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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[After everything is paid for, and their bags are traded, Asahi follows Nito out of the convenience store and down the street. The nearest park is conveniently close by, just on the other side of the train station, and soon they're trading urban sidewalks for grassy pathways.

Fortunately, an empty park bench is quickly spotted, so they can sit down side by side and start their impromptu lunch.]

..What was that song you were just humming?

[ He quickly brings his hands together with a mumble of itadakimasu before digging into his bag. ]

Mm~?

[ Asahi's question brings him to halt. Right, he was humming. ]

Oh, um~? It's nothing you'd ever hear since you're not into stuff like that but it was one of my unit's songs.

Oh! You mean your idol unit? [He slowly opens the packaging on his first bread, but doesn't make a move to eat any.] I'd like to listen to your music.

We're really not big at all but I know there's a forum out there that talks about us? I think that'd you'd be able to find some of our stuff there. It's not the same as a live performance but I couldn't expect you to just show up to something like that.

[ On the other hand, Nazuna's going to start unwrapping that egg sandwich. He pulls out one half before setting the other and the wrapper between them on the bench. ]

[Asahi nods thoughtfully, and takes a bite out of his curry bread. He doesn't say anything while he's chewing, though with his brow furrowed it's clear he's thinking about something.

Finally, he swallows and speaks up again.]

I don't know what you're called.

Oh, uh...

[ He lowers the sandwich. ]

We're Ra✽bits. Um, like... the English word for "rabbits?" But it's spelled with only one B instead of two because it's supposed to be a play on the word~? So since it's an English word, I think you'd find something by searching in Katakana...

Ah. That's a cute name. [He never would have guessed Nito would be in a group themed after such a soft and fluffy creature. Maybe that was part of the idol world? Trying to appeal to a market of younger girls? All Asahi knows is, he'd never be able to belong to such a group. Or really be an idol at all, probably.]

I'll try it. I mean, I'd love to see one of your performances. Do you have a favorite one?

It'd be kinda difficult... We're not popular at all, understand~? And most performances on school campus are limited to our students only. And we haven't gotten many opportunities to perform off campus.

[ His shoulders slump slightly before he sighs. ]

I told those kids I couldn't promise them victory but they've followed me in spite of all the loses...

[Asahi does understand. Immediately, the term 'Flightless Crows' comes to his mind. He sighs, and looks down at the bread in his hands.]

That means you're a good leader. [He opines, keeping his voice low and soft.] By the time I got to high school, Karasuno hadn't made it to Nationals for a few years. Some of our senpai didn't even think we'd be able to make it there again. But we still worked hard, because we didn't want to let ourselves down. It's really hard not to win... but at least if you give it your all, you shouldn't have anything to regret.

[ He stares hard at his sandwich as if it'll give him a more accurate response. ]

It's because they follow me that I have regrets. Despite their hard work, they aren't able to win. I love them more than anything and I want them to be recognized...

[ There's a short shrug. ]

This isn't about winning as much as them living up to their name. The idea is that they grow any little bit. [ The emphasized word is said in English. ] But they have grown a lot than I would have imagined. So they deserve more.

[This is really hard. Asahi isn't very good at comforting people, or giving advice. But he can't ignore Nito's pain, either. He squeezes the food in his hand a bit, as he works up the nerve to speak and tries to figure out what he should say.]

If they are growing and getting better, then the recognition will come. A-And maybe you'll be there to see it, or maybe not, but they'll still remember you when they get there.

[ He isn't oblivious to the other boy's awkward delivery and is quick to step back from the unwelcomed venting. The closest hand to Asahi gently pats one of the other boy's wrists. Please don't hurt the bun. ]

Asachin's got a good point~?

[ A smile follows. ]

They'll be okay. They're pretty strong, after all~!

Mmmm. And they have a good leader looking out for them.

[Asahi meets Nito's gaze and returns his smile a little more shyly.]

It's kind of nice hearing about your unit. You sound a lot like a team.

Flattery won't get you far with me~? But I appreciate the sentiment. If I didn't have them, I'd just waste away.

[ He pulls back to keep both hands on his sandwich. ]

I think you'd like them as people if you ever met.

[ Now to take a couple bites out of that sandwich. ]

[He takes another bite out of his bun- he really is hungry, after all- and then hums a bit as he chews.]

That could be nice. [He agrees a bit shyly after swallowing.] But would they even want to meet me?

[ Give him a second. His cheeks are full with sandwich. ]

It's hard to say. I don't think they'd be against it but I imagine Tomo-chin would be all, [ Nazuna tries to lower his voice. ] "Why are you introducing us to a total stranger~? He looks dangerous!"

[He manages not to wince, although Asahi definitely feels a sting at that comment. He opens his tea and plays with the cap.]

I don't want to scare your kouhai.

Tomo-chin is really apprehensive but I'm pretty sure Mitsuru-chin and Hajime-chin would be more open~? They're good kids so they'd understand real quick that you're a good guy.

[ Nazuna's quick to reassure his troubled companion. ]

But you might not meet them at all so that's not something I'd want you to worry about.

Oh. It sounds like maybe Tomo-kun and I have something in common.

[He hopes the self-depreciating joke smooths things over. In case it doesn't he takes a swig of his tea.]

I think the guys on the team would like you. After they give me a hard time...

I probably won't meet them, either? So hopefully that'll be one less thing for them to bug you about.

[ And he proceeds to oh so casually shove the rest of the sandwich into his mouth. Chewing is for losers. ]

[Asahi eats his bun in much smaller bites, but goes similarly quiet to finish his food. It's nearly two minutes before he hesitantly speaks up.]

So... you just want this to stay casual, then?

[ Huh, suddenly he's not so hungry anymore. But he has to work this sandwich down. A hand is brought up over his mouth when he realizes he can't chew with his mouth closed at a fast enough pace. There's some difficulty swallowing though Nazuna doesn't let that slow him down.

Rubbing at his mouth, ]

It's not like that, you know? You said it yourself, didn't you? That I seem busy?

[ He evenly replies. ]

Someone like me has no business barging in on your personal life. Not when it's so important.

[His mouth twists into a little frown.]

What makes my life more important than yours...? [Asahi mumbles.] If you said you were too busy, that would be one thing. But... I don't really have much of a personal life. And I'd like to.

... I'd like to meet them. But I think it'd be better to make sure we're able to be get along well enough before making those kind of plans.

[Asahi takes a breath, and makes himself calm down a little. He can't help but feel like he's emotionally manipulating Nito.]

That sounds fair to me. [He agrees with a little nod.] And I feel the same way, about your unit.