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Tweak says, "I GOT YOU BABE!"

Oubai, Kouchisei (daioujou) wrote in disappear_plot,
@ 2009-06-28 01:51:00

Post-Investigation Meeting
Who: Exploration Team and Kozue.
What: Meeting to discuss Toru.
Where: Soyokaze Touka.
When: Day after searching Toru's room.
Why: He's a nice guy really.

Kouchisei arrived at the ryotei when his father's black Ford pulled up by the kerb. He’d chosen to be silent during his journey because the old man was unhappy. He’d wanted a son who wouldn’t be high maintenance. It had been tough at home since his disappearance: the old man's silence had been overwhelming and he absolutely had to come home after school. It had been difficult enough lying, just to investigate Toru's room. But some of the fear the old man showed was moving, and he'd sometimes get a present in the hope he wouldn't do run away again. Guilt on his mind, he’d always made sure to get home quickly. His father was working and he had to do it himself as a result. The walk was good, as it had given him time to think:

It was better to deny that world existed than think he'd almost died.

Remaining inside, the young man thought about how his father seemed conflicted. Running around after him one minute, keeping him happy, and being cold the next. He obviously wasn't used to such dilemmas. Taking a breath, he opened the car door. His chest was tight, his lungs hot and his throat dry. Soon, he was standing on the kerb looking at the car.

This was like he had to make a choice. It was supposed to have been easier! Acknowledge that ridiculous world and the things within, or mend his relationship with his father.

Kouchisei sighed and looked away. It was beginning to feel like the last supper. Nodding his thanks, he had to quickly step back as the car drove away. He was a grown man, his father said. He couldn't stop him going outside, or even associating with friends [something he knew the old man wanted him to find]. Perhaps it was the reason he'd been able to secure a room at the restaurant where members of the diet dined. That was an institution their family had provided members for, and one many of the men of his family aspired to.

His father's behaviour was another result of his acceptance of that world, he figured. And that was his desire to run from his problems. Except everything vanished when he went into the restaurant, replaced by calm. He was wrong. That world was ridiculous and he knew it. It was unbelievable. Hallucinogenic. Stress, lack of oxygen, pain and general weakness; all of them he had suffered. He knew they were the reasons.

He remained inside the lobby, waiting for everyone else to get there. There were things they needed to discuss.

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giantfruitbyday
2009-06-27 08:35 pm UTC (link)

Maeko had got here first and was waiting on the street outside. She regretted not arranging to meet up at the station instead. She was not going in before Misaki arrived but it was strange waiting outside a place like this. She kept expecting people to pounce her and say she didn't belong. Even dressed formally she still felt out of place. She'd had to lie to her father about where she was going, he'd be suspicious if she'd told him. This wasn't the kind of place where students came.

It wasn't like she had anything to hide, she realized in hindsight. Saving people was hardly a shameful thing.

She flipped her phone open, checking it again. She was early, Misaki wasn't due for another few minutes yet.

(Reply to this)

some_other_dog
2009-06-27 10:17 pm UTC (link)

The driver opened a door and Reizo was the first to spring out, letting out a relieved sigh to finally be out of the car. He’d been in long enough today, once when the driver had come to pick him up and take him to his parents and again on the long, long drive from their house to the restaurant. He was almost sick of the smell of leather. He canted his head back to take in the restaurant, appraising it with the same predatory gleam in his eye his father always had as he lifted his arms above his head for a languid stretch.

His dad was next out of the car, just as spry in step as his son and even taller, hair a shock of dyed silvery-white. He turned around and leaned over, holding out a slim pin-striped arm for his wife, who took it gladly and stepped out, all stunning curves, looks, and demure smiles in her fiendishly expensive kimono. The two of them made an odd pair, neither looking their true ages-- the dyed hair on both did not help-- but the wrinkles around their eyes added some years to them, and it was suddenly obvious where Reizo had gotten all that height-- hell, if his parents were any indication, he still had some room to grow into.

