entrancelogs | closed ▸ the bros catchall

So, you ready for the swap?

[ A few days back during the party that was held at the Ballroom, Mondo and Ishimaru got into a disagreement. It's been a long, long while since they last had arguments, and their current one is honestly very tame and insignificant. But that's not the case for the two of them. Uniforms are incredibly important!! Hence, as men, they shall be putting down a conclusion here, right now. A showdown in the form of...

...well, uniform swap.

He's not very sure about this, but there's no backing down once he's said it! Taking off his tokkoufuku leaves him in white tanktop and baggy pants. ]

Here, try this on.

[Ishimaru stands as rigidly and proudly as ever, while clad in just his plain white briefs. And in his hands he holds his neatly folded uniform - he even ironed it beforehand too, so it's nice and toasty as he prepares to hand it over!]

Of course! There's no way that I would back down from a challenge, Oowada-kun!

[With that, he hands over his uniform while accepting the tokkoufuku. The exchange is complete!]

[ It's not like Mondo isn't used to seeing Ishimaru (mostly) naked, but it still makes him wonder how a person can stand so firmly with briefs on like that ー the sight's almost hilarious. He takes off his own baggy pants, revealing his tiger-patterned boxers, and proceeds to hand it over to Ishimaru as he takes the other's uniform himself. ]

...Can I even fit in this.

[ And whoa, he can tell how neatly this has been ironed. Damn, he didn't even bother washing his, he hopes it doesn't smell too much.

Alright, here goes. First, right ha-- nd?! Wtf is this, it's so tight!! ]

Grngh!!

[ It's stuck halfway through! Slowly, he tries to wiggle his arm and find a way for his hand to see the end of the tunnel. Ah, hopefully it doesn't break or anything... ]

[Wow, those sure are a vibrant pair of boxers! Ishimaru beholds them for just a moment, then tears his eyes away with a faint flush.]

I am sure that you can, Kyoudai! You just have to work hard and believe in yourself!

[At least it's a spare. As for Ishimaru, he takes a moment to position Mondo's clothes neatly on the floor before he gets to work. First, he grabs the pants and starts to put them on.]

Ah... These are so loose! P-putting on pants that hang so loosely... this feels like a serious violation of my morals!

[ Mondo gives Ishimaru a Look. Work hard and believe in himself?! This ain't something you can work hard on?! ]

Don't say that so easily... what if I tear it?

[ Be it spare or not, he doesn't exactly want to break the bro's stuff. It's not like he can continue pushing through with the distraction of the other's exclamations, anyway. What's the fuss--

Oh. Well. ]

Pfft!

[ The sight of Ishimaru struggling with keeping the pants on is weirdly endearing as well as surreal. It looks humongous on him. Mondo approaches the other, immediately pulling the front of the pants with his free hand. ]

Y'can tighten it up.

[ He flips the upper elastic band part of the pants for Ishimaru to see, there are actually two strings within that can be pulled to tighten the pants. His fingers then move roughly but deftly, like they're used to handling it, pulling the strings with his fingers and tying a knot to keep the band tight around the other's waist. ]

How's that? Feel better?

[ He likes having control to his things, be it his motorbike, or the tightness of his pants. That's the beauty of things that are custom-made. Like, hey, he's gonna wear it all day, if he's gonna make it look good, might as well make it comfortable too! ]

If you try your best, I'm sure that you won't! But if you do... then it is no big deal! [Well, it will be a little saddening, but it is just a spare from the closet at least!

He smiles sheepishly at Mondo's approach and as he demonstrates the use of these bands.]

A-ah! I see! How fascinating... It is like a belt on the pants themselves. Very handy! [He smiles brightly at Mondo.] I feel much better now! Thank you very much, Kyoudai! [He only wishes his uniform had some handy loosening feature in turn!]

's no big deal, you say...

[ This very unfortunately reminds him of the incident of getting stuck at some hidden passage back in the dreamscape event. Mondo would like to delete that from his memory, but of course it's not that simple. Slowly, he wiggles his arm again, finally making through three quarter of it. Phew. If he's careful, maybe he won't break it after all. ]

God, just how tight are these usually on you?

[ The sight of his soul brother wearing his pants makes him feel strangely ticklish. Even if it's not threatening to slip down anymore, they sure are long on Ishimaru. ]

Heh. Aight, now try on the tokkoufuku. Do you wanna wear anythin' inside?

[ Mondo has some spare tanktops if Ishimaru wants to use it. With his free hand, he grabs one of them, waving it at the other. ]

This?

They fit me in a firm and smug manner, much like a glove! [He decalres with gusto!]

Hmm...! Well, typically I would avoid that manner of shirts... but a deal's a deal! I have to experience exactly what you wear, so I will put it on! Also, it would be improper if I just wore the tokkoufuku over a bare chest! Ah... No offense! [He says with a quick bow as he claims a tanktop and slips it on!]

Firm and smug, huh...

[ At the babble, he sighs. By now he's aware that Ishimaru always speaks without filter, so that's just him saying what he thinks... Well, that's also why he trusts him so. No offense taken, it'll probably look wrong if he's wearing it bare-chested anyway. ]

Ooh? Ain't that lookin' good on ya?!

