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Something that Changed [Hiroyo/Invite]
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Post by ryouta on May 14, 2018 20:31:03 GMT
It was nine in the evening. Little Dragon Cafe as usual is open until ten, so there are still one hour left. People however already mostly done with their little socializing, thus leaving the cafe at most empty. The chef too was about to make the next batch of premade ingredient for tomorrow's business. And for that's reason, what left is a young man near his late teen (17 can be considered late teen, right?) with charming face yet huge body like a bodybuilder and his little sisters who's cleaning the table, and the second oldest boy who's seem tinkering with some sort of small bell in one of the table. The four dressed in maid and steward suit.
Yes, this is Little Dragon's Cafe, a cafe run by Noguchi family. Their patriarch is the pastry chef here and their matriarch is a teacher. Unfortunately, she has headed to bed early after countless of stress at work. After they moved, their house is somewhere on the more luxurious side of Shibuya, which takes about few minutes of train ride to go to. However, both the father and the eldest son often used the shop's second floor for their place to sleep, mainly because they tend to stay up late to prepare for the next day. Fortunately, today was not as busy as yesterday, and they can go home rather early.
"Tou-san, I'll stay here today, alright?"
"That's rare, what's the occasion?" his father asked
"I need to meet up with Yuuki early tomorrow. I heard he have something he wanted to discuss."
"Alright. Will you be absent tomorrow then?"
"I might be. Sorry about that."
"No problem. I think it's fine to close thirty minutes early if nobody's going to come anymore..."
Little did he know, there might be some changes happening soon...
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Post by Hiroyo Oda on May 15, 2018 2:09:04 GMT
Hiroyo's footsteps stilled when she walked into the light coming from the window of a particular cafe. She slowly turned her head towards the window, her hands frozen on the straps of the duffel bags she carried over either shoulder. She felt her heart skip a beat in her chest then begin to beat wildly. One of the bags bumped against her side and she shushed it without turning her head to look.
How long had it been since she was last this way? She was surprised to see it open and active. How many times had she wandered this way late at night to find it empty? The fact the building still stood had been a comfort to her, the lack of interaction with the more experienced tamer and his digimon for so long had begun to make heir brief interaction feel like a fever dream.
One she would have happily discounted as false if only to get rid of the price tag attached.
"I need you two to be quiet for a bit. I'm going to look for someone." She adjusted the straps of the rather full bags to conceal the angry rustling one of them had started up with as being a natural consequence of her moving the bag itself. The other bag almost sounded as if it had sighed and a couple leaving the store gave her an odd glance that she ignored.
She stepped into the space the couple had vacated and pulled the door open wide. "Hello, hello!" She called as she stepped inside with a hopeful grin on her face that constrasted with the way her eyes darted around as if she were looking for someone. "It's not to late to order, right?"
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Post by ryouta on May 15, 2018 6:39:43 GMT
The sign of the little cafe shook slightly followed with small chime from the bell attached on the door. Ryouta parted his eyes from the small plate he's currently cleaned and set it aside. "Welcome to Little Dragon Cafe. You're in luck, we're still open."
Unlike the unfrendliness that he exuded three months ago, the boy that looked slightly older (and beefier, like it's possible) somehow smiled gently. Had people have no idea of what sort of thing he did on the side, like fighting against delinquent from other school or fighting in Digital World back in the past, they'd probably only see an aspiring bodybuilder with charming, youthful face. The ruggedness of the veteran seem to vanish completely from his face and instead he's just like any other boy out there. Instead of the kid that looked all gloom and doom, now he looked so refreshed.
"Please go on ahead and pick your table. I'll bring the menu afterward."
The other employees (if they can be called that), seem to still minding their own business. The younger brother is fixing the bell that used to call the waiter and waitress, while the two younger sisters are cleaning the empty tables. Soon, Ryouta approached the table where Hiroyo is sitting and offered a menu. "Please do take your time in looking at the menu, or if you want to order a take out, please do come to the register and pick your desired cakes directly. By the way, we suggest to try our spring selection promotional cakes. They're currently 20% off, and we happened to just chilled them this evening, so it's quite fresh. If you're ready to order, please press the bell."
The said bell have a picture of a little dragon eating a cake and breathing fire in bliss on the button, just like the restaurant's sign, with the "Little Dragon Cafe" name on the bottom.
He doesn't seem to make any indication that he knew her. He... treated her just like any other customer. If Hiroyo did not stop him or order, he'll return to the counter and clean up the plates as usual.
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Post by Hiroyo Oda on May 18, 2018 14:53:55 GMT
What the woman was expecting when she opened the door was only a half-formed thought in her mind. Ryouta had been polite but not overtly friendly or helpful in the way she normally thought of such people. In fact he had done his very best to scare her off the path to the digital world altogether, going so far as to physically threaten her himself. Still once they had gotten past that initial bit of 'no really it's a dangerous place' and introductions he had tolerated her well enough.
