Title: Fortune Cookies!
Summary: Kazuo’s getting some air when he runs into Fumiko again! So he invites her to Aiya, so they can get warm and fed. Discussions of the future ensue.
Who: Kazuo Yuudai, Fumiko Kohaku.
Location: Inaba — Central Commercial Dist.
Years ago, this was a bustling center of commerce and communal activity, a bright spot in a small and happy town, with each store telling stories spanning generations of the highs and lows of Inaba. Many of these stories are now at an end, as family-owned stores have been closing down left and right since the Junes department store opened close by.
The long street where these stores reside still has a couple shops that are fighting to the bitter end. Daidara Metalworks and the Shiroku grocery store both stand strong before seemingly inevitable disaster, with Chinese Diner Aiya, Marukyu Tofu, and the Souzai Daigaku beef skewer stand continuing to attract hungry stomachs. Tatsumi Textiles largely survives on patronage from the Amagi Inn, and sometimes it seems only one young man’s obsessive reading hobby is actually keeping Yomenaido Bookstore from falling apart. Konishi Liquors up at the northern end may be the next to go, following failing business and family tragedy. A small gas station does service for the few automobiles to come by here, more often servicing the buses that swing by the stop at the southern end.
The outlook is grim, the street populated largely by bitter elderly folks and teenage bullies looking for an easy mark. Even the local, once proud Tatsuhime Shrine is falling apart, already said to be taken over by wild animals. The whole district faces a losing battle against Junes for commerce, but this nostalgic district held dearly by previous generations will go down fighting.
Winter break is over and school has been back in session for several days now. But classes are out for the day—it’s late enough that most kids are starting to head home for dinner, actually. Not Fumiko, though; she’s quite a ways from home, stepping out of the Yasoinaba terminal and starting to walk towards the commercial district.
What could the girl be here for? Aiya’s food is good—but not that good—and it’s not like she knows anyone in the area so well that she might be invited over to their home to visit. And while she certainly might be shopping, the question still remains: what’s drawn her out of Sumaru once more?
Kazuo’s out and about, too. He should probably be back home doing his homework. But there goings-on have disturbed him to the point that he’s unable to concentrate. So, after telling his father he needed some air—and subsequently being told to be very careful, since Kazuo’s father knows if his son wants to go out, he will—he’s gotten out of the house and is walking around. Just…walking.
Coincidentally, he’s also heading for the commercial district, what are the chances of that? His hands are stuffed in the pockets of the heavy blue coat he’s wearing. He looks like he’s preoccupied….
Homework? Fumiko’s already done hers—although she hasn’t given it quite the usual amount of attention. She’s been a bit distracted the past few days. And it’s not like she’s gotten much homework; school hasn’t been back that long. The girl looks preoccupied as well, fiddling absently with her right sidelock as she walks.
She looks up as she senses Kazuo’s resonance—he might notice hers, as well. Like the last time he ran into her, the sense of ‘something gone off’ is muted a little but there’s a lingering chill around her…not that it’s particularly easy to notice the supernatural chill hanging around her—it’s winter, after all! Where isn’t it cold outside?
“Yuudai-san?” Fumiko is several steps behind him; that could be anyone in that blue coat ahead of her. But that resonance…
Kazuo might have completely missed Fumiko being there if she hadn’t spoken. But hearing his name spoken draws his attention up, just enough to feel the resonance. He’s no spotter, but he’s been around Fumiko enough to know hers. He thinks. He’s still new with all this stuff, so it might not be.
This is, in fact, why he pauses in his walking, turning to look with a confused expression at whoever it was that said his name. He blinks, and then sees that it is indeed who he thought it was. “…Kohaku-chan?” he inquires. Though it’s rhetorical at best, he can see it’s her. He turns fully then, and offers a smile. “Hi there. Didn’t expect to see you here. What brings you out this way?”
As he speaks, he indicates his side, silently asking if she’d like to walk with him. Because it’s cold, and having a conversation of any length out here probably ain’t gonna happen without all parties losing a finger or two. Or at least really bad frostbite.
