♪ It's Like a Giant Party!

[these_balls]

Who: Anyone and Everyone!
Where: Olivine City
When: April 1
Summary: NO FOOLIN' Benefit Concert is underway!
Rating: PG? If it gets worse, throw a warning in the header!
Log:

It's a day full of fun, friends, and festivities! The NO FOOLIN' Benefit Concert has been set, the microphones tested and on stage, the sound running smoothly, weather cooperative. Food stations are everywhere, ready to feed and rehydrate everyone who's in the area, and the musicians have been given free reign to everywhere.

Throughout the day, live footage will be broadcasted on TV Channel 14, and video and CD recordings will be available for purchase at the end.

So swing your Gear at a donation station and enjoy the concert!


[Format can be whatever you choose. Just have fun!]

Comments

[pianosongs]

[And, as per usual (for them, at least), Masato took the punch. His head turned back, and for a moment he just paused, taking in the sting on his cheek. Ren punched him again...]

Like that's possible with you! You were looking for a reason to hit me anyway.

[Without even holding back, Masato decided to just swing one back, an uppercut aimed for Ren's jaw.]

[saxsongs]

[Ren could have just moved out of the way, but instead he took the punch. Maybe that would cool down the other guy.]

Like I need a reason to hit your pathetic face.

[He raises his gaze from the ground to look at Hijirikawa.]

Out of my way.

[pianosongs]

[Masato almost punched him again for that. But instead, rather frustrated by Ren's habit of running from everything, he just extended an arm to the side, blocking the doorway.]

Make me.

[saxsongs]

[Ren let out a heavy sigh.]

What's with you today? It's almost like you want me to hit you. That's not healthy, you know.

[Really, this whole thing was getting ridiculous. He'll try to move Hijirikawa's hand out of the way and just leave.]

[pianosongs]

Neither is starting violence over a simple question, Jinguji.

[His hand shifts out of the way at the shove, but he's quick to reach for Jinguji's arm, trying to keep him from leaving.]

It's hard to ignore there's an issue, especially when we have to sing together, so just stop hiding already!

[saxsongs]

[Ren hissed slightly at being stopped again... or was it more because of what Hijirikawa said? Hiding. Running. Of course he'd do something like that when he didn't want to talk with anyone. What was so wrong with that?]

I think you're making this "issue" far worse than it actually is. Also you have to admit that your question was pretty annoying...

[pianosongs]

[Masato's hand doesn't move from Jinguji's arm, but his grip doesn't tighten, either. He's rather surprised that the older boy stopped advancing at all. But that at least meant he was attempting to listen. Somehow.]

Whether I say it's annoying or not, you still won't answer. Face your problems head-on. You're a man, aren't you? You're not normally so weak as to let them overcome you like this.

[saxsongs]

I'm dealing with whatever problems I have on my own.

[Ren halfheartedly swung a fist at Hijirikawa with his free arm - not sure if he'd at all, but it's the thought that counts? Well, half a thought.]

Just drop it.

[pianosongs]

[The fist hit, but it was not nearly as forceful or even that much of a punch to faze Masato in the least. He tried. But with Jinguji's attitude as it was, it didn't look like this conversation would go very far. Maybe he'd try again later, let Haruka talk to him a little first.

Masato let go.]

I won't.

[saxsongs]

[Ren didn't bother replying. Instead, he tried to open the door that lead out of the room... just to find out it was locked.

Just great. How far did Hijirikawa go just to make him talk with him? Ren was sure it was him who locked them in. Who else could it be?]

Very funny, Hijirikawa. Trying to stop me from leaving, when you've had the door locked all this time... you bastard.

[His grip on the handle tightened for a while before he turned around and then made an actual punch attempt at Hijirikawa.]

[pianosongs]

Why would--

[But before he could even inquire more, he felt that punch connect with his cheek. With an annoyed glare, he decided to ignore that--just for the moment--to hurry to Jinguji's side, trying to get him to let go and move over.]

The door can't be locked. You're probably not turning the handle correctly.

[saxsongs]

[Ren moved away from the door so Hijirikawa could try opening it himself... or pretend to try that. Whichever it was. He's glaring either way.]

