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#I think I'm like one of the few akira's that don't like the man the myth the legend;;
vashtijoy · 2 months
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Hi! Pre-emptive sorry for the long ask- I don't know if you've answered this before but I was scrolling through your blog and in one of your posts you note that the brief bit we see of Akira's hometown has high rise buildings, which implies it's a city. I could've sworn there was in game dialogue calling him a country boy though or referencing him being from a rural area? Is there something in the Japanese text to suggest these are meant to be taken as jokes (I.E. protag is from a city, but it's not as big as Tokyo so he's playfully considered 'rural') or is this a case of the game devs simply not considering what buildings they had in the background of that scene?
Hello! First of all, I think it's insanely unlikely that the game devs just forgot Joker was meant to be from a shack on top of a mountain and accidentally put him in a city. Maybe they didn't have time to design a farm and shoved him in a random cityscape instead? Well, maybe. I would at least have pasted in a couple more trees.
So what do we know about this?
Sojiro calls Joker 田舎もん inakamon, short for 田舎者 inakamono—someone from the countryside; someone provincial. This is what's translated as "country boy", or "country bumpkin". Chihaya uses it about herself, and Chihaya I think is certainly meant to be very rural. The Adorable Woman and Rural Young Man in Shibuya Station use inaka a lot:
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His name did not originally use inakamono or similar, by the way—he's the 上京してきた青年 joukyou shite kita seinen, "the young man who's moved to Tokyo". Note the moving-up kanji there, 上, lol—this is not a sideways move, it's a definite move up.
so what is the inaka?
In short, the inaka can be the remote countryside—but it can also just be your hometown, of any description. It can be legit anywhere that isn't Tokyo. Here's Tofugu:
My mouth was hanging open and I know I was being rude, but it was really hard to pull myself together. The woman I was speaking with was from one of the top Japanese Universities. She has had international relationships, traveled the world, and done work that most foreign anime fans would kill to see. Someone with her experiences, to me, should be open-minded about other cultures and lifestyles. Just the same, I can't help but to be bothered by what she said: "I feel like anything outside Tokyo's 23 wards is inaka." [...] Often, people usually just use what they read in the dictionary, but I learned fast that "countryside" in American English is much different than in Japanese English. For me, countryside means farms. Countryside is driving to see your closest neighbor, riding tractors for work and pleasure, and being able to immediately tell who's from your town just by looking at them. When I say this to Japanese people and ask them to explain inaka, the joke is always the same: "Inaka is anything outside of Tokyo." Osaka and Kyoto, for many, aren't inaka, but Sapporo, which is one of the few parts of the country where this legendary thing called "insulated housing" exists, is inaka. [...] So you might be wondering how "bad" it really is out here. Truthfully, I'm living in a city, at least by American standards. Great bus and train systems, tons of malls and movie theaters, some of the major stores people visit Tokyo to see, game centers, golfing… and a few rice paddies. Not many, but there are some. Imagine a fashionable mall, famous manga store, well-respected school with a strong baseball team, and major supermarket, all within walking distance, with maybe one field of rice. Honestly, the place is so city that I don't think I would willingly eat any rice that grew in that field. I swear, it's in front of a bus stop.
So, tl;dr: if you aren't in Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto, you're probably in the inaka—at least to someone's mind. You can be somewhere that looks to us in every way like a city, and be in the inaka. And if you pick up sticks and move to Tokyo? Then you have a good chance of being jibed about being a "country boy".
so what is joker's inaka like?
[Joker] 田舎に帰りたい inaka ni kaeritai I miss the country... [lit. I want to go back to the inaka.] Ryuji ハハ、都会の洗礼ってか? haha, tokai no senrei tte ka? Hah. Not used to the big city yet, huh? [lit. Haha, so this is your first time in the city?]
We don't get a huge amount of detail in-game about Joker's home. Besides Sojiro's "country boy", Ryuji has a couple of comments. Here's another:
Ryuji あれ? お前ン家ってわりと田舎? are? omae n uchi tte wari to inaka? Wait a sec, your hometown isn't near the countryside, is it? [lit. isn't your place relatively countrified?] Ryuji いや、大自然でランニング練習とか気持ち良さそうだなーって。 iya, daishizen de ranningu renshuu to ka kimochi yasasou da naa tte I was just thinkin' it'd be great to run an' train somewhere out where it's all big, naturey open space. [lit. no, I thought it seemed like it'd feel great to train in the great outdoors and stuff.]
(I think something may be off here with that translation of daishizen, which seems to connote "the great outdoors", "a vast wilderness", etc, as well as just meaning "nature" (the sort you get out into) more generally". The word has been split up as if Ryuji was just saying "big nature" for some reason, like if you thought "the great outdoors" meant "the outdoors is great :D".)
But we can see from Ryuji's statement that Joker's home is wari to inaka, "relatively countrified", "kind of countrified"—it's more the country than Tokyo is, but it's probably not the ass end of nowhere, either. It's somewhere Ryuji pictures getting out into nature—but even if that's accurate and not just in Ryuji's city-boy head, that again doesn't connote "ass end of nowhere"; a lot of very built-up places are startlingly close to farmland or to nature, as with the putative rice field at the bus stop that we read about earlier.
the artbook picture
There is, of course, a picture of Joker's home in the artbook:
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That doesn't scream "rural" to me—though it's also not the built-up area we see him in with Shido. It backs onto a cliff, it's very green. It's clearly a row of houses on a street, maybe in a fancy suburb on the edge of the city?
It's a nice house, at any rate. Joker moving into Sojiro's attic, with his clothes in a box, will have been a harsh step down.
Another detail from this image before we move on:
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Look at this board. We can make out what it says. We can even, just possibly, make out a town name there...
日立自治会 掲示板 hitachi jichikai keijiban Hitachi Neighbourhood Association noticeboard
自治会 jichikai—neighbourhood associations. As you'd expect, they tend to be organised at the very local level—so Hitachi is likely to be a small district within a larger city, rather than (say) the city of Hitachi in Ibaraki Prefecture.
his city has a name guys i can't believe it lmao
the coup de grace
But there's one question I think really puts the nail in the coffin here: WTF was Shido doing in the middle of nowhere?
It's totally plausible that Joker came from a remote farm in the country, or a tiny village in far northern Honshu. But what is there in that to attract Shido? Like... Shido seems kind of an indoor guy, y'know?
He goes where his business is. He goes where the money is. It's difficult for me to picture him going to random rural areas with nobody to schmooze, with what I'm sure he'd consider to be poor facilities and shitty hotels.
Even if he did stoop to visit somewhere like that, by the time he was on his off hours getting pissed (in both senses) and attacking women, wouldn't he have gone back to civilisation?—back to the city?
conclusion??
This place Joker is wandering after dark doesn't look like The Country. It looks quite built up. I'd say it's the centre of a regional city or large town—with those nice houses we just looked at set off in suburbs along its edge. Look at this place:
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It really does look like a less cramped version of Yongen-jaya, down to the trees. I don't think they spent too long on this area, but I also don't think it's inaccurate.
By the way, that "Hometown Neighbourhood" was originally 実家近くの住宅地 jikka chikaku no juutakuchi—"residential area near home". So this is not where Joker lived with his parents; it's an area close by. Like he says, he's on his way home late.
Where was he? We never find out. He has what looks like a school bag, well before his nasty crime days. Maybe he was visiting a friend we never hear about again. Maybe he was at cram school. But he's gone to this built-up part of town to do something there.
My guess would be that he lived in some prefectural capital or other. That's why Shido is there. I'd also guess that it's one of the Kanto prefectures, since the further you go from Tokyo, the less likely it becomes that Joker would have been sent to Tokyo for his probation, whether Sojiro was a friend of a friend or not.
As ever, all of this is for information only, and if you want to do something else superior in every way, you definitely should. At the end of the day Joker's a silent protagonist player insert, who can be from absolutely anywhere and as gay as you like. Let a thousand Jokers bloom.
revision history
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v1.0 (2024/01/17)—first posted.
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jinwoosungs · 3 months
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{ 113 }
give me love.
akira kurusu x fem. reader
12 months to fall
general notes: unedited; both akira and the reader are in their 20s; the story takes place in roughly the south-eastern part of the united states (think north carolina, tennessee, virginia, etc)
{ caught in a river of records and dreams | oh, will you keep up with me? | everyone's looking for someone to hold | but i can't let you go... }
{ 2019 }
september
the fresh scent of autumn was in the air, and there was an excitement felt coursing through your veins. you were eager to start your first milestone here, your university life at the ripe age of 20.
your university was well-known, despite it being in the middle of a small town. it accepted thousands upon thousands of students each year, and you were proud to be one of them. the campus was gorgeous, and you found yourself being distracted by the various trees planted throughout it and they way the leaves changed colors. as you looked around, your breath was immediately taken away at the sight of a grand oak tree settled a few feet away.
it was as though you were drawn to it, the colors reminding you of a fiery sunset as you seemed to gravitate toward it without even a second thought. the moment you stood beneath it, you allowed your hands to gently touch at the orange leaves, not realizing such beauty could exist.
you were stuck admiring the tree for an unknown amount of time, becoming aware of someone who stood in your periphery. you said nothing to the stranger, just continued to admire the branches of the oak tree when a soft voice was heard.
"i did not realize it would be so beautiful here."
what caught you off guard was the faint traces of an accent beneath his tone. being filled with a curiosity, you look to your right to see what had to be the most beautiful young man you had ever laid eyes on.
he had wavy, ebony locks of hair and wore a pair of glasses that covered his stormy, grey eyes. he was tall and lanky, but you had a hunch that he was much stronger than he looked as you trailed your eyes down his form before looking back at his eyes. his full lips were halfway parted as he met your gaze, not once breaking eye contact with you, and the intensity of his stare was enough to make your cheeks heat up in response.
your heart was pounding, and you felt shy suddenly, unable to hold his gaze as you looked away from him. "y-yes, i've seen the leaves changing colors before, but not with such bright intensity."
you wanted to talk to this perfect stranger some more, but was cut off when your alarm went off from the confines of your bag. with a gasp, you hastily take your phone out to see the time read 9:00am, meaning you had fifteen minutes to get to your first class of the day.
letting out a tiny curse, you were about to say your goodbyes to this perfect stranger when he stops you, placing his hand on your wrist. "w-wait, don't go, i-i'm a bit lost and am unsure of where to go for my first class of the day."
you ask him what class he had, and when he says the same name of your first class of the morning, you gave him a wide smile and take a hold of his hand.
"that's perfect, we share the first class together then. come with me, i'll take you."
without giving it a second thought, you take a hold of his hand and interlock your fingertips together with his, unaware of the way the slightest dust of pink was seen settled against his cheek.
october
akira kurusu was his name, and you found out that he had come to your university as an exchange student, where he would spend a year learning about what being a student was like here in the u.s. he tells you about how he spent most of his life growing up in a small town and how due to certain circumstances, he had to spend his second year of high school in the big city.
when you asked him why he had to move at such an odd place in time, a strange look of discomfort fell over him, with akira telling you it was just something he had to do. his tone was closed off, and it was clear that he didn't wish to talk about it.
wanting to change the subject for his sake, you asked about his desire to come here to the states and was relieved when you heard him perk up once more. you spent some time enjoying a warm cup of coffee at your university's café, wishing to get to know akira better as he spoke about his interests. you felt awkward, trying to determine how akira wanted you to address him as, since you knew that in japan, many people referred to there peers by their last name. for the past couple of weeks, you have been referring to akira by his surname, but the strange glint in his eyes each time you called him kurusu made him feel too distant from you.
when you told akira about this concern, akira simply smiled at you, "you may call me akira, since i see you as a friend... well, my only friend here, really."
he was truly such a sweet and intelligent young man, telling you about how he held an interest in learning and taught himself english when he was a teenager.
you compliment him on his drive and how flawlessly he spoke. "seriously, english is a really tough language to learn, so i'm so proud of you and your hard work ku- i-i mean, a-akira."
you found yourself stuttering when you said his name, tasting it on the tip your tongue for the first time. akira's eyes widen the moment he hears you say his name, and you could have sworn you say a light tinge of pink against his cheeks.
seemingly embarrassed, akira lets out a cough before holding his cup of coffee, taking a sip of it so as to distract himself. he was acting a bit...strange- flustered was more like it. and with akira being so flustered, it made your own cheeks heat up in response.
"i-i'm so sorry, did you prefer me to call you kurusu instead-"
"no!" akira begins to vehemently shake his head, setting down his cup of coffee as a genuine smile paints his soft features. "i-i actually like how my name sounds against your lips..."
akira keeps his grey eyes on you while murmuring your own name in response, the syllables being enough to make your heart pound in response, not quite getting used to the sound of his smooth voice saying your name.
and it was in that moment that you realized you liked how your name sounded against akira's lips as well.
november
"akira sounds like such a wonderful friend, sweetheart. you should invite him over for thanksgiving!"
"m-mom!" something about her suggestion makes your entire face heat up in embarrassment.
you were nearly done with the semester, and thanksgiving break was only a few days away. after you completed your exam, you would be free to return home and enjoy the holiday with your family. but your mother's suggestion made you consider inviting akira along.
"you said that your best friend is originally from japan, right? so it doesn't seem likely that he'll go back home for just a few days. me and your father would not mind if you invited him over."
the offer was truly tempting for you as you chewed on your bottom lip, considering it. it didn't feel right to leave akira all alone when at least 90% of the school would be leaving to go back home to their families. just picturing akira all alone in his dorm room made your heart ache, and with your mother's permission, you figured having akira join you for thanksgiving would be needed.
you spend a few more minutes talking to your mother before hanging up the phone. going through your messages, you click on akira's name, the pad of your thumbs poised over the keyboard as you thought of what to say to him. as if akira himself had read your mind, you see a new text pop up from him that reads:
akira 🤓 📖 : [ hey, are you free right now? i just bought some hot cocoa for us! can i come over? ]
you 🌅 : [ YES! my roomie just left yesterday since she didn't have to take any exams. i'm all alone rn and it's kinda freaky here 😭 ]
akira 🤓 📖 : [ alright, i'll be over in a minute ❤️ ]
you felt butterflies erupt all across your abdomen upon seeing his little heart at the end, with you seeming to read his text over and over again.
you would be lying if you said that you hadn't developed a slight crush on akira kurusu. after all, he was just so soft and sweet. he gave off the aura of being the classic boy-next-door, and you wondered why he wasn't seeing anyone or was already taken.
recalling the moment you had studied with him just a few weeks ago, you brought up his relationship status out of pure curiosity (ignoring the fact that you were beginning to catch feelings for him) and was shocked to find out that he was still single.
"i was seeing someone when i was 16 and at shujin, but when i had to move back home, we had to end it. we're still on good terms though, and i consider them to be a great friend to this day!"
the familiar sensation of butterflies was felt coursing through you at the thought of akira being single, making you feel like you truly had a chance with him. however, a part of you was reluctant to truly tell him how you feel, not wishing to destroy this perfect friendship you had already developed with him.
so despite how you felt, you held back your feelings for him, wanting to cherish what you already had with such a sweet guy like akira.
a sudden knock at your door breaks you out of your prior reveries pertaining to akira, with you alerting your guest that you were coming. with an excited bounce in your step, you unlock your door to see your goofy and cheerful best friend holding up two warm cups of hot cocoa with a warm smile on his face before coming in.
"hey tr- i-i mean..." akira coughs, clearing his throat before referring you to your name. the strangeness of it all was enough to make your head tilt in question, but you ultimately decided against it. with a smile on your face, you take the hot cocoa from akira's hands while taking a sip of it. with you sighing dreamily at the taste, you beckon akira to follow you before settling yourself on the couch.
you fall into easy conversation when akira joins you, being so comfortable around each other that you had no reason to hide your true self from him. as you listened to akira speak, you felt the burning sensation creeping up against your throat.
you really wanted to ask akira if he would join you for thanksgiving, but you weren't sure if he would accept. he seemed like a very reserved person, and you didn't wish to scare him off with the plethora of family members that were bound to be in your home. but at the same time, you didn't particularly enjoy the thought of akira being all alone, either.
a soft voice calling your name coupled along with a hand being waved in front of you breaks you out of your thoughts as you see akira looking at you with concern. "are you okay? you seem out of it. is something bothering you? you know you can always talk to me about it."
the reassuring smile on akira's face was what finally gave you the courage to ask him. so, taking a deep breath, you clenched your eyes shut and told him, "m-my parents said that this was okay, but, if you can, would you like to come back home with me and spend thanksgiving with me and my family?"
the silence seemed deafening, and you were still feeling too anxious to open your eyes and meet his gaze. only when you heard the melodious sound of his laughter did you open your eyes.
the expression akira was giving you was making your heart race, with his eyes looking at you with such fondness that you found it harder to breathe. his gentle chuckle continues on for a few more seconds before he leans forward, reaching out a hand to softly grace at your cheek with the back of his hand.