A nod to his unspoken question and Fumiko catches up to Kazuo, walking along with him. She probably wouldn’t get frostbite—she’s dressed awfully warmly, after all. She shrugs at the actual question, smiling back, “Just…thinking, I guess. I needed a bit of time away from my family.” Another shrug, “And I didn’t feel like making dinner for just myself tonight anyways…and Aiya has good food.”
Hrm. What could be going on that would cause Fumi to go walking around Inaba, heading for Aiya for dinner? “What brings you out this time of night, though? It’s awfully cold out to be walking around…” Despite her assertion of wanting to go to Aiya, she seems content to let him determine their route; she’s not starving, after all.
Kazuo waits until Fumiko has caught up with him to start walking again. And he’s careful not to out-walk her. He listens to her answer and nods. “Hn…same here,” he states. “Well, out walking, that is. I’m just a little worried is all.” He doesn’t say what about, and he doesn’t seem particularly forthcoming about the topic.
His steps do turn towards Aiya, since…well, he hasn’t eaten yet, either. Most of the time he did his homework before eating. Because he had to be the one to cook. His father’s a veritable disaster in the kitchen. Her question is answered with a chuckle. “Needed to clear my head.” Here he gives a smirk. “And if this air’s not brisk enough to do it, then it’s beyond all hope.”
“Mm. You’re having problems too?” Fumiko walks alongside Kazuo—she’s not much slower than him, just a lot smaller. “Want to talk about it? Maybe we can help each other figure out solutions. Or at least…we could unburden ourselves. Talking helps, sometimes.” Not that she’s volunteering anything about her situation yet—maybe she’s waiting for him to go first? Or maybe she’s waiting to see if he wants to talk about it at all.
A soft giggle as he mentions the temperature, “Yes. I think this is probably more than…brisk…enough to clear just about anyone’s head.” She hopes it isn’t too much further to Aiya, though—her fingers are cold, despite the warm gloves.
“Well…” Kazuo hedges. “It’s not really a personal problem, just…this thing with the people falling into comas that’s happening around here.” He shrugs. “These are people I know. May not know them real well…but it’s hittin’ pretty close, yeah?” He sighs. “I’m just kinda worried that either my father, Hotaka-kun, or Tezuka-kun will be one of the next to go.”
The thought draws a sigh. Kazuo has very few friends, and only his father left. Losing any one of them would be a harsh blow to a high schooler. But at the moment, all he can do is pray it doesn’t happen.
But there’s no time to think about that now. Because there’s nothing he can do if it does happen. So he just turns his attention to Fumiko instead, and chuckles when she agrees with him about the cold. “We’ll be there in a bit. I know I’m freezing, I’m betting you’re feeling very much like you’re inside a snow cone,” he quips teasingly.
“Does anyone know what’s causing the comas?” Fumiko asks, sounding worried herself. Mysterious comas are never good! “Is there anything that they could avoid that might make it less likely that they’ll be next?” A sigh—his problem isn’t any easier to deal with than hers.
A faint smile, “It…is pretty cold, yes.” She shrugs, “But like you said—we’ll be there soon. I’m not going to turn into a yuki-onna that quickly!” She smiles some more, “Besides, we can get something hot to eat once we’re there.” Darn cold.
“…At least with my problems, it’s just…family drama. Not something that’s affecting the whole town,” Fumiko muses. “It still really sucks, though. I can’t believe he’s choosing her over us.” She kicks at a clump of snow, looking frustrated and annoyed.
Kazuo shakes his head. “Not that I know of,” he replies. “But then…I’m just a punk ‘round these parts. I wouldn’t know anything about that.” There’s a smirk there, but something in his eyes indicates that this is something he’s said before. Something that he automatically says when a situation is over his head.
At the comment of turning into a yuki-onna, Kazuo feigns fear. “Oh no! I hope not, I wouldn’t look good as a human-sicle!” He drops the act quickly, though, and chuckles. He’s actually glad for the teasing, because it’s getting his mind off of things.
