[Her eyebrows disappear beneath her bangs as she blinks at the message, just -- huh. Are she and Goro that close? Akira was one thing, they'd connected immediately, but Goro?]
["A little bit," because she has to raid the fridge for snacks, then debate if she should stop by Lupin for drinks, because ?? what's happening. Akechi wanted refreshments and then immediately walked it back. Well, she can grab some low-proof alcohol off the shelf, and if he wants it, he can have it, and if he doesn't, then it'll stay in her bag! If nothing else, she can steal some of the seltzer water and fruit juices. "Steal" -- it's Dazai's, which she's pretty sure kind of makes it hers?
Anyway, it's with a school bag full of sweets, snacks, and drinks that she comes by and knocks on Goro's door. They're friends now, kind of, so she doesn't wait for an answer before trying the knob.]
[He just doesn't wanna be a bad host! He knows he should've prepared for something when asking her over but then again... Akira does the cooking, all he can do is serve some tea out of bags?
And speaking of Akira, he's currently only one who can enjoy from unlocked door privileges, so when Kotone tries the knob she'll find that it wont budge. But that's ok, Akechi is waiting for her and gets up quickly to open the door and let her in.]
Welcome, Shiomi-san. [yeah, still at it.] I'm glad you could drop by.
[Mixed messages, buddy. She gives him an exasperated little frown at his form of address, but enters the room readily enough with a cheerful hum to drop her bag on the table. It clinks from the bottles and it sounds like there's rustling paper, too? She kind of misses plastic bags for packaging food, but paper works well enough.]
Glad to be here! So what's up?
[She doesn't quite bounce on her heels -- while she's doing better than the last time she saw him, it's not an immediate shift back to her usual energy -- she does clasp her hands behind her back and smile at him playfully. He had promised it would be worth her while, after all.]
[He pretends not to notice that frown and closes the door behind her. The 'clink' from the bag catches his attention and he walks up to it, gesturing with his hand if he's allowed to pick it up for her.]
Ah, yes. Seems like this world keeps continuing privy to our lives and I was dropped yet another 'gift'. You like music, correct?
[A gesture back to indicate that it's all his. Inside, he'll find two bottles of seltzer water, three different kinds of fruit juice, and a bottle of low-proof sweet wine, along with some various sweet and salty snacks that she'd prepared over the past few days when she'd been up to it.]
I just grabbed a bunch of stuff. You're still only drinking bottled water?
[She perks up at the mention of music, though, nodding once and feeling her headphones bounce a little against her chest with the motion. Yes, she loves music, her expression brightening a little at the prospect.]
Yes. [He nods at the question and moves to his little kitchen corner to place the drinks into his fridge for time being. When he's through with that he walks back into the main room and gestures at the record player sitting on top of his night stand.]
Something from home. The ruler of this place or whoever is responsible for our presence here is eerily familiar with my tastes. I found this thing with a vinyl containing the music from my favorite jazz club. Along with a drink. [He's not going to mention the coincidence of it all happening during his birthday nope.]
While it only lessens my trust in this place I don't see any harm from enjoying it with another music enthusiast.
[Beelining over the record player, she tilts her head this way and that as she looks it over. It's not a model she's overly familiar with -- it's not like she was a big connoisseur of technology that Fuuka was -- but it's charmingly retro in a way that brings a smile to her face as she rests a hand on it.]
The only club I've ever been to was a dance club. A jazz club sounds sophisticated!
[Fits the detective image, anyway, like what she'd expect to see in the movies.]
Yes. It's from establishment called Jazz Jin. A little bit hole in a wall kind of place in Kichijoji. Quite friendly towards high schoolers as well and I got along with the owner rather well. I took Akira there a few times as well, perfect place for conversation without curious ears.
[He chuckles at her reaction, glad to see that he could impress her a bit.]
Please, make yourself comfortable, Shiomi-san. I'll go put out the servings you brought.
[Showing off... good for him, though. It's nice that he had something he liked so much, and it's kind of sweet that he wants to share it with her. She gives him another smile -- even if it's followed by an exasperated shake of her head -- as she drags over a chair to get herself a good spot by the record player.]
What kinds of things did you talk about? Phantom Thief stuff?
Sometimes. Back then I was working on a case of trying solve the mystery behind them alongside with the police. Akira was rather obvious case. [Not that he hadn't been aware of them a good while by that point, though.
He goes to take out two glasses, ice and seltzer drinks, preparing a drink for both of them. After that he enjoys the snacks she brought with her, frowning a bit at them. He really hopes she doesn't expect him to keep them. Well, anyway he does put some of the more sugary snacks on the bowl and brings it to the table where record player is sitting and then goes to fetch the drinks.
