Chapter 6 "Katuo's Rival"

Chapter 6
Katuo’s Rival

“Tezuka.”

Tezuka looks up from the paperwork that he has been working on for the past two hours. He smiles brightly. “Oh, Katuo. How rare of you to drop by here.”

Katuo closes the door and turns to his… father. Out of all the people he wants to talk to. “I don’t have anybody else to talk to…”

“Oh? I guess that your punishment for leaving with your injuries has to wait.” Tezuka places his pen on his table and waits patiently with his open ears for Katuo to start talking.

“Shut up.” Katuo snaps at him. “It was my sister who made me go!”

“Is it about Siko?” Tezuka asks.

Katuo narrows his eyes at him angrily. “Why does everyone think that I have something to do with Siko?!”

“Er, never mind.” Tezuka laughs lightly. “So, what is it that you want to talk about?”

“It’s… about Perra.”

Tezuka blinks in surprise. “So… what about her?”

“She did something like… supernatural and…” Katuo shakes his head. “You’d think I’m crazy.”

“So, she tried to punch you but missed?” Tezuka places his forefinger on his chin in curiosity.

“Yeah -- What the hell, Tezuka?! How did you know -- I mean, she could have killed me!”

“I see.” Tezuka gives a soft sigh. “So, you witnessed Perra’s amazing strength, right?”

Katuo must have dropped his jaw to the floor. “What the fuck, Tezuka?! You already knew about it, and you never told me?! I could have died!”

Tezuka sighs again. “I was hoping that you wouldn’t have to know about it until the day you turn eighteen.”

“Fuck you, Tezuka. It’s all because of you and everyone else, I’m messed up! Even Ketsu said something that pissed me off today!”

“Oh, now it’s not about Perra anymore?” Tezuka rubs his chin and picks up his mug. “What did Ketsu say this time?”

Katuo rubs his forehead in frustration. “It’s none of your business.”

“But, you saw Perra’s strength, and you want to know how and why, right? You give me an explanation, and I will tell you mine in return.”

“Well…” Katuo takes a seat on one of the chairs in Tezuka’s office. “It all started with…  when I turned sixteen on that day.”

Tezuka nods his head, letting Katuo know that he is still listening.

“Although I always thought that Siko was special and unique because he is one of few people I do not mind hanging out with… someone who I do not get annoyed with all the time. And then… on our 16th birthday, I started thinking that… he was more than just a friend to me. All the small things he has done and said always make me feel warmer and make the situation become brighter… and… and…”

“And then you had a wet dream?”

“Fuck no! Stop interrupting me, you friggin’ bastard!” Katuo yells at the world’s stupidest father.

“Oh, you didn’t have it? Aw, dammit.” Tezuka pouts at him.

“Why don’t you just listen to me?!” Katuo, at this point, is getting more and more frustrated with him. “Argh! Why do I even bother to try to talk to you?!”

Tezuka gives a light chuckle. “You are naïve, Katuo. What you are feeling right now is called love.”

“Lo… Love?” Katuo stares at him in disbelief. How can he love a man? I mean, he is only interested in women, right?

“You are so oblivious to everything. You love him, and you’re jealous of Ketsu. Three of you have been hanging out together for a long time. I could see the anger in your eyes every time Ketsu and Siko seemed to be awfully close. Why else would you pick on Ketsu for years?”

“I… No… You’re lying.” Katuo shakes his head. “I like women, not men. Besides, Siko is my best friend.”

Tezuka smiles lightly at him. “I only know what I see. I suggest you acknowledge your feelings for Siko as soon as possible. Otherwise Ketsu will steal him away from you.”

“No!” Katuo shouts, almost startling himself. His heart hurts the most when he hears the last sentence from his father’s mouth. He is starting to feel very possessive. “No, Siko is mine! Ketsu can’t take him away from me!”

Tezuka chuckles softly. He is now seeing the determined look in his first child’s dark green eyes. “Well, that’s what I was talking about.”

“What the hell, Tezuka? Did you stalk us? No, did you send your agents to spy on us?”

Tezuka shrugs his shoulders. “I’ll tell you when you’re ready to declare your love.”

“…I need to sit down,” Katuo says, suddenly feeling not too good. He’s starting to feel light-headed. His heart has been racing ever since Tezuka told him about love. He finds the closest chair and sits on it right away. He leans forward a little so he’s staring at the floor.

“Katuo, are you ok? You are still wounded from the motorcycle accident and –“

“I’m not Katuo anymore.” Katuo picks up his head and opens his green eyes, which are not as dark as usual anymore.

Tezuka widens his eyes in shock at the different voice coming from his son.

<3<3<3

“I’m confused,” Siko says softly, petting the purring dragon baby. “I… I’m not sure if I like Ketsu that way… And… I do like Katuo too, but I’m not sure if I also like him more than what we are.”

Gus mews softly as a response to his new owner.

“You answer each time I speak. I wonder if you understand what I’m saying?” Siko decides to pick up Gus and takes a closer look at his cute tiny face.

He hears the knocks on his door. He smiles brightly when he realizes who it is. “Dad, you can come in!”

“Siko, I need to talk…” Ryu raises an eyebrow at Gus who is snuggling in Siko’s arms. “You’re still taking care of it?”

“Yes, he’s a baby dragon! Even Katuo said so! I need to take care of him until he’s grown and strong enough to be on his own!”

Ryu sighs. “No… it’s fine with me. I just thought you would be freeing it as soon as it’s recovered…”

“It’s ‘him!’ Siko pouts at his father.

