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It's another day in Zawame as Kouta rides his bike through the city, towards Team Gaim’s home stage. He’s managed to get himself a job at Drupers to help his sister with funding the apartment. At least since she won’t accept the prize money he receives from the dance competition going on in the city.
Soon, he arrives at the building as the distance from Drupers isn’t far at all. That’s one reason he felt lucky for Bando letting him work there. The remnants of an old auto repair shop, they transformed into a more inviting industrial style headquarter for the dancing team. Kouta rides a bit past the stairs going up the side of the brick building. He moves his bike so its slightly hidden by the stairs and is as close to the side of the building as possible. He gets off his bike and kicks down the stand beside the back tire.
“Kazuraba.” A voice comes from behind him. Kouta stops in his tracks at the voice, knowing it belongs to only one team leader. He turns with the smile he always sports. As expected there stands a man in a long black and red coat, grey waistcoat and maroon collared shirt beneath. His medium length brown hair swept to the right side and those brooding eyes only Kumon Kaito could possess. “Afternoon, Kaito. The rest of my team won’t be here for another hour or so.” He smiles politely at Kaito, leader of team Baron and supposedly his rival.
The Baron leader scoffs and continues walking towards Kouta. "I'm not an idiot. I came here for you. Now come on, let me in." He replies. Kaito moves bask Kouta, beginning his march up the stairs. Kouta does the one thing he can do not to upset him and climbs the stairs after him. Kaito leans against the railing beside the metal stairs at the top of them. He watches expectantly as Kouta fishes through his pocket for the spare key he has to the place, Mai having the primary one. He fumbles for a moment but soon gets the door unlocked and opens it. Kaito barges inside the place with Kouta following after him. He closes the door behind them and continues inside the space. Kaito is already perched broodingly in one of the chairs surrounding the TV atop the console table near the center of the room.
Kouta moves close to him, though he stops at the last chair on the food bar, setting himself atop the red stool. He doesn't want to accidentally provoke Kaito into a duel, knowing Gaim is at the very top of the rankings currently. "So... what is it?" He nods his head towards the man a few feet away.
"How did you get to the top of the rankings so quickly? You and your mediocre teammates were in 8th just last week." Kaito snarls, glaring across at Kouta. The Gaim Rider stands up from the bar stool and moves behind the bar as he thinks about his answer. He can feel Kaito's eyes burning into his skull as he moves. Then he turns back to him from behind the counter.
"We've just been practicing and have a lot of chemistry with each other in the team. Plus we have fun with it, that always helps. Not taking it so seriously." He replies with a soft smile. Kouta bends down behind the counter, not looking back for Kaito's expression. He opens up the mini fridge back there and fishes out a bottle of melon soda. "Oh, would you like something to drink?" He adds as he places the bottle on the counter beside the fridge.
"Tsk. I would've visited you at Drupers if I wanted a drink." Kaito scoffs as if Kouta had just messed up his precious jacket.
"Suit yourself." Kouta shrugs with a slight smile. He swipes the bottle of melon soda from the counter and returns to his place at the barstool on the very end. He settles on the chair and twists open the cap. The melon scent wafts into his nose along with the fizz of the carbonated drink. He takes a few sips of the drink.
"Hmph. You're not as strong as Baron, though. Maybe you rigged the rankings instead. That DJ Sagara always seemed to like Gaim." Kaito grumbles, watching Kouta as he caps the drink and sets it down for now. Kouta snickers softly, shaking his head as he meets the Baron leader's eyes.
"That's silly. What reason would we have to rig the rankings anyway? The Inves game isn't a real competition, it's just a game. Sure the prize money from it is nice but it's just a game and the city is paying us to entertain and keep the game going." He replies half-heartedly with a bright, prideful smile. Kouta stands from his seat and walks across the concrete floor to Kaito's seat. "Don't beat yourself up over it. Im sure our teams will have an exciting battle at the top this year." He smiles, patting the red padded shoulder of Kaito.
His hand is smacked away by Kaito as he stands to tower just slightly over Kouta. He then grabs the collar of the blue and yellow hoodie over Kouta's white shirt. His breath hitches as Kaito tugs him sharply as if he's trying to pull apart the hoodie's stitches. "Don't belittle me Kazuraba." He scoffs softly with his eyes narrowed.
Kouta blushes beneath his gaze, unable to focus on his words with his heart beginning to race. Kaito isn't speaking anymore, just there glaring closely. They're so close Kouta can see every little pore on his face, fleck of color in his eyes and strands of his hair. So many moments while they talk that Kaito pulls him this close just to metaphorically spit in his face. Moving him so their faces nearly touch yet shoving him away just moments later. Kouta leans just slightly forward, connecting their lips. Nerves invade his body as he begins to regret what he's done. He mentally anticipates a shove, push away, or a slap from Kaito.
However he's only tugged closer by the fabric of his hoodie. Kaito’s lips press back against his own a bit roughly. Kouta wraps an arm around the other male’s neck in the kiss. Kaito pulls back soon after, letting go of his shirt as he backs up slightly. He looks back at Kouta with a soft, seemingly satisfied smile on his lips. Kouta’s cheeks flush as he meets Kaito’s gaze. His cheeks have an equal amount of flush to them. He brushes Kouta's cheek softly, as if he were a delicate little flower. Then he pulls his hand back as he glances away to hide his face.
“I uh… I should go. I’ve been here too long so Zack is wondering where I am.” Kaito excuses. Kouta raises his brow in confusion. The Baron leader begins walking away from him along with the opportunity for Kouta to find out if Kaito really does like him too.
"Wait um... Would you go to Drupers or somewhere with me? When I'm not working." He asks quickly, making the brunette pause and turn back around. Kaito's brooding eyes seem to light up a bit as his lips turn up ever so slightly into a smile. He stops completely at the question, his body turned fully towards Kouta.
“Wow. You’re more of a man than I thought. I’ll come see you at the end of your next shift.” Kaito smirks at him. He turns back around after and resumes his walk to the door. He waves his hand towards Kouta, then the main door closes behind him.