<@Grysar> [Date: Sunday, March 21, 2004.] <@Grysar> [Taki, Mikage, and parents (Mikage's mother is coming along) set off early by Shinkansen.] [<@Grysar> [Mikage and Taki have been sitting near each other but couldn't actually get adjacent seats until about three quarters of the way through.] <@Grysar> [Which is just as well, as Taki has been busy with some paperwork relating to financial aid applications that probably should have been done earlier, but here we are.] <@Grysar> [Mikage saddles up next to Taki and looks over at her. She's had sort of a blend of hopeful and skeptical expression since they got together at the station.] <@Grysar> [Start!] * Taki has a calculator, a pencil, and a kneeboard with way more papers stuffed into it than it can really handle, she's currently flipping between three different places making sure she wrote down the same numbers in all of them. * @Mikage looks at the forms. She's actually in reasonable normal people clothes today. A bit of eyeliner and a hair clip incorporating an actual feather. * @Mikage gets out an Osaka map but then leaves Taki be for a while. Looks like she's got some listings in a small spiral notebook and has drawn some circles on the maps, surrounding various stations. * Taki is dressed for traveling in coat and long pants, but in defference to it technicaly being the first day of spring has left her bobble hat at home. Sadly, not even a festive hat can make paperwork easier. * Taki sighs. "Okay, that's enough of that or I'm going to wind up poaching my brain." * @Mikage smiles slightly and looks over. "Want to talk locations?" Sure, as long as the rent doesn't involve variable interest rates, I don't know how my dad deals with this stuff all the time. * @Mikage grins. "Oh, once you wrestle with it a lot, it's easy enough. Just takes a while to get in your head. That and nominal Yen vs real Yen and such." * Taki slides down in her seat. "Ughghh. I am defeated by only mostly imaginary yen." <@Mikage> Just use me as your financial advisor when you don't want to call your dad. You'll be fine. * Taki grips her armrest with one hand and pulls herself back up again. "So, what have you got? The list Tsuji sent me was mostly overpriced hotels near the stations, and places that looked like they were too far south to be of any use to you. Unless you want to commute for a couple of hours every day." * @Mikage smiles. "Well, I did find some super cheap places in Shinsekai, which is like twenty five minutes north west of you. It's a neighborhood with a romantic history, modeled after Coney Island in New York." She gives a bit of a mysterious grin. "Of course, mother says that it's only romantic in the love hotel sense, given the reputation of the place. But if we want *super* affordable, that'd do." * Taki blinks, never having heard of Coney Island before, and then mumbles. "I hope they have thick walls." * @Mikage continues. "Oh, Coney Island and Paris. That's the more romantic part. Oh, and probably pricier. Bit less convenient for either of us to the east of that is Tsuruhashi, but that Koreatown. Might be a little awkward sometime and not quite as cheap." She frowns. "But it's still like two hours each day for me." Right, I don't mind traveling, I just... *she waves the clipboard and eeps as a couple pages threaten to escape* haven't actually had time to look farther away. * @Mikage nods. "So I've got some other places. One room plus kitchen, about [375 square feet as expressed in tatami mats.] Is that okay for you cooking wise?" As long as it has both an oven and a working burner. I wouldn't mind some countertop that isn't a board over the sink, but I don't want to get too greedy. * @Mikage looks at the pictures of the units she has. "That might be a little greedy, but depends on the place. So you don't mind being north of even Shin- Osaka station? We'd be out of the city. Being right on a train line would help but you might still have a pretty long journey each day." * Taki shrugs and looks out the window. "I'd prefer to be closer, but it's only going to be two years. Who knows, maybe Haruko will finally talk me into getting a motercycle licence and then it'll take half the time." * @Mikage watches Taki quietly for a few beats after that. "So, you're really thinking of going through with it?" I've pretty much given up on Hattori, and Nakamura doesn't have much to offer over Tsuji except being cheaper. I mean, if I get home and find a Hattori acceptence letter I... well, I don't think that's going to happen? I'm still going to visit down there, but with two people paying rent it works out mostly in Tsuji's favor. * @Mikage taps at her temple, where sits the