[Day 8, MA] Something Simple

[Yasuki Honoka]

Finally, the opportunity was here. One that Honoka wasn't quite sure was actually real. Which would perhaps be strange to any other. However, here she was back into the nice and peaceful parks within the residential area of Upper Nakahama. Waiting for her oldest friend, whom occupied much of her idle thinking of late, especially considering recent events.

Yasuki Hiroto would be nearby, taking as much of a break for a smoke underneath a tree in view of Honoka. Honoka herself was sat on a bench looking up into the sky pleasantly. Here the woman waited for Umiko, whom either had yet to arrive or stepped away monetarily. Honoka's communicator was, in the rarest of all current situations, turned onto a silent mode.

[Yasuki Umiko]

Despite everything that happened and the massive bombshell that dropped on the island with last night's events, Umiko wouldn't allow herself to be late for her meeting with Honoka. She would arrive acceptably early, dress in a vintage white dress that had sailor fuku-like designs. Maybe its nautical theme was in line with her name, or maybe it was to harken to the younger years when they trained for their gempukku. This also might have been a purposeful decision to wear a white dress rather than a coincidental one. There was certainly a sapped spirit in Umiko today.

Umiko would meander over to where Honoka was sitting and bowed to greet her with a mustered smile. "Thank you for meeting me out here, Honoka-chan," she would say before helping herself to a seat on the bench, not wanting to make the occasion here a ceremony or anything.

[Yasuki Honoka]

While Crabbo was ever at Honoka's side, a gentle and subtle reminder of her inner self. Today was a little different as while she was sitting she was holding her ever present companion in hand. Honoka's attire was always a bit traditional but today she opted for a modern mix of yukata that allowed for the incorporation of comfortable pants. All in lighter, brighter blues that mimic'd the sky on a clear and beautiful day.

Honoka would take her time with the conversation in much the same manner as she took to watching the sky. Leisurely, looking to Umiko for a few seconds before begining to speak, "You don't really have to thank me, Umiko-chan. Getting the chance to spend time with you like this again is.. well, it's a very good thing. Kind of like a dream, really," she chuckles a little embarrassed. "Just..." Honoka scooches a little closer on the bench, offering a touch more privacy, "Are you okay? You seem.. well, I know. I don't have to ask, and so I shouldn't probably. So, I guess instead, did you wanna talk about it?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Heh? A dream?" That managed to coax a brief smile from Umiko before she returned to her previous self. She found herself looking up at the sky for a moment to see the sun through the shade of her hat. Even though it was sunny here, that probably wasn't the case for the rest of the island. "I don't think I'm particularly dream-like in any way. Probably less likely to happen, a little overdue, a little fleeting, but probably should be more ever-present..."

"Sorry," she apologized while giving a glance down, finding it a bit difficult to keep herself composed as her hands gripped the handle of her bag. "I don't know if you've heard, but they've found Kaito..."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka's gaze widened a little, the tone, the phrasing, and honestly despite the difference of years since they really properly last spent time like this she felt she had a pretty good read of her. Not that, maybe, she should need it but it was rather jarring considering how he had been last she'd seen him. Head dipped a little to originally inspire that sense of confidence and privacy, now turned to something of deep and complicated thought. Thumbs pressing a bit into Crabbo she would look up to Umiko after a moment in this contemplative space.

"How did it happen? He had seemed.. well. That is a shocking development," she lets that thought drift. Drifting into the awareness of how complicated the timing of it all was. "I am sorry for your loss, Umiko-chan. Especially with how difficult this all must be to really grasp. One of these recent events surely would have been hard enough but.." she exhaled.

There was some comment, prior, how once a dream came true it lost those same qualities. That she was excited to have her back, and to also learn whom she became, and to have someone she knew she could trust like she trusted Umiko. However, all those thoughts had to take a back seat with the prevalent tone sitting in the room. One thing that was both exciting, and supported by Honoka wanted to believe was that they would always have more time later.

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko swallowed and let out a deep sigh, trying to find some strength to share the news. While she officially delivered a statement through the Public Works office, doing so again wasn't any easier on her. It was even harder when it was done face-to-face and not on formal terms. "...we don't know when it happened, but it was sometime after he left the restaurant, maybe at night. He was taken by someone, then he was tortured and murdered..."

