Part I -- The Soul and Spirit of Kiku Heaven
Honorifics
The new generation of Kiku Heaven brings in the scene some peculiar characteristics when compared to their parents with some of them making their appearance quite early. Most notable of all is perhaps the omission or the very rare use of honorifics in their daily speech -- which is considered rather rude when you come to think of it.
One explanation given by Naoki Tatsuya was that honorifics make relationships sound too formal and distant, and his partner, Yamasaki Yokito, claimed that honorifics are like iced water thrown to extinguish the flames of passion and love. [ We can safely bet Yokito failed his poetry class at school.] Shan Hiroyuki rejected their arguments as ridiculous since, in his opinion, it is real love and passion requiring the presence of honorifics the most, for they show respect to the loved one. Kobayashi Kumi supported Hiroyuki’s argument at first, but later on he changed his mind as he found out that it was impossible to say “Hiroyuki-san” and continue being sexually aroused.
Hiroyuki: How sure are you about that?
Kumi: Quite a bit.
Hiroyuki: What did you say?
Kumi: Quite...
Hiroyuki: Say it again...
Kumi: ...a bit
There was also Wu Ceci, arguing that while she had no problem to call her boyfriend “Kazuo-san” [tee hee hee], it sounded a little funny for someone of Chinese origin like herself, adding: “I’m not suggesting the introduction of Chinese honorifics either. Tee hee hee.”
Although they had just stepped into the Campus, the youth of Kiku Heaven called for a meeting to discuss the issue, requesting everyone’s presence. They even invited their neighbours, the Fantasy household, to attend the meeting, when they heard that they were all planning to move to Kiku Heaven after graduation. In fact, Count D., who was in his senior year, was said to have already found a nice “cottage” in Kiku Heaven.
The first arrivals to the meeting, Reiko Tenzen and Strife Kazuo. [Let's hope he won't pick on Kazuo again...]
Of all the arguments the one to weight heavier was that of Kumi’s. “You can’t…? That’s terrible!” exclaimed Yamasaki Yoshi innocently making everyone in the room roar with laughter. Strife Hiroshi, Kazuo’s brother, tried to convince them that this was no argument at all."You argue when you have a subject, and this is NO subject! 'tards!"
Hiroshi: Whose idea was this stupid meeting?
Some of the meeting participants taking a break for dinner. While the rest have a late dinner, Norihiro takes an early breakfast. What's wrong with this boy?
Yashamaru having a cup of coffee during the meeting. At last his chin has grown bigger. Yaay! Bye-bye monkey days!
Yamasaki Ichiro, first time present in such a big gathering, was heard to say, or rather to murmur, “No, this is not right. Calling the name of the one you love gives your love form and shape.” Surely these words came as a surprise to everyone, especially when the one uttering them was Ichiro. What would Ichiro, a cold, distant and somehow introvert boy, possibly know of love?
What Ichiro knew it would be revealed much later, but for now they had a decision to make, and for the decision they needed more solid evidence. After putting the theory into “practice” a few conclusions were drawn. First and most importantly, Kumi was right; secondly, they became aware that Yamasaki Nenki was in love with Strife Cloud, and, somehow, Ishikawa Yashamaru’s agitation had something to do with it, but it was all too vague to be certain. Finally, everyone now became aware of Kobayashi Kumi’s and Shan Hiroyuki’s incredible strengths: they were able to be ‘active’ all night long and still get up and go jogging in the morning. [!!!]
Thirty-six hours later the meeting was over, some faces shone brightly and happy, other looked miserable and gloomy. When they started taking their leave, Count Liu Fei’s laugh hit them on the back. “Heads up, boys, for life is full of surprises!” His laughter sounded a little hysterical but no one was in the mood to pay real attention.
Advent Kadajo and Count Liu Fei left last, but they hurried back to their house...
...as they had some unfinished business to take care of.
When Count Fei said "surprises" apparently he knew what he was talking about, because, at the end of the first semester, Naoki Tsuki appeared in the Campus.
