<@Grysar> [Date: Saturday, May 8th. Time: Midday. It's a bit warm and humid, but not unpleasantly so if you are dressed for it.] <@Grysar> [Katie was out last week and Akemi has something this coming Monday, so arrangements were made to move lunch up a bit.] <@Grysar> [There's a coffee shop that offers a decent a la cart lunch selection near campus. The near campus may not be necessary on a Saturday, but as a perk the student population is lower and the place is half empty.] <@Grysar> [Start!] * Katie appears on time and with her bag, wearing a t-shirt, jeans, and decorative scarf. It's a Katie, all right. She looks around, briefly, to see if Kaede got here before her. <@Grysar> [The place is called . Decades ago an art student had painted a tropical island scene along one of the walls. The owners refresh that every few years. That has earned some loyalty from a few of Katie's fellow students, who had introduced her to the place.] * Kaede steps in, shortly after, strangely unpunctual for Kaede. Which only means, like, a minute or two late, but still. It's *Kaede*. He's probably got an atomic clock in his brain. He does take his seat, quietly. "Seems like it's been a while, hasn't it?" he says, without his full usual business-like demeanor. * Katie smiles, a bit. "Yeah," she says, softly. She picks up the menu and glances at it. * Kaede glances at Katie and Katie's smile, most of all, his eyes lingering, maybe a moment too long before he picks up the menu himself. Trying to remember who suggested this place. Oh right. It was probably Akemi. <@Grysar> [The selection are mostly sandwiches, seasoned fish or pork, plus south east asian soups. There's also a few appetizers, e.g. edamame and dried snacks with dips.] * Katie puts the menu aside. "How've you been?" <@Grysar> [The tea and coffee selection is a little eccentric and changes regularly. The standbys are average, the changing selection is variable, hit or miss but memorable either way.] * Kaede *does* look aside at that, expression neutral before he pinches the bridge of his nose after taking off his glasses. "There was a time when that wasn't even a matter of question. A sign of us getting older, perhaps. I'll forgo the word 'busy,' as I'm sure you would have expected that and settle for 'complicated.' * Kaede's glasses go back on as he shifts the menu aside, eager to get back some of the momentum as well. "How about yourself? You had a trip, didn't you?" * Katie nods. "I read Haruko's e-mail." And then she sighs. "Yeah, it was... something." * Kaede is just watching, then remembers, almost tempted to take his glasses *off* again. Nasty habit, that. "About that. What have you been saying to Yamada-san exactly?" * Katie blinks. "What? When?" She's confused. Good job, Kaede. "... Why?" * Kaede *does* take his glasses off at that, rubbing the bridge of his nose again. "...because he seems to think that any actions we might take have to go through you by committee?" He then looks at the woman, letting out a sigh. "I don't really think it's anything you said in *particular* but...it was just a weird impression..." * Katie shrugs. "I don't know." We should probably talk to each other before we do something major, right? But no, I didn't give him... orders, or whatever. * Kaede lets out a small sigh. "Talk to each other, yes. But you were specified..." He folds his arms as he leans back in the chair, chin dipped. "It was almost insulting..." * Katie's brow furrows a bit. "I really don't know what you're talking about. I could talk to him, I guess?" I mean... * Katie falls silent, thinking. * Kaede *tries* not to Kyon smirk. He *tries*. But... "...I suppose it's all down to how we look like, from the outside in, I suppose. It's strange to get perspective on yourself..." * Katie sighs. "Yeah." And then: "You're smirking like Kyon." * Kaede takes back the menu, eye contact on Katie at all times, losing the smirk. "Your secret ninja police didn't take a picture of it, did they? I'm becoming famous by proxy now. It could be the worst blackmail." And now he'll take time to look into ordering. If I told you, it wouldn't be a *secret* ninja police. <@Grysar> [In busy time, this place is mostly counter service, but this is a slow period so the gentleman behind the counter swings by and takes your orders. He then goes to work on the preparation side.] * Kaede is trapped by Katie logic. How dreadful. "I suppose you're right on that." He's kind of in the mood for something light. Light coffee. And maybe a side of fish. Thinking of what to say. "...you're awfully quiet about the whole trip thing though." * Katie ughs. And puts her forehead to the table. * Kaede draws back and looks at the forehead with possibly small signs of an internal wince. "...let's get you coffee first. What looks good?" Drawing back a little, probably be good. * Katie says "chocolate" into the table. Okay then. * Kaede isn't sure what she means