BUT ANYWAY. That Monday, Akihiko has a few things to take care of after school, mostly just making sure the boxing team is settled. He doesn't have practice with them until Tuesday but being the captain, there's things he's needed for every day of the week.
Once that's all squared away, he texts Minato to meet him in front of the school and that's where Minato will find him waiting. There's a few girls in front of him, asking about his plans and other things but he's mostly ignoring them since they're giving him a headache. When he spots Minato, he perks up and gives a wave, moving past the girls to approach his kouhai. ]
[Akihiko's fan club... Minato just kind of blinks at them as they giggle and whisper behind their hands, and then shakes his head a bit to himself. He can kind of see why Akihiko has one, honestly. His senpai is pretty cool...
... anyway.]
It was fine. Pretty average, honestly. [Slept through most of it, couldn't say what he learned in math class.]
Were you able to get all of your errands done and everything?
[ Akihiko would be the first to deny he's pretty anything, especially cool. All he wants to be is strong! That's it! And these girls don't get it so they're not worth his time, of course.
You know who is worth his time? Minato. And that's why he's listening attentively to what he says. If he knew he slept through class though, Minato would absolutely be getting a scolding. Thank goodness Akihiko doesn't know. ]
Yeah. Just some prep for practice tomorrow with the boxing team. We've been training pretty hard for our next meet.
[ He'll beckon for Minato to follow him as well, starting to lead them towards the front gates of the school. ]
[And, of course, he follows obediently, hands tucked into his pockets casually as he does. His charm is not yet high enough to attract any of the fangirls' attention. He has to drink more coffee first.
Regardless...!!]
It feels like you're always training pretty hard, senpai.
[ Drink your coffee, Minato. And then maybe you can take some of the fangirls off his hands. As it is, they definitely break into whispers when Akihiko walks off with Minato, shooting him some glares in the process. Sorry............
Akihiko nods at the assessment though, feeling proud of that fact over anything else. ]
I want to be prepared for anything, be it Shadows or anything else. The stronger I get, the better.
And look... don't worry about it. If this was Shinji, Akihiko would say something in response like "I'll take it easy when I'm dead" but he doesn't think Minato would appreciate that sentiment as much. ]
I... am. Here and there, when I need to. I know the importance of rest between bouts.
[ Their social link is just not high enough yet. They'll get there, they'll get there. ]
Which I'm grateful for. I've never felt this strong before in my life, I'm really reaching new limits the more we fight the Shadows and I really can't thank you enough for it.
[ He's so PUMPED. He's so STRONG. He's getting STRONGER. It's fucking GREAT. ]
[ There's a noise of disagreement there from Akihiko. ]
You're our field leader, aren't you? You can take some credit there for the help you're giving me, I wouldn't be fighting this much if it weren't for you.
[ He says it very matter of factly. Minato should learn to accept his role in this, he thinks. ]
We'd be directionless without you. It's really nice to have someone so reliable to rely upon, even if you are my junior.
[ Akihiko glances sidelong at Minato when he senses his quiet and can't help but smile slightly at his thanks. It has Akihiko reaching out to pat his head genially before pulling his hand back and looking alert again. ]
Yeah, we're almost there too. Just another block or so, I didn't want to be too far from the school when I was picking a gym.
Minato can't remember the last time someone patted him on the head like that, which is why, even though it was brief and simple, Minato can't help but stare at Akihiko under slightly mussed bangs, eyes wide and cheeks slightly red.]
[ Akihiko truly doesn't notice or realize the impact of his motion. It just seemed right, to pat Minato's head and show his care for him in that way. Just seemed natural, really. And thankfully, Minato's own embarrassment lasts very briefly so Akihiko isn't able to catch on either.
At his words though, Akihiko laughs. People, jealous of Minato?? Why would they ever be jealous! (Akihiko really is oblivious.) ]
They won't be jealous when they realize just how hard I'm going to work you. We're not leaving the gym until I approve of your stance, and I can be pretty critical about these type of things.
[ Oh... right, dinner. Akihiko seems to consider this a little, debating whether or not to let Minato free at dinner time or not. Then again, if he makes him skip a meal, it'll be bad for his routine and thus bad for learning how to box properly.
[HE IS SO BENEVOLENT. Minato was afraid for a moment as the silence dragged on that Akihiko was going to suggest they work out straight through dinner. And Minato would've done it because he's a doormat, but he would have been very sad about it.
But!
It's fine!