Though he quiets as Fumiko makes mention of someone choosing ‘her’ over ‘them’. He sighs a little. “I guess…everybody has to do what’s right for them,” he ventures. “I mean…I don’t have any problems like that, I just have my father for family. But I guess in the long run everybody has to do their own thing. That’s what makes us all individuals. It’d be pretty boring if we were all just exactly the same, right?”
They do get to Aiya soon, and Kazuo holds the door open for her to enter ahead of him. Without Jirou and Naoki, and with Fumiko instead, he almost looks like a respectable young man, how ‘bout that!
CCD—Chinese Diner Aiya
Some say that this is the only good eatin’ left in Inaba. It’s this sort of recognition that allows the otherwise humble establishment to maintain a comfortable cashflow against nearby competitor Souzai Daigaku and the food court of Junes.
The diner itself is quite small, but able to seat thirty people or so during the busiest weeks, if uncomfortably, which includes both seats up at the bar and individual four-seat tables. The color red is featured prominently through its decorations in an attempt to invoke an ethnic flair, despite the head chef and owner actually being a native of Inaba. This seems to have no effect on the quality of the food, as it is favored quite readily by the local population when they want to eat out, and not simply because it’s basically the last place in town to do so. Either way, 800 yen is all one needs for a good hot, fresh bowl.
On rainy days, the owner offers a challenge: if a person can consume a quintuple-sized meat bowl in a single sitting, their meal is free. Otherwise, it is 3000 yen. It is the Rainy Day Challenge, and nobody has ever succeeded. Not even all-star speed eater Mamoru Hayase, or the Gourmet King Nozomi Suemitsu himself! This doesn’t stop many others from trying… and failing miserably.
“Mmhmm—’just a punk’? I’m sure. That’s why everyone’s going to be so surprised when you prove that you’re intelligent and honorable,” Fumiko murmurs. “And Tezuka-san and Hotaka-san will end up just as respectable as you—I can’t see them not following in your footsteps, after all.”
She giggles again, “I don’t think anyone would look good as an icicle, actually. Well…maybe one or two people might look good as ice sculptures. But I wouldn’t want anyone to actually be one.” She’s enjoying the teasing as well. It’s a wonderful distraction.
She sighs and nods, “I guess it would, yeah. But…that doesn’t mean I don’t wish he wouldn’t pick us, instead of her. She’s no good for him—not in the long run. And it doesn’t feel like he’s making the right choice.” Another sigh and she says very quietly,”…but maybe that’s just ‘cause he’s not choosing me…”
She steps inside Aiya, murmuring a ‘thank you’ to Kazuo as he holds the door for her. She heads for a booth—the restaurant isn’t crowded, this time of night—and sits down, smiling up at him. “See? You’re quite the gentleman, when you want to be, Yuudai-san.”
Kazuo seems honestly embarrassed at Fumiko’s assessment of a possible future for him. “Eh….” He raises a hand to rub at the back of his head, looking uncomfortable. “Not really. I figure I’ll be lucky if I can even get a job when I get outta high school.” He doesn’t sound like he’s lamenting this, but relating it as a simple fact. “Hn. I still have another year to think about that.”
“Oh yeah. I’ve seen them make those ice sculptures. They’re really beautiful,” he agrees. “I saw one online, too…this team made a sculpture of this beautiful woman with a bird on her hand. Took ‘em…six days? I think. Something like that. And the leader cut one too many support pillars out from under, too.” He makes a motion like something breaking in half with his hands. “Cracked right in half, fell over, and broke into a million pieces. Six days of work, right down the toilet. Damn shame.”
When Fumiko sighs, Kazuo ventures to reach out and place a hand on her shoulder for comfort. Just for a moment now, not too long. It might not be proper in mixed company to be so touchy-feely. Besides, he’s supposed to be a delinquent, he can’t be caught being nice! Bad for the reputation! “I know. But…maybe he’ll figure that out eventually?” he suggests hopefully. “And if he is happy, even if she isn’t right for him…isn’t that what’s really important?”
