Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction ❯ Learning To Land ❯ Learning to Land by Suteishichic. Chapter One Hundred Seven ~ Tachibana ( Chapter 109 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: suteishichic 
Anime/Manga: Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 08.25.2007 | Pages: 7 | Words: 9.1K | Visits: 211 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Prince Of Tennis Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Romance / Drama | Type: Yaoi | Uploaded On: 08.25.2007 | Pages: 7 | Words: 9.1K | Visits: 211 | Status: Work In Progress
Learning to Land by Suteishichic. Chapter One Hundred Seven ~ Tachibana
Warnings: Yaoi, Love, Angst, Fluff, and Lots of Sex. Some kink. You've been warned ;)
Disclaimer: Nope not mine. Still in my dreams. ;)
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He stood and closed the curtains. "I'll be back soon," he promised and closed the door to Ibu's cold,
dark room.
Tachibana's first move was to find the laundry room. There didn't seem to be one. He went back to the
kitchen to look there because most people usually had at least a washing machine and sometimes they
had one there. Tachibana didn't see one. He was annoyed with the lights being out and decided to fix
that right away. Using a tiny flashlight he had on his key chain, after a bit of hunting he located the
circuit breaker. Nearly everything including the heat, water heater, and water pump was switched off.
Ibu must take freezing cold baths and showers though he couldn't imagine how the freshman was
surviving that.
The breakers all were clearly marked in Ibu's neat handwriting. Tachibana switched on the kitchen, the
one that said Ibu's bedroom, the water heater, water pump, and refrigerator. He then switched on the
one for the heat and after a little more searching located a thermostat down the hall. He left the
thermostat off for now because for all he knew the electric might not even be turned on.
He was looking for a light switch but the first one he found was in the kitchen. He tried to test it.
Tachibana snapped on the light and felt very thankful when it worked. Now that he had power, he filled
one side of the sink with cold water. The old pipes made protesting noises as he ran water through them
and he had to let the water run several minutes until it looked clean enough. Using dish soap because it
was all he could find, Tachibana started soaking Ibu's bloody school clothes in a large pot he found
under the sink. That finished, he dumped out the stale water that was sitting in the now working
refrigerator, and washed out the pot. He turned the freezer up to a warm temperature so it wouldn't run
since he didn't think they would need it. Before he left Tachibana peeked in on Ibu and then safely
locked the freshman inside with his key. He set out to find a nearby store.
He remembered a decent small local shop just down the alley street and up around the next corner.
Along the way he called his great-grandmother to fill her in on some of the details. He told her his
school friend was sick with a cold and needed looking after. He told his great-grandmother she or
Tachibana's parents could call him on his cell phone if they had any questions, but he was going to
spend the night with his friend because his parents were busy with work. She seemed to understand and
even offered to come help him if he needed it. He thanked her and said he didn't.
That task finished Tachibana hung up the phone. He picked up a basket on his way inside the store and
quickly filled it up. He liked to cook. He already decided on making a few things thing that Yasuo
always loved when he made them for him.
Ibu loved pickles. You couldn't help but notice how much he adored them. Kamio always ordered extra
pickles for Ibu whenever the freshmen bought something to eat, and all the other freshmen always gave
him theirs too. Kamio often joked Ibu would gorge himself on pickles if he could.
With that in mind Tachibana bought pickles, seasonings, meat, rice, mushrooms, and vegetables. He
wanted to make Ibu a good lunch and a good dinner. Nothing too heavy in case he hadn't been eating
much lately, but hearty food that would help Ibu recover faster. Tachibana picked up a few boxes of tea
in both green and black. He even grabbed some better ramen from the refrigerator case in case Ibu
loved it. Tachibana tried to be prudent with his purchases. He tended to be very frugal with his money
because he knew how hard his family worked to earn it. Still, he kept thinking of Ibu's cupboards all
being bare and probably bought more than he needed to. He reassured himself that at least it wouldn't
go to waste.
Luckily, the food at the corner store was of excellent quality and pretty inexpensive. He was used to the
pricey stores from around his former school where everything was jacked up way too high for the
wealthy students. Now that he thought about it, this was the first time Tachibana had been to the
grocery store since he left school. His mom never made him go with his family. Sometimes he missed
cooking, but he always felt it wouldn't be the same making a meal without Yasuo there to enjoy it. It
was strange, he knew, but for some reason his family and sister eating what he made just was not the
same.
After he paid and was on his way back to Ibu's struggling to carry everything he bought, Tachibana had
another urge to call Yasuo. If he had a free hand he would have. He knew around what time it was and
that Yasuo would be in his second or third class. Tachibana wondered how the weather was there today
and how the morning practice had gone. It had been a while since he talked to Yasuo, and he wanted to
a lot, but what was odd, he only thought about calling when it wasn't a good time to actually call.
Tachibana with the freshmen had been so busy lately that he only thought about Yasuo when he was
alone which means right in the morning or before bed. He didn't want to wake Yasuo. Sometimes
Tachibana thought about Yasuo during class and wanted to call, but he couldn't call then. The last few
letters Yasuo sent he hadn't answered yet. Hell, he had been so busy Tachibana hadn't even read them,
but once again he told himself he should when he got home.
That decided for the hundredth time, he let himself into Ibu's house as quietly as possible. Despite his
being in great shape, Tachibana was breathing harder from carrying all the heavy groceries and the fast
pace he had taken to get back. He guessed he should work out a little harder. Watching the guys and
occasionally running with them wasn't enough. Although, whenever he bought this much in the past
Yasuo was with him and he didn't have to carry it all home alone.
He set everything down and checked on Ibu. He opened the door quietly and though he couldn't see
well, the blanket Ibu was under wasn't moving so Tachibana guessed he was still asleep. Which was
good. Ibu needed to rest and Tachibana could wake him when the food was ready.
It had been a long while since he made anything more than tea and he found he was looking forward to
it. With Tachibana's sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all living in one house the
kitchen was usually a loud place where the women in his family gathered. He picked up enough
pointers as a little boy to be interested in cooking. When he was on his own at school, he learned the
rest through a lot of trial and error. Because he felt as if he had basically grown up at a school dorm,
one pot and hot plate meals were his specialty. His great-grandmother was Chinese and she was an
amazing cook. She taught him to appreciate different spices and combinations of food than many of his
wealthy school friends were not used to. Every ingredient she used though was picked thinking of the
people she cared about. She was an amateur herbalist and loved to explain what each thing did to heal
and bring the person into balance. She was very focused on balance and it was a philosophy Tachibana
tried to adopt in his own life and diet.
His grandmother on the other hand only really enjoyed Japanese foods and her husband, Tachibana's
grandfather who died when he was little was reported to be something of a gourmet. His grandfather
had expensive tastes on a shoestring budget so his grandmother became an expert in how to make
things stretch and in substituting cheaper ingredients. She was so good at it the substitutes often ended
up tasting better than the expensive harder to find real things. It wasn't until Tachibana went away to
school that he learned what the original expensive items were--and how skilled his grandmother was
as a cook.
His mother never really had the chance to be good at cooking. She often was stuck trying to appease all
her older relatives so his mom's skill was more in the way of negotiating each meal so everyone was
happy rather than actually doing any of the cooking. Sadly, for as much time as his younger sister spent
with the other women in the kitchen, An has absolutely no interest in it. In fact, An usually jokes that
she wants to marry someone wealthy so she never has to cook.
Tachibana turned on the kitchen light again pleased it worked. Along with the groceries he picked up
strong bleach and laundry soap. He first bleached out Ibu's shirt which seemed to get out a lot more of
the blood. It might not be able to be worn again though. The shirt seemed well used and he wondered if
the freshmen also handed down clothes to each other. It would make sense if they did. He hoped Ibu
had more than one shirt since he was apparently so strapped for cash when an idea hit Tachibana.
A good idea. Tachibana's parents were always asking if there was anything they could do to help him,
and they seem so disappointed whenever he said nothing, thank you. They would be happy to do this
and he bet himself that it wouldn't cost very much. It might even be good for their business. He knew
the company they worked for sometimes made knockoffs, but nice ones. Originals with a high quality
at half the expensive price would be sure to sell. The idea further bloomed in his mind and once he
started thinking of how to do it, more and more ideas fell into place. It was a crazy idea, but it made
many other crazy ideas come to him.
He always thought well when he cooked. He started chopping ingredients and was amazed at how
much clearer he thought when his hands were busy. This only happened when he was playing tennis or
cooking. He was completely free to let go and think.
The whole scheme when he thought it out really wasn't such a crazy one. With what these freshmen had
in raw talent and burning desire combined with his skill and the connections Tachibana had it wouldn't
be that expensive or outrageous. He might even be able to get some used older equipment that
otherwise would just be thrown away if he asked some of his old teachers and coaches who still wanted
him back. They would gladly give him these things to get in Tachibana's good graces--never knowing
that they were in reality only doing a good deed.
It might work.
It seriously might work.
And no, it would not be easy. In fact, he was looking down the barrel at a ton of work and dedication
but they could do it. Together. It would be everything the freshmen wanted, and then some because
Tachibana suddenly realized deep down in his heart this could be his retribution. This was his chance to
really start over and make amends. His helping these freshmen was perhaps the best karmic way to
clear his own debt for all the horrible things he had done. It would be building something very positive
from something very negative, and helping people who truly needed and deserved to be helped in the
process.
It might work. He just had to think of a way to convince the freshmen to stop trying to become part of
Fudomine's current team--and create one of their own. From scratch.
It was outrageous. It was unheard of.
There was no reason in the world why a school, and such a poor one at that, would allow two of the
same clubs. They would argue that they didn't have the resources, so Tachibana had to make sure he
and the freshmen had their own. The school would argue that there was already a club, so there had to
be a reason they couldn't join the existing team. A good, clear reason. One that even the administrators
could see. Tachibana didn't have an answer to that yet, but felt certain that this was destiny and his
purpose in coming home. There was a reason for everything if you just looked hard enough and if you
worked hard enough, things would come together. He was sure of it. He believed that some things were
meant to be, especially if you wanted them and worked for them. Tachibana was certain when the time
was right, everything would fall into place.
