[LOG] Tezuka Kunimitsu & Niou Masaharu
Mar. 3rd, 2018 06:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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tennis_hellWho: Tezuka Kunimitsu and Niou Masaharu
What: Tezuka visits Niou on Friday's for a book sniffing date
When: Friday afternoon
Where: Niou's questionable second hand bookshop
Rating:R-18 for Tezuka's smell fetish G
Niou stifled a yawn as he turned the next page of his book. It was kind of boring, but at least it was Friday and he could actually look like he was bored at work for once. And there was no tickling of a wig on his scalp, he was wearing comfortable clothes, and no glasses slipping down his nose. He wondered how much longer Tachibana An had on her lunch shift - it was always a bit more boring without her to have a conversation with, even though he’d never admit that outloud to her.
He heard the jingle of the door opening and Niou stretched out his legs, slouching a bit more in his chair. “Welcome,” he intoned, barely glancing up to look at the person.
“Pardon my intrusion.” Tezuka announced himself, carefully closing the door behind him to keep the cold air out before peeling his gloves off. “I would like to pick up the books you recommended.” He continued after looking around the entrance way to see if any new arrivals might catch his eye.
Niou looked up suddenly as he heard Tezuka’s voice and he nearly lost his place in the book as he just remembered to slide an old receipt in before he put it down on the counter. “Hi Tezuka!” he said cheerfully, suddenly perking up. “I have one behind the counter for you.” Niou skipped over and went straight over to the display of new books. “I thought you’d really like this one too,” he said, pulling out a dusty book with a cracking spine from the middle of a pile, the title well worn away. “It’s filled with mysteries and a well loved smell.”
Following Niou, Tezuka needed a moment to place what had irritated him about the perfectly polite greeting. “Thank you,...Niou-kun.” He replied, turning his attention to the book and carefully tracing his fingertips over the abused spine and the worn title but keeping an cautious watch on the former Rikkai player. Satisfied with having explored the tactile aspect of the book he picked it up and held it so a beam of light falling in through the clouds from outside could play across the faded colours, dust mites dancing around it. Inhaling slowly he drew in the omnipresent scent of dust, old paper, traces of glue and a very faint hint of clean soap and shampoo that belonged to the other man. “I like it.” He decided after finally opening the book and paying through it for a moment and handing it back to Niou. “And the other book?”
Tezuka’s sniffing thing always amused him, though Niou could definitely understand - he also enjoyed the smell of books. He took the book back and made to go to the counter before he paused, spinning back around on his heel. “One sec, please, Tezuka,” he said, stepping a bit closer. Niou leaned in to sniff at Tezuka’s cheek, squinted and then stepped away again. “It’s just behind the counter.”
Frozen to his spot Tezuka warily watched as Niou drew close only to raise a confused and questioning eyebrow. “Do I dare ask what that was?” He inquired once Niou was a safe distance away again.
“Probably best not to ask,” Niou said, moving back to the counter to unearth the book from the stack there. “Here’s this one, for all your gardening and DIY adventures.” This one was a bit dated, but Niou liked the entrepreneurial spirit of the man on the cover and it had actually seemed half decent when he’d flicked through.
Accepting the book Tezuka turned it to read the blurb on the back gently opening it and paging through, keeping an eye out for the illustrations Niou has mentioned. At one dedicated to the right way to mulch he stopped to read the description underneath it, a little upward quirk of his lips all that gave away how he felt about the effusive way the other was writing in about something he obviously loved and had dedicated quite a lot of time in. “Thank you, Niou-kun. Those were both some very good recommendation.” He passed the second book back as well and retrieved his wallet from his pocket. “What do I owe you?”
Niou wrapped up the first book with practiced efficiency, and then the second. “With your usual discount… 721 yen,” he said, putting the amount in the machine. Niou shook out a bag with a bit too much force, purposely making noise before he could carefully place the books inside. “You’ll have to tell me what the ending of the human experimentation camp one is like. I never got to finish it.”
