I Have Perfect Taste~♡

My, my, my, what do we have here? A lost kitten, hm? Well, luckily you came across me before any of those other philistines that roam Hope's Peak's halls. You may call me Margaret, Miss Margaret, or princess if it suits you and I am the SHSL 'Golden Tongue' meaning my taste buds are so refined that it can taste every ingredient down to the most paltry spice. So really, all cooks, chefs, and bakers should be thanking me for my hard work, shouldn't they? ♡

[shslclassrep]

Mayumi glanced out the window for a moment, looking down as she thought about the question. If she was given the option to wear anything at all… what would she want? She hadn’t ever really thought about it before. Slowly she knit her fingers together, thinking hard.

"I… s-suppose… that something… elegant and mature would be what I would like… w-with a very grown-up look of some kind… l-like.. a politicians elegant wife or something? I… t-that is the sort of look that I admire most, but… I’ve been told that I have unusual taste for a woman my age."

She fell silent as the car pulled up in front of what was, by far, the largest single residence she had ever seen in her life. Mayumi began to tremble with nerves, going still and simply staring at the beautiful house. Oh god, she had gone too far, there was nothing she could do anymore…!

"…w-who’s made it? W-what’s going on, I-I thought we were going to another shop…!"

[shslgoldtongue]

"Sometimes we need to take the initiative ourselves. Besides, it'll be more comfortable than a shop, don't you think?" The thought crossed her mind that maaaaybe it would be a little weird for Mayumi to come here just because shopping didn't exactly work out. Then the other thought that it would be fine because they were basically doing the same thing without the need to go store hopping came and completely overrode said rational thought. 

Exiting the limo and entering her home she offered up the same piece of advice that she had been the entire time: "Don't worry so much, Hane-chan. Didn't you say you would trust me just a little bit longer?" Luckily, Mayumi wouldn't have to wait much longer for an explanation for just inside the door a fellow with spiked brown hair stood waiting. Specifically for the two of them. Or at least for Margaret who ran over and hugged him as soon as she saw him. Pulling the man, who was taller by a couple inches, over she excitedly introduced him. "Hane-chan, this is Nobu-kun. He's going to help dress you, okay?" 

The man was still slightly frazzled from being called over on such short noticed, but still managed to give Mayumi a bashful smile and a lazy wave. "Yo, Matsuda Nobuhiro. Designer. You must be Hanezuka-san?"

Margaret flitted over from Nobu's arm back to Mayumi, speaking in a lowered tone, but not low enough that Nobu wouldn't be able to hear every word she said. "Nobu-kun's one of Yuki's friends from college. He can make anything, so just tell him what you want, okay?"

"Hey, come on now, Yoshi-tan. Don't talk me up like that." He laughed nervously. "I'll definitely do what I can. You've got my word, Hanezuka-san." He extended his hand towards the class rep for a handshake, a confirmation on their business together and an understanding that Margaret might just be a little too enthusiastic.

[pocket-sized-lawyer]

"…Interesting… So you are… Like a food tester…? Hmm… Very interesting indeed…" A unique talent. He liked that. And her tone was full of confidence and pride. She was most certainly someone to be acquainted with, despite her weak handshake and awkward question.

"…Hmm… I suppose so… It is not like… I did not enjoy the effort I put in… Law is my passion… I study cases for fun…" He smirked as he spoke, not even realising how weird that probably sounded to other people. “Just as you… Will still eat… Even when not not tasting… For specific flavours… I still read… About crimes online… And in the papers… Every day… In my spare time…”

[shslgoldtongue]

She almost spoke up to argue, but arguing the finer points of her talent on the first meeting would not exactly be becoming of her. 'Food tester' always seemed so mundane to her, but chef's tended to be the only one who understood the finer differences beyond the commercialism of that title and her own. And the question of whether or not Junsui could be considered a chef, or if he could even cook, would be a matter for another day. The affirmation that he thought she was 'interesting' was enough to satisfy her ego for the time being, her metaphorical chest puffing out even more with pride. 

She didn't find his words odd at all. Rather, it almost felt as though she was looking at a mirror... or hearing a recording of her own work ethic being played back at her. "Yes, yes! Evidence lined up like hor d'oeuvres, being picked at and judged by everyone in the court. Each grueling case detail being boiled down to bare bones~" The comparison was strange, there was no way around it, but she was fully committed to it. "Such dedication! We must have been destined to meet, Itsuawari-kun." 

