2026-08-18: New Old Friends
- Log: New Old Friends
- Cast: Hana Fukami, Maya Amano
- Where: Aoba Way
- OOC Date: August 18, 2026
- IC Date: December 27, 2012
- Summary: A work event for Tokyo TV and Kismet Publishing sees Maya and Hana have a chance to talk--and they quickly get along, talking business but also friendship!
(|================================= Aoba Way =================================|)
-=================================================== Sumaru City/Aoba Ward ====-
Ample shopping can be found at the stores that dot Aoba Way, but not just the
normal kind. Aside from a door to the Velvet Room for Persona Users, one can
hear and spread all kinds of rumors at Kuzunoha Detective Agency. At the
internet cafe Double Slash, one can surf on the web to find some of those very
rumors *and* munch on various snacks served at the back bar by an apathetic
teenage boy. The blue carpeting and wall-to-wall aquariums lend the place a
relaxing atmosphere.
The bar Parabellum has a more noir vibe, with a mostly wooden interior, brown
leather seats, green glass lamps, and brick pillars along the walls. The elderly
barkeeper offers a number of unique mixed drinks, all named after weapons...
which might be a clever cover for the fact that, according to rumor, he sells
*real* weapons. The fashion boutique Rosa Candida offers the latest in trends
and (per rumor) armor, its decor stark yet stylish, with clothes and bags alike
on display for customers along the walls and on a central table. A pair of
changing rooms are naturally available; to use them, just get the permission of
the saleswoman in red first.
Etheria offers spa treatments to the weary among bright lamps, stained glass
windows, off-white decor, and an esthetician with a giant blue crystal crown.
The name of the place fuses "ether" and "materia," and the treatments are
effective: those who use this spa walk away feeling refreshed in mind and body.
And, of course, it's not Sumaru City without a local Satomi Tadashi Pharmacy
branch. This one looks the same as all the others: aisles and walls laden with
medicine of all kinds, overseen from the back counter where magazines are
available by one of seven identical sisters. Satomi Sister #1 runs this one; an
English-language piano version of the store's theme plays here. "Always in the
side of those who fight: our local... drug store~ o/`"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Magazine tie-ins are the next step in television! Television interviews are a great step for magazines! Such is the logic behind a little get-together for Kismet Publishing and Tokyo TV, and thus a nice little space in Aoba Way has been rented out so that the employees of each can get to know each other a little bit.
There are refreshments, including some snacks and drinks--no alcohol, it's too early for that!--and people are milling about all over. Hana was just talking to a few people with her co-host, Kiki; Hana's tall and dark-haired in pink and Kiki is a little shorter at 5'3" with short brown hair and a big demeanor. She's still telling a story of some kind while the quieter Hana breaks off to go refill her cup. Click click go her heels, and she takes a moment to think...
But that makes her vulnerable to being spoken to!!
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
"Hi!"
Maya takes the opening; she's quite the social butterfly and has been chatting with everyone all afternoon. There are still a few people she hasn't had the opportunity to chat with and
"I'm Maya Amano of Coolest Magazine," she says with a smile. "You're Hana Fukami, right? I love your show!"
She doesn't expect Hana to recognize her face or her name; Hana's a much bigger media figure than she is. But that doesn't bother Maya at all; she's just happy to have the opportunity to chat with Hana!
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Oh!" Hana turns to give Maya a warm smile at the greeting. She indeed doesn't recognize Maya immediately--Coolest! is a magazine known better to the youth--but she likes her demeanor right off. "Thank you!" she says. "I'm only half of it, of course," she's quick to downplay politely, but she is still happy at the compliment. "It's nice to meet you, Amano-san!"
"'Coolest'... That's the magazine for young people, isn't it?" Not that she's that old, but Maya will know what she means!!
She's done her homework!!
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
"You got it!" Maya's smile grows. "We're just print right now, but we're hoping to go digital next year."
Maya presses a lifted finger to her lip, smiling sheepishly. "Don't tell anyone that, though! It's a secret until the official announcement."
Which with any luck will be coming in the next month!
"I'm trying to amp up my social media presence in the meantime, since I'll be able to have my own website and social media handles on my articles. I should probably get a headshot, too..." Now Maya's just talking aloud.
"But you're probably an expert at this, right? You've already got a channel on YouTube with clips from your show!"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Ooh," Hana says. "That's a big expansion!" But Hana grins at the secrecy and adds, "My lips are sealed. Exciting, though!"
Social media... Well, this is a work matter, so Hana's happy to share her expertise. Though her own social media presence made it easier for that man to out her--her trans status is a matter of public record at this point. ...Luckily, people haven't generally made a problem of it here.
"That's a solid plan," Hana agrees, and smiles. "I know a few things," she allows. "A headshot's key, and a snappy bio. If you can get a good handle that helps, too."
"I'd be happy to look it over and tell you what I think, when you're ready. Though..." She considers, "Your audience is a little different from mine."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
"Just for now," Maya says cheerily. "They'll grow out of Coolest eventually and hopefully become one of your viewers!"
Sad as it is, Maya knows her readers won't stick with Coolest forever -- she's just happy that she could be a small part of their life growing up.
"I was thinking... something like ThinkPositive or MayaBun!" Neither was really serious, though. "Or do you think I should go with something more professional, like ReporterMaya or KismetMaya something?"
