[LOG] Oshitari Yuushi and Hirakoba Rin
Apr. 7th, 2018 06:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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tennis_hellWho: Hirakoba Rin and Oshitari Yuushi
What: Rin and Yuushi catch up. They both remain fully clothed.
When: NO IDEA \o/
Where: Some cafe
Rating: Rbecause R rated = Rin is present. It's actually quite G.
Hirakoba made his way into the coffee shop, sighing as he could finally start pulling off his scarf and jacket in the warmth. He did a quick scan of the room, looking out for the blue hair of Oshitari - nowhere in sight, though he was a couple of minutes early - before he made his way to the cake cabinet to look at the selection while he waited for Oshitari to arrive.
Arriving as on time as public transport allowed - and since this was Tokyo he arrived just on time, Yuushi strolled into the shop with the air of a sixties film star vacationing at the Côte d’Azur. Smiling with easy confidence at the heads turning toward the door upon his entry he languidly shed his gloves, jacket and scarf while looking around and heading over to his date when he spotted the bleached blonde head. That anybody could be even more obsessed with that than Kenya had been hard to believe but in the time they had both been students at Hyoutei unavoidable to notice. “Hirakoba-kun.” He greeted with a well practiced smile and nudged his magically not steamed over glasses up. “I’m so glad you could make it. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
Hirakoba straightened up as he heard his name and turned to smile at Oshitari. He had always rather liked him. “Oshitari-kun,” he said, reaching out to pat the other male on the arm in greeting before turning back to look at the cake again. “I was just looking at the options available, you could have given me another couple of minutes.”
He frowned a bit in indecision and patted Oshitari on the arm again. “Can I get you a drink? My treat, since it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
Used to his schoolmates touchy feely ways and honestly of a similar persuasion Yuushi leaned down to peer at the display. “Why don’t we pick together? Then we can split them.” He suggested helpfully. “And I’ll have a caramel latte with soy milk and cinnamon please.”
“Share them while you’re dissecting my heart and giving me love advice?” Hirakoba asked, with a bit of a grin at Oshitari’s reflection in the glass cake display. “How romantic.” He drummed his fingers on his leg for a moment before he nudged Oshitari with his elbow. “I think I want the mint chocolate cake, it looks delightful.” Oshitari could pick the other one.
“You always have a mix of good and bad, Hirakoba.” Yuushi lectured in his best school nurse voice then eyed the mint chocolate cake and gave it an approving nod. “Be glad you get to have your cake and eat it at least.” That said he settled on a piece of cake made up to look like a square watermelon. “Have you already picked a seat?” He asked once they had received their orders and the cashier was swiping his card.
Unfortunately, Hirakoba’s gaze lingered on the cakes a bit too long and he didn’t catch Oshitari paying for the food until it was too late. “Ah—“ He started to protest, whapping Oshitari lightly on the forearm when he was done paying. “That was rude, Oshtari-kun,” he said, looking unamused. “Just for that, we’re going to sit in a corner booth, so our talk is nice and private, with no chance of people overhearing.”
Chuckling Yuushi accepted the reprimand and nodded. “Your wish is my command.” He drawled and gestured with his head toward just such a booth that had been vacated just a few moments ago. “Then we better take this chance before we have to bribe our way into a free booth.”
What a lucky coincidence. Hirakoba at least picked up their tray of cakes before Oshitari could try and be a gentleman or something. He led the way, keeping a good balance to make sure his coffee didn’t spill until he could slide into the booth.
“So how is your love doctor business going?” Hirakoba asked, once they were both settled. “Any particularly sad cases coming to your doors yet?”
“Hmm.” Arranging the plate and his cup to his satisfaction Yuushi hummed noncommittally. “I’m afraid I’m not at a liberty to discuss things that have been shared with me in my position as counsellor.” He preached then quirked a small smile. “Besides, I don’t think it would be anything of interest to you, my dear.” After all in the fast paced world of Hirakoba’s love life there was hardly time to waste on building a relationship.
Ah, that was disappointing. While Hirakoba might not care for relationships himself, the juiciness of gossip really did amuse him on a shallow level. Even if it was just to remind himself that he was doing the right thing with his blasé approach to relationships. “You never know, Oshitari-kun, I might fall in love with a nice person one day. And have my heart broken,” he said lightly, pouring sugar into his coffee. “And then I’ll be sure to share all the details with you, and expect you to help comfort me.”
“Of course.” Yuushi agreed, smiling at the blonde across from him. “You know I wouldn't miss that for the world.” Picking up a knife he carefully halved his watermelon cake and transferred half over to Hirakoba’s plate. “Though of course I do hope for the happiness of all my friends.”
“I think you’re just waiting for the day someone gets payback for all the hearts I’ve broken,” Hirakoba said, mimicking Oshitari’s actions to cut his own mint chocolate cake in half to pass it over as well. “Although you’re not much better, Oshitari-kun.”
