2025-11-17: Cookies From Home
- Log: Cookies From Home
- Cast: Yua Ooshiro, Myunghon Yeo
- Where: Aoba - Penthouse
- OOC Date: 2025-11-17
- IC Date: Sun, Aug 12 2012
- Summary: Myunghon visits an ill-feeling Yua, bringing along the Okinawan cookies they baked for her... and hearing some more about Yua's marriage arrangements, and why those cookies mean so much to her now she's expected to be a yamato nadeshiko. Also, Yua encourages their encounters with Tsumugi!!
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon's been invited to the penthouse again tonight, whiiiiich does sound really good, because there was a deeply uncomfortable customer who was on the surface very polite but exuded terror and some measure of wrongness from every pore. (It's the blood-stained bill, Myunghon. Which you're pretty sure was stolen from someone who no longer exists in this world.) It's another one of those 'I don't feel safe in my own home' stretch of days, and one of the nicer solutions to that is to go to a penthouse.
Besides, they have to congratulate both Yua and Miho on the successes in their lives. Which is why they have a plastic container with a certain lard and flour shortbread cookie with them tonight. They've opted for their softer colours, so they're in a white ruffle-blouse, an earthen A-line skirt with inverted pleats, leggings, and their white coat.
They ring the -- it's probably the intercom outside, at this point, and assumedly Eiko lets them in for them to be at the door by the time they knock!
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
Eiko is very good at attending to the intercom. "Welcome, Yeo-san," she says, and she's set out guest house slippers for them, too. "The mistress will be out in a moment. Would you like to wait in the loungeroom...?"
Tiger is there! He is a MASSIVE Norwegian Forest Cat, the biggest orange there is, and he myoooowls a friendly greeting from one of the couches. There's other chairs if Myunghon would prefer to dodge the cat, of course.
And where's Yua?! Yua is...
There is the sound of running water coming from deeper in the house, and Eiko suspiciously disappearing down there as soon as she's got Myunghon settled, and a minute or two later, Yua emerges. She's in her around-the-house clothes -- a nice pair of shorts and a pretty little blouse -- and she's looking a touch pale.
Though she brightens, when she sees who's arrived. "Myucchi!" Yua chirps, as she hurries over to grasp their hands. "It is so good to see you!"
And sooner than expected! They came back before the Olympics even finished... basically as soon as the fencing competitions were done.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon might die if they spend another night getting sat on by Tiger. They don't dodge Tiger entirely, though, because they know that this is Tiger's domain, and they've gotten more used to pets thanks to the awesome power of Lance. "Yes, that's fine, Eiko-san," they answer. One short bout of playing with Tiger later, Yua comes out, and she does notice the paleness -- though Myunghon's not doing riveting themself.
It is nice that they're both comfortable with each other that Yua knows Myunghon's boundary is currently at hands, though! "Yuarin! Oh, I was terribly glad when I heard the news... both pieces, that is."
That they had to come back soon is... ... well, there could be all manners of reason. Myunghon isn't going to read too hard into it. "I brought you treats, since I thought you might need the boost." They lift the container up -- it's the chinsuko recipe Yua gave them, now converted into the treat itself!!
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
Well, Myunghon isn't looking particularly peachy. So, hands it is!
Yua releases them so that they can heft up their container, and she gasps in delight. "Oh, you really made them! They look amazing, Myucchi!" She takes the container, though she pauses, for a moment, looking back up to them. "U-um... if I have to run off quickly... please don't be offended, okay? It's not the food, it looks wonderful... I've just been getting ill quite often for the last few weeks."
She pauses, for a moment. "Don't worry," she realises she should probably explain, "that's not unexpected... um, they call it morning sickness, but it isn't just in the morning? It needs a different name..."
Yes, that's the biggest problem with morning sickness, Yua. It's incorrectly labelled. Thanks for your systemising insight.
