FABULOUS, FINAL FIFTEEN: TWO FOR TURKEY IMPOSTER FROM JACK, THE SUPER MOD
Title: Oh Mama
Author: HamburgerJack
Recipients Name: turkeyimposter
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Janagi
Disclaimer: Only one man owns prince of tennis.
Warnings: Hm... It was a long time coming up with this. XD This is the Sequel Actually...
“I what?” Jackal leaned over, digging in his jeans pocket. “No… no that’s not what I -.”
He started to open his apartment door, too many bags in one hand, cellphone on his ear. He got the key in and kicked the door, frowning as he realized somewhere in here, he’d had to TURN the handle.
“A Mamã, não é como isso… não é -.”
The door opened and Jackal handed off the bags and walked in, getting his keys back and shutting the door. “Sim, sou para casa... sim, é aqui. Não diga isso -Ma -Don’t say that I said. …no, it’s not like that. Again, it’s not like that.”
Yanagi came over to Jackal and moved the cellphone away from his ear. He gave him a kiss and Jackal let himself enjoy it, his mother speaking an angry mixture of Japanese and Portuguese on the other end of the phone.
“What do you want to eat?” Yanagi whispered.
“Something that I didn’t just buy. I used up all of our money.”
“Budget…” Yanagi murmured, turning away.
Jackal put the phone back on his ear. “No, I am listening… Mamã…” he walked to the back, talking to his mother in fast Portuguese.
Yanagi looked through the groceries and made another list, looking at the receipt. Maybe they could find somewhere else to shop or see if his own mother was willing to make donations.
His mother wanted him to stay at home, to make sure he was getting enough to eat, so he wouldn’t have to work and go to school, but he didn’t want that.
He had a pretty substantial scholarship that was taking care of school, but as for regular expenses… the stipend he got as a research assitant didn’t quite make it.
Honestly, he hadn’t moved in with Jackal to save money. He’d moved in with Jackal because -
Jackal came back to the kitchen, his phone on his chest. “…she wants to talk to you.”
“…the last time didn’t go very well.”
“She is angry. She thinks I’m starving to death and you’re using me.”
Yanagi blinked. “That’s odd, my mother says the same thing about you.”
“Please?”
Yanagi took the phone. “…Kuwabara-san, hello! -No, I’m not all happy -well I am glad to speak to you … …yes, he does pay the bills but -.”
Jackal was looking at him, his hands together in a silent prayer.
“We have food. …I cook… Japanese foo -well I can learn - ….yes ma’am. …Yes ma’am. …” Yanagi sighed then made a face. “I know I’m not woman… there is no woman -that’s not how -we don’t -would you like to talk with him again? He’s standing right here.”
Yanagi handed the phone over. He was usually rather unflappable, but there was something about mothers, no matter who they were, that got to everyone. They were fierce, especially when it came to their children.
This thing between them was a “phase” to Jackal’s mother. She was convinced that soon enough her son would find a nice college girl. She hadn’t wanted him to stay in Japan in the first place, he wanted him to come back with them to Brazil, where his father had finally found a job and they could be “happy” again.
He wanted to tell her that Jackal was happy, at least that’s what he thought anyway, and that he didn’t need a woman and he wasn’t Jackal’s “woman” …even if he did cook most of the time.
Jackal talked to his mother absently, leaning with Yanagi over the receipt and giving muttered explanations for the prices.
“If you go before five, there will be better deals…”
“I know, I tried, but I’ve been on the phone with her -ah? Yes Mamã…” Jackal dug out his pen and wrote on the receipt, “She thinks I will die without Brazilian food :D”
Yanagi wrote back. “I’m not good at anything but rice :\”
Jackal smiled at him, leaning their heads together. “I like your rice ©”
“Yes …I am listening… look, dinner is almost ready here, shouldn’t you be in bed? …mm hm… Amo-o também... boa noite.” he hung up and looked at Yanagi.
“I love her, but she thinks I’m going to die and you’re killing me.”
“She said I’d better enjoy this time of confusion in your life because she is finding you a nice wife with a large bosom. The queen of Carnival…”
Jackal laughed. “My mother…”
“Well, for the record my mother is trying to match me with foreign girls… since she thinks I have a ‘thing’ for exotic beauty.”
“Oh? I am exotic?”
Yanagi kissed him on the mouth, Jackal walking him against the fridge.
Yanagi hadn’t moved in with Jackal to save money. He’d moved in with him because he wanted to and because …
In high school he wasn’t sure what had gone on between Marui and Jackal, but Marui had decided to transfer and be with his “fan” as Jackal described him. He’d done tennis casually, deciding like Yanagi, to focus on his studies. They’d wound up without enough to do after school and not wanting to be bothered with the eternal loving pair of Sanada and Yukimura, hung out with each other until one day, leaving Yanagi’s home at night after a study session, Jackal had merely kissed him and said, “See you later.”
