2025-11-27: Two Dorks and a Deer
- Log: Two Dorks and a Deer
- Cast: Shinjiro Aragaki, Akihiko Sanada
- Where: Okinawa Islands
- OOC Date: November 27, 2025
- IC Date: August 13, 2012
- Summary: Shinjiro invites Akihiko on a nature walk, where he reveals his return to school. The two make plans to introduce Akihiko to the Cardboard Dragon, and also find a deer!
(|============================= Okinawa Islands ==============================|) -============================================== Other Japan/Okinawa Region ====- Part of an archipelago that stretches from the southern tip of Japan to nearly Taiwan, the Okinawa Islands are home to a distinct culture of the Ryukyuan people who were forced to become a part of Japan four hundred years ago. Resentment for being viewed as expendable stretches back much further than the Second World War. Those who respect the locals will find that Okinawa is the ideal for summer in Japan, with its proud shisaa serving as guardians on rooftops and gates to households alike. The local cuisine is distinct from mainland Japan; goya chanpuru is a popular stir-fried delight. People can travel between the Okinawa Islands through a vast network of ferries that carry people to and fro, and no two of them are alike. However, one should be careful not to go too far off the beaten path... or violate one of its clearly marked sacred sites. Sometimes the ferries take an awfully long time coming back, and if some people disappear here? Well. Accidents happen all the time on vacation.
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
It is a lovely (if hot and humid) day in Okinawa. SEES is on their vacation, and Shinjiro Aragaki has made a decision that he can't undo, not that he wants to.
So, he needs to catch up with Akihiko, the comrade, the brother, the fellow orphan he's been neglecting and keeping information from. There's still a lot he can't tell him, so he can make it up by letting him be the second to know his decision.
Shinjiro has invited Akihiko on a nature walk. He still has that list of Okinawan wildlife times and locations Mitsuru gave him on his birthday a day prior.
He's clad in a long-sleeve gray t-shirt, jeans, and boots, even in this heat, as he stands in the forest outside the Kirijo estate, waiting. Their stated goal is to search for deer (and hopefully not scare them off), but his other primary goal is to tell Akihiko the good news! His third goal is to get through it without punching Akihiko. That's possible, right?
(Time will tell.)
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
It's been a calm trip thus far, for Akihiko. It's a strange feeling to not have to deal with a crisis here and there, or whatnot. Some time to breath, and recover from his training. Although, he's been getting a little antsy, admittedly.
So, when his best friend and brother Shinjiro invited him out to a nature walk, Akihiko decided it'd be a nice change of pace. A chance to be at least a little more active. Even if it's slower than his ~usual~ active activities. It's nice to bond some more, with someone whom he holds a strange relationship with.
Akihiko arrives dressed in a red striped t-shirt and white pants, with a watch on his wrist.
"Thanks for inviting me, Shinji." Akihiko smiles with his friend, after meeting up. "I appreciate it."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
Shinjiro nods as Akihiko arrives, a casual smile on his face, something he hasn't really had in a while. He must be in a pretty decent mood.
"No problem," he says, turning towards the trail. "Let's go."
He'll talk while they walk, starting to speak once they've made good momentum. "So, how's training going? ...for the boxing club, I mean." Since they have two kinds of training. Shinjiro isn't usually interested in school things due to having basically quit, even for small talk, so it might be a little weird to hear. "I know exams were kicking everyone's asses, so good thing they're done for a while."
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
Shinjiro with a smile? It's so rare to see that, the sight brightens Akihiko up nearly immediately. Ha... It's almost so silly. But if he stays still, he's gonna get left behind!
Akihiko rushes to fall into line next to Shinjiro. They walk for a while in silence, until Shinji starts a conversation. "Oh, it's well. I remain undefeated of course, but my kouhai's are managing quite well in their own matches. I'm proud to see them come into their own." He responds honestly, without reservation. "Ha! It's nice to for it to be over for a little bit. And a vacation as well to rest up is extremely nice." He gives Shinji an eyebrow. "I'm not used to you being interested in school."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"You better keep that streak up until you graduate, then. Perfect record, you know?" Shinjiro tells Akihiko, a lazy smirk on his face. "I won't tolerate anything less."
Though, after that tease, he considers the vacation... it has been nice. Also, very healing, in many ways. But Akihiko's not used to him being interested in school...
"Yeah. I know." He takes a moment to think on how to break it, taking a breath of the clean crisp forest air.
"Kirijo's been trying to get me back in school, and... I decided maybe now was the time to do so. Before it's too late... I gotta graduate with both of you."
The promise they once made.
"She said she'll get it taken care of when I asked her if it was still possible, so..."
There's definitely still a hint of nervousness about it in his voice, at least. Anxiety over 'what may come', and the things he's not telling Akihiko and can't tell him.
