Chapter Text
“What's the problem? He's good. I'm good. We're both better than them. No issue”
Ozawa drained the last of his glass, looking across to the bar where Tadasuke animatedly was telling some story or other to the bartender, Masaoka next to him, leaning on the bar like he owned it. Ozawa grinned, turning back to Sugiura opposite.
“Of course we're compatible. He's the club host, I'm the barfly. We understand each other.”
Yoshi Tatsu next to him snorted a laugh but the hint of a smile on Sugiura’s face was far too smug for Ozawa’s liking. And it only got worse as Masa interjected.
"He means physical compatibility, you idiot”
“Eh?”
Ozawa put his hand on his chest, mock outrage on his face. In truth, this was getting annoying, but he could play the idiot if it appeased his audience.
"Are you suggesting I can't please my partners Mr Chairman?”
"I don't suggest. Physical compatibility is a thing, which you'd know if you broadened your choice of partners. Your opponents have it. You two…”
Masa glanced over at Masaoka, who looked like he was trying not to laugh at something Tadasuke was currently whispering in his ear.
"..are similar enough to have potential. Work on it. You can’t rely on whatever you think you have going on with Naito.”
Choice of partners. That again. He hadn’t visited Kaito in what, a month? That was obvious enough from the fact that Kaito had his new lackey putting his hair up. At least someone was getting their appetites satisfied.
“Yes sir! Chairman, sir!"
Ozawa sat up straight, saluting in Masa’s direction across the table, raising another chuckle from Yoshi Tatsu. Masa looked unimpressed but he'd known Ozawa long enough to know his message had been heard. There wasn’t anything else to say.
Ozawa swirled the straw casually in his now empty glass. A distraction from the frustration he felt crawling over him.
It wasn’t that he was above taking advice from his seniors, or that he didn’t agree with them. He had plenty of thoughts about what he and Masaoka might need to work on. But there were times when some members of this group forgot that it was his approach that earned them the freedom they craved. He wasn’t doing this idly. Wasn’t he the one that suggested they spend some time together tonight? Compatibility was found pretty easily at the bottom of a glass in his experience. Masa could stand to have some patience.
But it wasn’t the time for that. And he needed them. For now.
Fortunately, Masaoka was coming back to their table anyway, drinks in hand. He slid in next to Masa, Tadasuke grabbing a seat at the end of the table. Masaoka passed Ozawa his drink with a nod. No ice, even though he hadn’t asked. See, understanding. Not that he was about to explain that to Masa.
Ozawa gestured to the empty seat next to him.
“Where are our resident perverts?”
Masaoka and Tadasuke shared a grin.
“I’d give them another five minutes. Wolf is a big guy you know”
Tadasuke winked as he said it, setting Yoshi Tatsu off giggling again. The combination of too much drink and sugar had probably got to him again. Suguira kicked him under the table, like he wasn’t laughing himself. Maybe he was glad to pass on the title of resident pervert.
Ozawa cleared his throat dramatically.
“Well, since those two don’t need to work on their ‘physical compatibility’” He eyed Masa as he said it. “Masaoka, you and I take their training spot Tuesday. I have some ideas”
He paused. Maybe this actually was an opportunity. "And bring your gear. I'll record a little something.”
Masaoka glanced at Masa next to him, probably trying to figure out what that was about, then nodded, pressing his lips together.
“Mmm, sounds good”
“Great!”
Ozawa grabbed his drink, lifting it up.
“Now, I lost more money than I made today, so can we please get drunk?”