#and she can see how much Fushimi actually looks up to him

[ridiasfangirlings]

I think there was an ask about Aya met Misaki again, and Saruhiko is jealous. So how about doing it with ReiSaru post RoK, when he truly found a place where he belong. What do you think Aya's thought when she met Saru again that time and seeing for herself the person who Saruhiko mentioned back then. I really love how it was mentioned in lsw that time, that Saru seemed to recalled smtg happy, there was to have recalled something happy when he said this and his eyes flashed blue light

I think this would definitely be eye-opening for Aya, just seeing Fushimi attached to someone besides Yata (and I wonder how she would feel about the fact that Fushimi did kinda choose someone ‘up to his level,’ like with Yata she lost to Yata’s overwhelming energy and honesty and now here Fushimi ends up with Munakata who’s an incredibly singular genius type). Maybe her school gets caught up in some Strain thing and S4 comes to help, she recognizes the uniforms as being the same that Saruhiko was wearing that time he confronted her on the bus and she finds herself wondering if he’s there. Afterward she wanders around the school a little as the S4 boys are getting everything cleaned up, just trying to see if he really is here. 

She gets outside and spots Fushimi off in the distance, immediately recognizing the way he slouches past everyone. She finds herself running after him, not sure if she wants to yell to him or what it is she would say if they came face to face, she just wants to see him. However as she gets close she sees Fushimi’s talking to someone and she finds herself stopping, looking at the guy Fushimi is talking with. She can tell from the uniform that this person must be important and she wonders if this is that ‘current boss’ Fushimi was talking about that time on the bus. Imagine she finds herself just stopping and watching how Munakata and Fushimi interact, Fushimi’s mostly giving a report but they’re just chatting a little too, Munakata praising Fushimi and being a little doting because the danger’s over and there’s some time to relax. Aya is surprised to see how relaxed Fushimi looks from when she last him, it’s not like how he was with Yata but somehow she can tell this isn’t bad either, like Fushimi is looking at this person as if he’s worthy of Fushimi’s respect — and she can see it again, some bright blue reflected in his eyes that wasn’t there before, and even though she can’t really see what’s so special about Munakata she’s absolutely certain that this person is the cause of it, the person who changed Saruhiko. 

Maybe Munakata spots her then and goes over to ask if she needs assistance, the moment he looks at her Aya feels like this unmistakable sense of presence that makes her step back a little. Fushimi suddenly clicks his tongue as he recognizes who it is and imagine Munakata so intrigued to meet a member of Fushimi’s family, like so this is your cousin. Fushimi wonders if Aya wanted something and Aya tries to put on a calm face as she says nothing, she was just wondering if Fushimi was still with these people. Fushimi says he told her to stay out of ‘this’ world and Aya asks if Munakata was the one who brought Fushimi into it, is this the person who told you to change the world that you don’t like. Munakata is so flattered that his words resonated so strongly with Fushimi-kun as Fushimi rolls his eyes and is like this doesn’t have anything to do with you, you can leave. Aya keeps looking between them, Fushimi being his usual blunt self and Munakata just accepting it all with a smile and she finds herself thinking suddenly about the ‘King’ she heard about in jungle, she doesn’t really know even now what that means but looking at these two she somehow can’t help but feel that yes, this guy is Saruhiko’s King.

#Reisaru #Talking K #imagine Aya's a little impressed with Munakata too #someone even smarter than Niki and actually with ambition #and she can see how much Fushimi actually looks up to him #even as Fushimi grumbles and talks back and Munakata looks at him all fondly #once again Aya realizes she never had a chance #(he's gay sweetie I'm sorry)

[neonknightjaey]

What if Chihiro Fushimi Joined SEES (Part 2)

Had to rewatch the P3 ending to amp myself up to do this. Don’t mind the tears…or the river of em flowing through the post. That’s normal. Anyway. This part will be covering some misc stuff like School life, minor changes, and right up to the June full moon operation. With that being said. Lets get into it.

TW//Bullying

“SOTERIA!!!”

Soteria is Chihiro Fushimis persona. The goddess of safety and salvation, deliverance, and preservation from harm…funny that she will exactly USE harm to protect others from it.

While Soteria does learn spells like Tetrakarn and Makarakarn and some defensive increasing skills. That’s not all her Persona can do.

This persona is well known for its high magic stat, but more importantly…she’s the teams nuke button.

Her most upgraded move besides the Agi skill line is the Megi skill line. For those who don’t remember. Megi moves are pure almighty damage, a damage type that can’t be blocked.

Why did I decide to give the terrified nervous wreck a nuke? Cause I thought it would be funny. Don’t worry, it drains her magic fast so you can’t go spamming it. You’re gonna have to actually use her fire skills until much later on when she gets an sp cost reduction skill.

Soteria is best described appearance wise as a graceful looking woman with angelic wings yet in her hands are a giant shield and a crackling hand mixed with agi and megi effects. She’d have some unique patterns on her arms and would have her eyes covered by a flower crown.

Now enough about Chihiros Persona, lets see how this girl is with the rest of the teammates and what she does outside of battle.

Of course she’s still the student council treasurer so she’s in there with Mitsuru from time to time but really, it’s more of a “friendly business partners” relationship rather than a true genuine sisterly friendship for right now.

Now on the other end of things are her dorm-mates. Yukari is often really close with Chihiro. She talks to her quite often about her mangas and how club meetings go while Yukari just listens or at least tries to act engaged at the very least.

Yukari can be a bit protective of her but not often. Just helping at times when she gets too nervous around Akihiko. Other times though, despite Chihiros protests, she throws the girl to the wolves with one particular man to help her overcome her fears. That one man is…

Junpei….is…an interesting case with Chihiro. They both like manga and nerdy things at times so besides the male fear thing, you’d think they’d be the best of friends. Well, kinda. She’s too nervous right now to fully hang out with him and watches from a corner usually. Often wondering how he has so much time to slack on his studies when she’s seen his exam scores. She’d reprimand him if she had the courage to…

Yukari is definitely gonna help this girl slightly tolerate this man if it kills her.

Or at least have her join the “Stupei, Ace Defective” roasting club.

Both options work too.

Chihiro doesn’t have much to talk about with Akihiko. If Junpei was a bit much for her at this level, then a guy who talks about getting stronger and fighting with, to her, not much in common is gonna put her off a bit more…but then again, she seems fine with Hidetoshi so who knows? Maybe they’ll be better friends in the near future.

Insert Makoto Yukis/Door Doors social link here.

What? You thought I was gonna write something for Makoto now? It’s basically going the same as her SL. They’re friends and she likes being around him.

…

…

…

Okay fine, maybe I’m planning something but you’ll have to wait until later in the story. For now. They’re friends. Like…rank 4 at best.

In the overworld, Chihiro can often be seen staring at Bookworms, thinking of going in. Heck maybe even considering asking for a part time job, this girl surrounded by books would think it’s a dream job.

She can also be spotted around the mall, checking out the CD shops or wondering if maybe someday Makoto will take her into Club Escapade…but she’s gotta get her own courage in check so we’ll check in on this subplot later.

At night, there is a rare chance that you won’t be able to use the computer there because Chihiro’s on it.

She’s either gonna be studying or looking at this weird new webcomic. It’s apparently about a boy and his three friends playing a video game? You aren’t sure yet because all you see is a boy kissing his poster goodbye while his friend plays the violin. It’s weird but hey, nobody said she can’t have weird interests.

Now that the current dorm life is out of the way, lets get into the story this time.

A reason Yukari may be a bit protectivr if Chihiro is because she’s been hearing about this currently being bullied by three girls.

It’s really starting to piss her off actually. But she bites her tongue for right now.

Most of May and such plays out as normal but instead of the ghost hunting team being just you, Yukari and Junpei, this girl gets in on it too…she wishes she wasn’t because she didn’t know wether to be afraid of ghosts or Junpei in the dark, or confused by how laughable his missing girl story was.

Nevertheless she joins their investigation with some reluctance…mainly Yukari saying it’ll help her.

For once though when they decide to go to the sketchy alleys of Port Island Station at night, she’s siding with Junpei in possibly wanting to back out.

Dear lord the girl was not only not made for scared, but for seeing Junpei get headbutted by a terrifying guy while being harassed by others.

And then there’s Shinji…

Poor girl just about fainted when she saw him. He’s downright terrifying. He seems nice but the poor gi-oh…she passed out. Poor thing.

When she gets back to the dorm she’s out for the whole night, cuddling with a pillow from fear…yeah Yukari may need to apologize later to her for doing that.

