2024-07-14: Many Treasures
- Log: 2024-07-14- Many Treasures
- Cast: Akane Shinjo, Rikka Takarada, Orie Takarada
- Where: Tsutsujidai - Graveyard, Tsutsujidai - Junk Shop 'Aya'
- OOC - IC Date: 0099-07-14
- Summary: Rikka, Rikka's mother, and Akane go to the cemetery for Obon. Akane takes an important step in talking with Mrs. Takarada, and then the two of them take a moment to decompress on the couch after a battle with a kaiju and a long flight out.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
While their flight was about eight hours late for kaiju-related reasons, the two have at least made it to Tsutsujidai on time for most of Obon. ... the first order of business, at least for Akane, was to flop right onto Aya's couch and take a three hour nap. Traveling sucks.
Now, though, she's here to drink in everything the trip has to offer; she's been looking forward to this, albeit with some anxiety. Fitting in most of the traditional Obon activities is going to involve a little rushing and a little doing things at off hours, but... they'll manage.
Cleaning graves may not appeal to everyone, but Akane's certainly taken to it. The whole ritual process to it holds a little appeal, even if the practice of leaving grave goods that you then immediately take back with you -- or even use yourself! -- feels a little bizarre. Then again, it's gotta go somewhere, and it's not like the cemetery staff are going to want to drag that junk around.
For her own part, since Akane knows very little about the deceased members of Rikka's family except a one-time offhanded mention of the origin of Rikka's shoes -- that's what she's brought! Two pairs, in fact; one pair of sensible indoor shoes in her grandfather's size (which she'd asked Orie for upon landing and bought on the way, and intends to donate on the way back) and one pair of black Oxfords with a golden toe cap in Rikka's size... which, of course, will become a gift for Rikka after their stint as temporary grave goods. (It's good to have a flashy option in addition to a sensible one, for occasions.)
As they wrap up, Akane looks to Orie thoughtfully, then to Rikka. "Rikka, do you mind bringing the water bucket back while Mama and I go get the car started? We can swing around to pick you up," she half-offers, half-asks. Unsurprisingly, the parking in Tokyo-that-isn't-Tokyo, near a graveyard, on Obon, is horrible, and that'll have them going in opposite directions for a couple minutes.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
The lonely grave seems much less lonely now that everyone's here. Akane's presence has been a bright spot in the Takarada family's Obon ritual, Orie happily welcoming her in and running down their usual traditions with her on the way to cemetery. Little things they've started doing for Obon over the years - passed down to her, now.
Rikka is the last one to finish, hands pressed against each other and her eyes shut. Her grandfather had made a real impression on her - and so did his passing, as her first real loss.
Orie meets Akane's eyes briefly as she looks toward her, looking curious, then back to Rikka. Rikka doesn't respond right away - taking one last moment to finish up before, finally, looking back toward Akane.
"Sure, I don't mind." Rikka says with a nod, leaning down to pick up the water bucket. She's looking refreshed, after that, but she could still use some time with her thoughts. She heads off to return it...
...leaving Orie and Akane alone there, by the grave. Orie gives it one last look before turning back to Akane.
"Thanks for keeping me company. Well, shall we? We've got a bit of a walk ahead of us." Orie says, offering her a smile - as well as a Knowing Look. It's familiar, so much like one of Rikka's. It's easy to see where she gets it.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Navigating those big feelings brings out a side of Rikka that Akane hasn't seen before; praying alongside her brings up a big mix of emotions for her, too. She hasn't done this kind of thing over Obon since she was little -- last year surgical recovery prevented her from doing something like this, and the year before that everyone was still putting themselves back together after everything that happened on the Garuda.
... despite how heavy it is, it's a warm feeling, in some ways. Sharing in those heavy moments feels important, too.
As Rikka starts to move away, Akane gives one last look to the grave, too. The realization hits her that this could well be her own grave, too, as Rikka departs. ... A lot to wrap her head around.
Orie stops her from thinking too obsessively over that, though. "I'm happy to! Plus... it kinda seems like Rikka needs a minute or two to herself," Akane says, nodding to Orie as they start that walk. "It's been good to see you again."
