Description: After some thought, Yurika realizes that Kurow may not be the person she needs to be relying on to reach her style's highest point after all. No, come to think of it, the gentle ruthlessness she seeks just so happens to be right up her brother's target's alley: Raizo Imawano. She decides to take a chance and attempt to strike a deal for his assistance.
Yurika had spent a considerable amount of time trying to sort out her situation.. Upon her thinking, she'd ended up hitting a lot of dead ends. That's the problem with doing so much planning, and thinking for the older Kirishima, it comes to a point where one loses track of the original point. She's done so much, but.. Why exactly? After all of her work, she'd only ended up as lost as she had been from the very beginning- The answer that made sense at this point was getting a bit of guidance.
Guidance, and doing something she doesn't do very often: take a chance. Obviously she's well aware of the rocky situation between Kurow and Raizo, and after running a little 'test' of her own, decided that for the most part, approaching the principle wouldn't be suicidal.
That brings her to now, she'd make a request to meet Raizo in his office, and made it clear that she didn't wish to discuss academic matters. One could only assume that he accepted because the light blue-clad Seijyun council president is parked in a chair outside of the office, waiting patiently for her time to be met. Of course she's a bit nervous, even though her neutral expression may say otherwise, but there was simply not turning back for her at this point, the fact of the matter was there is simply no one else she can turn to. And she'd make clear as to why she believes this soon enough.
Even Kurow can go into Raizo's office without /dying/. But it brings out the tension in the old man - when Yurika and Kurow are in his presence, every muscle is tight. Raizo conducts himself like a laid-back old man much of the time, all laughter and confidence, but the Kirishimas are among the handful of people who can get him to act as if he may need to take action on a moment's notice. It is not entirely conscious. A man like Raizo does not live this long without learning how to be ready for an unexpected attack.
Eventually, the door opens, and the titan of a man slips out. He's still a little bruised from fighting Hayato last night, but he's a fast healer. He nods at Yurika. "Miss Kirishima," he offers, smiling professionally, stepping over. "It's good to see you."
Yurika doesnt' know that! Kurow doesn't talk much about it; but one could assume she's on the edge of her seat quite often considering the teen is in the -same school- as the guy. It makes things quite confusing for the musician but apparently that's just the way things are?
When the door opens, Yurika quickly stands up, her dark eyes looking to the huge man with it's usual touch of mystique, and returns the nod with a smile and a curtsey, "A pleasure to meet you, Mister Imawano, b- but please.."
Yurika's cheeks redden a touch as she shakes her head. "I'd rather not.. Be addressed by that last name, Miss Yurika, or simply just Yurika is fine, sir. I understand you may be a bit busy, but I didn't plan to take up too much of your time today, so I will be abrupt if you'll forgive me. The subject, though, is a bit of a sensitive matter. Is it all right if we speak inside?"
Raizo nods. "Quite alright," the old man says, and then turns, making a gesture for Yurika to follow him into the office.
When Yurika enters, there are no tripwires or ninja assassins, and the secretary does not leap at her with a switchblade when she turns her back to walk into the office. It's a nice affair - wood paneling, elegant paintings...definitely the personal office of a powerful man. Raizo is not personally all that wealthy, but that's largely because so much of the money he earns turns right back around into Justice High. It's his life's work, after all.
Raizo moves across the office, sliding into his super plus sized steel-reinforced (but very comfortable!) chair with a surprising ease. It's always easy to forget how nimble the man is, for his girth. He bobs his head at a waiting seat across from him, saying, "You wished to speak?"
Yurika is pretty certain she isn't disappointed. She's pretty used to not having a very exciting lifestyle, and that kind of thing probably would give her a heart attack! Possibly.. The decor is about what she'd expected, perhaps one day she'd have an office like this, it seems to be a staple for people who 'are very important'.
But back to the point at hand, Yurika never forgets how nimble the man is, though lately she hadn't been keeping up on the principal's battles- She doesn't watch a lot of Neo League Matches, and even fewer Saturday Night Fight broadcasts. She takes a seat of her own after he seats himself, and seems to need a moment to decide how exactly to word this. "Yes, I.. I know this may come as a bit of a shock but, I've been doing a bit of thinking and I decided that I cannot train in Imawano-Ryu or discipline on my own. I was hoping that perhaps you would be able to assist me, even if it's just a little. I can't approach Kurow about this or he'd become suspicious, so I'd.. Well, you're the only person I can really ask, even with the situation being as it is.. Sir."
Yurika's eyes fall downcast, her lips twisting a bit. "If you could even just provide me a bit of advice, or some sort of wisdom, that'd be very helpful.."
Raizo waits. He's tense - a fighter can see it, that small tension across the shoulders that a man of Raizo's stature just can't hide. He is ready for an attack, either from Yurika or her brother, with the girl knowing or unknowing. Kurow is not a nice boy.