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
"Honestly, I'm much more stern about my winning streak against Shadows." Akihiko replies. "It'd be nice to have a real challenger to go up against." Granted, his strength has only doubled, if not tripled, since SEES.
Then comes the real surprise. Akihiko's eyes widen. "Wait, seriously? You're enrolling again?!" He has to take a few moments to really process what he's hearing.
"I...really didn't expect the day would come." He says, after a long pause. "How are you going to make up for the lost time...?"
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"Well yeah, that's one where a loss would be really bad," Shinjiro says.
Though, Akihiko's surprise does give him a tiny bit of surprise in return, and makes him laugh a bit at his reaction. "Yeah. I thought... if I continue on this path, that's not really living, is it?" It's more complicated than that... but it is how he's started to think lately. "We only get the one life. Gotta make it count."
Though, Akihiko gets a sigh as he admits he didn't expect it to happen. "Honestly, neither did I. My friends at the Cardboard Dragon are the ones you should thank. Myunghon Yeo and them. They gave me some new perspective." The ones who helped at the Palace and at Fuuka's rescue... he must be really close.
"I'll start catchup work the moment I get back. Kirijo will probably have a tough as fuck regimen to go through... but I'm starting to think it might be worth it." He's dodging the other meaning of the question, the one only he thinks about.
He can't make up for the lost time. But he's learned that *doesn't* mean he shouldn't try.
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
Akihiko gently punches Shinjiro's shoulder. "Finally got through that thick head of yours, huh?" He pauses. "...Well, I'm glad. Took you long enough."
Mm... Akihiko thinks about it for a bit. "Right. I'll have to send something as thanks, maybe. If I figure something out." He nods. "They must be good friends. I'm glad, honestly." And maybe a little jealous. But he's not going to voice that.
"Heh. That she will, Mitsuru." Akihiko laughs a bit. Mitsuru is famous for her hardassery, after all. "I'd be glad to help you out as well, Shinji. Anything you need. Muscles aren't just my expertise."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"I guess," Shinjiro says with a joking grimace as Akihiko impacts his shoulder. He grabs Akihiko by his own, jostling him playfully. "But don't get too cocky about it just yet. ...it's going to take time to really process some of this. But we've got some of that, right?"
Akihiko doesn't voice his jealousy, which is good because Shinjiro would probably bully him a bit. Instead... "You should meet them sometime. I think it'd be good for you, too."
He's counting on them to help Akihiko when the end comes after all.
"Are you sure?" though he'll bully him about muscles!! "I didn't think protein powder helped you with exams." A pause, his voice gentle when he speaks again. "Thanks. I'll take you up on that. I'll have a lot of support."
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
"We do." They should have the time at least. Akihiko laughs as he's jostled. "Maybe you'll get in next semester, or the one after that. It'll be nice to see you around Gekkoukan again." Akihiko smiles happily.
"I'll look forward to it, in that case." The suggestion makes does make Akihiko somewhat relieved.
"Of course. Your brain is a muscle, just as much as any other muscle." Though, at that, he wonders. "I want to say I've heard something about increased focus from working out, actually." Though, don't quote him on that. Aki smiles a lot, softly, as Shinjiro accepts his help. "Thanks, Shinji."
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"Probably best to come in this upcoming one, if Kirijo can swing it," Shinjiro admits. "She's probably had the whole thing planned out, anyways." She has.
"Awesome. I'll text you the address once we're back," he grins a little bit.
"...is that a thing?" Shinjiro no, don't believe the muscle guy! "Not that you're gonna get me to become a protein freak, though."
Up ahead, though, Shinjiro suddenly hears rustling, pulling a hand up as he stops. "Shh, I hear deer."
Hopefully they don't scare it off! ...it's a fifty-fifty chance with these two dorks, honestly.
<Pose Tracker> Akihiko Sanada has posed.
"Oh, Mitsuru absolutely has." It's nice that Mitsuru cares for Shinjiro just as much as Akihiko does.
Akihiko smirks reflectively at the idea of going back. A vacation is nice, but he's missing the action. "It's a plan. We'll find a solid evening for it.
"Heh, I doubt I ever could. Or would want to, you do just fine for yourself."
As Shinjiro shush him, Akihiko stops. "Oh?" He says, softly, not wanting to spook the deer either. He slowly turns his head, to figure out where it is.
<Pose Tracker> Shinjiro Aragaki has posed.
"Excellent," Shinjiro had said about the plan...
But for now, it was time to find a deer. As the two approach into a small corner of the woods, there it is.
A majesticf deer, standing completely still. Shinjiro raises a hand, grabs his phone, turns off the flash...
And takes a picture. It's not very like him - he's never been picture-oriented - but he clearly is intent on doing so.
The deer, thankfully, does not startle. They have this moment together...encapsulated both permanently and in memory.
And honestly, that makes this all worth it.