2025-10-01: A Fortunate Encounter
- Log: A Fortunate Encounter
- Cast: Umie Akabane, Ichika Kawase, Jun Kashihara
- Where: Etheria, Aoba Way, Sumaru City
- OOC Date: October 01, 2025
- IC Date: July 20, 2012
- Summary: A chance encounter happens at Etheria between three people who happen to want similar things: Tsubasa Seki's safety from the police, an end to Joker Killer's killing spree, and an answer to the mystery that plagues Tatsuya Suou.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
===EARLIER===
A few days have passed since the arson in Aoba Park, enough time for the bruises from Old Maid's sword hilt to go down, as well as the concussion.
... But not Umie's stress levels. If it wasn't her worrying about what the police may do to cover up the whole mess, it was Sudou's words, as well as Tatsuya, and a series of other things, all jumbling in her mind like a blood pressure spiking katamari. On top of that, a tomb of short stories by a certain author lies heavy in her satchel. It may as well be a book of cursed knowledge threatening to drive the blonde mad... if she wasn't just overwhelmed by the prose. Who *writes* like this?
Speaking of cursed knowledge...
One look at the doctor(?) from America and something about a gold finger made Umie decide a *different* approach would be better.
===NOW===
So, after a visit to Aoba Park to try to remember more of the events of that day (which only made her stress levels worse, good going, Umie), Umie Akabane ponders the shelves of Etheria, nervously looking at the price list and making calculations in her mind. Oh, that does sound good. And that, too...
The front waiting area is an elegant display, like an indoor (faux) marble topiary garden, or an elven sanctuary. Even the clerk at the desk seems a little otherworldly, like a secret fairy coming to bless the tired denizens of Sumaru City with her secrets!
"..." Umie squints. Surely they don't jack up their prices to take advantage of all the students stressed out over exams, right? Maybe this is just like a certain fairy that keeps jacking up the price on that spring...
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Yesterday--Thursday the 19th--Ichika Kawase was picked up by the cops right after school, to be interrogated about Tsubasa Seki. She didn't reveal much more than she meant to... at the interview itself. Before that, she'd apparently been followed despite her best efforts (which admittedly weren't great; she doesn't have any thief training). She... also didn't go to the guy with the GOLDEN FINGER.
Instead, she went home, staying in Tatsumi for the night for her mother to worry over her and to find a cute boy by accident this time. But now...
She was at school again today, and the rumors were going widely. Not only has she broken up with the Spike Boss, but her gangmate might be involved in the arsons--plural! Which means Ichika might well have demanded it. And she was picked up by the cops. It's won her a little respect, a lot of trepidation, and even more gossip... which she kind of hates.
But with an invite out, she is talking with Jun at the moment. "Thanks," she says. "I actually really like this place," she says as she steps inside the sanctuary that is Etheria.
"...But I hope they aren't giving you trouble."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
It's been a high-tension week for a lot of reasons--but the Aoba Park arsons and the fallout thereof certainly top the list. Jun's also been affected by that, even if he wasn't there for it. After all, Tsubasa's in hiding (arrested?) and Ichika was taken in for questioning... Jun's naturally been worried for his friends and classmates. Especially since Tatsuya told him that the target of Tuesday's arsons was indeed Tsubasa... even though they're also getting blamed for them in the news.
At least Ichika was back in class today. Tsubasa... has still been out. Jun asked her as discreetly as possible what's been going on, undaunted by the rumors going around school--he knows her better than to think she would've ordered Tsubasa to commit arson on her behalf. They didn't get far into the conversation before Jun suggested that maybe they take a break together over at Etheria.
"It /is/ relaxing, isn't it?" Jun replies as he walks into Etheria with her. "I come here with my mother sometimes--she loves it here, too." He looks around the place; there's a decent number of people around, checking out the prices and/or waiting their turn for treatment. He shakes his head at her concern. "Not so far. I suppose it's not as well-known that I'm a friend of Tsubasa-kun's, but if the police get desperate enough, I'm sure they'll start questioning the rest of our class, including me."
