compnetwork | Text - Sniping at Colleagues

[oh.
ok.]

I wasn't always...I had to strive to be where I am today. I didn't think anyone would really care much about it.

[Direct-joking flirting? Just flustered. Being directly complimented? His ears are red. Gratz, Yamato.]

It just goes to show how much society began to stifle true talent.

[Yamato sniffed a little in disdain. Oh no don't get him started on meritocracy...thankfully he let that subject alone for more Ideo flustering]

One can be born intelligent, but that means nothing unless you work hard to improve upon it. You say you strived for your position, that's good. You know how to work to maximum effort, and improve.

It's all I knew to do. I wasn't complacent sitting and waiting for the world to change- I had to move forward if I wanted people to respect me. But I could never find that niche subject I excelled at. [Ideo you're a demonologist and a science/tech expert, water you talkin bout.]

I suppose my ability to keep trying is what I'm best at.

[Ideo turned his glance down, which was really silly since they were on the network anyway.]

...actually, I admire your confidence a lot. I'm nothing without someone to stand beside, and you're brilliant and a natural.

Eh...?

[Yamato looked puzzled for a moment, before a small laugh escaped him]

Do you view yourself that lowly? There is no need to praise me at the expense of yourself. I don't need it.

[It seemed that Ideo was of the kind who required praise and encouragement though. Yamato was a bit inexperienced in that. He offered opportunities and challenges to those with talent, but Yamato felt that wouldn't achieve much here. So he cocked his head and smiled a little. Well.

Here goes?]

Besides, you're selling yourself a bit short, aren't you? I would hardly say you were nothing without someone to stand beside. You achieved a great deal on your own when you first arrived here, correct?

It's not at my own expense. I just have an appreciation for my betters. Unlike many, I don't become jealous when met with someone more capable than myself- it's inspiring, actually.

[If this wasn't locked, half of the network would be here laughing at them.]

I've made a place for myself, yes, but in part due to the support of the rest of the Seven. Especially my sister. Others give me something to strive for- repaying their help back tenfold -which in turn gives me prompt to further my own work.

That is why I treat you and Reiko 'better'. You two have had the largest impact on my ability to succeed.

[And Kandori, but he's a jerk so nyeh. Moosemoosemoose.]

...

[Yamato was gazing at Ideo with an expression of open interest, a strange, wry smile on his face. He thought Ideo would be suited for his meritocracy, but then he said things like this that directly contradicted it. Pushing his limits for the sake of others, and not for personal advancement.

Yamato didn't understand it, really. He understood bettering yourself to fulfil your duty better, but the feelings were clinical. Yamato protected Japan because that was what he was born to do, and so he would do it. He felt no real passion for it. Just cold efficiency.

Finally he sighed]

It's funny how similar yet different we both are. Such a way of viewing the world... I don't understand it.

[He says it bluntly and without shame]

But that's what makes you interesting. Your motivations and philosophy.

It took me a lot of trial and error to understand myself, to be fair.

Your strength and intelligence is what makes you interesting to me. I think that's what I've liked the most about you from the start. Well, and... [This is a much more relaxed embarrassment for Ideo, at least. And he's feeling a bit bolder, and a bit more confident. But, should he...

...screw it. If he messes up, then he'll learn from it. Right?]

Your confidence, again, and...your smirk. That probably sounds strange.

My smirk?

[Yamato- well, he smirked a little in amusement in response, finding the change in topic a bit bizarre. It seemed like a frivolous thing to compliment]

A little strange. I haven't been complimented on my physical appearance before.

[seems like he's accepted this praise though???]

It's...

[And a deep exhale he didn't know he was gearing up for.]

...it's attractive.

[There was a bit of a pause here, Yamato looking puzzled from that comment. Attractive? Where did that come from? What reason could he have in co-

Then it clicked with the force of Tsuutenkaku falling on him all over again]

Ah- oh, I see.

[Yamato didn't turn bright red in embarrassment, but he was clearly taken aback and- okay, so maybe his cheeks were faintly pink, a small, rough laugh escaping him.

Oh wow, it was like being in the coffee shop with Kaito all over again...except that hopefully it wouldn't be followed by the feelings of someone ripping his guts out this time]

...I'm not entirely sure how to respond. Saying thank you seems trite.

[are people supposed to laugh when you tell them those things he's so confuse.]

You don't have to say anything- I, probably shouldn't have myself. I don't want to make things weird.

Weirder.

[He crinkled his brow, before shaking his head.]

But I stand by it, for whatever it means. We don't have to make a big deal out of it, or even a small deal if you don't want.

I don't mind.

[Yamato looked surprisingly composed, despite the faint splash of colour in his cheeks (the drawbacks of having very pale skin gdi), and the corners of his mouth were curled into a little smirk]

Ah, no. Allow me to rephrase: I like it. That. What you said about me.

[Yamato.....was not entirely sure what he was doing. He had, essentially, come to terms that he and Kaito would never come to pass. He knew something good had happened at that New Years party with him though, but details were foggy and he was certain that they had only came to a reconciliation on that delicate subject.

However, he knew that Kaito taught him that although Yamato was inexperienced and rough, he could still be suited for romance - if the poor guy tied with him didn't mind dealing with his clumsiness and bad habits of course]

[

Wow. Apparently a little confidence and daring went further than he'd thought.]

In that case...I also like your hair. And how these compliments and comments won't change who you are.

[And an actual, genuine laugh.] You've had this coming, Yamato- if you had simply left my 'sexy visitor' status alone, then we wouldn't be here.

[Yamato couldn't help but laugh as well, and the minor fluster in his expression began to fade, replaced instead by that usual confidence - except not as cold]

Ah, yes. My harmless teasing backfired on me immensely. I can't complain about the results though. I've come to appreciate such unpredictable events by now...

[...Yamato's smirk softens into an absent smile, and he looks away as if in thought. The moment quickly passes, and he looks back at Ideo properly, looking partially amused.

Nah.

If he said anything about Ideo's own physical appearance, it would sound insincere. He didn't focus on such things anyway]

...it's actually fun like that. I'm not sure how this will end up, or where it will lead. I doubt much will change, though...

[Yamato was just musing partially to himself by now. It was fun and thrilling - unexplored alien territoy. Terrifying though. The last few people he allowed that close...it didn't end well]

Text - Sniping at Colleagues

lets just assume he hasnt read the kaito-fail-anon stuff yet

[locked] yes lets go with that

someday they will look back on this. and then ideo will hide it from the public.

until brainstorm digs it back up

they'd have to dig brainstorm up first tbh

too true

someday ideo will hack brainstorm's nanomachines and make him dance horribly

be sure to film it for prosperity

it will be all over teenbeat the very next day.

sweet justice

this is the bestworst thread in the history of strings jfc

i know i love it wall of fame instantly

maybe someday we will have serious threads again

one day, some day /looks to the sunset