2025-07-14: Neighborhood Tour
- Log: 2025-07-14 Neighborhood Tour
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Minako Arisato
- Where: Tatsumi Port Island, Iwatodai
- OOC Date: July 14, 2025
- IC Date: June 10, 2012
- Summary: Ren runs into Minako again, this time after following her recommendations and heading to Iwatodai to find a certain old book. They end up touring the town before talking about the recent disappearance of Fuuka Yamagishi.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's Saturday afternoon, after the half-day of school has let out. It's a convenient time for Ren Amamiya; because it's a half-day, he can afford to spend the time on a train trip from Tokyo all the way to Iwatodai, where the used book store that the Arisato twins recommended to him is. Having come straight from school, he's still in his uniform, with its black jacket, white turtleneck, and red plaid pants. It's probably not that common to see a Shujin Academy uniform in this area, and Ren might get a comment to that effect from the elderly couple running the place when he walks in.
Still, he smiles at them and tells them what he's looking for. After one or two elderly forgetfulness-themed jokes(?), the couple points him in the direction he wants: specifically, French books translated into Japanese. There's other things he's looking to pick up too, but that's something in particular he's hoping to find. He refers to his phone for the title: Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes, by Maurice Leblanc... and begins to trail the tip of his finger along the authors on the shelves.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Ren might hear a warning, of sorts. Mitsuko, the elderly co-owner of Bookworms, says cheerfully: "Minako-chan! I'm glad you could stop by."
"Me too," Minako's voice replies. "I'll catch up with you in a bit, okay?" she says.
"Sure, sure, take your time!"
Which is when -- just a little bit later -- Minako steps around the corner, into the same section that Ren is in. The books translated from English are nearby, and she is curious about a history of Greek mythology that is relevant for certain reasons. She pauses, though, when she sees Ren.
Her eyes go to the book that his finger is near, and she smiles. "Planning to learn to be a detective, Amamiya-san?" She lifts a hand, in a little wave.
"Hi."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
That is a familiar voice. Ren looks up when he hears it--after all, the elderly woman Mitsuko is greeting her by name--but she's got her own business, clearly, so he looks back down at his. He makes a mental note to say hi if they cross paths in the shelves and/or she doesn't leave before he does.
He needn't have been concerned. Minako approaches him all on her own, in search of her own book in the same area, apparently. She turns the corner just as he's discovered what he's looking for and is reaching to pull it out--
Planning to learn to be a detective, Amamiya-san?
He smiles again. "No, just to show one up," he replies, pulling the book from the shelves, then turning to face her. "Hi. Nice seeing you again, Arisato-san." If it were Minato, it would be Arisato-kun--among fellow students, it's a more masculine address. But it's Minako, so -san it stays. "I'd say 'funny running into you here,' but you and your brother were the ones who pointed me here in the first place, so it almost feels natural. How've you been, on that note?"
Ren Amamiya/POT_SPOOF - Set.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"That sounds like a fun time," Minako says with a smile. She steps up next to him, looking at the shelf for a second... but just for a second. Her eyes are back on Ren in short order.
"You, too," she says. She tilts her head a little to the side. "I'm glad you came. I wasn't sure if you would -- and the Kitamuras appreciate the business, I bet. It's a charming place, huh?"
She smiles at the question. "I'm pretty good. I'm glad it's Saturday. And the weekend."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Thanks. It should be," Ren replies, flashing a brief grin. He doesn't know if he can actually show Akechi up with this, but it'll at least let him get on the same page as him--literally. The next book he's looking for will be of more practical help--but that one won't be in this section.
He moves to one side to give Minako room, both to join him and to find whatever it is she's looking for. (Ren doesn't assume she's here just for him.) "Yeah, it's nice. It's got a very antique book store vibe. I'm glad you recommended it to me," he replies, looking around the shelves.
He smiles back at her follow-up. "And I'm glad this place's open on the weekend." But not Mondays, but Ren wouldn't be likely to come out all this way on a Monday. "Any special plans?" he adds.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako grins back at him. She has to wonder if he is serious -- but, even if he is, that just raises the sort of questions that she finds fun. She steps up next to him, scanning the shelves for a moment. One shelf space over; her eyes are on books about Greek mythology.
"Yeah," Minako says. "They've owned it for ages. They told me a little about it, after I moved here. And recommended a couple of books on the area, too."
She glances at him, considering the question of plans. "Well... no huge ones, yet. I was thinking I might catch a movie or something, tomorrow. What about you? You working that day?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren follows Minako's gaze across the books. Seems like she's looking for books translated from English rather than French... He can't quite tell what she's specifically after beyond that, though he does see books on Greek mythology in the general vicinity of her gaze.
