2025-10-29: Team: New Couple on the Block
- Log: 2025-10-29 Team: New Couple on the Block
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Minako Arisato, Goro Akechi
- Where: Chagall Cafe, Paulownia Cafe, Tatsumi Port Island
- OOC Date: October 29, 2025
- IC Date: August 02, 2012
- Summary: While out on a date with Ren at Paulownia Mall, Minako gets called in to an emergency shift at Chagall Cafe. Not to be deterred, Ren offers to do the shift with her and make it into a working date. Unfortunately, Akechi spots the two of them and decides, as a customer, to cause them both the most trouble he can.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Things are... more or less settled at Leblanc, for now. Sojiro's still gone and radio silent, but Morgana had a good point in that maybe he can't respond and isn't just ignoring Ren, so Ren has taken it upon themself to a) clean the cafe b) get a nice bath at the bathhouse across the street c) see if Minako's up to anything. It feels awkward to ask her if she wants to come by when there's zero chance of adult supervision anytime soon, so when they call her, they don't mention that as an option. She is available... and so Ren's afternoon plans are set.
They could really use something to lift their spirits after the past few days--especially with that run-in with Hibari in the morning--and having a fun, casual date with their girlfriend sounds like just the ticket. Morgana will keep an eye on Leblanc in the meanwhile.
~ * ~
Paulownia Mall's pretty crowded today. It's almost like school just let out for summer and teenagers are still eager to hang out and go shopping. Ren's wearing their more customary summer casual outfit--glasses, jeans, white overshirt, black undershirt, and sturdy shoes--and sitting close to Minako on the bench.
"Funny, but I was here just the other day with your brother," they're saying, hands draped on their thighs. "D'you want to guess what stores we checked out?" They smile at her. "We can make a game of it--"
That's about when Minako's cell phone goes off, signaling she's just gotten a message. Ren glances down at her pocket, then gives her a little nod to let her know it's okay with them if she answers.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Really? How did that go?" Minako asks. She isn't used to going out her boyfriend -- not aware of their gender, quite yet, though she has a couple clues now -- and it's still thrilling. She is a little nervous, but she hides it with that usual cheerful smile. She lifts her bag, up.
She wears a cream-colored top, with shorts. She sits next to them, and keeps her arm around her bag. The only hint of nervousness is the way she gently hugs it against her.
She grins at them. "Su--"
The phone rings. She picks it up and answers. "Hello?" A beat. "Uh--yeah... wait, right now? But I'm kinda--um--I'm a bit busy. You really need me...?"
She makes quite the face.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"It was fun. He gave me a chocolate milkshake and told me it was part of his plan to help support you," Ren replies with a crooked smile. "Then we walked around and chatted about clubs and hobbies and stuff." They wink, smile broadening. "You can consider that a hint."
They don't have their bag on them right now--just their wallet, in one of their pockets--but a bag is a good thing to have if you're out shopping. They note the way she's holding it before she picks up. Their smile fades as the conversation continues.
They don't interrupt her conversation, even when she makes that face, but they do give her a quizzical look. Sounds like someone's asking her for help?
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"My brother's getting intel on you, huh... I'll have to make use of this valuable resource." Minako has a smile plastered on her face. Something to ask Minato about later. But--
And then her phone is ringing.
She sighs. "Let me--let me just check with who I'm with," she says. She covers the bottom of her phone before they can agree and then she looks at Ren. That's when Minako's smile comes back. But, it's quite apologetic.
"Sorry. I have a part-time job at Chagall Cafe, and they're slammed. They're begging me to come in," she says. "And they're offering me extra. I'm okay saying no, just..."
She could use the money. She feels awkward saying so.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"You know it'd be easier just to ask me directly, right?" Ren teases. "But then again, I get the fun of making a stealth mission out of it. Easy isn't the same as entertaining." They lean in a little closer, bumping elbows with her.
But then there is the phone. Ren waits. When she tells them what's going on, they give her a thoughtful look.
"Chagall Cafe? As in..." They look up from the bench where they're seated. Sure enough, only a few yards away, there's Chagall Cafe, and it is slammed. There's a line heading to the door, even. "Looks like everyone wants a cup of that Pheromone Coffee today."
They look back at her with a rueful smile. It's hard to say no when someone's in trouble--they get it. And just because Minako and her brother have a trust fund doesn't mean they can just spend it on whatever they want, whenever they want. A bonus isn't bad. It's a good opportunity. But...
"Do they require a lot of paperwork for part-timers there?" they wonder, a thought occurring to them. "If they don't, how about I go with you?"
Minato had said they ought to do a shift there together sometime. It looks like they might be doing one with Minako first.
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Exactly. And then it's a surprise," Minako says, with a wink. She bumps their elbow back. "Kind of a surprise."
They might have a good sense of where it comes from.
She looks back when they do at Chagall Cafe. It is slammed, and she can see that. She hesitates for a second, then she looks back at Ren. They get it -- it's hard for her to ignore when someone needs help.
"They don't," she says. "It's pretty much just... don't... uh... piss off the manager."
