1978/Tonkotsu, Tontalksu

Tonkotsu, Tontalksu
Date of Scene:	30 September 2024
Location:	Okujoo Ramen
Synopsis:	Chiyo and Taro are grabbing ramen and enjoying a talk, when Sugata shows up for a Star Driver order, and joins them.
Cast of Characters:	Taro Yamada, Chiyo Sakai, Sugata Shindo

---

Taro Yamada has posed:
There are many benefits to defecting from Obsidian. One of them is despite the short amount of time Taro had worked there, he'd managed to accumulate a decent nest egg to support himself. That paired with working wagashi full time meant that Taro had enough money to have a little fun outside of school. For example -

"Ramen!" He bounces on his toes, trying to get a look at the menu. "Do you know if their hakata - er, their Tonkotsu ramen is good? That's my favorite!"

(He corrects himself quickly because he knows it was called hakata ramen at home, but that was a long time ago and an island away. It still feels a little strange, naming something from his home after being gone so long.)

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
The smell of the broth alone in the shop was worth coming here. It had been awhile since Chiyo was last here and she certainly missed the late night visits after being on patrol. It's a bit melancholy but her stomach was very happy to prepare for a familiar meal, and her mouth was already watering a bit.

The question of the tonkatsu earns an amused grin from her. "You're showing your age," she teases lightly, quiet enough to not be overheard too much by others. "It's good though! The onsen egg here is also good with the ramen. I may get two," she adds as she looks over the various offerings thoughtfully. "Keep an eye out for who might show up, too. A lot of the group I used to work with like this place." Here she pauses with a wistful sigh. "I've missed it."

Did she mean the ramen, or being magical?

Taro Yamada has posed:
The smell of cooking pork is enough to make homesickness well up in him. His auntie would take him and her children out for ramen as a treat, now and then, and hakata-style ramen was the hometown specialty.

"It's what it was called back then!" he protests quietly, then coughs, swapping to a more normal voice. "By group you used to work with, do you mean like Usagi's friends or like Window Boy?" Should he be expecting a welcome or a fight? He can do both. Please ask him to fight. Please.

"...do you wanna come here more often?" he asks gingerly. "Since you like it..."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Window Boy earns an amused look where once she would have just looked outright disgusted that he was brought up. It was an improvement! "Usagi-chan and her friends, but unfortunately 'window boy' was kind of among the number. I've not seen him in awhile though so I think I'm safe from any more declarations of love." Good. Good.

A gentle pat is given to his shoulder at the whisper. "I know, I'm teasing. It is good though. I think you'll like it," she assures only to decide, "I might have some too. It *does* sound good tonight."

Coming here more often though? That takes a moment of consideration before giving a quick nod. "I think I'd like that. I know I'm still welcome but I have kept my distance a bit due to everything. I don't really want people to feel bad for me. It's been awhile though. I think losing touch with everyone is a worse thought."

Taro Yamada has posed:
"Yeah, time goes faster than you expect. This situation sucks, but... I don't want you to loose your friends," Taro says awkwardly. "So we sit with Usagi-chan if we see her, and I'll find an available window if that guy shows up." He's got a plan! "If it gets weird, I can be your fake boyfriend." A pause, and he clarifies - "To scare off any weirdos. I'm very good at looking frightening."

He is the best, trust him.

"You should have some! It's really good," he says. "I'll even sacrifice half my egg so you can appreciate how brothy it gets."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"Fake boyfriend? I don't know if I should be doing *that* again," Chiyo remarks with a laugh at the suggestion. Though she does glance sidelong at Taro a moment considering him. He wasn't exactly scary.

"Besides," she points out as she reaches out to flick a bit of his hair away from his face with her fingertips. "I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea that might be interested in *you.* We should do something with your hair soon, and neaten up your look some."

As for the ramen she nods in agreement with a quick grin. "Deal. Let's order then. I'm taking you up on your egg offer, though."

