[log] yukimura & yanagi
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tennis_hellWho: Yukimura and Yanagi
What: Yanagi uses varying means to keep Yukimura awake after arriving in NYC before the US Open.
When: 29/08/18
Where: New York
Rating: PG
After Yukimura showed Mika her bedroom and managed to escape a lengthy hug, he made his way into the next room and flopped face down onto the bed. He was tired, a combination of the flight and all of the film he and Yanagi had watched intermittently throughout said flight.
With his sister left to get situated in her room, it was the perfect opportunity to take a break. No more flying. No more watching game tapes from opponents. No more pop quizzes from Yanagi about what he should be prepared for and how to counter. Just a nice, comfortable bed and maybe a bath after a well-deserved nap.
Like a particularly annoying mosquito that you couldn’t kill or avoid, Yanagi swept into the room and poked Yukimura square between the shoulderblades with a rolled up tennis magazine.
“Do your stretches before you sleep,” he chided Yukimura. “Actually it would be best if you didn’t nap right now so you can get adjusted to the timezone. Take a shower after stretching, then the gopher should be back with tea for us.”
And just like that the brief peace was over. Yukimura flinched at the poke then turned onto his back. "I can't have ten minutes?" he asked. "An hour would be better."
Knowing the answer, Yukimura sat up and started to stretch his arms. "Does he have a name?" He didn't really feel like calling him 'Gopher' for the entire trip even if that's what he would be doing. "Or has Mika come up with some kind of ridiculous nickname?"
“If you sleep now, you’ll regret later when you can’t sleep at night,” said Yanagi, sitting down beside him and pulling Yukimura’s arms into more acceptable shapes.
He took out his phone, which had just beeped with a notification from his hapless kohai that the latter was hopelessly lost. Well, it was expected. Yanagi replied to the text with a suggestion that he use the phone’s inbuilt navigation system, then returned the phone to his pocket. “His name is Ito, as I’ve told you ten times. Ito Haruaki. Mika's taken to calling him Haru-pi and variations thereof.”
Yukimura frowned as his arm was pulled, stretching the muscle more. "I'll schedule a massage then. That'll knock me right out." And feel a lot better than what was happening right now.
Ito. No wonder Yanagi had to tell him repeatedly. "I will try my best to actually remember it this time." Maybe. Ito would be spending most of his time doing whatever Yanagi and Mika asked. Yukimura would rarely deal with him since he'd be playing tennis. "I hope he brings back good tea. I did not like what we had on the plane."
“That should be fine, but it’s not going to get you out of your current stretches,” replied Yanagi, tugging on Yukimura to stand up so they could use the wall for stretches. He smirked at Yukimura’s statement about remembering poor Ito’s name. It was just something that wasn’t going to happen.
“You can use his given name if it’s easier. I did point him to a local coffee shop with good reviews. I’m sure Mika-chan asked for pastries, too.”
Damn. Yukimura knew better than to think that would work, but he had to try. "Yeah, I know," he said, bending down to stretch out his spine.
"He'll be lucky if I remember his last name," Yukimura admitted with a laugh. He doubted the young man would join them again anyway. "She'll be asleep by the time he gets back. The rush of excitement was already starting to fade when I finally escaped. She sleeps like me, so there's no use in trying to wake her."
“Then she will simply have to suffer sleeplessness through the night and I will inform her she is not allowed to disturb you,” Yanagi said, shrugging. She could pester Ito all she wanted, though. That was his purpose on this trip, anyway.
“Leg stretches next,” Yanagi decided.
Yukimura laughed. "She won't, warning or not. You don't have to worry about her too much. Between my parents and I, she is well aware of the rules." He almost felt a bit sorry for Ito, but he signed up for it, so in the end it was his own fault.
Sliding onto the ground, Yukimura brought his legs into a butterfly position and stretched his thigh muscles. "How long do we need to force ourselves to stay awake before we're on New York time?"
Yanagi helpfully pushed down on Yukimura’s back, helping him get into a deeper stretch. “I’d prefer if we stayed up till around 9pm local time,” he replied, doing the calculations in his head. “We can have an early, light dinner, perhaps order in, and set aside something for Mika-chan when she inevitably wakes up in the middle of the night.”
He smiled, just a little evilly. “And then, we resume training at 6 am.”
Yukimura was pretty sure after New York he was going to need the entire two and a half weeks before Rakuten to recover. Especially with how Yanagi was working him half to death. You asked for this, said a small voice in his head. "How long is that?" he asked. Mika would eventually fall back asleep and they could just wake her up when he got done with the 6am session.
"Have I told you lately that you're the worst? If not, you're the worst."
“You love me anyway,” responded Yanagi with the full confidence of someone who knew that absolute truth. He had a lot of fun treats for Yukimura lined up after the US Open to help him relax and recover, but he was keeping them secret for now. He enjoyed teasing his friend a little too much. “A little over five hours. Almost there.”
He tapped Yukimura on the calf, where he knew he was prone to getting tight muscles. “Calves, then ankles, then we can stop.”
