[ 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]
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realpolitik2023-07-06 07:31 pm
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]