Practice Makes Perfect (Open to Everyone!)

ooc: You guys are fantasmo , especially with your characterization! I really want to set up some kind of sleepover-type thread...xD Like when they're at the training camp. That would be too fun.

Ryosuke had begun his usual saunter down the road which led in the direction of his school, but first and foremost, his best friends' houses. He knew it so well, he was fairly certain he could walk the damned thing with his eyes closed and come out wherever he wanted to without a problem. At the moment, he was actually on his way to Wataru's home. He'd slept in late, and when he'd woken up, realizing there was still all too much time left to what seemed was going to be boring day, he'd decided to go visit his friends. Contrary to popular belief, not every second of his life was busied with the promise of a date with one girl or another. Not that he would have particularly minded, even if it was.

Ryosuke had never quite fully gotten used to the contrast between this suburban place in comparison to his old city home, even if it had been a few years since his move here. It felt weird as hell walking down streets that oftentimes were entirely empty, like the rest of the world--minus his semi-annoying family--had disappeared on him while he slept. But then he'd get to Wataru's place or school, see everyone else, and...well yeah.

Ryosuke had only just gotten to thinking about the math test that was coming up at school and how he wouldn't mind maybe sneaking a peek or two from his neighbor's desk rather than go home and study, when he glanced to his left and noticed two familiar-looking figures sitting on the beach that lined the road. There were just a few other people in the area, one of whom--an attractive older woman jogging--he smiled at, but he decided to stop and look anyway, just for curiosity's sake.

Stuffing his hands in his pockets, Ryosuke craned his neck to get a better look at the couple. If he wasn't mistaken, they looked like some of the guys from the Rhythmic Gymnastics' team at school, perhaps some of the more quieter members, since he didn't think he knew them as well.

Then he saw the "Japan" jacket and knew who at least one of the guys was. That put him off a bit from going and he momentarily considered continuing off to Wataru's and the promise of the world's best omurice, until he he pondered the possibility that maybe the team was having a meeting. One that he hadn't heard about. If Wataru or Nippori were going to show up, they weren't likely to be hanging out at the Wataru Home, and typically, where they were, Ryosuke liked to be.

But they'd tell me, right?

Ryosuke found himself running over to the team member he didn't know so well and Mr. Japan Jacket Sourpuss moments later, thinking he would ask the guys if there was a meeting. If he was mistaken, it would be as simple as grinning, waving, and disappearing like he'd never been there in the first place. Maybe his smile really only charmed the ladies, but it had gotten him out of some tight situations and other commitments too.

Ryosuke pulled one hand from his pocket to offer the two guys a wave as he approached, shuffling through the sand. Neither of them seemed to be too thrilled.
He refrained from saying any names, because the best he would have been able to manage was "Captain Sourpuss" and "Unknown Guy", neither of which he thought would be useful if he wanted to get some answers from them. Instead, he got right to the point.

"Oi, are we meeting today? I didn't hear anything from Wataru, but if we've got one, I have some time today..."

Suddenly, Girl Next Door's "Be Your Wings" started playing from Ryosuke's pocket.

Nice. Phone messages typically promised good things.

He pulled his cellphone out of his right pocket and flipped it open. It was a message from Yuko, one of the quieter girls on the Girls' Gymnastics Team at Karasumori. She'd written to ask if he wanted to join her for lunch in the afternoon. She'd even included a cute little smiley face heart.

Ryosuke sighed happily. "Or not. Busy in a few hours, but not right now. So are we meeting?"

The person in front of him nodded, before speaking.

“Hello Mizusawa-senpai” He greeted with little sentiment. “Have you been waiting long?”

Mizusawa felt stupid for having not recognized Hino the moment he'd spotted the famous jumpsuit. That should have given it away right away. Not that it mattered now. Hino was observing him with the same fairly careless look he always had, a look that always gave Mizusawa strange vibes. Even though Hino was a year younger, sometimes something about his stare made Mizusawa feel more like the child.

Despite all that, he smiled and shook his head. "Not too long," he responded cheerfully. He paused, trying to think of something to say. Hino wasn't much of a talker, although he could be fairly quiet himself. What he was more worried about now was that he wouldn't be able to find something to talk about.

But he didn't let that show outwardly. Still smiling, he patted the sand beside him. "Why don't you have a seat? You can probably get some stretches in before the others get here."

He was waiting for Hino's response, hoping it would be a yes-- considering he was feeling a bit lonely at the moment (and having someone to practice with was always more fun)--when suddenly someone else approached them.

This time, there was no doubt about who had joined them. Mizusawa could recognize Ryosuke's blonde hair from a mile away. The Yankee was already waving to both him and Hino as he approached them.

"Oi, are we meeting today? I didn't hear anything from Wataru, but if we've got one, I have some time today..."

As he was speaking, someone's cell phone went off. It turned out to be Ryosuke's as well.

A moment of silence ensued, in which Ryosuke was checking his phone and smiling at whatever message he had gotten. Mizusawa looked quickly at Hino to see what he thought about this, before looking back at Rysouke to see what he had to say.