"are you sure i won't intrude on your time with your family?"
you shake your head in response, feeling as though the air was sapped from your lungs the moment you witness his smile once more.
"then... if you'll have me, i don't mind spending thanksgiving break surrounded by you and your loved ones..."
december
letting akira experience thanksgiving at your household was a bit chaotic, yet so much fun at the same time. during the entire day, your parents and extended family welcomed your friend with open arms, and they had a blast learning about his culture with akira doing the same.
you were incredibly happy that akira enjoyed a lot of the foods that were piled high upon his plate, and the amount of leftovers that were still available the next day. it was so refreshing to see akira smiling so much while genuinely having such a great time.
after your finals were completed during the second week of december, you were shocked to find how quickly time was passing by, with your first semester already completed and christmas just a few days away. your parents had decided to spend the holidays up north where your grandparents resided, and you decided to stay back and spend it with akira.
when you broke the news to your mother over the phone, she seemed to understand why you wished to spend some time with akira and not leave him all alone on christmas day. she tells you how sweet he was and that she was happy for you, which in turn made you break out into a wide grin when you told her that you were only just friends with him.
yet the slight trill heard in her laughter let you know that she did not believe a single word that you said.
but truth be told, you didn't believe yourself, either.
when you told akira that you would be staying on campus, too, he gave you the brightest smile while giving you an unexpected hug. you could feel your eyes widen, taking in the scent of his cologne mixed in with coffee and something slightly spicy and sweet, like cinnamon, while returning his hug.
after a few seconds, he lets go of you while placing his hands on your shoulders. "that means we can spend christmas in my dorm. when midnight hits on the 24, come on over and we can celebrate together."
akira's excitement was palatable, and you found yourself smiling along with him while giving him an eager nod. "yes, i'll come over when midnight hits. should i make anything, or...?"
akira shakes his head before giving you a tiny smile. "there's no need, i've got everything covered. all you need to do is come by my dorm at midnight, got it?"
"got it."
you and akira still spent some time together up until the day before christmas. because he wanted to 'surprise' you, you did not get a chance to see him today, which gave you some time to wrap your present for him.
for some odd reason, akira had a deep fascination and love for arséne lupin, the gentleman thief. he often told you that his interest in learning english was to read the translated works of maurice leblanc, and that the surname leblanc held a deep meaning for him. so before finals began, you explored your local bookstore and was excited to find a leather bound copy arséne lupin, gentleman burglar.
knowing that this was the perfect gift for akira, you began wrapping the novel with a wide smile on your face. as you continued to wrap his gift, you slowly began to realize just how deeply you felt for akira, and the feelings you harbored for him were beginning to morph into something stronger than just a mere crush.
you were beginning to fall for him... hard.
once the present was completely wrapped, you looked at the time on your phone to see a text from akira:
akira 🤓 📖 : [ hey, so good news! i already completed my preparations. do you want to come over right now? ]
you found yourself smiling as you looked at the time on your phone.
you 🌅 : [ it's only 8pm. isn't it a bit too early?? ]
akira 🤓 📖 : [ yeah, i know lol but i really want to see you right now... ]
your heart was felt palpitating again, filling you with a warmth after seeing akira's text. as you chewed on your bottom lip, you began to grin before replying:
you 🌅 : [ i'll be there in 10 minutes. ]
akira 🤓 📖 liked your message.
since it was a bit cold outside, you threw on some tight fitting sweats along with a shirt and your favorite sweater, completing the look with your worn converses as you grabbed your bag and akira's present. placing the present within the confines of your bag, you fix your hair and grabbed your keys before making your way towards his dorm.
arriving in just a few minutes, you knock on akira's door, hearing some shuffling from behind as it opens just a few seconds later, revealing akira himself.
his face seemed flushed as he let out a breathless sigh of your name, welcoming you inside as he quickly beckons you to come closer. "here, come in and warm up. i've already got some dinner ready, too."
"oh wow, did you make me some curry? or omurice?" you giggle, taking off your shoes as you admired the cute cut out snowflakes hanging from the ceiling and the string of christmas lights strewn throughout the apartment.
as you admired the decorations, your eyes trail down towards the dining room table to find a bucket of fried chicken and a pure white cake settled on top of it. "what? fried chicken and cake?" you begin to giggle as you set your bag on the couch before following akira into the kitchen as he grabbed some plates.
although you knew that both of these foods were delicious, you wouldn't say that this was your typical christmas eve / christmas day meal. yet akira seemed excited all the same, "oh trust me, back home, when me and my old friends are able to spend christmas together, we would eat this and just have a good time."
the eagerness heard in his voice makes you smile, and you take one of the plates before settling yourself across from him on the table. you take some pieces of chicken while akira does the same, biting into it as you moaned at how good it tasted. "hmm, maybe you're on to something, akira. having fried chicken on christmas eve is pretty tasty."
"right? truly, i can't get enough of this."
you spoke to akira about his friends and family, and despite how he seemed to share so many fond memories with them, you could sense that he was keeping something hidden from you, something that would make his stories feel a bit more complete.
even though you held some suspicions about what akira was telling you, you allowed it to slide again since you were certain that if he wanted to tell you more, then he would do so when he was ready. you weren't going to be a bad friend and demand things from him that he wasn't ready to give.
after your delicious dinner of fried chicken, akira shares a thick slice of cake with you as you enjoyed how soft and fluffy it was. the frosting was addicting, and you were filled with so much happiness that you wanted akira to feel the same.
"hey aki?"
"hm?" akira looks away from his cake to see you getting up to take your bag. as you rummage through it, you brought out akira's gift. the two of you were completely silent as you sat back down and slid the gift across the table for him to take.
"i-it's not much, but today has been so much fun that i...i wanted to do something for y-you, too."
you watch with bated breath as akira takes the gift and carefully unwraps his. his fingertips work meticulously, and it was as though he didn't wish to tear apart the wrapping as he slowly revealed the leather bound copy of arséne lupin, gentleman burglar.
his grey eyes displayed no emotion, and you were afraid that he hated your gift. your heart was torn now, reaching out to him when he suddenly stands to walk away from you.
an iciness was felt coursing through your veins, and you felt the contents of your food swirling within your stomach, making you nauseous. your breathing became labored and you swore that you wanted to do nothing more than to get out of here, to run far away as you possible could-
yet that impulsive sensation dissipates into thin air when akira comes back with his own wrapped gift in his hands. he says nothing, simply returning to his seat settled across from you before sliding the present towards you.
all you could hear was the blushing rushing through your head as your shaky hands take the present. with careful movements, you unwrap the gift to see a slender velvet box settled on the palm of your hand. as you open up the box, you gasp upon seeing a glittering silver necklace with a snowflake pendant glimmering beneath the light.
"a treasure for my treasure." akira's voice was suddenly heard directly beside you, and you watch as his slender hands take the necklace out of the confines of its box.
you tried to keep your breathing even, yet you couldn't stop your heart from racing within your chest. you were becoming flustered, and when akira finished fastening the necklace around your neck did you finally turn around to look at him.
he wore a wide smile before leaning down closer to you. "c-can i kiss you?"
you could only manage a nod, sliding your eyes shut when you felt akira's soft lips press against yours in an achingly gentle, but sweet kiss. your first kiss with him wasn't demanding or forceful, but something that was soft and oh so giving.
after sharing a few more kisses with him did akira finally rest his forehead against yours.
while shakily saying your name, he asks, "will you be... mine?"
you would be a fool not to accept his confession.
january
time truly does go by so fast when you're having fun-
or when you're in love.
the moment you and akira became a couple on christmas eve was the best moment of your life. you had been so drawn to akira from the start and you were truly floating on cloud 9.
despite his departure looming above you, you decided to ignore such feelings of dread the moment akira must return back to japan in august. all you wanted to do was bask in the moment and spend as much time as you could with akira.
it was the evening after your first day of classes, the start of your spring semester when akira came over to your dorm to watch some movies with you on your laptop. you had a quick meal of instant ramen and put on a light, comedic film to enjoy.
you could feel akira cuddling you from behind, playing with your strands of hair briefly before softly calling your name.
"do you still want to know why i spent a year at a different school?"
you furrow your eyes a bit, reaching over towards your laptop to pause the movie. wanting to give akira your full attention, you turn around so that you were facing him, eyes glimmering with love while giving him a nod.
"yes, of course. if you trust me enough to talk about it, then yes."
he sighs before placing a kiss against your forehead. "i was sent to a different school because i was put on probation for a year, and my old school had kicked me out due to my then... criminal record."
your eyes were wide at this point, not believing that someone like akira could ever have a criminal record. akira knew what you were thinking and decided to hold you even closer to him. "i know i know. it's crazy, right? but all i wanted was to help her."
he then tells you the reasoning for his arrest, which involved a corrupt politician forcing a woman to go home with him. he didn't want the woman to do something that made her uncomfortable, and when he tried to move the man away from her, he fell due to his inebriated state.
because he was so powerful, no one believed akira when he told the cops the man had fallen by himself and was promptly arrested on the scene. you hear the way akira's voice cracked, knowing how traumatic it must have been for him as you slowly reached out to comfort him.
"oh, akira... i'm so sorry. it must have been so hard on you..."
you feel akira embrace you tightly while letting out a humorless laugh, "trust me, treasure, i've been through so much worse."
not wanting akira to be in pain, you gently frame at his face, making him face you as you could see the tears glimmering within his grey eyes. not saying a word, you leaned in to kiss him, tasting the saltiness of his tears against your lips, allowing akira to cling to you for comfort.
february
you never believed in celebrating valentine's day...
that is, until now.
you knew that it was customary in japan to make chocolates to display your romantic interest in a boy, but would it hold the same meaning if you were already in a relationship with akira?
in the end, you decided that it didn't matter, that as long as it made him happy, then you'd do something as ridiculous as making homemade chocolates for the first time just for him.
after sending akira a text that you were busy doing a project with one of your classmates (a complete lie), you spent the whole day gathering ingredients to make some chocolates for akira on this special day. while everyone else was spending it by going out to a dinner and a movie, you wanted to give akira a more traditional experience.
he told you valentine's day was kind of a big deal back where he was from and that there were many ways to celebrate it. anyone could celebrate valentine's day in either a platonic or romantic manner.
when you teased akira, asking if he got a lot of confession chocolates back when he was younger and you saw the way his face lit up in a blush was when you began laughing before kissing his cheek, commenting on how cute he was when he suddenly tackled you to the couch and began littering your face with kisses.
with the memory of that day fueling you, you put your entire heart and soul into the chocolates, following the recipe you found to the best of your abilities. a few hours later, you were able to make a decent amount of chocolate squares before individually wrapping them in cellophane and ribbons.
"whew." by the end of it all, you were sweating a bit, looking down at your basket of chocolates wrapped in a variety of different colors. it sure looked pretty, and you just hoped that it tasted even a little decent.
wishing to surprise akira, you take your basket and begin making your trek towards akira's dorm. with your heart pounding in anticipation, you knock on his door, hoping that his roommate was out and that you could spend some time with akira.
within a few seconds, you saw the door unlock with akira giving you a shocked expression. "i thought you had to do a project?"
you shake your head while holding up the basket of chocolates for him to take. "happy valentine's day, akira!"
he takes the basket of chocolates with an awed expression on his face, and you were in the midst of explaining, "now normally, i don't celebrate valentine's day at all, but i figured this would make you really happy. so, i tried to make some homemade chocolate and-"
you were cut off when akira takes a hold of your hand and crashes his lips into yours, kissing you with such fervor that it takes your breath away.
even if your chocolates may not be as sweet as you wanted it to be, akira's kisses made up for it by far.
march
akira 🤓 📖 ❤️ : [ meet me at our usual cafe, i have a surprise for you. ]
today was march 14, and you had just got out of your last class for the day when akira texted you. excited to see him again, you tell him that you were on your way and began walking toward the café with a bounce in your step.
upon entering the café, you saw akira settled on one of the tables in the corner and immediately went over to greet him. he sees you and takes you in his arms, giving you a quick kiss before gesturing at you to take a seat.
"i've got a surprise for you." he slides your favorite drink over to you, and you took a sip while basking in the warm flavor of your favorite coffee.
"mhmm, go on."
"you know the planetarium exhibit that just opened recently? well, i got us some tickets for it." akira was brimming with excitement now, completely and utterly excited for your date.
"wha- no way! that's so amazing aki! i've been dying to see it, too!" you talk about the rest of your plans for the night before akira quickly ushers you out of the café, "come on, let's get ready together, and we can enjoy our date."
with one last kiss, you tell akira that you'd meet him in the next couple of hours before heading back into your dorm to get ready. deciding to take a quick shower, you do so and make sure to clean yourself thoroughly, wanting to feel refreshed during your date with akira.
when you were done with your shower, you kept the towel wrapped around your body as you rummaged through your drawers and closet for something cute to wear. your roommate heard you pacing back and forth in your room and decides to check on you.
she knocks on your wall, catching your attention while smiling at you. "hey there, what's gotten you so jittery?"
"akira just planned the cutest and most thoughtful date for us, and i'm having trouble deciding what to wear."
you listen as your roommate lets out a hum, looking through your closet before picking out a single article of clothing. one by one, she settles the pieces on your bed before gesturing her hand out, "there we go, i think if you go with this style, it would suit you extremely well."
she gives you a wink before heading out of your room, "have fun on your date, and you can thank me later!"
you look down at all the clothes your roommate had chosen for you, only to realize that she was right-
this style was perfect for your date tonight.
you would definitely need to find a way to thank her someday.
{ ... }
when it was time for your date with akira, you met him outside of the café while dressed in the outfit your roommate had picked out for you. he seemed stunned upon seeing you for a brief moment before snapping out of it. "you look ravishing, my love."
akira meets you halfway to press a kiss against your lips, earning the widest smile from you. you wrap your arms together with his, remaining close to him as you both made your way towards the planetarium.
the walk was uneventful, but calm, with a small crowd forming outside of the building. you stood in line with akira, remaining close by his side as you rested your head against his shoulders, ready to enjoy this night with your beloved by your side.
{ ... }
after exploring the planetarium exhibit, you were left in a dreamlike state, completely mesmerized by all the beauty the universe had to offer. it was incredible to be surrounded by a sea of stars, and you were so happy akira shared this experience with you.
before you left the exhibit, akira told you to wait for him and that he'll be back in a moment. you give him a nod while standing off to the side of the exit, not questioning where akira needed to go as you browsed through your phone to pass the time.
about ten minutes later, you saw akira approach you, and that's when you lifted you head while letting out a gasp.
settled within akira's arms was a grand bouquet of roses that held a plethora of colors as its petals. a wave of emotion goes through you upon seeing the bouquet of rainbow roses, the sight so lovely that your heart ached.
"a-akira..."
"happy white day, treasure. you've made me so happy on valentine's day that i knew i had to do something equally amazing, just to show you how much i love you."
you gasp upon hearing those three special words, hands shaking as you reached out to take the bouquet or roses from his grasps. with tears streaming down your face, you grip akira from the collar of his shirt, pulling him closer as you shared yet another kiss to celebrate this amazing night.
when the need for air proved to be too much for you, akira pulls away while gently caressing at your cheek. he places one final kiss against your forehead before taking a hold of your hand. "come on, let's enjoy our night together and have some dinner. i reserved a place and would really like to try it..."
you were so incredibly happy, hugging your bouquet or roses close to you while praying that this night would never end.
april
the semester seemed to take a turn for the worst as you began to feel even more stressed out than usual with your upcoming finals as you struggled to stay afloat while amidst all the assignments.
it felt as though you were drowning, becoming so overwhelmed with everything you had to do before your spring semester ended.
and this afternoon was no better for you.
as you tried to look through your notes while typing out your study guide for one of your classes, you felt a sharp pain at the front of your head. you could feel the pinpricks of a migraine beginning to form, and you were so tired and stressed- but you needed to get this done.
letting out a shaky sigh, your hands were poised against the keyboard of your laptop once more, ready to continue typing when a sudden presence standing in front of you stops you.
"akira? what are you doing here?"
he says nothing, simply closes your laptop shut as words or protests begin forming against your lips. before you could say a word, akira ends up taking you away from your laptop and textbooks, leading you back to your room and on top of your twin sized bed.
it was a tight fit, but akira manages to lay in bed with you, holding you against his chest while gently playing with the strands of your hair. "your roommate texted me, telling me how much you were practically killing yourself with your studying."
"ugh, she's being dramatic." you groan while burying your face within his chest. "i just... have so much to do and so little time. i can't afford to-"
"you need to rest, love." akira brushes his lips against your hair, "and i will not take no as an answer."
"but-"
akira then pulls away from you, placing his lips on yours, successfully silencing you with a kiss.
"no buts, either. this is the plan... you are going to take a much needed nap with me, and when we wake up, i'll order some takeout, then we'll study together, okay?"