She hesitates for a second, but then Minako brightens up. That would be -- it would be a date, still. At least, it would technically be a date. She can count it as one. "Sure!" A beat. "Thanks, Ren."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Why would Goro Akechi be in Tatsumi Port Island? Well there's a very reasonable explanation for that!
-=-=-
~Earlier at Que Sera Sera~
An eight ball strikes the side pocket, falling in, "I do believe that's game."
"You hustled me!"
"On the contrary, I never did anything to deceive you about my skill level. You assumed because I was a minor, that I would be a novice."
Akechi's faux affable smile fades, "Now I'd like that list of names... if you please."
-=-=-
It's been a long day, and he decided he'd like to sit down for some coffee while he made some calls.
He's certain the Chagall's coffee won't live up to the Leblanc's, but the taste hardly matters. Bad coffee was just as good as good coffee in wakefulness.
And that had been the plan, until he rounded the corner at Paulownia Mall, then took a step back. Fortunately that bench is angled away from him.
A glance, he holds up his smart phone, and discreetly snaps a pic, then steps back and looks at it.
And just stares, in silence, taking in details. Scrolling through the photo library, he waits, and stops at a certain set of pictures.
Then flips back.
His gaze seems to intensify some, a frown deepening. "... He's a long way from Tokyo, if she's 'just a friend'."
About that girl I was talking about earlier...
Not to just satisfy someone else's curiosity.
He reads between the lines, in a way he couldn't back then, without all the context his tone darkening somewhat, "... I suppose congratulations, are in order."
As he glances back at the pair, "Now... how should I offer them?"
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren laughs, quiet enough to be inaudible under the murmurs of the mall-trawling crowds. They've already got a good number of part-time jobs that are basically that. Convenient that it's like that in Iwatodai too. That cash bonus will come in handy for them also--but more importantly...
"You don't have to thank me. I'm being selfish." They lean in to whisper into her ear: "This way, we can keep this date going all night."
When they lean back, it's with a smile, one hand rising up to brush Minako's cheek, just as someone is taking a photo from a surreptitious distance away.
"Let's get going," they say affectionately. "Tell 'em you're bringing reinforcements."
...And also a grudge, brewing like the blackest coffee in a corner of the mall...
MONAD: A party led by Minako Arisato has begun the event Working at Chagall Cafe.
(|===================== Monad - Working at Chagall Cafe ======================|)
-==== Round 1: Getting to Work on Time - Challenge Level 1 ====================-
| Approach Options: Proficiency or Guts |
| Conditions: Clumsy - Proficiency Down L1 and Scary - Guts Down L1 |
-==== Challenge ===============================================================-
It's time to start work!
Unfortunately, all of Chagall Cafe's locations are in busy areas -- and being
popular with people getting off their commutes means that going to work takes
time. Time that you hopefully have, with your busy schedule!
Complications can arise, of course. Trains can be late; buses can be held up in
traffic. You might be hurrying back from a problem in Mementos. But, no matter
what, today is a day to work a part-time job!
(|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
That gets Minako's cheeks to flush red. But she looks at him and grins before she gives them a check of her elbow, and then she leans into the brush of their fingers. She could really get used to this, she thinks.
"You got it," she says, with a laugh. She uncovers the phone, then. "I'll be right there. And... I've got some back up, too, okay?"
* * *
A little while later, she is with Ren in the back of the house. Minako ties the cord of the apron around her waist, then she dusts her hands off -- for show, rather than for necessity. "All right," she says. "Team New Couple on the Block... ready for deployment!"
Minako pumps a fist.
Then, she looks at Ren. She considers for just a second. Her cheek still burns a little from the brush of his fingers earlier, and--
And they really have to be at work, but--
"Did I ever tell you how cute you look in an apron?"
MONAD: Minako Arisato has acted with Guts toward Getting to Work on Time! Base!
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Team: New Couple on the Block? That is a 'fun' title for the two of you."
Turn around, and you'll see Goro Akechi, right there. Sweater Vest and all. Holding his brief case.
He's all smiles, all faux affability, "Oh I apologize, was I not supposed to find out the two of you were together? I saw Amamiya-kun and thought I'd greet him."
...
"Well, now that I know... congratulations. You do make quite the cute couple, I agree."
A beat.
"And as a customer, I can't help but notice 'Team: New Couple' is working today. I do hate to impose but - I really can't resist requesting you both serve my table so I can see the happy couple at work."
Look how friendly he is!
This will definitely go well.
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Warning Shot toward Getting to Work on Time! Specialty!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ahh, Minako's really cute when she blushes, too--and it feels nice for her to lean into their touch. Ren's eyes crinkle, and soon the two of them are heading in to Chagall Cafe--away from the crowds.
~ * ~
Ren likewise dons the Chagall Cafe uniform--handy how there's always spares in the back--and ties the apron straps around their waist and at their back. They smile over their shoulder at Minako when she fistpumps. "Way better than if you had to do this shift yourself, huh?"
'Did I ever tell you how cute you look in an apron?'