He felt elated. He felt relieved. He felt as if he could do the impossible.
He just finished making the soup and turned it down on a lower flame to keep warm when Ibu appeared
looking half-awake. He stood at the doorway. He looked alarmed and immediately moved to turn off
the light. Tachibana was closer and beat him there, "You're worried about the cost? I'll help you pay for
it. You need electricity for living and studying. It is not a luxury, but a necessity. Ibu, you can't live like
this. You've done very well on your own, and I admire you for sticking it out this long, but it's time you
realize that you do need help. Let me help you. Please?"
Tachibana placed his hand on Ibu's shoulder. The slender boy was always wearing baggy clothes so up
until now he hadn't realized how skin and bones skinny Ibu was. Recalling how he looked when they
first met, Tachibana knew without a doubt Ibu wasn't eating enough. He was losing weight and not the
good kind. He was losing muscle.
Ibu said nothing. His head was down and he seemed to be embarrassed. The pajamas he wore were too
large for him. They were probably once one of the other freshmen's or his father's. They were also
probably once a brighter blue. Now they were gray and drab and like a costume just didn't fit the
strong, beautiful person wearing them at all. As Tachibana watched two dark spots appeared on the
front of Ibu's shirt. As if something was dripping or leaking. Tachibana almost looked up to see if the
roof was leaking on this little old home, but then he realized what it was. Ibu was crying. Silently.
Before he could say anything or react, Ibu gripped him fiercely in a hug and buried his face in the
center of Tachibana's chest.
Tachibana was always uncomfortable when anyone cried. He just really never knew quite what to do.
When his sister cried when she was little it was usually a loud temper-tantrum type of affair that was
mortifying. When Fuji cried Tachibana felt totally shocked and stunned because he had never been that
open with anyone before. Lucky for him, Yasuo had known what to do the very few times Tachibana
ever cried.
Not sure what else to do, Tachibana mimicked what Yasuo did for him. He rubbed the freshman's back
and held him strong and close. He didn't say anything but let Ibu keep silently crying. His entire body
shook with what must have been racking sobs, but he made no sound. When the freshman seemed to be
finished, softly Tachibana said, "Everything is going to be all right. I'm going to help you. You've just
had a bad day. Are you hungry?"
Against his chest Ibu nodded slightly.
"Good," Tachibana said. "I'm starving. Have a seat. I hope you like hot and sour..." Ibu was looking at
him alarmed. He let go and gestured that Tachibana should sit. "No, sorry. You're injured. You don't get
to play host. Listen to your senpai. Sit down. I set the table already and was just coming to get you to
eat."
Ibu hesitated a moment, deeply bowed, and then did as he was told. As he sat, under the dim yellow
kitchen light, Tachibana noticed that a bruise was forming on Ibu's right cheek, and another by his left
eye. The freshman looked up at him, and he saw on Ibu's thin, delicate throat, bruises were starting to
form there too. Bruises that looked a horribly lot like finger marks. Tachibana tried to not stare at them.
He wanted Ibu to eat. If he made a big deal about the injuries, Ibu might cry again and it was
impossible to cry and eat at the same time.
As he served up the soup he had made, Tachibana resisted the stupid urge he suddenly had to kiss each
ugly bruise on the freshman. He couldn't kiss it better and the last thing poor Ibu needed was his senpai
suddenly acting gay and doing gay things to him when he was so down. The best thing to do, the junior
reasoned to himself, was to make Ibu comfortable and pretend like things were fine. Ibu needed some
normalcy in his life.
Tachibana sat and gestured for Ibu to take the first bite.
The freshman hesitated and took a first tentative taste. He looked at Tachibana amazed, and then
inquisitively.
"I'm glad you like it. I learned to cook while I was away at my old school. My roommate always
enjoyed this dish and I know you like pickles so I hoped you would like it too." Ibu ate while
Tachibana talked so he went on filling in the empty cold house with the sound of his voice, "I miss
cooking actually. I rather enjoy it. With my mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother always taking
over the kitchen, I don't get a chance to cook anymore." The tea kettle whistled and Tachibana jumped
up to reach it before Ibu had a chance to move. He poured them both a cup and sat back down. "Here. I
hope you like oolong. I was in the mood for it. It goes well with this soup, although my family never
serves it at home with a meal, but I got used to it because Yasuo, my roommate at school, he always
enjoys a beverage with his meals. He didn't like oolong at first, but the last time we spoke, he said he
missed it and bought some."
Ibu looked at him inquisitively and then went back to eating.
"Oh. My family rarely serves water, tea, or other beverages with a meal. My great-grandmother is
Chinese,. She and my great-grandfather had an arranged marriage. When they met and married she
didn't speak any Japanese and he only knew a very little Chinese. Somehow, it worked though, and she
says he was the love of her life. Even though he brought her here and although he was Japanese, she
ended up keeping the Chinese style of cooking and meals. My grandmother, her daughter doesn't like it.
She tends to only enjoy Japanese foods. She was made fun of as a child for being half-Chinese and
tends to be overly Japanese most of the time. Although this one thing my family does is very Chinese.
Each meal there is usually a soup served instead of a beverage as a common dish and everyone drinks
from it. I suppose I adapted to both and don't mind either. It's nice to keep traditions."
Ibu nodded looking pensive.
Tachibana noticed the freshman's bowl was empty. "I'm glad you like it. May I get you more?" Ibu
seemed to hesitate, so Tachibana stood to fill it before he resisted. The freshman needed to eat
something nutritious. "I made plenty of extra and it will keep for several days. I also restocked your
pantry. Even though you might enjoy it, you really shouldn't live on ramen..."
Ibu shuddered as if even the name made him disgusted.
"You don't like ramen?" The blue-black head shook strongly back and forth saying no, but stayed down
and eating as if he was embarrassed. Tachibana had a thought, "You've been eating it because it was
cheap?" A bob of his head indicated yes. "Why? Why haven't your friends helped you? Are they not
able to? Financially, I mean?"
Ibu shook his head no, and then raised his hands, palms up as he did when he had too long an answer to
give with a yes or a no. This was not good enough for the junior so he got up, went to his schoolbag
and took out a notebook. He returned to the kitchen with it and a pen for Ibu to write his answer down.
Tachibana was thinking to himself it had better be a damn good reason why the other freshman didn't
help their friend when he saw what Ibu wrote.
It was one word.
PLEASE
Tachibana was lost. "Please what? Please help you? Or please have your friends help you? Please...?"
He just noticed that Ibu's head was down. The freshman was staring at the floor. "Ibu, please look at me
when I'm talking to you. It's hard enough without you saying anything. That's the least you can do to
make it easier for me. Ibu help me to understand. I'm just trying to help you here, and..."
Ibu looked at him. His face was crimson red in a blush. He looked away.
Tachibana suddenly understood. He also remembered something Kamio said. That the freshmen
usually spent the weekends at Ibu's house with him. "They don't know, do they? They come over here
every weekend and things seem normal then, but during the week you've been living like this."
Respectfully Ibu put his head down, and his hands in a supplicating manner. He was asking, begging,
please. Please don't tell them. But why? "Why? Are you embarrassed? Because they're your friends.
They would want to know."
Ibu picked up the pen and started writing.
Please! Please do not tell them! They can't know. I do not want to burden
Tachibana covered Ibu's hand with his own which stopped his scrawling. He loved how Ibu wrote in
such a precise and yet flowing manner even when agitated. The freshman always weighed each word
and knew where he was going with everything before he started writing. It was much the same way as
when Ibu played tennis. Tachibana wondered what his voice sounded like for the hundredth time and
said, "It would be more of a burden for them to discover that you're in trouble and that they didn't
know. Ibu, you've done well on your own, but not good enough. This is unacceptable. Living like this is
stupid and dangerous. I won't let you put your health at risk anymore. As your senpai, I have a
responsibility towards you, and as your friend, I can't look the other way and pretend that I didn't see
this."
For the next several minutes Ibu tried to bargain with Tachibana. He wrote asking for more time, and
alluded that his father might come home soon. He asked if he could be the one to tell his friends. Ibu
was crafty and tried everything he could think of, but Tachibana wouldn't budge, not even when Ibu
seemed to get angry. He accused Tachibana of not being his friend, and seemed close to tears.
Tachibana put his hand back over Ibu's to stop the writing, "I am your friend and you know that I am by
now. I think you're tired and have had a difficult day or you wouldn't be questioning me. Things need to
change around here, and I don't just mean with you, but with all you guys. Will you hear my idea out
and tell me if it seems sound to you?" At first he thought Ibu would resist, but then it seemed his
curiosity got the better of him. He looked at Tachibana questioningly. Tachibana smiled, "Because you
alone can point out any flaws before I suggest it to everyone else. I wouldn't want to get the other's
hopes up if my plan needs major revising, and I feel that you're the best person to run it past first."
Ibu pointed with his other hand towards his chest. He seemed to be asking "me?" and was looking
rather astonished that Tachibana wanted to ask him.
Tachibana smiled. They were sitting quite close and he still had his hand over Ibu's. "Yeah." He
suddenly felt shy and his heart started racing. "I think you're pretty smart...when you use your brain to
think instead of being stupid."
Ibu made a little exhaled breath noise. It was his almost silent version of a sudden laugh. The freshman
put his head down, and then surprised Tachibana by moving the top of his head so it was touching
Tachibana's collarbone above his heart.
Tachibana had seen this gesture between the freshmen before. If one of them lost or was scolded or
they fought, eventually one of them approached the other and did this. Tachibana had seen Kamio do
this to Ibu a hundred times. He had seen Mori to Uchimura do this even more than that after an
argument or debate. Tachibana didn't know what this gesture meant, but none of them had ever done it
to him before. It felt natural to move the fingers of his free hand up through Ibu's soft, silky blue-black
hair. Tachibana had his fingers there before he realized what he was doing. Ibu's hair smelled of citrus.
