Digital Higanbana (Lycoris Recoil x Cyberpunk Quest)

(Advertise Word: 28 +15 (Empathy) = 43)

"Ugh, I really want to attend the opening, but too much frakking work's piled up too much at the moment," Security Chief Azumi bemoaned. "I'll try to swing around if I can, but no promises. At the very least, I'll try to squeeze in a cup sometime the week if we happen to flatline a cyberpsycho in the area. Sorry."

"I understand," You replied with a patient nod. "Please don't worry, I have a feeling you'll enjoy the experience much more when in need than in haste. We look forward to servicing you then."

"Hah. Believe me, I'll definitely need it then!" With that, the call ended and the glow faded from your eyes, allowing you to refocus on the passing terrain outside the bus window. There a slight bump in the road that jostled you forwards for a moment, but your gaze remained locked to the large fields teeming with crops just beyond the road. This was Tarumizu, a part of the Kanoy Agricultural District that fed Kagoshima, and you had business here today.

You stepped off the bus and idly shielded your eyes from dust kicked up by the departing vehicle's wake. It would be some time before the next bus arrived out here, so you had plenty of time to start walking to Ochu Plantation. According to the digital map projected in your opticware, it was going to be a bit.

In that time, you got a chance to truly experience what the more rural areas of Kagoshima felt like. It was a rather jarring experience, have seen the landscape transform from an urban jungle to suburban neighborhoods to rural fields in only a matter of a dozen miles. It was certainly a sight that could never exist in Kyoto, where the most sparse one could get was preserved traditional streets. Everything else was urbanized to make up for where sacrifice was made to maintain ancient history.

Here in Kagoshima, there was no such restraint, and so these fields could sprout and grow in the warm subtropical climate of Kyushu. You were even wearing much looser clothes along with a sunhat to adjust, and still you worked up a small sweat in your leisurely walk. This really feels so much different to Central Japan, You mused and looked up to the sky, feeling the sun's rays brush over your face. I'm sure that right now, I probably look like the poster child for a summertime memory piece of fiction.

After a moment of indulgence, you shook your head and refocused on the task at hand. A few more steps, then you were sure you arrived at your destination. It had to be Ochu Plantation, because while the neighboring fields were growing the telltale yellow crops of wheat, this field was a sea of green leafy plants, the sort that resembled what went into making tea.

You stepped closer to have a better look at one of the plants, bending over to study it with an appreciative hum.

(Botany Impressions: 49 +15 (Intelligence) +12 (Rank 6 Botany) = 76)

"Oh, you're a healthy one," You murmured, gentling trailing your finger down the stem. But then you frowned when you felt several bumps and you peered closer, spotting that they were all buds in development, looking to bloom one day into flowers to spread their pollen and seeds. But there was an issue.

There were too many of them. You chewed your lip, then reached into your schoolbag to draw a small utility knife. With careful precision, you began to cut away the excess buds, making sure to not cut too deep to harm the plant itself. Only the buds were carefully carved out and tossed onto the ground to make sure the nutrients would return to the soil. Once all but one was left, you stepped back and admired your work with a pleased nod. Now, the sole bud would have all of the plant's nutrients flowing into it to develop into a flower, concentrating to create an even more beautiful bloom than if it were spread out among many others.

You took the moment to bask in satisfied feeling of a job well done when an amused voice spoke up. "Well now, you certainly are a trained botanist of sorts. Fine work there." You nearly dropped your knife in shock, then turned sheepishly to face a grinning face. A moment later, your opticware helpfully provided useful police information to identify who you were talking to.

Name: Ooyama Banri
Job: Farmer
Affiliation: Ochu Plantation
Talent: Tea Brewing

The last bit had you pause for a moment, but you pushed it aside to do a proper greeting bow to rather androgynous-looking young man. "My apologies if I overstep, but I couldn't help myself. I was drawn to how beautiful your plants looked and wanted only to lend some aid."

"Ah, no worries. If anything, your skill is very apparent." He bowed back in greeting and formally introduced himself. "Ooyama Banri. I'm who you've likely been in contact the deets with via email, my father who owns the plantation isn't very sociable."