Weirdly enough though, the fact she felt like she “survived” something like that feels a bit relieving in her. Like she CAN do scary stuff and will be braver…eventually. For now though. Fuukas case takes high priority.

Hearing this Fuuka girl was getting bullied by Natsuki was bad enough, learning she could be dead is slightly pissing her off…then she learns Mr. Ekoda hid this information from everyone…someone hold this girl back she’s gonna take her paper fan and jam it down his throat.

Thankfully she heard Mitsuru got to him but she’s still pissed. Who knew this sweetheart could have a tipping point that deep.

It doesn’t make her fear into a hatred thankfully, I mean…seeing Junpei get knocked down at the station made her feel scared sure but like she wanted to help and just felt powerless…maybe that’s why when he heard this girl was being bullied and her missing status was hidden was what caused her to lose her cool for a little.

Come the time to save them, she begs Makoto to please go with him to save Fuuka. She feels like she needs to meet this girl.

He doesn’t care

But she’s in the party with Aki and Junpei.

In retrospect, not a good idea for her but she’s holding back her fear to save this woman.

Authors realization: OH SHIT, I FORGOT HOW SHE FEELS ABOUT NATSUKI!!!!

So with Natsuki she feels, understandably, upset that she would bully this girl and locked her up. Though she does promise she’ll help find Fuuka.

Now back in Tartar Sauce, she’s slightly relieved yet worried to be split from the all guys party. When she finds Makoto though, she’s much calmer. When they find Fuuka though…dear lord this girl is so glad she’s alive.

Then she sees Mitsuru and Yukari are down for the count and hey, she can actually do damage to them…it’s weak damage though. If only there were some persona user who could read enemies weaknesses an- oh Fuuka did it.

The rest of the story here mainly plays out as normal.

Now with Fuuka on the team, how are she and Chihiro gonna get along?

Dear lordy, these two are like sisters. Scared, timid, shy, other similar words can best describe them to a T.

Fuuka looks up to Chihiro as her Senpai while Chihiro looks up to her as someone much smarter than her.

These two have a lot of study sessions together and it’s sort of the opposite of Yukari so far.

Instead of having Chihiro try and work past things asap, she’s more into having her take her time and do things at her own speed.

They even suggest starting a manga/book club too.

Fuuka isn’t fully into Mangas? Well by golly Fuuka will try for her new friends sake

And this is where we end for this part. Sorry it’s a bit sloppy and has so much run offs, it’s unorganized and all over the place. Okay a lot more work is needed but there was a lot to go over and I set my ambitions a bit high. I’ll try and organize things a bit better next time and make things more coherent.

Special thanks to my co-author @maze-of-my-design for the relationships list for this gal and helping with ideas for this series.

Hope you enjoyed reading it y’all.

#persona 3 #au idea #persona series #persona what if #chihiro fushimi #sees #SEES Chihiro #fuuka yamagishi #persona 3 reload

[lesbian-empress-nero]

“You’re going where-!?”

Ken sits at the table, wolfing down his breakfast of pancakes and bacon. “Tatsumi Port,” he says again with more clarity. “Me n’ Goro both. School trip thing.”

Aki and Shinji exchange a look, and Goro sighs. “I feel like I missed out on so much... But at least Ken can be like a tour guide. You’d better tell me everything, Ken.”

“Oh! If you tour Gekkoukan, say hi to Fushimi-chan for me,” Aki says before taking a sip of his coffee.

Ken chugs the last of his chocolate milk, and rolls his eyes with a grin on his face. “Dad, I doubt we’ll be touring the high school.”

Goro coughs into his hand, a sly expression on his face. “Technically, we aren’t supposed to be going at all. Rise-san pulled some strings to allow us there. It’s only for second-years.”

Shinji sighs, feeling a smile tug at his lips. “Aki, how do we keep getting involved with powerful people?”

Aki shrugs, finishing his coffee and gathering the dishes in his arms. “Beats me, Shinji. I’m not complaining though.”

Ken grins. “Oh! By the way, Mitsuru called the other day. Said she sent something to us in the mail. It should be here soon.”

Aki nods, and Shinji gets up. His bones pop and crack, and he winces as his scar twinges again. With the changing weather, it seems to be getting worse again. Oh, well. Just another thing to keep an eye on, really.

It always seems to get worse around midnight- the Dark Hour, and the time that channel the Investigation Team was talking about comes on. Not that Shinji ever checks it. Really, he thinks. There’s no point to it.

Time passes, and Ken is sitting at home alone. The others have gone out to do some shopping. Ken insisted that he was old enough to housesit, and it was Goro who convinced Dad and Papa to let him.

Ken pauses the TV when he hears a knock on the door. Is it that package Mitsuru sent?

He gets up, pauses at the door. A familiar voice sounds from the other side. “Delivery for the Sanadas!”

“Oh, hi, Namatame-san!” Ken grins as he opens the door. But what he’s met with isn’t Namatame-san. It’s a sack, trapping him in darkness as he tries to fight.

His Evoker. It’s still in his pocket, kept there just in case. He had stored it there out of habit, since the Dark Hour always lingers in the back of his mind. He tries to move his arms. Nothing. Shit.

He’s being hauled again, the sack is being lifted from his face and he’s falling, falling, falling.

The next and last thing he sees is fog, and a building that looks all too much like Tartarus.

WHAT THE FUCK THAT TOOK A TURN???? NAMATAME'S STUPID ASS RUINING EVERYTHING THEY WERE SO HAPPY GRRRRAHAGG!!! in all seriousness im actually so excited. excited for everyone's reactions to ken's disappearance especially shinji. i know you've talked about it but im actually bouncing up and down thinking about it being explored and explained more RAAAGGGGG

#nero answers #shackle-foes #akishinji #shinjiaki #persona 3 #persona 4 #persona 5 #family au #persona

[a-student-out-of-time]

One More Visit...

*Monday, February 4, Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital, afternoon*

...

...

Nurse: Kemuri-san?

Oh? Y-Yes?

Nurse: You have a visitor who’s come to see you.

A visitor?

Nurse: Yes, her name is...Nijue Iroha? She says she knows you?

Nijiue, huh? Alright, send her in.

________________________________________________

*A couple minutes later*

Hi, Ui-san!

Ah. So it is you?

Yeah, I wanted to stop by, see how you’re doing.

How have things been?

Really nice, actually. The hospital staff have been really kind and understanding, and I’ve got a nicer bed than I ever had at home. I’m also...not as jumpy as I used to be.

You, uhh...you didn’t bring Jataro, did you?

No, I figured you didn’t really wanna see him.

Nah. Not yet, anyway...

Maybe...sometime. I dunno.

Seriously though, thank you for hearing me out, and having them send me here. I...I don’t even wanna think about what prison would’ve been like.

Yeah...I’m glad you’re feeling better.

...Are you okay? I heard your parents got busted.

Oh yeah, hehe...I was there.

...I’m sorry you ever had to deal with people like that in your life. I get it, though.

Yeah. But, Ui-san...I wanted to let you know I took your advice.

My advice?

Yeah, I managed to meet some really great people during that event! One of them- you know Fushimi Sakura?- I asked her if I could have a job as a fashion model, and she said yes!

So, I’m gonna move back in with my brother and sisters, I’ve got a career lined up and I know the man who I wanna marry someday!

I’m happy for you, kid.

Why are you here, though?

I wanted to check on you.

See...these last few weeks, I’ve had to really rethink a lot about myself and my future. It’s been hard- like really, really hard. I know I’ve accidentally hurt a lot of people, and I’ve only thought about myself a lot of the time. It was wrong of me...especially with what happened to you.

I...I kinda understand what it must’ve been like for you, having to deal with everything you did...but you did it alone.

...It’s not a time I wanna think about again.

Yeah, same here.

...Do you ever miss Jataro?

...

Sorry, but I’m not really ready to answer that. It’s...complicated.

I get it. There’s always mixed feelings there.

But, after everything that happened, all the people I hurt, I still didn’t give up. I kept going and tried to make things right with them.

And it’s made my life a lot better now. Things are really looking up from here, and I...I wanted you to be a part of that.

...That’s...really nice of you, Iroha-san.

Yeah! So, do you maybe wanna paint something together?

Funny you say that. I was actually working on something before you showed up. Nothing much, just a landscape I made with just white and burnt amber.

Whoa, really? That’s so cool!

Thanks. Um, do you need any paint or did you bring your own?

If you can spare some, that’d be nice. I have a piece in mind that I wanna give to someone.

A shark with laser eyes fighting a robot snake.

...

Sounds really fun, honestly. You’re making it as a gift?

Yeah, it’s for...someone else I got to meet recently.

