IC BOX - EMPATHEIAS

[deathboss]

> For whatever reason, Eikichi is not available right now.

> Are you going to leave him a message or mail?

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[purrtagonist]

[heh. he smiles on his end of the link. this wasn't where he expected the conversation to go, but! that's how Confidants work, isn't it?]

Hm. Sometimes, a sense of responsibility can come from the heart, too.

[IT JUST ALL DEPENDS]

But if you become famous, I'll make sure to look up your albums when I go home.

[deathboss]

I guess so!

[What's with the whole heart theme for these guys anyway. Geeze.]

See that's your first mistake! There's no question I won't become famous!

[Sure Eikichi.]

Anyway...let me know when you're available! You've got five years to go as a Itamae in training!

[A beat.]

Kidding! I'll try to give you a much more concise course. Plus no one should have to do perfect rice for close to ten years.

[Guess who had that happen.]

[purrtagonist]

[PHANTOM THIEVES OF HEARTS!!]

[also he politely doesn't mention that he had never heard of Eikichi before coming to Verens, haha sobs]

I was about to say, if it takes five years to learn how to make the perfect sushi roll, then you'd probably be better off hiring someone else.

[a smile]

But as long as you don't mind taking on a novice as a student, then I don't mind taking you on as a teacher.

[deathboss]

That's fine! ...as long as you promise not to laugh.

[???]

[purrtagonist]

[uh]

[huh]

People don't usually say that unless there's some reason to laugh in the first place.

[deathboss]

It's just...promise me you'll keep the training secret. No one needs to know what I really look like.

[uuuuuuh...]

[purrtagonist]

[UUUUUH]

. . . okay.

[I feel as though Mishina-san is about to share something very private with me. . .]

You can count on me to keep a secret.

[deathboss]

Okay then...tonight after the kitchen closes. I'll show you.

[MY TRUE FORM wait. Thankfully it's not the same day as Yu because of timey whimy probably.]

[purrtagonist]

Got it. I'll even sneak in through the back, to make it seem just as illicit at it sounds.

[AKIRA. . .]

[deathboss]

H-hey! I'm being serious here!

[purrtagonist]

I know. And I'm trying to balance out that seriousness with ill-timed humor.

--> Onward to action?

[deathboss]

Oh.

[Oh.]

Sorry. I'm just a little nervous, bro. Well front or backdoor, just make sure you knock.

works for me!

[purrtagonist]

[nervous, huh]

Right. I'll see you then.

[and! after the bathhouse closes, Eikichi will hear a perfectly punctual knock on the back door]

super duper action time

[deathboss]

[It takes a minute before the door opens. And when it does, Akira will quickly realize why.]

[It's...a normal teenager. Dressed up in this world's version of a sushi chef outfit. The lack of colored hair and makeup, devoid of rings and silver chokers, the only thing that makes Eikichi look like...well Eikichi is his red eyes and slightly less pale skin. Otherwise, he could pass off as a younger version of his dad.]

Don't tell anyone about this.

[I am a makeup-less Eikichi. The true self...]

[purrtagonist]

[blinks]

[blinks again]

[blinks veeeery slowly]

Ah-- you look good.

[is that an attempt to break the ice? maaaaybe]

But as I said, your secret is safe with me.

[deathboss]

[Akira no. Don't say that. Eikichi turns away for a few seconds, biting his tongue and trying not to turn into a tomato.]

O-okay. Anyway.

[He practically tosses him an apron and a cloth for his hair.]

Put these on and we'll start. Have you ever worked a kitchen before?

[purrtagonist]

[catches the apron and immediately slips it on over his neck, tying the strings at the back. at least it isn't pink and frilly like the last one he wore]

I have. I helped Boss in the kitchen of his cafe back home all the time.

[deathboss]

Heh, guess that makes sense. Starting with a bit of experience does make this easier.

[He looks thoughtful for a few seconds before leading him into the kitchen area.]

I make my own soya sauce from scratch. There's no proper wasabi in this world, so I've been using a facimilie from here - not quite the same taste but it'll do. Ever cut fresh fish before?

[purrtagonist]

No.

[fresh fish is hardly ever used in the curry shop]

There's no wasabi here? Really?

[HIS PRECIOUS WASABI CHIPS]

[deathboss]

Hey I said proper wasabi. Sushi chefs are kinda picky 'bout it. There's stuff you might find...acceptable.

[Urgh. He hated being this picky due to his old man. But seriously if the guy hadn't touched fish at all, this would take a while...]

OKay then, how 'bout we gotta start from the very beginning. How good are you with knives?

[purrtagonist]

[as though Akira and Sojiro weren't picky about their curry ingredients]

Boss taught me how to use a knife, if that's what you're asking. I can chop vegetables.

[he fights with a knife he's a god damn master with them, geez]

[deathboss]

[If only Eikichi knew, he wouldn't have laid it on so thick as he continued to speak.]

Chopping vegetables and slicing fish is a bit different bro! There's a finesse to it, y'know? Fortunately, we don't have an open bar, so you won't have to cut it on front of the guests, but might as well give you the basics for that too.

[He likes sharing knowledge. Plus that means he won't have to do it as much himself. He takes the sashimi knife and goes over to one of the unscaled fish, showing Akira how to fillet it properly, before putting the knife next to the fish and indicating him to try.]

Alright, show me what you can do.

[This should be good.]

[purrtagonist]

[Akira watches Eikichi work with an intensity that can only mean he's serious about learning how to do this. when the display is finished, he takes the knife from Eikichi, head canting slightly as he inspects it. it's a bit different from the chef's knives he uses while making curry, and very different from the daggers he fights with in the Metaverse, but. . .]

[he flips the knife smoothly in his hand until the blade is parallel with his arm, handle tucked against his palm. with a second flick of his wrist, he's holding it correctly again, though only for a second before he tosses it to his other hand, catches it by the handle, and twirls it adeptly between his fingers]

[. . . now he's just showing off, what an ass. at least the display only lasts for a few seconds before he finally transfers the knife back to his dominant hand and starts to filet that fish with careful precision]

[deathboss]

[What]

[the]

[fuck.]

[Eikichi just watches in mute silence for a few seconds before he remembers to close his mouth and stop starring, despite the disregard for any safety Akira's presentation entailed. It is somewhat insulting to know something you worked at so hard all your life is so easily understood by someone else, but on the other hand, this will be a little easier.]

[But hey, if he can tap into that Envy, he will, just to help out Aiada.]

Uh...s-so what type of skill did Boss show you?

[HOW TO KILL A MAN?! SECRET ILLEGAL KNIFE FIGHTS?! Maybe if he didn't assume all leaders used swords...]

G-geeze, at this rate I don't think I can show you much. [Awkward laughter.]

[purrtagonist]

Just because I know how to fight with a knife doesn't mean I know how to butcher fish with one.

[he points out! he might be picking the knife work up quickly, but if there's a tiny bone in the fish afterwards he's really sorry]

I've been using one in the Metavers for months.

[he breaks the "protags are sword users" chain]