[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?]
[Not really because he's lacking in self-esteem, he just...doesn't think he's someone who is as good as others think he is. He has way too many regrets and moments where he failed to think he is truly deserving of such a label]
'Tsundere'...that's a new one. Usually I hear I'm dark and broody and distant.
[In-universe there have been people fangirling about him like that, hah]
Something like that... [It's somewhat of a non-committal answer. It's easy to guess that's not exactly it]
Not that I was ever into the rougher things of the trade. It's not like I went into the yakuza because I wanted to beat anyone up for a living.
[Don't get him wrong, though, he did it all, and effectively enough in the first Yakuza game he was going to have his own family. You don't get to that point by avoiding the ugly things!]
People are superficial. They judge based on appearances more than actions, you know? I'm willing to bet you've been misunderstood a lot in life.
[If so, they'd certainly have that in common. Akira isn't one to speak about himself much, however, so he leaves that comment off the table.]
That's the other reason why I want to learn from you: you're strong inside and out. I have a lot of respect for people who cut their own path through life. We're freaks, you and I.
Whoa whoa whoa. You don't have to say it just because it's true. You're gonna bruise my delicate little ego.
[Yeah, right. Good luck putting a dent in Akira's ego. He cups his hands and splashes Kiryu in the face.
Just kidding. I rolled a (3). Akira somehow fucks up so badly that he splashes himself in the face instead. Clearly the bath water is out to get him along with the rest of the damn world.]
...But you're not wrong. I work out, but my focus has always been on agility and endurance. Brute force wasn't really necessary back then.
[This doesn't bode well for sparring practice against Kiryu, but Akira knows the goal is to learn from him, not to best him in a contest of might and will. As long as no one sees him getting beaten up by a grandpa, it's fine. He has an image to maintain here.
Akira's begun to get a bit pruney, so he pulls himself out of the bath and wraps a towel around his waist.]
I appreciate it, Kiryu-san. In exchange, I'll cook you all the coffee and curry you can stomach. Can we start training tomorrow?
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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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[Kiryu mumbles that, shrugging]
I have never thought I'm that good or kind.
[Not really because he's lacking in self-esteem, he just...doesn't think he's someone who is as good as others think he is. He has way too many regrets and moments where he failed to think he is truly deserving of such a label]
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[That answer is the very definition of Japanese modesty... or it would be if Akira weren't convinced that Kiryu actually believed that.]
...Is that because you've had to do bad things?
[Akira isn't making baseless assumptions here. One doesn't become Yakuza and proceed to live a clean, law-abiding life.]
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[In-universe there have been people fangirling about him like that, hah]
Something like that... [It's somewhat of a non-committal answer. It's easy to guess that's not exactly it]
Not that I was ever into the rougher things of the trade. It's not like I went into the yakuza because I wanted to beat anyone up for a living.
[Don't get him wrong, though, he did it all, and effectively enough in the first Yakuza game he was going to have his own family. You don't get to that point by avoiding the ugly things!]
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[If so, they'd certainly have that in common. Akira isn't one to speak about himself much, however, so he leaves that comment off the table.]
That's the other reason why I want to learn from you: you're strong inside and out. I have a lot of respect for people who cut their own path through life. We're freaks, you and I.
[What a glowing compliment.]
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[Kiryu really seems to have taken it as a compliment, accepting that yeah, he and Akira are freaks for not going along with the current]
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[It's a compliment for sure! Akira raises his hand from the water and offers Kiryu a fist bump.]
So what do you call your fighting style anyway? I've never seen a martial art that involves throwing tables and chairs around.
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[His trademark moves! Relentless, strong, and probably something only he can pull off]
You don't get to learn it. I don't think you can swing heavy objects well.
[If Akira tries to in a fight and fails, he'll only put himself at risk of losing the fight!]
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[Yeah, right. Good luck putting a dent in Akira's ego. He cups his hands and splashes Kiryu in the face.
Just kidding. I rolled a (3). Akira somehow fucks up so badly that he splashes himself in the face instead. Clearly the bath water is out to get him along with the rest of the damn world.]
...But you're not wrong. I work out, but my focus has always been on agility and endurance. Brute force wasn't really necessary back then.
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You started it by calling me a freak. I didn't approve to verbal sparring like that.
[Joking, nice]
I see. Not bad. I know enough about speed-focused fighting styles. That'll be the focus for anything you learn.
[Giving Akira the basics of the Rush style, then. Good thing the latest game made Kiryu touch back onto it, it's all fresh in his mind]
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[This doesn't bode well for sparring practice against Kiryu, but Akira knows the goal is to learn from him, not to best him in a contest of might and will. As long as no one sees him getting beaten up by a grandpa, it's fine. He has an image to maintain here.
Akira's begun to get a bit pruney, so he pulls himself out of the bath and wraps a towel around his waist.]
I appreciate it, Kiryu-san. In exchange, I'll cook you all the coffee and curry you can stomach. Can we start training tomorrow?
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[Some demonstrations are better with a third party involved! That and also Kiryu does want to spar with Kurapika. Two birds, one stone, etc]
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[In front of his crush, Kiryu? What kind of monster are you?]
...Fine. I'll ask him to come along, but you better not make me look uncool. I have an image to maintain.
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Obviously not.
[It's educating on how to fight, not a gratuitous attack on Akira! Or on Kurapika]
Thanks.
[Looks like it's set!]
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[...And one last thing before he goes:]
Thanks for checking up on me. It means a lot.
[See you later, Kiryu!]