No dates, no confession. Simple and matter-of-fact.
When he asked him about it later, Jackal laughed.
“I thought we were going out all along? Aren’t study groups how you do it?”
Apparently it was a known fact that Yanagi on studied and tutored with people he liked. First Sanada, which never panned out. Then Kirihara, which almost sort of worked, but crashed when he graduated and then…
Jackal was kissing his neck, Yanagi’s plans for dinner the furthest thing from his mind as the other young man’s hands went up inside his shirt.
Nothing got to them, they were steady. Not even when Marui came back for him, not when Kirihara ran away from home and wanted to stay, not even when Inui wound up at their university.
Nothing. Only mothers. And trying to pay the light bill.
Yanagi’s ringtone went off, it was a Shamisen. It was his mother.
They broke off kissing, Yanagi digging his phone out of his pocket. He looked at Jackal.
“Não posso tomar mais. I can’t take anymore.”
Yanagi put it on silent and tossed it towards the couch. Neither could he.
He put his arms around Jackal’s neck and let the shirt exploration continue.
He’d deal with it later.
~OWARI~
Title: Study Buddy
Author: HamburgerJack
Recipients Name: turkeyimposter
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Janagi
Disclaimer: Only one man owns prince of tennis.
Warnings: Hm... It was a long time coming up with this. XD This is the PREQUEL, but you can read in either order
“Oh this is Jirou!”
“Hi! You were Marui-sama’s double’s partner right! SO AMAZING!” he shook Jackal’s hand. “How’s it feel to be with a GENIUS ALL THE TIME?”
Jackal looked at Marui, who smiled and shrugged. Jackal shook Jirou’s hand, smiling. And then he said in fast Portuguese, “It’s great! I love hanging out with Marui, what’s your name? I’ve never seen a blond Japanese!”
Jirou looked uneasy and Marui cracked up.
“Stop that! Stop!”
Jackal patted Jirou’s shoulder. “I like it. It’s fun.” he hitched up his bag, not sure what to do. Usually when he came over, it was just him and Marui. “Ah… are we studying today?”
Studying. Code word for making out, possibly sex …possibly studying.
“I thought we could all go hang out, get something to eat!” Marui’s eyes were shining. “I found a new place and -.”
“You know I’m broke Amante…” Jackal was broke. He spent his last yen getting snacks out of the machine for Marui.
“Oh, Jirou’s gonna pay. He’s from Hyoutei!”
“Yes! Yes I am!” Jirou looked in his wallet. “I should have enough, where are we going?”
Marui clapped. “TO THE BUS MOBILE!”
Jirou clapped and got up. “YES! …is that like a limo? Does it have a driver?”
Jackal laughed, putting down his bag, he’d be back for it later. “Yes, it has a driver alright…”
Hours later, when they returned, Marui was full and happy.
“So nice of him to drive us back!”
“Yeah…” Jackal rubbed his temple. He didn’t think anyone could talk that much, maybe just Kirihara, but he had more of his own friends now.
“I thought Jirou was just a crazy stalker, but he’s an awesome guy! Don’t you think?”
“He’s alright.” Jackal went over to Marui, taking his hand. “I haven’t been able to touch you all day Amante…” he kissed him. “Let me have something before your mother gets home.”
Marui smiled. “Okay.” and started to take off his shirt when the door downstairs opened.
He heard his mother shut the door and Jackal sighed, kissing Marui again. “Tomorrow…”
“Well… me and Jirou were gonna go over his house tomorrow!”
“…oh…”
“Did you want to come?”
“No, that’s fine. You know, I do have a test coming up. Maybe I should actually hit the books?”
Marui kissed him again and gave him his bag. “It’ll be fine.”
“Okay…” Jackal left, feeling a little strange. He bowed to Marui’s mother and she smiled back.
He always liked to think she knew what was going on and that’s why she never came home until at least seven.
Nice woman.
**
**
Yanagi spotted Jackal coming down the hall and waved, Jackal waving back. He didn’t want to go over at first, because the people beside him were having a moment.
No one was going to tell Yukimura or Sanada anything. They were both a bit too dangerous and powerful. Yukimura held Sanada’s hand all the time and kissed him when the halls emptied out. Who was going to say anything to Sanada? Not if they wanted to live.
He went over and the couple ignored him, Yanagi indicating they should go wherever he was going.
“You don’t want to soak up their love?”
Yanagi just looked at him and Jackal laughed.
“There’s something so gross about it, it’s like being next to a shoujo manga sometimes. How they got into every class together, I won’t ever know. How are you?”
“Ah… fine. I’m going to the library.”
“Oh? Where’s Marui?”
“He met a fan. Jirou… something. Hyoutei.”
