2026-09-07: Shit Timing
- Log: Shit Timing
- Cast: Tsubasa Seki, Ichika Kawase
- Where: Hirasaka - Third-Floor Apartment
- OOC Date: 2026-09-07
- IC Date: Sun, Jan 06 2013
- Summary: Tsubasa's mother was kidnapped -- or worse? -- just a few days before college entrance exams, and once again, they end up underperforming thanks to a personal crisis. Ichika comes to find them, though -- and to remind them that they're worth more than their family claims, though she finds herself struggling with her feelings over the awful situation, too.
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
In the end, you gotta ask yourself: what's really important?
'All I ever wanted was my Tsubaki back...'
> Sketch the parametric curve for the following set of parametric equations. Clearly indicate direction of motion.
'... please give her back to me.'
> x = 5cos(3t) y =2sin (3t) 0 < t < 2pi
'Tsubaki. I'm calling to inform you that thanks to your delinquency, your mother's finally suffered a nervous breakdown. I've secured a place for her at a long-term inpatient unit. ... yes, hospital. She won't be receiving visitors. I heard you saw her outburst yesterday... reflect on what you've done before you destroy this family entirely. Good day.'
Eliminate the parameter... and then, that's... clockwise, Tsubasa thinks, and it's because they're relying on sketching out a table to plot the points, because their brain's operating like sludge.
It's not going clockwise.
It's just one example of how things go wrong, as they go through their entrance exams. Messing up the questions on things like advanced maths, at least, makes a certain kind of statement about their capacity; they haven't screwed it up entirely.
But... they won't be headed to Tokyo University, like Marlowe-sensei or Jun might have suggested they could accomplish, despite disappearing to cram on Saturday -- plus or minus the time they had to spend falling apart after their father rang. (They'd told their friends to focus on their exams, too; this can wait, they said.)
When entrance exams are done, they shoot through... but it's not hard to guess they've gone home.
Ichika will find them in their room -- binder off, but we'll pretend the tanktop counts -- hugging their dog. Room's a mess, obviously; clothes just strewn wherever on the floor, a bunch of books shoved haphazardly around, a bunch of stencils half-carved into cardboard just lying right out there.
"It's whatever," Tsubasa's saying, to Lance. "Who cares?"
"Rooooo..." Lance whines, licking their hand.
Lance cares.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika reported what she saw, of course. A phone call, after it was 'done'. ...He barely seemed to blink. couldn't hear wht he said, but combined with what he said to Tsubasa later...
It made her angry. Not even that woman's pain could be her own--she had to have it used by her 'man'. Ichika hated Tsubasa's mother... but she hates Hanzou more.
But exams came, and she did her best. Literature had sections Jun had specifically coached her on; math, she was able to relate to budgeting, which she is pretty decent at. She's had all this drilled into her--and wants to succeed.
In the end, Ichika will do well--far better than she imagined she could've a year ago. ...Maybe not the best possible, but enough to get into a school that's good enough for her.
But now...
Ichika found a place to park; she's already moving things back to the dorms in prepration for the third semester. And now...
"I care," Ichika says, standing by the door at first where she looks in on Tsubasa. She says it firmly.
"Hey Lance," Ichika says, and then looks to Tsubasa. "Mind if I come in?"
She's still dressed, of course. She dressed up nicely for the exams; a pale blue dress under a black jacket. No spikes this time, but leggings.
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Tsubasa's head snaps up with suspicion as they hear the door sliding back -- only for that wariness to stand down when they realise who it is. "... hey," Tsubasa says, as Lance hops off the bed to bound up and greet her, tail wagging. Tsubasa doesn't get up, but just kind of spreads an arm to indicate she can come sit down, instead. "How'd ya go?"
They know she worked hard... and they're really hoping they didn't screw up her chances, too.
(They did not dress up particularly smartly. Hoodie over a tank top, cargo pants... they looked as much the punk as ever.)
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Lance!! Lance is here. Ichika kneels down to pet Lance for a moment, giving her some scritches before she stands again to come over to Tsubasa. Her coat's on her arm; she sets it down before she takes a seat.
"I think it went OK," Ichika says. "I felt like I knew what I was doing, even if I didn't know everything. Keep calm and go with what you can do, right?"
Ichika has... thoughts, on the matter for herself.
She reaches out for Tsubasa's hand. "...How about you?"
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Good," Tsubasa says, nodding firmly, as a hand comes around her back to rest at her opposite arm. "You practiced. You'll do great."
