2025-07-25: Reservoir Dogs

• Log: Reservoir Dogs
• Cast: Myunghon Yeo, Shinjiro Aragaki, Mio Kazama, Umie Akabane, Shinobu Shimizu, Yukari Takeba, So-young Park, Katsuya Suou, Akari Hoshi, Remi Ryuuja, Julian Marlowe, Junya Kaneshiro
• Where: The Cardboard Dragon, Hirasaka Ward
• OOC Date: July 25, 2025
• IC Date: June 15, 2012
• Summary: Junya Kaneshiro pays a visit to the Cardboard Dragon... and it isn't a social call. He has a threat -- and a promise -- for Myunghon Yeo.

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<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.

    It's a special day for the Cardboard Dragon!

    Today, just to celebrate the release of Vinnistrad, a vampire baker-themed expansion of popular card game Mahou: the Gathering, the store is running a little cosplay competition. The store's actually somewhat locatable for once, with the main entrance and elevator ACTUALLY WORKING and a sign out front pointing the place out, perhaps thanks to a combo of Shinobu and Remi and other parties.

    The bookshelves have been pushed to one side, and there's more space for a little stage. It's nothing more extravagant than the equivalent of a high school play stage (and, like, the regular high school play kind, not the kind of bougie high school that has Professional Theatres). Some balloons and streamers are taped around the place to... make it look a bit less sad? And of course, people are actually here for the cards, so Gumiho, the blue-haired student worker, is busy actually manning the till and processing payments.

    Myunghon themself is here, and they've gotten into the spirit by... by...

    They've replaced their black suit jacket with a really cheap-looking Halloween Dracula Cape, complete with popped collar and really shiny red satin and dumpy velvet outer lining. They have fake plastic vampire teeth stuck onto their incisors. And one of those tall mushroom-shaped chef hats ontop of their head.

    "Welcome! Welcome to the Cardboard Dragon! We have drinks--" There's an unopened 12-pack of the cheapest soda that still has a '3 FOR 100 YEN' label on it, "--we have food--" It's just the Koala March animal crackers again. Why are there so many Koalas here?

    KOALA MARCH -- We are always here. From before Nippon. Before Wa. Before Yamatai. Before the Jomon. We are glucose. We are fructose. Long before your chemists understood how to isolate us.

    "And we have costumes!" It's that cursed pile of anime masks from last time, plus some unopened costumes from... yep, the bargain bin tag is there again. Why don't they at least peel it off?

    A pause, as they rub their lips. "Ow. These plafftic teeff hurt mff gums..."

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.

Shinjiro Aragaki, regularly truant teenager, is here in his thick red coat (IN THE SUMMER) and beanie. He took the fire escape out of habit. He actually came to ask about more job offers desperately after spending all his money this morning on DRUGS. Somehow, he has as a vampire cape on him. He refused the teeth. The chef hat... was nostalgic despite never wearing one, so he's took one but hasn't figured out if he wants to take off his warm hat to put it on.

Shinjiro's approaching the Koala March, taking one pack.

"I won't be buying cards, spent my last yen today, but I'll hang for a bit," Shinjiro says candidly. "Can't you remove the teeth if they hurt? Fuck, talk about commitment to the bit."

<Pose Tracker> Mio Kazama has posed.

"Special deal at the Cardboard Dragon, please come by and win prizes at the cosplay competition~"

A young lady with pale lilac hair is standing near the foot of the stairs up to the Cardboard Dragon, holding a small stack of information flyers and thrusting them onto unwary passers-by, and occasionally doing your standard sort-of-but-not-really-into-it barker's call for attention with the exact same inflection and words used each time.

Getting into the 'spirit' of 'things', Mio is also wearing 'cosplay' to attract attention as she calls people's attention to the store. This time, she's wearing a frilly gothic maid dress with an oversized apron and a patisserie chef's hat which inexplicably also forms part of the standard frilly headband you'd expect to see on a maid cosplay. She also has a tiny white moustache taped on.

"Special deal at the Cardboard Dragon, please come by and win prizes at the cosplay competition~"

This is probably punishment for drinking all of the soda out of the safehouse, last time.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    So, as Umie has discovered, Skill Cards Work.

    Myunghon's plot worked, and now, another customer is back, this time in a cute cat mask. Nyannyan. The rest of her 'disguise' is very little, being just that same damn baseball cap, with that ash blonde hair in a ponytail threaded through the back. There's a windbreaker that she's just given up on and tied around her waist, but her forearms are still covered in fashionable thumbsleeves that she may not be able to get away with wearing once she gets too much older. Other than that, a burnt orange tee and some shorts.

    She's not entirely being careful here, owing to the June heat outside and the yearly inconvenience of having to be a little more covered up than she'd like to be. (It'll get worse. It always does.)

    Umie takes the Koala March animal crackers and a drink (free food is always good, thank you very much), lifting her mask a touch to slip her drink under, which she takes a mighty sip from. She sighs in relief, and munches on some crackers.

    ".... Anything new?" She's definitely not here for the cosplay, though a pair of cat ears was likely added on top of her hat at some point anyways. When in Rome...

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

A cosplay competition at the Cardboard Dragon... That's definitely the kind of thing that'd draw in customers (and perhaps costumers?). Shinobu gladly volunteered her help - and so, with everyone working together, the place is looking presentable for once!

Shinobu, for her part, has decided to join in on the fun. She's wearing a shirt, vest, and pants that are made to look like someone's ideas of a medieval peasant's outfit, made of light, cheap material with really fake-looking tears and bloodstains. Plastic breadrolls have been placed on her shoulders, and on her head, is a mask resembling a cartoony loaf of sliced bread.

Yes, that's right - today, she is playing the part of one of Myunghon's minions, as one of the Living Bread.

Her job is mostly to keep order and make sure none of the visitors get too rowdy, occasionally sweeping through the area to check on everyone. Fortunately, it doesn't require her to talk much.

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

Yukari came to Sumaru City today because... she's looking a little more into things. This requires her to talk to 'Rumormonger Merry' later... about what happened at Ebisu beach.
 
And the people who were wielding that strange Evoker.
 
And thus, she walked into the Cardboard dragon at this part of the day in a pink halter top, and a pair of flared jeans, wearing a bag over her shoulder and her Yumibukuro since...
 
... you never know.
 
She looked up an address of a bowyer in Hirasaka and stopped by first just in case a cop asked why she's going anywhere other than from school and back with it.
 
When she entered into the Cardboard Dragon though, she looked around, and did a double take, "Huh!? Are they hosting some kind of... event?"
 
Now Yukari is a teen girl, she may have indulged into a vampire fiction once. It doesn't register the same to her as ghosts because vampires are a horror you can see.
 
And they're a bit hot. Don't judge. Her thought are off limits.
 
"Okay it's fine, there's nobody from SEES here... I came by myself. So no one will think I'm into this kind of thing-"
 
That's when she spots Shinjiro Aragaki, and makes a long-suffering sigh. "...Great. Now everyone at the dorm's going to think I'm a fan of... vampire isekai, or whatever this is."
 
Mio draws her eye, as she gives a surprised look, then scrutinizes, and... "Why the moustache though?" She wonders, even if the maid outfit is a little cute.
 
As she then walks up to Merry, smiling, "Hiiiii, I'm not here for the party, but that's okay right? I wondered if we might be able to talk after things settle down. You know just - rumor stuff. That's all."

<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.

    Truly, it does not matter how dingy or sad a stage is, for it is still a stage, and any stage may have greatness thrust upon it. With a sudden snatch of foreboding string music--

    (no, for real, that is not a soundtrack it is someone playing a real-ass violin right in the store)

    --a striking woman in a frilled black dress and capelet slowly spins across the stage in a picture of monochrome colour, long white hair with black vertical streaks running through it as it trails behind her. Her cloak is fine velvet and decidedly not from the bargain bin, which does neatly indicate that this is the sort of person who will just buy a cloak and wear it out on a regular day without batting an eyelid. It's not even all that clear whether she knew there was an event, or was instead just somehow ready to burst out into a performance at any time.

    The actual answer is more mundane - she was intending to simply spend a chunk of the day watching the comings and goings of the Cardboard Dragon, but the slightest whiff of something fun and she couldn't hold herself back.

    So-young is deep in a freestyle, the violin tucked firmly under her chin. It's not effortless, and her tongue is stuck slightly out of the corner of her mouth in concentration, but she's clearly pretty accomplished at this, and as people enter the shop she tends to work in a little flourish as if it were a greeting. She has also not, at all, in any way, shape or form, signed up to anything prior to getting up on the stage.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    The masks are out again. Actually, if Katsuya had known that today was as special event, he likely would have come another day.

    There's been a murder in Hirasaka. Probably. It's that or a very awkwardly managed suicide, and Katsuya has his doubts on the latter. There aren't any leads, and local interviews have failed to bear fruit. No one knew the victim very well: even the neighbors had nothing to say (at least not to the police) about the dead man. And so, casting out in desperation--

    Katsuya has come to darken Myunghon's doorstep. He takes one look at the decorations around them, somewhat wide-eyed as if he's never been to a release event for card games before. Then, his attention zeroes in on Myunghon and the silence is, perhaps, palpable. Should he... leave and come back later? "Well," he starts and doesn't actually finish, because he's just realized he's standing in the doorway and steps sidelong to get out of the way. He fidgets briefly with his sunglasses. There are a few people he recognizes in here...

    Pulling himself together, he tries to shrug off the oddity of his current surroundings and walks right over to Myunghon. "Excuse me, Yeo-san. When you are finished here, I must speak with you about the recent death in the Takagi Building." It's just a low-income apartment building locally-- they probably even saw it on the news.

    ...Way to kill the mood, Suou.

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

The Cardboard Dragon isn't usually Akari Hoshi's stomping grounds. Card games aren't entirely her style, though she likes looking at the art books that go with it. And it's not a *comics* shop, so she can't come out with a bag full of manga.

But what is Akari's stomping ground is a cosplay competition. Seriously, you'd have to pry her away from those. Even with her current... home situation, she's still going to try like hell to make an appearance.

(And she's heard of the Cardboard Dragon elsewhere, too. Who lets kids onto Dark Side of Sumaru anyway??)

Now, Akari has not had the time to make a full bespoke cosplay just for this competition, because she only heard about it the day before yesterday and had to go home and rummage through stuff she's already made and then make some adjustments and tweaks. You can't just show up to one of these in an over-the-counter cosplay! That's just not right. Unfortunately, she both doesn't know Vinnistrad very well and let her imagination get the better of her.

So as far as everyone sees:

Akari is a tall, slightly gangly-looking young teen - either middle school or maybe, generously, first year of high school, with the kind of build that suggests she just had a growth spurt and hasn't quite figured out where her arms and legs actually go afterwards. She has noticably darker skin than the usual Japanese skin tone, and grey hair (not old-person grey, just Actually Grey) with just a hint of highlight to it that makes it look very (very (very)) faintly blue-ish in some lights. Maybe the hair is part of the cosplay? If so she's dedicated. It's not a wig. Her colouration is certainly striking.

She has apparently started with a chef's off-center buttoned shirt and combined it with a women's waistcoast and a half-apron. She manages to make it look surprisingly good, but more attention has been paid to the additions; her half-apron has a couple suspicious stains that, on closer look, appear to be jam and her chef's hat is worn a little off-center and has a pin of a very cheerful chubby bat stuck in it with a happy little :E face.

The Cardboard Dragon is still not quite what she's expecting, but since when has she let that stop her?

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

Remi is certainly glad for an actualy event to be happening. 'Cosplay' is, perhaps, something of a mystery to her: it's not quite acting, but it's also not quite not acting, in a sense. It's a costume, at the very least. And she's given to understand taht many people make their own, which she finds interesting.

... Not that she has any idea who any of these characters are, but that's fine. She's just making sure people sign up, not judging things.

She is a taller than afterage woman in a black beret, turtleneck, and skirt, with dark gray thrmal tights, and a dark sea green cardigan and boots. Yes, inside. Even in this heat. She doens't seem to be suffering.

She shakes her head and sighs at Myunghon. "It's because you got the cheap kind, dear." But she smiles as she looks to the people entering, raising her voice. She's got a clipboard and pencil handy. "If you're here for the contest, please see me to sign up!"

She nods to Shiunjiro, "Welcome tothe Cardboard Dragon, dear." Just hanging out. "Well, you're in time to watch the costume contest, then."