"okay..." was your weak reply, letting out a yawn as you fell against him, allowing your heavy eyelids to finally close. with the exhaustion felt coursing through your veins, you shut your eyes and bask in akira's warmth, feeling all of your stress melting away whilst in his arms.
may
akira's birthday was coming up, and you wanted to surprise him with a scrapbook of some sort, one that contained all of his beloved memories.
akira had no idea what your plans were, and he was currently away from his dorm to work on a group project at the library. he trusts you enough to leave you alone in his room, and you were happy for that fact.
but you wanted to make something as a type of memento for him. you had already printed out most of the pictures you had saved on your phone, but wanted to include some pictures he had of him in his hometown, if at all possible.
as you were rummaging through his room, your eyes fell onto his desk as you opened a random drawer. in it, you were surprised to find what looked like a diary with a bunch of pictures and online articles settled beneath it.
you open the diary, but could not make sense of anything that was written due to the fact that it was entirely in japanese. with a shake of your head, you place the diary to the side and look through the stack of papers beneath it.
in it, you could see a few printed pages of what appears to be an online forum called the PHAN-SITE. you caught a few other english phrases here and there, but the vast majority of it was in japanese. fueled by curiosity now, you continue rummaging through before coming across a few pictures that depicted the same group of people.
upon seeing akira standing amidst what you assumed to be his friends, you pick up the picture to admire it. they seemed to be standing in the middle of the city, and a black cat was seen settled on akira's shoulders as they were all smiling at the camera.
keeping the picture to the side, you saw something else that catches your attention. it was another article that you couldn't make out and read, yet it was the grainy, black and white photo that caught your attention.
picking up the article to get a better glimpse of the man in the picture, you saw the familiar waves of messy, black hair with a bird-like domino mask that covered his eyes. your heart was racing as goosebumps were felt all across your skin.
your hands were shaking now as you trailed your eyes over to the bolded letters settled at the top of the page.
THE PHANTOM THIEVES OF HEART STRIKES AGAIN!
the headline was enough to make you feel a bit unsteady, landing on akira's bed as you stared blankly at the online article. you were well aware of this strange phenomenon, of corrupted adults in japan having their lives changed because of this strange group of thieves.
you always found it odd that this phenomenon only occurred in japan, and was even becoming excited at the thought of the phantom thieves coming here. they were all everyone was talking about, even yourself.
so, why did akira have so many articles pertaining to them? was he once an avid fan like you were?
or could he possibly be-
that was when an epiphany hits you, with you realizing that perhaps, akira was once part of the phantom thieves of heart. you did a double take and look back at the picture featured on the article, and it was no denying of the fact that this had to be akira back in his youth.
why else would he hold on to these articles?
"hey treasure, i'm home. sorry if i kept you...waiting?"
the moment akira sees you holding on to one of the articles pertaining to the phantom thieves, he takes quick strides and rips the page out of your hand, nearly giving you a paper cut in response.
akira does not meet your gaze, and you could feel the guilt coursing through your veins at upsetting him. "i-i'm sorry, i was just trying to find hints on what to get you for your birthday and i got... carried away."
your boyfriend appeared to be close to breaking down, unable to meet your gaze as he bites down on his bottom lip.
"i... i really was going to tell you... i didn't want you to find out like this."
you stand back to your full height while brushing back his strands of hair, revealing his grey eyes to you. "you can trust me; you can tell me anything, and i'll still love you."
akira clenches his eyes shut before bringing you into his arms. he crushes you against him before laying down in bed with you. it was then that he spent the next several hours telling you everything, how his unjust arrest lead him and his friends to start a revolution of sorts in order to change the corrupt world around them.
the moment akira finishes telling his story, you felt your heart grow, filled with an unconditional love for him. kissing his own forehead in response, you tell him how proud you are of him for remaining so strong and for fighting for what he believed in.
akira remains silent with tears running down his face, holding you close to him as he buries your face within the curve of your neck, finding comfort in your warmth and mere presence.
june
it was finally summer break and today was akira's birthday, the day you were looking forward to celebrating the most with your beloved boyfriend.
you decided to keep this day simple and sweet, with akira staying in the dorms for a few more months before he had to go back home.
you didn't want to think about his homecoming, knowing that you would be in tears the moment he had to leave.
so instead, you focused on making this the perfect day for akira, baking him a small cake mixed in with some sprinkles in the batter. because you wanted this to be a relaxing and intimate birthday, you already had plans to order his favorite food and have it delivered around dinnertime.
with his cake finished, you spent the day spoiling him, singing happy birthday to akira while watching him make a wish before blowing out the candles.
"so what did you wish for?" you ask him with a teasing smile on your face. akira responds with his signature laugh, bringing you closer to him as he presses a kiss against your lips.
"sorry treasure, that i cannot tell you, for if i told you, then it wouldn't come true."
you roll your eyes at him, but relent, giving the tip of his nose a kiss before spoiling him even more with cuddles.
when evening came, you and akira were in the middle of enjoying your dinner. you had given him his first gift earlier, another journal and a sleek looking watch that he was currently wearing. you hadn't given him your last gift yet, wanting to wait for the perfect moment to do so.
and now, you finally had the perfect chance to give him your last gift.
as akira places all the empty takeout cartons in the bin, you called out to him, holding the last present behind your back.
"aki, can you come here?"
"of course, love."
he wipes his hand on a towel, placing it to the side before stepping closer to you. "what is it?"
not daring to speak for fear of bursting into tears, you slowly reveal the last present to him. akira's eyes were wide and he tries to tell you, "babe, the journal and watch was more than enough-"
you shake your head, silently beckoning akira to take the final gift and open it. with a nod, he does so, accepting your final gift. as he carefully unwraps it, he unveils the scrapbook you had taken some time to make for him.
as if mesmerized by the captured memories, he sees on the very first page the group picture of he and his friends that you had seen within his desk. and as he flipped the pages, that's when he saw all of the pictures you had taken together with him ever since you first started dating.
while akira flips through the pages was when you finally gathered the courage to speak,
"i made you this album consisting off all the pictures we took together... it took some time to extract them from my phone and print, b-but i truly wanted to give you something in hopes that you won't... that you won't ever forget about me."
when akira looks away from the scrapbook, he meets your gaze, and you could see the unshed tears glimmering within his steel grey eyes. he says your name, filled with emotion as he hugs you closer to him. "i could never forget you. i thought i had already felt love before, but that... that feeling is nothing to how i feel for you now."
he sets the scrapbook off to the side, framing your face with his two hands as you both began to cry. not caring about the tears that streamed down both of your faces, akira begins to kiss you deeply, crushing your body to his while holding you so tightly.
"whatever the future brings, it doesn't matter to me. because deep down in my heart, i know that i'll only love you and you alone."
akira begins to smile through his tears, using the pad of his thumb to wipe away at the moisture that streams down your eyes. "i promise you, i promise you that i'll never forget you, and that i'll always come back to you- always."
july
there were tears streaming down your face when you realized that akira had to return back to japan soon.
even though akira did everything he could to distract you from the inevitable, you still harbored such deep feelings of hurt.
you spent every day together, never once growing tired of each other. akira still cherished your gifts for him, making new memories with you as he filled the pages of his journal with details about you.
and despite how happy you felt, spending so much time with akira-
you were also feeling so hurt and miserable as well.
it was one of those nights where you began to feel sad once more, crying in akira's arms as he gently comforted you throughout the night.
"ssh, it's going to be alright. we'll see each other again, and i promise i'll text you and call you every day."
"i k-know that, aki, it's j-just." you could feel the tears brimming against your eyes again, "i can't let you go."
that was the final straw as you cried again, clinging to akira as a defeated sigh escapes from his parted lips.
"i can't let you go, either, treasure. ever since i met you, i feel as though my life has become so much brighter."
he whispers your name, catching your attention when your eyes met with his. wanting to do all he could to make you happy, he leans in and kisses you, not stopping as he wraps his arms around you, becoming a tangle of limbs in response.
you spent the whole night kissing and cuddling, basking in his whispers as you talked yourself into believing his promises of forever-
that what you had with akira was real, and that he would always come back to you.
august
you had no idea how you functioned without akira.
he had gone home on the exact date he was meant to leave, before the new semester began, and you did not wish to spend these final few weeks of summer alone. so, you went back home while trying to pretend that akira's absence didn't absolutely devastate you.
you hated the thousands of miles that stood between you and akira, and despite everything, you were glad that akira kept his end of the promise. even though there was also a huge difference in timezones, you did your best to make things work.
he would send you pictures in the middle of the night, and you could see how bright everything looked back at his hometown. he seemed happy in those pictures, being back with family and friends, yet even you could tell that his smile never could quite reach his eyes, always remaining tiny with the same glimmer of sadness in his gaze.
today, you woke up feeling groggy and admittedly, a bit upset. you texted akira first thing in the morning-
and had yet to get a reply back.
now, normally, you were able to brush it off, thinking he was busy doing some things with his family or friends. when this happens, akira always made sure to text you back within the next few hours, telling you about his day as you both fell back into an easy conversation.
so you waited...
and waited...
and waited...
but there was still no reply from akira.
around dinner, once he finished eating, your father suddenly excused himself, telling you and your mother that he had a quick errand to run, and that he'll return in the next hour or so. you barely heard him, still picking at your scarcely eaten dinner. you weren't even aware of how your father had just left, making your mother worry a bit.
"sweetheart, is everything alright? you've barely eaten today, and it's so clear that something is upsetting you."
you trail your eyes towards your phone currently settled on the counter, still with no text from akira. "it's stupid, you probably might get mad at me for feeling upset."
"i won't get mad, honey. you can tell me what's bothering you."
you felt your mother reach out a hand to you, placing it on top of yours as you sighed and relented. "it's about akira. i texted him a few times, and he still hasn't replied to me. and i just- i'm worried that i may have done something to upset him."
your mother gives you a sympathetic expression, bringing you closer to her as she embraces you fully. "don't worry, my dear. i'm sure he'll get back to you soon. just think positive, okay?"
feeling pathetic, you refuse to allow the tears to fall as you angrily began to wipe the dampness away from your eyes. heeding her words, you follow her into the living room to take your mind off of your boyfriend, putting on a random show to pass time as you both waited for your father to come home.
roughly an hour later, you hear the sound of the door unlocking as your father enters your home with what looks like some luggage. you were frowning with confusion now, "dad, what's with the luggage? who's here?"
he merely smiles at you before gesturing outside. "it's your surprise, that's who's here."
you could feel the feelings of hope coursing through your veins, making you stand from your seat on the couch as you ran barefoot out into your driveway-
only to see akira standing there, smiling brightly at you.
letting out a sob of his name, you ran towards him and threw your arms around his neck, feeling the tears of joy streaming down your face as you embraced him tightly.
"y-you idiot! i was so worried about you..."
you listen to his soft laughter once more, feeling his lips press against your hair, "i'm sorry, i'm sorry, but i wanted to surprise you."
you pull away from him with a pout painted against your lips. "b-but, how? how are you here?"
akira continues to smile at you, leaning down to press a kiss against your lips before explaining, "i had your parents help me prepare for this surprise. despite how arduous the process was, i'm able to continue going to university with you."
"b-but-"
he cuts you off with another kiss, "no buts, and honestly, didn't i already tell you?"
akira basks in your presence, closing his eyes while keeping you in his arms, "i will always come back to you."
epilogue - present day
you were the first to awaken when you heard the sounds of your baby crying in the next room. filled with a panic only a mother would feel for her newborn child, you throw back your blankets and quickly rush towards her room.
you call out your daughter's name, only to see that her cries had become quieter the moment akira held her whilst rocking her back and forth. his tired grey eyes meets your gaze, and he manages to send you a tiny smile all while comforting your daughter.
the sight of akira pressing gentle kisses against his daughter's dark curls was enough to make your heart melt as you tiptoed into the room. you bask in the beauty of your husband and child cuddled together all while playfully frowning at the sight.
"i'm so jealous, our princess prefers you over me."
as if reacting to the sound of your voice, you watch as your daughter lets out a soft whine, her legs and tiny arms kicking as they desperately reached out to you. not wanting to upset her, you lean down to give her your finger, watching as she automatically relaxes within her father's embrace.
"don't be ridiculous, it's so obvious that she loves both of us equally."
akira lets out a soft chuckle, beckoning you to come closer to him. when you lean down is when akira gives you another kiss, making your heart flutter with excitement as you found yourself falling in love with him all over again.
after pulling away from akira, you both look down at your precious daughter, who was already asleep now that she was in the comfort and warmth of her father's arms, a sensation that you knew of all too well.
"akira kurusu, i am so happy to have met you all those years ago. you have been my soulmate from the start, and i will never take what we have for granted."
akira's eyes were seen becoming brighter, filled with a love and adoration that you were so used to seeing as he beckons you closer to kiss you once more.
"you took the words right out of my mouth, mrs. kurusu. you have given me the greatest treasure i could ever ask for, and for that, i am eternally yours."
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a.n. - it has been so long since i have written a story for akira, and i really wanted to try this new oneshot format with the best boy in the entire world. this story was truly a labor of love, taking me around 8 hours and 9k+ words to complete this entire story. please forgive me for any mistakes, as it is still unedited 🥹 and please, do enjoy the long read ❤️
all stories are written by rei; reposts, translations, and plagiarism are not allowed.
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hold-your-applause · 2 years
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Hi! I love your work, i was wondering if i could request a childhood friend! reader with akira from persona 5? they're visiting him in the city while he's on probation
Thank you for your patience, my love
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Spontaneous
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The man at the counter had told you it was alright to head up the stairs at the back of the café, but he didn't mention that there would be a group of people waiting for you when you got to the top of them.
The sudden silence had stopped you in your tracks. You weren't prepared for so many extra eyes to be on you, suddenly feeling like you had walked in on something much more intimate than you could probably imagine.
You had been in Shibuya for only an hour and you had already overstepped somehow.
You swallowed the lump in your throat, nobody else showing any intention of breaking the silence.
"Surprise..?"
All eyes were suddenly off you as they shifted to the person you came all this way to see in the first place. He was still staring at you, clearly still in shock at your sudden arrival in his room.
The cat sitting on the table meowed rather loudly, snapping your friend out of his stupor.
You couldn't hide your smile at the sound of your name slipping past his lips.
"Hi, Ren."
None of the other people in the room spoke a word as he rose from his seat, stepping away from it to approach you slowly.
"What are you doing in Shibuya?"
You only smiled wider.
"It's summer break! I thought I'd surprise you by coming in to visit you. I was thinking you might be feeling a bit homesick, so I wanted to check on you." You explained, watching him finally stop moving when he was standing right in front of you.
It had only been a few months, but you could have sworn he had grown taller since the last time you saw him.
The look on his face could only be explained as one of wonder, though you didn't know if that was a good thing or not.
It made you nervous, so you continued on.
"Besides, you haven't missed a single one of my birthdays, and I didn't think you'd want to start now." You said quietly.
You saw recognition cross his face, but it was gone just as quickly as it came.
You peeked around his frame to eye the group of teenagers watching the two of you. "But it seems like I'm interrupting something important, so I can just go back downstairs until you're finished here." You said, looking back up at him. "Unless you'd like to introduce me to everyone?"
His head whipped around to look at them for only a brief moment before he was looking at you again, suddenly grabbing your shoulders and turning you completely around to face the stairs.
"They're nobody."
"Huh?" You blinked, squeaking when he suddenly started pushing you towards the stairs. "Nobody? But--"
"That's right."
"They're in your room--"
"Lost tourists."
"Wh-- For real?!" You heard one of the boys shout from behind you. "Who's gonna believe--"
"Ren, stop pushing, I'm going to trip down the stairs!" You griped as he kept pushing you forward, doing your best not to slip as you grabbed hold of the railing. "What are you doing?"
"I'm going to show you around." He reached for his bag that was on the table by the stairs, quickly leading you downstairs.
You frowned. Why was he being so pushy about getting you away from his friends? Did he not want to see you as much as you wanted to see him? You had been inseparable since before either of you could walk. Why was he suddenly so eager to rush you away like this?
Were you... embarrassing him somehow?
"We're going to be out until closing."
You blinked, not realizing he had moved you halfway across the café floor by now.
"Just don't cause any trouble." The man from before replied, offering you a short wave before you were suddenly out the door, the bustling of the people walking down the street hitting your ears.
You frowned again as you watched him sling his bag over his shoulder. "Are you mad at me?" You asked him.
He shook his head, motioning in the direction he wanted you two to walk, and despite your sunken mood, you walked beside him. "No, of course not. Why would you think that?"
That couldn't be a serious question, could it?
"What was all that back there?" You crossed your arms, ignoring the yowling of the cat that had followed you both out of the café. "You had guests, Ren, I'm not stupid. Why didn't you want me to meet them?"
This was never something that had been an issue before.
He seemed less than concerned as you two continued your walk to, you assumed, the station. "It's not that I don't want you to meet them." He said.
"Then why were you in such a hurry to get me out of there?"
