Kaede approaches Kotetsu when he finds an excuse to go check on Yuri. "Oh, hey sweetie! Do you need something?"

"It's about the poster," she says, and Kotetsu realizes she's holding it behind her back. "I… think you forgot to sign it."

"Oh…" Kotetsu blinks. "I didn't forget, Kaede. I… chose not to sign it, since I'm not a hero anymore or anything. I figured it'd mess up the value-"

"I don't care about the value!" Kaede huffs, holding it out towards him. "You're my dad and you're a hero, even if you retired from official work, right? So sign it!"

"Kaede…" Kotetsu feels like he's about to tear up. "Oh, you're the best, sweetie! Daddy will sign it right now!"

"I'll always be rooting for you, you know," she says, looking away. "It was really dumb of you to think I wouldn't want you to sign it in the first place!"

"Sorry, sorry," Kotetsu says, deciding not to mention it was partially because signing it would sting a bit for him. After all, he would be the odd one out when all was said and done with it.

It was easier to be the odd one out completely, rather than trying to blend in with everyone else. Maybe he really was getting old if he was thinking like that, huh? He's sure Kaede would say so.

But for now, he signs it. Kaede seems giddy and he ruffles her hair. "There you go, kiddo. Gonna hang it up now, eh?"

"Probably," Kaede nods. "Thanks, Dad! It… it really means a lot."

She rushes off towards her room and he smiles to himself. Well, that went well, at least. He still feels weird signing it, maybe with a side of stinging pain in his chest, but he can work through that. If it makes Kaede happy, it makes him happy.

Now, back to what he was doing before. He stretches, takes a deep breath, and heads to his room. Yuri is sitting there, flipping through some magazines Kotetsu had brought from Sternbild.

"See anything you like?" He asks, moving to sit down.

"Nothing interesting to me, no, besides this article," Yuri holds up the magazine he's currently holding and Kotetsu looks it over.

He nearly yelps when he realizes it's an article discussing Yuri's disappearance. Kotetsu and Barnaby had decided to keep things quiet - with all they knew Kotetsu just wouldn't feel right dragging Yuri's name through the mud after his (thought to be at the time) death.

"O-oh jeez," Kotetsu mumbles. "I guess you are pretty important back there. Wanna go back?"

The last question is a joke, but it seems Yuri is actually thinking about it. Kotetsu watches quietly, he supposes it's fair if he does want to go back. He did get dragged out here without much of a say in it.

"...No, not yet," Yuri finally says. "I… don't think I could face anyone as I am now."

"You can face me," Kotetsu says. "Am I special or something?"

Another joke, actually. Yuri looks at him, though, and it sorta makes his heart skip a beat. Why the hell did that happen? He can't think about it for too long, or even at all, because Yuri is about to speak again.

"I suppose you are special."

His heart skips a beat again, and he flounders for words.

Yuri chuckles after a moment, and Kotetsu pauses. Is he being messed with? He didn't know Yuri had that in him, but that had to be it! He tells himself that, and brushes off the skipped beats of his heart.

"Who would've known you'd mess with me when we're both out of costume!" Kotetsu finally says with a chuckle. "And I didn't even get hurt this time!"

"I can change that," Yuri offers, and Kotetsu can't tell if he's serious or not.

"Yeaaaah, no thanks, Kotetsu shakes his head. "Both my arms already hurt enough from what you did. Your fire really hurts, even when it barely touches someone!"

"I know," Yuri replies, looking away. "It hurts worse when it directly touches you, though."

The jovial air Kotetsu had thought was building vanishes. He frowns, looks at Yuri even as he refuses to return his gaze. He drums his fingers against his knees, thinking of what to say.

"You know it really well, huh?" He finally settles on. "And I don't just mean that time at the bridge."

Yuri looks back at him. "You mean my face, don't you?"

Kotetsu nods. "I dunno when or how you got that, and it's none of my business, but… Yeah, I dunno. I just mean you know better than me."

"Do you enjoy the taste of your own foot?" Yuri asks. "You seem to, with how often you put it in your own mouth."

"H-hey!" Kotetsu pouts. "I'm doing my best here, man! I don't wanna overstep, but… Y'know…"

"I know?" Yuri asks, raising a brow.

"I don't wanna just let things pitter out, either!" Kotetsu huffs. "What? Would you rather I just say nothing or try and move on when you're pouring your heart out to me?"

Yuri closes his eyes. "I wasn't pouring my heart out."

"You were… letting a little drip out, then," Kotetsu scratches his cheek. "There's some heart being shared here, one way or another."

"I suppose you're right," Yuri says. "Something about you makes it easy to share, I suppose."

"Aha!" Kotetsu rubs his chin. "So that's what makes me special, eh?"

Yuri finally looks at him again. "Believe whatever keeps you happy, I suppose."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kotetsu asks, frowning.

"What do you think it's supposed to mean?"

"I don't like you messing with me, you know! You're in my house!" Kotetsu pauses. "The least you could do is show me some respect!"

"The fact I'm replying is a sign of respect," Yuri replies. "Trust me, anyone else and I wouldn't be speaking."

Kotetsu opens his mouth, then closes it. What does he even say to that…?!