The chauffeur, a sober man in a plain black suit, closed the door solemnly and pressed the keys to the car and a sizable tip into the outstretched hand of the parking valet. The look he gave the boy expressed that the car was worth more than his life, but he’d gladly trade one for the other. Reizo watched it the exchange with the same awed curiosity he always regarded his dad’s men with, trying to write it down mentally. The subtle cut of his eye, how close he leaned in, how hard he had cupped the boy’s hand from below. Always such a plethora of things to learn!

The man moved ahead of them and the three Shirais started to move, Reizo taking up the slack and looking damned bored already. The looks the family received were nothing new: never quite meeting their eyes, or eyes sticking too long on his mother who somehow managed to be sensual despite the modest way she carried herself, the actual back steps and recoils.. That would have been empowering if he wasn’t focused and miffed over guys skeeving on -his- mom.

Still, he kept his cool as they moseyed into the lobby and up to the maitre’d, despite noticing one guy inside downright ogling his mom.. And then Kouchisei. He broke away and over to Kou, head canted to one side as he tugged at his tie. Damned monkey-suit.

“The first in a long line of meetings here if our parents have their ways, huh?” He asked with a grin; he was vaguely concerned with what people would do now with the confirmation that he was THAT Shirai, but it wouldn’t exactly be a shocking revelation.

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daioujou
2009-06-29 05:14 pm UTC (link)

Kouchisei had been informed about his ties with Reizo's family by his father, but the nature of their relationship was something he was unsure of. His father wasn't telling; he'd been told to go upstairs and do his homework when he'd enquired further. One thing he thought was that Reizo was uncomfortable in a suit; he looked bored and didn't seem the type.

He, by contrast, felt comfortable in formal wear. Kimonos. Suits. They made him feel smart and powerful. That was comforting now that his mother had died. He looked at Reizo and folded his arms.

"I suppose now I have to get used to it," he said coolly.

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apathyisboring
2009-06-27 11:33 pm UTC (link)

Kiriko was keenly aware of her own uncharacteristic quiet. Really, she blamed the dress - the last time she'd worn it was the last time she saw her parents, and they had been to one of the ryoteis back home, as well. The pink chiffon and black ribbon seemed almost as though it had some kind of calming effecting, reminding her to mind her manners, to keep conscious of how she carried herself, to not speak too loudly or say too much. It was a little uncomfortable, but the best way to ensure she wouldn't embarass Kou at his family's restaurant - all the dresses she owned that she'd picked out herself were decidedly more ostentatious or less feminine. She could loosen up a little when they got to the private room, perhaps.

She smoothed her bangs down a little nervously, tucking any stray hair behind her ears and making sure the parts she had curled were properly in place. She had entered a little while ago with polite nods and brief bows to both Maeko and Kouschei, then demured, standing off to the side of the lobby while waiting for the others to arrive and congregate. She passed the time by watching people who were entering and leaving, seeing if she could pick out anyone she could recognize and guessing at the particular professions of those she didn't.

It was a curious thing when she saw Reizo emerge from one of the many swanky black cars that had pulled through. She wondered in passing if formalwear really suited him, but paid far more attention to the fair-haired man and woman that emerged from the vehicle after him. So those were the Shirais. There had never been much doubt in her mind that he was one of those Shirais, but the looks people gave them (or rather, the way they pointedly averted their eyes) settled the matter. She watched the couple as they walked passed. They were less beat up than she expected - his mom was especially more attractive than she had imagined - and for some reason she had expected more piercings, but she could see the resemblence nonetheless.

She stayed quiet when Reizo approached Kou, keeping out of their conversation for once and instead gazing out through the window to Maeko. Why was she waiting on the street? Maybe Misaki was on her way and she didn't want the younger girl to get lost. Seemed likely enough - she just hoped the rest of the crowd arrived sooner rather than later.

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pinksunbeam
2009-06-29 11:23 am UTC (link)

"So that's the place huh?" Shizuka asked looking into the back seat of the green farrei that she was driving. In the front passanger seat Hotoro seemed to study the building. Misaki nodded lightly and made a face.

