Kyoto- Café

[Ichi Kuros]

The café is filled with humans. A Shinigami wearing a gigai enters the café .

[Ichi Kuros]

*Asphalt goes to the counter and orders *
Can I have a large latte please, cream and sugar, heavy on the whip?

[jetxtreme]

Shinku entered the cafe where he usually relaxes with a cup of cappuccino or two. It has been quite a long time since he last saw Kurome and he still got no idea what the man is actually planning. There are very few customers at the moment and can be counted with the mere count of the fingers.

"I'll take the usual." Shinku spoke at the staff behind the counter in his ever snobbish tone. He then pulled his wallet at the back pocket of his pants to pay for his order.

[Ichi Kuros]

The prince glances over at Shinku. "Wait, you're Shinku right? I have seen you before but I don't think we actually met face to face." Asphalt politely greets Shinku.

[jetxtreme]

Shinku simply glanced back at the person who spoke to him. He tried to recognize where this person might have met him. Hard as he tries it, there's nothing in his memory that knows this person. A lot of questions ran at his mind. Who is this person and where did he learn of his name? He might be a dangerous enemy or simply a random stranger who heard of his name somewhere or might have worked with somewhere.

"It's good that we met here." Shinku gave him a half smile, trying to hide his skeptic judgement of the person. Whoever he is, he would discover it as the man talks to him.

[Ichi Kuros]

"You have been well I assume?" Asphalt sits calmly as he tries to assure Shinku that he's not an enemy.

[jetxtreme]

Shinku carefully glanced at the man as he waits for his order to be made by the cafe staff. "What's your name again? It must have slipped my mind." Shinku went with a normal conversation anyway, still trying to figure out the man.

[Ichi Kuros]

Asphalt order came "Thank you". Asphalt turns his attention to the man as he takes sips of his latte. Asphalt then puts the cup on the table and says "My name is Prince Asphalt Zonferno. It's ok if you don't remember me, for now."

[jetxtreme]

His words just give Shinku more doubts but he has to remain calm. He doesn't look like an enemy to him but he has to make sure. Somewhat, Shinku feels that he has the reiatsu of a shinigami. He must be here to apprehend him but he isn't sure if this man knows anything about who Shinku really is. Should he know something, he would definitely spill it out soon but the right timing of that would come. In the meantime, Shinku needs to search for clues.

"Lattes here are nice. They're creamier than most of the coffe shops here. Have you ever been to the coffee shop at the next street?" Shinku spoke as he get his cappuccino that has just arrived.

[Ichi Kuros]

"Actually no, I'm new to Kyoto city. I have spent my day here exploring. It's my first day." Asphalt says boldly as he drinks more of the latte, enjoying the taste of wonders. He places the empty cup down and asks for another.

[jetxtreme]

He's an honest person indeed. That's one thing Shinku can trust in this man. Should he try to answer a question he isn't really aware of, this would really raise Shinku's suspicion. However he can't still lower his guard. "Ah I see that. So where are you currently staying?"

[Ichi Kuros]

"I was going to stay at a hotel, see today is my first day in town and I don't know anyone here, well that's until I saw you. I have seen you a few times and I head your name a lot. That's how I know you."

[jetxtreme]

"Hmmmm where have you usually heard my name?" That was indeed suspicious. Not much people know him here in Kyoto for he rarely puts on his gigai. He would only do so if he needs to relax somewhere. If it's on Soul Society, then this man definitely knows that he is a renegade. Shinku remained calm as he take a sip of his cappuccino.

[Ichi Kuros]

"The soul society, I'm the Prince of the Elite Dragons. You are a renegade but I am a passive person most of the time. I'm also the lieutenant of squad 2. I believe in Justice and second chances."

[jetxtreme]

So indeed, his theory is correct. This man knew him as a renegade shinigami. But what could be his purpose in coming here. "Ah I didn't know that I'm that famous there. I left soul society, merely as a rankless shinigami. From whom have you heard my name there?" Shinku remained calm, taking another sip of his cappucino.

[Ichi Kuros]

"My people, one of them mentioned you a lot. I don't know his name but he says he's been friends with you before the days of the academy "

[jetxtreme]

"Fair enough. So may I know what brings you here?" Shinku seems to have slowly been affected by this man's benevolent nature. As much as he wants to be suspicious of him, he can't feel any dangerous intent from him. He might only be hiding that but Shinku would definitely find that out. In the meantime, he doesn't want to cause unnecessary trouble at the cafe.

[Ichi Kuros]

"I am on a special assignment that have me stay here in the world of the living for a few weeks. It's nothing major though." Asphalt smiles as his second latte arrives.

[jetxtreme]

"I see. So how long do you think you would stay here?" Shinku took the last sip of his coffee and ordered another one. He has gotten quite interested of this shinigami and somewhat, something in him wants to know what has happened of the place he once called home.

[Ichi Kuros]

"I think I am going to be here for 3-4 weeks." Asphalt drinks his latte and then lay down the money

[jetxtreme]

"So I guess I'll still be seeing you for a while then." Shinku's second Cappuccino arrived and quickly got it to take another sip. "How's Soul Society by the way if you don't mind me asking?"

[Ichi Kuros]

"It's great, every thing is as plan. Well see you later, probably tomorrow." Asphalt rises from his seat and walks towards the door and exits.

[jetxtreme]

"Alright if we still have time to see each other why not?" Shinku continued sipping his Cappuccino as he watch Asphalt rise from his seat and exit the cafe. He still can't help but to suspect about his mission. It looks like Asphalt really meant no harm for him but he can't be sure until this man goes back to Soul Society. He tries to detect his reiatsu and got it but Asphalt seem to be going farther from the cafe's direction and continuously moving. It is still early to be certain and he can't be too careless now that he can't see any hint of Kurome anywhere.

[Shinku Exits]

[Ichi Kuros]

[The next day]
Asphalt enters and takes a seat by the piano in the café. Asphalt has always been a prodigy in his piano lessons. "May I?" Asphalt asks as the café owner nods in agreement.

Asphalt opened the back of the piano and then the front so he can play effectively. Asphalt starts to play his scales starting with C Major and he ended on B Major.

[jetxtreme]

A day has almost passed but Shinku can't still take that Asphalt guy in his mind. What really is he doing here? Could he be spying on him or simply waiting for a chance to capture him and bring him to Soul Society? To give him a bit of a clue, he decided to return to the Cafe where he first met the man. He might still be around and return there, where Shinku usually pass his time. He walked near the cafe, being greeted by what seems like someone playing some basic piano exercises. He swung the door open and indeed he guessed it right. Asphalt is inside, and he's the one playing the piano.

"So you know how to play the piano. Who thought you that?" Shinku stood a few inches behind Asphalt, resting his right hand on top of a table.

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