<@Ardweden> [Friday, November 28, 2003.] <@Ardweden> [Life's been going pretty well for Kaede, all things considered. He's been doing well in his classes, business with Akemi has been good, and his relationship with Akemi has been even better. It's a bit of a shame that she ended up having to reschedule the calendar shoot for Haruko's motorclub, but... well... at least he got out of dealing with said mechanic (and club) for a while yet. So even that isn't that much of a downer.] <@Grysar> ( I can't even dispute that. It ended up being *really* awkward.) <@Ardweden> [The only problem, such as it is, is that Nanami's been unusually grumbly of late. In any case, Kaede's just finished his last class of the day. Akemi's still in her own classes, and while he may be tempted to do work, he doesn't really have anything to *do* until one of the feelers he put out turns something up.] <@Ardweden> [The air's cold when he steps out of the building, and already things seem a little darker. Winter's certainly around the corner. What's the plan?] <@Ardweden> [Start!] * Kaede rubs his hands and blows out a small breath into them, frost collecting and then pulls out his phone. He flips it up to check his agenda calendar, mostly as a formality and for appearances at this rate. <@Ardweden> [The day is clear! Akemi might call or text him after she gets out of class, but that's not for a few hours yet.] * Kaede hmms as he looks up and tries to think of what he's got left to do. Not much, unusually. So a text is sent off to Nanami. [Hey. You eaten yet?] <@Ardweden> [No response! At least not yet. But hey, it is a text message.] * Kaede checks the time. He might have hit her in class. So that makes sense. Still, it gives him some time to walk to his bike. <@Ardweden> [That it does! The campus is already clearing out as people make it into their next class or transportation. Nobody wants to spend that long in the cold.] * Kaede tries again, sending off a quick [I'll make dinner?]. While leaving his phone in his pocket. Sometimes powers can be awfully convenient! <@Ardweden> [Kaede's just getting to his bike when he feels Nanami texting back, [Ok.]] * Kaede pauses for a second. Seems to be a short text, but whatever. He bikes on back to the grocery store to get the ingredients. Donburi seems like a good way to go at least. With some good mix of vegetables. No clue if Akemi will be able to join them or not though. <@Ardweden> [While Kaede's in the middle of shopping, Nanami texts, [R u getting groceries?]] * Kaede pauses for a moment and then pulls out his phone. Yes, initials still make him cringe, even internally. He texts back. [Yeah. You have something you want?] <@Ardweden> [N just get for 3 ok?] * Kaede blinks at that but okay. Um... Should he answer? He doesn't answer. He just buys for three. Okay. <@Ardweden> [Nanami doesn't text him again!] * Kaede finishes buying all of the stuff and then heads on home. Well old home. A quick text is sent to Akemi letting her know where he'll be at and he heads on off! <@Ardweden> [Kaede approaches his old apartment and Nanami's current apartment, still above Takeuchi Bike Repair - never mind, well, that it's mostly run by other people. At this point, the manager is locking the front door. He spots Kaede and waves as he approaches.] * Kaede waves to the new manager, shifting his grasp around and keeping his voice soft. "Hello then. How might business be doing?" <@Ardweden> ["Pretty good, Takeuchi-san," the manager says, bowing instinctively as Kaede gets closer. He's older than Kaede - maybe in his mid-thirties - but his tone is nothing but polite. "Business is slowing down for the winter. You know how it is."] * Kaede does! His lips thin a little as he looks over the shop. Still in good repair. He almost forgets...oh! There's the bow. A bit slighter, but still there. "Of course...I...uh..." He runs his hand over the back of his head. "It *is* still rather awkward for me, I have to admit..." <@Ardweden> [He waves it off. "We can go over the books later, if you want the numbers. But I think we're in good shape for the rest of the fiscal year."] * Kaede *would* like to go over the books. Just as a point of contention. And it's also strangely centering. He gives a light bob of his head and waves the man off a little. "Well, I did not come to talk business. You have a good night." Shame he can't quite recall the guy's name. He's not here for him though! <@Ardweden> [He nods with a smile, probably not having any idea that Kaede doesn't remember his name. "Sure. See you later, Takeuchi-san."] * Kaede leaves it with a bow and then looks up the side-stairs up to the apartment, letting out a misty breath. Well, at least he allowed Nanami to continue staying here. Slowly, he makes his way up the cold steps and knocks on the door. <@Ardweden> [It's a few minutes before the door opens... and on the other side, in all of her glory, is Nanami. She's still wearing the Sakuragaoka uniform, even. "Yes?" she says, looking just slightly up at Kaede. She's been growing this past year.] * Kaede blinks slightly at Nanami and looks her over, then frowns a little. "...don't you recognize your own brother?" <@Ardweden> ["This is my place now," Nanami says. "You moved out." And then, before it stings too much, she adds, "But you're paying for my hospitality with food, so you can come in." So saying, she steps aside, holding the door open for him.] * Kaede winces slightly with that. Visibly. The stings. He then steps on in with a glance at Nanami like a hurt puppy, tipping his head down as he walks in. "You said there was one more...?" <@Ardweden> ["Yeah." Nanami turns and calls, "Saori, Kaede's here!" And then there she is: Saori Yamaoka, an Arcana who doesn't know her card, poking her head out from the living room. She's also wearing a Sakuragaoka uniform. It's been a while since Kaede's seen her... since before he moved out, really. "You're here six minutes later than I predicted," Saori says, semi-accusingly. "Did you get delayed up front?"] * Kaede scoffs a little at Saori's statement. There *was* surprise there, but it's quickly melted away with sarcasm. "Perhaps that's just another symbol of your shoddy smoke-and-mirrors show, Saori-san." He *sounds* like he might be half joking. *Maybe*. <@Ardweden> ["We both know I was right," Saori shoots back, but she doesn't sound angry. "Do you want your fortune told, Takeuchi-san?"] * Kaede looks over at Nanami with *almost* a "you owe me" look, but he knows really he owes *her*. He wanders in and deadpans as he sets down the groceries. "My destiny tonight is to make a fine helping of donburi for three. Although if you can predict a *cooking* fire or not, I'd be impressed." <@Ardweden> [Nanami's look back is just on the edge of challenging, but given Kaede backs down, she turns and heads for the living room. "Let's just finish the movie," she says. "Really?" Saori asks, while Kaede heads for the kitchen. "Yeah," Nanami says, glancing over her shoulder, then calls to her brother, "You'll let us know when it's done, right?"] * Kaede gives a small nod and a bit of an under the breath grumble, but gets set to start his work. "Well, it'd be silly to let you know when it's grown cold, wouldn't it?" * Kaede starts washing his hands, nevertheless. <@Ardweden> [To be continued!]