He looked at you as if the answer should have been obvious.
"Because you're here."
You shook your head, confused. "So?"
He reached over, draping his arm over your shoulder to pull you in close to his side as you both continued walking, his breath on your ear.
"So nothing else in the world matters."
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hello! can I get a sort of crossover headcanons? Can I get the obey me brothers reacting to an akira kurusu! mc. They have the same experience with the metaverse and still have arsenal and can probably use arsene in devildom. Id like to see the brothers reacting to weird sexual tension they have with akechi and why their human is so infatuated with another human (akechi) who tried to literally kill them (it's platonic with the brothers and ig a background akeshu but with the mc as the leader of the phantom thieves ig)
This was such an unexpected request but a fun idea. I'm doing headcanons for all the brothers and how they react to learning all of this so hopefully it fulfills your request? Please enjoy. Spoilers for persona 5 and Obey me, set after lesson 16
Lucifer
Out of everyone, is the most understanding about the whole thing though even he has his questions
When you first arrived in the Devildom he already knew that you were a strange human but even he wasn't ready for Arsene to come to your side when you felt threatened
At first he believes this might cause trouble but it won't take long for him to realize how helpful your personas can be
Still expects his brothers to keep you safe but now he's more willing to believe you can handle yourself
That thought is thrown to the side the moment you tell him all about Akechi and what happened him the metaverse
What do you mean he shot you?! What do you mean you miss him!
Will scold you for being so reckless with your own life but won't deny that he feels a sense of pride knowing you rebelled against the corrupt world
He will ask all he can about your team and adventures, he also wants to know about your relationship with Akechi and how it ended
Not the most helpful but certainly someone you can lean on when the pressure becomes too much
Mammon
Is the most concerned about learning everything and he really doesn't plan to keep his mouth shut about it
From the moment he's told to keep watch of you Mammon is freaked out about everything happening in your life
Arsène nearly fights him day one and from then on he decides that you clearly need help surviving in this world
Don't tell him about Akechi right away or he will threaten to keep you locked up in the devildom to avoid anything bad from happening again
Even hearing about what you did as a phantom thief is a lot, sure at first he's all over it, i mean you make so much money from it but then he thinks about just how often you could have died
The more he thinks the worse it gets
Honestly after a few very very long talks about it he's willing to take you on little trips to the human world so you can go to the metaverse together but he's going to be your guard dog
Will never be willing to let Akechi near you after he learns you like him but is pretty cool with the rest of the thieves
All in all not bad but very worried if he's not around you
Leviathan
Honestly thinks its cool, worrying yes, but very cool in some ways funny in others
Everything you tell him sounds like something right from one of his animes and he NEEDS to know more
How did a lame human like you get to do all that awesome stuff, what do you mean you faked your own death? AND plan to fight the government? He wants in but not really
Gives you really good advice when it comes to planning actually, this man is the Grand Admiral after all
Will not help you at all with romance and is in fact very jealous that someone who wants you dead is more important than him but he's not gonna say that
Freaks out just a little (a lot) when he learns about everything you've already done and had to go through but is weirdly supportive
Finds animes that make him think of you so now you both have to watch them as a treat.
Overall is pretty okay with the whole thing and great to go to for planning
Satan
Pretty annoyed at first but thats too be expected getting to know you though he becomes fascinated in the life you've lived
It feels nearly impossible when he first learns the truth but seeing first hand proof really gets him on board
He's going to try and use your persona's for the anti Lucifer club so be ready for that
Hate the very idea of Akechi and will sold you for falling for someone like that, he's also somewhat (way too) worried about the types of people you make friends with
How are you not dead?? A valid question he regularly asks yet never gets a real answer for
Is brutally honest about everything, he pulls no punches and you will know how he feels when it comes to the life you've lives, truly a blessing and curse
Not very helpful but still reliable it's not like he wants you dead or anything so if his advice can keep you around then you have it
Asmodeus
Is the best person to go to about all of this. He wants to hear all the juicy gossip and can give you some advice on getting peoples trust
Tell him all the little details, come to him for help with your confidants Asmodeus is greatest for all things people
Sure most of it is subterfuge but it works out for everyone
He feels genuine sadness for you when he learns about the hardship you and your friends have been through and he really wants you to make up with Akechi
All of the brothers know what it's like to live in a world where people look down on you but Asmo is the most open about it, he understands
Just a good vibe, he's still gonna flirt and joke around but you have his support and backing whenever you need
Playing dress up with the persona's and you, whenever and wherever some of them are just so pretty
does find it a little funny that you just talk around with a bunch of illegal things to sell at some random pawnshop and will never stop mocking you
Beelzebub
Worries a good amount after learning about your life, humans aren't meant to do things like that, what if you get hurt?
He wishes you didn't have to go through such things but he's still going to root you on
Take you out to eat often, if you're doing all that fighting you need to keep your energy up
Will work out with you all the time, keeping you ready for any fight that's bound to pop up in the devildom
Very reassuring in his own way, he gets that life is stressful and you do so much yet get almost nothing return, he wants to change that
Learning about Akechi is a bad time for Beel
He's just sooo worried about you and what happened, really doesn't think it's a good idea to be involved with someone like that
Beel just wants to see you happy and safe, you're practically part of the family and one of his closest friends, if you ever need help you can lean on him
Belphegor 
Gets a really good laugh out it, he's so judgemental about your choices but in a more joking way once you get to know him
He's kind of impressed that you made it this far, after all you fell for his trap yet managed to topple people who have been hiding their crimes for years?
Also wants to use you and your skills against Lucifer and will plan for hours on how to get you to join
Not really interested in your friends but if you start talking about them he listens attentively
Starts to worry when you tell him about the cop and Akechi though he's so down for you just fighting the government more or less
Reminds you to take breaks and no overwork yourself, it's easy to pull yourself too thin between this school and life plus everything with mementos
The moment he learns about what Akechi did he feels a little awful, it's not that different from his own plan and tactics he can't imagine how much it affected you
Honestly these things help him get closer to you, a way for you both to lean on each other and make up for the past
Hello, Hello! It's late I know but thank you to everyone who's waited and been patient with me. It really does mean the world. This fic wasn't fully what I'd been hoping for but I don't mind it. I hope that you like that and thank you so much for requesting it. I have one Bleach request and then my inbox is clear so if you want something feel free to ask. Also! I started physical therapy, I mentioned that I had been in an accident and now I've been getting help for it! I'll be taking care of myself and my family and I hope you all do the same. Stay safe everyone~ Lilly P.S It's my birthday today! I'm now 20 so that's cool
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mirai-e-jump · 3 months
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Hero Vision Vol.1 (2000/Winter) Changerion Reunion Interviews ft. Takashi Hagino & Aizawa Kazunari (translations below)
Publication: December 31, 2000
Takashi Hagino & Aizawa Kazunari: After 4 years, a date in Harajuku
Hey you two, how are you doing these days? It's been 4 years since the end of the broadcast. You two had a fateful encounter in "Choukou Senshi Changerion," an unusual heroic show that still remains popular to this day. We asked Takashi Hagino and Kazunari Aizawa, who say they still get along well with each other, about their memories of those days, and what their future plans are.
Main Interview Section
"I'm going to say it now. I mean it, I'm really going to say it right now! Changerion was really entertaining! It was truly a masterpiece! Suzumura Akira, a happy go lucky, good natured, 182cm tall, cat eyed, beautiful private investigator, and his partner, Hayami Katsuhiko, a 183cm tall, hot blooded and direct individual with a handsome face, are both on the side of justice. Kuroiwa Shogo, the Dark Knight, is an elite who's handsome, also quite tall I guess, and is running for governor of Tokyo in order to seize control of the city. A slapstick comedy and super cool tokusatsu hero show, with a mixture of fiction and reality, something like this most definitely existed in 1996 Tokyo. On the day of this interview, I was so excited to hear their voices saying, "Good morning~!" The appearance of those two standing there looked really really cool! And so begins the converstions full of laughter between Takashi Hagino, who plays the main character Suzumura Akira, and Aizawa Kazunari, who plays his partner Hayami Katsuhiko."
-Casting!! Secret Stories?-
Hagino: At that time, the role was the same as it always was, wasn't it? I went to a party at some production company, and someone was like, "Ah, you there," and told to come in for an audition. When I went to it, Shirakura-san, the producer, and Nagaishi-san, the main director, were smiling ear to ear once they saw me. I remember thinking, "What, why are you smiling like that?" I was 22 at the time of my debut, so it was about 5-6 years after I dropped out of high school. Before that, the movies that came out around that time made me think that acting was really interesting.
"You've also appeared in a V-Cinema that contains slightly adult content."
Hagino: It's bad. Please don't watch it (laughs). Watch something else where I look cool.
Kazunari: For me, I had just started acting, and my manager took me to Toei's head office to introduce myself. I announced that I was new and would be in their care, and then a strange old man came up to me and said, "Are you the one?" (everyone laughs).
Hagino: Wait! Was he trying to flirt with you?!
Kazunari: Uh, no, you see, my shoelaces became untied in the hallway, so I had to sit on the floor to retie them. He came up to me and said, "What's wrong?" I said, "Ah, no, I'm an actor," and he said, "Come with me then!" Things got carried away, and before I knew it, I went in for an audition.
Hagino: So, who was that guy?
Kazunari: He was……a really good guy to say the least, I actually don't remember his name.
Hagino: You're terrible! (laughs).
Kazunari: No, no. Look, it's because, it's just…anyway, so, at first, I was reading the script without knowing which one of us would play the role. Then, when it was down to just a few people, they asked me, "Which role do you want to play?" I was like, "Well, Hayami, I guess." I wondered if this was it, and then I passed, I passed……huh.
Hagino: Can we get some more joy here?
Kazunari: Well, it's because I really didn't understand. I didn't really feel it when I was suddenly told that I got the job. What's more, I still had no idea how hard it was going to be. No, rather, you really don't know what's going to happen in this world.
"Thank goodness for untied shoelaces and nice people"
-I'm not awkward!-
Hagino: I was asked to read my lines in front of everyone. Naturally, the producer told me that in the future, he would never have me read my lines at the audition for a leading role ever again (everyone laughs). No, I thought it went really well, and while I was a favorite to play this role, somehow I was also the worst. One of the more important people there looked as if he was going "?" all while tilting his head. He looked really nervous. He said, "From now on, when we present leading role auditions to the higherups, we won't make them read lines." He also said, "If you go with this guy, then shut him up and pick him already."
"It's true, Akira's acting wasn't very good, and I felt so embarrassed watching that I wasn't even able to finish the first episode. But, I could never think of anyone else playing Suzumura Akira but Takashi Hagino, and I still think that way after seeing him again after four years."
Hagino: But, back then, I definitely had some momentum. I was always told "You're a perfect fit for the role of Akira!," and a part of me got carried away over it, it felt like my nose was growing just like Pinocchio, except this nose is of brilliant glass. If Pinocchio's nose was made of glass, it would be really beautiful and sparkling.
"He smiles cheerfully and says that such things give him "the power" to play a role."
Hagino: But, you know, it's going to break someday. When that happens, only then will you understand.
"Afterall, Akira, aren't you suppost to be an adult?"
-First Impressions-
Hagino: We first met in an elevator, right?
Kazunari: Yeah, it was in an elevator. When I was on my way to the audition area.
Hagino: I said, "Huh? What's with the long hair?"
Kazunari: Yeah, it was really long.
Hagino: Incredibly long, it was tied in a single knot, along with wearing black jeans and a black shirt. I noticed him and asked, "What floor?" He said, "8th floor, hurry it up."
Kazunari: You liar! No, I politely said, "I'm going to the 8th floor, please."
Hagino: Well, I don't know, I guess that's just how bad my impression of you was (laughs).
Kazunari: Somehow, I never thought that the two of us would be working together.
Hagino: Yeah, I had costume fitting, and they told me that my partner was coming, and then the absolute worst guy came walking in.
Kazunari: Hey now (laughs).
Hagino: Because we seemed so similar in type, I thought there was no way the two of us would be together. Then he came in. And, as you can see, he's handsome, incredibly so. And…uwah. He stands out just by standing still. I really have to do my best here. Even still, I feel good with this guy. I can't imagine anyone else, as I'm already spoiled being stuck with him.
"Oh? Hayami is smiling shyly as he listens."
-Dramatic Drunks-
Hagino: When we drink together, we end up staying up until morning, right?
Kazunari: Yeah, when I see him, all he does is drink.
Hagino: When drunk, this guy tries jumping backwards. He gets really mad. When he stomps, it makes a nice sound.
Kazunari: I see… (pretending not to know)
Hagino: I end up joining him (grinning)
Kazunari: It seems I do alot of unacceptable things.
Hagino: Not really. He says that like I'm trying to wring it out of him. Well, guess I'll just go home then… (walks straight past him)
Kazunari: I do drink abit too much.
Hagino: I feel like a fighter when it comes to alcohol. I'm trying not to lose my memory here.
Kazunari: This guy makes people drink all the time. He'll ask, "Want some sake?" It seems I don't drink for myself, rather, I only drink due to the influence of other people. (to Hagino) Hey, you, you're the reason I always end up getting drunk.
"As usual, they are the best of friends."
-Acting, Theatre and Films-
Kazunari: Basically, about halfway through Changerion's filming, my impression of him was, "Ah, this guy, he's actually really serious.
"Oh? Somehow, Akira looks very happy."
Hagino: That's because, you know, it took me a long time to properly get into the role.
Kazunari: In our current ranks, we don't get into such big roles on TV or movies. I often get a role at the last minute, and have to act on the spot, so I think that because I can practice for a month on stage, movies really require alot of power in comparison.
Hagino: It's definitely different from Changerion, where we could say, "Let's take our time and work on it." I won't be able to make it if I try to wing it. But, if you ask me if I can act in the moment, I can't play the role of a big shot, because I think it wouldn't come off as authentic, but it'll be the best I can do, so it's important to know how much you can work with in such a short period of time.
Kazunari: I think about it alot. When I get a role, I'll think about it for a long time, doing research by watching similar movies, reading books, and so on, then, build up an image. Finally, once on set, adjust it as I see fit.
Hagino: My perception of acting has changed. I'll still watch the videos, and think, "Wow, I really did it~." But, there are also scenes where I'll say, "Oh, I don't think I can do this now." There are so many scenes like that. Although, it's a great opportunity to get into the swing of things, because you end up transforming yourself. The more I got into the rhythm, my surroundings were also in rhythm, so I was able to stay on track. Changerion was a a unique experience, and I don't think I could have done it alone.
Kazunari: The final broadcast was on Christmas, right?
Hagino: For some reason, I don't want to talk about the final episode. It went something like, I drank alot before the shoot and just had alot of fun, since we basically had a day off…
"Does this mean you were having a rough time before the end of the broadcast?"
Hagino: No, no, that's not it. We had about four days off before we started shooting, and I'd never had such a holiday weekend before, so I got alittle too relaxed.
"Does that mean things ended on good terms?"
Hagino: Yeah ❤️, that's how it felt. That's why I don't want to remember.
Kazunari: Like-I-was-say-ing, you…
Hagino: No, no! For me it may be just a past memory, but it's an important one.
Kazunari: Yeah, it was alot of fun.
"Never ending stories and overflowing emotions. I was happy to meet them. Changerion, beyond time…and for all eternity."
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evanwritesgames · 18 days
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RIP Akira Toriyama
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Chrono Trigger, Dragonball, and Dragon Quest all had an indelible effect on me growing up. Each had a role shaping my tastes since all three were both for kids yet more than "just for kids". Toriyama was one of the Japanese creators who seemed somehow permanent, an institution unto himself. Like Yoshitaka Amano or Hayao Miyazaki, who thankfully lives on, I don't think anime or games would be the same without Toriyama's immense influence and specific, idiosyncratic art style that had no problem running off in its own direction even as Japanese commercial art in games, manga, and anime became very homogenized and over-saturated. Which only makes Toriyama's uniqueness and contribution stand out that much more.
The art I'm posting is a few years old now but it's one of my favorite of my own pieces and is my personal tribute to the man, his art style, and his role in creating my all-time favorite video game.
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yakuzacanons · 4 months
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Hiiiii!! Could I possibly ask for the boys reaction to their S/O being pregnant (if you're comfortable with that)? Your writing is so good aaahhh fuelling my Ryuji brainrot
CRACKS KNUCKLES yes I'm down for some sweet adorable fluff. Also Ryuji brainrot never ends, does it lol. Sorry for the delays, this one took a while. Enjoy!
Kazuma Kiryu
Has the calmest reaction of all the boys. Is quite happy to be having a child of his own. Pretty prepared for what's to come and generally remains calm throughout. Is noticeably more gentle when hugging you.
Majima Goro
His initial reaction: "I'm gonna have a kid?!". His reaction following that: "I'm gonna have a kid!! Hell yea!". Nervous as hell, maybe more so than you, but also just as excited. He's gonna go tell Saejima right away too.