Taro Yamada has posed:
"....you think people could be interested in me?" hold the phone hold the phone back right up what does that MEAN -

When she brushes his wild bangs from his face, his eyes are wide and only growing wider.

His eyes are like cueballs as he says, almost as afterthought, "Let's get the tonkotsu with extra onsen eggs, then."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai looks vaguely amused at the deer in the headlights expression such a remark earned. Though she didn't really have anyone in mind she was hinting at the fact that he'd been spending an awful lot of time with going over to chat with a girl lately. Of course, for all she knew they were just friends, but... A small shrug is given. "You have very sharp features, but that doesn't mean we can't work with what you have. You have very nice hair. It just needs tidied and styled some."

Turning away she heads to the counter to place the order. Absently she remarks, "You know the last guy who pretended to be my boyfriend ended up having a crush on the same guy that I did." How funny!

Taro Yamada has posed:
"Literally no one has ever said that before," Taro squeaks, and he ruffles his hair bcak so it falls over his face again. He'll wear it back as the Slasher, but he wants people to see his terrifying and ugly features then. It's weird having Chiyo act like they're. Not. Those things. A good weird, but weird nonetheless.

When she mentions the previous fake boyfriend, Taro wheezes and protests: "Phillip is NOT that hot!"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai looks very, very amused. The order is placed though and she makes her way back with numbered tickets in hand so they could claim them as soon as they were finished.

"Not Philip," she explains chuckling as one ticket is handed over to Taro. "This was way, way before that. Even before window boy." Here she hesitates just a moment looking vaguely embarassed. It was old news, really, but she'd been through so much since then. She'd grown! She'd learned!

"I had a crush on Kazuo-san, and I told him in front of Mamoru-kun," she explains matter-of-fact. He knew enough of the group to know THAT situation no doubt.

Taro Yamada has posed:
Taro listens intently to the drama and is pleasantly surprised to realize he does know everyone in this tale -

And then flushes. "I mean. I don't see how you could help it, if he was single at the time. It's not as if you could know that Radiant Heart's hottest bachalors were all planning on dating each other."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai reaches up to cover her face with her hand momentarily as her head shook. "They ah, they weren't, but I also didn't know that at the time. We're still friends and I'm so glad he isn't upset but it was embarassing," she mumbles with a chuckle. "After that I met Kukai--Ah, that was another situation."

"He wanted to date me and we went out a few times until one of our dates was interrupted by window boy's sister. Apparently SHE liked Kukai. The whole reason that window boy took me to prom was as an apology for his sister. Supposedly."

Here she just grins at Taro sheepishly. "I haven't had a lot of luck with boys until Philip."

Taro Yamada has posed:
"Yeah. Yeah, no, that's understandable. I met Kazuo while I was, ah, on the clock and he completely derailed me from what I had planned by existing. Embarassing, but he seems like a nice guy?"

He's never had someone ask him politely to stpo stabbing people before. It was so out of pocket and his face so angelic that it had worked.

"....I think window boy needs to go out more windows," Taro says darkly. "All of these boys are terrible. If things don't work out, I'll.... I don't know how a girl makes boys like her but I'll think of a way to help."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai reaches out to lightly pat Taro's hand at that with a shake of her head. "It's okay. While I can't deny I kind of envy those that have somehow managed to find the ones for them at our age, more often than not being a teenager is about dating and figuring things out."

"I've definitely had my share of 'figuring things out' though," she adds with a little laugh of amusement. "But even if boys have been a tricky thing for me, I've got some amazing friends at the least."

Sugata Shindo has posed:
It really is late night ramen, because here comes a Mahou! Ginga Kingu, clad in his blues and whites, gold trim and cravat and all, utterly uncaring of the looks people are throwing his way for cosplaying so late. He's got a phone in his hand, texting as he joins the line, though he looks up at the sound of a familiar voice -

"Chiyo-san," he greets, dipping his head politely, "Good to see you. And - ah."

