2025-10-14: Retrieval Request
- Log: Retrieval Request
- Cast: Rin Sasaki, Tamaki Uchida
- Where: Kuzunoha Detective Agency
- OOC Date: October 14, 2025
- IC Date: July 26, 2012
- Summary: Having previously been informed of the critical importance of a certain memento, Rin seeks out the services of a detective agency with a reputation for odd cases after finding it missing.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Between Chief Todoroki and Apprentice Detective Uchida, the pair take on a wide variety of odd cases -- things the police would otherwise ignore or dismiss. The main service they currently offer -- which is mainly the Chief's domain -- is that they'll spread rumors within Sumaru City so they may take root and become reality. Otherwise, as Tamaki's sales pitch goes, "We take on cases of all kinds, from secret love affairs to ghosts!"
It's a quiet morning at the Kuzunoha Detective Agency, and the office's decor adds to the tranquility with its navy-blue carpeting and eggshell-white wallpaper. The detectives have their respective desks, books line the shelves and cabinets behind those, and two couches in the center of the office sit on either side of a small coffee table. Todoroki is busy on the phone, and Tamaki, still a university student, is studying for her upcoming Criminology exam.
And if anyone enters, the giant golden lucky cat statue beckons them with what sounds like a tinny recording, "Nya~! Nya~! Nya~! 1000 yen, please!" In all likelihood, this sound at least causes Tamaki to look up from her studying to greet the visitor.
<Pose Tracker> Rin Sasaki has posed.
Once more, Rin finds herself back in Sumaru City, and once more, for a reason she would have considered outlandish and absurd not terribly long ago. The request, this time, is at least much smaller -- although perhaps made all the more absurd for it. Is this even the kind of request they'll take on? She's never exactly needed the services of a private detective agency before.
Rin looks uncertain as she steps into the building. She is a thin woman in her late twenties, standing just a little above average height, with a soft, narrow face and pale skin. She is wearing a long, flowing, emerald chiffon skirt, a loose white blouse and open low-healed sandals. Styled, wavy black hair frames her face and spills down her back; manicured nails and glittering earrings and a wedding ring. She is carrying a small, decorative purse over one shoulder. There is a weariness in her eyes that refuses to be concealed by makeup, even though the day has just begun.
She lingers hesitantly in the entrance, looking very much as if she might turn around and walk right back out.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
In a flash, Tamaki stands up from her desk in a motion which leaves her desk chair spinning and she clasps her hands together apologetically as she gives Rin her best Winning Smile. "Welcome, welcome! Apologies for the statue, it started talking one day as the result of a rumor. That's ... the power of rumors in Sumaru City, I suppose! But what brings you in here today?"
Tamaki is a young college student who stands at 5'5", sporting a light-yellow dress shirt and brown business suit -- blazer and slacks -patterned with beige vertical stripes. Her complexion makes it apparent that she's been getting some sun. One accessory of note is the choker around her neck, which loops through the holes of six coins.
After asking her question, Tamaki smiles warmly, studying Rin to the best of her ability. Seeing Rin's eyes, Tamaki considers bringing her own enthusiasm down a notch, down from 'used car salesman' to 'regular person showing concern.' More gently, she adds, "... Tamaki Uchida, apprentice detective. How may I assist you?"
<Pose Tracker> Rin Sasaki has posed.
A expression of deep puzzlement overtakes Rin's features as Tamaki explains the statue. In the past, she would have simply dismissed and moved past such an outlandish idea -- she very rarely had cause to come out this way, but she had heard in passing that the people of Sumaru City clung to some odd superstitions and urban legends -- but that was then, and this is now. Now, curiosity gets the better of her.
"Power of -- rumors?" Rin asks as she steps further into the building, instead of lingering right by the door, and perhaps immediately revealing that she is not a local. It's at least a brief distraction from her current problems.
But only a brief one. "Rin Sasaki," she replies in kind after Tamaki introduces herself and asks how she can assist her. There's a brief pause as Rin glances away from Tamaki and towards the rest of the office, then back again. "I need an item returned to me. It is not high-value and not, strictly speaking, stolen, but it is --" A moment of hesitation. What the item is connected to remain very surreal to her. "It is very important."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
With more seriousness to her demeanor, Tamaki nods. "You're not from around here, I take it. Rumors here take root and become reality as the public grows to commonly hold a particular belief." She glances back at the Chief, then returns her attention to Rin. Cracking a grin, she adds, "The Chief's got his connections to spread news around so you can make your dreams a reality. We're always happy to demonstrate, should you have something you wish to make true. The back rooms of a club suddenly turning into a complex labyrinth overnight, magazine sweepstakes with outlandish rewards, bars and boutiques openly dealing in weapons and armor, urban legends actually coming to life ... it's apparently all mind-over-matter in these parts."
