[plainly and stubbornly, as mineo frowns a bit at the thought]
I don't want to be blinded or tricked by the people I care about anymore. [not after what happened with fuji, when mineo was blind to what he was capable and just ate up the praise] So I'd rather that you just keep telling me what you want, even if you think it'll piss me off. We'll figure it out, and work together.
[because that's what partners do.]
But I think my priorities are fine. We came here together, even if we don't remember the exact same things - you're still Takeru, and I'm still me. We're winning and then we're going home together. I'm not losing sight of that.
[ . . . and if takeru does decide that he would rather just take advantage of mineo, then that's mineo's fault. he doesn't trust easily in the first place, but there's no one he trusts more than takeru. not when no one has stuck by him through his ups and downs like takeru has. so if takeru chooses to betray that trust, even being as pragmatic and self-interested as he is, then mineo will bitch and complain and bite back -
[ he stares at mineo, his gaze intense, before he turns away. while he doesn't actually starts walking, it's obvious from his stance that he's ready to at any moment. ]
You can do what you want. [ ... ] I consider the partners thing seriously.
But if you switch your focus to someone else other than me, I wouldn't blame you. I really mean that.
[ mineo's refusal to do this has been more confusing than anything, honestly. ]
[mineo's an idiot and he's sometimes pretty difficult to deal with but - at least he takes pride in his work when he takes things seriously. he has his uses, even if it's to be thrown around and directed. why is takeru so willing to let him go?]
. . . but instead of following after takeru this time he'll just call out after him even if they're theoretically in a hallway and it's probably embarrassing]
I won't! I said I wouldn't betray you, and I meant it! I chose you as my partner, and I'm not changing my mind! So deal with it, Takeru!!
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[plainly and stubbornly, as mineo frowns a bit at the thought]
I don't want to be blinded or tricked by the people I care about anymore. [not after what happened with fuji, when mineo was blind to what he was capable and just ate up the praise] So I'd rather that you just keep telling me what you want, even if you think it'll piss me off. We'll figure it out, and work together.
[because that's what partners do.]
But I think my priorities are fine. We came here together, even if we don't remember the exact same things - you're still Takeru, and I'm still me. We're winning and then we're going home together. I'm not losing sight of that.
[ . . . and if takeru does decide that he would rather just take advantage of mineo, then that's mineo's fault. he doesn't trust easily in the first place, but there's no one he trusts more than takeru. not when no one has stuck by him through his ups and downs like takeru has. so if takeru chooses to betray that trust, even being as pragmatic and self-interested as he is, then mineo will bitch and complain and bite back -
but he can't hate him or blame him.]
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You can do what you want. [ ... ] I consider the partners thing seriously.
But if you switch your focus to someone else other than me, I wouldn't blame you. I really mean that.
[ mineo's refusal to do this has been more confusing than anything, honestly. ]
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Why?
[that's confusing to him too - ]
Wouldn't it be inconvenient to you if I did?
[mineo's an idiot and he's sometimes pretty difficult to deal with but - at least he takes pride in his work when he takes things seriously. he has his uses, even if it's to be thrown around and directed. why is takeru so willing to let him go?]
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[ there's a pause, and he'll walk closer to mineo, so he can pat him on the cheek again. ]
But I've learned some things about myself.
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he flusters again because this is just what happens when takeru is halfway decent to him]
.... do I get to ask or are you just gonna tell me no and try to walk away again?
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No.
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[GRUMBLING
. . . but instead of following after takeru this time he'll just call out after him even if they're theoretically in a hallway and it's probably embarrassing]
I won't! I said I wouldn't betray you, and I meant it! I chose you as my partner, and I'm not changing my mind! So deal with it, Takeru!!
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but he'll just flip him off as he leaves. ]