[ While the comment is a little meaner than Itsuki's usual fair, he's at least glad that it gets a laugh out of Suga. But he just can't understand how someone could be cruel to someone like Suga, who has been nothing but kind to him since they first met, who has a calming presence and a cheerful, encouraging smile. Even if it's a misunderstanding, or whatever could have brought on his captain's meanness. ]
Maybe. [ There's a me, too in the subtext of that one word, and understanding.
But he lets out an uncertain hum about Mei, already sleepy eyes drooping further as he looks off to the side. There's no denying that he really does spend a lot of time chasing after Mei, in every way that's possible for the two of them. In terms of skills, feelings, and reining him in. ] He did that, back home. He'd lock himself up in his dorm room. It took a while for him to come back out again.
[ This, though, was different from one of Mei's usual sulks. Itsuki caused it. It takes Suga speaking to him again to really get his attention, and he looks back at him. His expression becomes a little incredulous, but definitely embarrassed, when he says that he matters to Mei. ] ... thanks, Suga-san. I really do appreciate it. This place is still a little - [ he laughs ] It's still overwhelming, sometimes, so it's good to know that there are friends here.
[ Smile soft around the edges in return, he ducks down a little. ] And I can offer the same to you, too. If you ever need somewhere to go, for whatever reason.
It wouldn't be the first time he's done something like that here, either. [ with a little huff of a sigh, caught somewhere between exasperated and fond. by now, he's gotten pretty used to mei's particular brand of dramatic flair, but... sometimes, it's still enough to make him want to pinch the bridge of his nose and Sigh. ] But he's also snapped back pretty quickly, too. Even without a teammate around to give him a good kick in the butt.
[ ... itsuki doesn't exactly seem like the butt-kicking type, but. well. ]
Don't worry. Sometimes I think even I'm still a little overwhelmed, but... you learn to manage. Especially when you've got good friends around.
Which is why I'll definitely keep the offer in mind! [ and his grin turns playful again, tone lilting up into a laugh. ] Mei keeps warning me that I'm going to get sick of Kazuya any minute, so it's probably better to be prepared, huh?
He usually came out of it himself back home, too. We'd try to get him to come out, but only Harada-san, his... last catcher and our old captain... only he could really get him to do much. [ Itsuki squints a little, though. ] He mostly just said to leave him be, though, since it was quieter without him around.
[ He's only a butt-kicking type when the right button gets pressed. Just wait until that happens, Suga. ]
I think sometimes, even if you really like someone, you need a break from them. [ Also, Miyuki embarrasses the hell out of him seamlessly, since. Yeah. That happened. He admires Suga a little for his resilience with both him and Mei, honestly. But he shrugs, a little wobbly due to their proximity but unfazed by how that jostles them. ]
But I don't know what I'd do, if Mei-san wasn't here. Or you, and even Miyuki-san. I've made a few other friends here, but I'm a little less lost now.
[ he bites down on his lower lip to catch another little laugh at that one, twisting just enough to be able to grin up at itsuki. ] Well... I guess Harada-san probably had a point about that one. Mei's just lucky that I like having a little noise around to fill up the place.
But you're right about that, too. [ nestling back up comfortably into itsuki's side. ] That's why I feel a little bad about crashing here sometimes... I don't want Kazuya to feel like I'm suffocating him or something. [ it's been something that he's been chewing over for a while, actually. living together is obviously enough to put a strain on even the best of friendships, and even though things have been smooth so far... ]
Then again! I have you now, right? [ poking him playfully in the ribs. ] You can keep me from being a nuisance, and I'll keep you from feeling lost.
[ Someday, Itsuki is going to learn how to do what Masa does. But right now, it's not possible. Especially right now, when he's still feeling guilty for the Ugumori match, and then what he knows is unwarranted guilt for Mei avoiding him. ] It's okay, a lot of the time. I don't mind so much even if people think I should.
[ And a lot do. But he deflates a little more as Suga nestles against him, sleepy eyes closing as he thinks over that. Especially since he's interacted with Miyuki a little more - even if his greatest encounter with him was... mortifying - and is getting to know Suga. ] I think that Miyuki-san would probably say the same, too. That he doesn't mind the company and noise.
- ah! [ The poke makes him jolt a little, ticklish, but not enough to disturb them much. But he smiles, unoffended. ] That's something that I feel like I need a lot of the time, to be honest, so I'd be happy to make that deal.
[ a little laugh, but it's muffled from his comfy spot. ]
He probably wouldn't say it, but I know what you mean. I think he likes the full apartment a little more than he's been letting on.
[ what a cute reaction...! but itsuki's lucky that suga isn't mean enough to exploit a cute weakness like that, especially not when itsuki has plenty weighing on his shoulders. ] Then we're both set. I'm thinking that we'll make a pretty good team, huh?
He and Mei-san are pretty similar like that. [ Because he's not oblivious in the least bit.
But at least Suga doesn't tickle him more... Itsuki's not sure how well that would end with them all cozied up to one another. After mulling it over, he carefully reaches with his free hand to seek out one of Suga's, much like he'd done the first day they met. ] Well, I can say that I'm not as worried about how things will be, now, so I definitely think we'll be able to handle anything that happens.
You've noticed that, too? [ ducking his chin with a little laugh. ] I think they'd both be better off if they learned how to say how they really feel.
But I'm glad you're feeling a little better. [ with an affectionate little bump of his head against itsuki's shoulder, much as if he were a friendly housecat. ] That means I'm doing my job already!
