recolle | [open] strike one

[open] strike one

WHO: Ryousuke and you!
WHERE: Around town, on public transport
WHEN: The month of October
WHAT: An October catch-all. Falling asleep on people, dreams
WARNINGS: Bullying/violence mention

A. Snoozing

[The consecutive sleepless nights have been taking their toll on Ryousuke. The first all-nighter was manageable enough, but each one would stack up upon the other, spent trying to get a head start on assignments, walking around the neighbourhood at the dead of night, or swinging his bat by the shine of the street lights.

He's stubbornly refused to nap in class even if his focus has been off for days, and the razor edge of his tongue has only become sharper with impatience. At this point, the only things keeping him going are caffeine and sheer power of will.

It's only until he's seated down on his afternoon commute does it finally catch up to him. The city speeds past from behind the glass window, the occasional chatter a dampened blur.

In one moment of weakness, he closes his eyes.

And doesn't open them again.

His shoulders slump, no longer held with his usual poise, Ryousuke drifting closer and closer in to the person beside him. Maybe even leaning right against them, head tipped to rest on their shoulder.]

B. Dreams

[You're in an alleyway. It's tucked away from the ordinary neighbourhood street, not frequented by anyone other than maybe the stray cat or two. Low traffic.

Except today. There's a small figure crowded behind a row of garbage cans. A young boy, maybe ten or eleven - but his slight frame and round face could belong to a child even younger. His clothes are roughed up, streaked with dirt, and he's sporting a bloodied knee. He's busy applying a bandaid to the grazes on his fingers.

Suddenly, he stills. Perhaps he's noticed your presence-?

"He went that way!"

The pattering of footsteps. There's more voices that follow.

"I never did like that twerp! Thinks he's better than us, huh?!"

The boy rearranges his features into a practiced smile for whoever that approaches. He finally looks up.]

Looks like they're already up for round two.

[It's not quite resigned. Maybe it's more like acceptance, already gearing up for the second confrontation of today. Whatever it is, it's a whole lotta bravado.]

C. Wildcard

[If there's anything else you'd like to thread out here, dream or not, feel free to hit me up at

ossu! GHOSTS, spooky stuff etc.]

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[ eijun's running, in this nightmare. he's not really sure why, but he's dashing down the street, and something in the dream tells him to skid around the corner of an alleyway, which puts him face to face with a small boy, sitting behind the garbage cans. if he hadn't have spoken, eijun might not have even noticed him.

but, once he does, he's impossible not to recognize.

eijun's eyes goes dinnerplate wide, and he squats down across from him. this is surreal, because the little kid in front of him is a face he's known his whole entire life, that has always been by his side, only now, eijun's way bigger than him (instead of just a little.)

shocked, surprised: ] Onii-chan?

[Because he hasn't yet mastered that mask of his, a much younger Ryousuke doesn't hide his flat, incredulous look that a teenager called him onii-chan. This person is unmistakably Eijun. Somehow. It irks him that he has to squat down at his level, but even more pressing is the fact he's here to witness something that was never meant for his little brother's eyes.]

What are you doing here? [he demands, impertinent] Go home.

[Even if their childhood home was never in a populated suburban area as this. It doesn't make sense.]

I don't know! [ he answers, completely and totally honestly, because he really doesn't know why the hell he's here, but his big brother is in trouble, so he's here to help.

eijun reaches out, as if he's going to check out his knee. ] Are you okay? What happened? You're bleeding--!

I fell.

[He doesn't even hesitate. The simple explanation just spills from his mouth, like he's thought of it ahead of time - but there's no further elaboration.

The voices seem to grow closer: "I bet I know where he's hiding! This way!"

Ryousuke looks down at his hands, flexing his fingers to test out whether the bandaids hold up. His hair is longer here, falling in front of his eyes like this.]

You really should get going, otherwise mom's going to worry.