Maya rubs the lobe of her ears as she thinks. She lets out a thoughtful hum.
"CoolestMaya might sound a little egotistical out-of-context!" she suddenly says aloud, her smile resurfacing.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Aw, that'd be nice, wouldn't it?" Hana answers warmly. Getting to be part of lives growing up... it's a nice thought. But Maya mentions what she's thinking...
"MayaBun is pretty cute," Hana allows. "But hmmm... I suppose it depends on the 'vibe' you want with the people who'll interact with you--just talking to you, something more personal seems appropriate. Something about 'you', rather than about the company you work for--after all, you never know where your career will take you."
Hum!
Hana laughs. "You do seem pretty 'cool'," Hana allows. "But it might just."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
"How did you come up with yours?" Maya asks, feeling a little like her younger self asking for advice from an upperclassman. Hana has only been co-hosting Flower Talk since July, but it still feels like there's a lot that Maya can learn from her regardless.
Besides, Hana _is_ kind of her senpai, anyway though -- she's been in the entertainment industry since Maya was still in high school.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Lucky inspiration," Hana says. "My name was really on my mind in talks for the show, because I had only recently finalized the change," she explains. "So I was able to do a little wordplay while I was setting up."
Hana is glad to senpai a bit; it's rewarding, to be approached for her expertise and experience instead of... other reasons.
"So if you can do something cute with your name, that's always smart--but definitely include your name, if you want people to associate your posts with you."
"How about you?" Hana wonders. "How'd you get into Coolest? Did you pick the magazine, or was it an assignment first?"
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
Maya brushes her hair behind her ear with a sly smile. "Would it surprise you to know that I took the first job I offered?" There's a playfulness that enters her voice and stays there, even after she starts her explanation. "My interview happened to be scheduled on a Taian Day, so I was feeling really confident. Plus, I had my lucky charm!" Maya lifts Mr. Bun Bun up from where he hangs on her bag so Hana can see it for herself. "On top of that, I spent hours the night before doing mock interviews with my roommate."
Poor Ulala.
"His first question was how quickly I could write an article on nail art," she says. "So I told him to give me two hours. So I did some research, called the daughters of a few of my mom's friends and had it finished just before the deadline.
"Turns out a reporter quit just before my interview and they needed an article to replace hers before print date. He gave me the job right on the spot!"
Indeed, it was a Taian Day! At least for Maya...
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Hana considers the question, tilting her head to regard Maya again with that playful tone. She listens to the answer, and beams at the matter of the lucky charm. "I can tell he's given you a lot of luck!"
But she doesn't interrupt overmuch for now--instead, she looks impressed at the quick article.
"Wow! I think I'd say... no, it doesn't surprise me. You seem like a decisive sort of woman."
A beat, "And one able to roll with opportunity, too! That's really impressive!"
A Taian Day...
"I think it's important to be able to take advantage of good fortune," she says. "I did much the same; I managed to get a role in a drama, and someone who saw it recommended me for a new show..." She gestures. That's how she came to Flower Talk!
"A roommate willing to help you out, though--that's wonderful, too!"
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
"We've been friends since high school!" Maya says. Something about their conversation has shifted from semi-formal to oddly overly-friendly. Not that Maya minds that, though! It's more relaxing talking to someone when you're not worried about behaving a certain way.
"Did you and Kiki-san know each other back in high school? You talk to one another like you're old friends."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"Oh, wow!" Hana answers. It has gotten a little friendlier... but with a reporter and a host, that's not necessarily surprising; they're both good at getting people to talk to them. Hana has warmed up quickly to Maya in any case.
"We didn't," Hana shakes her head. "It's just because she's so friendly, it's easy to seem like she's known anyone forever. It's the best I can do to keep up! But she's really very sweet. It feels like we've known each other longer."
"She's a lot of fun. It makes every day worth looking forward to."
<Pose Tracker> Maya Amano has posed.
"Wow!" Behold, Maya's surprised face!
"There's no way I would have guessed that!" Maya had been totally fooled. "The two of you bounce off each other so easily." Ulala and Maya were the same way sometimes.
"You know," Maya says almost conspiratorially. "I'm glad that we could talk today. I felt like I didn't know you all that well compared to Kiki-san." Not that Maya 'knew' Kiki-san -- more like she 'knew' Kiki-san only through the TV. "I'm sure that I'm not the only one who to know about you, either! If you'd like, Coolest is starting a new series about career women who talk about their jobs. It can be hard for teens to figure out what they want to do in the future, so we'd like to give them a helping hand in deciding!"
Talking with Ichika had inspired Maya to do this series.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
A surprised face! Hana laughs softly. "Then we're doing our jobs right," she says. "She's really great. We actually spend some time together off-set, too--it helps us keep up that relationship."
But? Maya is conspiratorial, and Hana leans in a litle. She smiles. "That's fair," Hana says first. But, "...Oh?" Career women talking about their jobs... part of Hana is pretty flattered to be considered for it--she knows some in the business wouldn't think of her first, for such a thing.
"That's a great idea," Hana says. "I'd really like that! I might have some leads for others on TTV you can talk to, too--we have a lot of women in the office, actually."
"But I'd be happy to help!"