That was putting it very simply, but at least it was a short enough summary that she could say without the danger of cutting in a sob in between her words.

After a moment, she would find some composure for herself and straighten in her seating posture. "It's just all so strange, you know? To know how he felt and what he wanted to do before he disappeared. Everything is just so unbelievable..."

On the topic of dreams, this felt like a lucid dream. A nightmare, even. No, this was the unfortunate reality.

"...I didn't tell Ayame anything, yet," she said in a half-whisper, in regards to Honoka's discovery yesterday.

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka's hand raised a little, a part of her wishing to gently lay it down near or on Umiko somehow to show that connection. However it just wasn't the standard accepted thing to do. While some might be willing to risk such faux pa it was always something Honoka struggles with. Even though her heart said it would be the comforting thing, and comforting was what she wanted to be.

Caught in this weird limbo of will she won't she, Honoka continues at least with her words, "Learning what he thought was so jarring. How he spoke of you both before... I though he cared for you, and I would have not ever suspected he didn't. Not without the words coming from himself of his own volition," she looks down and away. Almost wondering if she could have somehow misunderstood what he said and it was her misunderstanding that created all this confusion.

Of course, that wasn't possible. His words were rather explicit.

"Maybe saying so can help so.. my thoughts on him were already terribly complicated. With this having happened. Despite how he thought to destroy my restaurant to harm your reputation, I can't bring myself to really think negatively of him. Now we can't ask him to know better... and as long as you were safe I did want you to be able to speak with him," she sighs.

"Think on what you would prefer, Umiko-chan, but if you would rather I tell her I can do that. I will be here however I can help, especially now."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I would have liked to have seen him again, talk to him directly. Maybe understand...maybe get him to be reasonable, or at least have him reason with me. Of course, I would have hope that whatever sort of...disagreements he might have had for us would evaporate if we talked. I guess I'm suddenly not picky now that I don't even have the option to speak to Kaito-kun ever again," she shook her head and crossed her arms in a gesture to hold herself.

"I considered him kind of like a brother to us. I can't hate him, but I am unable to forgive him at the same time. I still haven't made up my mind about Kaito-kun, now I guess that uncertainty might remain in me forever..." she said wistfully, looking off at the playground swings in the distance.

"No..." she said firmly before trailing off in thought and giving a regretful shake of her head. "I don't think it would do her any good to know about this, especially for Kaito-kun's sake...It might even be her fault..."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"I won't tell her, if you do not wish her to know," she assures first. Turning on the bench so she can more fully face Umiko. "But.. you should consider something. When you were apologizing for him the other day, and I knew what he had planned, I was so furious to hear it. Angrier at him, for something he could not control and no one could be faulted for at that point. I.." she takes a moment to have a steadying breath. "This kind of thing can linger within you if you keep it a secret. It may also be bad for you to not tell her."

"I don't want to pressure you to do something you do not wish to do, and so am not. However, I do think it will be something important for you to consider but please, do not feel you need to do so now. You can think on it. You have time," she offers a little reassuring.

"But.. I must ask. Her fault? However could this be her fault?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Does it even matter if I tell her now?" she said with a shake of her head on the matter as she looked away. "He's dead, and nothing happened. Maybe what he wanted to do still lingers out there, but they're all bad sentiments. I can't speak ill of the dead, even if he potentially...thought badly of us. The truth is not great, Honoka-chan. How would sharing that do any good for anyone?"

"..." She bit her lower lip, wondering if that was even something she should have said out of pocket earlier or just keep it inside her. Either way, it came out. "I guess I can't know for sure with Kaito-kun gone. I just imagine it must be because she's so reckless, careless even. I'm not sure if he saw her lifestyle and attitude, and...

Her voice lowered once more. "It seems that people have doubts about her as governor. I'm not too sure where they're from, but it's out there..."

***
Was she not sure?
Day 8 - Mid Afternoon, Sincerity (Deceit)/Awareness | 7k4 ⇒ 44

[Yasuki Honoka]

"I only know I made sure to tell you that the secret not strike a divide between us, to keep a secret from you," she admits, feeling a bit uncertain of herself again she would look away from Umiko and toward the park around. Breathing in nice and slow to make certain of a steadied inner self. "But that is all I can know. I trust you, otherwise, to make the best decision for you Umiko-chan. I can't know that," she says and looks back with a slight smile.