So well, in fact, that she almost felt bad for flat out ditching him once she had met the twins.
"Ah, hi! Good to see you again, I'm glad this place is, ah, open this time!" Who met her when she opened the door was Ryouta, but not the Ryouta she was expecting. The Hiroyo that was greeted at the door was clearly nervous obviously tense, and not just from lugging around two seemingly packed duffel bags. When she was told to find a seat she nodded slowly, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. "Ah, thank you, thank you! I will!"
Where was the scolding she had expected? He had not given her even a rebuke for not attending her duties for so long. As she made her way to a table along a wall she looked around the rest of the cafe in interest. The last time Hiroyo had been here it had been closed and had seemed forbidding given the subject they were discussing. Seeing it brightly lit and full of people, employees and customers alike, it really did give the place a different feel. It was warmer, more welcoming.
She stowed her duffel bags carefully under the table she had chosen then took a seat. She sat primly in her chair: straight backed with her legs folded to take up less space. The woman watched him closely when he came over, her earlier confusion having given away to a deliberate appraisal of his behavior. He might take it as her judging his service, but in reality she was trying to reconcile his current behavior and attitude with what she knew.
At least until she got to the actual business of ordering cake. Her eyes lit up at the mention of '20% off' and she lowered her graceful appearance by hurriedly flipping through the menu to find said selection. She hummed thoughtfully as she looked at the cakes and nibbled on her lower lip. "Mm, thank you. It'll take me a little time to decide on my order."
Once he went back to washing dishes she would relax a little in her seat, her concerns forgotten for a brief moment in face of the monumental and all important task of picking which cake to eat. They all looked so good! But wait, why was she getting excited about 20% off? She was probably going to go for a Spring cake anyways, but wouldn't the price just be added in to her pre-existing debt?
She let out a quiet chuckle and shook her head in denial of her own thought. Of course it wouldn't! She hadn't seen Ryouta in three months, he was probably had thought she had run out on her bill! She hadn't done so on purpose, she really had been busy, but that wasn't going to change his mind. Still the fact he hadn't scolded her bothered the red-head. She readjusted her hat to settle back further on her head as she stared at the menu. He, he hadn't acted like he knew her at all had he? Was it just because he was providing and exemplary demonstration of what service personnel were expected to act like or was it something else?
She took a deep breath as she decided several things then pushed the bell, her finger pressing against the dragon's head. She would just have to get down to the bottom of this, one way or another!
There was no harm in enjoying their delicious looking lemon-cake and a cup of tea while she did so, right?
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Post by ryouta on May 18, 2018 16:41:38 GMT
Again? Hmmm,... Ryouta's expression turned museful for a bit, wondering if he really had known her somewhere, but... huh, strange, it doesn't rang any bell. One of the twin perked up hearing the 'again', but seem to mind her own business the moment another customer beside Hiroyo appeared. It's seem that they won't close up early after all. At any rate, Ryouta decided that she's perhaps a repeat customer or something. "Ah, well... my father just returned from a seminar abroad it's seem. Thanks to that the store was closed. But thankfully because of that we have quite the new selections that we're eager to hear how you feel about!"
...Why is she tense though? Is it because he's huge? But that look sounded like she's confused about something... huh... He don't get it. Like, she sounded like she's familiar with him, but why can't he remember who she is? Perhaps he met her during the accident? But that means that he's not always in a hospital, right? Something... doesn't add up. And he's kind of bothered with it. However, Ryouta's service still very professional. The youth did not let his thought wander to his face and kept up the refreshing smile which probably would make people wonder if he's really the same guy who fought delinquent from other school on daily basis.
...Hey, wait, is this girl judging his service or something? Has he been rude to her or something? Goddamn, it's seriously sucks that he got missing memories here and there, and it's totally not helping that his father just returned from abroad three months ago, so he had no idea what's actually going on here. Although, when she dropped her graceful side to look at the discounted area, he looked slightly amused.
In the end, girls will be girls, huh? They really like sweets.
"Don't worry, take as much time as it's needed."
Indeed, Ryouta returned to where he's stationed, cleaning up the plates and bring it back to the front for easier storing. When he heard the bell, he was about to approach, but with a graceful steps, a black haired girl with similar silverish blue eyes approached first. She gave Ryouta a sly smile, to which he just chuckled. His little sister definitely. She's identical looking with the other twin, with the exception of their hair. One have long hair, another have short hair.
