log: Sanada and Yanagi
Subjects in question: Sanada Genichirou, Yanagi Renji
What: Yanagi prepares for his "date with Sadaharu" by asking Sanada to help him by simulating what he thinks might happen
When: Yesterday (Well, a day or two before Halloween)
Rating: Nothing that might warrant a rating, actually
Sanada straightened his cap for what seemed like the hundredth time before frowning, taking his cap off, messing up his hair slightly and putting the cap back on, deciding to stop glancing at the mirror to check if it was exactly straight. This was simply him going to help Renji with training for some later event. It wasn't something that he had to spend five minutes trying to make sure his cap was perfectly straight for. He started towards Renji's room, scowling slightly. Why had he even agreed to this stupid idea in the first place? Sanada knocked on the door and waited for it to open.
Yanagi glanced surreptitiously at the clock and was pleased to note that Sanada had arrived thirty seconds early.
He set about scrutinizing the other boy - not that Sanada would realize - and was flattered to see that Sanada seemed to have made an effort with his appearance.
"Good evening, Genichirou," He greeted him warmly. The second hand of the clock passed over the minute hand to form a single black stroke. It was now exactly 6.30. He gave Sanada the script.
Sanada frowned and accepted the script from Renji, opened it to the first page and felt his eye twitch. Still, he said the required line, even if his teeth were gritted and he had to force every word. "I'm very glad you accepted my invitation, Renji."
"I wouldn't have thought of declining," Yanagi lied through his teeth while closing the door behind them placidly. "It is so very good to see you again, Sadaharu. Have you grown taller?"
His eyebrow twitched. So he was to be called "Sadaharu" for the rest of this evening? Sanada looked down at the script. "...Yes, Renji. I have grown 3.45cm in my time so far at the camp." Sanada gritted his teeth.
"... Why am I following a script?"
Yanagi gave Sanada a faint frown. He stopped looking at his own script. "I can't very well expect you to guess what Sadaharu might say, could I? This is the best way to simulate what might happen so that everything turns out well."
He returned his attention back to his own script. "I thought so, Sadaharu. I would estimate it to be 3.45 to 3.7cm. Shall we make our way now?"
...Was the change in height in this script Sanada's own, or Inui's? Actually, he didn't want to know. Sanada's frown deepened and he looked at the script again. "I suggest we go to the library. I need to research some topics for my school work and would appreciate it if you helped, Renji."
Yanagi nodded, looking pleased. "That sounds wonderful, Sadaharu. Perhaps if we finish early we can go for dinner."
He began to walk off, lest Sanada see his cryptic smile at how in pain Sanada looked.
When they arrived at the library, Sanada flicked through the script until he got to the "scene in the library" page and read the start. According to this, he was now to go to the...the section about relationships, pull out the third book from the right on the 5th row from the top and turn to page 86 while sitting down at the table to the right of that section. Sanada's eye twitched again but he went along with it, his teeth clenching together when he pulled out the book and saw the cover. He sat down at the table, and held the book open at that assigned page, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the book.
...Why was he being made to read about gay sex?
"Don't worry," Yanagi assured Sanada, patting him on the arm. "I highly doubt Sadaharu would do a thing like this. This was just to test if you were really following my instructions."
He sat across from Sanada with his ankles neatly crossed. They both looked at the illustration on the cover.
Sanada grumbled to himself at Renji's words and closed the book quickly, pushing it as far away from him as possible. "...Why did you pick that particular book and page?" Sanada asked with a sigh, taking off his hat and putting it on the desk in front of him. He glanced at the cover of the book and reached across and turned it over so the back was facing up so he didn't have to look at the title.
Yanagi made no reply, just gestured for Sanada to keep on reading his script.
He carefully uncrossed his legs, brushing his left ankle over Sanada's, whilst looking completely unruffled, almost as if they really were just studying.
Sanada continued with the script. "Assuming that studying in the library will take thirty minutes, we should have an appropriate amount of time to head out to get something to eat. Don't you think-" Sanada cut off and moved both his legs when he felt Renji's ankle brush against his leg. "... Renji." He finished the sentence while glaring at his companion.
"I'll look forward to that," Yanagi replied calmly as he studied the poster on the wall next to them. Meanwhile, his leg moved up Sanada's, rubbing slowly.
"Is this acceptable?" Yanagi asked Sanada after a reasonable amount of time. "Should I go higher?"
He looked genuinely earnest.
Sanada nodded curtly at Yanagi's reply. As he felt Yanagi's leg rubbing against his own, his eyes widened, and he froze. He gritted his teeth together to stop himself from lashing out and kicking Yanagi, opting instead to stay silent and clench his fingers into fists.
"No, it's not acceptable." Sanada said, his face paling slightly at the next words. "You should get your leg away from mine. Now."
Yanagi seemed a bit put off at that. He made a small note in the margin of his notes. Perhaps that should wait til dinner, though he thought Sadaharu's reaction would not be so violent.
"You should be softer," He leaned over the table and whispered to Sanada. "Yagyuu's just walked into the library. He's going to a table. He's sitting down and looking at us."