"Of course I do. Doesn't mean you have to be a sadist with my training." Yukimura groaned as he switched to his calves. "Whatever tea he brings needs to be heavily caffeinated or I'm going to have a hard time staying awake." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he regretted them. Yanagi didn't need any more ideas for torture, but at least he was almost done.
“Too caffeinated, and you’ll be too hopped up to sleep,” came the prompt, ruthless reply. “Don’t worry, I’ll use any means necessary to keep you awake.”
Yanagi left Yukimura to digest that ominous statement and checked his phone. Ito apparently had purchased the drinks and was making his way back, albeit very slowly. Yanagi informed him by text that if Yukimura’s or Mika-chan’s iced drink melted, Ito would find himself repeating the errand. Satisfied, he turned back to Yukimura to make sure he finished his stretches.
"You know, you weren't this bad in Paris," Yukimura said. Or maybe he didn't remember because he had such a good time while he was there. "I doubt American tea will be able to keep me from falling asleep at the appropriate time." While Yanagi stepped away for a moment, Yukimura moved from his calves to his ankles. "So, you can avoid using any methods."
“That’s because you were hopelessly distracted, so I tormented your staff instead.” Yanagi cheerfully replied. “I’d rather be safe than sorry, so I told Haruaki to get you strawberry oolong. You also didn’t eat much on the plane, so I also ordered a small pastry to tide you over till dinner.”
Oh, right. Yukimura gave him a sheepish smile. "I wouldn't hate it if you tormented them again," he said, standing up. "I think room service would be for the best. I don't exactly feel like going out tonight." That and he'd never hear the end of it from Mika if they went to a nice place without her.
“Don’t you think you’re hard enough on your poor coach already?” said Yanagi, smiling. It had been fun putting them in their place though, considering the more experienced staff had just seen him as a useless college student at first. Now that they realized he was good for Yukimura and actually competent, they had all settled into something of an amicable working relationship. “You can leave the food order to me. Fish and vegetables for you tonight, I think, and some complex carbohydrates. Mika-chan’s tastes haven’t changed, have they?”
"No," Yukimura said unapologetic. "I'm used to a certain level of competency. It's not my fault he has a problem keeping up." Same went for the rest of his staff too. Except maybe his new accountant. And Yanagi, of course. He stifled a yawn as he walked out of the bedroom. "Whatever you think is best. Maybe get Mika a mix between Japanese and American? She's not as picky as I am, so I doubt she'll have any issue with what you order for her."
“Your coach is not bad, all things considered,” advised Yanagi. “You’ve just never been good with authority figures. And not many people know how to deal with Yukimura Seiichi. Even I needed years of experience.” He followed Yukimura out of the room, poking the sleepyhead in the ribs. Hopefully Ito got here soon with the tea. “I’ll use my judgment then, for the food. Go sun yourself on the balcony or something. The blue light will help regulate your circadian rhythm. I’ll keep you awake.”
Yukimura had to agree with that. He had gotten to, and won, more than a few finals and more recently helped with his comeback, but he really need to get more of a spine. "I'm not that difficult," he said in defense. "I want what's best, not what's good enough." He jerked when Yanagi poked him, shooting a half-hearted glare over his shoulder. "It's not against the law to yawn. I'll be on the balcony. Let me know when the tea's here."
“It will take time to find a good fit for you, especially as the very best coaches are mostly occupied,” said Yanagi. If Yukimura kept up what he was doing though, they’d eventually have an easier time of it. He left Yukimura to his balcony lounging while he checked and replied to a few business emails, keeping an eye on his friend to make sure he didn’t doze off. He could hear scrabbling in the hallway, which was probably poor Ito trying to open the door without spilling anything. Taking pity on the younger man, he opened the door for him, then plucked Yukimura’s order from the tray.
“Thank you, Haruaki,” Yanagi said, before whisking the drink and pastry off to Yukimura.
Yukimura stepped onto the balcony and was hit with a wave of heat and humidity. New York was the worst in summer. Even with a heat wave in Japan, he'd rather be there than here. Maybe after the season was over, Yanagi and him could look into potentially switching his coach. He sat down on one of the lounge chairs and shielded his eyes from the mid-afternoon sun. The sheer brightness of it would keep him up, if not the heat itself. Hopefully whatever what's-his-name brought would be iced. At this point, he needed it.
“Iced strawberry oolong,” announced Yanagi, nudging the cold drink against Yukimura’s cheek. Thankfully, it was still cold. He’d also found Yukimura’s sunglasses strewn amongst their belongings and put the case on the table next to him. “And a paleo chocolate cookie.”
An audible sigh of relief escaped Yukimura's mouth when the cup hit his face. "Thank you," he said, relieving both items from Yanagi and setting them on the table so he could put on the sunglasses. "There really should be an umbrella or something." He paused for a moment to take a drink. "But you probably are glad there isn't one because you think I would be tempted to fall asleep in the shade."
Yukimura looked up at his friend then nodded to the empty chair on the other side of the table. "If you're not busy micromanaging, you could join me," he said, grinning at Yanagi.
Yanagi looked around the balcony for a bit, then adjusted something so a screen came down part way, blocking the worst of the glare from Yukimura. “Don’t sleep,” he reminded, then sat down in the chair with his own tea, which he’d ordered hot despite the weather.
