Mibuchi Reo (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
showyousomethingnice) wrote2015-07-01 10:55 am
showyousomethingnice) wrote2015-07-01 10:55 am
soulmates AU #2 (Reo, Kise)
Reo did not spend the night on the futon next to Ryo-chan's bed.
He'd meant to, out of deference to his hosts' preferences, but being so close and yet so far apart had left them both uncomfortable and restless, unable to drift off. Finally, Reo had sat up and said decisively,
"You need to sleep, and it's not as if we're going to do anything inappropriate," and been in Ryo-chan's bed before he'd finished speaking. Curling up with his soulmate, where he was meant to be, had felt like a profound sigh of relief; he'd fallen asleep almost instantly, and he expects that Ryo-chan did, too.
It was easily the best night's sleep Reo has ever had.
(He got up - amidst Ryo-chan's mumbled protests - as soon as the alarm went off, before anyone could find them sharing the bed. Just to be on the safe side.
He's not convinced anyone was fooled.)
Reo called his parents quickly before breakfast, just to touch base with them and let them know he planned to spend the day watching the Winter Cup, and Dad told him they expected the transfer to go through by early afternoon at the absolute latest. He'd been hopeful after Seiko had brought up the possibility last night, but tried to keep himself grounded in the reality of red tape - surely it couldn't be that easy?
But apparently it could.
He decided, after a moment's consideration, not to mention it to Ryo-chan. The newness of their bond will be enough of a distraction from the upcoming game; Reo didn't need to add anything else that might unfocus him further.
A text from Seiko followed almost immediately, announcing that she would be arriving at around the same time he and Ryo-chan will be. They arranged a meeting spot not too far from where Kaijou's locker room will be, so that Ryo-chan could spend an extra minute or two with them before he had to go inside.
Reo had to do a little prodding at first - how on earth did he end up with a soulmate who wasn't a morning person? - but they've arrived on time, and now they're waiting.
He'd meant to, out of deference to his hosts' preferences, but being so close and yet so far apart had left them both uncomfortable and restless, unable to drift off. Finally, Reo had sat up and said decisively,
"You need to sleep, and it's not as if we're going to do anything inappropriate," and been in Ryo-chan's bed before he'd finished speaking. Curling up with his soulmate, where he was meant to be, had felt like a profound sigh of relief; he'd fallen asleep almost instantly, and he expects that Ryo-chan did, too.
It was easily the best night's sleep Reo has ever had.
(He got up - amidst Ryo-chan's mumbled protests - as soon as the alarm went off, before anyone could find them sharing the bed. Just to be on the safe side.
He's not convinced anyone was fooled.)
Reo called his parents quickly before breakfast, just to touch base with them and let them know he planned to spend the day watching the Winter Cup, and Dad told him they expected the transfer to go through by early afternoon at the absolute latest. He'd been hopeful after Seiko had brought up the possibility last night, but tried to keep himself grounded in the reality of red tape - surely it couldn't be that easy?
But apparently it could.
He decided, after a moment's consideration, not to mention it to Ryo-chan. The newness of their bond will be enough of a distraction from the upcoming game; Reo didn't need to add anything else that might unfocus him further.
A text from Seiko followed almost immediately, announcing that she would be arriving at around the same time he and Ryo-chan will be. They arranged a meeting spot not too far from where Kaijou's locker room will be, so that Ryo-chan could spend an extra minute or two with them before he had to go inside.
Reo had to do a little prodding at first - how on earth did he end up with a soulmate who wasn't a morning person? - but they've arrived on time, and now they're waiting.
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Kise makes a small startled noise when Reocchi pulls them through, but really, it's for the best. He's rarely nervous but this meeting is so important. As expected, the locker room goes quiet when he and Reocchi enter, but Kise doesn't let it stay that, way, immediately using the arm Reocchi's holding to pull them both forward.
"Senpai! We had to take Reocchi's sist--"
"Don't care." Kasamatsu's face makes it obvious he's completely serious in that statement, too. Brows deeply furrowed, hands in fists on his hips, nearly vibrating with irritation. What a great first meeting. "You're late, I was about to send Moriyama out to look for you in case you ran into Haizaki."
"Uh, Captain?" Moriyama does not seem to have been briefed on this plan to send him out looking for the guy with the dangerous reputation.
