*******
The
Bishounen Boys
Part
8: "Kaze"
By
Splash
*******
I
meant to release one large chapter including the contest, but it's already WAY
too long already so I had to save some for the next chapter... again... XD Oh
well, that's good news for you! Long chapter in this round and the next chapter
shouldn't take as much time. ^_^
"Kaze"
is the coupling song to Wada Kouji's "The Biggest Dreamer," which is
the opening song for Digimon Tamers. Translated lyrics are after the chapter.
This
chapter is... well... Taichi-centric except for the first blurb. Wai. ^_^
Gomen
na... ore kimochi warui.- Sorry... I feel sick.
Moshi
moshi-Hello (telephone greeting)
****
~October
2002~
The
day of the local contest was drawing near. It would be held on a Friday night,
when the stress of schoolwork was lessened and teenagers would be able to enjoy
music more. The boys spent literally half their time deciding on what song they
wanted to sing, making sure that it was appropriate for the rules and it was a
song that they were ready for.
It
was Taichi's personal favorite song, much to the dismay of the other members.
Each one wanted to do his favorite, after all. However, Taichi was able to motivate
them enough with the prophecy that their success in the local contest would
bring in better crowds to hear their favorites.
So
they worked the song for many practices, getting the harmonies to perfection
and modifying the runs in the background. While Taichi and Yamato worked on
their vocals, Takeru and Daisuke handled the synthesizers. Daisuke had some
previous knowledge of the machine before coming to
"
Ken, I would concentrate on the vocals if I were you," Takeru answered
him, " The synthesizer takes much more time than we have for this contest.
It's better if we get this song to its best so we can worry about the long-term
things afterwards."
Ken
reluctantly agreed with him. It depressed him when he got rejected, even though
there were probably no harsh feelings behind it. He joined Taichi and Yamato in
their singing practice. They welcomed him warmly, but as they practiced Ken
couldn't help but feel edged by the connection he sensed between the two older
boys. It was obvious they had something deeply established, which depressed the
raven-haired boy even further. Even though he was pretty close with Takeru and
Daisuke, he wasn't sure if he had any value in their view. Besides, who would
appreciate a gloomy, contemptuous and undeserving person like him...?
****
~October
9, 2002~
"
It should be at least 5 pages, which shouldn't be difficult at ALL considering
how much information there is about all three of these men. Any
questions?"
A
boy wearing glasses raised a timid hand. Mr. Andrews gave him a sideways
glance. " Yes, Alex?"
"
Uh... just WHAT are we writing about exactly?"
The
teacher sighed heavily, and in one huge slur, said, " You will be writing
a 5-7 page paper on one person--Morgan, Carnegie or Rockefellar, not all three.
Can I repeat NOT, Mr. Orwell?" he tapped the person in comment's desk as
he walked by, stirring more awareness into the boy's figure. "Let's say
you picked Rockefellar. You simply explain whether you believe that this person
was a ruthless tycoon, and use supporting evidence. Or if you believe that he
WASN'T a robber baron, use evidence that supports that. Comprendo? We've only
been talking about it THE ENTIRE HOUR."
"
'We?' I beg to differ," Taichi muttered.
"
What was that, Yagami?"
"
Nothing."
"
...All right. Moving on..."
Yes,
Honors American Heritage had to be his most fake class on Taichi's schedule.
The desks were fake, the book was fake, the lessons were fake... hell, Mr.
Andrew's HAIR was probably fake--whatever amount of it he had left.
Taichi's
ability to let his mind wander off at times like this was a useless talent, but
one nonetheless. He considered Mr. Andrew's speeches a good time to reflect on
the past... after all, it WAS a history class. Heh. Daisuke would just die of
boredom in this class, especially after trying to go through Andrew's tests.
Daisuke
was everything Taichi had expected him to be, and Ken was even more so. One was
over-enthusiastic and the other was over-cynical. The personalities
complemented each other, at least. Takeru seemed to be a mix of both of them,
or perhaps his own character. Taichi couldn't figure him out as quickly as the
other ones. At times he could be stern like no other, but then there were also
the occasions when he was the most hilarious thing in the world. The guy must
have had something like... split personality or something. Sheesh. He was quite
intriguing.