“I can join you and micromanage,” he informed Yukimura, unlocking his tablet to start coordinating the rest of Yukimura’s staff for his upcoming practices.
"I couldn't even if I wanted to," Yukimura said. He really didn't want to be on the other end of Yanagi's fingers again. Thankful for the shade, he sank into the seat a bit more and propped his feet up on the balcony. "And here I thought you could take a break. Maybe turn off the manager switch for a bit. You'll have plenty of time to be Renji the Greatest Manager Ever once the tournament starts."
“I thought you wanted me to torment your staff?” Yanagi said, amused. He sipped his hot tea as he tapped out a few emails. “I’m making sure they show up for your practices. Your coach is here scoping out the place already. He says it’s going to be very hot and humid. I’m doing my part as Renji the greatest Yukimura-wrangler.”
"Well, yes, but it doesn't have to be right now." There would be plenty of time over the next couple of weeks for Yanagi to torment them. To be honest, they would like Yanagi more than him by the end of the tournament. Yukimura groaned at the mention of the humidity. The heat he could handle, but not thick air. "I still don't think I'm that difficult. No wrangling necessary," he said, breaking off a piece of the cookie and eating it.
“Everyone will be suffering equally in the heat and humidity, at least,” Yanagi mused. “We’ll have to try and get you used to it.” Emails done, he closed his tablet, grinning at his friend. “Do I really have to recount all the instances where you did something regrettable due to the lack of proper wrangling?” Yanagi teased.
Sometimes Yukimura hated it when Yanagi was right. "At least we have a few days before the tournament starts." Morning and mid-afternoon jogs would probably be the most beneficial. He rolled his eyes at his friend's statement. "I don't recall any instances," he said. "I'm very responsible." 95% of the time.
“Mmm,” was Yanagi’s noncommittal, but nonetheless judgmental reply. Yukimura knew exactly how impetuous he could get sometimes. He sipped his tea and looked serenely out into the distance, waiting for Yukimura’s reaction.
Yukimura huffed. "Oh, fine. Occasionally, I've done some things due to lack of proper wrangling, but they weren't super bad. I haven't gotten arrested or anything. The worst that's happened is some annoying tabloid stuff." At least, he was pretty sure that was the worst. "Stop judging me so hard. Spontaneity has its perks."
Yanagi considered bringing up that time where Yukimura and Sanada had such a big fight that Yanagi had to flee north, but decided against it. Yukimura wasn’t the only one at fault in that, at least. “You’re terrible sometimes, but I love you all the same,” he told Yukimura, leaning across the small table to poke him in the nose.”The only reason you only have ‘annoying tabloid stuff’ is due to my blackmail collection.” Still, Yukimura wouldn’t be Yukimura without these quirks.
Yukimura almost protested over being called terrible, but he knew Yanagi was right, annoyingly so. "I love you too," he said, scrunching up his nose when Yanagi poked him then pushed away the offending finger. "Remind me to never truly get on your bad side, Renji." He had no doubt that Yanagi would be able to find him and make his life hell with all the information he had.
“I don’t use my powers for evil,” Yanagi lied, smiling. “At any rate you and Genichirou are probably safe from me for life, unless you really, really screw up.” He’d probably still forgive Yukimura eventually anyway, no matter what he did. That was the kind of bond he’d formed with the people he’d been friends with most of his life.
"Sure you don't," Yukimura remarked sarcastically. In any case, the tennis player was happy to have Yanagi on his side. He ate the rest of the cookie then rested his head against the back of the chair. "Genichirou would never screw up. It would give him a nervous breakdown. More than the drawer of shame threatens to do on a daily basis."
“He’s a human being,” said Yanagi. “That means he’s as prone to making mistakes as the rest of us. Just different kinds of mistakes. He should really use the contents of that drawer. I’m sure it would help him relax. I feel slightly unappreciated for my thoughtful gifts.”
Yukimura laughed. "You should write him a poem about how unappreciated your gifts are. Calligraphy and all. Then he might change his tune," he said. "Or if he ever gets his own place." Which at this rate, Yukimura highly doubted.
“He might criticize my brushwork instead,” Yanagi chuckled, shaking his head. “Actually, I am still looking at places that might be suitable for him to move to. I have considered moving in with him myself, should a large enough apartment be found.”
"True." Sanada definitely would and then demonstrate how to do it properly. Yukimura thought momentarily about the living situation. "Or I can just buy a place and you two can house sit. Semi-permanently. Until you get married or whatever," he said with a general wave in Yanagi's direction. "Or I permanently retire. Whichever comes first."
“Wouldn’t you prefer to live in your own house instead of letting us live in it?” asked Yanagi. “Not that I am necessarily opposed to the idea. If it is somewhere far out it might be a little inconvenient, though.”
"So Paris is out then," Yukimura said with a slight chuckle. Though, he would likely still get an apartment there to help with travel during the peak of tournaments he liked to play in the spring. "I'd keep the place in Tokyo, but my flowers need better air. Maybe in Kanagawa, near-ish the coast. No more than an hour from Tokyo. I could stay on weekends, so I don't entirely disrupt your old man rituals."
