[Log] Kabaji and Atobe
Who: Kabaji Munehiro and Atobe Keigo
What: Atobe comes to check on Kabaji after the practice match
When: 27 July
Where: Kabaji’s room
Rating: G
Kabaji sat quietly in a small corner of his room. He had sunk down into it, hugging his knees to his chest. Next to him, the phone he used to update things was eerily quiet. He knew that what Oshitari-san said was right. Oshitarii was smart like that. However, he could still feel it. He could still feel the deep disappointment he felt whenever he ended up losing. It made him feel like he was useless. He was pointless on the team. He was such a disappointment. He didn’t even know if he could face Atobe-sama right now. He was certain it would be like back at the U17 camp. It would be like then, when he’d unconsciously protected Atobe...and had been dismissed from his sight. He could still hear the older teen telling him to disappear and he could still feel the stab in his chest because he had heard it. Atobe-sama calling him an idiot. He never, never wanted to feel like that again. Ever. He never wanted Atobe to ever be that disappointed in him with him again.
Especially right now. When his friends had suddenly disappeared, he had been so so worried about everyone. He had spent most all of his waking time looking for them as more and more of his classmates had vanished. He had lost sleep and he had skipped school in order to do so. He had worried himself sick about Atobe-sama. But now they were all here and they were safe and playing tennis and so his worries had changed to worries about disappointing them.
He hugged his knees closer and rested his cheek against them. Maybe, maybe he would take Shishido up on his offer to practice more and get some food. That might take his mind off of things. But that would require standing and he just didn’t have the heart or the energy to do so. He didn’t even look up when he heard his door open. Probably Oshitari-san, coming to tell him in person why he wasn’t a failure or something uplifting like that.
"Kabaji?" Stepping into his kouhai's single room Atobe was surprised to find it empty, at least until he spotted the crouched figure ducked into a dark corner. "What are you doing there." He asked, trying to gentle his voice from its usual demanding snap as he carefully approached his gentle teammate. "Come, stand up - that can't be comfortable." He coaxed, resting a hand on a firm shoulder.
He knew that voice almost immediately. He was trapped between wanting to curl up more and looking up at him. He was scared, honestly. He didn’t want to see how disappointed the older boy was with him. However, he could not disobey his friend. Well, he could, but such an event was more rare than a dragon riding a unicorn. So when he was asked to stand, he uncurled with a soft, traditional “Usu”.
He stood slowly as it took a long time to unfold his body and loom over the older teen. However, he still couldn’t look at him. Atobe had told him over the journals to stop it. But this was tennis. It was important to Atobe! So, of course the next words out of his mouth were a sudden “I’m sorry!” Followed by a bow so deep that he bent himself in half.
Taking the time to study his old friend Atobe bit back a sigh and rubbed at the sides of his nose. "I know you are." He assured, brushing his hand in a barely there touch over the back of the taller teen. "Now stop this, I think I have told you so before, yes?" He waited until Kabaji had straightened up again before continuing. "I'm feeling peckish, have you eaten already?"
He nodded and straightened up. “Usu.” He answered. He would quit. Atobe had told him to. He then shook his head at the question. “Not really. I was...” He pointed to the corner. “I was collecting mushrooms.” He concluded.
He looked to the shorter teen. “I...I made you cookies when I arrived here.” It had been the very first thing he had done. Before anything else other than letting people know he was there. He had found the kitchen and baked. “Did you get them?” Because if the heir hadn’t, Kabaji would make them again, immediately.
"I did." Atobe assured Kabaji. "They were delicious as always." And practically the first thing he had dared to eat without worry about what might have been added without their knowledge, Sanada's assurances notwithstanding. "But I am here to speak with you about the upcoming tournament."
A relieved smile slid across Kabaji’s face. He was glad Atobe had gotten the cookies. Even more glad that he liked them. He always did his very best to make whatever he made for Atobe very special indeed. It remained only a moment. Once more, his smile faded. “...All right.” He then quieted to wait for the lecture. Tennis was important to Atobe-sama. Tennis tournaments even more so.
“Good.” Gesturing for Kabaji to take a seat on his bed so they were more on eye level Atobe paced the length of the room before returning to stand in front of his younger friend. “I shouldn’t have put you in the line-up for doubles for the practice matches. “ He stated bluntly, staring intently at the taller teen. “It was too soon after your arrival here and you had no chance to practice with Shishido - who only just arrived as well.” Hyoutei’s captain shook his head then brushed his loose hair out of his face. “In this case the fault for our rather pathetic performance was as much mine as it was yours.” He pulled his shoulders back. “ So I’ve come to ask if you feel rested and capable to play in the coming tournament with Yuushi’s cousin?” Taking a deep breath he hurried to continue before Kabaji had a chance to interrupt. “You don’t have to say yes, I merely wish for you to be honest with me.”
