Work Text:
— You're making progress, Haruto. Soon you'll be a real entertainer, — the young teacher rubbed his student's hard-working head. The younger Tenjo smiles happily.
— Just like you?
— Well... Admittedly, I'm not the best hero of the genre, and I'm not exactly a true entertainer, — a slightly blushing McField scratches the back of his head awkwardly. No, of course, for the children here and his pupils he is now a great authority, but ...
— How is that not real? Your shows always bring smiles!!!— the boy nods negatively for a long time, childishly frowning.
— And if you want to be praised, nii-chan says that's not the best way to achieve it, — Dennis, who has already admitted his 'wrongness', chuckles in response, nodding in agreement. A line from Kaito Tenjo's repertoire, indeed.
— Where is he, by the way? He's usually the first one to pick you up," Dennis had seen the former Resistance leader's gaze in the crowd in almost every one of his new duels, but when it came to Haruto, he was ready to literally sizzle anyone who could potentially harm him, including the sometimes hesitant McField.
And Shun had probably already told Kaito about the espionage, the entertainer's connection to his sister's kidnapping, the Friendship Cup, and the fact that Dennis was the one who had "tipped the first domino of Hartland's misfortunes," which obviously didn't make things any better. (Although Dennis always kept the thought of personal recognition in his mind.)
— He's got some very important things to do today, and he told me to sit with you, — the younger boy babbles in a casual tone, continuing to stroke the little plush Galactic-Eyes that Dennis had given him. The Entertainer arches an eyebrow.
— By himself? With me?
— Himself. Sometimes he even asks how you are, about your duels... Are you friends too? — Haruto looks up curiously. Dennis, in a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts, forces out an awkward smile.
— We're not exactly friends, but we had to fight once... On a huge liner! His dragons impressed me so much that I fell overboard. — Of course, Dennis' story is accompanied by a separate play starring a paper boat and a toy dragon. The bewildered boy continues to listen.
— If I see a frightened Haruto in your class one more time, next time you'll go out the window, — Kaito appears in the doorway unexpectedly and quietly (Dennis once again notices that the elusiveness of the Resistance leader is justified). Haruto instantly throws himself into the older brother’s arms.
— Hey… Will you wait for me outside? We need to talk privately for a while, — the older boy affectionately turns to the younger with a faint smile, fairly nuzzling him in return.
— I'll wait!!! If you don't throw Dennis out the window.....
— It's a joke, don't worry, — Kaito nods to the fleeing Haru, McField continuing to chuckle awkwardly. Yes, a joke, in the context of one Kaito's past situation — really funny...
At the same time, why does Tenjo want to talk in private? They've never talked in person, only about Haruto's grades and class activities... Is this going to be about that again, or has Kaito finally come for the missing answers?
— You just promised, of course, but let me at least back up, — Dennis mumbles vaguely. His companion stares back incomprehensibly. Not a good joke, probably.
— It wouldn't be fair, and that's not really why I'm here. I'm sure you've had enough moralizing without me, — Kaito began casually, to which Macfield flapped his eyes in surprise, listening intently to Tenjo's further speech.
— I really wanted to thank you. For caring about him too. The entertaining duels got Haruto back on his feet after the war, and he rushes to your lessons faster than anyone else in the class. Not to mention the fact that now I too am forced to sleep in the arms of an army of your stuffed friends, — the elder Tenjo said quietly and slowly, picking up a forgotten favorite toy from the teacher's desk. Kaito hadn't been looking at the interior of the classroom when he'd been attending meetings, so it was only now that he noticed the many picture frames and carefully hung children's hats and masks.
Dennis, on the other hand, can barely contain a storm of feelings, including genuine amazement and happy laughter (and a joke about making a plush dragon for Kaito, too).
He blurts out an unanticipated but still familiar artistic smile.
— You're welcome. It's the least I can do for your family...
— It's worth it. I don't want to witness the aftermath of your spiritual strife a second time, — Kaito said with the usual grumbling, crossing his arms over his chest.
McField nodded gratefully, wanting to come closer and hug the older Tenjo, but stopping just in time. Dennis realizes that the trust of such a closed boy will not be returned, and the scars of war will not be healed by one brief conversation....
But maybe one day, years from now, watching the victory of one of Heartland best duelist-entertainers, Haruto Tenjo, he'll finally hug the distraught Kaito as tightly as he can.