by that. "Um...hot chocolate or chocolate cake?" This may be a yes. He's prepared for a yes. * Katie looks up at Kaede without really lifting her head. "Hot chocolate." * Kaede nods. He'll order that for her. Even treat her. He'll also get some water, because it looks like she does need it. <@Grysar> [The waiter gets to work on those and brings them out a minute later. The hot chocolate here isn't particularly fancy, but does the job.] * Katie pulls her hot chocolate over and sighs, sipping it. This is good. "Did Satoshi contact you?" * Kaede looks at Katie and then gives a small nod. "Yes..." Then, after a moment's hesitation, pulling his mug closer towards him. "He said he's sorry for making you worried and wanted me to look out for you..." * Katie winces a little. "Oh." * Kaede looks at her for a moment before bringing his cup over. He'd reach to be more comforting but, you know, PDA. "It's okay to worry, Katie Andrews. But we've also...all been through a lot. It's his decision to make..." And now he blows on the top of his coffee mug. You don't have to tell me that. * Hotaru wanders down the street past the cafe, glancing in from the doorway. She gives the place a once over before seeing your table. Kaede may recognize the freshman biology student as one of Katie's labmates, but he hasn't really interacted with her much. She's wearing cutoffs and a Tokugawa Academy Biology Team iron-on t-shirt. * Kaede snorts into his coffee. "And since when has not having to tell someone something stopped me before?" * Katie notices Hotaru, because of course she does. She remains more or less focused on Kaede, though. "Bascically never. And I'm still not happy he's doing it. This is new territory, and he's by himself." Pause. "Also, biology classmate at three o' clock." * Katie smiles at Hotaru, a bit, and waves. * Hotaru waves back and first goes over to the counter to order a carry-out coffee. She tries her luck on one of the rotating selection. * Kaede looks at three o'clock. And has enough social savvy not to check his watch. "Well, of course. Just sometimes, too much caution can hold you back. Take it from me..." And he focuses more on the coffee. Mmm, coffee. <@Grysar> [The waiter anticipates some of Hotaru's picky requests for a strong blend, this surprises the student, but she shrugs it off and heads over.] * Hotaru offers Kaede a quick bow, "Sorry to interrupt your lunch, but I've been charged with a possible delivery for Andrews-chan." Her tone is slightly exasperated, emphasis is on charged. * Katie raises her eyebrow. "I thought you just happened by. Everything okay?" * Kaede raises an eyebrow too. Charged? On a Saturday? Chan? * @Hotaru shrugs. "Doofus friend that thinks there's only one Katie in Tokyo and that doesn't want to send anything by electronic means. Please tell me that the name Kirishima Takeo doesn't actually mean anything to you." * Kaede matches Katie with a look, trying not to show any surprises at that. No electronic means, huh? * Katie ughs, rubbing at her eyes. "Seriously?" She sighs, looking at Hotaru again. "Okay, but he's never called me 'chan' before. How did you know I'd be here?" * @Hotaru looks suddenly down at the floor, "What, no, I'm calling you chan. Is that too.. Oh, whatever." Oh, no. * Katie waves her hands. "If it's you, then that's way more okay." She blinks. "Oh, right. Hotaru Meiou, please meet Kaede Takeuchi. Kaede, Hotaru and I share classes and we have a study group together. Hotaru, Kaede's my friend from high school, and somehow we're still good friends now. Also, you're both super smart." * @Hotaru bows to Kaede, paying a bit more attention than the polite minimum he'd early been granted. "Pleasure to meet you. What's your domain?" * Kaede gets out of the chair to give a polite bow as well, then looks at the woman, while giving a glance to Katie at the "super smart" comment. "Business and marketing, actually." He hesitates. "Actually already busy as a marketting manager..." * @Hotaru raises an eyebrow. "At your age?" She glances back to Katie, "Your classification of him is accepted." * Katie snorts in amusement. "Thanks." * @Hotaru draws an envelope out of her back. It's plain white, sealed, and scotch taped shut. The front is labeled 'Katie' but not in Hotaru's handwriting. "Takeo-kun would likely prefer you open that on your own, but not my place to care, let alone report back." * Kaede nods and then looks at Hotaru carefully. "I ran a bike shop by necessity." Pause. "Through high school. I'm used to being fairly busy." Which is understatement of the year. * Katie takes the envelope. "Thanks," she says, with a smile. She looks at the envelope for a second, then tucks it into her bag. * @Hotaru mood lightens a little bit at that smile but she then glances back to Kaede. "We're all busy. I'm not surprised that you are capable of managing at our age. But I would figure that status competition and negotiation