There's a slight breeze coming in the dimly lit room through the open window. It's.. not quite the same atmosphere as it was back in the club but it's okay. He's not really here to impress her too much.
Akechi also pulls a chair for himself and pressed the play-button on the player, starting the first song.]
So you were just trying to get information on him at first? ["At first," because whatever they are now, she's certain they're friends of a sort. Maybe not the same kind of friendship she has with her team members, but something like it, anyway.
Also, yes, she expects him to keep them. They're birthday presents! Which she won't call presents. Still, she waits patiently, turning her chair just enough to get a good angle of the music, and feel the breeze on her skin. Even if she's inside, something about the feeling of comfort reminds her of the school rooftop.
She holds her drink and closes her eyes when he hits play, letting the music wash over her. Jazz really isn't her main thing -- she prefers electronic or pop, sometimes classical -- but it's still beautiful. And really, it's the spirit of the gesture that makes it meaningful. Hopefully Goro isn't expecting any commentary from her, because she's just gently bobbing her head to the music.]
Something like that. [He admits quietly. That summer.. sure had been a thing. Full of pretending, fake flirting and blind cant-mouse game. Exhausting ordeal, one that he doesn't want to really revisit that by going into deeper details with Kotone. Just like his past as Detective Prince.
It's okay. Akechi is, for once, quiet too. He closes his eyes and just focuses on enjoying from the song, the tension leaving from his shoulders. And when the song is finally over he brings the glass to his lips, taking a sip.]
So, how was it? Of course, it doesn't hold a candle to the live performance. I was lucky enough to catch the singer at the club.
[She glances sideways at him, but doesn't press for more details. If he wants to tell her, he can! He seems like the type to speak unprompted about the things he does want to talk about, instead of needing to have information pried out of him. Besides, it would be harder to hear the music if she were chatting.
Weirdly enough, it feels like one of the first times she's been able to relax in recent days, just listening to the singer's melancholic voice. Again, slower than her usual taste, but still-]
It's beautiful. I can't imagine how nice it would have been live. [She mirrors him, taking a sip from her seltzer with a smile.] You said the place was a hole in the wall in Kichijoji? How'd you find it?
[Well. He has a bad habit of trauma-dumping when he gets on the mood, so she's not totally wrong in her assessment.]
It was by accident, mostly. I tend to prefer Kichijoji over busier areas like Shibuya. Less prying eyes and more privacy, if you know what I mean. [The downside to fame and so on. His popularity might not be as high as the pop-singer's or so, but there were still plenty of times when someone would recognize in the streets.] I used to have a habit to cycle around Kichijoji in the mornings. I happened to spot the owner having a smoke outside of the place and ended up chatting with him.
[Muhen.. was a curious case, yes. A little grouchy and blunt man with little patience for bullshit. Something that Akechi actually appreciated in him. He was never starstuck with him and treated him like any other customer.]
Oh, I didn't know you rode a bike! We mostly used the monorail and walked. Tatsumi Port Island isn't as big as Shibuya, but it had everything we needed.
[It's not too far away from those places, but it's also so much work and time to leave town that it was just easier not to. But it's nice to think that Goro was friendly enough -- or acted friendly enough -- to befriend the owner of a classy place like Jazz Jin seemed to be.
She huffs a laugh through her nose at the question about the dance club, her smile growing somewhat fond as she thinks back and takes a sip from her seltzer.] Technically, they weren't supposed to let me in 'cause I was too young, but the guy at the door didn't care enough to stop me as long as I didn't make any trouble. I met some really interesting people there!
[Swirling the ice in her glass, she taps her fingers gently against it.] There was an old Buddhist monk I used to hang out with there. I mean, he was a monk, but he didn't act like it, he was drinking and smoking the whole time. [Her nose wrinkles, because the cigar didn't smell great, but that's not important.] We talked a lot, and in the end, he was able to make amends with his wife and son and move back. Last I heard, he was doing well.
Ah, yes. I would cycle to places whenever I could. Of course, no one in Tokyo can be spared from using the train. It's almost a pity they don't bicycles here. Horses really aren't the same thing, right.
[Cycling is actually one of the few activities that he misses from home. It had been something that he genuinely had enjoyed doing, something that actually made him feel connected to life. If that made sense.
Anyway, he can't help but laugh out loud when hearing her explanation.]
Really? A high school girl all alone in a club at the dead of the night, chatting up shady drunkards and so. You really are scandalous person, K-- Shiomi-san. [Oops, he almost slipped there. But really, this all really explains why she gets along so well with someone like Dazai-san.] I'm sure you were unstoppable force.