Saejima Taiga
A mix between Kiryu and Majima's reactions. He's happy, frankly overjoyed, at the prospect of a family but he is worried. He hopes he can be a good father and a good partner to you in the process.
Akiyama Shun
Honestly, he's kind of like "Well... that was going to happen at some point". He's not against the idea of kids so don't take it personally if his reaction is kind of middling. It's honestly just something he expected to happen eventually with a long term partner. Takes it entirely in stride but is nervous deep down.
Tanimura Masayoshi
Surprised but isn't shell shocked. If anything, his reaction is to start getting serious about his work and finances. He'll start caring more about his health too and say stuff like "I gotta do better if I wanna be a good dad!". His dedication is admirable.
Ryuji Goda
Probably has the loudest reaction of all the boys. He is EXCITED. Ryuji doesn't seem like a family guy but the thought of having a little kid running around just gets him happy, he can't explain it. Maybe it's just because he loves you so much. Hope you're ready for an Omi celebration too.
Nishikiyama Akira
Openly nervous about it. He is excited by the prospect of having a family but he has a lot of worries as to whether or not he should. A lot of it has weird ties to his own childhood and Kazama. He'd never fault you for it as he knows this is something he has to deal with but you'll catch him mulling over it now and then.
Daigo Dojima
Overjoyed. There's no other word for it. Out of all the boys, Daigo is the one that's always actually wanted a family ever since he took over the Tojo Clan. Unlike Ryuji, he'd keep the celebrations private with you as he sees this time as deeply intimate for the both of you.
Mine Yoshitaka
Calm on the outside, panicking on the inside. Mine honestly never had expectations for romance let alone having a family but now that both are happening, it's one of the few times he's genuinely had no idea what to do. He'll compose himself pretty quickly though. Would help you design one fabulous nursery for the baby.
Tatsuo Shinada
Kind of freaking out about it. How's he going to support a family? How does one even have a family? How are babies made? The man's brain is emptying as we speak. Once the shock subsides, he's happy though. Shinada thinks babies are adorable, even if he has no idea how to change a diaper or anything.
Ichiban Kasuga
Similar reaction to Ryuji. He's kind of like "Hell yea, I'm going to be a dad!". Doesn't know what he's doing but also doesn't care. He's just excited to be on this journey with you. He'll be the most doting partner during your pregnancy.
Tianyou Zhao
Despite his laid back attitude, he reacts super sweetly to the news. He'll just hug you and smile. Words couldn't really express how he feels. Would cook you anything you crave during your pregnancy.
Joon-Gi Han
You'd think he might react badly but he's actually kind of relieved to hear he'll have a proper family. He's been on his own for so long that the idea of familial bliss felt like a fantasy. Out of all the boys, he'll be the first to start suggesting baby names.
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hello! i hope you had a great day and ur well :3
if you write for haikyuu, could you please do some headcanons about being inarizaki and/or seijoh's manager (2nd year) and having a singing, songwriting hobby on the side snd how the boys would be when it comes to their manager who really wants to be a singer! and if you could use taylor swift songs like cardigan or the lakes that would be so nice :)) thank you again!!
Bro I had to look up those songs in the first place cuz I don't really listen to Taylor swift but damn these two songs gave me the chills. Are you okay btw?
Anyways, sorry for posting it now, had some stuff to do sweetie, but thanks for the task! I learned a lot about these two teams!!
"Our hot manager can sing!"
---
Summary: In which the Inarizaki and Seijoh boyzz have a female manager in her 2nd year who loves to sing.
Seijoh:
To say that the boys were amazed or surprised by your voice was an understatement.
Of course, the captain, Oikawa, always complimented you by your singing and even tried to sing with you a few times but got hit in the head multiple times by Iwaizumi with a volleyball and you felt bad for him
but Oikawa was shit at singing soooooo...
Also, your voice, whether you sung cardigan by Taylor Swift or any other song, it calmed the team down and motivated them to keep going with volleyball or...well, whatever they were going to do
Matsukawa, Hanamaki and Yahaba are always trying to get your attention, wanting you to sing random songs with them to which you happily accept
I mean, yeah, you get shy, but you are actually an extroverted person
you like to make rhymes while explaining something to the boys and Kindaichi -our precious union head- sometimes even beatboxes (idk he seems like to type to be able to do beatboxing i mean cmon look at his timeskip)
it turns into a rapping session
the players then dance and sing along, already having your words in their minds
Poor Akira has to listen to all those "Yeah!"s and "Uh huh!!!"s everytime he visits and he almost wants to skip again but then you sing some praise about him making a good and strategic hit
The lazy boy suddenly wants you to sing for him and him only
Kyōtani Kentarō is glaring at you guys, secretely wanting to sing along too but he thinks his voice may be too loud or he might come off as more aggressive until you one day scream out from the top of your longs to some heavy metal song, the other players nodding their heads violently at your cries
mad dog chimes in and bam, here you have a rockband already
Meanwhile, Yuda is vibing next to you as you sing one of Taylor Swift's songs yet again and even points it out, slightly teasing you
"What can I say? I just really like her voice and her songs help me when I'm feeling down..."
That freckled babyboy is trying to lift your spirits like he tried with his team when they all lost against Karasuno
you feel better
"Thanks Kaneo :)"
Babyboy is happy
Heisuke and Motomu are always clapping after your singing ends, thanking you for blessing their ears
Overall the whole team is so happy that they have a manager, who A) is a WOMAN, B) is NICE and C) even SINGS for them
In all of their matches, even against Karasuno, they showed you off, all chanting:
"LOOK, THIS IS OUR HOT MANAGER, AND SHE CAN SING! SUCKS FOR YOU AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!"
You are growing annoyed whenever they do this and Iwaizumi has to scream from the top of his lungs to make the simps stop
My man is being respectful here
but he'd like to rub it in the other people's face as well
All in all, the boys are happy that you chose to be their manager
they are happy that you make songs for them to remember things more easily
they all want you to write your own songs and become a star and stuff like that cuz they think your voice is beautiful :D
And you want to be one as well and while you're working on a song then or resinging some songs which are mostly form your favourite singer, you're surprised to see already thousands of people liking your posts
this encourages you to keep doing what you love to do and the boys also cheer you on and make you go viral- mostly Oikawa- by posting your songs on their accounts as well
What can I say? You're a hot, he's hot, he also likes scandal's and the thought of his fans thinking you'd be his girlfriend-
Matsukawa and Oikawa tease you for asking you to give them autographs while fake crying and telling you to not forget about them
the others are just happy that you are being recignized for your pretty voice- as you should!
Inarizaki:
When you first started singing to yourself, the boys were bamboozled
where does this voice come from?
why is it so soothing?
Wait...
Is that...our manager???
you were mostly singing to yourself after practise ended, already pushing everybody out so that you could sing to yourself
you actually didn't wanna be so mean but you just loved the acoustic of the hall
The first one to notice is Kita, that obervant pretty boy
He just rounds the corner towards the sports hall one day and sees you singing a song he recognized but couldn't quite decipher
should he just come in? If not, he'd be wasting warm-up training...
so he knocks politely before asking to come in
he honestly had no idea what to do actually so he knocked
another respectful man
Kita gets a lil sad when you stop singing
you bashfully give him permission to come in and he's all happy again but of course he doesn't really show it
anyways
The twins come plus suna
greeting you with blushy faces as usual only to be scolded by Kita for coming five mins late
then the rest comes and they get an earful too
the training goes on like usual
Everybody's doing their best
(to impress you)
Aran (Alan??) is asking you for advice on how he can improve himself as an ace and you recommend him a few exercises
you also calm him down when he gets too fired up and accidently hits atsumu (intentionally)
Happy Alan noises
Riseki is constantly overthinking things and so you make him a rhyme he can remember thinking of and he is feeling better
The guys find it funny and sweet of you (Riseki thanks you with a bashful smile while averting his eyes and blushing a little) and Atsumu is the first one to ask you for a little comfort rhyme for getting hit by Aran with the volleyball
Alan still hasn't apologized
Anyways
Michinari is training as well but also likes to observe his teammates like Kita and has cheered when Aran hit Atsumu with a volleyball, you gave the future PE teacher a mean glare
Now you are telling him to throw the ball in the air and hit the ground with it after as a form of punishment
Cat eyes was not really happy with that but quickly got back to his cheery self
Kosaku is doing the same, but with much more vigor because of his competitive nature and you chant his name like a cheerleader
"Go Yuto go, go go go!", you exclaim while clapping your hands
mans getting aggressive over here, heart pounding and face heating up
Atsumu and Ginjima want you to chant their name as well, so Atsumu uses the second year's naiveness to his advantage, with Kita already sensing their bullshit
"no you won't", the observer says
Atsumu feigns being shocked and not knowing what the white haired guys says
Omimi observes the boys as well and then asks you for advice on how to better himself, to which you happily help him
when everyone is occupied with training, you siftly sing 'the lakes' by Taylor swift again, not noticing how after a while, one after the other stops training to hear your voice and well
they now know why you always usher them out
the hall echoes your voice wonderfully
When you're done, the whole team claps and cheers
Atsumu is asking you to sing a song for him
so are the others
Kita is looking at you with fondness because he finally got to hear your beautiful voice up close
Osamu has fallen in love with your voice, looking at you with big doe eyes and a slowly spreading blush and mouth slightly open as he still claps dryly in a daze
Aran and the others compliment your singing with great happiness to which you accept embarrassed
how could you forget that you were in a hall full of boys Y/n??
The second years want you to post your singing on social media
you decline, feeling down
"Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!?!??!"
"...i tried, guys..."
"Let us do the social media part, you just sing, okay?", Atsumu says, and you hesitantly agree to his antics
when your singing got recorded where you sang 'the lakes', and it ended, the twins uploaded it right away
you go viral over night
Atsumu must've done something with the title because there didn't stand 'girl sings 'the lakes' by Taylor Swift', but "OUR HOT MANAGER SINGS ONE OF TAYLOR SWIFTS SONGS AND YOU ARE MISSING OUT FOR LIFE IF YOU DON'T CLICK ON IT!!!"
you are freaking out
cuz like
why are you hot??? is Atsumu discreetly flirting with you?
Atsumu gets an earful of you
Kita is scolding him as well but he added your video to his playlist
so had the rest of the team
but nobody will openly confess that to you
you are their hot manager after all
and all in all
you are being recognized everywhere
you love the attention, but the boyz are jealous
like, stop stealing our woman bitch tf 🤨🤨🤨
anyways, you're happy that your video got viral and you later on apologize for being angry at the blonde twin to which he tries to ask you out on a date as an offering to make things up
but not on the teams watch
like cmon Atsumu did you really think we'd let you ask Y/n out on a date?
Nah stop joking
The team is overall very happy that you are singing for them and even accepting some of their songs to sing for them
---
Okayyyyy and that's it! Sorry I had no idea on how to keep going, but I hope it was all right :)
I am still open for requests my loves!
Read you in the next post!
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animehouse-moe · 4 months
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Women In Anime
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I came across this tweet a few days back, and did give it a response on Twitter back then, but I keep thinking about it, so I wanted to bring a longer discussion here.
I think hating that anime ends up a male dominated industry is totally fair, I think that hating that men end up bringing a lot of negative stereotypes and tropes and whatnot is valid.
There's a mountain of problems with men in the industry, and just the industry in general. But there's also a problem with the awareness of the NA community. Scrolling about the quote tweets and replies, it's probably one in ten responses at best, that show an opening that's actually from a woman.
Hate like this ends up performative, and targeted at the most negative aspects, rather than being used as a tool to shine a light on the people that deserve it. Directionless and generalized points like this do nothing, and in the end can actually take away from uplifting the voices and talents that they should be.
So, I wanted to bring a list of ten women in anime that have worked on openings over the years.
Karneval OP - Satou Akira
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Openings that really cut deep into the core of a series can be a little hard to come by sometimes. I think a lot of openings get suckered into "looking cool" and tend to neglect their creative ability to depict something deeper within. Satou Akira falls into no such trap with Karneval, providing an incredibly strong opening that consistently relays several themes to the viewers through its visuals of things like, well, carnivals, for one. Also included is clock faces, butterflies, gears, and a few other pieces. It's really great work, so it's a shame that they haven't returned to the role since then.
They have, however, been in some pretty impressive roles elsewhere. For example, their biggest role was boarding for the second Fate/Grand Order Camelot movie. Important to note that it's the second movie, and not the first, as the second movie is considerably better.
Akira is still only reaching the tip of the iceberg though, as they recently were the lead director on Ao Ashi, and are being tapped for the Kinnukuman anime in 2024. They certainly have a good relationship with Production I.G, so I'm really hopeful to continue to see them on future projects with the studio.
Skip and Loafer OP - Deai Kotomi
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Yeah, it hurts my soul to have different embeds, but I've had to source some of these OPs as they don't exist on YouTube.
Anyways, Deai Kotomi definitely had her limelight moment this year with Skip and Loafer and it's very fun and energetic opening. It's a great reflection of the characters and story, which really highlights Kotomi's understanding and ability to work with the content of the series. She did an absolutely wonderful job leading the production of Skip and Loafer, but I think a lot of people don't know about her history and connection. I mean, the reason she's following up Akira and Karneval is because Kotomi actually did the ending for Karneval! Really cool little piece to learn.
Make no mistake though, this isn't Kotomi's first rodeo, it's just the one she's most known for. But man, does she have a good history. Starting off with assistant direction credits for Kids on the Slope and the first season of Silver Spoon, she then moves on to helm the follow up season of Silver Spoon, and take over for Natsume's Book of Friends.
Though with the new season of Natsume's Book of Friends I'm a little sad to see Kotomi relieved of the role as the Chief Director for the series, Hideki Itou, steps into the role. Still have high hopes, but was looking forward to more Kotomi. Just means I need to wait and see where she ends up next, and I highly doubt it'll take too long for her to appear once more.
Sk8 The Infinity OP - Hiroko Utsumi
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Speaking of people that I can't wait to see more of Hiroko Utsumi. I'm sure everyone that's seen it is a fan of Sk8 The Infinity and its opening, and there's not really a better person to handle the opening that Utsumi herself. After all, she's the original creator for the series.
But let's rewind a little before I get ahead of myself. Utsumi has probably one of the most prestigious careers on this list. Utsumi originally started with KyoAni, working her way up from second key animation to first key animation, to episode direction and storyboarding, finally making their directorial debut with Free! back in 2013, quickly following it up with the sequel.
Interestingly enough though, Utsumi then goes silent for 2 years before re-appearing outside of KyoAni, doing some storyboarding work with Bones and Mappa, leading into the next crazy piece of her story: the lead director of Banana Fish. Then of course it's to Sk8 The Infinity, and now she has Bucchigiri?! on the horizon, as well as a continuation of Sk8 The Infinity.
Talk about a career with no misses. Even better is that with her new works, we'll almost certainly be getting more of her expert openings, as with every series she's directed, she's also done the openings. So really, lots and lots to look forward to with Utsumi.
Arakawa Under The Bridge OP - Yamamoto Sayo
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I know, not the opening that most would pick, but I wanted to be ✨Different✨. Everybody surely knows Yamamoto Sayo from Yuuri!! on Ice, but I just wanted to show off a bit more of a her range with an opening like this one. Clearly, she's a very talented woman, and the industry recognizes that with her work as she's done quite a few openings, especially with Mappa as of late.
These are all of her openings (and some endings), in order of appearance: Rozen Maiden Traumend, Michiko and Hacchin, Arakawa Under The Bridge S1 & S2, Hanamaru Kindergarten (ED), Attack on Titan S1 (ED), Space Dandy S1 (ED), Yuri On Ice, Kakegurui, and Rage of Bahamut: Virgin Soul.
Quite the list, to be sure. I just wish they did more direction work, as they've been stuck at Mappa for the Yuuri!! on Ice movie. Hopefully that'll come out some day and Sayo will be free of that hell, but all we can do is sit and wait.
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War - Ultra Romantic OP - Eiko Hirayama
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I mean, it's Kaguya-Sama, do I really need to say more? Great effort, and great direction from Hirayama here to really cap off the best season of the series. But did you know that she also did the work for the first opening of Love is War?
Hirayama is probably the most curious staff member on this list though. They do have a good few credits for various openings, but by and large they're all special or visual effects credits. For example, they most recently did the visual effects in the opening for the Nier anime, and they also did the same for 2 of the Vivy openings.
I think it's really interesting to see someone like Hirayama step out of their comfort zone to do something like an opening, because you can absolutely feel their experience shape the opening.
Here, let me add a little breakdown of the opening for Kaguya S3. If you pay close attention to the opening, you'll realize that there's not a crazy amount of animation. Rather, there's a lot of camera and 3 dimensional movement, and a lot of interesting composition. I mean, just look at the sequence of Kaguya running, it's a compositor's dream as they shift through all sorts of different visuals and styles.