Sanada frowned at Yanagi, turning to glance at Yagyuu who was sitting a little bit away and looking for all the world like he was studying, but Sanada could see the stillness in the gentleman. "Fine. I wouldn't be loud if you... didn't do things like that." Sanada said grumpily, lowering his voice all the same.
"I thought you'd agreed to help me with my research," Yanagi pointed out. "I'd asked if you'd rather I conduct it with Yagyuu-kun. I could ask him now, since he appears available."
"I don't see how your research involves your leg." Sanada said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms across his chest. "Yagyuu is busy with work."
Yanagi made some small noises, as if saying he would try getting his point across and probably fail, so he wouldn't very much bother.
"Now I will introduce some topics such as family, vacations, and tennis, before highlighting the fact that it's been a while since we've seen each other." Yanagi cleared his throat, looking down and also looking pensive. "Sadaharu...it's been too long."
Sanada didn't say anything in response to Yanagi's first words, choosing to stare to the right of Yanagi's head. He glanced across to his face as Yanagi cleared his throat and looked down at the script on his lap. "... Indeed. We have much to discuss." Sanada paused, rather wishing at this point that he'd never agreed to do this. "...How is your family?"
Yanagi looked at Sanada seriously with his eyeless gaze. "They're fine. They...ask about you often, Sadaharu."
He looked back down at the table again.
"Indeed?" Sanada felt his eye twitch again at the next sentence. ... He somehow doubted that Yanagi and Inui would have this sort of conversation. "And your grandparents? They're well?" He grimaced to himself and flicked through the rest of the "scene in the library" until he got to a more agreeable conversation topic. "How are the Rikkai regulars looking, Renji? Do you think the camp has been beneficial towards their tennis?"
"Don't look so tortured, Genichirou," Yanagi chuckled softly to himself. He stared over Sanada's shoulder at Yagyuu, who was still sitting still. Yanagi's eyes were closed and Yagyuu's were shielded by spectacles, but it was clear they were looking at each other. He gave Yagyuu a wan smile.
"Yagyuu-kun is observing us." He told Sanada.
"I'm not enjoying this, Renji." Sanada said shortly, resisting the urge to throw the script on the ground and kick it. He also resisted the urge to turn around and glower at Yagyuu when Yanagi said he was watching them. Just because he hadn't done anything violent towards Yagyuu didn't mean he wasn't angry at him. "Was that a comment towards 'Sadaharu' or me?"
Yanagi put down his script, looking slightly frustrated.
"Shall we just skip to the final scene?" He didn't quite suppose the date with Sadaharu would come to this, but this was the thing he most wanted to gain some research on.
Sanada dropped his script onto the table, not even bothering to look at what the last scene was. He assumed it would be something along the lines of both of them parting ways and returning to their respective rooms. "Yes. That is a good idea."
"Sadaharu, this talk has only made me realize how much I've missed having you around." Yanagi said clearly, looking straight at Sanada's unsmiling face.
They waited for a few long, awkward moments. "Genichirou, you're supposed to blush." Yanagi informed Sanada. '
The corners of Sanada's mouth turned down and he glowered at Yanagi. "There. I blushed." More like a muscle in his cheek twitched slightly in annoyance. Same thing.
"...Shall we switch positions?" Yanagi said after watching Sanada contort his face for a few seconds. He flipped open his script again, scanning the page quickly.
"Renji..." Yanagi said, making his voice deeper. "90% chance you were going to say that."
Sanada shrugged at Yanagi's suggestion and flicked through the script to find where Yanagi was at. His eye twitched as he read the line he was supposed to say out loud and he closed the script again. "I'm not saying your lines."
Yanagi's brow furrowed slightly. "I'm not going to switch positions again. We're not doing a soliloquy."
"Then just be yourself and stop relying so much on a script." Sanada sighed. "If you really want something to come out of this, you should stop analyzing everything and just react." It was sort of like tennis... but then again, Yanagi played data tennis and therefore analyzed everything.
Yanagi looked at the table for a moment, silently contemplating Sanada's words. Behind Sanada, Yagyuu had long abandoned his books and was staring at them with undisguised curiosity.
"...If you say so." Yanagi said slowly and precisely. He leaned over the table, put one hand on Sanada's cheek, and pressed his mouth to Sanada's.
Sanada's eyebrows drew together when Yanagi leaned over the table. His eyes widened when he felt a hand on his cheek and he froze completely when he felt another mouth on his. Sanada held his breath and remained frozen until Yanagi pulled away and it took him a few seconds to speak. "... Was that for me or Inui?"
Yanagi stared coolly back at Sanada, his cheeks only lightly flushed. "What do you think?" He asked Sanada from across the table. It was a little surprising that Sanada had not gotten up from his seat and sprinted away already.
Sanada was still somewhat stunned by the actions of Yanagi, but remained in his seat. He vaguely heard the slamming down of books on the table behind him and someone that he dimly registered as Yagyuu, walking out of the library. "...Inui?"
Yanagi ignored Sanada's question, preferring to look over his shoulder and call gently in amusement, "Goodbye, Yagyuu."
He busied himself tightening his tie.
Sanada's expression darkened when Yanagi ignored his question. "Answer my question, Renji." he snapped.
Yanagi took out his pen, making a neat annotation in his notes before folding it up and putting it into his pocket.
