2025-07-23: Testing the Armor of that Smile
- Log: Testing the Armor of that Smile
- Cast: Goro Akechi, Kasumi Yoshizawa
- Where: Shujin Academy, Gymnasium
- OOC Date: July 23, 2025
- IC Date: June 14, 2012
- Summary: Kasumi Yoshizawa is having a rough time at practice, thankfully a friendly acquaintance of hers, Goro Akechi is here to cheer her up...
- Trigger Warnings: Discussions of Sexual Assault, Suicide, Voyeurism.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
It's a little late into the afternoon. The official school day is over, but some students still hang around in order to perform activities with their club. One of those clubs is the Rhythmic Gymnastics Club. And one of those students is Kasumi Yoshizawa!
The girl with red hair tied up into a ponytail by a red ribbon has already changed back into her school uniform, a gym bag slung over her shoulder. She's standing inside the main gymnasium, waving off a group of other girls from her club with a smile, "Good work everyone! See you tomorrow."
Once the other girls have exited the building and Kasumi believes herself to be alone, she lets out a quiet sigh of restrained frustration.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Little did Kasumi Yoshizawa know - someone was watching. Oh, it's certainly the case that people watch Kasumi Yoshizawa, she has her admirers. This observer however was critically analyzing her technique, in consideration of something...
... it's only when the other girls have left, that Goro Akechi enters the gymnasium 'properly'. He's quite handsome in his Seven Sisters Summer Uniform, but he did not dress like this to impress her.
Indeed, it is merely part of his image - 'branding'. A concept that Kasumi is quite familiar with due to her father. "Oh my, and here I thought everyone had already left for the day."
He knows that she's frustrated, and he even has several ideas on why she is. He's all smiles though, and he expects the same of her in short order.
It's rare for a girl to just confide right away that she is frustrated, especially to someone who's merely a friendly acquaintance.
"Is that?" He says, as if he were only just now recognizing her in real time, "Yoshizawa-san. What an unexpected pleasure. It's really been far too long since the last time we ran across each other."
He stays where he is, wanting more time to assess her reaction here, "... If I recall correctly, we last ran across each other during that segment I did at the TV station."
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Kasumi jumps in surprise just a little as she hadn't realized anyone else was still in the building. But she recovers quickly enough, especially once she recognises who it is, "Ah! Akechi-san!" Of course she recalls the dashing, young Detective Prince. Not just from the times she's run into him at her father's work, but also from the rumours floating around Seven Sisters Middle School when she still attended.
Kasumi walks up closer to Goro, smiling as she brushes some strands of hair behind her ear, "Indeed, it has been a while! I suppose if I hadn't been transferred, we'd be in the same high school now. I hope you are doing well."
Of course, mentioning the fact that they're in different schools gets Kasumi curious. She tilts her head inquisitively, "What brings you to Shujin Academy? While I believe we are on good terms, I can't imagine the Detective Prince would go so far out of his way for someone like me."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
He knows the frustration hasn't truly gone away, but he'd be a pretty poor 'Prince' if he couldn't elicit a smile from a girl he's acquainted with.
"Aha..." An affable chuckle at the idea of them being at a different school, "...yes I suppose we would be at that. I can't say that part of me wasn't looking forward to seeing you around Seven Sisters... but, I can hardly blame you for accepting a scholarship here."
There was no necessity in bringing that up, save to see how potent an armor her smile can truly be.
"Well I wish I could say that this were merely a social call, but - I didn't even realize that you'd be here."
Akechi's eyes look over the gym briefly, before placing a hand to his chin, "In a sense, Shujin's gymnasium is a part of the... 'scene of the crime' so to speak. The police have entirely overlooked the consideration that the site of Suguru Kamoshida's dramatic confession could in fact offer valuable evidence."
There's a subtle stroke of his chin, "After all, it was the debut of the Phantom Thieves of Hearts... if you were one of them, would you not wish to make certain you 'pulled it off'? Given their belief in their own anonymity, it would not surprise me if they stood in this room, witnessing it with their own eyes."
He lowers his chin, smiling at her, "Oh... though there's no need to worry, I don't think it'll be necessary to close the gymnasium down for my investigation. It has been quite some time... if there was evidence on the floors, it's long - long been trampled over."