He has, belatedly, recognized who is with her. Unfortunately.

Taro Yamada has posed:
Here comes a mahou! Taro lights up when he sees him, remembering how cool his lasers were, his awesome costume, his robot powers!!! (His boyfriend?!)

"Hi!" and he waves. "Oh, Chiyo, do you know this guy? He's great! He blew up a mushroom!"

Zero realization of the awkwardness! One hundred puppy dog enthusiasm!

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
When they first arrived Chiyo had indeed warned Taro that perhaps, just perhaps, some other mahou might show up. It was one of the places that was open late, on a rooftop, and perfect for the 'cosplayers' to visit after a long fight to recharge, relax, and socialize.

It had been awhile since Chiyo had seen Sugata in his Kinga Kingu outfit though. A little look of surprise crosses her face only to turn into a wide smile as she dips her head toward him in greeting as well. "Sugata-san, so good to see you. I'm guessing you won," she remarks matter-of-fact as her attention shifts to Taro with a chuckle at his enthusiasm.

"Yes, we know each other, Taro." A pause and she adds, "Taro's apprenticing under Ojiisan at the shop. We were just getting some tonkatsu ramen if you'd like to join us, Sugata-san."

Sugata Shindo has posed:
The other isn't saying anything about it, which Sugata is going to accept, graciously, as his due, because as far as he's concerned that horrifying moment can be left in the past, forever. "Of course I did. And since I handled it without Takuto and Wako, I've got to bring back food."

Not that he wouldn't usually be the one ordering, of course, with his limitless platinum card.

"Hm - I don't mind. Wako and Takuto aren't expecting me back immediately... and yes, we've met. There was a haunted house." Should he have brought that up?

Taro Yamada has posed:
"You're very popular," Taro says, nodding sagely. That made complete sense. Sugata really needed more meat on his bones, the twig that he was, but he was so playful with that other guy - Takuto, he supposes.

"There was a haunted house! It was only using low level youma, so I was giving it a run through since I figured leaving that up would be safer than letting whoever it was do something actually dangerous and I like haunted houses, and, well. The mushroom startled him. I can't blame him, I got kicked out of the house before when a mannequin startled me so I tried to take it's head off." You know! A normal reaction!

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai smiles knowingly at talk of bringing food to Takuto and Wako. Especially Wako. "I'm sure they're sorry they missed out." So long as food was on the way though they likely would be able to forgive him for getting to fight withou them. Wako for worrying, Takuto for wanting to fight too.

The talk of the 'haunted house' earns a little tilt of her head and raise of a single eyebrow curiously. This was something she hadn't heard about. Then again there was a lot that went on she wasn't privvy to after all. A deep breath is taken, and let out slowly. "Just don't mention that to Usagi-chan, she's terrified of ghosts and things like that. Speaking of which we may need to keep others from tormenting her this year again."

A slight crinkle of her nose comes. "She got turned into an Akuma last year after the boys in her class kept scaring her during the festival. I'm sure they're going to make a 'test of bravery' again even so." Something to consider for later.

Her hands clap together decisively as she states, "Let's grab a table then." At least there were plenty around that could accomodate them all. She starts toward it with a quick glance at her order ticket to remember the number for when it was called.

Sugata Shindo has posed:
"I am. You met Takuto, last time, but Wako-chan is my fiancé and Takuto's girlfriend, and one of Chiyo-san's roommates." He had not been afraid of the mushrooms, but he's not going to correct the misunderstanding, not now. And then he turns to Wako and smiles faintly, "They are. That's why I have to bring them ramen."

He really does need to bring some back, but for now? He'll make an order for ramen.

"We ran into it on accident, though Taro-san and Faust-san were on their second go, as he's mentioned. I'm not sure if it's well-known just yet..."

The explanation is listened to carefully, and he frowns.

