2026-10-01: Masks and Flowers
- Log: 2026-10-01: Masks and Flowers
- Cast: Kasumi Yoshizawa, Hana Fukami
- Where: Akasaka Mitsuke, Tokyo TV Station
- OOC Date: October 01, 2026
- IC Date: January 18, 2013
- Summary: Kasumi heads over to the TV Station to check on Hana Fukami after being trapped in a Kingdom. They dance around what happened, Hana's future plans for Flower Talk, and trans people in the Japanese public eye.
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Akasaka Mitsuke, a little after school.
Kasumi Yoshizawa enters the TV Station pretty casually, saying hello to the workers she's familiar with. The peppy, helpful daughter of a famed director is pretty beloved by the crew, so hardly anyone asks why she's here then Good Morning Japan! is filming remotely for a spell.
"Yoshizawa-chan?" A goofy looking camera operator in the hallways spots Kasumi. "What are you doing here? Isn't your father away right now?"
"Watanabe-san!" Kasumi recognizes the camera operator instantly. He was caught up in the chaos at Studio 4. "I heard about what happened at Shinjuku, and you work over there sometimes, don't you? Are you okay...?"
Once Watanabe-san's condition is confirmed, Kasumi lets out a sigh of relief. "I heard that Flower Talk started airing again. So I wanted to check up on Fukami-san."
"I'm headed that way too." Watanabe-san replies. "It's sweet of you to care. Do you know Fukami well?"
They start walking as Kasumi shakes her head. "Not too well. We've met at the yearly Christmas parties. But she was always nice, so I thought I'd say something. If nothing else, then on behalf of my dad."
They talk idly together, and then split as they reach the studio. Then, Kasumi quietly enters the studio and finds a quiet place behind the cameras to watch. She's seen the show a couple times, mostly on Saturdays after school, so she should notice any differences...
Once the show wraps, (or goes on break), Kasumi stands to just off set. There, she tries to grab Hana's attention with a smile and wave. Once gotten... "Hello, Fukami-san! It's good to see Flower Talk back on." She pauses for a response. "Um, I was hoping if I could have a moment to talk? I don't expect it'll be long."
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Hana Fukami has been out for some time; missing from January 4, she returned late on the 15th. Almost two weeks out--and while for the first couple of days they were able to claim she was out from illness, Kiki didn't try to carry the show on her own for the entire time. Flower Talk took a temporary hiatus...
Thankfully, since 'everybody' knew Hana was abducted, there were no contractual issues.
When she came back, there were a couple of days where they insisted the doctors check her out... but today, Friday, Flower Talk is back! And in the same studio, too--while Hana lives in Shinjuku, Akasaka Mitsuke is where Tokyo TV films in this area. The Shinjuku office is just that--largely offices.... while 'Studio 4', as far as most people know, never existed. Only the Persona-users who were there remember it, it would seem.
As it happens, Hana started working for Tokyo TV in 2011; she was there for the Christmas party, the date of one of the meteorologists and a new employee herself. In 2012, of course, she was in god standing... and now?
Flower Talk is back, with redoubled efforts! Hana apologizes for her absence, but doesn't really want to talk about it in any detail; she gets sympathy from a guest for her Ordeal, but for the msot part, the show is just what it was--except...
There's a new, vibrant energy to Hana. She seems both more intense and more relaxed at the same time. It's palpable, in the air. And now...
"It's great to have you back," Kiki--Akino Yamamoto--says to Hana warmly, as she starts off the other side. But Hana spots--
"Oh, Yoshizawa-chan," she says when Kasumi greets her. "Thank you," she says. "It's good to be back. Certainly; come along with me, I need to get a drink." Coffee, probably. They can talk!
"What's on your mind?"
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Kasumi too can feel the increased energy, allowing her to smile a bit. What a relief... Honestly, watching the show makes Kasumi feel a little lighter too! And like her dad has some proper competition now.
Coffee's a great idea! They can head to the refreshments table, and Kasumi'll grab herself an extra sweet cup of coffee. "It's good to see you back. I only came in part way through, but I think this has been your best show yet, Fukami-san." She says. Almost like she was worried for nothing...
Kasumi takes a sip as considers what to say, without letting Hana know about her secret identity... "I heard that you were caught up in the mess in Shinjuku... So, I thought it would be nice to check up on you." She decides on. "Ah, naturally, when my dad heard, he was worried... So while he's away, he asked me to send well wishes on his behalf too." She says. Then, she lowers her voice. "Are you...feeling okay, Fukami-san?" In a tone of voice that implies she knows what it's like more than most.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Time will tell if the slight change in the show--or any future changes--will be successful or not. But for today, it was a good show!
