Ice cream! On a hot summer's day, what could be better? Very few things, that's what! And so it's no surprise the Frozen Beach does good business. People wander in and out, from lovers to mothers with their children to grandmas and grandpas in for a treat. Most take their ice cream and walk out to enjoy the day, but there are those who choose to sit down with friends-- but occasionally, by themselves as well. Junko is one such figure!
She's sitting at a booth, a beautiful chocolate sundae in front of her, humming to herself as she nyoms away with one of those long spoons. Occasionally she waves hello or goodbye to someone who seems to know her, but mostly she's lost in the wonders of ice cream and looking over at the wall art, occasionally closing her eyes. After all, if you imagine hard enough, you're AT the beach, and what could be better?
Once again, the guy in the black street clothes shows up to an ice cream parlor. For a guy that doesn't like them, he seems to show up at them a lot. Well, clearly there must be a reason why he's here. What looks like a notepad in his hand clearly must be the reason, though softly grumbling to himself why he of all people had to be the one to do this. He lived with a bunch of ice cream snorting girls, couldn't one of them come do it? Nooo, of course not, they where busy doing homework, or whatever random things girls do, when they're girls, and magical, and not at school.
Having lived with them for, ages upon ages you'd think he'd better understand the whole concept, but yeah no he doesnt. All he knows is, he was given a list, told to get what was on it, and then looked at with looks that would make a man cower in fear if he failed. Boy, Shamal could be evil when she wanted too, and she hadn't had her ice cream lately.
Ice cream! Who doesn't love ice cream? Well Vespa isn't one of those people who doesn't and it a hot summer day so why not?
She currently standing at the counter tryingt deside what to have.. It's down to a double choclate in a wallfe cone, or mint choclate chip in a sugar cone. Life or death decision here! Well not really but a tough one none the less.
The door opens, and a blue-haired young man enters. He's got a violin case on his back and he's dressed in all black. And he's not alone, either. Floating above his right shoulder is what looks like a tiny version of himself. Except with cat ears, tail, and furry hand and foot paws. To note the larger of the two lacks the ears and tail today.
As he enters he sees Junko and Zafira, and he pauses And then after a moment... he moves on, as if he hadn't seen them. He just moves to the counter to get his ice cream. He's standing behind Vespa, waiting for her to decide what she wants. For the time being he's quiet.
Yoru, however, is not. "Hmmmmrgh... people are so indecisive-nya!" he complains. He doesn't directly address Vespa though. Though he does look at Ikuto. "I bet you'll take forever too-nya." Ikuto does not respond. though he really can't, in this place. He doesn't know who would see it as him talking to himself.
Ice cream tastes so delicious. Is it any wonder Junko's spoonfuls grow larger and larger? And just when she has a rather heaping spoonful and is just about to take a large bite-- she sees people she knows! There's Zafira, "Zaf-san!" She calls out-- and then there's a blue haired boy. Eh, whatever. He doesn't look like fu...wait, is that a tiny floating chibi-catboy? Following violin-boy? Junko blinks...and as she's staring, the spoonful if icecream sliiiiiides off her spoon, right onto her leg.
"Eeeeyah!" She yelps, rising suddenly and brushing at the ice cream-- which landed right on the edge of romper and leg, meaning she's both cold AND messied. "Cold cold cold!" Rising to her feet, she brushes the ice cream off onto the ground. And then she gasps, before letting out a deep, disappointed sigh, she says, "What a waste of ice cream. And now I have to clean up..."
And now she looks up again, realizing she's been rather loud, and lets out an embarrassed laugh, rubbing the back of her head. "I'll...just go get some napkins..."