"Tormented? To the point of being transformed? Surely someone decided to intervene with that level of bullying."

Actually, why did he say that? Not that he has experience being bullied - he didn't - but intervention rarely came from outsiders.

Taro Yamada has posed:
"People are tormenting Usagi-san with ghosts?" Illegal. One thousand years jail. Sailor Moon could annihilate any ghost she wanted but she shouldn't have to, especially after the summer she's had. "Would it help if she had a haunted house whisperer with her? I've worked at a couple of them, and it's super uncool to make someone who doesn't want to be at a haunted house go to one. It'll make them hate horror!" As a horror lover, he must protest! You cannot bring the horse to water and expect her to drink while terrified!

He follows Sugata and Chiyo to the table, adding "Wow, you're REALLY popular. You're a really good boyfriend, bringing them back ramen!" Which is 100% and unironically positive and admiring, despite the Previous Incident TM. "It's kind of embarassing to punch a haunted house worker, even if it is also a youma? I figured that Sugata-san wouldn't want weird rumors. I'm not a snitch!"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai makes a bit of a face only to nod slowly, and then reach up rubbing at her eyes with thumb and forefinger. "Yes, it's just... Usagi-chan really is a total chicken with scary stuff. They were mostly just coming up behind her and saying 'boo', but a few took it too far. They even recorded her screams to play back for the haunted house!" Here she grimaces looking annoyed. "I wasn't around at the time myself, I only heard after the fact. I'll be keeping an eye out for them this time though," she assures with an obvious cracking of her knuckles. Scaredy cat or not, that was her cousin. She wasn't above busting a few heads.

A little look is cast at Taro when he gushes about how good a boyfriend Sugata is. Amused, a bit, but she doesn't press the topic. She had been curious since he'd been visiting Amy so much lately but hadn't really brought it up either yet. Plus he agreed Kazuo was hot. That was kind of tell tale there, a bit, maybe?

"I think she'd just rather do something like pass out candy or bob for apples," she remarks to Taro about the horror aspect. "Something calm and not scary."

Sugata Shindo has posed:
"From what I've heard of Tsukino-san, bobbing for apples or giving out candy - or, eating it with Wako-chan - sounds more likely."

Still, the idea that people had been tormenting someone that Wako considered a friend, so thoroughly, just doesn't sit right. "Try to leave them alive, at least. A swing of your fists might leave them praying for more than peace."

He's heard about what happened with Chiyo, and her powers. It's a shame - but he doesn't believe that it's made her any less capable.

"It's because they missed out on the fight," he explains to Taro. "With the nature of our abilities, we always know when one of us has been in battle. It's impossible to miss. So whoever was left out usually wants to know the details, and such."

And stories are best shared with snacks.

Taro Yamada has posed:
"I can do bob for apples! It's about the season for an apply pastry, anyway," Taro says to Chiyo, pondering. "Usagi-chan shouldn't get bullied like that." He pauses, then leans in, voice lowered. "....Would she mind if I, ah, 'had a word' with anyone who tries things? Give them a good spook in return?"

A good spook, vampire attack, you know. tomato, tahmato. He wouldn't permanantly hurt anyone! Just give them a little fright. Informatively.

And he nods to Sugata at the explenation. "I got it, I got it. If everyone knows when guns get drawn, of course people would want to know why. it's a healthy way for a team to work. Sugata-san wouldn't be nearly as popular otherwise."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
"Yeah I think some nice, safe, non-spooky things would be good for her this year. I'll be careful not to leave too many marks. I've already got a reputation as the 'girl who threw someone out a window.'" Chiyo grins faintly, "He deserved it though."

Taro's suggestion of 'talking' to people earns a little arch of her eyebrow warily. She could guess just what he might be talking about, but at the same time... Would Usagi be okay with that? "I hope the boys learned their lessons last year after being turned into dolls for awhile. But if they do... At least distract them from her. That ought to do it."

