Target 54: Ryohei's Support

That day, not only was Mochida busy with the Kendo club, but Yamamoto's baseball practice had begun to increase exponentially due to an upcoming baseball tournament for which the club had to prepare. In light of that schedule, this day in which Yamamoto would normally be going home with Tsuna did not have his presence, and only Ryohei walked by his side talking of his extreme training results. The topic was rather intense for Tsuna's tastes, but seeing as he had intensity in common with Ryohei when it came to physical activity due to Squalo's influence, it was true that in comparison to before, Tsuna could hold a conversation with Ryohei in some respects, to the point even Ryohei could be more casual than Tsuna would have predicted. Perhaps he was getting used to his presence... "Though, I haven't seen you by the mountain lately," Ryohei said, voice laced with pure wonder, "Where are you off for training now?!"

Tsuna flinched, and the conversation that had been going well so far was cut short by the bulk of Tsuna's anxiety. "Well...!" Tsuna paled, thinking, If I say it, he'll definitely stop by to watch. I can't even swim properly yet, so it'd just be embarrassing...! "Uh, I've been swimming in the sea. I just sort of have to go long distances this time around, so it's nothing special." If I could even move at all without it being the waves doing it for me...

"Huh... I see..." Ryohei cast his eyes to the ground, full of thought, and Tsuna peered into that curiously. Did I disappoint him? However, his fiery gaze then directed at Tsuna was quick to deny the assumption. "So the long-haired guy's making you go through all the elements! As much as I don't like him, I have to admit a regiment as extreme as that is rather manly! I'll try going for the opposite and walk on fire after I'm finally finished with the mountain—"

"W-wait!" Tsuna sputtered in desperation, realizing the implication of his words. "That's not it! Squalo's just, uh...!"

"Huh? You mean he's got something else in mind?!"

"He's just..." Tsuna paused from his great hesitation, but the sheer mental image of Ryohei truly trying to walk on fire and Kyoko crying over his pointless sacrifice, only to blame Tsuna surged in his mind enough that he gulped, attempting to swallow his shame. "Trying to teach me to swim," Tsuna muttered dryly, grimacing in light of his lingering regret.

"What?! I couldn't hear you! You should speak louder, Sawada!"

"I, I can't swim!" Tsuna exclaimed, apprehensively so. "So he's trying to get me to learn it!" I said it, ugh, it sounds just as lame as it actually is...!

... Silence permeated the area for about a quarter of a moment, in which Ryohei was staring at Tsuna with a frown. Then, however, he nodded to himself. "Oh, so that was his motive," Ryohei said, "Though, I should've seen it coming. After all, walking on fire would be a crazy thing to do!" He's self-aware?! "I must be getting too fired up from seeing you pull off impossible feats! Sawada, do your best to the extreme! I actually happen to be a great swimmer so don't hesitate coming to me for pointers!"

"R-really?!" He's accepted it so well... "Thank you! I'll keep that in mind." Tsuna scratched his head sheepishly.

"If anything, I could always supervise you," Ryohei offered, "The long-haired guy never actually tells you to do anything, so someone to actually teach you could come in handy. Sports are a wonderful thing to learn! I'll also get Mochida there, and I'm sure Yamamoto will show up on his own for extra support! Isn't that great, Sawada?!"

Tsuna saw Ryohei's intent stare and struggled to walk at the same pace, especially when he continued smiling so expectantly, clearly not about to drop the topic until Tsuna spoke. Holding back the urge to scowl, Tsuna thought, I can feel his well-intentioned vibes from here, but I didn't wanna be seen...! "Uh...!" Though he wanted to make sure he wouldn't be silent for too long lest Ryohei would start further insisting, Tsuna truly could not think of any excuse in the moment, or find it very easy to resist that expectant gaze. Rather, in hindsight, any denial would lead to Ryohei's indignation, and he'd already seen Tsuna fall from mountains and run through apartment stairs to the point that, in truth, Ryohei already had blackmail material he could feasibly use. However, in the same way he never did, he also had no problems with Tsuna's inability to swim, and Tsuna found himself sighing, only to smile wryly. "It's actually on that cliff near the beach. Do you know about it?"

Ryohei's eyes were only further ablaze, grin unwavering. "The one by the beach closest to the town?! If so, I'm more than familiar with those turbulent waters! They're somewhat dangerous, but danger has certainly never made you back away from a challenge! You can count on me to be there to the extreme! I'll bear witness to your manly efforts!"

Tsuna only chuckled apprehensively in response, thinking he was definitely going to face a furious Squalo and likely regret having told Ryohei his location. Regardless, Tsuna noted, he found it exceedingly difficult to just say no to Ryohei Sasagawa, the one who had been there for him the longest.

Except if it involved the boxing club.

Author's Notes:

Ryohei also needed some spotlight by himself so I gave him what he deserves! I honestly have way too much fun writing Ryohei, but the way he is you'd expect him to be a pretty divisive character considering he's really loud and nonsensical. To me, though, at least whenever I write him he's like my bread and butter, and he'd be easier than Yamamoto if not for the fact that I still have to watch out for when I put 'extreme' on his sentences. Still, I can understand other people's pain because it's hard to predict his reactions since he's always so extreme to the point you wonder if you can make serious moments with him or be able to leave his comfort zone, but with serious parts like the Varia I've found leeway to dynamically use him, because he even has calmer moments. He's kinda like Squalo in this regard, where you at first wonder how you can write this cheesy and loud cartoon villain until the show itself gives you enough serious moments that you can actually write Squalo in a pretty dynamic way; and that was my KHR talk for today, hahaha.