RP FanFic: Boke to Tsukkomi
Title: Boke to Tsukkomi
Rating: G
Warning: N/A
Status: Complete
Characters: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kimura Takuya
Pairings/Friendship: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi + Kimura Takuya Friendship
Timeline: Sometime after the year 2003.
Summary: And it dawned on Kusanagi Tsuyoshi. You couldn't have a complete manzai combination if either the boke or the tsukkomi was missing. The both of them were needed.
A/N: None of the characters/actors belong to me. This work is purely fiction and does not reflect the real opinions/lifestyles of the person(s) involved. Comments and criticisms are welcomed. ENJOY! XD
BOKE TO TSUKKOMI
It happened again. When Kusanagi Tsuyoshi accidentally let loose another one of his infamous remarks, he was fully expecting Kimura Takuya to jump in, ever quick to tsukkomi [1] the younger Member. Clearly Kimura-kun had noticed, completely prepared when Tsuyoshi had allowed his words to run away from him.
But, like so many other times before that, Kimura-kun stopped, abruptly silencing himself without ever voicing his teasing remark.
It was really getting to Tsuyoshi; that silence. He had never liked being teased, always reminded of his childhood days when even the slightest taunt could send him bursting into a flood of tears. But, ever since he became a member of SMAP, ever since he realized that he had been thrown into a group filled with ‘S’ personalities, he had resigned himself to being the boke [2], his K.Y. nature ensuring his place as the one who would always be on the receiving end of the tsukkomi. Over time, he had even come to accept it, even enjoy it. He began to see it as his role, the part that only he could play, unique to his personality.
So it was not surprising really that he had begun to miss Kimura-kun’s remarks; sometimes going so far to even try and provoke his fellow Member by being deliberately boke.
But, it never worked. Kimura-kun would always stop, the words on the tip of his tongue, a strange light gleaming in his eyes, and the moment would pass.
Tsuyoshi could stand it no longer.
The atmosphere in the room was stifling, pressing down so heavily on Tsuyoshi that all he really wanted to do was escape, his every sense and instinct crying out to him to just leave.
But he had to do it; he had to ask Kimura-kun now. If he did not, Tsuyoshi knew that it would be a long time before he ever had the nerve or the courage to approach his fellow Member ever again.
Sucking in a deep, nervous breath, Tsuyoshi approached Kimura-kun, whose back was to the younger Member, as he stood by the water filter, getting himself a drink.
‘Kimura-kun, why don’t you tsukkomi me anymore?’
Kimura-kun froze, halting his motions for a split second before slowly placing his paper cup down on the table, his back still turned to Tsuyoshi.
Part of Tsuyoshi wanted Kimura-kun to turn around and look at him, to see that despite the incredulity of the question, Tsuyoshi was being serious, and that he wanted a serious answer.
But another part of him, admittedly the bigger part, was grateful that he would not have to meet his fellow Member’s piercing gaze, to feel the full attention of Kimura-kun’s presence, especially since they were both alone in the room without the rest of SMAP, especially since Tsuyoshi was so brazenly demanding Kimura-kun to explain himself, explain his actions.
Tsuyoshi didn’t know how he would be able to form the thoughts, to voice the words, he needed to otherwise.
The silence ticked between them, and Tsuyoshi resisted the urge pant and gasp, the air thickening with suffocating tension. His hand came up involuntarily to loosen his tie and collar, moving to dab away the sweat that was beginning to bead at his forehead. He wanted to say something, anything, to break the forced stillness that seemed to have settled on the both of them, but something within him told him to be patient, to wait it out.
And his patience paid off.
‘Goro told me that you were afraid of me.’ [3]
Tsuyoshi’s jaw dropped, his thoughts thrown out of the loop. Stunned, he stared unblinkingly at the back of his fellow Member’s head.
Whatever he was expecting, it was not something like this.
Goro-san told Kimura-kun that?
Tsuyoshi had to admit that he had once been afraid of Kimura-kun; afraid of his fellow Member’s sharp wits and even sharper tongue. Those were the days when Tsuyoshi was still the crybaby, the naïve child, who associated teasing, taunting, with bullying, the cruel desire to hurt and to injure, and with Kimura-kun’s penchant for teasing, it certainly did not sit well with the younger Member.
But those times had passed. Tsuyoshi’s perceptions had changed, drastically, and most definitely for the better.
And Kimura-kun was the reason behind that change.
