[DM POST]

[xyzai]

DM TO YUKIMURA-SAN
Your argument isn’t my business and I’m not messaging you to butt in — just if you’re going to get into shit with Sanada-san before a quarterfinal match, at least screen it. Your kouhai brought you with him for support — do better.


DM TO SANADA-SAN
Your argument isn’t any of my business, but Akaya should not have to see that from his senpai before a quarterfinal match. Do you understand the screening function? If not, I will send you screenshots. Learn it.


TEXT TO AKAYA
You’re getting electric guitar for this match — any requests?

Comments

[call]

[knuckling]

[akaya lets out a breathy laugh.] Yeah. I've gotta wait 'til this blows over before that, anyway. No way he's gonna listen to me right now, but. Y'know. I'll remind him sometime.

[listening to the meandering music trail again, akaya smiles to himself, waiting for a small gap in the notes before speaking.] Stressin' out over something unfair isn't really helpful either, huh.

Re: [call]

[xyzai]

[Zaizen's light, wandering string of music agrees with Akaya.

After he hears and processes, he says in his informal Osaka drawl] ...There is something you can do, though.

[call]

[knuckling]

[akaya's happy to just listen. he's already feeling a lot better.] Yeah? What's that?

Re: [call]

[xyzai]

[The already soft music crawls into diminuendo for Zaizen's words]

You've fought to the quarterfinals.

You deserve to be there.

Play the kind of game that recognizes that and shuts everyone the. fuck. up.

[call]

[knuckling]

[there's a beat of total silence before akaya starts laughing, really laughing. it's not mocking, or anything, just surprise and... well, zaizen actually has cheered him up.]

You're right! Of course! I'm gonna take this whole thing!

[a chuckle, and exhale.] Hey, Hikaru?

Re: [call]

[xyzai]

[The notes resume sparse and warm with Akaya's laughter, as if joining him. There's no real way to tell over the phone, but he's smiling the barest bit]

Yeah?

[call]

[knuckling]

...thanks? Thanks. I needed that.

[pause.]

Careful though, keep this up and you might grow a whole emotion.

Re: [call]

[xyzai]

[The word thanks make his fingers stumble a bit, the sounds standing out slightly from his tune.]

...If you tell anyone, I will air your tekken secrets.

[call]

[knuckling]

[akaya barely restrains a giggle at the obvious falter. typical.]

There's no secrets if everyone already thinks I suck. But don't worry, this stays between us.

Re: [call]

[xyzai]

Good. [Zaizen says, recovering from the super rude but actually sort of nice thanks] Now go terrorize some Americans.

[He means on the court but Akaya can interpret this however he pleases]

[call]

[knuckling]

You got it. [if this had been a video call, he's have saluted.] I expect that music video in my messages by 7pm sharp.

Re: [call]

[xyzai]

[Satisfied, Zaizen drawls]

I always deliver -- so make it good.

[call]

[knuckling]

Have a little faith, man.

[he stands, ready to now figure out where he is and how to get back to the appropriate floor.]

Gotta find my damn room now.

Re: [call]

[xyzai]

Yeah, good luck with that [he says at a good natured drawl] See you on TV

[hangs up]

[call]

[knuckling]

Yeah. Talk to you later.

[as zaizen hangs up, akaya finds that he is actually on the fourth floor. he goes to the elevator instead of taking the stairs this time.]