2026-07-23: The Head's Permission
- Log: The Head's Permission
- Cast: Yua Ijuuin, Miho Ijuuin, Tomoki Hasegawa, Takashi Ijuuin, Kimitake Ijuuin (Flashback)
- Where: Ijuuin Estate, Rengedai Ward
- OOC Date: 2026-07-23
- IC Date: Fri, Dec 14 2012 (Forward-dated)
- Summary: Miho, Yua, and Tomoki gather at the Ijuuin Estate to beseech Takashi for Miho's hands in marriage and concubineship. One, he grants publically; the other he grants and decrees secret, minding Kimitake's worries over saving face. Yua doesn't tell them just what Kimitake really said, though... and her violent contempt for the men of this world chokes her to a dead faint, driven by attachment and aversion as the bleak horror of the ignorance she's trapped her family within combines those poisons in her heart. Miho, unaware of what's kept from her, acts with poise to make the best of the grace her father can give his favoured daughter... and Tomoki catches Yua alongside Miho, as he feels the weight of why he has a shot at all.
- Content warning: Flashbacks to physical violence, misogyny, homophobia, references to sexual assault, wishing death on another
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
Before it's time to go to Gekkoukan on Friday -- before both of them go to Gekkoukan, as it happens, because Miho has generously offered to visit the youth -- Miho calls Yua with a request of her own.
That's how Seiji ends up delivering her to the Ijuuin family estate -- just as Tomoki and Miho are pulling up, as it happens, he's very good. There's ample room for both cars in the driveway of this venerable home; Rengedai is where the old wealth lives and breathes, the Konoes and the Takatsukasas and the Kujou and the Nijou and the Ichigou... and that's just the impact of the Fujiwara clan!
(New money, by contrast, concentrates in Narumi Ward; Yua is quite happy to avoid that place, for some reason.)
That age and comfort is why the homes here don't feel the need to overstate their wealth in gaudy fashion; their gardens are of course nicely-kept, and none of these estates have to deal with the problem of shuffling cars off of the front lawn playing musical cars when it's time to leave, but the vibe of this street is lived-in. There are benches at frequent intervals for the obaasan and ojiisan to have strolls without fear; a lovely little park is even nearby, with a well-kept playset for the youth, and unlike some of the parks in other districts it's not one you would ever expect to be afraid to walk across without sturdy footwear. There is pride in place, here -- and people who understand that offences caused to their neighbours may translate to debts their grandchildren carry.
Yua, of course, has gotten out of their Mercer-Benz (with a helpful hand from Seiji) in a tutu.
Yua will never stop being Yua, apparently.
Hair all wound up in her tight bun, eyepatch across her left side (plus a touch of eyeliner around the edges -- don't think about it), a strange decoration stretched from a bracelet around her right wrist to a ring at her middle finger, her mokume gane wedding ring a finger and a hand to the side... she certainly looks ready to teach a dance class, at least, with that black sheer skirt down to her knees, black tights and long sleeves covering her body more than she once did.
Tragically, because she's not on the dance floor, she still has to be wearing those practical shoes.
and her feet prisons
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
The Ijuuin main home is a large traditional estate--tatami floors, paper for internal doors, the works. It has beautiful decorations, many of which are very old, the family altar kept prominently, and is probably considered a historical site by someone or another.
It's a lovely edifice, and... It is normal for Miho. She leads Yua and Tomoki both up along the way; Miho for her part is in a suit with trousers, and Tomoki is also in a suit--but his comes with a tie, though it's more 'business' than 'truly formal' overall.
Of course, the driveway is within the walls; thus, it's not too far of a walk to get there.
"This way," Miho directs her wife and potential fiance.
"Father will be expecting us."
Tomoki looks around--but rather than commenting on the decor, "You OK with the walk here, Yua-san?"
Miho seems quietly pleased with his concern, though she echoes the question with a look.
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
With a melasma mask blooming over her nose and cheeks, it's worth asking whether Yua's going to be all right with the walk; most women feel better in the second trimester, but with Yua's health so fragile, it's no wonder she's already feeling like a truck hit her.
even her belly button is ugly now :(
Still, she shakes her head. "I'll be okay... we can sit once we're inside, right?" Yua asks Miho, with a shade of concern.
Of course, then, all those stairs to get up there...