“We don’t have old man rituals,” said Yanagi. Just because he and Sanada had some more sedate, cultured hobbies.... “If you’d like, I can help you look at listings. How big of a place are you thinking?”
Yukimura lifted his sunglasses and gave Yanagi a knowing look. "Sure you don't," he said, resituating himself as the sun lowered. Considering the question for a moment, he shrugged. "Big enough for a tennis court, an art studio, greenhouse, garden... and if I wanted to throw a party for the old team, no one would have to share a room unless they wanted." He paused for a moment then shook his head. "Nevermind, I don't need eight bedrooms. Something in between my parent's house and your family's pension with a little bit of Sanada's house thrown in. The porch in particular. I don't really like the thin walls." No one could say that Yukimura didn't know what he wanted.
“We just like tea, chess, and quiet moments; the very height of Japanese refinement,” refuted Yanagi, though there was an amused smile on his face. He listened to Yukimura’s requirements and jotted them down in his tablet, already looking at some listings that could fit. “That’s a lot of requirements. You might do better having it built from the ground up.”
"Like I said, old man rituals." Yukimura had tried when they were younger to learn chess, but he had found it boring and tended to eventually fall asleep if Sanada and Yanagi started playing it when he was there. At least the tea was good.
Yukimura honestly wasn't sure which would be a better investment, buying or building from scratch. "There's always the renovation option," he suggested, not that he would do the actual renovating besides painting and decorating.
“Mmhmm,” hummed Yanagi, who was by this point only giving Yukimura 30% of his attention, and focusing the other 70% on drawing up a budget, investigating lots for sale, contacting realtors, and narrowing down locations. Houses in the area were not cheap, and Yukimura might have trouble even with his winnings, particularly if he wanted to do major renovations. Perhaps he should look into more endorsement deals…
Yukimura looked over to see what Yanagi was doing since he was no longer focused solely on him. Time to test how far it went.
"If you could find a place that has room for a sex dungeon, that would be just perfect. Or a wine cellar that we could convert. It's not a deal breaker by any means, just something to consider while you're searching."
As if Yanagi would let himself be caught out like that. He smiled, playing along for now. “Mmhm. I’ll stock it myself. I have just the thing in mind.”
Jerk. Yukimura groaned. "Never mind. I don't want my place to become a second location for KK." So rude. "It can always wait until after the tournament is over. We have a couple of weeks between to do non-tennis things, so don't spend too much time on it."
He was hoping the two non-tennis weeks would be a break from Yanagi's Training Hell, but he doubted it. "I should focus on the present." And not a future house. "No distractions."
“I have time now, though,” said Yanagi, but he put away the tablet nonetheless. “No distractions, hmm? And to focus on the present. I can grant your wish, certainly… how about we go over strategies for your most likely opponents, again?” He was teasing. Mostly.
"So, what houses did you find?" Yukimura asked quickly, leaning over the arm of the chair to try and reach for the tablet. The flight had been full of strategic discussion. Surely Yanagi didn't have more. At least, not yet. "Any with a tennis court nearby?"
Yanagi laughed and let Yukimura take the tablet, even unlocking it for him. His friend was so transparent sometimes. “Not really,” he told Yukimura. This was land-scarce Japan, after all. “There are some estates with a tennis court, but you must have professional quality. For that I would prefer you use sports facilities.”
That was disappointing. "I guess I should try and find one near my preferred club," Yukimura said, scrolling through the ones Yanagi had marked as possibilities. Not enough garden space. Too close to other people. Not enough room. Too far away from a good clay court. "I kind of like this one." He held up the tablet for Yanagi to see one that had a decent sized yard. "It would need some work though."
“Oh, that one should fit in the budget I’ve drawn up,” Yanagi mused, making a note of it. “I can ask the agent for more details, and if it’s still available when we get back to Japan, we can go see it. Looks like it is an older property.”
Yukimura nodded and looked through the remaining selections. At least Yanagi knew what he liked. It made things easier. "That was really the only one that really caught my eye," he said setting the laptop back on the table between them. "We should make Genichirou come with us if we are able to look at it after the tournament."
Yanagi nodded, chuckling. “He’ll have a lot to say about the grounds, I’m sure.” Sanada had his own set of ...unique… criteria for places to live. Yanagi wasn’t sure he understood it fully himself, as he pretty much only required an area with enough shelving for his books and an internet connection. He glanced at his watch, noticing that it was well towards evening time.
“I should go see to dinner, if you still wanted a massage afterwards before you go to bed,” he told Yukimura. “You shouldn’t have one right after a meal.”
Yukimura fought back a laugh. Sanada was judgmental about most everything, so taking him along on a house tour would be fantastic and terribly amusing. He finished the rest of his tea and set the empty cup on the side table. "Whatever you think is best. I'll try not to fall asleep on the massage table," he said, smiling at Yanagi. "If I have to stay up longer, I should probably head down to the gym and do some running."
“Sounds good. Perhaps you should do that while I order dinner and make an appointment for your massage,” said Yanagi. He’d send Ito down to get Yukimura once dinner was here. “The real fun begins tomorrow.” Smiling a little disturbingly, he left Yukimura to his thoughts on the balcony.
