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"You ready to go yet?"
Ishiro and Genba were in the process of getting ready for an event. It was mostly to be used as a chance to get info.
However, Ishiro was not enthused by what they were being asked to do. There was a good reason for it, but he really didn't want to tell anyone what it was. He had sucked it up and gone along with the plan but now that they were about to get on with it, he was hesitant.
"What's wrong?" Genba got in his face. "It's just a small event. We'll be in and out in no time."
Ishiro averted his gaze. How did he even say this? Did he want to? It was Genba. That was a questionable thing sometimes. Did he try? Try to lie about why he was hesitant to go?
It probably wasn't going to matter. Someone would expose him if he said the truth or not. It was probably for the best that he was the one to tell Genba.
Ishiro took in a deep breath. "I uh... I know quite a few of the people at this event. And they... uh, they know me before I... transitioned."
"So they're going to be assholes to you?" Genba said.
"I am afraid that will happen and I really don't want to deal with it." Ishiro nodded.
It was still a sensitive topic for him. While Genba was aware he was trans, he had yet to offer him much about his past. This was the first time Genba was hearing about how other people in his life were reacting to this.
"Well, I can go by myself if you really don't want to go." Genba offered.
"I don't want to do that to you. We said we'd do it together." Ishiro protested.
"But it'll be quite uncomfortable for you there. Wouldn't it be better to avoid it?"
"I... well, maybe we can use it as a distraction? They'll be occupied with me, they might not notice you snooping around."
"Can you handle them being like that to you?"
Ishiro hesitated. He really would rather not deal with that but it could be to their advantage to use it.
"I'll handle it if you treat me to something afterward." Ishiro said.
"Of course. But how about we make a little message to say if you get too uncomfortable. I'll swoop in and get you away." Genba replied.
"O-okay. That sounds like a good idea." Ishiro agreed.
He hadn't expected Genba to take it so well. He had been expecting a bit more getting brushed off. He was used to being told he was being too dramatic.
He also was a little surprised that Genba hadn't suggested anything more violent to deal with the issue. Both him and Taiya did get quite defensive when someone tried him on being trans.
"Genba? You aren't intenting to resort to violence to come to the rescue, are you?" Ishiro asked. That was a worry now that he thought about it.
"Depends." Genba hummed with a smile.
"If you punch someone we are both getting into so much trouble." Ishiro groaned.
Genba tapped him on the nose. "It would be worth it. That's what they deserve."
"Just promise you will only do that as a last resort."
"Fine. Promise I won't deck anyone in the face without a good reason."
"That didn't sound very sincere, but we need to get going."