She does give Shinobu a smile, "Good to see you again, dear." They had a pleasant conversation yesterday, after all.

Surely this innocent-seeming woman wouldn't know anything about Evokers, strange or not. She does greet Yukari with a smile. "Welcome, welcome. And it's Vampire Bakers... at least, that's what I'm given to understand."

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

Julian Marlowe hadn't been to the Cardboard Dragon before. Wouldn't make much sense to put your interest in certain kinds of cards in full display, when you're actively trying to keep your cards close to your chest. He has been interested in this business, however. Its eccentric owner appears to be involved in the rumor business, and is doing Dark Hour Specials besides. Is their motivation purely financial, or...?

He has decided that a special not taking place during the Dark Hour might be the best time to take a look around the establishment, see what he can learn... observe the clientele, while he's at it.

He certainly isn't here for tomfoolery. Unless one mistakes the British Gentleman aura that he carries with him wherever he goes as cosplay, he isn't wearing anything out of the ordinary. He feels very out of his element with that part, just kind of smiling awkwardly at the... maid he passes by on the way in. Should he be worried about damaging his reputation...?

It's somehow less awkward when it's Myunghon dressed as a vampire (it seems on-brand somehow), but several times more awkward when he spots just about the last person he expected would be the kind to participate in something like this. "...Et tu, <Mister> Aragaki?" he wonders aloud with eyebrow raised, but leaves him be otherwise.

That's about when any thoughts regarding his approach go right out the window, when he looks over to where no one else's attention is. "My word, is that La Bonne Chanson?!"

Who would actually be interested in those ancient books, let alone recognize them at a distance? Welcome to Julian Marlowe, whose tastes match up exactly with the age of those books. At least with that he's found himself a place to stand away from the 'action', so to speak, handling a book with all the delicacy of a rare treasure.

Which isn't to say that he isn't paying attention to things that might be of interest to him. Now what was that about a recent death...?

<Pose Tracker> Junya Kaneshiro has posed.

It is a special day in the Cardboard Dragon. But it's a fun day; a day of cheerfulness and costumes, befitting the theme of the event.

But it's like a dark cloud comes over the shop when a knock comes at the door. After all, who knocks on the door of a business at open hours?

The answer is someone who makes sure people know he is here.

Six people walk inside. Five of them are tall, well-built men wearing button-up shirts, tucked into grey and khaki slacks, with suit coats on. They don't wear ties; their sleeves, pointedly, come down to the wrist.

They look rough.

The man in the center of them is shorter. He isn't much to look at -- overweight, short, and with a blue suit coat and slacks. His shirt is purple, and his brown hair is slicked back. Someone who knows the criminal underworld of Shibuya might know him.

Junya Kaneshiro, a Yakuza boss.

"Good afternoon," he says, as he strolls right in. He looks around -- at the various visitors and workers here. He lingers on Julian, as a Westerner. But, finally, Kaneshiro looks at at Myunghon. That's where his gaze lingers. "Lively place. And a lot on sale today, huh?"

The five men with him fan out behind him -- which, as it happens, blocks anyone attempting to leave. And it blocks anyone attempting come in, too.

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.

    "What's a vampire baker without vampire teeth??" Myunghon mewls sadly towards Shinjiro. They seem almost... pitiable, like this. Also, does the teeth help their baking? "The lore says that they prick their fangs into their dough, which rises from the dead on the third of the next morn! So it's important to the bit."

    Is... is the vampire the yeast??

    That's right, Mio. Safehouses have to have at least six cans of soda, so that you don't run out of SP. What would you do if a fellow Persona-User was being chased and had to duck into the safehouse and found that all the Arginade was gone?! Doom! Doom, I tell you!

    Umie is here again, and in a new mask, querying if anything's new. Myunghon swans to her side for a moment to go, "Mmm, Blackbird-san... no, Black Cat-san. I've definitely got some juicy little tidbits since last time!" There's a delighted little laugh as they look toward Shinobu and gasps--

    "Shinobu-ssi! Your outfit's impeccable! You've become one of the Living Bread! Truly the dead has rolled over!"

    Myunghon catches sight of Yukari, and bows at her -- for a moment, they actually strike some measure of elegance with it... until they start speaking, at least. "Vampire *BAKING* isekai, Takeba-san! The vampires toil from dusk to dawn, creating art with their hands 'til their creations rise along the first rays of light!"

    But Yukari is here for *business*, and then there's a slow, understanding nod. "Of course. There's a fifteen minute recess in the contest in an hour, we can talk then." Rumour stuff... this young woman's definitely embroiled in so much more than they know, at the moment. Between that Evoker and the hints of what's been said about operations in Tatsumi...

    There's so much more lurking in the dark. Myunghon allows themself to be distracted by the violin performance, giving a distant little smile to the strange half-sister that's just barged into their life -- but it's rude to interrupt them in the middle of their piece.

    Besides, it isn't long until Katsuya arrives, and even *more* on business than Yukari is. "Ah." A pause, as they nod knowingly. "Recess, in an hour," they repeat. "But in case we don't get to talk -- go to the Aoki Sabaharu Patisserie two doors down and tell them I sent you, Suou-san."

    ... it's the darndest tip. What does a patisserie have to do with a murder-possibly-suicide??

    Honestly, if you came here with a bag full of manga, Myunghon would be just as happy, Akari. But that's for one social link rank up. And while her outfit isn't a full bespoke that'll leave her broke... it's brilliant!! Myunghon, in their seemingly effortless manner of just swanning from one person to another, looks enthralled. "Welcome! Your outfit's a killer, let me tell you, young miss! I love the pin, too."

    They gesture towards where Remi is signing people up. "Just talk to my noble assistant over there and she'll get you all signed up!" Myunghon couldn't quite catch how Remi and Shinobu got on along yesterday on account of So-young, but they seem... amiable enough...? Some things you just have to let rise in the oven. Like vampire bread dough.

    Remi points out that it hurts because they got the cheap kind. "Maybe so... but real-fake-teeth were so expensive otherwise!" Their pout is interrupted as they spot Mr. Julian Marlowe again -- it's the guy from Peace Diner a few nights ago!

    And he's interested in their *old books*! A gleam is on Myunghon's singular eye as they suddenly are in-frame by their side. "<Indeed so! Good eye, Sir Marlowe,>" Myunghon has flawlessly switched to English. "<Are you acquainted with Verlaine's works? I have some others in his collection -- Romances sans paroles, Les Poetes maudits...>"

    Their geeking out about 19th century French poets, however, has to wait, because the next set of people to enter the Cardboard Dragon do so as if they're splashing water on the whole affair. They're not cosplayers or kids or people who, despite the eccentric natur

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.

    Their geeking out about 19th century French poets, however, has to wait, because the next set of people to enter the Cardboard Dragon do so as if they're splashing water on the whole affair. They're not cosplayers or kids or people who, despite the eccentric nature of those visiting the Cardboard Dragon, are really their kind of customer.

    Yakuza.

    There's a quick glance towards Shinobu and Remi and Mio -- if only to gesture and make sure that the regular folk are shielded behind those that they know are Persona-powered, if the worst should really come to light -- and then back towards Kaneshiro.

    "Well, well, if it isn't Kaneshiro-oppa! Are you here for the cosplay competition too? I must say, you and your entourage sure are looking spot-on!"

    They're deliberately moving in front, as if to counter-block them from the rest of the store, being loud and jovial and not betraying how the situation's escalated.

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

Remi indicates the theme is... vampire bakers. "Huh...!?" She's so taken aback by the seeming absurdity of that that she sidesteps. "How does that work? Don't vampires just... drink blood?"
 
Then Merry explains, and... "Iiiii don't really get it but- it sounds like the kind of thing Mandai-chan would be really into."
 
Then with a glance at Shinjiro, she sees the vampire cape!? "Senpai!?" Could HE be really into this kind of genre too? "... No way."
 
'My word, is that La Bonne Chanson?!'
 
Yukari turns as the refined British teacher gets super into stuff here, "Huh!? Marlowe-san?"
 
She looks grateful to Merry as they seem understanding (and lacks the plastic fangs, yeesh, what kid stuff),"Take your time, I'm not going to be pushy when you're running an event like this."
 
Katsuya then steps up though, and Yukari immediately sounds nervous at being caught with her hand in an adjacent cookie jar to Ebisu beach, "Oh-Oh heyyyy Officer, I'll just - leave you to your work and give you some privacy."
 
And then six people walk in, and Yukari's eyes go wide, as she backpeddles even further from Merry and Katsuya.
 
The big man at the front, well, he certainly is strolling in like she owns the place. Which means, she's trying not to get involved.
 
She would head for the door, except she just noticed those five men blocked the exit... and as a pretty girl about her age, suddenly in a room full of men looking like that...?
 
Yukari backs up towards one of the displays in sudden apprehension, just in case she needs some quick cover.
 

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.

Oh no, Yukari's here. Shinjiro turns towards her, a nod. "Hey, Takeba." If she ever reveals this... at least it's a sign he won't reveal her, if she realizes he's embarassed (she probably won't, he's pretty taciturn).

Julian gets the show of embarassment with a 'Tch', before Shinjiro turns away. He heads clsoer to the door, when...

The yakuza arrives.

Tensing up, his demeanor entirely changes. He steps up near Myunghon, even if he doesn't work here - they already have a dangerous pact, so he should help protect these people, he decides.

"Blocking doors is a fire hazard," he says brusquely.

<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.

    At least So-young is sticking to her original plan. When she's not having to pay attention to her playing, she's glancing up at the various faces, extremely curious about the sort of clientele that frequent this sleepy, out-of-the-way shop. The answer is apparently extremely wide and varied - from schoolchildren to school--teachers? Is Katsuya a schoolteacher? She can absolutely attribute those glasses to an art degree, and the tall gentleman gushing over the stacks of books to one side is positively radiating 'Professor' vibes.

    And Myunghon has actual staff? Why was she not immediately informed of this? She's filed that fact away in the back of her mind, because as much as she'd like to ingratiate herself and/or generally be a walking terror in her quest to learn more about this strange new family member she has, a show must always must go on. There will be time to get gossip later.

    "Don't mind me!" her violin bow stops for a few instants as she calls back to Remi, just as loud. Her smile is bright and warm as if she hasn't just abruptly inserted herself into the proceedings without batting an eyelid. "I'm just here to set the mood, you know? Just think of me as an assistant! I'm a very good judge if you need another one, though I do take bribes from cute girls!" she adds to the room at large.

    Her gaze flicks sideways as the suited men file in and block the door, her eyebrows sliding upwards in controlled surprise. So-young is not the most streetwise of people, and perhaps it's a blessing that she's strict enough with herself when performing that she doesn't open her mouth and say something deeply worrying. On the other hand, maybe it's so so much worse that she's here, because the flow of her solo just weaved sharply into a discordant, wavering note of suspense compared to everyone else's entering flourish.

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

There's a lot of people in here! And Akari has been kind of keeping an eye on them as they come in. Akari grins at a few - she has false fangs too, though those must be of better quality than Myunghon. That or she's just less prone to complaining about them. They have a maid... they even have a musician!

One of those people is Myunghon. "Thank you," she says, with a fancy bow that looks like she practiced it. "Ah, but the life of the Dark Lady of the Kitchen is difficult..." And that's when the grin comes out. "I love this pin," she admits.

Akari agrees, though: she should get herself signed up though. She doesn't recognize anyone else here - it looks like the average age of customers here skews a little older than she is, only a few of them like Yukari are even close to her age. (Not you, Shinjiro. You look older.) Her ears perk at Yukari's question: rumour stuff? But she doesn't immediately ask, though she does look at the other schoolgirl for a few moments to see if she recognizes her.

Then she takes the few steps over toward Remi. "Hi!" she says, cheerfully, to Remi. "I'd like to sign up! My name is..."

She trails off when some new people come through the door. Their costumes suck! Akari thinks. They look exactly like cut-rate thugs! That's not at all on theme for the whole cosplay contest! Therefore, she will show them how to do it right.

"I am Baronette Lune of the House of the Rising Croissant," Akari says, with a slightly upper-class accent that she doesn't actually have. But when she actually *signs* she puts down 'Hoshi Akari', of course. (Is Baronette even a title? Well, you can't prove it isn't to Akari. Surely it's like a baronet, but for girls.) "You should remember it, for I..."

Akari draws a spatula from the pocket on her apron and points upward and forward, dramatically. "...will show all who look upon me the true powers of baking nobility...!"

