#[ wanted to write nnoitra's first appearance from another character's pov ]

[despairforme]

CHAPTER 1 - What’s mine’s mine.

The promotion sign outside didn’t match the shop. The store looked old and somewhat dirty. The kind you’d just pass by, and that survived only by the grace of a loyal local customer base. The sign was in bright colors that immediately appealed to Atsushi. The store had managed to bring in a snack from another region, and was advertising it as a way to stay afloat among the dozen convenience stores in the area. Atsushi was here specifically to get the candy. He had walked by the sign on his way to school, but he’d been late already, and hadn’t had time to stop by. It had bothered him the whole day, and he was worried he was too late to grab himself some stock.

❝I hope I made it in time.❞ he mumbled to himself. When he entered the shop, a discreet bell rang. As always he had to duck his head to avoid the doorframe. It had become a habit for him at this point, since he’d been been forced to do it since middle-school. That’s what you get for being almost 40 cm above average height. The shop was cramped. He actually didn’t mind small shops, because they often had snacks you’d find nowhere else, not to mention there were almost always less people. There was a distinctive run-down feeling here, like the business was on its last legs. He scanned over the shelves to find what he was looking for as he walked down one of the ailes. The shelves reached all the way to the ceiling. 

What’s the point, it’s not like anyone can reach that high? Apart from him, of course. He spotted a smaller version of the promotion sign, but the shelf was empty.

Maji ka? How could his luck be this bad? Was he going to start to walk around with Libra’s ‘lucky item of the day’, like Mido-chin? Frustration and disappointment was rising. Those emotions were never far beneath the surface, so they would spring up easily. Then - some hope. A single package of candy was hiding on the top shelf. Atsushi perked up, and reached for it.

Another hand grabbed it at the exact same time. A white, bony hand with scarred knuckles. Atsushi frowned and instinctively tightened his grip and tried to yank the candy package. The other hand did the same thing.

❝Oi, let go it’s mine.❞

❝Oi, let go, it’s mine.❞ they both said at the exact same time.

He looked from the hand to the owner now, following a long, thin arm. His eyes widened slightly when he realized he didn’t have to look down to meet the other’s eyes. In fact - he had to look slightly up. Atsushi had only ever met one person in real life who was taller than himself. He had a thinner build than Atsushi, but his shoulders were very wide. His face was unpleasant. Thin lips and narrow eyes. He had large teeth that were flashed in an annoyed sneer, a deep furrow between his skinny brows. There was slight surprise on his face too, probably similar to Atsushi’s, the guy had probably never seen someone who was as tall as him either. His hair was long (even longer than Atsushi’s own), and inky black. They both glared at each other while their knuckles turned white around the candy package. Had it been an anime, sparks would’ve flashed between them. To any spectators, they probably looked like two shaggy dogs in a tug-of-war over a bone. Atsushi’s mouth opened in a mute ‘ oh no ‘-sound as the package slipped from his grip, and the tall stranger triumphantly pulled it away

❝Oi! Give it back, I was first!❞ Atsushi complained, holding out his hand as if the stranger really would change his mind. It didn’t look like that was going to happen. The guy’s grin screamed ‘victory’. Had he not had his hands full it looked like he’d place both his hands on his hips and laugh at Atsuchi’s defeat. In one hand he had the candy package, and the other was occupied - by a basketball that he was balancing under his arm.

❝Haaaah? No way! Ya lost out, deal with it.❞ The ╬ symbols were certainly popping up on Atsushi’s head now. The guy had a hoarse voice, and something about the way he spoke just made Atsushi think he was a bad guy. He pointed to the other’s basketball. It couldn’t be helped. This was the only way he was going to get his hands on that rare candy.

❝Play me for it. One v One. If I win, I get the candy.❞ This suggestion surprised the other. He looked conflicted for a moment. He seemed like the type to never back down from a challenge (Atsushi was kind of like that himself, because he absolutely hated to lose, but he was also too lazy to get riled up all that easily). There was nothing for the stranger to gain from accepting the challenge, apart from the prospect of victory. Not that there was any chance of Atsushi losing against this guy. He might be the tallest person he’d ever met, but that didn’t automatically mean he was amazing at basketball. Atsushi had always said that basketball was a game for tall people, but he was not simply tall. He also had a remarkable talent.

