[Chiharu]

[attr="class","AudenContain"]

[attr="class","AudenHidden"]Pick It Up, Do It Right

[attr="class","AudenBody"]

Chiharu

Against her better judgement, she had been tasked to go to a local butcher to get some meat for supper. Usually Chiharu or her father would just do the hunting for this, but since the weather had been pretty rainy and foggy, it didn't allow them to do something that they had been doing for generations. Perhaps as a way to adjust her to her surroundings and those that lived in Tokyo, she made the courageous choice to venture further into the city. With her clutching onto the poorly written directional list that her father had given her, her other hand was clutching onto her red and brown attus.

Finally as she made her way into the store, the few patrons looked as someone who to them shouldn't be in a butcher's shop would move to the sides and allow her to come through. Nodding to them cautiously, she would go on her tippy toes and place a small list for meats that she wanted. It wasn't super long, but the man behind the counter looked a bit surprised by the fact that it had the exact oz amounts and cuts that she wanted of different animals. Keeping her eyes on the meats behind the glass, the man would just grunt in approval to her list and move to get started on it.

That's when she saw it: That cut was so sloppy. Chiharu looked between the butcher and the meat, a bit disgusted that he was selling meats that were improperly cut. Others didn't seem to notice this of course, as only someone else that had to skin and butcher and animal would realize the imperfections of his craft. Biting on her lip, Chiharu wasn't sure if it was right of her to say anything at all, or leave it be and discuss it with her father later.

Notes

⥋ Red and brown attus.

Chiharu Ghouligan

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[Ghouligan]

“Don’t be nervous,” Bernard said. “I’m a professional.”

“I’m not nervous,” Antoine said.

“I’m talking to myself. Today is an important day. If things go well, the entire industry will change!” Bernard pat Antoine, pushing him out of the limousine. “Up and at ‘em.”

Antoine sighed.

Bernard was a dreamer. How often was one of his prospective meetings going to change the industry? And how many times have they fallen through? Either Bernard wasn’t as smooth a talker as he said, or Antoine was missing the bigger picture. Considering the new facets of their employer-employee relationship, Antoine would take him at his word.

Entering the butcher shop, Bernard celebrated. He thrust his hands in the air and called out to the butcher. Bernard’s high energy was reciprocated, as they greeted one another. They excused themselves, quickly shuffling to the back. With only one other person here, Antoine stood awkwardly. Was it worth trying English? There was one phrase he learned while at Bernie’s.

“Fat American Burger,” Antoine said in Japanese. The cut of meat was not fat, American, nor a burger. He nodded confidently.

---

Chiharu

[Chiharu]

[attr="class","AudenContain"]

[attr="class","AudenHidden"]pick it up, do it right

[attr="class","AudenBody"]

Chiharu

Oh. The man that entered was tall and good looking, but it seemed that he was getting escorted. Her father told her about this; he was probably someone of high standing, and it seemed that he was coming in to get a royal meal. In this butcher shop? No, Chiharu wouldn't have that. When they spoke though, it was some foreign speech, probably something important!

As the other people left when they entered, it must have meant that they were super duper important! She'd bow as they entered, moving more to the side so that she wasn't in their way. A few moments past before the butcher and older man would go elsewhere, to which she was left with the important person. Glancing over, Chiharu would jump to hear some Japanese coming from his mouth. Fat American Burger? Was that... Oh! It must have been what he was getting; some beef for an amazing American style burger! She'd nod, smiling over to him warmly. "Yes, American burgers are great." Another polite bow, before trying to give a smile that was worth someone that was important. Even though she said this, Chiharu had never had one.

Putting her hands together in front of her, she wasn't really sure what to talk about with him. Was he wanting to even discuss things with her, or was he just letting her know what he was getting to pass the time. Since she wasn't comfortable with talking more than she needed to, Chiharu would once again look over her list that she needed to confirm that everything was there. She'd point at her list, before pointing to the meat in the display area; everything was there, thankfully. Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, she didn't have to go another butcher to get what she needed.

Notes

⥋ Red and brown attus.

Chiharu Ghouligan

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[Ghouligan]

Antoine only understood two words to come out of her mouth. And those were two of the three words that he said to her. At this point, they were at an impasse. It seemed neither of them were equipped to speak with one another. Antoine was not fluent in Japanese and she did not seem confident enough to take the lead.

“Do you…ahem,” Antoine cleared his throat. “Speak English…?”

He would have tried Spanish if she looked the part but even with how diverse Latinos could look, she didn’t quite match the portfolio. And with Japan’s bias toward English, it was a better gamble.

“Sorry, sorry,” Bernard stormed out of the office. He was on the phone. “I was in a meeting, ma, I did not forget to call you. I was going to check in right after I promise!” With a finger in the air, Antoine was now stuck in here without an escape. The butcher followed suit, laughing at what had happened.

