[The bluntness takes him aback, but that's Kiryu's charm point, he supposes. Straightforward nearly to a fault. Akira takes the container with a shallow bow of thanks and sets it down on his dresser, grabbing a change of clothes before meeting Kiryu back at the door.]
Alright. How about we meet back up in the bath? There's a favor I've been meaning to ask you anyway.
[But that can wait until Kiryu's gathered whatever he might need for the bath.]
[Doesn't take long for Kiryu to be ready, with everything he needs for the bath. Still, he didn't forget Akira mentioned he wanted a favor. Which is why, on the way there, he asks:]
[Now that's a new one. He can't remember the last time he got asked such a thing. Kiryu raises his eyebrows somewhat]
Just to pass the time?
[Yeah, he wants to know why Akira got interested in learning some hand-to-hand combat. He's not incline towards saying no, but he does want to know how seriously Akira will take it]
[Akira straightens up and firmly shakes his head.]
No, nothing like that. I want to get stronger.
The powers I relied on back home? They don't work here at all. It's complicated. Magic's cool and all, but there are situations where it's better to rely on the strength of your own body, right? That, and...
[Akira's gaze falls to the floor, hand rubbing at the back of his neck.]
...I want to be strong enough to protect my friends. More than anything, I don't want to let them down again.
[Ah, a good answer. Kiryu stares at Akira for a moment longer, and nods]
I haven't ever taught anyone. If you don't mind that, I'm willing to give you the basics. You'll hardly be doing the same thing I do but it'll be a step in the right direction.
[He resumes walking]
As long as you always remember physical strength isn't everything. You also need to be clever. Think you can handle that yourself?
[Because that's not something he can teach...since Kiryu, albeit clever, has no idea how to communicate how to be like that, hah. Thankfully Akira has enough cleverness]
[And Akira works out frequently enough that he won't immediately fold like a cardboard box if Kiryu were to swing at him... maybe. Then again, he's sure they can figure out a suitable punching bag to practice on.
Akira pads off towards the bathroom with renewed vigor. When they reach the door, he holds it open for Kiryu. Grandpas first.]
I've got the brains and you've got the muscle. I won't let you down.
[They probably can obtain something somewhere and magic it up so it doesn't break!
Kiryu enters, smirking because he knows Akira didn't mean anything by his comment there that could be taken the wrong way:]
Heh. I also have the brains, you know.
[It's a little bit boastful but he does consider himself clever -- and he is! He just also is impulsive when it comes to a fight, but other than that, Kiryu has a sharp mind]
[Oh, yeah, he totally didn't mean it like that. Thank you for understanding, Kiryu...]
Right. My bad. I can tell you're strong, but it's hard to know how smart someone is at a glance.
[But if Akira's guess is correct, someone like Kiryu would need brains as well as brawn to survive in the Yakuza world... you know, if his theory is correct. Akira hasn't said as much, but that's part of the reason why he invited him to the bath. He wants evidence! This man must have a badass back tattoo!!]
But that works out in my favor. That just means there's even more I can learn from you.
[Akira wanders further into the bathroom to put his clothes away in a locker and rinse off.]
[When Akira is gone, Kiryu considers his options. He still think getting into a bath probably isn't right because, you know, tattoo. But by now he's sure the number of people who don't suspect he was involved in the yakuza are very, very few]
What's the point by now.
[He has even been using his real name. As far as concealing anything goes, Kiryu failed spectacularly.
That's why when Akira returns Kiryu already is to a side of the bath. There it is, Akira. The wizard mark even is merged into the tattoo, right on the dragon's pearl]
[Damn, talk about a tattoo. Akira doesn't let his gaze linger on Kiryu's back for long — it's rude to stare in the bath no matter what the reason — before padding over and slipping into the bath.]
I'm surprised you agreed to a bath at all. You probably can't enjoy public baths back home, can you?
[For what it's worth, there's no judgment in Akira's voice. Not all Yakuza are terrible people, right? He'd know from experience.]
[But that's a shame when it's such a stunning piece of art. People can say what they will about the shady dealings of the Yakuza, but their backs are canvases upon which underground artists etch their work. Tattoos are still very much taboo, but no one can deny their artistry.]