base of her feather. She quietly adds, "Right." <@Grysar> [Mikage proceeds to go over the neighborhoods in a bit more detail, before helping Taki some with finishing her financial paperwork before they finish the ride.] <@Grysar> [And the train ride finishes without further incident and you're at Shin-Osaka station. The parents had planned to split up to check out some housing options. Do you want to stick together with Mikage or stick with your father when exploring?] <@Grysar> [One possible factor in your decision, at the end of book club reversed, Kaede had actually found out something about everyone's favorite urban fantasy author. Apparently Aka Uehara actually had also attended University of Osaka some years back. Haruko did later let Taki know that Kaede had figured out that something happened while he was there, but the records were sealed and offline.] <@Grysar> [After talking plans with Taki, and fortifying with a some bottled tea, Mikage suggests that they both split up to investigate. Mikage and her mother will start at the places near Shin-Osaka and a bit north. Taki goes South. Mikage Mom will keep investigating north and Mikage will join Taki and her father for lunch on a campus visit, because, c'mon, Culinary school food should be good. Then up to University of Osaka for the afternoon, stopping at any really promising places on the way.] <@Grysar> [And off Taki and Kouji go. So Taki, are you staying away from the sketchier neighborhoods, or checking out a few of the possibly gentrifying places that Mikage gave you as prospects?] <@Grysar> [There's a few places right near campus that seem promising, but that are a bit of a walk from the station. One of the areas more station adjacent, you can see dense shopping streets to the north and some sort of ornamental tower, has a new apartment building promising a modern efficient kitchen that in the no doubt deceptive pictures looks pretty nice.] <@Kouji> Huh, reminds me of the place I stayed when I was starting school. Suffice to say, your mother didn't come to visit me. ::he frowns at that:: <@Grysar> [There's a fairly loud teen crowd hanging out near the building promising the good kitchens. Kyouji's frown deepends a bit. You may wish to read a scene, Taki. Or you could just walk away. What do you do?] <@Grysar> [The area doesn't actually look too bad, there's a few taller buildings in the distance and the one tan apartment does have nicer balconies and looks newer than the surroundings and maybe as good as pictured.] <@Grysar> [The kids seem like they're mostly horsing around and not necessarily a permanent feature. They might actually let you pass by, no trouble, but you father has some uncertainty in the way he carries himself that likely invites a bit of harrassment in their view.] <@Grysar> [No real lethal threat, but they are talking each other up about how tough they are. You also get a feel for the lead kid, a little taller than the rest and wearing a windbreaker that's notably nicer than the rest of his clothes.] * Eiji in the windbreaker laughs and chats with his fellows. "And áh was like, no. Ah'm done with cram school. And if you don't like it, well whatcha gonna do?" <@Grysar> [There's actually a promotional sign hanging down the side of the building advertising 20,000 yen in housewares coupons at a name brand Osaka department store as a bonus for signing.] * Taki looks up at the new building. "I wanna see the kitchens they're advertisng, and it isn't too far from the station for Mikage, a little worried about the neighbors... What do you think dad? I do want a place that I can invite my friends to." * Kouji straightens his spine some. "This neighborhood is changing, mostly for the better I think. Nice tea house at the end of the block. A few storefronts renovated. I wouldn't consider a building here to be a questionable real estate holding. But I want you to feel safe." <@Grysar> [One of the renovated storefronts is actually going to be a Koban policebox, according to a sign. Not yet though.] * Taki grins and then it fades and she shakes her head. "After Sakuragaoka people like this are nothing. I'm more worried about perverts on the train." <@Grysar> [As you approach, Eiji gives you a slightly learing once over, but the rest of the kids look to him. He whispers something snide to who appreciates the comment with a rasping laugh.] * Taki shakes her head slightly and tries to keep an eye on the laughing kid and she and her dad cross into the lobby. <@Grysar> [Having a pretty good read on them though, you can see Eiji prime up to try to give a scare to your dad as he walks by. Maybe just a shouted boo. Maybe an attempt at a wallet grab and dash.] <@Grysar> [And he telegraphs his move and overcommits, Taki is easily able to grab his hand and spin him, no display of power needed. He crumples to his knees calling "'ncle! 