Nishidake Household: Chapter 5, Part 4
In this part Kaori explores the possibility of purchasing the park.
New background characters by AlexiaVR and ObsidianLilith
...
For dinner today Kaori has invited Mt Komorebi mayor Hiro and his wife Suzu who is also on the town council. Kaori wants to discuss the possibility of purchasing the downtown park, rather than letting it be purchased by developers.
Hiro: It’s good to see you again Kaori
Suzu: It was nice to invite us
Kaori: I know you knew my grandparents
Hiro: Oh yes. Shigeru and Sachiko were always looking out for the area
Suzu: We were so sorry to hear about their passing. They may not have been official council employees but many there would go to them for advice
Kaori: Come in, please. We can eat and talk
Hiro: Are you related to my wife
Kaori: I… what?
Hiro: Anytime she wants me to change my mind she cooks a brilliant meal
Kaori: *laughs* Maybe we do have that in common
Suzu: How can we help Kaori
Kaori: Last time we talked you said the council was open to offers on Hazakura Park
Hiro: We are
Kaori: Could I buy it
Suzu: You want to buy the park? Why?
Kaori: It’s sort of hard to explain. My grandparents and I… well, they saw our family as sort of the protectors of the area, the guardians of the mountain type thing
Hiro: That makes sense, they were always so generous
Kaori: My wife and I were hoping to carry on that role. If we buy Hazakura Park we can keep it as a park. That way while developers may buy up the surrounding area, the residents will still have a park to gather in as a community
Hiro: We have had a few purchase offers. Most notable the Ito’s
Kaori: The Ito’s? Right
Hiro: But make an offer and the council will decide on the best buyer
The dinner wraps up and Kaori begins cleaning up. Before the couple leave Suzu pulls Kaori aside to talk.
Suzu: Are you okay? You seemed sad when Hiro mentioned the Ito’s
Kaori: Yeah… I dated their son Kiyoshi in high school. It did not end well. But when we were together I did learn how his father operates. He overbids on land, sweeps in to make a profit, and then leaves
Suzu: That doesn’t sound good for the area. Unfortunately Naoki has made a large offer, the council would take a lot of persuading to turn that down. But maybe…
Kaori: Maybe what
Suzu looks around to make sure her husband is distracted by the soccer game on the TV that Charlie is playing in.
Suzu: Here, I’ll give you the direct contact number for the business. I’m not meant to have it, and if anyone asks me I’ll deny it
Kaori: Why are you giving it to me then
Suzu: I don’t want to see our home overrun with poor quality, over expensive housing any more than you do. Good luck. Hiro! We should get going
Hiro: Your wife sure can kick. Please tell her I think she did a great job in that first half
Kaori: I will. Thank you for coming
Charlie: Did the dinner go alright
Kaori: Yes and no. But Char, you were amazing in that first half, the mayor even said I should tell you
Charlie: The mayor paid me a compliment? Does that make me a princess
Kaori: Not quite
Charlie: Damn. I was already sizing the crown. Thanks for watching though K
Kaori: Always
Charlie: So what did Mr and Mrs Mt Komorebi Council have to say about the park?
Kaori: They said the council is still accepting offers
Charlie: You don’t seem happy about that
Kaori: *sighs* the mayor let slip that one of the offers is from the Ito’s
Charlie: The who nows?
Kaori: It’s Kiyoshi’s family Char
Charlie: Oh… The mega rich controlling ones
Kaori: The mega rich, controlling, profiteering and stepping on the little guy ones
Charlie: *sarcastically* So we’ll be able to buy the place as a bargain then
Kaori: *sighs*
Charlie: Hey, we don’t have to give up on buying it. It’ll be better long term if we get it before people are living on the land. Do you have a next step?
Kaori: I do but I can’t guarantee anything… Clover are you trying to beg for food? Bad dog
Clover: *barks* I would be helping clean the plate
Charlie: Thanks for dinner. We’ll find a way to help Kaori, I promise
Kaori: Sleeptime?
Charlie: Yes please. That was such a long game, I’m beat
The two set about getting ready for bed. Charlie is faster due to her determination to sleep and is snoring softly by the time Kaori climbs in. The two snuggle up and dream of the future.
The next morning keeps Charlie busy with her pre work task of studying opponents. Kaori takes Clover for a run in the sun and snow.
Kaori: We’ll get home and we’ll just do it, we’ll make the call
Clover: *barks* If you say so
Kaori: Try not to get dirty, then we can skip a bath for you
As she and Clover descend the stairs near the ski lift Kaori suddenly finds it hard to keep her footing. She slides on the ice, desperately trying not to fall over. When she gets a solid footing she sighs in relief.
Kaori: We are not taking that as an omen okay
Clover: *barks* suits me
Kaori: Hello? I’m calling to discuss your offer on Hazakura Park
?: Are you from the council
Kaori: No. I’m a resident and I wanted to talk to you about the future of the space
?: Look, I’m sure you mean well, but my father doesn’t meet with residents over sales
Kaori: Your- Wait, Kiyoshi?
Kiyoshi: Yeah this is my personal business extension. I’m in charge of Ito developments in Mt Komorebi. Who are you again?
Kaori is unsure what to say. Kiyoshi did not take their break up well. If she says it’s her he might just hang up, and the park would be out of reach. But if she says nothing he’s definitely hanging up.
Kaori: It’s me, Kaori
For a long moment Kiyoshi doesn’t respond and Kaori checks to see if he’s hung up on her. He hasn’t.