"Thank you, Genichirou. You were very helpful today, and I am grateful for your understanding." He stood up.
Sanada stood up as well and reached across the table, grabbing Yanagi by the wrist. "We're not finished here yet." His fingers tightened and he pulled Yanagi towards him and glared. "Answer my question. Was that meant for me... or Inui?"
"Please refer to your script, Genichirou. I've prepared that for a reason." Yanagi informed Sanada, cautiously prying Sanada's fingers off his wrist. He watched as Sanada pulled out the sheets of paper and flipped impatiently to the last page. The last page, which was completely blank save for some names.
Sanada read the last words, noting that Yanagi had basically said the same thing as what was written in the script and he gritted his teeth together at the blank page that followed. He ripped the last blank page out of the script and threw it on the floor, reaching across the table and grabbing the front of Yanagi's shirt in one hand. "I would rather you tell me yourself, Renji."
"What do you think?" Yanagi said neutrally, making no move to protest as Sanada grasped his neat, wrinkle-free shirt. He sighed a little as the material was twisted up in Sanada's fist.
"If I had a clear idea, I wouldn't be asking you." Sanada said angrily, shaking Yanagi a bit by the shirt. Actually, he had a feeling it was for Inui, since it was written in the script, however Sanada couldn't help but think that the script wasn't actually setting out scenes between Renji and Inui.
Yanagi frowned, planting his hands on the table and looking uncomfortable. "You know I just don't like admitting that I don't know." He said softly, deciding it would be pointless to try and make Sanada drop the issue.
Sanada froze at Yanagi's answer.
...He didn't know? But hadn't he written the script? Hadn't he analyzed all the data and possible situations? "Then why did you do it?"
"I have my reasons," Yanagi said vaguely, fingering the top button on his collar. "Could you please restrain from touching my shirt?"
Sanada's hand tightened on Yanagi's shirt. "No." He pulled Yanagi towards him even more, leaning forward himself and pressing his mouth clumsily against Yanagi's. He quickly pulled away and let go of Yanagi's shirt, frowning and looking straight at Yanagi's face, his teeth clenched together.
Yanagi stepped back in shock, before raising a hand to his mouth. "So, Genichirou. Was that for Inui, or for me?" He asked wryly.
"... Why would I do something like that to Inui?" Sanada asked grumpily, crossing his arms over his chest.
Why would you do something like that to me? Yanagi thought in distress. His mind churned in a bad way. But he didn't say so, because Genichirou seemed to be displaying some kind of emotional turmoil and he did not want to stunt his best friend's EQ anymore. "I...see." He said slowly, still stunned.
"Did I somehow defy all your data?" Of course, that hadn't been his main intention, but it did make him feel somewhat satisfied to know that Yanagi didn't know him so well to predict everything.
"Only 60%." Yanagi replied back dryly. "Do I get to grab your shirt and brusquely demand an explanation now?"
"You can if you want to get slapped across the face." Sanada said, looking highly unamused. "Do you need me to do it again so you can gather the data properly and figure out the explanation yourself?" And yes, that was sarcasm.
"All signs of yours point to insanity, Genichirou. Though you can if you want the texture of your lips to be analyzed thoroughly." Yanagi smiled back. Honestly, he didn't quite want to know why Sanada had done something like that.
"I'm not insane." he said shortly. "And I do not need the texture of my lips to be analyzed." Sanada looked away to the side and frowned at the bookshelves.
"What was that then?" Yanagi asked patiently, looking amazingly nonplussed. "Were you trying to one-up me? An eye for an eye, and all that?"
"Of course not." Sanada snapped, still looking at the bookshelves to the side. It was moments like this that he wished he was wearing his cap. "Do I need to tell you bluntly?"
Yanagi stared back and said nothing. His gaze darted to the clock. "Do I need to tell you that there was no date with Sadaharu?"
Sanada stared at Yanagi as he spoke and he let out a breath he had been unconsciously holding. "... What?" His eyebrows drew together as he tried to think. "... Then why did you say that you did?"
"Again, Genichirou, I have my reasons." Yanagi said in moderated, neutral tones. He pointed at the clock on the wall. "According to the script, we should be leaving the library now. Do you have anything else you'd like to suggest before we go?"
Sanada hesitated for a moment before reaching across the table again, grabbing Yanagi by the front of his shirt. He dragged Yanagi over to the nearest bookshelf and pressed Yanagi's back against it. Sanada's hand tightened and he paused for a moment, before leaning closer and pressing his mouth against Yanagi's.
Yanagi gasped softly, the coldness of the metal chilling his spine through the thin material of his shirt. Sanada's mouth was soft and hot and eager, and his eyes flew open in surprise.
As Yanagi's eyes opened, Sanada's hand tightened on the shirt material and he pulled away, staring in shock.
...Yanagi's eyes weren't blue. Sanada felt his grip loosen and his hand hit the side of his leg. His other hand came up and wiped along the skin on the right of Yanagi's mouth and his lips thinned as makeup smeared. "... Niou."
Niou rubbed his eyes. The strain of squinting and trying to get around by peeking under his eyelashes was starting to get to him. He rubbed out the crick in his neck.