[ Nodding proudly, the smirk on his face is almost as loud as his voice. ]

Yeah, you look much more like a teenager that way!

[ No... offense... not that he even realises that it can be offensive, welp. Meanwhile, Mondo finally gets one arm in the white-clad uniform, even if every single fiber of it seems to be threatening to rip with any sudden movement. Now to the other hand... ]

Hngkー! God, this is crazy tight.

[ Is this whole uniform even enough to cover his back? Who fucking knows. He sort of gets the idea now, though he has to be super careful if he doesn't want to break the whole piece of clothing into pieces... ]

I am? [He replies with a nervous smile.] Well, I am flattered that I look well like this, but I did not think that this would make me look any more like my age...

[With that, he finally lifts the tokkoufuku and drapes it over his shoulders, then puts his arms through it. ...Then he tries to button it up.

But in the process of this, he frets at Mondo.]

I apologize if it is a bit small for you, Kyoudai! Do you require any assistance?

[ Mondo doesn't comment much further as Ishimaru continues to button up the tokkoufuku. For a sec there he was about to tell him to leave it open as how he usually wears it, but now he's kinda curious to see how it looks when Ishimaru gets it all buttoned all the way up, so he didn't. ~~Will Ishimaru be able to see the light.~~ ]

Nah, I'm doin' just fine. You settle yours.

[ He says as he pushes his arm further and there's a soft 'rip' noise from his back side. Haha. It's fine, it's fine. It's probably just a small rip. ]

If you say so!

[~~What a beautiful comic!!~~ Ishimaru dutifully continues to button it up, soon having it buttoned up to his chin!

But then he blinks as he thinks he hears something.]

...What was that?

[ His tokkoufuku sure looks different when worn by a different person. Somehow, it lacks the menacing look and it just looks rather... how does he put it? Tame? Especially with how you can barely see Ishimaru's fingers out of those sleeves. The sight really is tickling. ~~Is this what a boyfriend's shirt looks like.~~ It really reminds him of their difference in size.

He smirks, but not for long. He heard that too. Heck, he felt that. ]

Uh. Nothin'? What was what?

[ His smile's crooked and obviously awkward. Instead of stopping, Mondo continues to squeeze his arm further, and by the time his fingers can touch the edge of the sleeve, another soft rip! can be heard. He turns his head behind him, acting like it came from somewhere else. ]

O, oh, yeah I heard that too, wonder where that was from... Ha ha...

[Ishimaru experimentally waves his arms around a little in the too-long sleeves. This is certainly quite the unusual experience!

Then he frowns as he hears another noise. This is turning out to be quite the puzzle!]

Ah... Well... It sounds as if something is tearing, Kyoudai! But what could it be...? [There's nothing behind Mondo that could be tearing, could it?]

[ The way Ishimaru waves his arms around makes him think of a kyonshi, but he has to swallow down his silly comment as a much more grave situation has arised: he can now feel how far the tear has gone. It starts from bottom up, halfway through the uniform's backside. ]

Haha, yeah, I wonder...

[ Well. They've gone this far, let's just get it done and over with. ]

More importantly, how do I look?

[ The sleeves are latched on tight through Mondo's arms shape. Any kind of sudden movement is likely to rip it apart, so he keeps his arms straight and unmoved. At this point, buttoning up the shirt is obviously out of the question. ]

[So that's what that's called!

More importantly, his brother has asked him how he looks! Ishimaru wants to be as accurate as possible with his assessment, because that is what Mondo deserves! So he stares him down seriously for a few moments as he considers all of the factors.]

Hmmm... Hmmmmmm!

[Then he raises a hand as he makes his declaration.]

Brother, you look quite formal and handsome dressed like that! It could possibly stand to be a size larger on you, but it seem that you're standing properly! [Even if that's really because of the tightness...]

I am also sorry to say that your hair style clashes with the image, but beyond that you are starting to look like a very diligent young man!

[ He's not even going to retort at the hand-raising because there won't be end to it. ]

You're sayin' like I don't stand properly...

[ You don't, Mondo. ]

Aaah? [ A light scoff. ] What, you want me to slick my hair back? I mean... I guess if it's just for this time, I don't mind.

[ There's a closet here, so he can grab some hair gel or something. But to get to the closet... he needs to crab walk his way... slooowly.

Which is very weird and unnatural. Hmm, wonder why. ]

[Ishimaru's eyes widen in surprise!]

Ah! You do not have to go that far! ...But, if you are willing, I assure you that you will look quite dashing!

[Ishimaru then looks a bit puzzled at Mondo's trot.]

Is everything alright, Kyoudai?

[ Well, if they're gonna do this, they might as well do it to the end. It's not like he's gonna die if his hair isn't on pompadour for probably an hour or two, so what the hell. He shrugs, a smirk poking at the edge of his lips. ]

Heh. You'll realise I look best with this hairstyle.

[ That smirk turns into a much more awkward one at the question. ]

Ah? What're ya talkin' bout? [ Crab walk, crab walk. Nothing's weird, nope. ] Everythin's cool. [ Ye, yeah, there you go, the closet! He's just gonna take a hair gel and distract the bro with it. ] Look, they've got one here. Let's style your hair too!