Something in all that was said by Umiko, all this situation inspired, cause Honoka to question the full veracity of what was being said for a moment. However, in the intensity of the moment despite some nagging within her pulling her toward the truth she stamped it down. That voice within her which cried out for the truth was silenced because when Honoka looked to Umiko she saw a dear friend in need of fewer troubles, fewer questions.

"You're both new to the position. People fought for my father to claim his position and there were still rumblings around him too, I suppose. Don't think there is a transfer of power like that which doesn't have that kinda grumbling," she sighs, and shrugs. "Even if everything is going perfectly, well.. depends on where you listen I suppose," she wonders, uncertainly, and puts her thumbs a little more into Crabbo.

Day 8, MA | Investigation vs Sincerity, vs Umiko. V for skill. Let's try it. | 4k3 ⇒ 35 (TN: 44)

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko gave a few small nods to herself, seemingly wanting to reassure herself of Honoka's encouragement. Her gaze went down to Honoka's other compassion, the stuffed crab she kept with her after all these years. "...You're probably right about that. We're pretty young for our positions, and this was more or less inherited with our father's and late mother's influence. So, we do still need to prove ourselves. There are bound to be people who might not like us because they assume that we're just the same or that we're untested. I'd like to think everything is going well..."

"Honoka-chan...I have..." She started at first with some reservations about her thoughts before she could complete her sentence. Her gaze went to Honoka, wanting her complete trust in what she was about to say. "I have been working very hard in my post, as karo. Doing a lot in the Public Works office to make sure the Shiawase and all of the surrounding islands that make up the Tango Province are efficient and running. I have negotiated with the Silver Fin Productions with my previous connections...and with Kaito-kun's help to get them to help with the bid events. I have been putting a lot of hospitality work into speaking with both locals and visitors throughout the bidding process. So, perhaps, in a way. I wonder if such rumours are just an indirect support for everything I've done on the island. Especially, when you compare my efforts to Ayame's leisurely lifestyle and her flirting around."

[Yasuki Honoka]

With Umiko looking to her, bidding that confidence, she was sure to look back to ensure she was giving it. However, Honoka still had to monitor her expression a little. After all if she hadn't the absolute journey of thoughts Honoka was on might be far too telling. Not that she was particularly concerned with what Umiko would think, at least not in any way that was beyond her usual worries. Crabbo was, by force of habit more than anything else, being made to look up to her.

"Yes, I know what that kind of thing is like a lot," she said, uneasily. With her index fingers holding the plushie in place now she was using her thumbs to play with its claws. "One of my father's old allies started to say something like that. They were friends for years, but once I took over a lot last year he started to talk to me about how he noticed how much I did. That felt pretty good," she says, but has an uncomfortable slant in her smile. "Then he started saying how I was the real power behind my father. I.. worried what might happen if father heard that. Father was..." she shrugs, shakes her head. Pretending it didn't matter to the conversation, or at least not wanting to consider it could.

"Probably a lot different for you though. You're both... well, and you're sisters. Much as I'm sure these sentiments only really seem to cause you both troubles, I suppose I am glad it does mean you're getting acknowledged for what you do. Anyway, it's good to be able to give back to Shiawase in the way we can at least, right?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko closed her eyes and gripped her bag handles once more as she closed her eyes, letting out a slow breath to still herself, trying to find her inner centre like a duellist or bushi. When she opened her eyes once more, she would look directly at Honoka with intent and say, "Honoka-chan, I'm the-"

[Yasuki Nagisa]

"Umiko-chan!" someone would call out to Umiko from around the bend.

In strolled a woman dressed in a Crab Clan navy officer's uniform with a sharp shoulder cape, seemingly the rank of captain. She would look momentarily surprised by Honoka's presence when she came into view before adopting a small smile. The officer would stroll over to where the two were seated and bow politely to greet them. "Oh, my apologies for interrupting. I didn't know you had company, Yasuki-sama. I'm Yasuki Nagisa, Captain of the Carp's Caprice."

