1030/Nounamu Sweets: The Re-Opening

Nounamu Sweets: The Re-Opening
Date of Scene:	21 January 2024
Location:	Nounamu Sweets
Synopsis:	Mr. Sakai, the proprieter and owner of Nounamu Sweets had been ill, thanks to Sunbreaker's energy-sapping flowers. With those removed and repairs to the shop made, it's time for a re-opening! Koji, Makoto, and Norie are here to make sure it's a success for Chiyo and Mr. Sakai.
Cast of Characters:	Chiyo Sakai, Koji Silvia, Makoto Kino, Norie Okana

---

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Ojiisan, or Mr. Sakai, the proprieter and owner of Nounamu Sweets had been ill for a few weeks. Suddenly his health has returned after a small incident at the shop which required it be partially closed for repairs. Now it's the re-opening! A window has been replaced that was broken, and the new alarm system is installed so they can once again stock the shelves properly without worry about burglaries (Not that it was a huge issue to begin with but... better to be safe!)

It was a chilly Winter day with a light dusting of snow, the sort that could easily be described as 'powdered sugar' rather than being annoying. The store is lit up, doors open, and inside the hot tea to keep customers warm is freely available from the thermos pitchers on a table to the side.

Chiyo is there of course in her uniform with her little apron on, seeing to customers as they come and go. Behind the counter is Ojiisan currently working on some of the more intricate and traditional wagashi so that people can see the process in real time.

Koji Silvia has posed:
That tea has attracted at least one person, one Koji Silvia at least. He's currently getting himself a second steaming cup, and there's a slow sip as he holds it in both hands.

To one side on the counter is his order, several different mochis and a few other traditional treats that are each in little wrapped boxes as he seems to be picking up gifts for friends and family. But at the same time he's been here a bit longer than other customers, and every so often he's looking back and over at Sakai-sama to see if the old man needs help after his recovery from what happened.

Things not explained yet to the student, but as he sips again, he then asks to the pair running the shop, "Would you like me to go in the back and make up some more tea for you, Chiyo?"

All the while keeping that calm and nearly-diffident air about him that lends to that naturally-occurring background character vibe he likes to maintain. If this was a manga, his voice would be coming from off-cell just as a bubble for his friend to respond to as she bustles around the shop while smiling.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto was interested in visiting Nounamu Sweets already, but she's had a personal reason in looking in on the shop and its proprietor on top of it. She steps in from outside, a little pink-cheeked from the chill in the air despite her oversized sweater and the scarf she's wrapped around her neck, and pauses just inside to take a look around with bright interested eyes.

"Hey, Chiyo-chan!" Spotting Chiyo at work, Mako moves out of the entrance and heads over, smiling. "How's it going? Everything looks so nice!" She notes Koji's presence as she approaches, offering him a polite nod of acknowledgment.

Norie Okana has posed:
Nounamu Sweets was suggested by Veronica, her dormmate in the past, so Norie Okana peeks into the door and walks past it, as she looks around, walking past Koji, and Makoto and blinks a little.

"Hello this place was. Suggested to me. By a friend?" she asks in a strange monotone.

"Do you carry. Baked goods." pause. "I mean, actually, do you. Carry Donuts?" she asks as she sniffs the air in the place.

Smells Sweet, probably!

"Oh. Hello." she finally says to the others.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai glances over to Koji with a look of mild relief when he offers to help refill the tea. "If you could, that would be great, Koji-kun. It's been a bit busy." Not too much but the flow of people was certainly steady enough that getting a break was a pain in the...

Makoto's arrival earns a smile as well, and she nods emphatically at the girl as her hands dust off over the apron. "Thank you. It's going well, and Ojiisan is back to his usual self," she remarks with a glance his way. Looking back toward Mako and Koji she gestures. "Makoto-chan this is my good friend, Koji-kun."