Lemons and oranges and spice.
It was only then that Tachibana realized what he was doing. He was running his fingers through Ibu's
hair, and he was cradling Ibu's head. He was smelling Ibu's hair! As if Ibu was a girl!
He froze and waited for Ibu to react and pull away in disgust. He waited for Ibu to respond at all.
Tachibana figured he just had stunned Ibu so bad that the freshman was locked in place and afraid to
move. Ibu was just too polite, right?
On the table, Ibu's hand under his that had been holding the pen dropped it. Tachibana thought the pen
dropping was the only show of shock Ibu would probably give him. He wasn't able to talk so maybe
that was all he could do. And then he felt it.
Ibu's hand started softly feeling his in an exploring way. Ibu felt his callouses and his fingers before
tentatively and slowly closing his hand around Tachibana's.
To Tachibana's shock, Ibu was now holding his hand!
Tachibana's mind was racing almost as fast as his heart was pounding. He was trying to think of
something, anything, clever to say because he had a feeling that Ibu might kiss him. That wasn't the
biggest problem though. The biggest problem was if Ibu kissed him, even if he tried to resist, Tachibana
knew without a doubt he would kiss Ibu back. He had to stop. Just thinking about it and being this close
to the freshman had him hard. He had to stop and think. He had to stop and think of all the problems
and complications a kiss like this at a time like this would bring to his life. Irrationally, he wished
Yasuo was here because at least Yasuo would be able to tell Tachibana what the heck to do at a time
like this. Yasuo would know. He always did.
But what would Yasuo say now? Tachibana didn't know. He couldn't think of Yasuo right now. He felt
like he shouldn't. For a second he wished Ibu was Yasuo and decided that was a bad idea because if this
was Yasuo they would be kissing by now.
More than kissing. It would start off hot, sweet, and after all this time it would get so passionate they
might not even make it to that mattress on the floor. Damn it. It had been a long time since he had
touched anyone. Since he had touched Yasuo.
Hell, for all he knew maybe Ibu wasn't gay. Maybe he and the other freshman were just friendly and
just friends and Tachibana just didn't know how to handle being friends with anyone. Maybe Ibu was
freaked out that Tachibana was gay. If he was gay. He still wasn't completely sure. It could also be that
Tachibana was just a terrible friend. Hell, he'd only had one real friend before and he and Yasuo ended
up being way beyond just friends. Hell, he still didn't even know what he and Yasuo are or were, but he
knew regular friends like these freshmen did not do what he and Yasuo did.
Tachibana thought maybe he could find some way to distract Ibu, but he couldn't distract himself of the
soft feel of the freshman's warm breath on his skin through his uniform shirt. Tachibana couldn't
breathe in Ibu's scent anymore. He couldn't think straight. Tachibana was just about to suggest that he
tell Ibu about his plan, when Ibu's cell phone rang. The sound made them both jump away from each
other like they were doing something very wrong and Tachibana was sure it startled years off of his
life. In a smooth movement, Ibu reached for his cell phone and handed it to Tachibana.
Before he could stammer a greeting, Tachibana heard loudly, "Hey! What are you guys doin? Where's
Shinji? What's goin on? Is something goin on? Is Shinji all right? What happened?" It was Kamio and
he sounded...upset.
"I..." Tachibana stammered and then looked at Ibu who was rolling his eyes and smiling. "Shinji said
he's fine. We were just finishing lunch. You're not supposed to be using your phone in school."
Tachibana glanced at the clock, "You're supposed to be in class..."
Kamio sounded mad but his anger seemed to be fading, "Yeah well...all of a sudden I had a bad feelin
and just wanted to make sure nothin bad happened. I'm in the washroom in one of the stalls so no one
can see me. Shinji's really okay?"
"He is, but there are things we all need to talk about later." Tachibana glanced over at Ibu who suddenly
seemed to find something interesting on the floor. Ibu went to stand and take their dishes to the sink.
"Ibu, don't get up. I'll do that. You're injured. You need to rest."
"Tachibana-san, please? Can I talk to Shinji? I'll tell him to listen to you." Kamio sounded desperate to
talk to him. The words themselves were calm, but the frantic way Kamio was saying them had
Tachibana on high alert. In fact, for the first time he wondered if somehow Kamio wasn't envious of
him spending time with Ibu. Or maybe something else. Kamio seemed jealous, almost like Ibu was
his...boyfriend?
Tachibana quickly dismissed the thought. No way was any of that going on. Ibu wouldn't say anything
so it wasn't like Kamio was missing the sound of Ibu's voice. He must have had something to tell
Ibu...badly. Tachibana shrugged and said into the phone, "Of course you can speak to him. Please tell
him that he needs to rest. I'll stay with him today and will not be attending practice. As Ibu was too
injured to go to school, he shouldn't go to practice, and actually, Kamio, have someone walk you home
after school too. I want you to rest also just for today. Can you ask Ishida to run practice without us
there?"
Sounding hopeful, Kamio suggested, "Yeah, okay. And then I can stop by after school to bring Ibu his
homework...?"
"No. I'd rather you go straight home and rest. I know the hospital said you're fine, but at my last school
we learned to take it easy the day of any injury. Even a minor one can turn into a major problem if you
don't take care of yourself. Rest is important. Go home Kamio, " Tachibana said, "but be sure someone
is with you. I don't want you walking around alone after what happened today. Have someone else drop
off Ibu's homework, and my own if you get a chance to collect it. All right?"
"But...but...Shinji shouldn't be alone after what happened. I should stay over with him tonight." Kamio
sounded very put out. Like a little boy not getting his way when he was accustomed to everyone giving
into his whims.
Although the freshman did have a point. "I'll stay with..." Tachibana almost said Shinji by mistake, but
caught himself just in time, "Ibu tonight, okay? Don't worry. He's fine. And he'll see you tomorrow.
Here, I'll let you talk to him. Hurry though and return to class. I don't want you to be alone and I don't
want you to get in trouble."
"Okay." Kamio sounded meek and defeated. And then he sounded as if he was begging, "Tachibana-
san? Please be sure to take really good care of Shinji for me? And let me or someone else know if he
needs anything? Please? And thank you very much for all your help."
"It's no problem. He's my friend too. Here's Shinji." Tachibana handed the phone over and Shinji took
it. He stood and silently walked down the hall with it.
Tachibana washed the dishes while he strained to hear if Ibu made any sounds at all to Kamio, but he
heard nothing. Around three minutes later, Shinji returned and deeply bowed a thank you. He set his
phone in a charger on one of the counters and then sat to finish his tea.
"Would you like more tea or soup?" Tachibana got a head shake no. "I'm sorry, I think Kamio would
have gone to practice and then ran over here if I didn't stop him. After what you both went through this
morning he needs to rest. Do you agree?"
Ibu shrugged and seemed to think it over, and then he nodded. He looked around the room as if
thinking or something. The freshman must have noticed his air drying shirt which Tachibana had
washed and hung up to dry. Ibu pointed at it with an inquiring look.
"I'm sorry. I was able to get most of the stain out from the shirt but not all. The rest will be dry by the
morning. Do you have another shirt to wear tomorrow? I can lend you one of mine from home if you
don't."
Ibu nodded indicating he did have another one.
"Good." Tachibana suggested, "Want to go to your room? You can help me with the details of my plan."
Ibu nodded again, but instead of going down the hallway to his room they remained sitting next to each
other. Tachibana had a million questions. He wished he could ask Ibu what happened and get a reply in
words. He wanted to ask Ibu a lot of things about the freshmen and even if it wasn't verbal was sure he
would get some kind of answer. The trouble was, he just didn't know where to start. He also thought to
himself like with Fuji, sometimes asking a person about their troubles was really opening a horrible
potential "can of worms" as Yasuo used to say. Yasuo said it was an old fishing expression when
Tachibana asked him and Tachibana always silently wondered to himself if worms were ever sold in
cans.
Just then Tachibana realized while talking to Kamio he made a decision for the freshmen without
checking with them. He already did things like that several times that morning and should try to not be
so overbearing. Yasuo used to remind him constantly to ask people things instead of running over them
with what he said was the Tachibana style of a bullet train. "Ibu, do you mind if I stay over? Someone
should stay with you tonight to make sure you're all right. If you would rather it be someone else...?"
Ibu shook his head to say he didn't mind.
For some reason, Tachibana felt relieved even though he knew where he would be sleeping. On the
worn floor in not very luxurious conditions. But even at home in his own bed, he still felt like a
stranger. Tachibana really hadn't slept well since the last night he slept next to Yasuo. "Okay, I'll call my
parents later when they're home and tell them. By the way, I made something really good for dinner
which I think if you liked my soup you'll love this."
Ibu raised his eyebrows in surprise. He lifted one hand as if holding a spoon to his mouth and his other
to rub his stomach as if he wanted more of it.
"More soup?" Tachibana asked with a laugh. "You can have more later if you want, but no, I made
something else." He saw Ibu's inquisitive look. "Se-cr-et. You'll know in a little while. First, you're
going to lay down. You're supposed to be resting. We can talk while you rest. Let me tell you about my
plan and you can tell me what you think."
They went back down the hallway to Ibu's room and Tachibana didn't miss that as they left the room,
Ibu's hand snaked around to turn the kitchen light off.
Tachibana meant to tell Ibu. He had every intention of just sitting and talking with the freshman while
he lay down resting. He clicked on the light and waited for Ibu to get settled. Ibu lay down under the
Frankenstein blanket and patted the bed next to him indicating Tachibana should sit beside him. After
what almost happened, Tachibana didn't think that was such a good idea but it would look weird if he
refused, wouldn't it?
