2026-09-17: Let’s Make a Deal
- Log: Let’s Make a Deal
- Cast: Katsuko Yoshinaga, Misato Fushihara
- Where: Tokyo/Kichijoji
- OOC Date: 2026-09-17
- IC Date: Fri Jan 11 2013
- Summary: After a long and gruelling search, Katsuko finally finds the book she's been hunting for. Unfortunately, so does Misato.
(|============================= Kichijoji - Main =============================|)
-========================================================= Tokyo/Kichijoji ====-
When people list their most desirable places to live in Tokyo, Kichijoji nearly
always tops the list. Minutes away from scenic Inokashira park, the district
itself feels warm and inviting with its billboard of a chibi mascot happily
dining at the entrance to Sanpo Road, the main thoroughfare.
People line up here for a quick lunch with quality street food andor finer
dining at the cafes alike, while shuttered alleys light up at night with open
air bars and izakayas. Entertainment is easy enough to find here, as businesses
eschew aggressive barkers for more welcoming signs, drawing people in. More
discerning customers know exactly where to look for some of the more hidden gems
among the clubs of Tokyo.
Even the monks outside the local Buddhist temple seem part of the experience,
offering people the opportunity for quiet meditation away from the rat race of
daily life.
(|============================================================================|)
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
Katsuko wasn't an uncommon sight in Tokyo bookshops. She was an avid reader, after all - the shelf in her bedroom packed with political thrillers and detective novels was a testament to that, as well as the few potboilers she'd packed into her bag on account of them being cheap and seeming reasonably interesting. However, she *was* an unusual sight in the older, dustier, bookshops dotted around Tokyo. Finding them was hard enough, after all, and finding something good in them was a gamble at times. Far better was it, she reckoned, to go somewhere that she knew carried things she would be fine with reading.
However, major bookstores near her tended to carry one of three varieties of books: Classics, bestsellers, and high-profile new releases. If one wanted to find even a single entry into an obscure series from the eighties - let alone the entire collection - one had to rummage through the shelves of every store they could gain entry to. Thus, Katsuko found herself striding in through the door of some dusty little bookshop tucked away into a corner of Kichijoji that seemed almost abandoned. Few people milled through the street of even that hub of activity, and she'd have thought the store abandoned if it weren't for the older man poring idly over some paperback propped up on his desk.
Dressed in a wheat-brown longcoat over a cream turtleneck jumper, Katsuko dealt with all the normal formalities of greeting the shop's apparent owner and asking after the third instalment in the 'Daughters of Foxes' series, then proceeded to the shelves once it was clear that he didn't know whether or not he even had *any* of the books in that series present. She lamented that things wouldn't be so easy, but supposed that such was to be expected. She just hoped that nobody else had snatched it up before she had the chance...
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Tokyo is pretty far for Misato to travel on a whim, at least on a school day. Not that she has anything against a trip that conveniently takes her away from home for most of the day, but it's usually something she saves for when she needs it...
This counts though, she thinks. For today, Misato is here on a Mission. She's after a very particular book - and unfortunately for her, it's old enough that the only way to find it is by making her way store by store through second-hand bookstores. She's narrowed her search down to a few likely candidates... and her search today brings her to a certain bookstore in Kichijoji.
She stands out a little in this store - surrounded by muted tones, she practically shines like the sun in bright yellow track jacket with white accent lines down the side. A similarly yellow ribbon ties her hair back in a short ponytail.
And right now... she's holding a book on her hands, with a pleased look on her face.
She's standing in front of a very specific shelf - the same shelf hosting the bookstore's period drama section... And the cover - the cover art is unmistakable...!
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
Katsuko, in stark contrast to Misato's brilliant hues, was the very epitome of neutral. Though it was underscored by grace - in part due to how she carried herself - the black tone of her long hair and the charcoal grey of her trousers did not leave her striking a particularly vibrant image. However, while she might have looked a little dull when browsing the shelves, life seemed to run through her like the shock of a lightning bolt when she caught the cover of her desired book out of the corner of her eye.
It was just a shame, then, that it was in someone else's hands.
Unable to keep a slight note of hopefulness out of her normally flat and unassuming tone, Katsuko closed the distance until Misato was at just about arm's length, and spoke to her.