“Well, I can’t honestly say I wouldn’t be delighted to know that somebody managed to move your heart.” Yuushi sighed. “And I imagine it couldn’t hurt for you to experience true heartbreak for yourself.” He took a moment to pry a piece of cake off and pop it into his mouth before continuing. “But really an eye for an eye will lead to the whole world going blind and having your heart broken isn’t something I’d wish on anybody.”
“I have always wondered what heartbreak was like. It seems troublesome.” Hirakoba had certainly seen it enough, and supposedly caused it a few times as well. He sighed a little and sipped at his coffee. “Have you been heartbroken before, Oshitari-kun?” Hirakoba could never tell if Oshitari was the sort to get that deeply attached, or if he was of a similar cold hearted, fake romantic make as Hirakoba was. He paused and lowered his coffee cup. “Please don’t tell me that I accidentally inflicted it on you sometime in high school.”
Looking surprised at the suggestion the longer he considered it the more Yuushi slowly dissolved into hilarity. Covering his mouth he shook his head, a stifled chuckle slipping out despite his attempts to maintain a placid expression. “Oh no, no Hirakoba.” He finally sighed gustily, amusement still dancing in his eyes as he wiped tears of mirth away “My heart is quite safe from your wiles, I assure you.”
Hirakoba sighed in relief at the laughter - that was good enough of an answer for him. “Oh thank goodness. I didn’t want to have to apologise now for something like that.” And he did enjoy Oshitari’s company. He smiled and nudged Oshitari’s leg with his foot before he started on his cake. “For the record though, you are very handsome, Oshitari-kun.”
“Thank you, Hirakoba-kun. I assure you, if my tastes went to bitchy blondes you would be second on my hit list.” Fixing his glasses Yuushi winked at the nudge then forked a piece of the mint cake into his mouth. “And I believe troublesome is a very mild word for it. There is very little that can cut as deeply and leave wounds as viscous as a broken heart.” He sobered again, shaking his head.
He laughed a bit - the second bitchy blonde in Oshitari’s life, indeed. Hirakoba swirled the tip of his fork around the icing as he considered the description of heart break. “That does seem unpleasant,” he said finally, cutting off a piece to eat. “Is being in love such a good feeling that it’s worth risking suffering through that, then?”
Oshitari’s answer came immediately and with quiet vehemence. “Yes.” Reeling himself back in he gestured in an apologetic fashion. “I mean, for me it absolutely is.” Biting his bottom lip he struggled to keep from smiling again as he continued. “There is no better feeling in the world than seeing the person you love with all your heart and soul smile, just because they are happy to see you.”
Hirakoba blinked in surprise at Oshitari’s rather passionate response to the question and he stared at him for a long moment after it was done. “I see…” he said, and that answer seemed extremely inadequate. “Well, whoever has that place in your heart then, is very lucky. As long as they love you back.” He smiled impishly after a pause and leaned a little over the table, lowering his voice. “And if they break your heart, Oshitari-kun, let me know. I’m sure I could convince Eishirou to expand his hitman services.”
“That’s very sweet of you to offer, Hirakoba-kun. I am not seeing anybody currently but if it ever becomes an issue I will keep it in mind.” Yuushi accepted the offer of a possible assassination of a troublesome ex with a placid expression. “And I continue to hope you will find that sort of happiness.”
Hirakoba sighed and sat back to enjoy his cake some more. “You’re so wonderfully optimistic,” he said admiringly, smiling at Oshitari. “Optimistic enough to have hope for my heartless self, thank you.” More hope than Hirakoba had for himself, anyway. “If I find someone that makes me feel like that, I promise you’ll be the … third person I tell.”
“Nothing can be gained from being pessimistic.” Yuushi inclined his head then added smoothly “And thank you. Though if it isn’t a person I want you to know I would never judge.”
That brought Hirakoba up short and he looked at Oshitari strangely. Was… Oshitari suggesting he was interested in animals or something? “Oshitari-kun, I know that I joke that Yuujirou is a dog, but I’m not into bestiality,” he said, actually slightly concerned. “Or into Yuujirou, for that matter.” Just in case that had to be clarified. He frowned and prodded at his cake with his fork. “I suppose an alien could be acceptable, depending.”
“What is it with you boys and aliens.” Yuushi shook his head in exasperation then waved his hand. “No, no. Please believe me, I meant nothing of the sort.” After considering it further he added. “I might actually judge if that were the case. What I meant was, whether it is a place or something you do or a person that brings you joy, I wouldn’t consider it inferior to what does the same for me.”
“Ah.” That made more sense than the alien or bestiality theories, although somehow he thought that loving a place did seem a little bit less… so, since it couldn’t really love you back. Which was what Oshitari was all about, right? “Well, I suppose I could say I love Okinawa,” Hirakoba said, smiling a bit wistfully. “Even though I’ve been in Tokyo for years, I always enjoy going back home.”
