Chapter Text
The third Friday of every month is movie night at the Tamakoma house, and everyone is required to attend. In their busy lives filled with training, school and any other distractions Rindou made it a rule to have one night where everyone got together for a bonding moment.
That is, if everyone can find a seat in front of the television. Rindou and Reiji had always talked about getting a bigger TV, one that they could all sit around comfortably without straining their necks, but that time hasn’t come yet. For now the battle for dominance (known better as the battle for the best seat) commences.
Surprisingly Rindou is the first to sit down on the couch, a whole thirty minutes before their movie is supposed to begin. It’s his choice for movie night – a foreign romcom that no expect him to pick – and he intends on getting the best seat in the house. He’s in casual clothes for once, and a bowl of popcorn is already sitting in his lap.
“You’re going to finish that before the movie even starts.” Yuri points out. He shrugs at her comment.
“I’ll just steal someone else’s when the time comes.” He retorts, content with keeping himself in the center of the couch. The next people to occupy the couch were Konami and Karasuma fifteen minutes before the movie started. They sat on one side of the couch, battling their hips against Rindou’s so he would scoot over. He eventually relents, grumbling something about respecting their elders.
Only a few minutes later Reiji steps up and places himself on the other side of Rindou. He’s easily the biggest Tamakoma agent and Rindou can feel it as his shoulders fold into himself from both sides. He grumbles again, the two younger men not noticing his scrunched form between them. They chat amongst themselves, oblivious to their Branch Director’s state.
Next Osamu and Yuma step up with bags of popcorn and sweets for everyone. They sit in front of Rindou, their forms preventing an easy way of escape for Rindou. They wrench themselves to chat with their mentors, their laughs and comments shaking everyone on the couch.
Chika sits next to Osamu in front of Reiji and offers him a few snacks. He obliges and as he leans forward Rindou gets a moment of relief before being squished again by Reiji’s form. Shiori and Yuri come in second-to-last, holding a reluctant Hyuse and excited Youtarou in tow. They sit to the side of the couch and Rindou’s plea for relief gets answered when Reiji offers his spot to Yuri.
He thanks god that Reiji is a gentleman and Yuri smiles when she sets herself next to Rindou.
“Were you having a rough time over here?” He straightens himself out, shifting his shoulders back into their proper place.
“No complaints here.” He lies. Finally, Jin arrives with crackers in his hands. He sits next to Hyuse on the floor, content with being relegated to the floor next to the newest members of Tamakoma. They chat for a few more minutes as Rindou pulls up their movie. The title screen plays, and the members shush each other.
It was cheesy and corny, many of the agents couldn’t hold back their laughs as the cheesy lines were said and the delivery was just as bad. Yuri’s laughter echoed through the room, while Konami couldn’t help but roll her eyes at the overly romantic gestures on screen. The female lead wrote a letter to the male lead and slipped it into his locker at their school.
She looks around before hiding and lying in wait, the male lead entering the frame soon after. He sees the letter fall out of his locker and he picks it up to read it. He looks surprised as he looks around, trying to find the source of the letter. He shrugs and packs it away into his backpack.
“I can’t believe she thought that would work!” Konami said towards the screen. Karasuma looks at her with his usual stoic stare.
“I thought you did that to a boy when you were in middle school?” He asks her. Konami is caught off guard and her cheeks turn a shade of pink.
“N-no I didn’t! What are you talking about?” She fidgeted with her fingers, avoiding his gaze. He throws up an eyebrow at her.
“I… Well, maybe I did something similar once. She admitted, her voice slightly sheepish. “But it was a long time ago so there’s no reason to tease me about it!” She waves away the rest of Karasuma’s thoughts and they continue to watch the movie.
As the movie progressed, the agents engaged in playful banter, getting louder as they commented on the characters and their choices. Rindou caught himself smiling a bit too wide at a few scenes and Usami poked fun at Rindou’s movie choice.
“Are you taking notes for your own romantic endeavors?” Usami teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Rindou chuckled and raised an eyebrow. “Oh, you caught me. I’m just here to gather inspiration for my next grand gesture.” The room erupted in laughter, the playful atmosphere filling the air as the movie continued.
As the movie neared its end the room grew quieter. Youtarou was asleep in Yuri’s laugh and everyone’s eyes grew tired in the moonlight. With the credits rolling on the screen, Hyuse makes a comment.
“I don’t get why Meeden is so obsessed with romance.” He says, his arms crossed over himself. Yuma nods in agreement.
“Most of the movies we see revolve around it. I’m still not quite sure myself.” Yuma comments.
“Romance is a universal emotion that all humans feel.” Rindou started, “It taps into out emotions and explores the complexities of human relationships.” Everyone stares at Rindou in his philosophical thoughts. Yuri clears her voice, and everyone turns to her.
“The concept of love can be hard for someone to imagine and movies that showcase love can make it seem more attainable and grounded.” Yuri adds her thoughts too and Hyuse sinks into the arm of the couch.
“I still don’t understand. In Aftokrator love was only used as an excuse to bond two houses together. I guess it holds a different meaning here.” Hyuse comments. Usami looks over Youtarou towards him.
“I guess love is hard to feel when your constantly training and fighting for your life. Here we can indulge a little, you should too.” She winks and Hyuse stands up to leave, the rest of the agents stretching their stiff bodies to leave as well.
The room slowly emptied as the agents moved to their respective rooms, leaving Rindou and Yuri sitting on the couch. Rindou stretches.
“Yet another successful movie night.” Rindou says. Yuri nods along with him, cleaning up the area around the couch.
“It’s gotten much livelier around here with the new kids.” Yuri comments, cleaning up said new kid’s space. Rindou leans down to help her.
“Yeah, I’m glad. The days go by much faster with them around.” Rindou says. Rindou and Yuri worked together, tidying up the space as they continued their conversation.
“You’re right,” Yuri smiles, her voice filled with warmth. “The last time it was this lively around here was five years ago?” Rindou nods, taking a deep breath.
“Has it been that long already?” Rindou questions. Yuri nods, making her way to the kitchen and grabbing a hidden bottle of alcohol from the cabinet. She takes out two glasses and slides one towards Rindou.
“It feels like it was only yesterday I saw you sparing with Shin and Mogami.” Yuri reminisces. Rindou walks over to the counter and flicks the cap off, tipping the alcohol into his glass. He raises his glass.
“I’ll drink to that.” They tip their glasses back into their mouth and sigh.
“I miss them.” Rindou says after a few moments. Even with their memories and pictures all over the house, their absence was noticeable and weighed heavily on their hearts. Rindou took a moment to collect his thoughts, his gaze drifting to the framed photographs along the wall.
“I’m sure they wouldn’t want us to have a somber attitude about them.” Yuri says, twisting the drink around in her hand. Rindou nods.
“I know, but they aren’t here to argue about that with me about that.” He downs his drink, reaching to grab the bottle again.
“I’m thinking about a thriller next month. I’m hoping it’ll scare the kids good. Konami too.” Rindou says as he fills his glass again. Yuri smiles, looking into her glass.
“Wasn’t that Mogami’s favorite movie genre?” Rindou does nothing but smile.