2025-12-28: Akihabara Antics
- Log: Akihabara Antics
- Cast: Hyousuke Suzuki, Moriko Kumamoto
- Where: Electric Town - Gigolo Arcade
- OOC Date: 28-12-2025
- IC Date: Sep 01 2012
- Summary: Hyousuke and Moriko meet in Akihabara by chance. Shenanigans ensue.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Chagall had largely been a disappointment. Yes, he'd met with one of Ichika's friends. Yes, he'd met - in the loosest sense of the word possible - their cat. Yes, he'd secured the location of a place that, in all likelihood, served halfway decent coffee and curry. But that didn't change the fact that the last day of summer break was about to end with him being disappointed that the seasonal beverage he'd ordered tasted of little more than adequately-brewed beans and a syrup that had a taste only adjacent to maple syrup.
So it was that he decided to spend some time wandering Akihabara. He didn't know what he was going there for, other than to have a good time. He didn't know who he'd meet, what he'd buy, or what he'd experience. All he knew was that it was nearby, and was probably going to be less disappointing than the cup of coffee that could have charitably been described as 'fine.' His first stop, for no other reason than the fact that it was nearby, was the arcade. The machine he chose? The claw game.
The gods must have been smiling on him that day, or at least must have taken pity on him after the thoroughly whelming cup of coffee he'd wasted time, money, and a train ticket on. In no more than five tries, he'd won a prize. However, the gods must not have been feeling *too* charitable, as it was not the prize he'd been aiming for. Rather than the Jack Frost he'd been aiming for - a smug and pudgy little fellow, whose wide smile mocked him through from inside a plastic cage - he had caught a fox.
It was a cute fox, that much he could not deny. Standing outside the arcade and holding it to the light, he kept wishing he had the Jack Frost, but the fox was nevertheless a welcome consolation prize.
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko had chosen to wander the geekier parts of Akihibara today. That is, she has a few old retro games in her bag, but more notably, she has a new model kit. Dressed in a simple white blouse, jeans, her bike boots and that near everpresent leather riding jacket that Hyousuke may or may not have seen before, she's currently looking at her haul.
Poking out of the bag are the hints of a tank model in white and blue from a not too old game featuring cute anime girls.
She's also got a cute little cellphone charm with a cute little chibi style fox wearing robes. Which might be on the nose, but that made it funnier to her.
When it's secured, she holds up her phone, wobbles it a bit to get the little fox tail swinging and makign faint bell noises, then she goes to stash it when she spots a familiar face.
Hyousuke's got a fox doll. Again.
"Im-San, you've got some funny look." She calls out, her tone teasing, even if her face doesn't necessarily look it. She can't help it! A smile does creep out though as she makes her way over, ducking through other people crowding the area to get a closer look at it. "She's adorable though." Which, in a way is Moriko saying hi.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
A familiar voice cut through the noise, and Hyousuke's head drew around to face where it had come from. He himself was not dressed in anything particularly flashy - a pair of well-worn jeans and some 'well-loved' trainers lay below his belt, while a plain-looking t-shirt and a thin jacket had been draped lazily across his torso. For the most part, they covered whatever bumps, bruises, scrapes, and scratches he'd suffered, but still some peeked past his collar and his cuffs. But he was a Kasu student - such things were normal, were they not?
"Just got her out the claw game." Hyousuke said offhandedly, jerking his head towards the game in question. "I was trying to get the Jack Frost again, but she got got instead. I'm not complaining though, she is VERY cute." He held her out for Moriko to take a closer look, his hands opened a little as the plush (one notably smaller than the variety she'd won at the festival) sat idly on his palms. An invitation to hold the thing, if nothing else. "Hey, you wanna go find something to do while we're here? I think I just used up all my luck for the day getting her as a prize."
GAME: Moriko Kumamoto flips a coin! The coin comes up heads!
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko leans forward to get a better look at the little plushy figure, "Got to ask, why Jack Frost?" Reaching her fingers up to pinch the toy fox's ears and bounce it back and forth in his hands. She clearly thinks it's cute!