There was no need to imply she was someone who's done this trampling either! ... But he does enjoy saying it to see if he can pry at that smile, some.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Yes, I was quite grateful when the school offered us a scholarship. I just wish that..." She trails off though as sadness starts to creep into her tone. Clearly there are cracks in the armor of her smile.
But those cracks don't last for long as Kasumi quickly bounces back to a smile, "I'm sure we'll still run into each other in the future too! Although it's a bit more of a trip nowadays, I still like to visit my father at work."
Of course, as Goro explains the reason for his presence here, it's only natural for Kasumi's smile to fade. It's not exactly a pleasant topic for any student at the school, "Ah yes, the incident with Kamoshida-sensei... I've only been here a couple of months myself and thankfully didn't interact with him much. But I had started to get a feeling that something about him wasn't right..." The way that Kamoshida seemed to go out of his way to demonize Ren--Someone who, in Kasumi's opinion, definitely doesn't deserve it--made her start to suspect he wasn't a good person at heart.
Of course she couldn't have imagined the actual depths to which the man's cruelty had gone.
But then, Kamoshida isn't actually why Goro is here, "The Phantom Thieves? You think they were here during the confession?" Kasumi glances up and left as she thinks, "I don't recall seeing anyone suspicious there at the time... But then his confession was so surprising that I guess I wasn't paying much attention to anything else."
Kasumi raises a finger to her chin in thought, "But Kamoshida-sensei's confession at the assembly was a surprise to us all, the teachers included. I can't imagine the Phantom Thieves would have been able to predict it happening as to come and see it for themselves. Plus such an incident would naturally have made local news as it did, so they could have just waited for that." Clearly Kasumi is doubtful about the Phantom Thieves having been there. Is it an honest belief, or is she trying to cover something up?
Kasumi looks back at Goro, "Ah, but it's good that the gymnasium won't be closed down. A lot of clubs rely on using the space for practice." Naturally, Kasumi's club included. And she definitely needs the practice. Though it does make Kasumi wonder, "But if you think all the evidence is gone, what's the point in coming here now?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Hm?" Akechi prompts, as if to try and nudge her into finishing that sentence. But he lets it go when he receives the confirmation he thought.
It really is getting to her, doing so poorly in competition.
"I do hope so. But it's hardly necessary to make the trip. I'm sure we'll run into each other often enough given how frequently I'm consulted by the SIU..."
He does smile so affably, like he's definitely looking forward to that, though not necessarily for any reasons that would be untoward.
"... perhaps I'll even make a point of it. I've always enjoyed our conversations."
Akechi however, latches onto a single word of Yoshizawa-san's statements, "'Much' you say?" He asks of her, "And just what were those interactions like, if you can recall? Examining the man's psychological profile, he was the sort to jealousy guard the supremacy of the Volleyball team - to the extent of even 'sabotaging' the so-called 'Aces' of the other sports clubs."
Wait, what is he suggesting? It is, a rather awful implication, that perhaps Kamoshida's actions were leading to something terrible with Kasumi.
Kasumi however gives her account of that day in the gym, as Akechi watches her face, a hand upon her chin, "Ah, but that assumes it was an entirely spontaneous event. After all, they stated he would confess his sins with his own mouth on calling card, did they not? And presumably... given the timing, Suzui-san's attempted suicide did play a role in their motivations for targeting him."
He does look at Kasumi as if he's giving her statement some serious thought, by offering his own deductions, "Setting aside the seeming impulsive nature of Suguru Kamoshida's confession that day, it happened during an assembly that was called to discuss Suzui-san's hospitalization and recovery. What if they in fact, could predict the timing of the event based on the nature of their 'unknown methods' for changing hearts?"
He looks down, and away pensive, "And if that is the case, then would not an 'unplanned' assembly about Suzui-san seem like the perfect timing for such an event? Perhaps it was not so unplanned after all..."
SOME version of Kobayakawa insists he had nothing to do with it, but Akechi is hardly going to bring that up.
After all, can he even believe that fool?
"Ah. Well, to put it simply..." Akechi says to her, "... the Principal stated that Shujin has no security cameras in the gymnasium. I came here to make certain this was actually true. In this day and age... it would not surprise me for him to be ignorant of their presence."
