[Day 6, Late Afternoon] Once More

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko nodded at Itsuho's comment. Regardless of how Kaimenko responded, one thing was clear.

Seiko definitely wanted to get front row seats.

[Kakita Sugita]

"Could she? How come?" Sugita asks curiously.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

"Have you ever seen her smile Sugita-san? Even a little? I think that, no matter the outcome, your reading her a poem will get a smile to her face."

[Kakita Sugita]

... "OK. I'll do it. Sure. Sounds like a noble task." Now only one question. "What kind of poem?"

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

She shrugs softly. "I know about as much about poems as I do sailing. Surely there's someone in the crew that might be able to help out?"

[Kaiu Seiko]

"This is definitely a wonderful disaster in the making," Seiko put in, thinking about this.

She grinned.

[Kakita Sugita]

"Should I write a love poem? Or about the color of her hair? Or about how she knocked me flat on my ass?"

[Kaiu Seiko]

"Oh, definitely the last one. Or better, maybe a combination. You know, falling head over heels in love with someone, getting knocked on your ass by someone."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Fujie looked thoughtful for a moment. "Knocked head over heels, I look up at your beauty, I get up once more." She trails off with a shrug, followed by a quiet laugh.

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko joined in.

"You made an impact,
What orders you give for me
I long to perform."

She grinned at Itsuho.

This poem is going to be wonderfully terrible.

[Kakita Sugita]

It sure is.

"And lo did I see your calloused knuckles,
Swiftly manifest before mine face.
They moved with a mad bear's savage grace,
To aggressively... caress my face.
A loving touch,
To show you care."

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko covered her mouth to prevent herself from giggling.

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho just smiles, a wider one than her normally placid face allows. "I think I have soaked long enough. Any longer and I might start making poems that make sense."

[Kakita Sugita]

"Yeah... It's about that time. I'm all pruny," he says as he looks at his fingers.

Now to be the gentleman and sacrifice his modesty to preserve theirs. "I'll take my leave first ladies. Hope to enjoy your company again soon."

Sugita hops out of the bath, grabs his towel, and walks back out the way he came in.

/exit

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

Itsuho keeps her eyes down on the water the entire time. She most certainly doesn't try to sneak a peek in. Not even one. She looks to Seiko as Sugita finally leaves, standing herself and slipping out of the water. "It seems my prediction of a quiet soak from a few days ago was a little off. For the better, I think. I did not count on so much speaking on your part as well."

[Kaiu Seiko]

"I was talking more than you expected?"

Seiko paused.

"Must be something in the air."

[Mirumoto Itsuho]

"Hai, or the water." She dries herself before bowing to Seiko. "I will see you back on the ship, Kaiu-sama." She turns to go find her things.

/exit

[Kaiu Seiko]

Seiko gave Itsuho a while to get her things.

Then she too took her leave to get dressed and back to the ship.

/scene