Photographic Memory

I Get to Tell Them

It was lunchtime already, and all matches seemed to had flown by. Joseph didn't even remember how being in a good mood felt, but now he sure had reasons. He won each and every single game he played. None of the survivors had even managed to open the exit gate. Not like that was the true reason behind the smile stamped on his face.

However, not everything was peaches and cream. He hadn't seen Michiko since their fight over his peculiar romantic interest. The romantic interest which he also hadn't seen all day.

While his mind was filled with conspiracy theories, his friends chatted cheerfully around the table.

"You and that rose cane, man! You can't play a match seriously ever since you got it, can you?" Joker accused the ripper jokingly.

"What can I say? I'm willing to be the new friendly hunter around here since Joseph doesn't seem to want that role anymore." His tone was ironic, but there was still some truth on what he said. His recent results showed his performance decaying at a ridiculous rate. Suspiciously so, considering he had more potential than many of the people around that table.

"I still can't believe the Host gave you a rose cane for your birthday. They never gave us anything." Yidhra pulled off her best bratty child voice and pouted.

"What do you mean? The Host didn't give me it." Jack stated.

The dining room was engulfed by silence and perplexity. Even the sound of forks clinking with the porcelain plates ceased.

"How do you explain her letting you carry the survivors then?" Hastur asked. Joseph could see how disoriented he was in his (multiple) eyes.

"They gave me permission because I kept popping the balloons with my blades. They didn't give me the cane, why would you think that?"

The hunters simply exchanged glances in silence.

"Who else would have given it to you? We know it was a birthday thing..." Burke intervened.

Jack stood still with a fork mid-way to his mouth. Then he put it down sighing, realizing the mistake he had made.

Joseph decided it was time to break the ice, as well as Michiko's trust in just one speech.

It was official; he wanted every hunter to know who was the man behind his secrets. He knew not everyone would agree with his morals, whether because of gender or in-game reasons. But they were going to know sooner or later. The Host would tell them eventually. However, it had to do with him and Aesop alone. He had the right to at least be the one to tell them.

He cleared his throat, interrupting everyone else's conversation. "So... I have something to tell all of you."

"Ok, then. We're all ears." Violetta responded as quietly as the room was around them.

"Oh, I know! You're pregnant, aren't you?! When's the due?!" They all knew Joker couldn't participate in a serious conversation for more than five minutes without ruining everything. He laughed at his own joke.

"Wha- No, I-" Joseph tried to get back to the original point.

"You're gay! Is that it?!"

"No! I mean, kind of- but that's not what I want to-"

"Bisexual, then?!"

"Joker, please, let the man finish." Leo intervened.

Joseph didn't expect to feel this apprehensive. He knew for a fact what they thought of him from now on wasn't a priority; Aesop was. But all eyes were locked on him. There was no turning back now.

"I'm in love with Aesop."

That was easy.

"You're what?!"

"Aesop? Aesop Carl? Like, the embalmer?!"

A sharp, obnoxious sound of wood dragging on the ground echoed all around the dining room. Jack had stood up from his chair. "I'll be in my room." He stepped away.

Joseph understood immediately. He didn't want to keep by to see how this would end, so he left. Maybe he should follow his example...

"Wait, wait! How did something like that happen?!!" Yidhra was almost jumping out of her seat.

Joker, the one who was making a mockery out of the photographer's revelation before, now had his jaw dropped. Even the chewed food inside it was showing.

"I don't know. I guess he made me feel better whenever I felt down... It cheered me up to see him during the matches, even though I was there to chase him..." Joseph couldn't bring himself to raise his head and look at his friends in their eyes. "And we ended up getting along outside the matches too..."

"Outside?! You mean he's been sneaking inside our manor?!" Leo exclaimed.

"It was the other way around, truly..."

"Huh." A short laugh. "We have a Romeo right here. Oh, the forbidden love for your Juliet. Makes you do crazy things, doesn't it?"

Joseph looked up to see the witch smirking sweetly at him.

"You mean you aren't mad at me?" The blonde man didn't bother to hide his astonishment.

"No, not mad. Just surprised. I expected couples to happen, but a survivor and a hunter? I'm impressed."

Joseph looked around, trying to get the same opinion from his friends.

"I suspected you two had something, but I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. I'm happy you found someone in a place like this." Hastur said.

The gamekeeper, however, didn't seem so supportive.

He took a deep breath and put his cards on the table. " I don't really agree with it, you know... He's a survivor, you're a hunter." He paused. "At the end of the day, if that's who you love, that's who you love. If you behave during the matches, I guess you're ok."

"And don't you dare spare him just because you like him!" Yidhra laughed.

A few moments after the meal, the photographer was walking happily to his room. Before he could get inside and shriek over his colleagues' acceptance, the black guard and the clown blocked his way. They had a look of pity on their faces. Glances were exchanged, but none of them seemed to want to speak.

"You first." The smiley face muttered, hitting his friend with his elbow.

Fan Wujiu rubbed the pain off and started talking. "We're sorry about the jokes we've made before. I swear when I said those things about Joker being in love with the forward, I wasn't trying to make you upset."

Joseph smiled tenderly. Both cared so much for his feelings that they managed to bring up a long-forgotten topic and excuse themselves for it.

"I am sorry too... for all the shit that came out of my mouth that day." Joker joined his friend. And, surprisingly so, he had the look of shame on his face.

"You two have nothing to be forgiven for. I couldn't be happier knowing you support me even now." He hugged them and gave both a pat on the back. "Now, pardon me, but I need to get my beauty sleep. Got to look good for tomorrow."

"Any reason in particular?" Black asked, cheeky as always.

"I am going to win the next eight versus two match, and I want Aesop to be impressed. Out of my way! Go! Go!"