2025-07-07: Brutes And Bananas
- Log: Brutes And Bananas
- Cast: Shinjiro Aragaki, Ichika Kawase, Eikichi Mishina
- Where: Izakaya Shiraishi, Kameya Alley, Hirasaka Ward, Sumaru City
- OOC Date: July 07, 2025
- IC Date: June 06, 2012
- Summary: There's trouble at Izakaya Shiraishi--the Storm Boss is needling Shinjiro Aragaki. But once that's handled, another two Bosses have a chat with the mysterious interloper...
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Word on the street is that a student from a different school's been poking around Kasugayama after school. Tall build, a thick red coat even in the hottest of days, a beanie cap, and a perpetual scowl across his face. He's been asking questions, primarily about the occult, Sumaru rumors, and if one seems interested... the Joker Killer.
Today is another relatively hot one, so Izakaya Shiraishi is the place to have lunch and be cool. Inside, there's a very minor commotion going on. The strange student, one Shinjiro Aragaki, is inside, trying to get a drink out of the fridge. Unfortunately, he's been 'cornered' by two punks, left without a way back to the dining table. Ma'am is letting it go on, mostly because it doesn't look like it'll break into a fight, and also she might Learn Something even if she absolutely isn't a spy. Nope.
The Storm Boss is here. Named for being a 'bad wind a-brewing', Kazuo Kobayashi is a lanky guy still dressed in his school uniform, known for a certain amount of charisma that only appeals to scumbags. Styling himself as an 'absolute gentleman', anyone who's known him long enough knows it's an act, a manipulator who simply wants to consolidate power and overthrow the Death Boss via the toughest guys working for him and having them do all the dirty work.
He speaks with a Kansai accent as he sips his canned tea, smiling like a shark all the while as he speaks to Shinjiro.
"Ah, Aragaki-san, don'tcha give me that. A partnership between us would certainly be one to shake the heavens. They once told me you took out five guys without breakin' a sweat. Isn't that right?"
"Who cares?" Shinjiro tchs, as he holds his cold canned coffee, hoping to actually get it to the counter to pay. "I don't even go to your damn school."
"Exactly! You're the perfect weapon. You could probably shatter the Death Boss over your knee. Don'tcha you think?"
Shinjiro's actually getting pretty damn impatient, a grimace on his face. "Piss off, Kobayashi. That's my final answer."
Kobayashi's grin starts to fade, a scowl forming. "Don't talk to me like that. We're all gentlemen here... unless you'd like to go outside and settle this like animals?" Not that he's intending to actually fight, of course.
Shinjiro absolutely does not want to do that. Interference might be a ripple quite into the future.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika keeps up on a lot of rumors. There's some she won't allow repeated in her presence, but her crew is good at keeping their ears to the ground. It's important, considering that Ichika has trouble with a lot of the other gangs.
She was going to Izakaya Shiraishi herself, being one of the cool kids on that front, and...
She frowns, when she walks in. She looks to Ma'am, and sees her handling her business. That means...
Ichika Kawase is still in uniform, too. And she glances over Kazuo. She's never liked him. And in point of fact...
"Hey Ma'am," Ichika says. "...Could I get the banana ramen?"
Yes, really.
But she walks over to the corner there, looking to the scowl. Shinjiro doesn't want to fight, but... Ichika is willing. She steps up that direction, and says, "Leave the guy alone."
"You're gonna make trouble here? You're insulting Ma'am. And that's not very gentlemanly."
"So get out or I'll settle it with you."
Ichika may be a girl--but she's almost six feet tall, and a Boss. It's not an idle threat.
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi sneezes as he get into Izakaya Shiraishi. The blue haired punk was equally dressed out of season as he wore his winter uniform out of habit. He cranes his head to look around, spotting the Storm Boss right as he talks about breaking the Death Boss. That brings a smile to Eikichi's face as he strolls toward the commotion, cracking his knuckles single handedly.
"Break me across your knee you say? I didn't think you ad such ideas Kobayashi...Now how about you beat it before I remind you of somethings." Eikichi's smile drops as he reclines his head slightly so he was effectively looking down at the lesser Delinquents from his school.
Whether Kobayashi leaves or not, Eikichi turns his head to look at Shinjiro, regaining his smile as he boxes out the other guys out of straight disrespect. Usually he'd let sleeping dogs lie but Eikichi was feeling a little pissed off that he just walked into a secret plot. "Hey there. I was looking for you." Eikichi meets eyes with Shinjiro. "Buy ya a drink for a moment of your time?"