She does spot the various bumps and bruises though, what with leaning in like she is. Straightening up, she gives him a curious look, starts to ask about them specifically, but drops it! For now. Maybe a bit of concern shows at least. "Out for dinner? Or a movie?" She might be curious if that's what he was actually asking or not! Or she might be pulling his leg. She deadpanned it pretty well as she plays with the fox. Bag hanging from her arm. "Sounds like fun. You have somewhere in mind?" She looks up and grins, "We could even go for a ride."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Why not Jack Frost? He's cute." Jack Frost was a smug-looking, pudgy little gremlin who was a terror in the supernatural realm. But it was also adorable. A dichotomy Hyousuke did not think to reflect on. Instead, he edged the fox a little closer to Moriko, letting her play with the toy a little longer. She seemed to be enjoying it far more than he thought he might, he had to admit. Before he could think further on it, however, she straightened up and made remarks about where they were going. Unfortunately for her, she had chosen to make such jests at a man whose skull was thick enough to use as ballistic plate.
"Wasn't gonna do dinner for a while, but if you're hungry we could get somewhere. Maybe do that movie before it." Hyousuke spoke offhandedly again. Whatever teasing she'd intended had simply ricocheted off him, repelled by sheer density. "But since you're here, how about somewhere quiet? Seems like a shame to run into you and just sit next to each other without speaking for an hour and a half." He thought to stow the fox in his bag, but a thought occurred to him as he glanced at Moriko, recalled the charm he'd glimpsed, and then remembered the plush she'd swapped for at that festival.
Perhaps parting from the fox for the time being wouldn't be so bad, if it kept her happy.
"Why don't you hold onto her for now? She seems like she's happier with you." Hyousuke asked, pushing his hands forward a little as if to silently insist.
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
The biker nerd lifts her head, considering Hyousuke at the question of 'why not?'. The nudging is met with a raised eyebrow, then she carefully reaches out and picks the little plush up. "He is cute, but-" She tilts her head, considering. "It's not quite the same as winning the prize-" She gestures back, "There's a shop with some stuff, bet we could find a cute one for you, then go to dinner. Sure." She's still deadpanning. She might be as oblivious as he might be.
"Quiet would work too. Grab some bentos or takeout." She taps her foot, "I might know a place or two. When do you have to be back?" There's a pause, "Where do you need to be back?" The fox is there. Being offered to her when she's holding it. She looks the plush over carefully and asks, "Are you sure?" He won the prize, she doesn't want to risk him feeling put out!
"She can ride with me then!" She seems to enjoy the idea at the very least and actually gives the toy a little pat. "Thank you."
"I should try to get you the other prize at least..." Because of course she would. "Uh-" she pauses. Like something clicked. Then she speaks up, "I might be bouncing around a bit too much. It would be a nice way to end the vacation just sitting with ya and talking." Dense.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
She *was* bouncing around a bit. The thought, strangely enough, bounced around in Hyousuke's head while she talked. However, despite the polite smile and vacant eyes, he listened. He remained quiet, yes, offering little more than nods and the occasional quiet remark to show it, but he kept everything she'd said in mind until he was sure she'd finished. Needless to say, the fox had been relinquished graciously, entrusted to her are with all due reverence and process.
"Don't worry about the prize." He said, getting what he deemed to be the most pertinent matter out of the way first. "I was just killing time until I had to go back to Kasu. Besides, getting some time with a friend's way better than something out of there." He hesitated a little on that one, but blundered on before the matter could have attention drawn to it. "For now..."
He looked around slowly, taking in the sights. Akihabara was a spectacular place, it had to be said, but it was perhaps a little *too* spectacular for his tastes. If the thoughtful look on his face was any indication. "For now, do you mind if we go somewhere quiet? I'll take you out for dinner another time. I just wanna kick back and relax for a while. School's gonna kick back up soon, and English is gonna *suck...*" He even gave a little sigh to show just how dismayed he was at the thought of going back to those lessons. Truly, an academy award-winning performance.
"And don't worry about getting me back on time. I'm pretty sure the doors don't even have working locks on 'em anymore."
GAME: Moriko Kumamoto flips a coin! The coin comes up tails!