“I can bring it back when I’m done.” Tezuka offered, stolidly enduring the rustling with much practice. “I have a few books I have been meaning to take back.” He was after all only a short stop on the journey these books had already accomplished and sometimes he liked to think of what might lay in store for them in the future.
“Ooh, good job, getting store credit to spend on more books,” Niou said, printing out a receipt to toss in the bag as well. “I’ll keep an eye out for interesting titles for you to trade them in for.” He tossed a free mint into the bag as well, just as a bonus, and it was one less for him to just sit and eat. “Do you need anything else today?”
About to shake his head and take his leave Tezuka hesitated when a memory of the conversations he had read over the last week stirred. “Actually...I do have one question.” He glanced around to make sure there was no other customer he was keeping Niou’s assistance from. “It is a private matter however.”
That made Niou’s eyebrows rise and he also glanced around the shop - there were no other customers and he was pretty sure Tachibana was having a smoke break or something, she always disappeared mysteriously for her lunch breaks. “Yeah? I can’t guarantee I’ll answer private questions, but you can always try. I’m feeling pretty generous today.”
Frowning slightly Tezuka nodded. That was fair enough. “When you spoke with Yukimura about Atobe and myself…” and then again when Yukimura had been communicating directly with Atobe. “I would like to know what you meant.”
Niou frowned slightly - when had he spoken to Yukimura about Atobe and Tezuka? Nevermind the suggestion that Tezuka liked to read other people’s conversations. He scratched his cheek lightly in thought. “You’ll have to be more specific, Kunimitsu. I don’t actually remember most conversations I have with people.”
And there was that switch back to his given name. Maybe it was to do with Niou taking on the role of a store clerk? Given what he knew of the other man, and even after almost a year of frequenting the shop it certainly wasn’t all that much it could explain it. That put at least one worry to bed, and he was not going to think too hard about why not being called by his given name had had him more unsettled than being called thus had.
“I do not recall the exact wording.” He began, still keeping his gaze squarely on Niou. “But I believe it was something along the lines of Atobe behaving toward me in a way you both found distasteful.” And that, as demanding and self-important as Atobewas he felt the need to correct, aside from it certainly being none of Rikkai’s business in the very first place.
Ah. Yes, Niou had figured out what it was Tezuka was trying to talk about. He propped his chin up on his hand and looked at Tezuka closely. It was a little disconcerting staring straight at him, but Niou refused to look away. “Have you really never noticed?” he asked, grinning a bit. “Maybe you should come back on Tuesday afternoon - Atobe should be working then. You can ask him about it then.”
“Atobe does not work here.” Tezuka replied immediately before it dawned on him that it most likely wasn’t the real Atobe the trickster was referring to. “But I asked you.” He pointed out next. “I would prefer your answer.”
Niou chewed over how to reply to that, reaching across the counter to put another mint in Tezuka’s bag. “If you’ve got the time to go journal stalking, you should look at how I talk to Seiichi. Or Hiroshi. Or even you. I think it’s pretty obvious.” Niou’s grin widened and he shooed Tezuka away with his hand. “Bye Kunimitsu. Come back next week.”
That really wasn’t any kind of concrete answer but Tezuka supposed he would have to take it. “I don’t stalk.” He protested though as he picked up his bag. “Reading a publicly posted comment is hardly a criminal offence.” After all it wasn’t his fault they were so careless with their communication.
“Of course” Niou said. “And if I wasn’t comfortable with you reading them, I wouldn’t post them publicly.” Or post them at all, really. He settled back down in his seat behind the counter and propped his legs up again. “But you really should read them, I think you’ll find it enlightening if you look closely enough.”
Having already done a fair bit of reading Tezuka wasn’t so sure but he was neither willing to take the topic back to his supposedly stalkery ways - one would almost think Niou hadn’t had a data player on his own team nor try and argue with somebody who had the kind of way with words he had always lacked.
“I will consider it.” He agreed, nodding goodbye to Niou. “Please give Tachibana my regards.”