“Overheard your problem here,” He said in Japanese to Chiharu. “He doesn’t speak a lick of Japanese” Then, he turned to Ghouligan and spoke in English. “I’ve got somethin’ that’ll help for ten minutes if willing to make a deal.”

“What is it?”

“This.” He slams a tiny, fancy bottle onto the counter. “It’s a gift from your boss. He’ll reimburse me if I give it to you, but I’ve heard some good things about you. I want you to work with me for a day, and to keep this young lady occupied when he comes back. I’m not trying to lose a customer.”

“We’re good this time, I promise! That’s the Big B guarantee.” Bernard comes back in, speaking in Japanese “Oh, what’s this?” He eyes the bottle. “No, no. No deals. He’s mine.”

Bernard pulls out an identical bottle and shoves it into Antoine’s chest. He looks at everyone and gives a big, hearty laugh.

“We have a meeting to get to, don’t we?” He says in English, then he nudges Antoine once again. “Keep her busy. Don’t want to get in the way of his business. Use that Suavemente charm of yours.”

“Fine,” Antoine shuddered. “But never say that again.” The two went back into the office, Antoine chugged down the elixir and then looked at the girl. “Am… I speaking Japanese now?”

He was.

---

Chiharu

[Chiharu]

[attr="class","AudenContain"]

[attr="class","AudenHidden"]pick it up, do it right

[attr="class","AudenBody"]

Chiharu

When he spoke again, she chewed on her lip in realization that it wasn't the same as any languages she knew. The look she gave was one of dismay, confusion even, as she realized that they wouldn't be able to communicate well. She'd shake her head in a no, her hands cupping even more tightly than before around the piece of paper she was holding. Chiharu looked disappointed in herself, but she knew that it was to be expected that there were things she wouldn't know about the world.

With the butcher coming back and speaking Japanese to her, she felt a wave of relief go over her. She'd nod, looking back over to him and bowing once more. Looking around the store as the conversation went back to English, even the parts that were in Japanese were not for her, so she paid them no mind. It wasn't good to eavesdrop on a conversation when it wasn't something that she needed to know about. Looking back over the note, she would try to correct some of her spelling with her pencil to ensure that her writing was clear and legible for the butcher once he was done.

It seemed that he wouldn't be for a while though. A small sigh under her breath, before she'd jump to her the once English-only boy speak in Japanese to her. She'd turn her head slowly to him, nodding at the same speed. Was she... Okay? She swore that he hadn't been able to speak beforehand, and now he could? Maybe that information had been lost with her tuning it all out. "Yes, you are sir." She'd bow again, turning towards him. "My name is Satporopet, and yourself?" It was customary to give your last name to people you didn't know in Japanese culture, so she made sure to do so when introducing herself to someone she may never see again. "I hope that your day has been good." She'd say plainly, wanting to get as many formalities as she could to someone of high stature.

Notes

⥋ Red and brown attus.

Chiharu Ghouligan

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[Ghouligan]

“Nice to meet you, Satpropet.” Sure, he knew Japanese now, but how the fuck do you spell Saturday Prophet? “You can call me Antoine. Or, uh, Ant.”

Not only was Antoine new to Japan, he was completely unfamiliar with their customs. He had no reason to believe that Satpropet was not her first name. Nor did he have reason to believe that people generally introduced themselves in such a way.

“It’s been…” Take care of the customer while the butcher’s busy. What a dumb, dumb order. Antoine was good a punching things, not talking to people. Maybe if they knew each other, or had anything in common, but small talk was impossible. Then again, they did mention Mother’s day. “Are you grabbing some food for a Mother’s day celebration or somethin’?”

Antoine didn’t have a mom. Well, he did. But he didn’t know her. The same way he had a brother and didn’t know him. Sucks that he can’t even call her today, since he doesn’t have her number. Would she even want to see him all things considered? This is too heavy for a butcher shop.

Also, it’s so weird speaking Japanese. To think I only have ten minutes… Can I think in Japanese? Holy shit. I am.

---

Chiharu

[Chiharu]

[attr="class","AudenContain"]

[attr="class","AudenHidden"]pick it up, do it right

[attr="class","AudenBody"]

Chiharu

With a confirmation that the Japanese worked a second time, Chiharu would beam a bright smile at him. Oh, is this what making a friend is like? This is so easy! "Antoine senpai then, nice to meet you." He looked older than her, so she was going to assume that he was out of respect and formality.

At the mention of Mother's Day, her face goes a bit paler. She'd hesitate all of her movement, before shaking her head in a no. "I do not know my mother. It is just me and my father." The paper in her hand got a bit crumbled. "I was wanting to get some meat for us to use for dinner tonight, but..." Trying to think of better things, she would look in disgust at the cut of flank that the butcher had on display. "Quite frankly, his butchering skills need much work." It must have sounded insane for someone so small and young to comment on such things, but she should know better than most that it was done improperly and sloppily.