❝Oh, ya play basketball, huh? Should’a guessed, since yer so tall.❞ What was the height difference between the two of them anyway? A few centimeters? Less than 10. Somehow, Atsushi didn’t feel like he was standing opposite someone larger than himself. It was the other’s build, he decided. He really was skinny. He wore a black, baggy t-shirt. From how loose it was on him, it was obvious that he was thin. Then there were his arms, which appeared to have zero muscle on them. He certainly didn’t come off as athletic. ❝Ain’t like I’m gonna turn down a challenge. I’mma take ya on.❞ The guy cocked his head back, clearly confident.

Atsushi followed behind the other to the check-out. He was so annoyed that he wasn’t even tempted to grab something else for himself. After payment was made, they walked outside. Atsushi had no intentions of walking behind the other like some puppy, so he walked next to him. Normally when he walked, he’d drag his feet out of habit so that others wouldn’t have to jog to keep up with him. He didn’t have to do that now.

❝Ya got a name?❞ The guy suddenly asked.

❝Murasakibara.❞ Atsushi answered.

❝‘Daz way too fuckin’ long. I ain’t never gonna remember that.❞

What is up with this guy?

There was a moment of silence. What was he supposed to say to that? ❝I’m Jiruga.❞

❝Sorry, I don’t remember names of people I beat.❞ It wasn’t true, but he felt like biting back. Jiruga chuckled, the raspiness of his voice exchanged for a surprisingly deep tone.

❝Ya ever played someone was tall as me?❞ He was taller than Jason Silver, wasn’t he? Though he looked smaller. It was the lack of muscles. The few centimeters between them wasn’t going to make much of a difference. Atsushi obviously weighed more, which was going to give him an advantage.

❝I don’t know, like I said, I don’t remember the people I beat.❞

They walked for a little bit without further conversation. Atsushi was glad. He wasn’t a very talkative person, and he didn’t like this guy, so he’d prefer not to chat with him. They both knew where they were going. There was a public court not too far away. It was run down so it was rarely used. How convenient. How old was this guy anyway? It was strange that he hadn’t seen him around before. He was maybe a couple of years older than himself. Was he also a high schooler? If he was, why hadn’t Atsushi heard of him before? Such a tall guy was bound to draw attention in the basketball environment, regardless of his level of skill.

The court was deserted, as expected. The hoop was rusty, and the court markings on the asphalt has completely disappeared. It had been a while since he played street-basketball. It wasn’t the sort of thing he’d usually go for. If he played, it was because he was being dragged along, most likely by Muro-chin. While being annoyed was not a good feeling, he had to admit that he did like it when something could lift him out of his apathetic state. It was one of the reasons why he liked basketball in the first place. It made him feel something. It made him care.

Jiruga placed the candy down on the stone fence that separated the court from the street. If it had been the other way around, Atsushi could’ve imagined Jiruga simply snagging the candy and making a run for it. Jiruga bounced the ball a couple of times. The ball was normal-sized, but somehow it looked slightly small in those big hands. Was that how other people felt when they saw Atsushi handle the ball?

❝First one ‘ta score five wins?❞ Jiruga suggested. It was all the same to Atsushi what sort of game-set-up they went for, so he nodded.

❝Bring it on.❞

Was this a lot of effort for some candy? Maybe.

Mah, it’ll all be worth it when I win.

Jiruga started with the ball. He bounced it it with the tips of his fingers. It gave him more control in some ways, but it would be easier to take the ball because there was less grip-strength. When he finally moved, he was fast. Some added agility probably came with having a lighter body. However. He was underestimating Atsushi’s reflexes. When Jiruga attempted to pass him, he timed the bounce so that he slammed his hand against the ball when Jiruga was merely touching it with his fingertips. The ball quickly moved into Atsushi’s palm like it wanted to get stolen. He wasted no time. He was closer to the hoop than Jiruga, so he didn’t have to pass him. Two long strides and he was close enough to jump up and score. Out of habit he was choosing the path of least energy spent, so he wasn’t going to dunk it. The ball was about to pass into the net, when Jiruga’s hand reached it, and he slapped it away. He had barely even jumped to reach it, like he too was playing lazily. 

Tch.

They glared at each other for a split second, before they both reached for the ball. Jiruga’s arms were longer. He reached it first. They were caught in another tug of war with their large hands. Those skinny fingers had a crazy grip strength, and Jiruga pulled the ball away from him successfully. He jumped up to score. Atsushi followed him, and this time their roles were reversed. Atsushi prevented Jiruga from scoring just like the other had done.