Ren's cheeks pinken too. They removed the nail polish they and Ann applied a while back--right before a certain billiards outing, in point of fact--but maybe pink isn't such a bad look on them after all.
"I don't know. You'll have to tell me now, to help jog my memory," they flirt as they head out to the front--
'Team: New Couple on the Block? That is a 'fun' title for the two of you.'
Oh no.
Ren looks up, smile vanished, light shining off their glasses, to see Akechi on the other side of the counter, smiling. Smile, smile. Smile, smile, right through his barbed congratulations. The most barbed part of all is that line about 'oh, was I not supposed to find out?', which is like a rose bush wrapped in steel wire. Sure, Ren had zero plans of telling Akechi, but it's not like they've been hiding it...
Somehow, for some reason, they do not think Akechi will care about the nuances.
"Uh..." They slowly tilt a side-eye towards Minako. "Can people... request waiters here...?"
If the answer is 'yes,' this is going to be a very unpleasant work date.
MONAD: Ren Amamiya has acted with Thief Talk toward Getting to Work on Time! Diligence and Smarts! (|============================= Monad - Results ==============================|) -==== Getting to Work on Time - Round 1 =======================================- Minako Arisato Guts Failure Guts Base Fatigue: 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ren Amamiya Proficiency Success Thief Talk Diligence and Smarts Fatigue: 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goro Akechi Proficiency Success Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 0 -============================= Party Conditions: ==============================- Starting Conditions: Clumsy-2 and Scary-2 Final Conditions: Clumsy-1 and Scary-1 -======================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 1/6 |= | =====================================================- (|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"What in the--"
Minako whirls to see a celebrity. She knows of Akechi, the so-called Detective Prince, of course. She smiles back at him -- and then she tilts her head. Is that a feigned affability? Or... or maybe, she read him wrong.
She smiles, but her eyes glance sideways at Ren. Who... is not smiling. She looks at them with a briefly confused look, and then she looks back at Ren. "W-Well..." She trails off. "...it's unusual, but he's famous, and um..."
She puts her fingers to her brow.
"...You know what they say," she says, with a sigh. "The customer is always right. At least... that's the manager's philosophy. At work."
A beat.
"In life in general, really."
MONAD: Goro Akechi has drawn a new Challenge!
(|===================== Monad - Working at Chagall Cafe ======================|)
-==== Round 2: A Salaryman's Long Day - Challenge Level 1 =====================-
| Approach Options: Understanding or Proficiency |
| Conditions: Bless - +1 to Group Roll (Per Character), Clumsy - Proficiency |
| Down L1, Ineptitude - Proficiency Down L2, Scary - Guts Down L1, and Soft - |
| Understanding Up L1 |
-==== Challenge ===============================================================-
"Life... life is cruel."
These are the words of the Dead-Eyed Salaryman. He comes up to the register, a
miasma of despair and loathing for his job radiating off him. He looks at the
menu. "Nothing looks good... but I guess I have to drink and eat something."
He sighs. "Why...? What's our purpose? Is this all there is...?"
You might need to cheer him up -- because his vibe is making some of the other
customers physically recoil.
(|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Aha, surely the manager will be fine with it. What Japanese establishment doesn't promote a high quality of service, after all?
Akechi cheerfully sits down in a booth seat, trying to keep himself out of line of sight from the door at least, and putting his briefcase up on the table.
"Now then, I'm not sure we met properly. It seems you know who I am, but... I do hope I'll have the privilege of learning the name of Amamiya-kun's lovely girlfriend."
It sounds mildly flirtatious but more importantly as a detective, offering a name sounds like half a threat of what one can do with a name.
"Life... life is cruel." A dead-eyed Salaryman comes in, aimlessly reviewing a menu, looking somewhat lost. As Akechi looks on by them.
He's quite nearby after all, impossible to miss.
"Nothing looks good... but I guess I have to drink and eat something."
With a sigh, he adds, "Why...? What's our purpose? Is this all there is...?"
Akechi's eyebrows raise up, as he looks to the two of them. "Well, that patron is being quite... bothersome." And not just to him!
Look, a trio of teen girls came in, but upon hearing him, "Let's go somewhere else? I don't want to put up with that."
"This seems like a customer service crisis that only 'Team: New Couple on the Block can solve." Akechi says, "Go on ahead, I can certainly afford to be a little patient." He says as he sits back and crosses his arms, eyes on the two of them.
Look at how helpful he's being, letting them both go manage this customer on their own!
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Understanding toward A Salaryman's Long Day! Base!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
That... is unfortunately probably true... It is low-key funny to Ren that they forgot that Akechi's supposed to be famous, but being reminded of them convinces them this is probably just their fate.
And even if it wasn't, Akechi would just find some other way to worm into being in Ren's face.
This is exactly why they didn't tell you they have a girlfriend now, Akechi!!
"We're on the clock, and there are a lot of customers today who need service," Ren points out to Akechi, looking around pointedly at the busy cafe, "so rather than keep you waiting even longer by sharing names, why don't we take your order now so we can get it to you as hot and fresh as possible?"
They know perfectly well they're not going to keep Minako's name from Akechi forever. They just don't want to roll over and do what he wants just because he wants it.