"Don't worry, Moriyama-senpai, we never saw him. I'm sorry we're late!" Kise stops close to the rest of the team (though safely out of kicking range) and turns so he's facing Reocchi, tilting his head as he speaks. His voice is rarely subdued but right now he's feeling so much that it's difficult to restrain himself and the result is, naturally, a kind of overkill, though this time it's toward formality rather than the opposite.
"Reocchi, this is my team. And senpai... this is Reocchi."
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(The bond is still agitated, but it's easier now to ignore it than it was just a couple of minutes ago. And he will ignore it, he will not let it make him lash out unnecessarily or do anything else that will reflect poorly on Ryo-chan. He will control himself.)
The first thing he does is to bow an apology to Kasamatsu, saying,
"I apologize for holding Ryo-chan up, Kasamatsu-senpai. I didn't like to let him wander off alone under the circumstances."
let me know if this is hard to follow
"Besides, I'm just glad you're both all right, and we have a lot more important things to talk about. That said, it's good to meet you, Mibuchi-kun. Welcome to Kaijo. I guess you already know me, I play point guard, but this is the rest of the starting line: Kobori, our center, Hayakawa, power forward, and our shooting guard, Moriyama." He points to each player as he mentions them, and they respond with a nod or a wave. It's hardly the way Kasamatsu would like to do this introduction but on the other hand, Rakuzan is not a team with a casual reputation. He's sure he doesn't have to instill respect and discipline in Mibuchi.
"And of course, our ace." Kasamatsu's exasperation is not overly fond, but he is genuinely glad nothing's happened to Kise and that shows, if only for a moment before he's got his hands on his hips again. "Who needs to get changed so we can go start warm ups. C'mon."
He casts an apologetic look at Mibuchi as Kise starts to go. "We didn't have time to get your size for anything but you're still welcome to come out to the bench. We'd be glad to have you."
"Please, Reocchi? Maybe you can borrow my warm up clothes, they'll fit you and then we'll be sharing clothes!" Which, judging from the look on Kise's face, is the very best possible outcome here, really.
it's fine! <3
It's more than tempting to accept Kasamatsu-senpai's offer - of course, of course he wants to be as close to Ryo-chan as possible, especially during a match like this one - but there are still propriety and good manners to consider.
"I'd be very pleased to join you all," he says, apologetic, "but my sister and my friends are waiting for me in the stands, and my sister in particular came out especially to watch this game with me."
(There's - not a pause, it's too short to be a pause, but a definite hitch in his cadence before the word friends. He has got to get used to not thinking of them as his teammates anymore.)
"Sorry, Ryo-chan," he adds, giving the slightest nod toward the lockers to indicate that perhaps it is time for Ryo-chan to switch his focus and start listening to his captain.
He waits for exactly that to happen, too, before he speaks next, because he knows how it will sound to Ryo-chan after their conversation outside, and he doesn't know how to reassure him that it's strictly a business matter without tipping his hand about the likelihood that he'll be available to play in the game against Seirin.
"I would like to speak with you, though, Kasamatsu-senpai, if you can spare a moment so soon before the game." Because speaking of switching focus, it's time for him to do the same, to start thinking as a very-soon-to-be member of Kaijou and how he can help his new captain to make the best use of him as a player.
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Kasamatsu, however, doesn't have the luxury of only looking ahead. One of the many joys of being a captain. He nods when Mibuchi explains why he can't stay. It makes perfect sense, especially considering the short notice. "That's fine, as long as you're able to come back here after, win or lose."
"Yes, Reocchi has to come back!" Kise bumps shoulders with Reocchi but does also finally move off to a bench and set his bag down. He knows he has to get ready and focus up for the game, but even though he knew Reocchi planned on sitting with Rakuzan, part of him did still hope, a little, that he'd come to the bench instead. But, for all that it's hard to send his soulmate back out of the locker room, he knows it'd be just as hard for Reocchi to be away from Seiko-san right now. Besides, it's not like they won't be able to see each other! He'll wave a lot. It'll be fine.
Once Kise starts changing, Kasamatsu turns his attention back to Mibuchi. "Sure, I've got a couple of minutes. You guys make sure he actually changes." Kasamatsu's not entirely sure but something about Mibuchi's tone made it sound like he'd rather have this conversation in private. He doesn't mind, especially with a new player who doesn't know the rest of the team well yet, and he starts toward the locker room exit.
