underlined | IC INBOX: INUGAMI

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IC INBOX: INUGAMI

“Uh, hello. You've reached Keisuke... I’m sorry, but I’m not able to pick up right now. Leave me a message and I'll try to call back. Um... thanks, bye.”

[VOICE CALL, TEXT MESSAGING, AND PHOTO SHARING IS ENABLED ON THIS CELL PHONE.]

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[ It's such a big part of Rin's brand of affection, teasing and attempting to fluster others in such a way is something he finds enjoying and equally doesn't actually mean - at least never in a particularly vicious manner. Not with people he likes, of course. If only Keisuke were more direct and assertive with any protests against it, he might listen, but as it is it's hard for Rin to even want to keep his comments to himself. ]

So that's what you were doing instead of Bl@ster.

[ He doesn't seem all that disappointed as he might have earlier at the thought that Keisuke doesn't like fighting like he does. What's there to be disappointed with if he's gotten so muscular from it, after all? ]

Ehhh~? Who says I'm joking? [ There's laughter, bright and cheerful, and by chance he glances down and notices the shirts, making a thoughtfully surprised sound when he recognizes them. ]

Oh! Isn't this your old stuff?

[ Excuse him while he bends over and swipes them into his own curious hands, holding them up before his grin widens and he sticks them between his knees, holding the clothing in place as he tugs off his t-shirt.

Rin has utterly no qualms with stripping like this, or pulling on shirts that don't belong to him without asking permission, and once he's done the hems of said articles fall so low on his thighs it almost obscures the shorts he's wearing beneath them and makes it appear like he's bare instead.

He starts snickering in amusement at such a blatant display of how different their sizes are, glancing back over at Keisuke after a few moments of solitary enjoyment. ] Did these just show up?

[Most other people might shrug it off or even play along as the joke it was meant to be, but unfortunately Rin's usual methods of kidding around seemed to be laser-focused on Keisuke's own insecurities. And perhaps he was a little bewildered of the guy, someone completely brazen with something that Keisuke had always seen as something wrong with him—perhaps in that he was a little jealous that he could be so self-assured (or at least seem that way), but he would never admit it. Just like how he would never admit any of it (at this juncture), attempting to ignore it until it no longer posed being a problem.

He gives a hesitant nod.] You know I c - couldn't get by doing Bl@ster... [Only winners made money, and Keisuke would've gotten his ass kicked if he bothered to try his hand at fighting. No, he left that to people like Rin and Akira, people who had learned to channel aggression into successful fights.

His work hours had gone into something else physical, though, a menial task for a kid who'd never received a formal education besides one tailored to killing enemy soldiers. It was the best he could'e asked for, honestly—not a ton of money, but enough to make ends meet.

He's blushing again at Rin's continued prodding, brows knitted together.] Rin... [A bit of a whine, knowing it would probably only make it worse...

And, making it worse in a different way, the guy happens to locate his clothes before he does. Keisuke dodges forward as he notices it (in lieu of an answer, his actions telling enough), but Rin's too quick for him. It's almost laughable when the shorter guy holds them up—they looked like overgrown pajamas for him, the long-sleeved shirt especially dwarfing him. From there on out he's routinely thwarted in trying to get his clothes back, right to where he doesn't even try. Even as (deceptively) built as Rin is, he's completely swallowed up in Keisuke's clothes, looking like a kid who'd gotten into his parents' closet.

Keisuke's eventually crossed his arms over his (still bare, despite wearing his coveralls tied around his waist, Keisuke, you idiot...) chest.] ...Yeah. They showed up in my locker.

[Looking at Rin a little entreatingly, almost like, Hey, you had your fun, now give me my clothes.]

Are you done yet?

[ It's unfortunate that Keisuke is so, well, cute, in the way that he's fun to tease and fluster. He's too good-natured, too easy, that Rin can't help himself. The taunting and playful actions are only inevitable when it comes to showing his affection now. ]

You should show off a bit more, I know I'd appreciate the view for one.

[ He can see how much Keisuke must want his clothes, in the way he tries to hide himself for reasons he doesn't quite understand. But there's no fun in letting him go so easily, unfortunately enough. Rin holds out his arms, wiggling his hands suggestively to allow the overly long sleeves to wave about as he grins slyly. ] How about you strip them off me?

