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Post by Satoshi Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 1:55:47 GMT -6
Satoshi scoffed, shaking his head in clear disagreement. "You’re all making this sound like we can somehow manage her, but that’s not how this works." He folded his arms tightly across his chest, his jaw tense. "Fuu Ayumu isn’t someone we can afford to get involved with. She’s dangerous, plain and simple. If she’s already this close, it means she’s not just digging for answers—she’s hunting for the truth. And once she has it, we’re all exposed."
He shot a pointed look at Shigeo. "She’s got a personal interest? That’s even worse. It means she won’t stop until she gets what she wants. People like that don’t just back off. We don’t need to steer her in any direction—we need to get her off our trail, fast, before she brings the whole Gotei down on us."
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Post by Hisoka Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 2:04:01 GMT -6
Hisoka’s hand came down hard on the table, the sudden sound silencing the room. He stood tall, his eyes sharp as they swept across his children, settling on each of them for a moment before speaking. "Enough!" he said, his voice low but commanding.
"We're not going to turn this into a shouting match. This isn’t the time to let tempers flare." He glanced at Satoshi, then back at Shigeo. "Yes, this is dangerous. Yes, Fuu Ayumu is a threat. But we will not make reckless decisions because of fear or frustration."
His gaze softened slightly as he addressed the room, but the authority in his voice remained. "We handle this with a clear mind. We’re a family—we’ve survived this long by staying calm and working together. We’ll find a way to get her off our trail, but not by arguing or panicking. Now, let’s regroup. I want solutions, not finger-pointing."
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Post by Kiyoko Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 2:05:09 GMT -6
Kiyoko stepped forward, her presence calm and steady as always. She placed a gentle hand on Hisoka’s arm, her touch soothing the tension that had settled over the room. "Your father’s right," she began, her voice soft yet firm, "but that doesn’t mean we can’t hear each other out."
She turned to the rest of the family, her gaze warm and reassuring. "We’re all on edge because we care about this family and the people we help. It’s natural to worry when something this serious comes up." She glanced at Satoshi and Shigeo, offering them a soft smile. "But we can’t lose sight of what’s important. We need to think clearly and trust each other."
Kiyoko’s voice lowered, more comforting now. "We’ve faced tough situations before, and we’ll get through this one too. But only if we stay united, not divided." She looked around the room, her eyes filled with love and reassurance. "So, let’s take a breath. We’re all here for the same reason, and together we’ll figure out the best way forward."
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Post by Kuriko Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 2:08:27 GMT -6
Kuriko leaned forward, her eyes bright with thought as an idea began to form. "Okay, hear me out," she said, glancing around the room. "What if we don’t just try to shake her off? What if we get closer to her instead?"
She shrugged slightly, sitting up straighter as the others turned their attention toward her. "I could try to befriend her, see what she’s really after. If I get close enough, maybe I can find out exactly what she knows—and what she doesn’t. Fuu Ayumu might be good at digging for information, but if we play this right, we could control what she finds out."
Kuriko’s voice softened, but there was a spark of determination behind it. "We don’t have to let her get too close to the truth, but I could steer her in another direction. At the very least, we’d know where we stand and what kind of risk she poses." She glanced at Shigeo, then their father. "It’s better than sitting around waiting for her next move."
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Post by Miyuki Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 2:17:25 GMT -6
Miyuki, who had been sitting quietly, observing the heated back-and-forth, finally spoke up. Her voice was calm but carried the weight of her thoughts. "Kuriko’s idea isn’t bad," she said, looking around the room. "But if we’re really thinking about getting close to Fuu, it should be Shigeo who does it. She’s already seen him. She’s already aware of him, and if anyone is going to gain her trust, it makes sense for it to be the person she’s already interacted with."
She leaned back slightly, crossing her arms as she continued. "If Kuriko suddenly appears, it might raise suspicion. Fuu doesn’t strike me as someone who lets people into her life that easily, especially if she’s as sharp as Shigeo says she is. But if Shigeo keeps the contact going, in a way that doesn’t seem forced, she might start to let her guard down."
Miyuki glanced at Shigeo, her eyes steady. "You’re already part of this, whether we like it or not. The best way forward might be to keep you close enough to watch her—and to make sure she stays far enough from the truth."
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Post by Shigeo Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 9:45:25 GMT -6
"So you want me to lean into it. Let her in and make her think I'm dropping my guard, then turn the tables on her and find out what else she knows and control what information she gets from me. From us." Shigeo responded to Miyuki. He sighed and placed an elbow on the table, leaning his chin in his palm. "I can do that, but she's smart. Very smart. The more I dig or even let her in without a fight, the more suspicious she'll get. And I think she knows that's the case with me too."
Shigeo reflected back to their short conversation and how she seemed to know every micro-expression that leaked through his facade. Hiding things from her would be difficult. He wasn't sure how to go about fishing for information either when he had given her a fake name and his hair was dyed. Did he keep it the same or did he change it back to his original and reintroduce himself to her as someone else. But that might look even more suspicious. He had to open the door just enough to not trigger her instincts, but not so little that she couldn't get in.
"I won't rush into this. I'll figure out how to wiggle my way into her brain without making her even more suspicious than she already is," Shigeo nodded.