"Anzai Yuuki," You politely returned and studied him, noting that while he was dressed like a fieldworker, his hands looked surprisingly clean. His body language was lax and at ease, meaning he definitely was welcoming to your presence. "I'm here to get to know my supplier better."

"Oh? Let's head to the house and talk it over some tea then." The mention of the beverage seemed to energize Banri and he whistled a little tune as he walked through the fields of tea crops. You followed closely by, observing how there were a few other workers carefully working at weeding the crops. They all seemed to resemble Banari in one way or another and tossed cheerful waves his way while odd looks in your direction.

When you arrived at the house, it was tiny in comparison to the large building complexes that you had seen. But that was only in comparison, because it still was a rather large sprawling traditional mansion in its own right. You followed protocol in taking off your shoes and hanging up your hat while Banri just kicked off his boots to head inside, shouting about a visitor and setting some tea.

Honestly, just the gesture alone made you sure that not only was this a family home, but a warm one that made you slightly envious of what Lycoris took away.

Moments later, one of the doors slid open to reveal a much older man who had to be Banri's father, the owner of Ochu Plantation. He looked your way and his eyes wandered to your hands, which were still slightly covered in sap from cutting at the plant's buds. You shifted about, feeling a judging gaze directed at you.

(Owner Impressions: 24 +15 (Empathy) +20 (Green Hands) = 59)

He nodded once, satisfied, then closed the door. Not a moment later, Banri returned carrying a small tray of tea, just barely catching the motion of the door closing. "Oh, he approves of you! That's good."

"He shows approval by not talking to me?" You pointed out with a raised eyebrow and the young man shrugged.

"Again, not very sociable. He's a veteran of the Fourth Corporate War, so it's a small miracle he still managed to find a partner and settle down after it all. If he's fine with you, you may as well consider yourself a choom with us!" Banri offered a cup and you gingerly accepted. After a moment, you took a sip and found that your cyberware certainly hadn't lied, it was very good, without a hint of bitterness at all. You complimented it so and the man smiled. "Nova. It's always fun to see people light up when they take a sip of what I make with our crops, and it's what pays the bills. But I think you're the one we're actually not selling tea, but flowers to, if I remember the deets."

"Indeed, I'm opening up a flower cafe and you came highly recommended," You mentioned and glanced at the fields, imagining the flowers blooming from all the tea plants before you. Some even were already doing so. "I'll be buying flowers from you in bulk to put on display and sell to customers in the city. Is this agreeable?"

"Honestly? We usually sell out of tea, but not out of flowers, and we usually end up having to recycle them all into compost." Banri waved his hand dismissively and nodded. "If you still want it, we'll sell it to you at a good price. We harvest all year round thanks to genetic engineering, so it's unlikely we'll ever run out if that's what you need."

"It's certainly an arrangement that benefits us all," You easily agreed. "You get some extra money, I get my flowers, and we both walk away with profit."

"Then it's settled, no question about it! Absolutely preem!" He paused, then frowned. "Ah, but you came all the way out here. That's a great deal of effort, and I don't think it's right you're just walking away the same as before. We'd be gonks to not send you off with something more."

"I'm fine with it, I got to know my supplier face-to-face," You gently reassured. "You don't need to do anything drastic because I came out here."

"Just hold on before you delta, I think we might have something in storage that you might be interested in." Banri insisted and left you to sit alone on the front porch for now. You finished off his tea and casually placed the empty cup aside, the slight clinking echoing through the scene as a nice little accent. Indeed, it was another picturesque scene where you sat back and inhaled, enjoying the pleasant scent of the countryside.

Then the simple enjoyment was broken when somebody different approached. "Huh. Little bro actually getting an output now?" You cracked open an eye and nearly did a double-take when what appeared to be a carbon copy of Banri stood there, this time looking a bit more feminine but rugged. Your opticware helped you quickly figure out this wasn't him, but rather a very close relative.

Name: Ooyama Umi
Job: Farmer
Affiliation: Ochu Plantation
Talent: Explosives

You perhaps stared at the last line for a little longer than you should've, but you quickly recovered with a greeting bow of the head. "Hello. I'm just a new business looking to work with your family for supplies."

"Really? Is that it?" Umi asked, a clear note of doubt in her face. "You look a little young to be a business owner. You sure you're not still in school with that bag?"

