2026-08-31: Hoping for the Best
- Log: Hoping for the Best
- Cast: Hyousuke Suzuki, Shinobu Shimizu
- Where: Saihouji Shrine
- OOC Date: 2026-08-31
- IC Date: 01 Jan 2013
- Summary: Hyousuke and Shinobu run into each other at Saihouji Shrine in Aoba, and chat about the year to come.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Alya Shrine might have been one of Sumaru's bigger ones, but Hyousuke was - for better or worse - a Persona user. To go there would have meant being being plagued by its ever-pervasive sense of sadness and a general ominous feeling, and while he might have tolerated it at any other time of the year, Hyousuke thought it a bad omen to start the year off that way. Thus, in his search for options, he decided to head over to Aoba, and visit the shrine there. Alas, he had to do it alone.
His friends - the ones he'd asked, at least - had plans to visit the shrine with someone else, and he didn't think it was right to invite himself along to their trip. He'd not bothered asking the rest, getting the gnawing feeling that they had other plans and closer friends - or, indeed, family - to go with, rather than him. It would have taken little effort to simply phone them up or ask them in person, but whenever his fingers hovered over his phone, some sort of pit began to carve itself into the depths of his stomach.
So it was that he found himself shuffling along with the rest of the crowds without anyone else by him. Dressed in a light, charcoal-grey jacket and a pair of well-loved jeans, it wasn't his clothing that made him stand out, but the fact that he was six feet tall with a short crop of blonde hair. At the very least, it made him easy to pick out of a crowd for anyone that, by chance, might have recognised him. He himself thought he spied someone *he* recognised on way to the shrine, but with everyone milling around so close together, he had to squint and shield his eyes just to make out any one of their features.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
If there's one thing you can count on, it's that the shrines are going to be packed during the first three days of the new year. It's pretty much unavoidable. Not going, however, isn't an option either. Shinobu needs all the help she can get, frankly, so she sure isn't going to skip hatsumode.
There's a shrine in Hirasaka... but Shinobu is partial toward Saihouji in Aoba. The atmosphere is nice and relaxing, even when it's crowded like this.
Some people dress up, but Shinobu is as casual as ever, walking through the crowd with her hands tucked in the pocket of her winter coat.
Her first instinct is to get in and get out as quickly as she can... but as she walks, she spots a familiar face over the crowd.
He is quite easy to spot.
Shinobu draws a hand from her pockets, waving over the crowd.
"Hey, Suzuki!" Shinobu calls out, making her way through the crowd.
"'Scuse me," She asides to the people in her way, until eventually...
"Didn't expect to see you all the way out here, Suzuki. Nice to see you, though." She offers with a nod.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
As it happened, the person Hyousuke thought he'd recognised was indeed someone he recognised. Shinobu calling out to him was enough to confirm it - her coming closer and getting easier to see only served to bolster that. Hyousuke made his own way forward, awkwardly trying to shuffle between the throngs of people while giving out awkward "excuse me"s and "sorry, coming through"s to whoever was unfortunate enoguh to be in his way, and came to a slow stop when he was close enough with Shinobu to speak.
"Oh, Shimizu-san, good to see you too. Yeah, I was gonna do Alya, but that place just kinda feels weird." He couldn't quite place why, and wasn't about to deliberate while in the middle of a crowd of people that (presumably) didn't know the things he and Shinobu did. But if she'd been there, he supposed she'd know what he was talking about. "But coming here was worth the trip. It's nice out here." Even with the dreary layer of grey clouds looming overhead, the masses of people shuffling up towards the shrine for the yearly fortune, and a biting breeze stinging at the skin, the blooms that lined the well-maintained path gave the area a rather serene feeling.
"Still... It was a hell of a year, wasn't it? Doesn't look like it's gonna let up this year either..."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Fortunately, it's easy to track Hyousuke's movement through the crowd. They meet in the middle, where they can finally talk face to face that much more easily. She nods as he returns her greeting.
"Alaya Shrine... Yeah, good to go with your gut on that one. If you feel that way, it's probably for a reason." She replies. She doesn't know the deal, herself... but when you're in their business long enough, you learn to listen to feelings like that.
"It is, isn't it?" She agrees with a nod. "Found this place while visiting my older sister one year, made a point of coming back ever since. It's nice. Peaceful-like, even with all these people here."
A hell of a year, though... Shinobu cracks a grin.
