Episode 11.5 Part 2. Anxieties and Embarrassments

Ken wore a cap he had bought at the clothing store and sunglasses, while Tomo pulled his cap down as much as possible without it being too unnatural. Yuu looked as uncomfortable as Tomo was afraid. Furukawa looked excited, though. She said she’d bring all her friends, and Tomo deeply regretted bringing her. He looked at the sign above the door. Written on it in cursive with the Latin alphabet was the name of the café, Yoshimi. To the right of it was a stylised image of the cup they used.

He tried to swallow the lump in his throat, and he counted to keep his breathing stable. He felt his stomach turn and like he’d choke any moment. Though he might throw up before he even took a step inside. He had put his hands in his pockets and gripped the fabric in them in his fists with all his might.

Yuu put a hand on Tomo’s shoulder. “You’ll be fine. As excited as she is, she understands that you want to keep your private info hidden.”

“I still feel sick so don’t blame me later,” Tomo laughed nervously.

“I’ll use Airi as a shield then.”

He let out a laugh. “I already feel sorry for Furukawa-san.”

“What about me?”

“You’re the one Momocchi will throw up on if it comes to it.”

“You got to be joking.”

Ken gave her a smile that said more than enough. He walked up to the door and opened it. Yuu stepped inside and Furukawa followed. Tomo took a few uncertain steps, then got urged inside by Ken, who followed him.

“Welcome! I’m Fuu and I will be your waitress today,” Fujiki said. ”You had reserved a table, isn’t that right? Yuusuke-kun, you must truly have loved our café to do so after one visit.”

“Yeah, eh, it’s pretty amazing.”

Fujiki led them to the private area and opened the small door to the room-like booth. “Please sit down and look over the menu. I will be back in a few minutes. I need to take care of the customers at the counter.”

“No rush, Fuu-chan,” Ken said as he sat down. “Kyou needs some time anyway. Or you’ll have a customer either throwing up on your floors or pushing through people to get to the toilet in time.”

Fujiki looked somewhat confused, but it lasted only for a moment when he locked eyes with Tomo.

“I’ll make that half an hour then.”

The door closed and Furukawa looked at them. “I thought you were joking!”

“While Tomo had a panic attack at school, he’s the type to throw up when overwhelmed by anxiety,” Ken said matter-of-factly as he picked up the menu.

“Now I don’t want to order anything,” she said.

“Then let’s leave and find a different place,” Yuu said.

They heard a knock on the door and Tomo covered his mouth, feeling even more anxious. That wasn’t Fujiki. It might be Kouta. Hopefully, it was Kouta. He prayed it was Kouta.

The door opened and Tachibana (which was fine too) stepped inside with a pitcher of water and a single glass on a tray, then closed the door. “Fuu-chan asked me to bring Mo...” He cleared his throat. “Kyou-san some water and this piece of paper. Fuu-chan asked that you’ll read it to him when he returns to take your order.” Tachibana put the glass down on the table and then poured a fourth of the glass. “If you don’t mind, I’ll stay to refill your glass upon necessity, Kyou-san.” He then gave a piece of paper to Tomo and moved a chair to a corner and sat down.

“Thank you, Hana-kun,” Ken said as Tomo stared at the paper.

“Uhm... What language is this even?”

“Fuu-chan said nothing about it. He just asks that you read it when he returns.”

Tachibana’s role was very low-key compared to Ken’s or Fujiki’s. He would handle customers uncomfortable with the more showy ones, like Ken. Tomo’s role was essentially the same, but Ken pulled him into his acts a lot which made him stand out more. He was also just Momo-san — the only androgynous server. Now he was the only openly nonbinary server.

He still had his doubts, though.

It didn’t take long for him to understand Fujiki tried to make him focus on something other than the situation. As the supervisor of all part-timers, he was the one who dealt with anxiety, fears, confusions and other feelings newcomers had, whether or not they were on the floor. Naturally, Fujiki knew of Tomo’s nervous nature, although it had never been this bad.

He took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly as he looked at the paper, trying to decipher it.

“Kyou, can I see that?” Ken asked, interrupting his thoughts. He must have stared for some time.

Tomo handed the paper to Ken. He looked at it thinking for a while. Then he smiled. “It’s not that hard. Don’t overthink it.”

