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Most paparazzi keep away from Kei. Hitachiin Legal loves a restraining order, and that’s enough for a semi-normal life.
But public games are public, and Kei spots at least three in the stands. Nondescript hair, clothes, faces. So plain they scream among the colorful crowd. One even has the nerve to smile, when he catches Kei’s glare.
Ugh.
Never mind.
Exhaling, he shuts them out. Settling into the tempo of his team. The rhythm and flow of defense, rising to a higher crescendo each time. It feels good. Kei's spent four years building with Todai, and they're contenders for Nationals. Maybe even favorites.
This is what matters.
Not the paparazzi with their gossip and grins.
But public games are public, and Kei spots at least three in the stands. Nondescript hair, clothes, faces. So plain they scream among the colorful crowd. One even has the nerve to smile, when he catches Kei’s glare.
Ugh.
Never mind.
Exhaling, he shuts them out. Settling into the tempo of his team. The rhythm and flow of defense, rising to a higher crescendo each time. It feels good. Kei's spent four years building with Todai, and they're contenders for Nationals. Maybe even favorites.
This is what matters.
Not the paparazzi with their gossip and grins.
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Date: 2023-06-19 12:21 am (UTC)Now that vision's gone shaky.
To keep playing...
Kei sticks with existing facts.
"Two have contacted Coach - Sendai Frogs and Hokkaido Busters. There may be more, if there's rumors going about me. Coach said he wouldn't be surprised."
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Date: 2023-06-19 02:44 am (UTC)Is Kaoru trying to convince him to play? He isn't even really sure. More like, he's trying to coax Kei into being honest with himself. If all Kei is focused on are the things in his way, he'll never consider the offer for all its potential benefits.
"And you never know, maybe a Tokyo team will scout you, and then you won't even have to move."
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Date: 2023-06-19 07:18 pm (UTC)At the reminder of moving, Kei groans. Presses both temples. Kaoru's right to at least consider locations. It's just a lot.
"Why does anyone like surprises? They're such a pain."
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Date: 2023-06-20 02:35 am (UTC)Then he leans back and picks his fork up again, though he doesn't immediately eat. "But just because you're good enough, doesn't mean you have to go for it. You can turn them down if you don't want to keep playing."
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Date: 2023-06-20 08:50 pm (UTC)"All right, all right."
Nothing needs to be decided tonight. He'd prefer things settled, but there just isn't enough information. What it's like to make this kind of life choice.
Of course... He could ask. He does know a ridiculous amount of players. One in particular comes to mind.
Kei wades in after dinner. Bracing for the flood of emojis.
Hey
it's Tsukishima
You busy?
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Date: 2023-06-21 12:31 am (UTC)I know who you are duh!!
Whats wrong?
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Date: 2023-06-21 02:11 am (UTC)Okay.
Not trying to start an argument first thing. (Witness the maturity.) In fact, he's not even going to pretend nothing's wrong.
I'm getting scouted to go Pro
it's weird
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Date: 2023-06-22 01:52 am (UTC)WHO
WHAT TEAM???
NOT MY TEAM??
NOT BAKAGEYAMA'S TEAAM????
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Date: 2023-06-22 02:25 am (UTC)Wouldn't you have HEARD if it was yours?????
and not everything is about your boyfriend
calm down
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Date: 2023-06-23 01:31 am (UTC)I'm super calm!! Anyways you ignored my actual question WHICH TEAM
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Date: 2023-06-23 03:59 am (UTC)I haven't decided about talking to anyone
Busters and Frogs
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Date: 2023-06-24 05:48 pm (UTC)Thosere good teams! :O
Why wldnt you talk to them?
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Date: 2023-06-24 08:22 pm (UTC)that's why it's weird
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Date: 2023-06-25 03:23 am (UTC)You like playing now don't you?
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Date: 2023-06-25 10:38 am (UTC)I need more information
What's it like?
As a job
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Date: 2023-06-25 06:50 pm (UTC)Well except for when coach says its a mandatory rest day
Practices can be really tough tho bc you never have an excuse not to give it ur all
I know that's hard for you
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Date: 2023-06-26 01:29 am (UTC)Cute
Okay but the non-playing parts. Like the press in your face and asshole fans.
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Date: 2023-06-26 02:04 am (UTC)Oh that stuff is fine!
Mostly they just want you to sign stuff and talk to them after games
Which sucks sometimes when you lose and you wanna be alone I guess
But they're pretty respectful
And when they're not the team managers deal with it!
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Date: 2023-06-26 10:25 am (UTC)Sure
Speaking of him
The paparazzi sucked in high school. Keep thinking about that.
Look at him, voluntarily bringing up emotional problems. Amazing. Kei would still rather gargle glass.
But Hinata was there. Making it slightly less awful to talk about.
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Date: 2023-06-27 02:31 am (UTC)I guess that would really suck if they came to games and hounded you
But they'd probably get bored of you pretty quickly right?
They can't stay interested forever if you're just playing
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Date: 2023-06-28 12:27 am (UTC)So fickle!
For all the snark, it's a good point. The paparazzi want drunken socialite limo orgies. Not a guy doing his job.
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Date: 2023-06-28 02:19 am (UTC)Especially watching you play
You're not flashy or interesting at all!!
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Date: 2023-06-28 10:35 pm (UTC)Remind me
WHO still has a higher contact point than you?
Yes, Kei is petty enough to know those stats. Even now.
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Date: 2023-06-29 01:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-06-29 01:46 am (UTC)Better than a Minus IQ Amoeba
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