2025-09-18: The Human Condition
- Log: The Human Condition
- Cast: Myunghon Yeo, Hiroto Nakamura
- Where: Cardboard Dragon, Hirasaka Ward
- OOC Date: September 19, 2025
- IC Date: July 13, 2012
- Summary: Myunghon gets a visit from a nice salaryman who suggests a bookclub to them.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon is trying to have a pleasant, normal day at the Cardboard Dragon, and really, it's been mostly a success! They talked to a nice young man who seemed excited about their koala stack and also it turns out he was the other Madarame pupil and they were able to steer him towards Masao, since it seems like there's some unresolved business between them that went down at the time--
But then lunchtime came and then they ignored whatever muted signals for food their body was trying to indicate, and that led to dehydration and also a recurrence of concussion symptoms, and now they have a headache and swimming vision and they've since given up on work even though they were going to promise themself to interrogate some more people about the Kirijo incident and now they're just on the couch, clinging onto their favourite book in a half-lucid state.
<Pose Tracker> Hiroto Nakamura has posed.
It is lunchtime. That doesn't mean one should go all the way to Hirasaka when they work in Aoba... unless, of course, this is your work.
Hiroto Nakamura is a very average looking man with square glasses and a striped tie. He looks like the picturesque salaryman, as he steps into the Cardboard Dragon for the first time. He's straightening his tie as he does so, looking around. He has never been here before, so ostensibly he doesn't know who the owner is or what to expect.
"Ah, hello," he says, looking around for employees or the like. "Is this the Cardboard Dragon bookstore...?"
His eyes wander over to the bookshelves near the couch, and his feet follow, angled at a way that he and Myunghon can see each other. This place is a treasure trove for the kind of literature he likes... while he's browsing, he glances at Myunghon's book, trying to see if he can recognize the title from how they're holding it.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
It takes about two seconds after Hiroto poses his question that Myunghon rises from the couch in a half-startled state, like they were caught sleeping on the job. "Oh! Oh... my apologies," Myunghon pinches the bridge of their nose. They're looking a bit more disheveled than usual, which means the dishevelation is at an all-time high. "Yes, you've come to the right place." Their ears are ringing. "This is the Cardboard Dragon, and my name is Myunghon Yeo. It's nice to meet you."
That's mostly on autopilot, because they're still reeling from the embarrassment of finally letting the physical limitations of their body catch up to them despite the fact that they were going to do a good job today. The book is left on the couch, and it is, of course, a copy of Osamu Dazai's No Longer Human. It's a very fond and well-worn personal copy.
They take the time to have a deep and centering breath, before placing their hand to their neckline. "My apologies for that unsightly display," as the mask goes back on solid, "Is there anything I can assist you with today?"
<Pose Tracker> Hiroto Nakamura has posed.
As Myunghon rises, Hiroto sheepishly puts his hand to the back of his head, scratching lightly. "Oh, please, don't worry about it... are you okay?"
That's a great book they have there, though, when the conversation eventually moves. "Ah, No Longer Human? Excellent book, one of my favorite of his works," he says, before looking over the bookshelf again. "Dazai truly understood the human condition."
How can they help him...
"I heard you sell classic literature from a coworker, and thought I'd take a look. This is a lovely selection you have here, Yeo-san... I saw trading cards, too? To appeal to the kids, I assume."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon cups their mouth again as a wave of nausea starts to pass, cramps starting to seize their body. It passes. It always passes. "Yes, my apologies. I'm just a little under the weather at present, don't pay it any mind, sir," says the person still with their arm in a sling. "They say only a fool can catch a cold in the summer," they chuckle a little self-effacingly about themself.
Hiroto's attention on the book gets them to draw it back into themself, like they didn't intend to just leave it on the couch. "Ah... it is something of a personal favourite of mine as well," they do sound particularly enticed as Hiroto speaks of enjoying the author. "Yes, please, feel free to take a look around. We have both foreign language originals, but also Japanese translated copies and also Japanese-annotated copies as well."
They look towards the counter, where they're advertising the new Sourdough Princess set. "Yes, that's correct. Originally I only wished to open a bookstore, but I was advised that card games would be a more steady business, given how close we are to a high school."
