<@Grysar> [Date: Wednesday March 31st, 2004. Late morning.] <@Grysar> [The ceremony is not that much different than those of the Sakuragaoka students, except the Japanese flags and the national anthem are a bit more prominent.] <@Grysar> [The Akaraki students are aware that the music teacher was 'sick' during the rehersal and a substitute was brought in to practice the anthem. She's here today and isn't wearing a mask but isn't doing piano accompanyment either. Must be an odd sort of bug.] <@Grysar> [The home room teachers are now calling the name of all the students. Go ahead and describe yourself as you're going to be sitting here for a bit.] <@Grysar> [You're in the gym and it's not unusually cold, school uniforms, which the students are wearing, are fine.] * @Nicola is sitting with her class, dressed in her uniform and her hair in a simple braid today, hanging loose down her back. * Wataru arrived punctually and is either sitting near the back trying to be inconspicuous, or looking around to see if other people from what he's come to think of as his "friend group" are here yet. He's wearing dark brown slacks and a rather nice sweater in a deep greyish blue, looking formal and masculine if a little fluffy in spite of himself. He wore his good coat, and even made a point of putting on proper loafers instead of sneakers today. It's a formal kind of thing. He has his bag with him, and there are a couple of sakura petals unknowingly caught in his hair, near the back of his head. His posture is a little saggy, and he's not smiling. * Mikage is actually dressed fairly appropriately. She's in her school uniform with just a feather in her hair, pointed downwards so as not to block the view, and necklace with a two centimeter crystal ball as its center piece. * Taki is also with her class, and coincidentally also in uniform, which is something that the other Arcana probably haven't seen much of since she transfered schools. She's fidgiting in her seat and quite clearly stopping herself from turning around to see people. * Shizaru is wearing her school uniform as well, but it looks especially pressed and crisp. Her apparant demeanor is friendly, but her eyes flit between the principal and a few of the teachers. * Shizaru is out of class/name order and is sitting in the first row. <@Grysar> [The principal and history teacher, who some students might also know is the tennis club advisor, sang the national anthem with a particular gusto. The head of the school is now keeping a close eye on some of his staff, but it's hard to think too much of it given you'll never have to deal with him again in about ::checks watch:: an hour.] * Katie walks in, wearing flats, a just-above-knee-length skirt, and a light blue blouse with a daisy-stitched cardigan over it. A dark blue bag, big enough for her usual things, is over one shoulder. She also has one of those gauzy scarves around her neck - pale yellow, this time. * Katie also has a Haruko with her, and she glances around briefly before she spots the Wataru. * Haruko is also wearing a just above the knee skirt which she accompanies with a blue blazer. Her hair is nicely pinned up and in fancier than usual braid, incorporating some advice she received from Nicola. She's wearing make up and simple silver and colored glass jewelry that accent a single small saphire on her necklace. Her chemise has a series of tie strings from the middle up to the v-neck, although in acknowledgement that she's in a highschool, it's actually knotted fairly tightly. * Katie nudges Haruko in the arm before making her way to the Wataru. * Haruko smiles after seeing Wataru pointed out and follows along. * Kenji's up front and in uniform, as is proper, with his hair styled more neatly than usual. He's actually next to Shizaru and is *really trying* not to fidget. He's mostly successful. <@Grysar> [And the ceremony proceeds, Taki, when your name is called and its time for you to stand up, and perhaps call out 'Hai', what do you do?] * Taki manages not to hesitate because she memorized the names of the two people ahead of her, so her voice is clear, but not nearly as loud as the students with high grades. <@Grysar> [After all the names are called, Shizaru stands up and takes the stage and formally accepts the diploma on behalf of all the students in a process involving some bowing and careful footwork. Both the principal and Shizaru are technically perfect in the exchange, although there's not actually the personal warmth that was evident in ceremonies earlier in the school year.] <@Grysar> [The principal is the first to give a speech that is so unremarkable it will not be further described.] * Wataru smiles to Haruko and Katie, although he does look back to see if the girls came here alone. <@Grysar> [He then introduces the second speaker, noting that the alumnus had to abruptly withdrawal as speaker, and thanking the Tokyo Metropolitian School Board for sending such a prestigious replacement so late in the process.] <@Grysar> [He introduces Kazuko Yamagata, who is the first person to fill the recently created position of the young adult liason on the school board. He's clearly quite impressed with her, giving a deeper bow than he normally does to one of her years.] * Katie doesn't have a looming orange-haired stalker behind her, nope. She slips into a seat next to Wataru, her face blank. * Haruko sits next to Katie, smiling back at Wataru and then seems a bit surprised at the speaker. * Katie eye-widens upon hearing Kazuko Yamagata's name, though, and she peers at her. * Taki starts and wishes she could see through the walls at who else might be here. * @Nicola turns her head slightly in Taki's direction when she notices her movement. <@Grysar> [Kazuko Yamagata comes out from