His shakes his head, lip curling. "Disgraceful... They ought to be ashamed of themselves."
GAME: Ichika Kawase sets her Casual Summer desc! <Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Warm brown eyes look up from the mandala poster displayed on the wall at the two in Kasugayama uniforms that enter in.
At last, luck may be on Umie's side. The description Umie got at Kasugayama hits Ichika's profile; it's certainly one that's hard to miss. The bleached blonde hair (OH RIGHT, Umie needs to get a dye job), the makeup, and, of course, the outfit.
It's the second person that draws Umie's attention next, being...
.... the young man with the soft smile, who Tatsuya wanted protected: Jun Kashihara.
Umie attempts to make her glance by adjusting the red hair band she wears, but her fingers stop as she hears Tsubasa's name.
Jun's getting involved in all this, which means--
"..." How to do this delicately?
She purses her lips, and before she knows it, her feet are walking in their direction, doing her best to adopt the mien of someone who has *not* tried to strangle a man in the past week.
".... Excuse me," she ventures, glancing from side to side discreetly. "... Are you friends of Seki's?" Pause. "I... wanted to pass a message onto them."
She'll judge their reactions before going forward; there's not a lot that could be done about how suspicious she's being, but she'll take on that risk.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika is doing her best in class; she even went out and ate smart food! ...It might help! Probably not, but maybe!
Ichika was willing to tell Jun what really happened; that it was the Joker again, and that the police were after Tsubasa about it. But she was obviously intensely stressed about it...
"Oh, yeah?" Ichika asks of Jun. "Your mom's an actress, right? ...Guess that means I have good taste in relaxation." A smile. It's a little forced, but it is there. But, not so far... "OK, cool," she says. "Hopefully not, but..."
But it's possible. Jun's lip curls, and Ichika nods. "Seriously. I hate it. I..."
She pauses, and looks at Umie. She doesn't recognize Umie offhand, and so, with Umie's delicacy:
"..."
"Are you a cop?" Ichika asks Umie. "I'm pretty sure you have to tell us if you're a cop."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Well, there's good news on that front, Umie. But we'll save that for later.
For Ichika's part, Jun had heard about both already--the first from Tatsuya (though he hasn't gone into that with her just yet) and the second from the news. Given the rumors going around school, he'd thought it better to suggest they move somewhere more relaxing--and private--before continuing the discussion. And so here they are...
"Yes, that's right. Junko Kurosu," Jun replies, smiling back--a name Ichika might know, given that she's a veteran actress who's been in the business for decades. "If you do end up going into the newscasting business, I'll introduce you to her sometime."
The cops are far less pleasant topic--all the moreso when a woman Jun doesn't recognize walks up to them to interrupt their conversation. Her outfit makes it clear she's not an employee, and the fact that she brings up Tsubasa is... Jun frowns, their uncovered eye narrowing.
Of course, then he has to muffle a laugh when Ichika asks that. Even if she meant that seriously, it's still funny.
Composing himself, Jun folds his arms under his chest, which bears a yellow lily in the breast pocket of his summer uniform. His tone is polite but distant, and his beautiful face is stern as he asks, "Shouldn't you introduce yourself before asking a favor of strangers, miss?"
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Neither of them should recognize her; it's not like Umie knows much about either of them, and if they were at the Aoba arson...
... yeah, she's pretty certain no one was paying attention by the time her mask cracked like the cheap plastic knickknack it was, and neither was she, by that point.
"And if I told you I wasn't," Umie says, with a tightly wound half-grin, "would you even believe me?"
Ichika, Umie was expecting, but when she looks towards Jun, and the polite but stern expression on his face, a moment passes as she takes it in, her gaze thoughtful.
... maybe, there's a chance...