His tone changes as if to caution her, "Oh I don't mean to imply 'incompetence' on his part. Merely that - with a man like Kamoshida ruling this place like a petty tyrant, it would be simplicity itself for him to have hidden them in plain view. And if they did exist... well, I would be able to watch what occurred that day with my own eyes."
The fact that he's not even lying perhaps is what might make this more disturbing. It is what he is here to do, because he wants to see that footage.
And see just what his suspects were doing during that event, if it's possible.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Kasumi understands that knowing more about Kamoshida may help. And of course Kasumi wants to help Goro if she can! But as she crosses her arms to think about her interactions with Kamoshida, she muses, "I'm not sure there's much I can really add... It's true he would occasionally interact with those of us in the gymnastics club, mostly just to boast about his Volleyball team as you say. He could have just been an over-enthusiastic coach, but the way he looked at us was... A little unsettling." Having learned more of the man's crimes, Kasumi clearly seems disturbed by it in retrospect.
"There was also the rumours about his involvement in the disbanding of the Track team. Though that was before I transferred. And on occasion he seemed to show disdain for students who he felt weren't worthy of being at Shujin." Kasumi looks at Goro to see if any of that might have helped.
Goro does raise some interesting points about the assembly that Kasumi hadn't considered. Just goes to show why he's the Detective Prince! "They could time his confession that accurately?" Kasumi's eyes are a little wide in surprise, but the surprise fades as she thinks about it, "That seems unlikely... Unless they're good at psychology. Though I don't know what their methods are so I can't really say for sure that they couldn't." She thinks back to what little she knows about psychology from her interactions with Maruki, "Could it be... Some kind of hypnotic suggestion? If they were actually guiding his actions to some degree, that would make it easier to predict."
Perhaps something on the school's security footage might support such a possibility. Though Kasumi is hardly one to know about such a thing, "I wish I could help but I don't know anything about security cameras... Though I certainly hope Kamoshida-sensei didn't have any secret ones hidden around the school." Who knows where he might have placed them or what he saw!
Perhaps hoping to shift away from disturbing topics and bring some cheer back to the conversation, Kasumi restores her smile and says, "It's impressive that you're helping with the case involving the Phantom Thieves, Akechi-san! No doubt with your help, their days are numbered."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Goro Akechi nods quietly at Kasumi's musings, especially the 'unsettling' part, and as she brings up the Track Team, Akechi rubs his chin, as he muses in turn. "The man's jealousy had few limits... it wouldn't surprise me if he were targeting you to be one of his next victims, Yoshizawa-san, as a promising rhythmic gymnastics member here on scholarship."
He drops the hand though, and says more seriously, "I am certainly grateful that he was stopped before that could happen... though I can't imagine thanking the Phantom Thieves of Hearts for it."
It is a thought that would make any girl like Kasumi squirm, that much he knows, the thought that they too could have been a victim.
... He almost feels bad about it, even if it is the truth.
Almost.
"... I wish I knew." He says of their methods, admitting even he does not know, "But I feel that for the Phantom Thieves of Hearts, one must throw 'conventional' wisdom out the window. A man like Kamoshida... would be unlikely to ever feel guilt to the extent that he did, and confess his crimes openly... going so far as saying he would commit suicide to take responsibility. And no amount of hypnotic suggestion can fully change someone's heart so completely. Even if one could manage it... the best hypnotists in the world couldn't keep him in that state forever..."
One begins to understand why he says conventional wisdom is out the window. He does smile at her, and turn, "Well, don't worry. If there are any, I'll certainly find them... to tell you the truth, I do find it unlikely. After all, why go to such lengths when one can simply walk up to any student and do as you please? But... I can't rule it out."
And that's more than enough for him to actually take the time to comb a school gymnasium for them. As she praises him, his smile grows even more, as he stands up straight. It's like he's preening some even from the praise, "Aha... why thank you, Yoshizawa-san. I do feel the same way, after all - I'm staking my reputation as a detective on it. Anyhow... I should probably get to work..."