"You sure you were invited to a place like that?" Hotoro asked and Misaki pouted some looking serious. "Just doesn't seem like a place that you should go to."

"Well I was," defended the younger girl as Shizuka drove up to the ryotori. Misaki noticed at once that people were staring at them, and suspected it was becuase of the looks of her older sisters. The shapely Shizuka in her designer jeans and matching top, looked very much like an older form of Misaki, minus her younger sister's larger eyes and innocent face. Hotoro on the other hand was more model like. Tall, elegant, with less curves but more leg to show. Her short hair matched perfectly with her make-up, and the business suit that she wore. Misaki always felt out classed when she was with them.

"Now be sure to call me when you want to go home okay," Shizuka told her gently.

"I will," Misaki said and tried to smile, which faltered when Hotoro added looking coolly at her.

"Don't do anything that will disgrace the family Misaki. Behave yourself, this sort of place dosen't tolerate children."

Misaki gripped her fists and got out in a hurry. Her long hair was in waves and she had put it up with a twist around the back of her head, it moved as she darted from the car. The farther away she was from her eldest sister the better. It felt like she was slowly being sufficated by a poison that she didn't want.

Glancing back over her shoulder she saw the car pull away and fixed her dress. As with all her clothing Misaki had made this one herself out of an old kimono. The dress was an odd mix of new and old fashioned together. The dress was in a purple color with a water motif going for it. Long kimono sleeves hung from a short jacket, with patterns of blue whirls and waves to imply a river flowing down to the very bottom, while the main body was a Strapless short dress which hugged her body properly so that it fit well and she didn't have to worry about adjusting the top so that it didn't fall down. On this dress was the same patterns as the sleeves down the skirt, which was longer in the back and had two slits up the front, making it easier to walk. The skirt was just above the knees if a bit higher and she'd put on purple heeled shoes to match.

Misaki wasn't sure if this was okay to wear, but after she had found out about the invitation she'd quickly created the dress so she had something fancy to wear. Watching her sisters go she had to wonder if coming was a good idea. But there was no time to second guess it now. Sucking in her fear she walked in and peeked around, glad to see Maeko and Kirkio there. She was delighted to notice Kouseichi, who looked very disiguished, and was suprised to see Shirai there as well, with his parents, who she thought were celebrities.

Waving she hurried over to Maeko and the others, the silver earings she had on with the matching choker jangled some, waving once and grinned. "Wow Maeko-chan, Kiriko-chan, you two look so pretty! I really like your dresses."

Misaki smiled at Kouseichi and Reizo as well, "And both of you look very handsome." She wanted to add that she didn't know Reizo could actually get that dressed up, but chose to not say so, though to anyone that knew her could tell she was thinking it. Looking back at Oubai Misaki gave a nervous smile.

"I'm really excited to be here Oubai-sempai. I've never been to a place this fancy before. Er...are the others coming?"

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anthesphoria
2009-06-29 01:24 pm UTC (link)

Other people were coming into the ryotei as well, for a fancy dinner at Iburi's premiere restaurant; most of them were adults, of course, since this was also one of Iburi's most exclusive establishments. So, when another high school student entered the room, it was a bit noticeable.

The young Miss Kondo was wearing a tea dress, a pastel pink color with a floral print around the hem, and a pair of heels that helped, a little bit, with making her seem more adult. Or at least, adult in height. Her hair was down, and she'd gone light on the makeup, even lighter than she sometimes went for school. Along with the muted color of her dress, she managed to look elegant without attempting to look older than she was.