Eikichi grins when Ichika is also letting Kobayashi have it, almost laughing. "Not your day, is it friend?"
"Oh Kawase <3 What brings you here today?"
For the moment, Eikichi keeps his eyes on Shinjiro, wondering if he's also going to have to fight this guy.
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Ichika steps in, and after ordering BANANA RAMEN (Shinjiro's face, ever so slightly, curls downwards), tells Kobayashi to beat it. His demeanor changes, clearly not seeing her as a threat, but not wanting to offend her, either. "Oh, Ichika-san, don't give me that...! You know that I'm a perfectly model citizen-" He deserves a beating, clearly, but as Eikichi steps in...
"Agh." He mutters under his breath. Shinjiro's face curls back to neutral again.
"...of course, Mishina-san. I'm gone, please, enjoy your lunch, you two..." Coward, Shinjiro thinks. No wonder he wants someone Kasugayama wouldn't expect.
As the three punks leave, Shinjiro exhales a breath, finally. He walks up to the counter, putting his coffee down (can was too cold!) before turning to nod to them. "Thanks."
And then, he takes a seat. It seems like he's going to ignore them, until he looks back, nodding to the seats near his. "I'll buy their lunch, if they want," he tells Ma'am. It wasn't a big deal, but... they still helped him out of a hard spot.
Normally, he wouldn't waste money... but this seems fruitful enough, EVEN IF HE'D BE PAYING FOR BANANA RAMEN. His sense of camaraderie wins out over his sense of cookery. He lets them make the choice, though, because it's not fair to take it away from them.
"You can buy my drink, sure," Shinjiro accepts, in order to not spend *too* much money. "Sesame chicken."
He does not get the edamame. That is now *an expense he cannot afford*.
"You wanted to talk?" He asks Eikichi. Ichika is clearly invited, if Eikichi seems fine with it; she did save his butt, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"I don't remember giving you permission to use my first name."
The banana ramen is actually really good, OK? And the stat bonus is really high. ...Meanwhile, Ichika has something of a reputation, deserved or otherwise, that she likes to solve problems in a different way with the boys than fighting. That makes it a double insult when she rebukes Kobayashi. But before she has to try to back up her words--she sure notices that he doesn't call her a threat--
...Eikichi's there, and he has an easier time of it. "It's fine," Ichika says to Shinjiro. "I don't tolerate disrespect to Ma'am." She nods to the other woman. "...Women should stick together on points like this."
"But I'll eat with you," she says. She might usually flirt a little, but this seems more serious business. Instead, she smiles at Eikichi. "Just wanted something to eat, Boss."
She moves to take a seat across from Shinjiro. "I'm interested in hearing about what brings you out here anyway. If you don't mind."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi watches Kobayashi leave, shaking his head. He turns back to Shinjiro, placing a hand under his chin as he flairs out his hip in some sort of pose. "I'm sure I'm going to hear something from the Student Council. That's going to be annoying." He says this to himself before nodding to Shinjiro as he accepts his offer. "Of course." He orders whatever Shinjiro is having and a water for himself. He also waves over Kawase, effectively inviting her to join the conversation.
"You're a busy guy...but word on the street is your looking for some stuff and that got my interest, Aragaki." He sits down as takes a sip of his water, looking over to Ichika.
"Yeah Ma'm doesn't deserve any disrespect, especially from that guy. Anyway good to have you, Kawase. Now it's a party. Veri veri naisu partii." He says the last with broken English, looking rather pleased with himself.
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Kobayashi has absolutely been stabbed in the pride. He will Remember That.
For now, though, Shinjiro nods to Ichika as she refuses his offer to buy her lunch, clearly not put out about it. As the three take a seat, he listens to their questions. "She seems pretty chill," he says about Ma'am positively.
"I hear Sumaru's a city of rumors. Enough people believe it, it comes true. I came to see if it's real or bullshit."
He drums his fingers slightly, looking between them. "Back in Tatsumi Port Island? Nothing like that."
One could assume he's a student over there, which means... he must have ditched school, given the commute and what he's wearing. Who would ditch school for a silly occult thing...?
"I have some acquaintances at your school. Thought I'd start there, see what they know. Haven't learned too much, beyond some stuff about Seven Sisters and a few businesses in the city."
He pops the tab on his coffee can, taking a cool drink. Once he's done, he sets it on the table, looking at them again.
