2025-08-18: A Budding Friendship
- Log: 2025-08-18 A Budding Friendship
- Cast: Jun Kashihara, Eikichi Mishina
- Where: Kasugayama High School, Hirasaka Ward, Sumaru City
- OOC Date: August 18, 2025
- IC Date: June 27, 2012
- Summary: Jun and Eikichi discuss what happened.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Jun Kashihara is not a Boss. He goes out of his way to stay out of the many gangs at Kasugayama, opting to be neither a leader nor a follower. (He could be either of those things. But he chooses not to.) He instead observes and offers the occasional tutoring assistance. This isn't about either of those things today.
He came by Eikichi's classroom during lunch period to ask him if he'd be willing to talk to him on the roof after school today. His generally calm demeanor made it clear it wasn't a challenge to a fight or anything like that. If asked, he would have said it was about the incident on that day; otherwise, he waits after school atop the roof, gazing out at the cityscape of Hirasaka Ward from behind the chain link fence that prevents any unfortunate accidents.
He is, of course, in the Kasugayama summer uniform. How Jun differentiates himself is by keeping a yellow lily in his breast pocket, much as he does during the winter months. Every so often, he raises his wrist as if to check a watch, and every single time, he frowns when he remembers he does not have a wristwatch and never has.
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi isn't unapproachable to non-deliqneunts but it is certainly rare to have one reach out like Jun did. Usually, after school talks were code for wanting to pick a fight or to try to get one over on the Death Boss. Then again, Eikichi didn't expect such from Jun Kashihara. He didn't seem the type to want to get involved with Eikichi's violent little world.
So once class ends, Eikichi rolls up in his summer uniform, his winter jacket open and sitting on his shoulders.
He doesn't say anything as he approaches the view, looking over at the city ahead. Finally, he grins and tilts his head to look at Jun. "What can I do for you, Kashihara? Someone giving you trouble?" He looks over the other boy, feeling a weird sense of deju vu. It was a nostalgia that he couldn't quite place or justify from memory.
"Sorry about the other day..." He isn't sure what he is apologizing for since Eikichi couldn't explain everything that happened just yet.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
The door to the roof creaks open, and someone approaches. Jun lets his gaze linger on the city for a moment longer--for some reason, it feels very comfortable and natural to do that with Eikichi--before he turns and smiles at him.
"No, nothing like that," he replies. "Though there is something I'd like to discuss with you..." He's about to explain what, except Eikichi apologizes first. Jun blinks twice, taken aback. "Sorry? Why?" His lips purse slightly; the answer to 'why' comes to him as soon as he asks. "I might have followed you down to the basement that day, but you weren't the one who picked a fight."
His gaze gentles. "Actually, that's what I'd like to discuss, if that's all right. I won't take up much of your time, I promise." There are some things he knows he can't handle discussing about that day anyway. "But first, thank you for meeting me here. I truly appreciate it, Boss."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
"Yeah, still. I try to keep others out of my fights and that was sadly one of mine." Eikichi replies, turning back to the city. "I mean not everyone at Kasu is a hardcore fighter so I try to let those who want a normal high school life have that for as much as they can, ya know?"
"Well if I can answer, I will. Take all the time you like." Mishina keeps looking at the city, occassionally darting his eyes to the leaving students in the courtyard. It all felt like his kingdom and that was his responsibility. Keeping the peace and what not.
He straightens his expression into a neutral one, waiting for whatever Jun had on his mind.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"Yes," Jun agrees affably. "I know how hard you work to be a good leader to this school--and that integrity of yours is what earned you the top spot." Well, that and having a Persona. But Jun doesn't know about that part.
"Thank you. Then... first, allow me to explain that I don't actually remember that day very well. After the two of us reached the basement and that girl in white attacked that first-year, it's almost all a blur." His smile fades. "Since I apparently passed out by the end, the doctors think I might have hit my head and gotten a concussion. I was hoping you might be able to confirm some things that happened.
"Now, with that established... Could you please tell me if you know someone named Tatsuya Suou?"
Eikichi would have at least heard of him. He's the most popular boy at Seven Sisters High School, along with celebrity detective Goro Akechi. There might well have been a suggestion from his bandmates to recruit Tatsuya for Gas Chamber... but then again, maybe not.
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
"Integrity helps but its more of a strong fist that gets you to the top here. Law of the jungle and all." The Death Boss grins, gripping the gate that keeps students from falling from the roof. It wasn't particularly sturdy since the school was known for it's jankiness but it did it's job. "But thank you."
Eikichi listens to Jun, thinking for a moment on what he remembers. It was traumatic and a lot like Taurtarus broke free and came to his school. Still. "I'll do my best...Just it's kinda a blur for me too unless you want general details." Like the bag faced Joker Killer trying to kill him.