The man who was escorting her was, in many ways, her opposite: though they were both slim, where she was short, he was tall, maybe two inches short of six feet. He was wearing a dark, well-tailored business suit. Some of the students in the lobby might possibly recognize him, in fact: Kondo Shinjiro, who had graduated from Nanakamado just over two years ago now. Though the last name tied him to Kozue, their appearances barely did: his features were a bit more Caucasian than her own, although the shared the same shade of hair -- and the same curls. But aside from that, they hardly looked like siblings. They did rather look like two people with great affection for one another, though; Kozue was holding onto his arm and chatting amicably as they walked through the lobby. Her voice was politely quiet, so as not to disturb other customers, but she looked far more interested and engaged than she usually was - almost animated, in fact. But not quite.

"... and when Ayako-chan brought it back to the dorm, it got upset--I don't think it liked closed spaces very much--and ran under the bed, and we spent an hour or maybe two hours chasing it around the room, and I was so worried that it was going to escape into the hall or a teacher was going to come, and it even climbed up on top of our dressers at one point, and--" she stopped, looking a bit sheepish. Whatever story she'd been in the middle of, she put on hold as she and her escort reached the other side of the waiting area. He must have squeezed her arm, or said something low to her, for she broke off speaking while he dealt with the man in charge of reservations and seating. Kozue finally took the time to look around the room, and caught sight of one face she recognized from school, and then another, and another. Hey, what were so many of her classmates doing here?

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apathyisboring
2009-06-29 02:32 pm UTC (link)

Kiriko didn't specifically recognize the young man on Kozue's arm, but she did know who he was. She supposed she must have met him before, either at Nanakamodo or when their families got together in the past, but his face was still not familiar to her. All the same, she knew him - Kozue's older brother, heir to the Kondo's company, recent graduate of Nanakamodo, and all-around success story.

She wondered if Kozue ever felt the sharp pangs of jealousy she was feeling now.

She doubted it - Kozue didn't seem to have the same ambitions that she did. Probably for the better, Kiriko thought as she noted how happy they looked. Just thinking about his situation made her jealous - and it wasn't even her family! If it was her own brother, she'd probably be so resentful it would be impossible to get along.

Kiriko noticed then that their parents were nowhere in sight. Was he treating his sister? To a place like this? She sighed quietly to herself, acknowledging again that she'd kill to be in his place, then trying to put it out of her mind. She wouldn't let it keep her from behaving herself, and besides, she had a 12-course meal to look forward to.

"What a coincidence - Hey, Kondo-san," she said with a smile.

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anthesphoria
2009-06-29 04:56 pm UTC (link)

Kozue raised her free hand to wave at Kiriko, with a smile, although she looked flustered for just a moment. Surely, her classmate had noticed her staring! But the pink flush across her cheeks faded quickly. "Hello, Ikeda-san - how are you? That's a lovely dress."

It wouldn't do to follow that up with, so what are you doing here? With a whole bunch of students? How could you get in? Kozue couldn't have gotten a table here under her own name; Shin had really only just been invited a month or two ago. Between his not having a girlfriend (or at least a girlfriend he wanted his parents and grandparents to know about, Kozue reflected) and the proximity of the establishment to Nanakamado, he'd invited her instead.

(And as far as stabbing moments of jealousy, oh, yes, Kozue did have them, but they weren't directed at her brother. She and Shin were in the same boat, in her mind. People who could fit in, and live without having an old woman constantly at their back muttering words like foreigner and konketsuji, they were the people Kozue was jealous of.)

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apathyisboring
2009-06-29 05:17 pm UTC (link)

(Note: retconning earlier comment implying Kiriko's ignorance of Kozue's heritage, since we decided their families know eachother!)

She noticed Kozue's confusion, and of course couldn't blame her for it. She wondered if a group of high-schoolers would be allowed in here unsupervised under normal circumstances, even if they could afford it.

"Oubai-san's family owns this place," she explained quietly, gesturing to Kouschei. "He invited some of his, ah... friends here. Special circumstances, you could say." She looked back to Kou, still speaking to Reizo at the front, and hastened to add, "But I think Shirai is here with his parents."

Her eyes shifted to Kozue's brother, here. She did sort of remember having seen him before, but really what she remembered was his hair. Looked the same as his sister's, but somehow he looked a little more American on the whole. She certainly didn't envy him that. Kiriko smiled at the boy, bowing her head by way of greeting.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to hold you and your sister up."