Obediently, without hesitation, Kabaji took a seat. Even sitting, he was nearly as tall as his friend. He just shook his head. It wasn’t Atobe’s fault. Not at all. But if that was what Atobe thought then who was he to correct him. Instead, he just sat quietly, huge hands folded in his lap until the older teen was finished. Then he remained silent, thinking. If he didn’t play doubles, then he would either sit bench or he would take someone’s singles match. He didn’t want to take away someone’s spot. He couldn’t do that to someone. But he also wasn’t sure about playing doubles. Maybe...Maybe if he and the other Oshitari had time to practice together.... it wouldn’t be so terrible. Kenya had speed. He had power. He could see the reason for Atobe to make that pair up. “I....I think I would need to practice a lot with him...But I would do it. I can do it.” For Atobe-sama, he would try his hardest to do anything.
"Of course - we will use what time we have left to get the doubles pairs used to each other. Shishido will be playing with Rokkaku's Saeki." Atobe smiled slightly. "I know it is not much time but I know everybody will do their best." Maybe this wasn't Hyoutei with its strict rules but every player here was motivated without the fear of losing his spot. "I think we have a good chance to win this."
Faced with confidence like that, how could Kabaji ever doubt Atobe. “I...I’ll work hard. And I’ll go to the weight room more too.” Because he had one thing over everyone else here. At the moment, he was the only truly official “power player”. Certainly others were strong, but Kabaji trumped them with physical strength. If he Copy didn’t work, he would have to rely on that to get through. Besides, it was hard to Copy in Doubles. He had two people to choose from and if he focused only on one, then the other would score points off of him.
Satisfied that his old friend had recovered a little Atobe reached over and patted a thick shoulder. "Do that, but don't forget to stay flexible and to give your muscles time to recover after every session, you won't be doing anybody any favours if you injure yourself." Pulling his hand back he turned on his heel to head for the door, only stopping when it was open and he was already halfway outside. "Well? What are you waiting for. Come on." He called back, the fond smile more in his eyes than his lips.
“Usu,” He answered, trailing after Atobe. “I was just getting my apron so I can cook something for you. Since you’re hungry.” He kept his strides short so not to run over the older teen. As he moved, he muttered. “Keigo....” It was rare that he used the boy’s first name. “I...I’m really glad...that you’re okay.” He had been worried sick but now he knew he shouldn’t have been.
"Aa. Of course I was." Atobe have Kabaji his most self assured smirk even if he didn't quite feel it. "The winner will always be me."
What: Atobe comes to check on Kabaji after the practice match
When: 27 July
Where: Kabaji’s room
Rating: G
Kabaji sat quietly in a small corner of his room. He had sunk down into it, hugging his knees to his chest. Next to him, the phone he used to update things was eerily quiet. He knew that what Oshitari-san said was right. Oshitarii was smart like that. However, he could still feel it. He could still feel the deep disappointment he felt whenever he ended up losing. It made him feel like he was useless. He was pointless on the team. He was such a disappointment. He didn’t even know if he could face Atobe-sama right now. He was certain it would be like back at the U17 camp. It would be like then, when he’d unconsciously protected Atobe...and had been dismissed from his sight. He could still hear the older teen telling him to disappear and he could still feel the stab in his chest because he had heard it. Atobe-sama calling him an idiot. He never, never wanted to feel like that again. Ever. He never wanted Atobe to ever be that disappointed in him with him again.
Especially right now. When his friends had suddenly disappeared, he had been so so worried about everyone. He had spent most all of his waking time looking for them as more and more of his classmates had vanished. He had lost sleep and he had skipped school in order to do so. He had worried himself sick about Atobe-sama. But now they were all here and they were safe and playing tennis and so his worries had changed to worries about disappointing them.
He hugged his knees closer and rested his cheek against them. Maybe, maybe he would take Shishido up on his offer to practice more and get some food. That might take his mind off of things. But that would require standing and he just didn’t have the heart or the energy to do so. He didn’t even look up when he heard his door open. Probably Oshitari-san, coming to tell him in person why he wasn’t a failure or something uplifting like that.
"Kabaji?" Stepping into his kouhai's single room Atobe was surprised to find it empty, at least until he spotted the crouched figure ducked into a dark corner. "What are you doing there." He asked, trying to gentle his voice from its usual demanding snap as he carefully approached his gentle teammate. "Come, stand up - that can't be comfortable." He coaxed, resting a hand on a firm shoulder.
He knew that voice almost immediately. He was trapped between wanting to curl up more and looking up at him. He was scared, honestly. He didn’t want to see how disappointed the older boy was with him. However, he could not disobey his friend. Well, he could, but such an event was more rare than a dragon riding a unicorn. So when he was asked to stand, he uncurled with a soft, traditional “Usu”.