Deciding that was probably as good as it was going to get today Yuushi nodded. “Yes, I can imagine. I will always stay Osakan deep inside, no matter how long I’ve been living here. And your home is beautiful but even more different from things here.” And the relaxed island living would probably have suited Hirakoba better than the punishing drive every inch of Tokyo seemed to exude. “But then it’s also the people who make it home and I’ve seen some of your old friends have moved here as well. That must be nice.”
Hirakoba nodded in response, going back to his coffee for a moment before replying. “It is.” Even if he’d… sort of cut them off a bit during high school. “I love my friends here very much, but there’s just something different about friends you’ve known since elementary school.” Especially since he didn’t have to pretend to be any different around them.
“I imagine so, though sadly I don’t have contact with my old elementary schoolmates.” Yuushi said, not sorry at all. After all the move to Tokyo and the switch to a new school had been a wonderful chance to reinvent himself “But then I do have my cousins and my sister. I don’t remember, do you have siblings or close family here Hirakoba-kun?”
“My sister was with me at Hyotei,” Hirakoba said, though they’d avoided being put in the same classes for the three years. “You probably don’t remember her, she doesn’t stand out as much. Short black hair, cute, nice size for hugging?” He glanced at Oshitari for a sign of recognition and shrugged a bit. “She’s back with my family now, doing university on the island.” Hirakoba grinned at that. “When she left, I changed her room into a wardrobe, it’s been nice having that much space.”
“Oh!” Something about Rin’s description sparked a memory and Yuushi smiled. “Yes, I believe we were in the same class in the second year.” Which had been the one year Hirakoba had been assigned to a different class somehow. “How is she? Maybe I really should visit Okinawa some time..:” He mused.
Oh, he hadn’t known about that particular class arrangement. It was pretty amusing though, Oshitari swapping one Hirakoba sibling for the other. “She’s alright. Busy warding off our grandmother’s plans for marriage and refusing to grow her hair out. The usual.” He grinned and leaned a bit closer to Oshitari. “Let me know if you go, I can arrange a personal tour for you.”
“I will definitely take you up on that. Nothing beats having a guide who knows the best places.” Yuushi agreed. “And please, do give your sister my regards as well.” Somehow it pleased him to hear that both Hirakoba siblings had remained as unconventional as ever.
“You’ll just have to pretend you’re an honourable Okinawan boy, if you want to visit my house,” Hirakoba said with a bit of a laugh. He nudged Oshitari’s leg again with his foot and went back to his cake. “You’ll first have to work on making your voice sound less like a bedroom sex voice.”
Chuckling Yuushi raised an eyebrow at that description then cleared his throat and tried for something higher and dare he say it squeakier. “More like you then?” He taunted lightly. “I do greatly appreciate being inducted into what an honourable Okinawan boy is supposed to act like.”
Hirakoba’s next nudge to Oshitari’s leg was more like a light kick and he frowned at the other male. “That’s more me before puberty, maybe,” he said. “Me before I went blond.” Hirakoba just shook his head at that thought and he finished off his coffee. “I wasn’t an honourable Okinawan boy even back then, don’t use me as an example.”
“I’m sure you manage to fake it well enough.” Yuushi allowed his voice to drop back into is natural register and chuckled at the kick. “I take it honourable Okinawan boys don’t dye their hair either?” Not that it was an issue since he hadn’t felt the need to do so, satisfied to watch his cousin’s many adventures into the land of hair bleaching and laugh at his misfortunes along the way.
Hirakoba fingered the ends of his own hair - he needed to get it cut again sometime soon - and just huffed a bit in laughter. “They definitely don’t. I think the colour’s more offensive than the length…. so you should be okay on that front, even if you grew it a bit longer.” Hirakoba reached across the table to tug lightly on the ends of Oshtiari’s hair. “Can you swim, Oshitari-kun?”
“Please.” Yuushi made his best snobby face which somehow might have had some resemblance to a certain other blonde that was not to be named. “I practically grew up on pool parties.” He gestured vapidly.
Hirakoba raised an eyebrow and smothered a laugh with a piece of cake. Yes he could definitely see that. Probably floating around on one of those inflatable abominations holding a cup of non-alcoholic wine in his youth. “You’ll need to get surfing lessons, then. At least with a bodyboard.”
Interest piqued Yuushi dropped the act and propped his own chin up. “Are you offering to teach me Hirakoba?” He drawled, eyes laughing silently behind his glasses.
He smiled and prodded Oshitari in the leg again. “I don’t know if you’d like my teaching methods very much, Oshitari-kun. I’m very demanding on students,” Hirakoba said. And he was more likely to laugh when Oshitari fell off, than actually be helpful. “But if you want to risk it, there’s some half decent surfing spots nearby.”
“Everybody can learn with a good teacher.” Yuushi shrugged languidly. “I like the challenge.” He pursed his lips in a teasing smile. “As long as you think you are too?”
“At the very least, I’d get to see you in a wetsuit, which is worth having to teach a beginner how to surf.” Hirakoba was silent for a bit as he mulled over the logistics of it. He supposed they could… rent boards, as horrific as that felt to even consider. “We might have to schedule a practice sessions in a private room first. To help you perfect the movements beforehand.”
