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Ryoma arrived at practice with a can of grape Ponta in hand, only to stop dead at the sight before him.
Momoshiro was attempting to bridal carry Kaidoh while the latter loudly complained about being dropped.
Kawamura unsurprisingly had managed to lift Fuji with surprising ease, earning an amused laugh from the tensai.
Even Oishi was carefully carrying Eiji across the court, the redhead looking entirely too pleased with himself.
"...What's going on?" Ryoma asked, taking another sip of his Ponta.
Tezuka, who had somehow remained uninvolved despite standing in the middle of the chaos, adjusted his glasses.
"Eiji watched a film last night," he explained. "It featured a bridal carry. He concluded that everyone should be capable of carrying their significant other."
Ryoma looked around the courts once more before his gaze settled on Tezuka. "...Then why aren't you bridal carrying me?"
"My apologies."
Before Ryoma could react, one arm slid behind his knees while the other settled around his back.
A moment later, he found himself effortlessly lifted off the ground. "..."
"..."
"I was joking," Ryoma muttered, ears faintly pink. "Put me down before you injure your arm again."
"My arm has fully recovered."
"Still."
Tezuka lowered him back onto the court with the same care he'd used to pick him up.
The instant Ryoma's shoes touched the ground, he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around Tezuka's waist, and attempted to lift him.
Nothing happened.
Tezuka looked down at him. "...What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to bridal carry you."
"I can see that."
Ryoma grunted with effort. "If you can carry me, I should be able to carry you. Relationships are supposed to be equal."
Tezuka regarded him quietly.
"We are only two years apart," Ryoma continued. "It's unfair that you can pick me up but I can't pick you up."
"I am also nearly a foot taller than you," Tezuka replied.
"...That's beside the point."
"I do not believe it is."
Ryoma tried once more. Tezuka remained exactly where he was.
Ryoma let out an exasperated sigh and crossed his arms. "I still want to bridal carry you."
For a moment, Tezuka simply watched him, expression unreadable.
Then he leaned down just enough to press a gentle kiss to Ryoma's forehead. "I do not need you to carry me," he said quietly.
Ryoma looked up at him, still pouting. "...I'm still going to figure out how."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Tezuka's mouth."I expected nothing less."