InuKai
For 
disutansu's Promoting InuKai Love day.
These are really normal things that have a G rating, I think.
Yep.
Kaidoh doesn't run screaming from the room. He's never been to Inui-sempai's bedroom back at home before, but now, standing at the mouth of the room they're to share for the rest of the semester, he can imagine what it might look like.
Inui-sempai's done his best. Having moved in a day earlier, he's settled down on one side of the room first, and made efforts to feel at home, while ensuring that Kaidoh will be comfortable, as well. Books, papers, and dog-eared tennis magazines everywhere have obviously been gathered into armloads and forced to line up untidily against the wall to clear a path for Kaidoh to wade through. Kaidoh can see books threatening to spill from heaps on Inui-sempai's table, onto which they've been hurriedly and unceremoniously shovelled. There are a few faint pencil markings near the head of Inui's bed, and might that be...yes, there's a faint odour in the air, reminiscent of...of what Kaidoh would imagine decaying socks to smell like, not that he's had much chance to catch a whiff of that odour anywhere (except, perhaps, from Momoshiro's locker). On second sniff, it's most definitely something bordering on days-old fish tails; but it vanishes as Inui-sempai, perceptively, leaps with ease over a stray pen lying in wait in the middle of the floor, and unlatches the window, letting in a welcome gust of fresh air.
The idea to share a room had originated from Inui, of course: "It might be a good idea if we become room mates when you enter university." Kaidoh, used to accepting various training menus accompanied by clear explanations of the wherefores and logic behind them, had waited for Inui-sempai to calmly state his rationale for the suggestion, and then grown vaguely uneasy after the too-long pause, before realising that Inui-sempai was eyeing him with what could possibly be a little trepidation; which meant that Inui-sempai was probably waiting for him to assent.
No harm in agreeing, Kaidoh had decided, since it was probably data-tennis-related. And so, although his decision had snagged on a corner of his mind, he shook his head quickly to free it, and answered briefly, "Okay then." But even those words caught in his throat, and he couldn't help blurting out: "Won't it bother you..." Inui-sempai planned his training schedules, of course, and they went on runs even now, whenever possible--but Kaidoh was used to his own ways. To little things, such as waking up a little earlier than most humans on particular days so that he could pound the streets undisturbed and reach his destination by the time the sky grew light. Inui-sempai might not, for instance, be accustomed to such early hours, although he no doubt possessed an almost inhuman drive. (Who knows, perhaps Inui-sempai himself woke up at unearthly hours.)
Inui-sempai had looked puzzled. "Bother me...?" Still no explanation, and a quick glance at Inui-sempai's face had confirmed that there was definitely a gleam of relief reflected in Inui-sempai's glasses.
"...never mind."
Somehow, perhaps through a combination of strong academic and sports records and other such matters that matter to the powers that be, Inui has wrangled it such that he and Kaidoh will share one of the best double rooms. (In fact, the mere fact that they have coincidentally ended up rooming with one another instead of being subject to the whims of a balloting system would be more surprising if not for the rumour circulating months before the room-allocation date that Inui has been hunting for a roommate-cum-new-test-subject-for-concoc
Strange smells and suspicious near-messes aside, Kaidoh feels at ease soon enough. Their tables are back-to-back; their beds separated by a wide channel which is, for now, fairly empty. He can safely store his steam-ironed bandannas in one of the drawers, stack his books carefully at one end of his desk, and arrange his paperweights (one handmade by Hazue) and stationery at the other end. Inui-sempai, after ensuring that all's well, sinks into a pool of silence interrupted by occasional rustlings of paper or the slam of a book hitting the floor followed by an absent-minded apology.
At half-past four, Kaidoh's ready for a run. To his surprise, Inui-sempai says, "I'm afraid I'm not joining you today," and gives few pointers on any preferred routes. (The University's always been too far from home for Kaidoh to travel across to it for training sessions with Inui-sempai; it's always been the reverse, for convenience's sake, and Inui-sempai is familiar with the routes at home, naturally--while the same cannot be said for Kaidoh and the university.)
When Kaidoh shuts the door, Inui makes a note of the time.
---
Inui's mildly surprised to find himself a little nervous, even hesitant, when Kaidoh finally enters the room they're to share for the semester.
Fortunately, Kaidoh doesn't run screaming from the room; that would have ruined the plan.