"Hmm... They seem like they would've," Ren muses. They're old, after all! They wouldn't be running a place like this as a brand new venture, presumably.
"Hopefully not. I wouldn't be crazy about getting that sprung on me last second," Ren replies without mentioning that he's been co-opted into working with no notice several times already. Including this past week! But in fairness, Leblanc was really slammed that day and he chose to help out. "But no. Just looking to hang out with friends and" (figure out a next target for a change of heart) "chat."
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Yeah," Minako says. "I hadn't been to Port Island since I was a little kid. So I stopped in to get some stuff on the local area. It really helped." She looks sideways at him, then she flashes a smile.
"Nothing makes you feel like an explorer like holding a paper map," she adds, with a wink.
Then, she tilts her head -- and cracks a smile. "Yeah, no kidding. I don't have a part-time job that does that, but I can imagine." She can more than imagine: sometimes SEES business won't wait. "Think you'll play it by ear?"
That's her. She hasn't decided which movie to see.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
A paper map, huh? Ren smiles. "I haven't had one of those since I was a kid either. Unless you count pamphlets and magazines and news articles. In which case, I've been seeing plenty of those lately." Those sorts of things have been his main way of discovering new places in Tokyo! And there are so many new places to discover.
She's right, though. It is fun to explore with a paper map. "Do you do a lot of that yourself?" he wonders, intrigued. "You're in a new city too and all."
He shrugs a bit. Yeah, he bets Minako wouldn't. He kind of doubts she has an arrangement where she works to "pay" for her living quarters. "It is what it is."
Play it by ear though, huh? "At least a little. We'll probably spend a big chunk of time just figuring out what we're doing," Ren admits, scratching his cheek. They're all still relatively new to this, especially with Yusuke on the team now. They don't even have any names, even if there's an idea for a target. "But we'll figure it out. We always do."
Granted that 'always' has been 'two times' so far...
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"It felt nostalgic," Minako says. "And nope, this was one of those big fold-out ones. It was about five years out of date, but it was still pretty cool." Now, granted, she also knows the value of magazines, pamphlets, and the like. Those help her find more up-to-date information on places to go.
Then, she nods. "Yeah," she says. "I like to hike. And explore areas--like Port Island, but I've gone into Tokyo, too. I like going into the city or out in nature--uh, not as much of that on Port Island, though..."
She cracks a smile, then, when he explains about his friends. She, of course, has no idea. But it does make her think of the times that she comes across some of SEES in the dorm, and they try to figure out whether to watch a movie or read manga or something else.
"Making a plan is just as fun as doing the plan, sometimes!" she says, cheerfully.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"That is nostalgic," Ren agrees, and never mind that it's 'nostalgic' for a place he was living in less than three months ago. It sounds like he and Minako have something in common--especially when she brings up the hiking and exploration. "Oh yeah? Me too," he says. "I used to hike a lot. Not really a lot of that around here, but there's some nice parks in Tokyo, at least. It's fun to just walk around and see what's in an area, too." His smile widens. "I was thinking of walking around here once I found everything I was looking for."
Speaking of which, he still has at least one more book to find... though this other one isn't a specific title. He'll wait for Minako to find whatever she's looking for before he heads into the non-fiction section, though; he's enjoying chatting with her.
"Yeah, it is. And it's nice to just hang out with friends, too," he replies. Not that he's with friends right now... Even Morgana passed on a trip all the way to Port Island. Maybe next time.
"Where'd you live before you came here?" he wonders then, genuinely curious. Was it a more rural part of the country, like him?
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Mm-hm. I remember my parents giving me a paper map to look over. They showed me where our house was on it," Minako says. And nevermind that she was looking for a map to replace that one. She doesn't need to mention that particular part of the story. It's a depressing thought.
Then, her crimson eyes light up a little. "Really?" she asks. She considers for a second. Then, there's a nod -- as she makes up her mind -- and asks a more meaningful question. "Want to come with, sometime? I'd love to do some more exploring."
She does reach for the shelf. It's a book titled 'Music and Poetry in Greek Mythology.' She slides it out, before she looks back at him. She smiles. "Sumaru, for about a year," she says. "Then I got a scholarship at Gekkoukan. Before Sumaru, I lived in Sapporo."
She winks again. "So cold weather can't defeat me~"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren hums thoughtfully. "Sounds familiar," he says with a slight smile. "I have a childhood memory like that, too." After all, he's the mayor's child, and they live in a rural town. Knowing where their house is relative to everything else is important, and map apps weren't a thing in the early aughts.