[ He nods, smiling as Suga laughs. It's a good sound, better than his voice when he was talking about his captain. ] That probably won't happen for a long, long time...
[ Said with a little grimace, even if he huffs a laugh afterwards. He does, he loves Mei, but... he also knows that Mei would never, ever have said the things that he did if he wasn't affected the way he was. So he just rubs his cheek on top of Suga's head, nose scrunching. ] I do appreciate it, Suga-san. You've helped a lot since we first met.
[ If he knew, Itsuki would likely tell him he didn't have to. So it's probably for the best that he remains in the dark until after the fact, if it's ever revealed to him at all. ]
Mm. A team should always be there to support one another. [ There's a sting in the back of his ribs with that, but he just cuddles up with Suga more to drown it out. ]
[ Ducking down a little in the blanket, so that his mouth is hidden and his nose just barely peeks out, Itsuki stares down at the tea that he's left on the table. Because he needs to take a moment, to just... let the words sink in.
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Maybe. [ There's a me, too in the subtext of that one word, and understanding.
But he lets out an uncertain hum about Mei, already sleepy eyes drooping further as he looks off to the side. There's no denying that he really does spend a lot of time chasing after Mei, in every way that's possible for the two of them. In terms of skills, feelings, and reining him in. ] He did that, back home. He'd lock himself up in his dorm room. It took a while for him to come back out again.
[ This, though, was different from one of Mei's usual sulks. Itsuki caused it. It takes Suga speaking to him again to really get his attention, and he looks back at him. His expression becomes a little incredulous, but definitely embarrassed, when he says that he matters to Mei. ] ... thanks, Suga-san. I really do appreciate it. This place is still a little - [ he laughs ] It's still overwhelming, sometimes, so it's good to know that there are friends here.
[ Smile soft around the edges in return, he ducks down a little. ] And I can offer the same to you, too. If you ever need somewhere to go, for whatever reason.
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[ ... itsuki doesn't exactly seem like the butt-kicking type, but. well. ]
Don't worry. Sometimes I think even I'm still a little overwhelmed, but... you learn to manage. Especially when you've got good friends around.
Which is why I'll definitely keep the offer in mind! [ and his grin turns playful again, tone lilting up into a laugh. ] Mei keeps warning me that I'm going to get sick of Kazuya any minute, so it's probably better to be prepared, huh?
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[ He's only a butt-kicking type when the right button gets pressed. Just wait until that happens, Suga. ]
I think sometimes, even if you really like someone, you need a break from them. [ Also, Miyuki embarrasses the hell out of him seamlessly, since. Yeah. That happened. He admires Suga a little for his resilience with both him and Mei, honestly. But he shrugs, a little wobbly due to their proximity but unfazed by how that jostles them. ]
But I don't know what I'd do, if Mei-san wasn't here. Or you, and even Miyuki-san. I've made a few other friends here, but I'm a little less lost now.
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But you're right about that, too. [ nestling back up comfortably into itsuki's side. ] That's why I feel a little bad about crashing here sometimes... I don't want Kazuya to feel like I'm suffocating him or something. [ it's been something that he's been chewing over for a while, actually. living together is obviously enough to put a strain on even the best of friendships, and even though things have been smooth so far... ]
Then again! I have you now, right? [ poking him playfully in the ribs. ] You can keep me from being a nuisance, and I'll keep you from feeling lost.
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[ And a lot do. But he deflates a little more as Suga nestles against him, sleepy eyes closing as he thinks over that. Especially since he's interacted with Miyuki a little more - even if his greatest encounter with him was... mortifying - and is getting to know Suga. ] I think that Miyuki-san would probably say the same, too. That he doesn't mind the company and noise.
- ah! [ The poke makes him jolt a little, ticklish, but not enough to disturb them much. But he smiles, unoffended. ] That's something that I feel like I need a lot of the time, to be honest, so I'd be happy to make that deal.
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He probably wouldn't say it, but I know what you mean. I think he likes the full apartment a little more than he's been letting on.
[ what a cute reaction...! but itsuki's lucky that suga isn't mean enough to exploit a cute weakness like that, especially not when itsuki has plenty weighing on his shoulders. ] Then we're both set. I'm thinking that we'll make a pretty good team, huh?
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He and Mei-san are pretty similar like that. [ Because he's not oblivious in the least bit.
But at least Suga doesn't tickle him more... Itsuki's not sure how well that would end with them all cozied up to one another. After mulling it over, he carefully reaches with his free hand to seek out one of Suga's, much like he'd done the first day they met. ] Well, I can say that I'm not as worried about how things will be, now, so I definitely think we'll be able to handle anything that happens.
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But I'm glad you're feeling a little better. [ with an affectionate little bump of his head against itsuki's shoulder, much as if he were a friendly housecat. ] That means I'm doing my job already!
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[ Said with a little grimace, even if he huffs a laugh afterwards. He does, he loves Mei, but... he also knows that Mei would never, ever have said the things that he did if he wasn't affected the way he was. So he just rubs his cheek on top of Suga's head, nose scrunching. ] I do appreciate it, Suga-san. You've helped a lot since we first met.
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That's what a good team does, right?
[ nosing up into him. ] And I'd really hate to let my teammate down.
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Mm. A team should always be there to support one another. [ There's a sting in the back of his ribs with that, but he just cuddles up with Suga more to drown it out. ]
I'll do my best, Suga-san.
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[ softly, warmly. his gut tells him that it's something itsuki needs to hear. ] You seem like someone I can count on to have my back.
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He really doesn't hear that very often. ]
You, too. I'm glad that we got to meet.