are a big part of the job. The mere fact that you're getting hired on your own suggests you're already doing well at that." <@Hotaru> [The waiter brings over Hotaru's to-go coffee and any food you've ordered.] * Kaede snorts a little at that. "Hardly. Sometimes it is merely opportunity. But I thank you for your praise." Full Japanese humility mode. * @Hotaru feels she got that one right. She looks like she was about to say something more when the coffee arrives. She picks it up. "Well, time with both of you is a valuable asset then, so I won't intrude. Hope you can make it to study group this week Andrews... -chan." * Katie grins. "I'm planning on it, Meiou-chan." She waves. "See you later." * @Hotaru gives Kaede a quick pleasure to meet you and bow to both. She leaves with a bit more of a spring in her step. * Katie watches Hotaru go, the grin turning into a small smile. After the other girl is out of sight, she opens her bag back up and withdraws the envelope. <@Grysar> [The envelope is a little crumpled along the edges, but Katie is fairly certain that it has remained sealed in transit.] * Kaede turns back to the chair and his food, eyes settling on the envelope. "Andrews-chan?" He still can't get over it. * Katie laughs. "I don't know, either." She breaks the seal and opens it. <@Grysar> [The note is fairly short. Takeo appreciates what Katie's shared and her reasons for running . He's willing to support her or Kyon, but not both. "Because, no offense, a little of you guys goes a long way. I'd rather it be you, but if Sumire decides she wants to run, then I will vote for Sorata-san." He doesn't feel any need to explain that prioritization.] * Kaede moves over if Katie wants to share it but won't press the issue if she wants her privacy. But it's assumed by her opening it with him there that it's probably okay. Election stuff. * Katie hands the letter over if Kaede wants to read it. She doesn't care. * Kaede looks the whole thing over, tilting it a little, then flicks it with his hand as he looks at Katie. "So whom do you think he is more concerned about electronically? Yorihisa-san or me?" He hands it back. Yorihisa, or just Shuffle in general. * Katie takes it and folds the letter back up, putting it in the envelope. * Kaede nods, then settles back with his food in his chair. "Well, he does raise a rather good point. Relationships typically make it more difficult to remain fully objective..." I don't think that's his point, really, but sure. * Katie puts the envelope back in her bag and closes it, then picks up her sandwich. * Kaede snorts. "Who really knows what Takeo's point is...?" He settles back in his chair. "...it is nice to have a pleasant distraction from time to time though..." * Katie watches Kaede, sandwich in hand. "Okay...?" * Kaede frowns, looking down at his small meal. "Am I really screwing up that badly...?" * Katie offers a small smile. "I just don't really know where you're going or how you're getting there." You're not talking about your trip. You've been doing everything you can to avoid talking about your trip... * Katie lets out a sigh. She sets down her uneaten sandwich. "So that's where we're going." * Kaede lets out the sigh as well, looking at his coffee. "I'm sorry. I can avoid it. If I know we're avoiding it...." * Katie says, "No, it's fine," in a way that says it isn't exactly fine. Nevertheless, the coffee shop's background music cuts off, as does the sound of the barista fixing drinks and people's conversations. * Kaede looks up at Katie carefully, not able to help but notice the decrease in sound. "That bad, huh...?" * Katie shrugs and picks her sandwich back up. "The trip was okay in most ways. I survived. Kyon's parents don't hate me any more than they did before I got there. I think his mom actually likes me." She has a bite of her sandwich and chews, thinking about how to approach this. Also, she got me a yukata. It's pretty. Matches my eyes. * Kaede sips his coffee, and just gives her space to go where she needs to go today, keeping watch on her and looking for points at which he needs to interject. Anyway, there was a pretty bad point where I had a dream about the past. And I, uh, woke up thinking I was Mikari Takeda, on a mission for the World, and then wandered around the house, and interacted with Kyon's father... * Kaede blinks, then looks at her. "While you were under the influence of your...other...?" Yup. * Kaede sighs. "Can't remember if Haruko included that part or not...but...I know what that's like..." He lets out a deep breath. "Masaki took over as well for a while. Don't know if that's a recent thing but..." He frowns. "...I was around Arcana. And not my boyfriend's father...." He looks up slowly. "Did...did he suspect? Did you figure out what she was trying to tell you...?" Oh, *she* wasn't trying to tell me anything. I mean, I was... she was... * Katie lets out a breath and puts her sandwich