Page 109 of Pandion

“He’s fine. He’s just nervous about meeting everyone.” Harumine’s summary caused Kagesawa to glare at him, though in slow, fumbling dismay.It’s kinda rare to see you like this. Even when you were drinking, I can only think of a handful of times I’ve seen you actually drunk.Harumine looked back at those few times rather fondly.Don’t worry about it. It’s a two-hour drive. You’ll sober up before we get there.Kagesawa didn’t seem convinced.

“Oh, there’s no need to be nervous,” Aunt Fujiko pitched in. “We’re all pretty laid-back, normal, small-town people. If you can deal with Satoru here, you’ll do fine with the rest of us.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Harumine eyed her sharply.

“Nothing, dear. You’re just a little… how should I put this delicately? Uptight.”

Her words made Kagesawa burst out laughing, and his laughter sounded like a hippo or a walrus being tortured todeath. He tried to stifle it but let out a string of faint, involuntary snorts that didn’t seem to die down.

“I think you broke him.” Harumine shot a few more accusatory looks at the driver. She shrugged.

“Should I stop somewhere? Will he be all right?”

Yeah, will you?

“Sorry, no,” Kagesawa mouthed, “I’m fine, I’m fine…” He was practically doubled over and wheezing.

“Oh, that reminds me, I’m so sorry! Where are my manners?” Aunt-Fujiko laughed nervously. “I didn’t even introduce myself. I’m Harumine Fujiko, Satoru’s aunt, as he’s probably mentioned. It’s nice to meet you, um…?”

Kagesawa was making what seemed like an effort, if poor, to collect himself.

Ah, could you introduce me and tell her I’m having some trouble with my throat so she doesn’tthink I’m a complete asshat?

Sure.

Of course.

“He’s got a sore throat, so he’s asked me to introduce himself to you,” Harumine explained in his most matter-of-fact tone. “This is Kagesawa Tsuyoshi. My boyfriend1.”

1. ”This is Kagesawa Tsuyoshi. My boyfriend, the apartment wrecker, credit chip hoarder, tech geek, data stack compiler extraordinaire, do-uke, professional thing misplacer, multitasker, wet soap dispenser, organism-wrangler, glorified secretary vehicle handler, car deck interior designer, and docking robot rolling expert. He’s also a regular drugged-up dirty old homeless guy, a hippo and a walrus, and I love him.”

---