back stage and looks to be college age, and is a bit plain, although Katie will notice that her make up isn't doing her any favors and indeed may even be playing down her features. That change also makes it a bit a bit harder to recognize her as the girl rescued by the group some years back.] <@Grysar> [Her clothing is quite formal and proper, if not really showing that much of a young persons sensibility. Although she is wearing a long bracelet of small shining metal chain, wrapped a few times around her left wrist.] * Taki wraps her hands around the sides of her chair, teleporting out or fielding or drawing more attention to herself would be really really bad. * Haruko watches her intently, trying to remember the faces of the people she had rescued and embarrassed at how much of a blur the individuals are. <@Grysar> [Kazuko steps to the front and starts a brief speech. She thanks them for the honor of listening here, and promises brevity, she was in their position not long ago, and recalls that is the gift that she hd wished from the speakers. This gets a few laughs.] <@Grysar> [Katie quickly sizes up the room. There's little risk of someone on stage noticing those in the bleachers as long as you don't call attention to yourself, given the size of the ceremony. There are a few different exits, and based on the layout of the school as she observed going in, the west exit is least likely to encounter any guest of honor, either in the halls or the parking lot. She can let Wataru know this as well, staying hidden is not necessary in this situation.] * Katie doesn't even pretend to laugh; there's no reason to. * @Nicola isn't seated next to Taki at the moment - it's a class order thing - but she can see that Taki is upset about something and shoots a concerned look in her direction. <@Grysar> [Kazuko briefly gives the standard graduation spiel, with an emphasis on overcoming hardship as individuals, classes, and a nation. She has the benefit of a better speech writer than the principal and actually does a good job of keeping it moving. The speech actually takes a bit of a personal turn midway through and Katie sees some opportunities in what is said.] <@Grysar> [Shizaru looks attentive. Mikage does as well, although she also appears to have picked up on Taki's anxiety.] * Taki shakes her head, this isn't something that Nicola can help with. * Wataru has a long, slow inhale when he hears the name Kazuko Yamagata. Her, here, now? Is this really a coincidence? He sits straighter, and carefully breathes out. So long as she doesn't notice him - sitting with people he's not supposed to know, at a time where he's supposed to be too busy to socialize - he'll be fine. He tells himself to just think of it as an opportunity to observe her at work. His body untenses, just a little. Carefully, silently, Wataru turns on his cell phone camera and takes a couple of pictures, no flash. He also makes sure to take a brief snippet of audio from her speech. Maybe Takeuchi will be able to do something with this later. <@Grysar> [Kazuko tells the story of time she spent in the hospital a few years back, and of the care and concern shown to her by her classmates and other students. She speaks to lobbying the board to offering more counseling services to senior high school students in particular, and noting that most everyone here, from the top of the grade list to the bottom has faced unique and often daunting challenges to get this far. They should remember what they've overcome but also remember those that helped them.] * @Nicola has a brief frown before turning her attention back to the speaker. <@Grysar> [Both Katie and Taki definitely know that the speakers attention briefly fell on Taki during that speech. Katie also picks up that she briefly went off script on the counseling and that she had more passion and earnestness in this section of the speech. This is a woman who believes she has paid her dues but also believes in reciprocity. You can probably get information, maybe even secrets, from her if you play to her debts without patronizing her or denying her accomplishments.] <@Grysar> [And with that she ends her speech. It's Kenji's turn.] * Taki relaxes Kazuko moves off stage and Kenji comes on. * Kenji walks up to the stage, a bit nervous, and glances at some people in the graduating class before pulling some paper from his pocket. He's above average height with long legs and is clearly an athlete of some sort; his dark hair's just long enough to be styled and, while it's currently quite neat, clearly doesn't want to *stay* neat. <@Grysar> [Kenji goes up to read from a scroll that on an accordian folded piece of paper. Those that no Kenji can probably figure out that he diddn't write himself, though it does actually incorporate some of his personal stories and turns of phrase. It primarily focuses on the merit of working as a member of a (subtly heirarchical) team.] * Wataru totally blushes a little bit when the very cute boy comes on stage. Because very cute boy. Well, that certainly made him feel better after Yamagata anxiety! <@Grysar> [Taki, between some text messages from Mikage and knowledge of her friends thinks that this is probably about 1/2 a Shizaru speech, 1/4 a Mikage one, and 1/4 the man himself.] * Taki smiles and puts worrying about shuffle and arcana nonsense onto a differnt track. Kenji and Mikage were at least working together. * Kenji bows fairly deeply once he's done with the speech and scrams (without hurrying too much!) back to the front row. * Mikage is super paying attention throughout the entire speech. She clasps her hand together with pride when she's done and smiles over at Taki and Nicola, as the people in the front row can't really see her. * Taki is smiling back at