“Hn…I’m familiar with the school. Well… I’ll go with you then.”
“Perfect. I have a test.” Jackal pulled out a messy looking notebook. “Have any history notes?”
“…I’m lucky to have free afternoons. This will take a while.”
“That… takes us into the modern era.” Yanagi closed his book. “My notes are… a bit more detailed than… are you okay?”
Jackal had his head down. “My head is going to explode.”
“But you’ll pass.”
“I don’t think I like actual studying.”
“What have you been doing?”
They looked at each other and Yanagi turned a bit pink, Jackal looking away. “What young people do when they study. Didn’t you study with Kirihara?”
“…yes and his grades went up. Are you talking about -.”
“Sex.”
Yanagi began to put away his books. “Not in the least.”
“…I wonder if Niou will still give me that thousand yen…”
“There was a bet?”
Jackal nodded. “And that you were… not… in charge.”
Yanagi stared. “Well that’s just foolish. All data indicates no matter how aggressive the other partner is, it’s the size that indicates who the seme is. Even age isn’t a factor.”
“…you know a lot.”
Yanagi said nothing.
Jackal laughed. “I’m teasing.”
“Of course.”
He looked at his phone and there wasn’t a single text from Marui. It bothered him a bit, but he just packed up his books.
They left the library together, walking casually to the bus stop.
“I’ll see you.”
“Bye.”
Yanagi got on the bus and Jackal walked home.
****
****
“Well… I’m going to -.”
“Again?”
Marui scratched the back of his neck. “Well… don’t you have to study? Or I don’t know, you’re still on the team -.”
“So? I thought I could come see you today? Take you out, I have a lot of money now.”
“That’s fine… Jirou said we’d go to this buffet so…”
Jackal frowned. “Does he know?”
“Know what?”
“That I’m with you? Amante.”
“…yeah…” Marui wouldn’t look at him. “Yeah kind of, but we’re just friends so, you can’t be jealous or anything.”
“I haven’t seen you in two weeks! Perco-o Amante, não quer ver me? “
Marui frowned. “I don’t understand, speak slower…”
“Don’t you want to see me anymore? I miss you…”
“I do want to see you… we see each other at school!”
Jackal had his answer then. He ran his hand over his bare head and turned away for a second, then turned back. “Come with me today.”
“I already promised Jirou…I can’t.”
And Jackal just walked away.
After tennis practice, Jackal walked with Yanagi to the bus stop.
“Not going to Marui’s?”
Jackal shrugged. “He’s with his fan.”
“…well, did you want to come over? English conversation test is at the end of the week.”
Jackal put his hand over his eyes. “I hate English…”
“You already speak two languages.”
“I want to stop at two.”
Yanagi laughed. “You’ll find it to be quite easy. You’ll probably have a better accent than me.”
Jackal just looked at him. “Don’t you remember what I sounded like when I first came here?”
“Your Japanese wasn’t bad.”
“And it wasn’t great…”
“…you were easier to understand than Marui with the gum in his mouth.”
“Pride at last.”
When the bus came, they took it to Yanagi’s house, his mother greeting them both at the door. He bowed at her and walked through the traditional style house, feeling a bit out of place.
“She’s going to bring us tea.” Yanagi said, pulling the small table to the middle of the room. “You’re going to love this.”
When Yanagi’s mother came in, she brought them tea, as he said. She looked at Jackal smiling, then slowly said, “You. Must. Be. Yanagi’s Foreign Friend. Hello!”
Jackal wanted to laugh. He wanted to start speaking Portuguese. He’d never met the woman before, but she couldn’t believe in all this time that perhaps Yanagi had never told her that he was successfully going to school and living in society.
“Hello Yanagi-san. I’m Jackal Kuwabara. I’ve known Yanagi since middle school. You have a nice house.”
“Ohhh! Thank you! Your Japanese is so nice!”
“Thank you.”
“Mother, we’re going to practice English.”
“Oh, you’re helping Renji with his English? That’s so nice!” she left and Jackal burst out laughing.
Yanagi sighed and poured some tea. “I told you…she thinks all foreigners know English and can’t speak Japanese… she watches a lot of tv, I love her.”
“My dad can’t speak Japanese that well.”
Yanagi got out his books. “Shall we begin?”
“I suppose.”
**
When Jackal left that night, he was in high spirits. He didn’t check his phone until he got home and was surprised to see a message from Marui.
He put his stuff away and left again, even though it was late.
“Boy’s gotta a girlfriend, leave him alone!” his father told his mother.
His father wasn’t the smartest man either.
When he got to Marui’s, the young man was waiting outside. He was sitting down on the porch and Jackal came to sit to beside him easily, stretching his legs out.
“Did you run?”
“Ah… sort of.” he smiled. “I’ll always run to wherever you are.”
