[Fourze/Pagebreak/Etc Mushball Universe, specifically tagging Kazari and Etienne, but open to all]

[sushisamurai]

It's good to be back in Japan. France was nice, but there's something about being home that just feels right.

I fall back into my sushi peddling ways with ease, putting my old cart to good use as I walk the city in search of customers. Daigoyou and my origamis are wonderful company, but I do miss being one of Take-chan's samurai.

Just a bit.

I set my cart in a nicely populated area, there's a school that's just getting out nearby, and lots of people milling about. I rest my hands on my hips and nod with determination.

"Gold Sushi, open for business!"

Comments

[interpolate]

Okay, so maybe I should have stayed at the base as Operator and back-up, instead of going undercover at the school. I didn't think so all day, until Takosawa contacted me during my lunch period and told me he was picking me up like he was actually my parent, as opposed to a three-foot tall robotic octopus.

Because that's normal.

Then again, there's nothing normal about this school, or this city, or my life in general. So I agree.

After the classes let out, I head off the grounds, and find Takosawa lurking near a... sushi cart?

"Salut!" I call to the sushi seller. I wonder if Takosawa is thinking about storming him to find out if he serves... tako. I hope not.

[sushisamurai]

Ika is making an extra amount of noise today, fretting about in his 'tank' with Ebi, who seems decidedly less interested in whatever has Ika all riled up.

"Calm down, Ika-chan. There's nothing to be worried about anymore. We beat all the badguys and the Gokaigers cleaned up the rest. Settle down." I tap the tank gently, smiling and trying to get her to relax.

My head snaps up and I double take when someone calls out a greeting in french. I am in Japan, right? I line my hand up with my forehead, like I'm shielding my eyes from the sun, and squint.

A student, I assume, based on his clothes, is the one calling the greeting. I wave in return.

"Salut!" I return the greeting in french, I know my accent is strong, but I continue for a bit anyway, just because that's how I was greeted. "Que puis-je obtenir pour vous aujourd'hui?*"


*What can I get for you today? [google translate]

[interpolate]

I'm about to just continue on, but the sushi seller is speaking to me in French, and I wheel around with wide eyes.

I haven't heard that much French from anyone aside from myself in... well, in thirteen years. Since my mom... well. Anyway. Bad memories.

I slow down and then finally turn to move closer to the cart. Takosawa can see me, and he seems delightfully oblivious to the other students and parents giving him odd looks as he tentacles his way closer.

"Vous parlez très bien français," I offer with a smile, before switching easily to Japanese. "For that, I'll gladly sit and have a bite." I bow to him. "Kurosawa Etienne, at your service, and a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

[sushisamurai]

I bow in return, also returning his smile. "Umemori Genta, a pleasure to meet you!"

I tilt my head at him, hoping I'm not over stepping my bounds. "Your French is practically flawless, I felt like I was back in France when you greeted me. Quite the whiplash, if you understand my meaning."

As I talk I get a fresh plate out for the boy, and start prepping the other base ingredients, though I am in no way brushing off our conversation, just doing two things at once. "Have you spent time there? And what can I get for you today?"

[catcameback]

Sushi?

There's sushi somewhere near the school, I know it as soon as I leave the grounds.

There, he's even announcing it.

I try not to skip on my way over, digging my wallet out of my pocket and counting the allowance Jou has given me. It'll do, for now.

"Hey, sushi-ka." I put the entire contents of my wallet on his little counter. "How much sashimi can I get for this?" I'm learning not to just take, and to ask specifically for what I want. I was getting a lot of odd looks for leaving mounds of rice behind every time I had sushi proper.

[sushisamurai]

Ika and Ebi go quiet when this excited new customer comes over. Just as well, it's best if people think they're just toy mascots and not semi-sentient origami mechs.

I greet the customer warmly and with a small bow, then blink down at the sizable amount of money he sets down on my cart. I could lie and take more money than the sashimi would be worth, but I'm not just a merchant and chef anymore, I'm also an honorary samurai. I must maintain my honor.

"Quite a bit," I nod, counting out the money. "Are you sure you can eat this much? Do you want me to just give you as much as you can eat and then your change back?"

[catcameback]

I blink at him for a moment, then I manage to smile.

"I can eat... quite a lot. Of fish." I point out, I find my body is less willing to keep going with other foods. Not that that stops Megumi from making me eat all those vegetables and whatnot.

"But if that's what makes you comfortable," I perch on one of his stools and lean forward, sniffing in the direction of the tank that does not have fish in it, not real live fish anyway.