Something about your posture just seems unusual. That's all! [But if Mondo says that he's fine, then everything's fine! Or as he puts it, cool!

Then Ishimaru looks unsure as the gel is put towards him.]

M-my hair as well?! Would that really be alright??

[ Distraction tactic is a success! His lips form a rather evilish smirk then. ]

'Course it is!! Leave it to me!

[ Wait a sec--

He got too excited about messing the bro's incredibly tidy hairdo that he forgot he shouldn't move much and now.

RIP!! RIP RIP!!

He can't hide it anymore. His backside is torn all the way to the end, while the sleeves to show some rips on their edges. Ah...

Whatever. That totally didn't happen.

Before Ishimaru reacts, he decides to grab a generous amount of gel and dumps it on the other's hair, rubbing it to mess it all up. ]

[Ishimaru definitely notices that and winces.]

B-brother! The... the uniform! [He whimpers while Mondo operates on his hair.]

Aah? Ah... We, uh, we can tape that later! It's fine!

[ It's not. ]

Look, let's dress you up, aight? Imma style your hair real cool, so stay still!

[ Sweat dripping sweat dripping. Hair messing hair messing. ]

Tape? No, I am afraid that a uniform cannot be presentable with tape on it!

[He frets, but he stands still.]

...Very well. Do as you wish!

[ Ahh, yes yes, he got it already... Mondo doesn't say it aloud, but he's definitely thinking it and it's probably showing in his face.

Without saying much else, he begins Operation: Bad Boy Look. He runs his fingers on Ishimaru's short strands of hair, trying to bring them down from their straight as hell posture that resembles the way Ishimaru presents himself. He knows that those with big foreheads are said to be the brainy ones, but he'd always thought the friend would look better with them covered. There isn't much he can do with this hair, honestly, it's not long enough for him to build something fancy, so...

Yep.

As he thought, it's better than the usual Hall Monitor getup. Taking a hand mirror out of the closet, he hands it over to the other. ]

There ya go. You look like a total bad boy now.

[ Not really, but Mondo enjoys teasing the bro, if that smirk is an indication of anything. ]

[He stands there, patiently but nervously, as Mondo gets to work on his art. As the hand mirror is help to him, he gazes into it with a furrowed brow.]

? ?

[He blinks and holds a sleeve-covered hand over his hair as he gets use to it.]

It... looks somewhat charming, I believe! Is this really the hair of a delinquent?

[ Well. Technically speaking... ]

Uh. Not really. Your hair's too short to make it more stylish. [ Stylish!! Not delinquent!! Though he really can't deny that he's one, nor does he want to... ] But don'cha think this looks good on ya too? [ The smirk goes wider, as does his arching eyes. ] You gotta show this off to Maizono later. She'll be charmed.

Ah... Yes, it does look quite nice! I thank you, Oowada-kun! [He says with a smile and a nod. And then he perks up a bit at that last part.]

Really? She- she would?

[ Mondo nods firmly. He may be messing with the other teen earlier, but honestly speaking? This looks great on him!! He doesn't see why Maizono won't find it appealing. Well. He can't say the same about the uniform, though... ]

Ou! She'll like it for sure!! We can take a pic and send it to her later, unless you wanna go visit her yourself...

[ Eyebrow waggle. Y'know what he means. ]

[Ishimaru wonders why his eyebrows suddenly moved like that - maybe he has an itch?

But he is quickly flustered by that suggestion.]

A- a picture should be fine! There is no need to bother her at a time like this! [He's also a bit nervous about being Judged for wearing a biker's attire!]

[ It's alright if Ishimaru doesn't get what that means. Because at least he's definitely not calm right now! That's a good sign!! ]

Hmmm~? Aight then. [ Mondo doesn't wait for Ishimaru's consent to snap a picture, subsequently sends it over to Maizono. ] Aaaand sent! Can't wait to hear what she thinks, eh?

A-already?! [He looks around, flustered.] Are you sure that it was alright? Did it come out well?!

Heh. What, you ain't confident with how you look?

[ He grins cheerfully, and opens the sent picture to show it off to Ishimaru. ]

There, whaddya think?

[ Being away from their country doesn't mean they can't do the things they did back home. Well, they can't do all the things, like hatsumoude, since there's no temple here. But at least with the help of the closets in Wonderland, they're able to acquire the needful materials to welcome the new year in a considerably Japanese way. Truth to be told, Mondo hasn't actually been doing these kind of celebrations the past few years... heck he's never really pounded mochi all his life before. Maybe in school long time ago, but never quite like this. So he can't deny the excitement.

With the huge and heavy as hell usu (wooden mortar), cooker, and mochigome they've gotten from the closet, as well as the self-made seiro (wooden box steamer) and kine (wooden mochi hammer), they're ready to go. ]

Ya ever made mochi like this before?

[ Mondo crosses his arms, watching the glutinous rice turning all supple and plump as they reach towards completion of the cooking stage. ]

closed ▸ the bros catchall

late dec ▸ the uniforms

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early jan ▸ happy new year