Although
not as much as Yamato...
Curiosity
getting to the better of him, Taichi turned his head in the blonde's general
direction, and was surprised to notice that Yamato was already thinking the
same thing for him. Their eyes met for a brief moment, but then the torment
pulled on Taichi, and he instead went to stare at the map of the world that was
behind the enticing sight.
This
world map was quite different... it covered the entire back wall of the
classroom. There were apparent folds that sectioned off smaller squares on
it... Taichi counted 35 squares, 5 x 7. Where the heck does somebody get a map
that huge?!? He glanced at the spot where Japan was marked, then where America
was. After adjusting to the American life somewhat, he had gotten used to the
differences. He still had trouble dealing with some specifics... like his
peers...
He
smirked. His mind-wandering had suddenly reminded him of the time he played his
cello for Yamato. He knew that Yamato enjoyed his performances, but it was just
a habit for his mind to go all over the place.
After
another five minutes of utter terror the students were free from Mr. Andrew's
threshold. Taichi and Yamato made their way to French class on the other side
of the school together. As usual Taichi teased the blonde about how bad his
teacher was, while Yamato shot back with how bad the students in Taichi's class
were. Even during the class Taichi's mind wandered toward him, the fact that
Yamato was just in the room next to him giving him some relief. Madame Murphy
was explaining the concept of writing passé composé to the rest of the class...
again...
Taichi
knew that he didn't need to pay attention to any of the discussion.
Nonetheless, foreign language was the only thing he could truly be an
overachiever in, so he took advantage of his teacher's extra lectures. They
would help reinforce the important lessons that would be used in further years.
"
Passé composé is not that difficult!" she said quickly, obviously in her
ranting mood. When the other students were acting (or being) disassociated she
would become a little frustrated. " There's just three things to
remember."
She
held up her thumb and the two fingers after it. " The subject," down
went the thumb, " the present form of avoir or être depending on the
verb," down went the index finger, " and the passé composé form of
the verb," she held the remaining finger up, " That's all there is to
it, you just have to..."
Taichi
had to blink twice before he noticed it, and apparently none of the other
students did. His seat towards the front of the classroom and in the center
gave him a clear view of the finger in front of him. " Madame..."
****
~October
11, 2002~
"
Taichi. Gomen na... ore kimochi warui."
One
lonely Friday, one day without the blonde haired fellow near his side. Yes, the
stroll to school seemed awfully quiet; yes, Mr. Andrew's class lacked
something. But what hurt the most was lunch time, the single part of daily
school life that points out --with a dirty, nasty finger-- your place in teen
society. From the dark-clothed gotchic people gathered in the corners, to the
athletic jockeys laughing loudly in the center, to the lowly clad females
swooning discreetly at the jockeys. Oh yes, and there was also the occasional
female who freed herself from the cage of the giggling swarm. There were
several scattered around the lunch area, excited at the men teasing their
barely protected bodies.
Lunch
that day was French toast sticks with sausage. Taichi decided to try one of the
sandwiches instead, and was amazed at their quality. They weren't too shabby
for school food. However, he somehow failed to foretell a new arrival at his
lunch table until the intruder had made its way across from his front
viewpoint. He was not in the mood for finding new social partners, and he was
tempted to move, but some element of conscience arrived in his mind preventing
from making any rude exits. Instead, he gave a meek greeting, then realized
that it was... Lise. The one female who Taichi had contemplated being a misfit
amongst a group that would make sure she was rejected unless she joined them.
And also the only American he knew who could say his name properly.
'
I can't believe I actually remember her name...' he thought without point.
"
Hey, Taichi," she said casually, " I can't have anybody by themselves
on a day like this. Football games build up a lot of pressure on the
anti-spirits."
"
Don't bother your time with me."
"
Hmph, I bet you were a lot warmer to Yamato when you first met him, weren't
you?"
