[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

I adhere to the system but I wouldn’t consider myself subservient. I’m using it to get something I want. In a similar vein, I’m using Kei Hada’s talents — not only his crafting ability, but the process by which he builds (a pragmatic simplicity) to not only drive up my potential as a guardian to those I love, but to increase my understanding of the field. I even signed up for the support student festival event… I have enough transferred credits to qualify.

Make no mistake, I will not see great success. I will simply allow Kei’s genius to flourish and learn what I can in those moments. But, who knows? From what I’ve seen, he thrives under pressure. Even if it’s a version of himself he’s terrified of.

The only way to guarantee those you love lives is to be terrified of the things you can do to another person… and to pray you never have to.

“Bossman,” Don’t think he’ll like the nickname. It’s why I chose it. “I’ve been workshopping a design… hoping you can help me pull it together. You’ve got time?”

---

Kei Hada

[Kei Hada]

It's weird, having an apprentice.

Now don't get him wrong, he's flattered! Not only had the other student considered him to be well-known in his department, he thought he was also skilled enough to learn from. It was a surprise to get that request instead of the usual (unpaid) commission for gear.

But boy, it was pressure he didn't think he'd have so early. Kei thought he'd at least graduate first. Maybe have a higher standing in his company than intern, but no. Final years of his curriculum was when he'd get a mentee. Someone to look after. Someone to guide.

Someone he couldn't let down.

He was definitely overthinking it. Rahul was nice after all; he had no problems working will him. Well, there was that whole arson thing between him and his girlfriend but still- nice all the same. He could only hope less fire would be involved now.

Said hero student was looking for him, and Kei couldn't help but laugh embarrassed at the title. "Oh hey Rahul, you don't need to call me that! I'm only teachin' ya what I know." It wasn't like he was ordering him around... right?

His brow was furrowed until he registered Rahul's reason for finding him. He blinked the thought away. "But yeah I'm free- what do you got?"

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

“Well, if you don’t like the nickname…” I had no intentions of continuing the bit outside of an off-handed comment, but with his apprehension — one of the very tools he used to protect himself from the world — a part of me wanted to defy his wishes just to see what he’d do about it. What does it take to get him to stand up for himself? Until then, a bit of emotional manipulation via feigned disappointment would suffice.

“I’m trying to create gauntlets that use my speed to enhance my damage output. I don’t want anything too tech-heavy and want to rely on physics a bit more. There’s a few general principles I understand, such as its aerodynamic design, but the structure of such a thing…”

If he’s following along he should get the picture. I’ve hit a wall. The guantlets here have a one time use and apply the same force against the durability of the user. The problem? I’m not all that tough either. If there’s anyone who could help with the balance of the design, it’s Kei Hada.

---

Kei Hada

[Kei Hada]

Oh no, Kei made him feel bad. He raised his hands in an attempt to placate him. "It's not that! I'm just not used to it is all." And that was the truth. So many years he's worked under some kind of authority figure, whether it be a manager in a company or just his own parents when he volunteered his hours in his mom's salon. It's just weird that he was the boss for a change.

And like, the nickname wasn't bad. He's definitely had worse ones.

What was he doing again? Right, Rahul's gear. Fun concept! He smiled. "Interestin'! Like you're usin' your speed to attack instead of dodge. It could help with precision too to dish out even more damage." A hum escaped him as he thought. "I get how important it is to keep it light. Heat resistance is somethin' that should be taken into account too as you don't wanna wear off the gauntlets with your speed."

"I've worked with materials that can handle radiation in addition to the impacts. Your gear wouldn't need to resist that much, but we should be able to find somethin' similar enough that's lightweight."

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

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“So, I can still call you Bossman then?” How does he react when I push the line? Life is about finding someone’s boundaries and seeing how flexible they are. It speaks to who they are as a person (even if we are transient, ever changing beings who find their agreeable varying based on unrelated circumstances [don’t tell the astrology girls]).

By this point I’m already on the move. He said what he needed and I had already prepared sleeves that would in turn become molds which would then help shape the weapon that Kei would hopefully bring to life.

“Where do we find it?” Productivity is of utmost importance. We only have so many years, months, days to live. There’s a time and place for rest and relaxation. This isn’t one of them. And Kei seems the type to match energy within a laboratory. Let’s see if he’s the type to take the lead when it’s offered. “And what can I do in the meantime to help you along with the process?”

---

Kei Hada

[newclass=.body b]color:#1979e6[/newclass]

[Kei Hada]

Ah. He was asking permission to continue using the nickname. Kei wasn't used to that either, having more familiarity with people just, well, using the nickname regardless of his input. Always easier to not ask questions. So his confidence was lacking in his answer. "Suuuure." He's sure he wouldn't mind how Rahul would take in that answer. Maybe. Hopefully.

More familiar territory would be the request for aid, which Kei was thankful for. He pivoted his foot, sure that his apprentice would follow. "Support labs! There's a section of rooms where sheets of materials are stored, we'll use one of those."

Opening the door to one such room, he turned to the hero student. "Since there's two gloves, I can take one of 'em and you can watch me to work on the other. It's best you learn now if you wanna be the one to maintain your own gear in the future."

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

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With charm like that it’s no surprise he won over Yaoyao of all people. As happy as they seemed to be, there was likely a lingering dysfunction in their relationship — maybe a type of codependency, maybe shared trauma. Something that explains their dynamic.

Confidence washes over him as we head to the support labs. He’s not the only person familiar with the space, but he seems to optimize every movement in ways he doesn’t realize. While he moves the sheet from one place to another, he’s already clearing space, making tiny adjustments to the placement, eyeing what he’s looking for next. There are instinctual processes ingrained that he may not be aware of as his mind focuses on the higher, abstract ideas to bring my gauntlets to life.