Zafira, brooding about his ice-cream parrols happens to look over and sees.... A violin carrying guy, and the heck is that following him? He has this sudden innate built in anger wash over him, but then it quickly slides out and he takes a few breaths. No, that couldn't be, it was just some odd coincidence yeah thats it. But then he hears a voice. Let's all be honest here, no one's gonna deny it. A voice like a pixie angel, that had just found a cartoon of candy and inhaled it. The only female he knew, that didn't drive him up the wall with anoying things, and so he looks over and yep, a smile crawls upon his moody face, "Junk-chan, should have guessed I'd see you in an ice-cream shoppe." Now completely different, smiling, and no longer miserable about the 500lbs of ice-cream he was gonna have to haul home.
Though, seeing her make a mess and jump up at it. He's quick to intercede, and yanks some napkins from a nearby napkin holding device and steps over to hand them, "Here, quickly before the cold enders your body and makes you not enjoy the nice day anymore." Yes, oddly enough, huh?
Vepsa heard some voices behind her telling her to hurry up thought she doesn't comment. "I'll have a dobule chocalte in a waffle cone.", she sounds a bit irraited thought. She sighs a bit must be the heat. She quickly gets her ice cream and pays for it giving Ikuto a quick glare as she passes by him while looking for a seat. Wait. What is up with the tiny floating catboy?? Thankfully Junko outburst quickly distacts her. She looking around trying to find a seat maybe she will just stand out of the way somewhere.
All the ruckus gets Ikuto's attention, and he turns around to look at Junko. He looks from her to the spoon, to the plop of ice cream on the floor. "...Messy eater?" Oh man is he starting the snark ALREADY?! Then again, she DID spray him with water some time ago. Though it's possible he may not recognize her from that. Maybe he's just being a jerk again? Hard to tell.
But he... actually retrieves a handful of napkins for Junko and places them on her table, in addition to the ones Zafira's gotten for her. Maybe he's being nice? "Here. Put a few in your lap. You should probably improvise a bib, too." Ass. But at least his tone doesn't have any malice in it. Fact he's smirking a little, amused.
If he recognizes Zafira he doesn't indicate it. Though he does give a look in the man's direction. Knowing? Curious? Bored? Hard to tell.
he returns Vespa's glare with a bored one of his own. Yep, that is most definitely a cat. Though Yoru emits a raspberry at Vespa regarding the glare. Ikuto takes his place at the ordering counter and gets a sundae. It's an odd order though-- CRAB-flavored ice cream, no chocolate syrup, whipped cream, no cherry. And yoru seems to be making sparkly eyes at it before it's even finished being made!
"I won't get sick from ice cream. I just didn't mean to waste it." Junko whines, shoulders slumped in defeat as she accepts Zafira's napkins and kneels to wipe up the ice cream on the ground. But then there's Ikuto, being a jerk-nosed jerk! "I am not a messy eater! I'm usually a very neat eater, I was just startled!" She says with a hmph, snatching up the napkins when Ikuto sets them down, then stomping a foot, "And I don't need a bib! I'm not a little kid!" With a hmph Junko scrubs at her leg and romper, trying to blot away the stains.
As she does, and Ikuto walks away, she whispers towards Zafira, "Zaf-chan, do you... notice anything weird about that guy? Right around here?" She points to her own shoulder, which corresponds to whichever shoulder Yoru was floating near when he walked in. But just as she glances back towards Ikuto, she notices poor Vespa looking lost, "Ah-- do you need to sit? You can sit with me if you want!" Junko says, smiling towards Vespa. "I promise I'm not usually so messy."
As he watches the antics of Iku, yeah he has this odd feeling that he's famiilar in some way, but can't put anything on it. Like, seeing someone long past at a distance and then many years later seeing them up close, you wanna put something together, but nothing clicks. Giving his head a small shake, as Iku then leaves and he looks back at Junko. Listening to her, not sure how he should answer that, on one hand confirming it could be a bad thing, it could give away information best left hidden, but on the other hand by not saying something Junko could think she's groing crazy or something and that as well could be bad.
He eventually takes a sigh, and nods to her, "Yes, there is... shall I say something there, something, odd." But that is all he says, better to confirm but stay vague, then to cause more issues. Last thing he needs is for Junko to get hurt becuase of her massive curiosity, she should stay safe where she is and nom on yummy ice creams..
