Zero-Sum Game [Naito/Open]

Tsurinai Naito was currently in Hayabusa, and it was more because he was interested if any suspicious people were hanging around the Satoshi Market. After saving Satoshi Anya from her inevitable death at the hands of Limbo and the one who threw her in there. Though Naito knew she wouldn't be working today, perhaps the culprit did not know this and came back to take her under his wing again. If that were the case, the silver haired teenager would be here to interrupt such an unscrupulous act. Standing off to the side of an isle, he'd be wearing his usual school uniform with the white and blue blazer and dark blue trousers to match. In his hand was a magazine he was pretending to read while his silver hues scanned the crowed with much anticipation. On his cheek he was wearing a bandage that was given to him by Watanabe Chiyo a long time ago, and he was reusing it because of the battle he had with Anya did leave him with some damage marks. Though the Tsurinai wouldn't lie, it did make him seem alot more battle worthy than before where he had no scratches or bumps on his pale face. He'd write these off and say they were Kendo injuries or something similar. After all it was rather well known that he was a member of the Kendo team, though he wasn't participating after every day of school any more. With his activities being more varied thanks to Limbo, it was a rare treat to see the Tsurinai with the Kendo team, but when he was there he gave it one hundred percent. That was one of the things the imperious scion of Ueitawa did. He gave his all to things that he was interested in, and Kendo was surely one of his main driving points of Kizuna Academy. Even though he was more of a practitioner of Iaido, he never backed down from a challenge in Kendo. That was the power of the Tsurinai... Actually no, that was the power of Naito himself. He would not fail his own expectations no matter what. Just thinking about it made a thin smile come across his face, but it wouldn't stay for long as he witnessed the arrival of someone familiar. Those looks could never be mistaken, they were from none other than the Valentina girl. Telling from the redness of her face and how she carried herself, she seemed to be under the weather...? Well that was just an assumption. His eyes would follow her across the store until she made it to the dairy isle where she'd suddenly drop her shopping bin and begin to jot down some notes.

Closing the magazine and placing it back down on the rack, the young student would place a hand in his pocket while making his way up to the girl. Making his way behind her, Naito would look over her left shoulder and read what she was writing in her book. Apparently his name was coming up atleast once, almost as if she were making a record of their previous meeting. His expression was that of indifference as he read the words with narrowed hues. "Hmm?" He thought to himself as he raised his gloved hand to his chin and tilted his head to the side. "Is this how you usually shop, Valentina? You seem to be off track." Naito spoke with a calm tone as he took a step away from the underclassman and crossed his arms over his chest. He was not expecting a serious conversation with her right now, especially since they had only met before. But he did learn abit about her, even though she ran away with such a red face before. "I take it you handled those Kendo funds, correct? Also, you look rather sick... I can show you where the medicine is since I'll be heading that way myself." An act of kindness from the imperial one? Not at all, there was some merit in getting on this young woman's good side. After all, if she was a member of Student Council, she probably knew about all their inner workings. He was an opportunist, and this was an opportunity he could never pass up easily. Looking down towards her shopping bin, he'd lean down and pick it up in his hands. Though Naito was one who was blunt and to the point, he had not lost his manners and he was a gentleman when needed. Though he wouldn't make it apparent, he was offering to carry her shopping bin for her. Atleast then he could blend in alittle easier while watching the scene. People would think he was there with his girlfriend and not playing detective like one of those shows you'd find on the clue network.