Ideas of destiny notwithstanding, she wanted to know more. Even if she wasn't particularly interested in lawyer-ing itself, how excited could he get? "You must have taken part in some interesting cases, hm?" This question, everything was still a part of her test. Yes. Yes, testing. For court and all that. Yes, she certainly wasn't being distracted from that one bit.

[shslquizbowlchampion]

  "Have you heard of the Densuke watermelons? They’re grown on our very own island Hokkaido, and sell for tons of money. Oh, well, of course you have. Have you ever tried one? They’re almost certainly out of my family’s budget, but a food taster like you must have been able to try one at least once."

[shslgoldtongue]

"D-densuke...?" She began to sway slightly in place, knees turning to jelly at the thought. "Oooh~ The crispness; that satisfying succulence! The perfect summer treat, and that color! An elegance that could only be from the Densuke watermelon~" Remembering the flavor of it, she couldn't restrain herself. She barely even looked embarrassed by her strange outburst.

"Papa, got one once as a gift. It's a truly inspired taste, but," her swaying halted. "I have heard they're rather expensive." Thinking for a moment, she came to the conclusion, "If I ever get one again, I'll bring you a piece, Oshiro-kun."

"If we're speaking of national delicacies, have you ever tried fugu? I've heard its even becoming popular overseas!"

[shslclassrep]

  "…I… I’ll trust in you, then… for a little longer.."

She followed Margaret out to the limo, bowing politely to the clerks before she left and hunching over slightly to try and make herself smaller. She was truly a far cry from the proud girl who normally strode the hallways of Hope’s Peak, and she kept her head down as she slipped back into the car.

She started to doubt herself again as the car began to move, staring nervously at Margaret. She had no idea who or what that call was about, but it sounded… vaguely menacing. And now they were going to… god, she say ESTATE?

"…u-um, Margaret-chan, not that I don’t believe you’re doing your b-best… but surely I c-can ask what you’ve got in mind, right? W-where exactly a-are we going…!?”

[shslgoldtongue]

This time, there was no consuming of beverages or crawling all over the seats. This was no longer a joyride, it had become an environment for a business deal, or a 35 mph trip to the guillotine: she didn't exactly feel like eating her words today, however.

That didn't mean that Mayumi didn't deserve to know where they were going. "My home." It was the only logical conclusion after all. "I've invited one of our family friends to come over and help us personally. Certainly you're tired of wasting your time like I am." Though if spending a short amount of time in only one shop could actually be considered 'wasting time' was debatable.  

This round, Margaret wasn't going to leave more up to chance than she had to. "Hane-chan," she started. "If you could have any little outfit in the world, what would it be?" As she waited for Mayumi's input, the estate began to appear in the distance. Just outside of the more populated area of town, the estate lived up to all the pretentious fanciness that usually went hand in hand with these sorts of places. An elongated driveway that curved up past the front door and around a fountain. A intimidating black poled fence surrounding the entire property. Well trimmed hedges and a modern white exterior finished off the image. With a creak, the gate would swing back to allow the limo to come in and the loud clamor of said gate closing would only serve to accentuate that there was truly no escape now.

Pushing the right side of her face against the window, she tried to get a better look without opening the blasted thing. Her mashing of skin on glass only stopping when she caught a glimpse of the unmarked white six-wheeler parked in the front. "He made it!" It sounded more relived than anything. Finally, this plan was going to come together! 

[shslclassrep]

Mayumi started to return to her normal outfit, carefully tugging her shirt back on and looking down. She really should have known better… it’d taken her ages to buy even this shirt, and she’d needed to get it tailored before it would fit. Going out to a boutique, what could she expect?

But Margaret’s voice made her look up, pausing as she buttoned herself back up.

"………I…"

She paused. Though she sounded so firm and sure of herself, what could really happen…? She didn’t want to go to anymore stores if they were only going to have to tell her they didn’t carry her size…

"……thank you, Margaret-chan, I… if… you think there’s one more place we can try, I suppose… I’ll come along. Just… one more."

She finished lacing up her corset and adjusted her skirt, stepping back into the boutique with a small smile.

"…as long as you’re sure."

[shslgoldtongue]

Margaret straightened her shoulders, staring Mayumi right in the eyes, "I'm always sure." Without breaking eye contact, she snapped her fingers calling forth Rika once more. Margaret held out her hand prompting the store clerk to place a small piece of light blue paper on her palm before nervously bowing to the two of them and scampering back to her hiding spot. 