And instead Umie sighs, holding up her hands, like nothing had happened. "... Right, right." She lowers her hands, crossing them in front of her. "Umie. Umie Akabane," she says, with a lowered, guarded tone.
'Revealing your true name in a fae realm... isn't that how the hero becomes entrapped by the fairies for eternity?'
They shouldn't know who an Umie Akabane *is*, but she can't account for other overhearing all three of them.
"... There was a random trash fire in the alleyways near Central Street, in Shibuya," she begins with a lowered voice, gesturing with her left hand, her other still folded. "Something noxious caught fire; a chemical, or something... certainly no man with a paper bag on his head trying to find someone that managed to escape him." She tilts her head, her smile coy. "... After all, who would believe that, I wonder...?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika definitely doesn't know about Tatsuya yet, though she saw him at the fight. He was really something! But...
It's a good idea not to talk in front of everybody. One day Ichika may learn opsec. It might even be today!
"She's really good," Ichika offers, and it's not idle praise; Ichika likes her performances. "Thanks! That'd be really cool of you. I'm looking into writing more right now..." She has some ideas on that front, actually, which she could get into--but doesn't yet.
Instead, she makes her flat question, and she does hear an almost-laugh and wonders if she has the wrong information. It's fine. Jun has a good question, too, and Umie...
"Try me." She might believe it! But--
She gives a name. Ichika watches her thoughtfully, but does not write it down or take some possession of Umie's very self. Instead...
"Huh." She pauses. Shibuya... and... a man with a paper bag on his head.
"OK," Ichika says. "I believe you. ...But you should know they aren't answering their phone, so i can't get in touch with them even if I wanted to pass on your message... which I might or might not, depending on what it is."
A glance to Jun. "She's at least seen the real deal," she admits.
"So sure, give me your message."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Jun's glad to see Ichika cheer up, even a little bit; he might well introduce her to his mother even if she doesn't end up going into journalism. That moment doesn't last, though. A woman he doesn't know approaches them... though he only doesn't know her for a brief moment longer.
"Akabane?" Jun echoes, eye(s) going wide as his folded arms loosen. "Were you talking to a Maya Amano-san by text the other day?"
What a coincidence... But then, they are all in Aoba Ward right now. His lips purse as Umie describes a 'random trash fire.' He doesn't quite follow, but there's an unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach when she describes a man with a paper bag on his head... He exchanges glances with Ichika, and she confirms it. He gives her a single nod, then looks back at Umie.
"Likewise for me," he says, of getting in contact with Tsubasa. "But yes. We'll at least hear you out, Akabane-san." He considers her for a moment; then he adds, "By the way, my name is Jun Kashihara. I was the one looking for... for Suou-kun, to give him a birthday present."
They're on first-name no-suffix basis now, but for some reason Jun feels like that's for Tatsuya and him only. Other people don't need to know.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
What is the message?
This is where Umie's seemingly bulletproof planning falls apart like wet tissue paper. "... well, the message was 'stay low', but it sounds like they're doing it already... And with everything going on in the news, I'm *really* late." She glances around again discreetly again, her pose and mannerisms casual, like she was sharing some particularly salacious gossip.
Umie taps a partially covered left hand against her cheek, the bell on the woven red thread bracelet on her wrist making a minute chime. "The police, or, those in certain positions, know it's not Seki-san. I'm pretty certain of this. However, they need to cover this incident up, and that means a scapegoat. With the Kasugayama 'gang attack'--" Umie's flat expression will indicate just how much she believes that, "--it's likely going to be a convenient reason to go with someone from Kasugayama High... especially someone who may have been witnessed there."
And had the tragic news of who called Sudou displayed so rudely to so many, even if those that persisted in attacking Sudou and Niko were likely sympathetic.
"I'm trying to see what I can do from my end, but... I'm not a cop." This, Umie admits, wincing at the ironic callback to Ichika's question moments earlier. "So instead, I'll give you a number Seki-san or either of you can call if... you need someone." Her words falter as logic asserts itself; if Sudou attacks, there'd be no time. And for everything else... she's useless.