"Um... maybe a little help," Yua amends, bashfully, after she huffs and puffs on said incline a little.
Luckily, one or both them will surely be happy to offer their arm and help her up. And man, once they're up --
"Don't worry," Yua chirps, smiling to Tomoki. "It might look super intimidating, but everyone's really nice! I used to come here all the time when Mimi and I were in high school! Ahh, I wonder if Gomita-san still works here..." That's one of the maids from Miho's youth, Juhi Gomita; obviously Yua made friends with the help when she used to visit, she was bussing tables part-time, she was one of them.
The fact that everyone might have been really nice because Yua is Yua and being mean to her is clearly a cosmic hanging offence is left as a thought exercise for Tomoki.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
No trucks allowed!!
But Miho doesn't think she's ugly...
Still, "We can," Miho agrees. But there are so many stairs. And Tomoki looks to Miho--who is the one who moves to help Yua, which is obviously just because it's not as big a reach for Yua to deal with 6' instead of 6'4", right? Right.
Either way, Tomoki walks along with them, ready in case Yua falls.
Tomoki... definitely gets that implication. He smiles. "I don't get to see the old ways much outside of sets and histories; it's lovely to actually see where Miho comes from!"
A beat, "She does," Miho says. She can confirm!
She remembers; she bought Yua a lot of presents back then, too.
"Father will be expecting us," she says. "But still, wait here with me until we're called in."
A maid curtseys to the group, and walks back into the office where Miho's father is at the moment.
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
Being fair: that is Miho's baby Yua's carrying. It's entirely natural that she'd offer her her arm. And Yua leans on her, a little, as they go; and it's not just affection, it's also practical, too.
(Two things can be true at once.)
"Her whole family's really traditional," Yua smiles, to Tomoki. "Sooo... you've been reading your Kojiki, right? Remember, the first volume's about how the mainland sees creation! You know, the seven generations of Gods, and how it ended with Izanagi-no-Mioko and Izanami-no-Mikoto, and how they made islands by churning the ocean up like butter?" It's not that Tomoki should have studied for this test, surely. Yua's just being a teacher about it, surely.
He's going to be fine... surely?!
A-at least Yua remembers her Kojiki... and if she's right, knowing something traditional like that might just impress him.
Yua sparkles, hearing about Juhi's continued employment. "That's great!" She chirps, smiling brightly to Miho. "She was always so helpful...!" Maybe Juhi is the one who suggested Yua read the Kojiki to impress her girlfriend's family, in times past...
Still, Miho urges patience, and Yua nods, "mm, mm!" And if she's more relieved she can lean on Miho as they're waiting, she at least doesn't mention it. Instead: "Don't worry, I brought a gift, so you'll be okay!"
Because of course it's impolite to visit the Head's house without an offering...
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
Very fair.
"Right," Tomoki answers of the family, and then blinks. "Ah, ha ha..." Reading his Kojiki, is it? Is there a test?? is this something he should've done?? Miho manages to suppress a soft laugh. "Ah, right..."
Then he says, "I'm more knowledgeable about traditional theater than I am the really oldest stories," he admits. Because one is relevant to his craft!
But, Miho smiles. "Yes," Miho says. "I remember."
Being helpful is important. Being helpful to Yua is especially important, in Miho's mind. But--
"Good," Miho answers of the gift. And Tomoki nods, too. He's been prepared for this. But after a while...
"Please, come in," the maid says, and Miho leads the way inside. They reach a man in a nice suit seated at a desk--Takashi Ijuuin.
"Good day," Takashi says to his guests. "It is always a pleasure to see my youngest and her beloved," he says.
He looks thoughtfully to Tomoki--and does not amend his statement. "Miho-chan. Yua-chan. Young Tomoki-san."
Miho bows deeply. "Father," she says. "Thank you for making time for us today."
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
"Theatre is good, too!" Yua encourages Tomoki, brightly. "I think Father would be really happy if he saw you knew your traditional theatre, Tomo-kun!"
Yua's account of the venerable Head of the Ijuuin Clan might be exaggerating his emotional outbursts a little... but it's the thought that counts!!
"Thankyu," Yua sparkles, cheerfully, as the maid invites them in. And so -- Takashi Ijuuin! She beams, happily, hearing her call her beloved. (And Tomoki, too? Well, it's Tomoki, so maybe that's okay.)