It was because of the older Member that Tsuyoshi learnt of affectionate teasing, remarks which could have been hurtful were they empty of the love that was behind them; remarks that were fun and hilarious, witty and creative because they were empty of ill intent. It was similar to the way a mother scolded a child, her anger not meant to burn and scar, but filled with entirely good intentions that stemmed from her immense care and concern. Kimura-kun had taught him that adoration and attention could be expressed in many different ways, some more indirect than blatant hugs and outright declarations.
And Tsuyoshi had come to see his fellow Member’s tsukkomi as Kimura-kun’s way of acknowledging Tsuyoshi’s presence in his life, of showering Tsuyoshi with his full attention, and Tsuyoshi treasured the other man’s teasing because it represented the uniqueness of the bond they shared.
So was he afraid of Kimura-kun?
No, Tsuyoshi could confidently say that he was not.
But, Tsuyoshi was afraid that if he did not buck up in his efforts to improve, if he neglected to put a hundred percent of himself into his work, Kimura-kun would stop pulling him along. He was afraid that if he stopped pushing himself, Kimura-kun would give up on him; that his fellow passionate, stronger and more aggressive Member would leave Tsuyoshi behind, trailing in his shadows, failing miserably in his desperate attempts of catching up to his fellow Member. He was terrified that one day, Kimura-kun’s eyes would be on him, but instead of looking at him, Kimura-kun would simply look through him; that Kimura-kun, whom Tsuyoshi idolized and adored, would not deem Tsuyoshi worthy of his attentions.
No, Tsuyoshi was not afraid of Kimura-kun.
He was terrified of losing Kimura-kun.
That was why, no matter how petrified he had been, no matter how it made him quake right down to the tips of toes, Tsuyoshi had been desperate to confront Kimura-kun on his sudden withdrawal.
Because more than his fear of confrontations, was his mounting terror at the increasing tangibility of the absence of his fellow Member’s presence, an absence wrought by silence.
The slight, muffled drumming of fingers against the surface of the table brought Tsuyoshi back to reality. The older Member now had his side-profile to Tsuyoshi, eyes averted, but the expression on his face betrayed the tumultuous emotions behind the tension that ran through his taut figure.
Tsuyoshi’s eyes widened. Emotions, he realized, that he recognized. Emotions that Tsuyoshi himself was intimately familiar with.
A sudden insight dawned on him.
So that was the reason why Kimura-kun did not tsukkomi him; the reason Kimura-kun had stopped every time he was on the verge of teasing Tsuyoshi.
Kimura-kun was scared of losing Tsuyoshi too.
It was as if the gates of understanding had been opened within Tsuyoshi, flooding his mind with epiphanies and revelations. Suddenly, it all made sense, Kimura-kun’s hesitations, his response to Goro’s statement, his withdrawal from Tsuyoshi, everything.
It was so easy, so frighteningly easy to forget that Kimura-kun was not perfect, that under all the confidence, under all that talent, that amazing ability to allure the people around him, the ability to carry himself with ease no matter what challenge he faced; underneath it all, was a man, a normal human being made of flesh and blood, who bore within him the scars of past hurts and the uncertain fear of the unknown.
A man not dissimilar to Tsuyoshi himself.
Of all people, Kimura-kun would be more than familiar with Tsuyoshi’s inability to deal well with teasing. He had been there when Tsuyoshi’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears; he had been there when Tsuyoshi was unable to stem those tears, a witness to Tsuyoshi’s moments of weakness and misery. Coupled with his intensely protective nature, directed especially at his fellow Members, it was no wonder Kimura-kun had reacted so strongly, so adversely to Goro-san’s words.
He was afraid of pushing too far; afraid that he had crossed the boundaries that would forever sever the bond that they had. Kimura-kun always loved teasing the younger Member, but he had never wanted to hurt him, to break him.
Kimura-kun had never wanted Tsuyoshi to be scared of him. He was their protector, their shield. What use was he if the very people he wanted to protect, the very people he cherished, were the same people who were also gripped with fear at his presence?
That was the reason why he did not tsukkomi Tsuyoshi. He was afraid, that with one wrong move, everything they had, the bond that they shared and built together over the years, everything they had worked for between them, everything would be over.
Kimura-kun had withdrawn, not because he was no longer interested in Tsuyoshi.
It was because he was terrified of losing the younger Member.
And Tsuyoshi realized. He had to speak up now. He had to tell Kimura-kun how he really felt, what was really going through his mind.
Because if he did not, if he allowed this to continue, if he allowed the distance to plant its roots until it became an immovable wedge between them, then Tsuyoshi’s fear would become a very dreadful actuality.
He would lose Kimura-kun for real.
They would lose each other for real.
‘B-but, I like being the boke to Kimura-kun’s tsukkomi.’