Her attention is drawn away momentarily by Norie. A smile is flashed, and her head shakes slightly. "We don't have traditional donuts, but we do have the Korean mochi donuts if you'd like to try them. They're crisp on the outside and chewy the rest of the way through," she explains.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Of course, Makoto is given a small bow of greeting from Koji, and he says, "I'm Kojiro Silvia, tenth year at Radiant Heart. But I go by Koji."

As he straightens up and notices the look from Nori, there's a moment as he seems to recognize her from someplace, but then it passes. That typical 'haven't I seen you before' look that people get every so often. He then smiles to the other girl and gives her an equal bow of greeting, "Excuse me a moment, I'll be right back."

Picking up the empty thermos-containers, he passes by Mr. Sakai, and says to him, "Thank you again, Sakai-sama. I'll be right back with more tea."

And it is just like that, he's back with a set of fresh thermos filled with oolong, matcha, and also a fruit tea for people who just wanted something to match the sweets and refresh from the outside. Once those new and steaming drinks are set out for others, he offers, "Can I pour either of you some tea?"

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Makoto Kino," Mako replies, returning Koji's bow in kind. "I'm in the ninth grade at RHA. It's nice to meet you, Silvia-senpai." As Koji heads off to refresh the tea offerings, Makoto turns a curious look to Norie, and offers her a friendly nod of greeting.

"I'm so glad Sakai-san is doing better." As she says this, Makoto bows politely to Chiyo's Ojisan where he's doing his work. Koji's return and offer of tea gets a bright smile. "Tea would be lovely, thank you. Matcha, please? I'm sorry to say, I don't actually know that much about traditional Japanese sweets... Chiyo-chan, is there anything you'd recommend?"

Norie Okana has posed:
Norie Okana head tilts. She listens a little. "Oh. Okay. I'll try. One of those." she says. She gives Koji a glance but doesn't recognize him as. Anyone she's met before. She then sighs a little. "My name is. Norie Okana." she says. "7th Grade, Radiant Heart Academy also." she says softly. "Tea, please. Yes." she asks in her monotone.

Then she sort of runs her gloved hands down her sides a moment in a nervous gesture.

"So you sell. Sweets? Is--- yes. Suggestions. Please?" she parrots Makoto's request.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Mr. Sakai glances over toward the trio. He knew Koji so he just gets a small grunt of acknowledgement when he steps behind the counter to prepare the fresh teah for everyone. He was allowed. As for Makoto, and Norie, the old man regards the two girls a moment before speaking up. "What's your favorite flower?"

Chiyo just gets a little grin when he asks that question, and clears her throat slightly. "Of course, I can make plenty of recommendations. First to start: Do you like fruits, things like chocolate and caramel, or red bean paste?" Because that all meant different recommendations.

"Thanks, Koji, you're a lifesaver," she adds with a little sigh. "When you get a moment I could use some matcha for a quick drink." She was also trying to stay hydrated.

Koji Silvia has posed:
So that's two orders for Matcha, and after looking at Norie for a good long moment, he decides to get her some of the fruit tea instead. Going in order, the small cup is handed first to Makoto, and he says, "When you're done, just put the cup in the basket with the others. They'll get washed later." Smiling some, he goes to Norie next, and hands her the sweet and flowery herbal team to steam in her hands, "Here you go."

Finally of course is Chiyo, and he sets that on the back-side of the counter for her and he smiles her way, "Just trying to help out. Also... let me know when you've got a moment so I can check out."

It's like the fourth or fifth time he's said this since coming in, trying to use the excuse of the ebb and flow of the customers to stay while maintaining the bounds of politeness. Coming back over to Makoto, he says to her, "I would recommend if you like Matcha to get the matcha mochi. Sakai-sama makes the sweet mochi very nice and fragrant. But since you've already got tea, I would say either the taro or the cocoa mochi."

Smiling towards Chiyo, he adds, "Don't let it get too cold!"