(Fun fact: Akari doesn't know how to bake.)

<Pose Tracker> Mio Kazama has posed.

Outside, before things start really kicking off: Mio hands Shinobu a flyer and offers her a sunshiney smile. Any kind of human interaction is more interesting than waving the flyers around with no takers. "The moustache is a symbol for a secret society in the baker's guild war arc... I think...?"

The would-be maid's answer trails off into a curious little side-glance as a gang of troublemakers, exuding a cloud of rancid Thug Stink, saunter up the stairs into the Cardboard Dragon. Before long, Mio wads the leftover flyers into a nearby mailbox and, skirts in hand, skedaddles up the fire escape with curiously light steps. Almost silent.

She pauses outside of the door to the Dragon, listening to the voices inside. She takes a steadying breath, and then barges on through as if she owns the joint. Not even past the Yakuzies, but straight through them. "Ex~ca~yuse~a~me~" Mio calls, making herself a pain in the ass that cannot be ignored. She's carrying a serving tray now, to complete the maid gimmick. And possibly to use as a weapon if things go south.

Thinking fast, Mio extends a single finger and seamlessly chimes in on Shinjiro's complaint. Grabs the thread and runs with it. "Please don't block the fire exit, thank youdasai~, or the fire warden is going to come down here and beat us all up, sorrymasen~"

She donks a fist into her forehead and sticks her tongue out. Bhiii. Tee-hee!

(But her gaze swiftly moves to Myunghon's, briefly, and she's taken up position in front of those who look most nervous and vulnerable.)

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    There's quite a few familiar faces here, as well as some new ones. Shinjiro is one, standing out in... wait, is that a vampire cape? Yukari's there too, but she's thankfully normal, aside from... her Yumibukuro. Well, that could be normal. Gekkoukan is a fancy school, after all! Munchmunch.

    They even got violin music here! An actual performer! Munchmunch.

    And there's Katsuya, being a detective. She decides it's not a good time to say hello, once the words 'recent death' are uttered within earshot.

    She looks at the people who actually tried to dress up, raising her drink in appreciation. (Alas, masks are bad for conveying approval with your expression alone.)

    "This is part of the entertainment, right?" Umie munches down on a few more crackers, taking a moment to look back towards Myunghon, feigning ignorance to disguise her sudden rise in blood pressure. "Got to say, they have the look down."

    She's not sure she could even use her Persona's more subtle abilities to be sure of it, especially as they fan out to block all the exits. It's not like she has a Yakuza-sensing skill!

    Munchmunch.

    This is fine, right?

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

Shinobu accepts the flyer from Mio. She gives her a sympathetic nod that can only be read as 'hang in there'. She's been in her shoes before. She knows how it is.

Remi gets a nod of greeting as she greets her.

"Good to see you again, too. Sooner than we expected, huh?" Shinobu comments with a smirk. "Good work with the sign-ups so far."

She sees some familiar faces here - though, it looks like most of them aren't here for the competition... and at least one person is actually here for the books, a rarity.

"Thanks, boss." Shinobu replies with a smirk behind her mask and a nod toward Myunghon. "Had to play to the theme, right?"

Her eyes fall on So-young for a moment. She takes bribes from cute girls, huh...

...A part of her wishes she had that kind of confidence. Another part of her is glad she doesn't.

...And that's when there comes a knock at the door. Here, people just go in and out as they please. No one really needs to knock. If someone is...

Shinobu turns her attentio n toward the door and watches as six men walk through the door. The man at the center of them... Shinobu doesn't recognize him by appearance. But when Myunghon says his name... it clicks.

Shinobu knows people who knows people. And they've all had the same thing to say -

'Whatever you do, don't get involved with Junya Kaneshiro.' ...Figures he'd show up eventually, then.

Shinobu meets Myunghon's briefly look - and steps aside, looking back at everyone gathered for the competition.

"...Hey, so, there's going to be a bit of a delay - everyone's costumes are so good, it's going to take us a bit longer to go through the judging. Why don't you start another game or two?" She suggests. She moves, to keep that section blocked off. She might not be able keep the yakuza from bursting through if they're really determined, but at least she might be able to keep anyone from getting in trouble.

She sees Yukari, backing away for cover, and Akari... starts right toward them. Shinobu takes a step toward her.

"...Hey, I approve of the creativity, but now may not be the best time..." She starts warningly. She looks from her, toward the Yakuza.

She's not worried about herself here. But everyone else...

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    Recess, in an hour. So she does know something--? But, he must be patient. And just in case something happens, Myunghon delivers unto him a particular tip.

    "That bakery two doors down? ...I see. I had noticed when we first arrived on the scene," he says. He'd done a little more than 'just' notice it, mind, but that's neither here nor there. "So there's something they know..." Could it be that someone who worked there was involved? ...No, there's no need to speculate wildly until he goes to see for himself. He nods. "Thank you. I will still have questions for you, if we have the opportunity."

    (He does not, alas, have an art degree, no matter how flashy some of his style might be.)

    Katsuya turns at Yukari's stammered acknowledgement, seemingly just as surprised to see her here. "Takeba-san-- It's quite alright, there is nothing I am discussing now." There's nothing else to discuss until recess, so he has an hour to kill. Which means that it's time to browse the shelves because it seems like the only thing in here that doesn't seem like nonsense (sorry, card game fans; he's a square) to him.

    Then the door opens again. Several more figures step into the small store.

    He wouldn't know Junya Kaneshiro from anyone else if he met him on the street. The body language and the attire of the men who fan in behind him, though... There's no question about it. Katsuya's gaze lingers on them then returns to Junya where it remains for a very, very long time.

    There are times when Katsuya truly wishes the world worked different than it actually does. If it did, the answer to this situation would be a simple one. But instead, he has to opt for something more round-about.

    "I am Sergeant Katsuya Suou of the Konan Police Department," he says to Junya. He flashes his badge for good measure. "May I help you?" Briefly, he glances over at Shinjiro (who looks like trouble himself to a police officer, but ranks less so in the moment than actual yakuza) and Mio (who is... a nun, if only because she says she is and he couldn't convince her otherwise) as they make their own attempts at de-escalation.

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

Yukari calling out his name has about the same effect on Julian as he just had on Shinrijo. The kneejerk reaction would be to exclaim 'this isn't what it looks like', but he bites his tongue. Best not make any assumptions about what him being here during an event like this might look like to people. Just act natural. With that mental reminder, he keeps the response to a simple, "<Miss> Takeba, what a coincidence." He managed to keep most of the awkwardness out his voice.

Besides, there are BOOKS to fawn over. After that interesting tip regarding the recent death that was asked about, Myunghon is quick to detect an enthusiast when they see one, and moves to literally speak his language. He's normally more self-conscious about speaking fully in English outside of the classroom, but in the heat of the moment, he responds in kind. "<Remarkable! However did you come by such treasures? A personal collection I assume, these couldn't possibly be for sale, could they?>"

These would have to cost a fortune, he really shouldn't even be considering spending that much money so frivolously. Then again, this could be a unique opportunity...

The matter is put on pause quite effectively by the sudden arrival of... well, he's not about to assume those gentlemen are here for the cosplay contest. He isn't quite able to recognize Junya Kaneshiro on sight, but he knows gangsters when he sees them, immediately putting him on edge. He catches their boss's eye for a moment longer than most, and Junya may note - the perhaps expected fear isn't present in his gaze. Tension, yes... but he isn't afraid, so much as he is alert. Like someone who's been in similar situations before.

'Kaneshiro', Myunghon says, and with that Julian does know exactly who they're dealing with. This would be an excellent time to keep his head down.

...But that might not be an option. If this turns into a Situation, there's no way his protective instincts wouldn't force him to step in. Hearing that there's a police officer here isn't as reassuring as it perhaps should be to him, one worries it that won't actually increase the odds of escalation.

For the time being, he waits, quietly... while subtly glancing around for anything he might be able to use as an improvised weapon, should the need arise.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

As much as Remi is trying to pay attention to the clientelle, and to catch the notice of those entering, she clocks Julian when he enters, noticing the suit and that awkward smile. "Please feel free to browse our book selection, it's quite varied. And I promise it is not always so... chaotic. Though it is pleasing to see more business in the store."

She just shakes her head as Myunghon complains about the cost. "I know dear, I know. But perhaps you only need to wear them for the contest?" She does smile to Akari, "But yes, by all means, let us get you signed up."

Remi has a casual half-shrug for Yukari. "That is their typical behaviour, yes, but this... Mahou game is quite imaginative." That's imaginative (neutral-to-positive) this time. "Perhaps, in their long lives, they simply wish for a change of routine every now and again?"

She does smile to So-young, "Your playing is quite evocative, so as long as Yeo-san is alright with it, I see no issue." But then she mentions bribes, from cute girls, and Remi suddenly glances aside, her cheeks flushing. Why did she have to put it like that...

But she tries to put a pleasant smile back on. "O-of course, and your name is...?" Baronette. That's not at all what she needs for the sign-up sheet, but... she will respect theatricality when it is presented to her, as is her way. She gives a polite bow. "Of course, Lady Lune," she says, putting on her own airs. "We are honored by your esteemed presence."

She nods to Shinobui. "Indeed, but... is it not lovely to see the place active as it is?"

But her eyes narrow just a bit as Kaneshiro chooses to knock. During business hours. She lets a little bit of her cheer away as she observes the man who enters. And a small frown slips onto her face as six men then enter.

She doesn't recognize Kaneshiro by name, but she recognizes the type, certainly. She exchanges a quick glance with Myunghon and gives a sharp little nod of recognition. But she seems to be keeping her calm. She takes a decided step forward, making herself more prominent, and putting more of their customers, Persona users or not, behind her.

She smiles pleasantly as Myunghon asks if Kaneshiro is here for the contest. She holds up her clipboard. "If you are, dears, I'm more than happy to sign you up."

<Pose Tracker> Junya Kaneshiro has posed.

"No, we're not playing games today," Kaneshiro says, with a glance at Remi -- and then back at the proprietor. He smiles at Myunghon, but it isn't much of a smile. There is a glance to the left; one of the five men with him, one with a scar on his chin, steps up next to him.

One of the men cuts Yukari a look. It's the sort of look that could make blood run cold; it's one he has used to clear out people who would cause trouble.

Which is why he looks at Shinjiro. "Don't start any fires," the tough suggests.

Kaneshiro glances at So-young. He doesn't look for long, or particularly stop to appreciate the music. And he doesn't look at Akari for more than a second -- just to glance at a brown-haired man, wearing sunglasses.

He looks at her. "Pipe down, kid," he says. "Boss doesn't want to hear it."

Then, that tough looks at Shinobu. "Maybe get her some crayons," he says. "While us adults talk business."

Mio backs Shinjiro up. Kaneshiro, now, turns to look at her. "I spoke with the fire warden," he says. "He's... very busy."

He might have bribed them.

One of the other toughs looks at Umie. He cracks a smile at her; it's a tilted, ugly expression. "Yeah, we're the fucking main act."

The police identifying themselves does draw a blink. A couple of the men look at Kaneshiro. He does a small, almost imperceptible nod. Then, he looks back at Katsuya. "We're just having a friend word about a business proposition, Sergeant," he says. "I'd hate to trouble you -- if you'd like, you're free to go."

Kaneshiro looks at Julian. He catches the lack of fear in his eyes. A frown crosses his face, for a moment. And then he gets his more neutral, faux affable expression back on.

"You know, I heard an interesting rumor... about the Great Surrender," Kaneshiro says, as he looks back at Myunghon. "So much money thrown away. And I had to wonder--what kind of place would that person end up?"

He shrugs his shoulders. "And I got my answer." Kaneshiro looks around. "This is a nice town, for a businessman like me. Lots of opportunity here. A good base of operations... that will be essential. Someone who knows about business would know all about that, wouldn't they?"

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.

    There's no time to point out to Yukari that Myunghon remembers Mandai from when she and Suzume came to buy a big pack of boosters. Instead, they're just glad that Yukari's backpedalling -- her archery would be an incredible risk here, but if violence breaks out and there's no other way, that healing she manifested from Io might just save someone a hospital trip or worse...

    Myunghon pretty much understands Shinjiro enough that he'd stand at the front with them, so they don't protest. Still, they don't want to get into the habit of signing up high school kids to fight the Yakuza for them, no matter how strong Shinjiro is. It's not really up to them now though that Kaneshiro's forced their hand. And So-young's mingled with Remi briefly but... oogh, this is a really, really bad time for So-young to be here. Gotta keep an eye on her... can't let them get embroiled with danger like this.