As for the rest? Well the numbers for their ramen are called out so she rises out of habit to get them, only remarking with amusement, "I imagine Sugata-san being popular has very little to do with his fighting ability. I'll grab our orders," she offers as she turns to get it leaving Taro and Sugata ALONE for a moment.

Sugata Shindo has posed:
Apple pastries sound like something Wako would be interested in. Sugata considers for a moment, then leans a little in, telling Taro seriously, "If your product is good, I'll buy some. Wako-chan enjoys sweets, and I can't keep buying Chiyo-san out of house and home."

He probably could, but Wako would make that face again, and Takuto would laugh that laugh again. like they do every time he buys one of everything on the menu at restaurants they drag him to.

"I've yet to meet Tsukino-san personally, but my understanding is she wouldn't want anyone terribly frightened. On the other hand, anyone showing such a grave lack of self-preservation could probably do with a timely reminder."

And then their numbers are called and Chiyo goes off to get them, and Sugata - sighs, a little.

"It honestly doesn't. Keeping each other informed is just habit. Besides, those two would worry I destroyed another street, if I didn't update them."

Taro Yamada has posed:
"That's fine. I've been well behaved. I can throw someone out a window this time," Taro says with great confidence. "And I can make apple pastries! Do you know if she has a preference? I can do pumpkins too."

He has many abilities. Including throwing people out windows. He hasn't been much of a menace this summer since he's been busy adn contemplating not being a villain, but like. If Chiyo asked him to commit violence. Please ask him to commit violence. "I can distract them. I'm good at that."

And as for the two of them alone, Taro nods. "Usagi-san is a very nice person, with strong moral values. When I was in trouble and looked like a mess, she helped me out. I figure the least I can do is return the favor." Besides, she was Sailor Moon and saved a lot of people. Anyone bullying her should be taught a Memorable Lesson. Kids these days didn't always get it. So he can help them. Personally. AS a monster. "Mm, it's important to communicate well. No wonder your Takuto-kun is so comfortable with you, if hte two of you are such good friends."

TAro's eyes flick to Sugata nervously, then back. He hasn't really, ah, talked to other gay people in public other than Amy? And even then, most of their deep conversations were in the dorms, not out here. Fuck. Is he doing this right??

Sugata Shindo has posed:
"She likes just about anything, so long as it's good, but I'm not sure if she's tried much pumpkin, so I'll order a dozen of both."

He hasn't asked for the prices. They don't matter. How much can they be, 1000 yen each?

He really does have to wonder if Yamada is actually magical, given how readily he takes all of this. It doesn't particularly matter, unless he uses a sword, but for Some Reason, he doesn't feel like asking Taro if he's got a good hand with swords.

Some Reason.

But they're alone, and he's surprised, vaguely, to get the Good Friends comment, though it is the polite thing to say - maybe he's trying out tact, after last time? "We've been through many things, the three of us. It'd be more odd for him to be uncomfortable with me, given we're dating."

Something he's not ashamed to state openly, even if he does not want to get the seme and uke question again.

Taro Yamada has posed:
"Really? I can get you a price list if you want. I'm really good with pastries, so if you get me requests, requried level of fanciness and food restrictions I can make a lot of stuff. I"m better with Japanese-style foods but I've been getting better with Western pastries." Taro is always ready to make a deal for a meal! He has many options for those who desire snackrifice.

And when Sugata talks, taro blinks, and he's quiet for a moment, face contemplative. It takes him another few breaths to respond:

"Wh - where I grew up, that kind of thing didn't really get talked about. I didn't know it was like, an option. For a while? So I'm really glad the three of you can have fun together and so openly. You seem like a really nice boyfriend."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
There's enough time that Chiyo is gone for a little conversation to go on between the boys. Unfortunately she doesn't think that Taro might say something TOO silly but... Alas. She returns to the table carefully carrying a tray with three bowls, and a bag with the takeout dangling from one hand. It's a heavy bit to carry but she has no issue with it--She's just trying not to slosh the broth of the bowls meant for eating now.

