[Caught--! Mika hunches closer to Nisaka, shuffling a bag further up his arm to take the other's sleeve tightly. He tries to keep his voice light, but it is exactly these kinds of guys that put Mika on edge about the in the first place.]
Just... Just took a wrong turn, maybe~. We were just leavin'~.
[So he's gonna... tug Nisaka's sleeve and try to do just that...]
[ nisaka doesn't add anything to that, his expression carefully closed off. the man smiles like some of the older high school boys who would take to cornering him outside of school, all because he happened to catch the eye of their girlfriends — or so they say. at mika's urging, he turns on his heel and begins to follow the other back out, but a hand lands on his shoulder, spinning him back around. ]
What's the matter, kids? Our stuff isn't good enough for you?
[ nisaka doesn't even look over the guy's shoulder to doublecheck what "stuff" he could be referring to. he knows from their brief debriefing of the place that things are a little looser here than he's used to, and frankly he wants to keep his eyes on the man. ]
We just came from a big shopping haul, [ he explains patiently, gesturing to his hands full of bags. ] We couldn't afford anything anyway.
[When Nisaka's spun Mika half-turns with him, grip tightening in-- fear? annoyance? some mix of the two, though the first wins out as he shifts closer to the slightly taller boy. Hiding ever so slightly.]
W-We're flat broke now! An' it ain't good to, um, take handouts... when ya don't deserve 'em...
[He is impressed at Nisaka's calmness, honestly. How brave, how admirable.
Another young man calls from the side,]
Kids get handouts all the time, so don't complain! Come on, you're really hurting our feelings here, step in and take a look around.
[ it's not much that nisaka has on mika, but he attempts to utilize those two measly centimeters to his advantage in the subtle shift of his body, trying to stand more in the way between the man from the alley and mika himself.
his kneejerk reaction here is to say something smart, something stupid — but given that he isn't exactly alone in this situation, his usual level of caring about the escalation of a situation has risen considerably. ]
If it's credits you want, I can pay you another time. Right now we really need to be heading back. These bags aren't exactly light.
[The young man from before pushes of the wall and swaggers towards his friend, grin not entirely as nice as his words are meant to be.]
We'll take some of it off your hands... Give you a little lift back to where you're going... And, just like anything else, you'll pay us for our hard work. With whatever you've got to offer.
[Mika bristles and he holds his bags closer to him, the weight of the layered fabrics a solid wall, a wonderful protection against the overbearing pair. He inhales softly and sticks his chin up, pulling out every shred of confidence he's allowed on stage, he's given by Shu, and looking down his nose at them despite the height difference.]
Filth like you'll only soil what we've got, so yer better off keepin' yer hands to yourself. [He's trembling at the knees, he's glad he's behind Nisaka so they can't tell, but he's got the tone of someone that's clearly far above their station in every way.] Why don'tcha go back to the dirt where mongrels like you belong, huh~?
[ for a wild moment, nisaka wonders who the new voice could possibly belong to, as the alley itself isn't nearly as large as to fit more than those bodies already currently present, and he nearly snaps his head right off when he realizes this high and mighty voice is coming from none other than mika himself and oh my god what are you doing son. ]
[ yeah, BIG SURPRISE HERE, these alley businessmen don't seem to appreciate being spoken down to like they currently are, and nisaka swears he can pinpoint the exact second both men before them decide these kids aren't really worth their trouble, but maybe they could be worth a couple of their fists.
he grits his teeth, taking a half-step back and bumping right into mika— ]
Please tell me your legs can run as fast as your mouth can.
[ and that'll be the only warning he gets before nisaka's swinging one of the bags in his hands, aiming right for the head of the man closest to them. it connects, signaled by the man's sharp yelp, but, you know, there's still the other guy, and also they're still holding plenty of heavy bags, so the math isn't really in their favor right now, but nisaka is going to go ahead and spin on his heel and try to make a run for it anyway.
[It wasn't the best decision to talk down to these guys, no, but like hell Mika would let them anywhere near the things they bought? Let them them for even a moment that they were worth he and Nisaka's consideration?
