Tsugiharu shook his head.

"ie, no, Doji-san. But you know how it is when those of rank send messages. I'm sorry for the distraction. I'd turn it off but again those of rank find that sort of behavior bad." he admitted with a small bow.

He looked at her again. She was very pretty, and kind...but there was just something about her he wasn't quite sure about.

"Hm..you know, Doji-san, it occurs to me that we haven't really talked about you all that much. For example, what sort of duties do you envision yourself being assigned post-miai?" he asked.

Waving a hand, "It's ok," she said quickly when he apologized for it. A soft smile was added in conjunction with it as to make sure the message was delivered nice and well. "Hmm? Oh!" she brought her hands up, together, and chuckled. "Of course, Kuchiki-san! Well.. it's a strange question to answer," she said with another light laugh. "You see.. I'm not certain! Whatever best aids my spouse in their duties, I suppose. Be it.. running the household or getting involved in social matters," she shrugged.

"Never really thought much of where I would be, but to be ready to adapt to whatever it might be, yea?" she said, the touch of a confident little smile.

"Hai hai I am buying you a plushie. Saw you ask another gentleman only to be ignored. A heartless act if I do say myself. Your staring so hard at those plushies you might just ignite them into flame with that fire in your eyes." Nakaba uncomfortably scratches the back of his head then looks to his left and right making sure none of his clansman see him. "I have enough for two if you want. It's really no trouble." he repeats the friendly gesture while attempting to mask nervousness. His usual sly smile of a businessman more crude than usual. Really shouldn't be doing this again but the tenet of compassion rings true in the samurai's mind.

"I think I understand? It's harder to get to know someone else if your clanmate is by your side all the time, right? Defeats the purpose of the miai," Nozomi concluded with her classic push-glasses-up.

"There are definitely some situations at a miai where I'd really rather not have a wingman, yeah." Yul said, chuckling softly.

He glanced around. "What about you? Anyone watching your back, Kitsu-san?"

Tsugiharu nods.

"Well adaptability is key, especially when one cannot be entirely certain of the colors they'll be wearing when this is all over. Do you have a great deal of experience with those things, Doji-san? I'm curious about the experiences that led you to this miai." he inquired.

Nara's eyes lit up.

"You are so nice! I really shouldn't take your tickets from you though, ne? What if you want something" she managed to at least remember the game of refusals despite wanting a plushie or a hundred.

"A great deal of experience, Kuchiki-san?" she asked, raising a brow. "I don't really know which you mean, Kuchiki-san," she said, letting out a half-awkward chuckle.

"Not every day ends in swordfights in the rain. Sometimes it is just shuffling case files between offices." His voice was level, though there seemed to be a hint of humor there.

Then she mentioned Ichika. His mouth formed to a hard line. "Doji Ichika-san is a true and proper samurai, as we all are. Her talents will see her through, I am sure." It might have been the lighting in the arcade, but there was a slight hint of flush in his face.

"I firmly believe she will find a gold match here. And that spouse will be an extremely lucky and blessed individual."

There were two names that echoed in the beating of his heart, the kntake of his breath.

It was confusing.

It was thrilling.

The Obsidian Magistrate had not come to Asakaze expecting that.

The Kitsu shrugged. "If you count the rest of my clan, then yes. However, nobody has specifically designated themselves as such, unlike in your case." She pursed her lips and then chuckled. "I certainly hope I don't need a yojimbo or something of the sort. But, of course, we are talking about another sort of wingmate entirely..."

"A very different sort." Yul agreed. "A yojimbo... probably does the opposite of help with some things in a miai. Nothing spoils a romantic mood like an armed guy watching over the proceedings."

He waved a hand. "But nah, you should be fine, here. The danger's all outside the walls. Mostly." Yul corrected, frowning, but without explanation. "Still, if you get a chance to do some exploring, I'd recommend it."

"I suppose that's how it goes sometimes unfortuneatly." He replied with a shake of his head. "I'd say I'd buy you a cute plush or something, but I've pretty sure the Phoenix kids have already spent them on candy."

"Though I could get you something from the vending machines if that will take the place of a prize?"

The perceptive Unicorn watched her roommate blush, and considered whether or not to push the question. It would be rude, but...

"... If Daigotsu-san wishes to talk about the options he might find himself with during this miai, as your roommate I am of course willing to listen and offer my opinions." Hyeon-ju never had a shortage of opinions to give.

"Just putting that there. Right. It's almost our turn now." In fact, they would be next up in the line soon... a fresh team just entered the game and were selecting their characters.

Eriko couldn't help but snicker. "You know, as much as it might be to chase down a couple of kids and take their tickets, I think I have a good enough head on my shoulders to know that's probably wrong on so many levels. However, thank you for trying to stop me from hasslin' some kiddos. You don't need to get me anything but I appreciate the thought. You're all right."

She crossed her arms and found a machine to lean against. "How have you been anyway? Sorry for not being chummy enough at our dorm. I don't know if I've been missing out on meet-ups and cookouts around here."

Tsugiharu chuckled.

"I mean, Doji-san, what was your time like before you came here? Watching your parents spin friendships into complex alliances? Days spent watching the myriad decisions made to make a household function? You didn't arrive on planet in a box labeled 'Pretty, Generic Doji Courtier, female', right?" he offered, his tone light, even though the Crane's evasive nature was starting to wear on him just a bit.

Nozomi opened her mouth and then kept it shut. After a few moments of contemplation, she said, "There could be worse things than that."

She tilted her head at his frown but otherwise didn't call him out on it, at least not directly. "Danger is always present. But yes, I think it'd be nice to go out with someone who knows what they're doing out there."