"Good morning, Father!" Yua chirps, once Miho's spoken; she's much more energetic, in her greeting, but she bows deeply just as Miho does. "Mm, mm, we're really grateful! We brought you this!!"
'This', Yua reveals as she reaches into her black handbag -- she's high femme enough that of course she always has one -- to reveal a traditional hand-woven basket, inside which are cookies. The basket's construction is amateur yet enthusiastic; the cookies, he will of course be aware, represent a much more developed skill. "... they're Yua-mama's extra-special mint chocolate chip!!" Yua elaborates, smiling, when he unveils them.
Calling herself by the most adorable third person in front of a man like Takashi... is Yua secretly the bravest woman in all creation?!
(No, she just knows he's a good person. And he loves Miho soooo much!!! He's so great!!!)
A maid helps her to sit on the cushions they've provided, and fetches her a rolled-up support cushion for her back. "I'm taking it seriously, but is it okay if I sit casually?" She checks, first, before -- "hup!" -- she shifts her position a little to slip her legs out to the side.
She's taking it seriously, but her feet are like mammoths, her circulation is the worst...
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
"I'll keep that in mind," Tomoki replies. And he will! Maybe it'll be relevant sometime. He'll wait for an opportunity!!
But Yua calls him Father and says good morning, and he gives her a restrained smile. "Oh?" he says, as if it were not simply expected--and accepts the basket from the maid who takes it from Yua around the desk to him. He looks into it--
"Ah, how lovely." This is very much not effusive, and yet--she'd know. He really likes these. "Thank you, Yua-chan. We will enjoy these. I'll have to share them with my wife..."
She likes them, too.
"That is fine," Takashi says to Yua, though Miho and Tomoki both sit properly. As it should be. "Thank you," Tomoki says as well.
But then Miho looks to him, and nods, then looks to Yua.
Tomoki's up. "Sir," Tomoki says, and bows in place again. "Thank you for your welcome. I am here to ask permission to marry your youngest daughter. I ask that you consider me, and offer in return that I will treat Miho with the respect and love she deserves."
Takashi is thoughtful at this, looking between the three of them. "I take it you have discussed the matter with Miho-chan," she says.
"...Miho-chan," he says. "Does this mean that you have given up on marrying Yua-chan directly?" He is delicate, to confirm it.
"Before I can consider you, Hasegawa-kun," he says, "I must consider them. You are aware of their relationship, are you not?"
"Yes, sir. I do not seek to change it."
Miho says, "...I'd like you to hear from Yua what we've considered for that."
"...Yua-chan?" he prompts.
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
"That would make me really happy!" Yua chirps, hearing Takashi mention Natsumi. "Mother's the one who suggested I try adding a smidge of real peppermint leaves instead of just using extract, so I really hope they live up to her vision...!"
(Natsumi might not do much in the kitchen personally, but of course she knows what the correct thing to do is. Besides, if Yua's skills include gardening, too, weaving the crafts together heightens both of them...
... just please don't ask how many pots Yua has had to dedicate to Extra Peppermint which decided to try and escape containment. She once caught it growing between the edge of one of the display tables and the wall.)
But then, there -- Tomoki's request. Yua bows her head, as well, as Tomoki starts, and keeps her gaze on Takashi, even though eye contact is a lot. (And there is some pain there, yes, as he asks whether Miho's given up.) But Miho bids her to explain, and she nods, again, before she lifts her gaze to look back to him.
Being bid to explain is something she can puzzle out a little better, after a few months of high-class parties -- surely it's a chance to demonstrate her own courage, just as Tomoki must show his.
Internally, Yua goes: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!
Externally, her hands just tighten, a little, at the skirt across her knees. "We thought... Mimi could take me as her concubine," Yua starts, and she is not so courageous as to be able to say it firmly, but she's really doing her best. "Like... like the old system, when men had a lot of wives? Just, um -- Kimi-san's definitely not dead!" She adds, shaking her head, vigorously; "I-I know it was usually, um -- a thing women did after they were widowed, but I'm definitely not saying anything like that! So -- so let's just call it a death of passion, okay? Not that it was ever like that anyway..." She pauses, looking, sidelong, to Tomoki for a moment, before she looks back to Takashi. "A-and we don't want to both be Tomo-kun's wife, either! That's not what we want! It's not really traditional, that part, but -- but Mimi's the one with two partners? Mimi's the one in charge? So, um... so we thought, if we called her seishitsu, and I was her sokushitsu, maybe people could accept that...? And it's not like that's been legal since they dissolved the Tokugawa shogunate, anyway, so... but we wanted to formalise our bond, Father." She bows her head, as she beseeches him: "So... please tell us what you think!!"