[ yeah... that's not going to happen.

if eijun had known that ryousuke was terrifying his bullies as a child, he would have stood up to fight them all. a few years age difference between them or not, they're both sawamuras, and eijun will always defend people that are important to him because of it. his big brother? is the most important person in the world.

he turns around with the voices. ] Are they looking for you? [ they sound older, at least, and as they start to approach the alley, eijun scowls and turns around--and folds his arms over his chest, as if trying to make himself look more intimidating. ] Then they're gonna have to get through me, oniichan!

[Ryousuke lifts his head too fast, too fast to hide his surprise.

He’s saying one thing, and Eijun’s saying something else entirely. That's just like his scrappy younger brother. As much as he'd hoped to keep it a secret from him, let him remain happily oblivious, something stirs in his chest that has nothing to do with nerves.

Ryousuke's quiet for a moment, already knows he can't keep up the charade when Eijun has already caught on, and the longer he hesitates, the less time they have to actually do something.

So he pulls himself to his feet, holds his back up straight.]

I'm not running away.

[Especially if Eijun won't.

(It's very important for him to stress this point.)]

[ heh. eijun ends up grinning, wide and a little sharp. ] Sawamuras don't run!

[ because it's true. eijun's been in a hundred scrappy fights of his own as a kid, because he refused to back down from anything, from slapping other teams to shoving bullies on the playground. it runs in their blood, and he reaches over and even brushes his little big brother off, turning to face the alley.

and then he laughs, loud and boisterous. ] Wahaha!! Come get us! Unless you're scared!!

[Great timing. At that, three kids around Ryousuke's age round the corner. Eijun being an unexpected factor causes the bigger, stocky boy to balk.]

Geh! [There's a second before his eyes fall on Ryousuke, and he seems to regain his nerve, shooting him a glare.] You!

[The other two stand their distance, one of them shifting his eyes to the side— and yet the bigger kid is spurred on, grinning and expecting them to agree.]

That shrimp's the one scared, he had to call a highschooler into this!

[Ryousuke can barely restrain his impatience. It's a conscious effort to unclench the balled up fists by his side, instead tucking them behind his back where no one can see. His smile is a thin veneer, clearly bothered that someone would even suggest he's a coward. A Sawamura doesn't run. That's something he's learned from their grandpa first, or maybe he's always been this way — never able to take an insult lying down, pride buried so deep in his bones he'd take on bullies twice his size.

Cheerfully, he steps forward.]

Actually, this is my little brother.

[Orion's pretty tired himself. After all, dreaming of a certain girl and how she died has been.... 100% unpleasant. He was just about to nod off himself, actually. But then he feels a bump on his shoulder and he almost jumps out of his seat. But when he sees it's just a sleeping person, he just groans instead. Thanks for the mini-heart attack, dude. Oh, well, at least that means he's been spared from nightmareland.

Looking at the guy, though, he looked kinda-sorta familiar. Not that Orion knows where. Either due to his own ignorance, the lack of sleep, or some combination thereof. Begrudgingly, he lets the other guy continue to use him as a pillow.

At least... until it's his stop. And the guy is still sleeping on him. Geez...]

How much longer do you plan on sleeping on me? [There's a level of annoyance in his voice. Can he just go home now?] Get off already.

[Normally that would be enough to stir Ryousuke awake.

Daily baseball practice never really afforded him the luxury of sleeping in, ever, and he'd allow himself to get caught in such a position anyway. The only place it'd be fine to relax would be in the privacy of his own home. At least, before an extreme case as this one.

From close up, you can see dark shadows collect under his eyes. His only response to Orion is to develop a crease in his brow - bothered by something in a dream, perhaps - but he doesn't wake.]

[..... S I G H. Why him? Why do people have to be so damn weird? What did he do to deserve this? And it's not like Ryousuke is doing this on purpose.... probably. So, being an absolute asshole isn't required yet.

Orion sighs again before setting a hand on Ryousuke's shoulder and shaking him a little.

For the love of God, please wake up. Orion doesn't want to be responsible for getting you to the hospital if you're in some weird stasis. People swarm and ask questions, and he'd rather pass on that, thanks.]