Kimura-kun’s head snapped up in shock, his eyes zeroing in on the younger Member. Tsuyoshi met his gaze squarely, resisting the urge to blink rapidly, to fidget, as Kimura-kun scrutinized him, looking, searching.
Then, Kimura-kun smiled, the expression a little awkward, a little embarrassed, sincere and honest, before mischief conquered and a cheeky smirk made its grand appearance.
‘Nani sore? Dase… ’ [4]
Though lacking its usual vigor, its usual heat, the normality of his fellow Member’s words left Tsuyoshi feeling weak with relief. And, it was his turn to feel embarrassed, stuttering and stammering as he tried to protest, a bright flush spreading over his fair cheeks, painting his neck and ears a brilliant crimson.
Because no manzai [5] combination was complete without both the boke and the tsukkomi, and it reminded Tsuyoshi that even as he wanted, needed Kimura-kun in his life.
Kimura-kun wanted and needed him too.
And just as Tsuyoshi did not want to lose Kimura-kun.
Kimura-kun did not want to lose him too.
~OWARI~
[1] "Tsukkomi". Loosely translated to "the straight man" or "the bully". He is one-part of the traditional Japanese comedic partnership. The "tsukkomi" sets straight any ridiculous statements made by the "boke", sometimes even berating the "boke" for his air-headedness. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_owarai_terms#tsukkomi
[2] "Boke". Loosely translated to "the funny man" or "the dumb one". He is one-part of the traditional Japanese comedic partnership. The "boke" acts like an air-head and makes the most ridiculous statements, which the "tsukkomi" jumps in and corrects. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_owarai_terms#boke
[3] This is actually a reference to the SMAPxSMAP episode (2003.12.15) where the SMAP members all had a one-on-one talk with each other, and Goro was paired up with Takuya.
[4] "Nani sore? Dase..." Loosely translated to "What's up with that? That's so lame/retarded (not cool)..."
[5] "Manzai". It is a traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japan, involving two people, who are the "tsukkomi" and the "boke" that trade jokes at great speed. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai
A/N: Loosely inspired by Shigesato Itoi-san's interview in The SMAP Magazine. He mentioned that in his eyes, SMAP is like a 5-person manzai. I thought that this was really interesting, so... XD And, if anyone is interested, here is a link to elyn524's translation of that article: http://elyn524.livejournal.com/5403.html
Rating: G
Warning: N/A
Status: Complete
Characters: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Kimura Takuya
Pairings/Friendship: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi + Kimura Takuya Friendship
Timeline: Sometime after the year 2003.
Summary: And it dawned on Kusanagi Tsuyoshi. You couldn't have a complete manzai combination if either the boke or the tsukkomi was missing. The both of them were needed.
A/N: None of the characters/actors belong to me. This work is purely fiction and does not reflect the real opinions/lifestyles of the person(s) involved. Comments and criticisms are welcomed. ENJOY! XD
BOKE TO TSUKKOMI
It happened again. When Kusanagi Tsuyoshi accidentally let loose another one of his infamous remarks, he was fully expecting Kimura Takuya to jump in, ever quick to tsukkomi [1] the younger Member. Clearly Kimura-kun had noticed, completely prepared when Tsuyoshi had allowed his words to run away from him.
But, like so many other times before that, Kimura-kun stopped, abruptly silencing himself without ever voicing his teasing remark.
It was really getting to Tsuyoshi; that silence. He had never liked being teased, always reminded of his childhood days when even the slightest taunt could send him bursting into a flood of tears. But, ever since he became a member of SMAP, ever since he realized that he had been thrown into a group filled with ‘S’ personalities, he had resigned himself to being the boke [2], his K.Y. nature ensuring his place as the one who would always be on the receiving end of the tsukkomi. Over time, he had even come to accept it, even enjoy it. He began to see it as his role, the part that only he could play, unique to his personality.
So it was not surprising really that he had begun to miss Kimura-kun’s remarks; sometimes going so far to even try and provoke his fellow Member by being deliberately boke.
But, it never worked. Kimura-kun would always stop, the words on the tip of his tongue, a strange light gleaming in his eyes, and the moment would pass.
Tsuyoshi could stand it no longer.
The atmosphere in the room was stifling, pressing down so heavily on Tsuyoshi that all he really wanted to do was escape, his every sense and instinct crying out to him to just leave.
But he had to do it; he had to ask Kimura-kun now. If he did not, Tsuyoshi knew that it would be a long time before he ever had the nerve or the courage to approach his fellow Member ever again.
Sucking in a deep, nervous breath, Tsuyoshi approached Kimura-kun, whose back was to the younger Member, as he stood by the water filter, getting himself a drink.