Minako outright asks him along sometime. "Yeah. That sounds like fun," he replies, some enthusiasm warming his voice in return. "Actually, if you don't have any plans after this, maybe we could walk around together?" It might be less fun for her to do that locally, especially if she used to live in the area when she was much younger, but... "I'll return the favor next time you're in Tokyo. Show you the few sights I've seen so far." That's the least he can do.
Sumaru... So not that far. And still in a city. When Minako mentions Sapporo, though, Ren mouths a soundless 'ahhh' as he nods. "That makes sense. I've never been, but it seems like a great part of the country to do hiking and outdoorsy stuff." He smiles at her wink. "Especially if you're strong against the cold."
He turns a curious look to the book she chose. "Is that for a school project?" he wonders. It seems interesting, but also kind of out there for someone to just have a casual interest in.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Making sure we know the way home," Minako says with a little laugh.
Her expression turns more excited at that -- and then she nods her head as his invitation. Maybe she knows Tatsumi Port Island better than him, but it is a chance to go along with him. And playing tour guide is fun, in its own way. "Sure," she says. "That would be fun. Count me in! And I'll take you up on that sometime."
Her head tilts -- then she cracks a smile again. "Some of the best!" she says. "I love it up there."
She holds the book up, when he asks -- and she considers his question. It isn't, exactly, a lie when she answers: "Yeah. I'm curious, too, though. It seems like it might be fun to read about."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Exactly," Ren replies with a knowing nod and smile. (His parents never said it, but he did pick up eventually that they were worried about kidnappers. He never has gotten kidnapped, but it did end up useful for knowing his way around his hometown for when he wanted to wander off and be on his own, or do an impromptu hike into the mountains around the area.)
Minako takes him up on his suggestion, and with enthusiasm. Ren grins. It really is nice just hanging out with someone who knows nothing about his past. "Awesome. I just need to find one more book and then I'm good to check out."
Some of the best, huh? That sounds convincing coming from someone who actually lived there. "I hope I get to visit someday, then."
Since Minako's gotten her own book, Ren heads into the non-fiction section, specifically games. He takes his time doing so; he's not trying to ditch her or anything. "It does seem interesting." He glances down at her headphones. "And generally relevant to your interests." Even if it's about something highly specific.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Sure," Minako says, happily. She follows after him -- glancing at the non-fiction books. "Let me know if you want help looking for the title."
Then, she nods again. Her expression turns thoughtful. "It's worth a visit," she says. "Definitely. Especially if you like the outdoors."
She lifts her hand, fingers at her left headphone. There's a blink -- then, Minako smiles. "Yeah," she says. "I love music. So some of the first Western music... well, the lyrics, anyways. I'm not sure if we know what it actually sounded like. It's interesting, though."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"This one I'm not looking for something specific on. But if you see any titles about learning how to play billiards, let me know," Ren replies. Since this is a more general topic, that's at least easy to find. It is, in fact, its own sub-section within the non-fiction gaming section! At that point, it's a matter of picking which one to purchase. As a total beginner, there'll probably be plenty of books aimed for someone like him, at least.
He does like the outdoors. Hopefully there'll be an opportunity to visit Sapporo, or even just somewhere in Hokkaido, in the future. Right now, well... "One of these days, then."
When Minako puts it like that, Ren can see why she'd be interested after all. It's easy to see how a school project would connect her with her love of music to lead her to that particular book. Ren enjoys music, but he'd hardly consider himself an afficionado; it's just something he likes to listen to from time to time. (Maybe once someone introduces him to a jazz club...)
"It seems interesting," he says. "I hope you enjoy reading it." He looks back at the shelves--then picks out a book called An Introduction to Pool. "This looks promising. At least to start." He doubts a beginner book will let him beat Akechi, but he'll at least have more guidance behind his... pointers.
Really, he needs an opportunity to practice. Maybe he'll ask one of his friends to Penguin Sniper sometime to play against them.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Billiards?" Minako asks, with a glance sideways at Ren. She nods, then, with a somewhat serious look. She is on a mission, now -- and she's starting to scan the section with books. She is looking over the titles, while she talks.
She glances sideways, though -- and then Minako smiles, glancing away from the books. "Thanks," she says. "I'm sure I will. I'll let you know if it contains any secret knowledge about detectives or billiards, too."
She winks.
Then, she nods at his book and straightens up. Mission accomplished! "I bet that's perfect! You're thinking of learning to play?" she asks. "I've never done it before, but it looks fun."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Yep. As in pool," Ren replies. He might end up finding a good title before she does, but he does note the way her expression turns more serious, the way she scans the shelves closely once he asks. She's a sweet girl--friendly and charming.