He seems to ignore the ‘because he’s not choosing me’ part of that. Probably for the best, there’s likely a whole lot of issues behind the statement that might not be prudent to discuss in a restaurant. Especially not with somebody like Kazuo, who many would swear hasn’t even hit puberty yet, but for his build and the timbre of his voice….
A gentleman? Him? That almost prompts a blush. But fortunately, his skin is dark enough that whatever traces of a blush might be on his face are pretty well hidden. “Ha.” It’s a self-derisive snort, not laughing at her, but at the concept of him being a ‘gentleman’. “No, seriously…you’re just the kind of person that…well, I can’t think of any reason anyone could possibly find to hurt you….”
“I’m sure you’ll find something,” Fumiko reassures Kazuo. “I mean, you’re talented—I’m sure there’s places that’d love to hire you.” She’d mention trying out for singing-related jobs, if she knew how good he is at that. This would probably just make him more embarrassed.
“They are beautiful…but so delicate too,” Fumiko agrees. “Like bonsai, I guess. If you aren’t careful, a lot of work can be ruined and it’s hard to undo.”
She leans into his touch as he offers a moment of comfort. Maybe it looks bad for Kazuo’s reputation, if he gets seen in such a position—but Fumiko doesn’t really care. It helps her feel better, after all—and isn’t that more important than preserving a bad reputation? Of course, Fumiko is overlooking the fact that reputations are quite important and very hard to keep intact. And they are in public, after all—and they aren’t even dating! “…I hope he will,” Fumiko murmurs. “But it might be too late by the time he does.” She considers his next words and shrugs a little, “…I guess so. Doesn’t mean I don’t wish he were happy with someone better, though.”
Yes, it’s probably best to ignore that statement. This is not the time or place to start unravelling Fumiko’s many issues and getting to the root of her real problems. After all, if it went badly…well, becoming Shadow Possessed in public is not the sort of thing a proper young lady should do.
Fumi raises her eyebrows at Kazuo, “What? You are a gentleman—even if you don’t like to admit it.” She blushes at his comment. “…I can. But I guess everyone can see their own flaws pretty clearly, can’t they? Or at least, the worst parts of themselves—the things they’d rather no one else ever see or find out about.”
There are times when she wishes her public mask—the sweet little girl who’s enthusiastically studious and wouldn’t harm a fly—were the truth. Things would be so much simpler if it were the truth…
Kazuo waves a hand dismissively. “Unless you know of a bar that needs a good bouncer or security guard, not really,” he replies. “I punch things. Not a lot of talent there.” He doesn’t mention the actual training in karate. In the end, he still just punches things.
Nope, no date here. Kazuo’s just trying to make a friend feel better. That’s really all he sees. He’s the encouraging type when his friends need it. And Fumiko is both a friend, and in need of comfort. So she gets comfort. However, something she says draws a response. “Oh, not everyone can see them,” he replies. “Or well…maybe that’s why some people are so arrogant…because they know their flaws and try to cover them with that kind of attitude, rather than fixing them.”
Kazuo smiles a little, and as they’re getting seated, mentions, “I’m sure it will all turn out all right, with this guy you’re talking about.” Really, at this point it sounds like it’s out of Fumiko’s hands and there’s not a lot she can do besides fret anyway. And that’s no good.
“I can think of a couple in Sumaru,” Fumiko replies. “Bars and clubs always need good bouncers, after all—they need someone to keep things from getting unruly.” The fact that at least one of those clubs is at least sort of affiliated with her ‘family’ isn’t something she’s actually thinking about.
It’s all Fumiko sees, too—she’s not interested in Kazuo that way. Not that he isn’t cute…sexy, even. But he doesn’t flirt, the way Jirou does; she suspects that either he hasn’t started to notice girls yet…or he’s just not interested in girls. Oh well. He’s still pretty to look at.
“…really?” Fumiko blinks at Kazuo. “…I thought everyone could see their own flaws.” Apparently not. But not everyone has their Persona whispering at them about those flaws, every time they screw up. “Covering up with attitude does make sense, though. I mean, everyone has a mask of some kind, right?” Don’t they?
