#alexis ward

[obihiro-division]

Jack’s Thoughts on Arakawa Division

Alexis Ward

“The CIA? I wasn’t informed of… Oh, apologies. It’s quite unexpected to see an operative in Japan, especially in a public setting so to say. My knowledge on how the Americans operate is very limited. But thanks to my young master’s mother, the former CIRO director, I can make a guess on a few things. From what little I’ve learned working for the mistress, the relationship between countries have been fickle. Not to mention how the Party of Words have usurped the government in recent, its no wonder the United States of America is a little more than concerned about what is occurring here. Still, I hope that Ms. Ward isn’t planning to spearhead something extreme. It would be an inconvenience… Not just to the D.R.B. participants, but to everyone in the country if something were to break out again.”

Hoàng Diệu

“Hoàng Diệu? M-My, the Lotus Bloom Jewelry owner, yes? I’ve heard it once or twice. Young master’s brothers have bought her products. Master Akimi in particular purchases her works for his wife. She’s fond of her lotus jewelry, as it is one of her favorite flowers. My knowledge about her otherwise is quite limited. And her presence does perturbs me ever so slightly. It is probably just me worrying over nothing however, so I wouldn’t press the issue.”

Ivelisse Martinez

“A yoga instructor. That most certainly eases my nerves.”

“I personally don’t participate in yoga as much as you might expect. I’ve tried to take a couple classes back in the UK since its insanely popular in the country. I just prefer to do more exhilarating activities. Not to say I don’t practice some of their techniques in my own freetime. Outside of basic stretches, meditation is something I do frequently. The pose that is commonly done as a part of it can feel like a trap though. I find myself listening to the silence and falling asleep on the floor more often than meditating. It’s a slippery slope of relaxation fufu~ I wonder if Ms. Martinez finds her students doing the same in her classes.”

Sounds of Silence

“It is a little difficult for me to wrap my head around this group. I suppose they are as balanced as they can be for a team. I just… Sorry, it’s difficult to articulate what I wish to say. This team might be a challenge for us. I look forward to facing them on stage.”

“Damnit, I need to make some calls. Why the hell the Americans getting involved?”

[taito-division]

Special Thanks!

We can’t have done this without all the talented and amazing people within our own Divisions so let’s give a proper thanks to everyone who’s helped put in the effort to make this possible! Starting with our…

Staff

Alexis Ward — Camerawoman/Photographer

A.D.A./Ageha Shinozaki — Videographer

Emiko Akaibara — Makeup Artist

Kai Quinlan/Aiko Mayeda — Music Producers

Ramuda Amemura, Shuu Edogawa, Honoka Ajisai — Outfit/Costume Designers

Musical Performances

Raiden "Tesla" Otoha of Chiyoda

Yuuya "ARROW" Kanata of Nara

Miku "Hex 13" Shirazuki of Minato

And finally, Security..

Vito "Strongarm" Koi of Meguro

Ted "Teddy" Bridges of Hakodate

Kyler "Pierce" Aaron of Kanazawa

We thank you for your hard work and services!

@arakawa-division @edogawa-division @harajukudivision @roppongi-division @takatsuki-division @suginami-division @gion-division @chiyoda-division2 @naradivision @minato-division03 @megurodivision @kanazawa-division

[okinawa-division]

Ace's Thoughts on Arakawa Division

Alexis Ward

"Hmm... I think I recall seeing her a few times back when I was staying in the White House. Of course, I can't be sure if that was her or not. No offense, but all guards start to blend together when they're all wearing the same uniform and have the same stern look on their face. Not that I don't appreciate them for their work or anything, but sometimes having them follow me and my family around can be very annoying, especially when I just wanted some time for myself. When my father assigned me this role, I was kinda glad he didn't assign any guards with me. ...Though I wonder if that was due to the fact that he was planning on sending Kyler after me."

"But anyway, from reading up on her, she seems to have a disliking for my father, like I do. Plus, I heard she managed to save that Kyler on a mission. Ha. I've not met her, and I already like her."

Hoàng Diệu

"Hmm... her skin and name sounds Vietnamese, but almost nothing about this woman is concrete. I do know she works in jewelry design. Evelyn is a big fan of her jewelry. Me, it's alright, but it seems a little too girly for me. But besides that, she seems very... sultry. Almost like a fox. I guess considering the team's symbol is a fox, this should be obvious."

Ivelisse Martinez

"A yoga instructor? Interesting. My mom and oldest sister, Elisha, often practice that stuff together along with the other women in the park or gymnasium. Me, I never had the patience to learn, though I did give it a shot once. I was a little embarrassed being the only male in the group, so I left cause... well, cause it was awkward, okay? Let's just leave it at that. I'm not saying men can't do it, but maybe it'd be better if more men tried it. Then I'd be willing to give it a shot again."

