[D7 ME Closed]Business (??) Date

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Yakura strolled into the restaurant, reservation safely in her communicator's calendar prayer. The meeting also had another person in there, who would be hopefully joining. She was wearing an elegant cocktail dress which was a mix of emerald and gold. "Table for two." She said to the hostess.

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko would not be tardy to their meeting! And she would arrive shortly when Yakura made the order for a table. She was dressed in a simple grey dress with a long overcoat. The hostess was seemingly about to tell Yakura that they didn't have space for walk-in tables but she would be free to sit at the bar, if she so wished...at least, that was going to be the line until she saw she was meeting with the karo! The hostess would quickly save herself from embarrassment and tell them that they would rearrange things to make a table happen.

After the Jade Chef episode shooting, it seemed like there was a great abundance of space at the restaurant.

"Good evening, Yakura-san, thank you for arranging this," Umiko would say with a quick bow as they waited. "...I'm kind of surprised that you chose this place of all people, are you sure?"

She asked out of politeness. This place was upscale but certainly more for the would-be tourist's tastes. It was hard to beat the decor and the view, admittedly.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Umiko would not be tardy to their meeting! And she would arrive shortly when Yakura made the order for a table. She was dressed in a simple grey dress with a long overcoat. The hostess was seemingly about to tell Yakura that they didn't have space for walk-in tables but she would be free to sit at the bar, if she so wished...at least, that was going to be the line until she saw she was meeting with the karo! The hostess would quickly save herself from embarrassment and tell them that they would rearrange things to make a table happen.

After the Jade Chef episode shooting, it seemed like there was a great abundance of space at the restaurant.

"Good evening, Yakura-san, thank you for arranging this," Umiko would say with a quick bow as they waited. "...I'm kind of surprised that you chose this place of all people, are you sure?"

She asked out of politeness. This place was upscale but certainly more for the would-be tourist's tastes. It was hard to beat the decor and the view, admittedly.

"Yasuki-sama, hello." Yakura replied with a bright smile. "Hai, I know it is very touristy, but the view is the best." She waved to the window. "Both outside and well...inside. You look very nice." She offered a sincere compliment. "And believe it or not, I have never actually eaten here. So I figured it would be a good occasion. Even if the food is not good, at least the company is."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Yasuki-sama, hello." Yakura replied with a bright smile. "Hai, I know it is very touristy, but the view is the best." She waved to the window. "Both outside and well...inside. You look very nice." She offered a sincere compliment. "And believe it or not, I have never actually eaten here. So I figured it would be a good occasion. Even if the food is not good, at least the company is."

"Thank you, Yakura-san. Your dress is very catching." Umiko chuckled softly and bobbed her head in agreement as she held her purse with both hands. "That's fair, I think a lot of people haven't been here yet. Sorry for assuming. The view is unbeatable, I agree on that. I'm surprised there aren't more restaurants that haven't taken advantage of the coastal view. While they will likely be secondary to the tower, there are still some good views on the Harbourfront. Maybe the Jade Chef will inspire some businesses to open on the upper levels of some buildings."

With that, the hostess would return and direct them to a sudden opening they had at a corner booth where they could continue their conversation together. It was such a surprise that such a spacious restaurant would have so many reservations occupying most of the tables!

Yes...that was clearly very much the case. Sure.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Thank you, Yakura-san. Your dress is very catching." Umiko chuckled softly and bobbed her head in agreement as she held her purse with both hands. "That's fair, I think a lot of people haven't been here yet. Sorry for assuming. The view is unbeatable, I agree on that. I'm surprised there aren't more restaurants that haven't taken advantage of the coastal view. While they will likely be secondary to the tower, there are still some good views on the Harbourfront. Maybe the Jade Chef will inspire some businesses to open on the upper levels of some buildings."

With that, the hostess would return and direct them to a sudden opening they had at a corner booth where they could continue their conversation together. It was such a surprise that such a spacious restaurant would have so many reservations occupying most of the tables!

Yes...that was clearly very much the case. Sure.

Yakura laughed out loud. "Well, that is good. Perhaps I hoped to catch a fish today." She said mysteriously before taking her seat. "Good call, perhaps I should try and get something built up with a good view, if I get the permits. Or the funding." She said casually. "The bidding process initiated seems pretty intense right now. Fun though." She said before picking up the menu, perusing it. "Do you have any fovorites here?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I'm pretty sure the fish here is already caught, Yakura-san," she chuckled on that note, potentially obvious as to what she was alluding to. "I hear that they do show you the fish before cooking it here."

