Still here? Well, on with the show then!

“…I thought I was the one telling the story,” Junior gave a sideways glance to Wendy.
“Hey, I WAS there, y’know. I think my eye witness testimony is necessary to give Hanbei the lowdown!” his sister added with a wink.
“…So wait…they took their shells off…in front of everyone?” Hanbei asked again.
“Yep!” sister and brother answered simultaneously.
“…So they were…naked, then…?” Hanbei continued to ask, this time with a more disturbed look on his face.
“No no no no!” Wendy exclaimed. “They were fully clothed otherwise, they weren’t trying to be all like ‘Wink 193’, up in there!”
“…I see.”
“So, anyway,” Junior continued. “it caught on. Turtles, koopas…whatever, if they had shells on their back, they were comin’ out of ‘em. Being ‘de-shelled’ is that ‘new shit’ now, for those who keep up with the trends.”
“…fascinating,” was all that Hanbei could say.
“But hey, you gots to give it credit. It’s both functional, AND a fashion statement! Going without the shell, quite literally, is a nice load off a koopa’s back. As of right now, I only wear mine’s for training,” the shades-wearing koopa chimed in.
“…if you all say so, and it makes you happy, who am I to say anything otherwise?” Hanbei concluded. “I guess that even goes for ‘the hoop’, in your case, Junia-kou.”
“It’s called a ‘nose ring’, nii-chaaaaaan,” Junior said with a grin.
“I have seen nose rings. THAT is not a nose ring. It is a hoop.”
“Nose ring,” Junior snickered out.
“Hoop,” Hanbei replied simply.
“Ring.”
“Hoop.”
“Ring.”
“Hoop.”
“Ring.”
“Hoop.”
“Ring.”
“Hoop.”
“Ring.”
“Hoop.”
“Ring.”
“Hoop.”
“Ring!” Junior got a little louder.
“Hoop.” Hanbei kept his even tone.
“RING!” Junior said with a widening grin.
“Hoop.”
Junior waited a second and then....
“…Hoop.”
“R-…”, but Hanbei caught himself just in time with a chortle. “…nice try, Junia-kou.”
“You were about to say it! I almost had ya!” Junior cheesed it up as he looked Hanbei dead in the eyes. He was really enjoying the fact that he was now taller than one of the very guys who used to pet him on the head in his younger days, up until Hanbei left a while ago.
“As they say, ‘almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades,'” Hanbei continued with a small smile.
“I say, they should include a clause for ‘outwitting smart-ass wartortles named Hanbei.'”
“I would co-sign 'dat kinda clause wit’ 'da quickness! Live Arcade should have that as an Achievement!” Roy agreed, chuckling in tune with his brother. Then he proceeded to wrap one of his trunk-like arms around Hanbei’s neck.
“In any case, it’s good you back. Now, da crew is back at full force!”
“This is true,” Hanbei replied with a smile.
“…think we can get you out of YOUR shell, too?” Roy grinned.
“…we’ll…talk...” Hanbei said.
“I ain’t about to have my man not have his look together! After all, you not just reppin’ yourself, you be reppin’ me when you’re out on 'da streets, too!” Roy squeezed his arm tighter around Hanbei’s neck
“Like I said….we’ll talk. Not exactly sure about all this ‘de-shelling’ business, for myself. But hey, it’s still early in the game. Maybe it might grow on me.” Hanbei stayed ever cool, even as Roy’s vice-like grip continued to tighten.
“Speakin’ of early, why exactly ARE ya back so early?” Roy asked.
“Yeah…last I heard you were supposed to be training on your little tour de force with Mr. Gai, leading up to your test, which would have you certified to officially teach at the school…” Junior added.
“Well, actually….” Hanbei started.
“…It was at my request,” an older, deeper voice sounded out.
All eyes turned back towards the doors of the mansion, acknowledging the figure that had just emerged: Bowser Koopa, Sr. It could only be assumed that he got home from work relatively recently, but nevertheless, he had found the time to change into a deep red muscle shirt, and some black colored jeans.
“Daddy? We didn’t even hear you come in…” Wendy said.
“Good! Keep y’all on your toes! No wild house parties in my domain…at least, unless I’M the one that’s throwing them!” Bowser chuckled.
The Koopa family patriarch came down the steps to greet his children, and their guest. It was clear as day to see where Junior got his looks from, as well as Roy’s basic body type. Were it not for Roy, Bowser would be the uncontested tallest member in the immediate family, including those siblings not currently present. And even there, Roy only has him beat by a mere inch.
“Welcome back, Hanbei Kagami, my ‘eighth son’!” Bowser grinned, as he shook Hanbei’s hand. “And it’s also good that you were able to make it earlier than I anticipated, no less!”
Hanbei released himself from Roy’s grasp, and looked Bowser over. He could not help but notice that the patriarch ALSO was without his shell.
“Kimi mo…?” Hanbei asked with wide eyes.
“Yes, that’s right, me too! Sure, I can’t be rockin’ it like this when I’m Bowser Koopa, the King of the Hotel Industry, but here, at home, in my own humble abode? Anything goes!” Bowser said with a smile. “I must say though, it is a bit of a surprise to see you this early!”
“Well, truth be told, I was able to catch an earlier flight on another plane. And since Gaisei-sensei…mmm…Oyaji made it seem like it was a pressing matter, the opportunity was taken when it was presented,” Hanbei replied.
“Good thing too, since that original one got held up! Nonetheless, you’re right on time…but before I get started, I must know…what did you think of the new Koopa Suite located in Tokyo? I know you and your Pops stayed there a few nights in Japan,” Bowser inquired with a hopeful gaze. “…And be honest, now!”
“Daddy! Hanbei is NOT one of your critics!” Wendy stated sharply.
“It’s alright. We were allowed to stay for free, whenever we needed to,” Hanbei stated calmly. “The least I can do to reciprocate in kind what your father simply asks of me.”
“Exactly! So, stay over there, little girl! The ‘adults’ are talkin’! Nyah!” Bowser then proceeded to stick his tongue out at his daughter in a playful fashion.
Both Roy and Junior expressed amusement at their father’s actions. Wendy, not so much, but she took it in stride, chalking it up to Bowser’s natural disposition.
When he wanted to, Bowser was perhaps the biggest kid in the household, and had little qualm with releasing that aspect of his character whenever he desired, or the situation left such an opening. It, among other things, was what helped keep Bowser healthy and happy, even though he was now rocking it at 50 years old. He had just turned that age a few mere months ago. And the party celebrating that milestone was indeed a wild one, done in a style that only the head of the Koopa household, and the owner of the Koopa Suites business, could have executed.
Any body else would have likely had the cops shut down their party by the time things really started getting loud by 2 o’clock in the afternoon, when the festivities were just started to get underway.