She smiles back, “I hope you’re right. I don’t want to see him get hurt.” Fumiko looks up at the waitress as she walks over to take the pair’s order, placing an order for beef noodles and an orange soda.
“Hnn. But it’s not exactly a career move for the long haul, you know?” Kazuo observes with a smirk. “Way too easy to get hurt. Or worse.” Then again, he has a Persona. But that didn’t mean he’d ever used it. In fact, it was very likely he hadn’t, given that he knew so little about them. Still, having a Persona would probably make it a little easier to not die in such a situation.
Kazuo might not be interested in girls, but he hasn’t ever really looked at another man ‘like that’ either. Particularly not Jirou or Naoki. But then, they’re his friends. So that might be the issue with them. Still, there would probably have been some kind of clue for the astute if he had any leanings. Maybe he’s just not interested in that kind of stuff at all?
He nods to her assessment. “Oh definitely,” he replies. “Have to hide the real self from prying eyes, after all.” A smirk, and he quips, “Apparently it’s squishy and tender.”
Kazuo nods. He places his order as well—spicy fried chicken and a regular soda, yummy!—and once the waitress leaves, addresses Fumiko’s latter concern. “I’m sure it will,” he says softly. “Have faith in him—if it’s meant to be, it will work out. If not, he’ll come back to you.”
“It’s not,” Fumiko agrees. “But it’d give you time to figure out what you do want to do for the long haul.” A shrug, “And I think the most you’d usually have to worry about is salarymen getting rowdy. Which isn’t too bad, right?” And a Persona does make one more physically durable than the average person. It’s a handy perk.
Such things happen—it’s unusual, but it happens. It’s not the first thing Fumiko would think of, though. Certainly not yet—after all, she doesn’t know Kazuo that well yet. What if there are signs that she’s missed?
A soft giggle at the ‘squishy and tender’ comment. “Well, it is—like the inside of a crab! That’s why people build up shells around themselves, you know? To keep the squishy insides safe.”
Mm, chicken. But Fumi likes the beef here. It’s a little spicy, but always well-made. She nods, looking down at the table, “…I hope he’ll come back. I miss him, you know? It’s nice, having an older brother who knows what’s going on and is…calmer…than onii-sama is.” Tatsuya is rather tempermental sometimes. “But it’s not just that. He’s been saying that onii-sama’s acting differently. …but I’d notice, if he were, right? And I haven’t seen anything…well…maybe one or two things. But…that could be stress…”
Kazuo gives a ‘hrm’ of thought. “That’s true,” he concedes. “I’ll have to possibly look into something like that. And probably not telling my father. Wouldn’t want him to worry.” He smirks. “That’s true. I just don’t like having to hurt people, that’s all. No matter how drunk they are. Or how much they ask for it.” A snicker.
His smirk turns into a lopsided grin at her comment of shells. “People do it all the time, I hear,” Kazuo replies. “All that complicated psychology stuff I’ve read says so, anyway.” Nope, not doctor material!
Though his smile will gentle as she mentions her wish for this person to come back, and her concern for her family. “Well…even if there is something wrong, he won’t tell you unless he wants to. There may be nothing wrong. Or maybe there is, and your brother hasn’t realized it. Or maybe he has, and thinks it’s a change for the better?”
He shrugs lightly. “I can’t really tell you what to do, and I’m not trying to. But…I guess that…all you can do is stand by them, either way. It’s a situation where both of them are adults, right? So…they’re really past the point of being told what to do. All I can really say is, I hope the situation evens itself out soon.”
“Well, what would you tell him, then? He’d probably worry more, if he figured out you were lying to him. Or hiding things from him. I know my family would be worried, if I hid things from them,” Fumiko notes, overlooking that Tatsuya would be more than just ‘worried’—he’d be livid. She blinks at Kazuo, eyes wide, “But…if they’re asking for it, isn’t it better to hurt them a little? That way, they learn not to ask for it.”