She pushes her dark hair back slightly as they depart from the graveyard; looking to Orie, she forces herself to take the first step of what she's been rehearsing for weeks now in her head. "Though, uh... I have something important to ask you and we're probably not gonna get another chance for it." (She can tell that Orie knows something's coming.)
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Orie smiles at the acknowledgment, approving of the thoughtfulness as she begins to lead the way back to the car.
"Mm-hm. She'll be alright, but... they were really close." She replies with a nod. "It's good to see you, too. You're looking well, Akane, I'm glad. How've you been?"
She looks thoughtful, for a moment.
"I was worried when I heard about the kaiju attack... but, it looks like you two made it out alright." She says.
She looks ahead for a moment before looking back to Akane. She can tell she's working her way up to something - and, naturally, she looks unsurprised when Akane says that there's something important to ask her.
"You can ask me anything. Go ahead." Orie assures her.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Akane nods to Orie. "I get it. I'm glad she had someone like that," she says, a smile crossing her face. Her thoughts stray to the irreplaceable people in her own life for a bit -- but she pulls herself back to the present moment before too much longer.
The kaiju attack comes up, and Akane nods. "The kaiju attack was pretty scary, but Nouvelle Tokyo's got good evacuation procedures and good shelters." She says that with a little bit of pride; after all, she's part of that infrastructure herself, now.
Glancing behind herself one last time, then ahead, Akane nods. Orie's always seemed easy to talk to, even though she's much more clued-in than she lets on. Something about that easygoing demeanor sets Akane's heart, well, at ease. Being told she can ask anything does reduce the tension.
... Well, here it is -- the moment that got her to suggest a summer trip back to Tsutsujidai in the first place.
"I know there's a whole formal procedure for this and that this isn't it," Akane starts. "I'm not even entirely sure if the rest of the family is in the picture... it's kinda..." She takes a breath, and starts again. "I'm not even sure that you're supposed to do this when it's two girls either."
She shuts her eyes for a moment, and it gets easier. "Takarada-san, I've been with your daughter for almost three years now. Every day that I get to wake up next to her feels like a blessing so big it's hard to imagine deserving it. She's saved my life and I've done my best to repay that debt. You raised a super great young woman."
With an awkward cringe, Akane moves on to the next step of this. "I know this is a little on the young side to be having this kind of conversation, but we've already kinda... landed the next part of the conversation here, too. We've got great jobs with the Grand Glorious Guard, and if things ever get peaceful enough that that doesn't have to exist anymore, it'd probably just go back to being the Space Development Corporation. We already have enough money together to buy a house, and we've been talking about it. We've both been studying in fields with a ton of fallback options, too. Your daughter and I are committed to supporting each other."
She pushes a stray lock of her dark hair back, then decides to take the moment to fix her ponytail up instead. "Please let me marry your daughter." She pauses, and with a smile she adds, "I thought about busting out the traditional 'give me your daughter,' but that's a little old-fashioned even for my tastes. ... then again, literally anything's better than what Koji Kabuto went for."
A beat passes. "... and if you want to do the traditional getting wasted together part here I need a day or two to get myself mentally ready for that. I'm -- not really a big drinker... ahaha."
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
"I am, too." Orie agrees with a smile of her own. She nods, listening as Akane recounts her experience. "That's what I hear. It's a relief, I'll admit." She smirks, just a little. "...And I hear you two did a great job helping with that."
Orie follows Akane's gaze as she glances behind her before looking toward Akane herself. She can see Akane's working her way up to something - and so she listens thoughtfully and patiently as she begins.
She smirks just a bit at the mention of formal procedure. She already has an idea of where this is going from that alone - but she's certainly not going to steal Akane's thunder by interrupting her now, when she's on a roll. She does laugh, a bit, when Akane brings up Koji Kabuto's famous proposal. Even Orie's heard about that one already.
"You know... I've never actually been big on formalities." Orie admits to start with a small, knowing smile. "I don't mind going a little off-script~."