Meanwhile, Hanbei recounted his experiences.
“Well…I have to pay my compliments for the overall service. Exquisite as always, and we were, overall, very pleased,” Hanbei praised.
Bowser nodded assent. “But…?”
“I can see why you may be having a bit of trouble making as big of a splash as you may be expecting. And the overall answer may be simpler than you may think…”
“Really, now? Lay it on me,” Bowser asked.
“It all comes to Japanese traditions relating to etiquette. The area of hospitality, especially.”
“…Go on,” Bowser said, intrigued.
“First off, you probably know this already, but it has to be said again. The first impression means a lot. The more sincere the greeting equates with a higher level of service. And whoever is your okami has to recognize that, as well as making sure they are THERE to greet the guests.”
Bowser nodded fervently, as if he was taking mental notes while Hanbei continued to give the elder Koopa a play-by-play listing of his recommendations.

Junior had to give Hanbei credit. Whether it is interesting trivia relating to various subjects, book smarts that showcased his learned background or other types of "worldly wisdom," Hanbei probably had more data locked away in his personal gray matter, than some supercomputers could ever lay credit to.
His skills came into their own mainly when it came to getting Roy through their various levels of school together, but practically every member of the Koopa family had found themselves employing his talents, in some way. Junior himself was appreciative of the tips Hanbei was able to provide for his GT Calculus class, back during the early part of his Sophomore year. And that’s nothing to say about how Hanbei had treated Junior as his own “little brother” in many respects, welcoming the younger koopa in many of the combined activities he and Roy would cook up, including various “game nights” that often lasted until 3AM, or later.
It was little wonder that Junior often found himself happier hanging with Roy and Hanbei back in the day, than chilling with classmates his own age. At first, it was due mainly to “cool” factor of being able to hang with the “big boys,” especially two that had quite a bit of fame in the area, for their various exploits. But in the end, where so many of Junior’s former, would-be friends were, too often, fickle and small-minded, he found something real with Roy and his best pal.
So, it should go without saying that Junior loved and respected Hanbei as much as he did so for Roy. The two friends did a lot to compliment each other’s strengths, as well as make up for each other’s faults. And, of course, the steadfast loyalty that the two friends possessed for each other was something that Junior deeply admired. In fact, if he was being completely honest with himself, having some one like Hanbei in his life, was perhaps the one thing he truly envied Roy for.