“If you wanted to see me in a wetsuit all you had to do was ask.” Yuushi chuckled then nodded at the suggestion of a private practice session beforehand. “I’ll ask at the rec center if it is possible to try it at the university pool.”
“I was thinking more just on dry ground, to let you practice jumping up onto a surfboard.” And padding. Hirakoba smiled and narrowed his eyes slightly. “But I would not be opposed to you wearing a wetsuit to that as well, if you want,” he added on generously.
“Why not. It might not be a bad idea to get used to the way it feels when moving.” Yuushi agreed magnanimously. “If dry land is all that is required why don’t you come over sometime and we can practice to our hearts content.”
“It will definitely help,” Hirakoba promised. Although the idea of Oshitari fumbling the first time on the board and slipping off because he didn’t get his feet in the right position would be pretty funny to watch as well. “I’m a tough taskmaster, Oshitari-kun,” Hirakoba said, leaning a little closer. “You’ll have to make sure to tell me when I’ve worn you out and you’ve had enough.” And then they could stop for tea or something.
“I think I can handle anything you might have in store for me Hirakoba.” Yuushi practically purred, ducking his head and holding the blonde’s gaze. “But I’m not too proud to admit when I have enough.” He admitted a moment later, leaning back and smiling placidly.
Hirakoba’s smile grew a bit and he speared the last piece of the melon cake, looking at the empty plate a little sadly. Still, it’d been enjoyable while it lasted. “You’ll just have to get your own wetsuit beforehand,” Hirakoba said. Since it was an option on the table, and he did want to see Oshitari in a wetsuit. “I’d lend you one, but you really should get one that fits snugly, to show off your lovely assets,” Hirakoba gestured vaguely at Oshitari with his fork before he went back to the second cake.
“I do always try to show off my assets.” Yuushi agreed. “Do you have any tips on what I should keep in mind while purchasing this critical piece of equipment?”
“It needs to be quite well fitted,” Hirakoba said after a moment of consideration. “You might need to try on a few to get a good idea of it…” He frowned a little and paused to look at Oshitari critically. “Actually, Oshitari-kun, it might be best to get someone to check the fit for you. I wouldn’t want you to have a wet suit that’s too loose and is just going to just get in the way.”
“That is a splendid idea, Hirakoba-kun.” Yuushi nodded sagely. “However, as I am entirely naive to this sport I wonder where I might find somebody willing to do this. I am somewhat leery of letting a complete stranger make such a decision for me.” He pursed his lips in an only slightly overdone thoughtfully concerned expression. “Is there somebody you could recommend to me?”
Hirakoba purposely sighed with much the same overdone drama as Oshitari. “I suppose I can offer my services to you, Oshitari-kun,” he said, pretending (quite well, he thought) that this was a great inconvenience. “It’s quite an intimate process, I’d hate for you to deal with a stranger’s hands on you that much.” It really was hard to not let himself laugh and to keep up the act. “And you know what I’m like, I’ll make sure to thoroughly check that it fits you well.”
“I don’t know how I could possibly repay you.” Yuushi sighed gustily. “You can’t imagine how relieved I am. I know I can trust your expertise.” He barely stifled a snrk and brought a hand up to hide his mouth. “I am so very grateful.”
“Anything for you, Oshitari-kun,” Hirakoba said, leaning across the table a bit to pat the other male on the arm. “You can take me for a lunch date or something, after we buy the wetsuit, as payment.”
“Another splendid idea.” Yuushi agreed with a dazzling smile. “My, you really do put all claims regarding your chosen hair colour to shame.”
Hirakoba’s smile vanished and he looked quite unamused at Oshitari’s statement. Not nice. And he showed it too, by kicking the man in the leg under the table. “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you properly there,” Hirakoba said, his smile reappearing.
Damn martial artists. Yuushi barely managed not to yelp as that foot impacted with his shin. “That could be a different side effect.” He responded cheerfully instead. “You might want to have that checked out. I could recommend you a very good doctor.”
Hirakoba just shook his head and he sat back, laughing a bit to himself. “You’re still terrible, Oshitari-kun,” he said with a sigh. “I don’t know why we’re friends.” No, he found the tensai to be quite charming in his own way, and witty. If sometimes with a bad sense of humour.
“I suppose we are just too irresistible for our own good.” Yuushi decided with a lazy wink. “Now then, my friend - when shall I expect you to have some time to spare to oggle my assets in various neopren casings?”
Hirakoba hummed and pulled out his phone to flick through his calendar. “For that particular task with you… I can make myself very available,” he said, glancing up at Oshitari and smiling. “Sometime next week? Thursday?”
“I will have to skip my study group on reproductive medicine but why not.” Yuushi claimed without even checking his own calendar. “I’m sure I won’t be needing that at a high school.”