Vespa looks over at Junko and Zafira. "Sure why not? Better than standing..", she takes a seat at Junko booth. "It's ice cream it's bound to be a bit messy.
She intoduces herself. "I'm Vespa. Just ingore that guy he just trying to rile you up."
Ikuto emits a soft breath of laughter at Junko's huffy reaction to his words, but doesn't respond. He at least has the grace to leave her alone. Yoru floats over the ice cream bins now, practically salivating. THERE IS A /TUNA/ FLAVOR. Actual, unadulterated TUNA! Ikuto did not get this, but Yoru is still eyeing it.
However, Ikuto grabs Yoru by the tail, elliciting a "NYA!" of surprise, as well as a lot of squirming as he pulls the little cat-being away from the ice cream and to the tables. He does let go as he finds a table though. It's near where Junko, Zafira, and Vespa are, but not so near that be considered invading their space.
"Tokyo is so weird." Is Junko's response, and once she's neat and there's only a small stain on the romper (chocolate is very hard to remove from denim with just napkins) she heads back to her ice cream, sliding into the seat, scooping up an EVER BIGGER spoonful than before, and plopping it into her mouth. "Ice cream is also really good though!" She notes, then beams at Vespa, "I'm Junko Fuma, you can just call me Junko. You speak japanese really well." She notes, looking at the other girl curiously. "Do you live here?"
Even as she's asking the questions, though, she's glancing over at Ikuto-- and Yoru, especially Yoru. Casually, she tears up a piece of napkin and rolls it into a ball with her fingers, using a bit of melted ice cream to make it stick together and be compact.
If and when Ikuto looks properly distracted by his ice cream (and isn't looking in their direction) Junko will flick the tiny little ball towards Yoru with an impish gleam in her eye, before going back to her ice cream, dripping in false innocence.
Zafira also welcomes the new girl as well, "You may call me Zafira." plain and simple, just like him right. He looks down as Junko gets all cleaned, and then as she prepares her little ice cream deathball, he just groans a little at her. Yep, not like he expected anything else from her. Shaking his head again, "So, you are enjoying yourself again Junko? Wish I could say the same. But, I have a really big order to take care of. But, it's enjoyable to be distracted for sometime and enjoy the conversation."
Vespa watches Junko eat. Where is she putting it all? "Nice to meet you too Zafira. Odd he sounds a bit like that wolf she might the other night? Could it be? No way. She looks back at Junko "Oh Thanks! I've lived here for a few years. It was tough a first but I pretty well learned Japanese by Osmois.", she smiles and laught lighty at her joke. She watches Junko tear and make her tiny ice cream spitball and firing it towards Ikuto. Can Junko see the tiny catboy too? She keep quiet about it taking another bit of her ice cream pondering about this situation.
Unfortunately, Ikuto never really seems to be too terribly distracted by his ice cream. He does look distracted, though. He looks like he's got something on his mind. In fact, it's Yoru who does most of the eating of the sundae. However, Yoru is pretty distracted with the ice cream. Because mmmm, fish! Even if it's not actually fish, it's seafood!
Which means he completely misses the ball of napkin pegged at him. It bounces off the back of his head, prompting a "Nya!" Then he turns, looks around, looks up at the ceiling, as if he had no idea what happened. Ikuto smirks, and then gently flicks one of Yoru's ears, resulting in another such noise. "Heeeey, quit messing with me-nya!" Looks like Ikuto took the blame for it....
Junko snickers into her ice cream, eyes sly and amused, as she watches Yoru blame Ikuto for her actions. Turning back to Vespa she says, "It's really really impressive! I do pretty well in my english classes, and my stepmom wants me to learn french or italian but it just seems like so much /work/." Sighing, Junko picks a cookie out of her sundae and nibbles on it, licking her fingers after as she looks at Zafira, "And of course I'm enjoying myself. A young lady's goal in life should be to accumulate as many wonderful experiences as possible!" She says firmly, making a fist as her eyes burn with conviction. "And it is a student's sacred duty to enjoy summer vacation to the fullest!" Shrugging, she grins at the pair, besides, there's ice cream. What's not to like about ice cream?