'ncle!" as the kids scatter.] * @Kouji saw the attack and had started to flinch just looks at his daughter, not aghast, maybe a little scared, but mostly just astounded. <@Grysar> [So, Eiji's at your mercy Taki, what do you do?] * Taki lets him go. "Sorry, sorry. I thou... I mean, seriously do... Argh. Don't do it again, to anybody else, kay?" <@Grysar> [He vehemently swears that he will mend his rotten ways and go to an extra cram school session this sunday. The lobbyman notices you to his considerable chagrin and escorts you in, giving a lovely tour and showing a room that seems to be one of the nicer ones available at the advertised price, good 7th story view.] <@Grysar> [After checking a few other places, none so memorable, you head to Tsuji and find a seat at the cafeteria. It's clearly a training space, but is done up nicely. Mikage had texted to say she'd be there in a minute or two and you're left with drinks and tea.] * @Kouji takes a sip of tea, choosing his words carefully. "Well, I don't think I'm quite as worried your safety, right?" * Taki laughs nerviously. "Getting out of Sakuragaoka was probably the smartest decision I've made in my entire life. I don't want to dwell on what sort of person I'd have become if I'd stayed." * @Kouji's regret is obvious on his face. "I didn't realize. There were those crazy stories in the news, the disappearances, the gang attack. There were the times that you didn't get to the laundry first and I saw some blood. But I never knew it was that bad." It's okay Dad, I'm not there anymore, a lot of the... It's over now. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you what was happening, but it was just ... the news didn't even cover a tiny bit of the crazy. I just want to put it all behind me and have the only crazy in my life be hungry customers who want something to eat. * @Kouji nods and puts his hand on Taki's shoulder. "We'll find a way for that to happen." * Taki puts a hand over her dads. "Thanks. It means a lot to me." * Mikage gets to the door and waves as she heads over. "Man, looking at apartments is so boring, but it works up an appetite!" * Taki lets go and turns to wave. "Boring is good! Did you find any good places?" * @Kouji lets go as well and looks slightly saddened by the interruption but quickly manages a stoic expression and wave. * Mikage nods. "Found one near Shin-Osaka. Kind of splits the difference, counter space is crummy but just a quick hop to the train and the building has a certain mystique. Others didn't really pan out, but mother has texted me some photos from ones closer to my University." She shows pictures on her phone. It would be quite the journey, but there's one with a modern mini- kitchen and another low-rise where a few different rooms share a single full size kitchen and living room area with the standard amenities and a public bath right near by. A couple of those are tempting, how far from the station are they? We found a really good one and the neighboorhood is, uh... improving, but it's kinda far south for you too. * Mikage smiles. "Oh, I had a good feeling about that place! Well, probably the Shin-Osaka one is the most convenient to a station. The others aren't bad, but they aren't as close as that one." * @Kouji was sipping tea and coughed when Mikage mentioned her good feeling. He attempts to quietly recover. * Mikage checks her phone. "The group house is right by the station too, but it's the one closest to my school and furthest from yours. Everything else not so much." * Taki nods. "Well, since we have time, why don't we go look at the place that we found first, and then the ones you did, and end with the ones your mom found? I kinda want to see your school too, but if there's not time today, well, we'll be back again." <@Grysar> [Mikage agrees to this sensible plan. We'll leave them to it!] <@Grysar> [Taki, her father, and Mikage have just finished lunch at Tsuji's cafeteria. There was Osaka-style Okonomiyaki, and it lived up to the school's reputation.] <@Grysar> [After that, Taki took some time to go around campus, drop off her financial aid application paperwork, speak with an instructor or two and watch a class in progress. The school seems to be most everything she thought, with a little added appeal because she's smelling the practical work in person.] <@Grysar> [The three then take the train up to Handai. Mikage seems eager to move and doesn't request a stop by the apartment Taki and Kouji scouted earlier, although