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anthesphoria
2009-06-29 06:37 pm UTC (link)

Kozue nodded, and looked over to the rest of the assorted group. Weren't they a kind of odd combination to be spending time together? When she'd talked with Kiriko and Kouschei during her sports practice, they had seemed familiar, but distant. Surely not close enough for him to treat her to a meal here. And Misaki, too?

But she bowed towards the group; as her brother finished speaking with the host and looked back over to see who his sister was talking to. Seeing Ikeda Kiriko, he inclined his head back, quite politely; "Don't worry, it's no trouble. I'd forgotten you were my sister's classmate, Ikeda-san. It's nice to see you." He was at least familiar enough with her to match her last name to a face; with a smile, he turned back to Kozue. "Okay, we're ready to go in."

She bowed towards the group, as a way of bidding them all goodbye at once. "Well, I'll see you soon at school - enjoy your meals, everyone."

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pinksunbeam
2009-06-29 06:52 pm UTC (link)

Misaki looked at Kozue thoughtfully. Her family never really got outside of the intellegence circles in the main University as it wasn't "polite" to be seen with the likes of Kondo-san's family, considering their looks and her mother's belief in the idea that it was silly for a person to flaunt their international looks. Misaki on the other hand thought that Kozue and her bother were both stunning looking people and in her head she was already trying to picture what sort of clothing would look good on them. She wondered if maybe she could ask them some time if she could dress them up and take some photos. That was if they would let her.

She blushed some looking at Konzue's brother, he was rather good looking. Why did she feel so plain around them though? It bugged her in the back of her mind. She was envious of the fact that Kozue was close to her brother, she wished that her sisters could be like that with her. But she knew that Shizuka would chatter on about the various things in college and say something about politics and Hotoro would always constantly hem and haw about how Misaki ate, and what she ate, and the pride of the family and blah blah blah. Her good mood was starting to go down when she thought quickly and mentioned.

"Um...Kozue-san, is...there any chance you can stop by the table for desert?" She smiled. She wanted to get to know the girl better.

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anthesphoria
2009-06-29 07:02 pm UTC (link)

Kozue stopped, and looked up at her brother, who shrugged after a moment, with a grin on his face; a small smile looked natural with his features, in a way seriousness really didn't. "I promise I won't be offended." Kozue, with a smile, nodded to Misaki and then looked over towards Kou.

"I'd be delighted - if that's okay with you, Oubai-sempai?" Since he was the one treating and all; coming around to invade his table without asking would be rude.

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	daioujou 2009-06-29 07:26 pm UTC (link)
	Kouchisei was not pleased. He didn't mind Kozue, but he'd ordered enough for their group and didn't like to impose on the staff. The meal had also, he remembered disfondly, cost a great deal of money. "Hrmph... as long as you can pay for it." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	anthesphoria 2009-06-29 07:32 pm UTC (link)
	Kozue nodded with a smile, although inwardly she was, all in a rush, trying to figure out exactly how much desert would cost here - and how much pocket money she'd have for it - and oh dear, all that business. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	pinksunbeam 2009-06-29 07:44 pm UTC (link)
	"I'll pay for it Oubai-sempai!" Misaki told him quickly, "I'm the one that asked if she could come and have desert with us." (Reply to this) (Parent)

	daioujou 2009-06-29 07:49 pm UTC (link)
	Kouchisei looked directly at Kozue. There was some enjoyment in this. "Mitsumame. Castella. Hakuto jelly. 3,388 Yen." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

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anthesphoria, 2009-07-02 04:01 am UTC

Meal Thread

daioujou
2009-06-29 05:33 pm UTC (link)

Pampered service. It was a welcome rest from the frantic mess of school life - homework, socialising, and tests - and with a menu left up to the chef nobody could argue over what to eat. Kimono-clad staff had greeted them warmly and Kou had told everyone to remove their shoes in the foyer. Then they'd been ushered into a simple tatami-matted dining room set with eight cushions around a square table. From where they sat, they had a fine view of an indoor rock garden and a tapestry displayed in the corner of the room, next to a basket of peach blossoms.

