[Playing baseball may have been his own decision, but a much younger Ryousuke signing up for little league for the first time would never have known he'd come to love the game so much.
When Haruichi became entangled in it, to the point where there was no separating his brother from baseball - that's when he had dedicated himself entirely.]
[He thinks about at times. Truth to be told, he likes to imagine that J.J. had personally hand picked them with him being chosen thanks to his strong desires to become a hero. But, there's more of those who failed than those who stick around, all evidence seems to point into different directions in regards to J.J.'s choices.]
The NOTE doesn't get plucked out by itself, but our benefactor chose us. Whether you choose to act or not afterwards is by our own choice.
[If he didn't play baseball, no matter where he'd choose to go, no doubt Haruichi would have followed in his footsteps. It was never about baseball initially, but Ryousuke. Even if he wondered about the 'what ifs', there are some things that didn't change all that much.
A Gatchaman though... the way Sugane takes it so seriously, it must have really shaped him as a person.]
[Ouch. Ribbing him with his dirty secret. Though, he has to admit the reality of it; him being a Gatchaman out in the open must had some influence as to why he finally graduated.
But he isn't going to admit this openly any time soon.]
I suppose I would have, and I would also picked a completely different path. Like say, joining a sports club.
[Sugane put himself in a corner in this case, lying about his age and attending school in the same year. Being a hero must've meant less time for normal everyday things like classes and sports clubs.]
You could have played baseball.
[He's up, taking another invisible practice swing, then glances over his shoulder, entertaining the idea of Sugane as a teammate or opponent.]
Considering you've barely played, it's too early to judge.
[As he is now, it's funny to imagine Sugane playing baseball alongside him, let alone trying to decide where he'd be standing on the field. Then again, it was strange to discover Sugane was a hero, and look how that turned out.]
But you might find a position to suit you too, if you kept at it. [a smile, loaded with humour along with something else:] Maybe you can even try to take mine.
[No one really takes anyone's position in Gatchaman, even if the G-number belonged to someone else. Nothing about it makes any difference that your ability, NOTE, and G-suit are your own.
To him, there's no real way to take what's his or 'anyone's'. Perhaps, he believes this more nowadays since the Tachikawa incident than before. Everyone's part is too unique.]
Exactly, it's just a 'what if'. [A beat.] But, even if I were to take up baseball... I don't think I would be able to take what's yours.
[It's foolish to consider a starting position as your own. There will always be new talent vying for the same spot. An impartial coach will select the best player for the role, it's a simple as that. Second base isn't his to keep forever.
Still, he can appreciate the sentiment. Nor would he wish to compete against Sugane over baseball.
He could say something rude and Ryousuke-like right now, or he could throw in a changeup.]
Since you had your chance to show off, do you want to see something of mine?
[He's surprise by the sudden offer, but he is curious. This is a world he has never ventured before, more importantly, it's something Ryousuke is passionate about.
With how this is turning, they really are talking more about themselves on a deeper level.]
[THAT... THAT IS NOT WHAT HE WAS ABOUT TO SAY. Whatever train of thought Sugane has boarded, that is absolutely not where Ryousuke is. In fact, it had nothing to do with baseball at all.
It might have not been what he was intending, but Sugane seems willing? He can work with that. ]
[His shoulder stiffens, he walks himself into this one. His only experience of baseball is during P.E. class and that hadn't really lasted long when he regained a year's worth of memory.]
... I suppose? I'm mostly just, erm, curious to see you play.
[Well he would have, if not the fact his own shyness is what's stopping him. It's a lot more comforting when he isn't peering there on his own and had company.]
... I'd like that. It would definitely answer some questions.
[Ryousuke just returned from the sports centre not long ago. Now they're going back? He's not complaining though - it's his second home after the one he's got here. The bag of gear he dumped upon arriving, he'll shoulder it again. ]
That shouldn't be a problem. Let me try something. [That should be enough warning before laying a hand on Sugane's shoulder.]
[Nonetheless, he still jumps at the sudden hand on his shoulder. It's not a gesture he would expect getting from Ryousuke. There's a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach and he's unsure why exactly, it's likely because he's worried that the younger man might be pulling something under his sleeve.
That must be it, there can't be any other reason why he's suddenly acting up.]
Like I said, you had your chance to show off. [so this is his turn.]
[He doesn't need to feel Sugane tense under his hand to know that he's nervous. This is a little uncharacteristic of Ryousuke, but he wants to see something. Even better if he gets to surprise someone.]
