joyfulmusebox | (no subject)

(no subject)

[ The journey to the station, meeting up with the guy, relocating to their final destination and making the appropriate transaction in a seemingly empty room has all gone successfully enough. There's the unspoken concern for Nazuna's companion but that is a matter to be addressed once they've secured their privacy. He does glimpse up at the other boy as they proceed down the hall though he's soon distracted with searching for the room number that matches with his key card.

Ah.

Nazuna comes to an unannounced halt and blindly reaches behind him to grab at Asahi to prevent him from wandering further. While no apology is offered, he's quick to withdraw his hand to wordlessly focus on working the door open. There's a short click almost immediately and he pushes his weight against the door before the back handle unintentionally knocks against the wall and reveals the room in its full glory. After the light switch is flipped up, that is.

As his shoulders slump forward, Nazuna forces himself to stand properly once more. He peers over to Asahi nd jerks his head in the room's direction, expecting him to go inside first.

What's waiting for them isn't horribly lavish and just barely misses the mark of passing for a standard hotel room. There's a good sized bed at the far end, a television monitor hovering above a dresser, a miniature fridge and a door that presumably leads to a bathroom. But the lack of windows and one wall being partially lined with mirrors serves as a reminder of the room's purpose.

It's all stuff that is going to be investigated further in a second.

A sigh of relief leaves Nazuna when he finally steps inside. The hood of his jacket is pushed off his head when the door is closed. Okay, he can relax for two seconds. Now he squats down to get his shoes off. ]

This is all ours for the next three hours... ♪

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Okay.

[Asahi starts flipping again, searching for some kind of movie or sitcom or even a game show that might be fun to watch. He's a little surprised when Nito moves in closer, and suddenly, vividly recalls Tanaka teaching the first years about "the move."

'When you're watchin' a movie with a girl, you gotta caaaasually lift your arm, like you're stretchin', and wrap it over her shoulders. Then ya get to hold her close!'

Asahi hesitates. But... Nito's here. He's come all this way. And he won't be here very long, and he's the one who came and sat next to Asahi in the first place.

And, Nito's made it clear he wants Asahi to take some initiative and be confident... right?

Hesitantly, Asahi slides his arm up from where Nito's pressing it into his side, and wraps it around the smaller boy's shoulders, hugging him closer and feeling quite shy about it.]

[ That's not what he meant at all —

His shoulders reflexively seize up when an unexpected hold comes around him and he blinks a couple times in confusion. But he doesn't look to Asahi in avoidance of drawing attention to himself, urging his muscles to relax. He sucks in a cheek as a futile attempt to hide any oncoming flush.

For someone who reiterates a lack of confidence, Asahi sure has some hidden nerve. ]

Uh, hey, if there's nothing on we can just do something else?

[Oh God, no. Asahi feels Nito tense up immediately, and even though he tries to relax after that, the tension in his body now is still greater than what it was before. He's made a terrible mistake.

But Nito gives him an out, so at least there's that. Asahi gets off of him, and off of the couch entirely, with swiftness that Coach Ukai wishes he could have on the court. He dives over to the television set, and from the cabinet underneath Asahi unearths an old Gamecube.]

Um, it used to belong to my brother, but it still works! Do you like video games..?

[ Now he's alone on the couch, perched on the edge, eyes somewhat glazed over while he tries to make sense of what the hell is going on. Though it's kinda obvious to him that they're no longer on the same page. Not that this is Asahi's fault... ]

Video games... ?

[ Quirking a brow, Nazuna's eyes jump from the other boy and the historic piece in his hands. ]

I don't have anything against them~? But I'm a little surprised that you you're into that kind of thing.

Oh, well, I don't really play much. Like I said, it was my brother's... he liked the strategy based games, but my mom insisted he get multiplayer ones, too.

[He goes back into that same cabinet for controllers and a few game boxes, showing them to Nito in the hopes that one of them catches his eye.]

[ And the brother couldn't have been bothered to take the system with him. ]

... If we play something player versus player, we could make it more interesting by making a bet~?

[ Asahi obviously isn't an aggressive person but there must be some competitive streak deep down. There are various indicators of him being a starting player for his volleyball club and that doesn't happen without effort. ]

["I'm too old for games now, and I won't have time to play at college. Little Asahi can keep the games for him and his friends." That had been the excuse at the time, anyways.

Asahi tilts his head a bit, feeling interested but also wary.] What kind of bet?

Maybe the cliche "loser has to do what the winner says." Nothing too drastic so don't get worked up~?

[The implication of getting worked up makes Asahi flush a little. They definitely shouldn't get into the habit of repeating the kind of punishment Nito just gave him, no, that would be... really bad for his heart.

Asahi moves through the pile, and pulls out Smash Bros.]

This is a fighting game? I'm not that great at it, but it's fun and easy to pick up. We could compete in this?

[ "A fighting game." He doesn't need to think it over and is quick to nod in agreement. ]

Sure. If Asachin's willing to put up a fight, I don't have the mind to say no!

