2026-02-22: A Breather in Akihabara
- Log: A Breather in Akihabara
- Cast: Hyousuke Suzuki, Moriko Kumamoto
- Where: Akihabara
- OOC Date: 2026-02-22
- IC Date: Fri Sep 14 2012
- Summary: Seeking a moment to relax and recollect, Hyousuke asks Moriko if she wants to hang out with him at Akihabara. Foxes, manga, conventions, and exorbitant prices become the topics du jour.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Finding manga in Akihabara was not a particularly difficult task. It was, after all, Akihabara - one only had to point in a random direction and walk forwards a few steps before tripping over yet another vendor. Finding one that stood out enough from the rest to attract his attention, however? Hyousuke found that a little more difficult. However, in time, he'd managed to find one that caught his eye, not least because of the various displays that were in the window facing the front. People-sized cardboard of various demons and other figures stood in the window, positioned carefully around strategically-placed stickers and displays showing off that month's recommended reads. The signage did not hurt either. As bold as it was bright, 'The Trove' promised a smattering of other literature, not just manga, even if it was the establishment's primary fare.
It was not a solo trip, however. Unwilling to attend alone, Hyousuke had sent a message to Moriko, hoping she had the time to spare.
> going to akihabara after school
He'd sent, before following it up with:
> gonna check out the trove, want to come with?
As casually as he'd tried to phrase it, he couldn't help but find himself hoping that she would respond with a yes. Partly because she was pleasant company, but partly because he had things he wanted to show off to her, digital though they were in nature.
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko has shown up! She's even dressed for the occasion. Which means she's wearing a loose t-shirt, the trendy-ish kind with a simple four square checker pattern, shorts and a bucket hat. Because she's still not entirely open to being seen as an otaku. Just a nerd.
She'll get over it.
> Yeah I'll be there.
She wasn't sure what kind of manga he was into. She knows he doens't know what she's into. This means the ride over was a bit on the... curious side for her. Ranging from mundane shounen and all the way around the spectrum.
Parking nearby, she's managed to make her way over to the familiar figure. "Yo." She raises a hand up i ngreeting. "So what'cha find?"
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke smiled upon seeing her. Though it was not a bright and beaming thing, it was still as warm as the afternoon sun. The happiness he exhibited upon seeing her was undoubtedly genuine, though if one were to look closely enough, they might have been able to detect a hint of relief in his eyes at the realisation she had actually shown up. He barrelled through it a moment later, however, and presented her with the latest title he'd picked up. Printed upon the front was a logo that even someone with only a passing familiarity with video games would have recognised.
"Capsule Critters." He replied, trying to rein in his excitement a little, but failing before he'd even gotten past the second syllable. "I didn't even know they *had* a manga. Probably should've, now that I think about it..." He took the chance to give her outfit a proper look, since he was facing her. It was only a quick glance over - with his eyes catching on where a bag might have been, for reasons he wasn't sure of - before returning to looking at her expectantly, awaiting a reaction. He himself was dressed in little of note. It was the same old pair of faded blue jeans, the same pair of well-loved trainers that weren't quite damaged enough to justify a replacement pair, and that same old light jacket covering a plain t-shirt. A boring outfit, perhaps, but well-ventilated and affordable. "Man, I've got ten years of this stuff to catch up on..."
It was closer to twelve, but who was counting?
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
The biker woman tilts her head at the look of relief. "What?" She seems genuinely confused about that look! She even turns and makes sure there's nothing behind her at that point. "Doujin or legit? That company always kicked out two or three though." She crosses her arms, rocking to one foot as she looks the shop over curiously, "Wonder what else they have kicking around."
She holds her hands out to her sides at the look over too. Glancing down at herself. "I didn't cut myself again did I?" She really is a bit on the oblivious side.
"You'll be fine. Just find the oldest stuff and hope you're not getting gouged." She holds a hand up, "Or know who to ask at the comikets. That works too."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
A vague look of sheepishness flitted over Hyousuke's features at the realisation his feelings had manifested prominently enough to be detected, and in short order, he made a move to dismiss it.
"It's nothing, just had a long week." He said, waving his free hand a little, as if to try and shoo the notion like a fly buzzing about his face. "Feels good to take a load off and do something like this for once." Not that he had much choice. He couldn't concentrate on training, the clues he had on Jun weren't actionable yet, and he got the distinct feeling that multiple people would threaten to beat him if he even considered going to Mementos alone.
He still thought to do it, but considered it best to delay such an endeavour until a less tense time.
