[ That's not what he expected to hear. Kogami's serious? Jyuto has a bite of omelette pinched between his chopsticks, but he lowers it instead of eating when he feels that soft touch on his wrist. ]
My own insight on why I'm so vastly unpopular? [ Hm. He looks at Kogami. ] We got into it a little bit, but it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm seen as a government lap "rabbit", all right with both using others and being used. That's the short version, anyway.
[ he corrects gently, shifting to eat from his own bento. he's no psychologist, but he's aware, oftentimes, of why people are who they are. jyuto wears his unpopularity like armor, like if he sets this out front and centre no one can use it as ammunition.
what he hears next is interesting, but not surprising. thoughtfully, he asks, ]
A lot of people, friend or foe. [ Even Samatoki's often used it to get under his skin, but it isn't untrue. That's probably why Jyuto gets so angry. He can't argue with it easily. ] They aren't wrong when they say it, so it can't be helped.
With things as they were in our home world, working within the police force regardless of whether or not you'd like to overthrow your leaders is still allowing them control over you. I'm too determined to do what I joined for to keep my pride and quit. Power and influence are needed to get anything done, and without them I'd be little more significant than any of the other MCs.
[ kogami listens quietly, watching him -- in this moment he sees the real him, underneath the politeness and the bluster, and kogami understands. none of this is for him to judge, but in him he finds a strange sort of kindred, a man who would do what it takes to be able to face himself at the end of the day.
wasn't it what he did when he walked away to pursue makishima?
Right. [ He can eat again, now. The tension of the conversation is winding down a little, and Jyuto finishes off his bento box. ]
Those things come as consequence for taking the steps that actually matter. It's pretty much a ripple effect that proves something is actually impactful; small or subtle steps get washed out entirely, and they don't work systematically either, when you really look at it. How can a system work for the public when it's inherently flawed to begin with? That's how it is in my world, anyway. [ It's why he tampers. Jyuto exploits so many of the holes in the police force, of course he should put them to good use. ] Honestly, I'd like to think differently but I've experienced everything first hand, case by case. There's no way around that truth, once you've seen it with your own eyes.
[ he says quietly. jyuto is a better man than he -- who stayed to work with the system while kogami's turned his back on it. years in the wild, finding his own peace, and he can't help but smile a little as he works through his bento, collecting his own thoughts. ]
I think so. He told me he's learned to compromise.
[ and in so many ways, jyuto is so much like gino, even if there's more of an edge to jyuto. it makes sense, what he says -- to have the power to change things, to influence things, to save people... why would he walk away? ]
I couldn't. At least, at first. But doing what it takes, that's the whole point, isn't it?
Probably. [ From time to time, he isn't completely sure he's found the correct answer. In truth, there probably isn't one at all. With his bento out of the way, he neatly begins packing away his trash for easy disposal. ]
Interesting how subjective the word "compromising" is, isn't it? But if you were to ask me to phrase it, I'd say that I'm adapting to my circumstances. It isn't compromise, because I'm going to win by the end of things.
[ ah, if jyuto wasn't sexy enough already to him -- that's the spirit, that's the bite that draws kogami to him. he's finishing up his own bento, too, but he's settling back and fighting the urge for a smoke, more lax about cleaning up than jyuto is. ]
Winning, huh. [ that does suit jyuto more. ] Planning to take down the entire system from the inside?
That's the plan, yes. [ He places his chin in his hand. ] ...Did you want to head out for a smoke together? [ Totally psychic because he wants to, too. ] I'm technically on my lunch break now, as of you bringing me this bento.
Are they, though? [ Like he's skeptical anyone would miss him. He sets out a small sign on the counter top to let any potential passerby know that he'll be out for a whopping ten minutes, but otherwise follows Kogami without hitch. He hadn't expected a free cigarette, so just as he'd reached to take out one of his own, he stops to accept the he's given. A thankful smile. He watches Kogami and the silvery sky behind him. The air is cold, but crisp and easy to breathe. ]
[ kogami's grin is lopsided, roguish, and easy as you please, he reaches out to cradle the back of jyuto's neck loosely, leaning in to touch the tip of his lit cigarette to his.
it's lazy but intimate, his thumb lightly resting on the patch of skin behind his earlobe as amber tips glow, reflected in the vivid green of his eyes. their foreheads touch now; it's almost a kiss. ]
[ The tip of Jyuto's cigarette catches after a moment, burning orange spreading. Jyuto laughs inaudibly, fresh, grey smoke falling out of his smile. His eyes flicker up to look at Kogami once, savoring the moment of proximity, and then back down the stem of his cigarette. Ugh, he's so bad at receiving affection. He feigns grace before gently drawing away. The scent of tobacco drifts them by. ]
Have you discovered a cigarette brand you like here, yet?
[ it's endearing, jyuto's inaudible chuckle and the sparks when their eyes meet. he appreciates it, kogami realises, but then he's gently drawing away, and kogami lets him. he's fascinated by this man, the way he averts his pretty eyes; kogami knows there's steel underneath, but this moment, well -- this moment is poignant with words unspoken, and kogami lets it be.
he exhales, then holds out the crumpled pack to him. it reads 'spinet', an unassuming grey-green box. ] This one, I suppose. What about you? Found yours yet?