    Mom would kill them.

    And-- well, Akari moves *right* up to them, which sends a sense of alarm in Myunghon's spine, but introduces herself as the Baronette Lune of the House of the Rising Croissant, and Myunghon can't help crack a grin... even if they now have to get really ready to lunge in front of her. In a situation like this, it's important to try to cut through the tension, as they very well know -- it's the essence of their clowning, after all.

    Similarly, Mio's here to try to defuse things with the seeming unflappability of the Chotto a Minute-Maid! (Yes, this is a real character in the Vinnistrad canon.) Hmm. They really do end up doing way more than the initial job demands. They're going to have to give them another raise. And Shinobu. And Remi. It's okay. They can subsist on a third of a bottle of Dettol instead of half to make up for it!

    Myunghon's glad Shinobu got the tip already -- they made a very clear showing of spelling Junya Kaneshiro's name out, in order to warn people who'd know his name. And good, it looks like Shinobu's already trying to coax Akari back, and Remi's stepped up to be beside her as well, but...

    Umie... Black Cat-san's definitely got a way around danger, and they're playing the part well -- ah. Good. Of all the people here, they were really glad Katsuya is around -- because he has Authority. It's not going to stop them cold in their tracks -- Kaneshiro's slippery and powerful enough that way -- but it's going to force them to weigh up on whether they want to come back later or not.

    But will it be enough...?

    Myunghon would be so enthralled to talk at length about how -- yes, this is in part a personal collection, buuuut times are tough, so this is also a ways of making ends meet -- though with how most people aren't interested in such books, the ones that *do* share an interest like Julian himself tend to want to pay a little more, as fellows who are in the Know.

    But in this instance, Myunghon is glad enough that Julian is keeping scarce -- they know that he's at least in tune with some of the supernatural given the other time, but... and as Julian searches for a weapon, the closest he spots in the brief amount of time he has is -- a fire extinguisher.

    ... a distinguished English teacher wielding a fire extinguisher against the Yakuza is perhaps a rumour waiting to catch like wild fire. Which is ironic. Given the fire extinguisher.

    "If you don't spare time for games, you'll get wrinkles, Kaneshiro-oppa," Myunghon chimes, though they know it's just words to throw out as they keep sizing up where each of the toughs are going. Don't hit her don't hit her don't hit her, the thoughts echo so loudly as one of them steps up to Akari.

    It doesn't quite come to that.

    But Kaneshiro brings up the Great Surrender -- a massive corporate scandal during the Great Recession from a few years back, as far as anyone who glanced back at the news would know, which saw a few large multinational corporations collapse as part of it. There's a nearly imperceptible twitch at Myunghon's brow. So, he's done his homework?

    "Mmm. I must say, you have a good eye. Most people investing, they look at Aoba, shiny and picturesque, or Yumezaki, shining even when the clock hits midnight... but no one looks at Hirasaka," Myunghon natters, which is in some part still buying for time, though they can already guess where Kaneshiro is heading.

    "But if you're here for business advice, I'm available after hours too, Kaneshiro-oppa. I'll tell you all about the real estate here. Lots of small dreams you can turn into opportunities with the magic of money. Or were you... eyeballing something much closer to here?"

    They're not here for advice. Myunghon already knows what they're here for. The question is... how cornered are they, at this point?

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.

 "Screw off, asshole," Shinjiro replies to the tough, as Mio backs him up on fire safety. He knows that cursing at a Yakuza get him hurt; he's willing to take a blow if it means that the cop over there has a reason to scare these guys off.

Though as Kaneshiro offers Katsuya to *leave*, Shinjiro just sends him a glare. As if 'Don't you dare, officer'. Is it really the delinquent trying to hold order here? (yes.)

The Great Surrender... Shinjiro's vaguely familiar. If that's why Myunghon's running the Cardboard Dragon and doing infobrokering... ah. "Nobody gives a shit about the Great Surrender or your shitty business skills. You're interrupting a cosplay contest with *teenagers*," he say to Kaneshiro as he glances to the others his age. He's *incensed* that they'd threaten them, especially with someone Akari's age here.

"I suggest taking them up on an appointment," he gestures to Myunghon.

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

Yukari gives Julian this awkward look, "Y-yeah, it really is uh." Is this what adults are like?! Why are they all so ridiculous? Geez. "I'll just leave you to it."

Katsuya at least replies like he's here for nothing, and Yukari eases up, though she smiles, "Of course-! You're just here for uhhhh... recommendations on where to start in this vampire baking series."
 
She trails off, she's got nothing, because it's OBVIOUS he's here for work, but she's not gonna point that out and piss off a cop.
 
She instead points to Remi, "Maybe... they can help you out."
 
There's sudden relief as Katsuya flashes his badge at the man, like 'Oh thank God' but then she again counts and realizes... One cop. Six of them.
 
Maybe they won't want to start any trouble with a cop in the room.
Though... that's might be too much to hope for.
 
One of them gives her a look, and she nervously looks away, mumbling, "Iiiii don't want any trouble here..." And tries to make herself smaller... but then there's the middle schooler, as Shinobu tries to STEER that oblivious cosplayer- and when the middle schooler gets scolded by the tough... Yukari suddenly steps forward quickly and smiles at Shinobu, "Heyyyyy... thanks for finding my imouto."
 
REALLY? They look NOTHING alike. Then again, little sister can just be a term of endearment like that, "She gets really into things, when she's in costume."
 
As she looks Shinobu in the eyes, to indicate she's trying to back her up here. Before she suddenly takes Akari's hand, "I think I found that series earlier that you were telling me about right over here."
 
Akari's middle school age, so it's not exactly that typical to grab her hand even as a big sister, but-
 
She sure looked mighty oblivious and maybe she can surprise her before she can react as middle schoolers do to a stranger grabbing their hand.
 
"Hey-!" She whispers quietly to her, trying to cut that off, as she tries to pull her behind a display, "Just stick with me okay? I promise... I won't let them hurt you."
 
She listens in some, but she doesn't interject otherwise, hoping they get distracted on well... someone else... like Shinjiro, being his belligerent self. (Even if he hopes that it doesn't get him hurt) "This is really bad..." She murmurs, as she definitely understands from these vibes that they just got caught up in a dispute.
 
And she doesn't want to find out what a bunch of mafia might do to girls their ages caught in a dispute like this.

<Pose Tracker> Mio Kazama has posed.

While turning around to look faux-nervously around the shop interior, Mio's gaze catches Katsuya's. Only for a moment, but there's that playful spark of knowing. Once again, the two of them are at the heart of the problem. What are the odds? And why doesn't she seem the least bit worried, when he really looks at it?

Anyway... ha! The joke is on you, Kaneshiro! Mio doesn't know the first thing about fire safety!! "Wow! That's sugoimazing! I sure hope he doesn't call the building manager on us! I heard he did ten years for killing a man at the oyabun's bidding-desu!" she burbles back at Kaneshiro, making a V with her fingers right next to the right eye. She even has contact lenses that give her cartoony yellow stars for pupils. And underneath that current of it all... is this little bitch mocking him? She doesn't seem even a little afraid of him. A little dog mocking the big one. Less barking and violently-coded than Shinjiro's confrontational style, but the threat and the refusal to cede authority? The same.

"Waow!" Mio exclaims loudly back at Junya, bending right over with both hands on her hips, serving tray still in one hand. "Coat-kun is making you look like a little l o s e r . . . ... that's pretty sad..." she gawps in faux-awe.

        .oO(Gobble all of the attention. Make yourself the target. Make him mad. Help him make a *mistake*.)

There's a comically unnatural motion as Mio cranes her head and turns from the waist to look at Myunghon, one hand now on her cheek. "Boss~, is this really one of your VIP clients? Ick... I think I'm re-evaluating you..."

<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.

    If you ask So-Young - and hopefully nobody will - Baronette Lune gets a lot of points just for existing, as does Mio for the way in which she just shoves her way through the line of suited men blocking the door. The musician has long since believed that confidence is key in all things, and she's exactly the sort of person to just barrel through everything in her own way given half the chance. In that respect, the offhand "Oh, I'll find a way to convince her, don't worry!" to Remi might be rather dangerous, especially with the mischief dancing in her eyes.

    Don't worry, Shinobu. She hasn't missed the way you just called Myunghon 'boss', which means you're automatically on the list too. If the owner of the Cardboard Dragon is going to remain cagey and uncertain around her, she'll just use any other means she can grasp to figure out what's up with the oddly reclusive shop and its equally strange owner. ... yes, alright, that makes her sound like a bit of a villain, but she promises it's with good intentions. Those always count, right?

    "Oh..." she didn't mean to let the faint noise of disappointment slip as Katsuya announces himself, but 'police officer' is so far from her initial guess she can't help but deflate just a little. She was expecting, if not art, then something along the lines of music. Right? How can someone looking like that not have the soul of a 60's musician residing in him? Maybe if she puts a guitar in his hands he'll surprise her, but at least for now she can satisfy herself with the man in the book nook saying something that is surely _very_ dashing.

    (so-young it's just english it's literally just english. so-young please)

    For Myunghon, there is perhaps the advantage that So-young seemingly exists in a happy state of largely blissful unawareness about the underside of society - still relatively new to Japan and having been firmly focusing on her own interests, the words 'Great Surrender' draw very little reaction from her, but at least that means she's also not diving into something feet first in open curiosity.

    In fact, aside from the way her violin has developed a distinctly foreboding twang to its notes, So-young seems to be managing to read the room for once - though the extremely placid little bow she gives Kaneshiro as he looks at her does have a rather dismissive demeanour to it.

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

'Pipe down, kid.' 'Maybe get her some crayons.'

Akari draws herself up to her full height, slowly lowering the spatula. She looks imperiously at the gangsters as Shinobu addresses her, though given she is - as mentioned - 13, if a tall thirteen, it is not particularly imposing. Good acting though. Her facial expressions are powerfully emotive.

"I," Akari says, before Yukari grabs her hand. She didn't even realize that's who Yukari meant by 'imouto' at first because, well... she's never met Yukari before. And, as previously mentioned, they look *extremely* not alike. "!!!"

"Unhand me, villain!"

Akari does not actually struggle very hard about being pulled aside by Yukari, though Yukari does get (gently) bopped with the spatula at least once. It's harmless. Akari isn't really swinging it with force, and even if she was, it's a spatula, and not one of the really good expensive metal ones; it might make a noise, but that's about it.

She does get dragged behind the display through, and once she's there she yanks her hand back, looking up at Yukari. Well, across at Yukari; she's not really any shorter. "...thanks?" she says, something having finally penetrated through whatever she was thinking. "I'm fine though!"

Akari tries to peek around the display, though she doesn't actually stand all the way up so she's probably not going anywhere in a hurry. She drops back down a moment later. "What a jerk!!" she declares, though she keeps her voice down enough that *probably* only Yukari and Shinobu and anyone else behind the display can hear it. "He's like... the tax collector! Sent by the foul king! Except he's not noble, or even a chivalrous rebel who gives to the poor, just a bandit!"

Akari fumes. At least she... sort of seems to understand the situation? And take it seriously? Enough that she doesn't rush right back out, anyway.

I wish Ixquic was here, she thinks to herself. She'd know what to do.

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

"...Yeah. Kinda nice." Shinobu agrees with a nod toward Remi.

And that's when things become significantly less nice.

One of the toughs scolds Akari. Shinobu watches her stand to her full height - and she notes that wow, that's a tall kid - and that look on her face... Shinobu senses trouble.

One of the toughs looks at her, suggesting she gets some crayons. ...There's a part of her that wants to get in his face for talking down to her - and if she were younger, she might've. She's older and at least somewhat wiser, now, so instead, she nods.

"...Sure." She says.

She's a bit at a loss for how to actually get her out of this situation - but thankfully, Yukari comes in with the assist.

She catches that look in her eyes, and offers her a nod, both of gratitude and acknowledgment.

"Yeah, no problem. We get her type around here all the time, so I get it." Shinobu replies with a nod. "Here, lemme help you with that."

Akari is pulled behind a display - and Shinobu positions herself to act as another wall between Yukari, Akari, and the Yakuza toughs - and then, she watches the situation play out.