And I just think that's really cool. Sure, Hirayama isn't a thoroughbred director like the others on this list, but I think their storied experience with composition gives them an angle in this opening that a lot of others just wouldn't find.
Heike Monogatari OP - Naoko Yamada
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Naoko, alongside her work with Heike Monogatari, will always have a special place in my heart. Much like Utsumi, Naoko started her career with KyoAni. However, she was a part of the studio for longer, and because of that, was present during the arson attack on the studio in 2019.
This opening, and really the entirety of this story, hits really close to home with its ideas of the loss of family and suffering through a cycle of violence, and she does a beautiful job of juxtaposing that idea against the pieces that Biwa fondly remembers of those around her. It's very, very strong work from Naoko that feels almost like a rebirth as her first major work following the arson attack.
Regardless of what she went through at the end, her time with KyoAni was incredibly impressive. I'm not sure how many will know her name from it, but she was the director behind the incredible success of K-On!. Similarly, she also worked on Tamako Market and the follow up movie. She's an incredibly talented woman, and has continually put her best foot forward with everything she's done, so I'm really hopeful to see her continue that hot streak with wherever she goes next.
Naruto Shippuden OP20 - Chiaki Kon
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Had to bring a bit more of a classic pick out, no? Chiaki Kon is certainly not a staff member that tends to really be seen as someone popular, if that makes sense. They're rather light in terms of individual expression, so having a stronger opening like this that hones in on individual character arcs while relating them to larger interactions within the world is really great to see.
Though that's not to say that Chiaki tends to get lost as a staff member, but that I think her work is very subtle. For example, she directed the recent (and popular) Sacrificial Princess anime, which is one of J.C Staff's top 3 anime in the last 5 years. It undoubtedly has Chiaki to thank for a lot of that, where she's kept a reasonable distance on the project while still providing a lot of her overarching vision to it.
But man, has she been active lately. While she does do lead direction, she's insanely present as an episode director and storyboarder, getting anywere from 6 to even 12 or more episodes boarded and/or directed in a year. Odds are if you watch any amount of anime, you've seen an episode done by Chiaki Kon.
Given OP - Hikaru Yamaguchi
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Maybe a bit of an odd choice, but I feel like that makes it all the better to give them some spotlight. Not everyone is going to be a "knock it out of the park anime rockstar", and that's perfectly fine. Though I might still argue that Yamaguchi fits that bill. It's just that they're not as productive as others on this list.
After all, they did the OP for Given and directed the series (as well as the movie), and it's a very good show. It's interesting though how long it took her to get another lead direction role. There was 3 years between the Given movie, and the Osomatusu-San movie that she directed in 2023. And you might be thinking, "well hey, what about smaller roles to fill the gap?". Nope, not really any of that.
There was a 2 year gap between the Given movie and her next staff position. Though I mean, it's a pretty damn cool one. She did the storyboard for episode 3 of Bleach: Thousand Year Blood War. For those that don't know, that's the episode of Ichigo vs Quilge Opie (which was very cool, by the way).
Yamaguchi is certainly an interesting staff member in that regard, as she doesn't have many projects she's worked on, but they've almost all been very big name ones. Certainly has me curious to see what she'll manage to appear on next.
Dance Dance Danseur OP - Sarisa Kawamura
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If you thought Kawaguchi was an odd pick, wait until you hear about Kawamura. This is the second ever credit for her that I've been able to track down. The other comes from VFX assistant role on the Undead Girl Murder farce ending. So you can imagine my surprise considering the insane quality and creativity displayed with this opening that she boarded for.
I mean, when I first watched it when the anime aired, I was stunned. Absolutely incredible work with the first person perspective and the ideas with all the reflections and the wild expressiveness of the characters. Seriously, this was a shoe-in for opening of the year back in 2022, and I'd still say one of the standouts in this decade for sure.
I just, really, really hope that we'll see Kawamura board something else soon, because I absolutely need more of her incredible vision.
And that's the end of the 10 women, that I chose to use for this list. Seriously, there's a mountain of them that have done all sorts of other openings, or endings, and an unimaginable amount that have done creative work outside of those things.
I wouldn't say I'm disappointed that nobody talks about anime staff (in general, really, but also more specifically women), but a lot of people just don't have the interest in looking this stuff up. I really, really wish that streaming services would start translating credits to make it easier for people to get a grasp of who it is that's working on their favorite series, but we can't always rely on companies to do things like that.
Thankfully, the community out there is really, really dedicated so you can find staff credits on websites like MAL, Anilist, Anidb, and even Anime News Network. Sure, it takes a little bit of time to go and find those credits, but I think it's really valuable time that's well spent. You're bringing more awareness and understanding into the hobby and community, and that can change the trajectory of it in really wonderful ways.
Highlighting the works of women in anime is just one way of doing that. It inspires people in the community, it makes people aware of the idea of who is making their favorite works, that women are a central and pivotal part of the industry.
I really hope that people found out something cool with this list, and I really do encourage everyone to do a bit of digging into their favorite series to find out the names behind them. I mean, we all know who directs a movie or TV series over here, and we certainly know all about the actors and whatnot, so I'd love to see people bring that same understanding to anime.
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kosmicpowers · 7 months
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Hi, Hey there!
I've had this blog up for a few weeks so I figured I'd introduce myself. Not gonna reveal my actual name for security reasons but just call me Kosmic.
I currently live in the USA (Unfortunately). I'm genderfluid and really don't care what pronouns I am referred to with as long as they're not it/it's. I'm also an aspiring writer but for now I mostly just write fanfiction. Mostly Saint Seiya related obviously though I've been working on other stuff.
You can find my AO3 account here:
I've also been working on art but I'm still a beginner.
I try to be a nice person. (Though I'm not sure if I'm good at it because I can't stop swearing.) I don't accept racism, ableism, bullying, kin exclusionists or gatekeeping, misogyny, homophobia or anything anti-lgbt...
Yeah, Just don't be a dick. It's not hard.
Also don't be a sicko, no pedophila or zoophilia.
Some other stuff about me in case you care:
I'm a minor, don't be a creep.
I have ADHD, tend to hyperfixate on weird stuff. Then again a lot of people on this website do. Just saying I'm not one to judge people when I think about my interests.
I'm agnostic but I'm not going to crap on anyone for having a religion, as long as you're not a Jehovah's Witness. Screw those abusive idiots.
My hobbies are reading, writing, drawing, playing retro games, creating OCs, watching documentaries, and staying up at three AM regretting all of my life's choices
My favorite shows are: Saint Seiya (1986), Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas, Ronin Warriors, Ranma 1/2, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, Astro Boy, Jetter Mars, Sonic Prime, Sonic X, Beastars, Thundercats (both 1986 and 2011), Futurama, Kimba the White Lion, Cowboy Bebop, To Kai Watch, Captain Scarlet, Black Jack, Samurai Jack, Ampanman, The Amazing World of Gumball, Don't Hug Me I'm Scared, Danger Mouse, Kamen Rider, Super Sentai (AKA Power Rangers)
My favorite movies: the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, AKIRA, the Barbie movie (don't judge), Godzilla, Plague Dogs, Spirited Away, My Neighbor Totoro, Saint Seiya: Legend of the Crimson Youth, Chirin's Bell, The amazing Spider-Man, Toy Story 3, The Iron Giant, Into the Spiderverse, also as of now gotta add the FNAF movie
Favorite video games: Sonic the Hedgehog series, Phantasy Star 4, Columns, Panel De Pon, Mega Man, PulseMan, Mario Kart 8, Pokemon: Legends Arceus, Animal Crossing, Earthbound, Poyo Poyo/Mean Bean Machine, Sin and Punishment, Harvest Moon, Star Fox
Favorite Bands/Musical Artists: Jack Stauber, Daft Punk, Lemon Demon, Caravan Palace, Tally Hall, Miura Ayme, Rammstein, The Living Tombstone, Rare Americans, Nirvana, Rammstein, Witchfinder General, Gorillaz
Favorite books: The Golden Compass, The Most Dangerous Game, Magnus Chase, Heros of Olympus (or basically anything by Rick Riordan), Death Note, Beastars (manga), Inuyasha, The Lovely Bones (I fucking cried so hard), MAUS (Made me cry harder), City of Ember, Journey to the West, Most classic creepypastas mainly "Abandoned by Disney" (YES. I know they're not books), Cells at Work, AKIRA (Manga)
So... Um... Yeah.
I like to talk with people about my interests so don't be afraid to give me a message. (As long as it doesn't promise "hot singles" in my area, I'm not that stupid.)
Updates:
I have a discord under the name robotic carnival and a side blog Tezuka Brainrot.
I am fictokin of: Cobalt from Astro Boy mainly.
Partially:
Mars from Jetter Mars.
Jibanyan from Yo Kai Watch
Rika from Phantasy Star.
Akane Tendo and Ryoga Hibbikki from Ranma 1/2
Cygnus Hyoga, Pegasus Seiya, and Aquarius Camus from Saint Seiya.
And the flag on my profile picture is ADHD flag.
Cringe and proud. ♥️
My husbandos are Doctor Yamanoue and Doctor Kawashimo from Jetter Mars, Phoenix Ikki from Saint Seiya, James/Kojiro from Pokemon, and Rune from Phantasy Star.
I can't beat Zio PLZ someone tell me how.
I am pro Palestine and I will accept no support of genocide.
I am neutral on the Joe Hawley situation as he has done terrible things yet does not deserve to be hacked or harassed.
Also ship discourse and fanfiction censorship discourse is dumb I don't care anymore. And regret my past actions. Don't harass over stuff you don't like but also tag your shit. You can't complain about people judging you if you are irresponsible about keeping it where it belongs.
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belit0 · 7 months
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Unbreakable Bond (part 4)
It took me a while because I had no idea how to approach this chapter, but finally, here we are. Lots of revelations in it, and more Uchihas in the cast!!!
it always helps me a lot to get feedback on what you think, so please share with me your opinions on this!!!
"What about that one?" Obito tersely asks, lying on the roof of the tallest building in the city, black wings camouflaging themselves in night's darkness despite their blue feathers, these acting as a cushion for his body. He scans the streets with disinterested eyes, fed up with the situation and eager to return home.
Hunting humans is much easier than hunting angels.
"No, poor physical ability, he won't even withstand a hit," Shisui answers, observing the same celestial being his companion pointed out. Their goal is clear, to find a divine protector of excellent conditions and skills, though they have been on the task for about a month and the aforementioned does not seem to exist.
"Why can't it be either of us two, again?"
"You didn't hear a word the leader said, did you?"
"I mean, can you blame me? I get chills just listening to his voice, creeps me out so much I'd rather act as if I don't exist when he's talking to us."
"You're a child."
"I'm not a child, I value my life, it's different. I don't wanna be subject to the leader's wrath."
"Yeah, and for that very reason you keep asking what the fuck we have to do since we arrived!" Shisui ends up pseudo-yelling in frustration, shoving him and getting a punch in reply. "You wouldn't have a fucking clue about what to do if-"
"LOOK AT HIM!" A blue claw points at a new angel, and following the direction Obito guides, Shisui agrees with him for the first time. Down the street, an angel with a powerful aura and a bowl-cut walks beside an old woman, probably the human to whom he must be bound.
His wings are large, thick, and his body looks in good condition. Not so young, not so old, he's the perfect description provided to them by the leader before leaving. "Do you think he'll be strong enough?"
"I sure hope so." Both demons stand up in unison, launching themselves into the heights and taking advantage of the darkness to camouflage themselves without any problems. They fly higher than any angel would, out of the radar and shielded, following their target at a safe distance, waiting for the right moment to act.
When the angel they are tailing seems to stop in front of a building, they quickly descend, taking up position on another rooftop and observing again. "You have the leader's blood, don't you?" Obito asks, biting his lip at the sudden anxiety for action. They've spent what felt like an eternity searching for the perfect vessel, and now that they have it in front of their eyes, they can't fail.
"Ha, and here I thought you hadn't heard anything of what he'd told us."
"It's hard to ignore when the strongest man in the entire fucking world gives you a vial of his blood, you idiot."
Shisui produces a small container filled with red liquid, carefully feeling it in the palm of his hand as if afraid of losing it. The cold glass on his skin generates a sense of comfort, securing the most important part of the entire sequence in his grip, ready to proceed.
They listen as the old woman and her angel exchange a few words, presumably having arrived at the lady's home. "Thank you very much, Guy, again, no need to take care of this poor old thing if you have business to take care of up there you know."
"Please, Akira! In heavens I'm bored, it's much more fun to spend time with you and feel the blessings of youth blossom! Did you enjoy your Shogi game? Your opponent was humbled by your skills!"
His aura is sweet, pleasant, powerful, the kind of energy any human would want to have around.
The being's gestures, the bizarre movements of his body, the awkward way of speaking and expressing himself, everything is strange about him, but the strength he carries within is undeniable, just as the leader described he needed.
"You are exaggerating, my dear angel, I could only win once, but it was more than enough. How are your friends? I haven't seen the gray-haired boy for a long time."
"Kakashi? He's too busy to pay attention to me, I'd rather devote myself solely to you!" The angel flashes a perfect white smile and gives a thumbs up when he hears his human snorting.
"Ayay, come back soon so I can cut your hair, it's getting too long."
"Will do!"
As the woman closes her front door, the angel is left alone on the street, spreading his wings, and setting out to take flight. Analyzing him closely, both demons confirm he is the perfect vessel, the best body for the leader to possess and execute his purpose, they can't miss the opportunity.
Once they see him flying, the two decide to follow at a moderate distance to avoid suspicion, waiting until a reasonable altitude for no one to see them intercept him. At this hour, most humans are eating dinner, watching TV, getting ready for bed, and the flow of angels diminishes due to lack of demand.
It is the perfect moment.
At the right moment, both demons increase speed in sync, sandwiching him one from above and the other from below. Obito takes it upon himself to land on his back, shrinking his unsuspecting wings and embracing him in a constricting grab. “WO-A-AH”. Shisui, on the other hand, approaches from below, the vial of the leader's blood open, and grabbing him by the neck.
"WHA-AT!"
When Obito has him successfully imprisoned, being the one to keep the angel from plummeting to the ground due to the inability to move his wings, he spins in midair, letting the celestial being rest on his chest while still managing to keep them moving.
"WHAT'S GOING ON? WHO ARE YOU-"
Shisui, now staying on top of him, doesn't waste a moment or give him time to understand the situation, squeezing his cheeks and forcibly opening his mouth. The blood from the vial enters smoothly and slides down his tongue like honey, until the last drop is secured inside.
The change is immediate, and when the angel stops struggling in the demon's arms to try to free himself, Obito sets off for the landing, choosing a particularly desolate alley without prying eyes. Followed closely by his partner, they both hit the floor of the cramped passageway kicking up a cloud of dust, and deposit the angel carefully on top of a dumpster.
"And now?" the blue-feathered demon asks, uniquely sure of how they were to execute the plan but having no idea how it all follows.
"Just wait." Shisui kneels on the ground, bows his head, and prepares for his commander's triumphant entrance.
The angel's body, stiff and paralyzed as if dead, suddenly convulses. His limbs tremble uncontrollably, his ridiculous haircut moving with the uncontrolled shaking of his bones, his mouth producing incomprehensible and agonizing noises.
Obito can only watch in horror as the celestial being that seconds ago he had trapped in his arms now seems to transmute in front of him, its sickly sweet energy changing into a dark and terrifying one, the same one that gives him goosebumps when he has to face it at home.
The leader's own power takes possession of the angel's body, invading the entire cramped alley with spikes of fear and panic, the air becoming thick and heavy. Imitating his companion, he quickly collapses to his knees upon realizing what is about to happen, and ducks his head nervously to avoid looking his commander in the eyes.
None of them dares to watch the transformation, but after a few seconds of screams of agony and convulsions, all goes silent. Unable to check what's going on, they listen as the angel's body sits on top of the dumpster, and lands on the alley floor a few seconds later.
"Took you long enough." It is the guardian of heaven's voice, but both demons know it is not him speaking.
"I'm sorry... we... we weren't finding anyone bu-" Shisui tries to explain without daring to look up, only to be stopped in his tracks by that terrible presence. "Not interested in your excuses, where is he?"
"We have no idea." Obito bluntly confesses, preparing his body for the most brutal beating he will ever receive. The Leader is ferocious, a beast with no restraints, to be subject to his rage is a straight ticket to death.
"You're telling me you've been here for a month, yet you couldn't find who I asked you to find? A month, a whole entire month, and you have no trace of him?" The possessed angel walks up to them, and with their heads down, they can both see the sandals of the being they just abducted inches away.
"Sorry, my lord, but-" before he can explain anything further, Shisui gets kicked straight in the mouth, fangs flying and blood in the air. His head slams against the opposite wall of the alley, and the demon slumps to the ground. The Leader walks over to him, stepping on his black and emerald green wings on the way, grabbing him by the neck, and lifting him into the air.