"And yourself? Is that... Why you're being escorted?" She thought up about how he was brought into this butchering shop again. "Is that man your body guard? You seem very important and affluent." She wouldn't know that he wasn't, but the way he carried himself made it seem so for her.

Notes

⥋ Red and brown attus.

Chiharu Ghouligan

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[Ghouligan]

“I don’t know my mother either.” It spilled out of him. Empathy tended to. “I grew up with my father back in the West.”

Antoine overcorrected. When you show too much of who you truly are, you are stuck hiding the rest. He had recently learned a lesson in privacy. If he were to stay here, a byproduct of unfinished business — his roots reaching deeper into the country’s soil.

He turned to the cuts of meat on display. Antoine knew nothing more than your standard, kitchen fair. As long as it was edible, he didn’t see the problem in how sloppy the cuts were. It’d still taste the same, right?

“If I can eat it, then it’s good enough.” He shrugged, turning back to Saturday Prophet. “Oh, I’m not important, I’m the escort. Er, security.” Important clarification. Then again, maybe double-meanings weren’t an issue with this elixir he washed down. “That man is Bernard and he runs a restaurant. I just make sure no one gets hurt.”

---

Chiharu

[Chiharu]

[attr="class","AudenContain"]

[attr="class","AudenHidden"]pick it up, do it right

[attr="class","AudenBody"]

Chiharu

Chiharu looked to him with a bit more intrigue behind her eyes- he had a similar experience to her too? "I see. I'm sorry." Chiharu would say plainly, not wanting to overstep or to show too much emotion to a mutual connection to him. Chiharu knew it was hard to be left out of situations, as to feel as if no one cared to explain it to you. She'd tried many times to get a better description of what her mother had been like, but every time it was met with vague responses. She wasn't sure if he was trying to hide something, or if it truly was too hard to talk about.

She'd glance over at his comment, giving him a quick up and down to figure out if there was anything abnormal looking about him. "You're not important? I'm sure you are in another way, if not for being royalty like I presumed." Chiharu seemed unconvinced by that fact, but wouldn't press it any further out of fear that he would get mad or disagree with her wanting to ask more. Thinking back to what he said before, she could guess that a restaurant could be important enough; they had to worry about the safety of people's health and also fulling their bellies with goodness. "I will have to try your restaurant sometime then, if you'd allow me to." It wasn't something she needed of course, but it would be nice to try something that was unlike anything she'd had before.

A pause, before Chiharu moved away from the display case a bit. "While it's true that it's all edible, it's about the care that goes into it. If you look, there is tons of fat that has been mutilated on the pieces that need it the most. Some pieces have been pulled of all fat even though they are meant to have it for a better overall flavor and texture, like the chuck. The knife he uses is too dull, and therefore some of the meat got pulled and strained during the cutting process, leaving the meat worn before its even been cooked." It was a complicated explanation, but one that Chiharu had no problem explaining. "I suppose it would be like your resturtant as well, senpai, and that your cooks have a special way of preparing it that is unique to your place. If the first step is messed up however, with bad cuts of meat, it ruins the work that truly skilled artists are trying to accomplish." It'd been the first time that she had talked that much in a single sitting, but she had half-forgotten that the man was still there.

Notes

⥋ Red and brown attus.

Chiharu Ghouligan

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[Ghouligan]

“I’m probably important to some people.” Antoine wasn’t sure of that. After his father’s passing, who did he have in his life anymore? When it came to matters of importance, Antoine was a negative force. The people he killed deserved to die, but even they had people who mourned them. And the victims might have felt some relief — divine retribution favored them. If Antoine was important, it was in the most abstract of senses there were no tangible bonds he could speak of. Unless you count Bernard. Christ. “But I don’t want to be a king or a hero or change the world.”

Antoine was lying, of course. But she didn’t need to see what made him tick. The closer he kept things to his chest the better. But leaning into his civilian persona — the version of him he wanted circulating — he found an opportunity to open up.

“My brother’s in Japan. Maybe I’ll be important to him.” He let out a small laugh. What the hell was that rant? “Not as important as food is to you. If I can eat it, then it’s good enough. Low bar.”

Antoine crossed his arms, as a thought crossed his mind.

“But Bernard might be interested in your critique. He’s got a huge ego about the authenticity of American cuisine and all that.” Antoine felt something bubbling in his stomach. Gross. What is that?