Tamaki snaps her fingers and points at Rin. "But! I take it you're not here for that particular service, and you're here for something more typical." The detective reaches back to her desk to retrieve a notepad and pencil to write down Rin's request. "Go on, though, I'm all ears. Tell me about what you want back, and then we can discuss if that's something we can do in the first place, and if so, our fee schedule."
<Pose Tracker> Rin Sasaki has posed.
Rin gets, perhaps, a significantly more detailed response to her question than she originally bargained for. She is certainly far, far less incredulous than she would have been even as recently as this time last month, but the other two people she's spoken to about matters that strain belief were a little more -- restrained, in how much they divulged. And it was about a single matter concerning a single person, related directly to something she experienced firsthand. Tamaki's abundance of information, provided so freely, so casually -- as if it were the most natural thing in the world -- is quite a lot to take in.
And after the last two weeks, Rin can't quite muster the shield of out-of-hand disbelief she would have previously had.
"I...see," she finally responds, a little weakly, maybe a little shakily. Is it just the lighting, or does she look a little more pale? If there is an available seat across from Tamaki's desk, she will take it, purse in her lap, leaning forward slightly. (It's definitely not just the lighting).
"I understand if it is a service you cannot provide," Rin begins, trying to get her voice back under control. "But if it is, the price is not an object." But there's that hesitation again. In the light of day, away from the two people with which she spoke of the item's deeper significance, it's hard not to feel foolish making such a fuss over such a thing -- and doesn't no monetary value and not technically stolen remove a lot of the avenues for retrieval? Yet this place, with its reputation for odd cases, still seems the best place to start. Rin takes a long, slow breath to steady herself.
"It is --" Oh, just get on with it. "It is a printed ultrasound image; my first. It is dated June 7th, 2005. It should be in a small box in my home. It is not. I believe my husband has it, perhaps keeping it in his briefcase, but..." Here's where it gets difficult again, isn't it? "I can't retrieve it myself. Kenzo hasn't been...himself lately. It's like he's a -- different person, almost. Aggressive; possessive. I haven't been home in over a week. Except yesterday with my lawyer, in the morning while he was at work, to retrieve some files, and --"
"I'm sorry," she interrupts herself. "I know this is probably far beneath your normal work, but I'm willing to pay whatever you need. It's very important," she stresses again. Perhaps notably, not 'important to me.' Just important.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Hopefully Tamaki's little explanation demonstrates that this particular agency deals with some really off-beat stuff. It's a far cry from what other agencies may consider 'standard.' They do take on standard work, too! But this place apparently isn't so discerning, luckily for Rin.
Tamaki nods along as she jots down notes. Nothing about Rin's story strikes Tamaki as odd, or at least she doesn't immediately balk at any of it. Her tone is gentle and understanding. "You're worried about what'd happen to the image in your husband's hands. That's not a problem at all. That isn't beneath us in the slightest."
She doesn't state any of her suspicions aloud, but the possibility that something supernatural is affecting Kenzo's mental state crosses her mind. Not like she has any clue as to what that might be -- doesn't fit the bill for a case of Apathy Syndrome or a Psychotic Breakdown. She only has the thought that if such is the case, it's a good thing they came to this particular agency. "If you'd like, we can look more into Kenzo's activities elsewhere; it's not uncommon for people to hire private eyes to ensure their spouse isn't having an affair or hiding wealth so that it's not discovered in divorce proceedings. Buuut you didn't open up with that, you're primarily interested in the ultrasound photo and only expressed concern over some unusual behavior of his, so I'm going to take you at your word for that. Last chance to swerve and be more open about things if this is really about something else."
Tamaki glances at her notepad, then steadily focuses her gaze towards Rin. "Is the ultrasound photo of sentimental value to you, or is it important for some other reason? No matter how outlandish it may seem, ma'am, I assure you, I have seen my share of strange things." She lightly grasps the coins on her choker as she says this, as if to illustrate.