Your hand absently brushed the side of your Lycoris schoolbag, where a single flick could reveal the holstered pistol. "Oh, it's just what I carry with me at all times. It's quite handy. Rest assured, I'm very much a graduate."

She studied you with a raised eyebrow. "Is that so." A moment later, the distrust morphed into curiosity. "Say, where about in the city are you from? Someplace exciting?"

"Kamoh Gardens." That earned a groaned and shake of the head from Umi that had you tilting your head. "You don't like that area?"

"It's a bit too uptight for me. I like hanging around in the Kirshima Distract instead." She flashed a grin. "It's a lot more preem. Maybe you should loosen up and hit it up as well?"

"Maybe you should stop hassling our business partner into taking you into the city, sister." Banri finally reappeared, carrying a thick catalog with a disapproving look. "Please, let me handle the business side of things."

"Aw, and here I was really hoping you two were input and output." She cheekily stuck out a tongue at her brother and gave a small nod your way. "Later."

"My apologies if she decided to rough you up in any way. She's always looking for ways to skip work and have fun in the city." Your business contact shook his head and handed over the catalog. You took it and immediately seized up at what the antiquated order forms were offering. "Ah, thought so. You definitely are interested in these, right?"

"Flower seeds!" You blurted out with visible excitement. "You carry them in stock?"

"Not necessarily, but we do have old partnerships with various other families around the world that do." He pointed out the various species being described, along with a brief description. "I made some calls while pulling this out, and I think we could get some seeds along with a shipment we're supposed to be expecting sometime soon. If you place a seed order with us, we can then deliver the seeds along with the flowers you're buying up."

"That's a great idea," You eagerly told, then frowned. "What kind of seeds then can you get me now?"

"Unfortunately, they only had one in stock, but I think it's a rather fitting one. You seem to be a fan of this flower, given your little bag." He gestured and you glanced at the very distinct symbol at the center of it. "Lycoris Radiata, or the Red Spider Lily as it's been called. If you're willing to pay, say, 200 eddies, we can pass on some seeds to you. A fair warning though, that from what I understand, these seeds are sterile and thus will only bloom for one generation without leaving anything behind."

"Corporate genetic engineering?" You blandly guessed and Banri grimaced.

"The good of faster growth comes with the bad of sterile seeds. Sorry."

You sighed, then made a decision.

[ ] [Flowers] Red Spider Lily Seeds (200 eb)

[ ] [Flowers] Buy nothing.

- Genetic engineering means that you won't have to wait until fall for it to bloom, so don't worry about needing to consider the season when planting flowers. Just plant what you want to grow, maybe tend to it, and then harvest.

-200 eb (20700 -200 = 20,500 eb)

"How...fateful," Mitsu finally settled on delicately saying when you showed off your newest acquisition. "Is their cultivation in your future?"

"Maybe." You studied the packet of seeds and hummed. "It'll take about a month for these to bloom once I put them in the ground. Do you think I should time the cafe opening just as they become flowers themselves?"

"It would be most fitting, but it is your choice." Then a wide grin split open on your roommates face and she bounced up and down. "Just as it was your decision to request training from me! How exciting!"

You returned her smile and stowed away the seeds. Then you grabbed the practice bokken she had graciously bought and readied yourself, checking to make sure the furniture was out of the way. "So, where do we start?"

(The Way: 13 +10 (Reflex) +15 (Mitsu) = 38)

Mitsu tried her best, but it was very clear that you were her very first student. She tried to show you basic stances, then got sidetracked into how and when to use various stances that you didn't quite catch on. Afterwards, she then explained the importance of becoming focused, which led to a rather confusing angle about the benefits of meditation and self-study. At the end of it all, you didn't learn a single useful thing that could actually be useful in a practice spar, let alone a real fight.

"My deepest apologies," Your roommate miserably mumbled when you finally called a time-out to reassess. Mitsu pressed her hands together and studied them with a depressed look. "I am a warrior, not a tutor. It goes to show that I may walk the way of the blade, but I cannot yet pass it down to others. Maybe I am unworthy to do so."

"Don't be like that," You insisted with a shake of the head, trying to reassure your partner. "It's your first time. I'm sure if we keep at it, you'll figure it out. It's not like we started out with precision shooting either growing up."