[Not riding them, mind. Petting them. That reminds her, she has to see if she can nag someone to teach her how to ride a horse...
His laughter makes her smile with genuine delight, some of the sparkle returning to her eyes when he nearly slips on her name.]
He really wasn't that bad! I learned a lot from him. President Tanaka is the one who tried being more of a bad influence. I ended up having to give him like, 40,000 yen before he'd talk to me.
[Tanaka, as in Tanaka from the old TV shopping program on Sundays? Of course, by Goro's time, he runs a website for Shady Commodities, but she doesn't know that.]
[He pays attention to the name Tanaka. It does sound familiar to him so he's sure to file it away to his mind, right in the folder "for the later". It's really a shame he doesn't have access to internet here!]
You really do come pretty interesting people, let's say. Not that I haven't met rather colorful personalities through my line of work. Say, you wouldn't have happened to run into anyone with ties to Yakuza? [Sure, Iwai was more of Akira's associate but it wasn't like he hadn't paid attention to the shady airsoft shopkeeper. Especially nearing the end-times.]
--Oh! [He quickly waves the air before she has a chance to give her answer.] If the order is the same as in the club the song after this is one of the best from the record.
[She frowns, trying to think. The yakuza...? She doesn't think so, unless those guys at the mahjong parlor counted. They were just kind of sketchy, though. She shakes her head and opens her mouth to say so, but shuts it again when he speaks up.]
Oh yeah? Tell me what you like about it.
[Either while it's playing, or after, she doesn't mind! But she'd like to hear his perspective.]
[It's almost uncharacteristic of him to be in such a good mood. He's not usually happy but getting the record is getting him pretty darn close.]
Ah. Actually, I wish I could hear your assessment first, if you don't mind? [There's a hint of a test present here. It'd be lying to deny that Kotone hadn't roused his interest during their last meeting, despite it ending with him walking off. He really wants to see if she, too, has what it takes to challenge him.
He falls silent when the next song, No More What Ifs (because that's the only song mun knows), begins to play. The only sound, aside from the singer's melancholic yet soothing voice, is the faint clinking of the ice as it's slowly begin to melt in their glasses.]
[Is this a test? It feels like a test. He even said "assessment" and not "opinion." But okay, she closes her eyes to listen, tapping her foot gently to the music. Musically, it's a little bit repetitive, almost calming in its easy beat. It'd be nice for a romance dance, she thinks, the kind where you just put your arms around someone and just sway back and forth.
The lyrics are interesting, too. Second-guessing decisions, staying true to oneself, following through... it reminds her of Goro in a way she doesn't know how to explain just yet, a kind of resonance with Melchizedek that she can feel more than articulate. Her lips quirk up at the final line what matters most is how you bring joy to life, so...]
I like it! [she announces finally when it's over, dragging a fingernail idly up the side of her glass as she thinks about her "assessment."] About resolution, standing by your own choices even if you don't know if they're right or not. Like, she's singing about being alone, but she's also singing to someone. It actually reminds me of a song I have...
[She taps her headphones. Somebody once said Burn My Dead, babe.]
[Leaning forward Akechi crosses his legs, and rest his chin on the hand as he observes her. He does look rather pleased with her answer, nodding at her.]
Not bad, Shiomi-san. I have to say that I agree with you. Life is unfair to most of us, leaving some with no other than 'bad' options to choose from. In cases like those I believe it's important to stick to your guns and follow your guts, not allowing your resolution to shake even at the face of uncertainty. A mature song, and I feel like the singer really knew how to capture the meaning behind of it.
[He takes another drink and looks down at her headphones.] Really? Which song is that?
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if you come to my room I promise to make it worthwhile to you
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Ok! Should I bring anything?
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well. I suppose a refreshment would be in order
However, do not feel pressured to bring anything. I'm the one inviting you over.
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["A little bit," because she has to raid the fridge for snacks, then debate if she should stop by Lupin for drinks, because ?? what's happening. Akechi wanted refreshments and then immediately walked it back. Well, she can grab some low-proof alcohol off the shelf, and if he wants it, he can have it, and if he doesn't, then it'll stay in her bag! If nothing else, she can steal some of the seltzer water and fruit juices. "Steal" -- it's Dazai's, which she's pretty sure kind of makes it hers?
Anyway, it's with a school bag full of sweets, snacks, and drinks that she comes by and knocks on Goro's door. They're friends now, kind of, so she doesn't wait for an answer before trying the knob.]
I'm here!