They look at that scarred hand of theirs, as it slips into Ichika's. They didn't bother slapping concealer on their arms; it's too fucking cold out there to lose the hoodie, and probably the only reason why they have now was to let them breathe a bit. It makes the scars on their arms stand out, stark and pale against their artificially tanned skin.
"Uh, me... not so much. Couldn't focus. But it's whatever," they shake their head. "Wasn't really tryin' anyway."
Ichika can see the calculus textbook they've haphazardly tried to shove back into their closet she knows that's not true.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Thanks," Ichika answers. She did practice.
Ichika doesn't flinch or blink at Tsubasa's scars; they're normal to her by now, just part of Tsubasa. She holds Tsubasa's hand, curling her fingers around theirs for warmth, temperature and otherwise.
"..."
"Tsubasa..."
She sighs. "I can get why you couldn't focus. ...World has shit timing, huh...?"
"Hey. ...It's OK, to be fucked up about it."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Eh... I'm used to it," Tsubasa tries to insist, bravely. They're fine, they're fine, they're not covered in scars and bleeding out emotionally, everything is cool -- "Heh, like... remember when I was too busy gettin' fucked up by cops for finals? Y'know... shit like that... hell, even before I came here, Akiyama's finals got fucked up, too... guess who everyone was lookin' at after that went up in flames," and they're smiling like it's funny, but it's not very funny.
"It's cool, I'll figure somethin' out..."
Unfortunately, rather than sounding cool, they really just sound kind of desperate, particularly when their breath hitches and shudders on the intake. It's not like they can't hear themself, they just --
They're just like --
"Me, uh, me father called yesterday," Tsubasa admits, head coming to rest by the side of Ichika's, tangling dyed and fake hair. "Story's that she had a nervous breakdown, got shipped off to a mental ward... reckoned it was my fault. Means she's gotta still be alive, somewhere... so..."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Used to it. Fine. "I remember," Ichika says. It's not funny, no. They'll 'figure it out'...
"Tsubasa," Ichika says, and there's a note of concern in it--concern, and not being fooled.
However...
She can't help but scowl about Tsubasa's father, though perhaps Tsubasa can't see it. Ichika puts an arm around Tsubasa. "...Mm," she says. "He got some phone call, when I was watching him..."
She's not sure it means that at all.
"But it wasn't your fault. It wasn't your fault at all. ...None of it was."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Ichika's not fooled, no. So why is Tsubasa still fronting?
It's just... hard to turn it off.
"'Bout what time?" They wonder, analytically, their mind still spinning. "... yeah, jus'... she said it was," and that, at least, is a little more about what happened to them and less about what they need to do. "Kept sayin' me and father was th' same... sayin' she'd kill everyone 'til I came back... she jus' wanted me back, man. Even said... somethin' 'bout girl gangs back in her day... kinda reckon she was no good too, y'know? Jus'... she was talkin' 'bout settlin' down wit' the wrong guy, an'... guess that's him," they say, quietly.
"Guess he was beatin' her up 'bout it... 'bout me bein' stubborn. I, uh..." Their voice shakes, a moment, and they fall quiet when they hear it. "Hope me brother's okay," they finish the thought, but only after that pause.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"After the fight died down," Ichika says. "According to what you told me, anyway. ...A while after that."
But...
"She couldn't face it," Ichika reflects. "...I thought... I just hated her," she says. "That I couldn't feel anything but that for a woman who'd call the Joker on her own child. ...who'd let her children be hurt."
"Maybe she was no good, back then. But like..."
Ichika squeezes Tsubasa. "That's on him. That's what he did. And her... It's easy to say she could've left. But I think that was the only thing she could've done, to avoid... him."
"I hope he's ok too," she says quietly. "But..."
"She couldn't keep up with the world as it was. That sucks."
"...Like I said, i thought I could only hate her,but..."
"It makes me so mad, thinking of him using her pain against you. The pain he caused. ...I'm sorry, Tsubasa. I wish we could've done better."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"So they told him right away, huh... guess he coulda been actin' like a normal business call was like that, but not even he can be that up himself." Tsubasa can, at least, describe their father as up himself. "He's well-connected, huh... ch."
Their head tilts against Ichika, eyes closing. "... told her she shoulda left. She couldn't... even get her head 'round it. Kept jus' sayin' I shoulda been a better... y'know, kid." That's probably not the word Etsuko used.
"He was always fine," Tsubasa says, of their brother. "Fuckin'... golden boy couldn't never do no wrong. Jus'... with mom gone, uh... I dunno," there's a little shake of their head, against hers. "It's prolly nothin'."
