[open] ring ring, bingo?

[esperimental]

WHO: Ritsu Kageyama and people who are probably nicer than him
WHERE: All around the city
WHEN: Throughout July
WHAT: Frustrated teen wants answers, does silly things for it; July catch-all, you know the drill!
WARNINGS: None for now!

[ My plotting post for bingo help is over here! ]

i. At least they're not grayberries

[ On the university school grounds of Apprassage, Ritsu mans a respectably built stand of questionable legality. He's fairly certain he can get away with it even with age alone, his professor guardian may have lost his memories of Retrospec, but was supportive in Ritsu's inexplicable one-day business venture. ]

Blueberry juice.
Freshly squeezed.
We have ice.

[ Now that sure is a passionate sales voice, yessir. Also before anyone asks, it's a Royal We. ]

ii. The hero nobody deserves

[ Some kid in a mask stands... uhh. Not that tall. Not that proudly. Maintaining a cross-armed pose lacking in passion. But the summer wind blows, and his cape dramatically flutters. He really hated he got a task like this in summer. He'd hate it all other seasons too but now the weather would be against him as well. Should've checked the forecast, should've picked another day. Wished he had money for sunglasses instead of goggles.

... Should concede and open up that umbrella, now before he gets sunburn. And maybe the shade would make him slightly harder to recognize. Ah, who was he kidding. He looks like some lost kid who wanted to celebrate Halloween a full couple months early. ]

Hey, you.

[ There's a point now, sorry if you were trying to ignore him. ]

Tell me, what do superheroes do?

iii. Maybe impossible

"Flash mob"...

[ Echoing the text on the square as he's seated at Tribunal Terrace, there's a frown on Ritsu's face even more intense than his usual one. He goes ahead and watches a video, shaking his head in defiance after a couple seconds. He's seated outside so the lack of earphones shouldn't bother too many people, but some might've still heard a pop song or Broadway that they knew. ]

No way. Definitely no way. A musical isn't any better. I can't do this kind of thing even with a team. Did anyone else get this kind of assignment? There's no role I can fit.

[ Could always be Robert during Enchanted, does that count Ritsu? Watching on, his will seems to be wilting, and his brows remain furrowed. ]

... Is this supposed to be music?

[ Well, even if you can't help him with such a monumental task, you can still take those as fighting words. ]

Comments

[chargebomb]

[ well, that was anticlimactic.

almost annoyingly so. it might be adrenaline or leftover energy, but shou just nudges at half-heartedly leader-san's shoulder with a shoe, then his head. oh, that must just be rubbing it in, having two middle schoolers beat his gang. ]

Come on, you could've put up more of a fight than that. [ he'd gotten glancingly hit by that lackey in a previous swipe, but he doesn't even seem to notice it. ] Where are your guts, huh? What did you want with him, what's the story? It's gotta be a good one if you're picking on a kid years younger than you.

[ slightly pathetic. ]

[esperimental]

What you didn't hear everything before you popped up behind me...? Well, whatever. Smug bastard over here knows.

[ Ritsu doesn't trust the way he's looking up at him. He might still try something when their guard is lowered... but surely he wouldn't while this redhead was standing over him. ]

Apparently I got them in trouble with their schools when they picked on some foreign kid. This is probably normal for them. ... Truth be told. I would've thought you'd listen to authority figures if not other people smaller than you. Guess you're not all that smart.

[ Leader-san is just grinning now, apparently not wanting to accept defeat with any ounce of grace. ] You're all talk. If it weren't for your little friend you would've just ran, right?

Because I'm not an idiot to do 1 versus 4. While carrying groceries.

[ And. Well. He doesn't think they're friends?? But Ritsu does give Shou a glance. Why did this guy help him? Maybe it was just his own situation from back then but... more violent. ]

Are you genuine about leaving us alone?

[ The leader nods, face down. ... Still suspicious, Ritsu thinks. But he's going to go ahead and grab the food that had thankfully managed to stay unharmed in all the fighting. ]

[chargebomb]

[ shou just clicks his tongue, but reluctantly takes his foot off leader-san's shoulder. well, he can be sporting on occasion. and it's humiliating to kick a guy when he's down, as tempting as it is. ]

Little friend, huh? You want me to break your arm? [ ... is he serious. he's not actually all that bothered about his height, but maybe he's just still itching for a fight. ] I still got my growth spurt ahead of me. You'll see. [ they'll all see...

forget about the bullies, though. he glances over at ritsu. ]

You wanna just let these guys go?

[esperimental]

We've already wasted enough time on their sad existence. I'd be glad to.

[ He should probably leave them with a warning though. He looks down, groceries in his arms. A+ totally threatening. ] By the way, it kinda looked like he was just getting started. Don't try anything.

[ --If it's not about him then, okay, that's fine. He turns on his heel, hoping he gets the hint. ]

You coming?

