Description: The current Kasagi generation all gather at at Jira's flat for a reunion. And nachos! As expected when any Kasagi gets in a room (let alone THREE) things get downright unusual. Tune in for your daily dose of Kasagi, full of essential vitamins and nutrients*! Disclaimer*: May or may not actually improve your day or diet any.
Someone had called her -- it was strange, but it must have been one of Jira's associates. There was something mysterious and incredibly dangerous about Jira that Mimiru couldn't quite put the finger on. All those doubts though were put aside. It didn't matter for the time being and was the least of her concerns.
All that mattered now was Jiro, and the message she had gotten was about him. Looks like she was able to stumble on him before she did. Perhaps it was fate that made it so Jira found him before Mimiru.
Once she had received the message, Mimiru hurried herself to Jira's place. As fast as she could be, she still arrived much later and she only hoped Jira could hold Jiro with here that long. The girl finally knocks at the door of Jira's appartment.
Jira answers her door very quickly, in her usual home attire. She gives a smile to Mimiru as she peeks out the small opening, then pulls the door back and welcomes her in.
"Please come in, Mimiru. I'm glad you could come over." she greets, maintaining her warm and friendly expression and holding a small bow.
Mimiru's lips curl into a smile. Her hands are tucked into the tummy pocket of her vest and she looks up at Jira. The pink haired woman obviously seemed anxious, despite the front she's pulling, "Thanks," She answers with a slow nod.
Mimiru strides in, her eyes scanning off into the distance into Jira's appartment, nosing around more or less discretely. "Have you found him...?" She finally asks.
The woman gives a nod to her cousin, closing the door as the other enters and slowly stretching her arms and back. Then she moves up around Mimiru from behind.
"He was pretty beat up when I found him, he's asleep in the guestroom now." she informs. "We'll see what kind of care he'll need when he wakes up, I didn't want to disturb him." and gives an apologetic look. "Is there anything you want meanwhile? I've got drinks and snacks."
Mimiru hums softly and her expression seems to soften a bit. It felt like a burden had been lifted off her shoulder. Mimiru heaves a soft sigh and she nods to Jira, "Thanks... Yeah, I'd appreciate it," She says.
Mimiru waves her hand up in the air dismissingly, "I'll just go have a look at him, if you don't mind..?" She asks, tilting her head to one side, "After that... I guess I could stay around for a while. Or keep an eye on him if you have to go.." Mimiru offers.
Jira gives a nod and motions to the section to the left. All the areas of the suite are openly connected by archways divinging bordering walls. And individual rooms are, as expected, doored off. "First door on the left that way." she says, moving over to the kitchen area. "I'll go make something up for you."
"Thanks, Jira.." Mimiru replies with a nod. She turns on her heels and makes her way in that direction. Mimiru had to see him again, to cling on to the belief he was finally there and he'd stop running away. It was the same all over again, always so close yet so far from each other.
Mimiru leans against the archway and glances up at her brother, assessing him. If he survived that one time in Paris, this was probably just a scratch... He was a true Kasagi, it'd take more than that to get rid of him. Mimiru heaves a sigh and she stares at him, until she hears Jira talk to her again, "Huh, sure..."
Mimiru shakes her head and turns around to face Jira. Jiro had already gotten first aids, but he was either sleeping or unconscious right now, "Jira..." Mimiru says, "Thank you, for having been there for Jiro.." She lowers her gaze, "I mean, not just for here, but before that also too.."
Jira lifts up Mimiru's gaze by hooking a finger on her chin. "Someone has to play family head, with all of us Kasagi running around and getting beat up. I just happen to keep bumping into him during rough spots." she replies, giving her usual smile back to Mimi. "I'm certain he'll be fine. He's already trumped nature's biggest threat, with zeal." she reminds. "He must've done something impressive to get a 'one-up'."
The touch surprises Mimiru at first but she shows no resistance. She blinks and gives Jira a weak smile. The word family seems to have made her wince a bit though, but Mimiru hardly flinches, "Yeah..." She glances over her shoulder at Jiro, and then back at Jira, "He's always been impetueous and never listened to reason at this age," Hopefully, this Jiro's not living on borrowed time...
Mimiru gives Jira shrug of powerlessness, "Eh, what can we do..." She takes a step away from the archway and says, "Anyway... I think I owe you a reward, you've managed to get your hands on him before me," Mimiru says. She sounds sincere and mostly grateful for that.
Jira keeps her smile, moving her finger back. "Was he -really- like this through his teen years? I can't imagine how stressed Yoko-san must have been with him." she teases lightheartedly. "And, there's no need to reward me, Mimiru. Again, you are my guest and I'll see to whatever I can to keep you happy while you stay." she adds.
Mimiru lifts her eyes up a bit, "It was... Complicated," Mimiru answers, concerning how their family must have been a few years ago. "A promise is a promise," Mimiru answers with a shrug, "Unless you don't want it to do that anymore," She tilts her head to one side and moves over toward the couch to sit on it, "Beside... I want to stay here until Jiro wakes up. I don't want him to leave without having a talk with him," Mimiru adds. She glances to her and says, "So I'm game for anything..."
Jira listens and gives a nod. "Well, I'll make up some snacks and drinks. We could camp out on the balcony, or in the hot tub or something to pass the time if you'd like?" it was a penthouse suite, and loaded with amenities that Jira herself hadn't even considered using herself, let alone paid attention to. Entertainment and leisure options in abundance.
Mimiru blinks, surprised, "You've got a hot tub?" Mimiru shakes her head and lifts her hands up, "Huh, well, I haven't really brought anything with me," She says, glancing over at her body for a moment. Shorts, legging, jacket... She definately didn't have the proper clothes to do that, "Well, I could watch a movie, I guess... Haven't done that in a while," She hums and grins, "Got any alcohol? For drinks?" She asks.
Jira tilts her head. "What do you need to have brought for a hot tub movie marathon?" she asks. Her expression is wholly confused and flabbergasted. "And last I checked there was something like that in the fridge, I don't touch it myself." she assures. "It'd be a bad example!" scandalous!