Niou waggled his fingers in farewell at Tezuka, pulling his book out again to go back to reading to pass the time. “See you next Friday, Kunimitsu. I’ll keep an eye out for new books for you.”
What: Tezuka visits Niou on Friday's for a book sniffing date
When: Friday afternoon
Where: Niou's questionable second hand bookshop
Rating:
Niou stifled a yawn as he turned the next page of his book. It was kind of boring, but at least it was Friday and he could actually look like he was bored at work for once. And there was no tickling of a wig on his scalp, he was wearing comfortable clothes, and no glasses slipping down his nose. He wondered how much longer Tachibana An had on her lunch shift - it was always a bit more boring without her to have a conversation with, even though he’d never admit that outloud to her.
He heard the jingle of the door opening and Niou stretched out his legs, slouching a bit more in his chair. “Welcome,” he intoned, barely glancing up to look at the person.
“Pardon my intrusion.” Tezuka announced himself, carefully closing the door behind him to keep the cold air out before peeling his gloves off. “I would like to pick up the books you recommended.” He continued after looking around the entrance way to see if any new arrivals might catch his eye.
Niou looked up suddenly as he heard Tezuka’s voice and he nearly lost his place in the book as he just remembered to slide an old receipt in before he put it down on the counter. “Hi Tezuka!” he said cheerfully, suddenly perking up. “I have one behind the counter for you.” Niou skipped over and went straight over to the display of new books. “I thought you’d really like this one too,” he said, pulling out a dusty book with a cracking spine from the middle of a pile, the title well worn away. “It’s filled with mysteries and a well loved smell.”
Following Niou, Tezuka needed a moment to place what had irritated him about the perfectly polite greeting. “Thank you,...Niou-kun.” He replied, turning his attention to the book and carefully tracing his fingertips over the abused spine and the worn title but keeping an cautious watch on the former Rikkai player. Satisfied with having explored the tactile aspect of the book he picked it up and held it so a beam of light falling in through the clouds from outside could play across the faded colours, dust mites dancing around it. Inhaling slowly he drew in the omnipresent scent of dust, old paper, traces of glue and a very faint hint of clean soap and shampoo that belonged to the other man. “I like it.” He decided after finally opening the book and paying through it for a moment and handing it back to Niou. “And the other book?”
Tezuka’s sniffing thing always amused him, though Niou could definitely understand - he also enjoyed the smell of books. He took the book back and made to go to the counter before he paused, spinning back around on his heel. “One sec, please, Tezuka,” he said, stepping a bit closer. Niou leaned in to sniff at Tezuka’s cheek, squinted and then stepped away again. “It’s just behind the counter.”
Frozen to his spot Tezuka warily watched as Niou drew close only to raise a confused and questioning eyebrow. “Do I dare ask what that was?” He inquired once Niou was a safe distance away again.
“Probably best not to ask,” Niou said, moving back to the counter to unearth the book from the stack there. “Here’s this one, for all your gardening and DIY adventures.” This one was a bit dated, but Niou liked the entrepreneurial spirit of the man on the cover and it had actually seemed half decent when he’d flicked through.
Accepting the book Tezuka turned it to read the blurb on the back gently opening it and paging through, keeping an eye out for the illustrations Niou has mentioned. At one dedicated to the right way to mulch he stopped to read the description underneath it, a little upward quirk of his lips all that gave away how he felt about the effusive way the other was writing in about something he obviously loved and had dedicated quite a lot of time in. “Thank you, Niou-kun. Those were both some very good recommendation.” He passed the second book back as well and retrieved his wallet from his pocket. “What do I owe you?”
Niou wrapped up the first book with practiced efficiency, and then the second. “With your usual discount… 721 yen,” he said, putting the amount in the machine. Niou shook out a bag with a bit too much force, purposely making noise before he could carefully place the books inside. “You’ll have to tell me what the ending of the human experimentation camp one is like. I never got to finish it.”
