mixingbowl | Good friends are those who stick together

Ah, Hikaru-kun and Yuuto-kun? [He claps his hands together, easily distracted by Yuuri's question. How's he to deny his idol of any answers?] They're doing pretty good, last I checked! I did text Hikaru-kun earlier today but he hasn't replied yet. He's probably busy! I know he's out somewhere for his vacation, too.

[Kenjirou skips ahead, taking in the cool air now that he's a little less flustered. He then turns around to face Yuuri and walks backwards.]

Ummm, what about you, Yuuri-kun? I mean, you have friends too, right? Unless you try to keep those two things separate. But I can't imagine that with Victor-san...

[The names sound familiar, tickling at his memory of the competition. Yuuri nods along.] Does that mean the three of you are rinkmates?

[Honestly, Phichit had come to mind as soon as he began wondering about Minami's friends, so Yuuri doesn't feel as uncomfortable bringing him up.]

You mean friends who are skaters like us? There's Phichit. He was my rinkmate back in Detroit. [His entire expression softens with fondness for his friend.] My roommate, too. We still facetime whenever our schedules match up.

Viktor... [There's a touch of hesitance now, though he doesn't look any less fond.] He's my coach, but he's my friend, too.

Yeah, that's right!

[But he doesn't bother to go into that too much. He's a lot more interested in Yuuri than he is in himself because he feels he's a little familiar with himself after seventeen years. The fact that Yuuri exists off the ice is something that he still has to digest, really. Kenjirou nods along, hooked onto every word. Yuuri is very happy.]

Oh...

[Something about Yuuri's pause is attention grabbing. Or maybe it's just the whole tone the conversation has suddenly taken. He's not thinking about that pesky breathing business as there's something developing. But Kenjirou's trying to swallow.]

Yuuri-kun's so happy! [It's now that he's actually crying.] There are people out there who want to be with you a lot! I... I'm glad! People see you for what you are!

[Oh my god??? As soon as the tears start flowing, Yuuri has a moment of panic, wondering if he'd said something wrong again. He can see the headlines now: Grand Prix Finals Hopeful Displays Appalling Behavior! Makes Japanese Nationals Champion Cry!

Thankfully, Minami's words cut his visions short before they can get too out of hand. And then Yuuri's left blinking with surprise.]

You... [Yuuri's finding it a little difficult to swallow himself.] Minami-kun, you're crying because you're happy...for me?

Yes! I'm so happy for you, Yuuri-kun! I'm so...so happy! [He sniffed, mustering a smile.] I'm so happy that you can live things out and smile! Yuuri-kun, I... I've watched you skate for years. All I've wanted was to be like you! You've been something that I wanted to follow. But you're more than an idea, Yuuri-kun. You're a person. And knowing that, I've wanted to still be what you are even if I can't be because I'm not Yuuri. I can accept that but I still do this! And I just wanted you to be happy with yourself when you've left the ice. I've seen your face...

[And he is now frowning slightly again.]

You weren't always happy, Yuuri-kun. But you haven't given up. You have friends and you still go out on the ice. And that just means I'll keep looking up to you.

Edited (lol drowning) 2016-12-13 01:13 (UTC)

[Wow. It's all Yuuri can think for a few seconds, overwhelmed by Minami's sentiment as he is. While he's slowly come to realize just how much love and support he's been getting from his family and friends recently, Yuuri wouldn't have ever counted Minami among those people. Until now, perhaps.

There's no getting around it: he's touched that the other skater's been so concerned about him all this time, and yet, he'd practically brushed him off at first.]

Minami-kun... [One hand rests over his own heart, and he can feel it pounding in his chest.] I had no idea you felt that way, that you noticed that much.

It's only natural to notice that sort of stuff, right? I mean, feelings go into skating.

[He rubs at his face and sniffs again. He's definitely already made a scene and there aren't any regrets about it but he feels he said enough to get his point across. Though he might consider crying again since, well, he gets to talk to Yuuri this way. Instead, Kenjirou pins his arms to his sides and leans over in a bow.]

I'm sure a lot of people feel that way, Yuuri-kun! It's just hard to know when it's not like you've met everyone who looks up to you.

Minami-kun, no... [One hand gently tugs him upright, because although Yuuri's probably stepping a few boundaries to do this, he's still got that politeness instilled in him.] You don't need to do that again.

[His expression's just a little conflicted whenever Minami looks up at him again.]

You really think there are...others. Who look up to me because of my skating. [He winces, realizing just then how often people like Phichit and Victor interacted with their fans through their accounts. And yet--] I haven't been paying attention to anyone like that at all. [He says softly, frowning.]

[There's no fighting Yuuri and he does straighten up. But now his brow is furrowed. He should have anticipated this. Yuuri has a reputation, after all, being the skater with the gl-]

Yuuri-kun.