He raised a finger before Sanada even tried to say anything else. "Before you jump to conclusions, this time I let myself get found out."
"The whole thing about ‘training’ was... what?" Sanada asked, ignoring Niou's comment. "A joke? A way of getting your revenge on me?"
Niou leaned back slightly against the bookcase.
"You heard Yagyuu and I arguing." He said matter-of-factly. It was a joke - a mean, insensitive joke. It was also his own way of getting his revenge. Not at Sanada though, at Yagyuu. Yagyuu didn't want him around Sanada? Fine, he would do just that.
"Yes." Sanada said, frowning. "Your room is right below mine." Now it sounded like he'd purposely tried to eavesdrop on the two of them.
"You knew there was something off about Yanagi but you didn't want to face it." Niou carried on. He willed himself to continue speaking calmly and indifferently. Just like Yanagi would have done.
"Where are you going with this?" Sanada was impatient and glowered at Niou to try and make him explain himself in a less round-about fashion.
"Where are you going with this?" Niou shot back, glaring back up at Sanada. He wasn't going to let Sanada turn him into a pathetic wibbling mess this time around.
"You were the one who initiated everything." Sanada said angrily. He reached up and grabbed Niou by the front of his shirt again and pushed him against the bookshelf. "Do you even regret anything you did!?"
Niou was starting to feel a little afraid, but he narrowed his eyes and wrapped his left hand around Sanada's wrist. When all attempts to make Sanada let go of his shirt failed - screw it, why was Sanada so strong - Niou dug his nails into Sanada's skin, hissing, "Yanagi told you not to do this to me."
"No, Niou. You told me not to do this to you." Sanada's eye twitched, feeling Niou's nails cutting into his skin. "Would you rather I start touching you again?" He gritted his teeth together. "Why did you impersonate Renji?"
"Weren't you eavesdropping on Yagyuu and I?" Niou sneered, stepping forward into Sanada's space. It wasn't a dark, deserted room anymore. This was a narrow corridor and there was a bookcase behind Sanada too. Equal fighting ground. He took another step forward.
"Your argument disgusted me. I stopped listening." Sanada stood his ground as Niou stepped forward. His eyes narrowed when Niou stepped forward again. He pulled Niou closer to him and moving his face closer to Niou's so they were only a few centimeters apart. "I suggest you stop, Niou."
Niou swallowed, but he didn't back down either. So what if Sanada was stronger than him? He could take him down in other ways. "Pity," Niou sang, his lips curling up. "Then you would have known why I did all this."
He put his hands into his pockets and smirked. "I'm very clear of my own motives, Sanada. What about you?"
"Then why don't you tell me your motives so I can make up my mind about my own." Sanada said, trying to keep somewhat calm. His hand on Niou's shirt loosened slightly.
"Ladies first." Niou delighted in the slight sheen of sweat on Sanada's temple. Was he starting to panic? But he went first, anyway.
"Yagyuu told me to stay away from you. He told me to stop ‘fawning over you’." Niou drawled, putting on his most bored, indifferent expression. "I couldn't resist challenging a direct order like that."
Sanada's expression darkened at Niou's answer and he let go of Niou's shirt, pushing him away. "My reasons don't matter." He said angrily, walking over to the table, picking up his hat and the book and walking over to the bookshelves to put the book away.
"How unfair you are. You want a secret of mine but you don’t give me my take-backsies." Niou remarked snidely, leaning back against the bookcase and watching as Sanada chucked the book back onto its shelf so hard he saw the case shudder.
Sanada didn't reply to Niou's comment, choosing instead to glare at Niou and put his hat back on. "Just go away, Niou."
"Made up your mind yet?" Niou laughed, slinking off toward the door. He...he'd really won this time. He grinned, baring teeth.
He'd really won. But why, where was the satisfaction? He asked himself why his mind was sated like a fat, purring cat, but his chest was devoid of emotion.
Sanada remained silent when Niou walked away, waiting for a moment before he picked up a book randomly from the shelf and threw it at Niou. The book hit the floor and flopped open to a random page, but Sanada had turned his back towards Niou and the book, pulled the brim of his cap down and began walking away.
Niou flinched when the thick hard-cover landed next to his feet. He hoped Sanada didn't see that. But maybe he didn't really care anymore. Sanada had seen him in far worse situations.
"Guess not! Take your time, then~" Niou called after Sanada, blatantly ignoring the library's rule of silence.
Sanada mumbled under his breath to himself as he walked deeper into the library. He threw his hat down on a table and sat down at it, glowering at the surface of the table as though it had insulted him.
Sanada vanished behind a row of shelves. Niou watched blankly, nearly wanting to follow him. He settled for lifting a foot up carefully and stepping on the book before walking out of the library.
The self-control lasted all the way until Niou closed the door and made his way to the balcony on the side of the library. He felt in his pocket, retrieving the worn sheet of paper and shredding it with trembling fingers so that the tiny scraps of white floated over the courtyard downstairs. He looked at the cheap, ugly snowglobe below impassively.
There probably should have been a better way to deal with Yagyuu without screwing with Sanada's feelings.
Sanada probably fancied Yanagi. Niou picked up a clod of dirt from the flowerbed and threw that down too. He wished he'd bothered to think of that better way.