Her attention turns toward Myunghon as Kaneshiro addresses them. ...She can't help but overhear. The Great Surrender... she remembers hearing about it, but it wasn't something she really looked into. Is he suggesting they had something to do with it? ...And...

...He wants them to find him a base of operations here in Hirasaka. Behind her mask, Shinobu scowls.

"...Just what Hirasaka needs." She mutters to herself. It's already bad enough around here without his type squeezing the people for what little they still have.

Mio and Shinjiro confront Kaneshiro. ...Shinobu thinks they might have a deathwish. She respects it, though. Just as long as it keeps their attention on them, and doesn't spill over to the rest of the storegoers...

"...Yeah." Shinobu mutters, as Akari calls him a jerk. And a bandit. She nods at that, too. "...He is a bandit. But he's the type that wouldn't think twice about leaving you in a shallow ditch."

...Is that a bit much to put on the shoulders of a teenager? ...Maybe. She frowns at herself momentarily, massaging the back of her neck. She's never been good at this.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

"But you see, sir, many people gathered today are. Wouldn't you rather join in the festivities? After all, I would hate for our grad event to be... spoiled, by something distasteful." She's wearing what might seem a pleasant smile, but if one were to look... it doesn't quite reach her eyes as she looks at the tough that steps forward, the one with the scar on his chin.

But she doesn't seem at all ready to back down, even with her comparatively tiny frame against those of Kaneshiro's henchmen.

There has to be more to life than Dettol, Myunghon. But this isn't the time for that argument. Still, the Great Surrender... she'd heard about some of that, yes.

Though she hadn't been around to witness the news of it at the time.

"Yes, I'm sure you will," she says somewhat tersely to So-young, her attention still fixed on the Yakuza criminals invading their space.

But when Akari fusses--Remi shoots Yukari a grateful look, and then looks to Akari. "Please, we should not let the Baronette sully her hands, hmm? Let us handle this manner in your stead." Maybe speaking to her in the language of her character will help calm her and make her more amiable.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    He's just here to ask some very ill-timed questions about a mystery death, likely a homicide. It's nothing.

    "Vampire... baking?" Is that just the hint of something second-cousin to interest in his voice? Or at least, curious confusion about what it is that's going on here, media genre-wise. Well. He had been deliberately tuning all the details out for a variety of reasons (most of them being 'because he's boring'). He's at least considering it for a moment. "But, how do they... wouldn't the oven be...? Though, I suppose a vampire baking a Red Velvet cake would be appropriate..." Aaaaand now he's thinking too hard about it.

    Fortunately -- or unfortunately -- he doesn't get too far down that wagon-wheel track before others make their way in.

    (is that a small noise of disappointment from the back there, somewhere? alas, not everything that looks like a Beatle is a Beatle... even if they do play the guitar on occasion)

    There's six of them. There's one of him. Some of the people in this space have Personas, yes (it's funny how they keep meeting like this too, Mio)--

    But he's done the calculations here and it doesn't add up to anything good. If it comes to violence, perhaps his best option would be to take in Kaneshiro. Yet, that would likely make the bookstore a target for Kaneshiro's allies, and he's certain to have allies. Meanwhile, if it doesn't come to violence...

    They're just having a friendly word with Myunghon. It's about a business proposition. Katsuya wasn't born yesterday: he knows what this is about. His expression though doesn't so much as twitch: he is to all eyes a serious but neutral party, an extension of the law. "I see," he says to Kaneshiro. This is bad. Of course the yakuza control certain businesses in the city. Of course it's standard operation to let it go, so long as nothing happens to 'ruffle any feathers'. As long as people are not harmed, then... it's a concession, to avoid trouble. These are the things that Katsuya logically knows.

    He doesn't respond at first. The young man glares at him as if he would put a hole right through him. Katsuya's own attention rests on Kaneshiro.

    "Thank you, but I decline. I will stay here," he tells Kaneshiro.

    If they can get through this moment, then... maybe. Maybe it will be 'all right', whatever that may mean when the yakuza are involved. 'So long as people are not harmed'. But how is 'harm' defined? There are ways to kill without even drawing a drop of blood.

    Of course, then it might suppose on what it is that Kaneshiro wants here. And how it is that Myunghon will opt to respond...

    The Great Surrender? That sounds familiar. His attention shifts minutely to Myunghon, who responds, unfortunately (to Katsuya's view), about as he expected.

    (Oppa goes over his head. He's not up to date on his culture! He really should be!!)

    In this moment, there's nothing he can do except watch on and hope the worst doesn't come to pass. Even calling for backup would escalate this situation into something unsalvageable.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    'Yeah, we're the fucking main act.'

    Umie shrugs her shoulders, her voice deadpan through her mask. "The main act, nya~?"

do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it She's not sure if that's such a smart idea. do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it
    But it *is* very funny. And Yukari's trying to get that younger girl to safety, with Shinobu placing herself as a wall.

    "... Did you mistake this for a circus?"
    
    The comment she had in her head was so much sharper. Funnier.

    Alas, her courage was not that high, or so she thinks, momentairely distracted by Shinjiro there.
    do it
    It just tumbles out, a product of her own pride, greased by fear, emboldened by nervousness. "I'm afraid we have all the entertainment we need, nya~"

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

A fire extinguisher indeed... Julian wrinkles his nose at the very idea of having to resort to using a thing like that as a weapon. No elegance whatsoever, his image would be ruined. What's that, it's not the time to be concerned about that? Beggars can't be choosers? Poppycock, one shouldn't speak so lightly of one's dignity.

Ah, if only this could have been a pleasant chat with a connaisseur of the classic arts. But the moment for that has well passed. If there weren't already several reasons to mislike an unsavory character such as Kaneshiro, ruining that opportunity would be reason enough to turn that gaze into a glare. He refrains, though. Provocation would be... less than helpful right now.

So he considers, but he finds himself smiling ever so slightly when Shinjiro engages in exactly that. He can't help but think that it would be more honest for him to be confrontational like that. If only he wasn't so concerned with what it might mean for the bystanders, perhaps he would be.

As it is, you could cut the tension in the air with a knife, in his estimation. Not all those present seem to equally perceive that - unless they are pretending not to. In either case, this is a dangerous situation. There's no doubt in his mind that those men are armed, and could make this affair a messy one if they so chose. It's a gamble to assume that they'd rather avoid that... but then, their boss is talking. Threateningly so, perhaps, but he wouldn't need to do any talking if violence was his objective here.

It's Yukari's action that causes him to make up his mind, in the end. He saw her initial fearful reaction, and yet here she is putting on what he's pretty sure is an act, for the sake of another. Seeing that, he can't just stay back and say nothing. Calmly replacing the book on the shelf where he found it, he just as calmly steps forward a few paces, presenting his hands to show he's unarmed.

"Gentlemen. I don't mean to be rude, but if I might interject with a small suggestion - perhaps you might prefer to discuss business in the comfort of your own office space? There are a great many bystanders present here... surely a respectible businessman such as yourself can see the many possible complications involved with having such a... captive audience, as it were."

A sensible suggestion, in his estimation - but one unlikely to faze someone bold enough to do this in the first place. That's not the point. It's just a distraction. Trying to placate somewhat, buy time. Anything that might help to prevent someone from getting hurt, should Kaneshiro lose his temper.

<Pose Tracker> Junya Kaneshiro has posed.

"I've got a better way of dealing with stress relief," Kaneshiro says, pleasantly, to Myunghon. It isn't pleasant at all. Then, he looks at them -- and he considers for a moment how he might answer their question.

He turns his head when Shinjiro starts to mouth off at him. His head tilts for a moment, as he considers him. "Watch your mouth, kid," he says. "You keep spitting that kind of trash at your betters, and I'll find something to fill that mouth with."

The scar-bearing tough cracks his knuckles. "The curb, boss?"

"That might work," Kaneshiro says.

His eyes dart towards Mio. He looks ready to be riled for a second -- and then he exhales. He is not, exactly, his Shadow; he has a level of calm and control. "Careful," he says. "You wouldn't want something in here to get broken."

One of his thugs cracks his knuckles. Another glances at Akari -- but Yukari's quick thinking pulls her back to safety.

The thug talking to Umie's eyes narrow. "Shut your mouth," he says. "Or I'll shut it for you. You understand?"

"I'm glad you think so," Kaneshiro says, when Shinobu mutters that he is just what Hirasaka needs. Did he hear that? Clearly. He has sharp ears, though, and an attention to detail. "You won't even recognize this town, I'm sure."

Then, he looks at Remi -- and shakes his head. "No, I think I'll pass."

His eyes dart to Katsuya. And he frowns, slightly. "Have it your way, officer."

He looks at Julian. He considers what he says for a second -- or, pretends to. "You have a point, Mister," he says, using the English word. "This isn't really... the sort of refined environment we expect for talking business. So, I'll put it out there for... consideration, and be on my way."

Kaneshiro turns his gaze onto Myunghon. "As a matter of fact, I am thinking somewhere closer. Somewhere much closer -- somewhere my future clientele knows. And the school nearby--that's good, too. And--ah, let me ask my attorney."

He looks at the man with the scar on his chin. "You said you found some interesting information, when you were checking the property rolls?"

"Yeah, boss," he says. "Real interesting, about who really owns this joint. I'm sure I can get it cleared up all proper like."

Kaneshiro looks at Myunghon again. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about. I've always appreciated you Zainichi, you know," he says. He leans forward, looking at them with a dismissive and cold expression. "You're... good at working hard, but not being a bother. Keeping out of the hair of respectable people."

He smiles. It isn't any warmer. "It's what I like about you Koreans. You know to clear out, so the real people can come in and fix the place up. I respect someone who knows when to clear out." His smile fades. When he speaks, for Umie and Myunghon -- those with the abilities of a Navigator -- there is a brief moment of resonance.

Like his words echo, as if something speaks with him. His voice, but deeper, and bolder. "If you've got money... then you're strong. And if you don't... then you get out of the way."

The moment of sensing something else, another presence, fades. Kaneshiro isn't aware himself -- but there is something there.

He finishes his ultimatum, flippantly: "So you've got until the first of July. Make sure you earn my respect by then."

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.

    Myunghon's so used to playing with soft power that it's something of a change when someone as tough and brusque as Shinjiro is here. It's not *bad* at all -- and they certainly have their share of showing a backbone when they need to -- but Shinjiro lays it all out in facts. The stakes are high here for the vampire bakers -- not just Akari, there's other children who're here for the contest, and the consequences are enormous.

    Any other time, Myunghon would've derived some amusement at the dancing around Yukari and Katsuya have to do to try to look past each other's 'work' -- but there's a measure of relief as Yukari steps up and plays the role of Akari's sister. Is she going to take her up on it, though, or redouble her sense of Justice? ... well, at least, even after making a bit of a show of it, Akari does allow herself to get moved to one side.

    ... that's it, isn't it. Her sense of Justice is so strong. Just like Katsuya's. If they kept their head down, they wouldn't get hurt, but ...

    That was why the Great Surrender happened. That was why Miho's hand was forced -- and her body got mauled, and she rose to her Will of Rebellion. Because Myunghon refused to be in bondage to capital, the way capital is ultimately sidling up to them once more. That's right, Akari, he's a demonic crook of the foul king, an agent of oppression against the masses! This is why the world of adults is so twisted.

    ... and on the note of rebellion, that's what Mio AND Umie both are exactly doing right now, though they do wonder if provocation is the right choice here. They have to make a choice and live with it. Hopefully she doesn't end up drawing Shinjiro into the mess though... they've got a responsibility for him, still. Umie's approach sure is unique, though, and Myunghon isn't certain what's behind *Umie's* brand of bravado, unlike theirs.

    "Maid-kun, Black Cat-kun, it takes all types, you know?" Myunghon answers Mio in kind. Pointedly not using her name. Opsec. "Hirasaka's an open and welcoming community." Not that they really want Kaneshiro muscling in on Sumaru, nor Hirasaka. Their back yard, damnit! Just this time, NIMBYism might be the heroic stand. Just this one time. But Shinobu's got the Akari side of the equation down on adequate lock with Yukari, which is one less thing to worry about...

    Life ends and begins with Dettol, Remi. On this front, Myunghon is going to brook no disagreement. So-young's further back enough that they don't think the toughs would really reach for her, though the way Kaneshiro gave her a look earlier makes them paranoid about what they've lined up.