"Besides that, I'm a bit... confused about how to feel about this woman, exactly. The reason being is because of Rashaad. If the fact that both he and her are Puerto Rican wasn't a hint, ever since he received a picture of her, he's been completely... quiet about her. For those who know him, this isn't exactly out of character for the guy. Ever since I met him, Rashaad has always been a bit closed off when it comes to his past or origins. Even though Evelyn and I have known him for years, he still doesn't tell us all about himself. So, my best guess is this woman is someone from his past. Either a family member, or a former love. I can't claim to know anything about that, but I hope he knows that he doesn't have to deal with whatever he's going through by himself..."

Sounds of Silence

"'Sounds of Silence...' Hmm. The team name is certainly original. I'd wager it may be due to the fact that these women aren't all that they appear to be. I mean, I don't know about the other two, but I know for a fact that Alexis isn't just a photographer. But... I should probably keep quiet about that in case she's undercover or something. Last thing I want is to be the reason an agent failed in her mission, whatever that it is."

"But I have to wonder what these women's roles in this tournament is. They don't seem... hostile, but I'm not sure about their reasoning for being here. What's more, I'm really worried about Rashaad and that yoga instructor. If we are to face this team, I hope he doesn't let whatever is bothering him about her deter him. We need everyone focused in this tournament. Anything from our past that ruins that focus doesn't need to be let in our heads. I hope he knows that."

[obihiro-division]

Daiki’s Thoughts on Arakawa Division

Alexis Ward

“A special agent?! That has to be the reason for her stage name, right? Right?! Oh my god, that’s so cool! What kind of things do you think she’s done in her job? Maybe she’s snuck into evil lairs and taken down entire crime rings! Or! Or she’s recruited some secret superhumans… Wait! Do you think she’ll let me under her wing and learn some super big secrets?! I wanna meet her already! I can help take down evil! I just... I just need training you know? From a real master in the field! Not some stinky butler that does nothing more than prevent me from achieving my true, full potential!”

Hoàng Diệu

“Aw, a jewelry designer? That’s not as exciting as Agent 355. Boo, I don’t care about dumb rocks! I wanna meet cool secret agents like Agent 355!”

Ivelisse Martinez

“It got even more boring. Yoga? That’s stuff that Jack would probably tell me to do to like, ‘find my inner yada-yada’. Who cares about doing some stretches, I want to meet people who are action packed! Not some… Normal yoga teach. Why is she here anyways?”

Sounds of Silence

“I just want to meet with Agent 355! I can care less about the others, since they’re a couple of normie citizens. If Agent 355 proves herself to be a reliable ally, then I’ll take them into consideration! Otherwise… Well, its hard to imagine a special agent being evil since that rarely happens in shows and movies, but I’ll be ready to take this team on and show them what true justice means!”

[obihiro-division]

Hisoka’s Thoughts on Arakawa Division

Alexis Ward

“An American agent? So, like Ja-Nobody! Nobody I know ahaha… No, but seriously why is an American getting involved? That sounds like bad news. Not just for me, but for everyone else that gets associated with her, right? I can only hope there isn’t anything too bad happening to make her join the D.R.B… Who am I kidding? It’s always going to be something awful happening in this fucked up country.”

Hoàng Diệu

“203 centimeters?! S-Sorry, sorry! It’s just… Rare to see a woman that tall. Her name is completely foreign too. Wonder where she’s from. And what exactly brought her to Japan? I can’t help but get a bad feeling in my gut… Mostly because of her leader. If this woman is friends with an American agent, there’s no telling what she’s really here for.”

Ivelisse Martinez

“A yoga instructor? I’ve heard a little about yoga I guess… F-From Asato-kun’s grandmother! In fact, I believe it was this woman who she said she was following. She spoke about how beneficial it was and tried to get both Asato-kun and I to try it out. I refused to participate. My sense of balance was awful back then and its still pretty rusty today. Granted, I’ve gotten better thanks to my occupation. I just don’t think I can stand on one foot and hold it for a long time. I’d rather not embarrass myself in front of a bunch of people.”

Sounds of Silence

“I hope this group isn’t here for the same reason he’s here… I can’t imagine having to deal with these women. My gut tells me I should avoid them at all costs, but I just know my team members are going to betray me on that. One way or another, Jack and Daiki will want to talk with them.”

