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Was that before - [Ichiro stops himself. Before Sasara was in Tokyo? Before Samatoki? Would that mean anything to him? Since Rosho hadn't recognized Ichiro when they first met, he can't know how much Sasara has told him of Mad Comic Dialogue. Does he know anything at all?

And if he doesn't... it's not his place to tell.]

I mean, that's pretty surprising. No offense but you don't seem like the comedy type.

[But it explains why he can put up with Sasara in the first place.]

[ Something about that unfinished question stings, just a little bit, yet Rosho doesn't press the issue. Whatever Ichiro was about to ask about, surely Rosho has no idea what he means. Even if he wants to know all of Sasara's secrets, when it comes down to it, he's still absolutely terrified to hear the truth.

Thinking about the past hurts enough already. ]

No, your assessment's perfect. I couldn't tell a good joke to save my life. [ Rosho laughs sheepishly. ] I had zero sense of humor. But I somehow put it in my head that I could still be a comedian. I went to a school and everything. That's where I met Sasara. Somehow, he convinced me to be his partner, and we got by performing manzai together.

[ He gives a small shrug. ]

Unsurprisingly it didn't last for very long. Its been about six years now since our duo broke up.

["Six years" confirms Ichiro's suspicions but leaves him with more questions too. He never got the full story of how Sasara and Samatoki ended up together, so it's hard to imagine how Sasara went from Rosho to a punk like Samatoki and then back again.

He offers Rosho a sympathetic smile.] There's something to be said for trying. And that you guys are still friends.

[Which is better than Ichiro's faired. Also, he doesn't know they're dating. Oh my.]

You're right. Our lives are too short to not take a risk or two here and there. Even though the outcome wasn't what I'd wanted, I don't regret my decision. I don't regret becoming a teacher either.

[ He knows Sasara will always feel differently about the matter, but whats most important for Rosho is that he's able to do what makes him happy. And as long as he's able to do it with Sasara still at his side then he's perfectly content. Stage fright issues aside of course.

He does have a little scoff at the "friends" part though. ]

Ya know, after we broke up, we didn't talk for a long time. About a year or two went by where I didn't hear a word from him. Then he'd just show up randomly at my place usually in the middle of the night. The next thing I know, he's asking me to be his partner again for the next DRB. The whole time I thought, "He's so annoying, I can't stand it. I'll never do anything for him again. No matter how much he bothers me or how much he asks". I didn't want to join his team.

But he has a weird way of coercing you into things, doesn't he? [Just like he had sounded so fond talking about his brothers, Ichiro unconsciously sounds fond talking about Sasara. He can't help it. That had been... a good time in his life.] He was like that when I knew him too.

So what happened? How'd he get you.

[ Rosho has a small laugh, but the warmth in Ichiro's voice is unmistakable. It must be the same way Rosho feels when he thinks about the old days, back when he and Sasara were doing comedy together. The nostalgia hurts, but there's no way he wasn't happy, and he could never say he doesn't think back on that time with fondness, all the appreciation in the world for the memories he was given.

Even if he still wonders what Sasara was up to in-between their time apart, he hopes it gave him good memories as well. If he was able to meet a wonderful kid like Ichiro, surely, it was worth it. ]

Yeah. No matter how much time passes, what he does or where he is, he doesn't change at all.

[ When he thinks about that words, Rosho comes to realize he's exactly the same. Years passed, and parts of him changed, yet he too was exactly the same. ]

Even though I learned to do something else with my life, and I became more dependable to myself, and wanted to be strong all on my own...

[ He was able to move forward with his dream all because Sasara believed in him. He became a part of this team once more, all because Sasara still believed in him. Unwavering and dependable, and always there. Always. ]

I need to be with him. He makes me happy. When someone wants you by their side, its hard to say no when you want the same thing. [ His expression is a little sheepish. ]

And I guess being in love with him helped a little too.

[This whole conversation has Ichiro feeling nostalgic, so of course he thinks about Kuko. Because Kuko was very much that person to him. Samatoki had been too, to an extent, but Kuko was the one.

His best friend. The one he connected with most and felt happiest with. Ichiro would have done anything for him. He would have stayed by his side for as long as Kuko wanted him around. Until the end.

(he did, in fact. but the end came much sooner than anticipated)

And yeah, being in love certainly does help a little.

Wait.

Ichiro just about chokes on air.

?????????]

With Sasara?!

[Honorific dropped. Sorry not sorry, clown boy.]

[ Rosho can't say he's all that surprised by the reaction. Afterall, Sasara is Sasara. To fall in love with someone like that seems implausible. Even laughable.

Too bad Rosho always seems to be involved in his jokes. This is maybe the biggest one yet. Its sort of like fate. ]

I know, my choice is kind of... [ Bad. ]

Its embarrassing, right? You'd think I'd have the decency to pick someone more competent. Someone who's not so childish and annoying and that has no understanding of boundaries and doesn't try to turn everything into a joke.

[ HEAVY SIGH ]

Unfortunately, I guess thats what I like.

[And just like that, Ichiro's brain catches up to his outburst. Rosho had looked so fond while talking about him and he just said that - wow, Ichiro's a moron.]

No, no - Sorry, that was mad rude. If he makes you happy then that's that. You don't have to justify it to me. [Even if Rosho is more agreeing with him than actually trying to defend his choice.]

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