What: Yanagi prepares for his "date with Sadaharu" by asking Sanada to help him by simulating what he thinks might happen
When: Yesterday (Well, a day or two before Halloween)
Rating: Nothing that might warrant a rating, actually
Sanada straightened his cap for what seemed like the hundredth time before frowning, taking his cap off, messing up his hair slightly and putting the cap back on, deciding to stop glancing at the mirror to check if it was exactly straight. This was simply him going to help Renji with training for some later event. It wasn't something that he had to spend five minutes trying to make sure his cap was perfectly straight for. He started towards Renji's room, scowling slightly. Why had he even agreed to this stupid idea in the first place? Sanada knocked on the door and waited for it to open.
Yanagi glanced surreptitiously at the clock and was pleased to note that Sanada had arrived thirty seconds early.
He set about scrutinizing the other boy - not that Sanada would realize - and was flattered to see that Sanada seemed to have made an effort with his appearance.
"Good evening, Genichirou," He greeted him warmly. The second hand of the clock passed over the minute hand to form a single black stroke. It was now exactly 6.30. He gave Sanada the script.
Sanada frowned and accepted the script from Renji, opened it to the first page and felt his eye twitch. Still, he said the required line, even if his teeth were gritted and he had to force every word. "I'm very glad you accepted my invitation, Renji."
"I wouldn't have thought of declining," Yanagi lied through his teeth while closing the door behind them placidly. "It is so very good to see you again, Sadaharu. Have you grown taller?"
His eyebrow twitched. So he was to be called "Sadaharu" for the rest of this evening? Sanada looked down at the script. "...Yes, Renji. I have grown 3.45cm in my time so far at the camp." Sanada gritted his teeth.
"... Why am I following a script?"
Yanagi gave Sanada a faint frown. He stopped looking at his own script. "I can't very well expect you to guess what Sadaharu might say, could I? This is the best way to simulate what might happen so that everything turns out well."
He returned his attention back to his own script. "I thought so, Sadaharu. I would estimate it to be 3.45 to 3.7cm. Shall we make our way now?"
...Was the change in height in this script Sanada's own, or Inui's? Actually, he didn't want to know. Sanada's frown deepened and he looked at the script again. "I suggest we go to the library. I need to research some topics for my school work and would appreciate it if you helped, Renji."
Yanagi nodded, looking pleased. "That sounds wonderful, Sadaharu. Perhaps if we finish early we can go for dinner."
He began to walk off, lest Sanada see his cryptic smile at how in pain Sanada looked.
When they arrived at the library, Sanada flicked through the script until he got to the "scene in the library" page and read the start. According to this, he was now to go to the...the section about relationships, pull out the third book from the right on the 5th row from the top and turn to page 86 while sitting down at the table to the right of that section. Sanada's eye twitched again but he went along with it, his teeth clenching together when he pulled out the book and saw the cover. He sat down at the table, and held the book open at that assigned page, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the book.
...Why was he being made to read about gay sex?
"Don't worry," Yanagi assured Sanada, patting him on the arm. "I highly doubt Sadaharu would do a thing like this. This was just to test if you were really following my instructions."
He sat across from Sanada with his ankles neatly crossed. They both looked at the illustration on the cover.
Sanada grumbled to himself at Renji's words and closed the book quickly, pushing it as far away from him as possible. "...Why did you pick that particular book and page?" Sanada asked with a sigh, taking off his hat and putting it on the desk in front of him. He glanced at the cover of the book and reached across and turned it over so the back was facing up so he didn't have to look at the title.
Yanagi made no reply, just gestured for Sanada to keep on reading his script.
He carefully uncrossed his legs, brushing his left ankle over Sanada's, whilst looking completely unruffled, almost as if they really were just studying.
Sanada continued with the script. "Assuming that studying in the library will take thirty minutes, we should have an appropriate amount of time to head out to get something to eat. Don't you think-" Sanada cut off and moved both his legs when he felt Renji's ankle brush against his leg. "... Renji." He finished the sentence while glaring at his companion.
"I'll look forward to that," Yanagi replied calmly as he studied the poster on the wall next to them. Meanwhile, his leg moved up Sanada's, rubbing slowly.
"Is this acceptable?" Yanagi asked Sanada after a reasonable amount of time. "Should I go higher?"
He looked genuinely earnest.
Sanada nodded curtly at Yanagi's reply. As he felt Yanagi's leg rubbing against his own, his eyes widened, and he froze. He gritted his teeth together to stop himself from lashing out and kicking Yanagi, opting instead to stay silent and clench his fingers into fists.
"No, it's not acceptable." Sanada said, his face paling slightly at the next words. "You should get your leg away from mine. Now."
Yanagi seemed a bit put off at that. He made a small note in the margin of his notes. Perhaps that should wait til dinner, though he thought Sadaharu's reaction would not be so violent.
"You should be softer," He leaned over the table and whispered to Sanada. "Yagyuu's just walked into the library. He's going to a table. He's sitting down and looking at us."
Sanada frowned at Yanagi, turning to glance at Yagyuu who was sitting a little bit away and looking for all the world like he was studying, but Sanada could see the stillness in the gentleman. "Fine. I wouldn't be loud if you... didn't do things like that." Sanada said grumpily, lowering his voice all the same.