Umiko would settle in to take a seat at their designated table, and the hostess made sure to pull both chairs for them.

"I haven't gotten the specifics of it, but I'm sure a restaurant in one of the upper units of a building would be a novel idea. There are likely a few permits and licenses required, especially for the building. I'm sure there must be a corporate building somewhere that wouldn't lease their property to have a restaurant where they can bring their clients too but I'm not so sure if that's the sort of pressure you want on your business. Maybe a more casual eatery?"

She nodded as she opened up the drink menu to get them started. "I've been really busy here to have personal favourites, I'm afraid..." Umiko smiled apologetically on that note.

"I think the Phoenix do have some interesting ideas about the island's future, its attractions and resources. That admittedly won't be attractive for many other Yasuki, especially when I'm not sure if the returns are immediate. Agasha Sorato-san has made those points, if you've met him." She bobbed her head twice before looking back down at the menu.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"I'm pretty sure the fish here is already caught, Yakura-san," she chuckled on that note, potentially obvious as to what she was alluding to. "I hear that they do show you the fish before cooking it here."

Umiko would settle in to take a seat at their designated table, and the hostess made sure to pull both chairs for them.

"I haven't gotten the specifics of it, but I'm sure a restaurant in one of the upper units of a building would be a novel idea. There are likely a few permits and licenses required, especially for the building. I'm sure there must be a corporate building somewhere that wouldn't lease their property to have a restaurant where they can bring their clients too but I'm not so sure if that's the sort of pressure you want on your business. Maybe a more casual eatery?"

She nodded as she opened up the drink menu to get them started. "I've been really busy here to have personal favourites, I'm afraid..." Umiko smiled apologetically on that note.

"I think the Phoenix do have some interesting ideas about the island's future, its attractions and resources. That admittedly won't be attractive for many other Yasuki, especially when I'm not sure if the returns are immediate. Agasha Sorato-san has made those points, if you've met him." She bobbed her head twice before looking back down at the menu.

Girl has the body of an idol and the perception of a carp flopping on dry land.

"Casual? Not sure, I'll have to think on it. I don't know if casual is what people when they think of me." She shrugged with embarassment. "I can be too intense sometimes, you know. I feel the business has to be something thar represents me, you know. A business is more than just...numbers and koku. If you don't have passion for it, it's not worth it." She said solemnly, before looking over the drinks menu.

"What would you recommend with a tiny umbrella?" She didn't feel like hard liquor for a change.

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Of course not," Umiko chuckled at the idea of casual with a shake of her head. "Sorry, I guess I was thinking of something to differentiate from Granite here, but Granite does seem a bit like your style. Maybe something more with a Mantis spin, something to test spice tolerance around here, might be another idea. Something that you want everyone from the casino can easily go to after their winnings, perhaps?"

The thought of opening a very sad little cheap diner for the people who lost all of her money didn't cross her mind, which was another potential revenue stream.

"Oh, um..." She said as she looked back down at the menu, wondering if Yakura was thirsty. "I usually get the blueberry-pineapple crush here. It's a bit sugary and icy, but it really hits the spot after a long sunny day. Well, maybe a guilty pleasure of mine, too. They serve them in some food stands of the harbourfront, but this one comes in a fancy glass instead, makes it feel more adult!"

She giggled at that personal note.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"Of course not," Umiko chuckled at the idea of casual with a shake of her head. "Sorry, I guess I was thinking of something to differentiate from Granite here, but Granite does seem a bit like your style. Maybe something more with a Mantis spin, something to test spice tolerance around here, might be another idea. Something that you want everyone from the casino can easily go to after their winnings, perhaps?"

The thought of opening a very sad little cheap diner for the people who lost all of her money didn't cross her mind, which was another potential revenue stream.

"Oh, um..." She said as she looked back down at the menu, wondering if Yakura was thirsty. "I usually get the blueberry-pineapple crush here. It's a bit sugary and icy, but it really hits the spot after a long sunny day. Well, maybe a guilty pleasure of mine, too. They serve them in some food stands of the harbourfront, but this one comes in a fancy glass instead, makes it feel more adult!"

She giggled at that personal note.

"Oooh, something spicy, that is a good idea. Do you like spicy Yasuki-sama?" She asked casually, scrolling through the menu. "Oh, that sounds nice. Adult crush it is.!" Realizing what she said she turned down. "No-not that I would have a crush as an adult, no, no. Or maybe?" She mumbled idly.