He stood slowly as it took a long time to unfold his body and loom over the older teen. However, he still couldn’t look at him. Atobe had told him over the journals to stop it. But this was tennis. It was important to Atobe! So, of course the next words out of his mouth were a sudden “I’m sorry!” Followed by a bow so deep that he bent himself in half.
Taking the time to study his old friend Atobe bit back a sigh and rubbed at the sides of his nose. "I know you are." He assured, brushing his hand in a barely there touch over the back of the taller teen. "Now stop this, I think I have told you so before, yes?" He waited until Kabaji had straightened up again before continuing. "I'm feeling peckish, have you eaten already?"
He nodded and straightened up. “Usu.” He answered. He would quit. Atobe had told him to. He then shook his head at the question. “Not really. I was...” He pointed to the corner. “I was collecting mushrooms.” He concluded.
He looked to the shorter teen. “I...I made you cookies when I arrived here.” It had been the very first thing he had done. Before anything else other than letting people know he was there. He had found the kitchen and baked. “Did you get them?” Because if the heir hadn’t, Kabaji would make them again, immediately.
"I did." Atobe assured Kabaji. "They were delicious as always." And practically the first thing he had dared to eat without worry about what might have been added without their knowledge, Sanada's assurances notwithstanding. "But I am here to speak with you about the upcoming tournament."
A relieved smile slid across Kabaji’s face. He was glad Atobe had gotten the cookies. Even more glad that he liked them. He always did his very best to make whatever he made for Atobe very special indeed. It remained only a moment. Once more, his smile faded. “...All right.” He then quieted to wait for the lecture. Tennis was important to Atobe-sama. Tennis tournaments even more so.
“Good.” Gesturing for Kabaji to take a seat on his bed so they were more on eye level Atobe paced the length of the room before returning to stand in front of his younger friend. “I shouldn’t have put you in the line-up for doubles for the practice matches. “ He stated bluntly, staring intently at the taller teen. “It was too soon after your arrival here and you had no chance to practice with Shishido - who only just arrived as well.” Hyoutei’s captain shook his head then brushed his loose hair out of his face. “In this case the fault for our rather pathetic performance was as much mine as it was yours.” He pulled his shoulders back. “ So I’ve come to ask if you feel rested and capable to play in the coming tournament with Yuushi’s cousin?” Taking a deep breath he hurried to continue before Kabaji had a chance to interrupt. “You don’t have to say yes, I merely wish for you to be honest with me.”
Obediently, without hesitation, Kabaji took a seat. Even sitting, he was nearly as tall as his friend. He just shook his head. It wasn’t Atobe’s fault. Not at all. But if that was what Atobe thought then who was he to correct him. Instead, he just sat quietly, huge hands folded in his lap until the older teen was finished. Then he remained silent, thinking. If he didn’t play doubles, then he would either sit bench or he would take someone’s singles match. He didn’t want to take away someone’s spot. He couldn’t do that to someone. But he also wasn’t sure about playing doubles. Maybe...Maybe if he and the other Oshitari had time to practice together.... it wouldn’t be so terrible. Kenya had speed. He had power. He could see the reason for Atobe to make that pair up. “I....I think I would need to practice a lot with him...But I would do it. I can do it.” For Atobe-sama, he would try his hardest to do anything.
"Of course - we will use what time we have left to get the doubles pairs used to each other. Shishido will be playing with Rokkaku's Saeki." Atobe smiled slightly. "I know it is not much time but I know everybody will do their best." Maybe this wasn't Hyoutei with its strict rules but every player here was motivated without the fear of losing his spot. "I think we have a good chance to win this."
Faced with confidence like that, how could Kabaji ever doubt Atobe. “I...I’ll work hard. And I’ll go to the weight room more too.” Because he had one thing over everyone else here. At the moment, he was the only truly official “power player”. Certainly others were strong, but Kabaji trumped them with physical strength. If he Copy didn’t work, he would have to rely on that to get through. Besides, it was hard to Copy in Doubles. He had two people to choose from and if he focused only on one, then the other would score points off of him.
Satisfied that his old friend had recovered a little Atobe reached over and patted a thick shoulder. "Do that, but don't forget to stay flexible and to give your muscles time to recover after every session, you won't be doing anybody any favours if you injure yourself." Pulling his hand back he turned on his heel to head for the door, only stopping when it was open and he was already halfway outside. "Well? What are you waiting for. Come on." He called back, the fond smile more in his eyes than his lips.
“Usu,” He answered, trailing after Atobe. “I was just getting my apron so I can cook something for you. Since you’re hungry.” He kept his strides short so not to run over the older teen. As he moved, he muttered. “Keigo....” It was rare that he used the boy’s first name. “I...I’m really glad...that you’re okay.” He had been worried sick but now he knew he shouldn’t have been.
"Aa. Of course I was." Atobe have Kabaji his most self assured smirk even if he didn't quite feel it. "The winner will always be me."