"Sure wise. A real rollercoaster. You told me how things were gonna go this time last year, I wouldn't believe you." She agrees. "...But, yeah. Things are only gonna ramp up further, I can tell."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"You and me both." Hyousuke said, commiserating with Shinobu as she spoke of how the events of the year were, to the uninitiated, unbelievable at best. Thumbs in his pockets and eyes forward - only occasionally shifting to Shinobu, and even then just to be polite - he began to think back on how much had happened in just the span of a handful of months. Whether it was him getting distracted by his own wistfulness, put at ease by the surrounding scenery, or simply just being in the company of someone that understood and empathised with him in a way others didn't, he spoke again, but in more detail.
"Hell, even without all the supernatural stuff, if you'd told me things'd turn out like this for me... I probably would've laughed at you." His voice was an odd thing to hear. Relief was tinged by sadness, but all was overpowered by a pensive tone that pervaded even his very features. "Got new friends, I'm doing better at school, I'm looking at places to live, even got a dog." It sounded like things were going well for him - which made it strange when the sadness in his voice turned from a quiet note to something very slightly stronger.
As for the dog, Pudding could not be present for the scene, on account of being a dog and thus unable to understand the intricacies of human society.
He had also wanted to take a nap.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Shinobu smirks. It seems they feel the same way on that account. Not that that's surprising. It's been quite the year. She does look his way every so often too, as they walk.
Her eyes linger on him longer, though, when he remarks on just how unbelievable it'd be for him, even without the supernatural. It's a rare sort of tone to hear from him - whatever he's thinking about must be pretty significant to him.
She lets out an appreciative whistle as he lets it all out, nodding thoughtfully.
"Sounds like things are looking up. Happy for you, Suzuki." She offers with a smile, and thinks about it for a moment. "Hey, if you find a place but need someone to vouch for you, let me know, alright? I'd be glad to help out."
She then considers the last point on his list.
"A dog, though, huh? That's a lot of responsibility... But that can be good for you, too. They're good friends. You can bet they'll stick by you." She comments. She loves dogs, though she doesn't have one of her own. "Tell me about this dog of yours."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
A solemn nod was the response Shinobu got in regards to the responsibility of caring for a dog. It was something he was well aware of - no few people had reminded him of it, but there was no mistaking the serious look on his face. However, Hyousuke's eyes lit up - just a little - at the prospect of talking about the dog, and he immediately launched into a slew of information that he only barely managed to organise.
"The dog? Well, his name's Pudding, since he's got fur that's about the same colour as one. I'm pretty certain he's a cross, but nobody's sure what with, since he-"
His face dropped a little, but Hyousuke still endeavoured to keep himself from looking *too* glum, or *too* serious. It wouldn't do to let his appearance slip now, of all times.
"...He was abandoned. His old owners didn't want him, and I wasn't going to give him up to a shelter or some strangers, so I... I took him in. Poor little guy got scared and lashed out so much he turned into a rumour demon, so when me and some friends got him back only for those *assholes* to tell me they left him in the forest to die, I just- I couldn't just abandon him. He was alone, and he was scared, and he just wanted someone to let him know he was gonna be alright..."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
It looks like he knew that already - that's good. When he nods, Shinobu nods back... and she smiles, as he eyes light up when she prompts him to tell her about him.
"Cute name." Shinobu remarks, when he explains that his name is pudding - but she frowns, as he continues. She can see the way his mood drops. She can't blame him, with what he tells her.
"Shit. Assholes." Shinobu spits with a grimace. "How irresponsible can you get? People like that don't deserve dogs. I'm inclined to ask if you got their names... but maybe I better not."
She shakes her head, offering him a small smile as she decides to focus on the positive.
"Still... You did the right thing. Sounds like you both found each other right when you needed each other. I'm glad for both of you." She says.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke glanced at Shinobu with a puzzled look, his brow arched just a little when he did so. Sure, Pudding gave him a companion, had spurred him on to better both himself and his living situation, and was generally a source of joy for all those around him, but what else could Hyousuke say that he'd needed from the dog?
"When we needed each other? I-" Hyousuke thought better of questioning what he needed from Pudding, deciding that it was best to simply let the matter rest and move onto other, rather pertinent, ones.
"'Course, I can't just keep him in the dorms forever. Even if I wasn't graduating in a few months, our dorms ain't fit for a pet. So I gotta find an apartment or something." He let the thought hang in the air for a moment, processing it - and giving Shinobu the chance to do the same - before continuing. "I... appreciate you willing to vouch for me, but I still gotta get someone to sign the papers and all that. I've got that one covered, I think, but it's... It's complicated. Family stuff."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
If he doesn't know the answer to that yet, then, well... it's better to give him the time to figure it out for himself. So Shinobu leaves that there, too, and listens as he continues.