[Yasuki Honoka]

Honoka had every reason to be stunned by the appearance of this woman. So, it was no surprise that she freezes. Taking a moment to glance over herself quickly, making sure she was presentable. Looking quickly to Umiko and then, standing so that Crabbo falls from her lap and hangs off the clip at her side. Turning immediately into her proper self offering the woman a deep bow.

"Yasuki Honoka, senior management at Yasuki Data and proprietor of the recently opened Crabkaku. Always a pleasure to meet another close connection of Umiko-chan," she says with a slight smile offered her way.

Which was a smile offered that would allow Umiko to catch sight of the lingering curiosity for what Umiko was about to say. Just a certain look to Honoka's eye that was lingering there. Maybe she would hope that this interaction would be settled quickly, and thus she devoted herself to it, but honestly she was too well trained to not allow her body to takeover to maintain propriety.

[Yasuki Nagisa]

There's a certain underlying edge about Nagisa, underneath the trapping of a (space) navy officer's uniform with certain frilly accents. Maybe it was the short sleeves she opted to wear with the warmer weather on the Green Carp, showing an array of dangerous nautical creature tattoos on her arm. Or maybe because she didn't seem exactly stiff or rigid, someone of her rank would demand, but there was an air about her that she just knew so much more. She played it off more as coy than arrogant, however.

"And I'm also pleased to meet one of Umiko-chan's good friends," she said in return with a small smile on her lips. "My apologies, Yasuki Honoka-san, I thought I caught Umiko-chan here on her lonesome after she sent away my suggested escort. The island is not entirely safe, it seems. Maybe I was worrying too much as a good friend, I can see that she's in the good hands of another."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko's went tense for a moment when the voice called out to her, almost like she was just shot with a gun. However, would quickly relax and rise from her seat to bow to Nagisa in greeting. "Oh, good afternoon, Nagisa-san..."

She gave a few nods as the captain spoke, giving a few momentary glances to Honoka as she did so. "Yes...Nagisa-san is a good associate of mine. She sometimes visits the island in between her trips. She commands a freighter that carries all manner of trade goods from the Green Carp to many destinations in the Empire."

"...I just wanted a moment with my friend, that's all," she said apologetically on the matter of the escort. "Actually, I didn't know that you'd be back so soon already."

[Yasuki Honoka]

"I suppose I can understand the concern given all that has happened of recent," she said, looking from Nagisa to Umiko. Then directing Nagisa's attention over toward Hiroto who, while taking a brief break via a quick smoke, appeared attentive enough to offer his attention.

"Yasuki Hiroto-san is perhaps not the escort you offered, but I can at least assure you he is attentive," she says, and then looks to Umiko. Thinking on how it was actually Hiroto who spotted what Kaito had been doing the other night. That Umiko was already protected by him by extension of her connection. However, if Umiko feared that she would say something in regards to that night she would find those fears unfounded.

"Though perhaps it is all well then that it allowed for an opportunity for us all to meet then?" she offers as a secondary shifting idea. Allowing everyone a nice easy ability to shift into any topic. Focusing her eyes on Umiko to gauge her and how she wanted the conversation with Nagisa to go. Already she felt she had some sense, and perhaps that is why she focused on direct direction from Umiko.

Honoka didn't want to make the comparison she was primed to make after recent events.

[Yasuki Nagisa]

"Yes, I was over at Gakko Island to tend to some business, but found myself rushing back when I heard about...the incident. I am glad to see that you're all right, but I know it is not without some personal tragedy. I wanted to offer my personal condolences for the passing of your dear cousin," Nagisa would say before presenting a solemn bow on the matter.

"And, of course," Nagisa would present a small smile once more after a glance at Yasuki Hiroto. "I should thank you for watching over our friend, although it wouldn't be fair to burden you and Yasuki Hiroto-san to follow her at all times of the day. Nor would it be prudent to have someone obvious shadowing her at all times, especially when Shiawase Island is supposed to be a safe place. Either way, we should let Umiko-chan do as she wishes. She is highly responsible and very talented karo, after all."

She said with another bow, with a hand placed on her heart to show some concern about the matter. When she straightened, she would look at Umiko with some fondness in her expression.

"We missed you, Umiko-chan," Nagisa would say to her with a smile on her lips. "You should come by sometime. Yasuki Honoka-san is more than welcome to join, if you wish to bring her along too."