Skip Navigation
New People, New Places [PM to Join]
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 1, 2014 6:56:47 GMT
A cool breeze blew through the nearly bare trees that lined the gardens of the large superplex and with his jacket swaying against it and the mild chill of the air ignored, Marroc stood infront of these and looked on at the hustle and the bustle around him. He had come here at the insistence of some of his classmates after telling them he had some free time over the weekend, even though they themselves had been unable to join him. He had taken the train from Ibaraki out here to Shibuya, and eventually found his way to the mall (having only to stop for directions about fifteen times, using the minor collection of japanese phrases and words he had learned so far and frantic gestures to try and get the information he wanted), and now paused at what he wanted to do. He had limited spending money on him, since he had really only come for a day of sightseeing, but passing up this chance to actually explore and perhaps pick up some souvenirs tugged at Marroc's inner impulse buyer like a dog tugs at its leash. With a hefty sigh he relinquished control of his body to his curiosity, and found himself walking in through the doors with the rest of the throng of shoppers.
As the food court welcomed him with tantalizing scents and sounds, Marroc had to take a few minutes to gaze up at the splendor that was the large shopping center. Its design and architecture was so vastly different than that which he had back home, he had to blink a few times to bring him out of his trance or otherwise be stuck admiring just the building itself. Adjusting the neck warmer around his throat, Marroc moved into the plaza and quickly found himself examining every window display he passed. Clothes, games, jewelry, you name it and this place had it. Marroc couldnt resist grinning as he saw a bookstore, and raced over to see if he couldnt find any of his favourite mangas in their native language. He spent about an hour in here which, by the end of, cost him half his spending money and had him walking out with a couple mangas of his favourite animes.
With his reading material, however minor the fact that Marroc couldnt read japanese what so ever, he moved on to more shops on the second floor, before circulating back to the first. The final store on the level was a sports store, and while Marroc had been out of sport for the last few years, he couldnt resist taking a look around inside. Being your normal sports store, it had all the basic sections; Volleyball, Baseball, Basketball. But what really drew Marrocs attention was the MMA/Martial arts section, with its merchandise so closely related to that which was locked in his closet back home in Canada that he nearly reached out and picked up a pair of sparring gloves. Closing his eyes for a moment he let a soft smile play on his lips as he fondly remembered the times where he practiced his martial arts, Marroc continued to idly browse through the shelves.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 2, 2014 2:20:15 GMT
Shibuya 104! Kenji really love to hang out in this place with his friends, but today, he's in here alone. Well, he was on the way home and is in the mood to hang out alone anyway... He has asked his sister if it's fine he go alone in here and she mostly waved him off, telling him to have fun with encouraging kaomoji and told him to go home as fast as he can, which he agreed to. So, to not prolong it, what will he do? Kenji grinned and walked to some accessory shop beforehand, starting to windowshop for a bit. For a boy of his age, it's normal for wanting to be cool, right? Still, the now short haired boy in sleeveless attire (his uniform now is in his bag because he really can't stand wearing it when going shopping) walked out without buying anything, lamenting the fact that his allowance is rather thin.
He was about to check his money yet again before noticing an object beside his wallet on his pocket. The strange object with black body and red grip, looks almost like a very small version of walkie talkie... without the speaker anywhere. He don't know what this meant, but... he has owned it for more than few weeks. He have no idea what to do with it... and honestly, not even one of those guy appeared... by those guy, he meant Digimon. Speaking of Digimon, in Takamiya household, there's a strange foreigner that seem to be talking almost in fluent Japanese and English. Karin said she's like an exchange student, but he ain't buying it.
...He done all that thinking while walking to a sport store. Dang. Oh well... He quickly goes to the martial art section, hoping to find whatever interesting... Maybe there's a new gi for him. The current one is a bit too small for him. Also, he want a new sport shoes... again, he best jot down the prices and hope either Yuuki or Kuzuha would be kind enough to lend him some money.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 2, 2014 6:01:35 GMT
Marroc had stayed for almost another half hour, and was just about to leave when a young japanese boy walked up nearby, looking at the gi uniforms hanging up from a rack on the wall. He watched the youth for a few moments before looking away and checking to see if anyone was giving him odd looks. Admittedly, a young man like himself watching a young boy would set off quite a few alarms in most adults heads back where Marroc was from. He wondered if it was the same here?