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Ah?" Makoto looks up, a little surprised but pleased by Sakai-san's question. She doesn't need to think about her answer for so much as a moment. "Camellias are my favorite, sir!"

She has to tear her eyes away from the demonstration to answer Chiyo, this time with a laugh: "I like all of those things. No help, I know." She shakes her head, grinning. "Although on a cold day like today, I'd probably go for chocolate or chestnut or azuki over fruit, I think. Taro or cocoa both sound pretty good, too," she adds with a nod to Koji's suggestion.

Norie Okana has posed:
Norie Okana says. "I like.. chocolate. caramel. Fruits are good, Not a fan of red bean anything, I apologize for that, too." she says. She trails off a little when the man asks a question of her. her looks at her. "Used to.. like Sunflowers, sir." she says with a soft bow. What does she mean used to ANYWAYS.

She mutters. "I should try that mochi donut first. Before anything else. May I have one. Please? TO try." a pause.

"Of course. I am paying for it." she says softly. As if there was any doubt! She then listens to what Koji recommends and merely goes. "Hrm..."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai glances at Koji a moment only to nod at him in thanks. She does take up the tea he offers her for a quick sip. Even though it was usually fairly warm in here with the constant flow of people the air had chilled a bit. The hot tea certainly helped. "I can check you out right away if you want to head out, Koji," she assures. "Though I know Ojiisan likes having you around too."

The orders start to come in though so she nods, and steps to the side to start gathering up the requested mochi donut. She goes for a strawberry dipped one so it's a pretty pink and places it on a plate which she offers over.

Ojiisan looks up with a bit of surprise at both the flowers listed. A little hmph is given, though it somehow seems as if that's some sort of approval at the less than popular choices. He reaches to the side to pinch off some mochi from a bowl and starts to mold the hot dough in his hands. A wooden tool is picked up that is worked around, and around, and he dips the tool in some pink, and then green toward the end. A similar motion is produced with yellow this time until he finishes off, and slides the wagashi on over toward Chiyo. For her part, Chiyo picks up a fan that she snaps open with a flick of her wrist and fans over the wagashi to help dry it quicker. It doesn't take long. The yellow one is added to the plate with Norie's pink donut, and then a small plate with the pink one is handed to Makoto. A sunflower, and a camelia flower.

"Try these. There's a roasted chestnut prailine inside."

Koji Silvia has posed:
Smiling just a bit at the offer to check him out, yet again, Koji sees that the orders start going once more and his faint expression remains for just a bit longer.

When the items are presented for both girls, he moves off to let them try out their treats, still holding his cup of tea as he keeps an eye on things from the other side of the shop. Another sip and he says towards Chiyo once she's back over towards where he is, "Thanks for helping me with getting those gifts together. Those little rabbit mochi are adorable, and I think Usagi will love them. But I may just give them to Mamoru to give to her... they might get taken the wrong way."

He pauses and then asks, "Did you want me to go out and get you and Sakai-sama some lunch? I mean... it's the least I can do for both of you. There's that karaage place right in the rail station. I can be back in a few minutes."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto watches Sakai-san work with an expression of fascinated admiration and clear appreciation for the skill cultivated by his many years of experience. Despite watching the mochi take shape right before her eyes, she still gasps with delight when the completed sweet is presented. "They're so beautiful," she says as she accepts the plate, turning her admiring gaze downward. "Almost too pretty to eat... almost. Thank you!"

Norie Okana has posed:
Noire Okana watches this all, with a neutral expression. She wants to smile at this. But she can't. She is provided a sunflower treat, with the donut and and bows respectfully to the man, as much as she can. "Thank you." she says in her monotone tone as she nods. "Agreed. They are pretty." she says softly as she looks over to Koji a moment, before she tries a bite of the sunflower, tasting the chestnut praline inside as she mmmss a little, cclosing her eyes.