He has a benevolent senpai.
Also now he's distracted by thoughts of dinner.]
Should we grab dinner at the strip mall after this?
[ Focus! Akihiko shakes his head free of ramen as well and nods when Minato says they need to start. They've approached the front door of the gym now and Akihiko just grins, beckoning for Minato to follow him. ]
First, we get in gym clothes. I hope you brought yours but I have a spare if you need.
[ He'll guide Minato to the front desk, checking him in as a visitor before leading him towards the locker room. He's clearly done this a million times with the ease he does it and the way some of the regulars give him a wave. ]
And he sure is serious about it!! He's going to become the strongest.
He'll lead Minato to the locker room and when they reach a row of empty lockers, he'll drop his bag down and start pulling off his clothes to change. ]
Mostly, if not that every other day. It's all about routine, after all.
[ Akihiko just shrugs because for him, it's just what he needs to do. It makes sense. It wouldn't be right if he wasn't going to the gym, wasn't training every day. He needs to do it.
So, while he changes, he explains that much. ]
I don't expect anyone else to be held to the same standards I hold for myself. You see dedication, I see purpose. I have to do this.
[ Because he has to be stronger. ]
And you're not going to slow me down. I invited you, remember?
[ Yes, please don't harsh the training vibe with some armchair psychoanalysis. That would be bad. ]
Yup! Feel free to grab any of the lockers, I just usually use this one.
[ Akihiko gestures to the locker he's been changing in front of. He's already shirtless and is digging into his bag to find his gym pants and shirt. He's going to continue changing now, shucking his pants and swapping for his gym clothes. ]
[Senpai is so comfy with all of this... well, Minato's on a sports team, so it's not that strange for him either. He'll pick a locker as well, digging out his own gym clothes so he can start getting changed.
Once he's all swapped over properly, he moves back over to Akira, head tilting in curiosity.]
So the third year gym uniforms are exactly the same, huh... [why would they have changed, Minato]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
messianic) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
realpolitik2023-07-06 07:31 pm
no subject
So he just nods easily, offering Akihiko a very linefaced thumbs up.]
Sounds good to me. I'll meet you at the school gate after school then.
[hit me with a timeskip, I'm gonna make you do it.]
no subject
BUT ANYWAY. That Monday, Akihiko has a few things to take care of after school, mostly just making sure the boxing team is settled. He doesn't have practice with them until Tuesday but being the captain, there's things he's needed for every day of the week.
Once that's all squared away, he texts Minato to meet him in front of the school and that's where Minato will find him waiting. There's a few girls in front of him, asking about his plans and other things but he's mostly ignoring them since they're giving him a headache. When he spots Minato, he perks up and gives a wave, moving past the girls to approach his kouhai. ]
Hey, Minato. Good to see you. How was class?
no subject
... anyway.]
It was fine. Pretty average, honestly. [Slept through most of it, couldn't say what he learned in math class.]
Were you able to get all of your errands done and everything?
no subject
You know who is worth his time? Minato. And that's why he's listening attentively to what he says. If he knew he slept through class though, Minato would absolutely be getting a scolding. Thank goodness Akihiko doesn't know. ]
Yeah. Just some prep for practice tomorrow with the boxing team. We've been training pretty hard for our next meet.
[ He'll beckon for Minato to follow him as well, starting to lead them towards the front gates of the school. ]
no subject
Regardless...!!]
It feels like you're always training pretty hard, senpai.
no subject
Akihiko nods at the assessment though, feeling proud of that fact over anything else. ]
I want to be prepared for anything, be it Shadows or anything else. The stronger I get, the better.
no subject
Still, that's... a lot. Senpai that's a lot!]
I see... Still, that sounds like a lot of work. I hope you're taking it easy sometimes too, though.
no subject
And look... don't worry about it. If this was Shinji, Akihiko would say something in response like "I'll take it easy when I'm dead" but he doesn't think Minato would appreciate that sentiment as much. ]
I... am. Here and there, when I need to. I know the importance of rest between bouts.
no subject
Also that'd be so concerning... as it is, he looks a little skeptical, but not completely disbelieving.
He's doing his best, but he doesn't know Akihiko too well yet.
Things he needs to improve on, he's realizing...!]
... Okay. If you say so, then... I'm glad to hear that. I know we count on you a lot in Tartarus, so...
no subject
Which I'm grateful for. I've never felt this strong before in my life, I'm really reaching new limits the more we fight the Shadows and I really can't thank you enough for it.