She considers Akane more thoughtfully then, for a moment - and comes to a stop, turning to face her. Her expression is serious - a rare level of seriousness for someone who's usually so flippant.
"I've watched you two grow together these past years. You've made my daughter happier than I've ever seen her, and you were there for her and supported her when she needed it most without expecting anything in return. You've more than proven that you'll stay by her side, even when things get difficult. There's pitfalls to taking a big step like this so young, but... I can see you've already thought about those and planned ahead. I can tell you're not just charging into this."
Orie rests a hand on Akane's shoulder, offering her a gentle smile.
"There's no one else I'd be more comfortable trusting my daughter with, Akane. I want the two of you to be happy. You have my blessing. And if there's anything I can do to help you two..."
She laughs, then.
"Anyway, we can do non-alcoholic beverages for you if you don't mind me getting wasted, but we should do something. I won't push you to drink if you don't want it." Orie adds with a grin.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
That smirk is strangely reassuring; it tells Akane that she hasn't exactly caught Orie off guard with this, and that she has some idea of what's coming. When Orie has her own retrospective and her own encouragement...
Akane looks overwhelmed for a moment, tears coming to the edges of her eyes as that hand comes to rest on her shoulder; when Orie affirms that they have her blessing, she stops walking to pull her into a hug, burying her face in her shoulder. "Thank you," she squeaks out -- and for a few moments, she just stays there.
It doesn't last too long; tears of joy, of relief -- those have always been short affairs for Akane. Taking a few deep breaths, she gets ready to start walking again. "... Ehehe, sounds good -- though I might try something anyway?" Turning it from 'cultural pressure' does open Akane slightly to the idea. "I guess after Rikka goes to sleep..."
Right. Practicals, Akane thinks, as they turn a corner. "I think I'm going to tell her on our third anniversary," she adds. "It's after Coming of Age day, but probably before we end up closing on a house, if everything stays on schedule. If it doesn't... I've got a few backup days. All the way out to next August, actually."
She swallows hard; the emotions are still flying -- but out of the swirl comes a new one: excitement. "... Yessss," she murmurs, quietly pumping a fist once. "It -- ahahaha, honestly your blessing is kind of enough, but if you know who we could get in touch with for a decent deal on some of this stuff as we start scheduling, that'd be great, too."
Thinking about practicals, as the car comes into view, reminds her. "... You might, uh -- you might be trading cups with Sayla Mass," she notes, as it occurs to her. "My parents aren't... really in the picture. I haven't asked her yet, but, uh -- ehehe." She doesn't sound too self-conscious, at least.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Akane pulls her into a hug, burying her face into her shoulder. Orie just smiles, hugging her in return and patting her back gently as Akane gets her tears of joy out. It doesn't last long, though, and soon enough they're walking again.
"Sure, if you'd like. I have some lighter ones that might be more your speed... And I can make a mean cocktail, too~." Orie offers, then nods. "She'll probably go to bed early today - she usually does after the ceremony."
Akane starts on practicals, then, and Orie listens. Third anniversary, hm? Orie nods approvingly. And backup days, too...
"You really have thought ahead." Orie notes with a whistle. "Sounds like you're planning to make it something really special."
She can't help but chuckle fondly as Akane's emotions swirl into her excitement, and she pumps a fist with a 'yessss'.
"Just tell me what you need, and I'll see what I can do. I can get in touch with my contacts." Orie replies with a nod. What contacts? It's fine. A junk shop owner probably knows people, right?
The car comes into view and, as they approach, Orie gets her keys ready. She considers Akane for a moment as she says her parents aren't in the picture - and doesn't pry into that. Instead, she offers her a smile.
"That's fine with me, I like her. And I'm sure she'll be flattered that you'd ask her, too." Orie replies. She unlocks the door, sliding into the driver's seat before unlocking the other doors for Akane.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Ehehe... the only stuff I've ever had is, like, crappy vending machine beer and chuhai," Akane admits. It's... somewhat comforting, to tell that to an adult without much fear of judgment. (It's still there a little bit, but... it's hardly as though underage drinking is uncommon among middle and high schoolers in Japan. Orie doesn't seem like the judging type, either.)
