◎ Bout 2: The age question [action/voice]

[thunderfists]

[action]

[Akihiko's been adjusting well enough to Luceti following the crash back to reality that Luceti was a different world that was not the TV world he was supposed to have appeared in. He's back to a "civilized" level of hygiene and no longer running around in survival pants and a cape -- no, now he's back to sweatpants and T-shirts for his jogs and training. He can be found jogging on the village roads and into the forest, which he's now fairly familiar with after spending so much time out there.

Later in the day, after he's finished with his training for the day, he opens up his journal. Ever since that "experiment," he's been wondering something. But before he asks, he should probably introduce himself...]

[voice]

Hey. I'm Akihiko Sanada. I arrived here in the recent ... cycle. I guess that's what you call it. I've heard that I might have met some people here before, so I thought I'd warn you that I don't remember ever being in Luceti.

Anyway, I've got a question. How do you decide when to celebrate or acknowledge your birthdays here? There can be a lot of different kinds of calendars, even in the same world, so... I'm curious how other people handle it.

Also, if anyone knows how I can get my hands on a speed bag, I'd appreciate hearing about it.

Comments

[thunderfists]

[He slows down in his jogging in place, looking thoughtful.] ...I've forgotten the name. It was back in Japan. Small shop -- closed down maybe a year later.

[emp3thy]

[He.... can possibly see why, if this is all they sold. There's not a big market for capes.] I thought maybe you'd gotten it overseas.

[thunderfists]

Oh no. This is an antique. [He's not using this word the way it should be used.] Not everyone has a boxing cape.

[The way he speaks, it's like he's using an actual term.]

[emp3thy]

...A boxing cape?

[Yeah, he didn't know there was a term.

...Are you sure there's really a term?]

[thunderfists]

Yeah. You know, like how professional boxers wear boxing robes before and after matches. I got myself a boxing cape.

[It's a term. That he may have been was real.]

[emp3thy]

I.... see.

[He's not sure it's accurate. A cape is not a robe.

But, whatever makes his senpai happy...] Did you wear it for school matches?

[thunderfists]

Sure did. [He sounds pleased, thinking back on those days.] It was in better shape back then, but it's kept its color well.

[emp3thy]

[And... what did Shinjiro and Mitsuru say about this back then...]

A pink cape wouldn't suit you.

[thunderfists]

[It's possible it's a bad memory blocked.]

Yeah. It wouldn't suit you, either.

[Implying he would still have the pink cape long enough for Minato to use it.]

[emp3thy]

I don't think it suits me right now, either.

[thunderfists]

[...That brings up a good question.]

Why did you end up wearing it, again? I know it had something to do with all of us having amnesia, but I never did get the story on you wearing my cape.

[emp3thy]

[> ....You wish he hadn't asked so directly.

Make up a lie
> This is Akihiko, just tell the truth]

The card said I was a caped crusader.

[thunderfists]

[Lies are not usually well-taken by the man who has trouble holding back with his punches.]

...Like a superhero.

[Not really question there.]

[emp3thy]

[That and Akihiko really has no room to make fun of him here.]

Yeah.

[thunderfists]

[Akihiko? Make fun of people?]

Well, if that's the case, the color would have worked just fine.

[emp3thy]

...I guess so.

[......] I'll go and get it for you.

[almost as an afterthought] You can come in.

[thunderfists]

[Reluctant agreement is still agreement.]

Okay. Lead on, Leader.

[There might be the slightest bit of wryness in his voice as he stretches.]

[emp3thy]

[That gets a sideways glance... but then a small smile. It's been a long time since anyone called him that.

He heads into the house, heading back into the laundry room through the kitchen. Akihiko can take a seat at the table or be distracted by Koromaru sleeping off to the side.]

[thunderfists]

[Akihiko walks over to the far side where Koromaru is sleeping, giving the dog a pat on the head when he's closer. He finds himself glancing over at the door, remembering what he had seen in there.]

Now that I've seen more of this place, it makes the TV you have seem even rarer than before.

[emp3thy]

It was a... gift, I guess. [Of dubious origin.] I've been here a while so I've collected things.

[But that's right. The TV... And, if Akihiko had noticed it before...

...Well, let's just ask.] Mitsuru-senpai said you two were investigating the TV world before she came here.

[thunderfists]

She told you about that, huh? [He sighs inwardly. He had been so focused and ready for that mission, and to find out that it was postponed because of all of this was ... disappointing to say the least.] She called me back from overseas so we could look into it.

[emp3thy]

[He nods.]

I knew about the TV world from speaking with Souji-kun and his friends. But they've never mentioned meeting you.

[thunderfists]

Souji...? [He frowns at the name, taking a moment to place it.] Souji Seta? Can't say I met him before arriving here.

[emp3thy]

[He nods.]

He's a Persona-user from Inaba.

[thunderfists]

Well, I can't say I'm surprised. I was barely in Inaba for a full day before I met up with Mitsuru and Aigis. Then we entered the TV. [...] Only to end up here.