"Yeah, a restaurant sounds neat...though probably heavier on the bar side, knowing me." She smiled, though it was a sad smile. "Sometimes I feel I can"'t get through a day without something to drink." She also offered a personal note.

But hey, umbrellas!

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Oooh, something spicy, that is a good idea. Do you like spicy Yasuki-sama?" She asked casually, scrolling through the menu. "Oh, that sounds nice. Adult crush it is.!" Realizing what she said she turned down. "No-not that I would have a crush as an adult, no, no. Or maybe?" She mumbled idly.

"Yeah, a restaurant sounds neat...though probably heavier on the bar side, knowing me." She smiled, though it was a sad smile. "Sometimes I feel I can"'t get through a day without something to drink." She also offered a personal note.

But hey, umbrellas

Umiko smiled sheepishly at the question. "Well, I can tolerate some curry. I think the most I had at Muri Donburi, when I used to go there in my younger years, was like...Spice Level 2? And I hear some Mantis foods can start at Spice level 5, according to a friend?" She said with no certainty on the matter.

"Heh? What?" Umiko blinked at the stumble from Yakura, which seemed so unlike her. Not wanting to pry too much, she would move on...

The order was placed for the drinks, and the server is said to return once they have made their decisions on the food, if they want any.

"...Have things been stressful for you?" Umiko asked curiously, as delicately as she could, regarding that reveal about needing a drink. She supposed it wasn't a problem on its own, as some Crab made this a daily routine of theirs. However, this didn't seem like the routine sort of drinking.

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Umiko smiled sheepishly at the question. "Well, I can tolerate some curry. I think the most I had at Muri Donburi, when I used to go there in my younger years, was like...Spice Level 2? And I hear some Mantis foods can start at Spice level 5, according to a friend?" She said with no certainty on the matter.

"Heh? What?" Umiko blinked at the stumble from Yakura, which seemed so unlike her. Not wanting to pry too much, she would move on...

The order was placed for the drinks, and the server is said to return once they have made their decisions on the food, if they want any.

"...Have things been stressful for you?" Umiko asked curiously, as delicately as she could, regarding that reveal about needing a drink. She supposed it wasn't a problem on its own, as some Crab made this a daily routine of theirs. However, this didn't seem like the routine sort of drinking.

"Oh? Yeah, there are some rather spicy dishes out there. Not usually my style, but sometimes it juat...hits right, I guess. Burns the bad away so to say."

She poonted on the menu to the least blamd fish possoble, inspired by the talk of spices. "A bit, but I won't complain. I know you are under much worse."

She snuck a glance towards her companion. "Thank you for accepting my invite. I really appreciate your compamy, you know."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Oh? Yeah, there are some rather spicy dishes out there. Not usually my style, but sometimes it juat...hits right, I guess. Burns the bad away so to say."

She poonted on the menu to the least blamd fish possoble, inspired by the talk of spices. "A bit, but I won't complain. I know you are under much worse."

She snuck a glance towards her companion. "Thank you for accepting my invite. I really appreciate your compamy, you know."

Umiko would take a look at the menu and found herself favouring the Tango tuna sushi platter, served in various ways with the specific cuts of fatty tuna belly. That didn't need too much cooking and was likely harder to mess up. She imagined so, at least!

"If you want to share, I'm all ears," she said with a small smile. "And no need to thank you, you are a friend and an important local to the city, so this social call is just a small thing, really. Actually, it gave me something to look forward to after Oshidama. That was a very difficult sport to play through. I was not prepared for how physical it was."

"...Also, before I forget! I found out that the spooky and mysterious video business I told you about was a prank or an introduction leading to this 'role-playing' game experience, at least. So that's a bit of concern off my shoulders now, at least...So, it turned out to be nothing at all."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Umiko would take a look at the menu and found herself favouring the Tango tuna sushi platter, served in various ways with the specific cuts of fatty tuna belly. That didn't need too much cooking and was likely harder to mess up. She imagined so, at least!

"If you want to share, I'm all ears," she said with a small smile. "And no need to thank you, you are a friend and an important local to the city, so this social call is just a small thing, really. Actually, it gave me something to look forward to after Oshidama. That was a very difficult sport to play through. I was not prepared for how physical it was."

"...Also, before I forget! I found out that the spooky and mysterious video business I told you about was a prank or an introduction leading to this 'role-playing' game experience, at least. So that's a bit of concern off my shoulders now, at least...So, it turned out to be nothing at all."