“Thanks, I guess?”

It was all nonsense characters. There must be some kind of key somewhere. They all almost look like something... Oh!

“I see you figure it out,” Ken said.

“Hana-kun, pen, please.”

“As you wish, Kyou-san.” Tachibana stood up, gave Tomo the pen he carried on him.

Tomo started writing out the characters they somewhat looked like. It was still a combination of writing systems, and Yuu looked confused.

“That still doesn’t make sense.”

“Not to you,” Ken said.

Fujiki eventually returned to the booth and Tachibana left silently.

“So what does it say?”

Tomo chuckled. “Tanaka-chan would be very upset if I actually tell you that.”

“Very correct. Are you ready to order?”

“Black coffee. I’ll have half of Kyou’s order for the rest.”

“If so, ask Tanaka to add the old main item to it as well.”

“Understood. The usual for Kyou-san and a black coffee for...”

“Taketo.”

“Taketo-kun. How about Yuusuke-kun and...”

Tomo noticed the smile twitch when Fujiki looked at Furukawa. She was staring at the man intensely, not reacting to the server turning to her.

“Her name’s Airi.”

“Airi-chan?”

Yuu looked to Tomo and Ken who checked the menu.

“Yuu will have the special for today. Will you go with any suitable drink or do you want a specific one?” Tomo said.

“As long as it’s coffee...”

“A special with Tanaka-chan’s choice of coffee, then.”

“Fuu-chan...” Furukawa said, her eyes glittering in excitement. “Aren’t you… Makkun’s boyfriend?”

“A-ah,” he sighed. “I really thought you hadn’t recognised me. Now I feel sorry for Yuusuke-kun.”

“Eh? Why?”

“Niisan has a boyfriend...?” Yuu asked confused and in disbelief.

“That’s what I meant.”

Airi turned pale. “Oh no!! I forgot!”

***

Fujiki sat on a chair. He had brought Makoto, who had sat elsewhere in the café, not knowing his brother had come. The waitress had gone out of character since the talk was going to be private and had taken off his heels and had a foot under the other leg’s thigh. He rested his cheek against his palm as he ate a salad. It seemed he hadn’t had a lunch break yet, so he welcomed the opportunity.

Makoto looked somewhat embarrassed as he sipped his tea.

Tomo pretended to focus on the parfait that had been part of his Momo-san set in the past, while Ken took too much time trying to measure by eye how to get exactly half of the pastry.

Furukawa was apologetic, while Yuu just stared at his brother.

“Let’s figure out where we stand,” Fujiki said. “Ai-chan, Yuu-kun, what’s their relationship?”

Furukawa and Yuu turned to Tomo and Ken.

“They’re a couple, right?” Yuu said with a sigh. “Secretly dating but not denying it when Airi asks about it.”

“Dunno,” Ken muttered and Tomo glanced at him, seeing that he had turned towards Tomo while covering his mouth. Tomo smiled a little as he uncovered Ken’s mouth.

“What you’re saying and doing are the complete opposites right now.”

Ken flushed and turned away from Tomo, covering his mouth again.

Makoto snickered. “Now, that’s a sight I never imagined I’d see.”

“Ke-n-ta,” Tomo said, tasting the sweetness of revenge. “You need to match your behaviour and words properly. Try again, Ken.”

Ken turned back to Tomo, looking annoyed, and put his arm around his waist. Tomo’s eyes widened when Ken pulled him closer, the hand Tomo had taken in his slipping Ken’s fingers between Tomo’s. Ken smiled, mixing the annoyance with amusement. The redness in his cheeks was fading, as he felt more comfortable, but Tomo’s turned hot as Ken closed the distance between their faces.

“How I wish you’d make up your mind, Tomoki-san. Do you want me to show them the truth, or hide it behind pretty words? The options I have are as many as the days I’ve spent with you, as many as the ones I’ll spend with you, as many as time itself, but my heart only wishes for what will make you the happiest. Truths, lies, kisses, and embraces — I’ll do them all at this very spot. You just say the word, and I’ll fulfil all of your wishes.”

It was all whispered, with Ken’s lips almost touching his.

