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[They really are all so affectionate, huh... Sousei's curious about this Haru's hidden depths, but for now, he'll let that one go. It's not his business anyway, right now.

But here Sousei is, to bring up the truly philosophical! He's talked this over with Souza, with Kousetsu, and with Tsurumaru, and it's perhaps the last of the group that really bothered him most. Talking as if there is no choice, when the sword... well, perhaps the sword can't pick its wielder when in sword form, but isn't it simply outdated to think in that way when the circumstances have changed, isn't it...?

Besides, this is edging towards depressing territory. Is it really the fate of swords to be left behind by history when their time is done? It seems wrong. His expression tightens somewhat, but his hands on Kashuu's are as loose as ever.]

I see. Then that is how it is.

[He's aware his opinion isn't always wanted, but even so..... well, he's bad at not giving it.]

...For what it is worth, I do not believe a sword's purpose ends when there is peace. [Nor at a sword ban, nor when it is broken. Hadn't Soramaru's swords ended up saving him, despite being broken and tarnished?] The true purpose behind a sword's existence is to protect what is important. That will always be necessary.

So don't go assuming your job is finished even after this war is completed.

["This is edging towards depressing territory" AND THEN SOUSEI BROUGHT UP THE WORST TOPIC to possibly bring up with a sword like Kashuu Kiyomitsu, whose abandonment complex is deep and vast and full of crazy...

But that had happened to him, centuries and centuries ago - back at Ikedaya, when the tip of his blade had been broken off in battle and he was deemed irreparable when Okita tried to have him fixed. Discarded and never used again, he had learned the hard way that a sword that couldn't be a sword is nothing short of worthless. He can't agree with what Sousei says because of that, and it's obvious just based on the minute distance that seems to rise up as he looks off toward the side of the courtyard, but the true depth of disagreement is mostly hidden. Kashuu doesn't make an effort to be less expressive than he is, but he doesn't exactly like airing his traumas, either.]

...Something like that'd be weird, yeah? It's hard to think about life without war. I mean, even living here's pretty different and there are still battles to fight in. [He had felt most "at home" when fighting those creatures at the mall, which says a lot. There's a brief pause after that, and then:]

But I guess I wouldn't mind too much. If I can keep protecting those things...

[If he could have continued to stay by Okita's side even as a useless blade, he wouldn't have minded, really, even if his heart sings the loudest when he's used in battle. If he could live at Haru's side for just a little longer, he would like that. If - if - and it's a big if, but if he allows himself that hope...]

—Anyway! Thinking about those complicated things'll just give me wrinkles. Before worrying about that, it's prooobably better to worry about all the stuff going on here.

[Look, he knows he's edging onto dangerous ground here, he just also doesn't care. And despite how lineface and dumbly stoic Sousei can be, he's rather perceptive when it comes to other people and their emotions.

Isn't this the problem? If your only value is as a sword, then isn't it impossible to have value after the war? When you are no longer picked up, when you're broken--

Sousei doesn't like it, but he simply takes half a moment's step off in the dance, putting himself mildly closer to Kashuu, closing that minute distance, if only physically. And then--]

That is the price of this dance. [Though he's not pursuing it, at least.... not yet.

It's even with a bit of humor that he continues--]

You must deal with my unasked for opinion.

[Boldly going where no sane man would ever go... But it's not like he's wrong in his observation of the root of the problem. It's just something that Kashuu can't see, since he doesn't really consider himself human or anything more than just a sword. Being taught that his value lies accordingly will be a hard lesson to shake.

but ooh mr. sousei ooh, getting up close and personal. He seems a little surprised at first, but his expression quickly shifts to one of bright amusement. Sousei will likely feel the grip on his hands tighten momentarily, like Kashuu is reflexively used to squeezing hands when feeling particularly upbeat - which he is. He's just a hand-holdy kind of guy in general...]

Hah! You're not as stiff as you first seem, huh? [Secret sharp wit beneath the dry stoicism, he sees how it is... Maybe Sousei was actually the cool partner all along?! A SHOCKING TWIST.]

Buuut I guess I can deal with that. I like seeing what humans think about things. [Because it's a pretty dang foreign perspective. For all of his human feelings and how human he can act, that entire realm is still a little of out his grasp.]

[PLOT TWIST-- no, Sousei is and always has been a Loser, he just has occasional moments of glimmering Coolness.... He's not stiff though, no, even if he comes across that way, but Sousei doesn't respond to that beyond a slight arched eyebrow.