All she said was "Let's go," and she was already heading back towards the limo. Less concerned with getting Mayumi to follow her, all of Margaret's processes went to brainstorming a place that would be able to accommodate Mayumi's physique. She had already struck out a couple of places, and that place wouldn't work... That place wasn't even open! Arrgg, this was so frustrating! She wasn't about to go back on her promise, but was this even possible?  No, no. She had this! She just had to get creative! She had to call him.

"Hello, Nobu-kun? ...Mhmm... mhmmm.. That's wonderful but I need your help. Yes, well... uh-huh... Well, it's not just that. ...No, no. Silly, you need to bring it all. Yes. All. Even that. Hm~? I think you'd better, non? ....You're too kind. I'll meet you there." Her voice bouncing from sugar sweet to devious and threatening, Margaret placed the only phone call she knew would work. Nobu-kun might hate her now, but when he saw the good deed he was doing, he would forgive her. He always did. 

With a smile on her face, she turned back around to check on Mayumi. "I think this will really work out. You've been a fantastic sport, Hane-chan! Not that I would expect less from our class representative."

Briefly she turned to the ever-patient chauffeur and gave him the directions "the estate, please." Even if she didn't have a magic wand, and they weren't exactly going to a ball, she was going to turn this Cinderella into a princess even if she had to pull every string she had. 

[shslquizbowlchampion]

  "In 2010, the previous record was broken by a 191-pound watermelon grown in South Carolina. However, the size of the fruit doesn’t necessarily indicate the quality of the taste."

[shslgoldtongue]

"Eeh? It was grown there?" Yes, after only one question the girl had switched her train of thought from 'testing his skills' to 'asking interesting things she didn't know' But even more interesting was Masaru's personal comment. 

"Have you ever eaten a 'giant' piece of produce? I've eaten a couple myself, but I find that with size come a loss of flavor. Though I guess it only makes sense." All this talk of food was making her hungry... well, everything made her hungry. She had heard that giant pumpkins were good. Maybe she'd make a salad from that.

[shslclassrep]

Mayumi had thought the car ride was difficult, but sitting there and simply waiting for the salesgirls return was agony. All she could do was do her very best to keep still, not wanting to fidget like some kind of child… but… but waiting here like this, surrounded by the scent of elegance and riches…

"…u-ufufufufu…" She forced herself to laugh at Margaret’s suggestion that they could be waiting because of an OVERABUNDANCE of garments. She’d caught the look the girls had shared when they spread their measuring tape over her shoulders.

"A-ah! Thank you very much!" Mayumi jumped a bit when Rika finally pulled her aside, only growing more and more nervous as she slipped into the changing room and started to look over what they’d picked out.

"…..a-ah."

It was… actually more conservative than she’d expected. Modest, dark colors, lengths that still fit the dress code… the slit on the back of that pencil skirt made her nervous, but the corset was beautiful enough that she’d be willing to forgive…

She carefully stripped, tugging on first the petticoat and then the first of the dresses, admiring the softness and frills… but immediately ran into trouble as she began trying to lace the corset.

"……..w-well, then."

Mayumi turned to look at herself in the mirror, blushing bright red as she struggled to get it even a little bit more fitted. And… now that she was actually thinking about it, there had only been… bottoms… you couldn’t really call a skirt and an underbust corset alone to be an actual… outfit.

"…..M-margaret-chan… I appreciate the sentiment and y-you have been very kind to me today, but… I.. u-um…"

Slowly she hung her head, trembling. This had been a horrible idea. There was no way that there’d be even a single shirt in the store that would fit, was there? Not for a girl with a bust like hers, not for her shoulders and muscles. She really, really should have skipped out.

"…I don’t believe that… I suit this, after all. I’m sorry, after all you tried…"

[shslgoldtongue]

Rika had quickly returned to Fey's side and they both seemed to shrink back behind the counter. As Margaret, who had been texting once more, slipped her phone away it was easy to see why. Margaret's face seemed to be puckered with annoyance, but the air which had seemed to chill around them- and not just from the AC system- exposed how furious the girl was. She had warned the two shop clerks about this and they had assured her that they stocked attire that would accommodate like really huge boobs :O . They had assured her and they let her down. They had embarrassed her. This would not stand!