<Pose Tracker> Hiroto Nakamura has posed.
As Myunghon says not to worry about it, Hiroto seems worried, but nods. "I thought it was that fools don't catch colds?" he says with an easygoing, friendly smile.
"Ah, I prefer Run, Melos for its depiction of unbreakable bonds, but the themes of compassion in mutual suffering is also fascinating in the one you're reading. It was rough the first time I read it, but I'll admit I couldn't put it down."
Looking over the books, not touching them, he's mesmerized. "Soseki... Akutagawa... Ayatsuji... there's even quite a few from across the sea. This is really a wonderfully eclectic selection!"
About the card games... "That makes sense. My daughter is more likely to play a game on her phone than read literature... but if she enjoys it, that's all that matters. Ah, but I'm going off-topic. If books are the passion... shouldn't that be the centerpiece?"
It does feel like the card games are the centerpiece, with all the tables...
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"Ah, I was fascinated by that one too! I thought that it was a retelling of a Greek legend, given the names involved -- but when I studied the source, the names of the brothers were different. But it'd resonated enough with the public that there are even pop songs based on Melos and Selinuntius today," Myunghon indulges in their special interest for a while, their voice rising in excitement and interest. "So it is the themes that draw you most about these works, Mister..."
A pause.
Hiroto is mesmerised by the selection, and Myunghon lets him browse in relative peace for a while until he ruminates about the card games. He mentions his daughter. They think of Ikkaku and Koume for a second, before, "Hmmm. Perhaps that should be the case, but since the day to day customer does tend to be teens interested in this hobby, I've chosen to let it take center stage. That way, when I do get a customer such as yourself interested in the books, it makes it all the more special."
There's a fond little smile. "There are a number of youths who've started seeing this place as a pleasant way to spend their after-school hours. And I'd like to encourage that."
<Pose Tracker> Hiroto Nakamura has posed.
"It's interesting, isn't it? It's a reworking of a German ballad, which itself is based on the story of Damon and Pythias... the way stories change, adapt, and are reinvented for new audiences is truly something special."
A pause. "Yes, indeed. Hiroto Nakamura. Themes are how we understand not just our media, but each other... wouldn't you say people have some manner of themes, too?"
He glances around the layout of the shop carefully, like he's trying to see if there's anything out of the way he hasn't spotted yet. Since there isn't, he continues the discussion.
Hiroto's a little sheepish as they say that customers interested in the books make it more special. But he doesn't dwell on it. "Do you have a book club or anything of the sort? You do have a good space for it, and you might be able to pull some younger people in too." A pause, though, as they mention the youths...
"I'll have to tell my daughter about it. She's fourteen, but she's more likely to... how do the kids say it, 'crack a pack' than even spare the books a second thought."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
"That is very true. I myself have an interest in... authors, over even their stories, I confess," Myunghon sounds a bit rosy as they start to really get into talking about it, like their nausea and headache can be put aside for a bit. "For instance... Dazai is someone trapped between his wealthy background, the associations he had with the Japanese Communist Party in the background of the second World War raging on at the time, and his associations with the Buraiha school of thinking, and of course, his multiple suicide attempts. Some say that trying to just compare his i-novels to being autobiographical accounts is tantamount to a surface read, that misses the richness of his work, but they are not unrelated. Why, it was Sako Junichiro himself that said that Dazai was a person who could not think of himself in an inter-relationship of 'society' and the 'individual'... what fascinates me more than anything is how relevant his feelings are even now--"
A pause, as they look embarrassed at infodumping to a first-time customer. "Oh. I have allowed myself to be carried away."
"A book club...? Hmm..." Myunghon does look thoughtful. "I am not usually surrounded by so many people who'd be into such an activity, but I have desired it in the past, Nakamura-san." Would some of the regulars be interested? Now they're really taken into it.
Hiroto mentions his daughter again. "I do not think that is something to chide them about. If a child gains an interest in something, I'd like to encourage them explore that," they chuckle.
<Pose Tracker> Hiroto Nakamura has posed.