What: Yanagi uses varying means to keep Yukimura awake after arriving in NYC before the US Open.
When: 29/08/18
Where: New York
Rating: PG
After Yukimura showed Mika her bedroom and managed to escape a lengthy hug, he made his way into the next room and flopped face down onto the bed. He was tired, a combination of the flight and all of the film he and Yanagi had watched intermittently throughout said flight.
With his sister left to get situated in her room, it was the perfect opportunity to take a break. No more flying. No more watching game tapes from opponents. No more pop quizzes from Yanagi about what he should be prepared for and how to counter. Just a nice, comfortable bed and maybe a bath after a well-deserved nap.
Like a particularly annoying mosquito that you couldn’t kill or avoid, Yanagi swept into the room and poked Yukimura square between the shoulderblades with a rolled up tennis magazine.
“Do your stretches before you sleep,” he chided Yukimura. “Actually it would be best if you didn’t nap right now so you can get adjusted to the timezone. Take a shower after stretching, then the gopher should be back with tea for us.”
And just like that the brief peace was over. Yukimura flinched at the poke then turned onto his back. "I can't have ten minutes?" he asked. "An hour would be better."
Knowing the answer, Yukimura sat up and started to stretch his arms. "Does he have a name?" He didn't really feel like calling him 'Gopher' for the entire trip even if that's what he would be doing. "Or has Mika come up with some kind of ridiculous nickname?"
“If you sleep now, you’ll regret later when you can’t sleep at night,” said Yanagi, sitting down beside him and pulling Yukimura’s arms into more acceptable shapes.
He took out his phone, which had just beeped with a notification from his hapless kohai that the latter was hopelessly lost. Well, it was expected. Yanagi replied to the text with a suggestion that he use the phone’s inbuilt navigation system, then returned the phone to his pocket. “His name is Ito, as I’ve told you ten times. Ito Haruaki. Mika's taken to calling him Haru-pi and variations thereof.”
Yukimura frowned as his arm was pulled, stretching the muscle more. "I'll schedule a massage then. That'll knock me right out." And feel a lot better than what was happening right now.
Ito. No wonder Yanagi had to tell him repeatedly. "I will try my best to actually remember it this time." Maybe. Ito would be spending most of his time doing whatever Yanagi and Mika asked. Yukimura would rarely deal with him since he'd be playing tennis. "I hope he brings back good tea. I did not like what we had on the plane."
“That should be fine, but it’s not going to get you out of your current stretches,” replied Yanagi, tugging on Yukimura to stand up so they could use the wall for stretches. He smirked at Yukimura’s statement about remembering poor Ito’s name. It was just something that wasn’t going to happen.
“You can use his given name if it’s easier. I did point him to a local coffee shop with good reviews. I’m sure Mika-chan asked for pastries, too.”
Damn. Yukimura knew better than to think that would work, but he had to try. "Yeah, I know," he said, bending down to stretch out his spine.
"He'll be lucky if I remember his last name," Yukimura admitted with a laugh. He doubted the young man would join them again anyway. "She'll be asleep by the time he gets back. The rush of excitement was already starting to fade when I finally escaped. She sleeps like me, so there's no use in trying to wake her."
“Then she will simply have to suffer sleeplessness through the night and I will inform her she is not allowed to disturb you,” Yanagi said, shrugging. She could pester Ito all she wanted, though. That was his purpose on this trip, anyway.
“Leg stretches next,” Yanagi decided.
Yukimura laughed. "She won't, warning or not. You don't have to worry about her too much. Between my parents and I, she is well aware of the rules." He almost felt a bit sorry for Ito, but he signed up for it, so in the end it was his own fault.
Sliding onto the ground, Yukimura brought his legs into a butterfly position and stretched his thigh muscles. "How long do we need to force ourselves to stay awake before we're on New York time?"
Yanagi helpfully pushed down on Yukimura’s back, helping him get into a deeper stretch. “I’d prefer if we stayed up till around 9pm local time,” he replied, doing the calculations in his head. “We can have an early, light dinner, perhaps order in, and set aside something for Mika-chan when she inevitably wakes up in the middle of the night.”
He smiled, just a little evilly. “And then, we resume training at 6 am.”
Yukimura was pretty sure after New York he was going to need the entire two and a half weeks before Rakuten to recover. Especially with how Yanagi was working him half to death. You asked for this, said a small voice in his head. "How long is that?" he asked. Mika would eventually fall back asleep and they could just wake her up when he got done with the 6am session.
"Have I told you lately that you're the worst? If not, you're the worst."
“You love me anyway,” responded Yanagi with the full confidence of someone who knew that absolute truth. He had a lot of fun treats for Yukimura lined up after the US Open to help him relax and recover, but he was keeping them secret for now. He enjoyed teasing his friend a little too much. “A little over five hours. Almost there.”
He tapped Yukimura on the calf, where he knew he was prone to getting tight muscles. “Calves, then ankles, then we can stop.”
"Of course I do. Doesn't mean you have to be a sadist with my training." Yukimura groaned as he switched to his calves. "Whatever tea he brings needs to be heavily caffeinated or I'm going to have a hard time staying awake." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, he regretted them. Yanagi didn't need any more ideas for torture, but at least he was almost done.