He opened his mouth to reply, but his pounding heart filled his ears with the noise of blood rushing through his veins. He closed his mouth, squeezed Ken’s hand, and then closed his eyes.

“I think that confirms it,” Tomo heard Fujiki say and felt a kiss on his cheek before Ken whispered into his ear.

“Truth or lie, my love?”

“Ken…” Tomo whispered. “You’re so unfair.”

His boyfriend let go of his waist, and he opened his eyes again. Ken was resting his cheek against his palm, leaning against the table, with a satisfied expression on his face.

“You’re not wrong…” Tomo muttered.

Ken looked up at the others. “Don’t go telling people though. We don’t want shit to spread around school, y’know?” He got nods from Yuu and Furukawa. “But Fuu-chan, you know we do stuff like that all the time. It proves nothing.”

Fujiki raised an eyebrow. “You can’t be that melodramatic outside of work.”

Ken grinned. “Who do you take me for? I’m an actor. Naturally, I can do it anywhere if I want to. With anyone.”

“I guess I overestimated you as a human being,” Fujiki said with a grin.

“Oh, so you’re saying I’m otherworldly then? I appreciate your compliment.”

Fujiki groaned, and Makoto chuckled. Then, Makoto looked troubled.

“We’re a couple which you already know now.”

“And you two are…”

“Justchildhoodfriends.”

Yuu said it quickly, as if he wanted it over with. It was almost painful for Tomo to watch how it seemed to hurt him to say it, but he refused to admit he liked her.

“Mmhmm. We’re childhood friends,” Furukawa said with a smile, unaware of the emotions Yuu must have been going through.

“Thought so,” Fujiki said to Tomo’s surprise.

No matter how he looked at it, Tomo would have thought they were a couple if he had just met them without knowing they were close friends.

“Now we got the smallest hurdle out of the way, don’t we? Now you can just come out to the rest of your family.”

“Yuusuke is the biggest hurdle!”

“He knows those two,” Fujiki nodded to Tomo and Ken, “and I hear they’ve been that close for years.”

“Who said that?” Ken asked with suspicion. Tomo was blushing.

“Ask your friend. He more than once hinted at a close relationship. Probably not consciously. Besides, Tachibana’s seen you multiple times. He let me know since he wasn’t sure if you were taking the act further or were just being you. I said nothing at the time since it’s nothing he needs to know. I doubt anyone would be able to somewhat convincingly pull that melodramatic performance off if you weren’t close. Anyway, since Yuu-kun knows about those, he’ll be fine with us, Makochuu.”

“I’m afraid he looks up to me, Arata. Wouldn’t it be difficult to find out so suddenly?”

“All the more reason to have told him earlier. Or...” Fujiki put down his fork and stood up. He put his arms around Makoto’s neck while slipping his leg over Makoto’s so he sat in his lap. “We could show him it’s amazing being two guys together so he can have no problem with it.”

“Arata! That is inappropriate in every possible way! I know you’re joking, but it’s difficult to understand for other people.”

Furukawa did look rather excited at the thought, while Yuu just stared at the scene, likely either trying to take in what was being said or ignoring it completely. Ken had frozen into place and Tomo could only feel he was... mostly horribly embarrassed that his boss seemed to be a pervert and he wanted to sink into the ground.

“Let me mess with the kids, Makochuu,” Fujiki pouted. He then nonchalantly got off and sat down to continue eating.

“Please don’t include me with the children you mess with, Arata. I know you do some outrageous poses for photos when cosplaying and that is fine, but I don’t want to be part of your public displays.”

“Fine, I’ll only do that with random guys in public.”

“Arata!” Makoto whispered loud enough for them all to hear. He probably tried not to raise his voice.

Fujiki grinned like he had some mischief in mind, and Makoto ended up returning it with a helpless smile.

Yuu inhaled. Then let out a heavy sigh. “I think I’ve got it now. I can’t say I’m not surprised. I didn’t expect you’d be gay. It explains a few things.”

He nodded at Ken, who looked stiff. Tomo had a feeling Ken had thought of something that made him uncomfortable and wasn’t sure what to do.

“We got that one who got himself a boyfriend, but he’s only into girls, so I can’t say I'm shocked by much anymore. Except perhaps what kind of person your boyfriend is, niisan.”