I’m sure they’ll love it.

Yeah, I know he will.

Is there anything you’d like me to paint for you, Ui-san?

Me? Well...I dunno.

If it’s not too much trouble, could you paint me...maybe a field of flowers or something?

Sure thing!

But can you do it with opposite colors? Red for the grass, orange for the sky, all that?

Are you challenging me?

Cuz if so, you’re on!

Sounds fun too.

Yeah. I think my favorite thing about art is when you make it for someone.

It’s the best part about making something great.

*Iroha gets to work on her gifts to Ui and Noriaki, whistling a happy tune to herself*

______________________________________________

ALL EYES ON ME: COMPLETE

#danganronpa #sdra2 #Super Daganronpa Another 2 #udg #ultra despair girls #Ui Kemuri #iroha nijiue #a student out of time #DR #All Eyes On Me arc #End of All Eyes On Me arc

[1-lightofjustice]

Justice for Awashima Seri

One of my latest posts made me want to re-watch K Project Return of Kings, especially Scepter 4 segment. And damn, there are so many things that happened to Awashima and frankly she didn’t deserve it. I’m not talking about GoRa’s overly disgusting fanservice attempts on Seri, although that’s indeed something that must be protested. I’m talking about how she was kept in dark by her two megane colleagues (mainly Munakata) even though she’s Second in Command of Scepter 4 and someone who has been working besides them for years. After I finished rewatching..... wow it’s worse than I remembered. My heart truly breaks for Seri, and I’m super glad that in the end she got her happy ending (by punching Munakata’s face). Like first, we know how worried she was about Munakata’s state, and after Reisaru’s fight in episode 8, Seri was so worried about Fushimi’s wellbeing and his bedding. Then at the very beginning of her role in episode 9, we have this :

For almost anyone besides Seri, maybe they will not think too much about the fact that they can’t understand what the hell are on Munakata and Fushimi’s heads, after all they’re not the easiest people to understand. But for Seri, it’s quite a new unpleasant territory for her. There’s a reason why she’s the Second in Command after Munakata, why she can easily command the rebel Fushimi without many protests from the said rebel, and why she can work alongside cryptic geniuses like Munakata and Fushimi. From R:B novel, we know that she’s an all-round achiever, but one of her main virtue is she’s goddamn observant. She more or less can understand Munakata’s unique mindset, and she mostly can see right through Fushimi’s bullshit. She more often can hit ‘100 point mark’ regarding the enigmatic Munakata and the ‘absolute tsundere’ Fushimi than any other human being except each other. Like on Munakata’s case, we have this :

Yoshino continued. “An ordinary man would have an interest in nude females, I think, but this is the Captain we’re talking about… How is it for him, what do you think?” She looked up at Awashima.

Awashima’s lips curved into a stiff smile as she took her time to think.

Then she drew a breath and, “I haven’t given that subject a thought until now. But well, if I had to answer…” She shook her head. “This is what I think: in the Captain’s case, it’s entirely possible that never once in his life he has so much as opened that kind of magazines or, alternatively, stores an entire thousand book collection of obscene materials in his room, and I won’t be surprised in the least in either case. Would this suffice as an answer?” Munakata Reishi’s right hand woman and Lieutenant, Awashima Seri, said with an even more strained smile.

 Case Files of Blue Chapter 1 (and looking at how eager Munakata asked Hidaka to show his collection, suffice to say that Awashima is absolutely correct about her answer).

Awashima: But, well, for the Captain it’s probably of equal value. Fushimi: Of equal value? What is? Awashima: Protecting this country’s peace and fulfilling his promise to a kindergartener.

Optician Drama CD

And on Fushimi’s case :

“…It might not be a misunderstanding, you know. What if I were in cahoots with Homura?” he retorted, lips pursed.

For a moment, Awashima’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing to slits as she humphed letting a slight smirk tug on her lips. “Suppose there really is a traitor who’s trembling while covered in cold sweat; I’d say at the very least it’s safe to assume he’s not switching sides because he likes it. It’s time for your report. The materials are ready, I hope?”

The King and The Traitor 

“It’s hard to call realistic, I have to agree with you on that. And on the off chance that it indeed is a strain’s doing, there is hardly any ground to claim harm sustained from the act. It’s the rainy season, after all. So I do find the idea of wasting time and manpower on investigating this possibility unreasonable, especially considering that we hardly have any to spare, but… if it’s an order from my superior officer, I will look into it though?”

It was said curtly and emotionlessly, but Awashima let out a little chuckle, hearing Fushimi’s answer. “Then look into it for me. Since like me, my competent and capable subordinate, too, seems to be concerned with this matter.”

Endless Rain

Also in anime, she noticed Yata’s worry for Mikoto and informed him about Mikoto’s condition to calm him. After breaking Sarumi’s fight, instead of asking apology, she demanded Fushimi to show her the result of his investigation, knowing full well that Fushimi already did some digging before he confronted Yata. She made the remark about only a King can attract another King. Heck, she already deduced that the reason why Munakata kept Zenjou-san on Scepter 4 is to kill Munakata one day, even though Munakata understandably never told anyone about it. During ROK, I kinda got feeling like Munakata and Fushimi were purposely ‘ghosting’ her, but looking at how observant she is, it’s quite understandable why Munakata and Fushimi kept Awashima in the dark to preserve their secret mission (still jerk move for them though). 

I think that’s one of the reason why Fushimi gave the hint about his secret mission only to Yata. Not only Yata is his best friend, but he also can count on Yata’s insensitiveness, having been the victim first-hand in the past. Like, Fushimi who is surprisingly responsible and dutiful for his job maybe thought “it’s fine to give Misaki a hint, it’s not like he can pick it up anyway”, so he can feel ‘less guilty’ for endangering the secrecy of his mission. Not that he’s wrong though, I mean Yata you’re a good guy but I have to say you really have a fine thick-head for not noticing and still saying that Fushimi betrayed the Blues, Fushimi jumped from sinking ship after Fushimi uttered such a vague sentence and after knowing that Fushimi secretly asked your brother to quit Jungle. Thank God Munakata gave him clear explanation later. Instead for Awashima, she only got this :

In that brief moment of silence, Fushimi let Awashima knew 3 things :

1. He joined Green clan and willing to attack his ‘former’ clansmen for them.

2. Not only joined Green clan, but he’s now one of J-ranker of Jungle. You know, the true Green clansmen, the one they have to be most cautious like Sukuna and Yukari.

3. He allied with one of Green clansman who participated on Anna’s kidnapping and former Scepter 4′s prisoner.

And he didn’t give Awashima and Kusanagi anything except complete silence and green-laced knife-throwing. Mission accomplished! The monkey succeeds on fooling the strong-willed and observant Lieutenant of Scepter 4. Just like the phrase “To fool your enemy, fool your friends”, there’s no way Awashima can perceive that except as complete betrayal. Haha.

(Truly, Fushimi was so good at executing his job. Too good, actually).

Then, after that shocking revelation that can shake someone’s mentality, she still had duty to report it toward her superior. Look at her reaction after Munakata said things about biting the giver’s hand.

(OMG watching that scene after knowing about Fushimi and Munakata’s secret mission made me truly itch to punch a certain King’s beautiful sparkly face).

She blamed herself for failing to look after Fushimi. I read some posts about Fushimi’s betrayal speculation before ROK episode 11 was aired, those who predicted that Fushimi joined Green for real, almost all expected Yata to stop Fushimi and made him go back to Scepter 4 (or Homra). While I understand the potential Sarumi heartbreaking angst and their another flashy fighting scene, I can’t help but think, can Yata do it? Not that I doubt strong bond between them, but Yata and Fushimi are equal in power. Okay, Yata is stronger in raw power, but Fushimi proved himself can accommodate his power effectively to match Yata. We know from their fight in Ashinaka Gakuen that Fushimi’s dual-color status can pass Yata’s defense, just like an attack can pass the defense from the same aura. Then Fushimi got his Green Aura. I didn’t say that Yata surely would lose to Fushimi on that situation, but it’s understandable if he lost and no one will blame him. But Seri? She’s canonly stronger than Fushimi, she’s usually can keep Fushimi on check in Scepter 4 and Seri is his direct superior after Munakata. I think if indeed Fushimi joined Green clan, the ones that have a chance to win battling him are Seri, Kusanagi, Kuro, and Kings. I can see Awashima blamed herself for failing to stop Fushimi and wanted to compensate for that failure by bringing Fushimi back to Scepter 4.

