isleofavalon | these are tear-able puns ✨🗒✨

[ How could he ever even forget? It's the entire reason Rosho even met Rei in the first place. But this isn't the answer he wants.

He's so used to getting frustrated and angry with Rei and his vague, cryptic responses to things. But... knowing what he does about Sasara, knowing how hard it is for certain people to be able to trust others... ]

Rei. Could it be that, maybe, you're not very brave either?

[...]

Well, look at you. Turning my own words against me.

[Rei's gaze turns down and away, looking out across the bar as he sips his drink. Rosho doesn't know what he's asking for. Still, the real surprise is that Rei finds himself wanting to tell him. Wanting to bend to this man's gentle request and let him in, even just a little bit.

Ah.... real human connection. He's rusty. (It aches.)]

We'll say I've got my reasons. [Cagey as it makes him sound, he's got to do it. No sense in slipping up so close to the end, now.

But it'll come out soon enough. (Then, he thinks, Rosho will regret asking.)] So just wait a while.

[ There's some degree of pride Rosho feels, like getting a particular pesky answer on a crossword puzzle you've been stuck on for hours, that he can finally push and push and get his way about something like this feels really good. But he understands this isn't anything to gloat about. He'll have to have some patience from here on out, if he wants to know the side of Rei he seems to refuse to show the anyone, so that he can know the part of him that isn't just the conman he lives as.

Whoever it was he looked up to in the past, losing them must have hurt. But, moving on, it shouldn't be so scary. Not when there are people there that have the faith to wait for you. He did it with Sasara after all. ]

I waited for Sasara for six years. I think for you, I can spare some time.

[ There's a brief hint of a smile before he hides it with a quick drink of his water. ]

When I think about it, all this effort you've been puttin' forth to get this team to be reliable... isn't it awful strange that you'd want to try scamming a simple teacher, and when ya caught wind of this past of his and a former partner he's got around, wouldn't it be real convenient to let it slip who ya got workin' for ya to get these two to meet?

[ Rosho gives a nice, firm swat of Rei's shoulder. But at least he makes sure he's not having a sip of his drink! ]

When people are fans, usually they just ask for autographs, ya know!

[Rei knows it's likely that Rosho and Sasara will drop him in disgust once everything comes out. But.... it's still nice to hear kindness from the closest thing he's had to a friend in years.

Eugh, gross.

Rei is more than happy to get back to their usual banter, and snickers into his beer.]

Ha ha! I can't do that. Sasara's too smart, he'd personalize the autographs to lower the resale value. This way I can take your receipts and stuff, you know?

Stupid, who's gonna go wantin' to buy Sasara Nurude's receipt from a coffee shop or something like that?

[ From whatever dozens of restaurants Sasara likes to hop through, random little impulse trips. Hideous suits he's bought, cream sodas, receipts in ridiculous frames. He thinks of Rei having a collection of those and he can't help but chuckle. ]

You're not denying it. Being a fan.

[ This conversation feels like it'd be nicer to have over a beer, his water is so plain... Rosho waves the bartender back over. ]

Ya really did watch us back then? When we first started out, or somewhere in the middle?

When you were just starting to get popular, I think.

[Well, why lie at this point? Rosho has already sussed it out, and it's not like it's a terrible crime. Looking up at the ceiling, Rei tries to recall how it started.]

I was casing the city for an upcoming job. And when in Osaka, of course you have to see what's up with the local entertainment! Maybe it's just 'cause you two had broken into my house earlier that year, but you caught my attention from the outset.

[He swirls the drink in his cup.]

But the next time I was in town, you'd just split! Obviously, couldn't have that.

[Okay, that's simplifying it a bit. Like, taking out the whole Chuohku ordering him to wind Sasara back up thing. But it's mostly the truth!]

[ Rosho feels a little shiver go down his back, and he's not sure if it's from the anxiety or not, but it's pretty wild to think that before they'd even met Rei, before they knew anything about him, he'd been watching them. A pair of rookies, two different styles, somehow managing to come out as break out starts in Osaka's comedy scene.