"I thought you'd agreed to help me with my research," Yanagi pointed out. "I'd asked if you'd rather I conduct it with Yagyuu-kun. I could ask him now, since he appears available."
"I don't see how your research involves your leg." Sanada said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms across his chest. "Yagyuu is busy with work."
Yanagi made some small noises, as if saying he would try getting his point across and probably fail, so he wouldn't very much bother.
"Now I will introduce some topics such as family, vacations, and tennis, before highlighting the fact that it's been a while since we've seen each other." Yanagi cleared his throat, looking down and also looking pensive. "Sadaharu...it's been too long."
Sanada didn't say anything in response to Yanagi's first words, choosing to stare to the right of Yanagi's head. He glanced across to his face as Yanagi cleared his throat and looked down at the script on his lap. "... Indeed. We have much to discuss." Sanada paused, rather wishing at this point that he'd never agreed to do this. "...How is your family?"
Yanagi looked at Sanada seriously with his eyeless gaze. "They're fine. They...ask about you often, Sadaharu."
He looked back down at the table again.
"Indeed?" Sanada felt his eye twitch again at the next sentence. ... He somehow doubted that Yanagi and Inui would have this sort of conversation. "And your grandparents? They're well?" He grimaced to himself and flicked through the rest of the "scene in the library" until he got to a more agreeable conversation topic. "How are the Rikkai regulars looking, Renji? Do you think the camp has been beneficial towards their tennis?"
"Don't look so tortured, Genichirou," Yanagi chuckled softly to himself. He stared over Sanada's shoulder at Yagyuu, who was still sitting still. Yanagi's eyes were closed and Yagyuu's were shielded by spectacles, but it was clear they were looking at each other. He gave Yagyuu a wan smile.
"Yagyuu-kun is observing us." He told Sanada.
"I'm not enjoying this, Renji." Sanada said shortly, resisting the urge to throw the script on the ground and kick it. He also resisted the urge to turn around and glower at Yagyuu when Yanagi said he was watching them. Just because he hadn't done anything violent towards Yagyuu didn't mean he wasn't angry at him. "Was that a comment towards 'Sadaharu' or me?"
Yanagi put down his script, looking slightly frustrated.
"Shall we just skip to the final scene?" He didn't quite suppose the date with Sadaharu would come to this, but this was the thing he most wanted to gain some research on.
Sanada dropped his script onto the table, not even bothering to look at what the last scene was. He assumed it would be something along the lines of both of them parting ways and returning to their respective rooms. "Yes. That is a good idea."
"Sadaharu, this talk has only made me realize how much I've missed having you around." Yanagi said clearly, looking straight at Sanada's unsmiling face.
They waited for a few long, awkward moments. "Genichirou, you're supposed to blush." Yanagi informed Sanada. '
The corners of Sanada's mouth turned down and he glowered at Yanagi. "There. I blushed." More like a muscle in his cheek twitched slightly in annoyance. Same thing.
"...Shall we switch positions?" Yanagi said after watching Sanada contort his face for a few seconds. He flipped open his script again, scanning the page quickly.
"Renji..." Yanagi said, making his voice deeper. "90% chance you were going to say that."
Sanada shrugged at Yanagi's suggestion and flicked through the script to find where Yanagi was at. His eye twitched as he read the line he was supposed to say out loud and he closed the script again. "I'm not saying your lines."
Yanagi's brow furrowed slightly. "I'm not going to switch positions again. We're not doing a soliloquy."
"Then just be yourself and stop relying so much on a script." Sanada sighed. "If you really want something to come out of this, you should stop analyzing everything and just react." It was sort of like tennis... but then again, Yanagi played data tennis and therefore analyzed everything.
Yanagi looked at the table for a moment, silently contemplating Sanada's words. Behind Sanada, Yagyuu had long abandoned his books and was staring at them with undisguised curiosity.
"...If you say so." Yanagi said slowly and precisely. He leaned over the table, put one hand on Sanada's cheek, and pressed his mouth to Sanada's.
Sanada's eyebrows drew together when Yanagi leaned over the table. His eyes widened when he felt a hand on his cheek and he froze completely when he felt another mouth on his. Sanada held his breath and remained frozen until Yanagi pulled away and it took him a few seconds to speak. "... Was that for me or Inui?"
Yanagi stared coolly back at Sanada, his cheeks only lightly flushed. "What do you think?" He asked Sanada from across the table. It was a little surprising that Sanada had not gotten up from his seat and sprinted away already.
Sanada was still somewhat stunned by the actions of Yanagi, but remained in his seat. He vaguely heard the slamming down of books on the table behind him and someone that he dimly registered as Yagyuu, walking out of the library. "...Inui?"
Yanagi ignored Sanada's question, preferring to look over his shoulder and call gently in amusement, "Goodbye, Yagyuu."
He busied himself tightening his tie.
Sanada's expression darkened when Yanagi ignored his question. "Answer my question, Renji." he snapped.
Yanagi took out his pen, making a neat annotation in his notes before folding it up and putting it into his pocket.