“Too caffeinated, and you’ll be too hopped up to sleep,” came the prompt, ruthless reply. “Don’t worry, I’ll use any means necessary to keep you awake.”
Yanagi left Yukimura to digest that ominous statement and checked his phone. Ito apparently had purchased the drinks and was making his way back, albeit very slowly. Yanagi informed him by text that if Yukimura’s or Mika-chan’s iced drink melted, Ito would find himself repeating the errand. Satisfied, he turned back to Yukimura to make sure he finished his stretches.
"You know, you weren't this bad in Paris," Yukimura said. Or maybe he didn't remember because he had such a good time while he was there. "I doubt American tea will be able to keep me from falling asleep at the appropriate time." While Yanagi stepped away for a moment, Yukimura moved from his calves to his ankles. "So, you can avoid using any methods."
“That’s because you were hopelessly distracted, so I tormented your staff instead.” Yanagi cheerfully replied. “I’d rather be safe than sorry, so I told Haruaki to get you strawberry oolong. You also didn’t eat much on the plane, so I also ordered a small pastry to tide you over till dinner.”
Oh, right. Yukimura gave him a sheepish smile. "I wouldn't hate it if you tormented them again," he said, standing up. "I think room service would be for the best. I don't exactly feel like going out tonight." That and he'd never hear the end of it from Mika if they went to a nice place without her.
“Don’t you think you’re hard enough on your poor coach already?” said Yanagi, smiling. It had been fun putting them in their place though, considering the more experienced staff had just seen him as a useless college student at first. Now that they realized he was good for Yukimura and actually competent, they had all settled into something of an amicable working relationship. “You can leave the food order to me. Fish and vegetables for you tonight, I think, and some complex carbohydrates. Mika-chan’s tastes haven’t changed, have they?”
"No," Yukimura said unapologetic. "I'm used to a certain level of competency. It's not my fault he has a problem keeping up." Same went for the rest of his staff too. Except maybe his new accountant. And Yanagi, of course. He stifled a yawn as he walked out of the bedroom. "Whatever you think is best. Maybe get Mika a mix between Japanese and American? She's not as picky as I am, so I doubt she'll have any issue with what you order for her."
“Your coach is not bad, all things considered,” advised Yanagi. “You’ve just never been good with authority figures. And not many people know how to deal with Yukimura Seiichi. Even I needed years of experience.” He followed Yukimura out of the room, poking the sleepyhead in the ribs. Hopefully Ito got here soon with the tea. “I’ll use my judgment then, for the food. Go sun yourself on the balcony or something. The blue light will help regulate your circadian rhythm. I’ll keep you awake.”
Yukimura had to agree with that. He had gotten to, and won, more than a few finals and more recently helped with his comeback, but he really need to get more of a spine. "I'm not that difficult," he said in defense. "I want what's best, not what's good enough." He jerked when Yanagi poked him, shooting a half-hearted glare over his shoulder. "It's not against the law to yawn. I'll be on the balcony. Let me know when the tea's here."
“It will take time to find a good fit for you, especially as the very best coaches are mostly occupied,” said Yanagi. If Yukimura kept up what he was doing though, they’d eventually have an easier time of it. He left Yukimura to his balcony lounging while he checked and replied to a few business emails, keeping an eye on his friend to make sure he didn’t doze off. He could hear scrabbling in the hallway, which was probably poor Ito trying to open the door without spilling anything. Taking pity on the younger man, he opened the door for him, then plucked Yukimura’s order from the tray.
“Thank you, Haruaki,” Yanagi said, before whisking the drink and pastry off to Yukimura.
Yukimura stepped onto the balcony and was hit with a wave of heat and humidity. New York was the worst in summer. Even with a heat wave in Japan, he'd rather be there than here. Maybe after the season was over, Yanagi and him could look into potentially switching his coach. He sat down on one of the lounge chairs and shielded his eyes from the mid-afternoon sun. The sheer brightness of it would keep him up, if not the heat itself. Hopefully whatever what's-his-name brought would be iced. At this point, he needed it.
“Iced strawberry oolong,” announced Yanagi, nudging the cold drink against Yukimura’s cheek. Thankfully, it was still cold. He’d also found Yukimura’s sunglasses strewn amongst their belongings and put the case on the table next to him. “And a paleo chocolate cookie.”
An audible sigh of relief escaped Yukimura's mouth when the cup hit his face. "Thank you," he said, relieving both items from Yanagi and setting them on the table so he could put on the sunglasses. "There really should be an umbrella or something." He paused for a moment to take a drink. "But you probably are glad there isn't one because you think I would be tempted to fall asleep in the shade."
Yukimura looked up at his friend then nodded to the empty chair on the other side of the table. "If you're not busy micromanaging, you could join me," he said, grinning at Yanagi.
Yanagi looked around the balcony for a bit, then adjusted something so a screen came down part way, blocking the worst of the glare from Yukimura. “Don’t sleep,” he reminded, then sat down in the chair with his own tea, which he’d ordered hot despite the weather.