[ Of course, he knows that Keisuke would never do such a thing, playing along with his joke nor in a manner of annoyance despite the exasperation he's aware that he's causing him. So, he cackles, pushing up the sleeves so he can pull at the hem of the shirts he's tugged on, letting the front balloon out in front of him. ]

You're lucky, you know. I've been wanting my stuff to show up, especially my knives, but no luck. [ There's a pout hidden in the words even though it isn't shown on his lips. He misses his own clothing, of course, but his weapons are his priority.

Eventually, Rin relents, though it's with a dramatic, overly-emphasized show of disappointment. ]

Does that mean we can't trade clothes? Yours are much comfier than the uniforms here.

[It's enough to make Keisuke realize he was almost lucky that Akira was so static in the way he dealt with everything—Keisuke's so easy to fluster because he has a very low tolerance for being teased, as almost all of his friendship with Akira was built on a plain basis of "what you see is what you get." Observations were factual and sometimes deductive, but rarely were they exaggerated, especially in a way just to elicit some sort of embarrassment out of the other. Which was why Akira's little stunt to get the suits to leave them alone before he left for Toshima had taken Keisuke by so much surprise...

And why he's so vulnerable to Rin's constant teasing.

He's trying, though, trying to be less responsive, restricting his expression to nothing more than a slightly alarmed grimace, crossing his arms over his chest and staring at Rin in a way that he hoped was a glare (it wasn't—it was too uncomfortable to be threatening). The faults in the foundation continue to make themselves known as Rin continues, suggesting with such a genial coquettish lilt that he strip him—Keisuke can feel himself getting red again, lips pressed into a firm line, which only makes him more self-aware and embarrassed, which makes him just get redder...!

Ugh! It's so frustrating...!] C - Can you just give them back?

[He's distracted, though, and takes pause when Rin continues. He hadn't thought about it that way, that Rin didn't have anything else to wear but the uniform, and the uniform... well, Keisuke was sure sick of it, which was why he had switched back to his familiar work clothes.

But... trade?! Rin had mentioned how the uniforms weren't to his style and that he didn't like wearing them, but... well, what if Keisuke's clothes made him feel better...?

His brow is knitting together again, obviously trying to work through the problem. After a moment, he says in a quiet tone,] I'm not even sure if your uniform will - fit me.

[No offense, Rin, because you can totally kick Keisuke's ass, but you're a skinny dude and Keisuke's deceptively broad. As. You can probably tell right now.]

[ Perhaps one day, eventually, such joking and teasing will grow to be less fun for him, lose it's general humour through overuse and time, but as it stands it's far too early for something like that to happen. Hang in there, Keisuke, you can do it...

The glare simply drags out more laughter from Rin, cackles and girlish giggles bright and echoing in the stairwell they occupy, and at last he seems to relent, though it's with all the dramatic showing of disappointment. Pout, huff, and batting of eyelashes and all - including a mumbled, but still amused statement: ] Awww, no fun.

[ Still, he tugs off the clothes that don't belong to him, hair fluffing up in a messy disarray around his face though he doesn't seem to care, leaving it as is and not minding his own half-naked state now as he holds out the shirts to Keisuke. His pale skin, as always, is deceptively soft and delicate-looking despite the noticeable scars that decorate his wiry frame like faint blemishes on a blank page.

Rin gives him another long sweep of a glance, grin a swift and wide flash of teeth. ] Of course not, but it would've been funny to see you try to wear it. [ Ah, revealing his true motives so easily, so nonchalantly, as if it's something to be completely unashamed over, which to him it most certainly is.]

Don't get how people can wear the uniforms all day, they're so stiff and stuffy, I can barely move properly in them. [ Especially not when you're constantly on the move and getting into fights like Rin, but then again he hardly understands how the students can stand sitting around in class for hours on end in the first place. He'd get too bored and has far too much energy for that. ]

Let me borrow your stuff sometime, okay?

[Perhaps one day Keisuke will be less reactive, or at the very least not be so personally upset (to use the word) by however Rin was teasing him. Perhaps deep down he understands that this is a mutually beneficial give-and-take, that Rin enjoys poking and prodding at him and, weirdly enough, Keisuke does appreciate it as it shows that he cares enough to put forth the effort at all. He's used to Akira, a baseline low enough that he always seemed shocked when Akira did anything for him at all. The fact that Rin goes out of his way as often as he does is surprising and comforting, even when it's something that flusters him.

