[ME10] - Susumu Family Values [Shiro Kimurayuji]

[Susumu Yakumo]

Yakumo nodded to Yuji's words, sipping her umeshu. But Kimurahime's words did draw her attention more. "Really?" she did hope that she didn't mean affairs in that way gossip had been going around about her having affairs with half the planet.

People who subscribed to that kind of gossip would be very disappointed if they saw the actual numbers.

"They have been... tight-lipped with me, but no doubt because they want to keep me on my toes. I would very much like to keep making music, for all my fans," she smiled to Ichiko with those words, "but there are some things back home I need to return to once the season here is over. Some personal matters I've neglected for a while."

Maybe she'd talk with Yuji about that another time. "But, let's not spend too much time on such topics, mhm? Ichiko-san, perhaps you could show me your home?"

[Susumu Yuji]

The glance from Kimurahime was caught, and Yuji's chin raise slightly, his smile turning to a grin at the memory. Quickly, he allowed himself a drink from his glass of umeshu, and Ichiko returned to her father's side.

When asked the question, the young lady beamed brightly. "Follow me, Kumohime-sama!" She exclaimed, taking the lead. "Over here is my desk where I do my writing for school." Ichiko started with where she had laid out her treasures. "Here's the bunk futon. I sleep on the top bunk, and my brother, Jiro, sleeps on the bottom one." The girl fought herself internally, wanting to take the Idol by the hand as she walked her around the small apartment. She pointed to the door in the wall opposite the kitchen, "Over there is mama and dad's room." Then waving her arms to the center. "We eat dinner in the middle of the room. There's the kitchen..."

Even with their wealth and status, space was still a premium on the World of Dreams.

Yuji looked to Kimurahime, his demeanor pleasant. Feeling quite at ease, as if the weight of everything in the world was falling from his shoulders. "Thank you, my darling." He spoke softly to her. "I appreciate everything you've done so we could receive our guest."

[Boogiepop]

Susumu Kimurahime

Kimurahime smiled warmly as she watched Ichiko lead Yakumo around their 'modest' home. She waited until they were in the other room before she lowered her voice. "You're quite welcome...my prince. I'm just pleased to have the opportunity to shine from the darkness when I can. I hope I haven't scared Yakumo-hime with my talk, just something on the table she could consider. Of course, something you could potentially negotiate for her, if she wants it. I'd think that someone with a good grasp of Imperials would do well in hashing out the details."

With that, she figured it was time to sit at this table and have the meal that Yuji had so carefully prepared. "It's been a short bit since Ichiko-chan had friends over, Yakumo-hime," she smiled softly at her daughter. It wasn't exactly an apology but she had hoped the pop star didn't find it too overbearing.

[Susumu Yakumo]

How... quaint. No, no... not their fault the Spider couldn't be arsed to give them something nicer, like a proper estate. Yakumo knew space was premium on the planet, but she still didn't quite grasp just how premium it was.

Living in a luxury suite where a night cost more than some people's monthly stipend did completely warp one's sense of reality. Mineichi had absolutely hit the nail on the head there.

"You have a wonderful home, Ichiko-san," Yakumo remarked with much warmth to the child, using the -san suffix to show that she thought the girl was behaving examplary.

As the two of them rejoined Yuji and Kimurahime, it seemed Ichiko had told her all about what her father had prepared for dinner as well. "Wow, I didn't know you could cook too, Yuji-san. Truly, you're a multi-talented person, which I believe your daughter might get from you... and probably her mother as well. Maybe you can tell me more about all your talents at the dinner table, mhm?"

[Susumu Yuji]

"It's nothing special. Growing up, even with how utilitarian everything was on Whispers, my family always made a point of the importance of home cooked dinners when spending time with friends." He bowed his head to Yakumo, surprised by how the compliment had made him flush.

Looking to Kimurahime, he smiled brightly, then back to Yakumo. "Let's sit down, first, to talk about talents." Yuji nodded, then looking to Ichiko. The girl smiled, and moved to her seat at the table, looking excitedly at the Idol to sit next to her.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"It has been... a long time, since I had anyone's homecooked food. I can't tell you just how much I am looking forward to this," she remarked with an excited glee. For her it was certainly a rare treat to experience. Last time she got anything close to a homecooked meal, it was with this corporate executive at a dinner party who insisted on showing off his own culinary skills - to mixed results. An awful amount of fugu too.

Yakumo seemed more than happy to accomodate for the young fan, as she took the seat next to Ichiko. It was... bringing back some happy memories she had been missing.

"So, what would you consider your talents then, Ichiko-san? Do you cook like your father does?" she asked, keeping the conversation going in a way that let the daughter participate in it.

[Boogiepop]

Susumu Kimurahime

Kimurahime smiled back at Yuji and found her place at the table beside her husband's spot. She couldn't help but give Ichiko a few glances, in hopes that she wasn't too swarmy with their honoured tests. Of course, Ichiko was far from it but she was quickly a concerned mother and hostess.

"I'm glad, Yakumo-hime. Having experienced my share of Winter Courts over the years. Parties and fine dining tend to lose their lustre when overdone, the same goes with the company. Being at home and among familiar faces with no expectations provides a much-needed respite. We are happy to provide that whenever you wish, you are always welcomed here." She gave a glance at Ichiko and smiled back at Yakumo. "I suppose you might have to tell us a little in advance, first."