Such was the story of Junior’s life. Besides one particular episode of his life back in 5th grade, it was easy enough for him to be well-liked by his peers and teachers and coaches alike. He was an athletic star. He was a charismatic card. He obtained solid marks, in tough classes, that kept him firmly on the Principal’s Honor Roll. And, well, he was nowhere near the level of his namesake’s narcissism, but Junior thought of himself as quite the catch, at least.
For all the guys that would give anything to be in his shoes, as well as many more girls that would love to get in his pants, Junior was never short on having people to casually hang out with. And then there was Barbara, his girlfriend of 2 years, who was the most popular and beautiful girl in school, plus had plenty of smarts and athletic ability in her own right. There were a number of rumors around school that pointed to the notion that she and Junior had Prom Crowns with their names on it, and he would not be at all surprised if this was true by the end of tomorrow night.
For a guy who had practically everything that one at his age could stand to want, not to mention the fact that he was definitely born with a silver spoon in his mouth, the one question Junior threw around in his mind, especially lately, was “why was it that he was not exactly pleased with the way his life was presently going?”

Yes, there was the notion that he was effectively living a lie. Several of them, matter of fact.
For example, there was the thing of how, as of this moment, only Roy and Hanbei know the full truth about how Junior has no inclination to join his father and eldest brother in the family business. His father would often mix praise, as well as a bit of comedic jabbing, at the fact that Junior took such high level courses that no prospective business major in college would need. And it is true. After all, what use would such a major have for the likes of Calculus III and Linear Algebra in a student’s repertoire, when they could just finish up their High School career with a few Statistics, Accounting and maybe a Software Application courses, instead? Junior count it all joy that either Dad has not quite “caught on” yet, or he has just been merely too busy to investigate it further.
Then the question just becomes, how long does Junior honestly think he can keep up this particular charade? Until he walks across the stage…at the end of his COLLEGE career?
Speaking of charades? He could not forget the one relating to his “leanings,” either. Far be it for Junior to try and narrow it down to a specific point in time when he may have started feeling the way he did. For all he cares to remember, he could have literally “woke up gay” when he was around 12 or 13, and that would have worked enough as a possible line of reason. Whatever the case may have ended up being, Junior was gay. He knew it and accepted it as a personal truth. That much was not the problem. But what about everybody else?
Dropping such a megaton announcement of that nature on the people in his life would definitely have a lasting effect. His fair-weather friends would drop him like a bad habit. Ms. Barbara Tanya Wallace would DEFINITELY not be pleased to have had a boyfriend who was never that interested in her from the jump. Worst case scenario, it would be a most uncomfortable time for him. But, on the bright side, it is his Senior year; latter-half of May, with Graduation, and his walk across Sherwood Pavilion’s stage, practically in sight. He would never have to see those people ever again, and could effectively start anew in college, like he had planned to anyway.

It was his family, the ones that he had to actually live with, that are his main concern. Or, more to the point, Roy and Dad. If it came down to it, Junior would be able to live with possibly the ire of the majority of his family, even amongst his siblings. But his father and favorite older brother were the two male figures in his life that meant the most to him. To even remotely think of a possible future, where Roy and Bowser, Sr. turned their back on him because of him being gay, chilled him to his soul. It was perhaps the fear of being marooned in that manner coming to pass, which ended up being the main reason that kept him “in the closet,” as the saying goes.
Finally, there was the aspect that Junior was undeniably lonely. No one, not even Roy, the brother that knows him best, would possibly surmise such an idea, given what they see on the outside. Junior has his issues, but the one thing that may even begin to surpass the pressing issue relating to his sexuality, may lie with the fact that Junior has never had some one, quite like Roy has Hanbei. A true friend that was on his level, possibly going through issues similar to his own, and be some one that Junior could “trust with his stuff.” It was always nice for Roy, and Hanbei, when he was present, to have Junior’s shell, when needed. But all the same, his “big brothers” had each other for things like that. Junior desired to have some one of his own, too. It would be nice to have such a friend that he could perhaps “turn out,” as well, but one thing at a time.

Speaking of Hanbei…as much as Junior did profess to have nothing but the highest regards for him, that still did not excuse the fact that, when he wanted to, the terrapin-type could talk up a storm. Even Wendy could not hope to compare to the wartotle, when the latter was in his “Encyclopedia Britannica” mode. The young Kagami’s helpful-to-a-fault and teaching-friendly nature often incited him to even go over material again and again, until he was sure that the recipient had gotten all that they could handle.
Tuning back into what they were talking about, Junior half wondered if Hanbei was going to tell his father that there was going to be a quiz on this material, later.

