediately picked up. He sighed and snapped his phone shut again, tapping on it nervously.

Moriyama-sensei looked at Daisuke. They were sitting at an expensive western-style Italian restaurant where he knew there was no danger other students would spot them.

“Sensei, it’s almost like a date~” The boy grinned at him and put his phone back in his school bag.

Moriyama-sensei didn’t like the joke and sighed, fixing his glasses on his nose. “What am I ever going to do with you?”

“I can think of some ideas…” Daisuke leaned in and rubbed his leg against the teacher’s.

“Daisuke?” He suddenly heard a familiar voice he had not heard in a while.

He raised his head to see his mother standing by their table, wearing posh designer clothes as usual and a Versace purse slinging on her shoulder. She was holding her hands over her mouth, as if trying to hide her expression as she watched her prodigal son.

Moriyama-sensei got up at once. “Hasabe-san, good evening.” He bowed deeply and then pulled a chair for her.

Daisuke leaned on his elbow, looking across the table at his mother, a bored expression on his face. The truth was, he wanted to go over to Yuu-chan house and didn’t want to spend another second trying to justify his actions in front of his mother.

“You look good,” she said quietly.

Daisuke perked his head. It already sounded so much unlike his mother. She talked to him like she would talk to a stranger’s child.

“What did you think I would look like? ‘Gays’ don’t really grow a second head,” he muttered and leaned in with his elbows.

“Hasabe-kun,” the teacher scolded him sternly. “Don’t talk that way to your mother.”

Daisuke opened his mouth to speak again, but Moriyama-sensei was eyeing him and kicked his shin under the table, urging him to apologize.

“Ow… okay. I’m sorry…” Daisuke mumbled and sat up.

“I want to thank you, sensei, for taking a good care of my foolish son,” Akiko said.

That sounded more like his mother, Daisuke had to laugh.

“He’s taken a very good care—ow!” He received another kick under the table.

Moriyama-sensei leaned in, smiling and holding his chin over his clasped hands. “What can I say, your son is a wonderful kid. He’s also improving in school, despite everything.” He then leaned back to pick the menu. “Let’s continue to discuss matters over some appetizer, shall we?” He glanced at Daisuke and picked up his glass of water. “Don’t choose anything too expensive.”

Daisuke pouted. “Everything’s expensive…”

“You two seem to get along so well… like a real father and son,” Akiko said quietly and Shouji nearly spat his drink.

“No, no…” He waved his hand. “I’m just so used to lecturing him.”

Daisuke snickered, covering his mouth with his hand. Moriyama-sensei acting all awkward and embarrassed was too cute. He wished they were alone.

“If only I could do anything to change his father’s mind,” she sighed. “He won’t even hear his name…”

Moriyama-sensei sighed. Indeed, the difficult task was still ahead of him. Daisuke’s father didn’t seem like an easy man.

“However, I’ve been thinking…” she continued. “I have a friend in Chiba with a big house… she doesn’t have any children and I’m sure she’ll agree to let you stay with her. She’s always liked you.”

Daisuke knew immediately who she was referring to. However, he wasn’t about to give up the comfort of sharing his teacher’s bed in exchange for living in that woman’s house… and so far away from his usual hangout places.

“Ueda-san? Do you remember her?”

“Oh, her… I remember her…” Daisuke gave his mother an awkward smile, not wishing to tell her or sensei that’s exactly the woman who seduced him and took away his virginity the summer he turned 14. While he didn’t think the woman was unattractive, the idea of spending time in Chiba wasn’t as appealing.

“I think Chiba is too far, honestly. I don’t want to change school in my last year…” He lowered his eyes. “If I don’t have to drop out, that is…”

“I’ll pay for your tuition, don’t worry.” His mother assured him.

“Mom…” he said quietly, looking at her. “How can you do that? If that man finds out…”

“Don’t worry about it, I have my own funds,” she said. “And I’m hoping your father will understand that sometimes boys act that way when they’re young, and it doesn’t seriously mean anything…” She looked at Moriyama-sensei for confirmation. “Isn’t it right, Sensei?”

“Eh…” Shouji smiled awkwardly. “Well, it really depends…”

“I’m not going to change…” Daisuke stopped when he thought back about the days he slept around without much selection. “Well, more than I already have…”

~*~

Kaname Chika noticed something was wrong when she returned from work and found the breakfast she had prepared for her son, along with her little note, in the same position where she had left it.