MONAD: Ren Amamiya has acted with Diplomacy toward A Salaryman's Long Day! Empathy and Patra!
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Only the highest," Minako says with a slight roll of her eyes.
She smiles, though, at his question. He seems polite enough -- even if she has to ask Ren what on earth is going on here, later -- and he is a customer. But, Ren suggests a reason to not share her name. And she decides to follow their lead. "Right! What I get you, sir?"
But then--
Then, a depressed salaryman enters. She nods, and hurries after Ren. There is a glance at them -- and then she nods. "Got it. I'll keep any messing with him to a regulation minimum."
What... what does that mean?
She looks at the depressed salaryman. She smiles -- but it's a polite, subdued one. "I can suggest something, sir. Just let me know, okay?"
MONAD: Minako Arisato has acted with A Smile for Every Situation toward A Salaryman's Long Day! Specialty! (|============================= Monad - Results ==============================|) -==== A Salaryman's Long Day - Round 2 ========================================- Minako Arisato Understanding Success A Smile for Every Si Specialty Fatigue: 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ren Amamiya Understanding Success Diplomacy Empathy and Patra Fatigue: 0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goro Akechi Understanding Failure Understanding Base Fatigue: 1 -============================= Party Conditions: ==============================- Starting Conditions: Bless-0, Clumsy-1, Ineptitude-2, Scary-1, and Soft-2 Final Conditions: Soft-1 -======================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 2/6 |== | =====================================================- (|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Aha, nonsense. I'm certain they'll be understanding if I borrow you two for just a little while."
As Akechi turns around his phone, to show a half typed message about Chagall cafe, on a social media post for his account.
HOW MANY FOLLOWERS DOES HE HAVE? THAT'S TOO MANY DIGITS!
"It's good publicity for the cafe, isn't it?"
Unfortunately, Akechi was being an obnoxious influencer before obnoxious influencer culture really took off.
Between Ren- "Your companion?" And he turns around to see-
-Minako's smile. "Ah - yes, Thank you. What does a pretty young lady like you recommend?" It definitely seems to chase away the depression enough that they're able to steer him to a table and make some suggestions.
And he orders something!
All is well again with the vibes in this place, at least until Akechi raises his hand and- "Sumimasen." Universally the sign of calling for one's server... or servers, as it might be in his case.
MONAD: Ren Amamiya has drawn a new Challenge!
(|===================== Monad - Working at Chagall Cafe ======================|)
-==== Round 3: The Pompous Customer's Smalltalk - Challenge Level 2 ===========-
| Approach Options: Academics or Charm |
| Conditions: Annoying - Charm Down L2, Chest - Add 2 Item/Money/Gear., Soft - |
| Understanding Up L1, and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge ===============================================================-
"Ah, this is a special opportunity for a young person your age."
The man who approaches the counter has brown hair, smartly parted to one side,
and an orange scarf over a brown shirt. He smiles. "You haven't served someone
with a taste as refined as mine before. I hope you won't disappoint. I'm used to
the coffee made by Sakura-san, but I had to be in this part of town today."
He wants to chat before he places his order. About himself. And how smart and
wise he is. Maybe you should hurry him along and--
"You know, America has a tradition known as 'tipping.' I've really taken up some
foreign influences lately."
Or, maybe, you can get some extra yen?
(|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
A pretty smile from a pretty girl does a lot to brighten a depressed salaryman's day. It's a little sad that Minako has to be in that position, but the two of them are waiters here today... No doubt she's dealt with worse, and as far as these kinds of people go, this salaryman could really be more unpleasant about it. Ren offers him a bow once the order is in, except--
'Sumimasen!'
Yeah, that was going to happen sooner or later. Ren meets Minako's eye, bumps the back of her hand with their own, and heads towards Akechi's table.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting. What would you like to order?" Ren asks Akechi, their face a politely neutral mask as they raise a notepad, pencil poised to write whatever nonsense Akechi is about to spout next. "Also, for no reason whatsoever, I feel obligated to remind you that we are on the clock and not to be socializing with clients." Ren puts on a superficially friendly smile. "It's not fair to everyone who's waiting in line to be served."
It's already plenty unfair to demand two waiters for one person when there's a crowd...!
MONAD: Ren Amamiya has acted with Academics toward The Pompous Customer's Smalltalk! Base!
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Well, what would you recommend? My taste for coffee has become quite particular after enough cups of Sakura-san's coffee."
He's lying, he'd be just as good with bad coffee here, but he's not going to tell them that.
"You know in the West, America has a tradition known as 'tipping.' Now I don't mean to imply that your business isn't paying you quite well on it's own."
Akechi takes out a wallet, and counts out- one, two, three, four five thousand yen bills.
And places them on the table. "But I don't think I'm wrong to assume you two could use some additional spending cash for your upcoming dates."
That's more than either of them could earn from about six shifts here!?
"I think, if I remain impressed by how well 'Team: New Couple on the Block' works together - then I'm happy to keep these right here. But, for every... to use baseball terms in honor of the formation of your team, 'error'... then naturally I'd have to remove one from the table."