So, as if that burden is not heavy enough, Munakata brought Zenjou to his side and Awashima, who already worried about Munakata’s safety for a whole season and more, got an honor to watch on front seat as this happened :

Her King had a sword pointed toward his neck, but Awashima wasn’t fast enough to even touch her saber. Munakata’s Second in Command, who just realized that preventing her King’s Damocles Down is her responsibility, was shown the fact that she was not fast enough in comparison with Zenjou. Just, let’s imagine some time between episode 9 and 11 Seri looked at her saber, lamented at the fact that she failed to stop Fushimi and she was not fast enough to fulfil her most hurtful responsibility. Imagine Seri tried to get a hold of herself, readied herself to point her sword toward her closest comrades. 

Of course her torment didn’t end there. The Quack Prime Minister fired Munakata from his duty, removed him from Scepter 4. And Munakata, wordlessly, without giving any words or announcements toward his clansmen...  

(SERIOUSLY GIVE HER A BREAK! MUNAKATAAAAA!!!!)

I feel like that scene is the peak of Munakata’s “ghosting” toward Awashima. Not to mention, her (and Scepter 4) next order is :

(Help! My poor clueless ducklings are trapped while their genius jerk megane superiors are carelessly walking toward suicide plans!).

Honorary mention for the rest of poor lost ducklings :

(Yes, Munakata, you can’t just leave without any words toward your clansmen. Especially when you literally walked toward your death).

(BTW the meaning of “one unthinkable thing happening after another” is Fushimi’s betrayal followed by Munakata’s resignation. Little appreciation that they thought Fushimi’s betrayal is “unthinkable thing” even though the fact that Fushimi’s status as Homra’s “traitor” is widely known in Scepter 4).

 (Zenjou-san and the rest of Scepter 4 are not amused by your secret plan shenanigans, Munakata and Fushimi. Zenjou thought that those jerks truly ruin meganes’ reputation. Unbeknown to him, Enomoto thought the same).

Well, we know what happened after this. Seri and the rest of Special Squad got their first clue about what the heck is happened from a freaking TV, they rushed toward their King, the show was shifted to Silvers and Reds and NO SCEPTER 4 REUNION OR SETTLEMENT EVEN THOUGHT GORA CRAFTED SUCH A BIG AND COMPLEX CONFLICT IN SCEPTER 4.

Well, at least Seri got to punch Munakata in the face, even though in my opinion she truly deserved more after all the shits she had been through.

#k project #awashima seri #Munakata Reisi #fushimi saruhiko #scepter 4 #scepter 4 alphabet squad #the way Munakata detached himself from his clan #kinda mirrored how Mikoto detached himself from Homra before his death #Kings... #On Munakata's credit #he didn't let his clansmen terrorized an entire school as his clan's hostages #Still what he did is quite shitty in my opinion #Also Fushimi who move along with that suicide plan #knowing Fushimi maybe he thought that no one will mind if he died on the mission #and Munakata maybe thought that as long as Scepter 4 still has Seri they can survive without him #Seri-chan please knock their heads together HARD #for supposed geniuses they're so DUMB #k meta #meta

[itsuki-minamy]

WONDERFUL SCHOOL DAYS: MY PRECIOUS RED

CHAPTER 5: WINTER

Translation: Naru-kun Raws: skyflyinginaction

* Gakuen K (List of Chapters) * Projects & Chapters

In the end, the feeling of discomfort was unexpectedly terrible and she was unable to recover to the point where she could walk home. Although Fushimi's hands had helped her, she was so shocked that she was forced to undergo an examination and she went to the hospital that day.

The next day, after a medical examination, she returned to the girls' dormitory.

(Oh, just, because everyone is taking classes.), she thought.

However, although there should have been no abnormalities at the time of the exam, she had a fever at noon and she stopped going to school that day.

She knew what the reason was, probably from Yata's words.

She believed it was because those words were stuck in her chest and she was worried. In other words, it was something spiritual.

Because it was the first time Yata had yelled at her like that.

She was surprised by the word "betrayal" and that Yata thought that of her.

She didn't know why, of course he was hurt, and maybe he was angry. Because, Yata, he just said that and left the hospital room without hearing her excuse.

But at the same time, Yata's face at that moment couldn't get out of her head.

More than that, she didn't understand why. She thought he was hurt.

His face burned at the back of her eyes and it was very painful.

Actually, it was the opposite, but she still felt that she had hurt Yata.

Is it because he was worried and distraught? By the time Kukuri came to visit her at the end of school, her fever had risen higher and exceeded 38 degrees. Even the next morning, she did not come down. She apparently caught a cold since she was weak.

She had no choice but to go to the hospital the next day while she fluttered about.

She got a drip and a Chinese herbal medicine for the fever.

Anyway, she was bored alone in the room that day and tried to sleep. She had a hard time eating the yogurt that Kukuri bought for her and she took the medicine.

But the next morning, after all, the fever didn't go down.

(Oh, it's the third day. I want to go to school soon.), she thought.

She was impatient, but her body couldn't bear it.

"It doesn't work; it doesn't work..."

She coughed, looked at the ceiling and sighed.

Her body was hot and heavy. It was difficult to even turn around.

She couldn't go to school in that situation. She knew that going there would only cause annoyance and worry.

"Ah…"

She looked up at the ceiling and pursed her lips tightly.

She hated herself as a person.

Being alone in a quiet room reminded her of all the extra things.

This also happened last year, she was alone in the room.

Scared of herself as a "monster", she locked herself in her room. Other than that, she didn't know what to do.

She hugged herself trembling and stared at the wall. Also in the morning, even during the day and at night.

"......"

She wanted to go to school and laugh with Kukuri and Neko.

She also wanted to go to the "HOMRA" bar, and play with everyone in the red club.

She was alone, and she did not like being alone.

"Yata-kun..."

She coughed out the name on her chest. She wanted to see Yata.

She hurt the back of her nose.

Even if she said that, she still remembered what Yata said. She wanted to see him, but she knew he was upset.

Why? He was hurt, he was sad and angry, but she wanted to see him.

She didn't know why, but Yata doubted her.

Was she "betraying" Yata? Why? Why didn't she think that was never the case?

For Yata, how long have you been together since spring?

Did he join her with a sense of duty because of the injury he caused?

She gently clenched her back teeth and covered her eyes with both hands.

Even if she knew it was different, she thought so herself.

Because if not, do you think it is a "betrayal"? Although they are friends!

(Yata-kun, you said that even I was your friend, right?), she thought.

Or was it not good for her like that?

"......"

Thinking that, she shook her head.

She did not doubt him. She just wanted to say, why was she thinking only of Yata?

There were many other things to think about. For example, who locked her up in that place? What was the purpose of it?

Was she also an object of disgust and fear? Because she was as strange a Strain as she was in the previous school?

"Ah...!"

It was disconcerting and sad. Even if she knew she couldn't be helped, it hurt.

But why? After all, the thought immediately returned to Yata.

She thought of various things and she wanted to see him after all.

(Oh, I want to see Yata-kun and talk.), she thought she.

Even now, she wanted to see Yata above all else.

It was at that moment that she heard a clear pounding sound. That surprised her and she opened her eyes.

Looking at the alarm clock next to the bed, it was almost 12 o'clock.

Yes. In other words, it was definitely the time when both students and teachers were in school.

Eh? Who would it be at that time?

"……?"

The moment she wondered and looked around her, called her a second time.

Involuntarily it was impressive.

After all, the sound of knocking was not coming from the door.

When she struggled to get up, she moved to the window, dragging her heavy body.

Then when she moved the curtains and looked out onto the balcony,

"…?!"

Eh?

What she saw from the window was a black school uniform and a boy with auburn hair.

She opened her mouth in amazement, and hurriedly opened the window curtains.

"Yes, Yata-kun?"

It was Yata who was crouched on the balcony to avoid the gaze of the public.

Without a doubt, Yata.

"Uh..."

"Why are you here?! What happened to the school?"

"You have decided to skip it, right?"

Yata blushed and walked away.

"Well, if you think about it, it's true... Isn't that a lie?! Really, Yata-kun?"

"......"

It was too much, she did not immediately accept the reality that she had in front of her and she was confused.

She couldn't believe it, Yata went to the girls' dorm.

"I can enter?"

For her, that she had no choice but to be just a flower, the illusion came carefully.

She took a deep breath and said, "Okay, come in.", and opened the window wider.

"You were in bed."

"But…"

"You have a fever, right?"

Yata kicked off his shoes and walked in, saying that bluntly.

"Yes, I heard."

"Whose?"

"Kamamoto... and Yukizome."

"I see."

She wanted to see him, but she was still hurt and frustrated, so she couldn't speak well.

