#netherpan

Short Summary {Continued}:

"You, perfect and {a liar}, are 'like' a {genius idol}…"

"I don't know anything about 'falling in love' 'with someone'."

Original commentary and lyrics source under 'read more'!

Long Summary:

There are people who "wear their hearts on their sleeves", and those who "mask" their feelings.

"Aishiteru", in Japanese, is not something that can be said easily.

"There are lies that hurt people, and lies that can {save} people." - Kido Jō, Digimon Adventure 02 (Japanese version); Ep. 16 "You, perfect and {a liar}, are 'like' a {genius idol}..." "I don't know anything about 'falling in love' with someone." For lyric{s}, check the following!:

However, Jan’s wish to explore and learn more about this fascinating country comes true when he’s give the pass to the city of Nagasaki. To say the least, he’s thrilled by this opportunity but hides it behind his somewhat serious exterior.

Certainly, this pass had a price on it. In agreement with Dejima and Nagasaki officials and Jan’s captain (opperhoofd), in exchange for the pass to the city, Jan has to help tutoring the Japanese Dutch scholar his own language and culture. Although the deal was made without him, Jan accepts the offer oblivious to the events that will inevitably follow.

On the first day the Dutch officer is given the pass, he is immediately taken to the city. Everything he ever witnessed in Dejima is thrown away when he sees this captivating city. Unlike on the isolated island where the experience of this country was limited and artificial, here he is directly in contact with the people and their culture. While he is still in his awe from culture shock, he is taken to the place where Dutch studies took their place. When he is taken in the building, he meets the young scholar he is supposed to tutor. Although Jan expected this scholar to be an old grumpy man, it turned out that the scholar, Kiku, was even younger than him. For the umpteenth time that day Jan is in awe upon hearing Kiku speak almost perfect Dutch. Although he’s accent is exotic and typical for someone who learnt the language only by studying it from books, there’s nothing much left for Jan to teach him. He is, however, ever so grateful that he will not be needing any additional translators walking behind him in tow and making him unnerved as they were from the moment he stepped on Dejima. The lessons were tedious and boring just like the books they’re using for studying. In the time they spent studying, Kiku is simply reading from those books and Jan either corrects his accent whenever it’s needed or explains the word Kiku doesn’t understand. The monotonous lessons quickly change after Jan stumbles upon Kiku sketching a rather peculiar dragon on his study paper. Although Kiku is visibly embarrassed for being caught in his childish antics, Jan is quite impressed with the sketch. Instead of their normal and boring lesson they spend the day simply talking, Jan sharing all the various stories and legends of European dragons and Kiku telling him Japanese tales of the same mysterious creatures. The next lesson they disregard the uneventful books once more and simply spend it in asking more curious questions about each other and their cultures.

They start spending more and more time together, not only in the Dutch studies house but also visiting all of the places they’re allowed to see in Nagasaki, simply strolling in the streets and talking about whatever crossed their minds, with Jan never casing to attract all the attention from the people on the streets who have never seen a western man before. Not only Kiku’s Dutch improves with their easy-going talks but Jan starts learning a few words and phrases in Japanese from Kiku. Small and tender stolen moments between the Dutch officer and Japanese scholar began to happen with more and more time they spend together. Stolen glances, cheeks coloured in soft pink, bolder questions being asked both ways and not so accidental brushes of their hands while walking together made them start feeling more than what was supposed for one another.

One day upon arriving late in the evening in back to Dejima to report to his captain, Jan learns that the American fleet has arrived in Japan. It means the once isolated Japan will soon be forcefully opened. What's more, it will probably mean the end of Dutch and Japanese trading. Since trading with various goods they brought on their ship has ended and the Dutch couldn’t diplomatically affect anything anymore, the captain decides to leave Japan. Everyone gets one week to prepare for the journey back to Europe.

Although Jan misses his brother and sister, he is reminded again of the reason he was originally sent on this journey and begins to feel uneasy about his return back home. Yet, all the feelings he grew in time for Kiku and hopefulness of his feelings being returned makes Jan even more sorrowful about his journey back.

The next day Jan informs Kiku of what is happening and tells him that he must leave Japan and go back to his homeland. The day is spent in unbearable silence and uneasiness.

With the day of Jan’s departure nearing, Kiku takes the matter in his hands. He knows quite well how silent and coy he can be, but that doesn’t mean he’s unobservant. With his feelings for Jan growing each time they would meet, he can’t bear to see the Dutch officer this miserable and troubled.

He decides to take Jan on their last walk around the city, visiting all of their favourite places where they shared blissful moments in each other’s company and conversations. Kiku tells him how he noticed Jan isn’t happy about going back and Jan, deciding there is nothing more to lose even is Kiku after hearing the story decides to hate him, so he to tell him the reason he was sent to Japan and is now dreading his return back home.

Kiku learns the story of how Jan met a Spanish merchant in Amsterdam, of their night filled with pleasures and how they got caught. The officials couldn’t simply strip Jan from his title and position so they decided to punish him with sending him far off on the journey. Now he dreads his return and facing his brother and sister and their reactions on his crime. Still, Jan confesses he is grateful for every mistake he had done and punishment he deserved since it all lead him to meet Kiku. To say the least, Kiku was confused. Not that he didn’t understand the story but he didn’t understand why someone would be punished for their pleasures. Jan explains how two man aren’t allowed to be with each other in Europe and Kiku makes a remark on how barbaric that is yet Europeans tend to call the Japanese barbaric even if they are much more accepting than Europeans.

After quite a few laughs and remarks on each other’s cultures, they both fall into comfortable silence. Jan was relieved because he shared his story with Kiku who didn’t run off disgusted by him in the end. Still he feels sad for this will most certainly be the last time he sees Kiku.

As they are about to depart, Kiku pulls him in a soft and shy kiss. Their lips connect only for a moment before Kiku pulls away and bows deep to apologise for his bluntness. Jan instead takes his chin and continues to kiss Kiku lovingly and tenderly.

Kiku wants Jan to stay in Nagasaki with him forever. However, they both know if he stays he will most likely be executed because of the strict Sakoku policy which denies foreigners to permanently stay in Japan. Instead, Jan begs Kiku to come back to Europe with him. Kiku, hearing so much about the Netherlands from Jan, is unsure if going there would be a good idea but Jan ensure him he will protect him, take care of him and that they will keep everything between them a secret.

Kiku knows if he leaves Japan, he can never return back, else he will be executed because of the same strict policy that doesn’t allow Jan to stay. But if they stay together in Europe, everything will be alright. Or will it?

(…)

I chose Jan as Netherlands’ name because I can’t organically digest any other name for him after reading Gutters. Also, I have a headcanon that his full name is Johannes (just like, say, Johannes Vermeer) but as a practical man he is, he uses the shorter version simply because he thinks the real one is too long.

There’s more to come (maybe?) but this is what I have for now. I had this idea about Netherlands and Japan meeting and falling in love ever since I visited Ukyo-e exhibition this winter. But I wasn’t brave enough even to put my headcanons for this story down simply because I find myself too uninformed about Japanese history, language and culture… I'm afraid I will get hate for this fictional, pseudo-historical fic, for its inaccuracy, shallowness and inadequate sources. However, I made myself finally write the summary of the first part of the story down and post it here just to see the reactions. So please let me know what you think! I really hope you liked it!