Marui gave a weak smile and Jackal reached for his hand. “I’m glad you asked me here… I’m sorry about today, I was angry.”
“I’m transferring.”
Jackal just looked at him.
“To Hyoutei.”
And then he got a far away feeling, like he was looking in on this scene and not apart of it.
He let go of Marui’s hand and rubbed his legs. “Hyoutei huh?”
“Yeah… I mean me and Jirou have… a lot in common…”
Jackal stood up. “Well then, this is it between you and me.”
“I guess… but we’re friends right?” Marui got up. “Right? Jackal?” he reached for his hand.
“It’s fine. Everyone went all over the place when we came to high school so it was stupid of me to think…” he gave a little laugh and ran his hand over his head backwards.
He’d been so excited to come over here, that Marui hadn’t forgotten him or something.
“Bye then, Aman -Marui.”
Marui reached for him, to kiss him and Jackal pulled away from him and walked away.
****
****
When they’d learned of Marui’s transfer, even Yagyuu appeared to ask if he was alright. Jackal had barely seen Yagyuu since the start of high school and even now, in t heir second year, he’d always assumed Yagyuu was off doing whatever it was super secret honors students did…
Try and take over the world through student council.
He wound up dropping tennis and focusing on his studies, Yanagi inviting him over more and more to study.
“No, Yukimura hit him upside the head with the book and Sanada just sat there.”
“Couple’s spat.”
“Yes. But since they’re lab partners they had to keep sitting next to each other. Next year… next year I hope I get a different class.”
Jackal laughed and turned a page in his book. “All we have to do is the questions right?”
“Yes.” Yanagi looked at him. “…are you really alright?”
“With what? The tea is fine. You said you guys don’t keep soda at home.”
“No… ah… Marui.” Yanagi said.
“That was like a month ago.”
“I don’t have the best sense of timing.” Yanagi put his pen down.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“But… you loved him?”
“I love him. He is with Jirou now. I have seen him eat an entire bag of candies only to say at the end, he doesn’t like the flavor. He is fickle. It is his nature… though I was thinking I was his favorite flavor. Apparently it is not so.”
“Ah.” they stared at each other and Jackal shrugged.
“He has the right to love anyone he chooses.”
“You’re…accepting.”
“I knew it would happen when I met this Jirou. Marui has always loved attention. He has a cheerleader now. No one will forget he is a genius.”
“As long as you’re alright.”
“I am fine.”
They got back to work, Jackal looking up briefly to notice a relieved expression on Yanagi’s face.
“Were you worried?”
“Yes.”
“…I appreciate it.”
Yanagi nodded.
“SORRISO!” Jackal said, smiling. “Come on and smile then. I’ll do odd, you do all of them!”
Yanagi laughed. “I’ll do even!”
“I suppose that’s fair…”
**
**
“I thought you dropped tennis?”
Yanagi shrugged. “I help out. I like exercise.”
Jackal looked at the bag in the corner of Yanagi’s room. “You have the same racket?”
“I like the same model, yes.”
“We should play.”
“I would lose to you, Mr. Four Lungs…”
“Maybe not so much these days. I was running to catch the bus and when I got on I felt like I’d die.”
Yanagi laughed. They were both leaning against the bed, the table in front of them. Jackal had come over in the afternoon to study on a Sunday, their books open, but nothing going on.
The tv was on, but they were only commenting, Jackal’s back pack of smuggled snacks open nearby.
Jackal was glad. If you’d asked him a year ago if he’d be laughing and hanging out with Yanagi, he would have said no way.
He didn’t think Yanagi was like this, normal, easy going, humorous. The image in his mind he’d carried from middle school had persisted, though he was glad to know something different.
Their “study” session went on into the night, some homework eventually getting done, just in time for morning classes.
Jackal packed up his things and left, heading out of the door. Yanagi walked him to the gate.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Yanagi said, nodding.
Jackal nodded back, leaning to kiss him. “See you later.”
He left then, Yanagi just standing there. He didn’t know what to do or say so he just went back inside.
**
**
At school the next day, everything was normal between them. Yanagi didn’t ask him anything until after school, when they were leaving together.
“About… yesterday…” Yanagi began.
“Hm?”
“You kissed me.”
Jackal looked at him. “Oh? I did.”
“But …do you -.”
“Aren’t we going out already? Isn’t study groups how you do it?”
“What?”
Jackal laughed. “Everyone you like, you tutor. Like Kirihara.”
“But Kirihara and I… that was just…”
“It’s just an example. Is it not okay?”
Yanagi didn’t know how to respond. He just nodded.
“So it’s not okay?”
“It is! …okay.”
Jackal smiled. “Then, are we going to study at your house?”
“Yes…” they waited for the bus together and then something occurred to Yanagi, his face going red.
“M-my study or… your study?”
