K and E: First Week

I sat up in my bed and glanced at my digital alarm clock. 6:40 something. I lied back down and covered my head with the sheets. "Five more minutes."

Kenny opened my door and (probably) marched in with a huge grin on his face. "Wake upuh! Eddy-kun!" Then he started to shake me. [Eddy-kun, we're going to be late!]

I sat up, trying my hardest to keep my eyes open. "Good. I go get breakfast." Kenny tromped out of my room with unnatural vigor. I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes.

I stood up and looked through my closet for clothes. "Kenny-chan..." I called as I grabbed a pair of jeans.

Kenny popped in a moment later, just as I buttoned my fly. [You called?] He chimed.

I nodded. [It's about your English...] I closed my door to see Kenny waiting for my input. He's not wearing his school uniform today; instead he's wearing a brightly colored shirt and jeans. I shoved my hands into my pockets and explained as I leaned against the doorframe. [Ah... When you are saying you intend to do something, you say,] "I will." [Before the... Action word.] I sighed. [Sorry, I don't know what that word is. You know what I mean right? Like the word walk, or run, or talk? Before those kinds of words.]

Kenny nodded. [I understand. So...] His brow furrowed and he pursed his lips. "I... I wirru go get breakfast?" Kenny repeated in an unsure tone.

I nodded and turned back to my closet. [Yes, very good, Kenny-chan.] I said while I opened the door. Just as Kenny began walking, I said, [Just be sure to work on your pronunciation.]

"Okay." Kenny droned as he left my room.

I turned back to my closet and picked out a shirt.

We've only been doing this since Tuesday, but it feels like we've been doing it for years. Kenny comes to my house, he wakes me up, we eat breakfast, and we walk to school together.

I don't know if other teenagers do this, but it feels... Natural.

I closed my closet and grabbed my bag on the way out of my room.

oXo

It was during our walk to school that Kenny told me.

[Father wants to meet you tonight.] He just dropped it on me out of the blue, completely unrelated to what we finished discussing.

I honestly didn't know how to react to that. [Well, why?] Was all I could muster.

Kenny pressed his finger against his chin in thought. [I believe he said he wanted to meet you and see what you're like.] Kenny responded. [Beyond that, I have no clue.]

[Nn...] I wouldn't particularly mind meeting him. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? [Sure.] I answered with a nod. [When should I stop by?]

Kenny blankly stared on. [Let's ask.] He suggested as he reached into his back pocket and produced an orange cellphone. He flipped it open and began typing away like mad. I waited for a second or two...

He finished and put his phone away. He turned to me and said, [Father said five o'clock. He also said we are eating dinner together.] Kenny made a tough face and crossed his arms. [Non-negotiable.] He declared with a very strong, stern voice. He returned to his usual demeanor. [Father said that. He's silly like that.]

[I see.] I laughed. I laugh now even though I'm nervous of the man who demands to meet his son's friends for undisclosed reasons. Kenny, probably oblivious to my underlying anxiety, laughed along with me.

He's so oblivious, I can't help but actually start to feel better.

oXo

At the end of the school day, I received a call from Kenny when I reached my locker.

Kenny greeted me in a heavy voice, between labored breaths. [Hi.]

[Hi Kenny-chan. What's up?] I replied as I opened my locker.

Kenny sounded a little more than just short of breath as he spoke. [I won't be able to walk with you today, Father just said I have to rush home to get things ready.] Ah, I suppose it was urgency I sensed.

I smiled. I zipped up my jacket and said, [Don't worry, I'll manage. 5 o'clock, right?]

[Yes.] Kenny confirmed.

[Alright. See you there.] I hung up the phone and closed my locker. Even though the morning anticipation has dissipated somewhat, I was still a little bit nervous.

I walked home alone, feeling a tad bit lonelier than I could ever recall being. Having friends is nice, but when they're not here...

Naturally, I passed Kenny's house on my way home, but I noticed a car that wasn't there all week. Was that Father's? I mean, did it belong to Kenny's dad?

I heaved a sigh. Now I'm thinking in Japanese.

oXo

"Eddy!" Mom yelled as soon as I opened the door. "Is that you?" It sounded like it was coming from upstairs.

"Yeah, it's me!" I shut the door and tossed my backpack to the side. "Why?"

She took a couple of steps down the stairs. She leaned over the banister and said, "Something weird happened." She descended the remaining stairs with a serious look.

Something weird? "Like what?" I asked.