As he makes like he's about to excuse himself even turning to her... before, "... Oh that reminds me, before I go do that. I did hear a rumor from some of your old classmates that you'd... been seen... 'involved' with a student that has a criminal record here? I didn't put much stock in it, certainly, it seemed out of character for you..."
He does give her a more serious look, "But, since I'm here, Yoshizawa-san... have you fallen in with a rougher crowd than you're accustomed to?"
He waits long enough to hear her fluster, before smiling and saying, "Just a joke. There's little enough chance of you being a part of anything like that. But I thought I'd check to see if you had any idea where that rumor came from?"
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
"Y-Yes... I think perhaps he might have set his sights on me. Thankfully he was caught before anything bad could happen. Though I do feel sorry for Suzui-san... She shouldn't have had to suffer through that." There really are some bad people out there...
But are the Phantom Thieves among them? Kasumi hums thoughtfully, "I think... I would have to thank them. After all, they may have saved me from a similar trauma, if their involvement is true. But thanking them and condoning their actions are two different things." She does nod along though with Goro's words about their potential methods, "I can't imagine what unconventional method they might be using. But I don't think I've ever seen such a drastic shift in someone's personality before. So it is definitely unusual."
As Goro talks about getting back to work, Kasumi's eyes widen in realization, "Ah! Of course! My apologies. I've taken up so much of your time and distracted you from what you came here to do." Even though Goro is the one who spoke to her first, of course Kasumi is going to apologise for it!
Just as Goro is seemingly about to head off, so too is Kasumi. At least until he adds in some last words, "O-Oh? A rough crowd!? Surely no-" But then Goro reveals his comment to be a joke. And Kasumi laughs for a moment with definitely no hint of nervousness for sure, "A-Ahaha. No. Definitely no rough crowds for me." A certain second-year aquaintance of hers is certainly not 'rough'!
Kasumi waves a hand quickly at the question of the rumour's source, "Perhaps I simply offered to help a fellow student with something and someone saw us together and got the wrong idea? I do try to help out wherever I can. For you as well, Akechi-san! If there's anything I can do to help, please let me know."
It's definitely time to get out of there, "I won't take up any more of your time." She gives Goro a quick bow, "Good luck with your case, Akechi-san!" Followed by a quick heel turn and shuffle out of the gymnasium.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"I certainly agree..." But then, Akechi's gaze looks distant as Kasumi brings up Suzui again. "... It's hard not to feel sorry for her. In those circumstances, indeed, it's little surprise she felt she was trapped with no way out... save one."
There's something... both strangely disconnected, and incredibly personal in his tone, as he muses on Shiho's situation.
"Hmm." He does hum, as if the talk of the distinction between thanking them and condoning their actions brought him out of that state, "Perhaps so. To me... it's not 'Justice' that Suguru Kamoshida was brought down the way he was, but to his victims, or potential victims, such words would be viewed only as empty self-righteousness."
He's not saying Kasumi feels that way, but he at least seems to understand the perspective... including those of the Phantom Thieves, even if he disagrees with it.
"I cannot either... and that is what makes them so dangerous."
He does reply so affably. "Oh not at all, honestly Yoshizawa-san... crossing your path here was the most pleasant part of my day so far. For that, I'm truly grateful..."
But then comes his little test, and her reaction... well, he smiles, and replies, "Oh, I see. Well if it's merely a a rumor born out of a misunderstanding, then I won't give any further credence to it. And I appreciate that... though know that if you're ever in trouble, Yoshizawa-san, don't think you need to hesitate for even a moment to let me know."
It's a seed, to plant. Perhaps she'll be too proud, but now he's rather certain... she's in the orbit of Ren Amamiya, and not only that...
... how fascinating, now he wonders how Ren himself feels. Is it possible that... she too might...
... well, it's hard to know for sure. She doesn't seem like the sort at all.
"Have a good day."
He knows it's likely impossible given the thoughts he planted in her head, and as he steps into the middle of the gymnasium, looking at the stage, he loosens his tie, marking the stage where the principal spoke.
The door Kamoshida came in mid-assembly... and now that he's alone asks softly, "I wonder Amamiya-kun... were you truly so confident that day in the decision you'd made?" A dark chuckle escapes his lips, "Will you remain so, when you're looking death in the eye or will you flinch after all...?"