"We're not giving up, Hane-chan! I have a whole armada of boutiques in my fleet!" By the tone in her voice, Margaret was completely serious in her intent to drag Mayumi from store to store until she found something that fit. There had to be something. And if there was, she would find it. All she had to do was restore her companion's confidence and reassure her that this was going to be the best plan ever, because it still was. A small setback like this couldn't stop them, right?

[shslquizbowlchampion]

  "Simple. That would be the Tajima cattle, named for the province in which they were originally farmed. Of course, they’re only a breed of the Wagyuu cattle. I trust that this answer is specific enough. Tell me, what was the answer you were seeking?"

[shslgoldtongue]

For a split instant, Margaret was surprised. He knew. He actually knew! And down to the details as well. Was she impressed? Maybe a little, but such things were important information, after all. Getting over the momentary shock, a wide smile spread across her face as she clapped in glee. "Good, good! Very good! You wouldn't mind indulging me more. Would you, Oshiro-kun? Like, where... was the largest watermelon in the world grown?"  

If this had been a test of Masaru's skills before, now it had simply turned into an entertaining game. Well, entertaining the princess was also an important part of life in court, wasn't it?

[shslgoldtongue]

((If I missed responding to anyone, please let me know! Tumblr isn't letting me onto the tag, so unfortunately if you tagged me I can't see it.  = ^ =" ))

[shslgoldtongue]

Two Serfs Have Entered the Court

shslwiccan

professorbic

Welcome, welcome! I hope you enjoy your stay and-- hold on, one of you doesn't even look like a student. Has word of my exceptional ability extended that far~?

[shslclassrep]

At this point, there really wasn’t anything she could do anymore, was there…? She was here, Margaret wasn’t changing her mind at all… the time to run had long since passed, this was definitely happening. Mayumi took a deep breath, drawing herself upright properly.

"…I-I see,t-then. I… I will see what you choose for me, then."

Her brave facade started to crumble almost immediately when she saw the cute workers, and only dissolved more as they snaked a measuring tape around her body with measured ease. Oh god, there was no way they’d have anything beautiful that could fit on her frame!

Even so, all she could do was take a sea next to Margaret, sweating nervously and waiting with bated breath to see what she’d be trying on.

[shslgoldtongue]

All of Mayumi's worries were lost on the little rich girl who was kicking her feet happily while they were waiting. She had complete faith in the two who had gone searching and she had complete faith in Mayumi that the rep would be able to pull off the style with a composed grace that only Margaret could have noticed. More than either of those however, she had complete faith in herself because she always had the best plans!

Minutes passed, then a couple more minutes, and it's not that Margaret was worrying, but she hadn't ever experienced such a long wait in her life. "They must have a lot of clothes to bring out for you. I'm sure they saw your potential, Hane-chan!" No doubt that Mayumi would begin worrying again as if the time being wasted waiting was a direct slight at her figure. It definitely wasn't. Luckily before Margaret was given any more time to start doubting how good her idea still was, the two clerks returned, one of them with a pile of clothes in one hand.

Okyaku-sama, please come this way. The small, dark-haired associate, 'Rika-chan' smiled at Mayumi, directing her towards a changing area. Margaret began to follow, but was held back by Fey who expressed that she had something to discuss with the connoisseur.

If or when Mayumi entered the changing room, she would find that Rika had given her a small selection of skirts--one dark navy and in traditional lolita style, two narrower black ones in the style of a pencil skirt, and a couple looser darker colored skirts that could be worn with or without petticoats-- and a corset, similar in style to the her traditional one but black with fine golden embroidery in the shape of an official looking emblem. Perhaps if she was too frazzled she wouldn't notice the lack of tops and dresses, or maybe that would only lend to the problems. To the store's credit, Mayumi would find that the skirts, while skirting outside her comfort zone, would fit her quite well. As to be expected, the corset would not be fitted so well, but they tried their best (and Rika would be ever so polite about it).

Outside the room, Margaret and Fey quietly discussed the issue brought forth. Due to the quietness of the store, the polite outburst of "What do you mean you 'don't carry that?!'" came off much stronger than it would have otherwise. 

[shslquizbowlchampion]

  "Well, at least I know you’re trustworthy. And "impressive" is hardly the correct word for my talent. "Epic" or "godlike" is a better fit. Go ahead, try me."

