[Backstage at the gym really just means the locker rooms. There's no real security because this is a Japanese high school and with the Arcana wars over it's not really necessary. Katie can overhear the principal and Kazuko chatting. He's complaining about some of his practically communist leaning faculty and she's mostly humoring him.] * Katie sneaks in closely enough that she can listen, taking care to be as quiet as she can, and tries to find a good place to also listen for Hinako without being spotted. [Katie observes the situation. 1) Most high school locker rooms have a few rows, and probably most are going unused. You can hear alright from here, but if the conversation moves that might help. 2) Alternately, they seem to be moving to the parking lot and you do recall that there were VIP parking spot reserved. You could probably actually scope out Kazuko's car if you wanted to investigate more while still saying clearly out of site. Doing both is possible, but more challenging.] * Hinako's greeting has a slightly chiding quality. "Yamagata Kazuko, it has been too long." * Kazuko is more than a little startled by the sound of it. "Hinako-sama? I did not expect... It's good to see you here." [The principal is heading out of the locker room with the faculty. You'll either need to slip past or slip awa for a minute and come back.] [You do hear the footsteps of the girl who received the diploma coming quickly this way, although there are enough.] * Katie frowns, and she decides to try to slip by, at least unheard, to one of the unused rows. With some good timing and a little luck, perhaps she can use the new student as a distraction. * Katie waits just long enough before slipping silently into a row she figures is empty, and she figured correctly, thankfully. As the principal exchanges congratulatory words with the new arrival, she creeps closer to the conversation she actually cares about. [Katie doesn't even need the distraction. She can overhear the Principal and Shizaru having a fairly cold conversation about what needs to be finished up and the upcoming cherry blossom viewing. There's also the matter of some rising freshmen named Akane that will be transferred to Sakuragaokoa, but Katie may not care about any of that.] * Katie, shockingly, doesn't know anything about that. She files it away just because it's Sakuragaoka and that'd put Akane in the same year as Nanami and Saori, but that's it. Very well, what brings you here? I had not foreseen this. It was a last minute plan change. This whole national anthem thing is stirring up matters, but I don't think that's really what you're here about. * Hinako eases up slightly. "I was here to see my sister and one of her friends graduate." The red/blue haired girl? Shimiru-chan? * Katie blinks. -chan? Really? [Hinako is unsettled. She doesn't seem to be at all afraid of Kazuko herself but was worried about larger machinations with her being here and some possible hidden hand. That said, the politics things put her a bit at ease. Apparently Hinako was aware of that, but doesn't think it's a matter that concerns her.] * Hinako nods. "Shimiru Taki. Why?" I do owe her and her friends a debt, from the.. late unpleasantness. * Hinako's tone suddenly lightens. "Oh... hm... I happen to know that Taki Shimiru could benefit from the recommendation of one such as yourself, if she is to stay in Tokyo. I saw that there was a way, but until now I did not see the path." Oh, of course. I have some paper over at my car, can you walk with me and I'll send a note to that affect. This will be my twelth recommendation this year, but certainly a good cause. [And the two of them head out to the parking lot, pausing the conversation for now. What do you do?] * Katie will head to the parking lot herself, not strictly following them as that could be somewhat suspicious if one were to look back, but tracking them a little more obscurely while still listening in and maybe even watching. She has heightened hearing and sight. That'll certainly help with this. [Just so, as long as Katie's not trying to search through the car she has no trouble staying unnoticed.] * Katie isn't going to break into someone's car unless there's a really good opportunity! [Hinako and Kazuko actually briefly chat on educational matters, apparently Hinako is actually studying to be a teacher, as they approach the car. Kazuko gets out a satchel bag from the car and writes a quick elegent note.] * Kazuko finishes her notes and hands it off. Hinako puts a hand on her arm before she goes. We should talk about the book series and its author. They are... surprising. [Hinako is genuinely perturbed and is doing her insistent thing. She did first put the note away with some care, delivering it is likely a priority for her.] [Based on Katie's past experience, Hinako might not be getting answers today, but she does not intend to let up until she finds out more.] * Kazuko looks back at Hinako with sudden steel in her voice. "I'm not sure what we have to talk about. If the Council wishes to ask me any questions on the topic, I will of course answer, but if you want to know more I'd recommend you read books. [Kazuko put some emphasis on the Council there. She doesn't want to deal with Hinako's question one-on-one and, while not exactly pulling rank, seems to think that if she's in a different venue this will go a lot easier.] * Hinako frowns. "That will not be necessary. Think about my request, this is for your own good as well as for the rest of us." She formally gives her card to Kazuko who returns it with one of her own. The two then seem ready to go their seperate ways. * Katie watches Kazuko climb into the car, waits long enough for her to start pulling out, and then then makes her way out of the lot and to where the students are doubtless celebrating their newfound freedom. [Hinako seems to be headed in a similar direction, but unlike Katie, she hasn't received directions on exactly where to go.] [End side-scene.]