Kaori: I know things got messy but I really care about Mt Komorebi. I know the boy I knew did to. Please, tell me how to reach your father
Kiyoshi: It wouldn’t matter. He’s put me in charge of the developments here, the offer on the park was mine
Kaori: Oh. Perhaps we-
Kiyoshi: I… I’m actually not doing anything for dinner. Can I take you out and we can talk properly? Otherwise my schedule is pretty tight for the next few weeks
Kaori: Kiyoshi I’m married
Kiyoshi: I heard. She can come if you want
Kaori: She’s actually training tonight. But if it’s the only time you have free, I’ll come
Kaori arrives at 5-3-1 Shinrinyoku. This restaurant was built by the gallery's own KA0260. Kiyoshi is already there.
Kiyoshi: You look good. Really good
Kaori: I see your father finally got you in a suit
Kiyoshi: You never could take a compliment. I’ve come straight from the office, I’ll change inside
Kaori: Thank you for meeting with me. The park is important
Kiyoshi: We can talk about it inside. After you
Kaori heads inside and Kiyoshi goes to grab a change of clothes. His mind drifts to the time he had the heart of Kaori, how was she even more attractive with age? And those glasses! He would bet they steamed up perfectly.
Kaori gets seated first but it’s not long before Kiyoshi joins her.
Kiyoshi: Can we just address the elephant in the room snow-bird?
Kaori: I know we ended badly
Kiyoshi: Badly? I worked for my dad on top of my schoolwork to get you that engagement ring, and what did you say when I proposed to you in front of all of our family and friends?
Kaori looks down ashamedly. It had not been her best day.
Kiyoshi: If you thought you were a lesbian, why not tell me before that? As a proposal response it’s not ideal. I would have listened
Kaori: I never liked any of the girls we went to school with beyond crush level. But the weekend before you proposed I went to the night club and I saw a European woman and… I realised I wanted her in a way I didn’t want you. I did think what we had was love but-
Kiyoshi: It was love
Kaori: I never desired you Kiyoshi. Not the way I’m attracted to women, to my wife
Kiyoshi: Really? Because I can think of a few woohoo sessions where you gave the opposite opinion
Kaori: *sighs* Please, I want to talk about the park, not the past. We can’t let our personal feeling get in the way of what’s best for the area
Kiyoshi: You’re right. Can I have an 8 piece salmon for me and my friend will have…
Kaori: 8 piece salmon would actually be nice
Kiyoshi: Some things never change. Why do you want Hazakura Park
Kaori: It’s a bit tricky to explain
Kiyoshi: Talk to me snow-bird
Kaori: It’s my responsibility to look after the mountain. A new subdivision is nothing without a communal space for residents to gather. To have a place to meet up and remember what colour grass is
Kiyoshi: *laughs* I’ve purchased other properties in the neighbourhood. I guess a park is a good idea. If it means so much I’ll buy it so the council can have the income but tell them to sign the deed over to you
Kaori: That’s… very generous. Won’t your father be mad?
Kiyoshi: Don’t worry about him. I want to do this, for you. I like seeing you happy, I like making you happy. Now, tell me about your wife
Back home Kaori paces nervously, waiting for Charlie to get home. As soon as she does Kaori kisses her on the cheek and motions for her to sit.
Charlie: How was your afternoon? Were you able to get hold of Naoki
Kaori: I did ring the number but it wasn’t for Naoki
Charlie: Did Suzu give you the receptionist number because I could have googled that to be your hero
Kaori: No. It was the line for Kiyoshi
Charlie: Oh, him...
There was a few minutes of silence. Charlie didn’t know what response to give and Kaori wasn’t sure what her wife needed to hear.
Kaori: We’ll be getting the park though Char
Charlie: We will? I thought you said that whole family was money obsessed
Kaori: I thought so. But Kiyoshi...
Charlie: He’s taking back the purchase offer?
Kaori: Not exactly
Charlie: What do you mean not exactly? He's either keeping the bid in or withdrawing it
Kaori: The council need money Char, Kiyoshi will pay them the cost of the property and he’ll sign the deed for the park over to us. That way we have more inheritance money left for the long term
Charlie: Did he happen to tell you this while staring at your boobs
Kaori: *angrily* No. I got his agreement in writing Char, he can’t take it back. And I wore my hoodie, you know my boobs get buried in it
Charlie: Did he try to flirt with you
Kaori: He did but it was nothing I couldn’t handle. Believe me, he’s never forgetting I’m a lesbian after I ruined his proposal. He even asked about you
Charlie: Yes but you know straight cis men, half the time they think lesbians are a myth because no woman could possibly turn down their pixel parts
Kaori: Look, I don't want to fight about what he may or may not think. If he tries getting handsy you can kick his ass. How’s that?
Charlie: Good because I'll kick it from here to Sulani
Kaori: Now why don’t you finish your meal so I can remind you I am 100% attracted to you. I'm in a generous mood
Charlie: Sounds like a deal
And with that, the Nishidake household is done for this rotation. I don’t know friends, it was really hard to get through this one. I’m not sure if I’m falling out of love with the household, or not finding much inspiration in their story, or just was unwell/stressed when trying to write and play. Or perhaps I was just trying to put off writing the first household of next rotation because I’ve decided to REDACTED. I really want to reach the summit with them, I’ve never played that before, but levelling up is hard when Charlie has a job that doesn’t require rock climbing. I’m considering skipping them next rotation, and perhaps returning to them in a few in game years when I can cheat the climbing skill up enough that they can survive the climb.
Previous ... Next (York)