He smiles broadly again, "But I have such high expectations of you and your standards, Amamiya-kun- that I expect I won't have to do anything of the sort."
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Smooth Talk toward The Pompous Customer's Smalltalk! Focus and Friendliness!
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Celebrity..." Minako whispers, softly, as she gets a brief look at Akechi's follower count.
She looks sideways at Ren when Akechi calls them back. She nods at Ren, seriously, and approaches right after them. She lifts up her clipboard, and stands at attention -- ready to take Akechi's order.
"Sakura-san himself didn't feel the pheromone coffee was worthless," Minako says. "I think--"
She looks at the tip. She is familiar with the Western idea.
Her mouth hangs open for a second. "Right, Akechi-san! Well, the pheromone coffee is our specialty. Would you like anything for dessert? Coffee cake, maybe?"
MONAD: Minako Arisato has acted with Kindling Warmth toward The Pompous Customer's Smalltalk! Patra and Focus!
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi smiles at Minako, "Why yes, I'll take the Pheromone coffee, if it is the recommendation of the lady?" See look? See how polite he is! He's behaving!
But then, as Minako mentions coffee cake...
... Akechi takes a 5000 yen bill away. And doesn't explain himself. "The coffee cake you say? That does sound quite interesting. Yes, I think I will."
Ren may remember that Akechi doesn't particularly favor sweets. Is he- taking it away for the two being out of synch!?
For something Minako literally couldn't know?
... Unless Ren spent all of his time talking about Akechi.
(|============================= Monad - Results ==============================|) -==== The Pompous Customer's Smalltalk - Round 3 ==============================- Minako Arisato Charm Success Kindling Warmth Patra and Focus Fatigue: 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ren Amamiya Academics Failure Academics Base Fatigue: 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goro Akechi Charm Success Smooth Talk Focus and Friendliness Fatigue: 1 -============================= Party Conditions: ==============================- Starting Conditions: Annoying-2, Chest-0, Soft-1, and Stupor-2 Final Conditions: Stupor-1 -======================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 3/6 |=== | =====================================================- -==== Loot So Far: ============================================================- Items: 2, Money: 0, Gear: 0 (|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ren, meanwhile, doesn't pay a lick of attention to Akechi's follower count. They literally couldn't care less.
They and Minako go to Akechi's table. It's nice, they guess, that he likes Sojiro's coffee so much, though Ren's sure that isn't the point of this encounter. Before they can even try to suggest anything, though, Akechi takes out his wallet and spreads several bills.
"........."
It is a lot of money. Ren stares at it, then at him. Their eyes narrow.
When Minako does her best to offer a suggestion and is 'punished' by having one of those bills removed, Ren's hand clenches around their pencil.
"Begging your pardon, sir, but this isn't America," Ren says with polite, only slightly frosty courtesy. "It would be unfair to our other clients and to our co-workers to accept your 'tip.' One could take it instead as a 'bribe,' and that would be so gauche to do at a humble cafe, wouldn't you agree?" They offer him a smile while stabbing him with their eyes. "So I will kindly ask you to remove it all immediately. Before anyone gets the wrong idea about Japan's most charming Detective Prince."
MONAD: Minako Arisato has drawn a new Challenge!
(|===================== Monad - Working at Chagall Cafe ======================|)
-==== Round 4: Long Lines and Long Delays - Challenge Level 1 =================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Guts |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Box - Add 1 Item/Money/Gear., and |
| Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge ===============================================================-
You have the not-so-glorious job of working the cash register today. And, in the
evening, Chagall Cafe is a rather hopping place. You get people coming in on
their commute, to get a cup of coffee. You get salarymen who want a cup of
coffee before they go back to work in the evening.
The tired, the restless, and the grumpy after a long day come in. So, too, do
people on dates, groups of friends looking for a table after school, and more.
And you and your coworkers need to manage them all. The lines get longer, but
patience grows shorter. How will you manage these customers?
Especially that guy over there, who is grumbling about how /maybe/ he should be
getting a free drink or how long it's taking? Or that office worker, who is
frowning and saying she is already running late to get back to the office?
(|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"Wh--hey!" Minako snaps, cheeks turnning red.
Fortunately, Ren comes to the rescue.
Minako glances at them. Then, she laughs a little nervously. Yes, right, of course -- no accepting a tip. She sheepishly tugs at her collar. Then, she coughs, and looks back at Akechi. "The coffee cake is... tasty and--"
"Arisato-chan!" calls someone from up front. "We need you at the register! Big line checking out! Bring your friend, too!"
Minako looks at Akechi. Then at Ren. Can... can they really leave him? "Uh, maybe one of us should tend to him, and the other go?"
MONAD: Minako Arisato has acted with Rushing In toward Long Lines and Long Delays! Bravery and Focus!
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Well, he has to give Ren's girlfriend credit in one respect! Her reactions are quite fun.
"Hardly. I do know the penal code on bribery forwards and backwards." Akechi says, with a chuckle, however, it becomes clear that Ren isn't backing down, and Akechi sighs, "And here I was, hoping to offer you a with a fun little contest on your shift."