She sits herself down, though, and takes a cookie. Nibble, nibble... luckily, nibbling a cookie seems to be settling in her stomach just fine, because she doesn't spring up and deeply offend Tiger as he's trying to nose his way back into her lap. (Well, across her lap and also the next cushion along. He's REAL big.)
"... it's delicious," Yua smiles, to Myunghon, a moment later. Eiko comes around to pour them both glasses of water -- Yua has already advised her that Myunghon would prefer refreshments to be plain -- and Yua sips at it as she polishes the cookie off. "Really... it's really good! Like I got to go home!"
Yua smiles, and she knows the guillotine hanging over her head, but she wants to spend a little more time appreciating Myunghon, too. "You must have been working very hard while I was gone... I appreciate your efforts a whole lot!"
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon is, fortunately, not as clueless as you might imagine them to possibly be about this, especially because intimacy has recently made its way back onto the cards in their life!! Shock of shocks. Yua's explanation still does help, though. "I understand," Myunghon nods quietly, "I hope it didn't affect the trip too much...?" There was every chance that the two had to leave London early because of this, but... ...well, their mind is latching onto more sinister explanations already. Like the interview.
Still, it's a reminder that things are moving on at quite the clip. "It must be a touch scary to have-- a lot of things changing all at once, but... we'll be here to help as well," they reassure gently. They word it ambiguously, because 'a lot of things' sure fits what's happening to Yua all at once.
Yua confirms that their chinsuko is delicious -- it is very well made to the specification of the recipe -- and Myunghon looks rather pleased at that, as they sip their water. "Ah, I'm quite pleased... it really has been quite pleasing to-- be able to gift others something pleasurable with baking." It's a somewhat staid way to put it, but the intention is genuine, at least.
"Y-yes... there have been some-- frights the last few days," Myunghon does admit, glancing aside. "But I think things have been more positive as of late."
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
"Aaah... haha... there were more trashcans around than bathrooms, so sometimes it was very embarrassing..." Yua's face flushes with that embarrassment, though she at least laughs it off. "B-but it was fine, really!!"
Everything... is changing all at once, though. "Ah... I'm grateful," Yua smiles, and doesn't quite get to her point, though she certainly thinks of it.
"They're wonderful," Yua emphasises, again, hugging the container to her chest. (Though she has to put it beside her, afterwards, because Tiger's on her lap.)
But... Myunghon's been through some frights. "I'm sorry," she says, softly. "It does look like things are hard for you, right now... though I'm glad things are looking up."
She looks down, at her hand -- at her ring.
"... I wanted to tell you before we went and told the whole world, but... I am getting married," Yua says, fingers resting over that ring. "Just -- um -- his name is Kimitake Ijuuin -- he's Mimi's cousin...? Father thought... this was the best way to get me into the family, and... and he's like me and Mimi, you know? So he won't... demand anything untoward."
She pauses, and adds: "Not that he has! He's been very gentle with me, really. But -- but, um -- there's just, something..."
Yua takes a deep breath, burying her fingers in Tiger's fur. "... he's a Police Inspector who works in the Organised Crime division," she explains, softly, looking down at the cat rather than over to her very shady friend. "So... there are likely going to be more police around me, going forward... I don't want to put you in a dangerous position."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon does gently nod and not much else, since -- well, it'd be rude to inquire deeper on that detail. In as dense and crowded a space as the Olympics, they can't imagine all of Yua's needs were always met. But Yua goes through the range as Myunghon reassures her in turn.
"There was a certain blonde man who visited the shop that I felt... very unsafe around... he was polite on the surface, but I was certain that he had..." Myunghon quietly frowns. "That he was a... killer. And had recently killed." There's a quiet frown, as they realise they shouldn't push this line much further, given that what Yua is told may come back to punish her. "No, nevermind..."
And thus, Yua explains the sword of Damocles hanging over them both, really.