[ The words feel a bit unnatural, coming from him. But it wouldn't be very sporting to not give proper thanks. ]

[chargebomb]

'Course I am.

Oi, you, just remember that arm-breaking offer is still open if you ever want to cash in. [ toootally generous of him. it's with a last look over his shoulder at the leader that he finally turns and puts his hands behind his head and follows ritsu, looking pensive.

it lasts for just a moment before he looks over, curious. and then actually really looks at ritsu for the first time, because in the heat of the fight he hadn't really paid too much attention to the prep-looking kid in the uniform. now that he does...

he blinks and almost freezes for a second in mid-step, recognizing him--not actually from online, but from a more primal memory that flashes through his mind in an instant. beating up those kids from earlier was barely even a warm-up. for a second he could remember punching ritsu into a wall so hard it cratered, so vivid he could have sworn it must have happened before even if he's never seen this kid in his life. ]

[esperimental]

... could go back for ice...

[ Ritsu's just going to soak in the air of... lack of reply for all of a few seconds. It's hot and he doesn't really want to be out too long, but he's not going to leave his rescuer alone or anything. He has some manners. ]

Hey, are you okay?

[ Because he looks a little dazed even if to his memory, nothing had badly hurt him in that scuffle. ]

[chargebomb]

[ this guy is... familiar, in the way that he can actually practically remember his fist in ritsu's gut. wow. that's definitely probably not something to tell him right off the bat, even shou knows that. ]

Y-yeah, I uh... [ he blinks. snap out of it, suzuki... ] Have we-- [ met before?? but actually, he knows enough to know that might be a really weird and slightly creepy question.

... he's staring at ritsu like an idiot. but he'll have to think about this later, because he might be impulsive but telling a stranger he remembers beating them up is pretty questionable. ]

What do you need ice for?

[esperimental]

... Ah.

[ The realization likewise hits him, and Ritsu also points with his free hand. ]

You're that boy from online earlier. Suzu... something?

[ Close but not quite. That guy who just declared himself his new best friend? (Ritsu didn't you just say you'd remember him goddammit it hasn't even been a day.) ]

Oh. Well. [ He rubs his own face, then looks to where he thinks Shou got hit. ] Reducing swelling, you know? I don't want my guardian to know I got into a fight. ... You got hurt too.

[chargebomb]

Ahh, I did? [ ... he did. he doesn't actually realize it until now, now that the adrenaline's wearing off and he can feel scratches on his cheek and actually a sore spot near his shoulder where he must have gotten grazed.

ritsu might have gotten roughed up, too, but he's... actually not very concerned. ] The important thing is that we won, you know? These might as well be battle scars, if you get lucky. Wouldn't that be badass?

I'm Suzuki Shou. And you're... [ what was it again... ] Ritsu.

[ ... RIGHT TO FIRST NAME because of course. ]

[esperimental]

[ Ritsu had introduced himself as such, so he can't really fuss over it... ]

Yes, you did, and no, battle scars would not be lucky, people ask questions about that sort of thing?

[ More a statement than an actual question. You're going with him to get some ice on your shoulder whether you like it or not young man. ]

Come on, I'm not letting you walk that off.

[chargebomb]

Aw, this is nothing. I've had way worse. [ pshh, he just runs a hand through his hair, only barely self-consciously. well, sure, he'd stepped in to help this stranger--naw, ritsu's not a stranger, they totally know each other now, instant best friends. he tries very hard not to think of the vision he'd just had-- ] If people ask, you have a nice story to go with it. Kicking the asses of some bully kids three grades older than you.

... But I gueeess I can help you get some ice or whatever for yourself, if you need some. [ he punches ritsu's shoulder, not quite lightly because yeah. he doesn't pull his punches. even as a friend. ]

[esperimental]

[ Every time someone replies with a phrase like that, concern only really grows. Ritsu sighs, hand to forehead. ] Well... I couldn't have done it alone. But bringing you up might be an interesting story on its own.

[ Ow. Ritsu manages to keep steady despite being taken by surprise, and his all-around unfamiliarity with physical affection outside family. He can only stare at Shou in confusion with a way too serious expression. ]

... Is this how best friendship is supposed to work?

[chargebomb]

Obviously! [ no hesitation whatsoever as this time he bumps ritsu's shoulder, straight where he'd punched him. ] You had no idea? C'mon, Ritsu, this is all Best Friendship 101. We ride together and beat up your enemies together. [ never mind that he hadn't even recognized him until just now, that's just details. ]

[esperimental]

[ NOT WHILE HE'S CARRYING GROCERIES how many times must we do this fam ]

... I don't have enemies. [ Well. Given just now. ] ... On most days.