He sat on the edge of the huge mattress far from Ibu and tried to explain, "I'm in my school clothes. I
shouldn't get them wrinkled or...what?" Ibu was pointing to a corner of his room covered by an old
worn sheet. Tachibana stood not sure what Ibu was asking for. When he moved the sheet back it was a
closet neatly arranged and like everything else in the room completely organized but made of
mismatched furniture and shelving units all made into one. Where Ibu seemed to be pointing there were
pillows and blankets. "You want an extra blanket?" He got a head shake no and a smile. Ibu pointed
more insistently and now it looked like he was pointing to the left of the pillows and blankets. A pile of
pajamas. "You want new pajamas?" Tachibana turned to look back at the freshman when Ibu made that
exhaled noise of a laugh. "What? Oh. For me to put on? Now?"
Ibu applauded and Tachibana had to laugh at that even though he was thinking to himself it was early.
They just finished lunch but then again who walked around in their school uniform when they weren't
in school? It would be weird to insist on staying in his clothes and it wasn't like he would be more
comfortable later on sleeping in his workout tennis clothes. Tachibana couldn't imagine sleeping in his
jock. Truth be told though, Tachibana had to admit after the hand holding and all he felt a little
uncomfortable getting undressed in front of Ibu. He selected a t-shirt and pants from the top of the
neatly folded stack but hesitated. If he went to another room to change that would be strange. He didn't
know what to do so to buy time he decided to ask, "Is this what the other freshmen wear when they
sleep over here on the weekends?"
Ibu looked at him as if curious about the question and after a moment nodded. The freshman went to
stand up as if he thought Tachibana might need help selecting something to wear.
"No, you don't have to get up. I guess if these are okay, I'll put these on?" Ibu nodded and then turned
as if arranging the pillows on his big mattress. Maybe he was uncomfortable too or maybe he was just
being polite. Tachibana quickly undressed and dressed noticing that the clothes smelled of sunshine.
They must have been line dried although they were nice and soft. He found a hanger and hung his
uniform up in case he didn't stop by his house in the morning to get a fresh one. It wasn't as if he had
worn this one very long. Clothes changed he sat back down on Ibu's mattress keeping his feet firmly on
the floor, "Thanks Ibu. This is much more comfortable. So, what I wanted to talk to you about
is...what?"
Ibu was patting the mattress next to him. Tachibana moved slightly closer but all he got was a smile
and more patting. Fine if Ibu didn't mind him sitting next to...
When Tachibana went to sit down, Ibu put his hand up to stop him. Tachibana asked, "What?" Ibu
pointed at the light switch. "Lights off? Oh, well you are supposed to be resting." Tachibana stood and
turned it off. He sat back down and followed the patting noise until he was sitting next to Ibu. The
freshman sighed, sat up half way, and pushed Tachibana back as if ordering him to lay back. Tachibana
asked, "I have to lay down to talk to you? Fine. You're the one who is injured."
Tachibana lay back on a pillow. Ibu threw the Frankenstein blanket over him. Tachibana tried not to
sigh in annoyance. He hated being ordered around. At least when Yasuo was bossy he spoke and asked
for things he wanted. Sometimes he would ask to be kissed more after. Or be held after. Tachibana
didn't mind doing either, it's just that it felt nicer when Yasuo asked because he knew Yasuo really
wanted to do that too. He missed that. Going to sleep with Yasuo. Waking up with him. There were
things from his old life he missed like the curry place and playing tennis on a top team, but most of all
what he had to admit was the only thing he really missed was Yasuo. Tachibana decided he really
should call him later.
"So anyway what I wanted to talk to you about is...oh, hello." Like a kitten Ibu moved in one fluid
motion to curl up around him. The freshman's head was on his shoulder and his arms and limbs were
wrapped securely around Tachibana. Very different from how Yasuo slept next to him, but not bad.
"Um...are you comfortable?" Ibu nodded against him. He felt the freshman move his arm and one
finger pointed on Tachibana's chest. Oh. "Me? Sure. Fine. So what I wanted..." Ibu put one finger to
Tachibana's lips in the universal shushing gesture. "So, you want me to be quiet?" Ibu nodded against
him. Tachibana could feel the freshman was hard. It was light but still pressing up against him and not
the kind of thing one would miss. Heart starting to beat faster, Tachibana asked a loaded question, "So
what are we supposed to do now?"
Ibu shrugged. He moved his finger from resting on Tachibana's lips to his eyes and moved his hand
down like he was trying to close Tachibana's eyes. It reminded Tachibana of what they did to dead
people in the movies to close their staring eyes. Tachibana asked, "Sleep? But I'm not tired." Ibu didn't
answer at first. The freshman took Tachibana's hand that was behind his head. He moved it so
Tachibana could feel with his fingers that Ibu's mouth was smiling. Why was he smiling? Unless...?
"You don't believe me?"
Ibu shook his head no while still smiling. He kissed Tachibana's hand and rest it on his thin shoulder.
Then he put his finger back on Tachibana's lips to say be quiet. "Fine," Tachibana said with a sigh, "but
you'll be sorry if I fall asleep. I snore like a chainsaw." He kissed Ibu's hand back without thinking
about it and put it to rest on his chest. Ibu's skin was warm. In fact he thought to himself the freshman
might have a slight fever and he should check it. Maybe later. Right now Ibu needed rest and he was
resting. And the truth was Tachibana slept at most an hour the night before. He was a little tired. A
catnap wouldn't hurt.
That was the last thing he thought of for several hours. Tachibana slept hard. Literally.
Tachibana woke up groggy. He was having a strange dream that Yasuo couldn't reach him on the phone
but he kept calling and calling. It made no sense when he felt Yasuo laying in his arms. Which was
nice. Really nice. He missed this. He stretched and realized he hadn't slept that well since the night
before he left school. He was hard. Very hard and very horny. They never went to sleep without fooling
around first because Yasuo decided otherwise Tachibana tended to wake up too grumpy and way too
horny.
Yasuo liked to joke that when Tachibana was grumpy and horny in the morning, Yasuo's lion turned
into a bear. A bear who hibernated all winter and woke up cranky, starving, and insatiable. Cranky his
ass. Though if whoever down the hall didn't answer that phone ringing off the damn hook Tachibana
was going to have to turn into a bear and maul them. But first thing first. In one swift motion he rolled
a still sleeping Yasuo on to his back. He ran the fingers of the arm Yasuo had been sleeping on up
through his roommate's hair while at the same time with his free hand he cupped Yasuo's partial
erection and testicles. Just as he moved his lips to kiss Yasuo awake Tachibana wondered why they
were wearing clothes when they usually slept naked.
The person beneath him gasped in surprise at his touch and only then did Tachibana startle himself
almost fully awake. Yasuo's hair was completely different. His genitals were completely different. His
build was completely different. His smell was completely different and by now Yasuo would have
made some sound....
Damn it. This was not Yasuo. Damn it. No sound. Damn it. This was Ibu. Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Tachibana let go of the freshman's genitals, cursed, and tried to stammer out an apology, "Sorry! I'm so
sorry. In...in my sleep, I thought you were someone els...?"
Ibu's arms snaked around Tachibana's neck and were trying to pull his mouth back down to the
freshman's. The only sounds Tachibana could hear was the pounding of his own heart and Ibu's breath.
The freshman was breathing hard. Their lips were so close. In the dark Tachibana could sense how
close. Centimeters away at most. Ibu was trying to pull Tachibana down and at the same time the
freshman was trying to press as much of his slight body up against Tachibana as he could.
"Ibu...please...don't!" Tachibana protested because he knew himself. This close to the edge when he
went over he wouldn't stop. He couldn't. "Ibu please...don't do this unless you really want...."
In response, Ibu pulled them closer even more insistently. He wanted. Their lips were so close. Even
closer. Millimeters apart. Tachibana could feel the freshman's moist breath, panting warm teasing heat
against his own lips. So close....he wanted this...wanted him...it was almost perfect...if someone would
just finally answer that damn phone....
Tachibana broke Ibu's hold and cursed. It was his damn phone! Then he heard another phone ringing.
Ibu's. He looked at the clock. It was after eight! Damn it! He cursed again and jumped up, "Ibu, we
overslept! Our phones!"
He flipped the light on and spared Ibu no more than a glance as the shock of light stunned their eyes at
the same time. Ibu's hair was sleep tousled. He looked confused and turned on but at the same time as
stunned as Tachibana felt.
Tachibana ran down the hall to answer the phones. His stopped ringing. He picked up Ibu's but before
he could finish his greeting a shrill voice rang out, "YOU BASTARDS! YOU STUPID AND
COMPLETE TOTAL BASTARDS! I'M COMING OVER AND DON'T TRY TO STOP ME!
TELL SHINJI I'M LEAVING NOW!"
Ibu stood in the hall looking pale and dazed. He was half wrapped in the Frankenstein blanket. His
hands were spread in a waving gesture which meant Tachibana should go ahead and tell Ibu what he
just heard.
Still feeling stunned and unsure of what it meant Tachibana said, "Uh that was Kamio and he's furious.
I've never heard him so angry. He and everyone else was probably trying to call and we didn't hear our
phones. Kamio said he's coming over and to tell you that he's leaving right now...."
Ibu's eyes got so wide Tachibana thought they might fall out of his head. He dropped the blanket and
pointed down to the ground with both of his index fingers. Tachibana guessed Ibu was silently asking,
'Here now, right now?'
Running his hands through his short hair and wondering if Kamio wasn't a jealous boyfriend after all
Tachibana said, "Uh, yeah that's the last thing he said to me. 'Tell Shinji I'm leaving now' and then he
hung....hey! Where are you going?! Ibu! Shinji!"
In all that time training the freshmen, Tachibana never saw Ibu move so fast. He moved as if his life
depended on it. In less than two seconds Ibu grabbed a random coat in his hallway, slipped on shoes,
threw a coat and shoes literally at Tachibana, and gestured urgently as if to say hurry! Now! Hurry!
Without a look back at Tachibana and leaving his front door wide open, Ibu looking completely
panicked bolted out into the rainy night as if he were set on fire.
