When do you think was the first time the Foxes heard Kevin speak Japanese?
Maybe Matt had a DVD of some new anime his mom bought him while she was in Japan for a match and brought it to the Foxhole Court to show it off while waiting for Coach before practice. When the show started, Kevin tensed and Matt thought it was because he was using the foyer TV to play something other than matches and game highlights, but then Kevin froze, listening to the dialogue on screen.
Maybe his awkward fear only lasted for a few seconds before he looked up and saw the poorly translated subtitles, leading him to scoff and roll his eyes instead. Matt would have asked what the deal was even though he wasn't surprised Kevin didn't like something that clearly had nothing to do with Exy.
Maybe in a brief moment of vulnerability, possibly born from feeling above such childish entertainment but also maybe from a moment of exhaustion, Kevin simply too tired to play it off, he properly translated the subtitles and admonished the program for such lazy translation.
The Foxes didn't know what to do when Kevin spoke Japanese. It was a reminder of who he had been for the past decade, where he had come from before Wymack awkwardly introduced their new assistant coach, hand still wrapped in medical tape and splints. The quick pointed syllables were at complete odds with the rounded jumble of French they were used to hearing from Kevin, especially now that Neil joined the line.
No one said anything after that. Kevin returned to pouring over the notes from last week's game. Allison had never stopped tapping away at her phone, though now she shot glances at Renee. Dan sat next to Matt, her shoulders squared as they always were, unsure of what to do whenever Kevin spoke about something other than their weaknesses on the court.
Matt silently reached over and turned off the TV.