[okinawa-division]

Evelyn's Thoughts on Arakawa Division

Alexis Ward

"Hmm... she, like, looks really familiar. Acey says it's cause I probably saw her in the White House once when she was, like, guarding his dad or something. If so, then I guess I can see why I don't, like, remember her. I mean, they all, like, look the same with their black suits and sunglasses on! They could at least, like, mix up their looks a little! But, I have to wonder why she, like, is so far from home and is here in, like, Japan. Acey says she was probably sent by his father, kinda like Kyler. Ohh, I wonder if he and her, like, know each other! I'll have to ask him next time!"

Hoàng Diệu

"I really like this woman! For one thing, she's, like, so tall! I don't think I've ever seen, like, a woman as tall as her before! The closest I've seen to, like, someone of her size was back in high school with one of the girls on our, like, cheer squad. But even she pales in, like, comparison to this woman! Plus, she, like, makes the most awesome jewelry! I've bought, like, a couple of her pieces and I love them! I have to, like, remember to buy some to take home for my, like, mom and sister!"

"But the real reason I like this woman is cause I hear she, like, did something to get that wanna-be from Saitama upset! That, like, automatically makes her cool in, like, my books!"

Ivelisse Martinez

"A yoga instructor? Coolio! I haven't really, like, been keeping up on my yoga since I came here to Japan. Back home, my mom, sister, and I used to do yoga all the time. My mom was the one who, like, got my sister and I into it. Like I said, I haven't been keeping up with it lately since no one here, like, likes to practice it. But now, a yoga instructor is, like, here, I don't have an excuse!"

"Other than that, I've noticed that this woman, like, looks exactly like Rashaad, somewhat. Speaking of which, he's been sorta, like, quiet when it comes to her. I wonder if it's because he knows her. Are they, like, brother and sister or something? If so, why doesn't he look, like, more happy? Do the two of them have a bad relationship or something? If so, I hope they, like, make up quick. Siblings really shouldn't be angry at each other."

Sounds of Silence

"These ladies are, like, super cool! I'm kinda looking forward to talking with all of them! I hear Lexi and the Vietnamese woman both like shopping, which is, like, my forte! If we get some time, we'll have to, like, go clothes shopping together! I can hardly wait! ...But, I'm really worried about Rashaad and the, like, yoga lady. I don't know what's bothering Rashaad so much about her, but I hope, like, he can work out whatever it is, for, like, both of their sakes."

[okinawa-division]

Rashaad's Thoughts on Arakawa Division

Alexis Ward

"Oh, another American, much like Master Ace, Miss Rose, and Kyler-san. It seems she knows them all, probably from their time in America. She seems like a nice, yet stern woman with a chip on her shoulders. I've noticed she carries around a camera sometimes. Perhaps for filming or taking pictures. A shame she doesn't make that a full-time career. It seems her current job, whatever it is, is giving her a lot of stress. I hope she doesn't let it affect her too much."

Hoàng Diệu

"I may, or may not, have met Miss Diệu back when I was tutoring under Master Jelani. She hasn't changed a bit since the last I saw her. One thing that has changed is that she now seems to work under jewelry design. Her lotus-inspired jewelry seems to be quite popular with much of the female populace. It's a shame she chooses to make her living doing... whatever it is that she does now. If she switched from that to jewelry design, I'm sure she'd have less people upset at her."

Ivelisse Martinez

As Rashaad looks at the photo of the Puerto Rican yoga instructor, his eyes grow wide and his mouth opens as he looks at the photo. It is quite obvious he knows who this woman is, and he cannot believe that she is here, or how much she has changed.

"No... Ivelisse... what are you doing here?"

As he stares at the photo, memories of his past and his time as a teenager come flooding back. He closes his eyes tight and clenches his teeth. He sighs heavily and covers his face with both hands, letting the photo slide onto the counter as he tries to wrestle with his emotions. His memories, which he fought hard to keep hidden and forgotten have now come rushing full-force into the forefront of his mind.

Sounds of Silence

Rashaad is sitting in an empty booth, his legs propped up on the table. In one hand, he is holding a still lit cigarette, and in the other, he is holding onto a half-full cop of whiskey. He sighs and takes a swig of his liquor, finishing it in one gulp. He sighs once more, rubbing his forehead.

"...Suffice to say, I'm having trouble putting into words just how I feel about this team. While I have no problems with them personally, I really do not wish to battle against them. If we (Liberty Guild) do, then... well, I don't think I can face them. This has more to do with Ivelisse than the team as a whole. But anyway... yeah, I-I-I can't do it... I'm sorry."

He sighs, giving his cigarette one last smoke, before swinging his legs around and walking out of view. Left on the table is a photo of the yoga instructor with the words, 'sister' along with 'I'm sorry' is written on top of it in black ink.