Tsubasa has better instincts than they think.
"... I can't hate her," they admit, and their throat feels dry as they say it. "Even turnin' into that thing... she wanted to kill me, but... I can't fuckin' hate her, man. Fuck, I oughta hate him, but..." They take a breath. If it's a little sniffly, don't worry about it.
"... ain't your fault neither," they insist, a touch choked up. "Whole bunch a people showed up for my ass, like, not even jus' th' team... it jus' still... we were up 'gainst one a their worst fuckin' enforcers, I reckon. An' that's before Ruin showed up keepin' an eye on Akabane-san, when... uh... uh, she pulled some evil powers shit, like... you know how th' Old Maid would summon demons an' make everythin' shit?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Mm..."
Tsubasa told her. "...Yeah. I guess it makes sense. If she could wrap her head around leaving... she'd have done it."
Kid.
"Mm. Nobody else to take the shit, huh? ...I hope you're right, though."
And Tsubasa can't hate her. "That's OK," Ichika says. "You don't have to. I wanted to... But I'm just sad, instead." She gives Tsubasa another squeeze. "...Maybe you can work up to hating him."
But it isn't her fault... and a lot of people went up. "Mm... Yeah, they've got powerful people and--"
Akabane did that? "Wait, what?" Ichika asks. "Why would she do that? ...How would she do that?"
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"If she'd just left... eh, if wishes were fishes."
(They'd all be having fish dinner, Tsubasa can't quite muster the energy to complete blowing it off.)
... but Kiyoshi will be fine, right? He's always been the one he was happy with...
Ichika squeezes them, though, and Tsubasa leans into her. (They're getting heavier, but it's not necessarily on account of getting fatter.) "... yeah," they say, quietly. "... I'm sad, too."
But... Umie. "That Order woman was really pushin' her," they relate, still overcast. "So, she... I dunno. Maybe she always had a power like that...? Sudou-san... he was tied to the Order, too... maybe it's jus' somethin' those pricks can do. So... she mighta picked it up when she was with them, I dunno. Wonder if I'd be able to do that shit if me father had gotten attention quicker... but jus'... fuck, she flooded th' joint with demons, an' that enforcer didn't even blink, jus' said she'd make use of 'em an' escaped while fuckin' Mothman was chewin' on a guy's leg."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"...Yeah."
They have a lot of wishes. Ichika does, too.
A little weight doesn't bug Ichika, especially not the kind Tsubasa is putting on. She still likes how their body is adjusting to the hormones--is happy that Tsubasa is happy, too. But... nobody's happy just now.
"Mm," Ichika says. "Guess it's not easy to leave..." She might've had it. "I guess it could be," Ichika says. "Fucked up though."
"MIght be able to. But... I think it's better you can't. It doesn't sound like the kind of thing that would.. help, you know? Like, it doesn't sound like it helped you guys out much there."
She looks down. "...Guess they've seen some shit."
"That sucks."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
It is, at least, a manner of not being happy which is easier with Tsubasa's arm around Ichika... and vice versa, too.
"... reckon it's pre' fucked, yeah," they murmur, when Ichika extends that difficulty leaving to the whole Order. "An'... yeah. Fucked up shit. Stomach churned... it's sick. Hard not to think... Akabane-san's why we couldn't save her. But I guess she jus'... got tricked, or somethin'... I dunno."
It's hard enough for them to trust people at baseline -- let alone in a situation like this.
"... yeah," they sigh, at length, shoulders sinking. "Wonder if me father's like that, too... but I guess you gotta have a Persona to summon demons, right?" They're guessing, but it's based on the evidence they've seen so far. "Ugh... even if he could, I wouldn't wanna know... he's bad enough, man."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Yeah..." But, "Mm. ...We can't know what would've happened if stuff was different. Kind of a trap, right? You wonder, and wonder... And in the end, it makes you lose sight of what's next."
It's the best she can offer, anyway. She doesn't know. Maybe she was tricked... But it sure didn't help.
Ichika gives Tsubasa another squeeze. "I mean, demons don't exactly listen on the best days. So I guess so?" She pauses. "...Yeah. Even without supernatural whatever..."
"He's as bad as they get."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"... yeah, guess I do that," Tsubasa sighs, and does not look at their closet, where they've constructed an ever more increasing web of suspects.
It's not paranoid if they're really out to get you, okay?!
(It's still pretty paranoid, but perhaps it's easy to excuse them wondering so much.)