... He may just have fallen into stage habit to help himself, though he knows that Shu would've scolded him for even deigning to speak with such low lives in the first place. Wasting his breath on them, even if Shu would've said that and much more himself.]
Nnah?! [Nisaka sails past him and, for a brief moment, Mika is alone.
He blows a raspberry and ducks out of a reaching hand with a short yelp, running after Nisaka. The math's not in their favor, no, but what's worse is that these two men surely know this city better than they do, know the alleys better than them, so it's just a matter of running two kids ragged and cornering them. Like wolves after prey.]
[ oh i forgot to make nisaka grab mika's hand... oh well. he's doing it now, once mika catches up, because lol let's say he didn't realize the other boy would fall behind that much. ANYWAY, OFF THEY GO, and hey guess who knows the alleys the least out of everyone involved? this guy right here.
is it really any surprise when they both wind up running right into a dead end not too long after nisaka takes the lead?
shit. this isn't good.
hand tightening around mika's, he turns around to meet the two men who are chuckling to themselves. they definitely knew this was going to happen. ]
You really get a kick out of picking on some kids? If it's our stuff you want, then just take it. [ he works there now, he can buy the stuff again. it'll be fine, it'll be fine. he'd rather they just turn around and leave than do whatever it is is making them grin so wide. ]
[he has stamina for days he's just not on the track team for a reason thanks]
Nnah?! No! They're not gettin' their hands on this!
[His precious fabric??? No. Like, it would be smart, but as a member of the handicrafts club... as someone with ties to a master tailor, no. Also, you're not the one that paid for most of it, Nisaka? Pre-discount?
Mika's pressing his back to the wall, but he's gripping onto the bags as if he's already did. Rigor mortis has set in, you will literally pry them from his cold hands.]
Ya can do what ya want to me... but leave Nisa-kun and our stuff alone, alright? I'm beggin' ya, don't touch 'em! Either of 'em!
[ perhaps the loudest nisaka has ever gotten in mika's presence, but he's equal parts concerned and exasperated right now. the fabric can always be replaced?? stop this, why are you like this.
their pursuers, at least, seem amused by such antics. but that's also probably because they know they've got the advantage here. ]
Look — what do you guys even want? An apology? Credits? You really think you can get away with harassing some kids like this?
[ one of the men laugh. ]
You kids must be new. Rules are pretty fast and loose around here. You think anyone's really gonna care about a couple of brats?
Mika's still trembling, but he'll gently put himself between Nisaka and the other guys, standing straighter. Because, honest to god surprise, Mika Kagehira is willing to throwdown anytime anyplace if he needs to.]
Yer no one important, right? I ain't gonna get in trouble if I hit ya, so I ain't gotta worry if that's the case.
[and he will absolutely swing hard with his bag, eat it bitch #1]
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no subject
Just... Just took a wrong turn, maybe~. We were just leavin'~.
[So he's gonna... tug Nisaka's sleeve and try to do just that...]
no subject
What's the matter, kids? Our stuff isn't good enough for you?
[ nisaka doesn't even look over the guy's shoulder to doublecheck what "stuff" he could be referring to. he knows from their brief debriefing of the place that things are a little looser here than he's used to, and frankly he wants to keep his eyes on the man. ]
We just came from a big shopping haul, [ he explains patiently, gesturing to his hands full of bags. ] We couldn't afford anything anyway.
no subject
W-We're flat broke now! An' it ain't good to, um, take handouts... when ya don't deserve 'em...
[He is impressed at Nisaka's calmness, honestly. How brave, how admirable.
Another young man calls from the side,]
Kids get handouts all the time, so don't complain! Come on, you're really hurting our feelings here, step in and take a look around.
no subject
his kneejerk reaction here is to say something smart, something stupid — but given that he isn't exactly alone in this situation, his usual level of caring about the escalation of a situation has risen considerably. ]
If it's credits you want, I can pay you another time. Right now we really need to be heading back. These bags aren't exactly light.
no subject
[The young man from before pushes of the wall and swaggers towards his friend, grin not entirely as nice as his words are meant to be.]
We'll take some of it off your hands... Give you a little lift back to where you're going... And, just like anything else, you'll pay us for our hard work. With whatever you've got to offer.