"T..thank you." she says again as she savors it as much as she can.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
From the corner of his eye, Mr. Sakai is watching the reaction of the girls. He's not looking directly though; he's already working on more being the grumpy old man he always appears to be. Even if it's not really true. "I needed the practice," he utters simply at the thanks sent his way as if he didn't just make them specially for both of the girls. He totally did.

Chiyo bites her lip trying to repress a smile because.. this meant he really was back to his usual self. It was such a relief. "I'm glad you like them," she responds to the pair, and starts to put together another order quickly. A few items that they might like to try out of the premade items. "Here, some others that you two may like. Fruit are here," she remarks gesturing to the side of the plate with the strawberry, raspberry, orange and apple. "And over here are some dark cocoa and azuki." They're also offered to the pair of Norie and Makoto. "Radiant Heart students get a discount here, by the way, so don't worry." Just in case that was a concern. Though really it was all reasonably priced to begin with.

Koji's suggestion earns a little look of surprise, and she chuckles. "You don't have to go through all that trouble, Koji-kun," she begins but Ojiisan lifts his head and remarks, "I'd like some kaarage. Now that I can eat solid food again."

A little shrug is given and she flushes a bit. "Let me give you some money then, since you're running for us."

Koji Silvia has posed:
The gruff comment from the owner of the shop and the maker of all the sweets gets a small nod of the head from Koji as he finishes his tea, and goes over to put his cup into the basket with the rest so they can be washed later. Looking back at the two girls enjoying their sweets, he says to them both, "I know Chiyo won't say it, but make sure to tell your friends."

Moving back towards other end of the shop now, he says towards the old man, "Maybe one of these days you'll let me talk you into getting one of those new check-out systems, Sakai-sama. The ones where customers can do everything from their phones, or their cards just touch the screen."

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Let me see... I think I'd like one each of the cocoa and azuki, too. Maybe that's a little too much, but you've got to splurge sometimes, right?" Makoto lets out a self-deprecating laugh, then brightens. "Oh, is that apple? I should bring one of those back to my roommate for her to try!" She sighs a little, thinking of her wallet - but after all, Chiyo did mention that student discount.

"I definitely will," she assures Koji. "Though I have a feeling most of them already know. You know Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san too, Silvia-senpai?" It's only partly a question - if nothing else, everyone seems to know Usagi.

Norie Okana has posed:
Norie Okana gives a mere nod to to the man as it's all she can manage.

She blinks a little. "May I get. These to go?" she asks softly. "I have. A place I need to be soon." she says.

SOMEWHERE, A DUSKPUPPY NEEDS A WALKIES.

She produces a wallet and pays, in cash, for her items as she pauses.

"Can I get a dozen of those doughnuts before I go though?" she asks softly.

Regardless, when she gets her items, she'll bow. Say a monotone 'thank you' and leave softly. "It was."

"Nice to meet you." she says.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Mr. Sakai just clucks his tongue at the suggestion, again. Though he does seem to consider it. "Eh. Let's see if this new alarm system works first." It's progress? Kind of.

Chiyo grins a bit at Makoto's question about Koji. Her tea is picked up to take another sip before it cools too much, and she lets out a satisfied sigh. The rest of the order is put together as well. "Koji-kun is Mamoru-kun's dorm mate," she remarks with a grin of amusement.

"And he and I are part of the reason he and Usagi are together to begin with." Or at least she'd like to think so. They helped! A bit.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Rubbing the back of his neck, Koji looks a little embarrassed at the question and some of Chiyo's response to it, as he adds, "I admit... it was a slightly mean thing we did... well, I did... we set them up to be at a study group together, and while they were neck deep in a math book, we packed up and left them to it. She was mad at me, but once the dust settled we were forgiven."

Smiling over at Chiyo once more, he then shrugs, "She'd find out if she asked anyways, so why not just say?"