When Vera sneezed, Tsurinai Naito stopped his stride and turned back to look at the younger female. Raising his free hand, he'd bite the tip of his finger and pinch the edge of his white glove. Pulling the white glove off his hand, he'd use his free hand to check on Vera. Raising his hand to her forehead, he'd push her hair to the side and place the back of his hand against her forehead. "Hmm, you're burning up, Valentina. You shouldn't be out. Don't you have anyone to take care of you at home?" The silver haired teenager spoke with his usual calm tone as he kept his hand pressed against her forehead and narrowed his eyes. What she really the type to push herself so far that she'd neglect things such as her own health? How stubborn. He respected those that pushed themselves past their limits, but when they did it at the cost of losing themselves, was it truly worth it? Hopefully Vera wasn't the type to throw health to the blind's eye for some foolish reason. Well, he didn't really know much about her other than the fact she was in student council. It was possible she lived in the dorms or lived by herself, so she had no one to take care of her when she was sick. On the other hand she could be living with others but was the only one responsible enough to go out and gather supplies for her family. It was a real shame having such responsibility wasn't it? Naito would not know since he hadn't been in that much communication with his family ever since he was shipped to Ueitawa. Before that he did have some experience helping his younger sibling. That was probably the only other time he could relate to having responsibilities that involved him caring for someone else. This caused the pale faced young man to give a thin smile before shaking his head and releasing his hand from Vera's forehead. Reaching up, he'd take his white glove from his teeth and hold it in his hand as he continued to lead her towards the medicine isle. "You shouldn't push yourself. All that's going to do is make you a hindrance for those who care about you." The Tsurinai said this without choking over his words, as he continued on to the medicine isle through the small crowd of people. Once arriving, he'd head right over to the cold medicine and begin to scan various packets and bottles for something that would be of some use to Vera. Honestly it felt as if she had a fever, and that in itself was a major problem. It wasn't like he cared because he had no reason to, but because there was some merit in making sure Vera's health was not below adequate. What angle was he working exactly? Why would he show such interest in a person he had only met once before today? Was it because she had ties to the Student Council, or was it something else? That was something for her to decide, as he was not going to give her an easy answer to her suspicions or questions.

When Valentina suddenly began to ask him about his injuries, the young silver haired teenager narrowed his eyes. Tilting his head forward, he'd lift his free hand and place it on the bandage on his cheek. "Hmph, would you believe me if I said I was in a situation of life and death and this was the only injury I escaped with?" Naito looked towards the female's purple eyes with his own keen silver ones before shaking his head with a low sigh. "Of course I'm just pulling your leg. These injuries came from Kendo and Kendo alone. It's nothing you should dwell on yourself." In this time, the Tsurinai had found the proper medicine for Vera, and would turn and show her. It was a medical liquid she would need to drink, but it'd make her feel drowsy so he inquired she took it before resting. With that said, he tossed the medicine into the basket and then looked back towards her with a raised brow. "What else did you come here for? I take it it wasn't just medicine since you have a basket with you. Anything specific? I need to burn time, so I'll assist you alittle longer until I'm satisfied with something." The young silver haired student was being rather vague as he spoke, but to ease this he gave her a thing smile before tilting his head to the side. For some reason he had been giving slight smiles much more than he did when he had just arrived in Ueitawa. In all honesty it jumped tenfold how nice he was becoming, and it was most likely thanks to this power he had come across and the bonds he formed because of it. Though, once this whole nonsense with Limbo was over, there was a chance he would never speak with them again. After all even old war buddies lost touch when they had nothing else in common but battle. The thoughts made him groan and he closed his eyes. If that was how it was to be so be it. He was not the type to form complete bonds with people, only those he could use for his own deeds in the future. There was no such thing as friends, just those who had similar goals to strive for. After all, what merit was there in assisting people of no use to you? There was none, and that was the only answer to that question. Only a peace loving, naive fool would think otherwise.

When Vera flashed those eyes towards him, he returned the gaze with his own silver hues. Was she attempting to play a game with him here, or was testing him to see what sort of person he was. Regardless, he was ready to play this game of hers, and he'd narrow his eyes in response. That indifferent expression he usually housed stayed plastered onto his face. When she continued on in a sort of teasing way, the silver haired Tsurinai would shake his head before closing his eyes with his usual stoic self. "You seem to be hoping that's the case, even though there was a hint of sarcasm in that statement. Could it be possible that you're one of the types who fawns over their senpai, Valentina? How flattering, but I'm sure I'm alittle too intense for you to keep up with. Take this current act of kindness as payback for handling the Kendo funds the other day. Nothing more than that." Naito gave the violet haired girl a thing smile before placing a hand on his side. When she suddenly sneezed again, he leaned back and looked towards the ceiling. "Can't be so teasing when you can barely hold yourself together, can you? Well, let's not take too long here. It'd be a problem if you keeled over and I had to carry you out of here. People will get the wrong idea and think I actually care." Vera Valentina was an interesting one. It was rare that he met girls who weren't Japanese in origin like himself, but recently he had been meeting so many different types of people. Barbados, Chance, and even the Chinese arranged wife, Mingqin. Now here was Vera, a extravagant Russian woman who seemed to have the makings of an important figure in the future. Maybe he should have been grateful he was able to meet such incredible people in his life, but they meant nothing if they didn't apply themselves. Someone could have all the talent in the world, but if they didn't apply themselves, then they were just as useless as the dregs that sat back and did nothing with their pitiful lives. Hopefully Valentina did not succumb to the uselessness he spoke of. If she did not, there was a chance she'd be of use to him in the future. After all, he needed capable bodies for the coming battle against the Gods of this world.

