速さ。私は速さである。

“ Nonsense, it’s the easiest and cheapest way to get out of it. Money just don’t cut it like it used to. ”

What does she mean ? Why, sweet talking, of course ! A couple drinks and a guy shambling himself into thinking he’s getting lucky with two beautiful women.

“It might be the easiest and cheapest way, but when has cutting corners ever worked out for anyone?” Kimiko couldn’t shake her concern as she bit her lip. “Are you--well, are you positive this will work?” 

“So everyone in this room knows what to do with their piles of all of these?” A grand gesture towards the stack of well-loved travel booklets in front of them. “Well… I suppose we can figure it out. Say, can you do origami with this paper?”

  “I mean, I can check but I’m not entirely sure. I usually try to have an extra around.”

“ STOP. “

“It does, I suppose that makes sense - but still, the infrastructure could always use work. It cannot be helped either way though, that’s just how the world works.” [ Hikaru didn’t give her much more than a glance over in acknowledgement of her presence, before setting down their drink to grab a file they’d been carrying around with them. Even looking over their shoulder, it seemed to be, in all ways, nothing more than a mundane file. ]

“I see, I see, that’s good.” [ They scanned over their paper with tired eyes. Their coffee left ignored, they seemed content to skim over at a snail’s pace, humming and hawing to themselves as they turned the page over. ] “Thankfully, it’s been quite fine as well. Any plans for the weekend?” [ Whatever game they were trying to play, they were getting deep into their role. ]

[ Something was off. ]

[ There wasn’t any flair to their insults--if they could even be counted as insults, that is--the infrastructure, admittedly, could always use work, especially to account for the number of people present... Actually? She took that back--there wasn’t any flair to any of their speech today, which was understandably concerning given how they normally presented themselves. ]

[ She watched them closely this time, her eyebrows furrowing as she followed their movements. Either they were doing this to throw her off guard or--something, who knows, with them it was impossible to tell until it hit you in the face, or, on the off chance they weren’t playing this odd role up on purpose---perhaps they shouldn’t be here today. ]

[ She nodded to herself, throwing her eyes back over at her papers, picking them up and putting them together so that they laid straight. She set them down before taking a sip of her coffee. ] “Ah, that’s good to hear, Fujiwara-san. And, yes, we do plan on moving forward with some designs to help alleviate the congestion.” 

“Sean… that’s the name– right.” of course he had forgotten, “Mmm… well, when someone kills my flowers, I gotta teach ‘em a lesson.” he said, his speech getting a little more rough and… Yakuza like. “But anyway!” And there was that sunshine smile and sweet tone again. “Next time we’re in your city, I’ll be sure to let you know so we can perhaps meet up, I’m not sure if you’ve ever met my boyfriend, he’s a bit of a mess, but he’s my mess.” he chuckled fondly, just smiling.

“Ah– if you’re free right now, would you like to go and get some ramen? Or maybe some coffee?” he asked, “Or perhaps we could just go on a walk and catch up.” he didn’t particularly want to just end their conversation and go their separate ways, not when he was finally graced with the presence of someone decent to talk to. 

Really, they had gotten in all this trouble here and Sean didn’t even bother to tell her. She’d ask about it later. Nonetheless, there were other... issues here, none that she’d bring up directly, but--that were still evident. She smiled big at him, choosing to ignore it. What harm could it bring--well, other than to certain New Yorkers. 

“Right, right, of course. That’s very understandable, your hard work should be appreciated, not trampled,” she nodded, “though, I do know they’re quite receptive to regular forms of communication as well...” she left it at that, however, choosing to smile at him.

“I don’t think I’ve met him, no! Do you think I’d like him?” She waved her hand, chuckling to herself, “I most likely would! I understand that entirely, I’m sure he’s cool if you chose him!”