"Oh, I'm someone you looked forward to?" The Mantis woman perked up. "That is good to hear. Sometimes I worry people just spendg time with me out of oblgiation you know. Or because of gambling debts." SHe raised shoudlers in a shrug. "I was looking forward to spending some time with you as well. You gals did good on the Oshidama! Perhaps we can play sometime, when you have some time."

Yakura let out a laugh. "Damn edge of darkness. I'm so glad though, you were really concerned over. I did learn that Forever Night is also something bandied out about that weird temple, you know." She gestured vaguely towards Tenjin Town.

"What I was not prepared was fighting fake zombies. That was tough! I managed to finish, though I am sad I wasn't quicker." She frowned abit. "It does feel like that I am not contributing much to the bidding war effort lately." Letting out a small sigh, she took a sip of her drink with the pink umbrella. "Let's hope no one makes a fuss about it. Oh, this is sweet!"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Oh, I'm someone you looked forward to?" The Mantis woman perked up. "That is good to hear. Sometimes I worry people just spendg time with me out of oblgiation you know. Or because of gambling debts." SHe raised shoudlers in a shrug. "I was looking forward to spending some time with you as well. You gals did good on the Oshidama! Perhaps we can play sometime, when you have some time."

Yakura let out a laugh. "Damn edge of darkness. I'm so glad though, you were really concerned over. I did learn that Forever Night is also something bandied out about that weird temple, you know." She gestured vaguely towards Tenjin Town.

"What I was not prepared was fighting fake zombies. That was tough! I managed to finish, though I am sad I wasn't quicker." She frowned abit. "It does feel like that I am not contributing much to the bidding war effort lately." Letting out a small sigh, she took a sip of her drink with the pink umbrella. "Let's hope no one makes a fuss about it. Oh, this is sweet!"

Umiko looked mildly embarrassed at the idea of oshidama. "I think I might need a little more practice with the game if I were to attempt it again. At the very least, I think I should be paired with a partner that is about the same 'level' as me. I think my sister was running circles around the court when I was almost fighting for my life. Well, maybe not quite, but it was quite exhausting keeping up with her."

"Mmm..." Umiko murmured when she took a long sip of her drink when it arrived. She would then give a few quiet nods regarding the temple that Yakura spoke about, looking off in that pointed direction and staying there as she spoke. "I don't think they had anything to do with that. It might have been coincidental."

"I wouldn't be too concerned about your performance with that game show," she said with a small but supportive smile. "To be honest, I found the show a bit silly...but it's a favourite among the Crab, well, the older Crab. While they might judge you on your performance, I think it was an earnest effort. I don't think I would have made it past the first stage if it were me."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

Umiko looked mildly embarrassed at the idea of oshidama. "I think I might need a little more practice with the game if I were to attempt it again. At the very least, I think I should be paired with a partner that is about the same 'level' as me. I think my sister was running circles around the court when I was almost fighting for my life. Well, maybe not quite, but it was quite exhausting keeping up with her."

"Mmm..." Umiko murmured when she took a long sip of her drink when it arrived. She would then give a few quiet nods regarding the temple that Yakura spoke about, looking off in that pointed direction and staying there as she spoke. "I don't think they had anything to do with that. It might have been coincidental."

"I wouldn't be too concerned about your performance with that game show," she said with a small but supportive smile. "To be honest, I found the show a bit silly...but it's a favourite among the Crab, well, the older Crab. While they might judge you on your performance, I think it was an earnest effort. I don't think I would have made it past the first stage if it were me."

"Eh, you did well for an amateur." She smiled and took another sip. "Oh, this is very nice, good suggestion. If you want, I can play with you? I know the basics, but not much more than that. Happy to spend more time with you on a beach." She tried to play it cool.

"Eh it's just...everything, you know. Business, bidding." She played with her drink a little. "Personal life, you know." She shrugged again. "I'm sure you'd have done well. You underestimate yourself. You're full of spirit. Say...how is it being karo? You seem pretty busy, and pretty stressed lately."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Eh, you did well for an amateur." She smiled and took another sip. "Oh, this is very nice, good suggestion. If you want, I can play with you? I know the basics, but not much more than that. Happy to spend more time with you on a beach." She tried to play it cool.

"Eh it's just...everything, you know. Business, bidding." She played with her drink a little. "Personal life, you know." She shrugged again. "I'm sure you'd have done well. You underestimate yourself. You're full of spirit. Say...how is it being karo? You seem pretty busy, and pretty stressed lately."

