It's like you read my mind. All right, ticket first then let's find a cafe.
[Either the closest or the newest, he thinks, already heading to the counter. At the very least, the payment process is short, so they don't have to stay for long.]
[ Marui follows him to the counter and gets his ticket. ]
The closest café I know of is a Starbucks a bit further down in the shopping center. If you don't mind an extra couple of blocks of walking, I know of a family-owned corner shop with better quality. The selection is smaller, though.
Well, do you think the extra walk would be worth it?
[He asks, mostly because a couple of blocks is quite a bit of time, and since they want to buy snacks before the movie, they'll have to do all their talking on the way.
Not that he minds, not really, but it was an idea.]
[ And since he's the one who knows where they're going, he takes the lead. ]
If you weren't going on dates, what took up all your free time in high school?
[ He must have been doing something in place of that kind of socializing. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who should have any trouble securing one if he tried, so what was the holdup? ]
[He admits, and he was rather proud of it despite knowing that not everyone would've done the same. He does follow his lead, trusting Marui's judgment, even as he elaborates.]
My first year was spent trying to improve, my second year trying to keep up and by third year I was team captain, so I didn't really have time to date.
[Though he supposed that wasn't entirely true, if he counted all the time he spent with Aoyagi as 'dates'.]
Fair enough. Club activities took up most of my time, too. And I definitely found time to date along with them. I was never a captain, though.
[ And that would absolutely demand rather more time. Captains were effectively wedded to their teams for all the extra work and planning that they had to invest in them. Marui was never interested in such a thing for himself. ]
[He asks, without judgment in his tone. If he were, he'd be envious, because that probably means he's way better at his sport than Teshima had been. He's proud of hia accomplishments, definitely, but it also took him twice-- maybe thrice-- the effort to keep up.
Then again, he only knew crazy guys who loved cycling too much, himself included. Dating hadn't even really been an option, even when Higashida tried to set him up with his crush.]
I probably could've dated at that time, but it wasn't really a priority for me. Being captain was just another thing, but even without it I'd have to work extra hard just to keep up.
[ Marui is pretty sure he heard the truth couched in that answer: wasn't really a priority. People made time for the things that mattered to them, after all, no matter how packed their schedules got (though certainly the busier someone was, the more challenging that became).
And that was fine, too. There was no rule that a person had to be interested in dating by X years. ]
I dunno. Is that what your club calls a Regular? If so, then I was. I take it you had some real monsters to compete with.
[ A world of monsters, that was a pretty apt description for the U-17 tennis circuit, too, and for Rikkaidai in particular. It's not a world for anyone who isn't 100% committed to putting in the time and work needed to stay relevant.
Of course talent factored into that, too. For some, no matter how hard they worked, they simply weren't born with what it took to be a star. Others were overflowing with that gift and could afford to balance other interests alongside their sport. Marui happened to fall closer to the latter end of that spectrum. ]
Most people don't have a chance at being a Regular until their third year anyway in tennis. Was it different for your club?
I've had to deal with a cocky underclassman plenty! All you have to do is be stronger than they are. [ He teases with a grin, as though it really were as easily done as said.
Somewhere out there, at this very moment, Kirihara Akaya is definitely sneezing. ]
For me, the scary trio were the same year as me. It was another year before I made Regulars. [ His expression and voice soften with warmth and nostalgia. ] But I remember the pride and admiration I felt for them. As clearly as if it were yesterday.
[That gets him a very curious look. Something about trios seem to be a thing. The first years had a trio, the third years had a trio. They might've had it too during second year if things hadn't been awkward with Koga back then, but then it was so he supposed that's part of the whole club experience.]
Now you gotta tell me about those guys. What were they like?
[ It's funny. Marui knew and understood each of Rikkai's Big Three quite well, yet when asked to describe them, what was there to say? They were revered like gods. How could anyone do justice to such people in words? ]
They were incredible. Not just in the school, across the whole country. From their first year, they carried us to the national championships...
[ He meets Teshima's eyes. ]
From the sound of it, not unlike the freshmen you knew.
We've had a lot of amazing members, not just the freshmen.
[He says with a fond smile, and it makes him remember the senpai he trusts and respects the most, out of all of them. He was, after all, someone he is still extremely grateful to have met in Sohoku.]
Too bad I never got to watch a match of yours. I don't suppose you have videos or something?
[ Marui takes a moment to appreciate that look on Teshima's face. Looks like they both have some pretty happy memories of their previous schools' clubs. ]
Why settle for video? I'm on the school tennis team. Try and come to a match; I'll show you my genius tennis skills in person.
[ Some things never change and Marui's immaculate sense of modesty is one of them. ]
[The coffee shop is getting close, from what he can see. That is, assuming it's the one Marui meant. Then again, it was the only one around from the shops he can see. The bakeshop near it being a close second.]