Tachibana stood there with his mouth hanging open. What the hell? He cursed. He threw on his own
shoes. He cursed more. He grabbed both of their phones. He cursed some more. He threw on the jacket
Ibu tossed him. He cursed even more. He locked the door using Ibu's keys. He was out of curses so he
made up some new ones. Tachibana ran out in the rain after Ibu praying to any gods that would listen
that he could catch up with them before anything worse did.
Warnings: Yaoi, Love, Angst, Fluff, and Lots of Sex. Some kink. You've been warned ;)
Disclaimer: Nope not mine. Still in my dreams. ;)
------------------------------------
He stood and closed the curtains. "I'll be back soon," he promised and closed the door to Ibu's cold,
dark room.
Tachibana's first move was to find the laundry room. There didn't seem to be one. He went back to the
kitchen to look there because most people usually had at least a washing machine and sometimes they
had one there. Tachibana didn't see one. He was annoyed with the lights being out and decided to fix
that right away. Using a tiny flashlight he had on his key chain, after a bit of hunting he located the
circuit breaker. Nearly everything including the heat, water heater, and water pump was switched off.
Ibu must take freezing cold baths and showers though he couldn't imagine how the freshman was
surviving that.
The breakers all were clearly marked in Ibu's neat handwriting. Tachibana switched on the kitchen, the
one that said Ibu's bedroom, the water heater, water pump, and refrigerator. He then switched on the
one for the heat and after a little more searching located a thermostat down the hall. He left the
thermostat off for now because for all he knew the electric might not even be turned on.
He was looking for a light switch but the first one he found was in the kitchen. He tried to test it.
Tachibana snapped on the light and felt very thankful when it worked. Now that he had power, he filled
one side of the sink with cold water. The old pipes made protesting noises as he ran water through them
and he had to let the water run several minutes until it looked clean enough. Using dish soap because it
was all he could find, Tachibana started soaking Ibu's bloody school clothes in a large pot he found
under the sink. That finished, he dumped out the stale water that was sitting in the now working
refrigerator, and washed out the pot. He turned the freezer up to a warm temperature so it wouldn't run
since he didn't think they would need it. Before he left Tachibana peeked in on Ibu and then safely
locked the freshman inside with his key. He set out to find a nearby store.
He remembered a decent small local shop just down the alley street and up around the next corner.
Along the way he called his great-grandmother to fill her in on some of the details. He told her his
school friend was sick with a cold and needed looking after. He told his great-grandmother she or
Tachibana's parents could call him on his cell phone if they had any questions, but he was going to
spend the night with his friend because his parents were busy with work. She seemed to understand and
even offered to come help him if he needed it. He thanked her and said he didn't.
That task finished Tachibana hung up the phone. He picked up a basket on his way inside the store and
quickly filled it up. He liked to cook. He already decided on making a few things thing that Yasuo
always loved when he made them for him.
Ibu loved pickles. You couldn't help but notice how much he adored them. Kamio always ordered extra
pickles for Ibu whenever the freshmen bought something to eat, and all the other freshmen always gave
him theirs too. Kamio often joked Ibu would gorge himself on pickles if he could.
With that in mind Tachibana bought pickles, seasonings, meat, rice, mushrooms, and vegetables. He
wanted to make Ibu a good lunch and a good dinner. Nothing too heavy in case he hadn't been eating
much lately, but hearty food that would help Ibu recover faster. Tachibana picked up a few boxes of tea
in both green and black. He even grabbed some better ramen from the refrigerator case in case Ibu
loved it. Tachibana tried to be prudent with his purchases. He tended to be very frugal with his money
because he knew how hard his family worked to earn it. Still, he kept thinking of Ibu's cupboards all
being bare and probably bought more than he needed to. He reassured himself that at least it wouldn't
go to waste.
Luckily, the food at the corner store was of excellent quality and pretty inexpensive. He was used to the
pricey stores from around his former school where everything was jacked up way too high for the
wealthy students. Now that he thought about it, this was the first time Tachibana had been to the
grocery store since he left school. His mom never made him go with his family. Sometimes he missed
cooking, but he always felt it wouldn't be the same making a meal without Yasuo there to enjoy it. It
was strange, he knew, but for some reason his family and sister eating what he made just was not the
same.
After he paid and was on his way back to Ibu's struggling to carry everything he bought, Tachibana had
another urge to call Yasuo. If he had a free hand he would have. He knew around what time it was and
that Yasuo would be in his second or third class. Tachibana wondered how the weather was there today
and how the morning practice had gone. It had been a while since he talked to Yasuo, and he wanted to
a lot, but what was odd, he only thought about calling when it wasn't a good time to actually call.
Tachibana with the freshmen had been so busy lately that he only thought about Yasuo when he was
alone which means right in the morning or before bed. He didn't want to wake Yasuo. Sometimes
Tachibana thought about Yasuo during class and wanted to call, but he couldn't call then. The last few
letters Yasuo sent he hadn't answered yet. Hell, he had been so busy Tachibana hadn't even read them,
but once again he told himself he should when he got home.
That decided for the hundredth time, he let himself into Ibu's house as quietly as possible. Despite his
being in great shape, Tachibana was breathing harder from carrying all the heavy groceries and the fast
pace he had taken to get back. He guessed he should work out a little harder. Watching the guys and
occasionally running with them wasn't enough. Although, whenever he bought this much in the past
Yasuo was with him and he didn't have to carry it all home alone.
He set everything down and checked on Ibu. He opened the door quietly and though he couldn't see
well, the blanket Ibu was under wasn't moving so Tachibana guessed he was still asleep. Which was
good. Ibu needed to rest and Tachibana could wake him when the food was ready.
It had been a long while since he made anything more than tea and he found he was looking forward to
it. With Tachibana's sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother all living in one house the
kitchen was usually a loud place where the women in his family gathered. He picked up enough
pointers as a little boy to be interested in cooking. When he was on his own at school, he learned the
rest through a lot of trial and error. Because he felt as if he had basically grown up at a school dorm,
one pot and hot plate meals were his specialty. His great-grandmother was Chinese and she was an
amazing cook. She taught him to appreciate different spices and combinations of food than many of his
wealthy school friends were not used to. Every ingredient she used though was picked thinking of the
people she cared about. She was an amateur herbalist and loved to explain what each thing did to heal
and bring the person into balance. She was very focused on balance and it was a philosophy Tachibana
tried to adopt in his own life and diet.
His grandmother on the other hand only really enjoyed Japanese foods and her husband, Tachibana's
grandfather who died when he was little was reported to be something of a gourmet. His grandfather
had expensive tastes on a shoestring budget so his grandmother became an expert in how to make
things stretch and in substituting cheaper ingredients. She was so good at it the substitutes often ended
up tasting better than the expensive harder to find real things. It wasn't until Tachibana went away to
school that he learned what the original expensive items were--and how skilled his grandmother was
as a cook.
His mother never really had the chance to be good at cooking. She often was stuck trying to appease all
her older relatives so his mom's skill was more in the way of negotiating each meal so everyone was
happy rather than actually doing any of the cooking. Sadly, for as much time as his younger sister spent
with the other women in the kitchen, An has absolutely no interest in it. In fact, An usually jokes that
she wants to marry someone wealthy so she never has to cook.
Tachibana turned on the kitchen light again pleased it worked. Along with the groceries he picked up
strong bleach and laundry soap. He first bleached out Ibu's shirt which seemed to get out a lot more of
the blood. It might not be able to be worn again though. The shirt seemed well used and he wondered if
the freshmen also handed down clothes to each other. It would make sense if they did. He hoped Ibu
had more than one shirt since he was apparently so strapped for cash when an idea hit Tachibana.
A good idea. Tachibana's parents were always asking if there was anything they could do to help him,
and they seem so disappointed whenever he said nothing, thank you. They would be happy to do this
and he bet himself that it wouldn't cost very much. It might even be good for their business. He knew
the company they worked for sometimes made knockoffs, but nice ones. Originals with a high quality
at half the expensive price would be sure to sell. The idea further bloomed in his mind and once he
started thinking of how to do it, more and more ideas fell into place. It was a crazy idea, but it made
many other crazy ideas come to him.
He always thought well when he cooked. He started chopping ingredients and was amazed at how
much clearer he thought when his hands were busy. This only happened when he was playing tennis or
cooking. He was completely free to let go and think.
The whole scheme when he thought it out really wasn't such a crazy one. With what these freshmen had
in raw talent and burning desire combined with his skill and the connections Tachibana had it wouldn't
be that expensive or outrageous. He might even be able to get some used older equipment that
otherwise would just be thrown away if he asked some of his old teachers and coaches who still wanted
him back. They would gladly give him these things to get in Tachibana's good graces--never knowing
that they were in reality only doing a good deed.
It might work.
It seriously might work.
And no, it would not be easy. In fact, he was looking down the barrel at a ton of work and dedication
but they could do it. Together. It would be everything the freshmen wanted, and then some because
Tachibana suddenly realized deep down in his heart this could be his retribution. This was his chance to
really start over and make amends. His helping these freshmen was perhaps the best karmic way to
clear his own debt for all the horrible things he had done. It would be building something very positive
from something very negative, and helping people who truly needed and deserved to be helped in the
process.
It might work. He just had to think of a way to convince the freshmen to stop trying to become part of
Fudomine's current team--and create one of their own. From scratch.
It was outrageous. It was unheard of.
There was no reason in the world why a school, and such a poor one at that, would allow two of the
same clubs. They would argue that they didn't have the resources, so Tachibana had to make sure he
and the freshmen had their own. The school would argue that there was already a club, so there had to
be a reason they couldn't join the existing team. A good, clear reason. One that even the administrators
could see. Tachibana didn't have an answer to that yet, but felt certain that this was destiny and his
purpose in coming home. There was a reason for everything if you just looked hard enough and if you
worked hard enough, things would come together. He was sure of it. He believed that some things were
meant to be, especially if you wanted them and worked for them. Tachibana was certain when the time
was right, everything would fall into place.
He felt elated. He felt relieved. He felt as if he could do the impossible.