It's a beautiful tattoo. You shouldn't have to hide it. Besides... it must mean a lot to you, right? Even if you can't show it off back home, this isn't Japan. People here are way more likely to judge you for you and not for the ink on your skin.
[If Akira had a nickel for every kind-at-heart Yakuza he'd met, he'd have two whole nickels.]
But it's a weird dichotomy, you know? Usually the people who say they want to protect others end up going into law enforcement. People associate Yakuza with doing the opposite.
I had a...role model. He was in the yakuza. When I was your age all I wanted was to follow his footsteps.
[Kiryu tilts his head backwards, staring at the ceiling, reminiscing]
At first it was because the life he had was...fascinating to me. Then I turned that into wanting to take care of the few people I had around me.
[At first it was said father figure, his best friend and sworn brother, another friend and love interest...there weren't that many people to try to protect, but that was what mattered to him the most]
[A role model... That man must have meant a lot to Kiryu if he was willing to follow such a dangerous path. Akira wonders who that man might have been — a father, a brother, a friend — but in the end, his exact relation to Kiryu doesn't change his impact on him.
Akira nods as he listens.]
I can't judge. Sometimes the straight and narrow path isn't the one that's meant for you. No one would call a thief righteous, for example, but Robin Hood is still considered a hero. It's that kind of thing.
The straight and narrow can be unforgiving anyway. Especially for anyone who's been in the yakuza.
[They have everything stacked against them, and it's only gotten tougher in recent years. It's really bitter how so, so many are against integrating them into society and put all kinds of obstacles in the way]
Yeah. Even if you cut ties, that sort of connection follows you for a lifetime.
[That's what happened with Iwai, at least. The man tried to break away from the Yakuza and forge his own path in life, but the same demons that haunted him before continued to pursue him long after leaving that world behind.]
All that considered, I hope it hasn't been a bad life. You're obviously a good dude.
[Kiryu doesn't sound upset because that's not a thing to be upset about. He's more baffled, really. Akira is making a judgment and Kiryu doesn't consider himself particularly good.
And Akira is far from the first person to say anything like this, to boot. Is it really something obvious he is 'a good dude'...?
[There was a time when Kiryu's questioning tone would've intimidated Akira out of giving a full and thorough answer, but not anymore. Akira answers in a tone that is very much "well, duh. Of course you are."]
Obviously. You care about people, you fight for their sake and not your own... I could go on, but I feel like you're playing dumb.
[C'mon, Kiryu. How can you see yourself as anything short of a noble soul?]
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[The bluntness takes him aback, but that's Kiryu's charm point, he supposes. Straightforward nearly to a fault. Akira takes the container with a shallow bow of thanks and sets it down on his dresser, grabbing a change of clothes before meeting Kiryu back at the door.]
Alright. How about we meet back up in the bath? There's a favor I've been meaning to ask you anyway.
[But that can wait until Kiryu's gathered whatever he might need for the bath.]
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So what's the favor you need?
[He seems open to listen!]
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Kiryu-san!
[Whoops, he's yelling.]
Please teach me hand-to-hand combat!
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Just to pass the time?
[Yeah, he wants to know why Akira got interested in learning some hand-to-hand combat. He's not incline towards saying no, but he does want to know how seriously Akira will take it]
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No, nothing like that. I want to get stronger.
The powers I relied on back home? They don't work here at all. It's complicated. Magic's cool and all, but there are situations where it's better to rely on the strength of your own body, right? That, and...
[Akira's gaze falls to the floor, hand rubbing at the back of his neck.]
...I want to be strong enough to protect my friends. More than anything, I don't want to let them down again.
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I haven't ever taught anyone. If you don't mind that, I'm willing to give you the basics. You'll hardly be doing the same thing I do but it'll be a step in the right direction.
[He resumes walking]
As long as you always remember physical strength isn't everything. You also need to be clever. Think you can handle that yourself?
[Because that's not something he can teach...since Kiryu, albeit clever, has no idea how to communicate how to be like that, hah. Thankfully Akira has enough cleverness]
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[And Akira works out frequently enough that he won't immediately fold like a cardboard box if Kiryu were to swing at him... maybe. Then again, he's sure they can figure out a suitable punching bag to practice on.
Akira pads off towards the bathroom with renewed vigor. When they reach the door, he holds it open for Kiryu. Grandpas first.]