After a few more minutes of careful browsing, he noticed the boy still looking at the uniforms. And while Marroc had no business with the lad, he was curious as to what was keeping him from making a decision. So against his inner conscious saying "Dont be a pedo. Dont be a pedo," Marroc walked over near the boy and looked up at the wall of uniforms, greeting the youth in his best attempt at japanese. "Hello. Why you....looking....uniform, no buy?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2014 5:08:22 GMT
The dark brown haired boy keep browsing the stuff on the wall, noting the prices on his notebook. Honestly, if he want an accessory first, then he have to say 'later' to this gi... still, his old gi is good enough... despite it's getting a bit tight of course. Kuzuha told him to buy it on the first go because he's growing (and really fast at it, too). He was about to pick it when his cellphone rang, notifying him on an incoming mail. It's from Yuuki, asking him to buy grocery on the way home. Kenji winced. Dang, there goes his chance of getting his new gi or the accessory. Luckily Yuuki is willing to reimburse the money later (and implied that he'll even add some bonus to it). Still, he's more interested in browsing this until...
"Hello. Why you....looking....uniform, no buy?"
Eh?
Kenji turned to the source of the voice, finding a man in his early twenties... Somehow he have no idea what he's doing here, but he appears to be a foreigner. From his words, though, he doesn't seem to be a lost person or looking for something in particular, just merely striking a chat on him... then again, it's rather suspicious isn't it? As much as he want to say something like "I need an adult" immediately, there's another possibility... Maybe this man is a worker here? That's... probably... then again, he haven't gone to the cashier yet, so he don't know if they does wear uniforms.
"Errr... Hi, can you speak English? Um... I'm just... looking around, but I'm planning to buy! Just not now... errr... my pocket money is a bit... low currently. Uh, are you a worker here?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 3, 2014 5:27:10 GMT
Marroc listened to the boy speak english, and gave the lad a tight, wry smile. "Sorry. I know my japanese is rather terrible. No, I am not a worker here, however I saw you looking over all the gis here and thought you might want a second opinion in case you wanted to buy something. I may not look it, but I know a thing or two about gis and how one should fit on the body. Not that you dont..." Marroc winced inwardly. Here he was offering help and then he turns around and possibly offends the kid. Not to mention, he saw the look in the youths eye when he first regarded Marroc. Marroc was lucky the japanese police didnt have him in custody this very moment.
Marroc squatted down beside the teen, looking him in the eyes, yet keeping his distance so as not to scare him. With his arms on his knees, Marroc looked around at some of the gis and their price tags, before looking back to the boy. "How much are you down in cash? I wasnt planning on buying anything more today, but I dont mind helping a budding martial artist like yourself get some new threads. And no strings attached! We can walk our seperate ways right after this if you want." Marroc waved his hands above his shoulders to imply that he was hiding nothing and being honest to his words. "Or, you can tell me to take off right now and leave you alone. Either way, it doesnt matter to me."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2014 6:03:50 GMT
And looks like the foreigner can speak English, which is good for him. It'll be bad if he cannot speak English... maybe if he speaks French... well, even Karin doesn't speak French... it'll be really an awkward moment trying to speak in very simple Japanese so that he could understand...
"No, it's alright. Most Japanese peoples cannot speak English at all or is very bad at it... My big brother is like that. It's really nice of you that you tries to use it, really! Oh, um, a help would be quite good. My brother is a bit too lazy when I asked him to teach me more about gis... I'm just a newbie and I sorta used a hand-me-down kind of stuffs from my sister's boyfriend."
Truth to be told, he's still a bit uncomfortable, but... well, a chat wouldn't hurt and security would surely come if there is something happened... Plus, the guy doesn't seem to be a bad guy. So from the range, he assumed that the guy is planning to be 'friends'.
"Errr, that's not needed, really. I don't like to bother someone. Plus my brother told me to do some... what is it called? Errands? Yeah, that... I can tell him to just give me extras for this, so it's really not needed! Thanks for the offer."
He's not sure to say something like "You're really a nice guy" would be proper in this kind of situation and instead opted to ask something else instead.
"Er, are you also... a martial artist?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 3, 2014 6:18:39 GMT
Marroc turned partway from the boy and towards the gis, slowly flipping through them all as he listened to the boy, paying attention but multitasking at the same time. At the teens question Marroc paused and looked back at him, a somewhat distant smile on his face. "I was one, once. I loved every minute of it. Unfortunately, money and school had to come first and I was forced to quit. I still love to look at the equipment though." He replied, turning back to the gis for a few moments before pulling one off the shelf.