He then exhales, "We've been there for it all, to be honest... they're a cute couple. Fun to watch."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto tries, not very successfully, to stifle a laugh. "Oh, geez. Well, it seems to have worked out well enough, to say the least." She fishes her wallet out to pay for her selections, then collects her tea for a small sip. "I found out, I actually used to go to school with Mamoru-san a few years ago. Though since we're in different grades, it's not like we knew each other well or anything. Just a funny coincidence, when I transferred here. He's doing okay? I haven't seen him lately, but I assume I'd have heard from Usagi-chan."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai looks a bit guilty when Koji explains how they went about it. "Well yeah that was kind of mean, I admit. I felt so bad after." A deep breath is drawn, and exhaled. "Though it was just as awkward when I pointed out that just *maybe* Mamoru was teasing her because he had a crush on her." She pauses to stare straight ahead with a look of having seen too much embarassment in her time. "She yelled it out in the middle of the store. That he was in. That's how Koji-kun and I got into trouble," she utters with a little gesture his way.

She does look over to Koji still amused. "I spoke with Usagi-chan recently, and she still thought you and I were maybe a thing. I set her straight."

Her attention shifts to taking the payment from Makoto. It's handled quickly and she has more money coming back to her than she may even expect. There was a good discount here after all for students, and friends. "I saw him the other day with Kazuo-kun, they're both fine. Though Koji-kun probably knows better," she adds looking over toward him.

Koji Silvia has posed:
The expression from the young man goes from amused but guilty to annoyed and he looses a huff as he goes to a spot where a winter coat is hung up on a hook, pulling it over a heavy sweater and what is probably camping pants, "Alright so... for the last couple weeks, I've been living at home and he's been using my side of the room."

Once he has the coat tugged into place, and begins fishing into a pocket so he can get his gloves out, "Someone who was mad at him decided to soak everything on his side of the room. It is the most elaborate and frightening prank I've ever seen. If it wasn't so mean, I'd be impressed. There was this almost-perfect line from the middle of the room where the wetness was. We were just lucky I'd moved all the cooking stuff from his closet to my parent's place so I could clean it all."

His eyes flick once and he then scowls, "I feel for him. I mean... Chiyo and I can go home if something like this happens, but he's stuck there with them cleaning it, and just... well... I'm glad he's got someone like Usagi to keep his spirits up."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto's mouth opens soundlessly; she's round-eyed and speechless for a moment before she manages to recover her voice. "That's awful!" It doesn't take her long to consider what would happen if everything on her side of her dorm room got drenched. "Some of his things must have been completely ruined. Who would--"

Very abruptly, she shuts up. She can, as it happens, think of a group of people who might in fact be that petty, but that's nothing she can talk about here. Sighing, she shakes her head again. "Well, it's good of you to let him use your side, Silvia-senpai. I had no idea."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai pauses with a look of complete surprise as Koji explains exactly what happened. She hadn't heard about that! Then again, she'd had a lot going on herself so... "He didn't mention that." She frowns immediately giving a nod of sympathy. "That's awful. Does he need help getting anything replaced? We can help with that," she starts glancing over toward Ojiisan who just gives a nod. He could actually.

Looking back she catches Makoto's look with a realization of her own. A silent 'oh' comes from her and she reaches for her nearly done tea. "Yeah. If he needs help.. Or if you do," she adds looking to Koji again with concern. "You know we're here."

Her expression softens just a bit, and she adds toward Koji, "Someday you'll find someone like he has, I'm sure. You're too nice not to, Koji."

Koji Silvia has posed:
Blowing out a breath, Koji gets a pair of really nice lined leather gloves on, and then flexes his fingers a few times to get them comfortable again, "Actually, Usagi and her roommate have already got the part with the damaged stuff covered... so it's just waiting for the room to be cleaned and the school-owned things replaced at this point. After the initial panic, he was pretty level-headed about it too. So... we'll see."

Looking back at the door, he then adds, "Here, at least let me pay for my gifts before I head out to get you lunch. Mako-kohai, did you want any karaage too? I mean... you're here and it's still chilly outside. Some warm food will help with the trip back."