You'll have to give me your schedule then, so I can see when I can drop by.
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[Either the closest or the newest, he thinks, already heading to the counter. At the very least, the payment process is short, so they don't have to stay for long.]
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The closest café I know of is a Starbucks a bit further down in the shopping center. If you don't mind an extra couple of blocks of walking, I know of a family-owned corner shop with better quality. The selection is smaller, though.
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[He asks, mostly because a couple of blocks is quite a bit of time, and since they want to buy snacks before the movie, they'll have to do all their talking on the way.
Not that he minds, not really, but it was an idea.]
Let's go then. I'm in the mood for good coffee.
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[ And since he's the one who knows where they're going, he takes the lead. ]
If you weren't going on dates, what took up all your free time in high school?
[ He must have been doing something in place of that kind of socializing. He doesn't seem like the kind of person who should have any trouble securing one if he tried, so what was the holdup? ]
no subject
[He admits, and he was rather proud of it despite knowing that not everyone would've done the same. He does follow his lead, trusting Marui's judgment, even as he elaborates.]
My first year was spent trying to improve, my second year trying to keep up and by third year I was team captain, so I didn't really have time to date.
[Though he supposed that wasn't entirely true, if he counted all the time he spent with Aoyagi as 'dates'.]
How about you?
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[ And that would absolutely demand rather more time. Captains were effectively wedded to their teams for all the extra work and planning that they had to invest in them. Marui was never interested in such a thing for himself. ]
no subject
[He asks, without judgment in his tone. If he were, he'd be envious, because that probably means he's way better at his sport than Teshima had been. He's proud of hia accomplishments, definitely, but it also took him twice-- maybe thrice-- the effort to keep up.
Then again, he only knew crazy guys who loved cycling too much, himself included. Dating hadn't even really been an option, even when Higashida tried to set him up with his crush.]
I probably could've dated at that time, but it wasn't really a priority for me. Being captain was just another thing, but even without it I'd have to work extra hard just to keep up.
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And that was fine, too. There was no rule that a person had to be interested in dating by X years. ]
I dunno. Is that what your club calls a Regular? If so, then I was. I take it you had some real monsters to compete with.
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[He chuckles, and for a moment he looks fond, wistful as a memory hits him from his time in highschool.]
Our rivals were monsters, all right, and my underclassmen were just as competitive.
I was only what you would consider a 'regular' in my third year.
Sorry! It's been a hectic week
[ A world of monsters, that was a pretty apt description for the U-17 tennis circuit, too, and for Rikkaidai in particular. It's not a world for anyone who isn't 100% committed to putting in the time and work needed to stay relevant.
Of course talent factored into that, too. For some, no matter how hard they worked, they simply weren't born with what it took to be a star. Others were overflowing with that gift and could afford to balance other interests alongside their sport. Marui happened to fall closer to the latter end of that spectrum. ]
Most people don't have a chance at being a Regular until their third year anyway in tennis. Was it different for your club?
No worries!
[If they were excellent second years too, but that didn't count for now. What mattered is that one detail.]
In my second year, three of the first years became starting members.
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Was it frustrating?
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[He grins, which isn't an answer, but well-- yeah, it's his answer.]
I'm glad though. They helped our team win the Interhigh.
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Somewhere out there, at this very moment, Kirihara Akaya is definitely sneezing. ]
For me, the scary trio were the same year as me. It was another year before I made Regulars. [ His expression and voice soften with warmth and nostalgia. ] But I remember the pride and admiration I felt for them. As clearly as if it were yesterday.
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[That gets him a very curious look. Something about trios seem to be a thing. The first years had a trio, the third years had a trio. They might've had it too during second year if things hadn't been awkward with Koga back then, but then it was so he supposed that's part of the whole club experience.]
Now you gotta tell me about those guys. What were they like?
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They were incredible. Not just in the school, across the whole country. From their first year, they carried us to the national championships...
[ He meets Teshima's eyes. ]
From the sound of it, not unlike the freshmen you knew.
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[He says with a fond smile, and it makes him remember the senpai he trusts and respects the most, out of all of them. He was, after all, someone he is still extremely grateful to have met in Sohoku.]
Too bad I never got to watch a match of yours. I don't suppose you have videos or something?
no subject
Why settle for video? I'm on the school tennis team. Try and come to a match; I'll show you my genius tennis skills in person.
[ Some things never change and Marui's immaculate sense of modesty is one of them. ]
I thought I replied to this...
[The coffee shop is getting close, from what he can see. That is, assuming it's the one Marui meant. Then again, it was the only one around from the shops he can see. The bakeshop near it being a close second.]
You'll have to give me your schedule then, so I can see when I can drop by.
Is that the place?
no worries!
That's the one. [ He says in confirmation to Teshima's question and heads towards the shop. ] So, what about you? You still race?