Neither of them could know she has a Persona, and she can't detect one on either of them as well.
.... Which is fortunate, in the case of Jun.
'Akabane?' Jun's reaction causes Umie to regard him with slightly widened eyes. "... Y-yes?" she says, cautiously--
Of course it was Maya.
Umie's right hand palms her face. ".... that reporter...! She caught me at a bad time...!" she hisses, through her hand. "... I'm sorry, Kashihara-san. I didn't mean to seem like I was rude there; I really do want to try to help."
She takes in a breath, and thinks. "I can try to get it to him, if you like. Not sure if he wants to see my face or anyone's right now, but. I think he'd like..." Her lips fall into a hard line. "Sorry," she says, a second time, her chin dipping low.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
No, the moment can't last too long. Akabane. And--"Wait, you know Maya Amano?" That changes a number of things for Ichika, rather immediately. Jun introduces himself, and he was looking for Suou..
"Yeah," Ichika says. "Nice thought, but that's a little late."
Chime. There's a bell there.
Still... "How do you know?" Ichika wonders of Umie immediately. About the police. "I mean, I know it wasn't them, but..." Do the police actually know that? "Ugh. Yeah." The 'gang attack'. "...So you think they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time?"
Still, the number. Ichika will take that number, pulls out her phone and records it. "K."
Maya!
"Yeah, the reporter," Ichika says. "Hm."
She looks between Jun and Umie. "If you can find Suou-san, that's good," she says. "But..."
"I'm thinking," she says. "I was given this video--the Joker Killer online, killing someone. ...it's pretty grim, but it might be some proof. If I can put together some more..."
"Maybe I can clear them. Just by proving that the Joker Killer really is doing stuff like this."
"So whatever you know..."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Jun all but gawks at Umie when she says the police know Tsubasa's innocent, they just want to find a scapegoat to cover up the Joker Killer's involvement. It shouldn't be as much of a shock as it is after the news completely failed to acknowledge him after the Kasugayama attack. It nonetheless is.
"Why--?" But Jun stops himself and shakes his head. "...No, the less I know, the better." He won't stop Ichika from asking more, though.
But... she 'caught her at a bad time,' hm. That was right around when the arsons were starting, if the timing is correct... Jun gives Umie a close look, but doesn't say anything. He'll accept the phone number, at least.
"It's all right," he reassures Umie. He gives Ichika a small smile. "And, as a matter of fact... I already found him. I wanted to talk to you about that too, but I thought I'd leave it for after we got here..." He glances back at Umie. "I suppose that was a wise decision, hm?"
A video of the Joker Killer murdering someone. That's grotesque, and Jun's paling face clearly shows he thinks so. But if Ichika's right and it can be used to clear Tsubasa's name... but if what Umie implies is correct, then... Jun rests a hand on his chin in thought, then shoots Umie a worried look. "..."
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Sometimes, it feels like she's a speeding cart with valuable china, uncertain on when to stop, because when she does, it'll all go crashing in a cacaphony of sound, unlike the gentle chime of that bell.
"... I'm surprised as you are," Umie admits to Ichika with a dry tone. Still, she can't help but chuckle. "Amano-san really is something, isn't she?"
Umie sees Jun's acknowledgment. "... I'm in the dark on a lot of it as well, with Suou-san," she admits. "I have my suspicions, but those are staying with me." Delusion can only beget more delusion, if she's *too* hasty.
How does Umie know? "...." Umie's not saying, though she follows with a unusually gentle, "it won't help you to know why. Better that you don't." It's almost apologetic. Both to Ichika, and to Jun, who is giving her that close look.
Is she messing things up by doing this, already?
"Honestly, I just figured because..." She frowns, a hand going to her chin. "... just them being identified by the Old Maid. Lots of witnesses that'd see them, but any reports of who it was? Likely thrown out. 'Lucky' guess." She sighs. "That, and them being taken in before, recently."
