[Here's the thing that Sugane has notice for living more than a month with the baseball players of Seido High; it's that Youichi Kuramochi is loud and his presence easily recognizable even in the distance. So to find the Kuramochi had not only been ignoring his text messages but also remained unfound even among his close circles made Sugane worry.
He doesn't know what happened, or anything for that matter aside from the younger Kominato sporting a pretty bad hangover a few days prior. Naturally, it seems like the best person to talk about this matter is to the (suppose) patriarch of the household. At least to get a second opinion regarding Kuramochi's disappearance.]
Ryousuke, I need to talk to you with a certain matter.
[What an excellent dinner conversation starter. They weren't exactly the most conventional of families, but the occupants of #1452 had become accustomed to eating whatever Sugane cooked around the dining table. This time was somewhat different to the usual. Haruichi was out with friends for the evening, and of course, Kuramochi had been absent for a few days now. It was just Sugane and him.
Just as Ryousuke lifts his fork, he has to pause.]
What did you want to talk about?
[He has a fairly good idea. A very good idea, actually. But he's not exactly willing to rush head first into this topic.]
[Fortunately, Sugane isn't the type to beat the bush around when the matter is of great concern. He puts down his own fork down on the table before trying facing Ryousuke.]
It's been days, no one has heard from him since Friday.
[Admittedly he's trying to keep his expression as levelheaded but his thoughts about the younger man has been increasingly more worrying with each day.]
[The past few days he couldn't help but notice Sugane's worrying turned up to eleven. Ryousuke could see he'd been checking his phone more often, and would leave the house for longer periods than usual, presumably to search for Kuramochi's whereabouts.
This conversation was bound to happen at some point. He's a little surprised it wasn't sooner.]
And? [Ryousuke's been just as conscious of his absence, he doesn't exactly need the reminder. What are you getting at?]
[They haven't even started eating and he's already lost his appetite. And it's not because of Sugane's bland cooking either. He's long been aware of Kuramochi's high opinion of him, as he always has with Haruichi. He knows. He knows, and can't forget.]
He's not a child. [his calm tone gives little away] Hasn't he always complained about your texts? You can't expect him to alert you of his every waking moment.
[This is one of the few occasions where Ryousuke doesn't smile.]
It's one thing to ignore my text, but it's a completely different when no one has heard of him since last Friday.
[And that's more terrifying above anything else right now, the fact this town is suppose to be peaceful and yet there's no trace as to where Kuramochi has gone. In fact, it's practically unnerving.]
Hangovers only last for a day. As for embarrassment, this is going too far, I honestly don't believe leaving him on this matter.
[There's a whole new level of drunken mistakes anyone -not just Kuramochi- could have done and there aren't many you can just leave them to sort things out by themselves.]
[Oh? Sugane is pretty perceptive, for someone trying to fix things that had nothing to do with him in the first place. Ryo's mouth twists into something that resembles more of a cruel smirk.]
So what's your guess, hmm? Why are you coming to me about it?
I'm coming onto you regarding this not only because you once told me to direct anyone who misbehaves to you, but also because it's clear to me you're one of the very few he's willing to listen.
[And maybe, much as he doesn't want to admit it, he was in a similar position like Kuramochi before it turn to feelings far more complex than just hero worship.]
However, now knowing he might have ran off because something he did under influence, I'm more certain he needs someone to talk about it.
[Whatever it is, it might have Ryousuke involved and if it did, it'll just get worse if they neither of them do something about it. That much he had experienced.]
Even if I was going to speak to him, you're still forgetting something.
I haven't exactly heard from him either. [It's not like he can talk to someone who doesn't even want to be found.
Time apart provides an opportunity to cool down and clear one's thoughts. Knowing Kuramochi, he's probably hurting his brain somewhere, worrying about messing things up further. It's not like Ryousuke enjoys this either - having a rift placed between him and someone that he's been on even ground with for a long time now.]
[That had managed to snap him back in place, even just somewhat. Still it doesn't really lull the nagging part of him that wonders if this place is truly that peaceful. And his worries were correct, he would never be able to forgive himself for failing.]
What if he's missing due to another party, what would you then?
[It seems so easy to say that on paper, and arguably it normally is in a way with something like CROWDS easily accessible. In world, anyways.]
I see...
[Sugane tries to keep face calm as possible, but it's s clear that he's even more worried. Whether Kuramochi had ran off because he was drunk or someone (something) took advantage of his intoxicated state and abduct him, there's... really nothing he can do. It's completely out of his control and he hates this feeling of helplessness above anything else.]
[Honestly, it's an incredibly thick-headed response to a hypothetical situation. Is it a joke? Is he even serious about it? Who knows. He doesn't come from the same background as Sugane, having to battle internet trolls to save the world, or whatever Gatchamen do. But Ryousuke isn't a stranger to bullies. If someone messes with you or your brother, you stand up for him and fight back -- and the same rules still likely apply. Even if Sugane's hypothetical bullies were even bigger than those on the playground.]
[Since that seems to put the matter to rest, Ryousuke pushes back his chair and takes his untouched plate with him. At least he's scraping the food into a container for later. Someone so kindly bothered to cook in the first place, after all.