“I can join you and micromanage,” he informed Yukimura, unlocking his tablet to start coordinating the rest of Yukimura’s staff for his upcoming practices.
"I couldn't even if I wanted to," Yukimura said. He really didn't want to be on the other end of Yanagi's fingers again. Thankful for the shade, he sank into the seat a bit more and propped his feet up on the balcony. "And here I thought you could take a break. Maybe turn off the manager switch for a bit. You'll have plenty of time to be Renji the Greatest Manager Ever once the tournament starts."
“I thought you wanted me to torment your staff?” Yanagi said, amused. He sipped his hot tea as he tapped out a few emails. “I’m making sure they show up for your practices. Your coach is here scoping out the place already. He says it’s going to be very hot and humid. I’m doing my part as Renji the greatest Yukimura-wrangler.”
"Well, yes, but it doesn't have to be right now." There would be plenty of time over the next couple of weeks for Yanagi to torment them. To be honest, they would like Yanagi more than him by the end of the tournament. Yukimura groaned at the mention of the humidity. The heat he could handle, but not thick air. "I still don't think I'm that difficult. No wrangling necessary," he said, breaking off a piece of the cookie and eating it.
“Everyone will be suffering equally in the heat and humidity, at least,” Yanagi mused. “We’ll have to try and get you used to it.” Emails done, he closed his tablet, grinning at his friend. “Do I really have to recount all the instances where you did something regrettable due to the lack of proper wrangling?” Yanagi teased.
Sometimes Yukimura hated it when Yanagi was right. "At least we have a few days before the tournament starts." Morning and mid-afternoon jogs would probably be the most beneficial. He rolled his eyes at his friend's statement. "I don't recall any instances," he said. "I'm very responsible." 95% of the time.
“Mmm,” was Yanagi’s noncommittal, but nonetheless judgmental reply. Yukimura knew exactly how impetuous he could get sometimes. He sipped his tea and looked serenely out into the distance, waiting for Yukimura’s reaction.
Yukimura huffed. "Oh, fine. Occasionally, I've done some things due to lack of proper wrangling, but they weren't super bad. I haven't gotten arrested or anything. The worst that's happened is some annoying tabloid stuff." At least, he was pretty sure that was the worst. "Stop judging me so hard. Spontaneity has its perks."
Yanagi considered bringing up that time where Yukimura and Sanada had such a big fight that Yanagi had to flee north, but decided against it. Yukimura wasn’t the only one at fault in that, at least. “You’re terrible sometimes, but I love you all the same,” he told Yukimura, leaning across the small table to poke him in the nose.”The only reason you only have ‘annoying tabloid stuff’ is due to my blackmail collection.” Still, Yukimura wouldn’t be Yukimura without these quirks.
Yukimura almost protested over being called terrible, but he knew Yanagi was right, annoyingly so. "I love you too," he said, scrunching up his nose when Yanagi poked him then pushed away the offending finger. "Remind me to never truly get on your bad side, Renji." He had no doubt that Yanagi would be able to find him and make his life hell with all the information he had.
“I don’t use my powers for evil,” Yanagi lied, smiling. “At any rate you and Genichirou are probably safe from me for life, unless you really, really screw up.” He’d probably still forgive Yukimura eventually anyway, no matter what he did. That was the kind of bond he’d formed with the people he’d been friends with most of his life.
"Sure you don't," Yukimura remarked sarcastically. In any case, the tennis player was happy to have Yanagi on his side. He ate the rest of the cookie then rested his head against the back of the chair. "Genichirou would never screw up. It would give him a nervous breakdown. More than the drawer of shame threatens to do on a daily basis."
“He’s a human being,” said Yanagi. “That means he’s as prone to making mistakes as the rest of us. Just different kinds of mistakes. He should really use the contents of that drawer. I’m sure it would help him relax. I feel slightly unappreciated for my thoughtful gifts.”
Yukimura laughed. "You should write him a poem about how unappreciated your gifts are. Calligraphy and all. Then he might change his tune," he said. "Or if he ever gets his own place." Which at this rate, Yukimura highly doubted.
“He might criticize my brushwork instead,” Yanagi chuckled, shaking his head. “Actually, I am still looking at places that might be suitable for him to move to. I have considered moving in with him myself, should a large enough apartment be found.”
"True." Sanada definitely would and then demonstrate how to do it properly. Yukimura thought momentarily about the living situation. "Or I can just buy a place and you two can house sit. Semi-permanently. Until you get married or whatever," he said with a general wave in Yanagi's direction. "Or I permanently retire. Whichever comes first."
“Wouldn’t you prefer to live in your own house instead of letting us live in it?” asked Yanagi. “Not that I am necessarily opposed to the idea. If it is somewhere far out it might be a little inconvenient, though.”
"So Paris is out then," Yukimura said with a slight chuckle. Though, he would likely still get an apartment there to help with travel during the peak of tournaments he liked to play in the spring. "I'd keep the place in Tokyo, but my flowers need better air. Maybe in Kanagawa, near-ish the coast. No more than an hour from Tokyo. I could stay on weekends, so I don't entirely disrupt your old man rituals."