Jackal winked at him. “I guess we’ll see.”
~OWARI~
Author: HamburgerJack
Recipients Name: turkeyimposter
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Janagi
Disclaimer: Only one man owns prince of tennis.
Warnings: Hm... It was a long time coming up with this. XD This is the Sequel Actually...
“I what?” Jackal leaned over, digging in his jeans pocket. “No… no that’s not what I -.”
He started to open his apartment door, too many bags in one hand, cellphone on his ear. He got the key in and kicked the door, frowning as he realized somewhere in here, he’d had to TURN the handle.
“A Mamã, não é como isso… não é -.”
The door opened and Jackal handed off the bags and walked in, getting his keys back and shutting the door. “Sim, sou para casa... sim, é aqui. Não diga isso -Ma -Don’t say that I said. …no, it’s not like that. Again, it’s not like that.”
Yanagi came over to Jackal and moved the cellphone away from his ear. He gave him a kiss and Jackal let himself enjoy it, his mother speaking an angry mixture of Japanese and Portuguese on the other end of the phone.
“What do you want to eat?” Yanagi whispered.
“Something that I didn’t just buy. I used up all of our money.”
“Budget…” Yanagi murmured, turning away.
Jackal put the phone back on his ear. “No, I am listening… Mamã…” he walked to the back, talking to his mother in fast Portuguese.
Yanagi looked through the groceries and made another list, looking at the receipt. Maybe they could find somewhere else to shop or see if his own mother was willing to make donations.
His mother wanted him to stay at home, to make sure he was getting enough to eat, so he wouldn’t have to work and go to school, but he didn’t want that.
He had a pretty substantial scholarship that was taking care of school, but as for regular expenses… the stipend he got as a research assitant didn’t quite make it.
Honestly, he hadn’t moved in with Jackal to save money. He’d moved in with Jackal because -
Jackal came back to the kitchen, his phone on his chest. “…she wants to talk to you.”
“…the last time didn’t go very well.”
“She is angry. She thinks I’m starving to death and you’re using me.”
Yanagi blinked. “That’s odd, my mother says the same thing about you.”
“Please?”
Yanagi took the phone. “…Kuwabara-san, hello! -No, I’m not all happy -well I am glad to speak to you … …yes, he does pay the bills but -.”
Jackal was looking at him, his hands together in a silent prayer.
“We have food. …I cook… Japanese foo -well I can learn - ….yes ma’am. …Yes ma’am. …” Yanagi sighed then made a face. “I know I’m not woman… there is no woman -that’s not how -we don’t -would you like to talk with him again? He’s standing right here.”
Yanagi handed the phone over. He was usually rather unflappable, but there was something about mothers, no matter who they were, that got to everyone. They were fierce, especially when it came to their children.
This thing between them was a “phase” to Jackal’s mother. She was convinced that soon enough her son would find a nice college girl. She hadn’t wanted him to stay in Japan in the first place, he wanted him to come back with them to Brazil, where his father had finally found a job and they could be “happy” again.
He wanted to tell her that Jackal was happy, at least that’s what he thought anyway, and that he didn’t need a woman and he wasn’t Jackal’s “woman” …even if he did cook most of the time.
Jackal talked to his mother absently, leaning with Yanagi over the receipt and giving muttered explanations for the prices.
“If you go before five, there will be better deals…”
“I know, I tried, but I’ve been on the phone with her -ah? Yes Mamã…” Jackal dug out his pen and wrote on the receipt, “She thinks I will die without Brazilian food :D”
Yanagi wrote back. “I’m not good at anything but rice :\”
Jackal smiled at him, leaning their heads together. “I like your rice ©”
“Yes …I am listening… look, dinner is almost ready here, shouldn’t you be in bed? …mm hm… Amo-o também... boa noite.” he hung up and looked at Yanagi.
“I love her, but she thinks I’m going to die and you’re killing me.”
“She said I’d better enjoy this time of confusion in your life because she is finding you a nice wife with a large bosom. The queen of Carnival…”
Jackal laughed. “My mother…”
“Well, for the record my mother is trying to match me with foreign girls… since she thinks I have a ‘thing’ for exotic beauty.”
“Oh? I am exotic?”
Yanagi kissed him on the mouth, Jackal walking him against the fridge.
Yanagi hadn’t moved in with Jackal to save money. He’d moved in with him because he wanted to and because …
In high school he wasn’t sure what had gone on between Marui and Jackal, but Marui had decided to transfer and be with his “fan” as Jackal described him. He’d done tennis casually, deciding like Yanagi, to focus on his studies. They’d wound up without enough to do after school and not wanting to be bothered with the eternal loving pair of Sanada and Yukimura, hung out with each other until one day, leaving Yanagi’s home at night after a study session, Jackal had merely kissed him and said, “See you later.”