Look, I gotta get off. Can you find someone else to lean on?

[There's only so long you can drag out exhaustion-driven unconsciousness without putting someone in stasis, and we've probably reached that point. Lucky Orion.

Finally, finally, Ryousuke stirs out of his slumber, peeking out one eye like a sleeping dragon. Rather than startle awake, he doesn't seem in any rush to extricate himself from the situation - he simply sits upright again.

You know, he doesn't even seem embarrassed. Or apologetic?

He only takes a proper look at the person he's apparently been using as a pillow, and says:]

Ah. It's you.

[Orion scoffs a bit. It's you. Rude. His voice is a little more tense when he retorts at Ryousuke.]

Yea, it's me. [Orion stands up easily enough, making sure he has all the things he arrived on the subway with and starts heading his way toward the doors.]

Do me a favour and make sure you get decent sleep so you quit passing out on people.

[Orion. Orion, you're not one to talk. When was the last time you got decent sleep? ~~In his defense, he hasn't slept on anyone. Yet.~~]

[That's a cool exit, Orion. Or it would be, had Ryousuke not shrugged his bag over his shoulder and followed right after. His hand finds the rail, watching as they gradually slow to a stop.]

Says a guy with circles under his eyes.

[He smiles, like a cat that knows too much.]

You're the one who passed out on me, not the other way around.

[Shh. He came really close until you passed out on him first.

He glances at Ryousuke.]

What are you? Some sort of stalker? [Totally deadpan.]

Don't flatter yourself.

[Rude much?? And yet, he simply continues to smile and steps out from the automatic doors, calm as ever.]

Is it really that surprising?

[Please tell him you even remember who he is.]

I ain't flattering nobody. I was looking forward to kicking your ass if you were one.

[Have you seen how short you are, Ryousuke?

Still, he's nothing short of suspicious when he has to follow Ryousuke off the subway.]

What if it is? Who knows what else a weirdo like you will do.

[Nope, he hasn't remembered where he's seen you from yet. Oops.]

[Ryousuke makes an executive decision to ignore that comment.

They pass through the ticket gates, and he clasps his hands behind his back as he walks, the line of his mouth seeming to sharpen as he glances back to his new travelling companion.

Weirdo? Him? He is the picture of innocence ok.]

Surely you're supposed to remember the face of your neighbours.

Are you fucking serious?

[Orion looks every bit unamused as he sounds. Why him?

Orion groans.

Yea, fine... alright. He can deal with this guy. He thinks.]

Yea, well, nothing against you. You don't exactly have a memorable face.

[Liar. He just couldn't pinpoint where he'd seen it.]

[Orion groans, but it only seems to bolster Ryousuke's mood, suddenly cheerful.

Once again, he continues as if he hasn't heard Orion at all:]

By the way, maybe I wouldn't have so much trouble sleeping if not for the racket from next door.

[It could have been him, but it could have been someone else too - don't mind him pointing fingers.]

What racket next door?

[Orion sounds totally unimpressed.]

You'd better be prepared to back that accusation up.

[ it really does not take too long to figure out what this is about.

mimori frowns, looking down at the small boy before glancing over her shoulder at where the noise is coming from. without saying another word, she readjusts the position of her wheelchair. it's an attempt to block him from view of anyone else who might come into the alley. it probably won't work if they get too close to them, but at least they shouldn't notice him right away. ]

Hm. Well, that's not going to happen. Hello there, I'm Mimori.

[The deliberate way she adjusts the wheelchair doesn't go unnoticed.

Where he should feel a sense of relief that someone's come, instead her presence only adds to his list of concerns. No one else was supposed to know. Not out of fear of any repercussions on his end, but— getting others involved made things complicated. Especially not a girl in a wheelchair of all people.

What if this got back to his parents?]

Mimori? [He's getting back onto his feet now, ignoring the twinge from his banged-up knee.] This has nothing to do with you.