He just finished making the soup and turned it down on a lower flame to keep warm when Ibu appeared
looking half-awake. He stood at the doorway. He looked alarmed and immediately moved to turn off
the light. Tachibana was closer and beat him there, "You're worried about the cost? I'll help you pay for
it. You need electricity for living and studying. It is not a luxury, but a necessity. Ibu, you can't live like
this. You've done very well on your own, and I admire you for sticking it out this long, but it's time you
realize that you do need help. Let me help you. Please?"
Tachibana placed his hand on Ibu's shoulder. The slender boy was always wearing baggy clothes so up
until now he hadn't realized how skin and bones skinny Ibu was. Recalling how he looked when they
first met, Tachibana knew without a doubt Ibu wasn't eating enough. He was losing weight and not the
good kind. He was losing muscle.
Ibu said nothing. His head was down and he seemed to be embarrassed. The pajamas he wore were too
large for him. They were probably once one of the other freshmen's or his father's. They were also
probably once a brighter blue. Now they were gray and drab and like a costume just didn't fit the
strong, beautiful person wearing them at all. As Tachibana watched two dark spots appeared on the
front of Ibu's shirt. As if something was dripping or leaking. Tachibana almost looked up to see if the
roof was leaking on this little old home, but then he realized what it was. Ibu was crying. Silently.
Before he could say anything or react, Ibu gripped him fiercely in a hug and buried his face in the
center of Tachibana's chest.
Tachibana was always uncomfortable when anyone cried. He just really never knew quite what to do.
When his sister cried when she was little it was usually a loud temper-tantrum type of affair that was
mortifying. When Fuji cried Tachibana felt totally shocked and stunned because he had never been that
open with anyone before. Lucky for him, Yasuo had known what to do the very few times Tachibana
ever cried.
Not sure what else to do, Tachibana mimicked what Yasuo did for him. He rubbed the freshman's back
and held him strong and close. He didn't say anything but let Ibu keep silently crying. His entire body
shook with what must have been racking sobs, but he made no sound. When the freshman seemed to be
finished, softly Tachibana said, "Everything is going to be all right. I'm going to help you. You've just
had a bad day. Are you hungry?"
Against his chest Ibu nodded slightly.
"Good," Tachibana said. "I'm starving. Have a seat. I hope you like hot and sour..." Ibu was looking at
him alarmed. He let go and gestured that Tachibana should sit. "No, sorry. You're injured. You don't get
to play host. Listen to your senpai. Sit down. I set the table already and was just coming to get you to
eat."
Ibu hesitated a moment, deeply bowed, and then did as he was told. As he sat, under the dim yellow
kitchen light, Tachibana noticed that a bruise was forming on Ibu's right cheek, and another by his left
eye. The freshman looked up at him, and he saw on Ibu's thin, delicate throat, bruises were starting to
form there too. Bruises that looked a horribly lot like finger marks. Tachibana tried to not stare at them.
He wanted Ibu to eat. If he made a big deal about the injuries, Ibu might cry again and it was
impossible to cry and eat at the same time.
As he served up the soup he had made, Tachibana resisted the stupid urge he suddenly had to kiss each
ugly bruise on the freshman. He couldn't kiss it better and the last thing poor Ibu needed was his senpai
suddenly acting gay and doing gay things to him when he was so down. The best thing to do, the junior
reasoned to himself, was to make Ibu comfortable and pretend like things were fine. Ibu needed some
normalcy in his life.
Tachibana sat and gestured for Ibu to take the first bite.
The freshman hesitated and took a first tentative taste. He looked at Tachibana amazed, and then
inquisitively.
"I'm glad you like it. I learned to cook while I was away at my old school. My roommate always
enjoyed this dish and I know you like pickles so I hoped you would like it too." Ibu ate while
Tachibana talked so he went on filling in the empty cold house with the sound of his voice, "I miss
cooking actually. I rather enjoy it. With my mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother always taking
over the kitchen, I don't get a chance to cook anymore." The tea kettle whistled and Tachibana jumped
up to reach it before Ibu had a chance to move. He poured them both a cup and sat back down. "Here. I
hope you like oolong. I was in the mood for it. It goes well with this soup, although my family never
serves it at home with a meal, but I got used to it because Yasuo, my roommate at school, he always
enjoys a beverage with his meals. He didn't like oolong at first, but the last time we spoke, he said he
missed it and bought some."
Ibu looked at him inquisitively and then went back to eating.
"Oh. My family rarely serves water, tea, or other beverages with a meal. My great-grandmother is
Chinese,. She and my great-grandfather had an arranged marriage. When they met and married she
didn't speak any Japanese and he only knew a very little Chinese. Somehow, it worked though, and she
says he was the love of her life. Even though he brought her here and although he was Japanese, she
ended up keeping the Chinese style of cooking and meals. My grandmother, her daughter doesn't like it.
She tends to only enjoy Japanese foods. She was made fun of as a child for being half-Chinese and
tends to be overly Japanese most of the time. Although this one thing my family does is very Chinese.
Each meal there is usually a soup served instead of a beverage as a common dish and everyone drinks
from it. I suppose I adapted to both and don't mind either. It's nice to keep traditions."
Ibu nodded looking pensive.
Tachibana noticed the freshman's bowl was empty. "I'm glad you like it. May I get you more?" Ibu
seemed to hesitate, so Tachibana stood to fill it before he resisted. The freshman needed to eat
something nutritious. "I made plenty of extra and it will keep for several days. I also restocked your
pantry. Even though you might enjoy it, you really shouldn't live on ramen..."
Ibu shuddered as if even the name made him disgusted.
"You don't like ramen?" The blue-black head shook strongly back and forth saying no, but stayed down
and eating as if he was embarrassed. Tachibana had a thought, "You've been eating it because it was
cheap?" A bob of his head indicated yes. "Why? Why haven't your friends helped you? Are they not
able to? Financially, I mean?"
Ibu shook his head no, and then raised his hands, palms up as he did when he had too long an answer to
give with a yes or a no. This was not good enough for the junior so he got up, went to his schoolbag
and took out a notebook. He returned to the kitchen with it and a pen for Ibu to write his answer down.
Tachibana was thinking to himself it had better be a damn good reason why the other freshman didn't
help their friend when he saw what Ibu wrote.
It was one word.
PLEASE
Tachibana was lost. "Please what? Please help you? Or please have your friends help you? Please...?"
He just noticed that Ibu's head was down. The freshman was staring at the floor. "Ibu, please look at me
when I'm talking to you. It's hard enough without you saying anything. That's the least you can do to
make it easier for me. Ibu help me to understand. I'm just trying to help you here, and..."
Ibu looked at him. His face was crimson red in a blush. He looked away.
Tachibana suddenly understood. He also remembered something Kamio said. That the freshmen
usually spent the weekends at Ibu's house with him. "They don't know, do they? They come over here
every weekend and things seem normal then, but during the week you've been living like this."
Respectfully Ibu put his head down, and his hands in a supplicating manner. He was asking, begging,
please. Please don't tell them. But why? "Why? Are you embarrassed? Because they're your friends.
They would want to know."
Ibu picked up the pen and started writing.
Please! Please do not tell them! They can't know. I do not want to burden
Tachibana covered Ibu's hand with his own which stopped his scrawling. He loved how Ibu wrote in
such a precise and yet flowing manner even when agitated. The freshman always weighed each word
and knew where he was going with everything before he started writing. It was much the same way as
when Ibu played tennis. Tachibana wondered what his voice sounded like for the hundredth time and
said, "It would be more of a burden for them to discover that you're in trouble and that they didn't
know. Ibu, you've done well on your own, but not good enough. This is unacceptable. Living like this is
stupid and dangerous. I won't let you put your health at risk anymore. As your senpai, I have a
responsibility towards you, and as your friend, I can't look the other way and pretend that I didn't see
this."
For the next several minutes Ibu tried to bargain with Tachibana. He wrote asking for more time, and
alluded that his father might come home soon. He asked if he could be the one to tell his friends. Ibu
was crafty and tried everything he could think of, but Tachibana wouldn't budge, not even when Ibu
seemed to get angry. He accused Tachibana of not being his friend, and seemed close to tears.
Tachibana put his hand back over Ibu's to stop the writing, "I am your friend and you know that I am by
now. I think you're tired and have had a difficult day or you wouldn't be questioning me. Things need to
change around here, and I don't just mean with you, but with all you guys. Will you hear my idea out
and tell me if it seems sound to you?" At first he thought Ibu would resist, but then it seemed his
curiosity got the better of him. He looked at Tachibana questioningly. Tachibana smiled, "Because you
alone can point out any flaws before I suggest it to everyone else. I wouldn't want to get the other's
hopes up if my plan needs major revising, and I feel that you're the best person to run it past first."
Ibu pointed with his other hand towards his chest. He seemed to be asking "me?" and was looking
rather astonished that Tachibana wanted to ask him.
Tachibana smiled. They were sitting quite close and he still had his hand over Ibu's. "Yeah." He
suddenly felt shy and his heart started racing. "I think you're pretty smart...when you use your brain to
think instead of being stupid."
Ibu made a little exhaled breath noise. It was his almost silent version of a sudden laugh. The freshman
put his head down, and then surprised Tachibana by moving the top of his head so it was touching
Tachibana's collarbone above his heart.
Tachibana had seen this gesture between the freshmen before. If one of them lost or was scolded or
they fought, eventually one of them approached the other and did this. Tachibana had seen Kamio do
this to Ibu a hundred times. He had seen Mori to Uchimura do this even more than that after an
argument or debate. Tachibana didn't know what this gesture meant, but none of them had ever done it
to him before. It felt natural to move the fingers of his free hand up through Ibu's soft, silky blue-black
hair. Tachibana had his fingers there before he realized what he was doing. Ibu's hair smelled of citrus.
Lemons and oranges and spice.
It was only then that Tachibana realized what he was doing. He was running his fingers through Ibu's
hair, and he was cradling Ibu's head. He was smelling Ibu's hair! As if Ibu was a girl!