"I'm glad you think so! I mean, I'm sure you can get it with some alcohol if you want, but it's really fine and refreshing as it is. Sometimes I have one of these for lunch," she giggled at that, thinking it was rather indulgent of her, on the same level as sneaking alcohol into tea.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind that. That's a good idea, actually! Who do you think could be our opponents?" She asked curiously and then thought of suggestions. "Maybe we could consider Yasuki Honoka-chan...and someone else?"

"Life can be complicated....And you are right, it has been pretty stressful recently..." Umiko dropped her smile and looked down with a sigh as she stirred her drink idly. She may as well drop a little about what's on her mind, in case the Yoritomo pried it out of her later. "It seems that I've gotten into a disagreement with my cousin, and he's run off on us. A disagreement I might have little idea about..."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"I'm glad you think so! I mean, I'm sure you can get it with some alcohol if you want, but it's really fine and refreshing as it is. Sometimes I have one of these for lunch," she giggled at that, thinking it was rather indulgent of her, on the same level as sneaking alcohol into tea.

"Sure, I wouldn't mind that. That's a good idea, actually! Who do you think could be our opponents?" She asked curiously and then thought of suggestions. "Maybe we could consider Yasuki Honoka-chan...and someone else?"

"Life can be complicated....And you are right, it has been pretty stressful recently..." Umiko dropped her smile and looked down with a sigh as she stirred her drink idly. She may as well drop a little about what's on her mind, in case the Yoritomo pried it out of her later. "It seems that I've gotten into a disagreement with my cousin, and he's run off on us. A disagreement I might have little idea about..."

"No, I feel I could use something sweet in my life right now. Besides you, I mean."

Laying it on thick, maybe I should back down a bit?

"Not sure, but I bet we can find someone. Perhaps Suzume-san, or Yasuki Taraka-san can join in?" She suggested. Neither seemed super athletic enough to overshadow them, so there was that.

She listened intently, and didn't say a thing, just nodded along. "Family is...family. It's messy, complicated, but an essential part of your life." She sighed. "What did you guys argue about? I'm sure he's just cooling off somewhere, nothing major."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I'm sweet?" Umiko said with some bemusement in her expression. "I suppose that is likely the case from my idol days...my apologies if it seems to bleed through or could be potentially overbearing in any way. I've tuned it down after my graduation, obviously, but maybe it bleeds in now and then."

"It would be good to hear from Suzume-san, I don't recall seeing her around as much, so it might be good to see her once more. I didn't know if she played oshidama, to be honest."

She shook her head, looking concerned and listless. "...I suppose I'm not too sure, to be honest. I just want to find out. It's made him think about doing some rather brash and uncharacteristic things, let's just say. I would like the opportunity to at least find out why, if not, to at least get him to be reasonable."

[Yoritomo Yakura]

"I'm sweet?" Umiko said with some bemusement in her expression. "I suppose that is likely the case from my idol days...my apologies if it seems to bleed through or could be potentially overbearing in any way. I've tuned it down after my graduation, obviously, but maybe it bleeds in now and then."

"It would be good to hear from Suzume-san, I don't recall seeing her around as much, so it might be good to see her once more. I didn't know if she played oshidama, to be honest."

She shook her head, looking concerned and listless. "...I suppose I'm not too sure, to be honest. I just want to find out. It's made him think about doing some rather brash and uncharacteristic things, let's just say. I would like the opportunity to at least find out why, if not, to at least get him to be reasonable."

"Oh no, it's not. I like you sweet. I mean, I like sweet." She replied, flustered. Pull it together.

"Will see. If she doesn't we can always go to a spa instead, or have a picnic. Or just drink and gamble." That latter was always on her mind, it seemed. Default mode Yakura.

She tentatively reached out towards Umiko's hand. "Eh, it'll be fine. He'll figure it out and come back. Family fight. My sister and I once got into an argument over an heirloom hairbrush, we didn't speak to each other for weeks. Then I heard someone in her class made fun of her hair, so I went over and started just yelling at them." She fondly recalled the occasion.

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I'm sure we'll turn up somewhere or maybe back on Gakko Island..." She shook her head, this was probably the worst thing to be dwelling on in a swanky restaurant, so it was probably best to move on. "She was only upset at you for a few weeks? I hear heirloom disagreements can go on for decades...That's rather kind of her, at least."

"Maybe not drink and gamble," Umiko spoke up on that front to immediately stop that idea. "Maybe something else that I haven't done recently? A picnic sounds like a really good idea, it feels like it's been forever since I've done anything like that! Maybe on the Harbourfront? We could consider Nishi Beach? Or in the Kuni Gardens? Or even at a local park, even? We could get adventurous and go to Mount Jinsei. There's really no shortage of options on the island."