Either way, he's quick to make sure he's in the proper time for their dance again; even if he did that to make a point, he still doesn't like being that close to someone normally. They can just carry on properly with their dance, naturally.]

It is a common enough perspective here. Your saniwa is human too--I would be curious to know his opinion.

[Sousei suspects he would agree--but for now, he won't push that.] And you are always welcome to my opinion, naturally.

[He'll give it even if you don't want it, sorry, Cashew...this is the life you're stuck with now.]

[Ah, he's been able to witness a truly rare moment here... Incredible. Hopefully he too will one day learn about the stamp collection so he can look back at this moment and be like "what was I thinking".

But he'll keep step just fine once their dance is resumed, even though there's a gentle air of appreciation over Sousei getting that close at all. He doesn't seem like a very physical guy (not counting hurling his subordinates off of cliffs), so Kashuu can only assume that he's just learning what he's likely observed from the Samonji. Kousetsu may be a little more reserved, but he's about on par with Souza when it comes to physical closeness.

There's a beat of silence after that, and then a second of consideration.]

He treats us like we're human. [Which probably only solidifies what Sousei suspects, even though Kashuu won't give a more direct answer than that.] It's can be a lot, but he tries super hard for us all the time and teaches us as much as he can. I only know what I know because he was there to show me.

[gross he's getting sentimentality everywhere... the funny thing is he can actually be a pretty rough tsun, JUST NOT WHEN IT COMES TO HIS CURRENT MASTER. That said, on a less sentimental note:]

Hmm? Always? [SOUSEI NO.] I'll remember that!

[Yes...that's about what he was expecting. A saniwa who gives swords life, and then treats them as they're human--it's still starkly at odds with their purpose, though. A saniwa who gives swords life, and treats them as if they're human, and then...puts them on the frontlines of a war? It's a very strange thing, and he thinks there are still things he doesn't quite understand.

But for now, there's a dance, and a rather strangely amusing sword.]

I will look forward to meeting him again properly, then.

[Always. His expression doesn't change, but--]

I said what I meant. Offering up my opinion does not mean I will allow you to pester me constantly for no reason. [He's onto you.]

Treat him well, okay?

[He'll be WATCHING... Or not, but he's still pretty protective of Haru and wants to make sure he doesn't end up in a situation that makes him unhappy.

What a butthead though, seeing through his ultra-clever ploy!! Kashuu's cheeks puff out for a second in an expression of irritation that isn't really serious.]

You can't just cherry-pick, y'know. If you're gonna offer your opinion, you have to be ready to offer it for anything!

[Like what color of hair pins looks cuter on him!!]

["Treat him well", the sword says. Sousei just arches an eyebrow at him, thoughtful.]

I don't treat anyone well. [bullshit]

And I am telling you now, if you intend to use this to pester me over irrelevant things, I will tell you so. [and kick you to the curb.

it's the pink one.]

[Yeah mister "humors this weird guy to a dance not once BUT TWICE", he sure doesn't treat anyone well.]

Yeah, yeah! You'll regret it a lot if you don't. [But he doesn't sound concerned at all, so clearly that's not a real threat...

But see, look at that, Sousei has impeccable taste and he must be consulted for these things!!]

S'your fault for offering with such super vague terms. Don't do that next time! [Because Kashuu will be there to take advantage of it...] Besides, even if it's irrelevant to you, it's not irrelevant to me if I ask about it, right? What if I can't decide which pair of shoes to buy? That's a big decision to make.

[nope, he's definitely an asshole through and through!!

But wow......not!threatened by a sword... he'd be more intimidated if Kashuu wasn't...you know, tiny and ~fabulous~. As is, he thinks he's probably okay. Talk to him again after he trains Haru a little and gives him a lot of bruises.

For now, he snorts vaguely, even as he carries on with their steps.]

Do not ask me for fashion advice.

[He does look vaguely fashionable in his western clothing, but it's definitely not due to his own choices, really. Blame Yang.]

[He may be tiny and fabulous but he can also kick ass even in heels okay, gosh!! But he does generally save his intimidation for when he's shanking things on the battlefield...

So blunt, though!! So rude! He's still following as easily as ever, but now he's going to take the time out to complain too because what the heck. Fashion is important... Sousei needs to set his priorities straight, clearly.]

Huuuh? Why not? Your clothes are super nice so you know how to pick stuff, right? And the more people to give their opinions, the better!

[More like the more people who compliment him, the better... HIS THIRST IS REAL.]

[Tiny and fabulous and kickass but still tiny. Nonetheless, that sure is a lot of complaining. But.

This is the point where Sousei pauses, glancing down at his clothing.