Even as she says this, she glances sidelong at Ikuto and Yoru again, and reaches for her messenger bag, pulling out a small notepad, from which she rips out a single piece of paper and begins folding.
HE oies softly, this girl was somethign else, she was crazy and out going and all those odd things. And yet, she didn't drive him up the wall like some other females he knew. Oh well, tis such things in life he guesses, "Yes, well there are also other things a young lady should do as well. Like, making sure her school work is done, and that she doesn't wait for the last minute to do it all." Yes, he clearly has experience with that, some other young lady clearly does it that he knows. He looks at Vesta, "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you as well. I hope you enjoy your ice cream, and the company of Junko. She is, different, but a very good friend to have when you need one."
Vespa smiles. "Two languages is enough for me. My writing of Japanese still need work", she listens to Zafira talk about Junko. "Nothing wrong with being different just means you stand out a bit more.",she adds. "And that was a nice shot as well Junko.", she args buring her head in her hands. She curses silently to herself relazing she might have gave something away. Mabye the two of them won't notice? Right??
Not to worry, Vespa... if Ikuto's interested in their conversation, he makes no indication. Fact, it's hard to tell if he's even heard it. That is, until Zafira says something about things 'a young lady should do'. "...That sounds like good advice for young men, too," he pipes up calmly. Though he puts a bite of ice cream into his mouth so he can't reasonably be expected to say anything else.
"Schoolwork is boring though." Junko says, spoon still in her mouth as she notes with just a bit of a sulk, "It's more like a chore. And I actually get pretty good grades, you know." Despite barely thinking about her schoolwork. She grins broadly at Vespa, though, "Thanks! I practice. I might not have total confidence in my english skills, but my PE grade is always top-notch!" Beaming, she generously pushes her sundae forward, "Do you want to try some?" Compliments, the way to Junko's plate!
There's a sidelong look back at Ikuto and Yoru, "You're right, though. Boys should also work hard to collect wonderful experiences!" A deep sigh, "Practically all the boys I know think that just means sleeping and playing video games all the time. So boring."
Makes a small sideways glance at Iku, barely glancing in his direction, "Some young men, should really watch what they say to others." yeah, this guy rubs Zafira the wrong way, and not just cause he has a chibi catboy naring ice cream by him. No, there is something else, but darned if he can't place it and it's gonna drive him nuts trying to figure out why he has this budding anger inside him for.
Either way, he looks back at the girls, "As long as you don't over do it and fall behind. Many of the students I tutor have that. They think, they can do everything, every try to do as such, then fall behind on everything. It can be hard, when you can't catch up, and you are nearing failing. Parents, are not very happy when their child fails everything because they took on too much work." Wise words from a wise NOT OLD man!
Vespa takes in a breath, looking at the Sundae. "Sure. Thanks Junko.", she takes a fresh spoon taking a small scoop out and eating it. "This is not half bad.", she ponders. "I do okay in most subjects. Nothing that makes me stand out..", she takes another small spoonful of the sundae. "Everything in moderation is a good way to go about living.",Vespa current way of living right now. Leave a little time for everything. Another spoonful of this Sundae would be good to. She should order her own, thought she not sure she could eat a whole Sundae
Ikuto just stays silent. Though he frowns at Zafira's words. Standing, he shoulders his violin case and notes, "...So should some older men." But instead of going towards where Zafira sits, head heads for the door. Yoru ate most of the sundae, and he looks like he's completely forgotten Ikuto's even there. Ikuto pauses at the door. "...Yoru."
The catboy looks up from the mostly-finished sundae. "Wha? But I'm not done-nya!"
"...Let's go. Now." The tone brooks no argument, so Yoru's ears droop, but he dutifully floats over to where Ikuto has paused at the door.