She knocked on her son’s door. When no reply came, she slid the door open. The room was dark and she could only detect her son was still inside his futon, in the middle of the room.

“Yuuto? Are you not feeling well?” she asked and stepped inside, her hand fumbling in the air, searching for the string of the lamp.

The boy turned his head and buried it in his pillow when the bright light filled up the room.

“Do you have a fever? What’s wrong?” She kneeled beside him.

Yuuto twitched when her warm hand touched his sweaty forehead. He remained silent, shutting his eyes tight.

“Hmm, maybe a little hot… I’ll bring you tea,” she said and got up. “You should’ve called me if you were feeling ill.” Yuuto still didn’t respond and she continued, “I’ll make you something light to eat.”

“There’s no need…” Yuuto finally mumbled quietly. “It’s fine.”

“You haven’t eaten anything today, you need to eat something.” She put her hands over her waist. “Don’t argue.”

~*~

Daisuke walked silently behind Moriyama-sensei into the apartment.

“What do you think, Daisuke?” Shouji asked as he sat down on the genkan step to take off his shoes properly.

“I don’t know…” Daisuke shrugged. “She seemed sincere, but I… I just don’t know… that man is not going to be as forgiving. He’s stubborn and proud.”

“Not like anyone else I know…” Shouji hummed. “But didn’t it feel good to speak to your mother again? How about meeting her again? Alone?” He stood up and brushed his pants.

“It will feel better if I could speak to Yuu-chan…” Daisuke said quietly. “I’m worried because he turned his phone off the entire day.”

“If he doesn’t show up tomorrow, visit him after school. I’m sure he’s just sick and it has nothing to do with yesterday… although you were at fault.” He pointed his finger at the boy.

“I know…” Daisuke sighed. “It’s been weird with him lately…”

“Weird?” Shouji freed his necktie.

“I think…” Daisuke hesitated. “I think I’ve been taking him for granted… because he was always there when I needed to see him… or when I wanted to see him… I admit I might have pushed him around for my own convenience…”

“I’m sure that’s not how he feels…” Shouji said. “I think he likes to be with you.”

“The thought that he wouldn’t be there anymore when I want to see him scares me… isn’t it weird, sensei?” Daisuke unbuttoned his gakuran and removed the jacket.

“Sounds to me…” Shouji leaned down to have a closer inspection of Daisuke’s face. “Like you might be harboring some feelings towards that boy that you don’t recognize yet.”

“Huh…” Daisuke took off his shirt and undershirt, standing topless in front of his teacher. He stepped up on the genkan and grabbed Moriyama-sensei’s tie, pulling him close. “Of course I like Yuu-chan… but it’s nothing, you know… sexual.”

“Really? You don’t want to sleep with him?” Shouji stepped away from Daisuke’s arms.

“No!” Daisuke seemed appalled at the idea. “Yuu-chan is… ah, I can’t explain it to you…” He strode off to the bathroom.

After a couple of steps he walked back and grabbed Moriyama-sensei’s arm. “Come with me.”

“Sounds like someone needs to relieve some sexual tension…” Shouji whistled.

“You’re the one who’s making me hot and bothered…” Daisuke frowned. “Stop making me think about Yuu-chan that way, it’s just wrong.”

“I’m sorry.” Shouji laughed and followed the boy to the bathroom.

~*~

Yuuto hadn’t shown up to school the next day either. Daisuke stared at his empty chair in concern, thinking he should’ve checked up on him the previous day instead of wasting time with his mother.

“Dais… ah, Hasabe!” Shouji called him over when he spotted him in the hallway. “Come here a moment.”

“What’s up, sensei?” The boy stood in front of him within seconds.

“I got a call from Yuuto’s mother, he’s sick with fever. So now you can stop worrying.”

Daisuke was still concerned. “Look, sensei… it’s probably really bad if he skipped school for two days… you know he’s nuts about his grades and scholarship odds…”

“I know,” Shouji sighed. “Maybe you should go see him after school.”

Daisuke nodded and turned to leave. “Thanks for letting me know, sensei.”

~*~

There was no answer when Daisuke knocked on the door. No one answered even when he rang the door bell three times. Did Yuuto have such a high fever that even prevented him from answering the door?