"Fuckin' demons, man... you know this Jack Frost was tryin' to lob a kid like a ball?" Tsubasa grouses, scowling. "An' that fuckin' Unicorn... pissed me off." But what's worse than a demon?
The Devil himself, of course.
"He's... he's the worst, man," Tsubasa says, their grip stiffening as they say it. "Worst part is -- it's hard -- it's hard to blame him, y'know? 'Course I fuckin' do, but... if I don't stay mad 'bout it... falls through me hands, y'know? Like... like it always did."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ichika knows. She tries to discourage it, but... Well, paranoia doesn't just go away because someone says some nice words about it.
"Ugh," Ichika says. "Fucking Jack Frost." Unicorn, too. "...Sucks that Unicorn's a demon. The stories are always nicer."
But, "Yeah. I get it," she says. "It makes sense. If it were easy... it'd be easy, right?"
She puts both arms around Tsubasa now. "But when you forget, I can remind you. You deserve better. You know?"
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
... yeah, Ichika's the one who helps them keep sight of what matters, in the end.
"Ch, yeah... that pisses me off, too. You oughta get ta like somethin' without, fuckin'... every girl's secret My Mini Pony collection ends up creatin' a monster in an alley." Tsubasa never had one, but, like, they had female friends growing up. They know about My Mini Pony. "An' fuck, man, that mean fuckin' Jack Frost came up 'cuz people liked their teddies too much or some shit? ... nah, fuck that." Teddy bears don't become demons when people talk about them enough. Jack Frost is just a jerk!
"... yeah," they sigh, their weight sinking. "You get it... I get it. Shithouse men jus'... be like that." Even when they're still boys, sometimes. Ichika embraces them, and they bury their head against her shoulder, as they shift to wrap both arms around her, too. "Th--thanks," they say, and it's embarrassing, you know? When you choke in the middle of a word like that. "Sorry, I'm so..."
What's the difference, Tsubasa wonders, between them and those shithouse men?
But they shake their head, against Ichika's shoulder, and say, instead: "Countin' on ya."
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Yeah," Ichika agrees. "But like, whatever. Demons are demons. Who knows why they look like what they do?" She shakes her head. "Tch..." She obviously had mini ponies. Obviously. "Fuck Jack Frost," Ichika says again, not for the first time.
But Ichika holds onto Tsubasa, supporting them herself. She's not exactly insubstantial, with a body like hers. "They do." Then, "You're welcome. And it's OK," Ichika says.
"If I only wanted you around during the good times... I wouldn't have told you where I live," she quips.
A little humor might help.
Ichika, of course, knows the difference. "You can. ...You can count on me."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"Like... 'cuz a rumours an' junk, right? The shit people say." Demons certainly appear when rumours spread... so why wouldn't rumours be what causes demons?!
"Fuck Jack Frost," they agree. "Chopped th' little shit in half, not like he won't show up again tomorrow." Tsubasa may not have absorbed that the Jack Frost who'll show up tomorrow is another Jack Frost entirely, on account of that Jack Frost being very dead.
Thankfully, that at least means they don't have to grapple with the ethics of killing demons today.
... but for all the bedroom dynamics, Ichika's still the Boss. Tsubasa knows she can pick them up just as well. They snerk, into her shoulder, as she points out that they know where she lives. "Yeah, you're serious, huh... heh, shit sucks out there, but you did better by me. Y'know? Be way more fucked on me own."
They take a breath, and suppose: "Maybe... I didn't totally fuck up th' exams an' shit. Jus'... y'know... kinda. Maybe I can still work with kinda?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Guess so." Ichika doesn't have a better explanation, and Tsubasa is good at smart people stuff. Maybe they'd know.
"Good," Ichika says. "We'll chop the next one, too."
It's fine!
Ichika laughs when she finally gets something like one out of Tsubasa, and smiles at them. "It does," she says. "But I am serious. ...And you're not on your own, as long as I have anything to say about it."
"...Hope you can," Ichika says. "I mean, you're really smart. 'Bad' for you might still be pretty good."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Let's be fair, of the gang, it's probably Hibari who knows...
But Tsubasa, at least, knows sword, and they nod firmly when Ichika voices her continuing enmity towards Jack Frost.
... Jack Frost kinda creeps them out, honestly, though they have no real clue why, so they have zero problem beating them up for the Boss.
"You will," Tsubasa says, then. "You're the Boss... what you say goes."
And they can, at least, get to: "Maybe... yeah, maybe."