down so she can have a spoonful of soup. "She was a spy, I think. So she was basically... trying to remember why she was there, and pretend to be whoever she needed to be... which was me? So... that's a thing." But she didn't want to reveal anything to Mr. Sorata, which helped out. * Kaede nods, looking down. "They used the Pentacle to try and find other Arcana. That's what *I* found out..." He's chewing on his lip now. * Kaede's hand goes up to the top of his head, rubbing it. "I wonder if the boundaries are different because we've been at this longer or just...the boundaries are getting weaker...it's hard to know. But...you know...remembering Sho during all of this..." * Katie nods. She has another spoonful of soup, looking down at her bowl. "I've been overtaken by Mikari before. Or we've been jumbled up." She pauses. "I'm not entirely sure we weren't jumbled, for some of that." * Kaede nods and starts to reach over, just a bit. "Are you okay?" * Katie shakes her head. She looks up at Kaede. "I need you to trust me." * Kaede nods, but does look a little confused. "With what though? I mean...don't I already?" Sometimes. Mostly. * Katie's gaze shifts to some point past Kaede, but she's not really looking at anything. * Kaede lets out a breath, closing his eyes slightly as he looks at his coffee. "Okay. If you need me to say it, I will. But that goes both ways, doesn't it?" * Katie glares at Kaede. "See, that's what I mean." * Kaede looks up at her, confused. "You mean...I mean. I trust you, Katie. I'm just saying I also want you to trust me. Is that so difficult?" I *already* trust you. You're the one who has to keep poking at the fact that I can hear things, and I see things, and you hate that I get information but then you hate it when I don't share *actually everything*... But you also really want to keep information from me, too, so how is that fair? And now I'm asking you to trust me, because this is *hard*, and that's what you say? * Kaede frowns, his shoulders sinking a little. "I...I'm sorry, I don't..." His fingers move, agitatedly before he sets the coffee down and then just...looks at the table for a bit. * Katie just keeps glaring at Kaede. She's super good at it. * Kaede freezes up, stopping the momentum, then draws his fingers through his hair with a low voice. "...you're right." * Katie blinks. That isn't what she expected, or at least not so soon. She relaxes, some. * Kaede tries to regain his momentum again, looking at the coffee. "You're right. We've....we've known each other for too long...we've *been* with each other for so long. And I'm...I knew it was hard and I..." He could defend himself here, but what would be the point. His shoulders just...sag. * Katie frowns a little. "Kaede." * Kaede smiles a little as he looks up at her, from over the coffee cup. "And there *you* go. This is why I asked *you* to trust me. Cause otherwise, you think you can't be honest with me..." He breathes out and looks down. "...I can take it. And...I'm sorry..." * Katie sighs. "Yeah. Apology accepted." * Kaede grins. "It was warranted." * Katie smiles, slightly. "It was," she agrees. She sips her soup. * Kaede goes back to sipping softly. "How *did* you put up with me all of these years?" Patience. * Katie's eyes twinkle, a bit. * Kaede snorts. "Now you sound like Nanami..." Sip. Nanami's pretty great. * Kaede lets out a long, distant sigh. "Nanami *is* pretty great..." He trails off, looking out the window now. * Katie nods. "She's doing okay?" * Kaede turns back. "I don't know..." He looks down at his cup. "....does it really feel like I abandoned her...?" * Katie shrugs. "I don't know." You've been spending more time with her, right? And talked to her about living with her again? So even if you did kind of abandon her, you're doing something about it before it's too late. * Kaede runs his fingers through his hair as he sets down his cup. For good this time. "Well...yes. I suppose..." He pauses. "We're supposed to go and see one of her matches soon..." It just seems so distant... * Katie smiles. "That should be fun." * Kaede nods. "Also, I think she's stopped hating you. She didn't even mention you at *all* last time." Oh, that's good. I always appreciate one fewer person hating me. * Kaede grins, then lets out a little sigh. "Are you glad we still try to stay connected like this...?" More than glad. * Katie smiles at Kaede. "I kind of need this." * Kaede tries not to look relieved at that but *does* actually, tilting his head. He opens his mouth, to say something snarky about how unfair of a pushy asshole he is, but settles on "Really?" instead. Yeah. Really. We're best friends, Kaede. I'm really glad we manage to make time for each other, and can be there. * Kaede is tense for a moment, then looks down at his coffee, again confused. "*Why*?" But then she answers. And he's all "*How*?" * Katie blinks. "Um... how couldn't you be my best friend?" * Kaede