He honestly wouldn't have ever expected he would one day be facing down Gods to claim what he so desired. Well, whatever the case, anything that stood before him would suffer. That was his resolve, and he would stand by his word without waver. If they wished to test him, so be it. Once they were gone, Limbo was his to control. Of course he'd need to organize the troops for this goal of his, and thus that was his main objective from here on. The only problem was finding people who held the power of Persona to combat these deities. Another issue was if there were enough that were actually competent enough to defeat them without him actually being there. Snapping back to reality from her sudden question of why he was there, the silver haired teen would look to the side for a few seconds. Surely he didn't want to make it obvious he was there to monitor the Satoshi's shop for any suspicious individuals. So his excuse would be something abit more blunt and to the point. "I'm here because I was stalking you." He said this blunt and to the point. There wasn't even a single moment where he gave the impression that he was joking. That usual stoic expression of his stayed firm when he said this and looked at her with narrowed hues. Now it was to see if she was still up for a few games of wits since she seemed to want to play with words. It was your move, Vera Valentina. Perhaps Tsurinai Naito was having abit too much fun, but it was rare where he could put his wits against another without utterly destroying their self esteem. Atleast she seemed more tolerable for his bluntness, unlike the many other pathetic fools he had met when moving to Ueitawa and attending the remedial establishment known as Kizuna Academy. Hmph..

"Hmph.." The Tsurinai was quiet throughout most of her words, though there was a thin smile across his pale face. Tilting his head to the side so his silver bangs fell across his left eye, the young man would narrow his eyes and give Vera a glance. It was quite impressive how she was able to switch her demeanour on the fly so fast. One moment she was like a shy child meeting a stranger, than the next she was a confident and bold young woman. This young woman had some tricks up her sleeves, and he'd need to stay wary of them. After all, last thing he needed was some more baggage to add onto his current load. Continuing to hold her basket for her, the silver haired teenager would close his eyes. "So I guess we both have our secrets, hmm? Well I wonder who will be the first to break. Another challenge I'll be sure to beat you in, Valentina." With those simple words spoken, Naito would continue to follow the young female through her usual shopping routine, adding in any input that was needed by his end. All the while, he made sure to keep an eye out on any suspicious people in the store. Thanks to Vera, he didn't stand out as much as before. Infact he was quite blended in because of her. Though he would not thank her, the Tsurinai was sure she knew he was grateful.

Vera gave the silver young man a sly smile as she lead him around the market, gathering various supplies she would need for home. Throughout their walk together, Vera brought up various subjects. She made sure not to tell her senpai too much about herself, but she would answer any questions he had for her honestly if they didn't involve her family life or her memory problem. When they made it to the purchasing counter at the end of their trip, Vera would look at Naito with a sly smile and a slightly tilted head. "You know, Senpai. This was a nice evening. I wasn't expecting to have a good time shopping while sick, but it seems you may be the cure to the common cold. Take that accomplishment with you, Tsurinai-senpai, for our next encounter." The fickle girl spoke with a proud tone as she paid for her merchandise and grabbed the bags with her left hand. Reaching into her vest, she'd remove her cellphone. "For now, let's exchange numbers." If Naito accepted, she would record his number in her phone and place it back within her vest.


With all said and done, Vera made her exit from the scene after bowing to her senpai. Once leaving the store, the winter coldness rushed up her legs and she gave a shiver. Maybe wearing a skirt on days like this wasn't the best bet. Well standing around here wasn't going to help much. Looking down the side walk she'd see her bus pulling up to the bus stop. This was her cue to start a soft jog to head home and prepare dinner for the night.

Exit

After all was said and done, the young Tsurinai male would give the young woman his number and see her off. Standing infront of the shop, he'd place a hand on his side while letting the other hang freely. There was something obviously on his mind as he watched her walk away, but he remained silent and said not a word. Valentina was an interesting subject to him, but he had more pressing matters to deal with at the time. With a light sigh, he'd look up towards the crystal blue sky and would watch the snow fall. Ueitawa was such a strange place with strange people from across the globe. Yet now he was starting to call this strange place his home. With a low moan, he'd muster up the strength to head back towards the School Dorms.

[exit]