As Myunghon infodumps, Hiroto stops glancing around the shelf to look to them. At the very least, he doesn't look bored or anxious about it, listening intently. It's only when they cut themselves off that he speaks again. "Oh, don't worry about it1 It's good to be passionate." A pause. "I'd agree, though. Society is an individual itself, did he not say? It feels true to this very day."
About the book club... he smiles softly. "If you desire it, it's worth a try. I know I'm being presumptous as a new customer... but if I can make some time to be out here regularly, it's the kind of thing that'd appeal. After all, you can get a community of card players with their social hobby very easy... but community between book lovers requires something to pull them in. Who knows? Maybe you'll get some new regulars from the idea."
He laughs about chiding his daughter. "I wouldn't do such a thing. We're just different people. And who knows? Maybe she'll take to it when she's older. If she doesn't, that's okay too."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon does smile just a bit nervously, since they're entirely unused to really ever nattering on about things they like in front of anyone, even their closest friends at present. In a way, that's another facet of that self-sacrificing personality, because they'll just happily write off their interests as being less important than the others. Rock concerts and cooking and cars and music over their books.
... thinking rock concerts is making another dent in their mood.
"Even moreso today, I would wager, we have pressures asserted on us by our society," Myunghon remarks, a little distant.
If Hiroto is casing the place for entrances and exits, Myunghon sure doesn't notice it. But the front entrance is blocked by a large cactus, the so-called Johnny-kun, guardian of the Cardboard Dragon. That's a fire hazard right there. There's also the third floor, whatever that might be.
"I will have to think about it. Who would be most interested in a book club, I wonder...? If you've some interest, then perhaps we could arrange it," Myunghon doesn't immediately rule it out. Shinobu doesn't really seem the type... Ayame and Reiko seem more into games. Shinjiro seems like he'd be too restless to really read much, so is Mio. Miho? Yua? They'd be busy, but Yua was interested in the romance books they gave her... they're not sure about So-young. Umie? Hmmm... jury's out on that. Ikkaku certainly would, wouldn't he?
...
Oh no!! A sample size of TWO DADS and themself is suddenly making them realise they have the aura of a 40-year old salaryman. What did you think the suits were going to do to your self-image, Myunghon?
<Pose Tracker> Hiroto Nakamura has posed.
Hiroto doesn't pry when he notices that nervousness. He knows he has to handle people like this simply. But as they go distant... "But we're the ones who have control in the end," he says quietly, before changing topics.
Johnny-kun is noticed. Cactus...!
"I can leave my card, if you'd like, and if you choose to set it up, you can contact me." He offers, before picking up a copy of an old French book. "I think I'd like to ring this up?"
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon tries to hide a flinch at that statement. Control. True power. It's up to them to make others realise it. Was that really the only path available to them? Tsumugi and mother were essentially providing the same rationale. Power is useless if it's not exerted upon the world. Why did that statement of Hiroto's make them shiver? They were in such a happy place a moment ago. Just like Tsubasa, these pleasing moods seem so fleeting.
"Um--" Myunghon looks like they've lost their place. Maybe it's the concussion making them lose their place again. That's likely it. "Yes, that would be ideal... thank you very much, Nakamura-san." They glance at the card. Where is it that they work at, anyhow?
Hiroto decides on a purchase, and that busies them to go to their point of sales and ring them up. The book is in a nice gift wrap before long. "Ah, here you are, and here is your receipt. Please let me know if there are any issues, and I'll be more than happy to rectify it."
<Pose Tracker> Hiroto Nakamura has posed.
Hiroto notices the flinch. "Ah... I just meant..."
You've already messed this up, haven't you?
He rubs the back of his head. "Self-discipline lets us get through the world, you know?" That is actually what he meant, even if he has an attachment to that word that goes unhealthy places.
But as they take the card...
HIROTO NAKAMURA
KATOU CORPORATION
As Hiroto pays, he takes the book and the wrap, smiling. "Thank you very much, Yeo-san. I hope you have a pleasant day, and I look forward to coming back." He means that, too...
Even if he has other reasons.