... ... ...]

Is it? [news to him...] I did not pick this out. [yeah.... he has fashion-conscious friends, but otherwise he's a disaster.]

[he'll kick everyone's ass... he'll kick his own ass...

But wow, what the heck. HE WAS TRICKED!! Tricked into thinking Sousei was remotely fashionable on his own!]

What? Who picked it out for you?

[And where can he find them...]

[Alas, it's truly the greatest trap of all...

And Sousei fails to see why any of this even matters??]

...Yang Xiao Long. [...and, tacked on a bit lamely--] It was a gift.

[what a lame person]

Yang Xiao Long, huh? I'll have to remember that.

[Since clearly she has excellent taste! He's surrounded by bums who just don't understand fashion so often, Sousei. It's so hard. Some swords can't even brush their own hair. There's Dotanuki's entire existence. Haru only wears t-shirts and jeans this is truly a struggle...]

Ahhh, well... As long as you have fashionable friends, you can still make it. You have a pretty face so you just have to worry about your clothing anyway, and that's half the battle!

I am sure she will be more than willing to go shopping with you.

[Better you than hi--

.. .... ...ah. A pretty face. Are they really doing this right now.]

Is that how it is. [really........]

Good, good!

[HECK YES everything he could ever want in life, honestly. Everyone needs to go shopping with him at least once for their lives to be complete.

But yes, they're really doing this right now. Really. He peers upward somewhat critically, but eventually nods...]

Yeah! Clothing's all you need to worry about. Your jawline is really defined without being too strong and you have super nice cheekbones, y'know? And the kind of eyebrows that some people pay money to get! You'd probably be even prettier if you smiled, but it's not like there's no charm in a stoic look.

[He has no sense of shame, someone help him. Or stop him. Or help him by stopping him.]

[That was...that was really thorough, wow. He wasn't really expecting that, if he's perfectly honest... but now that he's stuck dealing with this, he's not sure what to say.

Beyond blinking in utter bemusement.]

...I see.

[And then, to wreck all dreams and make many, many people hate him for not appreciating what he has--]

It does not really matter to me. I'm not interested in that sort of thing. I have more important things to worry about.

[No one ever expects Kashuu...

WOW, THOUGH. Just trounce all over his very well thought out compliments!]

That kind of thing is really important! You can only say stuff like that because you're already good-looking. [HUFFS AND PUFFS but at least he doesn't knee Sousei in the balls.]

[YOU KNOW sousei is really grateful that this running gag involves him not getting further kneed in the balls, okay, he'll take it.

But wow that's...

A huffy face.

Sousei's eyebrow arches, and his lips do twitch slightly, but he doesn't smile.]

I don't have to be attractive to do my job. It has no impact on my service to my country, and therefore doesn't matter.

[because Sousei's already married to Japan.]

[yes enjoy the lack of pain while it lasts...

BUT WOW. What must it be like to live in a world where looks don't matter?? Kashuu has no idea. He's puzzled. This is a mystery and Sousei has suddenly become an unfathomable existence...]

I guess that's the kinda thing I should expect to hear from you, huh? [He's already got an idea of what to anticipate when it comes to linefaces, okay... HE KNOWS HOW THIS GOES. But he sighs anyway like this gap in understanding is vast and wide, and shakes his head with some measure of disapproval.]

What a waste of a good face.

[.... ... ....that sure was a sigh. Sousei's expression flattens a little at the disapproval, and then he simply focus on the dance for a few moments.

Shut up.

After a brief pause, he reluctantly offers up--]

I have heard that before. [BUT IT STILL DOESN'T

MEAN ANYTHING]

[IT MEANS EVERYTHING... Kashuu is definitely laughing...]

Yeah? Whoever said it knows what they're talking about. It's a real shame, y'know? [He seems to consider something then, and without missing a step (literally or metaphorically):]

I know! You should let me take you shopping! I wanna do your hair, too. It's so nice but you just keep it all bunched up in a ponytail like that... What's even the point of having hair if that's all you do with it?

[He'd suggest makeup but he has a feeling Sousei would definitely say no to that, so if he can get some agreement to this first, he'll just spring the rest on him without warning...]

[.... Okay, so Kashuu doesn't miss a step, but Sousei does. In fact, he stops the dance entirely, blinking at Kashuu, and while the surprise doesn't show that much on his face, it's still pretty obvious he's thrown.

... .....]

What?

[No really.

What?]

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"it's can be a lot".. wtf..... my sloppy typos are otherworldly

shh shh i won't hold it against u

you're too good to me.....

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