"Well... There's no dirty laundry. It's all clean and folded and sitting in the wash room."

"Um..." I facepalmed. I looked back at Mom with a small grin. "I think that was Kenichi."

Mom looked at me like I was crazy. "Why would your girlfriend be doing our laundry?"

I shrugged. "Maybe she did it while she was waiting for me to finish getting ready for school?"

Mom crossed her arms. "You mean in the morning?" Mom leaned in and smirked while she glared at me. With a tone of authority, she inquired, "Why is your girlfriend coming to our home when I'm not here?"

I backed up a step, and Mom followed. "Well, because she's been waking me up in the morning so we can walk to school together? She, uh, lives right down the street, so she kind of insisted that we walk together."

Mom pursed her lips. "How does she get in?"

I bit my lip and took another step back. Mom took a step forward. "I told her about the spare under the mat." I admitted. Mom stepped back, astonished. The spare under the mat is a family thing. One of those little things that only family members are supposed to know about.

She nodded off to the side. Then she looked back to me, with her hands at her sides. "You must really like her, huh?" She mused in a gentler voice and distant eyes.

I stood upright, a bit relieved by my Mom's different demeanor. "I just trust her that's all." I corrected. Mom just looked back at me with a sly smirk.

"What?" I asked. Don't look at me like that.

Mom looked away with a small smile. "Nothing." She walked away from me and into the kitchen. "What do you want for dinner?" She called from the pantry, completely changing the subject with out any leeway.

"Oh, actually," I mumbled as I walked into the kitchen. Mom looked at me with a questioning glance. "Uh... I'm eating dinner at a friend's house.

Mom's eyebrow's raised in surprise. "A friend's house? Who?"

I stuffed my hands in my pockets. "Well, she lives down the street..." I trailed off, kind of mumbling the rest.

Mom's eyes lit up. "Okay." She stated. Her lips curled into a tiny smile as she turned away. "You can go."

I looked right at her in amazement. "Really? Just like that?"

"Eeyup." Mom snickered.

I half-smiled and walked out of the kitchen. "I'll just be getting ready if you need me." I called from the stairs.

Mom wasn't really paying attention, though. She was more concerned with singing, "My baby's got a date!" Over and over.

oXo

So here I am, sitting at a table with Matsumoto Kenji, Kenny's father.

Kenji, as he requested I call him, was staring me down as I sat across from him, trying to not do anything too insulting. His gaze pierced my very soul as he simply sat there, keeping his arms crossed.

It wouldn't be nearly as bad, if he didn't look so intimidating. Kenji was big, bigger than me. He was wearing loose blue robes tied at the waist, which seemed a little too traditional, and contrasted with his tanned skin. His hair was combed back, and his broad chin was clean shaven. He also had this presence of authority about him. It was kind of hard to describe.

He reminded me of my father.

Kenji continued to glare at me, but I stayed strong. Even though with his other younger son, Keiichi providing back up, I wouldn't be deterred by any amount of glaring.

Despite my determination, I found my voice was smaller than I hoped it would be. [Ah... So where is Kenny-chan?] I was really just trying to start some conversation, but I didn't receive quite the reaction I expected.

Kenji's eyes widened. He released a low rumble before stating.[...Kenny-chan?] He narrowed his eyes and continued in a low, booming baritone. [Is that my child you are refering to in such a familiar manner?]

I suddenly felt the temperature rise quite a bit. But I was fine. I nodded. [Yes. I was told I could use Kenny-chan instead of Matsumoto-san.]

[Is that so?] Kenji closed his eyes and rubbed his chin in deep thought. Keiichi mimicked the action, although less intimidatingly. [I see. If that's the case...] Kenji rumbled. I looked back at him, expecting some form of admonishment.

Any second now, something bad's going to happen, I can feel it - no - I can taste it. I braced myself when Kenji's eyes snapped open and he looked straight at me again.

[This is wonderful news!] Kenji boomed. He started laughing his deep, room-shaking laugh, again accompanied by his younger son.

[...Am I missing something?]

With a cough into his fist, (again copied by young Keiichi) Kenji donned a more serious face, much like before. But this time, he was wearing a faint smile. [I'm just glad that my dear Kenny-hime has such a good friend.] He said with a more playful gravel.

I sighed. That's a bit of a relief.

Kenji nodded and continued. [I wanted to personally thank you for taking such good care of my child. All of these great things you've done... How can I not approve?] He released another, shorter chuckle.