Hirakoba laughed a bit at that. “Of course not, it seems quite unnecessary.” He suppressed a smile, finished off the last bite of cake and stretched out a bit. “And it’s my treat next time we get coffee.”
What: Rin and Yuushi catch up. They both remain fully clothed.
When: NO IDEA \o/
Where: Some cafe
Rating: R
Hirakoba made his way into the coffee shop, sighing as he could finally start pulling off his scarf and jacket in the warmth. He did a quick scan of the room, looking out for the blue hair of Oshitari - nowhere in sight, though he was a couple of minutes early - before he made his way to the cake cabinet to look at the selection while he waited for Oshitari to arrive.
Arriving as on time as public transport allowed - and since this was Tokyo he arrived just on time, Yuushi strolled into the shop with the air of a sixties film star vacationing at the Côte d’Azur. Smiling with easy confidence at the heads turning toward the door upon his entry he languidly shed his gloves, jacket and scarf while looking around and heading over to his date when he spotted the bleached blonde head. That anybody could be even more obsessed with that than Kenya had been hard to believe but in the time they had both been students at Hyoutei unavoidable to notice. “Hirakoba-kun.” He greeted with a well practiced smile and nudged his magically not steamed over glasses up. “I’m so glad you could make it. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.”
Hirakoba straightened up as he heard his name and turned to smile at Oshitari. He had always rather liked him. “Oshitari-kun,” he said, reaching out to pat the other male on the arm in greeting before turning back to look at the cake again. “I was just looking at the options available, you could have given me another couple of minutes.”
He frowned a bit in indecision and patted Oshitari on the arm again. “Can I get you a drink? My treat, since it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other.”
Used to his schoolmates touchy feely ways and honestly of a similar persuasion Yuushi leaned down to peer at the display. “Why don’t we pick together? Then we can split them.” He suggested helpfully. “And I’ll have a caramel latte with soy milk and cinnamon please.”
“Share them while you’re dissecting my heart and giving me love advice?” Hirakoba asked, with a bit of a grin at Oshitari’s reflection in the glass cake display. “How romantic.” He drummed his fingers on his leg for a moment before he nudged Oshitari with his elbow. “I think I want the mint chocolate cake, it looks delightful.” Oshitari could pick the other one.
“You always have a mix of good and bad, Hirakoba.” Yuushi lectured in his best school nurse voice then eyed the mint chocolate cake and gave it an approving nod. “Be glad you get to have your cake and eat it at least.” That said he settled on a piece of cake made up to look like a square watermelon. “Have you already picked a seat?” He asked once they had received their orders and the cashier was swiping his card.
Unfortunately, Hirakoba’s gaze lingered on the cakes a bit too long and he didn’t catch Oshitari paying for the food until it was too late. “Ah—“ He started to protest, whapping Oshitari lightly on the forearm when he was done paying. “That was rude, Oshtari-kun,” he said, looking unamused. “Just for that, we’re going to sit in a corner booth, so our talk is nice and private, with no chance of people overhearing.”
Chuckling Yuushi accepted the reprimand and nodded. “Your wish is my command.” He drawled and gestured with his head toward just such a booth that had been vacated just a few moments ago. “Then we better take this chance before we have to bribe our way into a free booth.”
What a lucky coincidence. Hirakoba at least picked up their tray of cakes before Oshitari could try and be a gentleman or something. He led the way, keeping a good balance to make sure his coffee didn’t spill until he could slide into the booth.
“So how is your love doctor business going?” Hirakoba asked, once they were both settled. “Any particularly sad cases coming to your doors yet?”
“Hmm.” Arranging the plate and his cup to his satisfaction Yuushi hummed noncommittally. “I’m afraid I’m not at a liberty to discuss things that have been shared with me in my position as counsellor.” He preached then quirked a small smile. “Besides, I don’t think it would be anything of interest to you, my dear.” After all in the fast paced world of Hirakoba’s love life there was hardly time to waste on building a relationship.
Ah, that was disappointing. While Hirakoba might not care for relationships himself, the juiciness of gossip really did amuse him on a shallow level. Even if it was just to remind himself that he was doing the right thing with his blasé approach to relationships. “You never know, Oshitari-kun, I might fall in love with a nice person one day. And have my heart broken,” he said lightly, pouring sugar into his coffee. “And then I’ll be sure to share all the details with you, and expect you to help comfort me.”
“Of course.” Yuushi agreed, smiling at the blonde across from him. “You know I wouldn't miss that for the world.” Picking up a knife he carefully halved his watermelon cake and transferred half over to Hirakoba’s plate. “Though of course I do hope for the happiness of all my friends.”
“I think you’re just waiting for the day someone gets payback for all the hearts I’ve broken,” Hirakoba said, mimicking Oshitari’s actions to cut his own mint chocolate cake in half to pass it over as well. “Although you’re not much better, Oshitari-kun.”