I've got the brains and you've got the muscle. I won't let you down.
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Kiryu enters, smirking because he knows Akira didn't mean anything by his comment there that could be taken the wrong way:]
Heh. I also have the brains, you know.
[It's a little bit boastful but he does consider himself clever -- and he is! He just also is impulsive when it comes to a fight, but other than that, Kiryu has a sharp mind]
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Right. My bad. I can tell you're strong, but it's hard to know how smart someone is at a glance.
[But if Akira's guess is correct, someone like Kiryu would need brains as well as brawn to survive in the Yakuza world... you know, if his theory is correct. Akira hasn't said as much, but that's part of the reason why he invited him to the bath. He wants evidence! This man must have a badass back tattoo!!]
But that works out in my favor. That just means there's even more I can learn from you.
[Akira wanders further into the bathroom to put his clothes away in a locker and rinse off.]
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What's the point by now.
[He has even been using his real name. As far as concealing anything goes, Kiryu failed spectacularly.
That's why when Akira returns Kiryu already is to a side of the bath. There it is, Akira. The wizard mark even is merged into the tattoo, right on the dragon's pearl]
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I'm surprised you agreed to a bath at all. You probably can't enjoy public baths back home, can you?
[For what it's worth, there's no judgment in Akira's voice. Not all Yakuza are terrible people, right? He'd know from experience.]
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[...well, no, he does like the tattoo! It's a marvelous piece of art and he knows it, it's one of the very few things about the yakuza life he likes]
I accepted here only because I'm giving up in trying to hide anything. It just never works.
[Not that Kiryu is amazing at lying in the first place]
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[But that's a shame when it's such a stunning piece of art. People can say what they will about the shady dealings of the Yakuza, but their backs are canvases upon which underground artists etch their work. Tattoos are still very much taboo, but no one can deny their artistry.]
It's a beautiful tattoo. You shouldn't have to hide it. Besides... it must mean a lot to you, right? Even if you can't show it off back home, this isn't Japan. People here are way more likely to judge you for you and not for the ink on your skin.
[There's a lot of freedom in that, Akira thinks.]
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[Kiryu usually has it easy to get along with people, generally, but somehow everyone in this manor is particularly easy to get along with]
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[Japan can be a judgey place even at the best of times. A little vacation from that benefits them both.]
Can I ask more about it? The tattoo, I mean.
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[Akira is free to ask, Kiryu is free to decide whether to answer each one or not -- but he probably will be willing to answer]
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[It has to mean something to Kiryu if he was willing to emblazon it on his back.]
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[And...weeeeell...mixed results there throughout the years, but he tried, he tried so hard]
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[If Akira had a nickel for every kind-at-heart Yakuza he'd met, he'd have two whole nickels.]
But it's a weird dichotomy, you know? Usually the people who say they want to protect others end up going into law enforcement. People associate Yakuza with doing the opposite.
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[Kiryu tilts his head backwards, staring at the ceiling, reminiscing]
At first it was because the life he had was...fascinating to me. Then I turned that into wanting to take care of the few people I had around me.
[At first it was said father figure, his best friend and sworn brother, another friend and love interest...there weren't that many people to try to protect, but that was what mattered to him the most]
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Akira nods as he listens.]
I can't judge. Sometimes the straight and narrow path isn't the one that's meant for you. No one would call a thief righteous, for example, but Robin Hood is still considered a hero. It's that kind of thing.
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[They have everything stacked against them, and it's only gotten tougher in recent years. It's really bitter how so, so many are against integrating them into society and put all kinds of obstacles in the way]
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[That's what happened with Iwai, at least. The man tried to break away from the Yakuza and forge his own path in life, but the same demons that haunted him before continued to pursue him long after leaving that world behind.]
All that considered, I hope it hasn't been a bad life. You're obviously a good dude.
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[Kiryu doesn't sound upset because that's not a thing to be upset about. He's more baffled, really. Akira is making a judgment and Kiryu doesn't consider himself particularly good.
And Akira is far from the first person to say anything like this, to boot. Is it really something obvious he is 'a good dude'...?
yes it is kiryu yes it is]
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Obviously. You care about people, you fight for their sake and not your own... I could go on, but I feel like you're playing dumb.
[C'mon, Kiryu. How can you see yourself as anything short of a noble soul?]
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