Mimiru arches a brow, "What... You don't drink?" Mimiru teases, lips curling into a grin, "Jira... How old are you? Twenty?" She asks. Mimiru shrugs and says, "Is there a reason why you don't drink? Just never tried or don't like it?" She asks. Mimiru seems to remain respectful and doesn't judge Jira for her choice on the matter.
Mimiru hums softly and ponders, ".. You mean you could have anything I wanted brought here?" She asks. Oooh, that seemed sinful. At least, she had that wicked intonation in her voice.
Jira pulls her hair back and thinks on this. Then she thinks of a reply and nods. "When you've had my experiencee growing up, you have a strong distrust for things and substances that impair you or alter how you think." she explains. "And I'm twenty-two, silly. And, er.. I probably could have room service bring anything, but it's out of pocket. Why?" she asks, walking back into the previous area. It had the living section with main entertainment focus near the glass doors to the balcony, then on the back wall (away from the front door) is a full kitchen lined up on the wall, with plenty of counter space. Then off on the corner opposiite the glass wall and fridge is a small three-step rise onto a platform housing the hot-tub. Currently covered and not on. There's a hanging flatscreen tele that can drop down for movie viewing and shenannigans while bathing. The rest of the area is tiled floor, air conditioning and adjustable lights. (dimmer switches~)
"Man," Mimiru says as she watches Jira setting everything up. Mimiru whistles and she folds her arms in front of her chest. Never in her wildest dreams could she have thought of living in such opulence. "That's life, ahah," Mimiru adds.
Mimiru gives a shrug to Jira, "From my experience, it makes a great social lube, if you see what I mean," Mimiru hums softly and adds, "I've learned to enjoy drinks. The important part is to know your limits and drink moderately," She grins and adds, "Always been a fan of local made beer, honestly..."
Jira just pulls drinks out of the fridge and hums. "Should we do nachos? Or should I make some rice-crisps and dip?" she asks, watching Mimiru with a smile. Then she hears about life and shrugs "Life is life, you make what you can of it. I honestly had -no- idea what or when I'd even consider of use for these things, sensei just gave me the suite. He also told me no parties, and.. I don't think anyone would ever want him angry." she adds.
Oh boy, booze advice! Jira takes a nod, "I just dislike having my guard down around people, and even then.. just things that happened around my time in middle and high school."
"If you want," Mimiru answers. Her lips curl into a smile and she says, "But if you have vegetables, I could prepare some bites... Carots, peppers, cuccumber.. Other things like that? It'd be great with a dip," And healthy. Mimiru walks over toward the counter and fridge to have a look over Jira's shoulder. She gives her a shrug and says, "It's okay, I understand and respect that," She's not insisting on the matter for the time being, "So, did you have specific movies in mind you'd like to watch?"
Jira nods. "Ooh, help in the kitchen. First time for everything~" she muses. "Sure, go ahead if you want." the fridge is okay, it's got the four safe food groups within, but no meat out to thaw.
"As for movies, well.." she briefly eyes the shelf next to the main television and then back to Mimiru. "I think the hot-tub has a six-disk player. We could grab random movies and put them in." while she moves to the fridge to gather a package of elusive rice tortilla, and a cutting board hanging next to the fridge. Tearing the bag open and cleaning her hands. Cooking is about to start!
It has been some time since Jiro was sleeping. He was too exhausted from the fight against Kain. However, it was likely not the fight against Kain that has dealt the blow. It has been the growing despair that threatened to suffocate him. It manifested as the black chi of hatred that lingered in him. It had consumed the white chi, leaving nothing but darkness left.
The Stray Dog finally manages to wake up, still feeling rather gripped by the despair. Closing his eyes, the young man slowly gives off a grunt before he runs his hand along his hair.
... Can he really make a difference in this world? Should he really bother seeing the familiar faces that he had once known?
Will his hatred consume him?
The Stray Dog runs his hand along his face before he staggers up. "...Damn. How long have I been out of it?"
Mimiru frowns and arches a brow, "What's that supposed to me? You think I'm incompetent in the kitchen?" Mimiru asks, sticking her tongue out a bit. It's not because she didn't have the 'best' assets to become a proper housewife that she couldn't give a hand.
Once Mimiru hears Jiro's voice though, she stops what she's doing. She takes a step back, glancing over toward the archway that led to the small guestroom where Jiro had been resting. Her lips curl into a weak smile, "Jiro..." She says almost in a whisper. Not knowing what to answer to his question, Mimiru replies, "Are you hungry?"
Jira chuckles. "I mean that I've never had anyone else cook with me before." she explains to Mimiru. "Always been by myself, or waiting on someone else." she adds innocently. She then moves to folding up the tortillas into halves, then quarters atop one another before a final folding with just enough force to break them on that last fold. Then opening them back to a quartered state and tearing along that line, then unfolding and tearing any on that crease, and finally opening them fully and making the last seperations.
Then Jiro makes his question and she looks at the clock over the counter and gives an immediate answer. "About fourteen hours, Jiro-kun. Mimiru and I are making snacks for movie night, but I can step it up into dinner if you'd like." she offers in kind tone, turning her head and giving him a smile.
Jiro lifts his head up and he looks over towards Mimiru. As his eyes lock onto the young girl, the youth tenses. However, there is no scowl on his face. The Stray Dog does not have a look of aggression. His eyes slowly turn away, looking... ashamed.
That is the main thing that he sees in himself right now: Shame.
"...Heh. Even after I did the same thing to you that the others have done to me... you still persist." There is a lingering smile, but it faintly grows sadden. "...I am undeserving of that."
The Stray Dog looks over towards Jira, blinking at her when she notes about the snacks for the movie night. Mentally, Jiro cannot help but to give a mental laugh to himself. To think, Jira is the closest person to a girlfriend that he has had.
... Well, at least she is a DISTANT cousin.
"Thanks, Jira." He gives her an uneasy smile.
