2026-04-29: Gay-Lesbian Solidarity
- Log: 2026-04-29 Gay-Lesbian Solidarity
- Cast: Jun Kashihara, Ririka Kawase
- Where: Yumezaki Center
- OOC Date: April 29, 2026
- IC Date: November 01, 2012
- Summary: Jun and Ririka get together for dinner and to catch up on what's been going on with each of them, including the new Joker Killers and the respective directions of their love lives (or lack thereof).
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
After reaching out via phone and text, Jun and Ririka have agreed to meet up in Sumaru today. Ririka has business in the city anyway due to her band, and Jun of course lives here, so they're meeting up in Yumezaki Center, in the ward that connects Sumaru to Tokyo and then to Port Island.
Granted, Jun is not really a fan of greasy fast food. However, there's a grilled chicken sandwich and a chocolate shake that he likes, so it works for him just the same. Whatever Ririka orders, he sits at the table to one side of the small restaurant with her, legs crossed on his stool.
"I'm glad we've managed to find the time to chat again," he comments to her with a smile as he picks up his Peace Shake. "We have a lot to discuss, don't we? What with everything that's been going on lately..." He breathes a small sigh. "...Well, I've already had much of that world explained to me already, so maybe it's less a discussion and more a check-in. We didn't have much time for that at Eikichi-kun's concert."
He sips his shake; then he picks up his chicken sandwich. "So how have things been for you?" He frowns in concern. "Is your family well...?"
He'd been too shocked at the time to really engage meaningfully with the Black Mask. That doesn't mean he didn't hear any of what he said.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka grabs more dinners out in Sumaru than one might think--since she's often traveling there to visit her sister anyway, and given the time it takes to travel, having to leave after clubs most days...
Plus a restaurant is a convenient spot to sit and chat for a while, regardless.
Ririka doesn't always go for greasy food--she knows she should watch what she eats, even if she doesn't always feel like it. She's opted for a burger, fries, and a strawberry milkshake. It's fine, she'll burn off the extra calories when she goes skateboarding tomorrow.
"Me too," Ririka agrees. "And yeah... things have been... kind of crazy, huh?" As for a check-in, Ririka nods. "If people have explained things to you, that's good." She might explain more about her particular abilities in a little bit.
But Jun asks about her family, and Ririka goes silent for a moment, fingers drumming on the edge of the table. "... my family's okay, as far as I can tell. Um..." Her voice goes a little quieter. "My mom is pregnant, but as far as I can tell, she and the baby are both okay."
She still has some... very complicated feelings about that, and maybe she can't fully hide the awkwardness in her voice.
"Dad seems okay, Ichika-nee is fine, I guess." Ririka shrugs a little. "I don't really know how to feel about it beyond that. If I start thinking about it too much..."
She dabs a fry in some ketchup and then munches on it for a moment as she stews in tht thought. But then she shakes her head to clear it. "Anyway, I should be asking how you're doing. Sorry I didn't reach out sooner, but... you went through quite a lot, too. How are you adjusting to things?"
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"'Crazy' is certainly a word for it," Jun says, and he's not even joking. The original Joker Killer, Tatsuya Sudou, was legitimately insane. Anything and everything that had him at the epicenter could only be the same. "But yes, a few different people have kindly explained the basics to me."
As Ririka goes quiet, Jun takes a moment to bite his chicken sandwich. It's decent--about as much as one can expect from a fast food establishment. As he chews, he listens to Ririka, nodding somberly. He swallows. "Hopefully it was all idle threats... Though considering what he did to Sudou-san, there can be no doubt that they're not idle in the sense of whether or not he could carry them out."
Which is probably not all that reassuring, especially with not so much a note as a chord of awkwardness in her voice. Jun's trying, though. It's infuriating and terrifying to have people like that threaten one's loved ones. Jun knows; Strega did that with his classmates and family.
"No need to apologize. Suou-san took care of me immediately after my rescue, and after that I was busy getting my bearings," Jun reassures her. "It..." Here, he falters, before ultimately admitting, "...was easier before I witnessed a man get murdered right in front of me. That was deeply rattling." Even if it was Sudou. "I'm managing to hold it together, though. I'm looking to start some kind of part-time work with the Kuzunoha Detective Agency--hopefully, that way, I'll stay informed about whatever happens next with the new Joker Killers."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
That 'original' Joker Killer thing is something Ririka will need to ask about, but maybe after they've discussed how each other is doing. "That's good. Did... anybody get a chance to mention Navigators?"
Ririka nods slowly. "Yeah... I don't doubt he could... even if I wanted to... I dunno, stay at home all the time to keep my mom safe, he still got on that zepplin without me noticing." Ririka shivers a little. She's still unnerved by that. "So even that might not be enough..."