[pianosongs]

[With Ren giving him space, Masato moved over and tried the handle. A few turns and even jiggling it didn't seem to help.]

Is it jammed?

[He tried throwing his shoulder at the door, but the most he got was a thud. Still nothing, even after a second try. With that, he turned to Jinguji.]

Try knocking loudly on it. We need to see if someone's out there to open the door for us in case it was locked by mistake.

[saxsongs]

[After rolling his eyes, Ren tries knocking the door a few times. There doesn't seem to be any answer - not even after kicking the door. That at least should have been heard.

Frustrated, Ren strolls back further into the room - checking if there were other doors, even though he was pretty sure there weren't.]

Great. How the heck did I get into this situation just by wanting to be alone.

[pianosongs]

[So there was no hope with this door and they were pretty much trapped until someone let them out. Letting out a soft breath, he stepped away from the door and crossed his arms.]

Get over it already, Jinguji. [Sighing, he walked past him, purposefully bumping into him with his shoulder, and began to look around the small room.] Why am I stuck with you of all people?

[saxsongs]

[Oh, that's a really mature thing to do. Ren let out a frustrated sigh and turned to look the other way.]

This wouldn't have happened if you'd have stayed away. I mean, it's most likely your fault - accidentally or not - that the door is locked...

[pianosongs]

[He got punched for a locked door, that was just revenge. And the fact that Jinguji was blaming him for it just had him aiming another punch for him.]

Stop blaming me for everything, Jinguji!

[saxsongs]

[Well, that certainly came as a surprise. There really was no time to block that one. Frustrated, he'll aim for another punch after surviving from that blow.]

Who else should I accuse then?!

[pianosongs]

[It was only by sheer luck that Masato managed to grab Ren's hand right after the punch connected with his jaw, his grip uncoordinated and loose due to how sudden it was but still a semblance of a grasp.]

Stop accusing anyone! Just take the issue for what it's worth and try to fix it!

[With a sigh, he let go.] It's not that hard.

[saxsongs]

[It might not been hard, but Ren usually liked taking the easy way out. Even when dealing with ~emotions~. He'll back off though, since there's really no meaning to fight when it's not going to get them out of there.

Instead he sits down on a chair. Clearly he's got some frustration left over, but he's trying to not show it (and failing).]

[pianosongs]

[It didn't help that Masato could tell he was frustrated. It wasn't that hard, honestly. They had grown up close enough that Masato could read his moods easily, and even if they couldn't or didn't consider themselves friends anymore, they could still notice these things. He silently moved to the wall near Jinguji, leaning against it as he massaged his knuckles.

And with that, he said nothing and just waited for Jinguji to start talking.]

[saxsongs]

[You will have to wait forever for that--

Except not really. Ren's curious about something now that he's had the time to just think about the situation they're in.]

Why did you come to talk to me?

[pianosongs]

[The question caught Masato by surprise, and he looked up, letting his arms fall to his sides. Why... What an odd question indeed, and more complicated than Masato had hoped for. He paused before answering.]

...A lot of reasons. First, the others want to travel together. All of us, including you and including me. I told Shinomiya I wouldn't mind staying behind if they managed to convince you to join, in case you'd--in case we got on each other's nerves again, but... that wouldn't help any of us. And second...

[There was another pause on this, but then Masato just sighed, shaking his head.]

It doesn't matter. The first is most important. They're concerned about you, you know.

[saxsongs]

[So that's what it was all about. He probably should have guessed; the idea of them traveling together had been around a while. Ren just didn't feel comfortable about it. May it be because of fear of Team Rocket or because he had other things in mind, or just the fact that there were too many guys in the same group, or the sole fact that Ren had become a -semi-lone wolf during the time he was alone in the world. It could have been a mix of every theory as well.

The problem was explaining this to any of them. Ren wasn't really the best in explaining his feelings (to guys) so it was difficult.]

I don't have any intentions of coming with you.

[... well that explained everything. Thanks Ren.]

[pianosongs]

[There's just another sigh. As usual, Ren doesn't just explain anything. Not that Masato really expected him to just volunteer information, but that was a cold cut-off. Unfortunately, he's stubborn enough to not let this go.]

Of course not. But I was hoping to persuade you into at least considering it. I'm... worried. About you, I mean.