"Excuse me," she said, trying to sound as neutral as humanly possible, "Are you going to buy that? I've been looking for it everywhere." Despite her best efforts, Katsuko bore a striking resemblance to a cat doing its level best to beg - or steal - food from the table. She blinked slowly, waiting for a response, eyes darting down to the book's cover every few seconds or so.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato's admiration of her find is broken when she hears a voice from nearby. She looks up and over to the other girl as she approaches her with a question. She hears that neutral tone... but also see that expression that fails to mask that Want.
So, someone else was on the hunt for this exact same book too, was she...?
"Everywhere? Gosh, you must be pretty determined..." Misato acknowledges. "But... yes, I am. I've been looking all over for it, too."
She taps a finger against the cover, shifting the book under one arm... as if taking it protectively under her wing to reduce temptation.
"But, goodness... I'm surprised anyone else has even heard about this series, much less went looking for it..." She comments.
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
So, it wasn't idle curiosity that had drawn the stranger's eye. Katsuko had tried to assure herself that the treasure she'd sought for so long would not be snatched out from under her at the last moment, but there the stranger was, declaring that she'd been in exactly the same position. Her lips tightened a little as she began to consider what the best response was, or how she could try and weasel the book out of her grasp, but another thought began to cross Katsuko's mind as well.
"...You've read more of Nakashima's work as well?"
Rather than seem irate that the very thing she'd been searching for was about to vanish into the ether, Katsuko was simply as surprised as Misato. It didn't manifest quite so openly - her voice was level, and her expression barely changed - but it was just strong enough an emotion that anyone could have seen the change if they squinted hard enough. Katsuko blinked once, looked from the book back up to Misato, and continued on. "What did you think of the first two? I did not expect the subplot about Reina and her friend to be as intriguing as the court drama, but Nakashima is remarkably skilled to have written both so well."
Katsuko put an unusual - if still slight - amount of emphasis on the word 'friend' when speaking of the main character.
If she had a reason for doing so, she remained tight-lipped about it.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato watches Katsuko carefully, assessing this girl she doesn't know. What is her interest in this series? There's multiple levels of appeal to it... so which one is she drawn to? She considers that question, too, and wonders if she's planning something... but what she gets instead is a question. It's a small surprise - but Misato recovers quickly.
"I have!" She answers brightly. ...It seems that she isn't the only one surprised... it's hard to see at first, but she's fairly good at reading people. She 'hm's thoughtfully to herself as Katsuko puts forth the question. She hears the emphasis on 'friend'.
"Actually, that subplot is the reason I first started reading them..." Misato explains. "I think their friendship is quite wonderful."
She laughs, just slightly.
"I didn't expect to be so taken by the court drama, though! I find the way Reina navigates the tenuous relations between the various members of the court to be quite fascinating." She says.
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
Katsuko blinked slowly in response to Misato revealing the reason she'd started reading in the first place. Was it her recognising some kind of implication? A simple coincidence that she'd made that gesture when Misato had finished speaking? It was unclear just from watching, and Katsuko seemed disinclined to reveal a thing. W hat she did do clearly was acknowledge what Misato said after, nodding once - but firmly - before responding.
"She seems to have a talent for playing people against each other. Nobody ever seems to suspect that a woman of her station can be so clever, let alone deadly."
She let the statement hang in the air a little, giving it time to stew in both their minds, before continuing.
"I'm worried about Kyoko, though. Reina can't keep her out of this forever. It's only a matter of time before someone tries to get to her through Kyoko." Katsuko said it rather matter-of-factly, for someone that hadn't read more than the first two instalments. It was as if she knew more about schemes and political plays than she let on. Or maybe she just read a lot of espionage thrillers.
Either was possible.
"...Kyoko seems smart as well, though. Perhaps she has plans of her own."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato lets it pass without acknowledgment. If there's anything deeper to it... she isn't about to say that just yet. Instead, she considers what Katsuko says next.
"Mm-hm, mm-hm! It's fascinating, isn't it? Planting words like little seeds so that they sprout when it's most advantageous to her. It's fascinating to read back and see when she put the ideas into their heads and how long it took for them to come into play." Misato agrees. ...It's kind of dark when she puts it that way, but she still sounds as cheery as ever.
Katsuko expresses her worry for Kyoko, though, and Misato nods thoughtfully. She does catches the implication in her tone. If she got into this for the court drama and the scheming... maybe she's seen similar plots unfolding before.