"A month, a whole month, one where both of you strolled around whilst I still haven't regained my powers." The demon struggles for breath, holding the wrist of the possessed angel, desperate for release. "A whole month, where I remained wingless and you flew free as birds." Obito feels a shiver of terror run through his body at his words, finding himself paralyzed on the ground, unable to move his body out of fear of suffering the same as his companion.
"A whole month, where my brother wanders free through life and I continued to suffer his injustices." He has to move, he knows he has to say something to save Shisui's life, but the panic is stronger than his will, reduced to a bundle of tremors and cold sweat.
He hears his brother's body hit the ground again, a desperate cough as he tries to regain the air he lost for more minutes than would be prudent, and the dirt on the alley floor rattles again under the angel's sandals.
"Come on, I feel him." Is all he says before taking off, white wings unbecoming of any demon fluttering rapidly in ascent, and when Obito feels him far enough away, runs to Shisui, assisting him to stand and draping one of his arms over his shoulder. "I'm fine... I'm fine." The previously attacked demon manages to regain stability, able to launch himself into flight on his own and following the pace of them both amidst labored breaths.
Together they mimic the Leader, flying off and following the direction of his dark, unmistakable aura. If any angel in the city was paying attention, it would not be at all difficult for them to identify him, pure and materialized darkness in his whole person.
It is overwhelming to keep up with him, and it is bizarre to observe how the celestial being they captured, cheerful and calm, funny, now wears a long and angry face, serious and unpleasant countenance.
Obito never saw him in action, never able to witness the unrestrained power of his commander, so to be faced with his presence, not literally but energetically, about to go into action, is both wonderful and terrifying. He could stand and watch the perfect movement he executes with his borrowed wings, so different from what demons themselves do, but the fear the man inspires in him is stronger than anything else.
From birth, both demons were trained by their elder brothers, Izuna and Madara, without ever having had the privilege of seeing the leader use his might. They have grown up under Izuna's tales, the stories he always told about him, about his strength and power, about how he is the most powerful being of all time. The leader always confined himself to his private quarters, where only invited guests could enter, always wearing a long black cloak covering him from the shoulders down.
The only things he knows about him are myths, but he has no doubts about those either.
The man himself is a legend, a figure of respect and fear, someone not to be contradicted, and the only thing the blue-feathered demon is sure of is that the Leader has no wings. No one knows what happened to him, not even Madara himself can explain the story for he has no idea, and the only certainty is that they were taken away from him at some point.
Nobody knows why or how, who did it.
Engrossed in his fear and overwhelmed by his thoughts, Obito concentrates on keeping up, his companion a few meters behind him, and descends quickly when he notices the leader goes first. He seems to be heading for a rural area, few houses scattered around a small neighborhood on the outskirts of the city, desolate.
The possessed angel lands hard and without fear of attracting attention in the middle of the street, while the other two prefer to remain unnoticed, not sure if their help will be needed for the moment, hiding together at the top of a tree.
Several angels appear before the rumble, some coming out of their humans' houses and others rapidly descending from the sky. The two demons watch as a circle of white wings and light robes surrounds the leader, confused and worried faces asking him if he is all right.
Neither of them knows this angel is not normal.
One, in particular, stands out in the circle, a celestial being the commander keeps staring at, and before everyone can take note of what is happening, he pounces on him with the cry of "ASHURA!". The onlookers soon try to join the conflict, attempting to attack the leader among all, and that's the moment when they realize they both must help.
Angelic bodies fly back and forth and both are convinced the Leader could handle them all alone, without an ounce of help, but he seems to be interested in one particular guardian, and if the demons don't get rid of the excess, he'll never have time to fuck him up alone.
"NOW!" they exclaim in unison urgently, coming out of hiding and bringing out their sharp claws for combat. Where ten angels simultaneously attack the leader without any success, the two demons join the fray, landing on the heads of several and mercilessly launching themselves at others.
They form the perfect distraction for the Leader to take care of his target, fighting one-on-one with no hindrance in between.
...
Ashura looks at that particular angel, who landed in the middle of the street and left a crater in the asphalt, and asks him if he is all right. It irritates him terribly to think about how he’ll have to repair the damage in the morning, but it worries him even more whether his companion is in trouble and needs help.
"Are you okay? Hello?'" He asks again, and his neighboring angels join the round of curious onlookers. They all form a circle around him, repeatedly asking if everything is okay, but something is wrong with that creature.
His aura is heavy like pure darkness itself, energy full of black and revulsion, terror, and the hairs on his back stand on end when those eyes stare at him. Serious countenance and leaving nothing to be seen, the angel is scary, plain and simply scary.
Words catch in his throat as he realizes how recognizable the intensity of that gaze is, but before he can react, two hands grab him by the neck and take him flying over the street to the cry of "ASHURA!"
It can't be. There's no way this is happening, he's supposed to be dead.
Paralyzed, he watches as the rest of the angels swoop down on his attacker, trying to cut him down, but none are successful in their attempt. White feathers and forged bodies fly this way and that, and each one that tries to touch him is hurled in the opposite direction without success.
It cannot be.
In his peripheral vision, he notices two pairs of black wings, and the paralysis ends when a nostalgically familiar force impacts his face mercilessly. Ashura flies backward again, this time impacting a tree. "'Thought you'd never hear from me again?" The possessed angel asks, and no doubt remains.
The movements of his hands, the way he stands, the coldness of his gaze and the madness of his words, all indicate it is him. "A-Aniki-i?" he tries to ask, before a foot dives into his stomach and steals all the air from his lungs.
"Did you truthfully assume I would die, how you would never have to deal with me ever again?" there is venom in his words, pure resentment in every sentence, tangible evil in the way he expresses his loathing. When a fist is about to impact against his chin, Ashura finally reacts, deflecting the blow with his own hand and using the opening to stand up again.
"HO-OW… HOW CAN YOU BE ALIVE! I-I SAW YOU FALL!" his question is abrupt, solely because of the surprise and anxiety he feels knowing his brother never disappeared, never left. "I SAW YOU FALL, I TRIED TO STOP IT BUT-"
"Try to stop it... you were the one who yearned the most for my banishment, pure greed in your dirty intentions to keep everything for yourself." The serenity with which he relates his point of view is at odds with the violence with which he wields each blow, lashing out again and again at him relentlessly. This is not his body, yet there are marks of his own in each of his movements.
Ashura can even visualize that large, flowing brown hair flying in the wind after each lunge, red eyes full of anger at him, his Aniki's soft hands, the ones he held in his own over and over again as a child.
The way he uses the wings of the body he borrowed, the short, precise flicks of the white feathers, everything is an account of how Indra used to fight, exactly as he set out to remember him after the day of his death.
He saw him fall, and could do nothing to stop it.
Memories and flashbacks mix with shock and surprise, reducing his ability to battle the brother he thought dead years ago, showing himself weak and insecure at every step. Ashura cannot find within himself the strength to put aside all that was awakened when he recognized that look, exposed in front of the most brutal and merciless angel that ever stepped on heaven.
He saw him fall, for fuck’s sake, he saw him fall!
Two wings wrap around him from each side, acting as a catapult to bring him face to face with the body his Aniki stole, earning him a direct headbutt to the forehead that leaves him dizzy enough to collapse to the ground.
No one seems to come to his aid, unable to see what happened to all his companions, but the lack of assistance indicates they were reduced and defeated by those creatures that appeared alongside his older brother.
Everything is a blur from that moment on, but his last memory is how those black-winged beings hold his arms and legs, while his Aniki steals his blood from one of his cuts, and plucks two white feathers from each of his wings.
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twentydaysofdrabbles · 7 months
Text
The Concierge & The Global Meeting (Part 47)
The Continental has ever been a multinational conglomerate of many, many Hotels scattered around the globe. You know this. You've always known this. And yet, it is hard to visualise exactly how many until one is faced with a ballroom full of management, each representing a different Hotel.
You find yourself standing behind the Manager as she mingles and greets the others, filing their names away and trying to match them to faces as you go. Some had changed since you were last an active Emissary and had the chance to travel, and some have been the same for several decades.
"Winston."
Ah, here is one of the few constants.
The stout, older gentleman turns from where he was busy doctoring his martini to his liking. The moment he spots the Manager, however, he smiles and salutes her with his glass. "Ah, Madam Manager."
"I'm surprised you made it," the Manager purrs to him, accepting the raise of his brow with a small smile. "Given the word on the street."
Winston Scott, Manager of the New York Continental Hotel for nigh on 40 years. A very long time for an assassin.
He makes a surprised face at her comment. "Oh? And what, I wonder, is the word on the street?"
You watch him evenly. His eyes are bereft of such surprise, instead filled with fatigue.
"You had a visit from the adjudicator recently, yes?" The Manager cups her elbows in her hands. "There are eyes upon your Hotel. I didn't think you would want to be away for long."
Winston raises and lowers his brow in a facial shrug. "Whether I am there or not makes no material difference. I trust my concierge to take care of my affairs while I am gone." There is a confidence to him. He doesn't think the Hotel will fall while he is away. Or he doesn't think anyone will bother with the Hotel if he is not there to receive them.
Then he slides his gaze to you. The shadow in the Manager's wake. "Unlike you." He smiles a pointed smile at the Manager.
She, as always, takes it into stride. And you don't take it personally.
"I keep my Heart close to me, always," she purrs. But she does lean towards you to murmur, "Why don't you mingle? I'll call you if I need you."
You eye Winston carefully. There is no danger of leaving her with the New York manager. You had secured the perimeter personally. "Of course." It is also an order, one that you don't disobey.
It is somewhat disconcerting to be left in a hall full of people - some you recognise, some you don't. But luckily for you, you needn't consider who you should approach first.
"My friend, it has been a long time."
Sharp, crisp footsteps. Softer booted feet after that.
You turn, a soft smile already on your lips. "Shimazu-sama," you bow to Koji Shimazu, manager of the Osaka Continental Hotel. "Akira-san." Then to his concierge, his daughter.
Both of them bow in turn, Akira with a deeper bow than her father.
The Japanese man, though of average height, holds himself with a regality that makes him seem a lot taller. He gives you a soft look, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes crinkling. "You look well."
"Time has been good to me, Shimazu-sama." If you were honest, your forced retirement has done more for your health than any of the strict dietary routines and exercise had done during your career as Emissary.
Akira is stone-faced behind her father as the man continues to speak, "Good, good. I have heard that things have changed in your City as of late?"
Ah. He can only mean one thing. "Do you mean the monsters' Ascension?" you tilt your head politely in askance.
"Yes," Koji nods. "I have heard that they seek Hotel membership. Does that concern you?"
Your answer comes immediately and without hesitation. "No, it does not."
He seems mollified by the answer, if he ever seemed concerned to begin with. "That is good to hear."
But before he can proceed with what he was going to ask next, there is the gentle clinking of silverware against a glass. The call for attention.
Slowly but surely, every single manager makes their way to the long tables in the middle of the hall. Two rows of them, facing each other, with no one at the head or the foot. Everyone sitting as equals, speaking to each other as equals.
The concierges, how few of you have arrived today, move to stand along the wall. Seen, but not heard. Akira stands next to you, her back straight, her hands clasped behind her back.
When at last all are seated and settled, the Manager rises as the one who had called the Global Meeting. "I thank you all for answering my call on such short notice," her voice is loud enough to be heard by all, but not loud enough that it echoes in the room. "The reason for my call is to discuss the goings on in New York and the news of the appointment of the Imperator."
All eyes fall to Winston, sitting at the other end of the tables, who puts his hands up in a shrug.
"There is a concern that I hold," she continues once all eyes return to her. "That the Imperator will turn his gaze to the rest of us in time." After he is done with New York.
That gets some of the managers muttering and mumbling, turning to the other to whisper.
Winston takes a sip from his glass. "And you believe that his gaze falls upon my Hotel."
"The Table has already turned its eyes to New York." The Manager means the Adjudicator, who turned the New York Hotel into a warzone in an attempt to get Winston to abdicate his throne, to kill John Wick.
"They deconsecrated the Hotel to allow business to be conducted on company grounds." A consecrated Hotel is a safe haven for those that pay for passage or enter its grounds - a deconsecrated Hotel is one that has been stripped of such protections.
"They will surely do so again, given the chance. They know your ties to Mr Wick."
There is a wave of muttering - it is agreed and well-known that Mr Wick had frequented the New York Continental when he was active, and that he had a good relationship with Winston. But not just Winston, but other Hotels and their managers as well.
"The High Table," a voice speaks from the middle of the tables; a stately looking man with a thick Italian accent, "is looking at a rebellion in the making. Many of us have ties to Mr Wick." Julius, manager of the Rome Continental, is one of them. "Even if we do not, we have heard of him and his crusade." And what it stands for.
Many before John Wick have tried for freedom and failed. Having served for as long as he has, Julius who is the longest-standing manager has seen them all come and go. He knows better than anyone what the start of a rebellion looks like.
The room quietens then. One could hear a pin drop in the room. They all know what he means. Many, if not all, of the room's occupants, have seen the High Table react to any slight to their authority. If they even thought that the Continental was harbouring an excommunicated assassin or harbouring thoughts of rebelling...
You had seen but a glimpse of it in a previous Imperator. But this one...you had never known an Imperator as unhinged as the Marquis.
"Then what do you propose?" Koji speaks up now, leaning forward so he can look at Julius, and then at the Manager. "What is it that you ask of us?"
The Manager smiles. It seems that was the question she was waiting for. "A call to arms," she says simply.
In an instant, there is an uproar.
"You cannot be serious!" Hong Kong.
"Have you learned nothing from the folly of those that came before?" Manchester.
"This is suicide." St. Petersburg.
"Or would you rather roll over and show your belly when the High Table comes knocking, allowing them to depose you and install one of their own in your place?" The Manager's voice rings out above them all, silencing them. "Would you truly let the Imperator destroy your Hotel as he pleases?"
You can see fists tighten on the table and jaws clench. But none of them speak out.
The Manager looks at each of them, finding that only a few meet her piercing gaze. "Call it foolish if you like, my colleagues. But a storm is approaching. I see no reason to twiddle my thumbs and wait for it to hit. You owe it to your Hotels, your cities, to prepare accordingly."
There is a soft grunt from opposite her. Sofia Al-Azwar, a woman as wild and furious as they come. "We all agreed when we took up this position," she begins, growling, her bangles clinking as she jabs her finger into the table, "to play by the High Table's rules. What you're proposing will destroy us all!"
The Manager only looks at her with calm, piercing eyes - ice against fire. "You say that, Sofia, but you are hardly in their good books either." Many in the room know that she had led John Wick to Barrada, who then gave him the location of the Elder deep in the deserts of Morocco. She might have done it under the compulsion of a Marker, but she had done it nonetheless.
Koji speaks up again, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. "You raise a good point, Miss Al-Azwar. But it must be kept in mind that the High Table has not honoured their agreement with us either."
"Indeed," the Manager presses her fingertips against the table. "There has always been an understanding between our organisations. They brought their fight to the New York branch. Deconsecrated it to kill one man."
"After he did it first." Munich. "We all know of how he murdered Santino D'Antonio on company grounds. An eye for an eye, one could say." Of course, the High Table would take interest in one of their own members being killed on Continental grounds. However, they had certainly gone above and beyond simply killing one man. Overkill, one might say.
The Manager sighs. Shrugs. "We are all our own entities tied together in a coalition. A call to arms is less a directive and more of a suggestion. Fortify or don't, that is your choice. But it should be known that the King of Monsters has been summoned by the Marquis."
There are more than a few furrowed brows among the managers. Not many know exactly what the monsters are, but few would be remiss to notice what role they might play in the Marquis' army.
"Times are changing, colleagues. You should all look to the future."
There is little more to discuss after that note. The table slowly empties, bodies filing out of the hall, until there are only a few remaining.
"You think there will be war?" Koji asks the Manager quietly, his hands tucked into his sleeves.
"What better way to quash a rebellion than to destroy its safe havens?" Winston mutters. "Jonathan is likely to look for a safe harbour." He gives a look towards Koji.
The Japanese man had grown up alongside John Wick. Fought with him, alongside him, for a great many years. It is not widely known that they are as close as brothers could be, but a discerning tracker or a well-placed informant would know.
You catch Akira's stony expression, her lips pinched, and wonder if she knows exactly what Winston is alluding to.
"You think he will come to me." Koji voices everyone's thoughts.
"Mister Wick is slowly burning his bridges. There are few left to him and he knows you would not turn him away," the Manager says before Winston can offer his two cents. The New York manager simply nods in agreeance.
Akira's lips tighten even more and you watch her closely - would she speak up here against her father? No, is the answer, as Akira clearly bites on her tongue to allow Koji to speak.
"I shall prepare accordingly. If you should hear anything..."
"We will let you know."
Without another word, the Shimazus depart. Winston, too, tips his proverbial hat and ambles out, his heels clicking sharply on the marble floor.
