I'D DIE ANYDAY.

“Two months sounds like enough time to figure these kids out to me,” Kai responded bluntly, taking another long sip of his drink before setting it down once more.

“You’ll be fine.”

The click of Shougo’s tongue is sharp, but he washes the noise down with a few gulps of his highball.

“That’s true, yes,” Kai pauses and brings his own glass to his lips, taking a slow sip before continuing, “but do you know how you’re going to do that?

“Finding each one of their goals can help you build them up to the best versions of themselves.”

The thought of having to interact so closely with those children makes the back of Shougo’s neck go cold.

Kai stares blankly at Shougo for a moment before giving a slow nod. “Yes, usually that’s how you coach.”

“They’re beginners,” Shougo mutters, collecting moisture on the tip of his thumb before bringing it up to his lip.

Kai waves off the response. “Doesn’t matter. So, what’s your game plan with the kids?”

“To ‘give them the skills they need to compete’,” Shougo parrots dryly, finger rubbing absently against the side of his sweating glass.

“Tch. I’m not playing favorites. It’s not my fault it zooms in on its own when you set a picture,” Kai counters defensively, even though the accusation is all too true.

“Yeah,” Shougo says, crinkling his nose. “Idiot.