"Thank you, Genichirou. You were very helpful today, and I am grateful for your understanding." He stood up.
Sanada stood up as well and reached across the table, grabbing Yanagi by the wrist. "We're not finished here yet." His fingers tightened and he pulled Yanagi towards him and glared. "Answer my question. Was that meant for me... or Inui?"
"Please refer to your script, Genichirou. I've prepared that for a reason." Yanagi informed Sanada, cautiously prying Sanada's fingers off his wrist. He watched as Sanada pulled out the sheets of paper and flipped impatiently to the last page. The last page, which was completely blank save for some names.
Sanada read the last words, noting that Yanagi had basically said the same thing as what was written in the script and he gritted his teeth together at the blank page that followed. He ripped the last blank page out of the script and threw it on the floor, reaching across the table and grabbing the front of Yanagi's shirt in one hand. "I would rather you tell me yourself, Renji."
"What do you think?" Yanagi said neutrally, making no move to protest as Sanada grasped his neat, wrinkle-free shirt. He sighed a little as the material was twisted up in Sanada's fist.
"If I had a clear idea, I wouldn't be asking you." Sanada said angrily, shaking Yanagi a bit by the shirt. Actually, he had a feeling it was for Inui, since it was written in the script, however Sanada couldn't help but think that the script wasn't actually setting out scenes between Renji and Inui.
Yanagi frowned, planting his hands on the table and looking uncomfortable. "You know I just don't like admitting that I don't know." He said softly, deciding it would be pointless to try and make Sanada drop the issue.
Sanada froze at Yanagi's answer.
...He didn't know? But hadn't he written the script? Hadn't he analyzed all the data and possible situations? "Then why did you do it?"
"I have my reasons," Yanagi said vaguely, fingering the top button on his collar. "Could you please restrain from touching my shirt?"
Sanada's hand tightened on Yanagi's shirt. "No." He pulled Yanagi towards him even more, leaning forward himself and pressing his mouth clumsily against Yanagi's. He quickly pulled away and let go of Yanagi's shirt, frowning and looking straight at Yanagi's face, his teeth clenched together.
Yanagi stepped back in shock, before raising a hand to his mouth. "So, Genichirou. Was that for Inui, or for me?" He asked wryly.
"... Why would I do something like that to Inui?" Sanada asked grumpily, crossing his arms over his chest.
Why would you do something like that to me? Yanagi thought in distress. His mind churned in a bad way. But he didn't say so, because Genichirou seemed to be displaying some kind of emotional turmoil and he did not want to stunt his best friend's EQ anymore. "I...see." He said slowly, still stunned.
"Did I somehow defy all your data?" Of course, that hadn't been his main intention, but it did make him feel somewhat satisfied to know that Yanagi didn't know him so well to predict everything.
"Only 60%." Yanagi replied back dryly. "Do I get to grab your shirt and brusquely demand an explanation now?"
"You can if you want to get slapped across the face." Sanada said, looking highly unamused. "Do you need me to do it again so you can gather the data properly and figure out the explanation yourself?" And yes, that was sarcasm.
"All signs of yours point to insanity, Genichirou. Though you can if you want the texture of your lips to be analyzed thoroughly." Yanagi smiled back. Honestly, he didn't quite want to know why Sanada had done something like that.
"I'm not insane." he said shortly. "And I do not need the texture of my lips to be analyzed." Sanada looked away to the side and frowned at the bookshelves.
"What was that then?" Yanagi asked patiently, looking amazingly nonplussed. "Were you trying to one-up me? An eye for an eye, and all that?"
"Of course not." Sanada snapped, still looking at the bookshelves to the side. It was moments like this that he wished he was wearing his cap. "Do I need to tell you bluntly?"
Yanagi stared back and said nothing. His gaze darted to the clock. "Do I need to tell you that there was no date with Sadaharu?"
Sanada stared at Yanagi as he spoke and he let out a breath he had been unconsciously holding. "... What?" His eyebrows drew together as he tried to think. "... Then why did you say that you did?"
"Again, Genichirou, I have my reasons." Yanagi said in moderated, neutral tones. He pointed at the clock on the wall. "According to the script, we should be leaving the library now. Do you have anything else you'd like to suggest before we go?"
Sanada hesitated for a moment before reaching across the table again, grabbing Yanagi by the front of his shirt. He dragged Yanagi over to the nearest bookshelf and pressed Yanagi's back against it. Sanada's hand tightened and he paused for a moment, before leaning closer and pressing his mouth against Yanagi's.
Yanagi gasped softly, the coldness of the metal chilling his spine through the thin material of his shirt. Sanada's mouth was soft and hot and eager, and his eyes flew open in surprise.
As Yanagi's eyes opened, Sanada's hand tightened on the shirt material and he pulled away, staring in shock.
...Yanagi's eyes weren't blue. Sanada felt his grip loosen and his hand hit the side of his leg. His other hand came up and wiped along the skin on the right of Yanagi's mouth and his lips thinned as makeup smeared. "... Niou."
Niou rubbed his eyes. The strain of squinting and trying to get around by peeking under his eyelashes was starting to get to him. He rubbed out the crick in his neck.
He raised a finger before Sanada even tried to say anything else. "Before you jump to conclusions, this time I let myself get found out."