    Katsuya may be the lone cop here, but he doesn't stand alone. The Koalas attest to that. But Myunghon also knows Katsuya's smart enough to read between the lines -- this isn't about a business proposition. Red Velvet *would* be a very fine choice for a vampire baker, though, Katsuya. At least, for a traditionalist. Perhaps the rebellious baking youth are more into choux pastry.

    But Kaneshiro is quick to undercut their attempts, again, and their eye narrows as the threats to Shinjiro, Mio and Umie come flying. For a moment, the tension is so palpable that they could really have crossed the line and broke into violence... but miraculously, it doesn't come to that. Julian comes to further diffuse the situation, and his attempt at reframing the discussion manages to get in through the proverbial door.

    A deeper frown. So, he's not just after this one lot. Kasu High. Who knows where else? Perhaps he has enough money to buy the whole block of Hirasaka, here. But then the conversation turns a bit more sour as he brings up their heritage, and though Myunghon's expression doesn't visibly change, something feels a little bit colder about them.

    They're used to the discrimination. Officer Ishiba is just one amongst many. Myunghon identifies as Zainichi Korean -- an ethnic group of people who were born in Japan from Korean migrants of varying generations ago from the annexation nearly a century ago, but don't identify cleanly as South (or North) Korean or Japanese.

    It's clear Kaneshiro's done his research. But while Myunghon is relatively used to letting insults wash off their back, like water off a duck's back -- they notice something strange. His words echo and distort, and his voice becomes... bolder... deeper. It's strange.

    If you've got money... then you're strong. And if you don't... then you get out of the way.

    Entirely reasonable words for today's capital-driven society, and yet... entirely distasteful, as well. But it sounds as if Kaneshiro himself isn't aware of the distortion he's just caused. Just what was that...? Myunghon quickly flicks their eye around the room to see if anyone had such a reaction, but then Kaneshiro drops the ultimatum.

    The first of July.

    "Mmm, mmm... by attorney, you mean Solicitor Yamashita and his Counsel, and I assume you also will have Judge Hatoyama presiding too. I see," Myunghon drops these names, seemingly randomly, but it's also a way of once again cluing those in the know, Kaneshiro included, that he's already got the correct people lined up in his pocket. If they try to fight this in court, the corruption will eat them alive.

    They can't fight this on the mundane layer. Myunghon has an inkling of what to do, given the clue that they were given by that distortion, but... how do they relay that to the rest of those present -- those that want to go, anyway?

    "Well! The first of July it is, then," Myunghon sounds as amiable as ever, as if they haven't been flapped at all. "I think you'll find the results to be entirely... to your tastes."

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.

Shinjiro doesn't continue, not at first, as they threaten to beat or even kill him. It's not until they threaten *Umie and Mio*, even not knowing the latter who just made it worse, that he speaks up. He considered miming with his Evoker, show them they're fucking with the wrong people.

He decides against it, for many good reasons. (One of them is Katsuya.)

He makes a different bad decision instead.

"Go fuck yourself with a rusty axe. You gonna take this out on anyone, take it out on me."

Though, they want the Cardboard Dragon. That's not acceptable...! This is Myunghon's place, and they've cultivated it. To let him trample on them with those bigoted statements... Shinjiro can't abide.

But Myunghon... seems to accept. ...do they have a plan? That's the only thing. He can't see them rolling over.

He wouldn't respect them if they did.

"You heard them. Get out of here already."

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

A teenager looks at Katsuya thinking way too hard about Vampire Baking, Yukari becomes disillusioned with adulthood... again.

You see, she doesn't exactly know how to live, she presumes some people must know the answer to that. That many adults even should know that answer!

Katsuya's answer to how to live is apparently trying to figure out the question of how Vampires would bake a Red Velvet Cake.

The teenager will remember that.

Pops up on Katsuya's HUD, Telltale games style, as she again is reminded that Katsuya Suou is a bit... of a dork.

Yukari gets bopped by a spatula. Every time she thinks about her future possibly becoming a mother, she's going to remember this moment. Thankfully Shinobu gives her extra cover.

"Look I get it that you think you are." Yukari says softly to her, "But, I'm not fine getting in the middle of this - and you shouldn't be either."

It's a little upsetting to her. She wants to be the kind of girl who's strong and independent. And here she is, hiding behind a display while Shinjiro readies to throw down. and Shinobu gives extra cover.

And yet... these are mafia. All of her confidence walking into that Port Island Alley - and Junpei got decked, and Shinjiro had to bail them out. She can give herself a bit of a pass deciding not to stand up to them.

Yukari admonishes her lightly as she calls him a jerk, "Keep your voice down." She says to her, "Please." Like it was for her sake too. It becomes a little more pleading. "But... yeah... they're obviously pretty shady."

That turns out to be an understatement. Yukari has heard people say that about Koreans her entire life. She knows from history Japan did some pretty terrible stuff to them back when they were an Empire...

... but that's in the past now, right?

Well, maybe not as much as she hoped. The politicians fight about it sure but... well, she never really had to think about it. She keeps a hand on Akari, worried that perhaps they might get the wrong idea about her.

After all, he might think she's not real people too.

"Oh god, please just... just go." She pleads softly.

There's an oddity in that moment, like goosebumps prickling her skin, a ghost walking over her grave. She can't feel the presence otherwise.

But she's scared.

And she releases a breath she didn't realize she was holding as he finishes his ultimatum. "We might be okay..." She says softly to Akari. "... just keep your head down until they're gone."

<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.

    So-young's playing barely falters, but her eyes are fully on Kaneshiro after his long diatribe, a dangerous and defiant glint to them. There's an odd noise along with the drawn-out squealing note of her violin, and it turns out it's because she's just blown a pitch-perfect raspberry along with the tone as it dies away, before lowering the instrument to her side.

    She pauses for just long enough to take a bow with her eyes closed, and them lifts back up with a too-bright smile.

    "Oh, dear. I might enjoy the classics, but that take is a little too old-fashioned even for me," she declares as she crosses her arms over her chest, a rare bite to her voice despite her expression and the sympathy it suddenly carries. "Are you picking Sumaru's backstreets because Tokyo is out of your price range, perhaps? I could help you find a nice joint in Shibuya, if you're not too scared of being in the limelight. Ah, but being in such a melting pot would chafe your delicate sensibilities, I understand."

    "By the by, what is the offering price?" she adds towards Myunghon as she positively beams. "I do quite like the place myself, after all. Perhaps we'll have a fun and engaging bidding war on our hands!" Truly, the worst of timelines would be having this terror as your landlord.

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

'He is a bandit. But he's the type that wouldn't think twice about leaving you in a shallow ditch.'

Akari bristles again. "He's as bad as a demon." She's still not raising her voice much at least. "I hate people like that. People that threaten..." Akari trails off, as someone who is not entirely Junya Kaneshiro speaks. She can't quite hear it, but she feels something.

Demons that threaten human lives...

Even the policeman is just standing there. She doesn't think he's just pretending to be a policeman. Because this is the way the world works, isn't it?

Akari sets her jaw. She looks, for a moment, dead serious - and then it passes. "So I'll have to leave it to my knight in shining armour...!" Does she mean Yukari or Shinobu?? "...but she's not here today." Oh, they're safe. So is Kaneshiro, at least from acts of Akari.

Acts of Ixquic will have to wait for another day. Though what is she even going to do...? She's going to have to think about this. And maybe check the Phan-Site. And the Dark Side. And...

To Yukari and Shinobu and Remi, at least, it looks like Akari has finally taken in the seriousness, given she's entirely *shut up*. Maybe it was exactly as Yukari thought - because at close range, now that you get a good look at her, Akari looks like she might have some non-Japanese heritage. It's not just the skin tone either, though that's part of it. "Okay," she says, when Yukari and Remi ask her to keep her head down. And, for once in her life...

She does.

<Pose Tracker> Mio Kazama has posed.

A curious question, Shinobu... is it a death wish? Or is it something that they're... *lacking*? Or are they freed from something that the common people murmur and refer to, dismissively, as common sense? Something to ponder later, perhaps. Looking at the freewheeling way Mio handles herself before an obviously dangerous criminal leader and his criminal backup, you could certainly think this is foolishness. But it begs the question: what if it's something more?

Hm.

The Yakuza in charge and Mio clearly reach a common understanding: if she keeps running her mouth, Junya and his men might start demonstrating why protection fees are a thing. Thus, Mio remains turned to face Myunghon in this instance and gives her a comically wriggly-lipped kind of =__= glance. It's not acceptance, it's a pre-emptive apology for what's to follow. Because anyone who is about to follow the path laid down by Shinjiro Aragaki probably has to apologize for what's to come.

"Gweh? Boss, are you gonna just let them...?" Mio asks of Myunghon, gobsmacked. She hasn't picked up on the plan yet, so instead she goes with plan b: rude girl.

Tandem social attack. Mio rolls her maid sleeve up and extends the middle finger to the biggest looking dude with the sharpest suit of Junya's support crew as soon as Shinjiro barks back. "Oi, pipsqueak. You wanna break something in here? Break this one off in your ass! Ora!" she's suddenly rolling her R's and concludes by spitting on the untitled criminal gentleman's shoe.

That's not really helping matters, but Mio isn't exactly hired for her willingness to meekly acquiesce to threats. "Eh?" she echoes, looking over at Shinjiro as the two of them say their piece together.

myunghon i've decided this is your fault.

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    Whatever the 'cause', Umie's 'rebellion' is short-sighted, at best. It was her who thought and said those words, and it was her who failed to think beyond them.

    It is, as it always was.

    Myunghon brings Umie back, her words as effective as a tap on the shoulder. Umie's gaze darts to 'Maid-kun' (that is, Mio), and lets out a breath, the force of it shifting her cheap plastic mask a little.

    Hirasaka. That'd be... Kasugayama High.

    "... Beanie-san, Maid-san," Umie says carefully, not wanting to use Shinjiro or Mio's name. "Let's step back, nya? I like my mouth where it i--"

    ....

    Before, Umie's resonance was complusively surpressed. However, as she steps back, there's a brief flush of resonance, like a bubble from the mire rising to the surface. It's the sound of a shocked sputter that comes from a clenched mouth.

    What *was* that? Just as Myunghon, when Umie turns away to look around, trying to see if anyone else saw, or, in any case, *felt* the same as her.

    That wasn't a Persona User, but what was it?

     She needs to sit down someplace.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    ...Or would they do something a little less obvious, he wonders, still thinking about what sort of cakes a vampire would bake.

    [THOUGHT GAINED]: VAMPIRE BAKERS

    Then he notices the way that Yukari looks at him and cold reality settles about him as he reconsiders the last few statements he's said. "Well--"

    Perhaps it's just as well that they have an intrusion. ...Well, actually, no, in the grand scheme of things, it really isn't.

    What in the world...? What is Umie doing? "Akabane-kun," he says in warning, straightening ever so slightly where he stands.

    Those thugs there are itching for an excuse, he thinks to himself as he considers what it is that Kaneshiro is attempting to do. So that's what they're doing-- as far as the legal system is concerned, this would be above-board, so long as Myunghon...

    He regards Junya silently. He might as well be a statue as far as the other people in the room are concerned. "..."

    Even if he reports this, would it come to anything? The people he works with at the station are all good. They work long hours to see that justice is done and to serve the public (he really does believe this). But, the fact of the matter is... Myunghon is Zainichi. Even if he reports this, there are people he works with who... ...would not see the issue with Myunghon vacating this space to a 'businessman'.

    But even knowing that, he wouldn't be able to live with himself without saying something. No matter what someone's origin is, so long as they obey the law--

    (Alright, 'obey the law' may be a stretch, given how Myunghon behaves.)

    --even if they aren't obeying the law. Is that... right? At his right side, the fingers of his hand twitch minutely. For all the turmoil within, Katsuya's doesn't otherwise move, his face doesn't betray a thing. "That's intimidation," he says, knowing that he doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of doing what he'd really rather he do here.

    It's Shinjiro's words that catch his attention. Inwardly, a part of Katsuya has started to worry. Just when they were starting to look like they were going to leave! If he continues, he really could start an altercation with men who would be all too willing to oblige--

    "Young man," he says to Shinjiro, "That's enough."

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

Shinobu glances back at Akari. As bad as a demon, huh...

She'd prefer the demon. A man like this... he doesn't have to lift a finger to ruin them. To ruin their lives, and the lives of those around them. She has her sisters to think about, and it might be that thought that keeps her from taking a more direct stance like those around her. So... she nods.

"...Yeah. I hate it too, kid." Shinobu murmurs sympathetically with a nod.