Neither had he fled screaming from the plan. Inui had generated a list of probable responses before phrasing the issue as delicately as possible (Kaidoh, I was considering that it might be a good idea if we become room mates when you enter university...). There had, naturally, been a high likelihood that Kaidoh would agree without too much hesitation. It wasn't as if Inui had expected Kaidoh to embrace the notion with resounding enthusiasm...so, of course, Inui wasn't too disappointed when Kaidoh had merely answered, "Okay, then," after processing it for the required length of time (which appeared to be 10 seconds, from which time lapse Inui inferred that Kaidoh considered it neither a hassle nor a dubious venture). 10 seconds was a good time. Yes. Whatever it might mean. (6 seconds might have been better? inquires a silent voice. And what about when Kaidoh shook his head? The 1.5% probability had loomed large in Inui's brain then.)
In no way is this a dubious venture, however. What better way, after all, of ensuring that Kaidoh has the Perfect Training Menu, than sharing a room with Kaidoh, clocking in fresh, flawless data, then recomputing it when necessary (as will be inevitable), all based on interactions and observations of Kaidoh. Inui has been to Kaidoh's house--has set out certain dietary requirements and restrictions and recommendations--has made copious notes on Kaidoh's (and everyone else's) movements and specialties and preferences--even and especially during the school vacation and public holidays. But this is quite, quite different, and perfect.
Strangely, it had been difficult to get the actual justification out initially, but when it was offered, Kaidoh absorbed the explanation without much objection. The only worry had been raised long before the explanation, i.e. "Wouldn't it bother you...?" Which problem had never occurred to Inui to really be an Issue, until Inui recalled with despair the impeccable state of Kaidoh's room at home, just five minutes before he was supposed to meet Kaidoh.
Kaidoh appears to be taking things fairly well, though. The run at half-past four is one dictated by a schedule which Inui knows by heart, not by the desire to flee from the room. (Could it be that I'm thinking too much, Inui considers, but then that would raise the query, Thinking too much about what? About having a room mate to wallow in this? which will, in turn, direct him to a big tangle in his mind which he will sort out in a second, once he somehow extracts this sheet of paper from under that pile of books, because if he's done it before and dropped only one book in the process, surely he can do it again.)
Untidiness, while frowned upon by Kaidoh in relation to his own affairs, might not be entirely unsettling or harmful to Kaidoh's state of mind where it is in relation to Inui and where it is kept within tolerable boundaries. Inui files this away under List #34 of Personal Matters while waiting for Kaidoh to return.
Three hours later, Inui stops eyeing the space where the cactus gift from Fuji used to sit (before Fuji reclaimed it when it started showing signs of withering), and starts wondering if he should have given more recommendations for paths to be taken. The original idea had been to let Kaidoh choose his own path, find out what it was, plan the ideal training route together, et cetera. There are particular roads which Inui favours, and those back-of-the-hand areas which he is endlessly familiar with, but there's always more fun to be had in exploration, and Kaidoh will probably discover all the more difficult routes, the longer turns. There's so much more room for development...It's better for Kaidoh to experiment on the first day...
...and that had all sounded so good until now. Three hours, it's dark, and to be late for dinner, for anyone who's been running for hours, and for Kaidoh to be late, that would be unthinka...
...It's funny how this should be bothering him, since it can only mean unmined data waiting to be teased apart. That must be the difference between having someone as a junior living his own separate life under a separate roof, and having the same person as a room mate. Strange sensation...
There's a key turning in the knob, and after a startled silence in which Inui swivels in his chair so fast it squeaks and almost shoots backwards, Kaidoh says, "I'm back." There's a faint pinkness in his cheeks; probably an encounter with a kitten, and Inui registers this without really thinking, because now he's on his feet, echoing, "You're back." And, because it's more important than data, or training, "Let's have dinner," then, irrepressibly, out of habit, "Which route did you take? Let's go tomorrow."
Tomorrow they'll take three hours, or all the time. The semester is long, and it's just beginning; and later, when they're ready to leave for dinner downstairs, Inui realises that Kaidoh hasn't said a word about the impending avalanche of research notes hovering on the brink of his desk. Kaidoh's glance must be carefully avoiding it, and Kaidoh would never neaten it, since he must think that Inui-sempai has his own method in his mess--and Inui records a small significant reminder in his mind to start the tedious process of straightening his things just a little bit more, and a bit more regularly.
---
The END:
This story is over.
Or, The QUARTERWAY-THROUGH:
This story will go on, unwritten...