her! * Shizaru lost her distant look during Kenji's speech and gives him a proud smile and nod as he returns to his seat. * @Nicola gives Mikage a brief smile in return. <@Grysar> [And with that, it's practically over. There's the singing of Auld Lang Syne in Japanese and then the students are led out by their home room teachers.] <@Grysar> [There's a bit of brief conferring between the principal and Kazuko just back stage as the ceremony reaches its formal and proper end.] <@Grysar> [Oh, one other thing that Katie notices. At some point, the Heirophant slipped into the room. She's mostly been paying attention to her sister.] * Katie reaches over to nudge Haruko a touch and point out the Heirophant, hopefully without being too obvious about it. * Haruko glances over and notices Hinako as well. She smiles slightly, at some point Hinako started easing up *slightly* on the belts. * Wataru, if he notices this change of attention, will also look in that direction. But if it's really subtle, he'll be too busy looking at the very cute boy, and wondering if that little piece of hair that keeps trying to break free and tumble becomingly over his eyes is going to fall forward or stay gelled in place..... <@Grysar> [After the ceremony, Hinako actually heads backstage. Is that a thing you're supposed to do? Probably not. Does Hinako care? Apparently not.] <@Nicola> [The students all go back to their homerooms for a brief bit to offer each other congratulations before being let out into the wide world! Which, in this case, means outside to chat with guests and visitors.] * Haruko had conferred some with Taki about meet up spots the event. She leads the Katie and Wataru outside, incorporating any instructions on avoiding Kazuko from Katie. * Katie stands, looking around as she heads out with Haruko and Wataru. "Hinako went to the back," she comments. "I wonder why." She also tries to track where Kazuko is/went. * Kenji's hair is a bit of a mystery, as if Wataru sees him at all it's probably the back of the head. But he *does* join up with Taki and some other girls. So maybe he's a friend of Wataru's friend? * @Nicola joins up with Taki's group. "I thought I saw my sister," she remarks to Taki. "I was not expecting her today." * Haruko had been babbling that she'd actually come to appreciate Principal Quentin more over the years. "Huh, I'd guess she recognizes Kazuko-san. I mean she always did what she felt was important, but I don't see her going to give instruction to the principal or the like." * Katie is silent for a moment, then she says, "I'm going to check. Be back soon." And with that, she splits off from Haruko and Wataru to weave through the crowd and approach exactly where she shouldn't. <@Grysar> [The parents congratulatee their respective children, but are giving a little time to the students to be with their friends now. The adults are actually chatting to one another. Maybe they'll get to know one another for the future. Wouldn't that be nice?] * Haruko glances over at Wataru and makes a bit of a face. "Well, if she needed backup, she'd tell us." * Taki nods at Nicola. "Not the only person I wasn't expecting to see today. I'm glad she was able to come see you. I didn't see my dad or my friends in the crowd though, but I know where we're supposed to meet. Hopefully I can finish introducing everybody." * Wataru frowns at Katie's alarming departure, but he decides to trust her - especially since Haruko seems to feel she knows what she's doing. He stands around, not specifically talking to anyone unless addressed. <@Nicola> All right, then. Shall we? * Haruko waits with Wataru at the meeting spot. "So, have you met any of Taki's crew yet? I've met Nicola-chan, but that's it so far." * Taki turns to Mikage and Kenji. "Do you want to come with, or does the future hold some alone time before your parents get impatient?" <@Grysar> [Shizaru seemed so relieved to be done with ceremony. She had given her classmates uncharacteristically big hugs and then ran off to finish a few remaining things with the administration.] * Kenji waves while Shizaru, uh, leaves. He's been getting along with her better lately. When Taki asks him a question, he turns to her. "Sorry, where?" To meet with my friends from before I transfered, most of them said there were going to come! * Mikage is smiling though her tone is uncertain. "That sounds fun, if you're up for it Kenji-kun." * Kenji smiles, more certain than Mikage. "Sure." This may be quick, but I at least want to be able to say hi! * Wataru shakes his head. "I don't think I know them, no." * Taki boldly leads the way, well, not bold enough to take Nicola's hand while she does, but pretty bold for Taki. * @Nicola has an approving look on her face as she follows Taki. Purposefully! * Kenji boldly... follows? * Mikage is bold enough to walk by Kenji. She sort of leaves her hand dangling there, you know, in case someone wants to hold it. * Haruko smiles and briefs Wataru as the graduates approach. "Well, Nicola is the one with the the pale blonde hair in the lovely braid. Mikage is a part time fortuneteller but not tarot and I don't think Arcana. Kenji is on the baseball team. I think the latter two are dating but that may be out of date." * Kenji doesn't take Mikage's hand. They're almost there, anyway! * @Nicola is also fairly tall. Taller than Taki and Mikage and Haruko, definitely. Maybe close in height to Kenji, even? * @Nicola is a few inches shorter than Kenji, and thus also Wataru. * Wataru cocks a brow. "*That's* Nicola?" * Haruko exchanges a knowing glance with Wataru. "I know, right?" * Wataru shakes his head. "Remind me to congratulate her. And not just on graduating." * Haruko laughs at Wataru's comment and nods. She then waves at the approaching group. "Taki, you didn't tell me that your friend would be the one delivering the graduation speech, that's a great honor!" She then turns to the other graduates. "Kinsha Haruko, a pleasure to meet you." She bows to each of them. * Wataru has a little wave for Taki! Discreet, from the hip. Hi. ^.