[shslgoldtongue]

She couldn't help but giggle at Masaru's confidence. 'Godlike', huh? She would be the judge of that. "Well then, let's see..." She tapped a finger against her jaw in thought: what sorts of knowledge could she confound him with. It should have come as no surprise that her first thought went to food.

"To make a succulent steak, many believe that cooking technique is all you need. However, there is one type of beef that is superior to others." She waggled her finger towards the boy as if she were trying to emphasize the importance of looking both ways before crossing the street. "I am, of course, speaking of Kobe beef! So my question to you is which breed of cattle are used to create the delicacy?" Yes, truly this would make him put his skills to the test! 

[shslscrapbook-blog]

Roza, at the moment, didn’t seem to care too much for formalities. A simple greeting would do just fine for this one. She put a hand in her pocket and slightly raised her other to wave.

"Sup, Margaret. The names Roza Desjardin. Can I help you?"

[shslgoldtongue]

Well now. That was the question, wasn't it? Roza's tone was far more... casual than she was used to. And more blunt. In fact, to say that these two girls were from opposite worlds probably wouldn't be far from the truth. 

Margaret leaned forward, studying Roza's choice of clothing and the entirety of the image laid out before her. With some confusion she asked, "What are you?" The more correct question would have been 'what do you do?', but Margaret didn't make any attempts to rework her words.

[pocket-sized-lawyer]

"…It is a pleasure… I suppose… Fuuchi-san…" He retracted his hand. Not a very confident handshake but she seemed to be intelligent and confidence in her tone and words instead. He was wondering what a Golden Tongue was but before he got the chance to ask, she began to dominate the conversation.

"…My apologies… I did not mean… To make an unfavourable… Expression…" He bowed yet again, this time in apology. "…Indeed I did… My title… Involved more effort to gain than many’s… Who are just based off of talents…" He paused for longer than usual. "…Speaking of which… What exactly… Is… A Golden Tongue…?"

[shslgoldtongue]

She nodded along in agreement. Of course being a lawyer would take enormous amounts of effort in and of itself, but reaching the Super High School Level? It was impossible for her even to imagine the piles of books he must have studied from, the sleepless nights he must have pulled. It was commendable. No, inspiring! Some of the students here really could learn a thing or two from his example. 

..The comment about titles "based off talents" hit her at an uncomfortable angle. Especially followed up with a request for an explanation. But, she wouldn't keep quiet simply due to the chance of a misunderstanding. "To explain it in simple terms, 'golden tongue' means that my tongue is the creme de la creme. I can identify most any ingredient in any platter placed before me, even when overpowered by other flavors to the normal tongue." by her tone of voice, it was obvious that Margaret was proud of her skill, maybe even boastful. "In terms of effort put into our titles, I'd say our time spent are roughly equal, Itsuawari-kun."

[shslgoldtongue]

((Major apologies for my absence and the length of time on replies. Things have been hectic lately in the rl, so I hope to be getting back into it. orz""" ))

[shslgoldtongue]

shslhiphopper started following you

Truthfully, she didn't even know where to begin with this ragamuffin of a girl. She looked so... different than what she was used to. Even among the eclectic tastes of Hope's Peak, she felt like this girl would stand out. Whether that was a positive thing or not, she had yet to decide. Giving her a smile, she bowed her head a touch. "Hello, I'm Margaret Fuuchi. Who might you be?"

[pocket-sized-lawyer]

Junsui on the other hand didn’t recognise the girl. At all. To him she was just a somewhat taller, green haired girl with good posture and a fancy enough dress. 

He bowed at her. “Greetings… My name… Is Itsuawari Junsui… The Super High… School… Level… Lawyer… And yours…?" He extended his good hand for a handshake.

As she made the concerned expression, he scowled slightly. "…What do you mean…? If you… Are referring to my arm… I am perfectly fine…"

[shslgoldtongue]

In return, she curtsied, gently taking his hand afterwards for a feather-soft handshake. "I am Margaret Fuuchi, Super High School Level Golden Tongue."

Tapping a finger against her cheek she tried to smooth over the maybe insensitive comment. "There's no need for such a face. I'm glad to hear that it's nothing to worry about." So he was a lawyer. Good, there was still a use for him after all.  "And if your mind is as sharp as I'm guessing, then there's not a reason why it ever should be. Did you study hard to get where you are now, Itsuawari-chan?"