InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Madness is enlightenment"

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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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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