"The whole thing about ‘training’ was... what?" Sanada asked, ignoring Niou's comment. "A joke? A way of getting your revenge on me?"
Niou leaned back slightly against the bookcase.
"You heard Yagyuu and I arguing." He said matter-of-factly. It was a joke - a mean, insensitive joke. It was also his own way of getting his revenge. Not at Sanada though, at Yagyuu. Yagyuu didn't want him around Sanada? Fine, he would do just that.
"Yes." Sanada said, frowning. "Your room is right below mine." Now it sounded like he'd purposely tried to eavesdrop on the two of them.
"You knew there was something off about Yanagi but you didn't want to face it." Niou carried on. He willed himself to continue speaking calmly and indifferently. Just like Yanagi would have done.
"Where are you going with this?" Sanada was impatient and glowered at Niou to try and make him explain himself in a less round-about fashion.
"Where are you going with this?" Niou shot back, glaring back up at Sanada. He wasn't going to let Sanada turn him into a pathetic wibbling mess this time around.
"You were the one who initiated everything." Sanada said angrily. He reached up and grabbed Niou by the front of his shirt again and pushed him against the bookshelf. "Do you even regret anything you did!?"
Niou was starting to feel a little afraid, but he narrowed his eyes and wrapped his left hand around Sanada's wrist. When all attempts to make Sanada let go of his shirt failed - screw it, why was Sanada so strong - Niou dug his nails into Sanada's skin, hissing, "Yanagi told you not to do this to me."
"No, Niou. You told me not to do this to you." Sanada's eye twitched, feeling Niou's nails cutting into his skin. "Would you rather I start touching you again?" He gritted his teeth together. "Why did you impersonate Renji?"
"Weren't you eavesdropping on Yagyuu and I?" Niou sneered, stepping forward into Sanada's space. It wasn't a dark, deserted room anymore. This was a narrow corridor and there was a bookcase behind Sanada too. Equal fighting ground. He took another step forward.
"Your argument disgusted me. I stopped listening." Sanada stood his ground as Niou stepped forward. His eyes narrowed when Niou stepped forward again. He pulled Niou closer to him and moving his face closer to Niou's so they were only a few centimeters apart. "I suggest you stop, Niou."
Niou swallowed, but he didn't back down either. So what if Sanada was stronger than him? He could take him down in other ways. "Pity," Niou sang, his lips curling up. "Then you would have known why I did all this."
He put his hands into his pockets and smirked. "I'm very clear of my own motives, Sanada. What about you?"
"Then why don't you tell me your motives so I can make up my mind about my own." Sanada said, trying to keep somewhat calm. His hand on Niou's shirt loosened slightly.
"Ladies first." Niou delighted in the slight sheen of sweat on Sanada's temple. Was he starting to panic? But he went first, anyway.
"Yagyuu told me to stay away from you. He told me to stop ‘fawning over you’." Niou drawled, putting on his most bored, indifferent expression. "I couldn't resist challenging a direct order like that."
Sanada's expression darkened at Niou's answer and he let go of Niou's shirt, pushing him away. "My reasons don't matter." He said angrily, walking over to the table, picking up his hat and the book and walking over to the bookshelves to put the book away.
"How unfair you are. You want a secret of mine but you don’t give me my take-backsies." Niou remarked snidely, leaning back against the bookcase and watching as Sanada chucked the book back onto its shelf so hard he saw the case shudder.
Sanada didn't reply to Niou's comment, choosing instead to glare at Niou and put his hat back on. "Just go away, Niou."
"Made up your mind yet?" Niou laughed, slinking off toward the door. He...he'd really won this time. He grinned, baring teeth.
He'd really won. But why, where was the satisfaction? He asked himself why his mind was sated like a fat, purring cat, but his chest was devoid of emotion.
Sanada remained silent when Niou walked away, waiting for a moment before he picked up a book randomly from the shelf and threw it at Niou. The book hit the floor and flopped open to a random page, but Sanada had turned his back towards Niou and the book, pulled the brim of his cap down and began walking away.
Niou flinched when the thick hard-cover landed next to his feet. He hoped Sanada didn't see that. But maybe he didn't really care anymore. Sanada had seen him in far worse situations.
"Guess not! Take your time, then~" Niou called after Sanada, blatantly ignoring the library's rule of silence.
Sanada mumbled under his breath to himself as he walked deeper into the library. He threw his hat down on a table and sat down at it, glowering at the surface of the table as though it had insulted him.
Sanada vanished behind a row of shelves. Niou watched blankly, nearly wanting to follow him. He settled for lifting a foot up carefully and stepping on the book before walking out of the library.
The self-control lasted all the way until Niou closed the door and made his way to the balcony on the side of the library. He felt in his pocket, retrieving the worn sheet of paper and shredding it with trembling fingers so that the tiny scraps of white floated over the courtyard downstairs. He looked at the cheap, ugly snowglobe below impassively.
There probably should have been a better way to deal with Yagyuu without screwing with Sanada's feelings.
Sanada probably fancied Yanagi. Niou picked up a clod of dirt from the flowerbed and threw that down too. He wished he'd bothered to think of that better way.