2026-08-24: On Her Mind
- Cutscene: On Her Mind
- Cast: Hana Fukami, Teruo Shinoda
- Where: San Francisco Bar, Shinjuku, Tokyo
- OOC Date: August 24, 2026
- IC Date: Sun, Dec 30, 2012
- Summary: While out on a date with Teruo, Hana finds she can't quite hide that something's on her mind. Between bites, he asks--and eventually, she answers, and asks a question of her own.
---
It's a lovely table with a great view; down in the city, the rest of Shinjuku gleams in the night air. The restaurant is on the top floor of a hotel, and Hana Fukami sits her across from her date, Teruo Shinoda. If she's a little tall at 165cm, he's a giant of a man at 188cm--a big, baseball-playing meteorologist, his purple eyes dreamily on Hana's.
His brown hair catches some of the light as he says, "So you've seemed like something's on your mind tonight."
"Have I?" Hana wonders, glancing down at her perfect pink nails--and then picking up her wineglass. "I'm sorry. You went to all this trouble and I'm distracted."
"It's fine," Teruo answers. "I like the Hana who thinks about things deeply, too."
"...Thanks," Hana says with a smile. "Well, in that case... I"ll tell you a little more after we finish the bread. You know me and bread."
"It's a deal." Teruo grins, and slides the plate towards her after taking a little for himself, content to watch his girlfriend for the next few moments. He lifts his wine as if in toast.
"Mm?" Hana wonders. She has bread in her mouth. ...It'll be a moment before she can switch gears.
-=-=-
In fact, it's more than just bread before they get to it. Hana's black hair shines in the low light of the restaurant as she relates another story from work over their mostly-empty plates.
"And so," she says, "Kiki seems to have known the whole time!"
"Ha," Teruo answers. "I suppose she's like that, isn't she? She plays like she's a ditz, but she's actually really sharp. ...I wonder why she does that?" He smiles, and lowers his wineglass. "...But," he says. "Much as I like hearing about your work... You've been avoiding something. Can I persuade you to tell me what it is?"
Hana's smile fades into something more pensive, and she nods. "I did say I'd tell you. Sure. ...But only if we go for dessert after."
"Done," Teruo declares, and it will be so.
"Then..." Hana sighs. "One of my friends... I'm worried about her. Her husband is... unkind," she euphemizes, "And he's an influential man. She's worried that no matter what she does, she won't be able to get around that influence."
"Mm," Teruo vocalizes. "That's difficult... Relationships are thorny to be involved with at the best of times."
"Don't worry," she says. "I know she doesn't want me meddling like that. Still... It makes me wonder. If she does decide to do something... Is there anything I can do to help her, when she's ready? Or does 'influence' go all the way?"
"So this isn't just an acquaintance," Teruo reflects. "You're really worried about her. ...Well, i won't pry who it is," he allows first.
"Thanks. I can't betray her confidence. But even so..." Hana sighs. "There's so much in this world that just seems to be decided by powerful people. It makes me wonder... Can I really do anything, from my position? There's so much that I've dealt with in the past myself... that I've only been able to do with help. Is it possible that I can be the one to help someone else?"
"Hana," Teruo says. "I know you've been through a great deal, yourself. It's natural to wonder..." He considers how best to say it. "...That's up to you," he settles on. "I know there are things that really scare you. There are things that have happened that you still can't talk much about, even with me. But if you want to be the one to be there for others... Then you're the only one who can decide to do it."
"Teruo," Hana says softly. "You really think that I...?"
"I do," Teruo says. "...Don't get me wrong. I'd protect you from anything."
Hana smiles. "I know. And you have, from a lot."
"But," Teruo says, "I'd never stop you from being there for others, too. If there's something you feel you can do.... Even with this friend of yours--Maybe all you can do is to listen to her, right now. But your support is more than you think it is."
"...Yes," Hana says. "I just... I wonder, when I think about her. That maybe there's something I can do. No... something that only I can do."
"If you find it," Teruo assures Hana, "Then I'm behind you all the way. ...A gentleman doesn't prevent a lady standing for herself or others, when she wants to, after all."
"Teruo," Hana laughs softly, "...That's what I love about you. You're so sure of yourself."
"Not all you love, I'm sure," he answers with a wink. "...But I'm sure of you, either way."
"Not all," Hana agrees. Then she bites her lip--and looks down, picking up the dessert menu. "I think I'm in the mood for cake..."
"Then we'd better get you some cake." Teruo nods firmly--and watches Hana thoughtfully, when she isn't looking at him.
There really is something about her, lately. Something on her mind...