To Chiyo's final comment, the young man's eyes get distant for a moment before the reflection from the light covers it on the lenses of his glasses, "You're nicer than I am, Chiyo... but your grandfather has high expectations for any guy who'd want to see you often. I think I'm just safe because I'm a good friend."

Makoto Kino has posed:
"--yeah, figures Usagi-chan and Naru-chan would already be on it." Makoto nods, as though acknowledging something that should have been obvious without being said. "As long as nothing like that happens again."

The offer of karaage - or maybe it was 'Mako-kouhai' - catches her by surprise; her head lifts, and she blushes a little. "Um, that'd be great! As long as it doesn't put you to any trouble, anyway. You're not wrong that hot food would be really good right now..."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai nods slightly at the offer to pay before he runs out. That Chiyo could easily take care of as she steps to the register to ring him out, also giving a hefty discount. Though she pauses with fingers over the buttons a moment looking... worried.

"High expectations? Wait, Koji-kun did Ojiisan have 'the talk' with you?!" Chiyo whirls around to stare at her grandfather who is VERY STUDIOUSLY ducking his head to focus on his current work not saying a word.

Chiyo claps her handsd over her face with a groan. "Oooooh my gawwwwd."

The rest of the transaction is finished quickly, and she mumbles a quick, "Thanks Koji," and she then hands over an envelope that would theoretically cover some of the karaage order.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Somehow... the envelope is grabbed, the bag with the boy's prizes are in a corner, and he's actually out the door just as a customer moves past... all before Chiyo can look up and say anything, or Mako-chan might be able to react!

If either could see him as he jogs his way down the street towards the rail station, he has a bit of an embarrassed blush on his face!

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto is left blinking, looking back and forth between Chiyo and the metaphorical dustcloud Koji left in his wake on the way out the door. Her eyes flick towards Sakai-san, and then she leans in, pitching her voice down to murmur confidentially to Chiyo.

"...are you sure you two aren't a thing?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai looks just as embarassed but... amused as well when Mako leans in to whisper. Her eyes shut a moment, but she nods with a chuckle. "Yeah. It's complicated... We're like, best friends, but we pretended to date for awhile?" Her voice raises to a high pitched squeak at that because it *was* embarassing. She keeps her voice low.

"Remember how I mentioned Usagi-chan yelling out loud when I mentioned Mamoru-kun might have a crush on her? I ... tried to cover for her by claiming I'd told her I had a crush on Koji. It was the quickest thing I could think of. And he and I pretended to date for awhile so we could try to bring those to together..."

Complicated indeed. "We talked about it, it's not... We're not. Really," she assures with a firm nod.

Koji Silvia has posed:
Unaware that the conversation has continued, Koji is currently doing an online order for pick-up of the aforementioned karaage for everyone, and is scrolling through his phone to check for any messages from anyone. He does shoot a quick text to someone else as he rounds the corner towards the rail station, and then says to himself, "I hope I didn't get Chiyo in trouble..."

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto listens to Chiyo's explanation, with an expression that says she's not at all convinced. "Okay," she says, "but... does Silvia-senpai know that?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai nods solemnly at this with an amused expression. "Yes, we talked. It's... really it's okay." A pause comes, and she mumbles, "Besides I... kind of... have a crush on someone else and I stupidly confessed to him in front of someone HE is seeing," she utters.

Ojiisan drops his daifuku looking perplexed. Who did he need to beat up? Wait was this a beating up situation? Dang.

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto's eyes widen, and her dubious expression shifts immediately to one of dismayed sympathy. "Oh, no! Chiyo-chan, that's the worst, I'm so sorry." There's a moment where she looks like she wants to reach toward Chiyo, but there's a counter in the way and she lets the supportive hand drop. "Who was it? I mean, if you don't mind me asking..."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai is redfaced to say the least, but she's... being rather calm about it all things considered. Itw as hard not to be given the oddity of the situation. Makoto's question causes her to open her mouth, close it, and then she drops her voice again. As if things weren't complicated enough, she murmers, "Kazuo-kun."