"Yeah, that's true..." Shinobu comments with a frown, folding her arms in front of herself. It's rough hiding a dog for that long, she's sure - for both of them. Finding a place is the better option... but that has its complications, too. She looks his way.
...It's true. She can act as a character witness, but there are some things she can't help with and he still has a while before he can do things like that on his own. So until then...
"'Family stuff', huh..." Shinobu comments. Complicated... "...Yeah. It usually is."
She looks his way again.
"Do you wanna talk about it? Or do you, uh, wanna not talk about it?" She asks. She'll leave it up to him to decide.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Did he want to talk about it? If the look on his face was any indication, not particularly. Just thinking about it was enough to have him seem remarkably uncomfortable, unable to hide it even in such a crowded and public place. His lips were tight, his eyes were distant, his fingers twitched a little as he clutched at his pockets. But, despite all that, he sighed a little and said as much as he could bear.
"My parents are assholes and I'm glad we don't speak. But my brother, he... I dunno. We don't speak, but it's not because he's an asshole. I think."
Friends though they were, Hyousuke couldn't bring himself to say much else to Shinobu. Even dredging the memories up left him fidgeting, no matter how close people were, or how much risk there was of being seen and heard. Eager to shift gears and the conversation back to Shinobu, he forced a more pleasant look on, and faced her.
"What about you? Got any big plans for twenty-thirteen? Apart fromd ealing with, you know, everything that's been going on."
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
The look says it all. He looks uncomfortable - she wouldn't blame him if he decided to drop it then and there - but he does say something.
Shinobu nods in understanding.
"I see... That's rough." She offers sympathetically - and when he diverts the topic of conversation to her instead, she's glad to give him the out.
"Let's see... That's a good question." Shinobu considers thoughtfully. She's not really the 'big plans' type of person - she takes what she can get as she gets it, but...
"Well outside of all that," She says with a casual wave of her hand, in regards to 'everything that's been going on', "I've been saving up for a vehicle... Figure it'll open up a lot more job opportunities if I can haul more stuff around. My bike can only carry so much stuff."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Yeah, a car or something'd help loads with that. Got a friend with one, and she seems pretty happy with it." From what he'd seen of Ichika with it, at least. He'd not seen a huge amount, but she'd certainly not seemed displeased with it. "Be good to have it for the freedom too. Being able to go wherever, do whatever, it sounds nice." From the way he spoke about it, it sounded like Hyousuke wanted one too. Robust as the various public transit options were, they had their limits.
The crowd continued to shuffle forward bit by bit, and it wasn't long until the shrine was clearly in view. Quite how long it would take for it to be their turn, Hyousuke wasn't sure of, but he figured it wouldn't be long now.
"So, what're you thinking?" He asked, more looking to make idle conversation by that point, rather than redirect away from his complicated relationship with his family. "Gonna get a van, a car, or something else?"
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Shinobu nods her agreement.
"Oh yeah? They're pretty useful, yeah." She remarks when he mentions that he has a friend that has one. Freedom, though... Shinobu thinks about that for a moment. It wasn't a big part of the equation for her... but she can see the appeal. If she knew more what she wanted to do, maybe she'd think about that more... She can tell he wants that, though. "Yeah, it's real nice. Just having the option... That's big."
They proceed forward, slowly but surely, as the crowd ahead of them starts to thin out.
She thinks on it for a moment as he asks her what she's thinking.
"I was thinking one of those kei trucks? More on the compact side so I can get around our roads easy, but still with plenty of room for stuff. I'd be looking to carry cargo more than people, so I don't need somethin' with a lot of seat space... Just me and room for a passenger's good enough." Shinobu explains. "Place I used to work at has one, driving it around was really nice."
The shrine itself comes into view, now.
"Oh, here we are." Shinobu says. She looks toward him. "You ready?"
BBS: New BB message (1125) posted to 'Code' by Junes: Passives Added!
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke nodded along. He didn't seem to have much to add, not being much of a driver - or having designs for it - himself, but he recognised the wisdom in her words.
"Sounds pretty handy if you're doing all different kinds of work. Nice to have something versatile." A vehicle that was good for its utility as well as its most basic use as something to get around in. Even someone like Hyousuke could see the merit to that. However, without much else to say, he was glad when Shinobu brought up that they were close.