...Not that he actively and consciously knows that, though. On that top level, he's just embarrassed.

He stands his ground as Rin laughs in his face, almost looking intimidating for a moment before it all buckles and falls apart as Rin capitulates, beginning to strip the clothes off as easily as he had stolen them and put them on. Keisuke's almost surprised at this point, not expecting to have "won" so easily, but...] They're clothes, what's so fun about that...?

[Please don't answer him, Rin. Or do. Please do.

He's actually hyperaware of not looking at Rin too long as the transfer takes place, though he does know from now and also past experiences with living near the guy that he's definitely accrued some ill treatment from their world, imprints of old wounds apparent at even a cursory glance. It's weird. He's sure Akira is similar (something which he definitely doesn't think about more than a single note), and many from their world, but he would be different. Worn in his own way, sure—hands toughened by working machinery, things like that—but it didn't feel as valued by the world they lived in than Rin's.

Tangent aside, he ducks away from Rin's teasing glance as he pulls his long-sleeve over his head, starting to reply with a surprised sound stuck in his throat even before he's completely settled into it.] -- funny? Yeah, maybe if you don't mind the risk of me ruining them... [Be serious, Rin: it runs the risk of tearing the seams all through the shoulders if he tried to put on your uniform. But, considering Rin's feelings on the uniform, he might prefer that.

But... he does feel bad, considering how much he doesn't like wearing it. Keisuke pauses a long moment before continuing, slowly,] Well... when I'm wearing my uniform, yeah, you can... I didn't know that you didn't like the uniform that much.

[He'll realize later that people will realize they're wearing the same clothes and might start rumors about that. Oh, well...]

[ It's, oddly enough, confusing for Rin to see how Keisuke acts and reacts to situations like this one. For someone as shameless and confident as him, he can't quite figure out why his friend is so embarrassed by not having a shirt on or even seeing someone else in the same state of undress. ]

It's fun because of how you're acting! Come on, I've got the same parts as you, Keisuke, what's there to be embarrassed about if we're naked together?

[ Ah, those implications. Rin's totally, completely, 100% aware of what his words might falsely imply, but he makes it sound as if it's something he's actually musing over and taking into consideration, especially when he clicks his tongue in apparent disappointment that Keisuke is now covered up. ]

It'd probably look ridiculous after, all torn-up. [ But tearing the seams might actually not be so bad, with that in mind - still, Rin's glad for something to wear even if he's given away stray articles of his uniform to others, mostly for taking care of injuries in one way or another.

There's a flash of surprise, brows raised beneath his bangs, and his exclamation is oddly delighted. ] You actually agreed? You're too nice, Keisuke, people'll take advantage of that. [ People like Rin... ] I was joking but it'd be nice to have something to wear that's looser when I'm sparring or sleeping.

[ Don't worry Keisuke, it's not like Rin would take advantage of that whole apparent boyfriend shirt situation...

He finally tugs his shirt back on, the gym one he'd been given far more desirable than that annoying button-up one, hands lifting to smooth down his unruly hair. It's starting to get long, and while he doesn't particularly mind that it's a different story when it comes to his bangs getting into his eyes and obscuring his vision. ]

[It probably wouldn't have even been that big a deal if it were anyone else. Hell, it probably wouldn't have been as big a deal if it were Akira—it was the kind of casual comfort that was allowed by how long he'd known the other guy, and Keisuke... was fairly confident that Akira could care less (despite how contrary Keisuke felt on the matter). But Rin wore all of it on his sleeve, and perhaps that confidence and shamelessness in his own sexuality was what made Keisuke so nervous.

It's most likely because it causes Keisuke to question and feel a distinct lack of confidence in his own. Like when he teases him like that.

Still brightly red, the "innocuous" insinuation only makes Keisuke lock up even more, looking on with consternation and confusion for a long moment before finally,] R - Rin... you... [before giving up. Of course he knows. He's just doing this to torment him.

But they finally settle into varying states of dress and Keisuke gets a jump-start on trying to forget this ever happened.]

So we should probably not try that... [Ruining Rin's uniform, that is.

He blinks, lips forming a thin line as Rin looks at him with abject surprise at his half-way agreement.] Well... yeah... ["People'll take advantage of that." He looks down, expression crumpling. He seems to know, or at the very least agree.] I - trust you. [He does. He really does, and that's why he agreed.] It's not a big deal, really. If you want to use them for that or whatever, just let me know. I can wear the uniform or my gym clothes or something.

