Nakahama

"Hmmm, well I can guess who that isn't." Taraka admitted. "But, if you'd like some local help with that, you need but ask, Bayushi-san."


"I would! Yes! Very much!" He says, a pang of desperation ringing in his voice. "She is so persistent! I don't know how she does it."

"I think people have been avoiding having me go to the good sta-hey wait!" Sumiko panicked as her legs were swept out from under her, grabbing onto the Scorpion.

"I don't need to see over people! That's what you're for here being taller" she laughed, letting go with one hand to bop him on the ...

He remains there, feeling the warmth of her gentle embrace, he doesn't look at her still, as if entrances by the reflection of the moon's on the water. Perhaps it is the brother's of Onnotangu that coax his next words, and next actions out of him. "I'm not spending another moment without you knowing ...

"Fruit juice would be good! Very refreshing" Sumiko agreed as she was being pulled along by the energetic Hinata. It made her smile a little more, he was so adorable. Then he changed direction to go for food instead?

"Oh you found good ones? You have got my hopes up then, hopefully you're not ...

Hinata smiles her way as she pulls away, sitting back up as she selects the song. He leans forward to take the daikiri and the mic, paying close attention to her selection. This one he didn't know at all. The speed actually catching him off guard.

He absolutely struggles to keep up with the lyrics ...

Taraka shakes her head.

"And I love all that about her. It's just....I don't think her dream of marrying the governor was impossible. If she had followed the route I laid out to her, I believe she could have achieved it. But instead she tried to take shortcuts and now I won't get to enjoy seeing ...

The fnal atendee strolls onto the place wearing a much more formal outfit than is appropriate for the beach, but so is expected of his station, fashion needs to be universal. Crimson button up, black dress pants, dark grey tie. He's not bearing his full daisho, nor his sidearm, only his wakizashi ...

He remained in his position, he did not retreat at her approach, only looked onward, as if waiting for some cue that wasn't coming.

"It... Put quite a few things into perspective. Made me rethink quite a few things." He opened up again, his hand resting between the two of them.

"I..." He doesn't ...

"Yeah! He was super quick! Even took care of me after that Kuni tried to drag me away! I was super lucky that day."

His expression turns from amicable to haunted at the last declaration, softly it transitions into contemplation, his eyes staring off at the beach. "I... I'm terribly aware of that ...

He waved dismissively as he let the short fall back over the bruise. "Hai hai! I helped dislodge the... Criminals! From that Temple! A pretty officer lady shot me real close."

"Kitsune-,Sama... Which one? The famous one! He treated my wounds right after, the painkillers do the rest!"

"You can rest assured. She's taken responsibility for the whole thing. The Governor has already absolved the rest of us and promised it would not change our standing in the negotiations." He felt the hairs on his nape stand on end for a Monet, a shiver run down his spine before continuing.

"She's a ...

"That! I... Oh yeah I was a lot more sober when I picked this. Crab-san really wanted me to participate in the toast."

He says with a smile, leaning back and finding support on his elbows.

"I'm b- bushi! Getting hurt is what I do! I got shot yesterday even haha!" He lifts up his shirt, an ugly ...

Hinata doesn't laugh at the comments, leaning to the side once more. "The truth is I've no idea either. Iam eye-catching yes I know but... The way she acts is indeed so focused on one single direction... and I agree Iam probably not that direction at all."

"It must be awfully lonely, tryng to live ...

He slowly, agonisingly, turns pale. Even if his On remains intact. He folds his hands over his lap and puts on a smile. "I guess it's my fault for talking about blackmail huh?"

"She invited me over to one when she intercepted my delivery and retrieval of Umiko-sama's message. Mentioned something ...

"Blackmail is a gamble, as is all forms of bussiness. We gambled, we lost, we take our chips and see what we can cash out." He checks his communicators. No messages yet... Perhaps he'd gone too far the prior night.

"Yes that was her name. Yasuki Honoka..." He had seen the most likely reason she was ...

The man perked up at the sound of her voice, sitting up and wobblying for a moment before he found his balance. "Sumi-chan! You made it!" He bowed, and almost, almost, goes off rolling face first down the hillside. He leans back, finding support on his arms and putting up a big dumb grin for her ...

There was a small look of surprise again as the netsuke was added to her obi, but she shook her head and chuckled after a moment.

"You're lucky I'm nice" Sumiko said with a grin as she took his hand "I would love a drink, my throat is parched. I didn't see any boba stalls though, perhaps not ...

"I think you turned out wonderfully." The smile stayed with every word, dripping with warmth.

"It is. We've sung songs, we've drank some good quality alcohol. I think I want my drink from somewhere else though..." He closed the remaining distance slowly. Lips gently pressing against hers, yet ...

He continues to avert his gaze.

"The pieces fall where they may now. I did my part, I tried to ascertain whether Umiko-sama would be open to the idea of taking oir offer. But I think she just got it over with directly with the Governor. There are serious charges to be levied, ai doubt she'll hold ...

He leans to the side and crosses his legs, cradling his head in his hand.

"I understand... It's a lot simpler and a lot more complex..."

He lets out a sigh, then meets Taraka's gaze. A disarming expression even if completely serious.

"My understanding is most of this shall go public due to the ...