I know. [ it's said pretty matter-of-factly; she's aware that this is meddling, and that some people don't take too kindly to it. but dream or not, he's still a child. ]

Do you want to walk home together?

[That smile, that shield of his, loses its edge in the face of her offer.

The fleeting, childish part of him wonders if she can really walk home together, but he has enough tact not to voice it.]

That won't chase them off completely.

[Those bullies aren't any older than Ryousuke. They're just boys hot with pent-up energy, bored enough to pick on the smaller or weaker. Still, they outnumber Mimori and himself, and he isn't so hopeful to think they'll just disappear with her presence.]

Is that going to be fine for you?

It's okay. And it's better to go somewhere with someone else than alone, isn't it? It makes things more interesting that way.

[ she knows kids well enough and how mean they can be to think that this would be a full proof shield. but, sometimes, having an unknown party involved can be enough to deter potential bullies. ]

I'm Mimori, by the way. Mimori Togo.

I heard the first time, Mimori. [His mouth quirks back up once more, but it's the most genuine look he's given her in this exchange so far. Sorry he's like this........] Ryousuke is fine.

[In this particular situation, he'd say he's better off without company. But she's not wrong about things being more interesting this way.

Rather than furtively peek around the corner, he just strolls out in the open where anyone might see.]

This way, then?

[ she blinks, since him just walking straight out of the alley is a surprise, considering how she found him. mimori does not comment on that though, and instead just follows right behind him. ]

Lead the way then! You'll be the leader.

[Kuramochi has done his best not to let Ryousuke see him, but he can't help noticing that he hasn't been himself in awhile. Normally, he's used to watching Eijun and making sure that he's not out at all hours of the night trying to practice then being super sleepy in the morning. It's a little unusual to see Ryousuke out that late. Kuramochi hasn't been able to ask him what's going on due to being busy with his own things, but he does try to keep an eye out for him.

Today he's finally able to catch the train that will carry him to the university so he can talk to one of the counselors. He takes the first open seat he can find with a sigh of relief. He looks over when he feels someone's head on his shoulder. Oh, someone must be really tired if they don't mind placing their head on a stranger's...it's Ryousuke.

Well, they can stay like this until they get to their stops.

Ryousuke has to be tired for him to let his guard down like this.]

[Ryousuke should know not to underestimate Kuramochi's observation skills.

It's always been like this. Being a big brother's meant he's had to minimise his own problems, not let things show on the surface. But he's not inhuman. As much as he'd try to make it appear otherwise— he's not.

Even now, his arms are crossed in front of his chest, defensive. He'd never allow Kuramochi to catch him like this.

The carriage lurches as it comes to a stop, the movement causing Ryousuke to slip further. The entire side of his body is pressed against Kuramochi, close enough for his hair to tickle the side of his face.]

[Well, this puts him in a bit of an awkward place. On one hand he wants to leave Ryou-san sleeping. He can only imagine how hard it's been between the nightmares and the other things on his plate. On the other he does need to wake up because he doesn't know if this is Ryou-san's stop or not.

Does he risk waking up Ryou-san? Well, he doesn't want him to miss his stop. He moves his face a little so he can shake him.]

Ryou-san, Ryou-san wake up. Is this your stop? Wake up.

[Please don't be too angry with him. He just wants to make sure you don't miss your stop!]

[ Thankfully for Kuramochi, he isn't quite sleeping like the dead. It doesn't take much to stir Ryousuke. He blinks, the interior of the train coming back into focus, eyelids still heavy and groggy with sleep.

And then he promptly chops Kuramochi over the head.]

Begrudge your senior their sleep, will you.

[Kuramochi may know the chop was coming, he's still not prepared for it. He flinches as he reaches up to rub his head. He manages to shake his head as he points to the sign of their destination.]

I didn't mean to, but is this your stop? I didn't want you to miss it.

[He wants to ask when it's the last time he fell asleep or took a break. That might mean another chop on his head though it might be worth it. He's worried about him.]