[Please, Rin. You'd absolutely take advantage of the boyfriend shirt situation.]

[ It's utterly unfortunate that Rin has no clue about that, about Keisuke's own questioning and problems with his sexuality, because no doubt he would nosy in to express his own feelings and opinions on the subject in hopes of quelling any of the nervousness. Eventually, such a thing will hopefully come to pass.

He'll let him have that peace, at least, in trying to forget what transpired (though he knows Keisuke won't truly forget, naturally!). It's in part due to that statement, such an innocently spoken one that has far more significance to Rin than it might seem, than he'd make at all noticeable in how he reacts.

It's minute, the stilling of his frame when he so usually is always moving in some way, the slightest widening of his eyes as he falls silent for but a few moments before he tries to cover all of that up with a wide but shaky grin. ]

Aw, I trust you, too, Keisuke~ Are you trying to embarrass me back by being all sentimental? [ He laughs, a purposefully bright sound, as he tries to ignore how his own statement of trust rings true in his heart - he really has put his trust in Keisuke, for better or for worse, in conscious willingness or not. He can't deny it anymore. ]

Thanks! I'll keep that in mind for sure.

[ He swings his arms back, clasping his hands behind himself, and tips his head to one side questioningly, something crossing his mind rather abruptly, though whether that's genuine or caused by his own growing insecurity at the topic of conversation is up in the air. ] Ah- That reminds me that I should go practice! One of these days you're gonna come with me, Keisuke, I'll drag you along one way or another!

[It wasn't even so much that he was questioning. He had given it the sporting try once and realized that it was an impossibility with someone he didn't have a certain depth of feeling for, and... well, once he realized that he had feelings for Akira, it had just devolved into a whirlwind of self-loathing, compartmentalization, and deep denial. Maybe Rin could help him in that, to assuage him that he wasn't some sort of traitor or terrible person for falling for a friend when he should be just that, a friend. He felt awful about it all the time, like he was a liar and a cheat for keeping quiet. But he doesn't know what else to do.

It would mean something coming from Rin, though. He does trust the guy now, more than most everyone else in the school, so he wouldn't have any reason to lie to him, right?

In turn, the question just makes Keisuke's face flush a little bit.] N - No...! It just - came up. [It's precious how genuine he is.

He regards Rin with some nerves for a moment; where he always feels as though he can guess what Akira might say or do, based on how well he knows the guy, he never feels as though he can ever anticipate what Rin might say or do.]

Practice? You mean sparring? [Now he has a real reason to be nervous.]

I - I don't know... you'd kick my ass.

[That's an understatement.]

[ At least, in that regard, Rin might be able to understand. Keisuke's decision to withhold his own feelings for a friend is almost a direct mirror of his own decision to do the same with Kazui. Only, he doesn't want Keisuke to end up regretting it like he has, now that he has no chance of being able to confess his feelings anymore.

It'd be a big step in, hopefully, the right direction, for them to talk about both situations.

Rin laughs again, gaze softening at how endearingly precious Keisuke can be, and bobs his head in a few nods. ]

Yeah, of course! And I would, no doubt about that- [ Sorry, man... ] -but the only way you'll get better is by practising and learning more!

[ He walks back to the corner of the hall, one hand raised in a wave as he gets ready to depart, flashing Keisuke a warm, broad smile. ]

Humour me one of these days, or I'll drag you along without giving you a choice!

[Excuse you, Rin, he's not precious, he's...! Okay, maybe he's not manly as hell, but the sentiment stands...!

(No offense taken...)]

Y - Yeah, I guess that's true. [His expression sets into a small frown. His only concern is that it's not just he hasn't practiced or learned it. He'd learned to fight and to kill since he was young, the same as Rin, and it had never "clicked." He froze up then, and he froze up now. It didn't give him any reason to think that would ever change.

But humoring Rin... that might help. Maybe.

Keisuke lifts a hand in farewell, pausing before replying,] Okay... if you say so...!

[And Rin leaves Keisuke alone. He pauses a moment, thoughtfully, before going to tidy things up and put them in the right places. Rin always ends up arriving and leaving like a hurricane.]

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IC INBOX: INUGAMI

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I CAN'T BELIEVE RIN OMG...

APOLOGIZES FOR HIM FOREVER...

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