2026-07-07: Charm
- Log: Charm
- Cast: Hana Fukami, Goro Akechi
- Where: Tokyo TV Studios, Shinjuku, Tokyo
- OOC Date: July 07, 2026
- IC Date: December 06, 2012
- Summary: Goro Akechi comes by the Tokyo TV studios for a pre-interview discussion--which will determine whether he chooses to appear on Flower Talk, and what they might talk about if he does. Hana has an opportunity to think about 'Justice'.
(|======================== Red Light District - Main =========================|)
-===================================================== Tokyo/Shinjuku Ward ====-
It's said if you go out the wrong side of Shinjuku Station, you lose a whole
day. Go out the correct side though, and you still might find yourself on the
wrong side of town. Even walking into Shinjuku's Red Light District subjects you
to endless barkers and touts, looking for opportunities to pull tourists and
young women alike into places where they might get scammed and exploited by the
predators of this place.
Neon signs glare offering disorienting guidance to businesses stacked upon one
another. All the vices of the city are available in smoky bars where one might
forget their dreams at the bottom of a glass, or take offers of companionship in
shady host or hostesses clubs.
Be careful. As smart as you are, wiser people than you have lost everything
here.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
There are plenty of comfortable places to sit around Tokyo TV's studios. There's always meetings happening, crew or cast resting between takes or shows, something along those lines. And today is no exception! Not that far from the studio where Flower Talk is filmed, Hana Fukami sits in a cozy little room with a table and a few chairs. The walls are off-white; it's a workspace, not a friendly living space. Nevertheless, there's tea and coffee and some snacks.
Her co-hostess couldn't be here for this one, but the dark-haired woman is still good to talk interviews on her own. Especially since it's not a full interview at the moment.
It's late afternoon--school is over--and on a chilly Thursday, making it a nice day to stay inside.
Hana's in pink today; a nice long dress with a light jacket over.
And...!
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
That's when Goro Akechi walks right in- six minutes late of course. Fashionably so. "Sorry I'm late. I had to follow up on a case on the way here." He's recognizable of course, from his Dark Winter Uniform with the Purple Tie marking his seniority.
Down to the Black Gloves he sports, carrying a silver brief case with the circled A, of his agency's logo.
"And you're Fukami-san, if I'm not mistaken?" As he sets down his briefcase, and makes a polite bow, "I'm Goro Akechi-" As if she didn't already know, "It's quite the pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Is there any sign of discomfiture in his posture? None whatsoever.
"You wouldn't mind if I grabbed myself a cup of coffee first? I could certainly use one."
As he pours himself a cup of it, before taking a seat across from her. "I must say- I expected you to meet me with your co-hostess. It is a rather bold choice to meet a boy still yet to graduate high school on your own."
If it's mildly flirtatious, then it's only in that playful way he typically does- not in any mean-spirited sort of way.
He takes a sip of coffee, as he waits- it's mediocre, all office coffee is, but that's fine by him.
The caffeine is what he craves, not the taste.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Six minutes late. It's fashionable, but not exactly very nice; Hana is used to dealing with people who think their time is more important than anyone else's, and time will tell if Akechi is one of those. He seems so nice on TV, but...
Regardless, Hana smiles back, rising to greet him. She bows in return. "Likewise," she says, "It's a pleasure to meet you. You're right, of course."
"I don't mind at all." She already has one. It's mediocre, yes, but it is coffee. Technically.
"She had to take care of a last-minute matter," Hana says, apologizing for Kiki with her tone. "But you'll get to see her if we do the interview proper."
Then, "Hmmm. Is it bold? You're a little young for me, accomplished detective or not." She's not a samurai, after all.
"Either way, I appreciate you making the time. I suppose you can't tell me about the case?" she offers. She knows the answer is likely no, and her tone suggests it--but it's fun to ask.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Of course he has a valid excuse after all, he's a detective. It's so much plausible deniability that he's always going to be busy with things that come up.
But perhaps he's just an asshole.
"Ah a shame, still I don't mind having a one on one."
Then, she responds, and he chuckles-
"Oh- don't misunderstand me. I just mean as to what others might say. You have to understand, I come from Sumaru City where such Rumors are a significant part of our city's culture. Rumors have been started over far less than our meeting today."
It's not an invalid concern either, but he doesn't seem especially concerned himself, merely pointing it out, in case it might be a concern for her.