"You know anything about that?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika wouldn't mind Shinjiro buying her lunch, looking at him--but this is business, and she's polite enough to refuse the first time when she has her own money. She doesn't worry about Kobayashi for now. instead she says, "If the student council back him," she says, "Then they're dumber than I thought."
"She is," Ichika agrees about Ma'am. "They say she used to be a spy... all sorts of stuff. She's really cool. It's why I tried her off-menu," she says of the banana ramen. "...somehow, she really makes it work."
But rumors... Hmmm.
She looks to Eikichi for a moment, and back to Shinjiro. "I dunno about that," she admits, "...But things people talk a lot about do tend to be true. I never thought about it too much."
"You a Gekkou student?" she wonders. "...Not a problem if you are. My sister is, too."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi listens to Shinjiro's purpose, considering the subject as he takes another sip of his water. "Hmm. What Kawase said. I mean I've seen some strange things around though but I've never really considered there was some sort of mechanism for it." He knows about his special power for one thing but knowing his company, a fighting ghost power would be considered to be a fairytail. Persona? Whats that?
"So a Gekkoukan student is looking into the rumors about our humble little metropolis. I guess that makes sense but I'd still like to know why you're interested." He folds his hands in front of him, looking over to Kawase. "But yeah there isn't trouble here but I wanted to be sure this wasn't some sort of misguided attempt to start a gang war. Sure, knock some heads together. A lot of fellas will love the chance to fight. But me, I'm just doing my duty as the guy who puts out fires."
"Banana Ramen?!" Eikichi's face contorts into semi horror. "I...I don't want to know."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"Banana ramen? Really?" Shinjiro says, but if she's saying it's good... maybe it is? It's surprising. "I'd think the sweet and the umami would clash. Maybe if you dice the banana real thin, or change up some of the ingredients..." He mostly mutters the last sentence to himself, but still seems skeptical.
"Yeah," he tells Ichika. He does not tell her he's basically been truant since first year. "Shinjiro Aragaki. Third year," he introduces himself.
Eikichi is worried about a gang war. "I don't want to get into any bullshit. Kobayashi keeps showing up thinking I'll punch your lights out if he bribes me enough. I don't care enough either way, I'm not interested," Shinjiro assures.
But, why is he here? He could lie, make up the same story he did about his buddies being interested he told Jun Kashihara. But they helped him out, and also, he's pretty sure they'll sniff a lie right now.
"I'm looking into the Joker Killer. Police seem to be having problems with him, and I hear if you call your own phone number, he'll kill the person you name." He seems to think that's pretty distasteful, based off how his body language tenses and his facial expressions.
That still doesn't explain *why*, but he doesn't seem afraid at the prospect.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Really," Ichika says, though Eikichi's face is one of horror. "But she won't tell me how she makes it work. I've asked." But the rumors say her banana ramen is delicious, so...
But Eikichi seems to be on the same page as her. Ichika, of course, knows what a Persona is--but she doesn't know that anyone else knows, and her own resonance is shielded by the Will of Rebellion.
"Ichika Kawase," Ichika introduces herself back. "Third year."
Eikichi's question is a fair one; Ichika doesn't want that kind of trouble, too. "Not really your place to interefere anyway," Ichika agrees with Shinjiro not caring; she's not offended. Quite the opposite. But as Shinjiro gives her some honesty...
She looks back to Eikichi again, and then to Shinjiro. "Hm. I've heard of that one," she says. "But I've never tried it. ...Maybe there's people the world is better off without, but I dunno what a serial killer is getting out of it. No thanks."
Hmm.
"Why?" she wonders. "I mean, don't get me wrong; catching a serial killer, good for you. But why's it your problem?"
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
"Heh, I get ya." The blue haired punk is pretty sure this guy is on the level. Not just because he could spot a liar a mile away. Eikichi settles into his chair as he waits for the answer, almost sure he can predict it....But he didn't guess what comes out of Shinjiro's mouth. The Death Boss smiles amused as he takes a moment to finish his water.
"I'll be honest. I didn't expect a guy like you to be chasing that story." Eikichi folds his hands in front of his face as he ponders what he knows about this particular can of worms. "He kills whoever you ask unless you have the Seven Sisters emblem...That's how the rumor goes I think. I admittedly haven't heard a lot but Sumaru is a weird part of the country for sure."
"Yeah getting a Serial Killer involved is bad news plus I've never wanted anyone DEAD either." Eikichi adds to Ichika's statement, still trying to think of any other part of the Joker Killer.