"... You did?" Umie's eyes slightly widen, then, her gaze softens. "... Was he okay? I wanted to get in contact with him, but... it felt like a bad time." She nods towards Jun. "That number, is also for you. If you run into any trouble, call me. I'm not the person you'd want to see, but I'll do whatever I can to help you." Her expression is sober, unlike the casual, cheeky manner she displayed moments ago. "Especially if it's someone like Old Maid."
Turning to Ichika now, Umie says, "Not sure if you can clear it to the police as a whole. There's going to be some sympathetic people in there, though. But if the public finds out... that'd be a whole different story, wouldn't it...?" she ventures, for Ichika. "But can you control the rumors that might happen because of it?" ... Yeah, Umie. You sure know all about *controlling rumors*.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika is not as surprised at the matter of the news, and the police. But Maya is a much better topic, and the respect Ichika has for her may be plain in how she straightens up just talking about her. "Oh, she's great," Ichika enthuses. "I'm... debating, I know she's already looking into the story, but I don't want to just put all the trouble on her, either..."
Suspicions? Hmm. "I guess it's better not to gossip," she allows.
But Umie isn't saying. The way she says it is... strange. "...That dangerous, huh?" Ichika asks. "All right."
"Oh!" Ichika smiles at Jun. "That's great. I'm all for talking about it, but..." She glances back to Umie. "Seems like the stuff I'd ask isn't the same stuff Akabane-san wants to know."
"The cops want to talk to Tsubasa-kun," Ichika confirms. "That's why they picked me up. ...But they were following me, too..."
She sighs.
Trouble? Hmm. Like the Old Maid...
Ichika looks thoughtfully at Umie. "You can call me too, if you learn more about that. I'll text you so you have my number too."
It is grotesque. Ichika hesitates to even bring it up. But... it might be important evidence. "Yeah," she says. "I know there's a couple decent guys in the police force, but..." She shivers. "Not enough." She thinks back to what Officer Mineno said to her.
"Anyway yeah, that's what I'm thinking. If we can publicize the story..."
"I'm not sure I'm the best one to do it," she admits. "But if I can get Amano-san enough information, maybe her contacts can do it better."
The rumors? "Who can control rumors?" Ichika says with a shrug.
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
Maya is a good topic. Jun smiles at Ichika and Umie both about her. "We just happened to run into each other that day, ourselves. It was one long string of happy coincidences," he replies. Fate brought us together, he thinks, more of Tatsuya than Maya (however much he liked her), and normally would say--but if fate would just tear them apart again afterwards... he'll keep it to himself.
"I see. That's for the best," Jun agrees, of Umie keeping her suspicions about Tatsuya to herself. ...He's being pretty okay with not knowing things, huh? He catches Ichika's eye, and while he smiles back, there's a rueful air to it. "Suou-kun and I talked things out. I understand that he's doing something important--something I can't be a part of. So, I promised to stay out of his way. In short, you don't need to look into him for me anymore." He looks back at Umie. "I messaged Amano-san to let her know that too."
That's all very clinical. But what about his feelings? Ichika, at the least, should have had a sense that Jun's preoccupation with Tatsuya was more than just idle curiosity... But it's up to her if she wants to push. Jun completely understands--and even agrees--if Tsubasa's the bigger priority. He makes a low, serious sound when Ichika mentions getting harassed by the police.
Was Tatsuya okay, though? Jun considers this for a moment. "When I saw him, he was bleeding from several wounds. He fetched himself a first aid kit and cleaned and bandaged himself up like it was completely routine for him. The best I could do was offer him some clean, damp paper towels." Whether that's a yes or a no, Jun himself is not sure.