"Hello, welcome to Little Dragon's Cafe... customer swiping is not our policy, don't worry..." she spoke the last sentence low enough only for the woman to hear "My name's Noguchi Inori, pleasure to meet you... I take it that you know my brother?"
Of course that part is spoken with low volume too. However, not talking in normal would probably make it a bit awkward. "May I have your order, miss?"
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Post by Hiroyo Oda on May 20, 2018 14:29:31 GMT
Even Hiroyo had enough sense to realize something was odd when Inori suddenly intervened to take her order. She said they didn't support customer swiping, but then if she wasn't customer swiping what exactly was she doing? Hiroyo shrugged mentally, her face looking a little confused for a moment before sliding back into polite neutrality.
"It's a pleasure to meet you! All the staff here really offer top-notch service." She complimented. It was true, Inori had been very quick to respond to Hiroyo's summons, but the red head was sure the only reason she had been quicker to respond than Ryouta was because she had been waiting for it. A suspicion attempted to wiggle into existence in the back of Hiroyo's mind but she was smothered by her good nature.
"Only in passing, really. He helped me out a lot. It was about three months ago." She replied truthfully, Inori's quiet voice caused Hiroyo to lower her own in response. That was most of the truth she could give though, Ryouta had been pretty firm about Hiroyo not telling anyone who didn't have prior knowledge of Digimon or the Digital World about it and she intended to follow those words. Her expression faltered as she tried to consider what to say. "I need to pay him back, but it seems rude to bring up such matters while he's working. Do you have any other suggestions?"
The swap back to normal tone would cause Hiroyo to perk up, a smile on her face again as the discussion turned to something that wasn't potentially fraught with peril. She again took her cue from Inori and raised her voice. She tapped her chosen cake on the menu. "Ah yes, I was hoping to try this. Could I get two slices please?"
There was something strange going on, but for the moment it appeared Hiroyo was only affected by a vague sense of unease caused by the awkwardness of the situation. If it kept going on she was would probably make the leap soon.
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Post by ryouta on May 20, 2018 15:38:58 GMT
"Why thank you, we try as best as we can to provide the quickest service, with your comfort in mind," Inori would comment with the usual spiel, but then chuckled "I guess it's not something that you heard being said a lot by 12 years old, right? Passing is it? I thought you... have slightly deeper relationship."
Did she implies dating? No, it can't be, considering how he acted to her. Although it honestly would be funny, to be stonewalled by your ex or something. She know though that her brother isn't the type that would stonewall his ex. He would run away from them. Alas... she seem to notice a pattern here.
"Well, I guess you're in luck, he might forgot about whatever money you owe him. And knowing him, it's most likely just one of his joke threatening debt thing. He's used to be fierce, right? Nowadays he looks more peaceful although I hoped that he would tone down the fights... Oh well, it's a lost cause I guess. Anyway... Two slices of the 'Drop of Lemon' cake, yes? I'll bring it shortly... although I'm surprised it's two and not three or four."
Her line of sight moved to the bags the young woman carried prior, then she smiled again, implying that she know about them. "...By the way, it's best to not tell anything about that to my brother. He... putting it mildly, he lost his memories and..."
The girl looked at the bell in a melancholic smile. "...he is gone."
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Post by Hiroyo Oda on May 22, 2018 19:10:08 GMT
"Deeper relationshi-OH! No! No!" Hiroyo quickly (and loudly) exclaimed, waving her hands in front of her as a blush spread across her face. What a terrible misunderstanding! Besides, he was probably the type who was married to his work! "He just helped me figure some electronics out! That's all! I uh, am really glad to hear he's usually teasing about the debt thing though."
The young woman sighed in relief and slumped against the back of her chair, her arms dangling at her sides. Did that mean she didn't have to kill herself trying to pay him back anymore? Or at least, did that mean she didn't have to pay him back such a ridiculous amount? She would still try to even the debt between them, but service was a lot easier to do than earning the frankly ridiculous sum of money. "He quoted a price I wouldn't be able to pay off with just one lifetime!" She chuckled and ran a couple fingers under the brim of her hat.
"Four pieces sound good but if I like the cake I'll probably order more to take home. As good as it sounds...too much at once is too much." The red head sighed regretfully at the thought, why did humans have to be born with such limits? Especially when it came to things as delicious as cake?! If she was a digimon she could probably eat ten whole cakes and not gain a single pound!
Of course she would have to burn off that energy almost immediately but that was better than needing to fight with it over the course of weeks or months!
Hiroyo stiffened when Inori looked at the bags, sweat beginning to form at the base of her skull. She was apparently very perceptive! Maybe Hiroyo would get lucky and it would be something about the potential smell of her gym clothes or-
What was said threw Hiroyo completely off balance. She stared openly at Inori, her jaw opened a little. Ryouta had forgotten all about that world? Hiroyo shut her mouth, her eyebrows scrunched together in concern. She could see how that would ease the tension from the young man's shoulders but...
