006 ☀ Hijiri Sakuma, Kashuu Kiyomitsu

[hijirin]

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i already apologize

[sharplydressed]

[Where's Hijiri today? At work? Moseying around mountains suspiciously? Scoping out the newest chic restaurant with five star reviews?

Wherever he is, HERE COMES A SPIRIT FLOUNCING ON THROUGH. Though hilariously, as the type of tsukumogami he is, even normies can see him. So enjoy the potential stares as he loudly declares:]

I heard there's a real food hipster in here! He's like, this tall with pretty hair. Anyone seen him? I forgot his name, but he should stand out, I think!

[No clams down for now, at least... Unless Kashuu's about to try dragging a total stranger off to a top-of-the-line seafood restaurant just because he heard the dude has good taste and may need a friend or something.

(Spoilers: that is exactly what he's here to do.)]

[hijirin]

[it's a little bit of both, considering the fact that hijiri is... scoping out a menu for a trendy new restaurant he heard about while he's got a bit of downtime between missions.

though how is he supposed to appreciate the ambiance of the menu if there's some loud, boisterous spirit disturbing the mood?

(calm down, hijiri. you haven even stepped foot inside the restaurant, you stupid hipster.)

his expression is definitely a bit derisive as he looks to where kashuu is—and how others clearly notice him.]

...A spirit with no decorum at all. Pitiful. [go away, basically. or at the very least, shut up.]

[sharplydressed]

[Unfortunately for Hijiri, neither of those things are happening! No, Kashuu is like that annoying workmate who can't take a hint and just Does Not Leave People Alone.

Apparently that handful of insults is as good as any invitation to him, even, because as soon spots this prickly little punk, his expression lights up and he's trotting on over.]

You're the guy! [Good work, Kashuu.] Wow, your hair really is a pretty color. A-ny-way, I came here to get you, so are you ready to go?

[WELCOME TO THE WILD RIDE OF... this guy and his pushiness.]

[hijirin]

What do you mean, you "came here to get me?"

[this is definitely not making hijiri any less derisive—some eccentric spirit looking for him doesn't ever bode well. especially when he was rambling on about hipsters and making comments about his hair.

ugh.

echo may seem a bit amused by it, but hjiri? hijiri is having none of it.]

I have no business with you. Find someone else to take part in your annoying, childish games.

[sharplydressed]

No can do!

[CROSSING HIS ARMS IN A BIG X GESTURE as if that alone will totally reinforce the idea that he's not some bozo eccentric who's definitely bad news to hang out with. It's fine, they're fine... At least Echo can have a good laugh later.

But for now!! This is important!]

I mean exactly what I said. I came here to get you! Y'know that restaurant that opened up a branch over by the bay? The one that has a three month wait list for reservations, with the Michelin-starred sushi omakase and world famous bluefin tuna? I have a seat iiin about two hours, but the guy I was going with got sent on a mission so he can't come. So I was like, wow, I'm not eating alone! Does anyone know who'd wanna come with me? And a bunch of people were like, go take this hipster foodie, he loves that stuff!

[And now he's just STARING EXPECTANTLY...]

1/2

[hijirin]

[...

well, it's not as if hijiri is stupid enough to not recognize exactly what restaurant kashuu is talking about. of course he has, because he's been trying to get reservations for quite a while.

(to no avail, even after dropping the sakuma family name like it's hot. they're tough cookies in that place.)

does he want to go? of course he does. he's practically chomping at the bit for it, because he is a hipster foodie, though he won't admit it. ugh.

hijiri needs a second though, he needs some time to get over the fact that this weird, eccentric spirit has reservations to a top-tier establishment! before him! this idiot can't appreciate the nuance of the flavors, hijiri is sure of it!

(calm down, hijiri.)]

[hijirin]

[but of course, he can't be so simple about this. hijiri scoffs first, eyes narrowing at kashuu. he's judgmental af, honestly.]

And why exactly should I take the word of someone who would refer to me as "hipster foodie," especially without bothering to learn my name?

[what a good start.] I'm no such thing!

[yes you are, hijiri.]

It's the job of an onmyouji to eat properly in order to get the job done well, that's all! [and yet, hijiri isn't refusing.

and he's so obviously trying to mask his excitement about this particularly restaurant by being huffy about it.]

[sharplydressed]

[HE'S NOT INCORRECT, HONESTLY. Kashuu's palate is not Mega Refined, unlike some hipster foodies... He enjoys a good meal, sure, but he also enjoys stew made pretty much with just gutted fish and veggies he can dig out of his backyard, so that's where they stand.

Anyway, while he's busy being a puffed cat, Kashuu's just smiling like this is a great conversation and he's having a good time. Help him... Or stop him. Or both??]

Right, right! Humans always have to deal with stuff like that. It's pretty inconvenient, y'know?

[He only kinda-sorta knows, because he's a cheating shit whose humanish body still works on funky ghost-y rules and regulations.]

But if that's what you're gonna get hung up on, just introduce yourself to me, okay? I'm Kashuu! Kashuu Kiyomitsu.

[SURPRISE, HELLO.]

[hijirin]

[surprise indeed. because any arguing about introducing himself in turn, or the differences between humans and spirits is lost the second he says his name.]

...You mean to tell me that you're Kashuu Kiyomitsu?

