text

[mutualistic]

Due to several factors keeping me busy the past few days I haven't had much time to give what I'd learned much thought. However now that I have, I'm a little curious. And I would be remiss not to take my own advice.

Apparently at some point, for some reason unknown to me, I had become associated with a certain gang. What their name was or what the nature of their "business" was, I can't say.

What I do know is that they have a distinctive marking-- a tattoo of a bat. Also that I was recruited by a man named Oda. If you've seen anything like it or know anything about it, I'd be very grateful for the assistance. As a lawyer it's not the sort of thing I can't just ignore, unpleasant or not.

I've attached a picture of the tattoo's design.

[Which looks something like this.]

- Tachibana Tetsu

Comments

[judgementkazzy]

Which arm was it?

[ he could look at the picture, but............ ]

[mutualistic]

It was on my left, far as I could tell, odd as that seems. But that may have had something to do with matching the other individuals. As far as I could tell, there was no special reason for it.

[judgementkazzy]

Oh, okay.

[ That's... Yeah, he knew that. ]

One small tattoo isn't something the yakuza would do.
But it's not something a civilian would get, either.

We should probably talk in person.

[mutualistic]

No, it doesn't seem that way. But the design-- well, it doesn't look like anything good either.

I do have some free time though. I wouldn't mind that.

[judgementkazzy]

You usually want something fierce to let others know the measure of your resolve.
But it's something you keep hidden too.

I guess you weren't your average real estate broker.
We should definitely meet up.
I think I remembered when we first met, or something close to it.

[ Actually... He'd heard that name before, even if only mentioned once. ]

You said you worked with someone named Oda?
Do you remember anything else about him?

[mutualistic]

I see. It seems like something someone put great thought into.

[And here he thought the idea was just that it should look cool. Guess he really doesn't know the first thing about these things.]

At the very least there was a time that I was more than just that.
Unfortunately this is the first time he's been in one of my memories. If he recruited me, asked me to take up the gang's symbol-- I can only imagine this gang must have belonged to him.

[judgementkazzy]

Yeah, ideally.
At least it is when yakuza get them done.
It's usually big and planned out.

[ kiryu Knows Shit about yakuza tattoos, thanks, Retrospec. ]

That's possible.
I think he may have worked for you at your real estate company, but that must have been after whatever gang this was.

[thesettingsun]

[So, Shuji doesn't recognize the tattoo. But he does know an Oda who was in the mafia...

So the alarms being tripped here are associated with the entirely wrong set of his CR. Woops.]

I don't recognize the tattoo, but people regain tattoos and that sort of thing all the time.

Do you know anything about Oda besides his name?

[mutualistic]

Unfortunately, no. This is the first he's come up. I've seen him-- but that's as much as I can claim right now.

[thesettingsun]

What did he look like?

[mutualistic]

Short dark hair-- it was dark at the time so possibly brown or reddish brown. His eyes were also a dark color, almost black. He wasn't entirely clean shaven-- he had a bit of stubble. He looked around my age, mid-twenties to early thirties most likely.

[thesettingsun]

[...Eye color can change, but they wouldn't change to normal dark brown, would they?]

I'll keep an eye out for someone fitting that description.

[mutualistic]

Thank you, I appreciate it.

While I can't say any of this feels much like me, I'd still like to find answers if possible. I certainly can't just ignore it.

[thesettingsun]

You could try to ignore it. That gang doesn't exist here, it's not like they'll come calling.

[mutualistic]

I'm sure I could. But there are people here who knew me then. How much they know I'm not sure but even if I ignored it now I'm sure it would eventually catch up to me.

[thesettingsun]

Do you mind if I ask who? I probably don't know them, I'm just curious.

Private

[mutualistic]

[He doesn't mind sharing but it's probably better he doesn't broadcast it.]

Kazuma Kiryu and Goro Majima. They've been involved with Retrospec longer than I have and have more memories of those lives but I remember at least one of them as well.

Private

[thesettingsun]

[Oh no. Oda isn't an uncommon name, it's not like there aren't multiple Odas who are in gangs and have bad shaving habits...

And even if they are from the same world, it's still not his world, so why is he so worried?]

I know both of them.

Private

[mutualistic]

I admit I'm better acquainted with Kiryu, and neither as much as I'd like. At the very least I'm fairly certain that I was close to Kiryu before.

Private

[thesettingsun]

You should get to know them. Not just because of your past lives, but because they're both great people.

Private

[mutualistic]

I'm glad to hear it. I'll certainly make the effort to do that then. Admittedly I've got a very good impression of Kiryu when we had the opportunity to work together.

Private

[thesettingsun]

Majima is my boss and my friend, so I'll endorse him for sure.

[dulynoted]

You wouldn't be the first, sir.

[mutualistic]

Certainly not. Nonetheless it's certainly a shock, to say the least. While I know very little at this point I still have to conclude that my past self was shady, at best.

[dulynoted]

Do you feel it reflects on your current self?

[mutualistic]

No. Tattoos, gangs, who knows what else... none of it suits me in the slightest.

[dulynoted]

Then it shouldn't impact your job, though I imagine that isn't very comforting either way.

[mutualistic]

No, I should hope not. I have no intention of letting the past interfere with my current beliefs. But I can't say it doesn't concern me, what I might learn.

[dulynoted]

Understandable. For as much as people seem to be "transforming" into their former selves, what is involuntarily is mostly physical.

[sotenbori]

we should talk
all three of us - you, me, kiryu

[mutualistic]

[Coming from Kiryu it seemed like one thing-- hearing it from Majima... hmm.]

I get the impression you know something I don't.

Very well. I'd like to know, so I have no objections.

[sotenbori]

weve been rememberin things for awhile kinda comes with the territory

[mutualistic]

That's true, you do have the advantage of time. I should say it's good fortune I was a part of those memories.

[If only you knew.]

[me_matey]

all that noise aside thats some sweet ink bruh

[mutualistic]

It is a rather "wicked" design. I'd never considered ink before, but if this is what I had then I don't suppose I have too many complaints.

[me_matey]

throw up an objection with tats like that and the judge'll be like

YES SIR ANYTHING U SAY SIR

[toobigtohandle]

That's a yakuza tattoo. I'm not familiar with that particular motif, though.

[mutualistic]

Honestly, I'd considered the possibility, considering I'm vaguely aware I'd had some contact with yakuza in my previous life. If that were true though it would be quite the twist.

Private

[toobigtohandle]

This is from your memories, right? The ones from Retrospec?

I'm asking because my own... affiliation is actually not from memories.

[Hi, guess who is a yakuza in this life? This guy here.]

[mutualistic]

Yes, that's correct.

Even so, don't worry-- I have no intention of sharing any of the information I get. I may be a lawyer, but my work is primarily in business and real estate.

One life or the other, it would seem I'm involved either way.

[toobigtohandle]

Well, to be precise, the tattoo itself is not necessarily yakuza. Placement on the arm with nothing else is not common. Yakuza tattoos tend to cover back and chest first, and then arms and legs. But it's definitely connected in some way. The design and colors kind of give it away.

My Family has no... illegal interests here in Recolle. I am here for a different reason.