There's plenty of things to feel about having her family threatened, but the awkwardness is also, in part, due to having a 17-year age gap between her and her next youngest sibling. Or that she will have, once the baby is born.
"He did, huh..." Part of Ririka wants to ask what's going on between them. She heard the way they talked. But she also remembers how there was a big deal being made of remembering--or more to the point, not remembering. So maybe bringing that up might not be the best idea...
But seeing a man die. "... yeah," Ririka agrees, voice hushed. She shudders again. "Y-yeah... I'm trying not to think about it, but..."
But she nods as Jun brings up the detective agency. "That's good," she says. "It helps to have people you can work with." But as for the new Joker Killers. "... is that... real? We all saw him go down, there's no way anybody survived..." Except for that message, of course...
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"Navigators? Hmm..." Jun touches a hand to his chin in thought. "I don't think so... At least, it doesn't ring a bell. I may have gotten overloaded with information and forgotten, though." He'd like to say that doesn't usually happen to him, but with the situation with the Other Side, he really can't say anything memory-related for certain. "What is that, in this context?"
He shakes his head. "Forcing you into staying home out of paranoia might well have been his goal anyway. That's one less enemy for him to deal with on the battlefield." Granted, the Black Mask didn't seem like he was particularly worried about fighting all of them if need be, but that could've been a bluff.
Seeing the look on Ririka's face after the mention of Suou-san, Jun's cheeks color, and he hastily clarifies, "Ah, by Suou-san, I mean Sergeant Katsuya Suou, not Tatsuya Suou. He's a police officer and my parents had reported me missing, so he was able to smooth everything other, fortunately."
The topic of Tatsuya, well... Ririka might understand how he feels, but it is a complex topic. Jun holds back on that for now.
...especially since she definitely understands how he feels about Sudou. Jun sees her shudder and nods in grim commiseration. "I hated him, and couldn't forgive him, but... even he didn't deserve to die like that." To say nothing about how Sudou effectively repented on his deathbed. Jun has mixed feelings about that, too.
About the Joker Killers, though... "I don't want it to be, but people have been talking about it since that interview with Wang Long Chizuru on TV, and when in Sumaru..." Jun trails off, expression grim. No need to complete that sentence; they both know what's what. "I absolutely think we should be prepared for the worst."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Iiiiit can be a lot to take in," Ririka says, "So it's understandable." If he got overloaded, that is. "Some people with Personas are also Navigators. They have the ability to sense things at long distances, or analyze the weaknesses of Shadows. Or people. Or... demons." Why do there have to be so many categories. "I'm one of them. I can also link people together to communicate more easily. So... if you ever need someone to help you search for something, or map an area... let me know, okay?"
Ririka sighs, as Jun points out the flaw in that plan. "Yeah... I guess you're right. And I can't just... there's some answers I still need to find out." Can she keep going, even knowing the risks?
... Can she afford not to, for her brother's sake?
But Jun clarifies, and Ririka blinks. "Oh. Oh! Okay, sorry, I didn't mean-- Ahhh I was trying not to make it awkward and instead I made it more awkward," she says, mostly to herself. "Sorry."
"I'm glad he was able to smooth things over, at least... are your parents doing okay?" She's silent for a long moment as she considers Katsuya. "... Suou-san seems decent, at least." She doesn't... exactly have a high opinion of the police in general. But she saw Katsuya resist a bribe, at least.
She won't press on Tatsuya, though.
"Yeah, I'm not exactly going to miss him, but... yeah. I dunno. I guess I'm glad he can't hurt anybody, but I'm not happy about him dying. I get why Mishina-san was saying what he did, but... I also get why Takeba-san was so upset, you know?"
She kind of feels closer to Yukari's position, but she didn't didn't have it in her to speak up to that effect.
And the new Joker Killers... Ririka lets out a long, slow sigh, and seems pretty distressed for a moment. "Oh, geeze..." Yeah, she knows the score. The drumming on the table intensifies for a moment. "The first one was bad enough..."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"Oh!" Jun utters at the explanation. "I believe Akabane-san told me about some of this. I don't recall if she mentioned the term 'Navigator' or not--I usually take good notes, but all of this feels like... it would be unwise to write it down. I see... Suzuki-kun mentioned that you and Yamagishi-san helped find me. So that's how." He smiles at Ririka. "Once again, thank you very much for your help. I'll certainly reach out to you and her if the need arises."
Ririka mentions answers she needs finding out. Jun hesitates here; is it really his business? But it's something that he's not directly connected to, so his thirst for knowledge wins out. "What answers do you mean, if I may ask?" he wonders, trying to at least keep it respectful.
He laughs a little--also awkwardly--at Ririka's apology. "No, it's my fault for not making it clearer who I meant. I'm sorry." There are, mysteriously, a lot of people with similar names around. He nods though. "Yes... They were worried sick, but they accepted his explanation and are just relieved to have me home again, safe and sound." He's just as relieved, honestly. "Suou-san was one of the people who explained everything to me, along with Akechi-kun and Uchida-san."