That's probably not what she's strictly supposed to say, but at least it comes from the heart...
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
"Good," Takashi says of it making Yua happy. "Then you'll have reason to celebrate; I certainly shouldn't eat all of these by myself."
He's... not going to ask.
Tomoki though waits, as Yua explains. And indeed--Takashi waits for Yua's courage.
A concubine, Yua says. Hmm. A death of passion, she calls it. Tomoki glances back to Yua and nods firmly to what she says. When she finishes, he is thoughtful.
Miho waits.
"So... you would use an old tradition, but adjusted to suit your situation..." He considers. "We could not formalize it legally, for the reason you say; Miho-chan is allowed only one legal partner. However..."
"If you use that among close family... That would be acceptable to me."
"Miho-chan, is this what you want?"
"It is, Father. Whether or not we use the terms beyond ourselves," she says, "I want this--and to have a ceremony with you and Mother, and my brother and sister, to formalize our bond."
"So... this is your answer. Well, Yua-chan is part of our family as well. I think some formality is in order."
Pause. "And you, young man. You are not intimidated by their bond? I would not ordinarily ask a man to share... But for my Miho-chan, I will ask that and more."
"What Miho wants is fine with me," Tomoki says. "...Yua-san is an important part of her life; because of that, she's become an important part of my life, as well, albeit in different ways; as she says, we have no such romantic bond."
Takashi nods, looking between all of them.
"Well. Just because Miho-chan also has Yua-chan, I will expect no less than I would of any son-in-law. You will keep Miho-chan safe, bring her stability, and protect her children. This includes... he knows, yes?"
"He does," Miho confirms.
"Good. Indeed, I will expect more of you... Tomoki-kun." This is his blessing; he is willing to use his name. "You will also be responsible for watching over Yua-chan, when she is with you. And you will have to consider your living arrangements..."
He pauses. "Shall I expect one of your binders, Yua-chan?"
Then he says, "But all these things... Yes. You have my permission. As concubine who would be wife, and as fiance who would be husband."
"However," he says. "There is one voice as yet unheard in this, and his is relevant; does your husband consent to such a formality, Yua-chan? While I see you as my own daughter, his wishes should be respected in matters of propriety."
"...But that is one of the reasons I say some discretion will be necessary."
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
"Hee hee," Yua giggles, hearing Takashi speak of the cookies. "Don't worry! It's an exercise in self-restraint! Even you can get stronger, Father!"
She's relieved -- visibly -- to see him validate their thirst for formality.
And she beams, when Takashi asks after her binders. "Yup, yup! I'm arranging one as we speak! It's got plenty of room for lots and lots of sections, so we'll be able to cover everything...!"
She's still beaming, when Takashi grants his permission. "Thank you, Father!" She says, and this time does not shorten it to one word.
This time.
She's taking it seriously, after all...!
... more seriously, in fact, than any of them can know, as her big smile fades to serious thought as he asks after... the other one.
LAST NIGHT, CASA DE KIMITAKE:
"Thank you for seeing me," Yua says, her normally energetic tone cooled.
"It's unusual for you to visit me without an appointment," Kimitake observes, his own reception cool, as he seats Yua down on the lounge and takes his own seat.
"You're my responsibility," Yua replies, meeting his eyes with her frown, "so I should do this."
"You've grown bold," he says, and it's impossible to read him. "So at least you've made some attempt to adopt the manner of the Ijuuin. Speak," he adds, gesturing with the glass in his hand.
"Mimi wants to take me as her sokushitsu," Yua says, and she's sitting straight, too. (He has not, of course, fetched her a footstool.) "Not to make me Tomo-kun's husband... to be her wife, as her concubine."
His wrist flicks; Yua shrieks, head ducking down, as that glass shatters on the far wall. "Haven't you learned your lesson, whore?" Kimitake asks, his voice freezing to the deepest cold loathing as his lip curls. "Keep your indiscretions secret. What madness gripped you to think I'd support you celebrating it?! And after I found you that psychologist, too..."