As he takes the bills back, putting them away.
"Hmm, tasty. You are really selling it to me." He says, still smiling, but his tone makes it clear he's not exactly impressed.
And then-!
Akechi leans out, waving at the person up front, "I know Amamiya-kun is new, but I do believe he can handle a rush like this on his own. He does have impressive skills."
And he's banking on the employee recognizing him as- "Is that...!? Uh - sure! Amamiya-san! Get up here." He lets them make a certain assumption.
Celebrity wants a pretty girl to serve him, so of course they have to allow Minako to stay.
And it's only once Ren is gone, assuming he does go, before he smiles at Minako, "So, Arisato-san... it's alright if I call you that, I hope?"
As unfortunately the employee outted her name, "If I might ask you a rather probing question... I was curious. What do you like about Amamiya-kun?"
For some reason, there's a more serious, perhaps thoughtful look in his eyes, as he looks upon her.
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Smooth Talk toward Long Lines and Long Delays! Focus and Friendliness!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
As Minako tugs at her collar and laughs nervously, and Akechi responds with a tonal mismatch to what he says, Ren gives her a knowing look. 'See? This is what I mean,' is what they mean to convey. What she takes from it might or might not match.
But then they're called to the register, and Ren looks up. Minako gets a slight smile, but this one actually reaches their eyes. "They said for both of us to go--but you go first, and I'll deal with this guy here and catch up with you," they offer.
And that seems like it might actually settle the matter--except apparently Akechi knows the person up front, and gets them to take Ren instead.
Ren stares Akechi down for four full uncomfortable seconds. Then they bow their head, eyelashes clasping, and turn to hurry to the register to help with the rush. They have their experience with other part-time jobs to help them, at least, and this register is basically the same... It takes all their concentration to handle the line, though, which means they can't even so much as watch whatever Akechi and Minako do, let alone listen in during this noisy and busy time from across the room.
But that has its own pluses. The more they focus on this, the faster they can get through the line, and the happier they can make the clients before anyone starts grumbling about how long it's taking and how they deserve free stuff as a consequence--and the sooner they can get back to Minako before Akechi makes her cry.
MONAD: Ren Amamiya has acted with Warning Shot toward Long Lines and Long Delays! Specialty!
(|============================= Monad - Results ==============================|) -==== Long Lines and Long Delays - Round 4 ====================================- Minako Arisato Guts Success Rushing In Bravery and Focus Fatigue: 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ren Amamiya Guts Success Warning Shot Specialty Fatigue: 1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Goro Akechi Charm Success Smooth Talk Focus and Friendliness Fatigue: 1 -============================= Party Conditions: ==============================- Starting Conditions: Bothersome-2, Box-0, and Stupor-1 Final Conditions: Bothersome-1 -======================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====- -==== Reach: 4/6 |==== | =====================================================- -==== Loot So Far: ============================================================- Items: 4, Money: 0, Gear: 0 (|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"He does have impressive skills..."
Minako trails off. And then she sees that Ren is called up specifically. Their plan hasn't quite worked out -- and that leaves her alone with Goro Akechi. The Detective Prince. She looks at him -- and she smiles, evenly. "Of course," she says. Then, she blinks -- and she considers what Ren told her. She shouldn't share too much with Akechi.
But how can she just dodge this question?
She considers a diplomatic option. She isn't very good at being subtle and careful, though. So instead...
"He cares about people," she says. "And he tries to do what he thinks is right. It's rare in this world, I think. Don't you?"
She fixes him with that warm smile.
MONAD: Goro Akechi has drawn a new Challenge!
(|===================== Monad - Working at Chagall Cafe ======================|)
-==== Round 5: Closing Out Your Shift - Challenge Level 2 =====================-
| Approach Options: Charm or Academics |
| Conditions: Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Bothersome - Charm Down L1, Chest - |
| Add 2 Item/Money/Gear., and Stupor - Academics Down L1 |
-==== Challenge ===============================================================-
The evening is winding down -- and Chagall is closing for the night. This means
that it's time to close shop: to usher out the last, lingering customers. There
are a lot of tasks to do.
Tables must be bussed. The dishes must be ran. Stray cups and plates, sometimes
stowed in unlikely places, must be gathered. The stoves and counters need
cleaning; the floors require mopping.
And the sooner you do it, the sooner you can go home!
(|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Akechi meets Ren's stare with a smile that says 'I just have that much faith in you' which isn't even wrong, it just has much more behind it.
Minako then answers his question... and Akechi puts a hand on his chin, watching her for a moment.
"I suppose it is..." Akechi says as if he's agreeing with her, and indeed it might give Minako a moment of elation, or relief, until he says.
"... but is that all?"
He asks, and Minako might feel like she just failed some test she didn't know she was taking, by giving him an answer that deserves less than partial credit.
Like he's undermining the idea that she likes him for any real reason, with that judgmental, discerning eye.
-=-=-
It's now hours later. And Akechi has only had one cup of coffee, with free refills. And he has taken exactly one bite of his Coffee Cake.