She does ask about the case, and he leans forward, steepling his fingers together. "Not so much- but what if I told you it was related to a lead I received regarding the Phantom Thieves of Hearts?"
It's certainly an interesting prospect, but as he said, he can't say much more. "Would that be a topic of 'interest' to your viewers, Fukami-san?"
But he certainly is testing the waters on whether she'd want them to come up on her show.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"I'm glad!"
But he mentions the rumor, and Hana grimaces faintly. "That's fair," she says of what Akechi gives as explanation. She sighs. "I have enough rumors to deal with without that. You should meet Teruo-kun sometime, the man I'm seeing--I've never seen someone so able to bull through whispers as he can."
A little vulnerability--a little 'personal' talk. That's something she can offer to her interview subject behind the scenes. But not too much.
"Oh ho," Hana answers. It's testing the waters, all right. "Everybody seems to be interested in the Phantom Thieves," she reflects. "With their activities seeming to escalate. Especially since you're working on them--it's two things that interest people, put together. Olympians preying on students, the art world in uproar, even crime bosses and traffickers..."
A sigh. "Our fare is usually a little lighter, I admit. ...And I can't guarantee it wouldn't come up."
"But what about you? Don't you have things about yourself you'd like to share that aren't about them?"
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"I can certainly imagine." Akechi says, and Hana might detect a note of- sympathy perhaps? "You're a very lucky woman, then. Most men are not so stoic when faced with rumors of themselves and their lady love."
And yet, he does not a stick a knife in, perhaps he's a better person than one might think, in the face of that vulnerability.
He nods in agreement, "They are one of the more popular trends at the moment." Trends, not- anything else, but it's not unusual for someone in show business to understand that people- bands- anything can be a trend that people follow.
"Indeed so-" 'Our fare is usually a little lighter, I admit.' "-well, that's fair." He says, switching to the low hanging fruit of the puns. "I'm not going to ask that it come up, or not. I'm more than willing to 'play ball' with the preferences of the hostesses, certainly.
Which means he's prepared to field it if it comes up from audience questions, but otherwise, he doesn't need to speak on it.
"Hm." As he considers the question of what he'd like to share, "Well, I'm told that I tend to do better with a more youthful demographic. And your audience from what I understand is primarily housewives between the ages of twenty to their mid-forties?"
He unsteeples his fingers, settling back, to grasp the cup of coffee and take another sip as he thinks on the topic and eventually.
"There is my established case record of course, but that feels a little like bragging. Then there's my past- for that, I suppose it depends on how much your show would like to 'wax political'-"
As he gesticulates with a single hand towards her, "-it rather invites discussion on certain social issues our society faces. Which may- or may not do well with your audience. I'm willing to touch lightly onto that, if you'd like without turning your show into a platform for topics that might be rather uncomfortable."
Then there's a light shrug of a shoulder, "Then there's the usual questions about how I balance my life as a detective and a student. That might be of interest to mothers looking to offer guidance to their children on handling the rigorous schedule of a student. Do you have any leaning yourself- on what you'd like to see?"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Sympathy... It's nice to hear it, even if she feels strange getting sympathy on that front from a high schooler. What must Akechi's life be like? "I am," Hana agrees. "...He's strong, that way. I suppose it helps that he's also already established at his job..."
No knife. It's nice.
Trends. But, Akechi switches to the pun, and Hana smiles. "I appreciat eit. The audience might ask--and it's fine if they do--But I don't want to ply them with rumors, either."
"That's correct," Hana confirms. "I'm grateful for all our audience, but those are the ones who are looking to us most for company, I think."
Hana drinks her own coffee, sipping it as she waits. His case record... "Well, that's fair," Hana allows, because it seems like bragging.
"Mm... I'm sure my producers would warn me to stay entirely away from politics. But the truth is, I'd be interested in those issues myself. And I think our audience would do well to hear it. ...So yes, let's do it with a light hand, but let's touch on it."
"I think a touch of 'reality' keeps our audience engaged--shows them we're engaging with them."
A pause. "Hmm. That would be practical," she agrees then. "Balancing one's schedule is something everyone can think about."
"But personally.... Yes, I'm interested in your past--and in who 'you' are. I'd like to ask, if you don't mind, what made you want to become a detective?"