"Thank you, Akabane-san," Jun adds, though, of Umie essentially saying she'll come to his rescue if anything bad happens. It's kind of her, but it seems plain to him that whatever Tatsuya is wrapped up in, she's wrapped up in it too. That's why he adds, "It shouldn't be necessary, though. I have a Sevens emblem to protect me." ...even if that'll only protect him from the Old Maid. ......and even if that protection isn't guaranteed anymore, is it, Umie.......
Controlling rumors... That's dicey even without supernatural power backing them up. (That's something Jun doesn't really fully grasp--he has a Sevens emblem, but doesn't actually know about the Rumors that empower it--but a surprising number of sensible people have faith in it, so he will too.) Jun can only shrug too before looking back at Ichika. "I see... Gathering information and then giving to a professional reporter is the sensible thing to do. Is there anything I can do to help?" He looks from Umie to Ichika again. "...Or, considering who the true culprit is, should I stay far away?"
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
"Amano-san's pretty resilient. Besides, not sure you could stop someone like that. Look at what trouble she's caused already..." she says, motioning subtly towards Jun with a wry grin. "But with great risk comes great reward, if someone takes that chance." But is it wise? Especially if it's...
That dangerous? "... Pretty much." Even admitting to it is dangerous, but Umie can only show the cards around it. (But boy, does having that card make _Umie_ feel powerful.)
"I don't know about that," Umie says, on the topic of Ichika. "If this is about Tak--" Her throat closes *SHUT* do not let that get out-- "Suou-san, I may be able to help."
Tsubasa's already in *this* much danger. Umie grimaces. "... And they were following you too... sheesh... I was questioned too, but I had a concussion at the time, so..." She shrugs. "I *know* he was there." You can't strange something that doesn't exist.
"Alright. Let's exchange numbers." There's more information, definitely, but beyond how to survive...
She just needs to think on it.
"Enough to break a stalemate, if it comes down to it," Umie agrees. "But yeah. Not enough."
Publicize the story...? Get Amano-san enough information... ? So that's what Ichika meant, earlier.
"...." Umie's eyes widen. ".... I didn't even think of that..." It'd put Maya in danger, yes, but-- "She has people around her to help her out." And a Persona.
And Jun...
"... If I was acting on Suou-san's behalf, I'd say 'stay away'." She raises a red-tipped finger, like she was about to say something quippy that may not be helpful, but there's that wait as she looks at Jun, red brown eyes stilling to a thoughtful lull.
If that calm, stern look he displayed is an indication of the potential steel that lies inside him, instead of just a chance glimpse of someone who was simply being protective of someone they knew...
"... Only you can decide what lies in your future, Kashihara-san. It was lucky you were even here; this conversation may have gone a lot differently, without you to be the one to connect a few dots." She crosses her arms, smirking. "Kawase-san's as sharp as her title, though, I think we would have found some understanding eventually." An equal measure of emphasis is given to each statement; she doesn't want Jun to feel obligated, nor does she want him to feel like he can't do anything at all.
Powerlessness doesn't suit either of these two.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Oh!" Ichika nods along. "When Amano-san is involved, that doesn't surprise me." Good things seem to happen around her. Ichika doesn't know about Maya causing trouble. And Jun does seem all right with not knowing things.. So that rueful air... Hm.
"I see..." She frowns, but not sharply; she's not quite satisfied with that story, but at the same time, if Jun is happy...
"I'm glad you were able to get some resolution," she says, "...But I've got some reasons of my own to look into him. So I still will." Now, she wants to know what the story is there, too. If she happens to learn more, or talk to him about Jun, well.. she can let Jun know.
It's definitely more than idle curiosity, though. "I'd like to talk about it some more later, either way," she says.
But harassment sucks. And, bleeding? "...Doesn't surprise me," Ichika admits with a grimace. "When I saw him, he was fighting the Joker Killer. He seems to have some kind of a history with him..." But she doesn't know what it is.
His Sevens emblem to protect him... Hm.
But Jun asks if he can help, and Ichika nods. "Well," she says, "You help me a lot as it is," she admits. "But with this in particular... Yeah. Keep your ears open, OK? And maybe you can help me make sense of what I find. I don't..."