[But then I learn that you are such a brute...] Kenji gestured to, well, all of me. He nodded to himself, as did Keiichi. [To be the best friend of Kenny-hime, and strong enough to protect my darling...]

He sighed and reached across the table, and held my shoulder. I didn't realize until just now, but I was been sitting in a stupor, so his big hand made me jump a little. Kenji sneered as he said, [I can't begin to describe how happy I am!] With that, Kenji leaned back and started to laugh a little bit more. I joined in, just a little bit, if only because I was the only one not laughing.

But then, Kenji crossed his arms and scowled. [There is one thing I want to know.] He rumbled.

I sat upright and asked, [And what would that be, Kenji-kun?]

Kenji opened and closed his mouth, like he was trying to find just the right words. He finally did, apparently. [What is your relationship with Kenny-hime like?]

I was not prepared for that. "Uh..." I guess the best answer would be the truth, right? [We're just friends.]

Kenji swallowed. [That's it, huh? You're sure it's nothing else?]

I shook my head, starting to feel a little bit nervous again. [No.]

[Is that so?] Kenji said, briefly looking away before looking back. He nodded with a fierce grin. [It's just as well, anyway. You don't even have my permission, so I guess it's all right.]

I had to force myself not to shiver. [R-right, I don't have your permission.] God, this is uncomfortable.

[But before you get any ideas,] Kenji said with a Kenny-style grin, [I must tell you something. And don't tell Kenny-hime I told you this.] Keiichi held a finger to his mouth.

I cocked my head. [Is it that he's a boy?]

[ . . . !]

Kenji and Keiichi were both so shocked by my outburst that they flinched back and froze in their poses. With a cough into his fist, Kenji (and Keiichi) returned to his regular non-frozen position. He motioned for me to continue.

I shrugged. [He told me.] I summarized. [I don't really mind; there's nothing particularly wrong with it.]

Kenji wiped a tear away from his right cheek and said, [That's really kind of you, Eddy-kun.] He sniffled away the unbecoming feelings and smiled. [Kenny-hime has been through much, and you just accept him for what he is. You really are a man's man.] He stated with an over-dose of charisma.

I smiled a bit uneasily. [Uh, yeah...] This was getting a little weird for my tastes, so I tried to change the subject. [So where is Kenny-chan, anyway?]

[Huh?] Kenji muttered. [Oh, he's in the kitchen, getting dinner ready.] Kenji said, matter-of-factly.

That explains it. I looked to the left, at the only other door in the dining room besides the one I entered from. [Is he helping Mrs. Matsumoto?] I asked.

Kenji slowly shook his head. [No. He's not helping Touko-chan.]

The morose tone he spoke with filled me with dread. He sounded just like Mom whenever dad came up. But I still asked. [She's not here?]

Kenji nodded with a distant gaze. [...Yeah.]

My shoulders sank a little. [I'm sorry to hear that.] I offer with a sympathetic face.

Kenji shook his head and waved away my condolences. [It's okay. It's okay.] He insisted with his shark grin. [It's Kenny-hime who's really suffering.]

I narrowed my eyes for a second. [Kenny-chan?] He's suffering? How is that possible when he never even frowns?

Kenji nodded. [Nn. When my wife passed, Kenny was devastated. I tried to do everything to make him happy.] Kenji gave a shrug of sorts. [I was once a hardass, believe it or not.]

Impossible; I refuse to believe that. You could never be more than a headache, this I firmly believe. But the more I look at him wearing that sarcastic and brass mask, the more possible it seems.

Kenji took a deep breath and continued in a more subdued tone. I also noticed his grin was starting to waver. [But Touko-chan made me promise on her deathbed to let Kenny-hime be happy.] He paused and slowly shook his head. When he continued, he spoke with an even quieter voice, with a hint of tenseness. [But beyond letting him dress and act as he wants, I haven't been able to do anything for him.]

Kenji stopped talking. I noticed his lip quivering just a little bit, and realized that he might have been on the edge of tears.

I didn't say or do anything for the following minute or two. I even considered leaving.

But then he regained his composure. In a matter of seconds, he was sitting upright with his sharp grin and arms crossed. He nodded. [That's why we moved to America. Kenny-hime was so depressed, he didn't even realize it. One time, I even found him sleeping in until four or five. When I asked him why he was still sleeping, he just told me that he didn't want to do anything. That's just not right, you know?] He asked as he faced Keiichi. Keiichi nodded his consent. Kenji turned back to me and spoke as I silently listened. [I decided that we had to leave Japan and all memories of her behind.]