^ * @Nicola bows politely to Haruko. "It is good to see you again, Kinsha-san." She looks curiously for a moment at Wataru before turning expectantly to Taki. * Kenji bows, because you can't be bowed to and not bow back. * Mikage bows back, "A pleasure to meet you Kinsha-san. I have heard that there might be a girl's poker night out later. I should warn you that I have a sixth sense about such things, I will play fair as best I can but make no promises. * Taki waves to Haruko and Wataru, and then glances around for the other two who were supposed to be here. "I've got two friends who made graduations speaches, but I think Shizaru's trying to deal with whatevers got all the teachers nervious." "This is Yamada Wataru, who I met once a few years ago, and then again recently. These are my good friends Hasegawa Mikage, who will be my roommate when we go to Osaka, her boyfriend Oshiro Kenji who is on the baseball team and gave a very good speach, and Arai Nicola, also very good friend." * Kenji flushes slightly. "The speech mostly wasn't mine, really..." * Taki asks Haruko softly. "Are Katie and Kyon...?" * Wataru bows appropriately to everyone. "Pleased to make your aquaintance. Uh, congratulations to all of you on your graduation." He smiles! "It, it was a good speech, I liked it," he says to Kenji, putting his hands in his pockets, not awkwardly at all. * @Nicola bows politely to Wataru. "It is very good to meet you, Yamada-san." * Kenji smiles back, going to less awkward instead of more. "Thanks! It was pretty last minute. Mikage and Shizaru helped a lot." * Haruko glances over at Wataru's not awkward at all hand in pockets. She doesn't say anything, but she does try to get a read on her painfully single friend. <@Nicola> [Wataru is particularly inscrutable today, apparently!] <@Nicola> [But Nicola seems to notice the glances and gives Haruko a slightly curious look.] It was really good. It was his first big one, not counting bullpen rallying, and he did really well. * Mikage is beaming with pride. "As I predicted, repeatedly, of course." Of course. * Haruko notices the glance from Nicola and realizes that she needs to play it more subtle. She probably wasn't noticing something anyways. * Kenji laughs warmly. "Yeah, of course." He gives Mikage a little half hug with one arm before dropping it. To Wataru: "How do you know Taki?" * Haruko walks over to Taki. "Katie is here, but she had a, uh, call she needed to make that pulled her away. She'll be back. Kyon sends his regrets." Haruko sighs. "Last minute brewery emergency meeting of some sort." Oh, uh, mutual friends mostly. We kind of only got to know each other recently, really, but I'm glad I could come today. * Taki rubs her face. "With my luck they'll somehow have a class together and never know. Still, if important things come up, they come up." * @Nicola looks at Taki. "Who will have a class together?" Katie is also attending Kurobane, but she's studying art and I wanted the two of you to be able to talk about classes and the campus and stuff. * @Nicola blinks once, surprised. "Ah. This is something of which I was not aware." <@Nicola> I thought you said she was biology. Ah, she's double majoring. She's quite the student, although also quite busy as a result. * Taki blinks. "Ah, right. Whups." * Taki laughs nerviously. Sounds like a lot. Maybe she'll be back soon and you can talk to her about it? * @Nicola lets out a soft hmm sound. "Well, hopefully her phone call will permit her to return soon. It would be nice to meet her today. It is disappointing that your other friend had business, but such is life." * Haruko smiles. "I am always glad to see women in science and engineering." * Taki nods. "I'll just have to try again, I was certain I'd finally managed to get Kyon." * @Nicola turns to Haruko. "The person with whom I spoke when I had a campus visit was quite friendly. I am encouraged." * Haruko nods. "And it is a lot, Katie may be able to talk a bit about juggling two majors." And she keeps smiling but her tone is one of warning, "Although she is the most private of our friends, so please respect that." <@Nicola> And I promise to respect the privacy of your friend. I would like to think that I am good at that. May I ask, uh, Arai-san, what your own major is going to be? I think she is too. * @Nicola tilts her head slightly. "Biology, Yamada-san. I am considering going into veteranary studies." * Haruko smiles at the promise and replies gratefully "Thank you, Nicola- san." Oh cool! So you and Katie might be taking some of the same courses, right. * Katie, speak of the devil, approaches the group and is looking to Haruko and Wataru no worse for wear - even a little pleased, which is a lot better than the sulky silent Katie that Haruko had to drive to the graduation. * @Nicola gives Haruko a brief nod of acknowledgement before answering Wataru. "Perhaps? She is a year ahead, but I do not know how the course of study would vary for a double major. That having been said, I did promise not to make too many inquiries, so." * Taki grins. "I think asking her about teachers and classes would be okay. Even if you didn't know me it'd be one bio student to another." * Haruko looks over to Kenji. "So you play baseball? I've started going to more games of late since one of my friends was on the Sakuragaokoa team." Cool! Yeah, I do - I play second base. I hope I can keep going through college, but it's going to be an all new round of tryouts. * Wataru grins. "I like baseball!" ~Idiot. Idiot Wataru, you look like an idiot.