The coffee cake he hasn't allowed them to bus, as if- him leaving it there was some statement. The place is empty now other than employees.
And Goro Akechi.
But not a single other employee has asked him to leave, nor has the manager, despite the doors being locked on the outside to prevent any customers from coming in-
So now they have to decide, try to remove Akechi now or do it later. Whereas Akechi is simply taking another sip of his coffee.
He's refilled it five times, and hasn't gone to the restroom once. Though perhaps there's an easy way to manage it! If you can somehow outwit the Second Coming of the Detective Prince.
MONAD: Goro Akechi has acted with Second Coming toward Closing Out Your Shift! Focus and Patra!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
As the line eventually reaches its end, Ren huffs a breath of relief. The crowds look to have thinned--it's not nearly as busy outside, and on the inside, people are enjoying their drinks and treats, or leaving with their orders to-go, or otherwise dispersing... Ren is sent to wipe down tables and gather up trash and so on, though, so they can't return to Minako's side just yet.
No, that doesn't happen until later on, when Akechi is on his fifth refill, having nursed that coffee cake for the whole night, and the only other people left in the store at this point are employees.
"H-how do we ask him to leave? What if he leaves a bad review?"
"Omigosh, he's as pretty in real life as he is on TV, we can't ask him to leave--"
Most of the other employees are murmuring in one or the other of these threads. Ren leans in to Minako and rests a hand on her shoulder. "How much trouble did he give you?" they murmur as they lean in closer, eyes first on her before sliding over towards the offending Detective Prince. "I told you he's a pain... Don't mind him too much."
Ren could say much more cutting things about Akechi, but they don't hate him, they just... find him extremely annoying, in between being kind of endearing.
Right now is not endearing him to them. Either way, they lean back, slipping their hands in their apron pockets. "I'll deal with him," they tell the others. "Leave it to me."
And so they amble over to Akechi's table. "You sure like that coffee," they comment. "Not a fan of the cake, though, I take it. Mind if I try?"
Without waiting for an answer, they pluck up the cake and take a bite out of the corner next to where Akechi's bitten. They chew, chew, chew, thoughtfully, and then set it back down on its plate, then turn the plate so the bitten portion faces Akechi for some mysterious reason. "Pretty good. Probably better with something to drink, though. I heard they let employees have a cup of Pheromone Coffee after the shift's over."
They pass their thumb absently across their lips, eyes elsewhere, and lick the crumbs off their thumb. "Knowing you, you probably don't notice a difference, but it supposedly makes you more charming. If this shift goes too long, though, I'll have to head home without. Too bad." They slip their hand in their pocket and meet Akechi's eyes, expression bland. "So how's it compare to Leblanc's?" They wait a second, then wave a hand. "On second thought, tell me later. I need to get back to work."
And then they turn and move to do exactly that.
MONAD: Ren Amamiya has acted with Charm toward Closing Out Your Shift! Base!
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
"He's also really hot," Minako answers Akechi, with the same warm smile.
Even if, inside, she rankles at that -- the idea that it's not enough, that maybe her feelings are shallow. Or superficial. There is a slight tension to her shoulders; a narrowing of her eyes, as she looks at him.
* * *
Akechi hasn't left.
The place is closed -- and he's had his cup of coffee (with free refills) and his single it of coffee cake. Minako's eyebrow is twitching as she stands next to Ren. She looks at him, and nods as he goes in. "You got this," she whispers.
But, she has to back him up. So as he does that, she goes to the sink.
She turns it on.
And leaves it running as she slowly begins carefully, artfully cleaning and polishing each mug. For as long as those five cups of coffee can be contained.
MONAD: Minako Arisato has acted with Academics toward Closing Out Your Shift! Base!
(|============================= Monad - Results ==============================|)
-==== Closing Out Your Shift - Round 5 ========================================-
Minako Arisato Academics Failure
Academics Base Fatigue: 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ren Amamiya Charm Failure
Charm Base Fatigue: 2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Goro Akechi Academics Success
Second Coming Focus and Patra Fatigue: 1
-============================= Party Conditions: ==============================-
Starting Conditions: Bothersome-1, Bothersome-2, Chest-0, and Stupor-2
Final Conditions: Stupor-1
-======================================== Party Result: Success: Reach Up! ====-
-==== Reach: 6/6 |=====| =====================================================-
-==== Loot So Far: ============================================================-
Items: 6, Money: 0, Gear: 0
(|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
(|===================== Monad - Working at Chagall Cafe ======================|)
-==== Round 6: Coffee on the House - Challenge Level 1 ========================-
| Approach Options: None |
| Conditions: Passage - Completion. |
-==== Challenge ===============================================================-
You've wrapped up your shift, cleaned the place, and helped balance the cash
registers. And now, the manager approaches, and smiles. "Good work today!" he
says. Then, he hands over an envelope. "Here's your pay for the day."
He gives you a cheerful nod. "In fact, we've got a bit of coffee, still. Want
one on the house?"
Final Loot: 6 Items!