*Please ignore the fact that if Kaidoh goes to university, then he'll be at his best tennis form in the middle of university. ...Also, assume Kaidoh wasn't subjected to any orientation activities of an embarrasing nature on the first day, because if there were any, Kaidoh hissed in surprise when approached, and scared all the orientation leaders into thinking he was highly disagreeable and such. And everyone knows he's in tennis so no one will shove him a leaflet to join, say, THE PET SOCIETY ;_;
I think that if Kaidoh went for those orientation fairs, he'd definitely end up taking all the leaflets offered by braver people, and then he'd be stuck with a gazillion things and trip and drop them and scare a bunch of people ;_; and then end up going running anyway...
ETA: Oh my goodness, an error. If Inui just moved in yesterday, there shouldn't be an empty space for a cactus...! Sadness. OTL.
*
On account of my writing too many reflective rubbish things, let's have more direct speech.
Conversation #31: Turtle
Inui: "Do you have any pets?"
Kaidoh: "....no."
Inui: "Would you like a rabbit? Or a cat"
Kaidoh: (cheeks pink)".................But I would be away at school or training most of the time and my mother would have to take care..."
Inui: "I see. It would be too much trouble for your family..."
Kaidoh: "........"
Inui: "........."
(Sometimes an eyeball will roll back at him contemplatively, as if to say, "This is for data?" but Kaidoh always replies dutifully. Unlike Echizen, who's apt to reply with a smirk and lowering of his cap, "Hm, Inui-sempai, collecting new data?" before being pounced upon and knuckled on the head for being not cute, not cute at all, by which time there's no time left to gather data.)
Conversations #76: Prince of Volleyball
Inui: "If you could play another sport..."
Kaidoh: "No."
Inui: "Well, there's a possibility...Ability in one field of sports may be well applied to another field..."
Kaidoh: "I like tennis."
Inui: "I see."
(Or suppositions, just for fun.)
Conversation #160: Rock 54
Inui: "If you could play a musical instrument..."
Kaidoh: "?"
Inui: "If you could play a musical instrument, what would you play?"
Kaidoh: (eyeball)"......................bass."
Inui: "Oh?"
Kaidoh: "...mother thinks it sounds nice..."
Inui: "Oh."
(Or, just like this...)
Conversation #450: Sunset by the canal
Inui: "Nice."
Kaidoh: "Ah."
disutansu's Promoting InuKai Love day.These are really normal things that have a G rating, I think.
Yep.
Kaidoh doesn't run screaming from the room. He's never been to Inui-sempai's bedroom back at home before, but now, standing at the mouth of the room they're to share for the rest of the semester, he can imagine what it might look like.
Inui-sempai's done his best. Having moved in a day earlier, he's settled down on one side of the room first, and made efforts to feel at home, while ensuring that Kaidoh will be comfortable, as well. Books, papers, and dog-eared tennis magazines everywhere have obviously been gathered into armloads and forced to line up untidily against the wall to clear a path for Kaidoh to wade through. Kaidoh can see books threatening to spill from heaps on Inui-sempai's table, onto which they've been hurriedly and unceremoniously shovelled. There are a few faint pencil markings near the head of Inui's bed, and might that be...yes, there's a faint odour in the air, reminiscent of...of what Kaidoh would imagine decaying socks to smell like, not that he's had much chance to catch a whiff of that odour anywhere (except, perhaps, from Momoshiro's locker). On second sniff, it's most definitely something bordering on days-old fish tails; but it vanishes as Inui-sempai, perceptively, leaps with ease over a stray pen lying in wait in the middle of the floor, and unlatches the window, letting in a welcome gust of fresh air.
The idea to share a room had originated from Inui, of course: "It might be a good idea if we become room mates when you enter university." Kaidoh, used to accepting various training menus accompanied by clear explanations of the wherefores and logic behind them, had waited for Inui-sempai to calmly state his rationale for the suggestion, and then grown vaguely uneasy after the too-long pause, before realising that Inui-sempai was eyeing him with what could possibly be a little trepidation; which meant that Inui-sempai was probably waiting for him to assent.
No harm in agreeing, Kaidoh had decided, since it was probably data-tennis-related. And so, although his decision had snagged on a corner of his mind, he shook his head quickly to free it, and answered briefly, "Okay then." But even those words caught in his throat, and he couldn't help blurting out: "Won't it bother you..." Inui-sempai planned his training schedules, of course, and they went on runs even now, whenever possible--but Kaidoh was used to his own ways. To little things, such as waking up a little earlier than most humans on particular days so that he could pound the streets undisturbed and reach his destination by the time the sky grew light. Inui-sempai might not, for instance, be accustomed to such early hours, although he no doubt possessed an almost inhuman drive. (Who knows, perhaps Inui-sempai himself woke up at unearthly hours.)