[Now that Kuramochi mentions it... Ryousuke leans out of his personal space, raising his head to quickly check out the window. He's properly awake now, even if the dark circles under his eyes show his fatigue.]

Not yet.

[He sighs, gentle. Kuramochi could have suffered worse than a chop, but the action itself was well-intentioned; Ryousuke seems forgiving enough.]

You don't need to worry about me, Youichi. Were you here awhile?

[Translation: how long was he using you as a human pillow.]

[The dark circles under his eyes doesn't make the questions stop forming in his mind. Maybe he could try to ask if something was wrong. Then again Ryou-san hasn't gotten much sleep so he might not appreciate the questions. He doesn't look like he's too upset so that's a good thing. Still, he does want Ryou-san to get some rest even if he's stifling a yawn himself.]

No, I haven't been here that long. I just got on a few minutes ago. Where are you going, Ryou-san?

[It wasn't very long, but Kuramochi doesn't mind. Eijun has slept on him many times, it can be a new Sawamura tradition.]

I thought I’d head over to the library to get some extra study in.

[He knows how that must sound, especially when he’s unable to completely hide all the sleepless nights lately. Trying to concentrate without dozing off might be a fruitless effort now. No doubt his old teammate will be thinking it. But he puts it out there anyway, hoping Kuramochi doesn’t comment.]

Goodness knows I’ll never find quiet back home.

[He discloses an amused smile. Second to Ryousuke himself, Kuramochi would understand best what it’s like to have a little brother like Eijun around. (Loud.)]

[Kuramochi wants to ask if Ryou-san should risk going to the library when he's so sleepy. He knows that he won't slack on his studies even if he is really sleepy. He won't comment on it cause he knows that even if he does Ryousuke is going to do it anyway. Still, he is a little concerned about it. Kuramochi does his best to laugh it off in an attempt to push his worries away.]

Yeah it would be a little hard to study at home.

[He knows how that's like with Eijun popping in or texting him something or making sure he's not cooking again.]

Are finals coming up for you? I have to check our calendar but I think it's coming up for us too.

[Yep, this is the best way to handle your problems: mask it and hope nobody notices, and if they do, downplay it.]

Shouldn't you know that?

[He gives Kuramochi a dig in the side with his elbow. A small nudge.]

Mr Student Council?

[Kuramochi will try not to think about how Ryousuke hasn't slept. He won't worry as much, well he will, but he'll try not to let Ryou-san know.

Kuramochi laughs as he rubs the back of his neck.]

Sometimes even us in the student council have to check our sources every once in awhile. Um, any plans after finals?

[ This is not the first time that Koushuu has come across this sort of scene before, although there's more stealth involved in this than intimidation or fighting, much like when his and Yukine's friendship was so soundly cemented into place.

But he knows this figure, unlike when he and Yukine first met each other. He knows, because he met the Sawamuras when Ryousuke was a little bit older than he is, here, in this dream. This nightmare. Head turning, he focuses on the sound of voices for a second, then looks back at Ryousuke. It's strange to see him so much smaller than he usually is, but, really, he's smarter than to make a greater observation about that. ]

How many of them are there? [ It's not real, except for where it's real enough that Eijun's brother looks like this. ]

[There's no flicker of recognition on his end. To this Ryousuke, Koushuu is only an unfortunate spectator. A stranger. It's never happened like this before, no one else is ever around to see - most bullies only go looking for trouble and no one else.

This stranger might beat him in age, and size, but he doesn't expect a teenager to help. In fact, it's better he stays out of it altogether.]

Two. [Brushing the dirt from his pants, he moves to stand.] I thought they had enough, but I bet they went back for Tiny.

[He manages a smile, like it's some kind of private joke.]

Some guys don’t know when to quit.

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[open] strike one

B!!! pls

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A.

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b

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a)

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I'm sorry this is late! ><

patpat it's all good!

:D

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B for BARGES IN

welcomes with open arms