Kenji stoppped talking and returned to his quiet intense gaze.

I swallowed. It was a lot to take in at once, but I think I understand Kenny a little bit more now. He isn't just some happy-go-lucky crossdresser. He's hurt, and he's still recovering. He needs me more than I thought.

[That's sad...] I mutter as I dropped my head.

Kenji chuckled that brass laugh of his. [But it's not. Don't you see?]

I looked back up and saw Kenji clenching his fist in front of himself.

[You, Eddy-kun, are one of the best things to ever happen to my dear Kenny-hime.] I looked at him funny.

I was about to inquire further when the Kitchen door opened. Kenny hummed as he walked in with our food.

We remained silent when Kenny placed a pot on the table. [Dinner is served!] He chimed. He began serving each of us in turn, starting with Kenji, then his younger brother, followed by me, and then himself.

[Oh, Eddy-kun.] Kenji said after he started eating the delicious food Kenny served him.

[Yes?] I replied after Kenny took his seat next to me.

[Regarding that thing we were discussing awhile ago...] His shark grin caught my eye.

What are you talking about? ...Kenny's mother?

[You hereby have my permission.] Kenji clearly enunciated. He winked at me while he wore that sharky grin. I nearly coughed up my food. And by nearly, I mean I managed not to let it fly out my mouth.

Kenny looked from my shocked face, to his father's cheeky grin. [What are you guys talking about?] He asked.

[That's secret, Kenny-nee.] Keiichi quietly answered before he began eating his dinner.

[Haaa?] Kenny turned on his brother. [Don't be mean, Keiichi-kun!] But Keiichi was already eating, and he refused to speak with his mouth full. With a huff, Kenny looked to me for an answer. [Eddy-kun?] He pleaded.

I shook my head, now out of my stupor. [Don't worry about it.]

Kenny crossed his arms and leaned back against his chair. [I want to know what you're talking about.] But after a moment, he resigned himself to eating his food, still miffed about being out of the loop.

Trust me. You don't want to know. I don't want to know.

oXo

"So Kenichi's dad just wanted to meet you, huh?" Mom sounded disappointed when I regaled the evening's events to her later that night. There was no reason to keep it a secret, so I told her. Least I could do after getting home so late and finding her alone, drinking in front of the boobtube.

She didn't say much after that, so I thought I'd make a suggestion. "Hey Mom." She looked away from the T.V. to me. "Do you want to meet him?" I asked. I'd actually been thinking about it all this time. Wouldn't it make sense to meet my 'girlfriend'?

She wore a confused face. "You mean Kenichi's father?" She shook her head. "No, not really. Why?" She glanced at me with a curious expression.

"What? No, not Kenji; Kenichi. I meant to say her, not... him..." I tried correcting myself. Mom was already wearing a devilish smirk. But I still tried to suggest, "Do you want to meet Kenichi?"

Mom shook her head. Good, she didn't notice my slip up. "Naw that's alright." She looked back at the telly. "I don't need to meet anyone you're dating. As long as your boyfriend loves you, I don't mind."

For the second time that day, I was frozen in place. But this time, I felt more like a statue than a man-eater's prey.

Mom continued in a cheerful tune, as if nothing was wrong with her son, who was sitting right next to her. "You know, I'm actually just more concerned for little ol' Kenny's safety."

That knocked me out of my shock. Concerned for Kenny... "How... How come?" I hesitantly inquired. Is it because he might be ridiculed...?

"Well," Mom mused in an intellectual tone, "You are your father's son." She nodded. I'm not quite sure what to make of that, Mom...

She turned her head just so and simply said, "You must be huge down there."

...And that little bit of information locked me right back up again.

I just sat there on the couch with my Mom, mouth hanging open, and brow furrowed for the rest of the night.

So both of our parents are okay with... That. Even though they both know we're both... Well, I'm a man, but Kenny is more of a boy, I guess. So I suppose we're both guys, and our parents are okay with us dating. And being intimate. Okay, yeah, not the worse thing in the world.

Well, at least she's not acting negative about it. She could have disowned me, or worse, she could have sent me to some brain washing gay camp. Things could be much worse.

Yeah, things could be much worse.

I laughed a little, much to my mother's confusion.

When I think about it that way, it's actually a bit relieving. Everyone's okay with us being together.