Everytime Atsushi stepped up his game, Jiruga would match him. He was always holding himself back out of habit. Nobody could compete with his strength, so if he wanted to play basketball at all - he had to hold back. Or he’d hurt his opponents, or his teammates. This mental barrier wasn’t something he thought about a lot. It was just sort of there. Now though, he was noticing how he was stepping further and further towards breaching the barrier. It was an exciting feeling.

Maybe I can get a little serious...

He jumped up this time, both hands around the ball, and he finally scored. Jiruga had not been prepared to use both hands to stop it. Atsushi was already sweating. He hadn’t thought he’d need to spend this much energy just to score once.

The real surprise came when Jiruga went ahead and scored twice. There was something fiery about him now. His annoyed expression had been replaced with concentration and - maybe enjoyment? Like he was having fun. Often, breaking the deadlock would make it easier to score in a match, but that wasn’t the case here. Atsushi was having a really hard time stealing the ball now. At one point, Jiruga had stopped using the tips of his fingers when he bounced the ball. The only thing Atsushi could do to win the ball was to get the rebound when one of them failed to score. He could use more of his power, he realized.

When he jumped up the next time, he positioned his body so that he’d push Jiruga away, rather than letting him jump freely. In the air, it was a simple matter of weight, and - no surprise. Jiruga lost that battle. The other was pushed back when their bodies collided, while Atsushi continued his jump, slamming the ball down with both hands and finally scoring his second point. When he let go of the ball, he grabbed onto the hoop, swinging back and forth once for a softer landing. That’s when he heard the hoop creak alarmingly. His feet hit the asphalt, and when he looked up, the whole thing was coming down. He quickly got out of the way. There was a thundering sound of metal against stone when the hoop crashed into the ground. After that, there was a moment of silence. Then Jiruga started laughing.

❝Oh, ‘fer fuck’s sake, I was just gettin’ in’ta it.❞ He was wiping sweat off his forehead, and pushing his bangs away from his face. Atsushi was a little out of breath. He too wiped sweat of his face. The score was only 2-2, but they had been playing for a while. He’d been so into the game that he hadn’t even noticed the sun breaking through the clouds. No wonder he was feeling so hot. Jiruga dipped his tongue out between his teeth and panted like a dog. ❝Ya broke it so, ‘daz yer problem. I’m keepin’ ‘da candy.❞

This day really is the worst.

Now he was sweaty, tired, hot, and he was without candy. But...

It’s been a while since I played like that.

Not since they all played against Jabberwock, where he’d broken his wrist. That didn’t mean he wasn’t frustrated though! He hadn’t exactly lost, but it felt like a loss because he didn’t win. He was going to get a milkshake to cheer himself up. He didn’t say anything to Jiruga. No ‘ good game ‘ or ‘ see you later ‘ (he didn’t want to see him later). Instead he began to walk in the direction of the nearest place that sold milkshakes. But why...

Why is this guy walking with me?

❝Why ya followin’ me?❞

❝That’s my line! Why are you following me?❞ Atsushi seriously couldn’t deal with this guy.

❝I’m gonna get milkshake, and it’s this way.❞ Jiruga pointed down the street they were now both walking. Atsushi exhaled and pouted. Should he go somewhere else?

Aaaaarg what a pain!

He wasn’t going to go somewhere else just because this bastard had had the same idea as him. Jiruga had put the candy package in the pocket of his pants, and Atsushi imagined it was now melting from the other’s body heat. How tragic.

Thankfully it only took them five minutes to walk to the fast-food joint that sold milkshakes. And burgers. And fries. Atsushi was almost drooling now. He was hungry. A small victory for him was that he managed to get first inside the restaurant. Jiruga had opened the door (for himself) and Atsushi had pushed past him (there was no way to ‘slip’ past someone when you were his size). He was first in line now. He looked up at the menus, mouth watering. He was so goddamn hungry...

He ordered a large strawberry milkshake, large fries and a large burger.

❝ Double that order.❞ he heard Jiruga say from behind. He turned around to look at him.

❝ Hah? I’m not paying for your food.❞

❝ C’mon, it’s cheaper ‘fer us both. I’ll share ‘da candy with ya.❞ Jiruga was gesturing to a poster that said ‘ double deal ‘, where you’d get a discount on your order if it was double. Atsushi wanted to tell him ‘ no way ‘ just for the satisfaction of making him pay the full amount, but - he was always interested in saving money. Buying cheap snacks was one of his hobbies. Not to mention he’d actually get to taste the candy he’d fought so hard for. It was a win-win. It wasn’t like they had to sit together and eat.