[Mika bristles and he holds his bags closer to him, the weight of the layered fabrics a solid wall, a wonderful protection against the overbearing pair. He inhales softly and sticks his chin up, pulling out every shred of confidence he's allowed on stage, he's given by Shu, and looking down his nose at them despite the height difference.]
Filth like you'll only soil what we've got, so yer better off keepin' yer hands to yourself. [He's trembling at the knees, he's glad he's behind Nisaka so they can't tell, but he's got the tone of someone that's clearly far above their station in every way.] Why don'tcha go back to the dirt where mongrels like you belong, huh~?
[this is the fastest way to a fight mika please]
1/3
2/3
3/3
he grits his teeth, taking a half-step back and bumping right into mika— ]
Please tell me your legs can run as fast as your mouth can.
[ and that'll be the only warning he gets before nisaka's swinging one of the bags in his hands, aiming right for the head of the man closest to them. it connects, signaled by the man's sharp yelp, but, you know, there's still the other guy, and also they're still holding plenty of heavy bags, so the math isn't really in their favor right now, but nisaka is going to go ahead and spin on his heel and try to make a run for it anyway.
rip boys. ]
no subject
... He may just have fallen into stage habit to help himself, though he knows that Shu would've scolded him for even deigning to speak with such low lives in the first place. Wasting his breath on them, even if Shu would've said that and much more himself.]
Nnah?! [Nisaka sails past him and, for a brief moment, Mika is alone.
He blows a raspberry and ducks out of a reaching hand with a short yelp, running after Nisaka. The math's not in their favor, no, but what's worse is that these two men surely know this city better than they do, know the alleys better than them, so it's just a matter of running two kids ragged and cornering them. Like wolves after prey.]
no subject
is it really any surprise when they both wind up running right into a dead end not too long after nisaka takes the lead?
shit. this isn't good.
hand tightening around mika's, he turns around to meet the two men who are chuckling to themselves. they definitely knew this was going to happen. ]
You really get a kick out of picking on some kids? If it's our stuff you want, then just take it. [ he works there now, he can buy the stuff again. it'll be fine, it'll be fine. he'd rather they just turn around and leave than do whatever it is is making them grin so wide. ]
no subject
Nnah?! No! They're not gettin' their hands on this!
[His precious fabric??? No. Like, it would be smart, but as a member of the handicrafts club... as someone with ties to a master tailor, no. Also, you're not the one that paid for most of it, Nisaka? Pre-discount?
Mika's pressing his back to the wall, but he's gripping onto the bags as if he's already did. Rigor mortis has set in, you will literally pry them from his cold hands.]
Ya can do what ya want to me... but leave Nisa-kun and our stuff alone, alright? I'm beggin' ya, don't touch 'em! Either of 'em!
no subject
Nobody has to be touched?!
[ perhaps the loudest nisaka has ever gotten in mika's presence, but he's equal parts concerned and exasperated right now. the fabric can always be replaced?? stop this, why are you like this.
their pursuers, at least, seem amused by such antics. but that's also probably because they know they've got the advantage here. ]
Look — what do you guys even want? An apology? Credits? You really think you can get away with harassing some kids like this?
[ one of the men laugh. ]
You kids must be new. Rules are pretty fast and loose around here. You think anyone's really gonna care about a couple of brats?
no subject
Mika's still trembling, but he'll gently put himself between Nisaka and the other guys, standing straighter. Because, honest to god surprise, Mika Kagehira is willing to throwdown anytime anyplace if he needs to.]
Yer no one important, right? I ain't gonna get in trouble if I hit ya, so I ain't gotta worry if that's the case.
[and he will absolutely swing hard with his bag, eat it bitch #1]
no subject
both nisaka and the other male (the one that hadn't been hit) watch as the receiver of the bags stumble backward, clutching at his face.
there is a long, pregnant pause as everyone just sort of looks at each other, struggling to process what's just happened...
nisaka sighs. ]
I guess we're doing this.
[ and just like that, the spell is broken, and he lunges forward, swinging a fist towards the other man who charges for him.
rip boys. ]