you do make sure to take the train route that goes by the relevant station and point it out on the way.] <@Grysar> [Around an hour later, the distance between the two schools is a little more concrete, but you're at the outskirts of Handai's campus.] * Kouji had dosed off on the train. As he gets together he queries on the plan. "So, I can stick with you, go check out more apartments, or if I'm redundant at this point, I was considering checking out the recently renovated Oshiro School of Architecture." * Mikage checks her phone. "My mother is almost done checking out the locations I found, plus a few more. That said, nothing she's found looks better than the group home or the Shin-Osaka location." * Mikage was a little quick with that comment and seemed a bit startled by the Oshiro mention. Hmm, I really liked the Shinsekai one, but I also don't want you to have to take that trainride twice when you've got classes. * Mikage nods. "It is a long ride. But the brochures you had from Shinsekai looked rather nice." She shrugs. "We can check out the one closer to the station on the way out, if you think it's worth it." * Taki turns to her dad. "Uhhhh... I guess we're done? I want to look at the Shin-Osaka place myself, but you don't have to come if you want to hit museums?" * Kouji thinks. "Well, after we're done at Handai, I'll meet up and go to the apartment with you. I don't think it should take too long to see what all our client's donation has been paying for." Oh! Okay! We'll meet you there. Have fun! <@Grysar> [And so you head off. Mikage actually seems to be pretty together, perhaps even getting through meetings a little too efficiently. The campus seems quite nice, although a little quiet thanks to end of semester lull.] <@Grysar> [Mikage has been talking over apartments some and weighing various options, though she does seem rather attentitive to your opinion.] <@Grysar> [The financial aid counselor is running a little late, so you have some downtime in the administrative building. What do you do?] <@Grysar> [The lobby area you're waiting in is fairly big, Mikage found a nice waiting spot by the window. Nobody else is in easy earshot, although she can see the desk where a bored student receptionist sits. The area smells slightly of burnt microwave popcorn, quite the change from Tsuji.] * Mikage fidgets and checks her watch. "I suppose it's easy for them to keep you waiting when you're coming to ask for money." * Taki stops trying to figure out how to ask the secretary for info about a graduated student that they probably wouldn't want to part with even if she did have some right to see it. "Hmm? Oh, yeah, it's not costing them anything, and gives us beggers time to reflect on our actions." * Mikage snerks at that. She looks at her watch again. I had this stupid plan to use the downtime we had this evening to catch a train down to Kyoto, get something for Kenji-kun, and come right back. I could almost do it if everything clicked, but... * Mikage lets out a long sigh. If we look at the other apartments together next sunday, could you make it? * Mikage brightens somewhat at that. "Yeah, maybe. I guess it depends on how long this meeting takes. But those train tickets are expensive." * Taki deflates a bit. "Ugh. We'll only need two, but still..." * Mikage nods glumly. "Well, maybe we can just narrow it down some and save visiting time." She then is startled when her name is called. "I'll text you when I'm out. Not sure how long this is going to take." * Taki nods. "Good luck!" <@Grysar> [You're on your own Taki, what next?] <@Grysar> [In looking around, you do notice a door down a nearby hallway that leads to the records department. Bad news, it appears to be closed today. Based on eavesdropping it sounds like the financial aid department student worker doesn't have knowledge of anything else in the building to help you, even if he wanted to, which he doesn't.] <@Grysar> [Good news, janitorial staff just headed in the office, unlocking the door. After a minute or so the middle aged female custodian headed out again. Perhaps she's using the bathroom, going on break, or getting a tool she needs.] <@Grysar> [Either way, she didn't lock the door when she left, but you don't know how long you'd have and a closed sign still hangs on the door, so you'd fairly obviously be in deeply sketchy territory if found.] <@Grysar> [What do you do?] * Taki tries to catch a glimps through the door while it's open so if she needs to be extra sketchy about getting in there she can. She also spends a moment wishing Haruko was here, and then Kaede, and then imagines how bad it'd be if she'd brought both of them, and by the