After Shinsuke moves from Japan to America, the tweets sent to his account are all over the place. Some in English, some in Japanese. It's a lot to process, especially with two sets of fans demanding attention. Because of this, some things escape his notice but eventually he sees a link with a photo set taken from some interview with Okada. Talking about how he's going to get NJPW to be the best that it can be, the strongest, so perhaps Nakamura will come back for him.
There are a lot of possible meanings to that statement. To compete alongside him, to compete against him- the two of them are very competitive beings, always determined to be better than the other, even while in Chaos and working together. But Shinsuke thinks he knows exactly what Kazuchika means by such things.
He exhales and runs his finger over the touchpad of the device he's using, hovering on Okada's screenname before applying pressure, bringing up the DM feature. He sends him a link and leans back, staring down at the interview he himself had done in January, just after leaving Japan for the first time. The words that he had said then, that seem to have been held onto, used to bolster Okada's career since then. And the man is still so young, has so much promise ahead of him.
"My decision to leave was to thank him, in a way, If he wasn't here I wouldn't have taken my step forward. To Okada; I'm sorry but I want to leave things to you"
He mouths the words aloud, remembering the uncertainty, the nervousness bleeding through his veins as he held that interview all of those months ago. Hesitates over the keys on the screen and finally types, NJPW is in quite capable hands. When I am done here, I will come home. I promise you that.
He sends it and rests with his chin on his hands, drifting while he watches the screen in case Okada should be online and respond before he really goes to bed. He blinks slowly, stares as dots appear on the bottom of the screen a few minutes later, the typing notification coming up. He sits up straighter, scrubbing at his face as he waits for Okada to finish wording what he wants to say.
I will do the best to make NJPW as captivating as I can while you are gone, Okada finally sends to him. You have nothing to apologize for, then or now. I am proud of you for succeeding at furthering your dream.
Shinsuke smiles. I know you will. Who knows, perhaps you will have the first ever six star match. There's silence and he hopes that Okada is laughing at that, his teeth flashing in the early afternoon, Nakamura able to imagine it while he waits for a response.
Why stop there? he asks. Ten stars.
Shinsuke laughs at this, eyes twinkling as he touches the screen for a moment. Hai, I could picture you accomplishing that in my absence. They sit in silence for a moment, Okada starting to type once or twice, just to erase it and sit quietly. Finally Nakamura checks the clock and cringes. I will message you later, I must get some sleep.
Alright, Okada types. I have an interview to do with Gedo-san soon. Good night.
Have a good day, Shinsuke types. Tell Gedo-San not to overwork you too much.
I like being kept busy, Okada responds with a smirk emoji punctuating the message. You know that as well as he does.
Yes, I suppose I do. Shinsuke smiles. Talk soon, Kazuchika.
Talk soon.
Signing out, he presses a button to turn the screen dark once more and sighs, laying down and stretching his legs. He does miss Japan, and he does miss Okada, but he thinks this opportunity to both better themselves, overtake new ground and be stronger, more rounded competitors when they see each other will be good for them both.
He falls asleep with a faint, content smile on his face.