Ryosuke sighed happily. "Or not. Busy in a few hours, but not right now. So are we meeting?"

Mizusawa, still caught in mid-stretching pose (and wondering why that wasn't enough evidence of why they were there), paused. "Uh, well, yeah--"

At that moment, another, taller figure joined them. This time, Mizusawa felt his face flush.

Kiyama.

Kiyama had his usual careless look as well. Even though he was still a Yankee though, the look wasn't as sharp as Hino's...if that made any sense at all. But there was something about that look, that both of them had...

"So, guys, what's one the routine for today?"

Mizusawa realized he was staring and quickly looked away. Guess it was time for him to stop stretching. Maybe he could help one of the others. Though now he was feeling a little flustered.

"Ah, well..." He bit his lip. He wasn't the captain and he hadn't thought to ask Yuuta, since Yuuta was usually the first here. What was the plan for today? "Well...I guess if Yuuta doesn't show up soon, we can just practice what we've been doing recently. You know, the first part of the routine." He ran a hand through his hair, trying to keep his cool. He wasn't feeling much like the leader type right now. "I mean, if we get that mastered, then maybe we can move on to the second part...right?"

He was just babbling now. But hopefully he sounded like he knew what the heck he was talking about, even if that wasn't the case at the moment.

ooc: Sorry if this post wasn't so great, guys. It's so late here! >__<

Tentatively taking up Mizusawa’s offer for a seat beside him, Hino released a heavy breath. A part of him wished that this would be the extent of the team meet-up. No noisiness, no ignorance and no impertinence. Just a few moments in which he could share with someone that; though he would never voice it; he considered just as capable as he was himself at the common interest they shared.

But when Hino spotted the blond haired Yankee approaching he knew the comfortable silence would end, and he would then have to try his best to keep his anger down and his shield up.

"Oi, are we meeting today? I didn't hear anything from Wataru, but if we've got one, I have some time today..."

Hino caught the glances Mizusawa shared with him once Ryosuke was quickly distracted by his noisy phone. A glance that was gone just as quickly as it had arrived. Hino disguised his disappointment with a roll of his eyes at the punks complete lack of focus, something which was far from unusual.

Then, as if one weren’t enough, a second misfit joined them, with his bag slung over his shoulder and hair a mess.

Though Hino’s attention was quickly reverted away from Kiyama and back to Mizusawa who looked suddenly more than a little flustered on the new comers arrival.

"So, guys, what's one the routine for today?"

Kiyama’s words were distant in his mind to the confusion that now controlled it. Mizusawa was quick to disguise his discomfort, but it didn’t change the fact that it had been there, and Hino knew that he had seen it there before. However he was unable to think of any logical reason for someone who was usually so composed to be overcome by such a feeble emotion.

Hino stood casually wiping the sand from his tracksuit, upon Mizusawa’s decision to begin training if their leader doesn’t show up. He shoved his hands deep into his pockets debating with himself whether it was even worth his being there at all. He wasn’t apart of their group routine, and if he’s to practice he would much rather practice his own solo routine in a more suitable location, preferably on an actual gym mat.

He squinted as he watched Kiyama begin to stretch, and moved his eyes back toward Mizusawa on the hand by his feet.

“I don’t really think I need to be here” He stated impassively. “I think I’ll just head home”

Something of an awkward silence ensued, and Mizusawa lowered his eyes to the ground, unsure of what to say. He couldn't pressure them into practicing if they didn't want to, and he didn't want to pressure them either. Already it seemed like no one really wanted to be here. But he wasn't the type to tell everyone they had to stay--that was more Yuuta's job than anyone else's.

He was preparing for everyone to just up and leave, when he heard a soft thumping sound nearby. He looked up and saw that Kiyama, of all people, had dropped his bag in the sand. Mizusawa's eyes met his.

"Sounds good. The others can join when they get here."

Mizusawa watched, slightly stunned, as Kiyama nodded to him, then took off his jacket and made his way closer to the water, evidently about to do some practice stretches of his own. Mizusawa's expression quickly softened, in appreciation that Kiyama was showing some initiative, but the other boy was already busy practicing and probably had not seen it.

He barely heard Ryosuke's words nearby as the Yankee began talking about the routine.

"I was just gonna say about the end of the first part, where you have me doing that ballerina twirl thing..."

That was when he sensed movement beside him, and was momentarily distracted from Kiyama.

It was Hino. Hino was getting up out of the sand, dusting himself off and looking, much not to Mizusawa's surprise, disgruntled. The younger boy had shoved his hands into his pockets and, for a moment, he made eye contact with Mizusawa. Mizusawa just stared back for a moment, confused.

“I don’t really think I need to be here” He stated impassively. “I think I’ll just head home.”

Mizusawa was surprised. Did Hino really feel that way? Of course, yes, Hino technically didn't have to practice the routine with them, but...he was still part of the team right?

Great, Mizusawa couldn't help thinking. I scared him off. This is why I wouldn't make a good leader at all... He opened his mouth, about to ask Hino to stay, but someone beat him to speaking.