[Now it's his turn to reach out to Yuuri, firmly grabbing onto his arms and leaning up to him.]

What's the point in thinking like that? Even if it's true, what does it matter? You can't be aware of everything! You can make the choice if you want to do that or not, now, you know. Stop looking down on yourself for stuff like that. You're growing. At least acknowledge that.

[It sure is something, being told off like this by someone years younger than him. Yuuri blinks down at Kenjirou, a little stunned at the contact.]

I'm growing. [He says quietly, staying right where he is, instead of shrugging out of Kanjirou's grip like he might have done before. Then, he's smiling wryly.] Viktor said he was disappointed in me, last time. When he saw me close myself off to the other skaters at the Championship. But I'm trying now. I'll get better...at--at this.

Like I said, even if it's true- what's the point in beating yourself up over it?! [He loosens his hold on Yuuri as he's realising what is happening here.] But that's... I guess that's how Yuuri-kun is. It doesn't make you a bad person. And Viktor-san knows that.

[Kenjirou's back on his feet now and one of his hands falls to his side while the other reaches for one of Yuuri's hands. And now he's going to turn away from the guy in favour of trying to drag him along as he begins to run-!]

C'mon, Yuuri-kun! You're here with me right now! You're opening up right now!

Mi-minami-kun?! [The enthusiasm isn't new, but getting dragged along like this definitely is. You'd think he would be used to it after spending so much time with Viktor, but Yuuri occasionally forgets that other people can be just as excitable as Viktor is.

Strangely enough, all the little revelations he's had this morning make it easier to accept someone else's touch like this. He follows along as best he can, without stumbling too much.]

Where are we going?

Huh? Oh...

[Kenjirou comes skidding to a halt with that. Sorry, Yuuri-kun. Hopefully no one is hurt in the making of this moment. He has to quit pretending like he is a lead protagonist.]

I forgot, you have to lead because I don't know what way we're going. [He lets go of Yuuri, finally.] But you're still opening up! Good job!

[It's a close call, but Yuuri manages to avoid crashing into Minami when he abruptly stops in the middle of the street.]

It'd help if I knew where you wanted to go. [Yuuri straightens up, still confused about so many things right now. At least Minami's not lecturing him anymore?] Are we still heading for the arcade?

[You get a thumbs up for being smarter than the average bear, Yuuri.]

Yeah, I think so! But you still have to lead because I have no idea where we are going. Um, I kind of get ahead of myself.

[That's ninety-five percent of the time, actually.]

[The sheer ridiculousness of this situation gets Yuuri to chuckle, not even really upset that he's being dragged around like this.]

The arcade's this way.

[This time, there's little hesitation as he takes the lead, one hand on Kenjirou's shoulder as he steers them in the right direction. Progress!]

O...kay.

[And they're just going to make it there, okay. Because they've been walking forever without getting anywhere and Kenjirou probably cried another two times along the way and there just isn't any time for that. Look at the amazing...ness that is the arcade. Kenjirou's undoing his jacket, that's for sure. It gets hot in those sort of places, you know.]

[Yuuri, on the other hand, simply wanders in, turning this way and that as he studies the games that are available.]

This place hasn't changed much in the last few years.

[He murmurs, stopping just in front of the UFO claw machines. There's a few cute cat stuffed animals in one of them that he thinks Yurio might have liked, if he were still in Hasetsu with them.]

What do you want to try first?

[Right, Yuuri hasn't been at home in a long time. But it's a wonder if he has been to an arcade in a while. Being an adult doesn't make one immune to that sort of thing, right...?]

Well! Yuuri-kun should show off those UFO abilities first, right?! My treat!

[He casually rolls up his sleeves. Super cool.]

[Very cool. Yuuri looks amused as he examines the prizes inside each claw machine, and finally chooses one.]

Don't be disappointed if I don't manage to get something right away. It's been a long time since I've played any of these games.

Huh, huh? It's not always about winning, is it?

[Like skating, right? Granted, some people don't have potential marriages in the danger zone if they don't do their absolute best.]

I said it was my treat so don't sweat it, okay? [He huffs.] I'll only be disappointed if you don't have fun.

[Yuuri looks up at him in surprise, then smiles ruefully.]

Caught me again. You're... [He taps his chin, humming as he thinks of a word.] Surprisingly mature. And very convincing with your words.

Eh?! [He freezes up.] Ummm, sorry, sorry! I'm not trying to be or anything! It's just how it is right? Uh, I'm not really mature or anything...

[Maybe he should be more happy about being called that but he isn't Yuuri cool. He rubs at his face before digging into his pocket for money to hand off to Yuuri.]

Good friends are those who stick together

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SORRY FOR THE DELAY... also kenjirou is so precious

no, you're good! ccc: yuuri is even more precious

<3

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ugh minami...

if only episode twelve yuuri could come in and shake this yuuri

thank god for minami

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