knee deep

Kuroo and Nami are more similar than Kuroo realizes. Her bubbly personality feels natural to him. He was similar and still is compared to many who lived among the bamboo. Optimistic, happy-go-lucky, always seeing the bright side of things. Others tended to see him as silly and unable to be serious. Yet, there was a serious side to Kuroo that honestly, he didn't like. Being glum, moody, and negative just felt... exhausting. It was a lot of work to frown and be serious all the time. He wasn't sure how his brother managed it. Like ever. Which is probably why he spent so much time trying to make his brother happy. Usagi deserved it just as much as anyone else.

He thinks about this with a smile as she teases him back. Kuroo is pleased that Nami is similar as he begins to see it. Did others feel similarly about her? As if her pep were unbearable? He felt that way sometimes, but most were good at hiding it. There wasn't any shame in it, not anymore. He was too old to care what others thought of him. If he wanted to be happy, he was going to be happy!

Kind of lost in thought, Kuroo managed to take a few more steps past where Nami stops before he hears her words. Turning to face her, he closes the distance so he too is beside the massive moss covered tree. He looks up, admiring the way the tree and the moss lives in perfect harmony. Why could the rest of the world not live the same way? Kuroo knows all too well what she means. Since he's been a pup, everyone around him had a similar no-nonsense attitude about them that always had them snapping at him for smiling or laughing too much.

At first, he nods slightly so she knows he's listening to her. But he takes a moment to contemplate the right words. Not wanting to take over her feelings, Kuroo decides a different route. Instead of agreeing that he too felt the same as she, he wanted her to know that she had a place in Tojo-kai just like he did. "Hattori did not deem us Kariudo for no reason," his lips turn up in a smile as he brings his cherry blossom gaze down from the tree to Nami. "Your tribe are not the only wolves that enjoy fishing. While some in Tojo are no-nonsense, ok most of them," he laughs lightly, making a joke to lighten the mood, "I've yet to experience any negativity toward a brighter outlook," Kuroo's eyes crinkle slightly at the edges where he smiles. He hopes what he says helps her.

"Speech"