‘Kimura-kun, why don’t you tsukkomi me anymore?’
Kimura-kun froze, halting his motions for a split second before slowly placing his paper cup down on the table, his back still turned to Tsuyoshi.
Part of Tsuyoshi wanted Kimura-kun to turn around and look at him, to see that despite the incredulity of the question, Tsuyoshi was being serious, and that he wanted a serious answer.
But another part of him, admittedly the bigger part, was grateful that he would not have to meet his fellow Member’s piercing gaze, to feel the full attention of Kimura-kun’s presence, especially since they were both alone in the room without the rest of SMAP, especially since Tsuyoshi was so brazenly demanding Kimura-kun to explain himself, explain his actions.
Tsuyoshi didn’t know how he would be able to form the thoughts, to voice the words, he needed to otherwise.
The silence ticked between them, and Tsuyoshi resisted the urge pant and gasp, the air thickening with suffocating tension. His hand came up involuntarily to loosen his tie and collar, moving to dab away the sweat that was beginning to bead at his forehead. He wanted to say something, anything, to break the forced stillness that seemed to have settled on the both of them, but something within him told him to be patient, to wait it out.
And his patience paid off.
‘Goro told me that you were afraid of me.’ [3]
Tsuyoshi’s jaw dropped, his thoughts thrown out of the loop. Stunned, he stared unblinkingly at the back of his fellow Member’s head.
Whatever he was expecting, it was not something like this.
Goro-san told Kimura-kun that?
Tsuyoshi had to admit that he had once been afraid of Kimura-kun; afraid of his fellow Member’s sharp wits and even sharper tongue. Those were the days when Tsuyoshi was still the crybaby, the naïve child, who associated teasing, taunting, with bullying, the cruel desire to hurt and to injure, and with Kimura-kun’s penchant for teasing, it certainly did not sit well with the younger Member.
But those times had passed. Tsuyoshi’s perceptions had changed, drastically, and most definitely for the better.
And Kimura-kun was the reason behind that change.
It was because of the older Member that Tsuyoshi learnt of affectionate teasing, remarks which could have been hurtful were they empty of the love that was behind them; remarks that were fun and hilarious, witty and creative because they were empty of ill intent. It was similar to the way a mother scolded a child, her anger not meant to burn and scar, but filled with entirely good intentions that stemmed from her immense care and concern. Kimura-kun had taught him that adoration and attention could be expressed in many different ways, some more indirect than blatant hugs and outright declarations.
And Tsuyoshi had come to see his fellow Member’s tsukkomi as Kimura-kun’s way of acknowledging Tsuyoshi’s presence in his life, of showering Tsuyoshi with his full attention, and Tsuyoshi treasured the other man’s teasing because it represented the uniqueness of the bond they shared.
So was he afraid of Kimura-kun?
No, Tsuyoshi could confidently say that he was not.
But, Tsuyoshi was afraid that if he did not buck up in his efforts to improve, if he neglected to put a hundred percent of himself into his work, Kimura-kun would stop pulling him along. He was afraid that if he stopped pushing himself, Kimura-kun would give up on him; that his fellow passionate, stronger and more aggressive Member would leave Tsuyoshi behind, trailing in his shadows, failing miserably in his desperate attempts of catching up to his fellow Member. He was terrified that one day, Kimura-kun’s eyes would be on him, but instead of looking at him, Kimura-kun would simply look through him; that Kimura-kun, whom Tsuyoshi idolized and adored, would not deem Tsuyoshi worthy of his attentions.
No, Tsuyoshi was not afraid of Kimura-kun.
He was terrified of losing Kimura-kun.
That was why, no matter how petrified he had been, no matter how it made him quake right down to the tips of toes, Tsuyoshi had been desperate to confront Kimura-kun on his sudden withdrawal.
Because more than his fear of confrontations, was his mounting terror at the increasing tangibility of the absence of his fellow Member’s presence, an absence wrought by silence.
The slight, muffled drumming of fingers against the surface of the table brought Tsuyoshi back to reality. The older Member now had his side-profile to Tsuyoshi, eyes averted, but the expression on his face betrayed the tumultuous emotions behind the tension that ran through his taut figure.
Tsuyoshi’s eyes widened. Emotions, he realized, that he recognized. Emotions that Tsuyoshi himself was intimately familiar with.
A sudden insight dawned on him.
So that was the reason why Kimura-kun did not tsukkomi him; the reason Kimura-kun had stopped every time he was on the verge of teasing Tsuyoshi.
Kimura-kun was scared of losing Tsuyoshi too.