His expression turns gloomy and he bows his head as Ririka weighs in on Eikichi vs. Yukari's positions on Sudou's death. "Yes, I do know. I wish Suou-san could have had the chance to bring him to justice properly... I certainly don't fault Eikichi-kun for a morbid celebration--I respect his sheer nerve in doing so, even--but Takeba-san's hardly out of line to be upset about the tone he took." He looks up to meet Ririka's eyes. "I respect her sheer nerve to voice what could've been a very unpopular opinion."
The first one was bad enough. Jun can only grimace and nod in agreement. "I have been watching the news and listening for rumors for any new information since then. So far, there's been nothing new, but that doesn't mean we can let our guard down."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Oh, good," Ririka says of some of this having been explained. Ririka nods. "Suzuki-san came to us for help, and... yep. We're both Navigators. Though I've also seen some people who can counteract what we do... I dunno if we have a name for them..." But she smiles, "You're welcome! I'm just... glad that we found you before... well, before anything worse happened."
She was going to say 'before anything bad happened' but the whole situation can probably be safely categorized as 'bad.'
"Please do!"
But she pauses, when Jun asks, and has to think on it a moment. Jun's not directly involved in it so far, but... didn't she just offer to help him? She told everybody in SEES about it... She looks down at her plate for a moment, trying to figure out how to put this into words. "... Onee-chan and I had an older brother. Toshi-nii-- Toshiaki Kawase. A little over two years ago, he died on a camping trip. We thought it was just... some random medical thing."
It's a long pause before she continues, and she's trying to keep herself calm. "... Recently we found out his death was caused by something called a Mental Shutdown. We don't know who or why, but... I need to... find out."
Mysterious...! Ririka nods, as Jun describes his parents' reactions. "I'm glad they're relieved, at least... and... it's good Suou-san was able to come up with an explanation."
"... she does have a lot of nerve, huh..." Ririka reflects on Yukari. "We're..." Well she doesn't want to get into the whole deal with SEES right now. "... in the same dorm, at Gekkoukan." Which is true, even.
"I really hope nothing more comes of that," Ririka says with a sigh. "But I'll try to help, if something pops up. I'd really rather not see more people die because of some rumor..."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"Hah... I'm quite glad too. I really was at the very end of my mental rope," Jun replies, pressing a hand to his chest. "If Tatsuya and you all hadn't come to rescue me when you had, I don't know what would have become of me."
It definitely would have been much worse than 'bad,' though.
Ririka explains that she and Ichika had an older brother named Toshiaki who died on a camping trip. "I'm so sorry for your loss," he murmurs. How terrible to lose a family member... He furrows his eyebrows after the long pause, though. "I've heard of mental shutdowns on the news before. That's all I know, though. I truly hope you can find the answers you seek, Kawase-san. I may still be inexperienced with that world, but if there's any way I can help, please let me know." He offers her a gentle smile. "It's the least I can do in gratitude."
Jun isn't familiar with the whole deal about SEES, beyond that there's clearly some group there, what with the red armbands. He nods once at what Ririka tells him about Yukari.
"I fully agree," he says of more people dying. "If I find out any new information, I'll share with you. I hope you'll do the same in return." He doesn't think she won't, though.
"Excuse me, though--we've been letting our food get cold." Jun offers her a smile. "Shall we finish our meal and resume talking afterwards? I wouldn't mind a lighter discussion about music, if you'd prefer." It has been a heavy discussion so far.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Yeah, whatever it was the Joker Killer wanted..." Ririka clearly doesn't think it could have been good, even if the 'what' is still kind of fuzzy. But she tries to smile. "I'm glad we got to you in time."
"Thank you," Ririka says quietly, to the condolences. She'd started trying to really process it when... well, when they learned that. She nods, as Jun says to let him know. "... you don't owe me for saving you, it's just... kind of what we do, but... I will, thanks."
"Of course." Ririka's not sure if she'll hear something before Jun--she doesn't live in sumaru, after all, but in case she does, she will.
But they've been neglecting their meals. Ririka's been staring down but she bilnks and looks at her plate. "Oh, right, yeah. Leeet's do that." She will happily eat, and then afterwards she'll pick up on music as a conversation topic.
"Oh yeah, did you hear about that MUSES concert next week? I'm gonna go, I'm kind of excited! Plus, I got to meet and talk to one of the members, Lisa Silverman, for a while."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"Of course not--but I still want to express my gratitude," Jun says firmly. "We should all help each other out as much as we can. All this nonsense is difficult enough to deal with on its own; being alone only makes it worse.