When she closed her mouth, Yata was also uncomfortable, and as he looked away from her, he coughed, "Would you like to go back to bed?"

"Mmm..."

She thought it was not a place to be stubborn, so she went to bed quietly, Yata sat cross-legged next to her and looked at her anxiously.

Her favorite, Yata's eyes.

Straightforward, hot, and unwavering, but kind.

"Are you okay?"

With that one word, her heart warmed enough that it was painful.

Oh, Yata. Anxious and overprotective. He always rushed first and protected her. The usual Yata.

Yata was next to her. She was so happy that she was about to burst into tears.

Oh, no. It wasn't just that. That was not the norm.

Finally, she realized. Being by his side was already an irreplaceable miracle, but for that it was painful.

Because he said that?

She bit her back teeth and looked at Yata.

"It is bad!"

Then Yata gritted his teeth, painfully distorted her face, and the next moment he sat on the ground. This was the second time for Yata.

Yata's strong voice echoed. She was concerned that they could hear it from outside.

It was the same as that time.

The first day of transfer. Just like Yata, who sat across from her.

He hit his forehead and screamed more.

"You can hit me until you feel like it!"

Eh?!

"Well, I won't do that."

She was surprised by the words, she hastily got up and shook her head.

"Oh, get up and you will fall!"

"Then stop doing that."

"Okay, but…!"

"They haven't asked you to do that, right?"

Perhaps Yata was surprised, he raised his head vigorously.

His eyes that pierced her harbored burning flames.

There was something she came up with with devotion.

Oh, how many times had those eyes saved her?

She liked her, she loved Yata's eyes.

"I want to hear the story, but they haven't asked me to sit down, much less hit me. Ok?"

"But..."

"If you stop, I'll lie down quietly."

"......"

When she said "Hey?", he thought it was not a place to be stubborn. Yata reluctantly crossed his legs. She was relieved and she went back to bed.

"It is bad…"

"You were in the hospital, right?"

"Ah…"

"Let me know..."

Yata painfully distorted his face and looked down.

After being silent for a while, he said, "I'm not going to make an excuse.", and slowly parted his lips.

"Saru was my best friend from high school."

"……!"

She gasped at the unexpected words.

She widened her eyes and looked at Yata, who was still face down.

Was Fushimi-kun his best friend?

There was no reason for him to lie. Yata couldn't lie.

But now they didn't see each other as friends.

"Are you a traitor too?"

Yata's piercing scream echoed through the hospital.

Finally, she was surprised at the unnaturalness of the words.

That was all. At that moment, Yata said "you too", "traitor", for the second time.

It was a word that would never come out unless someone had betrayed him in the past.

"Obviously, he was by my side. It was natural to be by my side. He was a partner and an ally. Truly, always, always together."

"Yata-kun..."

"Since then, I've been longing for Mikoto-san. Both Kusanagi-san and Totsuka-san. I wanted to go to his side and get closer. When I went to high school, I would definitely enter Homura. Both..."

Yata clenched his fist tightly.

"That's right, I entered high school, I entered Homura, but when the summer break was over, he left the club without permission and went straight to the blue club..."

"......"

"It was an unprecedented story in the red club and the blue club, and a big uproar. I didn't understand, and I rushed inside. But the monkey…! He couldn't even speak about the reason!"

He hit the ground with his fist. He shrugged.

"He just laughed to look down, nothing more..."

"......"

"I still don't understand the meaning. I don't understand it and that's why I'm angry..."

"Yata-kun..."

"Why did you betray me? I was far away. But is he your partner? The best is... Homura!"

He felt sad that he couldn't finish his thoughts with every word.

"It's important... I feel like everything was denied..."

"Yata-kun..."

"I heard that you should have gone to help with the class preparations, but you were with the Monkey in that place, and then you were taken away in an ambulance. I thought..."

Yata raised his head and looked at her painfully distorting his face.

"It's bad. You and the Monkey are different..."

He shook his head in a voice that squeezed the wound.

Yata hadn't figured it out at all, which was why he felt frustrated and dejected.

She felt that she could understand that frustrating feeling.

And she understood well the fear of suddenly losing something important.

Once suddenly she lost everything that was important to her.

"......"

(I see. That's Yata-kun's trauma.), she thought.

Perhaps he was very worried, that is why he lacked calm.

At the time, even Fushimi, who contacted her, didn't know what had happened. So they all were told only two things: "she was with Fushimi in an unpopular place" and "she got injured in an accident there."

Then it was impossible not to be suspicious. Especially if there was a trauma.

She could understand words with that feeling.

Finally, when she understood everything, she was relieved to breathe.

(I see. Oh, that was good. That was it.), she thought.

Yata did not doubt her or hate her.

"I said a terrible word and left the hospital room, but I immediately regretted it. Kusanagi-san scolded me. They all did. I thought I would apologize soon, but you had a fever and you were resting..."

Yata began to babble again.

"I thought I would wait until you were okay, but yesterday and today you were the same, so… in other words…"

"I made you worry..."

"That is not a good story."

Still, Yata went to the women's dormitory.

Not just to apologize. Perhaps he was very concerned about her body.

The gentle and eager Yata. Even in the case of a burn, he protected her in an overprotective way.

She smiled when she saw her left hand, which had been completely healed.

"Well, I think it's a story."

"Eh…?"

Yes. That was a good story.

Because at that moment, Yata remembered him at the hospital, right? The sadness when Fushimi left. Anger and suffering. The feeling of loss.

That's why he took it out on her.

So, huh? Why did she remind him of that? Isn't it because she thought she was like Fushimi?

It was natural to be by his side. It was very important. She didn't want to lose him.

That is why she was terrified and distraught.

She hears that.

Was that a convenient interpretation for her? Excessive shyness?

No. She could take a hundred steps and it would still be fine. Still, she was happy!

(I'm happy, Yata-kun. I'm glad I can feel relieved from the bottom of my heart.), she thought.

Because he didn't suspect her. She was not untrustworthy. He did not dislike her.

Yata was still the kind and dear Yata.

"Ah…"

(That's what makes me happy!), she thought.

When she took her hands off the futon, she picked up Yata's clothes.

"Uh..."

"Forgive me. I'm not angry. It was sad and it hurt, but most of all, I didn't understand the meaning. I'm glad you spoke..."

"I…"

"So, huh? Yata-kun... If I recover, will we play again...?"

Yata raised his face.

"Eh…?"

"Ah, play?"

"Of course. But that's..."

Yata got confused and shook his head.

She knew what he meant, because it was about Yata.

That was not compensation. Did he mean that?

But Yata, once again, they haven't asked him to pay, right?

Nothing has been done.

"Yata-kun. I will not leave, I will not betray you, because I no longer want to lose someone important to me. Remember that. I also lost everything once."

"That is to say…"

"Is it okay to be by my side? I want to be by your side... will you let me stay?"

"Ah…"

Yata's face was distorted as if he was crying.

Is it because he didn't want her to see him ​that way? Yata quickly grabbed the hat and lowered it to hide his eyes from her.

"Obviously...!"

She pretended not to know that the little voice was shaking.

How long had it been? For a long time, they were silent.

She fell silent and they remained together, almost motionless.

Oddly, the silence didn't bother her. However, the time passed peacefully.

She thought that the moment when nothing happened was very important.

She reached for Yata's clothes again, drowsy from the warm light.

"About Fushimi-kun…"

When she put on her clothes, Yata rolled his shoulders.

The line of sight that followed seemed terribly awkward. With confidence, just with that, she could see how much that case affected Yata's heart.

She hoped it would be resolved one day, anyway.

She thought that the important thing was not there. It was not necessary for him to understand. He didn't have to go back to normal. She thought it would be fine. Well, Yata's ideal might be to go back to the old relationship.

However, he was still trapped alone not knowing anything. She wishes he could get out of that situation. She thought that only that was different. That alone would be enough to save Yata.

"Do not give up."

"......!"

Speak clearly. She couldn't say anything more and fell silent.

As if Yata always did that, so did she.

"Don't give up, it's not good."

(Don't stop understanding each other. Even if it's painful, never give up.), she thought.

Kamamoto, Suoh, Kusanagi, Totsuka, and they were all next to him.

The moment it surrenders, it will break. It will never be like before.

She gave up and escaped earlier.

"Please don't make my mistake, Yata-kun."

"Ah!"

At her words, Yata distorted his face and moved his mouth as if he was about to start crying.

But no words came out.

The way he was, he bit down on his back teeth and lowered his head again.

"Stop saying that."

A terribly small voice. When she twisted her neck, Yata stared at her.

Her eyes were warm without fluctuation, and her heart made a loud noise.