Ryu chuckles softly. “But that’s not what I’m here to talk about.”

“Eh?” Siko blinks in confusion, as his father takes a seat on his bed next to him. Gus purrs loudly and moves onto Ryu’s laps. “Oh no… please don’t tell me…”

“Yes, I’m being called back to the First Division in Japan. Something happened on Planet Fantasy, and they requested additional aid from us.”

“What about mom? Does she know?” Siko asks, as he hugs his pillow sadly.

“I left a voice message on her phone, so please don’t worry. Just… focus on school, ok?” Ryu hugs his son a big hug.

“Yes, dad.”

<3<3<3

Ketsu stares at his younger cousin in disbelief. “S-Siko? What are you doing here? How’d you find me here?”

They are in the coffee shop, where Ketsu has been studying for his exam until his younger cousin shows up.

Siko gives him a sad smile. “Just thought I’d find you here.”

S-shit! I hope he doesn’t realize that I’m supposed to be in college…! He is going to kill me! Ketsu is almost panicked but still manages to calm down somehow. “U-um, what’s going on?”

“My father…” Siko shakes his head with a frown in his face. Gus is whimpering sadly, as reacting to his new owner’s emotions. “He’s going to war.”

“What? Again?” Ketsu says. “But… I thought… Earth was not supposed to get involved with any other planets’ affairs? Isn’t he teaching his math classes at your school?”

Siko shrugs his shoulders. “It isn’t the first time that it happened. But… this time… I don’t know who to turn to but you… I don’t want to be alone anymore.”

“What about Katuo?”

“He’s been avoiding me lately,” Siko whispers. “I don’t want to bother him again.”

Ketsu sighs softly. “I’m sure there’s a reason for him to act like that. He will be back to normal before you know it, ok?”

“Yeah…” Siko chuckles softly and sadly. “You’re right. You’ve always been so smart.”

Ketsu smiles at him. “If you want me to, I can stay at your place.”

“Thank you.” Siko suddenly throws a hug at Ketsu, causing Gus to fly in the air. “Thank you so much!”

Ketsu blushes lightly, but he returns the hug anyway. “Yeah… that’s what friends are for, eh?”

“You’ve always been there for me… as long as I remember. Every time I get into arguments with Katuo or when I’m in a bad situation, you are always there to comfort me. I’m… grateful to have a great friend like you,” Siko says quietly. “Remember that you said you liked me? Then, today, I just realized that I like you too.”

Ketsu freezes at Siko’s last sentence. “W-wait, what? What did you say?”

Siko does not want to repeat what he said. Instead, he gives him a kiss.

<3<3<3

Katuo snaps his eyes open, as he sits right straight up fast. He whips his head until he finds his father sitting at his bed. “What happened? Did I pass out again?”

“Welcome back.” Tezuka smiles at him. “Yes, you passed out again. You had been out for a few hours. You made me worry again.”

“Did mother and Perra…?”

“No, they don’t know about you passing out. I figured they don’t need to know anyway.” Tezuka takes another sip of his coffee. “By the way, you are completely healed. I don’t know how you got healed so fast… but, you can go to school tomorrow.”

“Ok.” Katuo frowns at the part about healing. He has always been healing so fast and unexpectedly ever since he was a baby… and Siko experienced the same thing. Wait, Siko. If he passed out, then Siko would have done the same thing, right? “Siko… Is he ok?”

Tezuka shrugs his shoulders. “To tell you the truth, I don’t know. His father is going to war tomorrow.”

“What the fuck?!” Katuo suddenly blows up. “You are the President! You can stop him from going to the war!”

“Shut up!” Tezuka snaps at him. “There's nothing I can do, ok?! It’s just… a request from someone above!”

Katuo is completely shocked. This is the first time his own father yells at him. “Above? You are the leader of Planet Earth. Who in the hell is your boss?”

“It’s…” Tezuka sighs in frustration. He does not mean to burst out like that. “I…”

“Whatever. You don’t have to tell me your so-called secrets,” Katuo turns over so his back is facing his father. “You sent Ryu to the war. Siko may forgive you for it, but I will never forgive you.”

Quietly, Tezuka gets up and leaves Katuo’s room. I’m sorry. I still can’t tell you, Katuo… not until He says so. After all, it is in the contract that cannot be broken at any cost.

<3<3<3

On the next day, Katuo decides to stop by at Siko’s house before school starts. He has been avoiding Siko for weeks, but he hopes that Siko is not too mad at him. He begins to knock, but as soon as his fist touches the door, it just opens easily.

“Hello?” Katuo calls, but he does not hear any answer. He frowns. This is not like Siko at all. He should be awake at this hour.

He begins searching throughout the house until he enters the living room. He stops frozen at the unbearable sight.

Siko. Ketsu. Sleeping together on the couch.

“What. The. Fuck,” Katuo says angrily.

Hearing his voice, Ketsu begins to open his eyes. “Ehh… who’s there?”

“It’s me, you bastard!”

“Ack! Katuo!” Ketsu almost jumps off the couch, but Siko quickly grabs his hand, pulling him back.

“Well, well, it’s Katuo, eh?” Siko smirks darkly. His green eyes are a little darker than before. His voice is also completely different from before. “Keetsuu, let him see our love.”

Katuo clenches his hands into fists, as he watches Siko kissing Ketsu. “You bastards. How could you do this to me?!”

He storms out of Siko’s house. His heart does not stop hurting at all. Just the sight… of Siko and Ketsu kissing… it truly hurts!