Makoto Kino has posed:
There is a truly priceless parade of reactions across Makoto's face in quick succession. "Oh," she says, and then, for lack of a better response: "Oh."

She lifts a hand to cover her mouth, looking like she's still working on processing this new information. "Yeah, that's... I can see how it'd be awkward." She offers Chiyo her most sympathetic smile.

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Ojiisan grunts a moment, and glances over to the pair. He was trying not to eavesdrop but it was hard not to. "The part timer is here," he informs, and sure enough there's an older teen in the back getting an apron on and washing his hands. "Take a break with your friend, Chiyo."

Looking back she can only nod, and then smile shyly at Makoto. "Right, yes." She steps around the counter and gestures to one of the tables nearby in invitation. All the while continuing, "I asked in front of Mamoru-kun too. I mean, I kind of got the drift of things and asked if it'd be wasting our time... Not the smoothest move."

Koji Silvia has posed:
Chiyo's phone buzzes at that point. It's a text from Koji. 'Do you or Ojiisan, or Miss Makoto want katsu sauce or spicy mayo?'

Makoto Kino has posed:
Makoto duly gathers up her tea and her plate of sweets, plus the apple one she bought for Adora, and follows Chiyo to the indicated table. "I can imagine," she says, still with that smile of pained sympathy. "I'm sure neither of them were cruel about it, but did you completely want to sink through the floor?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai reaches down to the phone in her pocket to fish it out. It's quickly read over, and she starts typing her answer. Katsu sauce for Ojiisan she knew, and for her as well. "Koji-kun wants to know if you'd like Katsu sauce or Spicy Mayo, Mako-chan?"

Looking back to Makoto she smiles softly. "No, they were both very nice, I just kind of... ran out the door. After."

Makoto Kino has posed:
"Oh," Makoto says, thinking for a second. "Um, katsu, please. Tell him thank you for me?"

As she settles in at her seat and picks up her tea again, she nods. "I've been there," she admits. "Not exactly that specific situation, but still... I know the feeling for sure."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai texts back 'Katsu all around please!' to Koji before setting her phone on the table again. Now that there was some space away from her grandfather and the table it was easier to speak without being overheard. "Yeah. Thank you. I'd never done that before so it was awkward." Sheepishly she adds, "It's okay though. I spoke to Usagi, too, and know they're... figuring things out. I don't need to make things more confusing."

Koji Silvia has posed:
Chiyo gets a picture of 4 boxes from the karaage place at the rail station, each with the classic 6-piece pack and some pickled daikon. 'On my way back.'

Makoto Kino has posed:
"It's kind of hard for me to wrap my head around," Makoto says, pulling a wry face for a moment. "I'm not sure what I'd do if it were me in Usagi-chan's place... But it's not me, after all." She sips meditatively at her tea. "As long as the three of them are happy, then it's fine. Just... really uncomfortable for you, I guess, no matter how nice they were about it."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai hums thoughtfuly while wrapping her hands around the cup of tea she still had with her. It was probably cold by now but it was still a bit warmer than the air in general. "Yes, but I appreciate they were honest with me about it, too. And as I told them, they're my friends before anything else." She bites her lip looking down to the tabletop. "I think that makes it a bit easier to get over, at least. A little."

Koji Silvia has posed:
It's about at that point that Koji comes back into the store, making sure to slip in just as someone else is leaving, to reduce the amount of heat lost from the otherwise comfortable space. With two boxes in each hand, he moves first to Mr. Sakai and puts down one of the countertop for him.

Coming back over to the girls, he says with a smile, "If you're going anywhere you might want to take this and go. It's starting to snow again out there."

And the still-warm fried chicken is held out to Makoto.