"Do you think you'll engage with the police force directly when you get older, or stay independent? That kind of thing."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
"Indeed, it must be. Still, he would do well to be cautious. It's a difficult needle the two of you thread- and scandals have tarred far greater men."
He's not meaning to indicate that Hana is doing him harm, certainly, just 'additional rumors and scandals may be difficult to handle' given their current position.
It is nice.
"Of course, I understand. There are some shows which like that sort of thing, but I'd prefer not to play the part of a rumormonger if I don't have to."
A rumormonger seems more pointed perhaps, given Sumaru City's culture. And yet, he is secretly- perhaps that means he feels he has to play the part of the rumormonger.
In order to have any sort of control of his circumstances.
"Very well. I'm more than willing to use a soft touch when it comes to the issues." As he wiggles his black gloved fingers, "After all, it's why I wear gloves. Audiences rarely like- how shall I put it- outright activism. But- when it's part of a personal anecdote, it seems more natural for them to be drawn into it."
He has to be a touch careful himself, whenever he goes into this part of his past, those who knew him know he wasn't as sympathetic a figure as he presents himself to be.
Fortunately, few would remember that belligerent little shit.
Everyone forgets people who are literally beneath their concern.
"Yes, I quite agree." However, then she asks the question, and he sits back, relaxed- in interview mode.
"Well, to tell you the truth- it was my mother's book collection. You see, when I was younger, we were quite poor- and all I had to read were her mystery novels. Thrilling tales of fictional detectives- Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot and yes-" A beat pause, "-Kogoro Akechi. I was named after him. One might say it would have only been a fascination with such figures... save that one day, I was witness to a grave injustice."
His eyes become grave, "A woman who had overdosed on pills and alcohol in despair. An officer declared that she was dead, when she was clearly still breathing- and forced me away from rendering her assistance. Because he did, she actually did perish in front of my eyes."
He looks, saddened, his gaze lowering from the level where it's at, "The officer did so, in order to loot her of her belongings once she had passed away. And so I was faced with a dilemma. How does one achieve justice, when those who would protect and serve us- are the perpetrators of the crime? I was not even sixteen at the time and in foster care after my mother passed away. If I had reported him, I would not be believed- and open myself to reprisal. So- I investigated him and his fellows myself before offering my findings to the Prosecutor's office, who promptly arrested them for their crimes."
It's quite a story- but all accurate, minus some little omissions here and there. "As for that- well, I suppose that depends. I'm rather disliked by most departments for my habit of unveiling corruption within them, and tarnishing their reputations."
There's a bitter smile, one full of irony. "I think it likely I'll continue working with the prosecutor's office instead- consulting on cases with the police that they assign me to. I feel by doing so, that I can do the most good, pursuing Justice without concerning myself with the 'reputation' of those in law enforcement."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
A difficult needle... Hana's face flickers with an emotion that Akechi can see--a worry. She's aware, after all. But it fades a moment later, and if Akechi weren't a detective, he might have even missed it. He won't, though.
"Thank you," she says, for the concern.
Instead, "Hmm. That's good, then. I won't ask you to."
Black gloves! "Yes," she says. "I've seen that. ...You're very good with people, Akechi-kun."
Hana certainly doesn't know. She never had to deal with that kind of thing.
The agreement is nice--but the answers are nicer. And Hana listens. Mystery novels, and a mother with little...
Her favorite was always Poirot, of those. Such a dignified sort of man, but kind in his way.
But that gravity is appropriate, it seems. Hana frowns, and it's not only with sympathy at the matter of that woman who was still breathing. She's seen such things, in her time; not all the clubs and parties she's been to have been entirely innocent, for all that she's tried to avoid trouble. But still...
"I can see why simply joining the police force would be more complex a question than not, for you." That's what she says first. "I wish we could say that 'justice' was a simple thing, and always pursued..."
She shakes her head. Of course, she doesn't always pursue this herself; Akechi if he looked into her would know that she didn't seem to pursue 'justice' against her assailant some years ago. Nevertheless...
"Thank you for answering. That must be difficult to relate. I feel for that woman... And I'm glad you were able to see something done for her, even if it was too late for her life."
"Then I wish you well in your future work." She pauses. "But since this isn't an official interview yet..."
"Off the record," she says, "I appreciate that you can serve as oversight--when our public servants fall short of their duties. I've seen some injustices to people in my time, too. Your hard work is heartening."
"But I do see what you mean about it does invite such discussion..."