time that's sorted itself out she's missed her window. * Mikage returns, thoughtful. "Well, it looks like we do qualify for some of the loan packages. Though I'm going to have to resend the paperwork about my name." She rolls her eyes. "So, I could hit the bookstore for the one textbook that the Macro professor mentioned, or I guess we could just get going. I'm through my list." [ How are you doing on time to get to Kyoto? * Mikage checks her watch. "Might just work. Alright." Mikage bites her lip and starts heading out. "So, mother has texted a few more places for me to look at. They're more solo, I may have told her that I was pretty sure you were going to get that letter from Hattori." She's not quite look at Taki as she speaks. I, uhm, that is, if it does show up, that's... I'm really sorry I can't go to Hattori and stay here with you? Wait, that's not what I ment. Actually.... Argh. * Mikage just nods and walks. She predicted this. * Taki trails after her like a lost puppy. * Mikage sighs. "So, I should probably see some of those two. Do you want to see the group house near here or the Shin-Osaka one or have you made up your mind there?" * Taki doesn't look up. "Well, it wouldn't be fair to make you commute an hour, so let's go get Dad and then hit Shin-Osaka and see if splitting the commute is a good idea?" <@Grysar> [And not that much later the gang is reunited. Mikage's mother seems a little annoyed that she's not taking the time to see any of the solo apartments, but Mikage assures her that she trusts her judgment.] <@Grysar> [There's a few high rise buildings in the immediate area of the station, getting further out the buildings tend to top at below ten stories. The area looks like it might be a bit dead after business hours but generally speaking it seems quite safe.] <@Grysar> [The kitchen is disappointing. It's basically as described. If there's a way to really make the best of it, Taki doesn't see any immediate tricks. Maybe a solid kitchen table where she could do her work. The view isn't terrible, if you enjoy train yards. In the distance, you think you can make at one of the rivers that surrounds this part of Osaka.] <@Grysar> [What do you do?] * Taki stands in the kitchen and looks out the window. "... This is one of those compromises in which peace order and tranquility are not preserved, but it would only be for two years." * Kouji looks over the place. "A bit smaller than my first apartment. Although much more likely to be rodent free." * Mikage sighs. "Look, if you come, we can do Shinsekai. You can make up for the time by doing the grocery shopping and cooking." * Mikage's mother looks rather skeptical at this proposal. * Taki shakes her head. "That's hardly fair, I was going to do that anyway." * Mikage's mother nods. "Taki-chan makes a good point. You're not being practical Mikage." * Mikage snorts and shakes her head. "You just say that because Taki's a generous softy. It's a fair contribution to cook and shop. I mean I can help with organizing the household budgets but it's not like she needs daily economic or fortune telling services." * Kouji raises an eyebrow at this. * Taki laughs nerviously. * Ms. Hasegawa shakes her head. "And does she provide security as well? Shinsekai's better days were decades ago." * Kouji's turn to laugh nervously! * Taki holds her fingers a few cm apart. "A little bit, the place is picking itself up." * Ms. Hasegawa nods. "I hear that a lot, when people explain how they thought they could safey leave their fancy laptop in their crappy neighborhood. I prefer places that have picked themselves up." * Mikage rolls her eyes. "Mother! Not everything is about your work." * Taki starts to say something and then thinks better of it. If I say so myself, if your daughter is with Taki, she'll keep her safe. My daughter does know how to look out for herself and others. More than I even knew." * Taki nods and says very softly. "Thank you." * Mikage nods in support. "Shimiru-san is right. I mean you could go check it out for yourself." She continues in a softer voice. "While I run to Kyoto and back, if I leave now there's time." * Ms. Hasegawa stares at her daughter, but her tone is soft in a notable shift. "Mikage, I know you wanted to make a quick stop to return home, but you'll have a chance soon enough. And there's no time." There's some chatter back and forth and exchange of schedules. "Alright, there's time for ten minutes in the city. And you won't find what you need in that time, and you'll want to go just a little further in and we'll end up missing our train so you can try to make a grand romantic gesture to a boy who dumped you." * Mikage super