[ Nazuna proceeds to slip off the couch and onto the floor. The right way to play video games is on the floor, right? ]

[He nods and sets the console up quickly, revealing he has at least a bit of experience with it. Asahi doesn't tend to like fighting games, but this one isn't so bad. The over the top cartoonish nature of the violence and attacks make it feel much lower stakes than some of the other games Jun roped him into playing as a child, so Asahi is all in all pretty fond of this title.

Whether he's still decent at it remains to be seen.

He passes Nito one of the controllers with a little smile.]

I won't go easy on you. [He says.] But only because I haven't played in so long I'm probably rusty anyways. Do you need me to tell you the controls..?

[ With a snort, he willingly takes the controller. ]

I obviously can't back down from that challenge~? So I won't go easy on you, either!

[ His gaze momentarily lowers to examine the unfamiliar buttons. ]

Mm~? Nope, you don't need to say a word. I think I'll be okay. Don't be so worried about your competition...♪

Have you ever played it before? [Asahi asks while simultaneously turning the game on and navigating through the menus.] I don't want to have, um, an unfair advantage.

[Even though he doesn't remember all the buttons himself. He knows how to jump and attack, though. What else is there? Asahi taps on the buttons, trying to activate his muscle memory.

Soon, the character selection screen loads. He hesitates a bit, but ends up choosing Kirby, the round, pink... something.]

I haven't played this version before but I wouldn't say you have an unfair advantage.

[ Asahi's character choice gets him to think. The roster of this game is tiny compared to later incarnations... But hope isn't lost just yet. He wants to keep a distance in this fight and there is a reliable option.

Marth is soon elected on the screen. ]

[That's good enough for Asahi; he's not sure how much the game changes from version to version, but imagines that the differences probably aren't too crazy.

Once they've settled on characters, he lets the game choose a random stage, and wipes his palms on his pants so he can get a better grip on his controller.

The game starts, and Asahi's demeanor shifts. He gets a little more focused, the way he gets when a match starts. He starts mashing buttons, jumping a distance away from Nito's character, before Kirby comes up behind Marth and starts throwing fists.]

[ And here he thought a best two out of three would be sufficient enough but there's no point in considering it when they don't get to a third round. In this case, Asahi's tiny bit of experience trumps whatever Nazuna has to offer.

When the second fight comes to an end, he blinks at the screen and then down to his controller. He definitely had no idea who would win nor is there any room to be disappointed. ]

Aha~? Looks like Asachin wanted to get it done quick, huh?

[ He sets his controller down in front of his own lap while gently teasing the other boy. ]

[Asahi himself is a little baffled when he wins not just the first but both consecutive rounds they play. He lowers his controller when the second match ends, a very pleased smile on his face, and looks almost cheeky when he turns to Nito.]

Maybe.. Are you sure I didn't have an unfair advantage? [He asks playfully.]

[ Oh, looks like someone is in high spirits. ]

That just makes it sound like I'm willing to fight a battle I know I already lost~?

[ Which... isn't entirely untrue. But that's not the case with this silly impromptu battle. ]

But I can recognize when I finally do lose, at least. I'm happy I tried~

[Asahi is a bit more relaxed now. Having something to focus on seems to have helped his mind reset.] I'm happy you tried, too. And we can keep playing? Or you can look through the other games we have and see if there's something you want to play more.

But first, [He adds, getting to his feet.] You have to tell me what you want to drink. Water, tea, juice, sports drink...?

[ He stretches his arms over his head before flopping back against the couch. This isn't the most conventional way to use a couch. Common sense says to pull himself up and actually sit on it but he's going to just let his arms rest on the seat cushions for the time being. ]

I have a water that I left upstairs, I think?

Oh, right. Well, then, maybe something else to drink? Or even a snack? Are you sure you're not hungry?

[Fussing host Asahi mode has been reengaged!]

You're really set on feeding me, huh?

[ He snorts. ]

Maybe Asachin's the one that's hungry? [ There's a flash of teeth as he turns his head to look up at the other boy. ] If I agree to eat something will that make you feel better~?

Yes, well-- it's the least I can do after you came all this way just to see me. [He admits honestly, with a tiny frown. Not so much upset as he is concerned.] I won't make you eat if you really don't want to, but..

..I don't know. You just seem like someone who is too polite to say if you're hungry.

[ Nazuna finally pulls himself up on the couch and leans back. ]

We still got a lot to learn about each other... I wouldn't go without food if I thought I was being polite. That's one less thing for you to worry about. ☆

[ For the record! ]

I might not look it but I have a real appetite when I do get hungry. There are times where I have a taste for something different~?

[ Is he making a crude joke? Who's to say? ]

[Well, at least that is reassuring. Asahi hums, and then sort of laughs.]

I know better than to assume you don't have an appetite just because of your, um, size. Some of my teammates are... kind of voracious?

[He sits next to Nito on the couch.]

What do you have a taste for right now?