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He very much appreciates Kasamatsu-senpai's awareness that he might want discretion for this conversation; he doesn't mind much if anyone not Ryo-chan overhears them, but the thoughtfulness is nice.
"I don't know if the school is keeping you or Coach Takeuchi updated on my status," he begins once they're out in the relatively quiet hallway, "but it's very likely that I'll be an official student at Kaijou before this game is over. I haven't mentioned that to Ryo-chan. He's got enough on his mind already without the added distraction."
Kasamatsu-senpai nods acknowledgment, an expression of wry agreement crossing his face at that last part.
"So, forgive me if I'm speaking out of place, but I wanted to talk for a moment about the game against Seirin."
In any other situation, it would in fact be completely out of place. What team would throw a player who had just joined that day into a game as important as that one will be? It would be foolish and irresponsible, and to assume it would happen anyway would be the height of arrogance. Reo has studied Kaijou's plays as an opponent, yes, but he's never practiced any of them, and there are other players who have been working hard for Kaijou all along who deserve to be in the game.
But in a soulmate situation, and soulmate to the team's ace at that, it would be foolish not to put him in. Any difficulties he might have coordinating with some of the other players will mean nothing against the way Reo's very presence in the game will bring the bond to life and heighten Ryo-chan's game like nothing else possibly could. Any player Reo displaces will understand that. Victory comes first.
And it's not as if Reo doesn't have anything to bring to the game as a player.
With all that at least acknowledged, Reo keeps going, wanting to keep this discussion as brief as possible so that Kasamatsu-senpai can return to his - to their team.
"Akashi-kun made plans for dealing with all his former teammates," he explains, "including Kuroko Tetsuya. He found a player with a lack of presence similar to Kuroko-kun's and had us all spend hours playing with him, until we could see him immediately and without fail. I'll be able to see Kuroko-kun right away, before his effects on the rest of Kaijou begin to fade."
He pauses there, because the obvious conclusion - that assigning him to mark Kuroko for at least the first quarter would be the sensible decision - is obvious enough not to need saying, and he doesn't want to cross a line by implying that he doesn't think an experienced player and captain like Kasamatsu-senpai can get there himself.
And from there, the next obvious step: with Reo handling Kuroko and making his misdirection almost impossible to use, and Ryo-chan focusing on Kagami, the only other serious challenge Seirin has to offer is Kiyoshi Teppei, and a team who managed to beat Rakuzan without its ace can certainly handle him.
With the soulmate factor on top of all of that, Reo almost feels sorry for Seirin.
oh my god this is from ***may*** i'm so sorry
Kasamatsu listens attentively, the pieces falling into place as Mibuchi speaks. He can feel his hackles rising a little at the suggestion of putting a brand new player into the game in place of a veteran but on the other hand Mibuchi brings up very good points. Kuroko is an extremely difficult player to pin down and he brings out something in Kise that Kasamatsu also can't quite put his finger on but it sure can complicate things when they don't need to be.
Even with that, it's not like Mibuchi is demanding to be put in. The implication is there but he's also being respectful about it and, especially considering his day to day struggles with Kise, Kasamatsu finds himself grateful for that. In the end he nods a couple of times then huffs out a quick sigh.
"Moriyama's a sensible guy. I can't see him kicking up a fuss but even if he did, once we explain it and he sees you on the court with Kise, he'll get it." Bringing the trophy home in their third year is more important than any one person's pride. Of course, he knows that's easy for him to say when it's not his pride on the line but there's not really another alternative.
When he continues, his tone is a bit more thoughtful. "Thanks for this. You didn't have to be this forthcoming considering you just got here, and I appreciate that. Between having someone prepped to take him on and someone who's played with him before, we might be one of the best equipped teams now to deal with Kuroko."
His hand is back on the handle to the locker room door but he's not rushing back in just yet; if Mibuchi has anything else he wants to share, no time like the present.
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"Of course, senpai," he says. "Kaijou is my team now, and there's no time today for letting - how sudden that is get in the way. It's important that you have all the information you need."