"...Look. I'm sorry for how I've been as of late." The Stray Dog finally notes towards both of the girls.
There was no hate or anger on Mimiru's expression as her eyes met Jiro's one. Perhaps a bit of apprehension at her brother's reaction, a bit of fear for this moment.
Unlike last time though, Mimiru had the time to put her thoughts together and straighten things out. The warm and gentle smile Mimiru offered her brother slowly fades away as she sees the shame on his brother's expression. It saddens and pains her to see him like this.
To see her brother, just as he was when he was younger, vulnerable and filled with all sorts of emotions. She might have never been able to fully understand and help her brother back then...
But today it was different. Mimiru was older, more mature... Had more experience. He wasn't his big brother anymore. Jiro was her little brother.
Mimiru watches Jiro and remains silent as he speaks to them. "Jiro, we need to talk," Is all Mimiru says after he apologizes. There was no reprimand in her voice, her intonation was gentle.
"Are you feeling well enough for a walk outside?" Mimiru offers.
Jira gives a smile to Jiro, throughout the whole ordeal. A reassuring one, herself lightly leaning on the counter. "Jiro, I'm always in your corner. However you might need me." she replies to his apology. "There is no need to feel sorry regarding me, accepting my help is enough to keep me happy." she adds.
A walk outside, Jira bites her lip. "Mimiru, you could take him out to the balcony, or one of the other rooms.. the training room if you want total privacy." she offers. "I really don't want him going out yet, I haven't had time to look him over, feed him or anything." she wouldn't let herself be a bad host, that's wholly against her upbringing!
Silence fills the air as the despair remains consuming Jiro. The young man lifts his head up as the apologetic look remains. For some time, during the fight against Mukai, he started to realize his shame. It had grew worse when he encountered Kain. To show how strong he become. However, it solved nothing but to only show him the beast's strength that remains inside of him.
His gaze falls towards Jira who gives him that reassuring smile. It is the first time that he has seen her with her hair down. While looking her over, he gives a more sheepish smile. "Thanks, Jira..."
When he looks over at Mimiru, he furrows his eyebrows at her. They need to talk.
"...Sure."
The Stray Dog closes his eyes once, then he looks back to Jira before his gaze follow towards Mimiru. "Yeah, I can walk." The Stray Dog still feels rather awkward, waking up to find both Kasagi members in the hotel. However, he figures he'll adjust himself and will let things roll.
... After all, Mimiru wishes to speak with him.
Mimiru smiles to Jiro and she gives him a slow nod. She glances to Jira and then gives her a nod, "Alright," She agrees meekly. She turns her attention back to Jiro and makes her way toward him.
Once she reaches up Jiro's side, Mimiru looks up at him, her warm smile still on her lips, her hands going into the frontal pocket of her jacket. She lets Jiro carry himself on his own toward the balcony and Mimiru makes her way toward the door leading there. Jiro was hurt enough on his pride, and knew him for long enough that offering her help would only make matter worse.
Mimiru opens the door and she walks out, "Just listen to me for a while, please.." Mimiru asks, striding out of the balcony toward the safety ramp. Mimiru turns her gaze away and she stares off the distance, "Not so far ago, I felt exactly the same way.." Mimiru admits.
Jira nods at Jiro and stays politely in the kitchen, preparing the oven and setting the tortilla sections onto a tray that she lines with a nonstick baking spray and cornmeal. Yum, corn! Meanwhile she's off to chopping celeryy into sticks, then a few chilis to put into the tortilla bits. She adds some thin cheese slices atop the chili cuts and folds over half the tortillas into pockets for the cheese and chilis, sealing them back up with a bit of water on the edges to goo up the tortilla, and lays them on that so they don't open. About half of the remainder only get cheese, and the same folding, while the rest remain to be made as crisps.
The Stray Dog has done his part in remaining silent. He has been the weaker one of the group so far. Not only did he put himself in danger, but made two people worry about him. One of those people was the one he hurted those weeks ago. Coming to realization of the situation, Jiro has understood that he has screwed up.
He follows Mimiru towards the balcony, looking back at Jira once more before he turns away to see Mimiru at the balcony. When she stares away towards the balcony, Jiro closes his eyes.
"Alright. I'll listen."
It is what he owes Mimiru. The girl who has lost an older brother and only seen this person here. All what he has to do is listen.
Mimiru remains silent for a moment, trying to find the words. It was her chance. Perhaps the only one she'll ever have to make up for everything, for every other mistakes. She had to do this right.
"After you died, I left Southtown..." Mimiru says. "Without a warning. I more or less started to roam around the world, first in Europe, but later my wanderlust brought me to America, the rest of Asia.. I've seen tons of different places..."
A nostalgic smirk curls on Mimiru's lips as she continues to stare away. She straightens herself and shakes her head, turning over to look up at Jiro, "I've never stayed in one place more than two months... Three at best, I always felt the need to move on." Mimiru lowers her gaze and says, "I didn't keep in touch with anyone. Never. It was all my decision. I've been able to earn a living easily enough with jobs as a courrier girl and seldom fighting tournaments here and there..."
Mimiru leans againsts the balcony's ramp, looking at her brother. "Everytime I moved to some other place, I changed my hair color... Like I started everything anew again, a new Mimiru.."
Mimiru lowers her gaze, ashamed, "I... More or less abandonned mom, back then." Mimiru admits. She turns her eyes away, the thought making her eyes watery a bit, "By leaving her after she had lost a son, sending her postal cards maybe once or twice a year..."
The thoughts cause tears to well up in Mimiru's eyes. Before she continues, she lifts her hand up to wipe them off before they slide down her cheeks, "When you came back, I... I felt lost, then I..." She shakes her head, "It's hard to explain but... I returned to Southtown then. The first time in seven years..."
Mimiru's lips curl into a weak smile, her lips trembling a bit, "Do you know how mom greeted me...?"