"What about his partner?" She asked quietly, her eyes searching Inori's face. "If you know what's in my bags then you understand that bond, right? What happened to him-no, what happened to them to cause this?"
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Post by ryouta on May 22, 2018 20:14:15 GMT
"Pffft, don't worry, I know. He used to have a girlfriend... unfortunately looks like none of them are the same. My brother is dense... and he can be seriously too overprotective... but I guess the magic hour just..." she did an air quote "...gone. Well, there are too many details that I'm not aware of... neither my twin did... nor my other brother, but he can be as dense as lead if not denser than diamond at these sort of subject... Regardless... Electronic, huh?" the younger girl smiled knowingly. "Yeah, I got what you mean alright."
The girl politely chuckled at the words that the girl is saying. It sounded like what her brother did after all. "...Well, he have his reasons. He... he might have seen someone passed away from real on that side. He don't want to see any new one dying and just there to... you know, scare you, while putting you under his watch. I know that because one day he just came home... really broken. Like, he just saw someone dying in front of him." this talk is of course said with really low volume. She just wanted to her brother to not listen.
"Nii-tan, can I take a break?" she suddenly called out to her brother who just raised an eyebrow., but then smiled wryly and nodded. People most likely gonna be more understanding on sight of 12 years old doing what they want, especially at this late. The girl pulled the chair in front of Hiroyo and sat there. "Hope you don't mind!"
Now that she can talk in front of her like this, she'll just say whatever she have in mind. "...Anyway, I'm thinking that it's best for him to not remember anything. Do you remember how he acted back then when you first meet? And then you compare it to now? How different? Very different, right? He's more refreshing at the moment, right? I can't say Digital World is such a good thing for my brother. After all... he... I don't know. I just don't want super battle hardened big brother, do you get what I meant? I... don't want him to be jaded again..."
Though the question about the partner...
"...I have..." she sighed long "no idea. His D-Terminal doesn't work, his Digivice is broken... you should see the state of that poor thing... it just... let out static noises. By then I noticed that his bond with his partner must be... you know... gone. If I could, I would have looked for Ryu. Ryu... is someone that we really care about. He's our family, you know? But no, I'm not one of the chosen. I'm just... a normal girl."
Inori looked at her brother who's seem done with the clean up. "Nii-tan, order: two Drop of Lemons!"
"Roger that. What's for drink?"
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Post by Hiroyo Oda on Jun 7, 2018 0:31:34 GMT
A relieved grin stretched across Hiroyo's face when Inori air quoted electronics. It was nice to know she didn't accidentally give away the secrets of that other world to someone who's brother could wring her neck with one hand. Well the non memory-removed version of her brother might, the new happy go lucky would probably wouldn't even consider something like that.
"That...sounds really plausible actually." She said, considering Inori's words about why Ryouta might have set the price so high. Hiroyo knew the digital world could be dangerous but she had only been almost killed once and had had no other close calls since.
As long as you didn't count the heart wrenching pain she experienced when Roger evolved to champion that is.
"Of course I don't mind! I honestly really appreciate having someone to talk to about this." She stumbled a bit over her words because wasn't that too heartless? Hiroyo might have lost a very distant mentor-figure, but Inori had lost here brother. Sort of. "I'm sorry! I mean, this must be very difficult for you. Please let me know if my questions go too far, I don't mean to drag up bad feelings."
There was a quiet disbelieving snort from beneath the table. The red head bumped her knee on the bottom of the table as she nudged one of the two bags with her foot, her smile a little forced.
"Yeah, you wandering around the digital world could lead to a further tragedy, but not if I go! I might not be as experienced as your brother was, but I've learned a lot about the world! I can poke around while I'm there, I think I know where I can start." It was as if someone had lit a fire in the depths of her eyes, so fierce was her determination.
"We might not find him." The solemn voice that spoke up from under the table was quiet enough that it was unlikely to be overheard by anyone not at the table. There was a hardness to the tone as Morgan laid out the potentially grim reality. "A partnered digmon without their human is at a large disadvantage."
Hiroyo's face crumpled at this, a frown on her face as she reached out toward Inori's hand as if to hold one to comfort her. Why did Morgan have to be so matter-of-fact about it! "That...is also a possibility. But it's also possible he has already been reborn as well. It depends a lot on the, ah, cause and situation. B-but! he could turn up too! You never know."
Inori calling out to Ryouta caught her off guard, and she couldn't help but look at him with a sad look on her face. She was quick to try and hide it with a smile, maybe he would just assume it was something silly. "Um, Lemonade please! Or maybe tea?"
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