pullmeoutalive | Model Idol Combi

[... Yepp, he can see it in her eyes. So it's probably not a good idea to bring it up now.]

--Never mind! So which café did you want to go to? There's a small one not too far from here that I've wanted to try for a while.

... Kise.

[ she's just going to look at him. ]

[...

... Sigh.]

I guess I can't fool you, Kikuchi-san. [He stands with a light bounce, stretching out his leg once more.] I think I can explain it well enough to Captain and Coach, but...

[He takes a breath.]

I can't afford to take a rest right now. If I slack off at all for the Winter Cup, I'll lose.

[ her expression goes flat, eyebrows drawing together and eyes darkening. She'd expected this, but hearing it doesn't make it any better. ]

So you're going to keep pushing yourself.

I... [He really didn't want to have to deal with that expression...] Kikuchi-san, you're being really nice worrying for me.

[It isn't so much hesitation as it is trying to piece the words together that makes him pause. He knows exactly what he feels, but with her, he feels like he should chew on his words more.]

But I can't let my team down. I know I said I'll lose, but it's more like we'll all lose. And I really don't want that to happen again.

You don't think they'll keep training while you're resting, to help support you? You don't think if you overdo it, you'll strain yourself too much and you'll be even worse off for the Winter Cup? [ her voice is steadily climbing, and she isn't nice, she's upset, and she gets it, but that's exactly why she doesn't like this idea at all. ] It's not 'slacking off', Kise, it's rebuilding your strength!

[Her words have a bit of truth in them, and maybe they sting because of that.

He knows that his team will support him no matter what; they'll kick him and lecture him, but at the end of the day they'll be the ones picking him up when he needs it.

And that's exactly why he can't do that.]

I know my limits better than anyone. I'll be fine. [He smiles. It's dazzling as always, but this one is also trying to get her to calm down and realize that he's already made his decision.]

[ she doesn't look comforted by his smile, as nice as it is. Yes, he knows his limits, but if he's anything like her - and he is - knowing your limits and actually stopping when you hit them are two separate things.

But she remembers pain, and she remembers hearing the others yelling her name, pleading-- and Makoto would have died before she let them down. So to argue too much would be hypocritical, much as she hates it. It would be pointless, anyway. His resolve is there, as tangible as the guy himself was.

So Makoto sighs, but then frowns up at him. ]

Then let me help you until your game.

Huh?

[He's honestly baffled. Help him? Was she coming to his game to cheer for him? No, she'd said until that point so...

Huh?]

Does that mean you're coming to watch?

I said help, didn't I? I've got some experience with injuries, and you're going to have to keep massaging your leg.

[Eh?]

--Wait, Kikuchi-san, you don't need to do that! I can do them myself, and it'd be too much of a bother for you to come down and do that all the time.

If I didn't think I could do it, I wouldn't say anything. But I can, so I'm going to help.

[ fight her. ]

But-- [damn.

It's really not that he doesn't appreciate her support. But offering to do that when she has other work to do... He gets busy too so he knows how it can get, and those days you don't have much time or energy to do much else than collapse in bed. But she's determined to do what he can easily take care of himself.

She's really...]

... Kikuchi-san, you're really nice... [A sigh of defeat...?] But I can't let you do that. I appreciate it but it's my injury so I'll be the one taking responsibility.

[Oh no, nvm.]

Edited 2012-10-06 07:30 (UTC)

[ this should probably be the point where she caves and lets him handle it himself.

But Makoto is incredibly stubborn when it comes down to it, and she only straightens up and looks at him steadily. ]

You already asked me to keep it a secret, Kise. If you can trust me to do that much, then let me do this in exchange! I can't just go around pretending that everything's okay!

I'm not! It's not like I'm not trying to push you away, I'm really thankful for all this, but I don't-- [Oh, when did he start raising his voice?] Ah, sorry...

[He takes a moment to try to patch up the mistake.]

Um I really do appreciate this... [Makoto might be earnest, but Kise can be just as earnest right back.] But I don't want to trouble you with so much when you're already busy with your work. You have a live soon, right? There's no way you have time to come visit me when you have to practice.

[And as flighty as he might seem sometimes, he's already figured out what kind of person she is.]

And before you say you can do it, I trust you to keep it a secret and try your best. [He grins.] 'Sides, there's really no way I can lose with so many people supporting me.

But...

[ it's only a single word, but in it is packed a whole lot of meaning. I don't want you hurting yourself more. That's too much to do on your own when no one else knows. Why can't I help, when you helped me this much?

She droops a little. ]

[And when he notices, he droops a little too. Maybe he hadn't said that right.]

... I guess I'm not too good with things like this.

[He'd always done his best to treat girls equally and nicely. But Kikuchi-san was different. Probably because she acted more like a guy than a girl, but he'd gotten used to it and started leaning on her before he knew it. And he'd liked that.

But]

But, if you have the time, I couldn't turn you away. [He tries to laugh though it's pretty obvious that it's nervous laughter and not anything meant to lift the mood.] Moriyama-senpai will be jealous if he hears I got a massage from an idol--

I always have the time for my friends! [ except when she doesn't and then Haruka is sad and bad things happen to good producers but you know what, it's a learning experience. ] It wouldn't feel right if I didn't at least try to help out, anyway... and I want to see you win for sure, Kise.

[Blink.

Haha, what is this? She's really a good friend...]

Thanks. [It's just one word but it has all of his sincerity in it.] I'm glad I got to know you, Kikuchi-san. So I'll make sure it's a good match!

You would've done that anyway, right? I know you'll fight for it.

Hm? Ah, was that really obvious? [Wink wink.] That's true though. It wouldn't be a match if I didn't.

You're kind of like me-- ah, I mean, you're way better at basketball than I am, but I wouldn't want to hold back either!

It wouldn't be you if you did, right? You're really good at getting fired up! [This is a compliment okay.] Now that I think about it, I hope our opponents are all like you!

[ oh no Kise don't make her blush. ]

Aaah, but then I'd want to be out there on the court, too!

[Making girls blush is his specialty though.]

Hmm, then how about a one-on-one after the café? It won't be the same but I could try to make up for it.

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