Jira's busy cooking and half listening- she isn't loud and sound carries easily over empty space afterall. She lets her partner handle the emotional wait, she has to get things going! The tray is put into the now heated oven and Jira eyes the clock again. Jira can't decide what type of dip, so instead she opts for two seaweed salsas (one spicy), a soy sauce dip(with miso), and a honey mustard/ranch combination. She chops up some carrots into sticks to accompany the celery, some grapes, and opens up her small packaged container of pre-steamed shrimp. All put into a bowl on the counter- a nifty bowl with three sections, a big half and two quarters. Shrimp in a quarter, sticks in another, and the crisps for the other half when they're finished!
Mimiru tells the tale that she lived. All of it was after his death. Jiro's eyes widen, looking at Mimiru as she explains every bit of her life. She roamed the world, led by wanderlust. She had tried to find herself. Why is that feeling familiar?
Because that was the life he lived.
He lived that life in the comfort of the strays. He was abandoned by his father and his pride was lost where he could not defend his own little sister, but the other way around. How long has Jiro been consumed by despair. Jir has never been happy, unable to pull his life together.
It was what his death had done to his little sister. She tried to move on. His eyes fall shut as his hands rest over towards his shoulder.
Her life as a courier was similar to his life as a scout. He picked up information and passed it on. He scouted for danger and warned the others.
While Mimiru leans against the balcony, his eyes lock over to her hair as she explains the change of her hair color. A new Mimiru.
As Mimiru asks him a question of how she greeted them...
"... Like she would have greeted us. ... Opened arms." His eyes lower with a faint smile, "... Even when I roamed the streets and I came home. ... She always had a way of letting us know that she cared despite her stonewall expression."
Jiro's answer manages to bring a short chuckle out of Mimiru's throat. One partially broken with sobs. She gives a nod to Jiro, her right hand going up to sweep away more tears from her eyes. Jiro knew exactly the sort of greeting their mother had given her.
"Crazy, isn't it...? After all these years, after all I had done to her... After I had abandonned her..." Mimiru says. She shakes her head almost in disbelief, sniffing a bit audible. It's obvious in her voice and her reaction that Mimiru looks up to this woman and almost idolizes her.
She lowers her gaze and heaves a soft sigh, taking a pause as if trying to control her emotions for a moment. "I felt undeserving of that, after all I had done, the pain I caused her, but she looked past it.. And all she had to give me when I came back to her was her love. Just the same as you did..."
Mimiru straightens herself up and she walks closer to Jiro, "... Because no matter what happens or what I do, I'm still her daughter. And nothing can change that. No matter how much pain I've inflicted her, no matter how much I might have disappointed her..." Mimiru shakes her head a bit, "In the end, it doesn't matter, and she'll always love me deep down.."
Mimiru lifts her hands up and rubs her brother's shoulders gently, staring at him from head to toes, "And... I've realized that mom and I had a lot in common... A lot more than I thought..."
Jira takes up humming... it seems she and Yoko need to swap notes and have a chat on how to head a family.. maybe she can offer mommy advice to Jira for later. She's left watching the clock and keeping an eye on the oven, until she takes a moment to bring out drink glasses and put the drinkks in the fridge to the front. Cola, green tea, grape juice, apple juice, orangeade, greentea lemonaide, and then the boozee which she doesn't pay attention to. And Jiro shouldn't see. So that stays hidden and out of sight.
The reaction on Mimiru's face as she comes to grips with the answer that Jiro gave. He gives a faint smile in return, able to see her laugh. It is a small moment that the two can share. That faint moment of joy underlies the pain for both of them. As Mimiru wipes away her tears, Jiro merely looks away with a sullen gaze.
After the abandonment, "... Mom's a strong person. She... endured a lot." An abandoning husband, a son who was trying to find himself, and soon, a daughter who later joined the same path. The Stray Dog lowers his head.
However, the moment that Mimiru lifts up and runs her hand towards his shoulder, Jiro tenses slightly before the gaze falls towards Mimiru. "..." His eyes fall shut as he runs his hand over towards his shoulder. "...Yeah, it seems like you both do. ... Even for someone who shouldn't even be in this time."
Mimiru closes her eyes and she shakes her head slowly, "Jiro," She says, her voice barely above a whisper, "Jiro, you know... All my life," Her lips curl into a faint smile, "I've tried to make you happy.. Because I..." She chuckles : a short laughter meant to mock herself, "I've never been able to bear seeing you sad, seeing you angry..." She lets her hands drop down and lowers her gaze, "All I wanted was to see you smile, to know that you were happy..."
She pauses for a moment, lost in her thoughts before she adds, "But everything I did only made things worse, and it felt like we grew apart.." She did not understand Jiro's feeling then, and even with the insight of her years and her maturity, she still can't understand why all the rage, all the sadness and pain Jiro felt. She can has vague idea, but nothing clear...
Mimiru shakes her head though, as if to silence Jiro before he speaks. "I was unable to help, but... One day, something happened. I don't know what it was, but... You smiled, you were different. You had managed to get over this... This, whatever was haunting you..." She grins and says, "That made me happy..."
The rest of the story is easy to complete without words : this happiness did not last long. Mimiru adds, "The past is the past and there's nothing we can do about it," She says.
She lifts her hands up and she pats Jiro's shoulder again, "But... You, today... This is real... And my feelings for you still haven't changed, brother.." Mimiru says. At those words, her lips curl into a smile.
"Who knows... Maybe this time, I'll be able to help you overcome this anger and sadness and maybe I'll be a part of the reason why you'll be smiling in the future.." She says, her smile wider now.
No more tears this time. She has only a bright and hopeful smile on her lips.
Jira lets the echoing conversation simmer in the back of her mind, then goes down on the stove and opens it up. She looks around and grabs the unused dish towel to quickly grab the tray of impromptu nachos and bites and gingerly shake them all off into the bowl that contains the veggies. Snacks done!
She stays where she is and waits for her cousins to finish their chat.
"..." Jiro lowers his head. "I've never explained why I have been the way that I have." His eyes narrow, looking away from her while he considers his words. "I will likely not get a chance to say this again, so I'll take it now."