“Well, I can’t honestly say I wouldn’t be delighted to know that somebody managed to move your heart.” Yuushi sighed. “And I imagine it couldn’t hurt for you to experience true heartbreak for yourself.” He took a moment to pry a piece of cake off and pop it into his mouth before continuing. “But really an eye for an eye will lead to the whole world going blind and having your heart broken isn’t something I’d wish on anybody.”
“I have always wondered what heartbreak was like. It seems troublesome.” Hirakoba had certainly seen it enough, and supposedly caused it a few times as well. He sighed a little and sipped at his coffee. “Have you been heartbroken before, Oshitari-kun?” Hirakoba could never tell if Oshitari was the sort to get that deeply attached, or if he was of a similar cold hearted, fake romantic make as Hirakoba was. He paused and lowered his coffee cup. “Please don’t tell me that I accidentally inflicted it on you sometime in high school.”
Looking surprised at the suggestion the longer he considered it the more Yuushi slowly dissolved into hilarity. Covering his mouth he shook his head, a stifled chuckle slipping out despite his attempts to maintain a placid expression. “Oh no, no Hirakoba.” He finally sighed gustily, amusement still dancing in his eyes as he wiped tears of mirth away “My heart is quite safe from your wiles, I assure you.”
Hirakoba sighed in relief at the laughter - that was good enough of an answer for him. “Oh thank goodness. I didn’t want to have to apologise now for something like that.” And he did enjoy Oshitari’s company. He smiled and nudged Oshitari’s leg with his foot before he started on his cake. “For the record though, you are very handsome, Oshitari-kun.”
“Thank you, Hirakoba-kun. I assure you, if my tastes went to bitchy blondes you would be second on my hit list.” Fixing his glasses Yuushi winked at the nudge then forked a piece of the mint cake into his mouth. “And I believe troublesome is a very mild word for it. There is very little that can cut as deeply and leave wounds as viscous as a broken heart.” He sobered again, shaking his head.
He laughed a bit - the second bitchy blonde in Oshitari’s life, indeed. Hirakoba swirled the tip of his fork around the icing as he considered the description of heart break. “That does seem unpleasant,” he said finally, cutting off a piece to eat. “Is being in love such a good feeling that it’s worth risking suffering through that, then?”
Oshitari’s answer came immediately and with quiet vehemence. “Yes.” Reeling himself back in he gestured in an apologetic fashion. “I mean, for me it absolutely is.” Biting his bottom lip he struggled to keep from smiling again as he continued. “There is no better feeling in the world than seeing the person you love with all your heart and soul smile, just because they are happy to see you.”
Hirakoba blinked in surprise at Oshitari’s rather passionate response to the question and he stared at him for a long moment after it was done. “I see…” he said, and that answer seemed extremely inadequate. “Well, whoever has that place in your heart then, is very lucky. As long as they love you back.” He smiled impishly after a pause and leaned a little over the table, lowering his voice. “And if they break your heart, Oshitari-kun, let me know. I’m sure I could convince Eishirou to expand his hitman services.”
“That’s very sweet of you to offer, Hirakoba-kun. I am not seeing anybody currently but if it ever becomes an issue I will keep it in mind.” Yuushi accepted the offer of a possible assassination of a troublesome ex with a placid expression. “And I continue to hope you will find that sort of happiness.”
Hirakoba sighed and sat back to enjoy his cake some more. “You’re so wonderfully optimistic,” he said admiringly, smiling at Oshitari. “Optimistic enough to have hope for my heartless self, thank you.” More hope than Hirakoba had for himself, anyway. “If I find someone that makes me feel like that, I promise you’ll be the … third person I tell.”
“Nothing can be gained from being pessimistic.” Yuushi inclined his head then added smoothly “And thank you. Though if it isn’t a person I want you to know I would never judge.”
That brought Hirakoba up short and he looked at Oshitari strangely. Was… Oshitari suggesting he was interested in animals or something? “Oshitari-kun, I know that I joke that Yuujirou is a dog, but I’m not into bestiality,” he said, actually slightly concerned. “Or into Yuujirou, for that matter.” Just in case that had to be clarified. He frowned and prodded at his cake with his fork. “I suppose an alien could be acceptable, depending.”
“What is it with you boys and aliens.” Yuushi shook his head in exasperation then waved his hand. “No, no. Please believe me, I meant nothing of the sort.” After considering it further he added. “I might actually judge if that were the case. What I meant was, whether it is a place or something you do or a person that brings you joy, I wouldn’t consider it inferior to what does the same for me.”
“Ah.” That made more sense than the alien or bestiality theories, although somehow he thought that loving a place did seem a little bit less… so, since it couldn’t really love you back. Which was what Oshitari was all about, right? “Well, I suppose I could say I love Okinawa,” Hirakoba said, smiling a bit wistfully. “Even though I’ve been in Tokyo for years, I always enjoy going back home.”
Deciding that was probably as good as it was going to get today Yuushi nodded. “Yes, I can imagine. I will always stay Osakan deep inside, no matter how long I’ve been living here. And your home is beautiful but even more different from things here.” And the relaxed island living would probably have suited Hirakoba better than the punishing drive every inch of Tokyo seemed to exude. “But then it’s also the people who make it home and I’ve seen some of your old friends have moved here as well. That must be nice.”
