#drabble: p4 dan

[thedetectiveofinaba]

Title: Signs of Empathy

Word count: 1052

Context: this, this and this. 

Naoto couldn’t put well in words how the single comment from the four IT members had ruined the whole conversation for her. The rest of it had felt false and wrong: it was like everyone had kept a façade over the overall for a reason she didn’t understand. Everyone who were in that room could sense the tension in that moment and it was awkward for all parties: she’d even felt sad in behalf of Yosuke who had messed up with his comment to begin with and it was least to say conflicting. 

Her acting like Yu in Junes HQ meetings had been directly influenced by this: she had stated the upcoming plans without acknowledging purely just to get things done and to get something else to focus on. Not thinking about this farce had prevented her sanity decreasing from this and some new elements what might have been introduced might have confused her more. 

Naoto had thought how the intense group practice and not talking with Rise would have stopped that train of thought, but the reality was how she needed to talk things out before it escalated before their impromptu rescue mission. When the team had their first break she was still fuming and not motivated to talk anyone who had trash talked Yosuke. Her thoughts about the event were raging like a stormy sea and the biggest issue she had now was that didn’t know how to address the elephant in the room. 

I don't understand these people. They claim to be friends yet insult Yosuke-san after he had no defenses any more: a more effective tactic would have been to glare at him and let him notice how painfully slow time passed with an awkward silence. Overkilling the situation with using the harsh selection of words brought her more frustration since the girls of IT apparently owned less empathy and patience than she had thought. She knew how he was a headache to deal with at times, but he wasn’t the worst person. More like Sofue-sensei was the worst one.

Yosuke leaving the room for a reason she didn’t gave her an opportunity, which she took and called out to him after she had exited the room without saying a word to anyone. ”…Yosuke-san, do you mind if I spoke with you for a second?”

“Sure, Naoto-kun!” She could see from his expression how he was disappointed on not getting Kanami’s autograph but was still energetic about the whole coming day and the Midnight Stage trip they’d have to deal with. The confirmation on how she wasn’t interrupting him too much was all she needed as an encouragement.

You can do it, Shirogane. “It’s, uh… nothing too serious. I merely wanted you to know that if the girls of IT bring up the topic they were too harsh to you about again, I will defend you with all of my energy. Their reaction was least to say unreasonable and despicable to witness as person who often prefers to be direct and civil.” Naoto clarified how she understood in a sense why they for awfully defensive about Inaba, but the end result had been unreasonable for him. She was pretty sure how it was unlikely to happen but after that fiasco she wanted to double-check her senpai wasn’t insulted like that again. If they dared to question her intentions they’d regret the decision on that they’d get the verbal beating they deserved and a she’d demand them to think about how they would feel if they received the same insult.

Yosuke was visibly confused and it was clear how he wasn’t on the same page as she was. “Wait, you’re still thinking on that? Was this why you didn’t talk with Rise-san like you usually did on during the group practice?” She nodded and mentioned how she needed a short break from talking with them or at least a confirmation on them not planning to be more malicious towards anyone in IT. It'd affect the group's morale and she wouldn’t let that happen for any price. “We have a long day regarding the planned events and I do not want anyone bickering for useless reasons when the Shadows are as vicious as they were to me. It is a risk on team safety and would affect the team morale heavily.”

Naoto’s direct concern caused Yosuke to ask what Naoto had thought, and after receiving her blunt answer on them insulting him for no proper reason since the intended message had already been delivered he waved his arms in front of him and mentioned how they hadn’t meant to sound like assholes at all. 

“Repeat that again, Yosuke-san. Do you really mean that their attempt was to not sound like an insult to your self-worth and like they were inconsiderate jerks?” If that had been their attempt, it had lead to her being irritated for no reason and to get another reason to take a small break from Investigation Team after this. This happening more than twice in same year was too much for her. "Yep. I know it sounds harsh, especially if you aren't in the loop of how the rest of the team and I roll. Seriously, it's fine."

I fucking doubt that. I need proof from them that this mannerism is something what occurs more often in a casual tone. She shrugged and mentioned how she would still call them out if they’d try to overdo the earned callout comment again: she wasn’t taking her words back and believed in the principle of less is more in everything. 

“Thanks, I suppose…? It’s not really necessary but I really appreciate it.” He seemed to brighten up from the lack of emotional consistency and smiled at Naoto. He received a nod with a slight smile back: it was odd how reassurance and a clear sign on how she was wanted as company improved her mood every time. Especially specific people she cared about like Yosuke, Rise and Yu managed to have that effect on her. 

“You’re welcome, Yosuke-san. Shall we join the others before they continue the practice without us?” The duo walked back to the dance practice room and unlike earlier, the silence was calmer from the cleaner atmosphere and the worst issue being dealt with for now.

[thedetectiveofinaba]

This is the 1st part of the context what is needed to understand my girl’s reactions in this drabble. In all seriousness it’s a good showcase on Yosuke still tends to say stupid shit and regret after saying instantly. 

The details of the group roast (the bit what was done well in my opinion) are at the next post since the Photoset only allows 10 photos in one post