Not yet. [ Jyuto reaches for the bent box, curious of the name. Maybe he'll buy this one too, next time. Without loyalty to anything specific, perhaps Kogami's tastes can answer for his own. ] Where have you been cramming this? It's so crumpled, you're going to ruin all the cigarettes inside. [ Mild nagging, but he isn't actually upset. Jyuto's only teasing Kogami for his mistreatment of the box because that's one habitual way he attempts to flirt— ]
[ it's endearing, the mild nagging when jyuto has his crumpled box of cigarettes -- kogami's never really been known to take care of stuff well. grinning at the gentle chiding and appreciating this other facet of jyuto, he playfully flirts right back: ]
You think you'll be all right with them on another person? With how many you go through... don't think I didn't notice the ash tray in your cabin. [ There were so many stubs, lining the rim. Either Kogami's too lazy to clean or he's sitting there smoking one after another, after another... ]
You don't need excuses. Just come see me. [ He takes a drag. Jyuto's heart feels full. ] We can try it, but I think you'll hate me for it later when you're deprived of nicotine. You know I can't resist making you squirm a little.
[ kogami chuckles, feeling just as warm -- it's been awhile since he's felt like this. he takes another long drag, then exhales. mm, he does remember what happened when they'd spent christmas together. incredible times. ]
I like it when you drag it out. Does this mean I can come see you tonight?
That depends. Can I trust you not to keep me from my studies? [ Playful, testy. Really, he doesn't think he can. The two of them don't get off each other when they let themselves start. ]
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My own insight on why I'm so vastly unpopular? [ Hm. He looks at Kogami. ]
We got into it a little bit, but it has a lot to do with the fact that I'm seen as a government lap "rabbit", all right with both using others and being used. That's the short version, anyway.
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[ he corrects gently, shifting to eat from his own bento. he's no psychologist, but he's aware, oftentimes, of why people are who they are. jyuto wears his unpopularity like armor, like if he sets this out front and centre no one can use it as ammunition.
what he hears next is interesting, but not surprising. thoughtfully, he asks, ]
A government lap rabbit. Who calls you that?
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With things as they were in our home world, working within the police force regardless of whether or not you'd like to overthrow your leaders is still allowing them control over you. I'm too determined to do what I joined for to keep my pride and quit. Power and influence are needed to get anything done, and without them I'd be little more significant than any of the other MCs.
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wasn't it what he did when he walked away to pursue makishima?
he chews. swallows. ]
What are you doing all that for?
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Good people are killed for stupid reasons. I want to stop that.
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No matter what, right? Even if your own hands get dirty. Or when the ugly names come.
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Those things come as consequence for taking the steps that actually matter. It's pretty much a ripple effect that proves something is actually impactful; small or subtle steps get washed out entirely, and they don't work systematically either, when you really look at it. How can a system work for the public when it's inherently flawed to begin with? That's how it is in my world, anyway. [ It's why he tampers. Jyuto exploits so many of the holes in the police force, of course he should put them to good use. ] Honestly, I'd like to think differently but I've experienced everything first hand, case by case. There's no way around that truth, once you've seen it with your own eyes.
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[ he says quietly. jyuto is a better man than he -- who stayed to work with the system while kogami's turned his back on it. years in the wild, finding his own peace, and he can't help but smile a little as he works through his bento, collecting his own thoughts. ]
I admire that. You remind me of a friend of mine.
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Ah, right. He heard a little about Kogami's dystopian world, too. ]
Your friend is still in the force?
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[ and in so many ways, jyuto is so much like gino, even if there's more of an edge to jyuto. it makes sense, what he says -- to have the power to change things, to influence things, to save people... why would he walk away? ]
I couldn't. At least, at first. But doing what it takes, that's the whole point, isn't it?
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Interesting how subjective the word "compromising" is, isn't it? But if you were to ask me to phrase it, I'd say that I'm adapting to my circumstances. It isn't compromise, because I'm going to win by the end of things.
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Winning, huh. [ that does suit jyuto more. ] Planning to take down the entire system from the inside?
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...Did you want to head out for a smoke together? [ Totally psychic because he wants to, too. ] I'm technically on my lunch break now, as of you bringing me this bento.
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[ but it's a rhetorical question, because he's getting up to go out, opening the door for him so that they can head out and away.
he's leaning against a railing, settling near a cosy little spot with a good view of the city, and he's offering him a cigarette, lighting his own. ]
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Thank you, Flirtatious Bento Delivery Boy.
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[ kogami's grin is lopsided, roguish, and easy as you please, he reaches out to cradle the back of jyuto's neck loosely, leaning in to touch the tip of his lit cigarette to his.
it's lazy but intimate, his thumb lightly resting on the patch of skin behind his earlobe as amber tips glow, reflected in the vivid green of his eyes. their foreheads touch now; it's almost a kiss. ]
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Have you discovered a cigarette brand you like here, yet?
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he exhales, then holds out the crumpled pack to him. it reads 'spinet', an unassuming grey-green box. ] This one, I suppose. What about you? Found yours yet?
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[ it's endearing, the mild nagging when jyuto has his crumpled box of cigarettes -- kogami's never really been known to take care of stuff well. grinning at the gentle chiding and appreciating this other facet of jyuto, he playfully flirts right back: ]
Maybe you can keep it safe for me.
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[ :)
also no he really is a degenerate chainsmoker. ]
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We can try it, but I think you'll hate me for it later when you're deprived of nicotine. You know I can't resist making you squirm a little.
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I like it when you drag it out. Does this mean I can come see you tonight?
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[ Playful, testy. Really, he doesn't think he can. The two of them don't get off each other when they let themselves start. ]
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