Yua is getting married. To that man... Kimitake Ijuuin. Myunghon does try their best to keep their face from going taut, here. The assurance that he won't be untoward is very cold comfort, indeed. Even when Miho is the favoured daughter, it's Yua that's getting punished from how she has to convey herself to the world. ... maybe this is the paranoia they were sensing -- it has that trademark NWO signature to it.
"That... you needn't worry on my account," Myunghon tries to reassure. "I am no stranger to the police, as you well know. I am not about to let that change our relationship any." They think of the story Yua had to share on television, about being lost at sea. How... awkward that all was -- at least, Myunghon could perceive the awkwardness, knowing how far the truth was.
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
"Oh! Oh, that's simply awful... I'm really glad you're okay!" Yua gasps, a hand clutching to her chest.
Though... it's notable that she doesn't press on that strange man, when they insist not to mind it. It's clear she very much does mind it, by her concerned expression and that hand still grasping at her chest, but she manages to put it aside, her hand dropping back down to Tiger territory.
Yua has no suspicions the NWO is involved at all, at least; for it was Takashi himself who arranged her wedding to Kimitake, and how could the Father of the Clan be fooled by them? No; Kimitake must be as kind as he appears.
He must be.
"I-I had thought... the wedding would be far too difficult for you..." Yua starts, with a thin smile. "Though... if you'd like to come... I'd like for you to be there. I just -- I don't wish to place you in any danger? Kimi-san disapproves of the prejudice, but I don't get the impression he's in a position to... to change it, so... I don't wish for anything to happen to you because of me."
Because of her.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon's mind does race about it -- if who they suspect is the Joker Killer himself is paying them a visit, does that mean they've been escalated up the chain? If that's so, how does that impact Miho and Yua? They themself don't want to be a burden to them, as much as how Yua is currently fearing how her supposed wedding with Kimitake will impact them. It's possible that they're simply grasping at straws, but...
When it comes to the NWO, straws are also fuel for fire.
"It was... difficult, to see that interview," Myunghon does admit. "Knowing what I know. Knowing what you had to mask to the world. ... none of it is fair." They're less restrained than they were before, like some part of them -- Merry, perhaps -- wishes to rankle and be upset at the injustice of it all. A man that fights for justice?
It all rings so hollow.
"... I'll be there for you, for Mihoin," Myunghon finds themself kind of petty with their choice of words. "Even in a reception full of police officers... why, Yuarin, I simply needs only refine my words." A wedding does, in truth, mortify them, though -- not because of their own safety, but what it'll reflect of Yua, and cause more problems for them down the line. And... how would they be expected to dress? ... they're already wearing a skirt today, and already having feelings about betraying themself. But to have to dress for an occasion feels... like an even bigger betrayal.
... it's hard.
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
When it comes to Myunghon, Yua hasn't yet been asked to jump.
Unfortunately, the question she has if they do is just, 'how high?'
She looks down, at the ring on her hand, as her brow creases. "It... took me a long time to work out a sanitised version..." She starts, as if she worked it out herself. "I'm a little afraid... I'll make someone mad, saying that much, but... but it is also useful, having a story? It isn't like... what really happened, it's too farfetched. And it isn't safe to talk about."
Yua smiles, though, when Myunghon assures her they'll be here for them. (She doesn't get the pettiness; it sails right over her head.) "You can speak very suavely... a-and besides, it will be here and done before you know it! It's going to be a traditional ceremony, um, a Shinto one, so..." At least Myunghon doesn't need to worry about skirts versus suits.
"I don't have to worry about anything," Yua says. "Kimi-san's... seeing to all the arrangements. Oh -- but don't worry, he's talking to Mimi, so she'll make sure he's doing things that won't bother me!" And of course it is Miho seeing to those details; Miho has always been the leader, between them.
Surely it's fine. Yua's smiling, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
It took Yua a long time to work out a sanitised version.