He froze and waited for Ibu to react and pull away in disgust. He waited for Ibu to respond at all.
Tachibana figured he just had stunned Ibu so bad that the freshman was locked in place and afraid to
move. Ibu was just too polite, right?
On the table, Ibu's hand under his that had been holding the pen dropped it. Tachibana thought the pen
dropping was the only show of shock Ibu would probably give him. He wasn't able to talk so maybe
that was all he could do. And then he felt it.
Ibu's hand started softly feeling his in an exploring way. Ibu felt his callouses and his fingers before
tentatively and slowly closing his hand around Tachibana's.
To Tachibana's shock, Ibu was now holding his hand!
Tachibana's mind was racing almost as fast as his heart was pounding. He was trying to think of
something, anything, clever to say because he had a feeling that Ibu might kiss him. That wasn't the
biggest problem though. The biggest problem was if Ibu kissed him, even if he tried to resist, Tachibana
knew without a doubt he would kiss Ibu back. He had to stop. Just thinking about it and being this close
to the freshman had him hard. He had to stop and think. He had to stop and think of all the problems
and complications a kiss like this at a time like this would bring to his life. Irrationally, he wished
Yasuo was here because at least Yasuo would be able to tell Tachibana what the heck to do at a time
like this. Yasuo would know. He always did.
But what would Yasuo say now? Tachibana didn't know. He couldn't think of Yasuo right now. He felt
like he shouldn't. For a second he wished Ibu was Yasuo and decided that was a bad idea because if this
was Yasuo they would be kissing by now.
More than kissing. It would start off hot, sweet, and after all this time it would get so passionate they
might not even make it to that mattress on the floor. Damn it. It had been a long time since he had
touched anyone. Since he had touched Yasuo.
Hell, for all he knew maybe Ibu wasn't gay. Maybe he and the other freshman were just friendly and
just friends and Tachibana just didn't know how to handle being friends with anyone. Maybe Ibu was
freaked out that Tachibana was gay. If he was gay. He still wasn't completely sure. It could also be that
Tachibana was just a terrible friend. Hell, he'd only had one real friend before and he and Yasuo ended
up being way beyond just friends. Hell, he still didn't even know what he and Yasuo are or were, but he
knew regular friends like these freshmen did not do what he and Yasuo did.
Tachibana thought maybe he could find some way to distract Ibu, but he couldn't distract himself of the
soft feel of the freshman's warm breath on his skin through his uniform shirt. Tachibana couldn't
breathe in Ibu's scent anymore. He couldn't think straight. Tachibana was just about to suggest that he
tell Ibu about his plan, when Ibu's cell phone rang. The sound made them both jump away from each
other like they were doing something very wrong and Tachibana was sure it startled years off of his
life. In a smooth movement, Ibu reached for his cell phone and handed it to Tachibana.
Before he could stammer a greeting, Tachibana heard loudly, "Hey! What are you guys doin? Where's
Shinji? What's goin on? Is something goin on? Is Shinji all right? What happened?" It was Kamio and
he sounded...upset.
"I..." Tachibana stammered and then looked at Ibu who was rolling his eyes and smiling. "Shinji said
he's fine. We were just finishing lunch. You're not supposed to be using your phone in school."
Tachibana glanced at the clock, "You're supposed to be in class..."
Kamio sounded mad but his anger seemed to be fading, "Yeah well...all of a sudden I had a bad feelin
and just wanted to make sure nothin bad happened. I'm in the washroom in one of the stalls so no one
can see me. Shinji's really okay?"
"He is, but there are things we all need to talk about later." Tachibana glanced over at Ibu who suddenly
seemed to find something interesting on the floor. Ibu went to stand and take their dishes to the sink.
"Ibu, don't get up. I'll do that. You're injured. You need to rest."
"Tachibana-san, please? Can I talk to Shinji? I'll tell him to listen to you." Kamio sounded desperate to
talk to him. The words themselves were calm, but the frantic way Kamio was saying them had
Tachibana on high alert. In fact, for the first time he wondered if somehow Kamio wasn't envious of
him spending time with Ibu. Or maybe something else. Kamio seemed jealous, almost like Ibu was
his...boyfriend?
Tachibana quickly dismissed the thought. No way was any of that going on. Ibu wouldn't say anything
so it wasn't like Kamio was missing the sound of Ibu's voice. He must have had something to tell
Ibu...badly. Tachibana shrugged and said into the phone, "Of course you can speak to him. Please tell
him that he needs to rest. I'll stay with him today and will not be attending practice. As Ibu was too
injured to go to school, he shouldn't go to practice, and actually, Kamio, have someone walk you home
after school too. I want you to rest also just for today. Can you ask Ishida to run practice without us
there?"
Sounding hopeful, Kamio suggested, "Yeah, okay. And then I can stop by after school to bring Ibu his
homework...?"
"No. I'd rather you go straight home and rest. I know the hospital said you're fine, but at my last school
we learned to take it easy the day of any injury. Even a minor one can turn into a major problem if you
don't take care of yourself. Rest is important. Go home Kamio, " Tachibana said, "but be sure someone
is with you. I don't want you walking around alone after what happened today. Have someone else drop
off Ibu's homework, and my own if you get a chance to collect it. All right?"
"But...but...Shinji shouldn't be alone after what happened. I should stay over with him tonight." Kamio
sounded very put out. Like a little boy not getting his way when he was accustomed to everyone giving
into his whims.
Although the freshman did have a point. "I'll stay with..." Tachibana almost said Shinji by mistake, but
caught himself just in time, "Ibu tonight, okay? Don't worry. He's fine. And he'll see you tomorrow.
Here, I'll let you talk to him. Hurry though and return to class. I don't want you to be alone and I don't
want you to get in trouble."
"Okay." Kamio sounded meek and defeated. And then he sounded as if he was begging, "Tachibana-
san? Please be sure to take really good care of Shinji for me? And let me or someone else know if he
needs anything? Please? And thank you very much for all your help."
"It's no problem. He's my friend too. Here's Shinji." Tachibana handed the phone over and Shinji took
it. He stood and silently walked down the hall with it.
Tachibana washed the dishes while he strained to hear if Ibu made any sounds at all to Kamio, but he
heard nothing. Around three minutes later, Shinji returned and deeply bowed a thank you. He set his
phone in a charger on one of the counters and then sat to finish his tea.
"Would you like more tea or soup?" Tachibana got a head shake no. "I'm sorry, I think Kamio would
have gone to practice and then ran over here if I didn't stop him. After what you both went through this
morning he needs to rest. Do you agree?"
Ibu shrugged and seemed to think it over, and then he nodded. He looked around the room as if
thinking or something. The freshman must have noticed his air drying shirt which Tachibana had
washed and hung up to dry. Ibu pointed at it with an inquiring look.
"I'm sorry. I was able to get most of the stain out from the shirt but not all. The rest will be dry by the
morning. Do you have another shirt to wear tomorrow? I can lend you one of mine from home if you
don't."
Ibu nodded indicating he did have another one.
"Good." Tachibana suggested, "Want to go to your room? You can help me with the details of my plan."
Ibu nodded again, but instead of going down the hallway to his room they remained sitting next to each
other. Tachibana had a million questions. He wished he could ask Ibu what happened and get a reply in
words. He wanted to ask Ibu a lot of things about the freshmen and even if it wasn't verbal was sure he
would get some kind of answer. The trouble was, he just didn't know where to start. He also thought to
himself like with Fuji, sometimes asking a person about their troubles was really opening a horrible
potential "can of worms" as Yasuo used to say. Yasuo said it was an old fishing expression when
Tachibana asked him and Tachibana always silently wondered to himself if worms were ever sold in
cans.
Just then Tachibana realized while talking to Kamio he made a decision for the freshmen without
checking with them. He already did things like that several times that morning and should try to not be
so overbearing. Yasuo used to remind him constantly to ask people things instead of running over them
with what he said was the Tachibana style of a bullet train. "Ibu, do you mind if I stay over? Someone
should stay with you tonight to make sure you're all right. If you would rather it be someone else...?"
Ibu shook his head to say he didn't mind.
For some reason, Tachibana felt relieved even though he knew where he would be sleeping. On the
worn floor in not very luxurious conditions. But even at home in his own bed, he still felt like a
stranger. Tachibana really hadn't slept well since the last night he slept next to Yasuo. "Okay, I'll call my
parents later when they're home and tell them. By the way, I made something really good for dinner
which I think if you liked my soup you'll love this."
Ibu raised his eyebrows in surprise. He lifted one hand as if holding a spoon to his mouth and his other
to rub his stomach as if he wanted more of it.
"More soup?" Tachibana asked with a laugh. "You can have more later if you want, but no, I made
something else." He saw Ibu's inquisitive look. "Se-cr-et. You'll know in a little while. First, you're
going to lay down. You're supposed to be resting. We can talk while you rest. Let me tell you about my
plan and you can tell me what you think."
They went back down the hallway to Ibu's room and Tachibana didn't miss that as they left the room,
Ibu's hand snaked around to turn the kitchen light off.
Tachibana meant to tell Ibu. He had every intention of just sitting and talking with the freshman while
he lay down resting. He clicked on the light and waited for Ibu to get settled. Ibu lay down under the
Frankenstein blanket and patted the bed next to him indicating Tachibana should sit beside him. After
what almost happened, Tachibana didn't think that was such a good idea but it would look weird if he
refused, wouldn't it?
He sat on the edge of the huge mattress far from Ibu and tried to explain, "I'm in my school clothes. I
shouldn't get them wrinkled or...what?" Ibu was pointing to a corner of his room covered by an old
worn sheet. Tachibana stood not sure what Ibu was asking for. When he moved the sheet back it was a
closet neatly arranged and like everything else in the room completely organized but made of
mismatched furniture and shelving units all made into one. Where Ibu seemed to be pointing there were
pillows and blankets. "You want an extra blanket?" He got a head shake no and a smile. Ibu pointed
more insistently and now it looked like he was pointing to the left of the pillows and blankets. A pile of
pajamas. "You want new pajamas?" Tachibana turned to look back at the freshman when Ibu made that
exhaled noise of a laugh. "What? Oh. For me to put on? Now?"