"Yeah. Let's get this done. Hope the gods are in a good mood today..." Hyousuke muttered the last part - as if divine beings wouldn't have been able to eavesdrop on him and Shinobu, if they so chose - and made his way forward once it was his turn. Most of it was just rote repetition, and him carrying out the motions without much thought behind them. He treated it with all the dignity it was due, if only out of the fear that not doing so would anger *something* in the cognitive realm, but he only really stopped to think when it came time for the prayer.
The gentle 'clink' of a five-yen coin heralded a deep bow, and Hyousuke took a moment to ponder just what he was supposed to ask for. Good fortune? Protection against evil? The strength to become that protection himself? Previous years had just seen superficial wishes at best, but now... Even in the privacy of his own mind, he couldn't figure it out. Hyousuke all but stumbled away from the shrine towards the disposal site for old charms, his eyes a little blank as he did so.
"I'll wait for you by the fortunes." He said, as he passed by Shinobu, before heading off that way.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Yeah. That's what I'm thinkin'." Shinobu agrees with a nod.
She smirks at Hyousuke's quiet muttering.
"Yeah, here's hopin'." She agrees.
She approaches. She's done this many times before - it's routine for her, performing each step.
"Sure thing." Shinobu offers to Hyousuke with a nod. And when it comes time to pray, she doesn't need to wonder. It's the same thing she asks for every year.
Sure, she'll take whatever scraps of good fortune that get thrown her way... but more importantly, the happiness and safety of her sisters - and in the case of her older sister, the rest of her family, too.
That's all she needs. She jumps into danger too much to ask it for herself.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Shinobu says, eventually joining Hyousuke by the fortunes.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"You're good. Not like I was waiting long." Hyousuke said, before turning his attention back to the fortunes. He looked to it, waiting with his thumbs in his pockets again, a taut look pulled across his face. "It's just paper... The hell am I getting so worried about?" He mumbled, mostly to himself, but partly to Shinobu as well. Never mind the very real phenomenon of words having tangible effects on the real world, or the maze of tunnels and monsters formed by humanity's collective consciousness. Nor the fact that such an event was widespread and ingrained into society at large, and surely had some effect on the world beyond the veil.
Hyousuke stepped forward, and once more went through the rigmarole. Some pittance was exchange for a fortune, and the box's contents clattered around something finally shook loose.
"Thinking I might go get something to eat after this." He said, ambling slowly alongside Shinobu, as if to delay revealing his fortune just for a few seconds more. Like he was walking to the gallows, and simple conversation would preserve his life just that much longer. "Saw some stands on the way in that looked good. Want to come with?"
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Cool." Shinobu replies with a nod. She looks toward the fortunes, then, and offers him an encouraging grin.
"Try not to worry about it." She assures. "If it's really bad, you can always just put it up with the rest."
He gets a fortune - and then she does, too. She is curious about his... but she won't rush him, if he'd rather put it off. Instead, food!
"Sounds good to me." She replies with a nod, and then grins. "The food here is always super expensive, but it's too damn good to pass up."
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Between Pudding and Christmas gifts, I've spent a hell of a lot this month... But I think I've still got enough for some good food." He said back, offering a grin in return. Though a little weaker, it was no less genuine. There was always enough for some good food, after all. Besides, it was a holiday - he had to celebrate at least a little. But that would come later. for now,t he fortunes took precedence. He'd paid for it now, so he might as well grab it. Even with that thought in mind, he hesitated for a moment as he gripped that small slip of paper, and unfurled it slowly.
Hyousuke stood reading it for perhaps a little longer than he should have. His expression never changed from that taut, somewhat tense, look, and his body language was all but inscrutable - though its stillness might have said something in and of itself. Slowly, he turned away from the gathered fortunes, and trod towards where the rest of them were hanging.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"Always seems to add up around this time of year, huh." Shinobu comments. She watches as he opens his fortune - and she doesn't have to ask him what he got from the reaction.
...Maybe she won't say that she got a favorable result from hers.
"...Well, there's plenty of time to turn things around." She offers, following along.
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
"Yeah. I don't need to worry about it." Hyousuke said, very much appearing to worry about it, at least a little bit. "C'mon, let's get something warm. My hands still freezing from washing them off." Ramen, a drink, both... As long as it took his mind off his fortune and the cold out of his fingers, it was fine by him.