Hirakoba nodded in response, going back to his coffee for a moment before replying. “It is.” Even if he’d… sort of cut them off a bit during high school. “I love my friends here very much, but there’s just something different about friends you’ve known since elementary school.” Especially since he didn’t have to pretend to be any different around them.
“I imagine so, though sadly I don’t have contact with my old elementary schoolmates.” Yuushi said, not sorry at all. After all the move to Tokyo and the switch to a new school had been a wonderful chance to reinvent himself “But then I do have my cousins and my sister. I don’t remember, do you have siblings or close family here Hirakoba-kun?”
“My sister was with me at Hyotei,” Hirakoba said, though they’d avoided being put in the same classes for the three years. “You probably don’t remember her, she doesn’t stand out as much. Short black hair, cute, nice size for hugging?” He glanced at Oshitari for a sign of recognition and shrugged a bit. “She’s back with my family now, doing university on the island.” Hirakoba grinned at that. “When she left, I changed her room into a wardrobe, it’s been nice having that much space.”
“Oh!” Something about Rin’s description sparked a memory and Yuushi smiled. “Yes, I believe we were in the same class in the second year.” Which had been the one year Hirakoba had been assigned to a different class somehow. “How is she? Maybe I really should visit Okinawa some time..:” He mused.
Oh, he hadn’t known about that particular class arrangement. It was pretty amusing though, Oshitari swapping one Hirakoba sibling for the other. “She’s alright. Busy warding off our grandmother’s plans for marriage and refusing to grow her hair out. The usual.” He grinned and leaned a bit closer to Oshitari. “Let me know if you go, I can arrange a personal tour for you.”
“I will definitely take you up on that. Nothing beats having a guide who knows the best places.” Yuushi agreed. “And please, do give your sister my regards as well.” Somehow it pleased him to hear that both Hirakoba siblings had remained as unconventional as ever.
“You’ll just have to pretend you’re an honourable Okinawan boy, if you want to visit my house,” Hirakoba said with a bit of a laugh. He nudged Oshitari’s leg again with his foot and went back to his cake. “You’ll first have to work on making your voice sound less like a bedroom sex voice.”
Chuckling Yuushi raised an eyebrow at that description then cleared his throat and tried for something higher and dare he say it squeakier. “More like you then?” He taunted lightly. “I do greatly appreciate being inducted into what an honourable Okinawan boy is supposed to act like.”
Hirakoba’s next nudge to Oshitari’s leg was more like a light kick and he frowned at the other male. “That’s more me before puberty, maybe,” he said. “Me before I went blond.” Hirakoba just shook his head at that thought and he finished off his coffee. “I wasn’t an honourable Okinawan boy even back then, don’t use me as an example.”
“I’m sure you manage to fake it well enough.” Yuushi allowed his voice to drop back into is natural register and chuckled at the kick. “I take it honourable Okinawan boys don’t dye their hair either?” Not that it was an issue since he hadn’t felt the need to do so, satisfied to watch his cousin’s many adventures into the land of hair bleaching and laugh at his misfortunes along the way.
Hirakoba fingered the ends of his own hair - he needed to get it cut again sometime soon - and just huffed a bit in laughter. “They definitely don’t. I think the colour’s more offensive than the length…. so you should be okay on that front, even if you grew it a bit longer.” Hirakoba reached across the table to tug lightly on the ends of Oshtiari’s hair. “Can you swim, Oshitari-kun?”
“Please.” Yuushi made his best snobby face which somehow might have had some resemblance to a certain other blonde that was not to be named. “I practically grew up on pool parties.” He gestured vapidly.
Hirakoba raised an eyebrow and smothered a laugh with a piece of cake. Yes he could definitely see that. Probably floating around on one of those inflatable abominations holding a cup of non-alcoholic wine in his youth. “You’ll need to get surfing lessons, then. At least with a bodyboard.”
Interest piqued Yuushi dropped the act and propped his own chin up. “Are you offering to teach me Hirakoba?” He drawled, eyes laughing silently behind his glasses.
He smiled and prodded Oshitari in the leg again. “I don’t know if you’d like my teaching methods very much, Oshitari-kun. I’m very demanding on students,” Hirakoba said. And he was more likely to laugh when Oshitari fell off, than actually be helpful. “But if you want to risk it, there’s some half decent surfing spots nearby.”
“Everybody can learn with a good teacher.” Yuushi shrugged languidly. “I like the challenge.” He pursed his lips in a teasing smile. “As long as you think you are too?”
“At the very least, I’d get to see you in a wetsuit, which is worth having to teach a beginner how to surf.” Hirakoba was silent for a bit as he mulled over the logistics of it. He supposed they could… rent boards, as horrific as that felt to even consider. “We might have to schedule a practice sessions in a private room first. To help you perfect the movements beforehand.”