Hana also sweetens her coffee, as it happens--but perhaps not as much as Kasumi does. "Thank you," Hana says first. "That's sweet of you to say. I hope it's true, too! I really want to work harder than even before to make our show good."
Hana inhales the aroma of the coffee before she tries to sip it--it's very hot!--and then, "I was," she says. "It was... difficult. I don't remember most of it," she lies, but it's a well-meaning lie; she has a secret identity to conceal now, too. "But that's very kind of both of you. Please, tell him that I appreciate it, but I really am doing fine."
That lowered voice... Kasumi might well get it. "...Well," she says, "I seem to be uninjured, and the results of whatever they used to knock me out haven't affected me too much now..."
"But actually, I feel better. I'm sorry that I worried everyone, but an experience like that... it really helps you think about what's most important to you. Don't you think?"
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Kasumi certainly hopes the energy keeps up! She's not one to root against her father, but it'd be nice to see more success in the sphere. Especially when not beholden to oppressive bosses who feel entitled to the fruits of their protégé's labours...
"I'll be cheering you on." Kasumi says with a smile. "I think you have a lot of potential to go further. Only time will tell, but... I'd like to see you succeed." After seeing a bit of what Hana's gone through, Kasumi's wishes are sincere.
Kasumi nods, not wanting to press when she understands the truth of the matter. Trying to fabricate a whole abduction plot will just cause more issues than it's worth. "Don't burn yourself!" She says with a little laugh. "It's...probably better to forget, I think." She says, lying too. "I will. My dad will be happy to hear that you're alright..."
Kasumi nods, understanding what Hana's getting at. "If any side effects haven't happened yet, it might never happen. That's good." She says. "Whatever happened, it seems to have given you some inner strength."
"I think so too. It's... a little nice as well, to realize how many people are looking out for you too." Kasumi says in agreement. Seems like Hana's come out for the better. "I'm glad to know that it's..." She hesitates, wondering what the right word here is. "Centered you, I suppose. It's a relief to see, truly."
Kasumi is of course, talking about her own experiences in the metaverse. But Hana would be forgiven to assume that she's talking about the accident last spring.
"So!" Kasumi pulls back a little, her voice returning to her usual brightness. "Do you know yet what's next for Flower Talk?~"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Oh, yeah. Hana's old boss is terrible. It's possible that his experiences with Hana pushing back will cause him to change...
But it's not likely.
"Thank you," hana says. "I'd like to see me succeed, too! ...Though truthfully, I also want to act; it's wonderful to interact with Kiki and the guests and everyone, but I studied drama at university, too."
"I won't!" Burn. Better to forget... Hmm. "Well, i'm happy to be able to report that."
And Hana smiles about the lack of side-effects. "I think it has," she says. "I was more willing to hide behind Teruo before..." Her meteorologist boyfriend. "But I want to stand for myself, too."
"...True. A lot of people showed that they really cared," Hana reflects. She doesn't know Kasumi was one of them, of course. Secret identities are seret! "Mm, yes. Centered... that's a good word. It made me realize... that if I don't push for what I think is right, then maybe no one else will."
Hana indeed does assume that, giving Kasumi a sympathetic look.
But, "Hmm!" What's next? "I'm hoping for some new guests. I want to try to broaden our audience's horizons just a little--not overwhelm them, but show some things they may not have seen before."
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Old habits die hard, huh? Sounds like a job for the Phantom Thieves. Not that Kasumi would know anything about that.
"Acting!" Kasumi's eyes widen a litle. "That's a wonderful idea. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful actress..." She unconciously stresses the feminine part of 'actress' there. "I think these sorts of shows are good for that sort of thing... Build up name recongition, and use it to further your career." She wonders aloud, tapping her chin with a finger. "Then, maybe you'll get to be the guest on talk shows..." She giggles.
Teruo... Shinada-san, the meteorgolist? "Wait-" Something suddenly clicks into place for Kasumi and it shows as she clamps a hand over her mouth and spills a little bit of coffee. "Ah! Ohh...." She lets out a lightheated groan as she places her cup on the table and grabs a napkin to wipe it up. "S-sorry, I... I just remembered that you and Shinada-san..." Are together. Despite herself, Kasumi can't help but beam. It's incredibly sweet that a guy can fall in love with a trans woman... "Oh, I hope this doesn't stain my skirt..." Kasumi mutters as she pats down a bit of her uniform.