Daisuke still had Yuuto’s spare key in his keychain, so he opened the door and announced his intrusion. The lights were all out and he headed straight up to Yuuto’s room.

“Oi, Yuu-chan…” he said as he slid the door open. The blinds were closed and the room was pitch-black. “…Are you sleeping?” Daisuke asked as he carefully stepped inside the room.

“I brought you notes and homework… how sick are—“ He stepped over the plate Yuuto’s mother left on the floor near her son, and spilled the miso soup.

“Damn…” He crouched down to pick up the bowl. He would worry about the stain on the tatami flooring later.

“Yuu-chan, can you hear me?”

He felt kind of alarmed when no response came from the boy. He pushed away the tray and kneeled, crawling closer to his friend. His eyes got used to the darkness and he could see the form of his friend.

“Yuu-chan… are you okay?” He leaned on top of him, his face right above the other boy. He lowered his face and touched Yuuto’s cheek lightly with his lips. “Yuu…”

“Go away!!” Yuuto raised his head quickly, butting Daisuke’s chin, and turned to the other side.

“It hurts…” Daisuke fell back on his bottom and rubbed his jaw. “You could’ve said something… I thought you’re dead.”

The boy didn’t speak again and Daisuke returned to sit on his knees. “What’s up, Yuu-chan? You sound pretty lively, and you don’t feel hot…” He leaned over the boy again, locking him between his arms. “Don’t tell me you’ve decided to become a hikikomori now??”

“Shut up, shut up, go away!!” Yuuto pushed Daisuke away, then grabbed his pillow and put it over his head.

“Yuu-chan…” Daisuke whispered, his heart thumping. “I’m sorry for what I said the other day… you know I didn’t mean it…”

He thought he heard some sniveling sounds and leaned in, trying to adjust his eyes better in the darkness. “Yuu-chan?” he asked carefully.

“Daisuke…” Yuuto definitely sounded like he was fighting back tears. “Please leave me alone…”

“What…” Daisuke was confused at the change of Yuuto’s tone. “Are you really sick? Yuu-chan, what’s wrong?”

“Go away…”

Daisuke sighed and got up. He felt so frustrated that he thought he might explode. “Fine, I’m leaving…” he muttered and walked out of the room, sliding the door so hard it nearly fell apart.

“Damn brat…” he cussed through tight lips. “Why should I care so much…”

His body felt so charged of anger that instead of heading to sensei’s apartment he took a bus to the city and went to a baseball hitting center. He hadn’t done that in nearly a year. After hitting the ball a few times, he felt a little less violent and left.

~*~

“I’m home…” Shouji announced shortly before 9pm. “Daisuke?”

“Welcome back, sensei…” Daisuke said quietly from the living room.

Shouji stopped in his tracks when he saw him. “Are you doing homework? I didn’t even have to remind you once…”

“Ah… I had nothing better to do…” Daisuke shrugged and closed the text book. “Sensei…”

“Hmm?” Shouji was busy hanging his coat. He was still at the entrance.

“There’s something really wrong with Yuu-chan…” Daisuke said quietly. “I don’t know what, but I don’t think he’s sick…”

Shouji turned to look at Daisuke. The teen really had a troubled expression on his face. It was the first time he had seen him like that.

“I touched him… he felt pretty normal, no fever or anything… I know because I took care of my little brother when he was sick…” Daisuke clutched his pen and twirled it around. “And he yelled at me… it looked like he was in bed all the time without eating or drinking… he was like a hikikomori, I swear if I ever saw one.”

Shouji sighed, wondering if the financial situation at the household got bad again. Yuuto had asked him not to tell Daisuke about his problems at home and continued studying for his scholarship as usual, but Shouji had to admit he noticed himself that Yuuto have been acting different lately. He didn’t speak to him as much, avoided conversations, even just leisurely chats about art when he visited the art club, and at last, the sudden change of his hairstyle and attitude.

“Will you go see him, sensei? He might talk to you…” He heard Daisuke pleading.

“I… well…” Shouji scratched his head. “Wouldn’t it seem odd? His mother called me to report he’s sick…”

“Even so… she’s not even at home. I know him and I’ve never seen him like that…” Daisuke sounded desperate. “Please, sensei… do it for me.”

Shouji sighed. “All right. I’ll see him tomorrow after school if he doesn’t show up.”

“He won’t show up…” Daisuke sighed and returned to his schoolwork.

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