Taichi
blushed.
They
remained silent for several moments, chewing indulgently on their lunches. The
group that usually surrounded the two boys were now eyeing Lise. Most claimed
that they were only surprised that Lise would ever have the nerve to do such a
thing, although a majority hid their immediate jealousy.
"
Come on, Taichi," his eyes furrowed once more at the exceptional
pronunciation. " Yamato shouldn't be the only person here you can talk to.
He might think that you're trying to put a burden on him."
Taichi
blinked. He never thought of that...
Since
he couldn't think of anything to argue back, he surrendered back to eating his
lunch. Lise figured that he was trying to avoid conversation, and opened her
mouth to get it going--- something like " How are your classes?" or
"What do you think of this school so far?"
But
it was Taichi who cut in. " What's Jesse's history?"
Lise
took her turn at blinking. " Well, I've known her since Kindergarten,
and-"
"
I mean, what's her history HERE?" Taichi looked at her, a mild blaze in
his eyes. " I had a bully after me and he seemed rather... envious."
The
female was frozen for a moment. ' He plops all of these questions without
emotion so easily. It completely degrades their importance...' "That's
Brian Demple." She pointed him out, a few tables down. " He's Jesse's
on-and-off goer. The problem is, every time Jesse is "off" him, she's
always hanging off some other guy. If she gets the slightest sign of rejection,
she'll turn to Brian for support. And then when her self-confidence rises
again, she'll drop Brian and go after others... again. But now she's been
rejected from just about every guy except Brian. She also finds you and Yamato
to be very likable candidates."
Taichi
continued to glare blankly.
"
I think it was the bondage comment that set her off. I don't know what Yamato
said to her, though. I wasn't there. Strange, Brian says some of the sweetest
things to her and she just brushes them off."
The
brunette, having lost interest in finishing his lunch, drank out of his sport
water bottle to chug his food down.
"
I can't help but feel sorry for her..."
Taichi's
eyes widened. Practically spitting out his drink, he coughed and said, " I
can."
"
Huh?"
"
She acts like a complete ditz! Seriously, if a girl keeps going out with
someone who truly has feelings for her and then dumps them for the sole purpose
of finding someone 'better...' and then USING the ex-boyfriend's interest in
her to make herself feel better, not even CONSIDERING his feelings... it's so
selfish!"
"
Taichi, not so loud, she's nearby..."
He
left Lise's comment unattended, his spirit becoming firey. He even raised his
voice to outstand the lunch crowd. " A person like her doesn't deserve any
pity, it won't help her at all! She needs some people to shape up her ass, and
those responsible for that job know exactly who they are!"
Taichi
stood up, quickly scanning the lunch area and identifying a large boy a few
tables down, where Lise had indicated before. He glared at him. " Brian!
You've got to be more than blind not to realize that Jesse's using you. Now,
perhaps you think that she would ignore you forever if you didn't accept her,
but that only makes things worse! You've got to believe in her own good and let
her see things for herself! No form of support will always be there forever,
and it's better to let go before she becomes too accustomed! If she realizes
that she wished to be with only you, then so be it. If she realizes that she
DOESN'T, so be it. Either way, it's better to find out now before YOU become
too attached!"
"
This is only high school. Here, love is so flimsy, yet so domineering. A single
'true love' is much too rare. And don't even THINK about commitment. It's only
bullshit romantic propaganda you read and hear about in the media."
He
took one large gulp, then went to face the girls (Jesse amidst them), ignoring the
wide-eyed faces surrounding him. " Jesse! You need to wake up before you
make a mistake you regret! Stop this foolery now unless you want to learn the
hard way-- which is fine, go ahead if you want. I, just like all of your other
'friends' will be standing faithfully by as you tear your emotions apart. Face
it, you can't get everyone no matter how highly you think of yourself. Most
people don't think of you the same way you do. And to put it bluntly, you're
overestimating yourself. I bet Bri-"
A
high shrill-- close to a boiling teakettle-- interrupted him. It was a strange
blur; the glimmer of tears catching everyone's attention as she stood up and
shot out the doors, still wailing. Newsflash: Jesse has left the building.