"Yeah, with your attitude, you're probably right. Don't need you drowning us in your self pity." Ryosuke settled onto the ground, having officially made up his mind. He was going to stay. He curled his fingers in the sand and spoke his next words more softly, probably because even he wasn't quite sure where they'd come from. "Any of us could say we're just going home...doesn't mean it's the right thing to do for the team..."

Mizusawa was stunned. Of course he should have expected a Yankee like Ryosuke to say what he wanted to say, but still...That had been quite a bit, well...direct. This was bad...he didn't want anyone leaving before Yuuta had even arrived. This was already looking bad for the team.

"Look, guys..." Mizusawa cut in softly, glancing over at Kiyama for a moment before looking between Hino and Ryosuke. He felt his stomach flip-flop at the look on Hino's face.

ooc: Let me know if I need to add any more to the post. I left it off like this for Hino's retort! But if I need to add more, I certainly can do!

ooc: sorry if there are errors, it's quite late here T.T

"Yeah, with your attitude, you're probably right. Don't need you drowning us in your self pity."

Hino’s hands within his pockets involuntarily clenched into fists, and he felt the corner of his right eye twitch.

"Any of us could say we're just going home...doesn't mean it's the right thing to do for the team..."

He took in a deep breath and in the most controlled voice he could muster he spoke, keeping his eyes glued to the ocean in front of him. Mizusawa's words of calm were completely lost on him as his mind raged inwardly.

“I don’t pity myself" He began spitefuly. "I pity all of you. Thinking a group of misfits such of yourselves could possibly make up a team!” He hadn’t meant all those words to spilled from his mouth, it was like once he got going he couldn’t stop.

“Why should I stay to help out a ‘team’ that I am not a part of. You are doing the group Tumbling, I am not.”

The turned his gaze to Ryosuke, his eyes narrowed and accusing.

“Why should I help any of you, when you have never helped me?”
For some reason deep in his mind, where Hino couldn’t quite read, the fact that he was speaking to a sempai and a yankee didn’t alter his words or stifle their meaning. He didn’t feel the fear he should or the worry that a punch would follow. He almost felt like a weight had been lifted.

A weight he hadn't realised had even been there to begin with. He spun on his heal, feeling the sand collapse beneath his feet to turn away from the group, and was about to make his leave when Yuta’s voice broke his thoughts.

"Ahh everyone, sorry I'm late!"

He didn’t know whether to regard Yuta’s sudden presence as a good thing or bad, good in that the attention on him moments ago was now reverted, and bad being that Yuta was one of those people who like to fix things.

When he noticed Yuta trying to wrangle everyone together for practice he breathed a sigh of relief.

In a rare moment of cooperation Hino unzipped his jacket to begin stretching.

Kiyama tried ignoring the conflict for about a minute. They'd been a dime a dozen since the more volatile yankees had decided to join a team full of "normals", but in most cases they quickly burned themselves out. Yet this one seemed to be getting out of hand... and quick.

He turned around to see Ryosuke grabbing the second-year by the collar. Kiyama's fists clenched nearly on their own; that was just unacceptable. He didn't care that Hino might've been nothing but a bitch to everyone in the gymnastics club; Ryosuke physically threatening the boy wasn't much better in his mind. The fact that he was more than a head taller and opposing such a lithe boy (with the attitude or not) was screaming "unfair" to Kiyama in five different languages.

For a minute, he wondered if he should interject -- the only other one there was Mizusawa, who was looking pretty helpless. Or maybe Hino was one of those who just needed his butt kicked, once, and real good. He'd known many of the type over the years.

And then he heard it.

"No wonder you've got no friends...You wouldn't know teamwork if it punched you in the face."

For some reason, that line from Ryosuke upset Kiyama, more than it should've.

"Ahh everyone, sorry I'm late!"

He looked up to see Yuuta careening towards the beach, and was surprised to notice that he was in the middle of taking a step towards the altercation... he exhaled, happy that his team captain had saved him the trouble... of doing whatever he was about to do. Ryosuke dropped the boy, no doubt not wanting Yuuta to report any problems of his behavior to Wataru... who was still strangely absent.

He watched Ryosuke storm off, which amounted to walking a couple of meters and sitting in the sand to pout. It wasn't like the two were particularly mature in any circumstance, but it always seemed to Kiyama that Ryosuke regressed ten years in age whenever Wataru wasn't around. Folding his arms, he shot the blonde a disapproving look, though he wasn't sure if the latter caught it.

By this time, Yuuta had started to lay out some mats, and was rattling off about that day's practice and people being late or something like that. Kiyama found himself not really paying attention. He was agitated from the argument that just happened, and a bit more agitated that he couldn't go off somewhere else to avoid anything else the could and would probably come up. But he did is best not to let it show on his face.

Wordlessly, Kiyama found a spot on the end of one of mats, began to stretch again. He closed his eyes and started breathing deeply and rhythmically, and made a conscious effort to avoid looking at anyone, hoping that the rest of the practice session would go without a hitch.