Nakahama

When there was no offer to take either the ride or the bus, Umiko gave the Kitsuki a momentary glance, wondering if she was addressing what her friend needed.

Umiko nodded. "We do, yes. The streets are a bit narrow in some parts of the city, and we expect a good number of bottlenecks with the Bon Festivals. We have a bit of backstock when it comes to prepared art of Koi-kun. We could always consider offering them in our transit machines as a limited-time, one-day-only, collectible offer."

Yasuki Umiko wrote: Fri Nov 14, 2025 9:46 am "Any sort of help would be appreciated. Perhaps Tamori-san could give us some guidance here? I don't expect everyone to officiate over the event, especially when it's personal for many people. Maybe have a hand in the cultural proceedings. Like, manage the displays or provide some guidance in the proceedings? The heart of the festival is spiritual, but I imagine that a bulk of the actual work must be in the footwork and rallying."

"All hands are welcome for a project like a local festival," Kanna said with a confirming nod. "People who can lift, carry, or haul things, wield a hammer to make some stands, maybe even make some repairs the temple needs - if it does." There was always something to do in a temple, in her experience.

"It is a spiritual thing, but it is also a festival! A lot of the things we did for First Market will be helpful for this too!" At that, she started running a list in her head of all the things that would need doing, and she spaced out completely from the talk about busses and trains and driving...

Umiko gave a few nods, the talk of planning and management gave her some sense of normality again, at the very least. A duty to focus on, something she could control, unlike the impending dread from a mysterious video that she could barely fathom. Yes, maybe she should just think about that for the rest of the day instead. "...If there's nothing else, I believe I'll be returning to Lower Nakahama City to the Public Works office. I hope everyone has a pleasant afternoon."

Shiwahime gave a bow before asking

''Are you on foot, Yasuki-sama?''

"No, I did park not too far from here, thank you for your offer," she said with a bow of thanks, offering a small smile.

With herself a little more collected, she would make her exit and return to work.

/exit

"Thank you for your time, Yasuki-sama..."

And after the Karo.made her exit, Ichitaiyo rubbed her neck.

"What a mess.. I'm sorry, Moto-san."

The large woman shrugged, trying to appear non-plussed has she returned to her mat

''Heh, don't worry about it. I don't mix well with fancy people anyway.''

"Have a good day, Yasuki-sama! Bye-bye!" Kanna, denser than a dying star, cheerfully bid Umiko farewell.

She looked to the other two. "What mess?"

Ichitaiyo sighed and shook her head. "She is afraid of something, I made her know I knew. And then I tried to diplomatically set Moto-san by her side during the rest of the day to prevent danger."

And she rubbed her brows. "Now I just paid price in face with Moto-san."

Shiwahime was now finishing her setup and on her way to start performing her first set of stretches

"Don't fret Kitsuki-san. I'm no good at subtlety anyway."

She let out a chuckle

"Was our dinner at Crabkaku so forgettable that'd it slip your mind already ?" She added as a tease

"Tut, that's not a mess," Kanna assured the pale Kitsuki. "I'm sure Yasuki-sama will be fine. Maybe the stress of all that needs to be done is getting to her, yeah? Not only all of us visiting, but the Bon Festival, and the parties, and probably lots of folks want her attention for business-stuff!"

''Yup, what tiny said'' she concurred ''And as the Karo she can always call on the magistrature.''