~ "What, ah, what university are you going to?" * Haruko nods. "He's a pitcher for one of the Tokyo teams." Haruko then glances over at Wataru. Huh, he just must be a little awkward around athletes. Well, fandom will do that to you. * Mikage nods. "I will miss going to your games, but I do forsee that you'll make the roster." * Kenji names a university with middle of the road sports programs and academics. It's not Waseda or anywhere close, but it's at least in Tokyo. He smiles and nudges Mikage at her prediction, and then to Haruko, he says, "He went pro, really? That's amazing." * Haruko nods and name drops, "Kyon's always been incredibly dedicated. I always feel lucky to have him as friend." ... Wait, Kyon? Like. Kyon Sorata? Pitcher for the Lions? * Mikage blushes a little and smiles broadly at the nudge. * Katie arrives right about now and pretends she didn't just hear the last dozen exchanges. "Hi," she says, "sorry I'm late." * Taki grins. "That's the one, and he was supposed to be he- Katie! You made it!" * Katie smiles! And hugs Taki. "Congratulations." * Haruko smiles and waves over at Katie and then tries to take inspiration from her teacher. "Oh? You know him?" I mean that's totally surprising that you, a baseball player, know my pro-baseball playing friend. "Well I go to his games sometimes. Maybe we could get a group together." * Taki hugs back. "Thank you!" * @Nicola watches the new arrival. And then this hug. She watches this hug *very* intently. * Katie can practically feel Nicola watching, but she pretends she doesn't! Low level lying: it's a life skill, constantly practiced. "Who are your friends?" * Kenji says to Haruko: "Seriously? That'd be amazing! He's *so good* and- I, uh. Will have to practice not fanboying out. He probably hates that." * Taki steps back. "And now for words I've been wanting to say for months. 'Kurobane first year student Andrews Katie, this is future Kurobane student Arai Nicola." And these two are my friends and fellow graduated high school students Hasegawa Mikage and Oshiro Kenji." * Wataru shoves his hands deeper in his pockets. I mean, don't go out of your way or anything, but really. Thanks for the offer. * And then Kenji's introduced to Katie and he bows to her. * Katie smiles and waves in turn, then remembers to bow so she does that. * Haruko laughs and restrains herself from fluffing his hair. That's hard man, hard. "I think he's probably used to it, but yeah, learning to play it cool is a skill worth practicing. And it would be fun to get to know Taki's friends." * @Nicola bows to Katie. "It is a great pleasure to meet you." * Kenji nods. "I just hope we can all stay in touch. With everyone moving around..." <@Grysar> [Katie notices that Hinako is off in the distance, looking around.] * Katie smiles. And offers her hand to Nicola to shake. "Nice to meet you, too. You're Hinako Arai's sister, right?" * Mikage's crystal ball necklace catches the sun for a moment and is far brighter than her expression. "I hope we can. Going to school in Osaka is going to be challenging for that, but I think we can work at it." Uncharacteristically she makes no predictions on the matter. * @Nicola shakes Katie's hand and looks slightly surprised, but it's at the Hinako comment and not the handshaking. "Yes. You have met her, I take it? She can be very hard to forget." She really can. I think it's all the belts. * Taki nods. * @Nicola breaks out into laughter. It's warm and genuine. "Oh, my, yes. The belts. Our parents thought it was a phase she was going through, but... well. She has amassed the most amazing collection." * Wataru subtly looks between Haruko and whoever. Belts...? * Haruko watches Nicola and then laughs along with her. "My parents felt that way about my love of automobiles and the color blue. Now that I've hit college I've tried to branch out a little." * Katie grins at Nicola's laughter, and then: "How many? I *promise* I won't use the information for evil." * Haruko glances over at Katie and grins as well. * Kenji catches Wataru's look, and he leans over and says, "Hinako-san, uh, wears belts. A lot of belts." Pause. "A *lot* of belts." * @Nicola continues to smile. "At least automobiles are practical and there are a variety of shades of blue." She puts a finger to her chin. "I do not know how many she has managed to acquire in the time since she departed for her own place, but..." She leans forard, slightly conspiratorially. "Several dozen." * Mikage makes a face, "Man, I wish I had her, I don't, bearing? She has twice the confidence I have with outfits half as weird." "Like one on top of each other? Or like a Final Fantasy character?" He immediately blushes a bit. "I'm sorry, I really wasn't trying to be rude about your honorable elder sister. Please accept my apologies." * Taki grins as things are going well with all her friends, and if Katie is back there's no immediate danger, things are going swimmingly. * Kenji, conspiratorily, "Like a Final Fantasy character." * @Nicola looks briefly at Wataru and has a tiny smile. "The honorable Nomura-san's designs may have inspired her." <@Nicola> But I cannot say for certain. I think she's looking for you, actually. * Katie points out Hinako. * Wataru smiles, awkward but sincere. "Hey, I like those games too. But I probably woudn't pull off the esthetic." I think she took his work as a challenge. * @Haruko bits her lip, restraining her delight. Okay, Katie's no doubt faking her happiness, but this does seem to be going well. * @Nicola follows the direction of Katie's point. "Ah. So she is. Perhaps I should quell my comments about her aesthetic and go to greet her." * Katie smiles. "Maybe. Hey, Taki said something to me