The young boy narrows his eyes, "... I was supposed to be the strong one! I was supposed to be the one who protected his little sister! I was supposed to be the doting big brother!" His eyes narrow, disgusted with himself. "...I did not want to be weak. I did not want to be weak to not defend myself."
"...When my own younger sister was defending me, I did not feel like a big brother. ... I did not feel like anything. ... I don't know what I felt like."
The black flames slowly draw to his fingertips. However, Jiro repress those feelings. "... Perhaps I likely confronted my issues. Perhaps I finally understood it. I do not understand it now." He grits his teeth.
"I do not understand.."
He looks up at Mimiru, "... I wanted to be strong to be a good brother. ... However, as I kept going... my focus became on power."
Mimiru shakes her head and she lifts her hand up to ruffle Jiro's hair gently, "Jiro..." She mutters. Mimiru gives Jiro a slow nod. Weird, how Jiro wanted to be strong for her, and the young Mimiru wanted to be strong for Jiro.
In the end, this conquest and lust for power had just ended up burning both of them in some way. She lifts her hand up and ruffles Jiro's hair gently, "You better get used now though, in this world, /I/ am the big sister," Mimiru says, putting the emphasis on the 'I' with a playful and teasing intonation.
Mimiru's expression returns to its previous serious and stern look as she thinks she has noticed those black flames bursting from his fingertips. "The past cannot be undone but..." Mimiru says softly, "I can show you a glimpse of your future Jiro. Of the Jiro you have the potential to become..."
Mimiru glances over to Jira and smiles at her, "Oooh, you're done with the bites?" She asks. Mimiru hums softly and asks, "You said there was a training room here, was there?"
Jira's eyes close and she seem to be mentally listening to something, distant yet aware of the conversation.. then she feels that tingle in her stomach and looks to the balcony with concern- and she nods. "Yes, all the way at the end, past the metal door. I train in there, and spar with sensei as well." she replies. There is a modicum of passive working out she has to do to keep in even the condition she's in now, and keep her aim sharp. And working off a heavy meal is always a good excuse to vent out excess psycho energy. She offers a polite smile. "Did you want to go in?"
Furrowing his eyebrows, Jiro looks over at Mimiru. However, the ruffle to his hair puts him in a very odd position. For a change, Jiro feels like the little kid compared to Mimiru. He grits his teeth, glaring at her with a leveled gaze. Thre is that bit of a pride.
Even more so when she comments about her being the older sister.
"Screw that!" There is a feral grin forming at his sister, "You may be older than me, but I refuse to call you big sis, here!" He grumbles.
However, when she takes a more serious gaze, Jiro looks at her and then he furrows his eyebrow. "...My future, huh?" The young man closes his eyes, "...Sure, let's do this."
The Stray Dog turns towards Jira as she finally makes her presence known. "Huh, the fiancee comes out." He gives a bemused look, then her stretches both arms out.
He gives a helpless shrug, then he stretches his arms out. "...I am curious to see how much Mimiru has grown as a fighter."
With a wicked grin, Mimiru laughs and she says, "Right then! Let's make things interesting... If you can beat me, I'll let you be big brother, but if I win... Then you're calling me big sister from now on," Mimiru offers. There was that playful glee in her eyes, that teasing and challenging intonation.
For a moment, withthat playful grin on her face, it felt like this Mimiru was just like the younger one... Except with pink hair and a foot taller.
Mimiru nods to Jira and she turns on her heels, "Yeah... Nothing like a little spare before a little snack," Mimiru adds playfully. She grins to Jira and nods to her, following her indication to reach that training room.
Jira nods and walks over ahead of them both, through the various sections of the suite. The quieter study and den area, with guestrooms and showers, then to the brighter changing area that leads to the master bed and opposite to the main closet... and then that steel door with panel beside it, opening it up and motioning inside.
"Alright, just in here." she murmurs. The training room itself is pretty much a big, metal box at first glance. It feels a little cool- but that fades when the lights hit bare skin.
"Oh?" Jiro quirks an eyebrow at Mimiru as she makes a wager. This alone brings out that competitive feralness in Jiro's expression as he grins. "Alright! Let's hear it!" He furrows his eyebrows, "Alright then, deal!" While the Stray Dog turns towards Jira, he starts to follow his cousin as she starts leading through through various sections of the suites.
After passing through many of the sections, they finally arrive over towards the master bed room to a path that leads to a steel door.
He rubs the back of his head, then he grins, "Good. That will do, then." Jiro makes his way through the steel door, stepping inside within the training room. His eyes shift around the center, stretching his arms up. "Well then..." He tilts his head over at Mimiru.
"Time to show you that I am still your older brother, no matter how old you are."
It was just a little sibling competition. Something healthy to have in the family, you know? A part of it was for fun, but another part was very serious. This was an important battle for Mimiru, not because of the title they were fighting for, but so Jiro could understand some things words just couldn't explain.
Mimiru follows after Jira and she smiles at her, "Thanks, Jira..." Mimiru stretches a bit herself, warming up some. Soon, the cold won't bother her any she's sure of that. "Come on Jiro, come at me," Mimiru taunts, "You don't want to lose in front of your 'fiancee'," Mimiru says with a teasing grin.
Mimiru moistens her lips in delight, her heart pounding. The excitment of battle, it was always such a delight. This one will be particularly interesting, "Let me show you the gap that has seperated us those seven years..."
Jira fishes out her earpiece from her shirt and puts it in, listening.. Her expression changes, from her happy expression to 'business'. "What. Alright, I understand. Just have my chauffeur ready to leave, with two guests and perhaps luggage. Thank you. They have permission to go if things have not been done-" her voice trails off as she steps away to further her call, leaving Mimiru and Jiro in a bit of quiet as she obviously goes over something important.
"Heh.."
The Stray Dog gives a bemused look on his face at Mimiru as she starts to goad him into the fight. His eyes drift towards Jira, who looks to be listening in on something.
...That happy expression changes into something else. His eyes narrow for a moment.
"Hrm.."