rubs his forehead. "...patience. Right." * Katie laughs. * Katie picks up her spoon and then puts it back down again. Her expression sobers. "Hey, Kaede..." * Kaede notices the change and was starting to smile but it dissipates pretty quickly. "Yeah?" I, um. * Katie toys with the handle of her spoon. "There's a reason I asked you to trust me." * Kaede nods. "I trust you, Katie. And I'm glad you trust me enough to ask..." He takes a deep breath. "There's no rush..." No, I should tell you this now. * Kaede nods and just listens, not interrupting. * Katie breathes. Because that's important. And looks at Kaede. Because eye contact is important. "I think I know who the World is." * Kaede blinks. Then opens his mouth. Then shuts it. Trust. How isn't important right now. He just looks at her, then grabs his napkin. "So what should we do...?" I'm trying to decide who to tell and why. I've talked to Kyon about it. He... was there when I realized, in Aomori, and I was freaking out really badly. * Katie closes her eyes, and says, softly, "It was *really* bad." * Kaede nods, then sighs, trying to think what to say... "I'm...glad he was there for you then..." Yeah... * Katie opens her eyes again. She can't get herself to manage eye contact anymore, so she doesn't try. She picks up her spoon, instead, and turns it over, looking at the tiny metalwork on the handle. "And I told Satoshi. To see if I was completely wrong, and also, he really deserves to know if I'm right." * Kaede looks back at Katie. "Should...maybe the three of us should get together and decide what to do? I mean..." He looks down as he thinks. "....Satoshi should be involved too but..." He's so far away. And... He'll be back soon. But the problem is, like... If... I think there's a real possibility the World doesn't even know she's the World. If that makes sense. * Kaede opens his mouth to that. Then closes it. Cause what do you even *say* to that...? So- like, even assuming she was awful, is she still...? So acting on that is... like... Satoshi and Hideo. To me. And then if she is, like if she does know, and this is all a long game, then if I tell people, they'll be different around her, and that could tip our hand. Or maybe she still knows, but she's not going to *do* anything that'll hurt us; maybe now she's on our side, and *then* what. Like... in the past, I- Mikari- was a spy for her, and she sure seemed like a better option than the people Mikari was spying *on*. * Kaede nods to that, then taps his finger against the table. It's pretty complicated, it's true. "Something....not to act hasty on. Definitely..." Yeah. * Kaede closes his eyes and lets out a slow sigh. "You're not the only one..." I know. * Katie smiles at Kaede, a small quirk of her lips. "Whatever happened in the World Reversed, right?" * Kaede closes his eyes and thinks about that. "We...found out a lot. Some of the things...I'm still trying to process. It's a complicated mess..." He looks up at her now. "And what we decide to do may end up affecting Ozara-san in the end...but..." * Katie tilts her head, letting Kaede go on if he wants. * Kaede doesn't. At least not yet. Drawing back. "I trust you, Katie. I really do. But...I need some time to collect my thoughts. And not here. Not here at all..." He draws back up, thinking. "Maybe your place? Later? Without Kyon?" Maybe. Yeah. Not this afternoon, but some other time? Right now, I'm thinking I need to get more information on her, and who she is now. * Kaede nods, then lowers his head. "It's...not something to send through email. I..." His hands slip under the table and he looks lost for a moment, but then recovers. "Yes. You do that..." * Katie watches Kaede, concerned. "Okay." * Kaede takes a deep breath, reaching for the table carefully. "...I've never actively thought I've needed to get home and be with Shiraishi-san before. What's wrong with me? It's almost like I'm becoming human..." * Katie grins. "Yet you had a Kyon smirk earlier today." * Kaede gets that smirk back, turning towards Katie. "Please don't tell him that happened. Not because he'll never live it down. But he'll shoot down that I could even come *close* to the perfection that *he* is..." * Katie laughs. I don't think he would. But that's okay. I wasn't planning on telling him anyway. * Kaede grins at her. "Well enough. You know well enough that neither of us *ever* really figured each other out..." His chair makes a noise as it scoots back and he starts to get up. "Maybe that's okay after all..." Probably. * Katie watches Kaede stand up. "You're done eating?" * Kaede nods, looking at Katie for a moment. "And will pay for your hot chocolate..." He looks at the rest. "And your soup." * Katie smiles a little. "Thanks. I'm going to finish this." * Kaede nods. "Next Monday, then?" Next Monday. * Kaede takes a slight bow, then goes to pay for the meal. And definitely spend some time at home. <@Grysar> [End!]