"That's true, but... I think Kyoko is stronger than most people give her credit for. People underestimate her, but I think that's how she prefers it." Misato comments - and then nods. "Yes, exactly."
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
Dark as it was, Katsuko couldn't help but agree. Nodding again - slowly, this time, and only slightly inclining her head - she took in the rest of what Misato said, before offering her own opinion on things.
"Both of them seem to be underestimated. It makes me wonder how they'll manage to maintain their plans if they ever manage to acquire the power they seek. Once people begin to expect them, I expect things will get far more dangerous for them." Again, she let the statement hang in the air for no reason at all, before blinking and looking back at the book.
"I would need to read the next book to figure that out, of course. But it seems that's the only copy either of us have found after extensive searches." Katsuko didn't hide her displeasure at the fact. Granted, it only manifested through a minute shift in expression and tone, but it was there for any that listened closely enough. Then, she had an idea, and some semblance of light flickered into her eyes. "...Tell me. Would you open to making a deal?"
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
It looks like they're on the same page. Misato listens thoughtfully as Katsuko agrees with her... but also states how she expects things to play out.
"Mm-hm, mm-hm!" Misato agrees cheerily, and nods. "I'm real curious, too..."
The thought of danger, though, doesn't deter her at all.
"Yes, it's exciting, isn't it~?" Misato agrees brightly. "I don't mind a story goes completely smoothly, but it's nice to see how they react to the obstacles in their path. A character's best traits don't really come out until they've been tested, wouldn't you agree?"
...But as Katsuko says, she'd need to read the next book to figure that out.
"Of course~." Misato agrees - but doesn't seem to even consider handing it over, even when she sees that slight shift. And then... Katsuko makes a suggestion.
"A deal, hm? Now that's intriguing~..." Misato comments thoughtfully. "What are you proposing?"
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
Katsuko was quick to make her offer, a subtle confidence creeping into her voice as she spoke. Her posture reflected it as well, straightening and solidifying a little while she made her address.
"I have a lead on the fourth volume. A reliable one at that - they're willing to hold it for me if they have it. If they have it, or if I find it, I will buy it before anyone else can, and I will lend it to you upon request. However, if you want me to lend it to you..."
Katsuko glanced down at the volume in Misato's hands.
"...I will need you to loan me the third when you are finished with it. And if you spoil anything, the deal is off." Katsuko's face remained as still as stone, while her expression was utterly impenetrable. Thus, it was nearly impossible to tell if she'd made a joke, a serious statement, or both at the same time. Regardless, she had been deadly serious about the deal. "So? What do you say? We lend each other the books, and neither of us has to go without."
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Katsuko explains - she has a lead on the fourth volume... a reliable one. Misato can't hide the interest on her face. She's not going to admit it out loud - but she actually has been looking into further entries in the series, too, but hasn't found any leads on them yet.
"Oh, you have?" Misato wonders thoughtfully. She makes a show of thinking about it - and then Katsuko explains what she wants in return. And her request is... a pretty fair one, actually.
"Hm... okay! That seems pretty reasonable." Misato agrees - but then raises a finger dramatically. "But! I'm gonna to have to hold you to that, too! No spoilers under pain of death!"
She pauses, and then laughs.
"...Or, at least, I'll be very sad." She adds - and then extends a hand. "I think you've got yourself a deal, miss...?"
<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.
"Cross my heart." Katsuko solemnly promised. Again, it was difficult at best to tell if she'd joked, made a pithy response in confirmation, or both. Regardless, she didn't seem inclined to spoil Misato on the details of the story, and *was* inclined to reach a hand forward for a firm - though short - shake. "Katsuko Yoshinaga." She said, introducing herself quite plainly, but efficiently. "Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"
At the same time, Katsuko pulled out her phone, making no attempt to hide that her thumb was poised to enter a number.
<Pose Tracker> Misato Fushihara has posed.
Misato nods, an uncharacteristically serious expression - at least compared to her demeanor so far - crossing her face... but she can't hold it for long, because she breaks into laughter soon after. She shakes Katsuko's hand, pleased.
"Misato Fushihara! Nice to meet you~." She offers with a wink.
Her other hand is already moving to present her phone with a flourish so they can exchange numbers. If they're going to do this they'll need to be able to contact each other, after all...