Putting the thought away, the Stray Dog finally looks over at Mimiru and he tightens his fists. "Heh.." He points at Mimiru, a grin forming. "Time to show you my strength." The black flames erupt to life. For a moment, Jiro's eyes narrow at the flames.
...In the instant, the darkness loses its color to a more whitish color. With the depression slowly fading, so does the darkness.
COMBATSYS: Jiro has started a fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Jiro 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Mimiru has joined the fight here.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////////////]
Jiro 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Mimiru
Mimiru smiles at her brother and she tightens her fists. Mimiru lifts her right hand up, presenting it to Jiro, "It's on," She replies to him, white flames bursting out of her fist, engulfing.
Once the white flames burst to life within his sister, Jiro quirks an eyebrow in observation. He looks rather owlish at her, "So... it looks like you learned how to channel flames the same way." The Stray Dog narrows his eyes with a grin before he takes a step forward.
"Well, let me show you what you where the gap between us stands!"
Jiro steps forward and he brings both arms together. "RIOT CROSS!" Flames erupt from his hands and they form into an X-shape as it flies straight towards Mimiru.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru fails to slow Riot Cross from Jiro with Balefire.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0 Mimiru
A lot has happened since the last time they've met. And Mimiru changed a lot, more than Jiro could remember. Or more than he could have thought about her. Her lips curl into a smirk as she looks at her brother's movement.
She knows just what is coming.
She doesn't move to get out of the way, instead she takes a step foward just like Jiro, a fraction of second after him. She brings both arms together, "BALEFIRE!" She shouts. Flames erupt from her hands as they form into an X-shape that flies straight back at Jiro's own one. The white flames hurled at the black ones slam into them, but in the end, it definately didn't have the expected result...
Mimiru had confidence that her flames would overcome Jiro's black ones, or at the very least cancel them. Though it took only a moment before hers were totally nullified by Jiro's flames, hardly slowing them as they rushed right at her...
And alas, Mimiru had no time to evade or block the incoming attack when she realizes her attack failed her. It hits her, blasting her backward. She staggers back, slightly dazed, at least long enough to give Jiro another opening for a second attack.
Jiro is on the aggressive strike. Once the opening knocks his sister backwards, Jiro is already on the move to close the distance with her. He had waited for her to get a good strike against his blast. However, it seems that her chi is not as strong as his. Nevertheless, Jiro is rushing forward to make sure that the distance between him and her are close.
...Close enough to where he can strike her.
Once the range is close, Jiro lunges forward with his fist out towards her cheek, except that is a faint. Instead, Jiro is shifting forward to push his elbow out towards her stomach, aiming to send her back from the impact. The elbow will quickly be followed through with a whipping back knuckle towards her cranium.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru blocks Jiro's Medium Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/------=|==-----\-------\0 Mimiru
Thankfully, Mimiru manages to regain her senses fast enough to prepare a proper defense against the incoming assault of his brother. She takes a step back to brace herself from the incoming attack, her right arm sweeping rapidly in front of her to deflect partially her brother's elbow and take the impact on her forearm and prevent him from hitting her directly on her forehead with his knuckles.
Not wanting to give her brother the advantage, Mimiru's left leg flares up with white flames and she lunges foward to give a powerful kick aimed at her brother's guts to launch him in the air.
Though this is not meant to send Jiro up too high as Mimiru quickly follows up after him, leaping up to knock him back down with a double-overhead smash with her fists.
COMBATSYS: Jiro counters Heaven's Diminisher from Mimiru with Bull Buster.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Mimiru
Thankfully for Mimiru, she is able to catch Jiro's assault in time to set herself with the proper defenses. That intended elbow strike was skillfully deflected, which prevents him from getting a good follow-up with the back knuckle strike.
"Tsch.."
However, he looks over towards the left leg flaring up with the white flames. He instantly recognizes what she is planning to do and then he takes a step away from her while extending his arm out. While extending the arm out, the Stray Dog winds that other arm back like a gun.
"SEI!"
As the foot plants deeply on the ground to form a strong root, Jiro's stance remains as stalwart as he strikes the incoming foot. Then, he drives through with his other leg leading forward and shifts to that wide horse stance as his fist strikes at Mimiru's solarplex with a wrecking ball of a punch, "DO!"
At first, Mimiru thought knowing her brother's fighting style might have helped her greatly in this battle. Though one thing she didn't consider when she started this whole thing was how, likewise, Jiro would be able to read all of her moves so clearly as well.
Before her leg manages to connect with Jiro, his fist hits his sister right in the sternum and hard. A loud growl of pain escapes her throat as his fist connects, causing the flames from her leg to vanishes suddenly as Mimiru loses her focus momentarily and falls to the ground from the impact due her lack of balance when she's caught half-way through her attack.
Mimiru winces and curls up, trying to recover rapidly, though Jiro knocked the wind out of her a bit. She holds her chest painful so and, unable to recover or get back up fast enough, Mimiru knows she's in a bad position there, on her knees in front of Jiro, vulnerable...
It leaves her with little choice to defend herself but to try to force him to back off momentarly while she gets back on her knees... And with some luck, perhaps she'll even manage to engulf him within this widespread attack.
Mimiru growls as she focuses her chi, releasing a quick and thunderous explosion of flames around her that swirls up in an attempt to sway Jiro away from her.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru successfully hits Jiro with Defiance.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\1 Mimiru
"Heh.."
Jiro forms a grin on his face, "Looks like you'll still be calling me big brother." He grits his teeth at Mimiru while she remains clutching to her chest. She is on her knees in front of him. There is that predatory grin that remains on the Stray Dog's face when he starts to close in.
To see his older sister, still leagues away from him.
"Now then... let's..."
There is that flash of energy that emits from the girl. When she releases a quick, thunderous explosion of flames, the young man howls before he stumbles back, "Damnit!" He grits his teeth, then he lunges forward as he seeks to bring his right fist out to grind against theg round.
It ignites like a match as the white blaze roar to life to strike Mimiru towards her chin, "HA!"