Yua's face scrunches, her breath quickening, as she blinks back tears and swallows down her terror. "B-b--because," she says, looking to him again, "if you say no you'll need to explain that to Mimi, and you want this secret more."
"Tch." The disgust on his face grows more blatant, but with it is his discomfort as he realises someone he's put down so thoroughly may well have him pinned. "You two really think you can do as you like..."
"We know we can't!" Yua cries, and her breath comes raw and ragged, not able to contain her feelings. "That's why... that's why we're doing the tradition!"
"It's hardly the tradition if you're not both producing sons for your husband," Kimitake points out. "Of which you've both failed -- but at least she has a passable excuse. And what do you think it will say about me if that upstart actor's taken my wife as his concubine? You must realise that a man has to die for his wife to be free to be another man's concubine."
"That's not how it's going to work!" Yua yells, hands balling to fists in her lap. "Everyone knows we're both seeing Mimi --"
"That's the problem," Kimitake interrupts her. "You flaunt it. You make a mockery of our family, Yua."
"I WISH YOU REALLY WERE DEAD!" Yua's voice climbs, as her fists impotently meet her thighs. "But you're not and you're not gonna be so we'll say it's the bedroom that's dead and people will blame me for that because I can't hide it so no one will think badly of you and it's fine!"
"It's not fine," Kimitake says. "I was reprimanded just recently, you know, by the Captain himself... for not keeping my family in line."
"Well he's a bad --" Yua starts, only to stop, when he stands.
"Finish that sentence," he suggests.
"Uh," Yua shakes her head, looking down. "I--I just -- was saying he was -- having a bad day, I'm sure, so..."
"That's what I thought," he seats himself, again. "... well. If the Head will tolerate the two of you playing your little games, I suppose I'll let you embarrass yourself playing house that way. It at least absolves me of raising your damn cuckoo child in my own home..."
Hiroki, one notes, has developed his ears, by now.
... he's learning the character of the voices he hears most often, and there's one in particular which has a venomous character and leaves his host so upset.
"Thank you," Yua bows, and tries to control her shaking. "I won't bother you for any more of your time... I hope you enjoy the cookies."
"You're at least good for something," is how he waved her off.
And how Yua reported it, through text message, to hide any pesky signs of upset:
> I went to see Kimi-san, and he said he was okay with our plan if Father was! He's happy about how it might let me stay with you for real! He was a bit worried about whether people would think we were both with Tomo-kun... but I totally reassured him, don't worry!!
Texting Tyrrha, meanwhile, let her check to make sure Eiko had clocked out for the evening before she went home.
... and Tyrrha was perfectly happy to accept the explanation that Yua had read a sad story on the news on her way back.
The microphone she'd clipped to her hair comb, meanwhile, caught everything -- not perfectly but well enough, in a place Kimitake would have never cared to look. It's not that Yua knew he'd be cruel about her request, but... she had a certain suspicion. Even if she can't tell anyone, if she hides that recorder in her studio... maybe it's something else she can use.
BACK TO TODAY:
Yua is an accomplished performer; her expression stays intent, as Takashi asks after her husband. If her hands tighten a little, again -- if she seems, if anything, a little more wound up -- it must just be nerves.
"Kimi-san is willing to accept our arrangement," she says, "so long as you're okay with it. He was just a little worried about losing face if people thought both me and Mimi were Tomo-kun's wives... but he was willing to believe the family would accept Mimi was the one we were both with, even though it's not really the tradition, since... it's your name that carries the most weight, Father. And... he thought it would help them accept why, um... why I was still living with Mimi after Hiroki's born, too? He's not really excited to be a father again... but that's fair. He had a bad experience with getting invested in his kids, you know?" His first wife, who took his two daughters with her, when they divorced. "So it's really okay... but I know people talk, too."
And if a shadow falls over her eye, as she says that, it must just be the weight of the world's disapproval pressing down on her.
(She could tell him, right now, and... and he'd think of something! ... but what if the only answer he could come up with ended with a kaiken to her throat, like Shiryuu once subtly intimated? If she had to apologise like that now... Hiroki would die, too! ... no. She'll... think of something herself.)
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
Father can be stronger...! Takashi laughs politely.