"... I... suppose," Myunghon does relent, because Yua is correct that having *a* cover story is indeed useful. One that's neighbour to the truth too, because back when Yua disappeared, their own experience trying to contact Yua and that story very well could've lined up. Of course, they loathe themself for not being more suspicious at the time, but hindsight is always 2020. "We do need cover stories from time to time. I would know."
A Shinto ceremony. "I did break out my old yukata for the fireworks festival... it was too warm for summer, but I tend to run cold anyhow," Myunghon does ruminate. But it is pleasing that Yua has that in mind for them as well... it's nice, to feel seen and cared for.
The mention that Kimitake is seeing to all the arrangements does quietly rankle them -- of course it's all under his thumb -- because Myunghon's a paranoid sort. But -- the concession that Miho's in control does have them relenting. "... I was rather bothered, by that show. What you had to do... you will never just be 'from Okinawa' to me. You are Okinawan! We both know this. I suppose it has not changed one bit from high school... but I am glad Miho is exerting control here."
They've gotten a bit more emotional and less controlled, but seeing Yua retain her smile, they do try to pull themself back too.
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
"It's hard to lie so much," Yua says, softly, and it's saying more in the margins than she can say out loud.
... but she was more honest, in high school. Before.
She smiles, though, when Myunghon says they have a yukata. "You have one? That's great! I want you to be able to wear something you like... I hope it's cooled a little by September." That's so soon... perhaps this is the power of wealth.
She reaches up, though, to press her fingers to her bare cheek as she looks aside. "We were practicing, before the interview... Kimi-san suggested I soften my language. He said people might... think I was inflaming old conflicts... but I insisted I wouldn't call it a prefecture." Though the way she said it leaves the open space for mainlanders to put it there. She knows it, Myunghon knows it, and the shame flushes her cheeks. "Since I'm performing as his wife, um... I didn't want to make things hard for his career. He didn't ask for much... so..."
So she sold out her tawny skin, all for the sake of his image.
"But... Mimi's been taking care of all the details," Yua smiles, again, speaking of the woman she wished to be her wife. "I don't really understand it, you know, how noble people talk to each other...? I think a lot of that stuff goes over my head... so it would be hard if I was just talking to him on my own, even if he's been really nice to me. Mimi knows what to do, though! Mimi's been making sure I'm okay. I'd be a lot more stressed about everything if she wasn't supporting me so much."
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Myunghon does have a rather glum nod at that, thinking of how even if they had to have their secrets in high school... they owned them. Now, it feels like Yua has to give up those secrets and have others spin it for her. Or worse. Their feelings on the matter are complex.
"Yes... it was made by a--" Myunghon pauses. "A university... friend." Their heart hurts for a moment at the similarity between what they just did and this situation. It's a bit different, though. "But I do like it. It is very soon, is it not...? Things are moving at such a pace now."
Yua shares how this was a specific thing that was coached before -- and Myunghon does know that 'from Okinawa' is her own way of resisting, even if it's a concession. But it's for his image. It's always for the man, isn't it? Not the other way around. A strange feeling hits them like a brick for a moment as they get distracted by their own dysphoria and euphoria about genders and what that means to the patriarchy in these little sacrificial moments and-- yes those superluminal thoughts have to go away for a moment now, they're still in active conversation.
Yua speaks of how noble people talk to each other, and chuckles somewhat flatly. "Believe me, even as someone who has been so habitually trained to speak in increasing layers of keigo, there is a lot of fluff and emptiness in it, Yuarin. I think you are more thoughtful and insightful than many such noble people."
The affirmation that Miho knows what to do does reassure them a bit, but it also sounds a bit... desperate. But they can't really blame Yua for feeling that way.
"Is there... anything else I can do for you to make it easier on you, Yuarin?"
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
"Your university days, I missed them all..." Yua reflects, sadly, though she remembers to pet Tiger when she's sad. She smiles, though, a moment later. "But I'm glad you like it," she says. "I saw how you are today... I won't push you about it, but I'm happy when you're dressing as it suits you."