He wonders how long that would last if she knew about his record. It'd be nice to think she wouldn't judge, that she'd at least hear out the truth, but, well... You never really know.
Sometimes even close, trusted friends won't do that.
But for now, she's pleasant to hang out with, and easy to talk to. Easier than most, really. She winks, and he chuckles. "And if I find any clues about ancient Greek music, I'll let you know too."
To the register next! "Yeah. I tried it for the first time recently, and I want to get better." He considers Minako for a few seconds as he sets his books down at the register and reaches for his wallet. Then he adds, "Maybe I'll take you to the place I went to whenever you come by Tokyo next, if you want?" He crooks a smile at her. "I'll lend you my book once I'm done, and we can be beginners together."
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Pool is so classic," Minako says. She glances at him and grins.
It's nice, she thinks, to talk to someone who doesn't see every smile and have an idea that it hides something -- or someone who knows that, in the hour after midnight, they have to deal with the Shadows and Tartarus. Of course, if he knew...
What then?
Best to not spoil it. Besides, he is nice company and easy to chat with.
"I'll hold you to that!" Minako says, cheerfully. She follows him to the register -- her book in hand. She waves at Mitsuko, but doesn't interrupt while she rings Ren up.
"Sure," Minako says. "That sounds like a plan! It'd be good to have another beginner to play with. I can lend you mine, too, if you're dying to learn about Greek mythology and music."
She grins again. The offer is sincere, but joking -- not one she minds being turned down.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
What then, indeed? If she even tried to hint about that, surely Ren would think she was joking at best and crazy at worst. It's hard to say which would be harder on Minako. So it's great that both of them definitely have nothing to hide and are exactly as they appear to be. Right?
And it's great that neither of them let the falsehood of that stop them from making a friend anyway.
Ren exchanges money and niceties with Mitsuko. She has a sparkle in her eye for some reason. Ren suspects she's coming up with romantic fantasies about him and Minako in her head, much like Sojiro did with him and Ann. He pretends not to notice and thanks her as he accepts his books (which go into his school bag) and his change (which goes into his wallet).
Minako meanwhile offers to lend out her book too, and it might be half-joking, but Ren gives her a thoughtful look before he nods once. "Sure. We can trade," he replies.
The best way to get to know someone is by reading something they're into. He finds he'd like to get to know her better.
And once Minako has checked out: "Where to next?"
...They've got a tour to do.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako gives Mitsuko a knowing look, when it's her turn to buy her book. Her expression says one thing: 'Not a word.' Fortunately, age and wisdom means that Mitsuko knows better than to point it out and make it awkward.
She slides her newly bought book into her bag, and then she smiles. "We've got a deal, then!"
And then, the question. She considers -- puts a finger to her chin, making a show of thinking about it.
"So... the best walk is the one down to Naganaki Shrine," she says. "It's all neighborhoods, but the shrine is really beautiful. And you can see the neighborhoods. Then, if you're up for a monorail ride..."
She nods. "We could take it down to Port Island Station. It goes over the water, and I'd swear they designed it to show you the amazing view of the water, the wind turbines, and the island."
This is almost certainly what Kirijo had in mind.
Minako then adds, "There's also an outdoor shopping center there, with a cafe."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's kind of cute, the way Minako makes a show of thinking about it. Ren tucks his hands in his pockets now that he doesn't have to hold anything in them and watches her. Naganaki Shrine, huh... It's nice to hear that it's well-tended. Tatsuhime Shrine gets a lot of visitors from kids who want somewhere to play--he played there plenty when he was a kid--but there's no priest or family that tends to it anymore. The monorail view sounds fascinating, too. He caught a glimpse of the wind turbines while he was on the train, but that's it.
"All of that sounds fantastic. Especially the view of the ocean," he says, someone who grew up in a mountainside town cut by a river. "I'm already looking forward to something to drink after all that walking around." He half-turns, prepared to follow Minako where she might lead him. "After you, then."
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Did Minako decide to do something cute deliberately? That will remain a mystery~
"It's really something," she says, cheerfully. "All right, then, we want to go..." She does a turn, towards the street entrance of Iwatodai Station and its mall. There are rows of suburban homes, with the concrete walls -- though they're more tightly packed. "...this way!"
And onward, towards the shrine -- and on from there!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ah, not even the greatest detectives of history, like Herlock Sholmes or Naoto Shirogane, will ever be able to crack the case of if Minako is being cute on purpose!