[sushisamurai]

I smile at him and nod, kicking into full gear as I prepare the requested sashimi. Since he seems open to whatever, I prepare a wide assortment of the varieties people seem to like most from me, arranging them artistically on a wide plate before handing them over with a pair of chopsticks.

I bow respectfully. "Enjoy!"

Ebi has scooted so far away from this customer that he's practically hugging the opposite side of the tank, and Ika is on the same side, floating high, and letting out tiny puffs of ink, not enough to cloud the tank, but enough to let me know she's nervous. I rest my hand against the glass, wishing I could talk to them and calm them down, but that would look weird to most people.

[pussyfortono]

. . . Genta.

[samuraisister]

Tono-sama!

[pussyfortono]

Kotoha.

[kabukisamurai]

I have heard he, if not they, are rampaging at a nearby high school. Not the school that I had previously posed as a student teacher at, but hopefully I will be able to find my way onto the faculty of this school as well.

I refuse to acknowledge how upset I am by such a turn of events. Only a few months after the Ranger Key arrived to my hand (in the middle of a performance, no less), and here my Lord, and some of my dearest friends have been engulfed by this new rising evil. It is terrible, and as such I will not.

Running up to the school, however, I'm caught short by a wave of serious melancholy, and I pause, only to hear a familiar voice.

I spin around. The Gold Sushi cart. I'd almost forgotten he had returned to Japan. I'm not as alone as I feared.

"Genta!"

[pussyfortono]

[ as Ryuunosuke is heading towards Genta's cart, he's also turning a corner & heading that way too. He notices Ryuunosuke right away & starts walking over to him ]

[samuraisister]

There's a familiar figure. "Ryuu-san!" I yell, running up to him with my arms outstretched.

[sushisamurai]

I turn at the sound of my name being spoken - well, shouted really - by a familiar voice. I squint in the sunlight, then my face breaks out into a wide grin. I throw a whole arm into the air and wave excitedly at him.

"Ryuu-san!" My wave turns into a sweeping gesture, beckoning him to come and have a seat at my cart. "Come! Come! The usual, I assume? On the house today."

[kabukisamurai]

"Genta!" I repeat, tripping over myself in my haste to get to his cart, planting my hands on the counter and shaking my head as I pant and try to organize my thoughts. I hadn't realized how long I'd been running.

Not with any particular goal, of course. I think maybe I was trying ineffectually to outrun the truth.

"There's trouble," I finally choke out, once my breathing evens out. "Something terrible has happened."

[samuraisister]

It's funny how this feels like coming home. I can't wait to see everyone again. I'm making my way past a school when I see-

"Gen-chan!"

[sushisamurai]

I look up from preparing a plate for an extremely shy first year, squinting curiously in the direction of a familiar voice. I smile wide when I see who it is.

"Kotoha-chan!"

[samuraisister]

I skip up to his cart and beam beam beam at him. "It's so good to see you! But I'll let you help your customer, first."

Manners are important.

Evil Chiaki, sanjou. ;)

[kogarashinomai]

Takeru wants this area watched: Messiah has him occupied elsewhere which means I get to do it. I stroll out of the gates in my borrowed uniform, watching warily for any sign of the power Messiah wants.

...There's a familiar voice in the distance and my mouth thins into a hard line as I see it. Genta. He has to be here to stop us, there's no other reason.

I make my way over and lean against the counter. "Long time no see, Gen-chan."

Re: Evil Chiaki, sanjou. ;)

[samuraisister]

I run up to the cart, my bag bouncing where it's tied across my shoulders. "Chiaki!"

Oooh, Kotoha doesn't know, huh? :D

[kogarashinomai]

I go still, then turn around with a smile. "Kotoha, you're here as well?"

How much does she know?

[heavenfan]

Takeru wants this area watched. Messiah has him occupied elsewhere, which means Chiaki has to do it. However, Takeru wants me there as well, which is why I'm standing guard in the only costume I have.

It's not an ideal choice. I get the feeling I once thought it was cute; now I just want to set fire to it. It's not exactly inconspicuous but at least it's a costume that provides an adequate level of disguise. I am very good at evaluating such things now.

note: am not actually in this costume, just wanted matching icons :D

[samuraisister]

Is that-

"Mako-chan!" I wave and holler, then run towards her, beaming delightedly.

[heavenfan]

Oh look, it is Kotoha. I manage a smile and wave.

No one was supposed to recognise me in this costume. I must find out how it attracted her attention, "Hey, Kotoha."