"Good," he says of the binder, and Tomoki quirks a smile at that. Takashi nods in approval of Yua's thanks, too. But... That smile fading?
No, it must be nothing; Yua is accomplished. She must just have some nerves, which is reasonable.
None of them can know what Yua is remembering, of course.
"Yes," Takashi says, "That's very reasonable. For that reason, it is best that you keep the particulars of your arrangement known to family, rather than outside it... But I can handle that matter, certainly. And of course, Tomoki-kun... You will be marrying into our family, if you wish to marry Miho-chan."
"...Right, sir." He'd thought about it, but it's very blunt to have it confirmed; that said, Takashi's allowed to be a little blunt.
Then he looks to Yua again. "Hmm, yes... I see, that would be difficult for him. Then we'll make sure the arrangements work for everyone. I know he is working to craft his career, after all. So long as you can continue to fulfill your duties to him, I see no reason that you need stay with him when it's Miho-chan that you love most."
"People will talk," he says, "But for my darling daughter..." He nods. "It will be done."
Miho smiles, at that, and bows again. "Thank you, Father."
Tomoki bows, too. It's a cue! "...We'll work with Yua-san on her binder," he suggests, "To get the details together."
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
If they asked her, Yua would simply say that she didn't want to make light of Kimitake's feelings; she may not love him, but she has a duty to him, still.
"Does it really have to be a secret...?" She wonders, softly, as her gaze drops to her hands. "Mm..."
The battle she's waging, against Kimitake, is one she came to unprepared; the very reason she is able to ask such a question of the Head of the Ijuuin Clan is why the man she married knew to frame his complaints as face. She wonders for a moment if she could have lied, and wonders far too late.
She glances, aside, to Miho, seeking some clue as to her feelings; it's not hard to guess Yua's, though she bears them quietly.
More secrets...
(She can guess at Tomoki's feelings, on leaving his family; she did, too, after all.)
"Of course," Yua smiles, reassuringly, to Takashi, when he speaks of her duties, and if her eye is a touch dull it must simply be the way she struggles with the weight of reputation. "I'll fulfil my debts to Kimi-san, Father. Don't worry... he really likes my cooking!"
She smiles, and it is bright as it ever is, except... her portrait's not so sparkly, right now.
Yua bows, as the others do. "We're grateful for all your support!" She chirps, and like a rolling stone, it's easier to muster energy the more she does.
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
"Society as a whole won't accept your relationship," Takashi says to Yua, and he says it with gravity and some sign of emotion. (He has more than he shows). "And the more people know something, the more likely it comes out... and causes harm. But the family can know; the trustworthy can know. ...Unfortunately, the best society will be able to understand is that you have a close bond."
He is gentle, and frankly, doesn't need to explain himself in this situation--he's doing so for Yua's benefit, because Miho is his favorite.
But Miho looks to Yua, and inclines her head.
But Yua reassures. And Takashi smiles. "Good," he says.
"Then..."
"Let us celebrate both of these unions soon. Return to me when you have your preparations done."
That is a 'you may go', of course. But he'll have to catch up more properly sometime that isn't so Businesslike...
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
Are they really the ones hurting people... just because they love each other...?
... then, is hurting people to be happy really so bad?
"You're right," Yua murmurs, nodding; the movement's a touch jerky, as if a marionette caught on strings. "... thank you, Father."
She can at least tell he's trying to be gentle, with her. She's grateful for that much. It's not a given, with powerful men. When they lose their patience...
(What kind of man will Hiroki grow up to be, long after she's passed and can reach him no more? Will they take him from Kimitake before he learns from his example? Or will they not see the danger, until... until...)
But Miho nods, to her, and Yua puts away her protests, builds a smile over them, locking them all away to rot. Takashi may well see it, plain as day; she takes her cues from her, still.
And when he says they'll celebrate, she smiles, cheerfully. "I'm really looking forward to it!" It's not even a lie, though --
will he be there?
"Leave it to us, Father! We won't let you down!" Yua chirps, brightly. "I hope you have a really super great day!!"
And they may go, though of course Yua needs a little help to get up, after she was kneeling.
It's as they leave, through that storied house, that Yua leans on Miho a little harder. "So... Father accepts our feelings," she says, though she sounds a touch faint. "What a relief..."
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
Is it?
