[CLOSED] make new friends but keep the old

[lecturehall]

Who: idol boys from idol high (lecturehall ; softpunk ; kendont)
What: meet and greet except they've already met and fuck this
When: April 15th
Where: Keito's shitty temple
Warnings: melodrama worthy of the CW



[The trip back to the temple is longer than he would have liked. Souma asks a few questions and Keito's grateful for them. Attempting to answer them is a distraction that takes the edge off of what's coming: a reunion between strangers.

There's a part of him that wishes he could avoid it. Throw them in a room together and wait for their re-introductions to be over. He didn't want to watch them say each other's names without recognition. Rather, he couldn't trust himself to watch it. Not without a repeat of his embarrassing episode with Kiryu.

But while the thought was tempting, it was fleeting. Just another selfish desire he dismisses as cowardice without fully knowing why. Maybe it's the fact they died for him or maybe it's the fear of them suspecting something about their relationship. Keito knew the basic danger of potential recollection but the specifics were unclear. For all he knew, the smallest uncertainty could threaten their lives. There was no way he could take that risk.

They arrive at the temple in silence. Keito gestures for Souma to follow.]

We'll head to the house. I've no doubt he's resting after such a tiring day. Be mindful of that. Try not to be so energetic that it's overbearing. Both of you need to relax after the initial shock of—

[He stops short, holding an arm out to stop Souma from moving forward. Frowning, he looks down at Kuro, who is neither resting nor in the house where he should be.]

You're weeding. [Of all activities...] Wasn't all that cleaning enough for you? You're too stubborn. Daring to disobey me after I told you to rest...

[He crosses his arms and looks back at Souma.] Kanzaki, this is Kiryu. Do your best not to be as belligerent as him.

Comments

[kendont]

[Keito is a comfortable presence in the midst of all of this confusion. His questions are answered efficiently and with plenty of information, and Souma is satisfied by that. But now, as they enter the temple grounds and an arm sticks out to block him, Souma finds himself stepping the slightest bit behind Keito as he peers around him.

The man he sees isn't what he expects. Someone with such a stern look that they actually seem scary almost makes sense, with how stern and scolding Keito is, but he's also very muscular. His presence is far more intimidating, just by sight. He looks... like a punk.

When his name is spoken, Souma starts and jumps a little out from behind Keito before he bows very deeply.]

I-it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Kiryu-dono! I am in your care, so please treat me well.

[softpunk]

You told me not to accept things so easily, yeah?

[He gives Keito a sheepish little grin as he pushes himself to his feet, brushing his hands off on his pants before his attention turns to Souma. With the way he seems to hide behind Keito a bit-- seems like he's going to have to try to make sure not to scare this one.]

Pleasure to meet you too-- but you don't have to be so formal if we're both gonna be staying here, Kanzaki.

[chill a little... don't be nervous...]

[lecturehall]

[Don't throw his words back in his face, Kuro. That gets a petulant look before he turns his attention back to Souma, nudging him away.]

Kanzaki, don't act like a child. Stand on your own two feet and face people properly. Why are you acting so nervous anyway? Don't tell me you're nervous? Even when you saw him with his face in the dirt?

[Keito squints at Kuro, trying to see it.] Well, I suppose the dirt does make him look more thuggish.

[A bit like he was in a fight. Sighing, Keito hands Kuro a handkerchief.] Here. Take this to clean yourself up.

[kendont]

[He does look more thuggish. Face in the dirt or not, even Kuro's gently scolding words make Souma stiffen and stand up straight.]

M-my apologies! It is just that I have realized I am the youngest in comparison to you both. Both Hasumi-dono and Kiryu-dono have such stern, commanding presences. I do not wish to hold them back.

[softpunk]

[Thuggish, huh... he accepts the handkerchief and uses it to wipe some of the dirt from his face, frowning slightly-- which really doesn't help that impression whatsoever.]

Seems like you're an eager enough kid, if you're already that worried about keepin' up. [One corner of his mouth quirks up a bit, there.] So I don't think you're gonna have anything to worry about, alright?

[With a glance back to Keito, he adds:] Hasumi and I aren't gonna let you fall behind that easy.

[lecturehall]

Absolutely not. Allowing you to fall behind without providing support would be as detrimental as breaking a leg before a race. If nothing else, it's in our best interest to be the pillars for your growth.

Though, if I'm to be honest, I doubt you'll need much of it. Don't underestimate your own capabilities. The more you believe you're incompetent the more it'll become true.

[He could go on—he means to go on—but something distracts him.] Ah, Kiryu. You—Well, here. Just let me do it. [Taking that handkerchief back to swipe at a speck of dirt at the corner of Kuro's mouth.] You missed a spot. Not that I understand how it got there in the first place. Just what were you doing anyway? There's a difference between weeding and shoving your face into the dirt?

[Will he stop scolding people?? Unlikely. What he will do is try to shake some of the dirt out of his handkerchief. It doesn't really work.]

[kendont]

T-thank you! Kiryu-dono, Hasumi-dono... I will work my hardest to be able to call myself a "companion" to you both.

[He sniffles a little, like he's holding back tears, and scrubs at his eyes a bit to keep them back as Keito cleans off Kuro.]

[softpunk]

That's not somethin' you have to earn, Kanzaki. You already are.

[He feels almost like he should pat his shoulder or something, but-- well. His hands are kind of covered in dirt, so he's just going to have to leave it at that for the moment.

Keito's help is definitely an interruption, anyway, so maybe that's for the best-- Kuro freezes for a moment as he cleans off that bit of dirt, blinking down at Keito before he clears his throat and takes the handkerchief back. Again.]

Can't say I know how it got there, either, but- here, that's not gonna work. Let me wash that for you, alright?

[lecturehall]

No. [He snatches that handkerchief back with a sharp look.] Didn't you hear me when I told you to rest? You've already disregarded my request the first time. I won't have it happen again. If you work anymore your body will give out and I'll be stuck lugging your muscle-bound corpse all around.

[Not that he expects Kuro to listen to that scolding. Which is why he abruptly turns back to Souma.] Kanzaki. Forget that companion business. For the moment I'm promoting your position to a disciplinary role. I'm trusting you to escort Kiryu back to the house and keep him there. Away from any work he can obsess over.

[Another pointed look at Kuro.] I can do my own laundry.

[kendont]

M-me?

[He lowers his hands from his scrubbing at his eyes, glancing between Kuro and Keito.] Ah, well... While I believe that Kiryu-dono has a point in that there is no problem with us trying to serve you, I cannot disobey a command!

Kiryu-dono! [He spins on his heels to face Kuro completely, a serious expression on his face as he places a hand at his own chest.] Please march back to the house at once, or I will be forced to draw my blade!

[softpunk]

[His eyebrows raise as he glances between Souma and Keito, blinking-- but then he shakes his head with a sigh and a small smile, raising his hands in surrender.]

Alright, alright... I can't say no to an earnest request like that, can I? Best make sure you get some rest too, though, Hasumi. Set a good example for us and all so we don't misbehave.

[he probably fucking won't bc that's just the impression kuro gets from him but he can try...]

C'mon, Kanzaki. I'll go, so don't worry about drawin' your sword.