❝Fine.❞

Atsushi paid. They got their food, and then they sat down at a table. Together.

Wait a minute.

❝Who said you should join me?❞ Atsushi mumbled, his eyebrow twitching slightly. Jiruga had sat down opposite him with his tray of food. His milkshake was chocolate flavored.

❝Hah? Don’t ya think it tastes better with milkshake?❞ Jiruga had pulled the candy package out of his pocket. ❝Or do ya wanna taste it after we’re done eatin’?❞

❝No.❞ Atsushi reached out and took the package, opening it. Jiruga didn’t protest. He was biting into his burger with eager, like he was starving for it. The candy, which was a type of chewy-candy with surprise flavors in different colors and a liquid center, had indeed melted a bit. The package contained several smaller wrappings. Atsushi opened one, and finally, he could pop it in his mouth. He hummed in delight. It was delicious! Bliss! He took another one. Jiruga was watching him with an amused expression.

❝Ya got a big sweet tooth, huh? Me too.❞

❝You have big teeth in general.❞ This made Jiruga snort.

❝‘Daz right. Big teeth, big bite.❞ He demonstrated by finishing the rest of his burger in one go. Atsushi made a hmmm-sound and drank some milkshake. The last piece of candy he ate had strawberry flavor, and now he was experiencing a strawberry overload. He loved it. Jiruga tried a piece of candy now. He squished it between his fingers before putting it in his mouth. ❝Pretty good. I sure prefer Japanese candy ‘ta European. This is much sweeter.❞

❝Where do you get European candy?❞ No surprise, he’d be very much interested in trying new things.

❝I dunno? I lived in Spain ‘fer ‘da past three years or so. My parents only decided recently that we should move back here.❞

❝Hōō... I kinda thought you were older.❞ But this would explain why he hadn’t heard of him before.

❝Ain’t we ‘da same age?❞

❝I’m turning 17 in October.❞

❝‘N I’m turnin’ 19.❞ Jiruga chuckled, finding it funny that they had both imagined the other to be older. Atsushi was used to people thinking he was older than he was, thanks to his height. Jiruga probably had the same experience. He pulled off the bun of his hamburger to pull out the pickles and the tomato, placing it aside. He hated vegetables (not counting potatoes). “Ya ain’t gonna eat that?”

❝No.❞ Pickles and tomato? No thanks! Jiruga reached out and promptly scooped up both the pickles and tomatoes from the tray where Atsushi had left it. He blinked in surprise.

❝More ‘fer me.❞ Jiruga grinned with his mouth full.

They sat in silence for a bit. Jiruga ate his fries and drank his milkshake. Atsushi did the same (he also ate some more candy). The silence wasn’t awkward, he decided. It was like they had a joint understanding that there was no need for small-talk or chatter when they didn’t have anything to talk about. Jiruga probably wasn’t a very talkative person, just like Atsushi. They’d reached the bottom of their milkshakes when Jiruga spoke again. ❝It was a pretty good game, huh? Too bad we didn’t get ‘ta finish it.❞

❝Un.❞

❝Been a while since someone could keep me from scorin’. I love winnin’, but who’s gonna acknowledge me as ‘da strongest if I only crush weaklings?❞

❝You weren’t crushing me.❞

❝I know, but I wasn’t goin’ all out.❞

❝I wasn’t either.❞ This made Jiruga grin.

❝Wanna play again sometime?❞ Whenever someone asked him to play, he’d almost always respond with No thanks, it’s too much of a pain. His first instinct was to be as lazy as possible. That response was completely skipped now. Because yes - he wanted to play him again.

❝Yeah.❞

[ CHAPTER 2 ]

#[ this is what i've been writing today 8D ] #[ i should be working on my hq au but instead........ i ended up writing for the knb au ] #[ wanted to write nnoitra's first appearance from another character's pov ] #[ WHICH WAS REALLY FUN ] #[ also he refers to him as ' jiruga ' bc that's how it's pronounced ] #[ no way he'd know it's written g-i-l-g-a ] #[ aaaaa i'm excited to write chapter two u v u ] #[ and YEAH i'm too lazy to format.. ] #storytime. ╱ drabble. #longpost // #knb au tbt.