Kenji has always been an open-minded kid and never discriminated anyone for being the way they are. Even when a young boy plays with dolls, or a girl plays with cars, Kenji never cared since he knew that he had no right to tell them what they should and shouldn’t do. However, Kenji’s parents weren’t like that. Kenji’s parents were openly close-minded and harsh to minorities to the point where it made both Kenji and Keitaro uncomfortable. They couldn’t say anything to their parents since their parents were so hostile discussing the topic. At that point, Kenji felt like there was something that made him feel different from the so-called norm.
That’s when he realized he was only attracted to men, and it didn’t make Kenji feel ashamed. Instead, it made him relieved figuring out something about himself and accepting it. Whenever dating topics came up, Kenji’s interest was nowhere to be found since his friends would always talk about getting a girlfriend and of course, Kenji can’t open up in these conversations. After all, Kenji had a crush on one of his friends. Since his crush would join in on those topics, Kenji thought he’ll never bring himself to confess to him. Kenji’s worried that his friends think the same as his parents and he’ll be an outcast. At first, Kenji thought he just wanted to get closer to his friend in a platonic sense, but after coming to terms with his orientation, Kenji realized it wasn’t just wanting to be closer friends.
When it was Kenji’s 3rd year of high school, Kenji was planning to casually hang out with his group of friends, but his friends got busy due to school events, so Kenji ended up hanging out with his crush. Kenji still had a crush on him at that point, so he repressed his romantic feelings for his friend. However, Kenji bottling in his feelings gradually made him feel worse. So, while they were hanging out, Kenji confesses to his friend, but he said it in a joking tone and brushed it off as him just being weird. Kenji’s friend was silent for a while, and before Kenji could change the topic, Kenji’s friend then reciprocated his feelings.
This surprised Kenji and he wasn’t sure if he was serious or not, but his friend proceeded to talk about his crush on Kenji. After talking, Kenji’s friend asked if Kenji would like to date him. With cheeks as red as a tomato, Kenji said yes. Kenji and his now boyfriend made sure to hide their relationship from others, especially from their friends. They’re worried about what their friends will think of them and tried their best to not make themselves seem obvious hanging out with only each other.
When it was Kenji’s 6th month of school, he decided to invite his friend group to his house and have a sleepover. He introduced his little brother to his friends and played games with them. When it was time for them to go to sleep, Kenji’s boyfriend was still awake and the couple walked into the backyard to have their alone time. Nothing bad happened until after one week when Kenji returned home from school. Kenji’s parents began to berate him when they noticed him coming in, which caught Kenji off guard and made him feel anxious. They began to demonize him for dating a guy and Kenji’s mind starting going into spirals, wondering how they found out and how Kenji could get him and his boyfriend out of this situation.
His parents then told him that one of his friends said to them that they saw Kenji and his boyfriend being lovey-dovey in the backyard. Kenji felt like he was about to faint from how overwhelming the situation was and when he saw Keitaro peeking out of their shared bedroom with a worried look on his face, Kenji felt his tears flowing down his cheeks and hurried in the room. From then on, the treatment towards Kenji became worse. Kenji’s parents were often verbally abusing him and excluding him by not telling him when dinner is ready, when they’re going to take a family photo, and even not inviting him to family get-togethers. This not only devastated Kenji, but his fear of loneliness began to increase.
Keitaro was the only one sticking to Kenji and standing up for him no matter what. Whenever their parents tried to separate them from each other, Keitaro still stayed with Kenji, since Kenji had no one on his side. Kenji’s boyfriend never knew about Kenji’s family situation until Kenji told him, which made Kenji’s boyfriend feel uncomfortable. When it was graduation day, Kenji wanted to take a picture with his boyfriend, but his day was immediately ruined when his boyfriend told him that he wants to break up with him. When Kenji asked why, he went on to say that two guys going out with each other is wrong and Kenji was pissed.
After graduation, Kenji came home with a frown on his face. His mom took notice of his mood and instead of comforting him, she made a homophobic remark towards him. That was the last straw for Kenji. Nighttime came and Kenji began to pack his things without waking up his little brother. After packing up a water bottle, notebook, pen, some small snacks, money, and his phone, Kenji looked at his brother’s face one more time before leaving. He felt guilty just leaving him here, but considering the difference of the treatment they’re getting, Keitaro would still be fine without Kenji.
Not wanting to leave without a goodbye, Kenji teared a sheet from his notebook and wrote a goodbye message for Keitaro. He explained in his note that as much as he wants to bring Keitaro with him or stay with Keitaro, he doesn’t want Keitaro to suffer the same pain as him by being homeless and not having anyone else to depend on. Afterwards, Kenji left his house and began living in the dumpsters. He isolated himself from others and survive being homeless on his own. He had slept in dangerous areas but never got caught by anyone, he created a ghost-like presence which helped him not gaining a lot of attention.
One day, Kenji was resting in the dumpsters as usual, until an old muscular man came out of a door and took notice of Kenji. Kenji was about to run away, afraid of getting hit, but the old man stopped him and asked if he had eaten yet. Kenji answered no and so he was let in. Kenji was anxious watching the man cook in the kitchen. It’s not that he thinks the stranger might poison him or something, he’s more concerned about accepting this kindness towards him. Being homeless for two weeks was already painful enough and Kenji wasn’t sure to trust someone again.
The man then served him curry and rice, which was the most pleasant meal Kenji has ever had. While enjoying the meal, the old man asked him about his situation and Kenji at first wasn’t sure about opening up to the stranger, but thinking more about it, Kenji thought he had nothing to lose explaining his situation. And so, Kenji went on to explain. After explaining his situation to the stranger, the old man had a thoughtful expression on his face and asked him his age. Kenji told him that he turned eighteen this year and the man told him that he can start working as a bartender in his bar. Kenji hesitated accepting the job, but the man then went on to say that he’s handling a gay bar and it’d be nice to have another person working in the bar.
Kenji was surprised to hear that there were gay bars in his country, and the man told him that there are hundreds of gay bars in Japan. Hearing this, Kenji’s heart was relieved at the thought that he could finally meet more people like him. He immediately accepted the job, and thus, started working as a bartender in a gay bar. Kenji eventually changed his surname to Aida since his new guardian, Aida Takanori, was more of a parent than his parents. Kenji is forever grateful for Takanori, who took him in at his lowest point.
Comments