But Takashi sees, and Miho sees. As to 'him'...
Probably not. Takashi intends it to be Natsumi, his own children, and Yua.
But Yua chirps brightly, and soon, they're back outside of the room, with Miho helping Yua.
Tomoki looks to both of them--he seems happy, too. But he can talk about his in a moment; he can tell Miho wants to say something first.
So she does, "Yes. I thought he would... but I wish we could be more open. I understand why not." A pause. "Perhaps it's fine; I'm used to splitting my public life from my private life. Even so..."
Miho shakes her head. "I am glad he accepts us."
"Me, too," Tomoki says. "if I thought I was just ending your chances... Well, I wouldn't feel good about it, I'll say that."
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
OST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZzFHXmLb9I Enrico - FF8 Succession of Witches (Edea's Theme) Music Remake
The fear that he might be can just be one more secret woven into her, until she is nothing but them, a thousand unspoken things which gouge the eyes and shred the tongue and...
Yua feels unused to such violent thoughts, but perhaps they're not as foreign as she thought, the way she wished death on that man so virulently.
Certainly, she cannot speak them.
"I..." Yua starts, and Tomoki may not realise the weight of her ware but Miho yet may; she's spoken to her, before, on her need for public legitimacy, to be seen as a proper wife rather than a perversion to be kept carefully out of sight. The whole reason she retreated back into the closet... it was not a wish for secrecy, but a fear of being seen as some purveyor of degeneracy.
"... mm, me, too," she says, instead, quietly. "It'll be okay, Mimi... maybe a miracle will happen."
Maybe she'll need to make one happen.
... she can't expect Miho to draw all those circles in blood and bone with no help at all.
"You're kind," she looks to Tomoki, then, and lets some of that sadness show through her smile now, at least. "But... we never had a chance to begin with."
<Pose Tracker> Miho Ijuuin has posed.
Miho realizes it. They've spoken on it before... But in this world, how can it be helped?
"We'll work for it," Miho says of that miracle. She hasn't stopped her goals, after all, even if she no longer wishes to do away with everything of this world. All the same... that she could do away with.
But perhaps it will change here, too. ...It's hard to say.
Still, Tomoki looks to that sad smile. "...Mm," he answers. "Yeah..."
And he's aware that's the only reason he had one in the first place.
Miho says, "Come. Let's go. ...We should have lunch."
<Pose Tracker> Yua Ijuuin has posed.
"There's much more I can do," Yua assures Miho, softly. "You won't need to work alone, Mimi." And perhaps it sounds a little strange, that Miho would be the one doing the work, when they've always both been working hard, except...
It all comes down to this world. This world. This damnable world, with its men who hide violence beneath their charm! This world which holds her down and tears at her until nothing's left! This world which will not even let her raise her own son--!
What is good in this world?! What is worthy?!
Even this man -- the only reason she looks to him as a peer is the rot which has spread between the truth and this false creation! In the True World, she would not know his name! He would be as NOTHING --
That flash of contempt, though, surprises her; and the flash of that extreme expression may seem to be nothing more than what precedes her faint, as she stumbles, "oh!", though surely Miho will catch her... and perhaps Tomoki will, too.
"Ah..." She blinks, as she looks between them, and feels a crushing weight of guilt as she realises that he has moved to support her as easily as Miho has. "I'm sorry," she murmurs, softly, as she gets her legs beneath her again, holding to Miho tightly. "I'm just a little lightheaded... ah... so lunch is a good idea!" She smiles, but it wavers, as a dam slowly cracking.
"Let's... let's get... some yummy tuna sandwiches!" She insists, even though cafes always use canned tuna like they're peasants. (Specifically because they use canned tuna, in fact; all Yua's favourite foods come in cans.) "Mm, and I can get the binder, and... and we can start working, and..."
Her fingers tighten, against Miho's suit jacket.
"And it's okay... I know a magic spell..." Yua says, as her weak protests (what is she protesting?) lilt lyrical: "... everything will be okay! Everything will be okay! All the bad things go away when everything turns out okay~!"
... with Miho's encouragement, Yua might even be able to tell Tomoki just why the idea of secret legitimacy is so upsetting, but it looks like right now she's just forcing her cheer to put one foot in front of the other.
Still, she doesn't faint again, on the way to the cafe... so perhaps there's something to that spell, after all.