"Ah, wait!" Junko says, and wiggles out of her seat, grabbing the piece of paper she's been folding. She heads for where Ikuto and Yoru are paused, and then looks -right at- Yoru and grins. And then reaches up to place a little paper hat right on Yoru's head! If anyone doubted if Junko could see this, well, those doubts are probably dispelled now. "There!" She says, "Now you look properly dashing. And then she looks at Ikuto, smirking, "Try not to let him get into too much trouble over treats, ne?" She says, before she turns to go back to her table, looking at Zafira, "Zaf-san, you shouldn't worry so much. I have my priorities straight. I'm very mature for my age." She says, folding her arms and nodding, before grinning at Vespa, "Though, I don't know about all that. If you're not giving a little extra to what's most important, that's no way to live."
Groans al ittle, watching Junko go over and put a hate on that little monster. A monster cause he's a cat, and thus a monster, see, it makes perfect sense. As she returns and speaks, "Yes, but that is what many young students say Junko. Just, becareful and not overdo it. I would not wish to see you suffer in your studies, becuase you are.... Having too much fun and eating ice cream." He looks over at Vespa and gives her a nod, yes a knowing nod about not overdoing it. Though glad now, that furry thing is leaving.
Vepsa just smiles and shakes her head as Junko puts the paper hat on the tiny catboy.. Did she just do that? She did that. She hms pointing her spoon at Junko. "Good point. Thought i have yet figure out what the most imporant thing is.", she sighs, "Best not to think about those kind of things over a summer break..."
"Nyaa?" It's a slightly muffled questioning sound as most of Yoru's face disappears under the paper hat. He pushes the hat up with one oversized paw, blinking as though confused. But at the mention of his looking 'dashing', he grins a big feline grin! "Heeehehe~," he chuckles under his breath. "Thanks!"
Ikuto also pauses... and then chuckles, the frown seeming to disappear off his face. He sends a look at Junko, nodding once in thanks, and then he pushes the door open to walk out. Yoru follows, but with a merry wave before he disappears behind the closing door.
Junko narrows her eyes at Zafira, hands going to her hips as she leans towards him. "Hey hey, Zaf-san. Are you implying I'm just like everyone else? Or that I'm a liar. I'm not, you know. It takes more than ice cream to make me forget about my responsibilities." And then she quite maturely sticks her tongue out at Zafira, then giggling as she straightens and looks at Vespa, "Maybe not for you. I like thinking about things like that on break. You have all the time in the world when school isn't getting in the way."
Her eyes drift back to the exit eventually, however, "I wonder what his name is. Or what school he goes to."
Shakes his head again as Junko as she goes all tongue-sticker-outer. She was lucky she was his friend, and made the very air around her smile when she was around. Or, he'd most likely look at her with a very unhappy face, "Yes, yes I know Junko. I am mearly reminding you, you cannot always play and have fun." course, what's he saying. He's probably never done a lick of homework since he started going to school here. Kinda funny really, he does none, yet makes sure others do theirs, even tutoring them in. Yes, he is quite a strange guy, "either way, that guy is gone. I don't trust him Junko, I'm not saying you shouldn't. But, something feels..... off about him, as though I've met him somewhere before, but I don't know what it means. Probably nothing, I meet lots of people." Well, how was he to know that Iku was the nefarious catboy monster of Karaoke Heights.
Vespa eyes Junko. "Now you going to get me think about them..",she sighs. "Anyway it was nice meeting you I really should head home thanks for the ice cream and the chats.", she shrugs. "No idea.. He's bit of jerk if you ask me.",and having a floating a catboy makes him really supious. Vespa gets up and heads out to the door.