When his glancing over her was noticed, the sheepishness returned, but he didn't make an attempt to rush right by it that time.
"Just wondering about that fox on your bag." He said offhandedly, taking a light and neutral tone appropriate for idle conversation. He glanced at it, letting his gaze settle on it for a short moment, before looking back up at her with curiosity tinging his tone a little. "Is that the one I got you the last time we were here?" It was technically one he'd given to her since she was there by coincidence, but he didn't care to sweat the details.
"Anyway, you sound like you know a lot about this kinda stuff. I think this is the official thing, but I don't usually buy old stuff. This a good price?" He held it out for her to examine. It was indeed a copy of the earlier instalments - perhaps a little more expensive than one might have expected, but not quite so much as to be considered extortionate. "Dunno who to ask about that stuff either, but it sounds like you're one of 'em." He chuckled a little at the lighthearted remark, but it was no less genuine for it. She knew a hell of a lot more about manga than he did, it would seem.
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko holds her hands up and offers a weak smile, "I don't doubt it." She tilts her head, "You been keeping busy then?" She tilts her head and adds, "Or something more uh-" She waves her hand in a roundabout way. "Weird."
Moriko would probably be one of those people if she heard the idea even. As headstrong as she tends to be. "Rest and relaxation does wonders for morale right?"
She points inside, "So what other manga do you read then?"
She holds the bag up and looks at it, then nods, "Yep that's the same one. She gives it a little wobble with her free hand, "I told you it was going on my bag. Been there a few times too>" She raises an eyebrow, "I have a few other foxy things back home. Just not a lot."
"A bit on the high side?" She offers, "But if it's hard to find that's probably about fair. Sadly." She grumbles, "Trying to find some really old stuff gets obnoxious. Old Roboboy stuff and the like if you want the collection and history of it."
Crossing her arms, "I don't do the trading, I could ask around though. Yeah?" She tilts her head and points, "Do you go to the cons?"
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Weird. Definitely weird. I'll catch you up later, it's just... a lot." The fact that he admitted it so openly might have troubled those that knew him better - he made no attempt cover it up and say he was fine. He had, against all odds, admitted that things were maybe getting a little bit overwhelming. "So yeah, this kinda stuff's good for morale." He shrugged a little. "And hanging out with you's fun. Seems like you know all the good spots here." That, and he appreciated her company, but that was too corny a thing to say in the current context, he judged.
"Mostly just action stuff." Hyousuke responded, when he was asked about the kinds of things he read. "The old stuff looks good, finding that kinda stuff's expensive. And hard." He frowned a little, clearly annoyed that he couldn't join her in appreciating the classics. "Johnny Tomorrow's supposed to be a good boxing one, but nobody's got it." He sounded unsure of himself - like he'd done some modicum of research, but not quite enough to speak with even the slightest degree of authority. "Maybe I'd have a better idea about all this stuff if I went to a con? You'd have to show me around though. I've never been to any." He looked a little sheepish, but it was more at the thought of tagging along to one of her trips to a con, rather than admitting he'd never attended one before.
"Still... Good to know that little guy's with you. Might even try winning him a friend if you haven't got much fox stuff yet. Can't have him getting lonely." He smirked, but had only been half-joking. "Oh, right, speaking of that, I want to show you something I did earlier..."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko slowly nods, "Weird it is." Not really too sure what would qualify for weird at that point. She rocks back on her heels and keeps an eye on him though. If he's stressed out he might need rest. Or something. She's trying to be more observant! She does smile though, "Oh." She looks around at the surrounding area, "Spent a lot of time here and at the conventions and all." She scratches her cheek, "Could probably bug a few people on it."
As in she probably knows a few owners.
"Action huh? I always liked a lot of the scifi. Did a few other things too. Final Exile and all you know?"
"They're fun if you don't mind gawkers and all." She seems uncomfortable at the idea. "Even then it's a lot of fun. Or can be at least." She points, "You get to meet all sorts of other artists and all." She's being pretty open about it! Which is rare enough. Maybe she's had some time to think on how silly she was being.
OR she got caught too many times.
"I think she's pretty, if you think she needs a friend though." She's putting emphasis there with a bit of a cheeky grin at him. "What did you do?"
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Final Exile..." Hyousuke concentrated for a moment, then shook his head. It was even a little rueful. "I don't know that one. Don't know a whole lot of scifi stuff in general. Think you could show me?" He tilted his head a little, the houndlike gesture of curiosity fitting the inquisitive tone he addressed her question with. For a moment, it looked like he might return his head to a more normal-looking posture, but he only ended up tilting it a little to the other side when he considered the topic of cons, and what Moriko had to say.
