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[leftwinger]

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[1foxgiven]

Oh?

Well.

Then I'm glad to be the first one!

[Kita pushes to his feet. Only a few minutes ago, his body felt completely wrung out.

Now it is demanding Move, move, move.]

[leftwinger]

Why would you be glad for something like that? Most would wonder why they were the first...

[1foxgiven]

[Bare tree branches pass above Kita, as he considers.]

Hm.

With you, it's not very surprising. You're dedicated, good-looking, and intense. You've had a career lined up since Junior High. A lot of people would find that intimidating.

Especially kids our age.

[leftwinger]

[Something warm tingles beneath his skin -- unusual and new, he's not sure what to think of it.]

...I see.

[He considers this--]

Do you?

[Also--]

Where are you going? You should be resting.

[1foxgiven]

Not far, I promise. My legs are restless.

[Kita smiles. To show the concern is noted. Of course he's going to mind the distance, but it's... nice. Being checked on.]

Intimidating?

No.

I think you're impressive.

[leftwinger]

That could be a sign of caffeine consumption or iron deficiency.

[Or maybe just nervous energy or something else entirely that Ushijima doesn't entirely understand.]

So that mirrors my opinion of you...

[1foxgiven]

[Kita avoids caffeine on game days. Watches his diet. Which he is about to say, except the next comment stops the world.

He swallows.

The restless feeling suddenly in his chest.]

It - does?

too many entirelies there sigh

[leftwinger]

Yes, it does.

[He pauses and blinks, head tilting yet again.]

Your team consistently excels, you have an unshakeable confidence and skill and an influence over them that any captain can only dream of, and they admire you.

*pats*

[1foxgiven]

[Kita appreciates all of those things. Deeply. However - he is a person. Not a group.]

Hm.

And... without my team?

[It's important, suddenly. To hear what Ushiwaka thinks of him as an individual. If that happens at all.

Maybe it doesn't.]

[leftwinger]

You're still an exceptional person. Your team is all of those things because of you.

[1foxgiven]

[Oh.

Something twists in Kita's chest.

He has to reach out. Steady himself against a tree.]

[leftwinger]

Kita-san, are you alright?

[1foxgiven]

Ha - Yes, sorry.

[No benches here, so best to take advantage of the tree. Kita leans into the support. Grateful for it. His face and ears have gone a bit red. Probably from the cold.

Probably.]

I think... I really like hearing you say things like that.

[leftwinger]

Oh....

[It takes him a moment to properly process that and, more importantly, to consider his next few words.]

I can say things like that to you more often, if you'd like.

[1foxgiven]

[Put into a "Yes or No" format, Kita's able to answer at once. He nods. Ears going red as his jacket.]

I would.

Definitely. Yes.

[His chest is so tight, it's hard to get out words. Let alone sentences.]

[leftwinger]

Very well, I shall keep that in mind for our future conversations.

[Another pause, and he squints again.]

Are you certain you're alright?

[1foxgiven]

I think so.

I just feel... really happy, right now. It's a good thing.

[What that thing is? Kita will need to work out later. He is perfectly capable of understanding emotions. Understands this is a shift.

It's the onslaught that's confusing.]