[Day 9, LM] Just Cause

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

The Detective and Koyoshi arrived at the estate, hoping for a meeting with the karo.

[Yasuki Umiko]

It seemed like Umiko had quite a number of meetings today, but this one was scheduled with another one before it. She was still apprehensive of having people come over to the governor's estate, but thankfully, some preparations were set to merely lead Kiyoshi and the detective to a separate sitting room with a view of the pool. Umiko was dressed rather warmly for the surrounding weather, but it seemed the home's climate control was on full blast, so it might have been more suitable than not.

There would be an arrangement of tea and snacks waiting for them on a coffee table.

"Good morning, Kitsune-san and Detective-san. Welcome to the governor's estate. How may I help you?" She bowed to greet her next pair of guests.

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"Good morning Yasuki-sama." They both bowed. "I hope you've been well. Thank you for seeing us, I know you must be very busy. I wanted to ask you about the possibility of a benefit concert."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"This might be something that's a little short notice..." she said as she fished out her densai from her bag and opened it to check her schedule for potential openings. "But if you have a setup and venue in mind, I'm sure that we could facilitate something, Kitsune-san. You would have to be responsible for the publicity and the production work, but I can work alongside you to have those licenses given, bylaws addressed, and venue fees invoiced. Maybe you could tell me more about what you had in mind?"

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"It's, unfortunately, a bit spur of the moment." He admitted. "Originly, it was something I was considering for the jimen tori, ro help cover the costs of preserving their nesting grounds, which we recently unearthed. But, then I saw the impact of the recent flooding and was told about fundraising for farmers, merchants, abd others affected."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko nodded slowly with some obvious consideration. "That's rather kind of you to offer, Kitsune-san. However, I believe that under the purview of the governor and the Public Works office under my management. We might be seen as stepping into her abilities to provide for the residents of Tenjin Town. We do the best with our expediency, of course. I believe the flooding in Tenjin Town must have been addressed by now. I know things looked a bit grim for them a few days ago."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"Ah, maybe I misunderstood." He frowned. "I visited the Temple of Light yesterday, and I got the impression that assistance was still needed."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"Oh..." Umiko said softly at the mention of the temple's name, some realization sinking in. She found herself glancing around the room for a moment, as if to see if anyone else was here, before addressing the matter. "I suppose that they could think that is true Kitsuki-san. However, the Temple of Light is a wholly different entity from the government and the Public Works office. I believe the head of that temple is...Yasuki Haruto-san? He's a low-ranking member of the regional Public Works office, but he does not speak on behalf of this office nor represents us in any way."

She smiled sheepishly. "As the governor is concerned, we have just the right amount of resources to address relief on the island. Tenjin Town is secondary after Nakahama City, admittedly. That is the unfortunate reality when it comes to the priority of businesses to heimen habitat. If you wish to aid the cause at the Temple of Light, I believe it would be more correct to aid that organization. The governor is not going to look kindly on her or her office's ability to govern being doubted, to say it lightly."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"Then, forgive me, Yasuki-sama." He dipped his head. "It seems that I misinterpreted what I heard in the temple. I did ask about funneling concert proceeds through them to benefit the community. But, Yasuki Haruto-san was unable to provide me with information regarding how the funds they collect are distributed to those in need."

"I have some questions regarding the temple. And, I would not want to involve them without a better understanding of how they are organized." he admitted. "Do you know much bout them?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"They are a religious organization, must like the monks of Daikoku-no-kami, even if less established. I imagine it would be just as complicated to ask the monks to do the same on short notice," she said delicately on the matter. "If you don't trust the Temple of Light, I don't blame you, Kitsune-san. Most people don't...Even lifelong residents tend to keep away from that organization."