COMBATSYS: Jiro successfully hits Mimiru with Wild Ember.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/=======|=======\===----\1 Mimiru
Looks like her plan worked just as Mimiru expected -- this sudden powerful burst of flames is enough to buy her a few seconds to recover so she can get back on her feet.
However, she was not fast enough and Jiro dashes back at her, giving her a hand in the process as his rising flaming fist knocks her upward. Mimiru winces as her feet literally stop touching the ground. Fortunately, when she falls backward she manages to clumsily catch herself, staggering back a few times from the impact.
Mimiru shakes her head and tries to regain her fighting stance, but she's having a hard time. "Huh... Looks it had been so long I had forgotten just how powerful you truly were," Mimiru whispers.
She's not giving up yet, she'll see this through the end. She charges foward and swings a chi-like blades from her hand, the flames swirling around of her arms as she dashes at Jiro with it.
COMBATSYS: Mimiru successfully hits Jiro with Firebrand.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ///////// ]
Jiro 1/------=/=======|=======\====---\1 Mimiru
After lunging his fist out to strike towards Mimiru with the uppercut, Jiro has a grin forming on his face. Once he starts pushing back, the young man rolls his shoulders and he straightens himself. His eyes lift up at Mimiru, looking her over as she tries to keep herself composed.
Once she takes her fighting stance once more, Jiro grits his teeth as Mimiru comes forth to swing the chiblades across his chest. "Gahhh!!" The blade hacks against his side, forcing him to clutch onto his arm and the side of his body before sweeping his head over at Mimiru.
With his eyes locked onto Mimiru, Jiro spins over to give his 'older' sister a nice kick towards the gut to send her back.
COMBATSYS: Jiro successfully hits Mimiru with Light Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Jiro 1/------=/=======|=======\======-\1 Mimiru
This is the perfect timing. Mimiru's lips curl into a grin and she prepares herself to intercept Jiro's incoming kick. She does nothing to move out of the way, she merely hops to give herself momentum and lock himself temporarly by holding on to his leg after he hit her in the gut but...
Her plan backfires, fortunately for Jiro. The impact made her wince and groan, her body bending slightly. Her hands try to get a hold of his leg to hold him, but it slips, allowing him to recover his fighting stance with relatively ease.
Quick, she had to follow up, or she'd be done for. Despite the failed first part of her plan, Mimiru decides to carry on and she lunges foward at Jiro. She swings her right hand low, attempting to uppercut Jiro and smashing him hard under the chin while her other hand flares up brightly with powerful crimson flames. She launches her fist out at him mere moments after the impact of her other fist, unleasing the flames of her fist into a massive explosion upon impact.
Kaboom!
COMBATSYS: Mimiru successfully hits Jiro with Scarlet Slaughter.
[ \\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Jiro 1/=======/=======|==-----\-------\0 Mimiru
Jiro needed to give a good kick to give himself some distance from Mimiru. He needed to get some space to catch a quick breather. Nothing too bad, just something to send his sister off. Mimiru manages to get caught in the kick and she is at a good distance for Jiro to recover and get into his fighting stance. Both hands whip forward as he keeps his guard up.
When Mimiru swings her hand low, Jiro is preparing to guard it like a normal uppercut. "Tsch----GNK!" However, Jiro did not quite expect for the strike to break through his defense. Instead, Jiro is launched off of the ground and then he is met with another powerful fist.
...It turns out that first strike was the set up.
The spiking fist however, impacts against the body, knocking Jiro lopsided as he whips across the training room. His body spins in a horrible manner and then he collapses on his stomach.
*KABOOM!*
Smoke trail gives off. However, as it clears, Jiro is staggering around. "Ngggghhh...." He grimaces, looking up at Mimiru.
"Well... you have gotten stronger..." He grits his teeth and a grin forms, "However, it is time to show you why I am the older brother...." As the flames erupt around the Stray Dog, white flames become an inferno around him as the flaming blaze spiral around him.
"AND WHY I HAVE NO QUALMS BANGING MY LITTLE SISTER!"
Jiro extends his hand out with a punch. From that punch, a cannon-like blast of that white blaze spirals straight towards the path of Mimiru.
However, in the midst of it all.
Blink. "...Wait. ... That came out wrong."
COMBATSYS: Mimiru easily escapes Jiro's Big Bang!
[ \\\\\\ < > ///// ]
Jiro 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Mimiru
Jira had been on her call awhile and nods, stashing it back in her shirt and stretching on a dresser's top... she hears Jiro saying something about banging his sister and she runs over to the door to see what was happening, letting out a very high pitched shout of "WHAT!" on her way over, peeking her head into the room with a slow blink.. everyone's clothed, so maybe she missed something, or it was misunderstood.
That was a blast and the exertion of that last move leaves Mimiru panting. Fortunately, it gives her sometime to recover from the onslaught she took earlier on. She doubts this will have been enough to take care of her brother, considering how badly he's beaten her up so far, but this last smack might put her back into the game.
Mimiru straightens herself up as the smoke fades away and Jiro is staggering, "Heheh, felt that one?" Mimiru teases. She didn't hit him often, but when she did, she knows he must have felt the pain.
Just like she did with all of his moves that connected. This fight was drawing close to its end, Mimiru knew it. She wouldn't be able to last long, and had to give it her best to win this. Her heart was racing with excitment. This was the kind of thrill she loved and constantly sought.
Her lips curl into a taunting smile. Bring it own, little brother. Mimiru doesn't notice the innuendos, she's too preoccupied by not getting smoldered by the incoming blazing inferno.
Mimiru rushes toward Jiro and she jumps up with a powerful impulsion just as he fires his massive spiral of flames at her. She literally flips over it, parrying it and avoiding its harm, while she attempts to dropkick Jiro in the face, "Kyaaaa!"
COMBATSYS: Mimiru successfully hits Jiro with Light Kick.
[ \\\ < > ////// ]
Jiro 0/-------/--=====|===----\-------\0 Mimiru
Jiro sought to give Mimiru the Big Bang. Why? Well, that was the Big Bang. However, Jiro is still trying to make sense of his statement.