blushes. If she saw that coming she wasn't prepared. * Kouji admires the view out the window. Not paying attention to this discussion, no. I say set an alarm and go. You're loosing seconds now. * Ms. Hasegawa makes a face. "Believe me, I've tried alarm technology before." * Mikage huffs, but doesn't retort. If you don't mind me asking, what happened? The alarm helped, I still made it to the train in time. As I pred-- And without your purse. Seems like you should have seen that coming. * Kouji snickers a little while looking out the window. But, you managed to do what you set out to, right? * Ms. Hasegawa lets out a long breath. "Fine, go. Bring her back in time." She gives Taki an even stare and her mother-voice, or perhaps her police sergent voice, either way it's terrifying "I know my daughter is a flake. So do you. If you aren't here for the train, I'm holding you accountable, understood?" * Taki salutes. <@Grysar> [Later in Kyoto...] <@Grysar> [Kyoto station is remarkable modern architecture, vast halls, escalator rising up to the heavens, light shows at night. Mikage's plan is actually to just send a postcard of explanation from the city and she immediately sets about doing that. As Taki keeps a watchful eye, she notices a somewhat heated conversation nearby between an aggressive young man in a shabby suit and a poised woman a few years out of college at the edge of a delegation.] * Taki puts herself between the argument and Mikage. You mentioned that cracking down on the human trafficking is personally important to you, but the LDP is doing little on the issue. That's not fair, we are taking efforts to clean up... You know better than anyone that just last year the Tokyo and Osaka police forces covered up a string of kidnappings and no one has yet been brought to justice. What is the government doing about that case? <@Grysar> [Taki notes that the reporter is pursuing this far more aggressively than is routine Japanese papers, to the point that if he is working for an official paper he's likely to lose his credentials. However, he has the vigor and insensibility of someone with a personal stake in the matter. He's got less to lose and that puts him in control.] <@Grysar> [As for the woman, she didn't look familiar to you at first, but with that conversation, suddenly you recognize her. First, you actually have seen her in one of the emails Katie sent out.] <@Grysar> [But on closer inspection, you notice something else about Ms. Kazuko Yamagata, she was one of the people saved from Sho's base in Osaka. In fact, one of the ones you'd dealt with a bit more closely, even if you didn't get her name or converse at the time. She looks like she's intentionally picked her makeup, clothes, and hairdo to seperate herself from those days though.] * Taki starts to edge back, there will be absolutly no good things that happen if she gets recogonized here, even if she wants to get in contact with that reporter. * Mikage finishes her work, drops it in a postbox, and rushes over to her friend. "Taki! Done, let's go, we'll have a minute to spare!" She points past the delegation back to the stair that leads to your train out of here." * Taki shakes her head and grabs Mikage's sleave "There'll be a huge mess if we go that way, c'mon!" And tries to lead her away from Kazuko and the LDP, still twords the trains. <@Grysar> [And Taki leads the way, getting several meters before almost all the people in the hall, including Mikage who was being led by hand, suddenly vanish. Glancing back, Kazuko may not have noticed Taki yet.] * Kazuko's voice is somewhat melodic, "I've never managed that before when I'm alone. I suppose I owe you a small favor. Nonetheless, please tell me who is there." Could you let me out? I'm kinda about to miss my train. Please miss? * Kazuko looks in Taki's direction and tries to piece together where she's seen her before. "You... in Osaka." She listens to the request and bows. "Another time then." She scurries to the other side of the hallway and lowers the field. * Taki screams internally and tries to find Mikage! <@Grysar> [Mikage is already some distance ahead, but Taki is able to delivery ninja to her and get to the train with thirty seconds to spare.] <@Grysar> [Upon returning Taki does learn that Mikage's mother and her father did go down to Shinsekai and he able to convince her that it was alright. So either they'll end up their together or Mikage will have a solo apartment close to her school of her mother's choosing.] <@Grysar> [Mikage in fact napped on the train ride back giving Taki plenty of time to send emails.] <@Grysar> [And so we leave our heroine on the journey back home.] <@Grysar> [End!]