“We don’t have old man rituals,” said Yanagi. Just because he and Sanada had some more sedate, cultured hobbies.... “If you’d like, I can help you look at listings. How big of a place are you thinking?”
Yukimura lifted his sunglasses and gave Yanagi a knowing look. "Sure you don't," he said, resituating himself as the sun lowered. Considering the question for a moment, he shrugged. "Big enough for a tennis court, an art studio, greenhouse, garden... and if I wanted to throw a party for the old team, no one would have to share a room unless they wanted." He paused for a moment then shook his head. "Nevermind, I don't need eight bedrooms. Something in between my parent's house and your family's pension with a little bit of Sanada's house thrown in. The porch in particular. I don't really like the thin walls." No one could say that Yukimura didn't know what he wanted.
“We just like tea, chess, and quiet moments; the very height of Japanese refinement,” refuted Yanagi, though there was an amused smile on his face. He listened to Yukimura’s requirements and jotted them down in his tablet, already looking at some listings that could fit. “That’s a lot of requirements. You might do better having it built from the ground up.”
"Like I said, old man rituals." Yukimura had tried when they were younger to learn chess, but he had found it boring and tended to eventually fall asleep if Sanada and Yanagi started playing it when he was there. At least the tea was good.
Yukimura honestly wasn't sure which would be a better investment, buying or building from scratch. "There's always the renovation option," he suggested, not that he would do the actual renovating besides painting and decorating.
“Mmhmm,” hummed Yanagi, who was by this point only giving Yukimura 30% of his attention, and focusing the other 70% on drawing up a budget, investigating lots for sale, contacting realtors, and narrowing down locations. Houses in the area were not cheap, and Yukimura might have trouble even with his winnings, particularly if he wanted to do major renovations. Perhaps he should look into more endorsement deals…
Yukimura looked over to see what Yanagi was doing since he was no longer focused solely on him. Time to test how far it went.
"If you could find a place that has room for a sex dungeon, that would be just perfect. Or a wine cellar that we could convert. It's not a deal breaker by any means, just something to consider while you're searching."
As if Yanagi would let himself be caught out like that. He smiled, playing along for now. “Mmhm. I’ll stock it myself. I have just the thing in mind.”
Jerk. Yukimura groaned. "Never mind. I don't want my place to become a second location for KK." So rude. "It can always wait until after the tournament is over. We have a couple of weeks between to do non-tennis things, so don't spend too much time on it."
He was hoping the two non-tennis weeks would be a break from Yanagi's Training Hell, but he doubted it. "I should focus on the present." And not a future house. "No distractions."
“I have time now, though,” said Yanagi, but he put away the tablet nonetheless. “No distractions, hmm? And to focus on the present. I can grant your wish, certainly… how about we go over strategies for your most likely opponents, again?” He was teasing. Mostly.
"So, what houses did you find?" Yukimura asked quickly, leaning over the arm of the chair to try and reach for the tablet. The flight had been full of strategic discussion. Surely Yanagi didn't have more. At least, not yet. "Any with a tennis court nearby?"
Yanagi laughed and let Yukimura take the tablet, even unlocking it for him. His friend was so transparent sometimes. “Not really,” he told Yukimura. This was land-scarce Japan, after all. “There are some estates with a tennis court, but you must have professional quality. For that I would prefer you use sports facilities.”
That was disappointing. "I guess I should try and find one near my preferred club," Yukimura said, scrolling through the ones Yanagi had marked as possibilities. Not enough garden space. Too close to other people. Not enough room. Too far away from a good clay court. "I kind of like this one." He held up the tablet for Yanagi to see one that had a decent sized yard. "It would need some work though."
“Oh, that one should fit in the budget I’ve drawn up,” Yanagi mused, making a note of it. “I can ask the agent for more details, and if it’s still available when we get back to Japan, we can go see it. Looks like it is an older property.”
Yukimura nodded and looked through the remaining selections. At least Yanagi knew what he liked. It made things easier. "That was really the only one that really caught my eye," he said setting the laptop back on the table between them. "We should make Genichirou come with us if we are able to look at it after the tournament."
Yanagi nodded, chuckling. “He’ll have a lot to say about the grounds, I’m sure.” Sanada had his own set of ...unique… criteria for places to live. Yanagi wasn’t sure he understood it fully himself, as he pretty much only required an area with enough shelving for his books and an internet connection. He glanced at his watch, noticing that it was well towards evening time.
“I should go see to dinner, if you still wanted a massage afterwards before you go to bed,” he told Yukimura. “You shouldn’t have one right after a meal.”
Yukimura fought back a laugh. Sanada was judgmental about most everything, so taking him along on a house tour would be fantastic and terribly amusing. He finished the rest of his tea and set the empty cup on the side table. "Whatever you think is best. I'll try not to fall asleep on the massage table," he said, smiling at Yanagi. "If I have to stay up longer, I should probably head down to the gym and do some running."
“Sounds good. Perhaps you should do that while I order dinner and make an appointment for your massage,” said Yanagi. He’d send Ito down to get Yukimura once dinner was here. “The real fun begins tomorrow.” Smiling a little disturbingly, he left Yukimura to his thoughts on the balcony.