Inui-sempai had looked puzzled. "Bother me...?" Still no explanation, and a quick glance at Inui-sempai's face had confirmed that there was definitely a gleam of relief reflected in Inui-sempai's glasses.
"...never mind."
Somehow, perhaps through a combination of strong academic and sports records and other such matters that matter to the powers that be, Inui has wrangled it such that he and Kaidoh will share one of the best double rooms. (In fact, the mere fact that they have coincidentally ended up rooming with one another instead of being subject to the whims of a balloting system would be more surprising if not for the rumour circulating months before the room-allocation date that Inui has been hunting for a roommate-cum-new-test-subject-for-concoc
Strange smells and suspicious near-messes aside, Kaidoh feels at ease soon enough. Their tables are back-to-back; their beds separated by a wide channel which is, for now, fairly empty. He can safely store his steam-ironed bandannas in one of the drawers, stack his books carefully at one end of his desk, and arrange his paperweights (one handmade by Hazue) and stationery at the other end. Inui-sempai, after ensuring that all's well, sinks into a pool of silence interrupted by occasional rustlings of paper or the slam of a book hitting the floor followed by an absent-minded apology.
At half-past four, Kaidoh's ready for a run. To his surprise, Inui-sempai says, "I'm afraid I'm not joining you today," and gives few pointers on any preferred routes. (The University's always been too far from home for Kaidoh to travel across to it for training sessions with Inui-sempai; it's always been the reverse, for convenience's sake, and Inui-sempai is familiar with the routes at home, naturally--while the same cannot be said for Kaidoh and the university.)
When Kaidoh shuts the door, Inui makes a note of the time.
---
Inui's mildly surprised to find himself a little nervous, even hesitant, when Kaidoh finally enters the room they're to share for the semester.
Fortunately, Kaidoh doesn't run screaming from the room; that would have ruined the plan.
Neither had he fled screaming from the plan. Inui had generated a list of probable responses before phrasing the issue as delicately as possible (Kaidoh, I was considering that it might be a good idea if we become room mates when you enter university...). There had, naturally, been a high likelihood that Kaidoh would agree without too much hesitation. It wasn't as if Inui had expected Kaidoh to embrace the notion with resounding enthusiasm...so, of course, Inui wasn't too disappointed when Kaidoh had merely answered, "Okay, then," after processing it for the required length of time (which appeared to be 10 seconds, from which time lapse Inui inferred that Kaidoh considered it neither a hassle nor a dubious venture). 10 seconds was a good time. Yes. Whatever it might mean. (6 seconds might have been better? inquires a silent voice. And what about when Kaidoh shook his head? The 1.5% probability had loomed large in Inui's brain then.)
In no way is this a dubious venture, however. What better way, after all, of ensuring that Kaidoh has the Perfect Training Menu, than sharing a room with Kaidoh, clocking in fresh, flawless data, then recomputing it when necessary (as will be inevitable), all based on interactions and observations of Kaidoh. Inui has been to Kaidoh's house--has set out certain dietary requirements and restrictions and recommendations--has made copious notes on Kaidoh's (and everyone else's) movements and specialties and preferences--even and especially during the school vacation and public holidays. But this is quite, quite different, and perfect.
Strangely, it had been difficult to get the actual justification out initially, but when it was offered, Kaidoh absorbed the explanation without much objection. The only worry had been raised long before the explanation, i.e. "Wouldn't it bother you...?" Which problem had never occurred to Inui to really be an Issue, until Inui recalled with despair the impeccable state of Kaidoh's room at home, just five minutes before he was supposed to meet Kaidoh.
Kaidoh appears to be taking things fairly well, though. The run at half-past four is one dictated by a schedule which Inui knows by heart, not by the desire to flee from the room. (Could it be that I'm thinking too much, Inui considers, but then that would raise the query, Thinking too much about what? About having a room mate to wallow in this? which will, in turn, direct him to a big tangle in his mind which he will sort out in a second, once he somehow extracts this sheet of paper from under that pile of books, because if he's done it before and dropped only one book in the process, surely he can do it again.)
Untidiness, while frowned upon by Kaidoh in relation to his own affairs, might not be entirely unsettling or harmful to Kaidoh's state of mind where it is in relation to Inui and where it is kept within tolerable boundaries. Inui files this away under List #34 of Personal Matters while waiting for Kaidoh to return.