You watch them go with a dead stare, feeling the Manager's eyes on the side of your head.
"That's all we can do," she mutters, folding her arms across her chest.
You blink. Look at her. Then step so you're shoulder to shoulder with her, staring at the table. "They have been warned."
The Manager sighs and drops her head so her temple rests on your shoulder. "Let's hope it is enough."
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hyenahunt · 5 hours
Text
Obbligato: The Punishment of Kaname Tojo - 8
Writer: Akira
Season: Spring, two years ago
Characters: HiMERU, Jun
Proofreading: Remi + 310mc (JP) & Skyress (ENG)
Translation: Peace & hyenahunt
Jun: 'Course, if you were to think of me as a friend... then I'd obviously be happy about it.
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[Read on my blog for the best viewing experience with Oi~ssu ♪]
HiMERU: Hm... So he speaks like that, does he?
— Well then, I wanted to ask you a few questions.
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Jun: Ah, uh... Sure, but why’re you getting all formal with me…?
HiMERU: — One moment. Allow me to search my memory.
You are Jun Sazanami, correct?
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Jun: Seriously? You know this shit, so why're you acting like we're meeting for the first time? Tryna act like you're beyond even remembering my name again?
That's pretty nasty of you. To an idol, getting your name forgotten is something worse than death... That's what my shitty old man says all the time.
Well, not that you could even call me an idol, the way I am now.
HiMERU: Mm. Considering your attitude... Are you perhaps a friend of HiMERU's?
Jun: A friend... isn't quite how I'd put it, nah. We're not strangers, either, but I don't think you could really call us friends...
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Jun: 'Course, if you were to think of me as a friend... then I'd obviously be happy about it.
HiMERU: Is that so? Nonetheless, it seems as if you do have some connection to him. I suppose this is what they call a stroke of good luck.
Do you know what HiMERU is doing at this very moment?
Jun: 'Scuse me...? What're you going on about? "What he's doing" — well, you're right here talking to me, yeah? What kinda riddle is this?
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HiMERU: Hm... Allow me to rephrase the question. Have you heard what HiMERU is scheduled to do today?
Jun: Why're you asking me that? As if I'd know what your schedule is, man.
You're weird as ever, huh?
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HiMERU: — Yes. HiMERU is a rather interesting existence.
Jun: Seriously, why do you keep talking like you’re someone else?
... but um, either today or tomorrow, Kazehaya-senpai's planning on standing upon a newly set-up stage within the school.
And you said something 'bout wanting to perform on it too, didn'tcha?
You'd been practicing hard every day lately so you could make the most of such an opportunity if it ever happened, right?
Looks like you're real busy, going all out to the point you've even been skipping class for it.
HiMERU: — Yes. And without our permission, as well. That is what I don't understand.
HiMERU has always been obedient, and never once has he gone against our instruction. Recently, however, it seems as if he's been moving about beneath our nose.
It's rather strange... There are a large number of discrepancies between the reports he's given us and the truth, which is certainly suspicious.
That is why I have taken the time to come here, so that I could meet HiMERU in person and ascertain the truth.
... Just once, I'd like to see HiMERU on stage for myself.
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Jun: What the hell are you going on about? You alright? Worn yourself out a lil' too much?
Well, not that I hate that part about you. You may look like a flawless idol and all on the outside, but you're kinda a mess on the inside.
HiMERU: — HiMERU is not only flawless in appearance, but as a whole, isn't he?
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Jun: Yeah, yeah. That's what you always say, but it's all just lip service.
You may have the reputation of thriving as Reimei's top idol these days, but I heard that the truth is you're just constantly making mistakes.
Doing stuff like forgetting the names of your colleagues, or messing up with your song and dance...
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HiMERU: ...?
Jun: All the higher-ups sweep 'em under the table since they don't want Reimei's name to take a hit, though. The Non-Specials often make fun of you, y'know? They say you're pretty awful.
HiMERU: ......
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Jun: But I mean, I'm pretty jealous that you get to even just stand on a stage, HiMERU. You might kinda suck as an idol right now, but with enough experience, who knows, you may become a real one eventually —
Well, just keep doing your best and don't give up. I sure hope you don't end up hitting rock-bottom like me again.
As for me, I'm cheering you on. You may be hard to get a handle on sometimes, but anyone can tell you're real serious 'bout it all.
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HiMERU: What are you talking about?
Jun: What?
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HiMERU: HiMERU is considered flawless and as the Top Idol by all, isn't he?
Jun: Like I said, that's only what you keep insisting, yeah? You suck ass as an idol, so God knows where you got your oddly high confidence from, man.
Are ya getting carried away with how much people call you a top idol? Or maybe not — you've been this way from the very first time I met you.
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HiMERU: That can't be... No, perhaps—
— Jun Sazanami. Thank you for the information, but I must be going — I must ascertain the truth of the matter immediately.
Jun: Sure... Well, what the hell was that all about?
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Jun: Haha. Honestly, from our very first meeting all the way 'til now, you've always been completely incomprehensible, huh?
...Everything else in Reimei just keeps changing for the worse, but knowing that at least one thing's constant here helps to keep me going.
[ ☆ ]
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stereax · 10 months
Note
Are you a swiftie? And if so what song of hers would you say describes the 22-23 Devils? What song of hers would you say is NicoJack or any other Devils pairs!
heya anon! I'm not really a Taylor Swift kind of person - I much prefer my alternative, rock, that kind of stuff. but I'll give you some songs I associate with some players, pairs, etc on the Devils! if that's cool with you? I'll put one lyric I really associate with them with it; if you want more info, let me know and I'll explain more in-depth :) (there are a few songs I associate with non-Devils but I'll save that for another time, if anyone wants to know just let me know!) there's no real order to these, just going through my playlists lol
22-23 Devils: Say it Louder, Panic! at the Disco (Viva Las Vengeance)
Hey kids, legends and gods Give them applause We made it against all odds Choose your weapon of choice Your beautiful voice Don't ever let 'em turn you down (turn it up, turn it up, rock city) Turn it up (turn it up, turn it up, rock city) Say it louder for the people Say it louder for the people Say it louder for the people in the back
Round 1 vs the Rangers: Back from the Dead, Skillet (Unleashed)
Light it up, light it up, now I'm burning Feel the rush, feel the rush of adrenaline We are young, we are strong, we will rise 'Cause I'm back, back, back from the dead tonight To the floor, to the floor, hit the red line Flying high, flying high at the speed of light Full of love, full of light, full of fight 'Cause I'm back, back, back from the dead tonight
Pairings (there are only a few I can think of, but let me know if there are any I'm missing):
Nico + Jack: The Last of the Real Ones, Fall Out Boy (MANIA)
I was just an only child of the universe And then I found you And then I found you You are the sun and I am just the planets Spinning around you Spinning around you You were too good to be true Gold plated But what's inside you? But what's inside you? I know this whole damn city thinks it needs you But not as much as I do As much as I do, yeah
Nico + Siegs: Mariners Apartment Complex, Lana Del Rey (Norman Fucking Rockwell)
You lose your way, just take my hand You're lost at sea, then I'll command your boat to me again Don't look too far, right where you are, that's where I am I'm your man I'm your man
Dougie + Jack: La Mancha Taxi Driver, Budka Suflera (4 Pieces to Go) [SPECIFICALLY the English version - the Polish version called "Ragtime" is also amazing, but the lyrics are totally different. This one you NEED to listen to to get where I'm coming from, because there's a VERY specific vibe I'm going for here. This doesn't seem like a Dougiejack song at first, but if you listen between the lines...]
Since I know Every man is to fight all alone I'll be the one who helps you realize Good news Don't you turn your back on this love Answer Otherwise you'll be drowned in this world
Mikey + Nate: All I Need, Radiohead (In Rainbows) [this entire album gives me Superbuddies vibes tbh]
I am a moth Who just wants to share your light I'm just an insect Trying to get out of the night I only stick with you 'Cause there are no others You are all I need You're all I need I'm in the middle of your picture Lying in the reeds
Players (Selected):
Akira Schmid: Driver 8, R.E.M. (Fables of the Reconstruction)
And the train conductor says Take a break, Driver 8 Driver 8, take a break We've been on this shift too long And the train conductor says Take a break, driver 8 Driver 8, take a break We can reach our destination But we're still a ways away, but it's still a ways away
Ryan Graves: Sober Up, AJR (The Click)
Won't you help me sober up? Growin' up, it made me numb And I wanna feel somethin' again Won't you help me sober up? All the big kids, they got drunk And I want to feel somethin' again Won't you help me feel somethin' again? How's it go again?
Dawson Mercer: Scenariusz dla moich sąsiadów, Myslovitz (Z Rozmyślań Przy Śniadaniu) [A scenario for my neighbors, Myslovitz (Thoughts at Breakfast)]
Wieczorem Wieczorem przed mym domem Wystawie ekran I wyświetlę film Coś o mnie i o tobie Będę leczył chore sąsiadów sny
[In the evening In the evening in front of my house I'll put up a screen And I'll play a movie Something about me and about you I'll heal my sick neighbors' dreams]
Miles Wood: Shark Bite, Bush (The Art of Survival)
These are the days for the rest of our lives We are the ghosts 'cause we have survived Engine's on, sharp like a samurai I want you, I know your shark bite
Mackenzie Blackwood: Just, Radiohead (The Bends)
You do it to yourself, you do And that's why it really hurts Is that you do it to yourself, just you You and no one else You do it to yourself You do it to yourself
Jack Hughes: Reptilia, The Strokes (Room on Fire)
He seemed impressed by the way you came in "Tell us a story, I know you're not boring" I was afraid that you would not insist "You sound so sleepy, just take this, now leave me" I said please don't slow me down if I'm going too fast You're in a strange part of our town
John Marino: The Outsider, MARINA (The Family Jewels)
These people are weird in here And they're giving me the fear Just because you know my name Doesn't mean you know my game I look myself in the face And whisper "I'm in the wrong place" Is there more to lose than gain If I go on my own again?
Timo Meier: California, Lana del Rey (Norman Fucking Rockwell)
You're scared to win, scared to lose I've heard the war was over if you really choose The one in and around you You hate the heat, you got the blues Changing like the weather, oh, that's so like you The Santa Ana moves you (Two, three, four)
Erik Haula: Local God, Panic! at the Disco (Viva Las Vengeance)
Are you melting face at the Bellagio? Woah Or are you teaching little kids how to rock 'n' roll? Woah Did you get weighed down by your heart of gold? 'Cause you really only cared about that Wonder if you had a chance to sell your soul Did you ever get your money back? Did you ever kiss the devil?
There might be more coming in edits :) Also, forgive the random few non-italicized letters, Tumblr hates me :')
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sizhui · 5 months
Note
hi claritasssss ! i was wondering. who would you say are your biggest inspirations when it comes to writing? if you have no one specific you can just say any writer you enjoy : - )
Oh, this is gonna sound like a mess, but hear me out. Let's start off with the animanga content ones.
日日日/Akira is a huge inspiration when it comes to constructing complex characters, and when it comes to building upon the framework of classics. He's amazing at using them as clear inspiration without it feeling derivative and giving them a twist in his personal style. My mind is also blown by the inobtrusive way he includes metafiction into his story! He sucks as a person, and he's part of the money-grabbing-gacha machine which influences him and limits what he can do so I'm a bit sad that we can't see where ES would go were he given the reins, but not to the point where I'd read his other work. I don't wanna peek inside his mind.
On the other side of writing, Nisioisin's writing of JJBA: Over heaven greatly influenced my locution and how i articulate my thoughts - I really admire how he wields the rhythm of his sentences, as well as the way he begins and ends chapters. The novel majorly influenced me without doubt lol!
Jun Mochizuki is not a prose writer, but I consider her a master in crafting stories. When it comes to manga, I have to say Takako Shimura's Wagamama Chie-chan left a deep impression in me despite being pretty repulsive, and I think Shimura is kind of gross in general after a skim of what else she'd written LOL but the use of estrangement and unreliable narration in Chie-chan is super solid.
Incredibly due mention to Ikuhara. He's not a prose writer either but his usage of allegory and the ability to delve deep into traumatic subjects frankly but with grace are something I greatly admire.
Now, onto classics. You probably already figured out that I'm really marked by Chuuya Nakahara's work for better or for worse - I also like Rimbaud who was an influence of Nakahara's. I have other poems I like, but no authors I read consistently or felt particularly influenced by. As for classic novelists, Dostoevsky is a necessary mention, as well as - no matter how I loathe to admit it! - de Balzac. Not particularly for their writing styles, for I'm no bootlicker to realism, but I admire the way they delved into the human mind and everyday life respectively, devoting their lives to painting the image of a common man so throughly trampled by high literature! Ovid. There are a few classic Chinese poets I admire a lot for their graceful yet featherlight imagery in contrast to often somber topics, but my little book of foreign classics is not here so I can't quite recall the specific names. Akutagawa's short stories also.
Now, onto more modern writers. N. K. Jemisin is the scifi/fantasy author I admire the most, for I don't like either if they can't be connected to contemporary issues and stories, and she does an amazing job of it in her novels despite me having a few qualms with her writing style (mostly with her choosing to use a glossary of fantasy terms rather than explaining them in the text itself in the broken earth, it's difficult to follow but again that's partly on me). Oyinkan Braithwaite left a deep impression on me with her debut novel, and I'm excited to read more from her. I'm still early delving into R. F. Kuang's work (midway thru Babel and beginning Yellowface) but I really, really like her mastery of language and the sentences she builds. Min Jin Lee is super inspiring in how she switches between countless character perspectives with incredible fluidity and without the narration feeling strained at any point!
I shan't dive into all theorists I like because I'm not sure I can count them all on the fingers of one hand, but I wanna bring up Shklovsky's Art as device for opening my eyes to a lot of inner workings of literature. Peace and Love!
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kagiura-akira · 6 months
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thibking about the parent AU and I have headcanons but I've been doing a shit ton of technical writing all day (aka my job - im a technical manager for a chemistry lab so I do a lot of report writing, and I wrote a quality event report today that drained my will to live and my ability to adhere to a certain level of grammatical standard).
So here are some thoughts about Kagihira and their daughter for the purposes of further developing my Kagihira parent AU in the form of rambling under the cut
When Asami is old enough to start looking into high schools, Kagi doesn't say it but he keeps slipping brochures for places near home so she doesn't go off to live in the dorms and leave him sad and alone. 🤣 He also isn't ready for his only daughter to experience love at the tender age of 14-15, so when he thinks of the dorms he equates them to a romantic experience for obvious reasons. LOL he knows realistically that he and Hirano were outliers but he's still got his reservations.
He urges her to go to an all girls school because "All boys are animals! I know that much," to which Hirano replies with an obvious "You know that doesn't mean she won't date, right? *Gestures vaguely to the space between himself and Kagi, in reference to their high school romance*
He adds, "She's in junior high in a coed school now. Kids her age are already dating. What difference does it make if she goes to a coed school in high school too?"
To which kagi's heart very nearly stops when he's reminded that kids date in middle school too 🤣
"No... not my baby." 😱
"She's 14, Akira. She's our baby but she's not a baby." 🥱
For as straight laced as he was growing up, Hirano is the most relaxed between the two when it comes to parenting. While neither are strict, she's self-driven much like Hirano, enough that they don't feel the need to hover much. Kagi will always hover when it comes to boys though (not once does it occur to him that he should be looking out for potential love interests of other genders, despite the fact that he's married to a man), and Asami purposefully talks about fictitious boys from her class that she "likes" just because she likes to mess with him.
Asami stopped calling Kagi "Daddy" when she was around 6 or 7. His heart nearly stopped because she started calling him "Dad" instead, but Hirano got to stay "Papa." He cried on Hirano's lap for an hour while hirano read a book (he was definitely listening, yes, what would make anyone think he wasn't?)
They adopted a puppy when Asami was 4 or 5, then a kitten a few months later. I'm not gonna spend too much time dwelling on their names or breeds but they are exactly the same cat and dog dynamic as I described in the kagihira pet analysis post (aka a cat that loves dogs)
Hirano is an aeronautical engineer (in other words, he designs planes).
Kagi has his own physical therapy practice, where most of his patients are professional athletes.
Kagi coaches little league basketball for girls. He hadn't considered it until Asami wanted to join their local basketball club and he had to step in for the previous coach while they were at an away game without a backup, but he ended up liking it. He ended up taking over the job from said coach and does it part time alongside his PT business now. It means he gets home late a lot, but Hirano doesn't mind if it makes both kagi and asami happy to have the chance to bond over basketball.
From the time she was 6 or so, Asami has begged for a younger sibling. "Asa-chan, because both Daddy and Papa are men, that will be a lot harder. We had to go through a lot just to have you." (Asami wasn't adopted - she was an IVF baby so she is blood related to one of them, I just don't want to pick which one because I don't know myself how I'd want that to work really).
They do discuss having another (baby fever, y'know), but I don't have a sibling planned ATM for Asami.
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