Which might not include today... unless something changed. Yua's not entirely sure what the right response is, but she wants to support her friend, anyway.
"It is moving very quickly," Yua admits. "I was worried about that, but... Kimi-san said he wanted to get everything settled quickly so that no one could challenge us. Well, we're both, you know... we don't fancy the opposite gender, so... I can understand his anxiety. Father would never undercut us this way once he's made a decision, I'm sure, but we've both had opportunities vanish when people realised we weren't like them... it makes a lot of sense."
Yua laughs, though, when Myunghon declares her fanciful speech to be more artful than keigo. It is a merry (though not Merry) sound, more a giggle than a boom, veiled modestly by her fingertips. "I don't know about that! But Mimi likes listening to me, so... maybe it's a little true?" It can be a little true. As a treat.
"Can you... make me some more cookies, later?" Yua asks, after a moment's thought. "For the sake of his career, I need to be a proper Japanese wife... well, it's just while people are looking, but... it might be a little challenging as a role, sometimes. If I had cookies from home..." She trails off, glancing aside, before she smiles to Myunghon again.
<Pose Tracker> Myunghon Yeo has posed.
Yua reflects on Myunghon's mode of dress today. They do look towards the window for a moment, quietly saying, "... I still struggle with it. These clothes with the binder don't make me uncomfortable. These are the precious clothes Mei gifted me. But someone ordering me to wear women's clothing for a ceremony might... it would be so much easier if I could say, 'I wish to be a boy!' and only march from one side of the room to the next... but that is not what I desire either."
There's a weak, almost self-depreciating smile as they say, "There is-- someone I have been seeing I have become close to, their name is Tsumugi Kujaku... ...they have such a beautiful, unique way with clothing, between men's and women's, that feels so much their own, that it made me realise that the way I have only been dressing in those monochrome suits almost feels like I was wearing a funerary one." Well, they pointed it out to them. "They have such a comfort in their own body, such a sharp wit that I do not that I still struggle to put into words, to even... actualise."
Myunghon realises they've not normalised talking about Gender or Relationships with Yua, despite the fact that it should be safe to -- it's like they've internalised it'd be a burden, especially with all things going on with Yua. ... well, the relationship thing is New, at least. But it is a bit different to see Myunghon talking about someone as if they were a smitten in school.
There's a smile to Yua at the play with words, however. "Of course it's true! I would know so," Myunghon smiles. And Yua's request is... more cookies!
"I'd be delighted," Myunghon nods. "Are there other recipes from home you miss? I've become so enamored by this possibility that I would take on something a bit more challenging."
Even as something about the phrase 'proper Japanese wife' rends them in the inside.
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ooshiro has posed.
Yua listens attentively as Myunghon shares their gender feelings with her; they're as precious as her feelings towards women, after all. She claps her hands together, as Myunghon finishes relating Tsumugi's presence, her smile brightening by a factor of ten.
"I'm so glad to hear you've found someone who really understands! They sound truly magical... I hope you get a lot of opportunities to see them! If you spend more time with them," she relates, conspiratorially, as she places a hand to her bare cheek, "you'll probably have a lot more luck finding those words, you know?"
Oh, no. Yua is in on it. Yua is enabling them. Yua is happy they have a sweetheart.
(Would she still be happy to hear they have two?! Well, if it's something everyone's okay with...)
Yua smiles again, though, as Myunghon asks after other recipes. "Absolutely," she says, at once, and does not speak again on being the yamato nadeshiko her role demands of her. "My tummy's been a real pain, lately... but that doesn't mean I don't wish I could have so many things! Oh, let me think...!"
Given that time to think, Yua will come up with a great many dishes she misses from home; and having gotten all fired up, she'll even yank them into the kitchen to show them how to make one or two of the ones she has ingredients for.
... even if she has to sit on her kitchen stool a lot more than she normally does, and she disappears into the back of the house a couple more times before the night is done.