“If you wanted to see me in a wetsuit all you had to do was ask.” Yuushi chuckled then nodded at the suggestion of a private practice session beforehand. “I’ll ask at the rec center if it is possible to try it at the university pool.”
“I was thinking more just on dry ground, to let you practice jumping up onto a surfboard.” And padding. Hirakoba smiled and narrowed his eyes slightly. “But I would not be opposed to you wearing a wetsuit to that as well, if you want,” he added on generously.
“Why not. It might not be a bad idea to get used to the way it feels when moving.” Yuushi agreed magnanimously. “If dry land is all that is required why don’t you come over sometime and we can practice to our hearts content.”
“It will definitely help,” Hirakoba promised. Although the idea of Oshitari fumbling the first time on the board and slipping off because he didn’t get his feet in the right position would be pretty funny to watch as well. “I’m a tough taskmaster, Oshitari-kun,” Hirakoba said, leaning a little closer. “You’ll have to make sure to tell me when I’ve worn you out and you’ve had enough.” And then they could stop for tea or something.
“I think I can handle anything you might have in store for me Hirakoba.” Yuushi practically purred, ducking his head and holding the blonde’s gaze. “But I’m not too proud to admit when I have enough.” He admitted a moment later, leaning back and smiling placidly.
Hirakoba’s smile grew a bit and he speared the last piece of the melon cake, looking at the empty plate a little sadly. Still, it’d been enjoyable while it lasted. “You’ll just have to get your own wetsuit beforehand,” Hirakoba said. Since it was an option on the table, and he did want to see Oshitari in a wetsuit. “I’d lend you one, but you really should get one that fits snugly, to show off your lovely assets,” Hirakoba gestured vaguely at Oshitari with his fork before he went back to the second cake.
“I do always try to show off my assets.” Yuushi agreed. “Do you have any tips on what I should keep in mind while purchasing this critical piece of equipment?”
“It needs to be quite well fitted,” Hirakoba said after a moment of consideration. “You might need to try on a few to get a good idea of it…” He frowned a little and paused to look at Oshitari critically. “Actually, Oshitari-kun, it might be best to get someone to check the fit for you. I wouldn’t want you to have a wet suit that’s too loose and is just going to just get in the way.”
“That is a splendid idea, Hirakoba-kun.” Yuushi nodded sagely. “However, as I am entirely naive to this sport I wonder where I might find somebody willing to do this. I am somewhat leery of letting a complete stranger make such a decision for me.” He pursed his lips in an only slightly overdone thoughtfully concerned expression. “Is there somebody you could recommend to me?”
Hirakoba purposely sighed with much the same overdone drama as Oshitari. “I suppose I can offer my services to you, Oshitari-kun,” he said, pretending (quite well, he thought) that this was a great inconvenience. “It’s quite an intimate process, I’d hate for you to deal with a stranger’s hands on you that much.” It really was hard to not let himself laugh and to keep up the act. “And you know what I’m like, I’ll make sure to thoroughly check that it fits you well.”
“I don’t know how I could possibly repay you.” Yuushi sighed gustily. “You can’t imagine how relieved I am. I know I can trust your expertise.” He barely stifled a snrk and brought a hand up to hide his mouth. “I am so very grateful.”
“Anything for you, Oshitari-kun,” Hirakoba said, leaning across the table a bit to pat the other male on the arm. “You can take me for a lunch date or something, after we buy the wetsuit, as payment.”
“Another splendid idea.” Yuushi agreed with a dazzling smile. “My, you really do put all claims regarding your chosen hair colour to shame.”
Hirakoba’s smile vanished and he looked quite unamused at Oshitari’s statement. Not nice. And he showed it too, by kicking the man in the leg under the table. “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear you properly there,” Hirakoba said, his smile reappearing.
Damn martial artists. Yuushi barely managed not to yelp as that foot impacted with his shin. “That could be a different side effect.” He responded cheerfully instead. “You might want to have that checked out. I could recommend you a very good doctor.”
Hirakoba just shook his head and he sat back, laughing a bit to himself. “You’re still terrible, Oshitari-kun,” he said with a sigh. “I don’t know why we’re friends.” No, he found the tensai to be quite charming in his own way, and witty. If sometimes with a bad sense of humour.
“I suppose we are just too irresistible for our own good.” Yuushi decided with a lazy wink. “Now then, my friend - when shall I expect you to have some time to spare to oggle my assets in various neopren casings?”
Hirakoba hummed and pulled out his phone to flick through his calendar. “For that particular task with you… I can make myself very available,” he said, glancing up at Oshitari and smiling. “Sometime next week? Thursday?”
“I will have to skip my study group on reproductive medicine but why not.” Yuushi claimed without even checking his own calendar. “I’m sure I won’t be needing that at a high school.”
Hirakoba laughed a bit at that. “Of course not, it seems quite unnecessary.” He suppressed a smile, finished off the last bite of cake and stretched out a bit. “And it’s my treat next time we get coffee.”
