Match 8

[mathisradical]

Action | Just after school | Rec center

[ Between keeping up with school, trying not to get bitten by zombies, fighting the zombies, and Marui being permanently droned, Niou really hasn't had much time to relax. But the moment he gets it, he decides to go straight to the tennis courts. Tennis really is relaxing for him, especially when it's just a rally against the wall.

Despite the fact that he's tired as fuck, he'll keep up his usual snark and wit if you talk to him. ]

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[mathisradical.livejournal.com]

Williams Road. [ He's quiet for a second, trying to organize his mind into sections. Which questions are safe, which aren't, which are stupid, and which will give something away. After a moment of debating, he decides on one. Are you stuck with a bunch of fuckin' drones? 'Cos that shit sucks.

[polysyllogism.livejournal.com]

[ He understands the gist of the situation. He's grasped that much. But, there were so many gaps and details. ] I'm not entirely sure of the specifics, however, it appears I'm living with two others - who have wills of their own. [ But, how good their intentions are, only time will tell. All he knows is that his drone mother was killed on Day One. ]

[mathisradical.livejournal.com]

[ Niou nods, and instead of going through the trouble of finding a new question, of driving to a different topic, he holds out his racket. Unlike Yagyuu, he has all his tennis stuff in his possession, including his uniform, which he's wearing, and his extra rackets. ]

Wanna rally some? God knows I haven't had a good game since- [ He almost slips. He almost mentions Marui. A sore topic he doesn't want to touch. But he catches himself, almost without missing a beat. But he's sure Yagyuu notices anyway. ] I've gotten here.

[polysyllogism.livejournal.com]

[ The pause, naturally, doesn't go undetected. He's known Niou for far too long to ignorantly let it pass by unnoticed, regardless of the fact that he ignores it purposely; respecting Niou's temporary boundaries.

There was something Yagyuu came into full conclusion, however and that was that the gravity of the situation seemed beyond him. Both of "him," even. ] Was I ever one to deny your offerings? [ He says it calmly, as if indirectly trying to ease the others nerves (and perhaps his own). It was the least he could do. ]

I'd be much obliged, Niou-kun. [ And there's a trace of a phantom of a smile on his lips. ]

[mathisradical.livejournal.com]

[ Niou's smirk dissolves half-way into a smile, a look that might look strange on others, but is strangely fitting for him. He knows that playing tennis with Yagyuu will give him the sense that things are normal. It'll make him believe, even if it's just for a little bit, that they're back at home, playing at the courts after everyone else has gone home. Like old times.

He tosses the racket to his partner and goes over to a bench to grab another one of his own. He tosses the tennis ball that's in his hand to Yagyuu, too. ]

You serve.

[polysyllogism.livejournal.com]

[ It actually wasn't that unusual to use Niou's racket (since they did it as often and not often as they switched). It was strangely and equally therapeutic as playing in itself. He holds in in his hand, flicking his wrist a bit and getting his hand warmed up to the texture.

It hasn't even been a week and yet... ] Duly noted. [ He catches the ball promptly in his hand and walks to his side of the court, behind the line. He bounces the ball a couple of times, eyes fixed on Niou. ] Shall we begin?

[trickortruth.livejournal.com]

[ Niou walks to his own side of the court, grinning at the anticipation. He'd played Marui often enough before he was droned for good, but there's nothing like playing somebody you know as well as you know yourself, if not better. Playing Yagyuu was always exciting. It never got old.

He spreads his arms out wide, his grin arrogant now, and raises a challenging eyebrow. ]

Come at me, Partner.

[polysyllogism.livejournal.com]

[ Yagyuu also can't deny the excitement bubbling up somewhere in his chest, even if it was completely masked over by his usual visage. There was just something about playing Niou... Something about playing tennis with the person who inspired you (or coerced you, perhaps one in the same) that made it infinitely more vivid. He closes his eyes momentarily as he bends his knees, once he feels the timing is right, he opens his eyes and delivers his serve.

And he feels like he can breathe again and that his breath is clear and even for the first time since arriving in this hell hole. ]

[the-trixxxster.livejournal.com]

[ Just like he'd never left home, Niou falls easily into the familiar patter of playing Yagyuu. The usual banter, the moves he knows as well as he knows his own. It's all like they're back in Japan, back at Rikkai, and nothing bad ever happened. Like Niou hadn't been trying not to die. Like it hadn't been three months since he saw Yagyuu.

Like most of their rallies, neither of them win. Like usual, one of them (Niou, in this case) calls the game to a close before they can get too far into a tie break. It's getting late, there's still a lot to talk about, and Niou's getting tired anyway. ]