"Tatsuya Suou?" Eikichi thinks for a moment, feeling there is something there in the back of his mind. As he dwells on it, he feels a sharp stab of pain like a headache. The Death Boss winces for a moment, wondering if he had enough water today or something. He should've right? "Hmm can't say that I have...but the name seems familiar for some reason. Like is he a movie star or something? Wait...He's that popular kid from Sevens, right? Kozy mentioned him once or twice. Kinda got under my skin since I got a little jealous for a moment."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Jun laughs softly at that. "Very true. But your integrity is what lets you be a Boss who makes this school better," he replies. "Kasugayama High was a much more lawless place in my first year, before you came along." He nods graciously at the gratitude. "You're welcome."
So it's a blur for him too? That actually reassures Jun. So he's not the only one who got traumatized by whatever happened that day--even the Death Boss was affected. It makes him feel less fragile. But... before the matter of the bag-faced man, there is Tatsuya Suou.
Jun sees the way Eikichi winces and doesn't know what to make of it. "I don't think so. Yes," he adds, when Eikichi pins the name down. He smiles. "Jealous? I'm surprised to hear it. Aren't you the most handsome guy in Sumaru?" he asks, a bit of a tease in his smile. He sobers and murmurs, half to himself, "...Though Suou-kun is quite a looker..."
At normal tone, he continues, "If you don't know him, that's fine. He's a tall young man with short brown hair; he was wearing motorcycle leathers--red, with a black X on the chest. Do you remember seeing him that night?" Jun's eyebrows furrow in worry. "Was he... one of the ones who was attacking you?"
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi smirks for a moment. "I am the most beautiful by far but that doesn't mean I can't acknowledge rivals...Especially if that rival is catching the attention of my lady. Even if it was for a piece in their school paper."
"No. I didn't see anyone like that that night...But I think I did see him at my show. Might've been your guy." He smiles, letting go of the fence as he turns to look at Jun.
"Why you interested in him?" Eikichi doesn't know Jun's preferences but there were signs that could make one joke about such things. Wasn't the Death Boss' style though. "Seems like a tall dark and handsome guy who'd have every girl in the school fawning over him....Guy like that would be perfect for Gas Chamber."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"Ah, I suppose life isn't the same without a worthy rival, hm?" Jun teases again. "There's no helping that, then."
But... then Eikichi says he didn't see anyone like that. "You didn't? Are you sure? I... suppose if you're also having trouble remembering that night, you might not remember him either," Jun admits before sighing. The mention of his show, though... "That's true. I think I spotted him that night as well. Just for a moment, though."
Why is he interested in him? Well... Jun's preferences are not a secret; the teachers and the student body are generally aware, though there's plenty who don't know either since it's not generally said aloud. He laughs a little when Eikichi remarks he'd be a good addition for Gas Chamber. "Are you sure about that? Having a rival in your very own band could backfire, couldn't it?" he teases again.
Strange. It feels so easy and natural to give the Death Boss this kind of good-natured ribbing. They've barely exchanged any words before now, either. "Excuse me. I'm being overly familiar," Jun says, smile fading a bit. "My interest is... well, I do remember seeing him that night. His face is the last thing I remember before I passed out. I thought he rescued me from... something. But... my classmate, Tsubasa Seki, who was also there, said that he wasn't there to help. But if he was there to attack you, surely you'd remember him as one of the people who were after you...?"
He shakes his head. "But maybe we're all having trouble remembering. It was a chaotic incident--that much I'm sure of."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
"It's the spice of youth. To have a rival I mean." Eikichi grins, wondering why it felt like he talked to this guy every day. In truth, he barely knew Jun besides what he heard from his friends and people around school.
"But I'm sure...Only people I remember are the Joker killer and that chick in the lolita dress...Also some others who were dressed as demons or something." Eikichi doesn't really want to shatter Jun's perception of the world today. Demons were a thing to Persona users. Especially in weird spaces like the Death Boss found himself in.
"Tch. I'd keep him in line. I'm the Death Boss of Kasugayama High school. Even my rival will bend to my beautiful authority." He laughs again, placing a hand under his chin.
"Ah Seki. Yeah I remember them being there but nothing like this Suou guy. Could've been after...things got weird? And don't worry about being familar. Not like I'm super polite either, ya know?"
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"That sounds very 'you,'" Jun replies of the spice of youth--in a complimentary way, of course. He isn't especially interested in rivals himself, but he can appreciate the Romance of it. (Capital R. That's different from lower-case romance.) The way Eikichi declares he'd keep Tatsuya in line is also very 'him,' and Jun laughs with him.
But... The Joker Killer... Jun's skin crawls at the mention of him, and he clutches his arms to his chest reflexively, all humor draining from his fine features. Still, he won't let himself break down again. He was expecting that this might come up. He keeps his expression neutral. After things got... 'weird,' he says. Just how weird did they get? Still, Jun doesn't question Eikichi a second time. "Maybe so," he concedes instead. "I'm sure you had your hands full, dealing with people in costumes picking deadly fights with you."