"Maybe I should seek inspiration from those," She lightly joked, mood returning. "Recall those exercise booklets? The coloring ones."

"Yeah, where we actually had to color code the ideal areas of where to shoot on the human body for maximum effect." You paused, then shared a look with your fellow Lycoris graduate. "That was pretty messed up, wasn't it?"

"It was early tutelage that made us desensitized to the idea," Mitsu admitted with a shrug. "Much easier to revert to training when the moment dawns."

"I suppose so." You sighed and shook your head. "Now I wish that they also provided business training. I've got to take care of all the smaller details to finalize what we need to open up the shop."

"Oh!" Mitsu perked up. "Might I lend some aid? Would you welcome some input?"

"Why not? Maybe you'll help me figure out just how much I have to pay to finally be ready to open."

(Organize Details: 51 +15 (Intelligence) +5 (Mitsu) = 71)

Her help was admittedly more motivational than actually useful, but you had a good grasp of the numbers yourself already. With some keen calculations, you manage to pin and narrow down your final costs to a very manageable number, one that was primarily determined by the largest final expenditure of it all: uniforms. You estimated that no matter what you choose, the final price altogether was a neat and tidy 1000 eurodollars to acquire uniforms of varying sizes and tweaks so that it could be unique to each employee, yet still easily identifiable as employee attire.

Now came the big question, one that you turned to Mitsu with a teasing look. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Hm? Yes, naturally."

"How would you feel if my cafe had maid or butler employees?" You delighted in watching your roommate choke and glow crimson at the thought. When she began flailing at you with mortified sputters, you laughed and cheekily grinned. "Just joking. Unless…"

"You have a traditional kittasen!" She squawked and jabbed her finger at the drawn up proposals. "You could easily pivot and use traditional wear as well! Yukatas and kimonos, of all different colors and patterns!"

"It's rather hot down here though, and wearing that cotton might be uncomfortable."

"Then use synthetic!" Mitsu pointed out and you conceded the point with a hum. "Or modify it so later down the line."

"Is that your preference then?" A pause, then a final jest was thrown out. "Or should I start having kunoichi attires?'

Mitsu's form blurred, then disappeared and you could hear the door to her room sliding shut a moment later. You chuckled and returned to the screen, humming as you eyed up your options. They were all admittedly tempting and you could see yourself ordering the others for theme nights. You also could just choose to go casual and allow your workers to wear whatever they like (so long as it was appropriate), and just put that money instead into miscellaneous improvements.

You hummed and considered what you wanted to do.

[ ] [Uniform] Traditional Wear. Colorful yukatas and kimonos are always stylish uniforms even in the present age. It's normally a bad idea considering the subtropical climate, but advancements in fabrics make it possible to make it trap less heat while not sacrificing any of the texture itself. These same improvements can also feature customized color shifting for every wearer to tailor however they like.

[ ] [Uniform] Professional Attire. Given the location in a rather corporate neighborhood, it might be worth considering having uniforms that matched others in the area. Neatly pressed shirts with dress pants or skirts, and a tie to boot, it would certainly give an air of professional barista and florists. Though it could perhaps be a bit too much for the more casual bystander.

[ ] [Uniform] Matching Merchandise. It's actually possible to design custom shirts that featured the cafe's logo, and then have the workers wear them. A bit tacky perhaps, and it does give off a 'chain establishment' sort of feel, but it could work to selling shirts on the side. Money is a nice balm for dignity.

[ ] [Uniform] Service Costume. There's a certain sort of appeal to service uniforms such as maid dresses and butler suits that immediately draws attention. Perhaps it's the fantastical feel to them, allowing for one to really disconnect with the outside world and just enjoy the experience within the cafe. It can also highlight how each employee responds to such situation to invoke favorites among customers.

[ ] [Uniform] Casual Outfits. There won't be an actual uniform to the cafe other than perhaps a simple apron with some simple lettering. The workers are free to wear whatever they so pleased so long as they keep it appropriate, allowing them to easily slip into the job without even worrying if they are up to uniform code. Such casualness will hopefully encourage a very free atmosphere to the setting as well.

- Shorter today, but not much to what's going on right now. Hopefully though, this vote should be enticing enough to make up for it!