"I'll tell you appropriately..."

"Yata-kun?"

"Get well soon."

Yata's soft words, which reddened her face, struck her gently.

"Did you eat at noon?"

After that, she was silent for a while and thought about each one of them, but suddenly Yata looked at the clock on the wall and said that.

"Oh, by the way... I haven't eaten..."

"Are you hungry? Should I do something?"

"I want to eat fried rice."

"Eh?"

When he remembered that he did it earlier, Yata opened his eyes.

"It's good for when you feel bad."

"The one you made earlier was delicious."

"I'll do it if you can eat it... But what about the ingredients?"

"Oh, it might not be possible."

She meant, what was in the fridge? For the past two days, she had only eaten yogurt and jelly, which Kukuri brought for her.

When she said that, Yata moved to the front of the refrigerator and looked at it.

"Seriously, there is almost nothing. Yogurt, jam and fruit. And eggs and cold rice?"

Having said that, when he took off his school uniform, Yata looked at her and gave his usual awkward smile.

"Turn it into egg porridge. I'll go back to making fried rice when you're okay."

His words made it even more painful. The hot feelings seemed to push her chest up.

The hot egg porridge made by Yata was delicious.

She had no appetite until a little while ago, but it seemed to be written on her stomach.

She was happy, and her smile naturally overflowed.

"Thank you, I am happy."

"I will do it anytime."

When she thanked him while she smiled, Yata blushed.

"Get well soon."

"Yes, of course."

Yata gave her an awkward smile.

It was like a miracle.

She realized that happiness was such a thing.

She smiled back and chewed on the wonderful "every day."

The next day, she was completely relieved and she went to school for the first time in a long time.

"Saya-chan! You finally came!"

Kukuri-chan! Sorry for worrying you! Thanks for everything!"

She jumped onto Kukuri's chest with both hands spread.

"Konohana-san, are you okay?"

"Isn't it better to rest still?"

"Gohan. Are you okay?"

"Shiro-kun, Yatogami-kun, Neko-chan! I'm fine! Sorry for worrying you!"

When she smiled, everyone breathed like they were relieved.

"I heard this year's cold is bad."

"But I feel like I hear that every year, with a fever."

In pollen season, you hear every year how many times more pollen flies than last year, right?

"But this is credible, because my man from the festival is resting."

(Huh? Festival man?), she thought.

They all point to the window at the same time.

Kamamoto was sitting there alone. Eh? That person?!

When she told everyone, "I'm sorry.", she ran over to Kamamoto.

"Good morning, Kamamoto-kun!"

"Oh, yeah. Is your body okay?"

"Yes. Sorry to worry you. What about Yata-kun?"

"He has a fever and is resting. He caught a cold."

Well, that was... too many thoughts went through her head and she suddenly screamed.

"Oh, that's right. I got infected and infected him."

She looked up and blocked for a moment, then looked at Kamamoto, who seemed bored alone, and tilted her head.

"I want to go see him after school, can you help me sneak into the men's dorm?"

"What? Good, but... Yata-san, he will jump."

"Eh? He will jump and he will be happy?"

"Does not mean that."

She wondered if she was being impatient and going too fast. She wondered if he would turn bright red and flutter.

She knew the way of him to act.

She smiled and clenched her fist.

"No problem, I like that side of Yata-kun!"

Also, she was very happy with yesterday's visit, and she was relieved to understand the situation for which he apologized, but because of that she felt that she wanted to give back because they hurt him in vain.

"I will gladly take you, Konohana-san."

"Thanks!"

So, at night, with the help of Kamamoto, she unknowingly visited Yata's room.

Yata, who screamed, closed the door saying, "Wait two minutes, wait a minute!", but she couldn't wait quietly in the hallway of the men's dorm, they might discover her in the first place.

If he had a fever and was trying to get rid of her, it was outrageous. It wasn't a joke, so she pushes the door aside...

Then, the "superhuman strength" activated well, and when she opened the door, she pushed Yata, who stood with a bright red face, into the room and it was worth taking care of him.

The school festival was only two weeks away.

In order to enjoy the preparation together, they had to be cured as soon as possible.

++++++++++

"What? Christmas party?"

"Yes. I wonder if the red club will do anything for Christmas."

Yata and Kamamoto looked at each other when she said that while closing their PDA.

The school festival was the most enjoyable, including the preparation period. It was too much fun.

Preparing for a class show and preparing a position at the red club. She was very busy at the same time, she wasn't saying she wasn't in trouble, but even now, she remembered having fun. Not only her, everyone smiled and had fun.

Yes, she smiled herself, although the case of being trapped in the warehouse was not solved.

She was afraid to think that malicious intent was hidden somewhere. She couldn't help but be afraid, but Yata was there.

She was sometimes too busy to find the criminal, but thank you all, she thought it was not so much.

When it came to festivals, the red part was still going strong. The post was a great success. On the first day, the prepared quantity ran out early. She significantly increased the number from the next day, but they were all sold out.

After the school festival, it was grandly opened at the "HOMRA" bar.

It was fun.

However, after having fun, the "student book" always arrives.

The scope of the final test had been announced and the preparation period began.

As usual, if they got a red point, they would be banned, so this time too, the red club will work as one to pass the test. By the way, they were heading to the library.

"Let's go quickly, Konohana-san."

"Eh? Yes? I heard from Kukuri-chan that the Christmas party is organized by the Silver Club, right?"

"Oh, that's right. Is that what they're doing at the Himmelreich?"

"Yes. That's right. Would you like to go with me? You were surprised. The Silver club has an airship. Every year, we have a Christmas party in that airship."

"Oh. At the moment, the organizer is supposed to be the Silver club that owns Himmelreich, but the student council and the Blue club are really in charge. The participants are the Silver club and the Blue club, the student council, students. generals invited by its members and general students who won the lottery. Some teachers. It's a lot of people and it seems to be great every year. The food is amazing and luxurious."

Perhaps Kamamoto's interest was at the end, because he was so strong.

"Last year we had a Christmas party."

"Oh, after all? That's true. You said you had a Halloween party too."

"I see. Then let's reject it.", she thought. It was a bit disappointing, but she would like to participate in the Red club area.

When she said that, Kamamoto frowned, "Okay?"

"…? It's okay?"

"You can't do it with the intention of participating, I think you'd be an ant going there, right?"

"Eh? Aren't you exaggerating? I haven't decided yet or something. Okay, but I'd like to participate with the Red club."

"That would be nice. I see. It's Christmas. We'll be there. So, I should avoid the red dot anyway. I can't be a hub."

"That's right. Good luck. Christmas without you would be boring."

"That's right. Let's do our best, Yata-san."

Kamamoto looked at Yata.

But Yata didn't answer that... that is, didn't he ask? While he was thinking of something, he coughed, "Yes. Christmas. Let's do that at Christmas."

She and Kamamoto looked at each other with raised eyebrows.

"Yata-kun?"

"Yata-san?"

"What?! What is it?"

What was that line?

"I'm thinking about it. What's wrong with you?"

"Hmmm, nothing!"

Yata shook his head with the feeling that it was all "yes".

When that happened, she was irritated.

When she looks at Yata, she smiled.

"Well then. What are we going to do at Christmas?"

"What?! I don't understand! I don't know anything!"

"Yes. I agree. So, tell us what you were thinking now."

"Nothing!"

"Yes. I understand that. That's why I'm translating ..."

"Konohana-san, please forgive me in that area..."

Kamamoto sighed and put his hand on her shoulder.

And in that moment…

"Check it out..."

A secret voice crept into her ears.

She suddenly stopped and looked around her as if that voice invited her.

Down the hall. The boys who were listening shook their shoulders and ran off the moment their gazes met.

"……?"

When he turned his neck, Kamamoto coughed, "Now...".

"Do you know them?"

"A little. It's bad. I remembered what I was doing."

"Eh?"

Kamamoto took out the PDA.

"Yata-san. I'll be back first."

"Eh?"

"Konohana-san. See you later."

"Huh? Oh, yeah. See you later."

When she waved her hand, Kamamoto also turned around and ran back the way he came from.

She turned her eyebrows and looked back at Yata.

"What happened?"

"Let's go."

Yata turned around.

"Mainly, I'll find it."

Some days after. She checks it out when she to see Totsuka at the Purchasing Department at noon. So after all, it looked like there would be a Christmas party at the Red club this year too.

"There is also Konohana-san. There is no reason not to."

"Uh, I'm happy! Great!"

When she laughed and clapped her hands, Totsuka patted her head and said "Okay."

"At that time, I think I can give you good news. I look forward to it."