She catches just the tail end of Taro's remarks while carefully setting down the tray for them all. Tonkatsu ramen for her and Taro, and whatever it was that Sugata ordered.

"Wako seems to think so by the way she talks about Sugata-san. It's a bit more open here, though, like with Mamoru and his boyfriends."

Sugata Shindo has posed:
"I wouldn't have said it if I didn't mean it," Sugata says practically, and nods. "If you have other options, we can talk about an expanded order."

Making orders, that's something he can do, easily. Talking about feelings, and - what it means to admit them? Not so much. Sugata considers his words for a moment, before stating, carefully, "It wasn't spoken of much where I was raised, either. But we chose not to let that stand in our way. That's what Takuto showed us."

Takuto had shown them both that they could have more. Be more. That life did not have to be what they thought it did - that Sugata didn't have to make the choices he decided, that there was more room than they could have ever imagined.

Sugata will never admit it so casually, but he really is their hero.

Chiyo returns, adding in that Wako has been talking well about him, which he had never doubted, and he smiles faintly. The food is accepted - Sugata had gotten miso ramen, unlike the two of them, and he snaps his chopsticks and stirs the toppings about slightly.

"It might be. I've only been in Tokyo since the start of this year - but after Southern Cross Island, I'm hardly going to let Tokyo stop us."

Taro Yamada has posed:
"I'll get you a menu. I mostly work off commission and most of my clients are other students, so it's usually pretty basic, but I can set up something proper for you," Taro says. "I can do decent work with artistic-looking pastries as well as making them taste good, so if you have custom work, I have options. Might be slow since I have classes and a part time job, but my weekends are usually free."

He has many powers, including making the most delicious of sweets.

When Chiyo shows up and mentions Wak o and the others - "Oh, I think I saw her concert once? It's been a while, but she's a really good singer. It sounds like your two partners are really cool," Taro says, and there is zero shred of irony there, just pure admiration.

"I've moved around a lot, but it seems like Tokyo is really modern now? It's been a while since I've been back home,but I'm guessing Southern Cross Island is more southwise than Fukuoka."

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai nudges Taro's bowl with extra egg (that she was going to steal) toward him with a smile. The two seemed to be getting along so far. Even if the topic was on relationships. The to-go bag is set on the empty chair at their table near Sugata for later before she sinks back into her own chair with a sigh borne of allowing herself to just relax a bit.

"Yeah she's a really good singer. She wants to become an idol." There's a certain lack of emotion with that remark. Chiyo really wanted to encourage her friend. She also had FEELINGS about that particular goal that she was trying not to impose on her friend.

"Southern Cross sounds like a nice place--So far as islands go, at least. I've never been outside of mainland Japan so I can't say."

Sugata Shindo has posed:
"She's performed at a few places now," Sugata says, with obvious pride in his voice, "She's excellent. She's always wanted to share her voice, and now she can."

And that makes everything they did, and everything he would have done - worth it.

"And I would appreciate that. A menu to share with Wako will be the easiest way to identify what she'd like, besides getting to try everything." Which he would happily arrange. "Don't worry about the timing. Quality is worth patience."

He has no concerns.

Though, he did glance at Chiyo, with that certain lack of emotion. It's not censuring, but, there's something there. He'll have to ask Wako about it.

"It's pleasant, enough. Many people enjoy it. There's a ferry that travels there fairly often." Now it's Sugata's turn to have that certain lack of emotion with his remarks. Southern Cross Island - home and prison alike - is something he's thought of often, primarily in terms of how to ensure that any necessary returns have no ways to become a trap.