Knight in shining armor...? Shinobu blinks, and looks at Yukari with a quizzical glance that reads something along the lines of 'does she mean you or me??'.

Thankfully, she means someone else entirely.

Kaneshiro overhears her, though. She won't recognize it, huh...

"...Yeah. I don't doubt that." She replies.

Kaneshiro puts his ultimatum forth - with some racism thrown in for good measure. Shinobu scowls behind her mask, resting her hand on the display. She has to consciously not clench her hand so tightly she breaks the glass. Hearing him talk to Myunghon like that... She really wants to punch his teeth in. But Myunghon makes it clear that Kaneshiro has the situation pretty well locked down. There's not much any one of them can actually do, with the powers that be thoroughly in his pocket.

She looks back, a sympathetic look crossing her face as Yukari pleads for the Yakuza to just go.

...She can't blame her. It's terrifying. This whole thing is terrifying. But right now, the best thing Shinobu can do is keep acting as cover. If something does go down, she needs to be ready to keep them and the rest of the kids here safe.

"...It's gonna be alright." Shinobu says, looking back at Akari and Yukari. ...It might be only mild assurance, with the air still sparking with tension.

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

Julian's fears of an escalation aren't entirely removed by the response he gets. It looked bad for a second there, with the threats becoming more personally addressed to those pushing back. Even if Kaneshiro does leave after making whatever 'offer' he has to make, it doesn't mean the maybe more than proverbial bullet has been dodged. Nothing else to do for now but hear him out, inclining his head in apparent understanding.

And what an 'offer' it is. It's entirely obvious that no choice is being given here. What kind of person this man is becomes abundantly clear in the way he lays out the terms, while simultaneously demeaning the other party. Respectable businessman indeed... that turns out to have been just as true as those words were meant when he spoke them.

It all becomes about that much worse when he hears how far the aspirations really go. The biggest mistake in regards to Julian that could be made... is involving the school with this whole thing. Now, aside from being just disgusting, it's also personal.

This fact isn't visible in Julian's expression. He still looks calm. A brief tightening of his hands is all that might give away the Englishman is planning to step in - but not today. He won't get anywhere without a plan. That deadline won't give him much time, but it'll have to do.

He doesn't directly hear Kaneshiro's unspoken words. But the sentiment isn't lost on him. He knows what money can do to people. Most aren't this open about it. Clearly he thinks that no one can touch him. We'll just have to see how true that really is.

He clears his throat then, loudly. "Yes, indeed," he says without making it clear who exactly he's agreeing with. It's mainly just to aid in drawing attention away from the antagonizing parties, anyway. Though there is a certain subtle sharpness to his tone, when he speaks his next words.

"I believe you've made your point quite clear, we require no more of your valuable time. I do hope you will enjoy what remains of it."

Take note kids, that's the way a gentleman threatens people.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

Remi's eyes narrow again as Kanashiro threatens Shinjiro. And her eyes slide over to the thug cracking his knuckles. The curb, hmm...?

Remi glances over her shoulder. "Gumiho-chan, please be a dear and take this for me." She tosses the clipboard in the cashier's direction with an easy toss.

And then she turns her attention back to Kaneshiro and his 'lawyer'. "Gentlemen," she says, her tone flat and humorless. "There will be no fighting in this store. Do I make myself clear?"

She seems utterly concerned by the fact that she is currently staring down a Yakuza boss and his henchmen. She won't start anything... but she will do her damndest to finish it.

Her stare is the stare of one that has looked a Shadow in the eye ten thousand times over without blinking.

Her hands ball into fists as Kaneshiro just... blatantly insults her friend. And the legal threats... there was a time she could have fought back against that too... but she doesn't have that kind of pull anymore.

She glances to the side, meeting eyes with Myunghon as they glance about. She didn't catch it herself, but maybe she's picking up her friend's reaction.

Though she does look to Shinjiro. "That includes you." For the nio fighting thing. But for Shinjiro, it's a touch softer.

She's relieved Yukari and Akari are keeping safe, at least.

<Pose Tracker> Junya Kaneshiro has posed.

"I see you pay attention," Kaneshiro says, when Myunghon notes the solicitor and judge presiding. "It's good to keep a keen eye out on the best civil servants this side of the bay."

Shinjiro swears at him. One of the toughs steps forward, jaw set -- arm coming back, fingers tensing into a fist -- and then Kaneshiro cuts him a look. "Our police officer friend here has this handled. We'll spare the kid his homework," he says. "If he fails the test later, that's on him."

"...Got it, boss."

His eyes snap back to So-young. Kaneshiro exhales. "I'm looking to expand out of Shibuya," he says. "I don't plan to live here -- just make a few yen here. Hope your walk home is safe."

But he doesn't hear Akari, thanks to his focus being on So-young. And then...

Then Mio spits on one of the thugs' shoes. He looks up, his face darkening; a vein stands out in his neck, and before Kaneshiro can say a word, he draws a knife out of his coat and brandishes it.

Kaneshiro says a word, then. "Hyouga-kun."

"Right, boss," he says. He looks at Mio. "You better be here on the first. And your apology better be good."

Kaneshiro cuts Mio a look. "I'd hate to call in debts for the Mindan school a few blocks away. So think up a nice gift, for my colleague's inconvenienced shoe."

Then, he looks at Remi. He considers for a moment. "Your suggestion is noted," he says. Then, he looks at Julian. And he does, in fact, spot that threat. His eyes narrow.

"I hope yours are the same," he says.

Shinobu tries to assure Yukari and Akari. And there is a tense moment -- where everything seems to wait, to see if Yukari's quiet plea is answered -- and then Kaneshiro waves. "I'll expect the keys on the first," he tells Myunghon. "Until then."

He turns, and walks out the door. The five toughs turn and follow. The last one slams the shop door shut; the sign rattles as he does.

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.

    It's good, Myunghon thinks, to bare your fangs. They've become so accustomed to bending and retaliating that it isn't often that 'go fuck yourself' comes up as an option, but it's so damn satisfying to hear it from Shinjiro's lips. It's a bad decision, as is Mio's decision to bark aloud and even spit on a shoe! But...

    Isn't youth full of bad decisions? Isn't that what makes it so exciting -- not being trampled like so many adults decide they have to be? It's just like what Mio is pondering. What *if* it's something more?

    That's part of their respect for Shinjiro and Mio, in the end. Buuuuut they're still ready to jump in front, because, oops, I've made another character that will jump into spikes for socialism. Hopefully... hopefully Katsuya can intervene enough for Shinjiro and the brand of Nunsense-da that Mio sports, for now, as well as Remi being the voice of reason for the store. Remi's always got a way of asserting herself to keep everything onboard.

    They'll get their revenge yet.

    But Myunghon hears Yukari keep whispering to keep their voice down, and they can't blame her -- in fact, they blame themselves. This is *their* store, and they've failed to make it a safe and welcoming environment for their guests, awakened or not.

    It's so much easier to be brave when the only life on the line is your own. But at the very least, Akari refuses to be cowed here, even if she has to bow her head down today... but she has a knight in shining armour. Myunghon has no idea what that might mean, but... it's important to her, and they acknowledge that. And it goes unspoken, but Myunghon does agree with Yukari on not wanting to have her experience bigotry if it doesn't have to happen today.

    And So-young suddenly takes this opportunity to speak up, and Myunghon's eye twitches for a moment as they look to her. "Unfortunately, I don't think he'll take it to an auction," they chuckle. No, they're going to find a convenient 'loophole' that suddenly appeared on the property's history, from one crooked lawyer to another, take it to civil court, and then suddenly the property will have changed hands. It's happened before -- many a time.

    Myunghon catches Umie's gaze. Did she see it? The others don't look like they've quite clued into it the same way. Was there a difference in the way they perceived that burst of... could that even be called Resonance? Katsuya doesn't seem to have visibly noticed it in the same way... neither did Shinjiro nor Mio. Exceptions are annoying, when it comes to figuring out the rules of the supernatural space.

    Would Vampire Bakers restrict themselves to cake, though, Sergeant Suou? It is true that the vampire is the stock archetype of the parasitic upper class, and cake certainly has its way of being associated with the bourgeoisie. A symbol of decadence, layer upon layer. Is there *class war* in the fiction of Vinnistrad? Are there humble vampire artisans who only ply flatbread for a living? Or is the ultimate aim to understand that they who control the eggs and milk control the production of cake?

    ...

    This Thought is going to take a while, Katsuya Suou.

    Myunghon doesn't like it any more than Shinobu does, but... just a little more. This isn't the first time someone's waltzed into Hirasaka like this, some nouveau riche asshole, thinking that this entire backyard is theirs. Bigger than before, perhaps, and more dangerous, but... Hirasaka's taken its lumps and kept standing by banding together. And Myunghon can see how it crossed from distasteful to *personal*, for Julian -- clearly someone with a stake and care and pride in the importance of education.

    But, the gentleman's way, hmm? Now, that's pretty slick.

    Kaneshiro can keep stacking up the threats. That's his specialty. Get under your skin. Get you to jump in first, consequences be damned. He can point at whichever building -- the Mindan school. He can make you uneasy about your commute home. He thrives in that aura of fear, which he's created using

<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.

    Kaneshiro can keep stacking up the threats. That's his specialty. Get under your skin. Get you to jump in first, consequences be damned. He can point at whichever building -- the Mindan school. He can make you uneasy about your commute home. He thrives in that aura of fear, which he's created using his money, because those toughs are, ultimately, loyal to his cold hard cash.

    "Until then, Kaneshiro," Myunghon answers, as they all leave. There's the clatter of the shop door, and then there's silence for a long while.

    Moments later, the other cosplayers and customers start to filter out. Some of them look apologetic, while others look positively spooked and offended; Gumiho, having taken the clipboard from Remi, is on apology duty, even though she's a roiling ball of anger under the surface.

    Myunghon perches back on the couch in that ghastly Riker-like manner of theirs and their god-ankles (do they ever sit down like a normal person?) and is quiet for a good long minute or so, after the store's been vacated of its other customers. There's an oddly neutral look towards all those present, but well after Kaneshiro and his goons are gone... they lace their hands together, the look oddly... full of levity. There's still a couple that they aren't sure are in the know, but to hell with it.

    There's a fond little smile, tension having escaped their entire body, and they say this as if they haven't just been threatened out of everything important to them by the Yakuza:

    "After all that, I feel like going on a vacation. Maybe England? The Olympics are coming up soon. My friend's going to compete there. Maybe I'll go see some Palaces while I'm at it. Anyone want to come with me? We can be like what Baronette Lune said -- like a band of Merry men."

    Then, humming to themselves, they start stacking their Koalas, as if nothing ever happened.

    Palaces. It's a hot topic in the Dark Side of Sumaru right now. The rumourmonger Baofu even stated he's entered a Palace before -- you just need to know how. You need to know the 'signs', but when a Palace is nearby, it feels 'wrong to the spirit'. And by spreading a rumour that has the format of the name of the person, location of the area, and the form the Palace takes... you can create a route of entry.

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

Yukari has no idea who Akari thinks is their knight in shining armor, but... as she grows more subdued, Yukari can perhaps... guess why. The look she gives Shinobu is 'I don't even know.'

But the thought it might be something from a kid's show does occur to her.

It almost all falls apart, between Mio and Shinjiro, and Yukari puts a hand over Akari, ready to run if things get too bad, but...

Katsuya tells Shinjiro to stand down, Mio takes a step back while Julian makes a 'gentleman's threat'. Yukari gives Shinjiro a pleading look like 'Don't do this here.'

Thankfully, he does leave, and Yukari takes her hand away from Akari, "Whew... thattt was not what I expected, coming here... a visit from the mafia." As she straightens up, adjusting her Yumibukuro bag and other bag.

She then looks to Akari, "So... I'm not gonna tell you what to do, but I think that when we leave here, it's better if we all walk together to the station first."

It's just a suggestion, advice here. A girl has to look out for other girls in situation like this. She doesn't even know who Akari is...

... but the last thing she wants is for her to disappear off the street.

"I'm Yukari Takeba by the way..." She tells her, before turning to Shinobu, "... thanks for covering for us some. He didn't look like the kind of guy someone our age should stay in... line of sight of for very long."

She looks towards the other employees, "Uh, well, if this place gets shut down. There's plenty of property in Tatsumi Port Island... it's marginally less weird than... Sumaru." And as she second guesses that thought, "Kinda."