(Good news? What will it be? And did he say it now?), she thought, but interpreted it as a small Christmas present.

With excitement in her chest, she gave Totsuka a big smile again.

"Yes! I'm looking forward to it!"

++++++++++

Bar "HOMRA".

The interior, which was always elegant and calm, was decorated in Christmas colors and was very beautiful.

The Christmas lily, which was large enough to look up, was pure white. The hanging ornaments were all white. However, only the large tied ribbon was crimson. It was terribly vivid to the eyes.

The lively Christmas song was playing in the store.

Kusanagi made a lot of English-style Christmas cookies, and they all got together.

This was her first time, but unlike Japanese cookies, English cookies had decoration on both sides. And the one with the middle cylinder was the winner. He had a paper crown, various items, and a sheet of paper with Christmas cards and jokes.

They played with it while saying something, enjoying the Christmas food from Kusanagi's hands, they played, talked, laughed and talked more.

Of course, no one was out of place with a red dot.

The Red club always tries its best to play. She thought they all worked hard to play.

She felt that he was appreciating the time he could spend with her friends and she liked seeing them all like this. She was glad to be a part of it.

What was a bit concerning is that Yata was a bit quiet. He was always at the center of the confusion.

He seemed like he was not eating well.

But when she said that to Kamamoto, he said, "Okay. Don't worry. No, pretend you don't know. He's nervous."

"Saya-chan, are you eating?"

"Yes! I ate a lot! The meatloaf was too tasty! Kusanagi-san's food is too tasty. I can't doubt it. Oh, I'm getting fat..."

"Yes. We're going to get a little fat."

"What the heck! I absolutely hate it!"

"Ah! Do you want to go home for the New Year’s holidays? Are you coming to eat osechi and ozoni? The store itself is closed, but hey, these guys are definitely coming."

"Of course. I will come."

"It doesn't matter what you cry. Do it right."

Kusanagi laughed and hit her with a pop.

"What? Are you making Konohana-san cry, Kusanagi-san?"

Totsuka smiled and sat down next to her.

"That is correct. It is a tremendous temptation."

"Eh? Don't be bad. Kusanagi-san."

"As a man, it is natural to persuade a pretty girl. There is no reason to complain."

Kusanagi laughed like a bad boy and left.

After saying goodbye with a smile, Totsuka squeezed his face.

"You know what? Konohana-san. About that matter…"

"That matter?"

"You were harassed before the school festival. You were trapped in the warehouse, right? We found the criminal."

"Eh?!"

She gasped at the unexpected words that she didn't expect.

She yelled a bit and looked at Totsuka seriously.

"Eh? The criminal?"

"Yes. Kamamoto noticed and contacted me. So, with the help of Fushimi, the email they sent you was rescued from the broken PDA at a later date. We also found out that it was sent from a PC."

"……!"

"I questioned the boy and confirmed everyone involved in the mischief."

"Ah…"

"Who was he?"

But before he answered that question, Totsuka put his index finger to his lips and sealed them. When he opened his eyes, Totsuka smiled and shook his head.

"I'll come back to that later. At the moment, you got a lot of attention from the Red club."

"......"

"For that? It's a reason."

Totsuka smiled like he was in a little trouble.

"Because it's a red dot in the red part."

"Eh?!"

The unexpected words surprised her.

The only red dot of the Red club, then?

"You said you wanted to join the club, but you couldn't. You didn't choose. You were very sad, you wanted to join a club, you wanted to get closer to the members, but that didn't come true. You didn't. We didn't have a female member, so he was convinced you couldn't get in because you were a woman until spring. But you got in. The first female member of all time. Surrounded by longing and sheltered people. He was jealous, frustrated, so, he talks to his friends, and it seems like they were getting excited."

"......"

"He didn't mean to hurt you. He wanted to annoy you a bit. That's all. He was shocked when an ambulance came. He said he was sorry. But he was jealous."

"Actually…"

"Kamamoto remembered. Last year, the boy wanted to join the Red club in addition to himself. So the other day when I saw the boy's eyes on Konohana-san, I thought maybe that was it."

"So you were correct?"

"Yes. I also saw his face and remembered. It is true that he wanted to join the club last year, but he couldn't take King's hand."

"……!"

In the spring, Totsuka said it was a rite of passage.

She remembered the hand he showed her, shining Homura's flame.

"Is that all? He thought it was unreasonable. He seemed to interpret that he was rejected because he was pointed out that he could not do it. So I thought, 'he was not chosen'. But no, we do not do that. Kamamoto also said to the boy: 'But Konohana-san didn't even doubt it'."

Totsuka laughed.

"Yes. That was the decisive thing that differentiated Konohana-san from him. It didn't matter if Konohana-san was a Strain or something. Konohana-san trusted us. That made the difference."

"Senpai..."

"You will finally ask a question."

After Totsuka looked at her, he softened his eyes from her.

"Do you want to know about that child? If you want to know, I will tell you the class and the name. Will he also be punished? If Konohana-san wants, he will be punished."

"What punishment?"

When she took a breath at the harsh words, Totsuka simply said, "It's natural."

"He hurt you."

"But!"

"At least I think Konohana-san and Fushimi have the right to punish him."

"......"

But that was...

Reflectively, she shook her head.

No, it wasn't right. She understood that what Totsuka said was also correct, but...

"It bothers you?"

"Yes!"

Totsuka's words were very important.

"I don't like it. It's not about having rights or anything like that."

"You don't want to punish him? Did you have that goal?"

"Yes, but..."

She really understood that person's feeling of envy.

Totsuka smiled at the words.

"I think I can do anything if you don't want to lose this place. No. I can do it."

That was why this was an irreplaceable place for her.

"This place is the 'best' to spend time with my friends."

Thus, she could understand the feelings that he painfully yearned for.

With a pong, one hand rested on her head.

Looking back, Kusanagi's mischievous smile was there.

Everyone laughed as she looked around her.

Suoh was also looking at her sideways.

And the moment her eyes met, Yata showed an awkward smile.

His dedicated, straight line of sight was unbreakable.

Her chest warmed.

That was all. She had a "miracle". She couldn't help but be a little jealous. Rather it could be natural. Because actually, this place is the "best" to spend time with friends.

She smiled a little and looked back at Totsuka.

"I don't have to know the class or the name. I don't want any punishment. If he won't do it anymore, that's fine. That's enough."

"Yes, then I will tell him."

Totsuka laughed softly.

She, too, smiled back at him with a warm feeling.

Outside the window, pure white snow flew in the indigo sky.

"It's okay?"

"It's okay!"

Yata replied with a loud voice that made the volume adjustment stupid.

She instinctively looked at the choked attitude he had when he was on the red side.

A night road with white snow.

As expected, Christmas had arrived. The illuminations were gorgeous and there was still no sign of sleeping in the city.

The way home from the party. Two people were walking down the path to the bedroom.

"Eh? Kamamoto-kun? Oh, Kamamoto-kun stayed at the bar because he helped clean it up."

"He told you to help him too, right? There, he was forced to chase you, saying, "It's okay because it's okay"."

After leaving the store, Yata kept quiet and looked more serious than during the party, and when she was worried about it she asked, "Are you okay?"

Well, if he could make such a strong voice, it would be really fine.

(But what happened? He was really weird today, right? Is there something that worries him? Oh, but Kamamoto-kun said he was nervous, right? Something... Oh! Maybe's the new headmaster of the red club? Will Totsuka announce it at the beginning of the year? Is that it?), thinking about that, she was walking at the time.

Yata stopped suddenly.

When he looked back, wondering, Yata looked at her for a moment and then fell silent, then opened his mouth as if he had decided something.

"I'll only say it once!"

"Eh? Oh, yeah."

She wondered what it was.

As she bowed his head, she was still searching and obediently waiting for Yata's words. This was also the "only time" that he did not come easily.

He could make his face turn bright red and scratch his head, or he could swim his eyes blazing, or suddenly pass out in agony. Just do that or nothing.

(Oh, Yata-kun? Is it snowing? It's really cold though.), she thought.

But somehow she couldn't say "make it faster" so she silently waited for the words.

How long should she wait? When it was colder and harder to stand silently, Yata finally looked directly at her. It was like a challenge.

His eyes with hot flames caught her.

"I like you...!"

"Ah...!"

A shaky and hazy voice seemed to have been desperately squeezed out.

But it pierced her heart more vividly than any word she had ever heard.

She involuntarily held her mouth with her hand.

She got those words from Yata, who was extremely shy... she got it... There was no question.

It was inspiring and so hot her chest ached. Of course, her face was almost on fire. She could no longer feel the cold. That margin had vanished somewhere.