The food doesn’t take long to arrive. Fumiko sips at her soda, “Well…I guess it’s so that they can feel safe. I mean, no one likes feeling vulnerable. And it’d probably really suck, if you were vulnerable and people picked on you.” Fumiko’s never had that problem. Not for long, anyways. Most bullies tend to find that their lives are easier if they just leave her alone.
“…maybe. I think he does think it’s a change for the better. But I liked things the way they were! There wasn’t anything wrong with the way they were,” Fumiko complains. “And…yeah, both Seiichi-nii-san and onii-sama are adults. And they’re family—I’d always stand by them, no matter what. I just…yeah. I hope things even out soon, too. I’m tired of all this drama.”
Kazuo looks distinctly uncomfortable when Fumiko counters with why he shouldn’t lie about taking a dangerous job. “Eh…you’re probably right,” he agrees. “After the initial ‘oh my God, what are you talking about’, he’d probably not be too overly worried. Not after he had a chance to think about it. I’ll give that some thought, then.” It’d be a good way to make money while he went to a college, too—take classes in the day and work in the evenings.
He is quiet about everything as the food arrives, thanking the server for bringing it. Then he turns his attention to Fumiko again, starting on his food as he listens to Fumiko speak of bullying. At the mention of this, he chuckles. “That, you can ask Tezuka-kun about. Now he doesn’t get picked on much, because…well, most people know they have to deal with Hotaka-kun and I both. Which tends to really suck for the one on the receiving end of. I don’t like seeing my friends getting picked on.”
Kazuo nods slowly. “No drama like family drama,” he quips lightly. Then he sobers. “On a completely serious note. It’s impossible to ‘just not get involved’ with a family drama. No matter how far away you are…it just comes after you. It’s like…like it tracks you by blood or something….” The way he speaks, he’s got some working knowledge of family drama.
“Not worth lying about,” Fumiko agrees. “I can think of a couple things that might be, but…that’s not one of them.” She doesn’t comment on what would be worth lying to family about, though. She does think, though, that she’s lucky that she won’t have to work her way through college unless she feels like it—an executive’s salary is generous, after all, and it’s not like she’s going on spending sprees every time she gets a paycheck.
She takes a couple bites of her beef before shrugging about the bullying. “Mostly, I didn’t get bullied. Or they found other people to pick on, if they did target me. I guess it sucks to pick on me, just as much as it sucks to pick on Tezuka-san.” After all, outbreaks of food poisoning and unpleasant rashes are just no fun at all. Especially when it’s only those who’re picking on Fumiko who are so afflicted…and when there’s no sign that Fumiko had any hand in it. Must be karma.
“You speak truth.” Fumiko murmurs. “There’s no way to stay out of it…and it’s almost impossible not to pick sides, either. If you try and stay neutral, they both get angry at you. And then things are worse than they were to start with.” Well, Seiichi would probably be pretty understanding if Fumiko didn’t pick his side, or tried to stay neutral. Tatsuya would be upset that she didn’t pick his side.
Kazuo nods. “Yeah…in the grand scheme of things, that’s a minor thing…no sense in lying about something that small.” A pause. “I’m still not gonna tell him what I’m thinking about, though. Not yet. Right now it’s not an immediate concern, so I don’t want him to be worrying about it for a whole year and some. Besides, another option might present itself between now and then.”
He snickers a little, sipping at his soda as she mentions that it was unpleasant to pick on her. “Probably for the same reasons. I can imagine there’s a lot of people that would want to keep others from messing with you,” he states. “But anybody who’d want to pick on you deserves whatever punishment they get, I say.” A smile.
One that dims slightly as she mentions some of the specifics of her particular family drama. “Hnnn…that sounds like a horrible time of things,” he offers sympathetically. “I definitely hope it blows over quickly. That’s no way to have to live around family.”
“But. What say we talk about pleasant stuff?” Kazuo suggests. “I’m not trying to make light of your concerns. Just help you forget ‘em for a while. Might make you feel better?”
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