Hiroshi thinks Tsuki is cute and seizes the opportunity to practice his flirting techniques. Kazuo, on the other hand, loses his appetite. “Sheesh! Find a room and get out of here! You’ll make me throw up with all this lovey-dovey stuff.”
The news left Tatsuya speechless. A half-sister? Since when?
When he talked to his father, Gero mumbled something about an “accident” years ago, when he was feeling lonely and met young Count D. at Lulu’s Lounge, but Tatsuya knew better. Never trust a family whore.
"How hard you find it not to get laid with everyone who flirts with you and particularly, NOT to use that stupid Alien formula for once? I’m sure you’ve done more than I already know, haven’t you?"
The question was rhetorical of course, and he hung up on him immediately after that.
Chapter One
Boys, boys, boys!
Now that he is a student, Cloud can at last explain all those dreams he used to have about Nenki and the reason behind them. During the “Honorifics or not? This is the question” meeting, Nenki confesses the feelings are mutual, and from there on they begin dating. Near the end of the second semester Nenki asks him to move with him to the Yamasakis’ student house, but Cloud is ambivalent and few days later rejects the offer.
Too bad the rejection notice arrives along with the rumour that Cloud was spotted Downtown having a great time with Yashamaru.
"...this will teach you some manners, filthy scum! Learn to keep your pants up!"
Norikazu: It’s not your damn business, lady! Ouch!
Hiroyuki: Nori-san! What’s going on?
Norikazu: That old hag almost broke my neck. Damnit!
Hiroyuki: (laugh) You dropped your pants again?
Norikazu: It’s not funny, I think she broke my neck. It’s awful.
Hiroyuki: Nothing dance can’t heal. Come, let’s smustle… “filthy scum” (laugh)
They join the rest of their friends and soon they are all caught in the frenzy of a smustle dance!
They have a splendid time; Kumi is delighted to meet also Akiko [ Yes, Koshiro is a great man and they are happy together] and his father, who has some news to share with his younger son: Strife Kiyoshi has moved with him. “In our house?” asks Kumi. His father nods. “And Mum?” “She has moved.” Kumi’s face looks worried now, “Because of him”, he adds. Kenji tries to reassure his son. “No, no, nothing like that, Kumi. She had moved much earlier... actually it was a few days after you all had left for College. She had already bought a small house in the north-eastern part of Kiku Heaven.” For a moment Kumi stands there with his eyes settle on his father’s face unable to think. “Are you happy?” he asks in the end. Kenji’s smiling face says it all. “Yes, I am. I am now.” Kumi hugs his father cheerfully and kisses him. “I’m happy for you, Dad.”
Is he? When he and Hiroyuki go back at the Campus house he sits in front of his sewing machine, bought one day he was bored and wanted to try something different, and decides to sew anything needing a piece of thread and a needle. Is this what happiness looks like, Kumi?
In the meantime, outside of the Strife household, Nenki, who had been waiting for hours Cloud’s return, is giving one of the fiercest fights ever seen up to this day. Yashamaru would love to separate them and punch Nenki in the face, but Cloud does not seem to step back. Hikaru, Cloud’s brother, and Hiroshi are watching bewildered, unable to explain how things turned this way. Muroga Hitoshi, who was visiting the Strifes, cheers for Cloud. Too bad Nenki won that round.
When Hitoshi arrives home Norihiro is already in bed, but the moment the key turns in the lock his eyes open.
Hitoshi: I thought you were sleeping.
Norihiro: I was waiting for you...
Norihiro: I’ve missed you...
Hitoshi: I was next door studying with Hikaru and Hiroshi. Why didn’t you come?
Norihiro: Are you coming to bed?
Hitoshi: Yes, I’m coming...
... to stay awake waiting for your nightmares and your gasps of agony to begin, to wipe the sweat from your brow and feel your hand in-between the sheets. I’m coming.
< TO BE CONTINUED >