The gi was a sturdy white cotton fibre, a bit coarse to the touch. It bent somewhat stiffly, but after a few washes Marroc knew it would soften out and be much easier to move around in. The outfit itself was heavier due to the material used, something Marroc had grown to like about his own gis, but he was a bigger kid as well and wasnt sure if the teen before him would appreciate it the way Marroc had. Turning to the youth, Marroc held out the hanger with the uniform on it.
"What do you think kid? Mind you, I preferred a black gi when I did my martial arts. But Im sure if you asked the clerks at the front desk they could find you one if you wanted. Otherwise, this one is a bit heavier than some of the others, but it adds padding and all around is a sturdy gi. And its about middle range price."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2014 17:50:17 GMT
"Heee... what kind of martial arts did you practice, then?" the brown haired boy asked. Kenji looked at the other stuffs when Marrocc browses for the right equipment. Still, to not have time for hobbies, even if it's just martial arts training... being an adult sucks. Kenji grinned wryly at his own thoughts. Finally, it's seem that the older man showed him a gi that looks a bit stiff...
"Hmmm... can I ask you something? In martial arts, what do you preferred more, mobility or flexibility? Or maybe a little restraint? My brother said flexibility, but probably that's because he's a judoka. As for me, I'm more to a karate user... although I just a newbie in it so..."
He wondered a bit if black gis are allowed. He only saw white gis on the dojo so...
"...Is black allowed? If it is, then... I'd prefer black honestly."
|
|
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 3, 2014 19:17:52 GMT
"I don't think I can answer your question because there is no wrong answer. Most martial arts require both mobility and flexibility, and they all require the ability to restrain yourself. As a karateka, I would say that mobility is of a bit more importance than flexibility, but that too requires you to understand what style of karate you are learning. What I have been taught may not be the same as what you are taught and the physics behind the styles could differ greatly."
"As for what I studied, I leaned both Aikido and, like you, Karate. Though my karate is a western style as compared to your eastern style. And where I was taught, the dojo supplied white gis but we were allowed to order black ones if we wished. You'd be best to ask your sensei what they would allow. In the meantime I will try to find a white one of the same make so that you don't need to worry so much about it."
It took Marroc another five to ten minutes to find a white gi that was almost exactly the same, the only difference being in the shape of the collar and a bit of length. Offering them both out to the kid, he turned his head to the side and asked "What's your name kid? I'm Marroc. "
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 3:07:18 GMT
"Is that so... I really have no idea what's the difference between eastern and western karate... I'll ask it to my Sensei... mobility over flexibility eh... sounds good enough... which means I'll need to wash it a bit more... hmmm..."
And so, the foreigner acquaintance laid out both choice in front of him. The black one definitely felt nicer. Kenji tried to feel the material to make sure it's to his taste. For some reason he preferred it rather stiff... wonder why? But then again, he'll just have to get used to it. Now, the man introduced himself, the name is a bit hard to pronounce, so...
"So, err... Mar-san would do?" he asked. "Sorry, I think it's kind of offensive if I mispronounce your name but eh... Either way, I'm Itou Kenji. Going by the western standard, I guess it's Kenji Itou. Nice to meet you, Mar-san. What are you doing in Japan, if I may ask? Of course it's fine to not answer that one, but yeah... is it vacation?"
|
|
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 4, 2014 6:48:38 GMT
Marroc offered out his hand to the lad. "Pleased to meet you, Itou-kun. I am here studying abroad from Canada. My college has a program that allowed me to come out here for a little while. I just got here a week ago. I suppose you could call it a kind of vacation slash business trip if you wanted."
Taking a look around, he started seeing people paying a bit more attention than they were before, though no one seemed to be making a move for their phones. Deciding there wasnt much he could do anymore in the store unless Kenji wanted him to help pay for a new gi, he turned to the youth and asked "Are your parents or anyone else around that you need to meet up with? Its not weird to see people your age out and about on their own, but they are usually with a group rather than flying solo."
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 17:55:39 GMT
OOC: I don't want this to end so quick, and it's seem to be rather monotone. You said that we better spice it up, so... here's the spice XD. Just say if I can't do this and I'll just edit it :3
"I see, some kind of exchange student program, huh... well, that's good. Looks like there's nothing else to do and my brother seem to get a bit impatient... dang that slave driver... Also, no, I'm here alone today. Kinda wanted to take stuffs on my own pace... you know, browsing and stuffs? I'm the type that carefully plans my purchase so... well, that's not matter the matter. Lessee... the price is..."