No dates, no confession. Simple and matter-of-fact.
When he asked him about it later, Jackal laughed.
“I thought we were going out all along? Aren’t study groups how you do it?”
Apparently it was a known fact that Yanagi on studied and tutored with people he liked. First Sanada, which never panned out. Then Kirihara, which almost sort of worked, but crashed when he graduated and then…
Jackal was kissing his neck, Yanagi’s plans for dinner the furthest thing from his mind as the other young man’s hands went up inside his shirt.
Nothing got to them, they were steady. Not even when Marui came back for him, not when Kirihara ran away from home and wanted to stay, not even when Inui wound up at their university.
Nothing. Only mothers. And trying to pay the light bill.
Yanagi’s ringtone went off, it was a Shamisen. It was his mother.
They broke off kissing, Yanagi digging his phone out of his pocket. He looked at Jackal.
“Não posso tomar mais. I can’t take anymore.”
Yanagi put it on silent and tossed it towards the couch. Neither could he.
He put his arms around Jackal’s neck and let the shirt exploration continue.
He’d deal with it later.
~OWARI~
Title: Study Buddy
Author: HamburgerJack
Recipients Name: turkeyimposter
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Janagi
Disclaimer: Only one man owns prince of tennis.
Warnings: Hm... It was a long time coming up with this. XD This is the PREQUEL, but you can read in either order
“Oh this is Jirou!”
“Hi! You were Marui-sama’s double’s partner right! SO AMAZING!” he shook Jackal’s hand. “How’s it feel to be with a GENIUS ALL THE TIME?”
Jackal looked at Marui, who smiled and shrugged. Jackal shook Jirou’s hand, smiling. And then he said in fast Portuguese, “It’s great! I love hanging out with Marui, what’s your name? I’ve never seen a blond Japanese!”
Jirou looked uneasy and Marui cracked up.
“Stop that! Stop!”
Jackal patted Jirou’s shoulder. “I like it. It’s fun.” he hitched up his bag, not sure what to do. Usually when he came over, it was just him and Marui. “Ah… are we studying today?”
Studying. Code word for making out, possibly sex …possibly studying.
“I thought we could all go hang out, get something to eat!” Marui’s eyes were shining. “I found a new place and -.”
“You know I’m broke Amante…” Jackal was broke. He spent his last yen getting snacks out of the machine for Marui.
“Oh, Jirou’s gonna pay. He’s from Hyoutei!”
“Yes! Yes I am!” Jirou looked in his wallet. “I should have enough, where are we going?”
Marui clapped. “TO THE BUS MOBILE!”
Jirou clapped and got up. “YES! …is that like a limo? Does it have a driver?”
Jackal laughed, putting down his bag, he’d be back for it later. “Yes, it has a driver alright…”
Hours later, when they returned, Marui was full and happy.
“So nice of him to drive us back!”
“Yeah…” Jackal rubbed his temple. He didn’t think anyone could talk that much, maybe just Kirihara, but he had more of his own friends now.
“I thought Jirou was just a crazy stalker, but he’s an awesome guy! Don’t you think?”
“He’s alright.” Jackal went over to Marui, taking his hand. “I haven’t been able to touch you all day Amante…” he kissed him. “Let me have something before your mother gets home.”
Marui smiled. “Okay.” and started to take off his shirt when the door downstairs opened.
He heard his mother shut the door and Jackal sighed, kissing Marui again. “Tomorrow…”
“Well… me and Jirou were gonna go over his house tomorrow!”
“…oh…”
“Did you want to come?”
“No, that’s fine. You know, I do have a test coming up. Maybe I should actually hit the books?”
Marui kissed him again and gave him his bag. “It’ll be fine.”
“Okay…” Jackal left, feeling a little strange. He bowed to Marui’s mother and she smiled back.
He always liked to think she knew what was going on and that’s why she never came home until at least seven.
Nice woman.
**
**
Yanagi spotted Jackal coming down the hall and waved, Jackal waving back. He didn’t want to go over at first, because the people beside him were having a moment.
No one was going to tell Yukimura or Sanada anything. They were both a bit too dangerous and powerful. Yukimura held Sanada’s hand all the time and kissed him when the halls emptied out. Who was going to say anything to Sanada? Not if they wanted to live.
He went over and the couple ignored him, Yanagi indicating they should go wherever he was going.
“You don’t want to soak up their love?”
Yanagi just looked at him and Jackal laughed.
“There’s something so gross about it, it’s like being next to a shoujo manga sometimes. How they got into every class together, I won’t ever know. How are you?”
“Ah… fine. I’m going to the library.”
“Oh? Where’s Marui?”
“He met a fan. Jirou… something. Hyoutei.”
“Hn…I’m familiar with the school. Well… I’ll go with you then.”