"I've been asking her some sneaky questions," Akane enthuses. "What kinda place she'd like, how many people to be involved -- that kinda stuff. I don't know if she's caught on yet, but if she hasn't, I think she's gonna pretty soon." Akane rubs at her face a bit, trying to reduce the obvious crying. "Leina gave me a budget spreadsheet to work with... once Rikka and I both do one of those and put our stuff together, we'll let you know?"
As they move toward the car, Akane nods. "I figured you'd be okay with it, but I felt like you should at least know ahead of time." As she moves to get in the back, Akane says, "Thanks for this -- Mama." ... it's not like she hasn't called Orie that before, but after this conversation it sits a little differently on her tongue. "Let's go pick Rikka up!"
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Orie nods understandingly, without any judgment. She's been in Akane's shoes before - she knows what that's like. Akane might spot a little recognition in her eyes.
"Mm-hm. Well, maybe I can help you find something you'll like." Orie considers.
Akane enthuses, then, on how she's been asking Rikka sneaky questions. Orie smirks.
"Clever~. Rikka's smart, but she has some blind spots... I'm sure it won't be long, though." Orie replies, then nods. "Sounds good. Once you do, I'll figure things out."
Akane says she figured, but wanted her to know ahead of time.
"I appreciate it." She replies with a smile. And Akane thanks her. It feels a little different to hear, too... but not in a bad way. An earnest smile crosses Orie's lips. "You're welcome~."
With that, she starts the car.
"Let's." Orie agrees.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Akane nods, and they set off.
The entire ride home, Akane holds Rikka's hand; she's grateful for the chance to share in her life, like this.
Getting settled in on the couch after a big dinner, Akane looks to Rikka with a smile on her face. "... Thanks for letting me come with," she says, though it's not the first time. Giving Rikka's hand a squeeze, she adds, "It's really nice to come back here, too. Seeing stuff redeveloping... it's neat." Her gaze tracks out the window, where a mobile worker passes by, putting a finishing touch on a quick repair of an office building (where once a certain lonely home stood) before heading off for the night.
... it's not just that, though. Less superfluous red in the architecture. Cooler temperatures, even in the season of sweat. ... it's different, and that's nice. It feels good to see it changing -- and it reminds her of how much they've changed, too.
Taking a drink of sports drink, Akane adds, "We've still got a few days on this trip... is there anything you wanna do besides the fireworks tomorrow night?" Her head slowly moves toward Rikka's shoulder.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Settled in on the couch next to Akane, Rikka squeezes her hand right back. It's not the first time she's been thanked, but she doesn't mind it.
"No problem. I'm glad you came with us." Rikka replies. Somehow, including Akane in their ceremony just felt right - comfortable. She follows Akane's gaze out the window. That lonely home is gone, replaced by an office building...
...It feels a little strange, for a familiar sight to be so different. But not in a bad way. Tsutsujidai is growing, changing... Living. Rikka smiles at that thought. It's what they've fought for. It'll take some getting used to, but it's good to see.
"Hmm..." Rikka thoughtfully taps her fingers against her own drink as she consider Akane's question. "It might be nice to take a walk around the city? We saw a little of it in the car, but it'd be easier if we can take our time on foot... I want to see what else has changed."
Rikka hasn't had a whole lot of time to walk and just see the sights. Her visits to Tsutsujidai had largely just been to see her mother, with little room outside of that. Now that she has a bit more time... it'd be nice to take advantage of that.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Akane's head moves toward her shoulder, and Rikka's rests against it in turn.
It's nice, after a long day.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Perhaps that's the truest sign that, in some sense, it's still Akane's heart, for all she's let it be itself; just as she's growing, so too does Tsutsujidai come to fully embrace the power of the finite.
"Oh, that sounds really good. We could try walking to the fireworks instead of driving, maybe... it's a little long, but I don't mind that." (She'll be complaining about it when her feet hurt, and she knows it -- but that doesn't mean she's not up for it.)
Lips curling up a bit, Akane adds, "I'm really excited to see you in a yukata again, too." Summer festivals are always an opportunity for some rare looks -- and Akane treasures all of them, naturally.