Kenji rummaged his pocket for his wallet, but before he could, someone sneakily stole something from him!
"W-WHA!? HEY!!"
The guy ran away. His figure somehow rather vague, however, one thing that is sure is that he's seem to be a typical pickpocket with hoodie. The guy seem to be around Kenji's height, just a bit taller. Nothing else is notable other than...
"...He... he didn't stole my wallet? But... wha-- o shi--! It's that object he stole!"
Kenji has noticed that his D-3 is the one missing instead and broke into sprint. But what with pickpockets and D-3? It's almost like he's being targeted not because he got his wallet out in open and that he's alone, but the fact that he owns a D-3. It's almost like he's specifically targeted by the pickpocket.
"HEY, GET BACK HERE!" he shouted at the pickpocket. However, for unknown reason, it doesn't seem like anyone notice and just stared at him weirdly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 11, 2014 7:28:40 GMT
Marroc had been too busy looking in the opposite direction, he had not noticed anyone sneaking up on himself and Kenji while they spoke. Kenji's startled tone brought Marroc's head around just in time to catch the fleeting glimpses of the thief taking off out of the store, and to look at Kenji. "Lets go get him. You can fill me in on the way what he stole." Grabbing Kenjis upper arm, he tugged him into action before sprinting out of the store, apologizing as he passed the clerk at the front desk as best as he could. Turning the same way as the thief, Marroc let go of Kenji and pushed himself harder after the pickpocket, who was standing out just enough in the crowd for Marroc to know he was going in the right direction.
Marroc grew thankful that the mall was as busy as it was. It gave his pursuit a trail of pushed people to follow. While having used to be a fairly healthy athlete and no stranger to large amounts of running, Marroc had let his excercise dwindle and was a bit out of shape. It also didnt help that he smoked. In either case, Marroc had found he could not keep up the sprinting pace he had taken off at, and began to carefully thread his way through the crowds instead, slowly gaining on his opposition while doing his best to remain inconspicuous.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 5:41:57 GMT
Why? Why would someone steals something so not important like that device? Well, it's not important as long as he got no partner just yet, but... honestly, why? Kenji followed the thief close behind with Marroc. However, it's clear that he's perhaps the fitter of the two thanks to his daily training. Kenji's smaller figure too becomes a leverage for chasing because he can slip easily... However, then, he saw something that he cannot fathom. The closer he is, somehow he saw that the guy can easily slip through humans... eh!?
He's not sure whether what he saw is real or just his eyes playing tricks on him, he's not sure. The boy quickly done something dangerous... parkouring, basically. He never trained in it, yet because that device holds something that perhaps would be his clue to understand more about a world that seem rather dreamy compared to his daily life... He must get it back!
Kenji slides down the railing on his stomach, still chasing the thief. Peoples just gave him weird stare. What happened? Why they stared at him instead? Out of sudden, some mall securities suddenly chased him from behind... eh!? Him!? They're shouting at him... why!? Kenji felt as if his heart pumped the blood in his system twice faster than before. Not only the thief is the matter here... it's also the securities!
This is suck...
|
|
|
|
Post by Marroc on Nov 19, 2014 3:57:35 GMT
Marroc watched Kenji take off ahead of him. That kid ought to be able to get ahead of him. I just have to make sure that the thief doesnt double back on us. Marroc did not realize how the thief was phasing through people, however he did notice that no one was taking notice of the hooded figure. Looking around, Marroc raised his hands to his mouth and began to shout. "Help, Thief! Help, Help!" As the security started to filter out, Marroc ran to them even as he saw them start chasing down Kenji. "Ie, Ie!" Marroc waved his hands rapidly, trying to flag down one of the guards before they took Kenji down, while running up to them.
The grand chase between the thief, Kenji, the guards, and Marroc continued for a few minutes before Marroc finally caught up to some of the security officers and started to explain the situation. They all looked a bit doubtful about the thief in the hood, having not seen him pass by, but eventually they all agreed to keep an eye out for the culprit around the mall. Bowing and thanking the officers profusely, Marroc turned and once again took off after Kenji who had a sizable lead on him now. Marroc looked all over the mall, and eventually caught sight of both the thief and Kenji behind him, and moved towards the nearest junction Marroc believed they would pass, trying to cut off escape for the thief.
|
|
|