"As for price, most detective work like this is by the hour, and I'd peg this on the lower end at about 7000 yen per hour we spend on the case. I can't imagine this take more than a few hours, too, though it'd include research and preparation time, too. Withholding information that could help us means we're more liable to spin our wheels and take longer, though I'd prefer to maintain my pride in our ability to get our cases done both thoroughly and quickly."
<Pose Tracker> Rin Sasaki has posed.
Rin allows Tamaki to speak without interruption -- It gives her something of an opportunity to arrange her thoughts. She originally only came for the specific item because of its importance. Finding it unexpectedly missing when she originally believed that the only barrier would simply be accessing it produced no small amount of shock and panic. And yet...
Tamaki may be able to see that Rin is second-guessing herself further as Tamaki goes down the list of items. 'Last chance...'
But it's the focused gaze and the very pointed question that finally elicit more of a response. "There is something -- extremely wrong with my husband," she begins, perhaps reiterating slightly but far more directly than before. "What I have been told is that he is infected by something called a 'Homunculus,' a parasite that infects the psyche."
Rin keeps her hands clasped tightly together to try and hide the trembling, but can't quite keep it out of her voice. She doesn't look at Tamaki as she speaks. "The parasite eventually supplants or subsumes the host, which is a point we have already reached. Or at least, most probably already reached."
She pauses, trying very hard to remain calm and simply relay the information asit was relayed to her. "I have also been told that the infection can be cured, but one of the first requirements is a 'memento of great attachment' to the infected person. That is -- the actual purpose for which I need it returned, Uchida-san."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
And there it is.
Well. Kind of.
Rin's answer confirms at least some of Tamaki's suspicions: primarily, something infecting the psyche indicates that this has to do with something supernatural -- something at least in the same general ballpark of what she's had to deal with before.
The exact shape of it, however, eludes her perception. 'Homunculus' isn't a term which she immediately associates in connection with the likes of Personas, Demons, and Shadows, though her first instinct is to go digging around on Dark Side of Sumaru's message boards sometime later, or ask local Rumormongers if this rings a bell for them. ... But maybe that's getting ahead of herself, her task is to just retrieve this memento -- the ultrasound photograph -- in the first place.
Tamaki gives Rin a serious nod. To most other people, Rin's claim may have seemed bizarre or outlandish. The admission took courage on Rin's part, and she intends to acknowledge and respect that. "Checks out to me. Thank you very much for your honesty and candor. It isn't the first time I've seen someone warped by... not the exact same thing, perhaps, but something similar."
<Pose Tracker> Rin Sasaki has posed.
No one has actually used any of those words thus far in Rin's presence. In fact, her first point of contact was actually rather content to leave her entirely in the dark if she hadn't asked specific questions of them.
Although she does appreciate being able to relay the details without being accused of losing her mind -- something that she wasn't originally certain of herself -- it's almost a little difficult for Rin how easily Tamaki accepts her story. Maybe it shouldn't be at this juncture, especially considering Tamaki opened this conversation by talking about 'rumors becoming reality,' but it almost feels like something that shouldn't be discussed in the same way something as mundane as 'I think my husband is cheating on me' would be.
And the detective speaks of having seen someone else 'warped' in a similar but somewhat different manner in the past. How much of the strange and unnatural is really out there, for it to be spoken of so naturally? And why did it have to come knocking on her door?
"For the rest," Rin does continue after what may be another mini-existential crisis. Her expression is downcast. "It is -- not the first time the idea has been raised to me." Although that time came with an open accusation of being in denial. "Even before recently, and the change in behavior. I've always managed our finances too closely for hidden income or assets, but --"
She interrupts herself, frowning thoughtfully. Is she certain about that? "No. He can't be lying about inflow. I would have noticed the discrepancies." she thinks out loud. "But I never did verify or question when he said he needed cash for travel for work. Or if the travel actually occurred at all..." Now that the seed has been planted again, it's clear that she's asking questions maybe she should have asked previously.
"Uchida-san," she says, looking up. "The memento is most important and time-sensitive. But I believe I may also require the other services you mentioned, after all." Funds. Infidelity. "Before -- all of this, he was home very, very little, for the last year-and-a-half or so. Always working late; regularly claiming travel for this conference or that meeting."
"We've both been going through a...difficult time, since -- a neonatal death, you see." She doesn't really want to talk about this, trying to use detached terms. "I thought it was nothing more than that. But maybe I should be more certain than that."