[ He's so PUMPED. He's so STRONG. He's getting STRONGER. It's fucking GREAT. ]
no subject
You don't have to thank me for that.
[Minato just shakes his head at that, tucking his hands into his pockets casually as they walk.]
Everyone's getting stronger through their own efforts, right?
[Still, he's glad Akihiko is pumped about it.]
no subject
You're our field leader, aren't you? You can take some credit there for the help you're giving me, I wouldn't be fighting this much if it weren't for you.
[ He says it very matter of factly. Minato should learn to accept his role in this, he thinks. ]
We'd be directionless without you. It's really nice to have someone so reliable to rely upon, even if you are my junior.
no subject
Minato's quiet for a moment, a little overcome--and then he dips his head. He's not good at accepting credit or praise, but...
Softly:]
... Thanks, Senpai. I'll do my best to stay as reliable as I can.
This is... part of that, I guess. Learning how to use more weapons properly.
no subject
Yeah, we're almost there too. Just another block or so, I didn't want to be too far from the school when I was picking a gym.
1/2
hello???
Hello?????
Minato can't remember the last time someone patted him on the head like that, which is why, even though it was brief and simple, Minato can't help but stare at Akihiko under slightly mussed bangs, eyes wide and cheeks slightly red.]
2/2
R-right. That makes sense. I'm ready to learn everything I can from you, senpai. Everyone's gonna be really jealous that I got to.
no subject
At his words though, Akihiko laughs. People, jealous of Minato?? Why would they ever be jealous! (Akihiko really is oblivious.) ]
They won't be jealous when they realize just how hard I'm going to work you. We're not leaving the gym until I approve of your stance, and I can be pretty critical about these type of things.
no subject
Also those words are a little... concerning... Minato might be a good leader, but he is still very lazy. Help.]
Ah...
[... Oh no.]
Unless it's time for dinner, right?
[RIGHT??]
no subject
Alright, fine. ]
Okay, we'll stop at dinner, sure.
[ A sage nod here. He is so benevolent. ]
no subject
But!
It's fine!
He has a benevolent senpai.
Also now he's distracted by thoughts of dinner.]
Should we grab dinner at the strip mall after this?
[Minato, training first, then dinner.]
no subject
Except even Akihiko is weak to the thoughts of — ]
Hagakure?
[ Because listen, he is a teenage boy who loves ramen as much as the next teenage boy who loves ramen. He can't help himself!! ]
no subject
That sounds perfect.
[Okay, Minato, now focus.]
... Guess that means we should get started, right? [... he has no idea where to start.]
no subject
First, we get in gym clothes. I hope you brought yours but I have a spare if you need.
[ He'll guide Minato to the front desk, checking him in as a visitor before leading him towards the locker room. He's clearly done this a million times with the ease he does it and the way some of the regulars give him a wave. ]
no subject
[thank goodness, how embarrassing it would be to have to wear senpai's spares....
But also, wow... Akihiko is really serious about his training, isn't he? Minato knew this, of course, but it's different to see it first hand.]
... Do you come here every day, senpai?
no subject
And he sure is serious about it!! He's going to become the strongest.
He'll lead Minato to the locker room and when they reach a row of empty lockers, he'll drop his bag down and start pulling off his clothes to change. ]
Mostly, if not that every other day. It's all about routine, after all.
no subject
[... Akihiko is so...]
You're so dedicated. [it makes him feel like such a slacker!!]
Are you sure me being here isn't going to slow you down or anything?
no subject
So, while he changes, he explains that much. ]
I don't expect anyone else to be held to the same standards I hold for myself. You see dedication, I see purpose. I have to do this.
[ Because he has to be stronger. ]
And you're not going to slow me down. I invited you, remember?
no subject
But he doesn't have the time to dig into that, not when they've got ~training~ to do.]
Mm, okay. Then... I'll just do my best to keep up.
[Yeah!!!]
I guess we should get changed and get started, right?
no subject
Yup! Feel free to grab any of the lockers, I just usually use this one.
[ Akihiko gestures to the locker he's been changing in front of. He's already shirtless and is digging into his bag to find his gym pants and shirt. He's going to continue changing now, shucking his pants and swapping for his gym clothes. ]
no subject
Once he's all swapped over properly, he moves back over to Akira, head tilting in curiosity.]
So the third year gym uniforms are exactly the same, huh... [why would they have changed, Minato]