[he scoffs; he's equal parts bemused and incredulous about this revelation. mostly because something is definitely off when the kashuu kiyomitsu he is aware of is very much so a woman.

and definitely not much like this idiot here, even if their aesthetic is somewhat similar in nature.]

[sharplydressed]

[It's the vampire color scheme that they're all stuck with, it's just universal...

But he places his hands on his hips, chest puffing out a little in pride! And the sword at his hip definitely does look like the Kashuu Kiyomitsu blade... Who even knows how he can walk around in public with it, honestly. People probably just think he's an eccentric cosplayer or some actor.]

That's me! People find me hard to handle, but I can still cut with the best of 'em.

[hijirin]

[well, hijiri can't deny that he's familiar with the blade, but he's still looking over kashuu with an extremely critical eye. the words match at well, but even still...]

I'm hard-pressed to believe it's quite that simple. You're already an anomaly even before you stated your name. [is he skeptical? he's skeptical.]

[sharplydressed]

An anomaly? Geez! It doesn't sound good when you say it like that.

[Is there really a good way of calling someone an anomaly, though...]

I am who I am.

[hijirin]

[there isn't, but there's also the fact that hijiri doesn't care how insulting it sounds.]

I'm sure the Kashuu Kiyomitsu that I'm aware of would agree. You are the anomaly in all ways.

[sharplydressed]

[Why does he always end up dealing with these Truly Exhausting People, the real questions.]

I'm not an anomaly! And this is the first time I'm even meeting you, so you can't trick me, saying something like that. I keep good track of the people I talk to!

[It's part of the time traveler job description...]

[hijirin]

I'd say that anyone who defies logic and reason to how this world works is plenty capable of being an anomaly.

[hijiri is not going to be any less exhausting right now.]

Spirits and Daemons are not to be seen by those who lack the spiritual ability to perceive them. And further...

The Kashuu Kiyomitsu we have dealings with... I doubt she would disagree about this oddity. Perhaps I should consult Okita or Kikuichimonji Norimune? Surely, they would have opinions on this matter.

[sharplydressed]

[GIVE HIM A SECOND HERE--]

She? [...] Kikuichimonji Norimune? [That sword didn't even exist?!] And what d'you mean about-- That guy's dead.

[He's aging 100 years a minute here, but also keeping an eye on the clock because he's not about to let crossed streams get in the way of his meal. ON THE PLUS SIDE, being used to crossing streams means he's a little better equipped to trying to figure stuff like this out--]

I'm Kashuu Kiyomitsu of the Swords Army. Ring any bells?

[hijirin]

[it's fine, kashuu. if he starts walking... hijiri will follow. he may be a major punk about all of this, but the hipster foodie is also not going to refuse eating at such a highly-regarded establishment.]

"Swords Army?" [it definitely doesn't ring any bells—and the fact that kashuu seems so baffled by hijiri's assertions raises alarms of its own.]

...As I said. An anomaly.

[sharplydressed]

[Hm. HM... Well, if he doesn't already know about the Swords Army, it is probably not something Kashuu should be talking about.

So he turns on his heel and does indeed start walking away, abruptly changing the topic. Smooth.]

So! D'you like table or booth seats? Or sitting at the counter?

[hijirin]

[he follows, though not without complaint.]

The finest way to appreciate a meal is by seeing just how the chef crafts it. anything else would be a complete disservice to their hard work.

[what a fucking dumb foodie hipster.

and, in any case:]

And don't try to change the subject on me! We are not done with this conversation!

[sharplydressed]

Oh... Huh. I guess you've got a point there. That's a pretty thoughtful thing to say, actually.

[WHY DOES HE SOUND SURPRISED... Well, probably because Hijiri's set a really strong precedence just in the few minutes they've been talking, honestly.]

It's not a very good lunchtime conversation though, y'know? So! Let's just enjoy a good meal first.

[And then he can flee into the mists... But first, FOOD. Look, there's that fancy restaurant just up ahead! And boy, the line's just as long as it ever is.]

[hijirin]

[he's eyeballing the line, but the wait will be worth it for the food. hijiri's pretty sure of that, so he's not going to complain.

about that part, at least.]

Do you take me for some kind of fool?

[sharplydressed]

...Is that some kinda trick question or something? [Rude without even meaning to be...]

We can talk later! Promise. I mean, if that's your problem, anyway.

[WHO KNOWS this kid is so prickly he might have beef with something else that Kashuu's said or done. Kashuu doesn't keep particularly close track of the potential Rude Things that come out of his mouth...]

[hijirin]

Your manner of evasion is doing you no favors at all.

[he doesn't even care about the rudeness, it's the fact that kashuu is evading what he's saying. the change of subjects and things of that like get under his skin more than anything else, and naturally... he's terrible at letting it go.]

[sharplydressed]

You make it sound like there's a manner of evasion that would do me favors.

[A little huffy-sounding sigh!

He also proceeds to - totally skip the line once they actually get to it, gesturing for Hijiri to follow. Looks like he's heading toward the VIP seating area instead of the regular dining seats. Just how well-connected is this punk...]

[hijirin]

The sort that would keep you from answering my pressing questions.

[naturally.

though it's finally the time when hijiri gets a bit distracted bu it all because—well—

just how well connected is this punk?

this is... kind of incredible, honestly. vip seating in one of the trendiest, hardest places to eat in the city? ...who is this kashuu really?]