[chargebomb]

Aw, really? Everyone needs a good nemesis every once in a while. [ ritsu lives a deprived life!!... no, it's a perfectly healthy one. ]

Oi, I can be your enemy sometimes~ what are best friends for?

[ WHAT DOES THIS EVEN MEAN. ]

[esperimental]

[ Don't look at Ritsu he has a visual 404 as well. ]

Pass.

[ He doesn't really know what else he should say to that. ]

Oh look, this bench is free. You sit still while I go buy the ice.

[ And look he's even trusting you with the grocery bag!! Be a good best frienemesis okay. ]

[chargebomb]

Sit still, huh... [ what is he, a dog??... but if so he is at least trained enough to obey, he just plops down on the bench and watches ritsu head in, waving after him. ] Sure, sure. Take your time, get me a treat while you're at it. [ he's. probably kidding.

he'd probably normally want to accompany him, but right now he has... to think about... what just happened back there. maybe they really had been enemies once, who knows? he's not sure what to think about it, but he likes ritsu... better not tell him about that casually violent memory. ]

[esperimental]

[ Ritsu is not an excellent reader of jokes. When he arrives back to Shou's side shortly, he's got two lollipops in his hand along with ice carried in a plastic bag in the other. He catches just a glimpse of Shou looking blankly into nothing, and his eyebrows raise. ]

... What's the matter with you? Don't tell me you're more hurt than you thought you were.

[ He frets but Shou doesn't seem like the type to want to go to a clinic. Ritsu goes ahead with the treats first, he figures it'll be an okay distraction from the stinging of ice later on. ]

Here, pick. Strawberry or grape.

[chargebomb]

[ he snaps out of it at the sound of ritsu's voice, practically trained--but he's the type who wouldn't spend too much time being moody and thoughtful over this, in the end.

a-ahhh, ritsu got... a treat for him... if he were a dog his tail would be wagging, but he just beams up at him. ] What? I'm fine. Like those guys could put the hurt on me...

Anyway--you really do care! [ not that he thought he didn't, but. kyaa, kyaa... ] Grape! [ he holds out a paw hand. like a dog... ]

[esperimental]

[ Why is he so excited?? The tone shift was so rapid Ritsu can only blink in confusion before complying and giving him the lollipop before he sits down beside him, unwrapping the strawberry one. He's not looking directly at him yet when he asks his next question. ]

You get into fights often, huh?

[ Those were not the moves of some rookie. ]

[chargebomb]

[ he's excited because... it's ritsu...... this is a legitimate reason.

but he'll cool it a little and just happily sticks the candy in his mouth, leaning back against the bench. ] Kinda, yeah. [ well, he looks slightly delinquent so it's hardly a surprise. ] You get idiots everywhere who think they can just beat people up into following them. I don't, I just fight back. [ ... mostly... probably. ]

And you look like some honors student kid who hasn't been in a fight before.

[esperimental]

[ little gay reasons ]

Mm. [ Ritsu nods in what seems like passing fascination, but it's actually pretty genuine. He might've turned out like this if he was able to indulge his revenge fantasies against bullies... weird thought. ]

It's wrong to stay out of trouble, now? [ He's going to go ahead and press the ice where he estimated Shou got hit, if he's not going to hold it up himself then Ritsu won't mind just doing it for him a bit longer, he has his other hand for the one to his own cheek anyway. ]

... There was one fight that wasn't the one earlier. It doesn't count when you can't do anything. Overprotective parents followed.

[ And that's probably succinct enough an explanation. ]

[chargebomb]

It's not wrong. I wouldn't say I'm in the right, but I'd like to think I have a good idea of what justice is. [ but that's for something more important than just bullies. he presses the ice pack to his cheek, tootally trying to seem casual while ritsu tends to him. a-ahh, this is nice... being fawned over a little by cute boy he remembers beating up once upon a time... the dream. ]

What happened in that other fight, huh? [ ... ritsu's explanation is probably enough, but. he's still nosy. ]

[esperimental]

... They were asshole high schoolers then too. I hope I don't turn into them at that age.

[ Ritsu adjusts to a more comfortable position, with a frown. ]

I didn't know how to pick my fights right then. They took our money, I wanted it back. Ended up in the hospital.

[ That "our" as well as the other tiny details are slips that he won't feel like explaining anytime soon. He slides his lollipop over with his tongue to the other side of his mouth, mumbling and thankful for its flavor being a distraction. ] Don't want to worry family over things that can be avoided.

[chargebomb]

[ ... ] You're never gonna become a low-life like them. Picking on people younger than you is the worst. It's something only greedy cowards do. If you get bullied this much, guess they must think you look like a good target...

Hey. [ leeaning in a little, smirking with more challenge even through cuts and mild bruises. it doesn't matter to him if he has the whole story, what matters is-- ] Want me to teach you how to fight? Just so you can get one over on assholes. Even the odds a little.