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Post by Riku Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 10:01:55 GMT -6
"Maybe I can try and get a connection going with Division Nine," Riku hummed as he tapped a finger on his bottom lip. "Suisenro Koriyama was Captain of the Ninth before Captain Hirabayashi. Maybe I can try and talk to him the next time I see Makino and ask him about her."
When several of his family members looked at him he huffed and crossed his arms with a pout. "Don't give me that look! We already established that I can handle myself. Who suspects the 'not exactly straight' boy who wears kimonos?"
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Post by Kuriko Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 11:56:48 GMT -6
Kuriko’s face shifted from thoughtful to concerned as Miyuki spoke. "But sending Shigeo back into the mix? That’s dangerous," she said, her brow furrowing. "It’s like tossing him into the lion’s den. Both he and Fuu are sniffing around for answers, but they’re looking for the same thing—each other’s secrets. If she’s as sharp as we think, it’s only a matter of time before she figures something out."
She lifted her hands fingers folded together and then batted her eyes playfully, putting on a mock love-struck expression. "What happens if they get too close, and, I don’t know… fall in love?" She teased, fluttering her eyelashes exaggeratedly at Shigeo. "Next thing we know, he’s handing her our entire operation on a silver platter with a side of roses."
Her playful demeanor faded as her tone became serious again. "All jokes aside, I still think it’s better if a female takes on this role. Someone less likely to raise suspicion and maybe more capable of handling her if things get… complicated." She glanced around the room, her gaze falling back on Miyuki and Shigeo. "It’s safer for all of us if we play it that way."
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Post by Naoru Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 12:59:53 GMT -6
Naoru let out a soft chuckle, shaking his head as Kuriko teased Shigeo. "You know, Kuriko might be onto something," he said, grinning mischievously at Shigeo. "I mean, Fuu is a very sweet and loving young lady, from what I’ve heard. And hey, it doesn’t hurt that she’s very pretty too."
He raised his eyebrows suggestively, earning a round of pointed looks from the rest of the family. The air grew thick with their silent judgment as Naoru shrugged sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "What? I’m just saying… that’s what I’ve heard. No harm in repeating a little gossip, right?" His grin softened as he glanced back at Shigeo. "But seriously, falling for her would be a whole different problem. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that."
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Post by Shigeo Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 13:24:33 GMT -6
Shigeo rolled his eyes, growling slightly under his breath. "I'm not going to fall in love with her. I'm not that easily charmed. Besides, she might be beautiful, but it takes a lot more than being beautiful and intelligent to woo me."
When Naoru chuckled Shigeo huffed. He stood up and moved to leave the room. He wasn't sure where he was going but he was finished with this conversation, that much he knew. "And you know, maybe my efforts would be more successful if I had the slightest bit of faith from you all. I'll find out what she wants and I'll make sure she doesn't get it."
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Post by Hisoka Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 13:34:00 GMT -6
Hisoka's eyes narrowed as Shigeo rose to leave, clearly agitated. "Shigeo," he called out sharply, his tone cutting through the tension like a blade. "Enough."
The room went quiet as Hisoka stepped forward, his frustration clear. "Naoru and Kuriko were just playing around, but don’t take their teasing to heart. We all have faith in you. You’re part of this family, and we know you’re capable."
He took a few steps closer, stopping his son in his tracks. "But storming out won’t help anyone," Hisoka said firmly. "We need to be smart about this. You’re not going to just run off and handle this on your own, not without thinking it through." His voice softened slightly, though the authority was still present. "I want to speak with you first—before you make any effort to approach Fuu. You can’t just charge in without a plan, not when the stakes are this high."
Hisoka's gaze was steady, pinning Shigeo in place. "We’ll figure out how to handle this. But you need to hear me out before you do anything."
Shigeo sighed but stopped and turned around to face his father. He said nothing, waiting for whatever it was his father had to say.
Hisoka studied his son for a moment, seeing the tension in his posture. He let out a slow breath and softened his tone. "Alright, Shigeo," he said, his voice calm but firm. "I can see you’re worked up right now. I’ll let you go for now, but I expect you to come find me once you've had some time to clear your head. We need to talk about this—properly. There’s too much at stake to act on impulse."
He gave Shigeo a knowing look. "I trust you, but this isn’t something you can face with frustration clouding your judgment. When you're ready, we’ll figure out how to handle Fuu. Together."
With that, Hisoka stepped back, allowing Shigeo the space he clearly needed to settle down.
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Post by Shigeo Asuhara on Oct 2, 2024 14:14:26 GMT -6
Shigeo nodded slowly then headed for the hallway. "I'll be back later. Don't wait up for me for dinner. I'll get something out."
He headed out and made his way back out of the manor after stopping by his room to change and grab a few things. He needed to get his hair dyed back, not wanting to go too long with all white hair. And then he'd head to where he always went when he needed to be alone. His private workshop in his vault. He had a workshop set up here in the Asuhara manor, but when he needed peace and quiet and solitude he went to the second workshop he had set up in his vault where all of his treasures were easily accessible.
He'd come back later when his head was clear, like his father said. But for right now, he needed to not think. -END- "Personal Space"
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