Secret identities are secret! It's just a little awkward knowing something the other person doesn't... Kasumi rises to her feet with a little sigh on being a bit of a klutz. But she does listen to Hana's reply. She nods in agreement. "You've always got comrades, too. People who are glad to help and support you."
"That's a great idea." Kasumi says with a nod. She doesn't seem to notice, or mind the sympathic look. "Maybe, make your audiance feel like... 'It's exciting to be a fan of Flower Talk? I'm sure you'll be able to do it." She says with a smile.
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
Of course not! No Phantom Thieves or Phantomm Thief-adjacent people here!
Kasumi does stress that, and Hana doesn't mind that at all. "One of my roles is what drew attention to me for Flower Talk," she explains. "Though I haven't been in many things yet," of course. she laughs softly at the prediction, and nods along at the matter of how good the show might be for it. "Maybe so! If that happens, I'll get to see what it's like on the other side of the desk!"
Teruo Shinoda, yes! "Haha, yes! It was a surprise to learn we were working at the same network, after we first met," she says. She doesn't tell that story for now. Instead, "Oh!" Coffee on the skirt... unfortunate. "Cold water and white vinegar are ideal for a coffee stain," she says. "I learned that from my audience." She frowns about that, but, she can't stay bothered when discussing him. "A surprise that he'd want to be with someone like me?" she wonders, though it's good-natured. "A lot of men wouldn't. But he's never given me a word of trouble about it." Considering the other women he's dated, one can never necessarily predict that.
She smiles back though. "Yes," she says. "And my audience has been sweet, too."
A great idea! "Hmmm, yes... Excitement is good. I know it's a risk; anything that people perceive as more 'political' might alienate some people... But I think it's worth it."
"Thanks. And tell your father I appreciate his concern, too!"
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Kasumi nods. One feeding into the other... And then feeding back into the original career. "Yeah! Maybe with some new energy, the offers will start rolling in.~"
Hana relays ways to get out the coffee stain, which elicits a relieved sigh. "That's a good idea. I'll do that when I get back home." Kasumi flushes as she realizes she said that aloud. "So-sorry! I didn't mean..." Thank goodness Hana seems to take it on stride...
"I just mean, um..." Kasumi fidgets as she rubs her hands together. "A Senpai of mine is, uh... Sort of similar?" How is she supposed to describe this? "I mean, not totally, but..." She lets out a stressed sigh. "It's just nice to hear..."
That there's other public trans people in Japan. That Amemiya-senpai and Seki-san can be understood. Kasumi really doesn't know how to say it, so she's saying it awkwardly. Honestly, she's still struggling to wrap her head around transgenders.
"That's a relief to hear, too." Kasumi says with a relieved smile.
"Political, huh...?" Kasumi wonders. "I'm curious to see what you have in mind, then!" Kasumi can't say she's particularly interested in politics, but she's not against it either.
"Of course! I will.~"
<Pose Tracker> Hana Fukami has posed.
"I hope so!"
"Haha, it's fine," Hana says. "I know, you didn't say anything like that. I did; I'm aware that I'm pretty lucky to have a guy like him." But a senpai is... similar? "Oh, is that so? Well, i wish them well. Maybe if we're lucky, your generation can be a little more open with these things."
Nice to hear. "That's what I try to do, being out; it would be easier in some ways if I weren't... but this way, I can support people who might otherwise feel alone."
She smiles back. "Well, people tend to think of 'gay' issues as political inherently, when we just want to live our lives."
"Take care, Yoshizawa-chan. I appreciate that you came to check on me."
<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.
Kasumi lets out a sigh of relief. Thank goodness Hana is being understanding... "Ah, thank you..." She says. "I'm really glad for you." She clasps her hands together. "It really is so sweet~!" A beloved Senpai of hers... "I really hope so too." She says, but she bites her lower lip just a bit. Kasumi isn't totally sure if this generation will make it, but... Progress is slow, isn't it? That's also the Will of Rebellion.
"That's...really sweet of you." Although, something just rubs Kasumi the wrong way. That picture from pre-transition flashes in her mind. "My Senpai is so self-assured, but... Even for other people like Senpai... I'm sure it means a lot."
Gay issues? Huh... For some reason, Kasumi's never thought of it like that. Not that she's gay, certainly not, but... She's never really thought about it like that either. That'll be really nice to see. I hope you can." She almost wants to offer her father's support, but, well... She'll talk about it with him later.
"Yes. Thank you for talking with me, Fukami-san." Kasumi says with a smile. She finishes her coffee, and offers a deep bow. "Take care!"