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And speaking of Akira, he's currently only one who can enjoy from unlocked door privileges, so when Kotone tries the knob she'll find that it wont budge. But that's ok, Akechi is waiting for her and gets up quickly to open the door and let her in.]
Welcome, Shiomi-san. [yeah, still at it.] I'm glad you could drop by.
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Glad to be here! So what's up?
[She doesn't quite bounce on her heels -- while she's doing better than the last time she saw him, it's not an immediate shift back to her usual energy -- she does clasp her hands behind her back and smile at him playfully. He had promised it would be worth her while, after all.]
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Ah, yes. Seems like this world keeps continuing privy to our lives and I was dropped yet another 'gift'. You like music, correct?
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I just grabbed a bunch of stuff. You're still only drinking bottled water?
[She perks up at the mention of music, though, nodding once and feeling her headphones bounce a little against her chest with the motion. Yes, she loves music, her expression brightening a little at the prospect.]
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Something from home. The ruler of this place or whoever is responsible for our presence here is eerily familiar with my tastes. I found this thing with a vinyl containing the music from my favorite jazz club. Along with a drink. [He's not going to mention the coincidence of it all happening during his birthday nope.]
While it only lessens my trust in this place I don't see any harm from enjoying it with another music enthusiast.
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[Beelining over the record player, she tilts her head this way and that as she looks it over. It's not a model she's overly familiar with -- it's not like she was a big connoisseur of technology that Fuuka was -- but it's charmingly retro in a way that brings a smile to her face as she rests a hand on it.]
The only club I've ever been to was a dance club. A jazz club sounds sophisticated!
[Fits the detective image, anyway, like what she'd expect to see in the movies.]
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[He chuckles at her reaction, glad to see that he could impress her a bit.]
Please, make yourself comfortable, Shiomi-san. I'll go put out the servings you brought.
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[Showing off... good for him, though. It's nice that he had something he liked so much, and it's kind of sweet that he wants to share it with her. She gives him another smile -- even if it's followed by an exasperated shake of her head -- as she drags over a chair to get herself a good spot by the record player.]
What kinds of things did you talk about? Phantom Thief stuff?
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He goes to take out two glasses, ice and seltzer drinks, preparing a drink for both of them. After that he enjoys the snacks she brought with her, frowning a bit at them. He really hopes she doesn't expect him to keep them. Well, anyway he does put some of the more sugary snacks on the bowl and brings it to the table where record player is sitting and then goes to fetch the drinks.
There's a slight breeze coming in the dimly lit room through the open window. It's.. not quite the same atmosphere as it was back in the club but it's okay. He's not really here to impress her too much.
Akechi also pulls a chair for himself and pressed the play-button on the player, starting the first song.]
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Also, yes, she expects him to keep them. They're birthday presents! Which she won't call presents. Still, she waits patiently, turning her chair just enough to get a good angle of the music, and feel the breeze on her skin. Even if she's inside, something about the feeling of comfort reminds her of the school rooftop.
She holds her drink and closes her eyes when he hits play, letting the music wash over her. Jazz really isn't her main thing -- she prefers electronic or pop, sometimes classical -- but it's still beautiful. And really, it's the spirit of the gesture that makes it meaningful. Hopefully Goro isn't expecting any commentary from her, because she's just gently bobbing her head to the music.]
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It's okay. Akechi is, for once, quiet too. He closes his eyes and just focuses on enjoying from the song, the tension leaving from his shoulders. And when the song is finally over he brings the glass to his lips, taking a sip.]
So, how was it? Of course, it doesn't hold a candle to the live performance. I was lucky enough to catch the singer at the club.
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Weirdly enough, it feels like one of the first times she's been able to relax in recent days, just listening to the singer's melancholic voice. Again, slower than her usual taste, but still-]
It's beautiful. I can't imagine how nice it would have been live. [She mirrors him, taking a sip from her seltzer with a smile.] You said the place was a hole in the wall in Kichijoji? How'd you find it?
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It was by accident, mostly. I tend to prefer Kichijoji over busier areas like Shibuya. Less prying eyes and more privacy, if you know what I mean. [The downside to fame and so on. His popularity might not be as high as the pop-singer's or so, but there were still plenty of times when someone would recognize in the streets.] I used to have a habit to cycle around Kichijoji in the mornings. I happened to spot the owner having a smoke outside of the place and ended up chatting with him.
[Muhen.. was a curious case, yes. A little grouchy and blunt man with little patience for bullshit. Something that Akechi actually appreciated in him. He was never starstuck with him and treated him like any other customer.]
What was the dance club like?