Taro Yamada has posed:
"She is! I didn't have many chances to get out and see concerts as a kid, so it's really nice being able to see singers go to town now. That probably sounds really old fashioned, but everything here seems so new fashioned to me? Everything is so bright and beautiful and sleek, like a newly sharpened knife," Taro says fondly. "I wish I could show my Ma Tokyo. She'd really get a kick out of how brilliant everything is."

His Ma wouldn't be able to keep up with it, what with her joints, but she'd love watching from Oyaji's porch, love sitting with Oyaji and enjoying the crowds. Enjoying watching life around her even as she stood still.

(Time has passed.He knows time has passed. He knows he will only find stone and ashes if he goes home. But his mother would love his friends so much, he is sure.)

"I'll write up a menu for you, Sugata-kun," Taro says, and goes to his backpack for a notebook and paper. "If I haven't made a thing yet, I'm willing to try." He can always eat the failures! "A ferry? That sounds like a pain in the neck. Being on mainland for so long means I'm too used to train schedules. The ocean is always doing something stupid, isn't it?"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
It wasn't usual for Chiyo to reach over with chopsticks to steal out of someone else's bowl, but Taro had promised her egg... So she snags half of one of his to plop into her own bowl while they talk of menus, and ferries to the island. At least Sugata's meal is safe.

"I'm sure she'd be proud of you, too, Taro-kun," she offers trying to be as encouraging as possible while... well it was another subject she knew so little of. Just think of Grandma. She was a far better mother than her own.

The egg is devoured almost immediately.

"A menu is always a good idea. I need to work up our seasonal one soon as well. I'm starting to think it would be nice to expand to having more drinks on the menu, but that would cut into our work area quite a bit too." Things to consider!

"I can ask when Wako is having her next concert if you'd like? I'm sure she'd enjoy having more people come listen to her."

Sugata Shindo has posed:
"I'd appreciate that," Sugata nods to Taro, "And yes, the trains aren't quite capable of going across the sea for us. It's the ferry, or a private plane."

He'd taken the plane, which he regretted, if only because he really should have flown himself.

"The ocean does what the ocean does. I've always lived with it - until now, at least. So has Wako-chan."

It was why he'd built the space for her purification to take place - because there are things, that, for each of them, mean more than just home, but normality, and life.

"...a seasonal menu? I might have to buy out your shop again after all, Chiyo-san."

Taro Yamada has posed:
"I'll try and give you a decent scope - do you want all options for decorations? I can't really set up like the chocolate guy since I use mochi as my primary building material, but I've gotten pretty good with mochi. If you want any specialty color or flavor combinations, I've gotten really good with those." Taro is busy at work writing up what he can do for Sugata! Now that he knows he has a client with taste,he's got to go all out...

Though he is gulping up his ramen after he gives Chiyo one of his eggs. Can't work on an empty stomach! "My Ma probably would be happy. She wanted me to get a nice job and take care of myself. The rest is gravy." ....His good mood falters for a moment. He can't really tell her - it's been so long - "She'd have liked you two. My dad was her childhood sweetheart, so she'd approve of Sugata-san being so supportive."

Right. Anyway- wait wait wait. "Chiyo, could we get commissioned to cater to the concert? It'd be a great way for us to expand our customer base, and it'd make Wako-chan's concerts even more impressive...!"

Chiyo Sakai has posed:
Chiyo Sakai flashes Sugata an amused smile at mention of being bought out again. "The main menu doesn't change much but we try to have at least three to five new peices or rotating flavors a season," she explains with a laugh. "It's so much better when you have fresh, in season items to work with. Plus it keeps things from getting boring." She was rather proud of that, and of being the one to have worked on the menus the last year.

Taro's suggestion of catering earns a little shoulder rolling shrug. "We could work something out, I'm certain. I had a booth up at the prom, too. It was really popular so that part of the night went well at least." She'll not get too much into the rest of the night.

"Maybe if she ever does a fan meet-and-greet we can do up some treats for her to serve to the fans that pay to meet her? Other than just a handshake like most do."