Demon costumes, at that. How strange. Were they trying to hide their identities? That would make sense... After all, they came into a school with intent to kill. "I know Tsubasa-kun and I were trying to help that first-year," he says; he knows this not because he remembers, but because that was apparent after the fact. "If we ran into Suou-kun on the way out of the basement, that might explain why you didn't see him... Ah well. Thank you anyway, Boss. At least I know he wasn't attacking you."
He smiles again. "That's true," he says of politeness. "Then I hope you don't mind if I call you Michel? It's such a dramatic nickname, it would be a shame not to use. In return, you can call me what you like. I'm afraid I don't have any particular nickname of my own, though."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
"All I can be is me." Eikichi poses as if he was dealing with more onlookers than just Jun. He really relishes in the simulated attention for a moment before the subject of that day comes back.
"Yeah, the Joker killer hits like a truck. Almost thought I was going to another world to meet dragons and elves or something." He pauses when Jun thanks him, blinking for a moment. "No problem. It was just a weird day. I'm glad your guy wasn't among the weirdos coming for my head."
"Sure! Michel is perfect for a magnificent creature such as myself. As for you....hmmm, you seem like someone who is very proud of who they are. So I'll just call you, Jun." He doesn't comment on the subtext of why he uses a alter ego like Michel. Nor that he is terrible with nicknames in the moment.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
You seem like someone who is very proud of who they are. So I'll just call you, Jun. That strikes Jun as an odd thing to say when Eikichi goes by a ~ * fabulous * ~ nickname. But then, Eikichi is very much into showmanship, so it could simply be that he holds others to a different standard when it goes by nicknames. Jun does him the favor of choosing not to read too deeply into it.
"...I'm glad that didn't happen," he says quietly of trucks and isekais. "I'm glad too... Though it does leave me at square one." He pauses. "Oh--though I should mention, I did meet Suou-kun afterwards... He asked me to give you his regards." His eyelashes dip. "...I'm sure you're curious why I'm asking you about him if I've already spoken with him directly." His gaze turns back out towards the city. "I'm afraid I was left with more questions than answers."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
Eikichi has his secrets. Why he gets the fabulous nickname and others don't is one of them. He will never tell that willingly.
"So you talked to him and it didn't go your way. What a drag...I mean couldn't hurt to try again if he isn't avoiding you. Could be playing hard to get or something." The Death Boss slouches as he turns back to Sumaru and the fading day. "Also the hell does that mean? His regards? I don't even know the guy. "He goes through a wide range of emotions trying to figure this Tatsuya Suou out. He is at first annoyed at the mystery boy routine. Next confusion crosses his face. Finally a wistful smile appears on his lips as he feels rather nostalgic for some reason. Maybe it was the whole mysterious rival trope from an anime he saw? "Point is, if he's still talking to you, that means he wants to talk. That's how guys are."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Playing hard to get... That's an angle Jun honestly hadn't considered. If Tatsuya really didn't want to be around him--if he really wanted him to stay away--why stay in his hospital room with him? Why give him a bouquet? It would have been more sensible to let the paramedics handle him and just not visit at all, wouldn't it? So Eikichi's suggestion sees a surprised, then thoughtful look steal over Jun's pretty face.
A slow smile follows. "Yes... Perhaps you're right. It sounds like he's quite the mystery to both of us. I do want to talk to him again... I just wasn't sure how I should approach him." Which is part of why Jun's been asking around about Tatsuya instead. He's content with leaving his repressed memories repressed--but Tatsuya and his bouquet just won't leave his mind. His smile broadens. "Thank you, Michel--for your encouragement."
<Pose Tracker> Eikichi Mishina has posed.
"Anytime Jun. We're friends" Eikichi says without thinking. He pauses after the statement before nodding again. "Yeah we're friends now. Come to me if anyone messes with you, alright?" The Death Boss thinks on why a guy like this Suou was hanging around. Was he trying to get something from Kasugayama students? Who else was getting visits from this guy?
Maybe he should ask around too before some outsider gets the drop on Eikichi's happy little life.
"Also if this Suou guy turns out to be trouble, Lemme know. We'll deal with it, Jun."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
We're friends. Eikichi says it so easily and so naturally, Jun can't help but feel happy. (At least, that must be the reason for why he feels so happy. He's a sociable person with a fair number of casual friends and friendly acquaintances, but he isn't really close to many people besides his parents.) Jun smiles broadly and nods in agreement.
"I will. Thank you," he promises--both of 'anyone' and of Suou. He could deal with it himself... but it's a lovely feeling knowing he doesn't have to. This friendship feels... yes. Like it was guided by the stars--meant to be. "Then if you're not doing anything after this--would you like to get a bite to eat with me at Izakaya Shiraishi?"
He's asked as much as he's willing to about the events of that day. It would be nice to spend the rest of this interaction doing something normal friends would do.