---

Chiharu

[Chiharu]

[attr="class","AudenContain"]

[attr="class","AudenHidden"]pick it up, do it right

[attr="class","AudenBody"]

Chiharu

That sounded so sad. Chiharu wanted everyone to matter, as everything had a purpose. "At the very least, this moment is important to me. I will remember you because of that." It wasn't everyday that she got to talk to potion drinking man and connect over a similar trauma. She'd nod in agreement to the sentiment of not being something so grand; it wasn't a concept that made her happy. "I prefer simpler things myself." She answered, not that he asked.

A brother? Yes, family was a good connector. With him laughing about the idea of his brother caring, she'd feel her cheeks redden in embarrassment. Right, he wouldn't care about things that she did, they did not know one another like that. Her second nod was curt, almost obedient, realizing that she'd misunderstood the feel of the room. Perhaps it wasn't as safe as a space to bring up topics with a stranger; it seemed that making friends was a lot harder than she thought.

"I see." She'd comment back, the paper in her hand crumpled and messy now. "If he needs help, my father and I could be of assistance. We are hunters." She'd not meet his gaze, still reeling in embarrassment over her previous rant. She knew she would go home and punch at her pillow out of how foolish she'd acted.

Notes

⥋ Red and brown attus.

Chiharu Ghouligan

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[Ghouligan]

“Yeah, this is a nice moment.” Antoine wasn’t sure how to deal with her simplistic, honest nature other than to mimic the sentiment. What was he supposed to say? This moment will be one of many lost to the sands of time? Sometimes, it was easier to lie. Especially when someone was offering a kindness not often given by strangers.

His stomach kept bubbling.

“Simple how? What’s your favorite—” Antoine gagged. He covered his mouth. “Your favorite—” He gagged again. What the hell is happening?

Tears started to form in his eyes — he wasn’t sad, he wasn’t in pain. It was an involuntary reaction from when you vomited. He gagged a final time, holding himself together. But soon, he’d break.

Bernard stepped out of the room.

“Okay, it’s been ten minutes. Let me help you with the—”

Antoine barfed. It was a slug. It shot out of his mouth and onto the ground. It began to crawl towards Antoine’s leg who promptly raised his foot in disgust.

“Why was that in my mouth?!” English again.

“Don’t step on it!” Bernard put his hand on Antoine’s chest and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the bottle. “Come on, buddy. I know, I know, my baby’s tired.”

The slug crawled back into the bottle.

“When he’s rested, he’ll turn back into liquid. Then you can swallow the drink and speak Japanese again. Or whatever language. It usually takes an hour.”

“I…” Antoine’s face was dumbstruck.

“No, no. Keep it. Looks like you need it.” Bernard winked and nudged Antoine’s side. “You little flirt, you.”

“I…” Antoine was too disgusted to process or fight against the unwarranted teasing. “I gotta go.”

“Right, right.” Bernard turned to Chiharu, speaking Japanese. “Excuse us, he’s feeling a bit under the weather. And here I thought he had butterflies in his stomach.” Another wink. “We will be off now.” Bernard waved. “Buy-bye everyone~”

He wrapped his arm around Antoine and muttered in his ear.

“Ahhh, things didn’t work out. I tried to get a good deal but have you seen the cut of his meat? No good. No good, at all.

“Yeah, yeah…” Antoine said, dazed. “Knife’s too dull.”

“Thank you!!” Bernard clapped his hands before returning to a whisper. “That’s what I said!!”

---

Chiharu

[Chiharu]

[attr="class","AudenContain"]

[attr="class","AudenHidden"]pick it up, do it right

[attr="class","AudenBody"]

Chiharu

Chiharu was so glad that he felt the same way. Even if she had overshared, maybe they could become friends and she would have someone that she was connecting with. Before she could continue that sentiment, she would watch as he seemed pained for some reason. She'd take a step forward to make sure he was okay, only to take a step back as it looked like he was going to puke. Chiharu looked mortified to watch him cough up a slug, looking half tempted to step on it herself if she wasn't worried that he would throw up more.

She'd just watch, trying her best to figure out what had just happened and why the man had just placed the slug back into a bottle. There was definitely something that she was missing the context for that she wasn't sure that she would get anytime soon. Back and forth between Bernard and Antoine her eyes would go, almost to the point that she felt like she was going to get dizzy.

"Butter...?" She'd start, not understanding the expression that he used. What did having butterflies in his stomach have to do with this? Did the slug give him butterflies and was he going to puke those out too? Chiharu tried to not think about it too much. She'd do a curt bow to them both, before just standing there in confusion. It seemed that somehow, she may have done something good today, but she wasn't sure what to make of the interaction she'd just witnessed. Under her breath, she'd say one last thing before getting ready to chew out the shop-owner for his bad cuts. "Hopefully we meet again."

Notes

⥋ Red and brown attus.

Chiharu Ghouligan

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[Matsu]

☆ MISSION SUCCESS ☆

50 Tokens!

tag: Chiharu Ghouligan