Ibu applauded and Tachibana had to laugh at that even though he was thinking to himself it was early.
They just finished lunch but then again who walked around in their school uniform when they weren't
in school? It would be weird to insist on staying in his clothes and it wasn't like he would be more
comfortable later on sleeping in his workout tennis clothes. Tachibana couldn't imagine sleeping in his
jock. Truth be told though, Tachibana had to admit after the hand holding and all he felt a little
uncomfortable getting undressed in front of Ibu. He selected a t-shirt and pants from the top of the
neatly folded stack but hesitated. If he went to another room to change that would be strange. He didn't
know what to do so to buy time he decided to ask, "Is this what the other freshmen wear when they
sleep over here on the weekends?"
Ibu looked at him as if curious about the question and after a moment nodded. The freshman went to
stand up as if he thought Tachibana might need help selecting something to wear.
"No, you don't have to get up. I guess if these are okay, I'll put these on?" Ibu nodded and then turned
as if arranging the pillows on his big mattress. Maybe he was uncomfortable too or maybe he was just
being polite. Tachibana quickly undressed and dressed noticing that the clothes smelled of sunshine.
They must have been line dried although they were nice and soft. He found a hanger and hung his
uniform up in case he didn't stop by his house in the morning to get a fresh one. It wasn't as if he had
worn this one very long. Clothes changed he sat back down on Ibu's mattress keeping his feet firmly on
the floor, "Thanks Ibu. This is much more comfortable. So, what I wanted to talk to you about
is...what?"
Ibu was patting the mattress next to him. Tachibana moved slightly closer but all he got was a smile
and more patting. Fine if Ibu didn't mind him sitting next to...
When Tachibana went to sit down, Ibu put his hand up to stop him. Tachibana asked, "What?" Ibu
pointed at the light switch. "Lights off? Oh, well you are supposed to be resting." Tachibana stood and
turned it off. He sat back down and followed the patting noise until he was sitting next to Ibu. The
freshman sighed, sat up half way, and pushed Tachibana back as if ordering him to lay back. Tachibana
asked, "I have to lay down to talk to you? Fine. You're the one who is injured."
Tachibana lay back on a pillow. Ibu threw the Frankenstein blanket over him. Tachibana tried not to
sigh in annoyance. He hated being ordered around. At least when Yasuo was bossy he spoke and asked
for things he wanted. Sometimes he would ask to be kissed more after. Or be held after. Tachibana
didn't mind doing either, it's just that it felt nicer when Yasuo asked because he knew Yasuo really
wanted to do that too. He missed that. Going to sleep with Yasuo. Waking up with him. There were
things from his old life he missed like the curry place and playing tennis on a top team, but most of all
what he had to admit was the only thing he really missed was Yasuo. Tachibana decided he really
should call him later.
"So anyway what I wanted to talk to you about is...oh, hello." Like a kitten Ibu moved in one fluid
motion to curl up around him. The freshman's head was on his shoulder and his arms and limbs were
wrapped securely around Tachibana. Very different from how Yasuo slept next to him, but not bad.
"Um...are you comfortable?" Ibu nodded against him. He felt the freshman move his arm and one
finger pointed on Tachibana's chest. Oh. "Me? Sure. Fine. So what I wanted..." Ibu put one finger to
Tachibana's lips in the universal shushing gesture. "So, you want me to be quiet?" Ibu nodded against
him. Tachibana could feel the freshman was hard. It was light but still pressing up against him and not
the kind of thing one would miss. Heart starting to beat faster, Tachibana asked a loaded question, "So
what are we supposed to do now?"
Ibu shrugged. He moved his finger from resting on Tachibana's lips to his eyes and moved his hand
down like he was trying to close Tachibana's eyes. It reminded Tachibana of what they did to dead
people in the movies to close their staring eyes. Tachibana asked, "Sleep? But I'm not tired." Ibu didn't
answer at first. The freshman took Tachibana's hand that was behind his head. He moved it so
Tachibana could feel with his fingers that Ibu's mouth was smiling. Why was he smiling? Unless...?
"You don't believe me?"
Ibu shook his head no while still smiling. He kissed Tachibana's hand and rest it on his thin shoulder.
Then he put his finger back on Tachibana's lips to say be quiet. "Fine," Tachibana said with a sigh, "but
you'll be sorry if I fall asleep. I snore like a chainsaw." He kissed Ibu's hand back without thinking
about it and put it to rest on his chest. Ibu's skin was warm. In fact he thought to himself the freshman
might have a slight fever and he should check it. Maybe later. Right now Ibu needed rest and he was
resting. And the truth was Tachibana slept at most an hour the night before. He was a little tired. A
catnap wouldn't hurt.
That was the last thing he thought of for several hours. Tachibana slept hard. Literally.
Tachibana woke up groggy. He was having a strange dream that Yasuo couldn't reach him on the phone
but he kept calling and calling. It made no sense when he felt Yasuo laying in his arms. Which was
nice. Really nice. He missed this. He stretched and realized he hadn't slept that well since the night
before he left school. He was hard. Very hard and very horny. They never went to sleep without fooling
around first because Yasuo decided otherwise Tachibana tended to wake up too grumpy and way too
horny.
Yasuo liked to joke that when Tachibana was grumpy and horny in the morning, Yasuo's lion turned
into a bear. A bear who hibernated all winter and woke up cranky, starving, and insatiable. Cranky his
ass. Though if whoever down the hall didn't answer that phone ringing off the damn hook Tachibana
was going to have to turn into a bear and maul them. But first thing first. In one swift motion he rolled
a still sleeping Yasuo on to his back. He ran the fingers of the arm Yasuo had been sleeping on up
through his roommate's hair while at the same time with his free hand he cupped Yasuo's partial
erection and testicles. Just as he moved his lips to kiss Yasuo awake Tachibana wondered why they
were wearing clothes when they usually slept naked.
The person beneath him gasped in surprise at his touch and only then did Tachibana startle himself
almost fully awake. Yasuo's hair was completely different. His genitals were completely different. His
build was completely different. His smell was completely different and by now Yasuo would have
made some sound....
Damn it. This was not Yasuo. Damn it. No sound. Damn it. This was Ibu. Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Tachibana let go of the freshman's genitals, cursed, and tried to stammer out an apology, "Sorry! I'm so
sorry. In...in my sleep, I thought you were someone els...?"
Ibu's arms snaked around Tachibana's neck and were trying to pull his mouth back down to the
freshman's. The only sounds Tachibana could hear was the pounding of his own heart and Ibu's breath.
The freshman was breathing hard. Their lips were so close. In the dark Tachibana could sense how
close. Centimeters away at most. Ibu was trying to pull Tachibana down and at the same time the
freshman was trying to press as much of his slight body up against Tachibana as he could.
"Ibu...please...don't!" Tachibana protested because he knew himself. This close to the edge when he
went over he wouldn't stop. He couldn't. "Ibu please...don't do this unless you really want...."
In response, Ibu pulled them closer even more insistently. He wanted. Their lips were so close. Even
closer. Millimeters apart. Tachibana could feel the freshman's moist breath, panting warm teasing heat
against his own lips. So close....he wanted this...wanted him...it was almost perfect...if someone would
just finally answer that damn phone....
Tachibana broke Ibu's hold and cursed. It was his damn phone! Then he heard another phone ringing.
Ibu's. He looked at the clock. It was after eight! Damn it! He cursed again and jumped up, "Ibu, we
overslept! Our phones!"
He flipped the light on and spared Ibu no more than a glance as the shock of light stunned their eyes at
the same time. Ibu's hair was sleep tousled. He looked confused and turned on but at the same time as
stunned as Tachibana felt.
Tachibana ran down the hall to answer the phones. His stopped ringing. He picked up Ibu's but before
he could finish his greeting a shrill voice rang out, "YOU BASTARDS! YOU STUPID AND
COMPLETE TOTAL BASTARDS! I'M COMING OVER AND DON'T TRY TO STOP ME!
TELL SHINJI I'M LEAVING NOW!"
Ibu stood in the hall looking pale and dazed. He was half wrapped in the Frankenstein blanket. His
hands were spread in a waving gesture which meant Tachibana should go ahead and tell Ibu what he
just heard.
Still feeling stunned and unsure of what it meant Tachibana said, "Uh that was Kamio and he's furious.
I've never heard him so angry. He and everyone else was probably trying to call and we didn't hear our
phones. Kamio said he's coming over and to tell you that he's leaving right now...."
Ibu's eyes got so wide Tachibana thought they might fall out of his head. He dropped the blanket and
pointed down to the ground with both of his index fingers. Tachibana guessed Ibu was silently asking,
'Here now, right now?'
Running his hands through his short hair and wondering if Kamio wasn't a jealous boyfriend after all
Tachibana said, "Uh, yeah that's the last thing he said to me. 'Tell Shinji I'm leaving now' and then he
hung....hey! Where are you going?! Ibu! Shinji!"
In all that time training the freshmen, Tachibana never saw Ibu move so fast. He moved as if his life
depended on it. In less than two seconds Ibu grabbed a random coat in his hallway, slipped on shoes,
threw a coat and shoes literally at Tachibana, and gestured urgently as if to say hurry! Now! Hurry!
Without a look back at Tachibana and leaving his front door wide open, Ibu looking completely
panicked bolted out into the rainy night as if he were set on fire.
Tachibana stood there with his mouth hanging open. What the hell? He cursed. He threw on his own
shoes. He cursed more. He grabbed both of their phones. He cursed some more. He threw on the jacket
Ibu tossed him. He cursed even more. He locked the door using Ibu's keys. He was out of curses so he
made up some new ones. Tachibana ran out in the rain after Ibu praying to any gods that would listen
that he could catch up with them before anything worse did.