[center][color=red][sup][h1][b]Jae-eun Yoshihide[/b][/h1][/sup][/color][img]https://i.imgur.com/tirnYfj.png[/img]

[b][sup][color=red]Location:[/color][color=white] Wasegawa University[/color]
[color=red]Mentions:[/color] [@Yu Narukami][@Randomguy][@Theyra][@Digmata][@JrVader][/sup][/b][/center][hr]The strand of hair slipped from Jae-eun's fingers. He straightened, the pleasant mask still fixed in place, but his shoulders squared and his hands found their proper position—respectful, attentive. When Takaya's soulless eyes locked onto his, he didn't flinch. He simply bowed, deep and deliberate.

[color=red]“Oyakata-sama,”[/color] he said at last, gentle as porcelain on a tray. [color=red]“you're absolutely right. I apologize. No more flowery words today. Thank you for speaking plainly.”[/color]

He lowered his eyes while the ledger breathed its terrible rhythm. Each name struck with the soft sound of a shoji closing, one after another, a house filling up with rooms that no one lived in anymore. He did not flinch at Tsugikuni Hikaru, though something small and invisible in his posture folded itself away like a paper crane being unmade.

[color=red]“They were our siblings,”[/color] he said, and his voice was light but steady. [color=ed1c24]“They will not be reduced to a list while any breath remains in this body. Not on my watch. Not in my city.”[/color]

He inclined his head to Takaya, the movement crisp, exact. [color=red]“I understand, Oyakata-sama. Fight only in the moonlight. No commotion or unrest. Vigilance must be maintained. Disengage at the first sign of flamboyance. And look after each other as if that is the only rule that matters.”[/color] A slow blink, almost a smile. [color=red]“It is, isn’t it?”[/color]

[color=red]“Lady Tenko and Lord Eizo.”[/color] A small, pleased hum escaped him, as if tasting tea brewed just right. [color=red]“They will be given clear objectives, steady cadence, and room to grow without breaking. Tenko-chan’s light will not be overtaxed. Eizo-kun’s storm will be grounded and given a horizon to aim at. Under my care, they will not merely survive, they will flourish. If they stumble, my hand will be there, if the hand fails, my back will carry them. This is a promise. On my pride as a Hashira.”[/color] When Takaya mentioned the Blood Moons and the Demon Lords operating in pairs, Jae-eun's expression darkened slightly. The timing wasn't coincidental. Hikaru's death had drawn them out like sharks to blood in the water. 

He turned toward Kairi with a courteous tilt, eyes half-lidded and bright in that eerily empty way of his. [color=red]“Uzui Kairi-sama. Welcome to Tokyo. The Mirage suits the night here. It’s a city of reflections and very clean knives. Thank you for delivering Kamado Ryunosuke in one piece and a uniform that fits his legend.”[/color] The corners of his mouth lifted, almost playful. [color=red]“Conquering a bottle is much harder than conquering a battlefield. Your advice was kind because it was sharp.”[/color]

Kairi’s aside about Guen drew no visible offense, only a faint, knowing breath through the nose, as if acknowledging a draft no one else felt. His own grief would be addressed in due time. He would process the loss of one of them, a Pillar in these dark times. [color=red]“Grief is a long hallway with many doors,”[/color] he murmured. [color=red]“Some people take their time choosing which one to open. When the Water returns, it will be because the tide decided, not because we knocked too loudly. Besides, Guen-san is still our leader. When she's ready to come back, she'll be sharper than ever. Until then, we honor her by doing our jobs well."[/color]

His attention slid back to Takaya like a compass needle finding north. [color=red]“The Western Dragon Izakaya, the Shibuya Crossing and The Funeral Parlor. I will coordinate with Uzui-sama and the Kyoto Branch. Our cooperation will make a romantic weep. Reports will be precise, dull, and timely. Dull is good. Dull means alive.”[/color] A small, almost boyish shrug, self-effacing and neat. [color=red]“Tokyo does get noisy, Oyakata-sama. But a dragon can move without ripples if it cares to. Consider that arrogance retired for the season. I am your blade and fire. Use me as you see fit.”[/color]

Then, after a moment of silence, softer he spoke again.[color=red] “Thank you for carrying the weight of the names. Allow me to carry the weight of the night.”[/color]

He stepped back half a pace, hands unthreateningly visible, posture open, the perfect student at the front of a very dangerous class. [color=red]“No questions, only readiness. On your word, we shall begin. Perchance the izakaya has hot tea waiting for us, hmm?”[/color]