Fujiki studied Tomo and Ken, then he looked at Yuu. “Well, I suppose there might be one or two things left. But see, Makochuu. It’s completely fine.”

“You know the fact you’re a guy isn’t the biggest issue here, Arata. Please don’t dodge it.”

“If it’s the women’s clothing, I guess I’m used to something similar.”

Tomo wondered if Yuu meant Tomo himself when he said that. It seemed like that was the closest Yuu would have gotten to being around a crossdresser to get used to it. Not that Tomo crossdressed. He did have women’s clothing but only because sometimes men’s clothing just didn’t have a size that worked for him and since he was growing he didn’t want to spend a fortune on clothes.

“Uhm...” Furukawa started. ”Can I ask one question?”

“That was one, but go ahead,” Fujiki said between bites.

“Why is Makoto politer to A- Fuu-chan?”

“Because I’m older, of course,” the man replied with a look saying it should be obvious. But even when not wearing makeup to look more feminine, as he did when crossdressing, Fujiki looked about Makoto’s age. A couple, three years older, perhaps. So it would be easy to assume they were approximately the same age. “But I’ve told Makoto to not be so polite in public.”

“Oh, are you perhaps in a year above Makkun in university? A fourth year?” Furukawa suggested. “I assumed you were younger when we met before.”

“I suppose it’s because I’m shorter than Makoto,” Fujiki laughed. “I haven’t gone to university for a while now. I already have my degree. From a completely different university. Makoto and I met here.” He turned to Makoto with an amused smile on his lips. “What was it you said, Makochuu? Love at first sight, which had you confused about your sexuality until I talked to you and you found out I was a crossdresser?”

“Arata, that’s a terribly embarrassing story. Also, I would say you’re already cutting out the important parts!”

“I know it is, Makochuu. I love to talk about it because you’re so adorable when I do.”

“Fuu-chan has worked here for seven years,” Ken explained. “I’ve met him before working here too, apparently, but I can’t remember that anymore.”

“You were so cute when you were younger, Kenta. Just adorable. You were chasing Fuji-chan around just as much as you do now. Though now you also chase girls, which is just like Fuji-chan instead.”

“Wait... How old are you, Fuu-chan?” Furukawa asked.

“Oh my, isn’t that a rude question?” the man said in a slightly higher pitch, looking shocked. “But between us girls, I’ll be thirty in October. To anyone else, I’m still eighteen,” he said with a wink.

Makoto looked embarrassed. “It’s kind of hard to tell your family you’re gay and your boyfriend is ten years older.”

“It was easy to tell my family my boyfriend was ten years younger though. They’ve already accepted you as family.”

“That’s not really the same!”

“But...” Tomo said thoughtfully. “My mother is seven years older than Shouji. And they not only got married but had three children.”

“Kyou, comparing Sawa and Shouji to sane people is rude.”

Tomo felt relieved to see Ken was back to normal again.

“Shouji’s sane!”

“So you’re admitting your mother isn’t, Momocchi...”

“Well... I wouldn’t say she’s insane, but that her head is empty?”

Ken laughed. “Empty sounds about right. The other day she asked me to buy her some nuts while I was over. I got her popcorn instead, and she was thrilled I got her the thing she asked for.”

“That’s my mother for you.”

Makoto and Fujiki both stared at Tomo and Ken, then Makoto turned to his partner.

“... Arata, I don’t feel so bad about coming out… How about we do it when we get a chance?”

“I feel you, Makochuu. I won’t tease you about the age gap anymore either. We have it good, don’t we…?”

Ken let go of Tomo’s hand and put his arm around Tomo’s shoulder, leaning close enough to whisper.

“Perhaps we shall gather those we care for and admit the nature of our relationship, so we don’t have to suffer the same way tho two have? Or do you not agree, my beloved Tomoki-san?”

***

“Welcome home, Kyou! Oh, look at you! Dressed less like some generic boy and more Kyou-like! And outside too! That’s amazing! I’m so proud of you! Ichirou-san has done wonders Sawa couldn’t even dream of.”

It wasn’t so much Ichirou, but being accepted by his father, but he wouldn’t tell Shouji that.

“I’m home and welcome back, Shouji! I didn’t expect you here!” Tomo said as he hurried into his father’s bear hug while he hugged him in return.