Ichika reddens a little. "I don't want to look stupid in front of Amano-san..." It's not a romantic crush, but the degree to which Ichika looks up to Maya is pretty strong. She really values her opinions.
A pause. "I mean, be careful, but like..." She doesn't think Jun should just stay away, either. She smiles at Umie, though it's brief, tight-lipped. "Sure. We can exchange stories." A pause. "Yeah, I'm not feeling very friendly at the moment," Ichika says to Umie. "And it sounds like you were looking into me, too. But..."
A pause. "Thanks anyway. Whatever could've happened, it did go this way. The 'future' will happen regardless, right? But..."
"I could really go for that treatment," Ichika says. "...I'll call you later though, Akabane-san?"
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
He's not exactly "happy." But he's not depressed like he was before, either. Jun has found... acceptance. Enough of a resolution to be able to move on.
Of course, everyone around him seems to be getting more and more involved in it too... And since he doesn't actually know how Rumors work, he doesn't realize that the Sevens emblem's protection could fail him.
But none of them are talking about that, are they?
"All right. As long as you're not just doing it for my sake," Jun tells Ichika. He chuckles a bit at Ichika and her mention of Maya's trouble-making. "She's a very vivacious woman. Even though we were strangers to each other, she didn't hesitate to help me try to find Suou-kun. I could see right away why you admire her so much," he adds to Ichika.
If Umie were speaking on Tatsuya's behalf... He smiles even as he averts his eyes. "Yes, I expect so." That's the reason why he asked if he should stay away. Still, Ichika and Umie agreeing that Jun can still help, even if it's not in fighting, does see him smile a bit more brightly. It's difficult to sit back and do nothing. "Connect the dots, hmmm... Maybe you're right. Surely I can still help even as just background support."
Especially given Ichika's suggestions. "I'd be happy to be a sounding board--and if I hear anything, I'll let you know." Though he suspects Ichika will be much better informed than he will be, there's at least a normal aspect to what's going on with Tsubasa. Speaking of which, a thought occurs to him, and he adds, "Ah, if they need them, I'll be happy to copy my notes for them. Chances are good they'll have to make up their exams, after all."
But they are here for a reason, and that takes priority for now. (Ichika really needs to de-stress.) Jun nods along with Ichika, prepared to move on with her to the fae-like receptionist.
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
"... If you're looking into Suou-san, I can pass a line to him. I'll leave it in his hands, though," Umie says to Ichika. "But I do think you two should meet." It'd be good for Tatsuya to meet more people. (Like his brother, for instance.)
Umie had managed to keep herself from letting that worry over Tatsuya bleed into her expression, but now...
"I need to find him too..." She grimaces, then regards Jun gently. "... I shouldn't say this, but thank you for being there for him, Kashihara-san. That makes me feel a little better."
'When I saw him...' It's Ichika that Umie pays attention to now, though her attention doesn't stay for long. Of course Ichika'd be there; just probably someplace out of view. And even if Umie looked in her direction, she would have just seen another Kasugayama High student, right?
It's because of this that Umie sees those cheeks redden.
A sharp smile spreads on her lips, barely hidden by the casual touch of Umie's finger to her lips. "Maybe there's some information I could give you after all.... but later."
Was she looking into Ichika? Umie gives Ichika a playful grin. "You have a lot of people who seem to be eager to say how tough you are, Ka-wa-se-san. It didn't take much. But it's a good sign; they got your back where it matters."
Jun will help, even as background support. "Okay." Umie nods. "But I mean it, Kashihara-san. If things get dangerous, I'll take it as seriously as Suou-san will. I promised him I'd do that." Maybe not that, exactly, but--
No one has to know.
"I think I deserve a manicure after all this," she says, with a wink. "I'm going with red. See you both later~"
Kasugayama High students really are something else... and Umie's so thankful for it.