“Perfect. I have a test.” Jackal pulled out a messy looking notebook. “Have any history notes?”
“…I’m lucky to have free afternoons. This will take a while.”
“That… takes us into the modern era.” Yanagi closed his book. “My notes are… a bit more detailed than… are you okay?”
Jackal had his head down. “My head is going to explode.”
“But you’ll pass.”
“I don’t think I like actual studying.”
“What have you been doing?”
They looked at each other and Yanagi turned a bit pink, Jackal looking away. “What young people do when they study. Didn’t you study with Kirihara?”
“…yes and his grades went up. Are you talking about -.”
“Sex.”
Yanagi began to put away his books. “Not in the least.”
“…I wonder if Niou will still give me that thousand yen…”
“There was a bet?”
Jackal nodded. “And that you were… not… in charge.”
Yanagi stared. “Well that’s just foolish. All data indicates no matter how aggressive the other partner is, it’s the size that indicates who the seme is. Even age isn’t a factor.”
“…you know a lot.”
Yanagi said nothing.
Jackal laughed. “I’m teasing.”
“Of course.”
He looked at his phone and there wasn’t a single text from Marui. It bothered him a bit, but he just packed up his books.
They left the library together, walking casually to the bus stop.
“I’ll see you.”
“Bye.”
Yanagi got on the bus and Jackal walked home.
****
****
“Well… I’m going to -.”
“Again?”
Marui scratched the back of his neck. “Well… don’t you have to study? Or I don’t know, you’re still on the team -.”
“So? I thought I could come see you today? Take you out, I have a lot of money now.”
“That’s fine… Jirou said we’d go to this buffet so…”
Jackal frowned. “Does he know?”
“Know what?”
“That I’m with you? Amante.”
“…yeah…” Marui wouldn’t look at him. “Yeah kind of, but we’re just friends so, you can’t be jealous or anything.”
“I haven’t seen you in two weeks! Perco-o Amante, não quer ver me? “
Marui frowned. “I don’t understand, speak slower…”
“Don’t you want to see me anymore? I miss you…”
“I do want to see you… we see each other at school!”
Jackal had his answer then. He ran his hand over his bare head and turned away for a second, then turned back. “Come with me today.”
“I already promised Jirou…I can’t.”
And Jackal just walked away.
After tennis practice, Jackal walked with Yanagi to the bus stop.
“Not going to Marui’s?”
Jackal shrugged. “He’s with his fan.”
“…well, did you want to come over? English conversation test is at the end of the week.”
Jackal put his hand over his eyes. “I hate English…”
“You already speak two languages.”
“I want to stop at two.”
Yanagi laughed. “You’ll find it to be quite easy. You’ll probably have a better accent than me.”
Jackal just looked at him. “Don’t you remember what I sounded like when I first came here?”
“Your Japanese wasn’t bad.”
“And it wasn’t great…”
“…you were easier to understand than Marui with the gum in his mouth.”
“Pride at last.”
When the bus came, they took it to Yanagi’s house, his mother greeting them both at the door. He bowed at her and walked through the traditional style house, feeling a bit out of place.
“She’s going to bring us tea.” Yanagi said, pulling the small table to the middle of the room. “You’re going to love this.”
When Yanagi’s mother came in, she brought them tea, as he said. She looked at Jackal smiling, then slowly said, “You. Must. Be. Yanagi’s Foreign Friend. Hello!”
Jackal wanted to laugh. He wanted to start speaking Portuguese. He’d never met the woman before, but she couldn’t believe in all this time that perhaps Yanagi had never told her that he was successfully going to school and living in society.
“Hello Yanagi-san. I’m Jackal Kuwabara. I’ve known Yanagi since middle school. You have a nice house.”
“Ohhh! Thank you! Your Japanese is so nice!”
“Thank you.”
“Mother, we’re going to practice English.”
“Oh, you’re helping Renji with his English? That’s so nice!” she left and Jackal burst out laughing.
Yanagi sighed and poured some tea. “I told you…she thinks all foreigners know English and can’t speak Japanese… she watches a lot of tv, I love her.”
“My dad can’t speak Japanese that well.”
Yanagi got out his books. “Shall we begin?”
“I suppose.”
**
When Jackal left that night, he was in high spirits. He didn’t check his phone until he got home and was surprised to see a message from Marui.
He put his stuff away and left again, even though it was late.
“Boy’s gotta a girlfriend, leave him alone!” his father told his mother.
His father wasn’t the smartest man either.
When he got to Marui’s, the young man was waiting outside. He was sitting down on the porch and Jackal came to sit to beside him easily, stretching his legs out.
“Did you run?”
“Ah… sort of.” he smiled. “I’ll always run to wherever you are.”
Marui gave a weak smile and Jackal reached for his hand. “I’m glad you asked me here… I’m sorry about today, I was angry.”