Watch. [For Sugane's benefit, he holds out a finger. Then two, and lastly a third in silent countdown as he pictures a place in mind. 1, 2, 3-
Now you see them, now you don't. There's no weird sensation as they travel through space. They're standing in their room one moment, and then they're both at the sports centre batting cages the next.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
When Haruichi became entangled in it, to the point where there was no separating his brother from baseball - that's when he had dedicated himself entirely.]
You didn't choose to be a Gatchaman?
[That's what he's getting out of it anyway.]
no subject
[He thinks about at times. Truth to be told, he likes to imagine that J.J. had personally hand picked them with him being chosen thanks to his strong desires to become a hero. But, there's more of those who failed than those who stick around, all evidence seems to point into different directions in regards to J.J.'s choices.]
The NOTE doesn't get plucked out by itself, but our benefactor chose us. Whether you choose to act or not afterwards is by our own choice.
no subject
[If he's here now, it means he chose to act.]
no subject
I don't regret my decision, but sometimes I can't help but wonder...
[That little wistful part of him that wonders how drastically different his life would be if he's just a regular guy.]
no subject
A Gatchaman though... the way Sugane takes it so seriously, it must have really shaped him as a person.]
no subject
Maybe you would have graduated highschool when you were supposed to.
no subject
But he isn't going to admit this openly any time soon.]
I suppose I would have, and I would also picked a completely different path. Like say, joining a sports club.
[He would be terrible at baseball.]
no subject
You could have played baseball.
[He's up, taking another invisible practice swing, then glances over his shoulder, entertaining the idea of Sugane as a teammate or opponent.]
Things are fine as they are, now.
[is this a double sided compliment...]
no subject
... what position would I play in baseball?
[Because he still firmly believe he would be awful playing baseball.]
Anyhow, it's only a food for thought, I wouldn't really change my anything given the choice to go back in time.
no subject
[more silence]
Manager.
[That's not a position, Ryousuke.]
no subject
[...]
That's not a position, Ryousuke-kun. Even I know that much.
no subject
Considering you've barely played, it's too early to judge.
[As he is now, it's funny to imagine Sugane playing baseball alongside him, let alone trying to decide where he'd be standing on the field. Then again, it was strange to discover Sugane was a hero, and look how that turned out.]
But you might find a position to suit you too, if you kept at it. [a smile, loaded with humour along with something else:] Maybe you can even try to take mine.
[Like Haruichi.]
no subject
But it's as you said. Just entertaining the possibilities.
no subject
To him, there's no real way to take what's his or 'anyone's'. Perhaps, he believes this more nowadays since the Tachikawa incident than before. Everyone's part is too unique.]
Exactly, it's just a 'what if'. [A beat.] But, even if I were to take up baseball... I don't think I would be able to take what's yours.
no subject
Still, he can appreciate the sentiment. Nor would he wish to compete against Sugane over baseball.
He could say something rude and Ryousuke-like right now, or he could throw in a changeup.]
Since you had your chance to show off, do you want to see something of mine?
[That expression turns sly.]
no subject
With how this is turning, they really are talking more about themselves on a deeper level.]
You're going to show me how you bat?
no subject
It might have not been what he was intending, but Sugane seems willing? He can work with that. ]
You want to learn?
no subject
... I suppose? I'm mostly just, erm, curious to see you play.
no subject
[Not that they has any official games to play, or even a proper balanced team. But Ryousuke can be found there day in, day out.
Anyway, he's come to a decision.]
I'll show you.
no subject
... I'd like that. It would definitely answer some questions.
no subject
[Although, privately, Ryousuke doesn't think it's just about the sport in isolation. ]
Be prepared. Swinging a katana and a bat are two different things.
[He's a strict to those who are aiming high, or anyone who should know better. But he doesn't mind showing Sugane a thing or two.]
no subject
[He already expects himself to unconsciously hold the bat wrong, just like in the several instance he holds a mop. ]
We also should be going soon, before it gets dark.
no subject
[Ryousuke just returned from the sports centre not long ago. Now they're going back? He's not complaining though - it's his second home after the one he's got here. The bag of gear he dumped upon arriving, he'll shoulder it again. ]
That shouldn't be a problem. Let me try something. [That should be enough warning before laying a hand on Sugane's shoulder.]
no subject
That must be it, there can't be any other reason why he's suddenly acting up.]
What are you planning to do?
no subject
[He doesn't need to feel Sugane tense under his hand to know that he's nervous. This is a little uncharacteristic of Ryousuke, but he wants to see something. Even better if he gets to surprise someone.]
Watch. [For Sugane's benefit, he holds out a finger. Then two, and lastly a third in silent countdown as he pictures a place in mind. 1, 2, 3-
Now you see them, now you don't. There's no weird sensation as they travel through space. They're standing in their room one moment, and then they're both at the sports centre batting cages the next.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)