"How about you show me around some then?" Hyousuke asked, not even attempting to hide the hints of eagerness creeping into his tone when he asked the question. "Haven't had the time to come here much, and I don't know a thing about cons besides some people like dressing up for 'em, so having a guide'd be cool." Then he thought a little on what she said, and the curious look on his face grew a shade more curious. "What do you mean by *other* artists though? Do you do this kinda thing too?" He asked, gesturing idly to the manga.
She...?
A look of realisation (tinged with yet another dash of sheepishness) flashed onto his face, and Hyousuke made a mental note. It was like trying to attach a Post-It note to the side of a wind tunnel, but he made the honest attempt regardless. He pushed past it quickly enough anyway, and with his free hand, held his phone flat between them. There, upon the screen, was displayed the image of a wood carving. It was roughly-hewn out of cheap wood, its proportions were uneven, and there was a stark lack of details, but it was very much a fox. Carved by a rank amateur, but a fox nonetheless.
"What I've been doing is trying to *make* her a friend. It's..." He looked down at the lopsided chunk of wood with the rough shape of a fox hacked into it. "I still need practice."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko nods at the title repeat, "Cute anime about pilots. Kinda goes in a wider direction pretty quickly, but it is nice." It's probably not a surprise she'd enjoy something that involves racing and the like. "I don't.. really care about the two main characters, but the rest of the cast are really good."
Moriko tilts her head and asks, "What'cha after? That's the better question." She points, "And be on good behavior. I like a lot of the people we'd be going to." She pauses, "Not that you'd act up, but no like-" She frowns. "I dunno." This is crossing lines for her. She's getting used to it!
"It's recognizeable this time." She says before she catches herself, "It's looking good though. You're going to keep working at it?"
She stands up straight looking at the wood, "Practice is what it takes. I bet you'd want to slow down a bit too. I don't do a lot of woodworking, but we used to have a guy that would do festival masks that I'd watch."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Anime about planes..." Hyousuke looked down, face scrunching up a little in concentration. It was a suggestion he took seriously. Seriously enough to make a concerted effort to sear the name into his brain so that he could come back to it at a later date, at least. "Got it. I'll try and remember that. You can throw stuff at me if I forget." He didn't actually wish for someone to throw things at him, but that might've been what it took to get him to remember something with what two braincells he had left to spark a thought with.
Hyousuke met her frown with a warm smile. Unlike the one he'd met her with, there was no hint of relief to it. It was patience, plain and simple, and appreciation for the effort she was willing to go through for a total newbie like him.
"Best behaviour, got it." He said with a firm nod. He still wore the smile, but he hoped the sincerity with which he spoke made it clear that he took it seriously. "To be honest though, I dunno what I'm looking for there. I just want to go and have a good time, do new stuff, meet new people. Maybe get some cool stuff to take home to remember it by."
He also wished to use such an event to distract himself from a great many things, but he knew better than to give voice to such thoughts.
At her comment about the mask, he nodded again, though in a far more relaxed manner - just a way to acknowledge he'd heard her.
"Speaking of, your mask's gonna be a while. I want to make sure I get it right."
<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.
Moriko nods, "Sort of." She considers her words before stating, "Well mostly planes? They're kinda early flight age but wingless?" She shrugs. "I like it." She does consider finding something to throw at him since he suggested it though. She doesn't! But it's funny enough to consider. "What about you? Anything odd in your repertoire?"
"Just.. keep in mind a lot of them are basically coworkers and we'll be fine?" That might explain some of her skittishness at least.
"We'll go do the rounds here in a bit then. Most should still be open. I think." She rubs her chin, "Or around at least. I need to check a few things anyway."
"Oh? I wasn't in any rush. I appreciate it though." She nods, "How are you going to paint it?"
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Unusual? Nah, I haven't really watched anything besides the mainstream stuff. There was one time where I left the TV on in the middle of the night though, and there were some guys summoning ghosts and fighting each other. It was kinda like us, but not? It was bizarre." Briefly, he pondered whether the show he'd watched was a real thing or just an imagined fever dream, before dismissing thinking about it entirely. "Ah, forget it, I'll figure it out. Why don't we head out? I'm gonna go pay for this. Might even try another crane if she can't wait for me to carve her a friend."
He huffed a little, smiling in amusement at his own remark, before continuing again. "As for paints, it's funny you should ask..."