... And then Jira comes in.
"...No, we are not doing that, Jira.." He exhales a sigh. Then, the Stray Dog grimaces as Mimiru manages to jump up and flips over the explosive energy. "...W--what?!" His eyes widen as he sees the older woman come down with both legs extending out towards his head.
"Ugggghhhhh!!!"
Jiro drops head against his back.
"... Big... sis..." Jiro rolls onto his face after admitting defeat.
COMBATSYS: Jiro takes no action.
[ \\\\\\ <
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Jiro can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\ <
Mimiru 0/-------/----===|
Once Mimiru recovers from the flying drop kick, she gets into her combat stance, awaiting for Jiro to rush back at her. Though he seems to be rolling over in pain, whimpering 'Big sis' under his breath.
This was almost like music to her ears. A shiver runs down Mimiru's spine.
Mimiru lets her guard down and she straightens herself up. The fight was over, Jiro admitted his defeat. Mimiru approaches him and she kneels, offering him a hand, "You fought well, little brother," She says with a gentle, teasing smile, "You're strong, Jiro... You've always had that strength inside of you. We always had that strength inside of us... Always remember that..."
Mimiru helps him back on his feet when he's ready and has recovered from her flying kick, "And if you ever doubt it, just remember that you're Kasagi... And think about mom," Mimiru says. Her eyes sparkle for a moment at the thought, her expression softening.
This fight was more than this silly bet, so much more...
"The white flames you saw me using, Jiro..." Mimiru says, "They are yours," She adds, "I've worked on mastering them for the past seven years..." She nods her head slowly and adds, ".. Those were the flames the Jiro I knew could do, his flames become bright white, flawless and immaculate. You too can do those flames Jiro, if you don't let those feelings inside of you devour you... Whatever they are..."
Jira smirks at the display and nods. Good, they're bonding. But now, Jira must beat up Mimiru, lest alpha female syndrome devour her cousin. She steps out into the doorway. "Anyone need some first aid? Or more medical attention? Or are you two alright?" she asks, tilting her head curiously.
There is pain in admitting defeat to Mimiru. However, it was a well-deserved win for her. Considering that Jiro had an earlier set of dominance. It was not a bitter defeat, but Jiro has to begrudgingly acknowledge that his little sister has become the big sister. She has grown considerably since their age gap.
When Mimiru extends her hand for him, Jiro reaches to take her hand and is helped up to his feet. "... Yeah." The faint smile grows, slowly recalling his own weakness. However, when she explains about his strength, Jiro just chuckles. "Heh..." Those flames became his. The Stray Dog muses and he nods, "Alright. I'll try to remember that.." Of course, once Jira steps out of the door, Jiro finally comes out to see her.
... Then...
Jiro pulls her close to pull her into a soft kiss.
"I'll be fine. Wounded pride, but I'll be fine nevertheless. Let's go eat."
COMBATSYS: Mimiru has left the fight here.
"It was a good fight, Jiro." Mimiru says, frowning a bit. She wanted to show him the potential of his strength, but she didn't want it to backfire and for him to feel hurt in his pride because of his loss. She holds her hands on her waist and says, "You almost got it... A shame Jira came in and distracted you," She says.
Then Jiro moves over toward Jira and he leans over to kiss her.
Wait, what?
Mimiru blinks, her face deadpan. She stares silently for a moment, discombobulated, lost for words. It must have been an innocent kiss. She narrows her eyes. But then again he pulled her awfully close.
Mimiru arches a brow and she points her finger to Jira, than back to Jiro, puzzlingly. She feels like the joke's on her, that if she dares to ask the question she'll be made fun of. Ahah, silly Mimiru for thinking that...
Than again, Jiro has had /many/ hits on the head so...
"Huh, that fiance part earlier on, was that a joke or it's official?"
Jira watches them and sees nothing overtly wrong. "Well, snacks are ready, Mimiru, what's the plan?" she teases and moves to ask Jiro his food preference- but she's silenced by smooch! Jira doesn't flinch and is quite compliant. But she does make sure to use her height advantage to give it pause at status of being light, glancing at Mimiru. "Not official, but." she smirks. "I have a kiss for you too, Mimiru~" she muses, putting an arm around Jiro's shoulder and holding the other one open "Kasagi hug?"
The Stray Dog knows that look from Mimiru.
"...Not official."
Jiro gives Mimiru an uneasy smile. He looks over at the older sister who seems to be trying to figure out the situation. However, given that Jiro did not have good luck with the girls in the past, Jira was the most accepting of them all.
Jiro glances at Jira as she places an arma round his shoulder and then he looks at Mimiru. "...Well, let's get something to eat, guys."
There's a slight eye-twitch from Mimiru at first, but she conceals it with a slightly uncomfortable smile at first, "Heh! Well, congratulation! I'm glad for you two!" Mimiru says.
His uneasy smiles makes her expression softens a bit. "If it makes you happy, Jiro, then... I'm glad you two are together..." Mimiru admits in all honesty. The last thing Jiro needed now was being judged, especially by his younger sister.
Mimiru accepts the offer and she draws closer to Jiro and Jira, leaning in against their hug. She closes her eyes and hugs Jiro, her 'new' brother, the one that gives her a second chance to make things better and Jira, the girl who saved her 'new' brother a few times and probably helped him a good share with his own depression.
"I really mean it," Mimiru says and whispers it to both of them as she shares their hug. When Mimiru pulls away, she rubs her hands together and says, "You go on back at Jira's place.. I'm gonna do a little hit and run at the store nearby..." Mimiru says.
She smirks and says, as she turns on her heels and makes her way out, "I think this will deserve some social lube..." She glances at them and adds, "I'll be back shortly."
And as she walks down the hall, she whispers to herself, "Yeah, at least a goddamn forty eight ounces of social lube to make that new 'slide in' more easily..."
Log created on 19:01:00 09/27/2014 by Jira, and last modified on 06:25:12 09/28/2014.