Her thoughts drift a bit, in that way they do when one feels at-ease, just sitting, thinking about nothing in particular. "Have you gotten any grades back yet? I have two of mine... I totally crushed Metals and Jewelry." She has no intention of discussing her unremarkable-but-not-horrible statistics grade. "I'm a little worried about clinical psych. There were a lot more questions about the history of the field than I was expecting... I don't think I bombed it, but it's still..." She wobbles a hand and cringe-smiles.
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Akane seems enthusiastic about the idea, and that's encouragement enough for Rikka.
"Oh, that's a good idea, too." She agrees. It's a good way to get in everything. "It'll be a good walk."
She smiles, herself, as Akane mentions being excited to see her in a yukata again.
"I'm kind of looking forward to it myself, actually." Rikka admits with a small laugh. "It's been a little too long. What about you? Do you think you'll wear one?"
She's definitely intrigued, herself...
Akane's thoughts drift, and Rikka's glad to just sit there together for a moment until Akane brings up grades.
"Well, that's no surprise. I knew you could do it, after seeing what you made." Rikka replies with a smile - but winces sympathetically as she brings up clinical psych. "Yeah, that can be rough... I'm sure you'll still be good, though."
As for her own grades...
"Yeah, I got my Engineering grades back? Nothing to write home about, but I'm still comfortably passing, so I'm satisfied. I'm a bit nervous about my scores in my medical classes, but... I'm trying to stay positive." Rikka replies. "I got ambushed by things I didn't even know existed..."
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
"Yep! I brought mine... I used to get kinda bored during the holidays but it turns out that's just what happens when you're kinda lonely." Her eyes shut for a few moments after that, and she just... breathes in, then out. Enjoys Rikka's company.
Rikka reports on her own grades -- and it sounds like she's content with them, at least. "Hey, that's worth celebrating," Akane enthuses. "We should get a big brunch tomorrow! We have to have more of your mom's cooking." ... well, okay, she also thinks she's going to need to prioritize high-carb, high-protein, kinda-greasy meals for the rest of their trip, which means breakfast food is an obvious winner. She's not going to tell Rikka that part, though.
(... though depending on how things go, it may become obvious...)
She takes a deep breath, and for the moment, she decides to do her best to let go of her anxieties. Crisis Alexis... that girl... her grades. They're there now... and they'll be there tomorrow, too. This moment, though -- this one belongs to two people.
"Is there anything you wanna do tonight?" she asks, voice quiet. "While we were coming to pick you up, Mama said you usually go to bed early after this, so if there's anything you wanna do before then," here her tone starts teasing just a bit, "you gotta tell me before you go to bed."
<Pose Tracker> Rikka Takarada has posed.
Loneliness... yeah, that'd do it. Rikka offers her a small smile.
"I'm excited to see yours, too." Rikka offers. It'll be nice, going to the fireworks in yukatas together... She's been looking forward to it ever since they brought up the idea. And she, too, takes the time to just appreciate Akane's presence, just the two of them sitting together.
Akane enthuses about her grades, then, and suggests a big brunch.
"I have kind of missed Mama's cooking... I definitely wouldn't say no to that." Rikka agrees. "We'll make it a good one."
She can always come back, of course... but there's no telling when they'll get a good stretch of days like this trip again, so best to take advantage of it where she can.
And then, Akane asks if there's anything she wants to do tonight. Rikka chuckles a little at her teasing tone.
"Yeah... It usually takes a lot out of me." Rikka admits. "I don't know... I think right now, I'm happy just sitting here like this."
And she emphasizes her point by cuddling in a little closer.
<Pose Tracker> Akane Shinjo has posed.
Nodding to Rikka, Akane says, "... all right," before putting an arm around her. "Then we'll do that for a while."
She looks off toward the window again -- then back to Rikka, gently pushing a stray hair out of her face. After a moment, she gives her a small peck on the cheek. "Happy to spend another beautiful evening with you," she murmurs, letting herself finally relax, now that they've got a solid plan for the rest of their trip... and the things she was most worried about have been handled.