"Yes, I'm familiar with them," she admitted without saying the whole truth. "They've been around the island for at least half a century now. I've pretty much grown up knowing of their presence."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"The first I had heard of them was while researching the message burned into the wall in Hotel Nakahama." he explained. "Although it was likely Kuni Sumie and her group who were responsible, what you told me at the con made me wonder if there was more to it. I was told that the Lavoie faith includes something referred to as the Endless Night."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko looked visibly uncomfortable for a moment before quickly recomposing herself and giving Kiyoshi a solemn nod on the matter. "Yes, thank you again for clarifying the situation. Kuni Sumie and her group, the whole 'role-playing' game experience has been quite disruptive to the city, but it seems this was done with the governor's agreement, as she belonged to the group, with the cooperation of Silver Fin Productions to film the game for content...as brokered by my late cousin. It's unfortunate that I was left out of that, and it was distressing, but I feel I've gotten over that."

She slowly picked up her cup of tea and took a small sip. "It seems like an unfortunate coincidence that both the game and the religion share the term, but they mean wholly different things. Almost, seemingly like the game was trying to make an indirect mockery of Lavoie. I can only imagine that this Edge of Darkness is likely not respectful of other elements it draws on, too. Does this game also mock the Fortunes or the kami in its story or literature?"

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"My assumption is that some aspects of the religion inspired what was used by the game." He nodded. "Some Detective 5 scripts did that. Regardless, it all made me curious. A benefit concert may not be feasible. Perhaps, I coukd simply do a performance for the bon festival."

He studied her for a moment, then finally said. "Yasuki-sama, if there is something wrong. If there is anything I can help you with. Please, say so. Obviously, I am an outsider. And, the affairs of your family and clan are no business of mine. But, honestly, I am a terrible negotiator. I have a tendency to help others without expecting anything in return."

[Yasuki Umiko]

"The Bon Festival would probably serve as a better venue, perhaps with the cooperation of the monk if you're looking for a cause. The situation at the Temple of Light is pretty complicated right now," she would at least admit on that front. "I wouldn't be so sure if involving other partners with their organization would be a great idea. Let's just say I'm not so sure if Yasuki Haruto will be able to provide adequate paper for the funds there, it might not be entirely up to him, despite his sincere intentions."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

He suppressed a frown. "How complicated? You clearly have concerns. But, you aren't as dismissive of the temple as others are. Are they actually helpful to the community? Or, are they as dangerous as some suggest?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"They are...There is a potential blind spot in the community that they address with their aid," she reluctantly admitted. "I might have heard that there's a potential internal conflict with management. I'm sure the leadership will sort itself out at some point in time."

She took another sip of tea, a long one this time, finding herself clearing her throat afterwards to recompose herself. "That's all I'll say on the matter, Kitsune-san. I don't want to say anything more regarding the Temple of Light in this household. Only that you should keep away from dealing with them until they are in a better place."

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"Alright." He agreed and offered a smile. "I hope that conflict resolves in favor of your family and all of Shiawase Island. Meanwhile, I'll plan for the festival. I may need some assistance in making the arrangements, but something will be worked out."

[Yasuki Umiko]

Umiko smiled once more, happy to talk about anything that's not the Temple of Light. "The island would be happy to have the involvement of an active celebrity, even if it's not a local one. Word of your work has already travelled after your appearance at Fan Con. I think I've heard people looking into importing Mystery 5 content, well, legally, of course. That said, the locals also learned about you during your time here. There are quite a few volunteers involved already such as Tamori Kanna, Miya Kisha, and Moto Shiwahime. It's a bit late but you could potentially coordinate with them to find a stage? Friendship Street might be a suitable venue, or the Harbourfront?"

[Kitsune Kiyoshi]

"I'll speak with Miya-sama to coordinate the timing and location." His mood lightened as well. "A public performance for everyone to enjoy during the overall festivities should work well. Are there any local songs I could include? Do you have a favorite you'd like to hear?"

[Yasuki Umiko]

"I'm sure if you do some of the retro classics, cover? You'll get a few local people in the audience appreciating that. A bit embarrassing to say...but, in the few performances I've done ever since coming back home, it seems that I found they seem to like that over the music of my last album." She smiled ruefully at that. "Fleeting Love, Be with Me, and of course, Nakahama City are massive crowd pleasers regardless anyone who does them. They play them on repeat and it doesn't seem like anyone around here is bored with it yet."