“…in closing, I would also recommend that you maybe think of possibly adding on at least some aspects of this ‘ryokan regiment’ I have been speaking of, to your Hotels on the West Coast,” Hanbei concluded.

“…Hmm, makes sense…the possible Japanese businessman would be able to expect a certain level of service, at home or abroad! Brilliant! Arigatou, Hanbei,” Bowser agreed with a large grin.
“I would only suggest you don’t dawdle with this. I believe I saw a ‘Dark Star Suites’ development under construction before I left…” Hanbei said with a knowing smile.
“A Dark Star? Out there, already?! Damn that guy…!”
“Gerakowitz-san even invited the two of us to lunch, his treat...”
“…No shittin’?! The nerve of that guy, trying to holla at my two best ‘regulars’, will he?! …Of course, you didn’t take him up on that offer, right?” Bowser asked.
Hanbei just smiled. Roy, Junior and Wendy just started snickering amongst themselves.
“…Right…!?” Bowser continued, and then furthered his pleading by placing two large paws on each of Hanbei’s shoulders. “…Don’t do this to me, Hanbei!”
“Relax. We politely declined. Even though it was a treat to my favorite sushi restaurant…” Hanbei grinned.
“Damn right! Kagamis and Koopas are SUPPOSED to be tight like glue! Ain’t no other way!” Bowser grinned.
“Agreed,” Hanbei replied with a mild chuckle.
“And if ya really want that raw fish stuff ya like so much, you only have to ask! You know I’m good for it! Still don’t understand how you and your Dad can eat such stuff…”
Hanbei just continued to chuckle in response.
After a while, Bowser decided to change the subject.
“…I take it you probably figured out that I did not summon you simply for tips to help run my business.”
“The thought had crossed my mind ever since it was brought to my attention days ago. Then there is always that saying…” Hanbei trailed off.
“…what sayin?'” Bowser asked.
“’Things are never what they seem…when Koopas are involved.’” Hanbei ended with a smirk.
Bowser stood there, looking at Roy’s friend briefly…before he then burst into a long and loud fit of laughter. Junior and his siblings even joined in on the jovial display.
“Wooo, mercy!” Bowser breathed out happily. “Been too long since I had a nice guffaw like that! Sharp one like you? Your Popseses would definitely be proud, lemme tell ya!!”
Bowser then cleared his throat, and resumed his business like demeanor as he pulled a few things from his pocket. They turned out to be pictures of his youngest, circa his Junior Prom appearance.

“Hmmm…? What are those for, Dad?” Junior asked.

Bowser raised a hand gently to silence Junior, as well as his older siblings, in case they tried to interject. He then handed the pictures over to the blue turtle gently.
“Hanbei…could you look at these, for me, please?”
“Sure thing…” Hanbei whispered as he started to analyze the samples that Bowser had provided them.
Bowser waited pensively as the 24 year-old turtle examined each photo, before looking back up to meet their owner’s eyes.
“Well…?” Bowser asked.
“Being honest? I do not like them. Not one bit,” Hanbei stated.
“THANK YOU! Just what was I thinkin’!” The Koopa patriarch said.
“Just from the outset, I can conclude that there were a lot of things that I do not approve of this particular set. For example, the background choice doesn’t do anything to bring out Junior’s eyes, not to mention that,” Hanbei examined quickly again. “…none of them appear to be even white-balanced correctly! This unsightly orange-tinted cast tells it all.”
“…Yeah! Exactly!”
“…You don’t even know what Hanbei’s talking ‘bout, do you, Daddy…?” Wendy said with a snide grin.
“What are you doin’, all up in GROWN FOLKS’ business any way, LITTLE GIRL?” Bowser grinned back manically.
“Hah! Guess you was right about one thing, Wendy! Truth hurts, dun it, ‘King Dad’?” Roy said with a knowing, toothy grin.
Junior, in line with his siblings, supplied a few snickers at his father’s expense.
“Y tu, my namesake? See how these bama children gang up on their poor Papa, Hanbei?”
Hanbei, as was usual, just stayed to his largely aloof demeanor, with a smile.
“…Any way, getting to my point,” Bowser continued. “the reason I asked you to come back to America, was to, among other things, humbly ask for your photography and videography services once more. Could you please take some nice, HI-QUALITY shots of my youngest son, tomorrow? Tomorrow night is his Senior Prom, and it would mean a lot to me if I and the fam could have great pictures and video clips to commemorate such an occasion. Especially with your touch involved, I know it would be great! I mean, I know you’re quite busy now-a-days and this was definitely last minute…”