about talking to you about Kurobane, and the biology department? We can do that later if you want." * Kyon navigates his way through the crowd of vehicles to secure a parking spot for his motorcycle, and then gets off it to start securing it, stowing his helmet, taking his bag. * @Nicola nods. "Oh, yes. That would be very good and helpful. Thank you. Should we exchange contact information so we can set up a meeting time?" * Hinako, now that she has been pointed out, can be seen wearing a cloak, folded upwards in a way that obscures her neck and chin. Beneath which she has a button up top with two belts acting almost as suspenders. They both originate at her central buckle and then form a 'v' going up and wrapping around her shoulders. She is wearing proper pants which are secured by a belt on top with a smaller set above and below each knee. Somehow, she makes it work and her cloak billows behind her as she walks around looking for her sister. * Wataru spots her, opens his mouth, then shuts his mouth, and nods. Yep! That is a person wearing clothes. <@Grysar> [Hinako only had the top button unbottoned when she first attended the ceremony. Now that she's no longer in formal mode she's gone another two buttons down, showing her customary v-neck which echos the belt. That apparently happened between when Katie last saw her and now.] * Katie nods. "Sure." She reaches into her bag and pulls out a business card, having designed a few artsy ones with animal doodles after it became obvious she's not going to keep surviving without them. She hands it to Nicola. * Haruko looks over and squees "Your business cards are so cute, Katie!" * @Nicola accepts the card in the proper fashion. "This will be something I will need to acquire. Until then, pen and paper will have to do." She pulls out a small pad and pen from her bag/purse and writes her name, phone number, and an e-mail address, before handing it to Katie. * Katie smiles a little. "Yeah, Wataru said doodling on them might be good... here..." She shuffles through a few quickly and pulls out one with a butterfly, handing it to Haruko. And then ends up with Nicola's contact information. "Thanks. I'll e-mail you." * Katie folds it up and tucks it into her bag. * Kyon settles himself, and refixes his sunglasses, before stalking into the area, trying to spot relevant people. He's in a charcoal grey wool suit, a blue and white striped tie pinned with a Lions clip, and smart black shoes. He carries his case with him. * Taki makes a mental note to have somebody who can draw make cards for her. * @Nicola smiles. "You are welcome, and thank you. I will look forward to it." * @Haruko's voice is in a high timber and even cracks slightly. "There's a butterfly one? Thank you." * Katie smiles and waves. And pretends not to notice Kyon's coming, as she's not looking in his direction. * Kenji, however, *is* looking in Kyon's direction. "Uh. Holy crap guys. Is that- I mean-?" * Haruko properly accepts it and then returns one of her own cards. "No doodles on mine, Kyon suggested that I have enough personal style already and should emphasize my professionalism." She then looks over and waves. "Speaking of Kyon." * Katie takes it and then turns to see Kyon, her expression going a bit frosty. It is. Isn't it. Oh crap. * Taki looks now that it's been pointed out. "It is!" * Wataru turns around, and, ugh. He gives Kyon a nod. Look what the Lions dragged in. * Mikage looks amused. "Should I be jealous?" * Kyon draws closer, and then stops at a polite distance from Taki, bowing ceremoniously. "Congratulations on your graduation," he intones. * Kenji looks like he's about to say something to Mikage, but shuts it because holy crap Kyon Sorata is HERE. * Hinako has now spotted the group. Kyon is an easy indicator. She starts walking your way. * Taki bows back equally deep. "Thank you for coming." And after she straightens up. "I'm glad you could make it after all." * @Nicola watches the new arrival with a slightly curious expression. * Kyon straightens himself, and looks sober. "Didn't mean to miss an event like this. Would've come sooner if I could've managed it." * Haruko restrains her typical Kyon seeing enthusiasm. Katie gets the chance to comment first. * Katie asks, a little clipped, "No more problems with the brewery?" * Kyon shakes his head curtly. "Nothing that some face time and discussion couldn't fix." * Taki turns. "It seems that I don't need to make introductions for some of you, but this is my ... friend Sorata Kyon, college student and pitcher for Saitama Lions. These are my friends Hasegawa Mikage, my future roommate, her boyfriend and fan of yours Oshiro Kenji, and my good friend Arai Nicola." * Kyon bows to each in turn. "Congratulations to you all, as well." * Mikage steps forward and bows. "Thank you. Kenji-kun would typically be wearing after school, but since he was our graduation speaker, keeping in proper uniform took priority." * @Nicola bows politely. "Thank you. A pleasure to meet you." * Kyon nods back to her curtly, and then looks more directly at Kenji, raising an eyebrow. "Quite an honor," he says approvingly. * Kenji actually blushes slightly. And bows. "Thank you. It was- It was last minute, but I did my best." He looks like he might want to say something else. But he doesn't. Should he says something? Nah. Well maybe. "Like Taki said, I'm a really big fan of yours. I, uh. You're an incredible pitcher." There, that works. * Katie watches, her expression going from frosty to mildly amused and interested. * Kyon smirks a little, and nods curtly in acknowledgment. "Thanks. Our success is a team effort, though. You play, too?" * Hinako walks up to the other part of the group while the baseball chat is going on. "Sister, Taki