Ordinarily she'd be fire and fury about someone like Kaneshiro but, in this case, she doesn't see any path forward but just giving in and moving on.
 
Which then as Merry proclaims something they're going to do, "Uhhhh... like... Buckingham?" She's taken aback, "You're going to go overseas at a time like this? Maybe not a bad idea."
 
Yukari doesn't even know what a Dark Side of Sumaru is, so she has no context.

<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.

As the guy comes up, Shinjiro straightens up, but as others tell him to stop, that there's no fighting... he tchs. Kaneshiro spares him this time. "Sure," is all he says.

When they threaten Mio with a knife, though, he's about ready to turn around and deck him in the face. It takes *all* his willpower not to. It's very obvious by anyone watching him.

He remains silent until they leave, looking over to Katsuya.

Once the door slams, though...

Myunghon has a plan. Shinjiro realizes the instant they say 'Palaces'. It's the only thing that makes sense. He exhales his tension, letting it roll off him.

"I was just going to suggest India. You ever hear of the Umaid Bhawan? Big Palace."

That, in itself, is an agreement.

And then, a glance and nod to Katsuya. The closest he'll get to an apology.

"...Myunghon. You know any safe places to stay? Cheap? Don't feel comfortable in my usual spot tonight." Wait, can't he just go back to his- oh. Oh.

<Pose Tracker> So-young Park has posed.

    Barely has the door closed behind Kaneshiro before So-young is rattling off a ridiculous clown-like melody from the hip - quite literally, in fact, because she's not even bothering to raise the violin to her chin, dragging the bow across it lazily and haphazardly as she performs another louder raspberry at the mafiaman's back. This is, frankly, a terrible way to treat a violin in the moment, but she's pretty sure it'll survive for a moment.

    "Hmf," she finally looks towards Myunghon for the first time, folding her arms again as she puts on a frown. "How boring. Not that I'd even really have the money for it, but I thought at least I could goad him into a bit of sport. He seemed the type, but I suppose he remained dull to the last. I'm sure I could lead on a couple of contacts to try to get funding," she adds with a sort of bright and barreling thoughtfulness. "Though you might need to build out the stage a bit more before some of them will go for it."

    She looks towards Shinjiro's request, a solemn moment coming over her. The finely dressed woman might be more rattled than she wants to let on, because while she's used to pushing back at producers and directors, doing the same thing to a yakuza is another thing entirely - but she's certainly approaching it with a brave face. Despite having just talked about not being _that_ well-off, she nods. "... allow me to cover the expenses for the night's stay," she chips in quietly. "Call it a thank you on my behalf for Myunghon's sake."

    "And you know, I think we could all do with a round of somewhat fresher drinks and food to build some levity back up," she adds with a beaming grin. "I'm not all that familiar with Sumaru City, so suggestions are welcome!" She's still forgetting to actually introduce herself at any point, but it doesn't really seem like that's going to stop her, either.

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

Akari stays down until she hears the door slam.

Then she vaults up to her feet. She's acrobatic too, apparently; acrobatic enough that she can kip up like that, full of energy once again. Because now *she* has an idea. A brilliant, wonderful, shining idea.

It's the same idea as Myunghon, though Akari doesn't realize it at first. But unlike Yukari, she *does* have a Dark Side of Sumaru login (her parents reeeeally have to watch her online usage). She's been, even if she hasn't posted; when she posts it's on the Phan-Site. And she knows about Rumourmonger Merry. So even 'Merry Men' makes her face light up, for some reason.

Though, she doesn't need to bother with the rumour. Akari hasn't really played a lot with the Meta-Nav. But maybe she should...

"I think I'd get in trouble if I went to England," Akari says, but wistfully. She looks between Shinobu and Yukari, over to Remi, over to Myunghon, and back.

She sticks out her hand for Yukari. "I told you, I'm Baronette Lune," she says, adjusting her hat with the bat pin, before admitting, "but I'm Akari really. Akari Hoshi." Lune isn't really her. It's just a costume. Not like Akari. Not like...

"I can get to the station myself. I know a route they'll never take." Akari braces one arm against the other, swivels as if she was stretching out. And then she offers, "But you can come with me if you want! Any of you," she adds, generously including Shinobu and Remi and, really, anyone else. Is she agreeing to keep herself safe, or does she think *she's* keeping the others safe...?

<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.

Shinobu gets a similarly-confused look back from Yukari. ...At least they're on the same page, there.

Shinobu watches to proceedings carefully - to see how Kaneshiro will respond to everyone. A punch is nearly thrown, a knife is drawn - but the only violence had today is the veiled threats beneath his words. Sometimes, those cut the deepest.

...And so, Kaneshiro leaves. Shinobu exhales... and once she's sure that those toughs aren't going to be coming back, she shifts to give Yukari and Akari a little bit more space.

"...Yeah, sorry that happened. Both of you." Shinobu apologises, massaging the back of her neck. She hears Yukari suggest to Akari that they travel together - and Akari says she knows routes they don't, and offers for them all to come with her.

"...Yeah, I'll tag along, then, if you'll have me." She says with a nod. Maybe that's true - but it still wouldn't sit right to her, leaving the two of them to go back to the station by themselves. Just in case.

"Shinobu Shimizu." She offers her name as well - and then, nods toward Yukari.

"Yeah, No problem." She offers with a nod. "You did good. That was some quick thinking. Wasn't sure how I was going to handle it if you didn't step up."

She would've done something - but it might not have ended as well, if Yukari hadn't made that excuse.

And Myunghon... suggests going on vacation? Palaces and Merry men, huh...

Something clicks in her head, and Shinobu looks their way. ...Did they notice something? She didn't, but... they've always been sharp.

"...Yeah, I could go for a vacation, actually. Just let me know when you plan to go, boss. I can carry your bags." Shinobu offers - and then to So-young, she nods. "I've lived here a few years. I can give you some suggestions. ...Hope you don't mind something quick and easy, though."

<Pose Tracker> Mio Kazama has posed.

Bared teeth and sneers shared, the over-the-top maid holds her position without flinching until Junya Kaneshiro and his heavies leave the scene. The consequences of her actions bother Mio less than the thought of having bowed before such figures, and she returns to standing with arms folded after the door slams shut. "Tch." she snorts, aggression roiling up between her shoulder blades like a mirage on a hot day. The pale-haired young lady lifts her head and closes her eyes for a moment, banishing her surging need to take the injustice out on something. It's a bitter medicine to swallow.

This is, of course, bravura. Mio is just one young misguided young lady with an axe to grind, and would probably easily be thrashed by a team of dedicated criminals, but sometimes you have to be true to the part of you that's accepted that you *do* really want to go apeshit and start a riot.

Which is a long-winded way to say that from this distance, keen observers with a sense for animal cunning like police officers and delinquents can sniff out that once that knife was pulled, we were probably all a few heartbeats away from that stun gun stucked into the back of Mio's apron getting jammed into someone's neck. Luckily, cooler heads prevail!

"Pah." Mio exhales one final time and then, like a switch was flipped, returns to her idol-class shining smile and folds both hands on her apron. "Wow, boss." she looks at Myunghon with admiration. "I'll try to find some flights that'll cut us a group deal."

A glance over her shoulder, knowing full well there'll be at least a few in the crowd who feel similarly. "I think a couple people are due for a holiday!"

<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.

Julian meets Kaneshiro's gaze, seeing the understanding there. This is fine. The die has been cast, he already feels left with no choice but to get involved. It's unlikely he'll suffer repercussions for being too unsubtle here... after all, what could a mild-mannered English teacher possibly do to a yakuza boss?

Once the thugs are out of the building however, he lets out a long, deep sigh. If nothing else, he can be relieved that no one here will be leaving with any less teeth than they came in with. Even if the previously festive mood has understandibly soured. He can only look apologetically towards Myunghon. Whatever the truth about them may be, he feels certain enough that they didn't do anything to deserve this.

"Rather a sticky wicket we've found ourselves in," he finally breaks his silence, in the understatement of the century. It's remarkable how British he can still manage to sound even when speaking Japanese.

He sticks around a bit longer just to be safe, but he doesn't return to the books. He'll have to return to pick up that matter another time. After it's ensured that there will be another time.

"...England, you say?" he speaks when that comes up, because of course he would. "Naturally that choice has my full support. As for where it comes to Palaces, well, there is that obvious one, of course."

He knows. Maybe that was his way of letting on he knows. But that's as overt as he's going to get about it. This isn't the guise to openly speak of such matters. When the time comes to take action, his 'friend' will have to take over for him...

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    Umie hears Katsuya's caution. Of course he knows who she is; she wasn't using any particularly saavy tricks for her disguise. Thankfully, for Katsuya, it does seem to make her stop and pivot.

    So-young's musical raspberry as soon as Kaneshiro and his goons leave should have relieved the tension. Normally, for Umie, it would have.

    Instead, her mask feels hot.

    "Myunghon," Umie says, her voice shaking as she slips the mask and cat ears off. "Stop speaking in riddles and tell me what just happened there. And I don't mean the Yakuza thing, that's plenty plain to see."

    She looks at So-young and Akari. "Tell me, uh, later. Or... Let's talk about those travel plans."

    She glances around. There's likely a lot of people just as confused as she is. "Later, that is."

<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.

    The solicitor... and the judge? Surely not...!
    But Katsuya isn't experiencing that cold, creeping feeling for no reason. However he might try to deny it, the fact is--

    That message, for all that Umie and Myunghon 'heard' it, doesn't appear to have been overheard by Katsuya at all. He acts like he hasn't heard a thing, his attention remaining on Kaneshiro and his crew!

    His gaze swings towards Mio, alarm present in his otherwise impassive expression. He'd missed it when it happened, but the evidence is clear. Fortunately... 'fortunately', they're willing to let it slide. For a gift. "..." He hasn't felt close to this helpless in a decade. "They are young. There is no need to involve them. I will explain to them later." It's probably not enough, even so...

    Then, just like that, they're gone.

    Katsuya doesn't relax. Not exactly. What he does do is slowly, carefully, exhale a breath. It's not over yet, but at least everyone here is out of immediate harm. Probably. Slowly, some of the other customers begin to filter out, leaving him standing here with the shop's owner, some of the staff, and a group of people he both knows (to have a Persona) and those he does not. Myunghon, the tension still so thick in here that one could cut it with a knife, makes a pronouncement.

     "A... vacation?" He's raised an eyebrow. At a time like this...? Does she intend to give up? Visting a 'Palace'...

    One can see the very moment when dawn breaks over the horizon. Realization strikes Katsuya Suou! Wait, he knows where he's seen that before...! He has to ask a certain person a very certain question, and soon.

    But first, he wants to make sure that none of those men are lurking around. His requested interview with Myunghon the last thing on his mind (at least they did give him that clue earlier), he takes a look around the store one more time.

    "Thank you, Takeba-san," he says to Yukari, perhaps realizing what she's doing with the younger girl in here. That's good, it's good someone's looking out for her.

    He notes that nod -- was that an apology? Delinquents like that... he doesn't understand how...

    And then, at last, Umie. "..."

    With that, he starts towards the door.

<Pose Tracker> Remi Ryuuja has posed.

"It's not a suggestion," Remi says cooly. She's eying the thug who drew a knife now, too, though she doesn't take any action just yet. She can't be the one who instigates, no matter how much she wnats to.

There's an itching in her to just attack, but she reels it in, if just barely.

But they do eventually decide to leave, and Remi is silent for a long moment. She didn't show it then, but now it might just be able to tell how worked up she was, under the surface, the way her glowering gaze lingers on the door, the forced way in which she deliberately draws each breath, or how her knuckles have turned white from how tight her fists are clenched.

Deep breath in, and out. Innnnnnnnn, and out.

She's calmer, but not much happier a few moments later. She sighs, shaking her head. "And we had so many new people in... Quel dommage." She gives Myunghon a long look as they mention Palaces. She catches that capitalization. "Yesm, well, a tour of England would be lovely, but perhaps you should give some thought to saving your business."

She's back to playing her part. She won't be showing up at any Palaces, but if a certain black-clad fencer happens to, well...

She does manage a smile for Akari, though, regarding England. "Someday when you are older, dear, you should go. It is a fascinating place." She chuckles a little bit at the offer of an escort to the station. "We'll say. I may need to get some fresh air first."

She takes a deep breath. "I need to step out for a moment." She does pick up a soda and a box of Koala March crackers on her way out, though.

... They're kind of growing on her.