[Susumu Yuji]

"Yeah! Please come visit, Kumohime-sama!" Ichiko lookedbup to the Galactic Idol, her eyes bright, with her smile meeting them. Then seeming to try and remember her place, she sat back more in her chair. "Oh. What... my talents are?" She looked down at the table, pursing her lips and furrowing her brow.

Yuji smiled at their daughter, before looking to Kimurahime, gently reaching for her hand.

"I... I think I'm a good artist. I like drawing and painting." Ichiko nodded with definitive purpose, then smiling again. "I do that a lot in school; and it's what I do on my desk when I can. It's fun!"

"You're more than very good, my dear." Yuji spoke up, proud of Ichiko. "She's young, but she puts her heart into what she draws and paints." He looked up to Yakumo, smiling brightly.

[Susumu Yakumo]

"Exactly that, Kimurahime-sama," Yakumo very much agreed that the fancy banquets lost their shine after a while. And there was only so many times you could upstage the previous one without coming across as too try-hard. The warmth of her smile in response to the open invitation however, was quite geniune and not a try-hard smile.

"I... thank you. Yes, of course, I would of course let you know ahead of time. You are opening up your home and family to me, I would not wish to impose or inconvenience you in any way."

It was quite relaxing, how much these people, this little family, was putting her at ease. Like a kind of family dynamic she had only seen in movies or serials, that she didn't really think actually existed.

As Ichiko explained that she liked to draw and paint, Yakumo of course was quite interested. "Ah, a budding artist perhaps?" she exchanged a smile with Yuji at that, seeing his fatherly pride. "I will have to pay attention then, for when artwork by Susumu Ichiko begins to gain popularity. Then I can say I was an early fan who got to meet her once."

[Boogiepop]

Susumu Kimurahime

Kimurahime smiled shyly at the seen hand at first before she gave Yuji her hand, they did have a guest, after all.

"There's a lot of natural talent in Ichiko-chan. We are considering putting her in a few advanced art programs in the near future." She was uncertain regarding the options of a full-on artisan school but at the very least Ichiko should be given the opportunity to develop her art more than a mere fancy. "It wouldn't do to have her potential unrealized."

[Susumu Yuji]

Ichiko beamed, though she had a flush to her cheek at thinking that her idol, the great Kumohime, would say that. Yuji then spoke in reply, "And given that being able to watch her bloom in her creativity... we just want to see joy in her life, as well as learning her responsubilities." The father smiled at his daughter, who grabbed her fizzy drink, and she continued to sip.

Yuji watched Yakumo, as well, the way she seemed to just be at peace. And that smile. Not one put on for the courts, or for the media, but just existing in the moment.

He was glad they could offer that chance.

"Whatever she puts her mind to, we would find the best way to support and get her the best schooling for." He looked again to his wife, pride in his eyes.

[Susumu Yakumo]

Yakumo almost felt a pang of jealousy towards the young girl, who had such a supportive family around her. But even she could see it would be stupid to get jealous at a little kid.

"And for the talents of those doing the cooking..." she took a sip from the umeshu once more, "what shall we be dining on tonight?"

[Susumu Yuji]

"Like I said, nothing special. Just some nabemono. Braised chicken thighs, mushrooms. Miso glazed carrots, some roasted bok choy." Yuji began pointing out the dishes. Then standing quickly, he went to the stove, and with hand towels, grabbed the hot pot and placed it in the designated space in the center. "Ah, yes, also pickled vegetables, rice, some pickled plum." Which when said, Yuji looked to Ichiko, who was already reaching with her chopsticks for the plum.

She laughed when she saw that she was caught.

"Please, dig in, every one, enjoy."

[Boogiepop]

Susumu Kimurahime

Kimurahime found herself zeroing her gaze immediately on Ichiko when she went for the plum, especially when they hadn't exactly offered prayers or made sure that Yakumo was ready. She supposed she might have still thought this evening required a little touch of hospitality with an important guest. However, she quickly found a soft smile when Yuji spoke. "...Oh, yes. Please, Yakumo-hime. No need to be shy. Despite what Yuji might say, this nabemono is at least a bit special. It almost feels like it's been a while."

[Susumu Yakumo]

Yakumo at least held her chopsticks across her fingers, murmuring a polite "thank you for the meal". Having been raised by a priest, it was just second-nature for her to say it, even if many others were more accustomed to dig in.

"I think it's been years since I've had nabemono," she said with a light laugh, taking her turn in serving herself when it was appropriate. "The Crane consider themselves... too proper, to have such meals served to their students." And it wasn't exactly something served to visiting dignitaries, or celebrities. "But thank you. It gives such a... sense of home? May I ask if Yuji-sama learned to cook from his parents, as you mentioned that your family placed an emphasis on home cooked dinners?"

It must be nice for Kimurahime too, to have someone who could whip up home-style comfort food, she mused.

[Susumu Yuji]

"My grandparents, though my parents were there to help with larger meals, their duties often kept them busy." He watched eagerly as everyone began to dig in. Once every one had their first plate set, the Deceiver would offer the typical blessing and prayer of a Spider household before a meal, devout as he was.

Then beginning again, "Especially in the slower winter season, if my parents weren't assigned to a specific court and we remained on Whispers, we always had one large family meal a week. I learned at the feet of my grandmother. She eas exacting in how to best take care of the meal, and despite her outside cold distance..." he mused, looking around as he spoke.

"There was nothing but warmth in the way she organized and prepared those large meals."