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[It's not too far away from those places, but it's also so much work and time to leave town that it was just easier not to. But it's nice to think that Goro was friendly enough -- or acted friendly enough -- to befriend the owner of a classy place like Jazz Jin seemed to be.
She huffs a laugh through her nose at the question about the dance club, her smile growing somewhat fond as she thinks back and takes a sip from her seltzer.] Technically, they weren't supposed to let me in 'cause I was too young, but the guy at the door didn't care enough to stop me as long as I didn't make any trouble. I met some really interesting people there!
[Swirling the ice in her glass, she taps her fingers gently against it.] There was an old Buddhist monk I used to hang out with there. I mean, he was a monk, but he didn't act like it, he was drinking and smoking the whole time. [Her nose wrinkles, because the cigar didn't smell great, but that's not important.] We talked a lot, and in the end, he was able to make amends with his wife and son and move back. Last I heard, he was doing well.
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[Cycling is actually one of the few activities that he misses from home. It had been something that he genuinely had enjoyed doing, something that actually made him feel connected to life. If that made sense.
Anyway, he can't help but laugh out loud when hearing her explanation.]
Really? A high school girl all alone in a club at the dead of the night, chatting up shady drunkards and so. You really are scandalous person, K-- Shiomi-san. [Oops, he almost slipped there. But really, this all really explains why she gets along so well with someone like Dazai-san.] I'm sure you were unstoppable force.
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[Not riding them, mind. Petting them. That reminds her, she has to see if she can nag someone to teach her how to ride a horse...
His laughter makes her smile with genuine delight, some of the sparkle returning to her eyes when he nearly slips on her name.]
He really wasn't that bad! I learned a lot from him. President Tanaka is the one who tried being more of a bad influence. I ended up having to give him like, 40,000 yen before he'd talk to me.
[Tanaka, as in Tanaka from the old TV shopping program on Sundays? Of course, by Goro's time, he runs a website for Shady Commodities, but she doesn't know that.]
horse girl kotone!!
You really do come pretty interesting people, let's say. Not that I haven't met rather colorful personalities through my line of work. Say, you wouldn't have happened to run into anyone with ties to Yakuza? [Sure, Iwai was more of Akira's associate but it wasn't like he hadn't paid attention to the shady airsoft shopkeeper. Especially nearing the end-times.]
--Oh! [He quickly waves the air before she has a chance to give her answer.] If the order is the same as in the club the song after this is one of the best from the record.
horse girl!!
Oh yeah? Tell me what you like about it.
[Either while it's playing, or after, she doesn't mind! But she'd like to hear his perspective.]
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Ah. Actually, I wish I could hear your assessment first, if you don't mind? [There's a hint of a test present here. It'd be lying to deny that Kotone hadn't roused his interest during their last meeting, despite it ending with him walking off. He really wants to see if she, too, has what it takes to challenge him.
He falls silent when the next song, No More What Ifs (because that's the only song mun knows), begins to play. The only sound, aside from the singer's melancholic yet soothing voice, is the faint clinking of the ice as it's slowly begin to melt in their glasses.]
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[Is this a test? It feels like a test. He even said "assessment" and not "opinion." But okay, she closes her eyes to listen, tapping her foot gently to the music. Musically, it's a little bit repetitive, almost calming in its easy beat. It'd be nice for a romance dance, she thinks, the kind where you just put your arms around someone and just sway back and forth.
The lyrics are interesting, too. Second-guessing decisions, staying true to oneself, following through... it reminds her of Goro in a way she doesn't know how to explain just yet, a kind of resonance with Melchizedek that she can feel more than articulate. Her lips quirk up at the final line what matters most is how you bring joy to life, so...]
I like it! [she announces finally when it's over, dragging a fingernail idly up the side of her glass as she thinks about her "assessment."] About resolution, standing by your own choices even if you don't know if they're right or not. Like, she's singing about being alone, but she's also singing to someone. It actually reminds me of a song I have...
[She taps her headphones. Somebody once said Burn My Dead, babe.]
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Not bad, Shiomi-san. I have to say that I agree with you. Life is unfair to most of us, leaving some with no other than 'bad' options to choose from. In cases like those I believe it's important to stick to your guns and follow your guts, not allowing your resolution to shake even at the face of uncertainty. A mature song, and I feel like the singer really knew how to capture the meaning behind of it.
[He takes another drink and looks down at her headphones.] Really? Which song is that?
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i feel like we should slam CW for death talk here???
OH YEAH PROBABLY
JUST YOUR REGULAR PERSONA STUFF !!
adding in cw for suicide ideation boy this is a proper p3 social link now
Blanket warnings for whole thing tbh
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