“I…” Chifuyu started, but the words escaped him instantly. Averting his gaze, Chifuyu lowered his chin and sighed. “I don’t think it’s fair that you always ask me to compare you to Baji-san. You two are different people, and you’re both important in my life.” He began. Unsure of how to navigate such a delicate topic. “Baji-san is Baji-san and Ryusei is Ryusei. I wouldn’t really want you guys to be more alike.” Although, that wasn’t quite what he was trying to say. Since their dared kiss, Chifuyu’s spent far more time thinking about Ryusei than he cares (and intends) to admit. Still, he owes Ryusei some kind of something.
Returning his gaze to Ryusei, Chifuyu grins as if his smile reflects sunshine and extends a hand to Ryusei’s shoulder before offering a gentle squeeze. “You can a cool guy too when you wanna be.” He indicates, leaning over to kiss the top of Ryusei’s head.
Turning his attention to him, Ryusei blinked in confusion at Chifuyu's expression. Whatever had him talking out of nowhere must have really bothered him. Especially if he had to come to Ryusei of all people. Wait - Wait a minute. Ryusei was important in Chifuyu's life? That was.. surprising. Not that he had expected otherwise, well- not fully. Sure, he knew Chifuyu considered him a friend in some way since they were both first division, but he had grown to assume they were distancing.
Especially since Ryusei had decided to confess, and especially after that dared kiss they had shared previously. Part of him sort of wonders if Chifuyu even remembers him confessing, to be honest. He wouldn't raise the topic again, taking the silence as most would have, assuming that of a rejection. And he was fine with it. It sucked, sure, but he wasn't going to ruin things over it.
The hand on his shoulder has him snapping back into reality a bit, noticing the signature smile Chifuyu always wears when trying to cheer someone up. The same damned smile that he had fallen for whether he had wanted to or not.
Did.. did he just kiss the top of his head?.. What- Okay. Play it cool. Don't ask. Don't mention it. "Oh, I can be, huh? Guess I'll have to have you end up being a wingman then." He teased, trying to ignore the simple action that he knew didn't mean what he would've wanted it to. It was a simple, friendly gesture. Nothing more. Chifuyu didn't like him like that. It didn't mean anything. It was just a friendly gesture. That's it.
Or so he would convince himself.