For
some reason, the first thought that occurred in Taichi's mind as the school
doors dimmed her voice, was 'Doppler effect.'
He
stood still. The lunch room had grown silent long ago, and even the lunch
monitors were hesitant to do anything. Then, Taichi felt a tap on his shoulder.
He turned around, and met up with a very distressed Brian. The intense
expression on his face couldn't be any more clear. ' Go talk to her.'
Taichi's
eyes darted to the side, and he released a sigh, responding to yet another assigned
chore.
Females
could be so difficult, and in his case it more irritated him than impressed
him. Mainly it was the way they handled competition and defeat... they're so
stubborn. And on the excess side of that, too.
But
what could he do? He DID kind of lash out too much. She probably deserved it,
though...
Taichi
paused at the school doors, not wishing to proceed. A flicker of an image
popped in his head. Cool, stunning... blonde... would this have happened if he
was there...?
He
pushed the image away and the school doors with it, immediately hearing the
girl's crying. He rolled his eyes again, more wearily this time, and waited for
her to notice him. He wished she had NEVER noticed him, actually...
Through
her weeping, she spotted Taichi out of the corner of her eye, then turned away.
She sobbed even harder, hiding her face in her hands.
...
Now what? Unlike with Yamato, he couldn't comfort this girl, emotionally nor
physically...
Taichi
shot down another blush. Damn, that guy was really getting to him today...
He
looked back at the school doors, and saw Brian behind the window. The large boy
mouthed the words, " Say you're Sorry..."
Taichi
nearly gagged. It seemed that the only way to get out of this situation was to
lie.
"
Jesse," he uttered with mock willpower. " I'm sorry."
Her
crying instantly stopped, although an ugly snort followed. " Really?"
The
brunette almost couldn't help but laugh at the classic scene. She was even
hiccupping at the right cues.
But
it was his cue now. " Yeah, I shouldn't have said all that."
'Although there was a good reason I did in the first place, in which you're
doing the exact opposite of right now.'
Obviously
not hearing the words he had not said, Jess turned around, tears still puddled
in her eyes. She suddenly gave a wild smile... " You have no idea how
happy I am to hear that!" She leaped in Taichi's general direction, but
his athletic reflexes easily allowed him to dodge. She held onto thin air
(Brian hid his smirk) but refused to show her disappointment, convinced that
Taichi was just playing around. Instead, she gave him a friendly elbow (which
he also managed to dodge) and said, " Oh, you're a sly one, aren't you?
Catch ya later!"
She
skittered back inside after giving Taichi one of those feminine simles. Taichi
just started at the wall after her, disgusted at what he had just done. He knew
she had taken his apology in a way he had not intended, and there were going to
be consequences...
If
only Yamato were there...
****
The
coach was watching. The ball had landed right where he could lead with it. Now
was his chance...
The
soccer ball landed neatly into his opponent's net, and it would have been
impressive as well... if the goalie had not been slacking off on purpose to
make it look easy. Taichi hmphed, then stood in the proximity of the net as the
coach approached to comment on the play.
"
Reiley, what happened there? You could have easily caught that."
Taichi
held back his initial reaction, and kept it to himself. ' Yeah right...'
"
Sorry coach, I was just a little preoccupied. Girls, you know..."
The
coach laughed. " Better here than at the actual games, at least!" he
said cheerfully, " Just get that problem fixed before the big one,
okay?"
"
Sure thing." With that, the coach ordered the team to proceed with the
practice game. Reiley picked up the ball and handed it to the team coach, the
whole time completely ignoring Taichi's presence. Taichi did nothing except
head back to his offense position, which he disliked. He hated being unable to
go anywhere through the field. It was better than being defense at least.
Scoring was one of his specialties.
He
was used to it now, this lack of recognition. He knew he was the newest team
member. He knew that he was the cause of the other who had been cut from the
team. And he knew that the only reason that person was on the team in the first
place was because his fellow preppy friend the goalie. And the goalie was
highly respected by the other members.