The first of 12 courses was an elaborate arrangement of starters displayed on a gilded bamboo leaf. Kou's favourite was a diminutive minnow that had been stewed in syrupy wine and soy. He also enjoyed the smoked octopus. There was also monkfish liver, lightly grilled and napped in a sansho pepper sauce garnished with finely shredded celery, but no sake or wine. He would've had sake at home but here they could have nothing alcoholic. Plus he didn't want it making them drunk - this was a serious meeting.

Course after course - mebaru rockfish simmered with tender bamboo shoots in a light soy broth, tofu topped with three seasoned miso sauces broiled until bubbly and aromatic, pale pink salmon, poached and sauced with a puree of fresh fava beans - was served in beautiful lidded bowls and on exquisite plates.

He looked up around the table, seeing if people were ready to talk.

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Re: Meal Thread

some_other_dog
2009-06-29 06:12 pm UTC (link)

Reizo was sitting at one of the corners, carefully picking his teeth with the toothpick he’d swiped off his father. He’d not actually eaten with them, but from what he saw set out on the table their meals and the one he’d shared with his parents hadn’t been all that different. His stomach was aching from gorging himself so quickly in his parent’s room, not an entirely foreign habit to him really, and he was still ruminating over the look his parents had given him when he’d excused himself. The knowing glances and smile they had exchanged .. Well, no point in concerning himself with that now.

“So,” he started, pocketing his cigarette pack with one hand and lighting his cigarette with the other, “We going to get this show on the road? I ain’t got all goddamned day.”

He sounded more jovial than usual, a likely result of the cigarette. Had he not had this excuse to run off, he’d not of been provided the chance to smoke a single damned one. His mother didn’t allow herself to smoke out in public, even in private rooms in fancy ryotei restaurants; there was always a chance the perfect housewife façade would be shattered. This meant that neither he or his father could smoke either in fear of her wrath when they got home.

He leaned his head back against the wall and produced a prodigious cloud of smoke, unaware that he’d left the door slightly ajar when he came in.

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Re: Meal Thread

zealousemperor
2009-06-29 06:24 pm UTC (link)

"Reizo has a point. As amazing as this place is, this suit is getting really uncomfortable. Can we hurry up?" Kanaye said in between bites of food. He was sitting in the middle of the table, having been one of the first people in the room. Quite honstly, Kanaye thought that this restaurant was the best he ever been in. Girls in kimonos, he got the see Misaki in a pretty dress, and the food wasn't half bad either. Looking over at Reizo, he wondered why the other boy was so happy. Waiting for an answer, he amused himself by viewing the scenery. Those dresses managed to make Kiriko and Maeko look decent. And as for Misaki? Nothing could compare. Even Reizo's mom looked...well, ok, Reizo's mom might compete for the title of 'hottest female in town,' if Kanaye into older women. As it were, he'll take high-school aged over anything else.

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Re: Meal Thread

giantfruitbyday
2009-06-29 06:33 pm UTC (link)

Maeko didn't have a particularly refined palette. She liked sweet food and not much else. Her parents had never made an effort to force her to eat adult food and so she'd been brought up eating little but icecream and anpan and dried apricots. She poked at her food curiously, eating so not to appear ungratful.

She'd had to remain at school today with Gendou, working on the student council's newest bright idea, and hadn't been able to go with them to see Toru. She hadn't yet had a chance to ask Misaki what had happened there and now seemed like as good a time as any. It needed discussing anyway.

"Was Ishinomori there? Did you get to speak to him?" She asked, noticing Kanaye's eyes settle on Misaki.

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Re: Meal Thread

apathyisboring
2009-06-29 06:35 pm UTC (link)

From her place across the table, Kiriko frowned at Kanaye. How ungracious could you get? If she'd known he was thinking she'd managed to look "decent" she'd probably have up and slapped him right there. As it was, she looked over to Maeko.