“I’ll follow your lead.” At this point I’ve taken the left, making sure to take note of what he’s doing and operate at my own pace. It’ll be slower, but quality is more important than the speed at which I finish my goal. If I’m lagging behind too much, then Bossman will be here to help me along the way.

“Is this what you plan to do when you graduate?” What was his goal? Did he have any dreams? And if he did… would he even chase them? “Or is there something else you had in mind?”

---

Kei Hada

[newclass=.body b]color:#1979e6[/newclass]

[Kei Hada]

And they went to work. The motions were all too familiar to Kei, having spent years in his craft. Ensuring someone else was following his steps with the precision he expected from himself was a welcome challenge. He made sure to let Rahul know that the speed in which he operated would go up with time and practice.

Eventually they've hit a lull. Well, a lull to Kei, where he's able to work while holding a conversation. "Yeah! My internship with Hojo is shapin' into a full-time position too, so I'll be set by the time I graduate." He was thankful honestly. Job security was a struggle, so having one less thing to worry about by the time he was out of UAU was a plus in his book.

Though it made him realize he had no idea where his own friends were going once they completed their courses. "What about you? Any agencies you're interested in or have you thought about doin' freelance?"

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

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Technique is what’s most important.

Kei states the obvious, but it’s not what he says that matters; it’s the demeanor he takes when in this position. What Gen did during supermove training could not happen here, not in Kei’s domain. Make no mistake, it makes me curious to see Ana at work, if only to see how his opposite performs. Word of mouth has sung high praises of Kei’s bedside manner. Whereas Ana… Well, there’s a reason I dislike geniuses.

It isn’t too interesting a process, however. There isn’t anything that is beyond me once given the instruction manual, but that’s the nature of their design. It shouldn’t be difficult to create and upkeep them. The only people who could use a device like this, one that focuses on physics itself opposed to sci-fi-esque technology… were people as fast as me. Or faster. If you were already strong, then these were useless.

“I’m looking to join a wildlife agency and hope to expand into the mountains. If that doesn’t pan out, then I’ll be a ranger.” One way or another, I’ll get there. Kei’s done before me, obviously. But maybe 10 or 15 minutes later, with his supervision of course, I finish, too. “Hojo’s a pretty big gig. What about Yaoyao? Jun?” I'd ask about that Zipper girl, too, who's always barging into his room, but she's made it obvious what her plans were. No matter how unsuccessful they'd be...

I offer the gauntlet and let him get a first hand look at what I’ve done. Here’s hoping it meets my standards… standards entirely dependent on his eyes.

---

Kei Hada

[newclass=.body b]color:#1979e6[/newclass]

[Kei Hada]

By now Kei was done, so he idly turned his finished piece in his hands as he listened to Rahul's answer. "Ooh a wildlife agency! It's cool that you're choosin' to work outside the city. You'll have a lot more fresh air there than around here." He could see it honestly. The guy was a thoughtful sort who looked like he didn't favour noise, and he needed more space to unleash his bunnies than the crowded streets could provide.

Oh god though he's asking about Yaoyao and Jun- did he read his mind or something? He paused. "I... don't know." Kei said lamely. "I never asked. Yaoyao I know is an apprentice in a tattoo shop and also works part time in a dojo. Not necessarily her plan after graduatin' but it could involve those things." He looked down at his glove as he fidgeted with a blemish that wasn't there. "Jun on the other hand I don't know where she works. We haven't really had a chance to talk about that stuff."

Kei placed his own creation down so he could hold Rahul's half of the project in his hands. A critical eye would hover over the piece as he turned it in several angles, and his thumb flicked aside some loose shavings of metal.

Eventually he smiled, satisfied. "Awesome job Rahul, it looks good!" Lifting both gauntlets again, he held it out for the other student to take. "All that's needed now is to try 'em on and make adjustments as you see fit."

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲]

[attr="class","body"]

Kei was right but this was where his expertise ended. The training I’ve done with my body mirrors what he’s done with his mind — there is more than seeing if the glove fits. There’s more to trying them out than punching and praying for the best. This was a matter of technique; a matter of precision. There were mental stopgaps I’d have to overcome to fully test the capabilities of these gauntlets before I could tinker with them further. None of this was any of his concern, however.

What was his concern — and my concern now, too — was his stereotypical ignorance. People saw Kei as a nice, gentle inventor. His loved ones likely cut him slack, too, considering the ways they likely leaned on him. It’s not as if Yaoyao nor Jun were emotionally intelligent either. And I had plenty of work to do myself, if I’m being honest.

But I expected better of him.

“Yaoyao either has a plan or doesn’t,” Whether or not she did wasn’t my concern. But there was an unsettling fact about his ignorance. I saw her in the forest. I saw a glimpse of what they had gone through, of what Kei had done. “The world is terrifying but there’s more to being a partner than kissing and cooking. Don’t let that fear swallow you.”

Pots and kettles. Do as I say, not as I do. There are countless expressions for my hypocrisy, but perhaps my words might reach him… even if Kei doesn’t understand the depths of which they resonate.

“I’ll be in the training grounds,” As the door sits slightly ajar, I offer a few, final words before reaching the last leg of my journey. “Thanks for the help, Bossman. I’ll let you know how it goes.”

---

Kei Hada

[newclass=.body b]color:#1979e6[/newclass]

[Kei Hada]

Kei kept his smile, strained as it was, until Rahul made his leave. Only then would his brow furrow in confusion.

Where did that come from?

𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲

[Fanthes]

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✨MISSION SUCCESS!✨

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✓ Loved the conversation between these two!! [break][break]
Rahul - 37.750 // 42.750(capped for August)[break]
Kei - 18.500 // 23.500(capped for August)

+ 5.000 EXP!

---

Tag: 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐲, Kei Hada

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