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko is very much clearly at that 'too much to do, not enough time' end of vacation problem. She does reel it in though as she finds herself the owner of another fox plushie. She looks around for a place to put the little toy. After resisting the urge to play with it a little longer because it is adorable.
"You sure?" She asks distractedly, moving to place it in the bag and proudly (Accidentally) showing off the contents. Dinner can come later though. "Of course you're a friend. We're both terrible shots and traded prizes Im-san." She grins.
She starts to comment, "We can make it a d-" then trails off and she considers. "Somewhere quiet." She reaches out and pats his back, "Come on. I bet we can find somewhere in walking distance if you don't want to ride the back seat." Listening to his concerns about school. "I can help with the English! I get some practice with it at the inn." She holds her hands up like she's about to sweep for emphasis. Then pauses, "Uh. We own an inn back in Osaka." She points in the general direction.
She does snrk at the sigh though. "I can probably make an argument that my bike broke down again if I'm running late. We'll figure it out." So, she points onward, "Let's get going either way!"
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke caught Moriko cutting herself off, and his head tilted as if on instinct. It was only slight, as was the furrowing of his brow, but the movement lingered for a few seconds - ample time for someone to look over and make the comparison between him and a puzzled dog. It faded the second she patted his back, however. He froze on the spot for a moment, muscles tensing and gaze growing sharp, like some attack dog primed to leap at a target. But then he breathed. He forced himself to calm down. He remembered where he was, who he was with, that he was *not* in danger.
He returned to his normal, beaming, self, and kept pace with her without a moment more of hesitation.
"Actually, you mind if we walk?" His voice wavered for an instant when he started to speak - the aftershocks of trying to calm himself down, he supposed. "It's a nice day out. I want to enjoy while we're still getting them." He spoke casually, his smile easy, his posture relaxed. Whatever had come over him, he'd shrugged off in short order. "And if you're offering to teach, I'll take it. But you gotta answer something first. Why am I Im-san?"
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko catches him tensing up and assumes, maybe rightfully so on some level that it was an injury. So she holds her hands up and slides them into her pockets instead. She doesn't comment on it in the slightest as she looks forward.
"Walking's fine. You're missing out though." She has that air about her of someone that clearly just likes the excuse to ride though. "Probably for the best. I didn't bring a spare helmet anyway. Strict no helmet no ride." Which, whether it's true or not she offers him an out.
Even if her theory's probably wrong.
"Because you said that was your name at the festival." She chides, finger out. "You weren't lying to me, were you Im-san?" She grins. Ririka had given her his real name. This is just funnier in all honesty.
GAME: Save complete.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Walking was fine. That was a relief. She even gave him an out that he'd not thought of. Granted, it was something he should have thought of and used as an excuse, and he kicked himself a little for it, but any serious lamentations could wait. The conversation was moving on, and he would have to as well.
Hyousuke had to admit - at least quietly - that it wasn't an answer he was expecting. He wasn't sure what kind of answer he *had* been expecting, but her asserting that t was his real name (albeit jokingly) was certainly not on the list. Once he managed to digest her response, however, he returned it in kind. Both his grin and gaze took on an unusual sharpness, and he folded his arms below his chest before he spoke.
"Me? Lie to you? Kit-san, you're breaking my heart." He was remarkably proud of himself for that one. Whether it was deserved or not depended on his audience.
Before Moriko had a chance to question the origin of *her* name, Hyousuke cast his glance down to the bag that the prize he'd won - and so graciously bestowed upon Moriko - and spoke again. "Been meaning to ask... What's in the bag? Looks like games, but I don't recognise the covers. Was that a tank in there too?"
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko's deadly serious about the helmet rule, to be fair. She might be irresponsible in other ways, but bike safety's very important. "Where to go.. maybe one of those out of the way cafes or something." She mimics walking with her fingers against her palm holding the bag.
"What did you think it was?" She's now curious, since he went and asked about it. Especially with the look in return she gets back. "Ahah, so it is Im-san." She laughs. Pointing and notably keeping her fingers a bit further away than she might have with others.
"Kit-san huh?" She tilts her head, "Like the candy?"