The talk had brought them closer, and it felt Tomo had retrieved something he hadn’t known he’d lost. He had always crashed into his father’s arms as a child — that was how much he had loved him. He wouldn’t crash into Shouji now, but a hug didn’t hurt.

“Long time, no see, isn’t it? When was it last? Yuki-nee’s birthday?” Tomo heard Ken greet Shouji, followed by Furukawa and Yuu excusing themselves for the intrusion.

“Do the two of them know? About you two?” Shouji mumbled.

“I suppose they do.”

Shouji let go of Tomo and walked up to Ken, giving him the same bear hug. It was something he hadn’t received for years and he looked stiff, his hands halfway to returning the hug, but too hesitant to finish it.

“Well done, well done! Not chasing girls anymore, are you? That’s better for your health.”

“Huh? Eh? Wha—?”

Shouji must have whispered something because when Tomo’s father stepped away, his face was flushed and he covered his mouth.

“Who told you?”

Tomo realised he never told Ken that he had told Shouji. He would have to update him on that.

“My mother might have mentioned it,” Shouji said thoughtfully with Ken looking like he didn’t understand what was going on, still flushed. “Also, thank you, Kenta.”

Ken looked as if he couldn’t process any more information.

“I mean, someone would have turned up anyway?” Ken tried. “Or was that not it?”

Tomo smiled, feeling genuinely happy seeing his father and Ken like that. And that Shouji was happy about it. Even if he had been happy when they talked, he had been nervous about it either way. But there was no trace of any negativity from Shouji and it made it all feel better.

“Naomichi-kun. You’re confusing the young ones. And did I not ask you to help me with dinner since you said you wanted to eat with us?”

Ichirou had come to greet them, while also seeing what was going on.

“My apologies. I just got excited. I haven’t seen Taketo in a few months.” Shouji smiled sheepishly as he walked up to his ex-wife’s new husband.

“Then you better stay here frequently instead of running off to work all the time. Kenta-kun visits regularly.”

“I need to make money, though. And I don’t have anywhere to live permanently right now. You know that, Ichirou-san.”

“We have talked about this before, Naomichi-kun. You are always welcome to stay here for as long as you need to. I don’t think anyone minds if you think this as your home, still.” Ichirou turned to the guests. “Welcome home, Tomo-kun, and welcome back, Kenta-kun, Yuusuke-kun. And you too…”

“Furukawa Airi,” Yuu said. “Airi, this is Seki Ichirou, Momocchi’s step-father. He makes the best snacks.”

“Oh, you flatter me, Yuusuke-kun.

She bowed. “It’s nice to meet you, Seki-san.”

“The pleasure is mine, Airi-san.

“Everyone but Tomo is named ‘Seki’; to avoid confusion, call him by name,” Ken laughed. “The other man is Tomo’s dad, Momoi Naomichi. Shouji-nii, this is Sakuraba Yuusuke and his childhood friend Furukawa Airi. They’re both in the same class as Tomo. Which do you want them to call you, Naomichi or Shouji?”

“Friends of Kyou’s and Taketo’s can naturally call me Shouji.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Shouji-san,” Airi said.

“Just Shouji’s fine. Or do like this guy...” He ruffled Ken’s styled hair.

“Hey!”

“... and call me Shouji-nii. Maybe that’s too strange. I’m twenty-something years older than you.”

Ken saw his chance to take revenge for his ruined hairstyle and grinned. “You’re so childish that you seem more like twenty years old.”

“Hey!”

It was like the kettle calling the pot black, as Ken laughed while running away and Shouji took a few steps before he turned around and held up a hand as a greeting to them. “Nice to meet you, Yuu, Ai. Now I need to teach that kid a lesson”

Ichirou snickered as Shouji ran after Ken.

“While I do need to apologise as you two had to see that, I admit I find the childish side Naomichi-kun has quite charming,” he told Yuu and Furukawa with a smile before he turned to return to the kitchen.

“Airi, I don’t like that look on your face,” Yuu said, and Tomo turned to see Furukawa look after Ichirou with glittering eyes. “They’re not like my brother, okay? The only thing those two share is the trouble Momocchi’s mother causes them.”