“I can bring it back when I’m done.” Tezuka offered, stolidly enduring the rustling with much practice. “I have a few books I have been meaning to take back.” He was after all only a short stop on the journey these books had already accomplished and sometimes he liked to think of what might lay in store for them in the future.
“Ooh, good job, getting store credit to spend on more books,” Niou said, printing out a receipt to toss in the bag as well. “I’ll keep an eye out for interesting titles for you to trade them in for.” He tossed a free mint into the bag as well, just as a bonus, and it was one less for him to just sit and eat. “Do you need anything else today?”
About to shake his head and take his leave Tezuka hesitated when a memory of the conversations he had read over the last week stirred. “Actually...I do have one question.” He glanced around to make sure there was no other customer he was keeping Niou’s assistance from. “It is a private matter however.”
That made Niou’s eyebrows rise and he also glanced around the shop - there were no other customers and he was pretty sure Tachibana was having a smoke break or something, she always disappeared mysteriously for her lunch breaks. “Yeah? I can’t guarantee I’ll answer private questions, but you can always try. I’m feeling pretty generous today.”
Frowning slightly Tezuka nodded. That was fair enough. “When you spoke with Yukimura about Atobe and myself…” and then again when Yukimura had been communicating directly with Atobe. “I would like to know what you meant.”
Niou frowned slightly - when had he spoken to Yukimura about Atobe and Tezuka? Nevermind the suggestion that Tezuka liked to read other people’s conversations. He scratched his cheek lightly in thought. “You’ll have to be more specific, Kunimitsu. I don’t actually remember most conversations I have with people.”
And there was that switch back to his given name. Maybe it was to do with Niou taking on the role of a store clerk? Given what he knew of the other man, and even after almost a year of frequenting the shop it certainly wasn’t all that much it could explain it. That put at least one worry to bed, and he was not going to think too hard about why not being called by his given name had had him more unsettled than being called thus had.
“I do not recall the exact wording.” He began, still keeping his gaze squarely on Niou. “But I believe it was something along the lines of Atobe behaving toward me in a way you both found distasteful.” And that, as demanding and self-important as Atobe
Ah. Yes, Niou had figured out what it was Tezuka was trying to talk about. He propped his chin up on his hand and looked at Tezuka closely. It was a little disconcerting staring straight at him, but Niou refused to look away. “Have you really never noticed?” he asked, grinning a bit. “Maybe you should come back on Tuesday afternoon - Atobe should be working then. You can ask him about it then.”
“Atobe does not work here.” Tezuka replied immediately before it dawned on him that it most likely wasn’t the real Atobe the trickster was referring to. “But I asked you.” He pointed out next. “I would prefer your answer.”
Niou chewed over how to reply to that, reaching across the counter to put another mint in Tezuka’s bag. “If you’ve got the time to go journal stalking, you should look at how I talk to Seiichi. Or Hiroshi. Or even you. I think it’s pretty obvious.” Niou’s grin widened and he shooed Tezuka away with his hand. “Bye Kunimitsu. Come back next week.”
That really wasn’t any kind of concrete answer but Tezuka supposed he would have to take it. “I don’t stalk.” He protested though as he picked up his bag. “Reading a publicly posted comment is hardly a criminal offence.” After all it wasn’t his fault they were so careless with their communication.
“Of course” Niou said. “And if I wasn’t comfortable with you reading them, I wouldn’t post them publicly.” Or post them at all, really. He settled back down in his seat behind the counter and propped his legs up again. “But you really should read them, I think you’ll find it enlightening if you look closely enough.”
Having already done a fair bit of reading Tezuka wasn’t so sure but he was neither willing to take the topic back to his supposedly stalkery ways - one would almost think Niou hadn’t had a data player on his own team nor try and argue with somebody who had the kind of way with words he had always lacked.
“I will consider it.” He agreed, nodding goodbye to Niou. “Please give Tachibana my regards.”
Niou waggled his fingers in farewell at Tezuka, pulling his book out again to go back to reading to pass the time. “See you next Friday, Kunimitsu. I’ll keep an eye out for new books for you.”
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