Shimiru. Congratulations." She offers an appropriate bow. Yeah. Second base. I'm not good enough to go pro, but I'm hoping I can get onto my university's team. * Wataru looks elsewhere. The trees are very pretty.... * @Nicola bows to Hinako. "Thank you. I had not quite expected you to be here today." * Taki bows back. "Thank you for coming to see us." * Katie nods to Hinako, trying to gauge whether or not she saw or otherwise noticed Katie spying on her earlier. * Mikage nods. "He is a great team player though. He really held them together even when things got rough." She smiles at him, "I think that'll serve you well in your major too." * Kyon nods back to Kenji, and asks, "Where're you going?", before turning to Hinako, and nodding curtly to her, face returning to cool. * Hinako returns the nods, not showing any reaction beyond friendly acknowledgement. "I was able to finish one of my tests early and I came straight away." She smiles at her sister, "Your happiness is my priority, which reminds me." She reaches into her purse to carefully remove a letter from a side pocket. "Oh, uh... nowhere that special, but..." He gives Kyon the name of a Tokyo university that's solid enough, but it doesn't excel in academics or sports. It's no Waseda or anything. * Haruko shifts her attention over to Hinako and offers a bow and a friendly smile. She then returns her attention to the sports conversation. * Wataru discreetly tries to count belts. * Mikage is suddenly not beaming quite as much now that Hinako has arrived. She splits her attention between the two conversations. * Kyon nods curtly to Kenji, keeping some of his attention on what's going on with Hinako. "Got a decent team there. Should be good experience." * Taki tries and fails to look like she has no interest in the letter. * Kenji nods. Stay cool. Stay normal. He's totally cool and normal. "Yeah, I hope so. Did you get scouted out of high school?" * Haruko smiles at Kenji, trying to be reassuring. She's also curious about the answer. * Hinako hands it over to Taki, There isn't a proper envelope, instead it is a nicely folded piece of stationary. The letterhead reads Kazuko Yamagata. * Kyon nods back curtly. "After we went to Koshien. Didn't make it my last year, but the year before was enough to put me on the map." * @Nicola watches this letter exchange. * Kenji raises his eyebrows. "That's awesome." * Taki's smile suddenly freezes and she does her best not to drop it. After a second or so she remembers to open it. "Ah, pardon me." * Wataru is watching this letter situation with barely concealed interest... * Katie's arms are folded at this point, and she glances at the letter exchanging. * Mikage looks over at Hinako and Taki with a sudden expression of dread. She says very quietly, "Just as I foretold." * Kyon keeps most of his attention on the baseball conversation. "Yeah. Lots of players go through university first, though. Helps polish your skills before you continue on. And you get the education, too." * Taki reads. * Kenji nods. "I'm thinking of going into Communications. I... I mean, baseball's probably the thing I'm most passionate about, but I wasn't even the best player on my team. I'm fast and decent at fielding, but-" He realizes he's babbling a little bit, and to someone who went pro no less, and tones it down. "I don't really want to stop any time soon." * Kyon shrugs quickly, and says simply, "So don't stop." * Taki closes the letter tightly. "Thank for this. I'll have to concider ... everything." <@Grysar> [The message is short although not easy to read from where everyone else is standing. There's also a business card in the letter, that's obvious enough. Anyone standing near her can also see the letter head which was fairly large.] * @Nicola briefly places a hand on Taki's shoulder. "Are you all right?" She gives Hinako the brief glare that only an annoyed younger sister can. * Kenji blinks at Kyon's statement. "Yeah." Pause. "I won't." * Taki reaches out and puts her hand on top of Nicola's. "I don't know." * Hinako returns a knowing glance, confident that she knows better in this situation, in the manner of an older sister. * Kyon nods curtly. "Then I expect I'll hear about you in the future." * Kenji nods, swallowing. * Haruko glances over to Kyon. "Any advice on balancing games and studies? I sometimes have enough trouble with the mechanics club, and we don't have nearly as many heats as the baseball season does." * Katie takes a look at that letterhead from where she is, though she's pretty sure she knows what it'll say. * Mikage quietly seethes, but she's not going to ruin this moment for Kenji, she's not. * @Nicola removes her hand once Taki does. * Kyon turns to Haruko, and cocks his head slightly. "Depends on the schedule. But it's dividing your mind. Keep your mind on the game when you're playing, but when you're studying, you pay attention to your work. Don't think about what else you're doing." <@Grysar> [Now that Katie has had some time around the Taki friends, she can make a few observations: Kenji is earnest, a total fan of Kyon, and a solid guy. She can easily manipulate that if she needs it, although his particularl skill set might not be that valuable to her and it's not like she lacks the ability to directly manipulate Taki.] * Taki starts to nod into Nicolas hand but catches herself and lets go. "Ah, uhm. I. I really need to think about this." * Haruko nods and considers applying this advice herself. <@Grysar> [Mikage seems to be picking up on more things than she necessarily should and she definitely does not have any loyalty to Hinako. She'll soon be quite distant, but there may be some value in that connection. <@Grysar> [Katie's now seen enough to judge that Nicola is her own person and not a catspaw of