She does adjust the bag, swinging it behind her, "Some stuff from the shops around here. I wanted to own a copy of The Drasel Family and I got a few other games too>" As for the tank. There's no getting around it. "It's the tank from the Valkyria Tanks thing." She's being a bit cagey, but also partially answering. She just doesn't say who they're for or why she has them!
It's probably obvious
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Like the foxes." Hyousuke corrected, his lips curled into a wry smirk. If she couldn't guess where he'd gotten the inspiration for that nickname from, the fluffy little thing he'd entrusted into her care would no doubt serve as a rather on-the-nose reminder. When it came to the matter of the bag, he took on that same vacant expression he'd had earlier - one that showed he was listening, even if he spoke nothing the entire time. He nodded, he glanced between her and the bag, and he even made a concerted effort to file that information away into what limited space remained in the back of his mind. Only when he was certain she'd finished did he offer a response.
"Valkryia Tanks? That's a game, ain't it?" A pause hung in the air between them. Then, a focussed look. Were she to listen closely, she might have heard the sound of a hamster wheel squeaking furiously away as he sifted through his memories, trying to figure out if he knew more than just the vague thought of it being a game. Alas, he came up short. "Looks cool as hell, whatever it is." At the very least, he was approving of her choice. Tanks were cool, after all, whether or not they were from a game.
All the while, he kept his eyes peeled for a cafe. Her mentioning them had not gone amiss, and though he'd already been to Chagall, he decided to keep that tidbit under wraps. Perhaps, if they were lucky, he could end the day with a better drink than he'd started it with.
"How about that one?" He said, craning his neck up before nodding to one a short distance away. "You think they do tea in there? Besides green."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko considers, head one way, then the other. "Well foxes are cute." And her persona. Somehow. She still hasn't sorted that one out. She almost says something about it! Well, at least she starts, "You ever see some of the rarer stories?" There was probably more to it.
She waves a hand, "Yeah, that's uh- close enough." She won't correct the name! "I thik this one's pretty neat. I was looking at the art book a while back. They based it on a bunch of different tanks and I've always kind of liked the eng-" She trails off, "Uh, I work with a mechanic to pay for parts." That works. She was excited for a moment, but you know. Nerd. "Have you played it?" She might as well see at least.
"What's wrong with green tea?" She asks, curiousity on her face. "Jasmine tea's nice too..." She taps her foot, "Let's go find out. We can bounce place to place and check the menus. We'll find the perfect hole in the wall!" She starts to reach for his hand, then stops short and gestures his way instead. "Come on!"
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Moriko interrupting herself was not something he missed. In truth, Hyousuke found himself quite curious about it, and thought to ask about it. However, as his lips began to part and the words threatened to spill past his lips, he began to wonder if it was perhaps the best idea to pursue a line of questioning she herself had abandoned. Everyone had their secrets, after all - he knew that particularly well. So, rather than attempt to press her for information she'd deigned not to share, he let his interest shift over to answering her questions.
"Nothing's *wrong* with green tea, but everyone does it!" Hyousuke said, his voice halfway between a joking grumble and a jovial remark. "I want some other stuff! Earl Grey, chai, house blends... There's more than just green and oolong!" As the names were listed and he kept pace, something else crept into his voice. Passion. It was slight and it faded as soon as he'd stopped talking about tea, but anyone with sharp enough ears would no doubt have heard it. "So, about that game. I haven't played it. If we find a place, how about you fill me in on it?"
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko's good at some secrets, bad at others. It's an open secret she's a geek. She's the only one convinced she's kept it hidden.
It's best not to worry about it.
"Everyone does it because that's what's out here. I do Oolong too!" said with a laugh. Then he states green and oolong and she crosses her arms. "Hmph. I've done other teas. I'm surprised you don't see more rice teas." She looks back, "What do you drink then?" She looks him over, head to toe, then back again. Thinking. "Something spiced maybe."
As for the game, she rubs the back of her head, "Do you really want to hear a rundown on a game instead of playing it?" She can talk about it. "I uh. Yeah sure." She smiles. "I can. You missed the fighting games a while back."