“I’m transferring.”
Jackal just looked at him.
“To Hyoutei.”
And then he got a far away feeling, like he was looking in on this scene and not apart of it.
He let go of Marui’s hand and rubbed his legs. “Hyoutei huh?”
“Yeah… I mean me and Jirou have… a lot in common…”
Jackal stood up. “Well then, this is it between you and me.”
“I guess… but we’re friends right?” Marui got up. “Right? Jackal?” he reached for his hand.
“It’s fine. Everyone went all over the place when we came to high school so it was stupid of me to think…” he gave a little laugh and ran his hand over his head backwards.
He’d been so excited to come over here, that Marui hadn’t forgotten him or something.
“Bye then, Aman -Marui.”
Marui reached for him, to kiss him and Jackal pulled away from him and walked away.
****
****
When they’d learned of Marui’s transfer, even Yagyuu appeared to ask if he was alright. Jackal had barely seen Yagyuu since the start of high school and even now, in t heir second year, he’d always assumed Yagyuu was off doing whatever it was super secret honors students did…
Try and take over the world through student council.
He wound up dropping tennis and focusing on his studies, Yanagi inviting him over more and more to study.
“No, Yukimura hit him upside the head with the book and Sanada just sat there.”
“Couple’s spat.”
“Yes. But since they’re lab partners they had to keep sitting next to each other. Next year… next year I hope I get a different class.”
Jackal laughed and turned a page in his book. “All we have to do is the questions right?”
“Yes.” Yanagi looked at him. “…are you really alright?”
“With what? The tea is fine. You said you guys don’t keep soda at home.”
“No… ah… Marui.” Yanagi said.
“That was like a month ago.”
“I don’t have the best sense of timing.” Yanagi put his pen down.
“Yes. I’m fine.”
“But… you loved him?”
“I love him. He is with Jirou now. I have seen him eat an entire bag of candies only to say at the end, he doesn’t like the flavor. He is fickle. It is his nature… though I was thinking I was his favorite flavor. Apparently it is not so.”
“Ah.” they stared at each other and Jackal shrugged.
“He has the right to love anyone he chooses.”
“You’re…accepting.”
“I knew it would happen when I met this Jirou. Marui has always loved attention. He has a cheerleader now. No one will forget he is a genius.”
“As long as you’re alright.”
“I am fine.”
They got back to work, Jackal looking up briefly to notice a relieved expression on Yanagi’s face.
“Were you worried?”
“Yes.”
“…I appreciate it.”
Yanagi nodded.
“SORRISO!” Jackal said, smiling. “Come on and smile then. I’ll do odd, you do all of them!”
Yanagi laughed. “I’ll do even!”
“I suppose that’s fair…”
**
**
“I thought you dropped tennis?”
Yanagi shrugged. “I help out. I like exercise.”
Jackal looked at the bag in the corner of Yanagi’s room. “You have the same racket?”
“I like the same model, yes.”
“We should play.”
“I would lose to you, Mr. Four Lungs…”
“Maybe not so much these days. I was running to catch the bus and when I got on I felt like I’d die.”
Yanagi laughed. They were both leaning against the bed, the table in front of them. Jackal had come over in the afternoon to study on a Sunday, their books open, but nothing going on.
The tv was on, but they were only commenting, Jackal’s back pack of smuggled snacks open nearby.
Jackal was glad. If you’d asked him a year ago if he’d be laughing and hanging out with Yanagi, he would have said no way.
He didn’t think Yanagi was like this, normal, easy going, humorous. The image in his mind he’d carried from middle school had persisted, though he was glad to know something different.
Their “study” session went on into the night, some homework eventually getting done, just in time for morning classes.
Jackal packed up his things and left, heading out of the door. Yanagi walked him to the gate.
“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Yanagi said, nodding.
Jackal nodded back, leaning to kiss him. “See you later.”
He left then, Yanagi just standing there. He didn’t know what to do or say so he just went back inside.
**
**
At school the next day, everything was normal between them. Yanagi didn’t ask him anything until after school, when they were leaving together.
“About… yesterday…” Yanagi began.
“Hm?”
“You kissed me.”
Jackal looked at him. “Oh? I did.”
“But …do you -.”
“Aren’t we going out already? Isn’t study groups how you do it?”
“What?”
Jackal laughed. “Everyone you like, you tutor. Like Kirihara.”
“But Kirihara and I… that was just…”
“It’s just an example. Is it not okay?”
Yanagi didn’t know how to respond. He just nodded.
“So it’s not okay?”
“It is! …okay.”
Jackal smiled. “Then, are we going to study at your house?”
“Yes…” they waited for the bus together and then something occurred to Yanagi, his face going red.
“M-my study or… your study?”
Jackal winked at him. “I guess we’ll see.”
~OWARI~