Still, if Ririka decided not to get him involved for whatever reason, Jun would respect her wishes. Sometimes, that's what someone wants, and you just need to respect that. Jun doesn't figure Ririka would turn him down though, but then, he doesn't know just how big an organization SEES is.
For now, the two of them finish off their meals. Jun still has a bit of his shake left when they turn to the topic of MUSES. He nods, removing his lips from the straw. "I did. I intend on attending, myself--Lisa-san and I are both learning dance from Yua-sensei, so I'd like to support her."
Not that she necessarily needs extra support, considering how popular MUSES has been getting, but still.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka nods. "Right. It's better to handle these things together." Ririka's lucky she fell in with SEES, at that. "We can both stay in touch with each other, as things comeup."
"Cool." Ririka's still working on a little bit of her own milkshake. "Then I'll see you there." Yua-sensei... Ririka thinks for a moment. "Oh, yeah... that's the teacher that goes around to all the different schools, huh... you know, dance could be fun..." Ririka muses.
Then again, get anything with music involved and Ririka is bound to like it.
"But yeah, I'll keep an eye out for you, then." It's more fun to go to a concert like that with someone.
She slips at her milkshake for a moment, contemplating.... and her cheeks reden as she lets the straw go. "And, uh... I might be going on a date, soon," Ririka admits, quietly. "Soooo, I'm looking forward to that. N-not for the concert, but... I'm excited about it. And nervous. Annnnd about a bazillion other things."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
It might be presumptuous of Jun to refer to her as Yua-sensei--but ever since his conversation with Hyousuke after the wedding... no, ever since the wedding itself, it hasn't quite sat right with him to call her Ijuuin-sensei instead of Ooshiro-sensei.
"I'm not really one for sports or exercise, but dance--in particular ballet--is at least elegant and beautiful. I thought it would help too with..." Jun gestures with one hand. "Improving at combat," he concludes, voice lowered. He smiles and continues at normal conversational level, "And sensei's truly passionate about it. I think you would enjoy being taught by her."
It does help that dance and music go hand-in-hand. Both of them benefit there.
"Then it's agreed," he says, both of sharing information and looking out for each other at the concert. "I'm looking forward to it."
He drinks down the last of his chocolate milkshake. No need to throw out his trash right away with the two of them still chatting, but he does glance around at the restaurant in case anyone's waiting for their seats. Not at present, which is good.
He looks back at Ririka, and when she admits she's about to go on a date, a broad, brilliant smile splits his lips. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you, Kawase-san." He leans in, a touch conspiratorially, and lowers his voice again. "May I ask who the lucky lady is?" He probably don't know her, but still--it's nice to know who's important, or may become important, to your friends.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Jun isn't one for sports or exercise, and Ririka has a sheepish grin. "I, uh... I skateboard. I took it up... about 4 years ago? I wanted to try it because the Bony Eagle games were all so much fun..." But she nods seriously about the help with combat. "Oh, yeah," she says, voice just as low for a moment. "I can see it, balance, coordination..." But she nods. "Yeah, maybe... I'll look into it. It's hard to dance with an instrument, but... maybe it'll give my stage presence some extra flair, or something."
Ririka smiles bashfully at Jun's enthusiasm. "Thaaanks. I, uh... it's kind of my first date in two years..." She leans in to match, blushing brightly. "I, uh... I want to say, but... she actually goes to Kasu, so I don't... wanna say, in case she doesn't want people to know..." She gives him an apologetic smile. "But Ichika-nee introduced us."
<Pose Tracker> Jun Kashihara has posed.
"Skateboarding? I wouldn't have guessed," Jun says thoughtfully, leaning his cheek on one hand as he considers her. He's not familiar with these 'Bony Eagle' games, not being much of one for video games, but he does respect that skateboarding is an unusual form of exercise. "If it's something you enjoy, then I have no problem with it." He smiles. "Just as long as you don't try to make me do it, too."
He nods in return. "It certainly can't hurt--and if it doesn't work out for you, you don't need to force yourself to continue."
Her first date in two years, hmm? That's sweet. "Oh my," he utters at her explanation. So Ichika introduced them... He's terribly curious now, but he nods once and holds a hand up palm out. "Say no more. I won't pry further." He smiles. "But I do hope the two of you have a lovely date."
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
"Eh heh... yeah, I know not a lot of girls are into it, but..." She grins and nods. "Thanks." And then she laughs a little. "Don't worry, don't worry, I know it's not for everyone..."
Ririka nods. "Yeah, that makes sense... can't hurt to try, right?"
Ririka stopped dating guys once she realized she was gay... (and sadly, being in mourning for her deceased brother was... a convenient cover.) Ririka smiles, though, as Jun say he won't pry. "Thanks. I appreciate it. And thanks! I hope so, too. Um... who knows, maybe if it goes well, I'll be able to introduce her sometime."
It's entirely possible Jun might already know her, in fact, but that's neither here nor there.