"You know... Miyabi might know something. She's got her ear to the ground and if not her, there's that other girl from the Newspaper. Can't really recommend you go to my girlfriend yourself but I can ask and see if she knows something. Wouldn't hurt to ask."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Shinjiro seems to agree that it's not his place. Much isn't, these days. Not with his condition.
"It's probably bad for the soul, anyways," Shinjiro says metaphorically about calling the Joker Killer. But then, Ichika asks him something...
"Heh. It's personal. ..." Shinjiro starts towards Ichika's question. What to tell her? He can't reveal his presumed identity outright, that'd be putting others in danger, especially strangers. So what can he say? But he's heard the Death Boss can sniff a liar, so honesty is the only policy. It's frustrating, but perhaps they can help him. Even if he has to do this alone, he still needs information to find him, and they're the Death Boss and the Thorn Boss. They can probably get it.
"Ten years ago, there was a fire. Someone died." Wait... the Joker Killer rumor doesn't go that far back. What does this have to do with it?
Does Shinjiro Aragaki know something?
"A friend of mine. That's why I'm doing this," he says, taking another long drink.
"I'd appreciate that. What do I owe you?" Shinjiro asks Eikichi. He won't take a favor for free, let it linger. That's bad for the soul, especially with his time limit.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika doesn't have an issue with Shinjiro so far, either. And when he mentions it's 'bad for the soul', Ichika muses on it a moment. "...Letting one guy escape justice to get justice for someone else... I don't like it," she decides. "It shouldn't be something you pick and choose like that."
The Seven Sisters Emblem keeps you save. Ichika frowns at that one. In that case, it wouldn't matter if she wanted to call. She shakes her head a moment later. "It's pretty weird," Ichika agrees. But Shinjiro says it's personal...
Ichika doesn't let him off the hook. She waits for the answer. Then... Hmm.
"Since you say it's personal," Ichika says, "I don't need to know more than that. ...I hope you find what you're looking for." And it sounds like Eikichi might be able to come up with some leads.
"...I got nothin'," she says. "My contacts aren't as good at learning things as Sevens' Newspaper club. But if I do hear something about it, I'll seek you out."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi hangs on Shinjiro's every word, keeping his hands folded in front of him. "10 years ago? Hmmm" He senses there is something up here but he is going to just play this easy rather than press for the absolute facts. For one thing, Shinjiro didn't register to Eikichi as someone who was up to no good. He seemed to be a man possessed...like a manga character or something.
Finally, he speaks up. "Sorry to hear that. Death is never easy." Eikichi cracks his neck as he considers more.
"Yeah I'll look into it for you. Miyabi has got to know everything there is to know about this Joker thing. Least I can do for you."
Then there is mention of pay back, Eikichi grins and shakes his head. "I'll think of something. It won't be that bad as this is the least I can do."
Eikichi looks back to Ichika as she reacts to Sevens. Suddenly he recalls that chat with his girlfriend on Kawase. This seemed like a similar situation to Shinjiro's little secret, IE- something he doesn't need all the details on.
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
As Eikichi agrees to ask his girlfriend and Ichika says she'll let him know if she learns anything, Shinjiro nods. It seems he appreciates the lack of prying.
"Thanks. You might be seeing me around. That dickhead isn't going to leave me be," he clearly means the Storm Boss, "so that'll be 'fun'."
Food comes out. It's fresh, hot, and also the banana ramen is marveled at by Shinjiro. He doesn't want to *eat a bowl* but he's fascinated by how it doesn't smell repulsive. Witchcraft?!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
10 years ago. Ichika doesn't have any especial memories of that time, but it's significant to Shinjiro. But Eikichi's right. "It isn't," Ichika agrees of death.
"I hate pushy guys like that," Ichika says of the Storm Boss. "It's important to understand when someone says 'no'."
A pause. "But good luck. If he gives you shit while I'm around, I'll help. But he's probably going to give me or Gotou trouble now..."
The Spike Boss, that is.
Ichika doesn't offer the info to Eikichi--but he doesn't pry, either. So she'll focus on the ramen. "Right?" she says. "It really works."
It'll be delicious. ...Somehow.
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi gets another water as he laughs. "Yeah, at guy is like that. You're bound to punch him out before he gives up." He stares at the Banana Ramen and just looks uncomfortable by the idea. Food is something that's a tricky subject for Eikichi. At least Shinjiro as going for some healthy chicken dish...Healthier anyway. He gets himself a simple noodle dish, beginning to pick off his bowl upon receiving it. He side eyes the two of them as they enjoy their food.
"At least it's not Sushi..." He mutters to himself, slurping up some noodles with a content sigh.