"We spoke to him, yes. He didn't want us there, and there's probably something going on his life. So, that's that, isn't it?"

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Re: Meal Thread

pinksunbeam
2009-06-29 07:08 pm UTC (link)

Misaki stared some at the food before her and made a mental note that when she got home she would make herself a normal hamburger and french fries. It wasn't that she didn't like food like this, it was just that normally she didn't eat a lot of it, and this was a bit rich for her normal taste buds. Eating parts of it, and making mental notes to try to recreate, if not make it more accessable to dinners that didn't go to fancy places, she glanced over at Maeko and Kiriko as Toru was brought up.

Sipping some water she added quicky, "He didn't sound like himself though. Normally he's not that blunt. Remember when we went to the arcade. He was really quiet but didn't go out of his way to say much of anything. This isn't like him at all. I should know we talk on line a lot on his journal."

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Re: Meal Thread

anthesphoria
2009-06-29 08:44 pm UTC (link)

After their fourth course, Kozue's brother had excused himself for a few minutes - with profuse apologies, saying that while they were coming in he'd run into someone he knew from school, one of his senpai, and he wanted to go greet them. Left alone at her table, Kozue had fidgeted for a while, not bothered by her legs going to sleep just yet -- tea ceremonies were way longer than this -- but eventually decided to try and find the bathroom. She asked directions - twice - but this place was large, and confusing, and she inevitably lost herself.

When she heard a familiar voice coming out of a partially open door, however, she stopped; so this was where the other Nanakamado students were eating, including three of her classmates. Well, now she'd know where to go for desert - she stopped just a few paces away from the door, out of sight from inside, hesitating to go in wondering if she should poke her head in to say hello, while she was passing by, or if that was rude. (Of course, listening at the door frame was rude, too, but Kozue wasn't thinking of it like that. She was just "waiting to go in". For a moment or two. Not at all wondering what special circumstances brought all these wildly different people here. Oubai-senpai and Rezio-san, of all people?)

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Re: Meal Thread

apathyisboring
2009-06-29 08:50 pm UTC (link)

"So he's acting strangely," Kiriko said with a shrug. "And it's probably just like Kou was when he turned up over there, but here's the question..."

Her pause was not so much for dramatic effect as it was to ensure that everyone was paying attention.
"Do we really want to stick our necks out to fight through shadows just so we can try to talk some sense in him? It's dangerous in that other world." She had dropped her voice by this point - likely unecessary because it was a private room, but it was more instinct to her than anything. She grimaced.

"It's weird. And dangerous. And we have no proof that he won't come out. We don't know enough about anything that's happened, our research has been pretty pitiful. I don't think we should have anything to do with it other than figuring out what the hell happened to us, because the best explanation so far is that we were all suffering from some kind of..." She made a few odd hand gestures, searching for words. "... hallucinogenic... asbestos poisoning. Or something."

Her noncommital tone said that she didn't really believe that to be the case. She folded her hands in her lap after she finished speaking, looking around the table and waiting for the other's responses.

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Re: Meal Thread

daioujou
2009-06-29 08:56 pm UTC (link)

Kouchisei had thought the same, it seemed. He had been depressed that day - hadn't wanted to come to school - and promptly vanished. Then he'd met a side of himself that had been nothing like what he was willing to admit. Now he could confess that it was a part of him. It still, however, made him feel uncomfortable and he shifted.

He took his glasses off and cleaned them with a special cloth hidden inside his breast pocket. "Hmn. Not like himself... As it was, that was like with myself that one time. Well, I'm fairly sure poisoning's an explaination, Kiriko-san... And as it is, I won't be going back. My father's wary of letting me outside."

His expression showed relief. The fact his father was demanding his return, unless otherwise scheduled, gave him a reason to avoid visiting that world. How well did he know these people really? And to risk his life for them? It was better to be safe.