'
Of COURSE that gives them a perfectly good reason to treat me like leftover
shit,' he thought sarcastically.
He
could wait, though. He was preserving himself on purpose, so that he could
unleash himself during his first game. If he had a larger audience, then there
would be no way the coach could avoid him...
In
the meantime, suffering was the only choice he had.
****
Yamato's
mother dismissed the brunette when he appeared at her door, telling him that
Yamato should not see anybody while he was sick, and that Taichi should have
called before stopping by. Sighing, Taichi headed home and promptly headed for
the substitute plan.
"
Moshi moshi?"
"
Okaasan, I've got it." Taichi's felt his mind take a vacation as he heard
that deep voice seep into him.
"
Huh?"
"
I said I've got it," he said calmly.
"
Okay."
There
was a click.
"
...Taichi?"
More
fluttery feelings crept inside him, and Taichi couldn't control it. " How
did you know it was me?"
"
You sounded out of breath, I could hear your panting. And I saw you outside my
bedroom window. Damn Okaasan, I'm not contagious or anything, I just had a bad
fever."
"
Oh..."
There
was a significant amount of silence. For a minute, they simply listened to each
other breathing, and Taichi eventually said, " My God... We have the
contest tonight..."
On
the other line, Yamato puffed out air. " I'm trying to convince Okaasan
that I'm not sick so I can go."
"
You mean you don't know if you'll be allowed to go?!? Yamato, we've been
working on this for weeks..."
"
I know. But you know how she is..."
Taichi
flinched slightly. " Well, promise me you'll be there tonight."
"
Promise you? I can't really-"
"
Of course you can. And I'll promise you that I'll be there for the best day of
your life."
Taichi
blinked. That slipped out so easily...
"
Right, Taichi..." Yamato replied. There was a hint of melancholy in his
tone. " I'll try. Shouldn't you be going? The contest starts in a couple
of hours."
Taichi
checked the clock on the wall next to him. " True... Yamato... I..."
he stopped, then picked himself back up. " I really hope you'll make it.
Good luck to you."
"
You too, Taichi."
Mrs.
Yagami stepped into the room just as Taichi placed the receiver down. She
looked rather excited about this contest... " Hurry up, Taichi! You don't
want to be late! I already have the car keys."
Taichi
looked at her with a half smile, tainted with the thought of Yamato. ' I wish
he was the one to have my mom instead... he'd love her so much...'
He
grabbed a large bag containing his concert outfit, and halted before deciding
to go outside to the awaiting car. He was looking at the corner of the wall
where a black case rested. " Okaasan. Load up the van instead," he
said to his mother. She blinked curiously.
Taichi
had an unusually serious gleam in his eyes. " I'm bringing my cello with
me."
****
Tsuzuku...
****
Oooh,
tension. =^.^= Reviews will help me GREATLY! I'm always wondering how people
think this is coming along. ^^;
Anyhow,
the lyrics! Credit: Whitecat (whitecat@austin.rr.com)
Kaze
(Wind)
If
I become the strong wind that flows from the clouds
My
feelings should become straightforward and pure.
What
about adults, wha - what about common sense?
Those
aren't the more important things.
fly
to the sky - this feeling
Now
crosses over time
your
luck - it's easy
Just
waiting around is boring.
Take
a Chance
Faster
than anyone you grab it
Melting,
now changing into heat
I'll
search for my newborn wings
In
that instant everything begins in my heart.
If
I become the wind of dreams that engulfs the sky,
This
true light would be wounded.
The
world has no moods behind that subject
It'll
pile up again, grace and laughter
breakin'
a time - this city ...
Still
doesn't see this, but
never
mind - even so
I'm
able to go anywhere
Take
a Chance
In
my heart is a certain beat
I
want to sense that future
That
I'll pierce inside this dazzling light
In
the instant everything changes in my heart
Take
a Chance
Faster
than anyone you grab it
Melting,
now changing into heat
I'll
search for my newborn wings
In
that instant everything begins in my heart.
Splash
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