Maybe that sounds cold, dismissing his old team so quickly, but a person who would think that is way is a person who doesn't understand Rakuzan. There isn't a single member of that team who would approve of Reo putting his personal feelings before victory. They'll all be wanting Kaijou to win this game and the next, because the only thing more unthinkable than losing is losing to any team other than the best.
(There will be time later, after their victory, to let himself feel how he feels about that.)
(It's not as if it isn't more than worth it.)
"Thank you for your time," he continues with another bow, this one more casual than the last in deference to Kasmatsu-senpai's objection to what Reo assumes was the formality. "I won't take up any more of it. I'll see you all after the game."
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The fact of the matter is, for all that he's studied them, Kasamatsu really doesn't know what Rakuzan is like, at least not from the inside. That means Mibuchi's answer does strike him as a little frosty, but on the other hand, he's glad for it. Mibuchi's only here because his soul mate is on this team and he's not going to be getting another one of those so it's not as though Kasamatsu has reason to think the same thing could happen with Kaijo.
That means he nods at Mibuchi's response here and accepts his bow without comment. He turns the handle on the door then pauses. There's no light way to say this but he's not sure if he'll ever get a chance alone with Mibuchi to say it again. Also, considering who they're facing, a warning seems appropriate.
"Make sure you take care getting to your seat. And... after, too. Kise's enough of a handful and he's going to be looking for you up there. I can't imagine how we'd keep control of him if something happened, but besides, Kaijo is your team now. So take care." He really doesn't want to have to bring any additional animosity onto the court but something happening to their newest member on the short walk from the locker room to his seats would be a really good reason to.
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Reo turns sharply, then relaxes with a little laugh.
"Ei-chan, you startled us!"
"Sorry," Nebuya says, not sounding sorry. "Akashi thought it was a good idea for someone to walk you back."
Of course he did. Sei-chan always thinks of these things. Reo's expression softens, warmer than he realizes.
To Kasamatsu, Nebuya says,
"Don't worry about your new shooting guard, Kasamatu-san, he'll be fine. If Haizaki tries anything, you won't have to worry about him anymore, either." He adds a flex of muscle to make his point extra clear.
"Ugh, stop being such a gorilla," Reo says, but his tone is lacking the usual edge that turns up when Nebuya acts like a hopeless musclehead. It's reassuring to be thought of (Sei-chan thought of him) and to know that Ryo-chan won't have to worry either. Now he can focus on his game. "Thank you, Kasamatsu-senpai, I'll see you after the game."
Kasamatsu (with a glance at Nebuya that's part concerned and part relieved) nods and heads into the locker room.
"You better not start any fights if he does turn up," Reo says.
"Nope." Nebuya smirks. "I'll just finish 'em."
Fortunately, there's no need for any fighting at all - they arrive back at their seats without incident, and Reo forgets Nebuya's behavior entirely as he realizes the seating order has changed. When he and Ryo-chan left, Seiko had settled into the aisle seat, ever so casually leaving the last open seat between herself and Sei-chan; how she's on Sei-chan's other side, and Nebuya nudges Reo in to sit before taking the aisle seat himself.
He thinks of saying He's going to be on the court, I'll be fine, but, come to think of it, he is despite that logic happier with his sister further from the aisle. It feels a little odd not to sit next to her, considering that she's here to watch the game with him, but if she's not complaining then he won't either.
(And either way, he's next to Sei-chan for this one last game. Maybe Seiko engineered this herself on purpose.)
So Reo sits. Sei-chan nods a greeting and Reo smiles back, pretending he can't hear his sister rolling her eyes, and they wait for the game to start.
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"Quit sulking, it's not everybody who gets to have their soulmate here to cheer them on knowing they'll get to play together if they win. You have nothing to be upset about." His tone lacks the usual venom, though, and there's not even any kicking to follow it up! Kasamatsu-senpai must really know how important this all is.
From there, though, the entire process of getting ready is a blur. Kise does his best to pay attention to the pregame briefing, strategy talks, all that, but he only really focuses back up when they're heading out onto the court. After all, this is the only place that matters, and he knows Shougo-kun better than any of them. Besides, Reocchi is fine. Kise would know if he wasn't, he'd feel it
That means it's just a matter of getting to the bench and turning around to look at the stands. He'll never admit that it's Akashicchi's hair and Nebuya-kun's size as much as anything that makes them easy to spot, but it's only Reocchi Kise's waving to.