But Kurow has been quiet, due in no small part to a creative but as yet undefined ploy from Raizo, so the old man isn't as bunched up as he might be. He waits patiently.
He listens while Yurika speaks, eyes first narrowing with intent and then widening somewhat in surprise. He's got a good poker face; his monocle doesn't even slip. "You are aware," Raizo murmurs, "of my difficulties with such a request." It's not a question, it's a statement. "Yet, you come to me anyway? Humbly asking for the help of the old master..."
Raizo isn't the only tense one, however the difference between Raizo and herself is.. He certainly has a lot more experience, just because she's certain he can tell she's feeling nervous doesn't mean that she isn't going to look the part, that's just simply how she is. She hasn't an idea that he's expecting some sort of attack, however. Though that's probably ignorance on her part, of course just because she has a sweet demeanor doesn't make her a threat!
"Yes. I am very aware, but I assure you I did not decide to approach you like this without having thought things through very carefully." Yurika replies, making eye contact with the ninja once more. "You must understand that I am also in a very difficult position, here. But the fact of the matter is, as I have stated before, that there is no one else who can help me. As I see it, one of two things can happen: The first, that you dismiss me, and our history will continue as normal. Or, you may assist me, and the possibility that things will change may reveal itself. I will not pretend that I am doing this in your best interest, of course."
Raizo just watches Yurika thoughtfully - critically, with that analytical eye. He tries not to be overbearing, but it's hard - with his size, and intensity, it can be hard to keep one's composure around him. But Yurika speaks well, and seems to be laying out the facts well. Raizo nods. "Indeed. Your brother is busy, and you yourself apparently cut off?" Interesting, he thinks. The Kirishimas are completely cut off...did something happen to the rest of the clan? Not even Raizo's sure of that.
Still, the man nods. "I have one question," he rumbles, tilting his red eyes up to look Yurika straight on. "Whose? What do you want this training for?"
Yurika's slowly shakes her head, "No.. It isn't that he is too busy. He chooses not to teach me any more than I already know." Yurika clarifies, "I understand how he works, he prefers to keep all situations under his palm so that nothing 'unexpected' occurs. So I am meeting you in private. He doesn't, nor will he know or else things will get.. Well. Complicated."
"I'm afraid I do not really understand what you mean by 'cut off'. Though I imagine if I were in such a situation, I'd know about it, sir." Yurika then offers with a weak smile, but after that she doesn't even need any time to offer an answer to his final question, "Myself. Last year, during the Thailand War, I suffered a pain that I will never, ever in my life forget. It's an experience that has left a scar that pains me to this day. So I suppose a more accurate answer would be that this is for myself..."
Yurika's smile brightens a touch, as she raises a hand to her chest, "And someone I wish to protect with all my heart. I can't do that with wits alone, and I understand it's foolish, but I must do this by any means necessary."
Doesn't know...Kurow's keeping her down on purpose. Well that's /very/ Imawano. Mugen trained the boy well. The old man emits an unhappy rumble.
But he nods. "Yes," he says. "If Kurow knew what we were talking about, neither of our lives would be very happy for long. I see. And..." He hums, eyeing Yurika intently, looking for signs of deceit.
For herself. To make herself stronger, and to protect others. Admirable..."Very admirable," Raizo murmurs.
"...I am not like my brother," Raizo says, abruptly. It can't be a warning, Mugen was a violent lunatic. "I will expect you to conduct yourself according to my principles. The School of Imawano is one steeped in evil and violence, but good can be done with its teachings, if you apply it the right way. You understand?"
Yurika probably cannot hide her emotions from Raizo well, but in this instance, there really is very little -too- hide. She's kept in the dark about a lot of things but Raizo can tell a couple of things: One being that Yurika seems to be telling the truth; but the way she thinks isn't like most people. Not surprising, considering her closest company. Because of this, the other thing is that the possibility of deceit isn't zero. It isn't Raizo she wants to protect. But she stated that already, in her own way, by stating that a change in history was merely a possibility, not guaranteed. Should he choose to take her in, however, he may end up understanding how she thinks a little more.
"I believe it is for the best that you aren't like your brother," Yurika then says with a gentler smile. "I similarly believe your way of the art will work the best for me; therefore I'm confident conducting myself to your principles should not be impossible for me."
"Well then," Raizo murmurs. It's a risk. It's a gamble. She could stab him in the back.
Or she could be saved.
Raizo stands, grinning - not that paternal smile he bestows upon his favored. It's a dark, animalistic kind of grin. "What are we waiting for?"
Log created on 19:53:21 10/11/2008 by Yurika, and last modified on 04:32:23 02/12/2009.