Ren follows after Minako through the town and back. Naganaki Shrine is charming with its playground on top of the usual shrine fare; the view of the sea and the wind turbines are indeed incredibly beautiful; and when they arrive at Port Island Station, Ren spots that branch of Rafflesia that he'd heard about from his boss at the branch in the Shibuya Underground Mall, along with the movie theatre that Minako's likely to head to tomorrow. The cafe has some very good tea (Ren would get coffee but he can get that literally at any time), there's some lovely chit-chat about the locales they visit and the school next to the station, and it's an overall wonderful day.
But eventually, all good things must come to an end. Tomorrow is Sunday, but Ren does have to get back home before too long. He checks his watch, then sets down his tea and the money to pay for it.
"This was great," he says with a smile to Minako. He pulls out his phone. "Do you mind exchanging numbers? So we can let each other know when we're ready to trade books."
As they do that, he adds, "By the way... I hate to end this on a downer note, but I heard about a girl at Gekkoukan who went missing recently. She's in the art club with a friend of mine, who's been worried about it. You don't happen to know anything about that, do you?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
It proves fun for Minako to play the part of tour guide. Even if she hasn't lived here that long -- at least, since she was a child -- there's a sense of accomplishment at doing so. It helps to remind her of the fun parts of moving back here -- the stunning sights, the new ones and the familiar ones from childhood. The tranquility of Naganaki Shrine, and Port Island Station's bustling.
She does remark, with a smile, on trying tea instead. She has tea, too, though.
"This was! I'm really glad I ran into you," she says, cracking another smile. Then, she nods -- and she pulls her phone out. "Let's."
There is a ding. At his question, though, Minako's eyes widen -- then she shakes her head. "No, it's okay," she says. "It's a girl named Fuuka Yamagishi. I don't know the specifics..." Minako Arisato, fortunately for her sake, is a good liar. "...but I heard she'd been bullied. I talked to the student council president, and she said she's looking."
Minako frowns. "I'm worried about her. I mean--I don't know her... but I'm still worried."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
It's a nice city, to be sure. The quieter suburbs around Naganaki Shrine and the crowds around the stations... Ren really likes Tokyo, or at least the parts of it he's seen so far, but this is a nice balance between that and his hometown. He wouldn't mind coming to visit again in the future... not least because he's got a couple of friends here now.
"Likewise," Ren replies, smiling back. Phone numbers are exchanged, and... Fuuka Yamagishi. That sounds right. Yusuke only remembered a little bit of her name, but that matches that little bit. So, too, does the part about her being bullied. "Yeah. Same here. It's worrying to hear about anyone going missing after getting bullied. I'm glad to hear there's people looking for her; I'd heard that the school was being real hush-hush about it."
And Ren, frankly, doesn't trust that it isn't because they're trying to protect their reputation instead of Fuuka's privacy. It's for that same reason, though, that he adds, "Do you think that student council president will follow through?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Yeah," Minako says. "It's terrible. I can't stand when people would do something like that. Ekoda is the homeroom teacher for her class, and... I'm not surprised he's keeping things quiet. He's an ass."
She frowns a little. Will Mitsuru do something about it? Minako thinks she will. What, though, she can't share.
"I think so. I live in the same dorm as her, and when it came up... she seemed angry at the people who would do that to Yamagishi-san. And angry at Ekoda," Minako says. "But..."
She looks up at Ren, meeting his eyes. "...It's things like this that show what someone's really like. I'll want to see what she does."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
So there is a shitty teacher involved. Ren can't say he's surprised. But at least Gekkoukan's student council president seems more principled (no pun intended) than Shujin's. That's promising. But maybe not enough. "Let me know what happens. Actually, it might be quicker if you let my friend know," he amends. "His name's Yusuke Kitagawa. He's a second-year like us. I don't know what class he's in, but like I mentioned, he's in the art club, so that ought to help narrow it down."
And if Minako hears anything from her dormmate about what happened to Fuuka--or what's going on with the people who bullied her... then that'll be one more step towards figuring out if the Phantom Thieves need to step in or not.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Sure. I'll let you know -- and your friend. Yusuke Kitagawa," Minako repeats, as she writes a note on her phone. "I can look him up. If I learn anything, I'll send on word."
He must care, she thinks. That doesn't lower her impression of him at all. Minako slides her phone back into her bag, then she looks back to Ren -- and she smiles.
"Well... this was a lot of fun," she says. "I'll see you soon, all right?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"All right. Thanks," Ren replies, to both of Minako's responses. "I'm looking forward to next time." He gets up from his seat, tucking his own phone away. "But 'til then, we may as well catch the train back together."
It would be awkward to part here, only to meet up again literally at the top of the stairs nearby!