It was as if the gates of understanding had been opened within Tsuyoshi, flooding his mind with epiphanies and revelations. Suddenly, it all made sense, Kimura-kun’s hesitations, his response to Goro’s statement, his withdrawal from Tsuyoshi, everything.
It was so easy, so frighteningly easy to forget that Kimura-kun was not perfect, that under all the confidence, under all that talent, that amazing ability to allure the people around him, the ability to carry himself with ease no matter what challenge he faced; underneath it all, was a man, a normal human being made of flesh and blood, who bore within him the scars of past hurts and the uncertain fear of the unknown.
A man not dissimilar to Tsuyoshi himself.
Of all people, Kimura-kun would be more than familiar with Tsuyoshi’s inability to deal well with teasing. He had been there when Tsuyoshi’s eyes brimmed with unshed tears; he had been there when Tsuyoshi was unable to stem those tears, a witness to Tsuyoshi’s moments of weakness and misery. Coupled with his intensely protective nature, directed especially at his fellow Members, it was no wonder Kimura-kun had reacted so strongly, so adversely to Goro-san’s words.
He was afraid of pushing too far; afraid that he had crossed the boundaries that would forever sever the bond that they had. Kimura-kun always loved teasing the younger Member, but he had never wanted to hurt him, to break him.
Kimura-kun had never wanted Tsuyoshi to be scared of him. He was their protector, their shield. What use was he if the very people he wanted to protect, the very people he cherished, were the same people who were also gripped with fear at his presence?
That was the reason why he did not tsukkomi Tsuyoshi. He was afraid, that with one wrong move, everything they had, the bond that they shared and built together over the years, everything they had worked for between them, everything would be over.
Kimura-kun had withdrawn, not because he was no longer interested in Tsuyoshi.
It was because he was terrified of losing the younger Member.
And Tsuyoshi realized. He had to speak up now. He had to tell Kimura-kun how he really felt, what was really going through his mind.
Because if he did not, if he allowed this to continue, if he allowed the distance to plant its roots until it became an immovable wedge between them, then Tsuyoshi’s fear would become a very dreadful actuality.
He would lose Kimura-kun for real.
They would lose each other for real.
‘B-but, I like being the boke to Kimura-kun’s tsukkomi.’
Kimura-kun’s head snapped up in shock, his eyes zeroing in on the younger Member. Tsuyoshi met his gaze squarely, resisting the urge to blink rapidly, to fidget, as Kimura-kun scrutinized him, looking, searching.
Then, Kimura-kun smiled, the expression a little awkward, a little embarrassed, sincere and honest, before mischief conquered and a cheeky smirk made its grand appearance.
‘Nani sore? Dase… ’ [4]
Though lacking its usual vigor, its usual heat, the normality of his fellow Member’s words left Tsuyoshi feeling weak with relief. And, it was his turn to feel embarrassed, stuttering and stammering as he tried to protest, a bright flush spreading over his fair cheeks, painting his neck and ears a brilliant crimson.
Because no manzai [5] combination was complete without both the boke and the tsukkomi, and it reminded Tsuyoshi that even as he wanted, needed Kimura-kun in his life.
Kimura-kun wanted and needed him too.
And just as Tsuyoshi did not want to lose Kimura-kun.
Kimura-kun did not want to lose him too.
~OWARI~
[1] "Tsukkomi". Loosely translated to "the straight man" or "the bully". He is one-part of the traditional Japanese comedic partnership. The "tsukkomi" sets straight any ridiculous statements made by the "boke", sometimes even berating the "boke" for his air-headedness. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_owarai_terms#tsukkomi
[2] "Boke". Loosely translated to "the funny man" or "the dumb one". He is one-part of the traditional Japanese comedic partnership. The "boke" acts like an air-head and makes the most ridiculous statements, which the "tsukkomi" jumps in and corrects. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_owarai_terms#boke
[3] This is actually a reference to the SMAPxSMAP episode (2003.12.15) where the SMAP members all had a one-on-one talk with each other, and Goro was paired up with Takuya.
[4] "Nani sore? Dase..." Loosely translated to "What's up with that? That's so lame/retarded (not cool)..."
[5] "Manzai". It is a traditional style of stand-up comedy in Japan, involving two people, who are the "tsukkomi" and the "boke" that trade jokes at great speed. If anyone is interested in finding out more, please check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzai
A/N: Loosely inspired by Shigesato Itoi-san's interview in The SMAP Magazine. He mentioned that in his eyes, SMAP is like a 5-person manzai. I thought that this was really interesting, so... XD And, if anyone is interested, here is a link to elyn524's translation of that article: http://elyn524.livejournal.com/5403.html