He looks back up to Sugane, indicating to his plate.] Are you done with that?
[He grimaces, well, that's the end of that and it looks like there's no way to put it back on track to that particular conversation. Actually he feels a little sick looking at his own cooking.
He nods.]
I think I won't be eating anymore for the night.
[And probably not going to get any sleep tonight.]
[Ryousuke's already slipping on his shoes when Sugane moves to join him... with the mop. That was quick. But it was the answer he was expecting.
He grins, something a little bit wild and mischievous.]
Suit yourself. [If you folllow, he's not going to stop you.
They're idiots, planning on searching in the dark for someone with no real clues or starting point. Two pairs of hands make better than one, though. He's turning the door handle, swinging it open, and shoulders his bat.]
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action; 10/20 - parental talk
He doesn't know what happened, or anything for that matter aside from the younger Kominato sporting a pretty bad hangover a few days prior. Naturally, it seems like the best person to talk about this matter is to the (suppose) patriarch of the household. At least to get a second opinion regarding Kuramochi's disappearance.]
Ryousuke, I need to talk to you with a certain matter.
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Just as Ryousuke lifts his fork, he has to pause.]
What did you want to talk about?
[He has a fairly good idea. A very good idea, actually. But he's not exactly willing to rush head first into this topic.]
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It's been days, no one has heard from him since Friday.
[Admittedly he's trying to keep his expression as levelheaded but his thoughts about the younger man has been increasingly more worrying with each day.]
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This conversation was bound to happen at some point. He's a little surprised it wasn't sooner.]
And? [Ryousuke's been just as conscious of his absence, he doesn't exactly need the reminder. What are you getting at?]
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Aren't you? He is your junior, and he does look up to you.
[It isn't hard to see, especially with how Kuramochi's much more mindful around the older Kominato.]
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He's not a child. [his calm tone gives little away] Hasn't he always complained about your texts? You can't expect him to alert you of his every waking moment.
[This is one of the few occasions where Ryousuke doesn't smile.]
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[And that's more terrifying above anything else right now, the fact this town is suppose to be peaceful and yet there's no trace as to where Kuramochi has gone. In fact, it's practically unnerving.]
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[The smallest and most mysterious of smiles.
It's not that far off.]
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Hangovers only last for a day. As for embarrassment, this is going too far, I honestly don't believe leaving him on this matter.
[There's a whole new level of drunken mistakes anyone -not just Kuramochi- could have done and there aren't many you can just leave them to sort things out by themselves.]
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So what's your guess, hmm? Why are you coming to me about it?
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[And maybe, much as he doesn't want to admit it, he was in a similar position like Kuramochi before it turn to feelings far more complex than just hero worship.]
However, now knowing he might have ran off because something he did under influence, I'm more certain he needs someone to talk about it.
[Whatever it is, it might have Ryousuke involved and if it did, it'll just get worse if they neither of them do something about it. That much he had experienced.]
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I haven't exactly heard from him either. [It's not like he can talk to someone who doesn't even want to be found.
Time apart provides an opportunity to cool down and clear one's thoughts. Knowing Kuramochi, he's probably hurting his brain somewhere, worrying about messing things up further. It's not like Ryousuke enjoys this either - having a rift placed between him and someone that he's been on even ground with for a long time now.]
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[That had managed to snap him back in place, even just somewhat. Still it doesn't really lull the nagging part of him that wonders if this place is truly that peaceful. And his worries were correct, he would never be able to forgive himself for failing.]
What if he's missing due to another party, what would you then?
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[One he thinks is highly unlikely. Although he does appear to be thinking through a proper answer to Sugane's question.
Got it.]
I'd chase them down and beat them up, of course.
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I see...
[Sugane tries to keep face calm as possible, but it's s clear that he's even more worried. Whether Kuramochi had ran off because he was drunk or someone (something) took advantage of his intoxicated state and abduct him, there's... really nothing he can do. It's completely out of his control and he hates this feeling of helplessness above anything else.]
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[Since that seems to put the matter to rest, Ryousuke pushes back his chair and takes his untouched plate with him. At least he's scraping the food into a container for later. Someone so kindly bothered to cook in the first place, after all.
He looks back up to Sugane, indicating to his plate.] Are you done with that?
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He nods.]
I think I won't be eating anymore for the night.
[And probably not going to get any sleep tonight.]
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And then glances back at Sugane again. Jeez.]
So what's your plan for the rest of the evening? Worrying yourself to death?
[Because you sure look like you're doing a good job of that.]
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He quietly gets up from his chair. Actually, he wants to yell until his throat goes completely dry, but that wouldn't really solve anything.]
... No, I'll be at the front porch. Getting some fresh air.
[Yes, he's worrying himself to death.]
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Is that so. [lighthearted, casual] Well, I'm going to chase someone down and beat them up.
[Namely, Kuramochi.]
If you weren't already busy, I'd invite you to join me.
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I'm coming with you.
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He grins, something a little bit wild and mischievous.]
Suit yourself. [If you folllow, he's not going to stop you.
They're idiots, planning on searching in the dark for someone with no real clues or starting point. Two pairs of hands make better than one, though. He's turning the door handle, swinging it open, and shoulders his bat.]