her sister. That said, the familial bond seems strong. She is a good source for non-challenging information about her sister, but could quickly turn if pushed too far.] * @Nicola says to Taki, quietly, "We can talk more about this later?" * Taki nods. * Katie edges over to Mikage, who's standing to the side and glaring without looking like she's glaring. "You okay?" she asks, voice quiet. * Hinako nods. "Oh, I should add, congratulations Kenji Oshiro and Nadeshiko Hasagawa." She bows to each one of them. * Kenji starts slightly looks to Hinako, bowing to her. "Thank you." * @Nicola raises her voice slightly. "Are Mother and Father still here, Hinako? Should we perhaps go see them?" * Mikage grits her teeth behind a close lipped smile and bows in return. "I'm... alright. I think I'll be going to Osaka alone, but it's the school I wanted and the choice I made." * Taki loses any color she might have regained from Nicola re-assurance. * Hinako nods. "They are and we should." She gives a quick farewell bow to the group. "It is a pleasure to see you all. Well, almost all, how is Hideo Watanabe? It's been too long." * Katie nods, understanding. "It's a trip." And then Hinako says that and she really has to fight to keep from looking at her. * Hinako then looks over at a persistent tug from her younger sister. "Ah, perhaps I should go." * Kyon looks sidewise at Katie, and then to Hinako, before landing back on Kenji. Safest. * Katie looks over. "He's okay." And she waves. Bye Hinako! Get out of here! * Taki grins a bit too widely and very coldly. "Hideo has been gone for quite some time, but I'm sure that my friend Satoshi Watanabe is still doing just fine. Perhaps I'll get a chance to introduce Nicola to him if he ever comes home to visit." * Haruko notes that there's a bunch of alternate names being dropped around here. * Kenji is often the safest! And whatever Taki's saying is totally confusing. * Haruko also sighs at that but figures more talking is not helpful. * @Nicola just looks very confused. * Mikage looks over to Katie and just quietly shakes her head adding, "That woman." She then looks over to her boyfriend only to notice his parents off in the distance. "Kenji it looks like your parents need you." * Kenji looks over. "Oh, crap. We should go." He turns. "It was really nice meeting you guys," he says, bowing, particularly to Kyon and Wataru. * Mikage echos that and goes off with him. That 'we' seems to have helped her mood. * Kyon glances at Taki as she says this, and then looks back to Kenji, and bows back. "Good luck. Congratulations to you both again." * Wataru had been trying to extricate himself from this increasingly awkward conversation for some time now - Taki and Nicola being delightfully cute but reminding him of how alone he is, and then Kyon interrupting whatever he had going on with Kenji was seriously the last straw - but then with the letter, and the new tension, and everything suddenly going on, he just couldn't find a window to do it without just being super rude and interrupting or sneaking off. But he's fidgety and pale before even Hinako says something that makes him sick to his stomach. * Wataru bows, to all attending. "I'm afraid I will need to leave as well. Congratulations everyone, and uh. Oh, Taki-san, I uh." He frowns, and pulls out a small gift bag from his satchel. "Congrats." * Kenji smiles and waves, then goes with Mikage to do parents things! * Taki gives Wataru just a moment of the grin that Hinako was getting before her expression softens and she accepts the bag. "Thanks for coming." * Katie sighs once the last of Taki's friends leaves, putting a hand to her face. It's really nothing, but uh. I guess it made me think of you. Anyway. * Wataru looks super awkward, and unless anyone tries to prevent this, he will probably leave within moments! * Haruko smiles a bit at the gift. "Bye Wataru. If you have any questions later, we can chat." * @Nicola has successfully gotten Hinako away and towards their parents, with an apologetic "I'll return later" to the group. * Kyon is not about to prevent him from leaving. He offers Wataru a bow, as well. * Katie says, "I want to talk to you guys." She looks at Wataru. You, too. "If that's okay." I'll, uh, see you later then. * Wataru looks at Katie, letting out a frustrated exhale in spite of himself. "What about." Kazuko Yamagata and Hinako Arai. * Wataru grits his teeth. "I apologize, I'm not feeling well. I need some air. Is this a life or death emergency type of thing, Katie?" * Katie blinks. "No." In that case, sorry to be a party pooper but... Have a good rest of the day everyone. I'm glad I could come. Life is about juggling different priorities. I'm glad you could meet some of Taki's friends. Bye Wataru, I'll get you notes. * Kyon nods quickly to Wataru, expression neutral. * Katie tilts her head slightly. "Take care, Wataru." * Wataru leaves, on that note, walking fairly rapidly with his coat flapping behind him. He walks towards the nearest park, never slowing down, and then strides down the paths until he breaks a sweat, trying to let the freshness and poetic transience of the budding sakura bring him back down to somewhere real, somewhere he feels safe and confident. Just a few more weeks of school and he can stop worrying about grades. Just a few more weeks and he can start getting a decent night's sleep. Just a few more weeks and he can stop avoiding what he's been avoiding since that goddamn owl found him at work. It's past time that he face the music. * Wataru's gift, for when Taki decides to open it, is a cute and very tiny silicone whisk, cherry-blossom-pink, in a high-quality modern design, with a cherry-blossom-shaped hole in the handle where a normally oblong hole would be. <@Grysar> [End.]