Three hours later, Inui stops eyeing the space where the cactus gift from Fuji used to sit (before Fuji reclaimed it when it started showing signs of withering), and starts wondering if he should have given more recommendations for paths to be taken. The original idea had been to let Kaidoh choose his own path, find out what it was, plan the ideal training route together, et cetera. There are particular roads which Inui favours, and those back-of-the-hand areas which he is endlessly familiar with, but there's always more fun to be had in exploration, and Kaidoh will probably discover all the more difficult routes, the longer turns. There's so much more room for development...It's better for Kaidoh to experiment on the first day...
...and that had all sounded so good until now. Three hours, it's dark, and to be late for dinner, for anyone who's been running for hours, and for Kaidoh to be late, that would be unthinka...
...It's funny how this should be bothering him, since it can only mean unmined data waiting to be teased apart. That must be the difference between having someone as a junior living his own separate life under a separate roof, and having the same person as a room mate. Strange sensation...
There's a key turning in the knob, and after a startled silence in which Inui swivels in his chair so fast it squeaks and almost shoots backwards, Kaidoh says, "I'm back." There's a faint pinkness in his cheeks; probably an encounter with a kitten, and Inui registers this without really thinking, because now he's on his feet, echoing, "You're back." And, because it's more important than data, or training, "Let's have dinner," then, irrepressibly, out of habit, "Which route did you take? Let's go tomorrow."
Tomorrow they'll take three hours, or all the time. The semester is long, and it's just beginning; and later, when they're ready to leave for dinner downstairs, Inui realises that Kaidoh hasn't said a word about the impending avalanche of research notes hovering on the brink of his desk. Kaidoh's glance must be carefully avoiding it, and Kaidoh would never neaten it, since he must think that Inui-sempai has his own method in his mess--and Inui records a small significant reminder in his mind to start the tedious process of straightening his things just a little bit more, and a bit more regularly.
---
The END:
This story is over.
Or, The QUARTERWAY-THROUGH:
This story will go on, unwritten...
*Please ignore the fact that if Kaidoh goes to university, then he'll be at his best tennis form in the middle of university. ...Also, assume Kaidoh wasn't subjected to any orientation activities of an embarrasing nature on the first day, because if there were any, Kaidoh hissed in surprise when approached, and scared all the orientation leaders into thinking he was highly disagreeable and such. And everyone knows he's in tennis so no one will shove him a leaflet to join, say, THE PET SOCIETY ;_;
I think that if Kaidoh went for those orientation fairs, he'd definitely end up taking all the leaflets offered by braver people, and then he'd be stuck with a gazillion things and trip and drop them and scare a bunch of people ;_; and then end up going running anyway...
ETA: Oh my goodness, an error. If Inui just moved in yesterday, there shouldn't be an empty space for a cactus...! Sadness. OTL.
*
On account of my writing too many reflective rubbish things, let's have more direct speech.
Conversation #31: Turtle
Inui: "Do you have any pets?"
Kaidoh: "....no."
Inui: "Would you like a rabbit? Or a cat"
Kaidoh: (cheeks pink)".................But I would be away at school or training most of the time and my mother would have to take care..."
Inui: "I see. It would be too much trouble for your family..."
Kaidoh: "........"
Inui: "........."
(Sometimes an eyeball will roll back at him contemplatively, as if to say, "This is for data?" but Kaidoh always replies dutifully. Unlike Echizen, who's apt to reply with a smirk and lowering of his cap, "Hm, Inui-sempai, collecting new data?" before being pounced upon and knuckled on the head for being not cute, not cute at all, by which time there's no time left to gather data.)
Conversations #76: Prince of Volleyball
Inui: "If you could play another sport..."
Kaidoh: "No."
Inui: "Well, there's a possibility...Ability in one field of sports may be well applied to another field..."
Kaidoh: "I like tennis."
Inui: "I see."
(Or suppositions, just for fun.)
Conversation #160: Rock 54
Inui: "If you could play a musical instrument..."
Kaidoh: "?"
Inui: "If you could play a musical instrument, what would you play?"
Kaidoh: (eyeball)"......................bass."
Inui: "Oh?"
Kaidoh: "...mother thinks it sounds nice..."
Inui: "Oh."
(Or, just like this...)
Conversation #450: Sunset by the canal
Inui: "Nice."
Kaidoh: "Ah."