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
In the apprentice detective's experience, the mundane does not diverge from matters like these, but intersects with it. The desires we deny ourselves, the parts of our souls which we starve, they surge outward and find some way to leak out.
For all that Tamaki's seen in her time, she still rightly has no idea 'how much of the strange and unnatural is really out there?' Each engagement seems to have its own ruleset, each dream functions according to logic simultaneously both familiar and strange to her. It is outright dizzying to try and fully comprehend, even for someone as seasoned as herself.
When she begins to feel that vertigo come on, she knows what anchors her, at least. Creature comforts, physical pleasures, mundane things like good food and drink, or a nice jog in the park, or a relaxing spa day. Recognizing this, she offers to Rin: "Before we continue, would you like some tea? I should have offered from the start, my apologies."
Should Rin accept the offer of tea, it'll serve as a good opportunity for Tamaki to hide her expression after hearing about the fate of their would-be child as she prepares it in the kitchenette. Otherwise, she'll wear it plainly and remain silent for a few moments as she considers.
"As you said, the memento comes first. That's the task we'll commit to for now. Once that's resolved, we can discuss our other ... fact-finding services, let's say. Does that sound good?"
<Pose Tracker> Rin Sasaki has posed.
"Yes, please; tea would be lovely," Rin responds. The simple question and answer provide a bit of a distraction from the spiral of her own internal questions, and she is also fond of small physical comforts.
Tamaki's back being turned to her also, perhaps, makes it a little easier to reflect and speak on certain matters she's been flatly ignoring the possibility of until quite possibly today, when it was raised again. "Yes, of course," she replies to the next question. She starts but immediately stops herself before raising her deeper concern, which is that she has also been told that there hasn't yet been a successfully completed intervention yet, and she's worried that she may actually need ammunition if she has to initiate a divorce against the creature wearing her husband's face.
Best to focus on the immediately-actionable steps first.
"What -- information will you need from me, Uchida-San? Our address, his place of employment, his typical routine...?" Is that even the same anymore? "And forgive my curiosity, but how do you think you might retrieve it if he is keeping it with him?" She presumes they won't just snatch his briefcase away in the bustle of a busy train station, yet somehow can't quite shake the image of it, either.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Boil, brew, whisk, swish. Tamaki prepares the tea in the back-room kitchenette, then brings Rin's mug back to the table to let it steep.
Tamaki rests her chin on her hands, letting her fingers form a bridge under her nose. "Those are all good starting points. You're both listed as married to each other on the family registry, I assume?"
She rattles off several more items in rapid-fire, counting them on her fingers as she goes. "Then there's phone number, birth date, any other aliases he might be using, rent or utility bills in his name, credit card or loan applications, mortgage agreements, social media profiles ..."
Tamaki pauses her Skiptracing 101 lecture to look at Rin, then lowers her hands again. "For starters. You don't need everything, it just helps to narrow the search down and find his usual whereabouts these days."
"As for the exact means of retrieval, that's on a case-by-case basis. It's difficult to form a plan of attack when we don't yet know the shape of the battleground." There's that, and then there's the plausible deniability involved. If Tamaki ends up having to engage in something illegal to retrieve the memento, best to keep quiet about the exact method, even to Rin.
<Pose Tracker> Rin Sasaki has posed.
"Yes," Rin responds to the registry question, trying (and mostly succeeding) not to let a tinge of offense creep into her voice. She understands the necessity of the question, but still...
Rin pulls pad and paper from her purse and takes notes as Tamaki gives her list, then flips to a second page and continues writing. This page is torn off and handed to Tamaki. The handwriting is neat and precise, almost fastidious. The sheet contains a number of basic details about Kenzo Sasaki. "Here's what I have right now. The rest I will pull together today. Is there an email I can send it to, or do you require fax?" she asks, managing to almost make the last word sound like a curse.
It will later turn out that, despite his current condition, Kenzo Sasaki is not terribly difficult to find. He is not the one that is hiding, moving from hotel to hotel in fear of being found by his spouse.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
"E-mail will do just fine! And my apologies for any ... brusqueness. It just simplifies things."
Tamaki retrieves several forms -- paperwork for the job, the fee schedule, the contract and hands them over for Rin to sign. "I'll get right on that. I'm hoping to soon have news that'll let you rest easier."