"Well, even if I'd like to believe that most of our police serve dutifully and well..." She trails off. "Well. Back on track, I think our audience can handle it. We've talked before about social issues before." A smile. "Well, thank you. I hope that you'll continue to see 'justice' done."
...Who was that woman? It occurs to Hana, of course, that certain possibilities line up in the timeline...
But she's not going to press. "But is there anything else you'd like to talk about concerning yourself? Even something minor. My audience would love to be able to connect to something further about you."
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
He doesn't.
And he thought that she would have seen that. After all, if her show became entirely about the trans situation, and trans rights- it never would have been allowed to continue.
But- sometimes the best way to normalize something, is simply to expose people to a person they would not ordinarily meet, and show they're just like them.
And in a similar token, exposing Akechi as the 'model' foster care child, exposes that perhaps the system does need a reform. He might not change minds and attitudes towards any given other foster child, but- calling attention to its problems tends to do its job nicely.
"Well, I had to learn that quickly." Akechi says with a smile, "A teenager would never be accepted as an expert opinion in a room full of adults otherwise."
It rings true, even. Seniority is everything. A child who hasn't even come of age making a lot of adults look bad is frowned upon.
If he can't charm the room and play to it, then he'd be quickly out of work.
He tells his story and- "Indeed so." He folds his hands back in his lap, "I would say that 'Justice' is far from simple. Because each person must decide what their own Justice is, in the face of the world we live in. What are one's personal convictions when facing injustice?"
He raises a hand, "So many might look the other way, for the sake of the collective harmony, rather than face the possibility that the people who have power over them are corrupt- because of the personal risk involved."
He thinks of Ren, in this moment, certainly.
He does look, abstracted, when she speaks of the woman, "Yes, so am I. Though- I wish I could have done more." And one thinks about what he just said. Had he faced greater personal risk, would she be alive?
How many are willing to risk jail, in order to do the 'right thing' and seek Justice?
She wishes him well, and he snaps back to attention, "Many certainly do." He agrees with her, "I've met officers who I believe are the ideal others in law enforcement should aspire to, for their sense of Justice. However... so long as 'reputation' weighs heavier than 'Justice' for many departments- I fear that corruption is a matter of 'how much' rather than whether it exists at all."
It's a sobering thought, but unfortunately more true than anyone knows. Just look at how many officials in the Tokyo PD belong to Shido- as opposed to how many in Sumaru belong to Sudou.
"I'm glad you see it that way. Well then, with that in mind..." As he stands up, he walks over towards her, and this time- extends his right hand her way, rather than bowing, "I look forward to working with you, Fukami-san."
He is almost eerily comfortable with her, isn't he? Like she's just like anybody else. It's certainly a strange change of pace perhaps, for her.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
It sure wouldn't. Hana is aware of the possibility.. but she tries not to dwell on it. If she were to dwell on her situation, let herself stop and inhabit that moment for too long--
Well, she might have a decision to make. ...But it's not at this point, yet.
Hana listens to Akechi, and watches his smile. "...I think i know the feeling," Hana says, of having to learn to be good with people. She won't be so arrogant as to say she understands--but that's just because she's being polite.
Living as she does, being a curmudgeon won't get her many places. So it rings true to her, too. "Yes... I can see that."
But the story... Akechi would say... Hana's red eyes focus on him as he speaks of every person deciding their own. "That's an interesting perspective," she says. "I think most people in our society would say that justice is objective. ...But you say it's more about what your own convictions say, in the face of its absence." She remains thoughtful.
What is her 'justice'?
"Mm, yes. I can understand wanting to avoid risk... But at the same time, there comes a point at which the risk may be worth it. For justice, or... for other reasons." Her lifestyle is a risk, after all.
But he wishes he could've done more. That makes sense; of course he would. Wouldn't anyone wish to have saved her life?
"Mm, yes. That's true in many fields, isn't it? That 'what it looks like' becomes more important than 'what it is'. It's something we can all work on."
She doesn't know how deep the rot goes--but she knows at least one truly cruel officer, one in a high position--and growing.
He stands up, and Hana stands up with him. "Likewise, Akechi-kun," Hana says with a smile.
He has been really comfortable with her. He's even willing to touch her hand, like this.
...It's really nice.
She'll shake his hand. "Our people will call soon to schedule, since you're on board. If we're lucky, we might be able to get you a little face time with Kiki today, too..."