Right there from the beginning, and then the end. He tries not to let it get him down, but it still does, and Rosho deflates immediately as he drags a finger through the condensation of his ice water. ]

I used to think that, we'd last longer than we did. Even when the feeling started to come over me, that I wasn't contributing to the team, I thought... it'll go away, ya know? It's just, performance jitters. Things like that. People go through that sort of thing all the time.

[ Until the feeling got worse, and worse, and Rosho just couldn't shake it off. And then... well, they both know the aftermath of that. The bartender comes back with his beer but Rosho can't focus on it yet. ]

I'm ashamed to say, I was sorta relieved when Sasara said he had a feeling we'd break up at some point. Like, he knew too, but he wanted to keep going. We both wanted to. We wanted it so badly. ...All I wish is that it hadn't happened the way it did. But that's just idealistic thinking, looking back on the past, wanting things to have been different even though nothing's gonna change, obviously.

[ He takes a deep breath. The air feels so heavy now. It's hard for him to think back on his comedy days and not feel... a bit down. Especially without Sasara to help perk him back up. ]

Um, I should probably say, even though it's sorta late... th-thank you for your support. [ Rosho's face goes a little red as he fusses with his glasses for a moment. ] Its been so long, I forget what those days were like. When people notice me from the old group, it's so embarrassing. Aah, just thinking about how many people really used to watch us back then makes me so nervous.

[ Rosho doesn't wait one second and immediately starts to chug down his beer. Washing away the anxiety with booze, always works. ]

[Rosho is so cute. He's always so earnest, isn't he? Rei's tempted to bully him, but decides to go easy.]

Well, never you mind. [Rei clinks his glass idly against Rosho's once he comes back up for air, chuckling.] Everyone's got something like that. And it's not like you're gonna let it define you. [Not anymore, anyway.] Right?

[ Don't ruin the moment Rei you can do that any other time.

He's nearly finished his drink off before he decides wait, he's getting a little bit ahead of himself, and also the rush of booze plus Rei's strikingly kind words are really making his face red. Rosho hides a smile behind his hand as he wipes at his mouth. ]

Right. I want things to be different from now on. Being part of this group, I won't mess it up. I promise.

[ Sasara always says he's going to take him to the top. Rosho's going to help him, however he can. This new version of Dotsuitare Hompo... he wants them to be able to do anything. ]

It's weird when you're nice, but I like it a lot more. You're a lot like... a parent, ya know?

[Rei scoffs dryly into his cup.] Me? A parent? Now that's a laugh.

[The words are practiced: Rei is used to lying about this much. Still, it always feels a bit hollow.

He waves for another drink.]

...There is a word for someone like me, though. Well, an acronym. Maybe you've heard of it?

[Rei... no.............]

An acronym, huh? For someone like you... let's see..

[ Nothing immediately comes to mind. Mostly because Rosho's not too good with acronyms. Something that would be used for Rei though? He's trying to think of the kind of stuff you might call a swindling scam artist old man.

..........

Nope, still nothing. ]

Maybe... [ What are some things his students might use? ] Somethin' like, "NSFW"?

[PFFFFFFFFJFJHSFDK WHAT THE FUCK, SAYING IT SO SWEETLY LIKE THAT

This is why rei picked osaka, Jesus]

Actually, you know what? Never mind. Ask Sasara.

[Rei's laughter over his glass is now resembling giggling, if it weren't coming from a six foot tall old man.]

Glad to have you around, Sensei.

Wh-what're ya crackin' up about for? [ Don't laugh at people for no reason at all it's very confusing and rude!! ] Hey, I'm not asking Sasara! If I do he's not gonna give me a straight-forward answer, he'll just start making stupid jokes. You've gotta tell me, Rei!

[ Starts jostling his arm like a child hgkjdf being a lightweight is suffering. ] Rei! I wanna know!

these are tear-able puns ✨🗒✨

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if king records josses me on this i'll........ be impressed they bothered

retcon their asses dotsuhon lore belongs to us now

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1/2

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