(|============================================================= Monad 1.1 ====|)
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
'He's also really hot,'
"Aha... well that changes everything, certainly." Akechi chuckles at her, as if he were merely being charitable. In his eyes, she certainly isn't good enough.
-=-=-
Akechi is being patient, after all he wouldn't want to be a bother to their servers. That would be terrible. When Ren does finally walk over, he almost smiles.
Ren is three bites into the cake when Akechi finally does answer, "Why help yourself. It was a little too sweet for my tastes." Too cloyingly sweet, perhaps like Minako, when she's with him. Even the bitterness of the coffee wasn't enough to do away with it.
Instead, Akechi crosses one leg over the other, leaning back as he watches Ren eat, and then even... lick the crumbs off his thumb. "You must be quite thirsty after a long shift." Akechi manages to keep his tone even and composed, "So that would be too bad." His argument is persuasive, but not so persuasive as to budge him. After all, would not those charms be withheld and utilized for the sake of his girlfriend?
Some part of him is bothered that he spares that a thought.
"How does it compare to Leblanc's?" Akechi says, with a smile as Ren walks away, before he looks sideways at Minako, then at Ren again. He's too far away to hear his answer.
"It really doesn't." He says, quietly, and then it's like he's ruminating over the thought. He lasts... five minutes or so, with the sound of the water in the background. Before he picks up his briefcase. "Well, I'd best be on my way. My regards to Team: New Couple on the Block."
He walks out the door at quite the slow, dignified pace. And turns the corner around the edge of Paulownia Mall... and then his pace just picks right up, into a much, much faster walk.
Fortunately there's a public restroom only a few blocks away. Better that than use the Chagall in a way where the state of the bathroom could be directly correlated to him, after they started cleaning.
AS: Weapon! Goro Akechi has used the Slash skill The Only Choice on Minako Arisato! 2 Hits! AS: Aggression: Goro Akechi gains 1 Limit! AS: Block Worst! Minako Arisato takes 158 Slash damage from Goro Akechi's The Only Choice. Weak! AS: Block Worst! Minako Arisato takes 158 Slash damage from Goro Akechi's The Only Choice. Weak!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Akechi bids Ren help himself, for the cake was too sweet for him. "Makes sense," Ren replies, maintaining that bland inexpressiveness. "You do prefer bitterness."
The corner of their mouth does twitch up when Akechi remarks on how thirsty Ren must be, though. "Maybe. Given your--four? five refills? It's clear you're way thirstier, though."
But even if they do get that jab in, well... they don't actually get Akechi to leave, as they see when they walk off and he stays right where he is. They can hear him saying something, but... exactly what, they can't make out, and they're sure not going back to ask what that was.
They're pretty sure they know what the answer is, anyway.
Eventually, Akechi does leave, but it's clear it's on his own time. Ren is mopping the floors by the time he gets up, and looks up long enough to give him a single nod of farewell. "See you later, Akechi." It'll happen inevitably.
Once he's actually gone, Ren heaves out a sigh, then continues on with mopping--but does so in a way that circles them closer to Minako. "Well, that could've gone worse," they say with a slight smile. "Just a little longer and we're out of here."
And, indeed, once the two of them have gotten paid a nice fat bonus for the day's rush and changed into their regular clothes to leave for the night...
"So, that's the jerk who shows up at Leblanc every so often to be snide at me," Ren says as they walk out. "Sometimes it's funny but mostly it's annoying. He didn't say anything rude to you, did he?"
<Pose Tracker> Minako Arisato has posed.
Minako watches as Akechi leaves. She frowns -- and then she looks at Ren. She smiles at them and relaxes, wiping at her brow. "Yeah. Let's finish up!"
The cleaned cups are put aside. The extra bonus is slid into her wallet. And she is back in her normal clothes, bag thrown over her shoulder, and she looks at Ren as she walks next to them.
"He seems like a real charmer," she says with a sigh. "Which I guess is the whole problem." She looks sideways at them, and considers for a moment.
Then she shakes her head.
"I think he tried to get under my skin... but it's all right," she says. "It was all plausibly deniable stuff. But, either way... I'd say this is one to remember. And, you know..."
She smiles up at him. "...There'll be plenty more dates."
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Ha, yeah," Ren says with dry amusement at Minako's assessment of Akechi. That smile fades into a look of concern as she continues. Plausibly deniable... Yup, that's the Akechi experience. They nod once. It sounds like whatever he said to her, it wasn't too bad.
"He's a detective, and I'm... you know," they remark, looking away as they rub the back of their head. "So he likes to keep an eye on me." That doesn't really explain their relationship, especially since Akechi and Ren have never actually discussed their criminal record--and even if they had, Ren doesn't know that what they are to each other can be explained neatly, anyway--but it should hopefully give Minako a better idea of why tonight was a problem.
In the end, they smile back. "Yeah. Agreed."
They'll offer their hand to her, all the way to the train station. (They did take the time to have that post-shift cup of Pheromone Coffee with Minako, for all they had to cut it short--they've got to cherish the minutes they've got together--but they've also got to get back to Tokyo before the last trains run.)