Chapter Text
Zenitsu was never very independent. Even when he doesn't mean to, he drags Kaigaku down with him. So he's not very happy to hear about Kaigaku spending time with another person, even if it's against his brother's will. Zenitsu hears what he wants to hear. So when Jigoro proposes the idea of collaboration, he is not pleased. He had half a mind not to stress Jigoro out by refusing. They often did their best to keep the man from worrying. He was older. They knew that. It was best to resolve conflicts between themselves before they got to him. As soon as the door clicked and Jigoro was gone, Kaigaku leaned back in his chair. He was annoyed at the thought of being around Gyutaro, but that was just the way it was. So he'd survive. Barely.
"This is going to suck."
Zenitsu couldn't stop the feeling in his stomach. He was not going to be replaced. That definitely wasn't the truth. Kaigaku didn't even know the guy. But Zenitsu Agatsuma hears what he wants to hear. He gripped the edge of the table.
"Make sure not to forget me while you're at it."
Kaigaku's demeanor changed. Another argument. Great. Kaigaku had his own faults and flaws. Of course he did. But he loved Zenitsu in his own way. So why couldn't he just chill out? Since the moment they met, Zenitsu had stayed clingy as ever. They'd been through so much. Back when Kaigaku was an angry teenager. An angry teenager who'd lost both parents. The moment he entered the Agatsuma household for the first time, Zenitsu had already accepted him. They were brothers. Not by blood, but in every way it mattered. They supported eachother.
"I'm not forgetting anything. You're being pathetic."
Zenitsu was never good with feelings. Even the slightest disagreement had him questioning everything. He wasn't sure what he wanted. He wasn't sure what would make him feel better. All he was sure of was that Kaigaku didn't care enough to listen. Why couldn't he just listen? To listen. Maybe that was what Zenitsu wanted. Kaigaku was never one for listening. Never one for having a filter, either. He said whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. Not because he felt untouchable, but because he felt that he didn't owe anyone anything. Not even a little peace of mind for his little brother.
"I'm not being anything!"
Zenitsu got up from the table, not bothering to wait for a response. What was the point in arguing back and forth? No, that solved nothing. But what was there to be solved? It was clear to him that Kaigaku had already made up his mind. As much as Kaigaku loved his brother, he was truly a selfish guy. A selfishness ingrained into his very core. Years of stealing and gambling to survive left an evil selfishness in his heart. A want, no, a need, to save himself. To protect himself. To guard himself. He had no problem clawing his way to the top. He didn't care who he had to sabotage. That was what Zenitsu hated so, so much.