"You're worrying too much, Zaf-san. He's annoying, but he's not going to hurt me or anything. He was just here to eat ice cream, after all." Speaking of, Junko picks up her spoon, taking another bite. Her sundae is nearly gone, by now. And then Vespa is leaving! Junko waves, "Bye Vespa-chan! Nice meeting you!" After which, another spoonful of ice cream. "Besides, I've seen those tiny things before somewhere. I guess it's because I can see weird things sometime." Tapping her chin with the clean end of her spoon, she glances up, "Mmm, it probably started nearabout after I nearly drowned." She grins at Zafira, "It's one of the reasons I like Tokyo. Something weird like seeing weird stuff isn't all that crazy here, since this city has so many weird things going on." Of course, the time she nearly drowned is also the time she gained her henshin powers, but really there's no way for Zafira to know that.
He nods, supposing that is true. Weird things are always happening in this city for some reason. Though, he's always seen weird things, being weird himself in all, "I suppose, but still. I have a very bad, feeling about him. Something, isn't right about him, or his little disturbance there." as if saying that, will make it sound like he doesn't know there was a small floating catboy on his shoulder, "But, well. As a friend, just becareful Junko. There are things out there, terrible things. You, are the most happiest, fun loving person I know. I would, dare say that to see something happen to you, would make the very walls themselves sad if you where injured or worse... but, what am I saying, im rambling, my apologies." Well, he certainly knows she's something, but not that she's Awesome Pirate-chan. But, still, he worries, as he worries for others, for this city is quite dangerous.
"Geeze, you're talking like an old geezer again, Zaf-san." Junko says with a wry grin. "He just wanted ice cream, like everyone else who comes here. And I always have a pretty good idea of what I'm doing. Don't worry so much, neh?" She says, and scrapes around the ice cream dish for the last bits of sweetness. "Besides, this is Tokyo. There are lots of weird, terrible things-- but there are lots of weird, good things that happen too. You shouldn't fuss so much, and just enjoy the city." Smiling, she sets down her spoon and wipes at her mouth with a napkin, "I know! Give me your phone number. That way if I'm in trouble, I'll just call you." She says, and takes out her phone, ready to take his deets.
Ums.. and yeahs, and erms. He reaches up to scratch the back of his head, "I don't have a cell phone yet, so um it would have to be my house phone. Ooh, and um, if a girl or two answer, don't mind them. Those are just my sisters, it's complicated is all." He fumbles a little, but gives her his number where he can be reached. Now, he's never gonna hear the end of it, if she does call. But oh well, sometimes a man has to give up his dignity, to ensure his friends are safe, "And I only sound like an old geezer, because I worry. There are far too many good kids here, that are headed for bad ways, cause they neglect things. I just simply cannot help it."
"Well, I'm not one of them. I really do get good grades, you know. I'm not number one in the school, but I definitely rank top twenty." She says with a hmph. "You shouldn't worry about me. I made it fourteen all right, and I'll definitely manage longer." Number recordered! The phone is lifted, Zafira's picture snapped without any warning and saved as his icon photo! "If I go down a bad way, it's because I wanted to become a delinquent, and that's my choice. But I don't right now, so you shouldn't fuss so much. You'll end up getting wrinkles and looking even older.
He laughs after she says that, "Then, if you become a delinquent, I'll be sure to make sure you aren't picked up by the good guys, or the police and punished. It extends both ways, good, bad, you're special Junko. I hope one day, that you can show everyone in this town, the happyness and joy that you emit and make them all see." Awfully happy words coming from one such as him, but well, everyone has to express a face. Perhaps he's hopefull, perhaps he mearly wishes something else, either way he is mostly true to his words for her, "And I am not going to get wrinkles. I'm only 19, not 90."
Junko laughs, "Good! I knew I could depend on you! When I decide to become the ultimate Space Racer, I'll let you be part of my back-up crew that takes care of my ride." She says with a thumbs up and a wink. "I'd better get going, though. I have to go watch Nobo-kun tonight while my parents go to some meeting." She sighs, then with a smile and a wave heads towards the door, "Bye, Zaf-san!"
Waves, "Be good Junko, and enjoy your night. And stay out of truoble!" he turns and goes up to the counter to order the miserably huge amount of ice cream he came here in the first place to get... living with all those girls, oie.