Fuckin' Nerd

• Riko and Kevin started drawing them on when they were kids.

• Arabic numerals match their jersey numbers.

• It's... canon...

Here we go! I'm sure that this has all been said before, but I feel the need to say it again...

First, some quotes from the books regarding the tattoos:

TFC

Everything was the same, from his dark hair and green eyes to the black number two tattooed onto his left cheekbone.

Kevin had that number back then, too, but he'd been too young to have it done permanently. 

Instead he and his adopted brother Riko Moriyama wrote the numbers one and two on their faces with markers, tracing them over and over anytime they started to fade.

The number one tattooed on his left cheekbone told everyone in the audience who'd just walked onto Kathy's stage.

TRK

He'd be wearing the "3" tattoo that adorned Jean Moreau's face.

Riko pressed a thumb to Neil's cheekbone, in the same spot where the three had their numbered tattoos.

He was less ready to see the "4" tattooed on his left cheekbone.

TKM

The story changed a little when Jean made his first public appearance with a "3" on his face.

Kevin had worn a "2" since his first days in the Moriyamas' cruel care. Riko and Kevin used markers for years, writing over their numbers any time they threatened to fade.

TSC

Jean pressed his fingers to the tattoo on his face, stomach roiling with sudden violence. He’d had 3 since he was fifteen.

Despite the friction between him and the rest of the defense line, Jean was perfect Court, a 3 missing his 4.

TGR

A couple people they passed were good enough fans to recognize the Trojans on sight; others were close enough to see the 3 on Jean’s face and react to that.

The tattoos are never described as Roman numerals. The Arabic numerals are frequently in quotation marks. It is worth noting that Nora seems to have stopped putting them in quotation marks in the new books. I feel like this is probably due to the fact that she knows many fans prefer Roman numerals. She still uses Arabic numerals though. 

Here's what Nora had to say about the tattoos:

One argument that I commonly see in favor of Roman numerals that it's easier to alter into Kevin's queen piece tattoo. I saved this image a while back, though I did not save the source. (If anyone knows who drew it, please let me know so I can give proper credit!) Here is how a "2" becomes a queen:

If you prefer Roman numerals, you are welcome to imagine and draw them that way. You have Nora's blessing. I am EXTREMELY grateful to the wonderful fan artists who do so!

But... if you want to be canonically accurate... they are Arabic numerals. It's not a question. It never was. I'm still not sure how anyone read the books and thought they were anything else.

Are we even reading the same books????

Yall think Kevin, who as a Raven stood alone admiring the Trojans (because even Jean thought their kindness and fairplay were useless), who sent Jean to the Trojans because he wanted Jean to heal in a place where he could experience Exy without violence, this Kevin is gonna somehow be mad Jean has assimilated well to the team and their playstyle???

For fucks sake

"oh, but Kevin will be mad they are losing"...Kevin literally lost with the Foxes in their first game of the season, to a team he would have crushed with the Ravens, and he didnt throw a tantrum. He then lost to the Ravens and his attitude in the end of the game was to go help Andrew and give the Foxes attention. He has already lost games in way worst circunstances. I am pretty sure losing to the team he admires the most wont be what causes him to have a meltdown.

"oh but he will be frustrated he cant get through Jean" That man literally re-learned the entire game with his non dominant hand. This means he failed for MONTHS at things he used to do with his eyes closed. This means he had a hard time going through absolutely mediocre backliners in the beggining. And no, he didnt throw a tantrum or got out of the court stomping. He went back and practiced more and more and more and more. I am sure having a hard time against the best backliner in the league whom he deeply cares about and whose talent he deeply admires wont make him mad at all.

Not only I am sure. I know canonically what happens when someone talented poses a challenge for Kevin: he blooms in the best of all senses. Just take a look at TKM when Andrew finally decided to play at night practice and Kevin lost himself in their game.

Because the number one thing about Kevin's relation to Exy is that yes, he loves winning, but he loves the game much more. Kevin actually loves Exy itself. He wants to be the best, but he wants to be challenged. He wants to have other amazing players around him and against him too. The game is fun because there are other talented people that make It a challenge(If after everything you havent understood this very basic fact about him, then you shouldnt be analysing his character at all)

So no, he wont be mad Jean is amazing. Kevin knows Jean is amazing. He said It himself that Jean deserved nothing less than a big three team.

He also wont be mad that Jean is playing like a Trojan. That was the whole fucking point.

And no, he wont throw a tantrum about losing. Kevin spent his whole life accepting a second place that wasnt his because of spoiled child. He lost literally everything he had worked for, including his contract with the US Court. He lost against mediocre teams (at best). He lost to his old abusive team. I GUARANTEE yall that losing to the Trojans is not what will make him blow.

Neil who never lets Andrew carry his own bag through an airport or out of a stadium, even though Andrew is inarguably bigger and more muscled than him. Who always keeps the freezer stocked with ice cream no matter the circumstances. Who keeps a bubble of space around Andrew when they’re walking through thick crowds, always a bicep or an elbow in the way to stop people from getting too close. Who gets his wallet out every time they get dinner like Andrew doesn’t make 80% more than him. Always free shoulder and feet massages, post-game and in-bed and whenever, without Andrew ever having to ask. He always washes Andrew’s hair first in the shower, always cups the water away from his face so soap doesn’t get in his eyes.

Neil who is always down to do Anything Andrew Wants, Ever. Andrew wants to go on a drive in the middle of the night? Or an impromptu road trip in the off season? Sure, Neil’s grabbing the keys. On the road they pass a pungent, fresh-made bakery and Neil turns the car around without uttering a word. Neil, who, after years, always answers the phone when Andrew calls on the very first ring — who turns his full-attention to Andrew when he calls his name, even in the most crowded room. Who does pretty much anything Andrew asks of him and anticipates dozens of other wants and needs. Who always goes out of his way to make Andrew’s life easier. Neil, who puts Andrew above anything and everything else.