Nakahama

She grinned.

"It does seem unfair that I can recall a Fortune of horses, but not of birds. And of dancing, but not of song. But my sensei always said there are as many Fortunes to be as there ever were."

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Tue Nov 25, 2025 5:52 pm She grinned.

"It does seem unfair that I can recall a Fortune of horses, but not of birds. And of dancing, but not of song. But my sensei always said there are as many Fortunes to be as there ever were."

"Maybe you'll turn out into one of them, if you truly dedicated yourself to the art." Ichitaiyo offered in genuine compliment.

Haruhi blushed, deeply flattered.

"Do you have a favorite of the events so far? Any romance to describe in the most circumspect ways?"

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Wed Nov 26, 2025 11:25 am Haruhi blushed, deeply flattered.

"Do you have a favorite of the events so far? Any romance to describe in the most circumspect ways?"

"I.." And that last question caught Ichitaiyo a bit by surprise, making her scratch the back of her head. "Well, I liked the First Market the most. My charge was great. On romance.."

Finally a chink on the pale investigator's armor. "Well, I know there is some people that.. like me, but I don't know if.. to reciprocate? It's not that they are bad or something, it's just.. I feel like beneath all the play and games I can do, I'm kind of.. no good for anyone?"

Haruhi looked at her with a sympathetic expression.

"If someone likes you, they must see value in you. I do. Believe them. And ... it is possible to enjoy aspects of romance without it being solely a prelude to marriage if that is your concern. None of us control that part. But we can enjoy flirtation."

"Ask yourself... what do I think this person deserves that is not me? And then just ... be that anyway. No one can stop you from being kind, affectionate, attentive ... And isn't that what people really want?"

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Thu Nov 27, 2025 6:55 am Haruhi looked at her with a sympathetic expression.

"If someone likes you, they must see value in you. I do. Believe them. And ... it is possible to enjoy aspects of romance without it being solely a prelude to marriage if that is your concern. None of us control that part. But we can enjoy flirtation."

"Ask yourself... what do I think this person deserves that is not me? And then just ... be that anyway. No one can stop you from being kind, affectionate, attentive ... And isn't that what people really want?"

Ichitaiyo glanced asides, a gentle blush dusting her nose and cheeks.

"I just feel that.. people become enamored with the.. shell? The confident and alluring smirk. But I cannot keep that at all times. Then they will see beneath and be.. disappointed. And.. I don't know if I can let loose and... feel things if I have to be performing all the time."

Kitsuki Ichitaiyo wrote: Thu Nov 27, 2025 9:00 am
Ichitaiyo glanced asides, a gentle blush dusting her nose and cheeks.

"I just feel that.. people become enamored with the.. shell? The confident and alluring smirk. But I cannot keep that at all times. Then they will see beneath and be.. disappointed. And.. I don't know if I can let loose and... feel things if I have to be performing all the time."

"I can understand that. But the right person will like the shell when *you* enjoy putting it on, and the soft underbelly when *you* enjoy sharing that. And never expect you to be either. They'll like all of you. However you show up in any given hour."

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Sat Nov 29, 2025 7:20 am "I can understand that. But the right person will like the shell when *you* enjoy putting it on, and the soft underbelly when *you* enjoy sharing that. And never expect you to be either. They'll like all of you. However you show up in any given hour."

"I guess. Seems I won't have other choice but to.. play it out and see where it goes." Ichitaiyo mused, with hands on her jacket's pockets. "She's very cute, and.. after she got her barrier up over my teasing, bold enough to turn the tables on me."

Kitsuki Ichitaiyo wrote: Sat Nov 29, 2025 11:56 am
"I guess. Seems I won't have other choice but to.. play it out and see where it goes." Ichitaiyo mused, with hands on her jacket's pockets. "She's very cute, and.. after she got her barrier up over my teasing, bold enough to turn the tables on me."

"Oh! How exciting! It sounds like the turning the tables, teasing back, definitely hooked your interest. I do think everything I am learning on Nakahama is that boldness wins the day."

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 11:36 am
"Oh! How exciting! It sounds like the turning the tables, teasing back, definitely hooked your interest. I do think everything I am learning on Nakahama is that boldness wins the day."

"Indeed. And learning to straddle the line between boldness and bluntness is the path forwards. Where have you found your new strength?"

Kitsuki Ichitaiyo wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 11:43 am
"Indeed. And learning to straddle the line between boldness and bluntness is the path forwards. Where have you found your new strength?"

"I think it's been the influence of the samurai I've been meeting here. Watching how they compete. How they flirt and dance and speak. How fearless they seem. I fear I've been making very little ripple for the Crane thus far. But I am happy. It is an extraordinary duty to pursue leisure activities for the sake of duty. But I think maybe many artists set the fashion at parties and events as much as in their workshops with the door closed. I am learning to fly in new territories."

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 11:57 am "I think it's been the influence of the samurai I've been meeting here. Watching how they compete. How they flirt and dance and speak. How fearless they seem. I fear I've been making very little ripple for the Crane thus far. But I am happy. It is an extraordinary duty to pursue leisure activities for the sake of duty. But I think maybe many artists set the fashion at parties and events as much as in their workshops with the door closed. I am learning to fly in new territories."

"Regardless of what you might do for the Crane here, all these experiences form you and teach you new things, and those will give you new perspectives for the rest of your life. By being here, meeting me, meeting your lover, experiencing the nature here, you will be a better artist forever." Ichitaiyo offered. "Locking oneself up might form something from deep oneself that cannot be replicated, but the same I will say about experiencing what others have not, with an unique angle."

Kitsuki Ichitaiyo wrote: Sun Nov 30, 2025 3:27 pm
"Regardless of what you might do for the Crane here, all these experiences form you and teach you new things, and those will give you new perspectives for the rest of your life. By being here, meeting me, meeting your lover, experiencing the nature here, you will be a better artist forever." Ichitaiyo offered. "Locking oneself up might form something from deep oneself that cannot be replicated, but the same I will say about experiencing what others have not, with an unique angle."

She nodded.

She blushed deeply at 'lover'. She started to say something. An objection? A denial? But ultimately she only took a very deep breath.

"I am glad Yasui Reina-sama brought me here. And that my family supported the commission. I feel ... like a bonsai tree that was growing inside somewhere tightly constrained and beautiful for it, and then re-planted into a jungle to just ... grow ... Who knows what shape I will take so far from the hands of a gardener? Or maybe ... uh ... in the hands of a ... okay ... this metaphor got away from me. But better artist is a piece of it. But I find I am wanting even more. I should just be enjoying the freedom, the moment, the uncertainty. But I want my whole future wrapped up and tied with a bow."

Kakita Haruhi wrote: Mon Dec 01, 2025 1:04 am She nodded.

She blushed deeply at 'lover'. She started to say something. An objection? A denial? But ultimately she only took a very deep breath.

"I am glad Yasui Reina-sama brought me here. And that my family supported the commission. I feel ... like a bonsai tree that was growing inside somewhere tightly constrained and beautiful for it, and then re-planted into a jungle to just ... grow ... Who knows what shape I will take so far from the hands of a gardener? Or maybe ... uh ... in the hands of a ... okay ... this metaphor got away from me. But better artist is a piece of it. But I find I am wanting even more. I should just be enjoying the freedom, the moment, the uncertainty. But I want my whole future wrapped up and tied with a bow."

"For what is worth, it was a great metaphor. You just needed to steer yourself as the gardener." Ichitaiyo offered with a soft smile.

"You will have a long and ample life to serve under the terms of tradition the known. This is where you gather the energy to slowly and surely push those boundaries, and form both a secure plan and the opportunity to keep blooming."