"Ah...!"

The tears were overflowing.

And it was Yata who was scared. When he yelled, "Wow!", her eyes shed tears.

"Wow, too bad! I made you cry..."

"It's different. Not bad. I'm sorry..."

She had no more words.

She knew he was misunderstood, but she couldn't hold back the tears and covered her face with both hands.

"Ah!"

She was very happy.

It was a miracle to her, she was a "monster" a year ago.

The more painful it was, the hotter her chest became. The joy that filled her took her breath away. She was going to drown. She was so happy that it made her want to scream.

It's not that he was anxious, overprotective, and unreliable, but that he was compassionate, masculine, direct, big, and kind.

He always ran to her first, or he would walk away in shame.

Yata, who ran in front of everyone, was the coolest and most trusted. But he couldn't speak well to girls, and he would soon turn bright red and get embarrassed.

With Yata everything was fun, interesting, warm and very comfortable.

"Ah!"

His carefree smile was nice, but she also loved to see him laugh in a complicated and awkward way.

Since the spring, Yata was in everyone's memory of her.

(Oh, that's right. I can understand a little about the feeling of wanting to harass. If Yata-kun was stolen from me, I might even harass him. Because I don't want to leave him, or this place where everyone is.), she thought.

"Ah…"

"Well don't cry. Don't cry. I wonder..."

Yata's voice that seemed to be in trouble made her laugh.

"What? Hey..."

"Ah... it's true..."

He didn't even know why she was crying. She also liked that side of Yata.

She wiped away her tears, laughed and said it.

Just a few words, but they were important words.

"I like you too!"

"......!"

"I understand that I am so happy and crying..."

"Ah…"

At that moment, he hugged her so tightly that she couldn't breathe.

"Ah! I'm so happy, I will die of happiness...!"

"That's my line, Yata-kun."

She was too happy, she was scared, because she had more than a "miracle".

Was it really good? She could be happy.

She thought so, but she could no longer put that happiness aside.

She couldn't even imagine a life without Yata.

She silently felt Yata's body temperature, with great happiness.

However, for a time, he took such a bold action. Yata seemed to have returned to himself immediately, and the next moment, he screamed again and released her.

He apologized for a while saying "Wow, too bad!", but she didn't want him to apologize for that.

It was brief, which is why she found it disappointing.

Although she frowned, Yata's carefree and innocent smile couldn't be followed by a grumpy face, she relaxed and laughed.

"Hurrah!"

Yata held his fist with a bright smile before her.

"It was the best Christmas present!"

Yata's words suddenly exploded.

(But that's my line. A gift that's more than a "miracle", thank you!), she thought.

"First visit of the year to a shrine. Come on."

"Yes."

"Let's go to HOMRA to eat New Year's dishes."

"Yes."

"There are no special events in January, but let's play a lot with everyone."

"Yes."

Yata stepped forward holding her hand. The answer was short, she was nervous.

But that was enough to warm her heart.

She laughed and looked up at the indigo sky with white snow.

"If it stacks up, I want to have a snowball fight."

"Okay."

"Ok, let's go."

He takes out the PDA and check the time.

"I guess they got mad."

"Ah…"

Yata sighed.

The time for the bedroom curfew was past, Yata sighed, but he didn't seem to be in a hurry.

She was very happy about it. Because it was Christmas, and she still wanted to be with him.

When she laughed, she felt terribly happy and held Yata's hand.

#k #k project #k wonderfull school days #yata misaki #totsuka tatara #mikoto suoh #fushimi saruhiko #homra #scepter 4 #kamamoto rikyo #gakuen k

[the-currian]

Could you please do a prompt with "I don't know who to choose" with reader, omi and masumi??

I see you, anon  👀👀👀 This prompt isn’t actually on the list – the closest would be “I don’t know which one to choose.”

If you really meant that prompt, this would be an entirely different scenario. But since I thought of a scenario already when I saw the prompt you sent in, I’ll let it slide…

But for future reference, please follow the rules of the posts I make, everyone!

Anyway, I’m not mad. I just wanna stick to the rules of my blog^^

Also, I’m gonna assume Year 3 ages so this will be less squicky for me. Therefore, Omi is 22 and Masumi is 18.

“I don’t know.” Ideas

“I don’t know who to choose.”

Your sketchbook was settled securely on your lap as you perched upon a fountain, lost in the scenery around you at the local park. As you try your best to commit the image to paper, your mind registers the faint shutter sound of a camera in the background. Used to hearing the sound around the scenic park, you pay no heed to it and continue to sketch. Strangely, the shutters of the camera slowly become closer and closer. You try your best to ignore it up until the point when the shutters become too close for comfort. Annoyed, you look up to see a (quite attractive) young man standing a few feet away from you sheepishly lower his camera.

“Er… hello…” he greets, trailing off with an awkward laugh.

You narrow your eyes at him and set your sketchbook aside, standing up to stride over and give him a piece of your mind. Probably sensing the aura of righteous fury you radiate, the brown-haired man raises his arms up in surrender as if trying to placate you.

“Wait, wait!” he cries out. “Hey now… let me explain, please.”

‘The audacity…’ you think to yourself but cross your arms expectantly, waiting for his explanation.

“I’m Omi, a photographer and actor.” he says, extending his hand for a handshake. When you refuse to offer your own hand, still pretty pissed at his intrusion of privacy, he pulls his hand back and rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment. “So, um… I came to the park looking for still life to photograph, but then you caught my eye and I kinda just thoughtlessly snapped a shot. I’m really sorry –”

“Can I see the picture?” you interrupt.

“Of-of course.” Omi obliges. His cheeks flush in embarrassment, but he dutifully shows you the picture he took of you. You marvel at his use of light, manipulating the angle to catch your sharp features as you appear to be in complete focus, fixated on your own artwork.

“Wow… you made me look great in this photo…”

Omi murmurs something that you don’t quite catch but when you ask him to repeat it, he flushes an even darker shade of pink and diverts the conversation to his interest in photography, showing you other shots of the still life that he claimed to be taking pictures of earlier. You find yourself drawn in by the passion glowing in his eyes as he talks about the photos.

Over the course of your conversation, the two of you move to one of the parks benches. Mid-sentence, Omi glances at the park’s clock and he pauses.

“Everything alright?” you ask.

“I didn’t realize the time…” Omi replies, looking at you with a troubled gaze.

“Hey, no problem. Don’t let me keep you.”

“But–“

“I frequent this place a lot for inspiration, so I’ll see you around?” you say, standing up. Feeling bold, you give him a playful wink and say, “And next time you want to take a picture of me, just ask! See you soon, Omi!”

You run off without glancing back, a bit embarrassed to find out what his reaction was.

--

Later that week you visit your favorite music store. As you browse through some vintage vinyl, you can feel someone’s eyes on you. You quickly swivel around but find no one else in the aisle with you. Warily, you turn back to the music selection only to feel someone’s presence somewhat uncomfortably close to you.

“You’ve got good taste.”

You jump at the proximity of the stranger’s voice and take a few seconds to calm yourself before facing the guy.

“E-excuse me?”

“I’ve been watching you make your rounds through the store.” He says, absentmindedly twirling the cord of his white headphones. “I prefer post and progressive rock, but I know how to appreciate some of the older gens of music.”

As he goes on, you notice that he slowly inches his hand closer and closer to your face. You close your eyes – in fear? anticipation? – and are surprised to see that he merely pulls out a record from behind you and starts scanning its contents.

‘Weird…’ you think, watching the stranger. ‘But he is kinda cute, I guess…’

Noticing the title on the case of the vinyl, you instantly perk up, forgetting your earlier apprehension.

“Hey, that’s one of my favorites!”

Before you can second guess yourself, you pluck the vinyl out of the stranger’s hands and march over to the store’s vinyl record player. When the stranger fails to follow you, you throw him an expectant glance and he dutifully makes his way over. As you play the record, a smile makes its way onto your face, and you bop your head to the beat. Again, you can feel the stranger’s eyes on you, but this time you pay no heed – actually basking in the attention this time.

“My name is Masumi, by the way.”

You smile at him.

“Nice to meet you, Masumi.”

Before you close your eyes to lose yourself in the vibe of the music, you could’ve sworn you saw a dark blush on Masumi’s cheeks as he stared at you but quickly shoot down that idea.

‘It’s probably nothing…’

--

Weeks pass since the last time you’ve seen those two – admittedly handsome and charming – strangers. Remembering yourself, you shake your head to clear your cloudy thoughts.

‘Focus. You’re here to support Izumi’s play.’ You think to yourself as you take a seat in the packed theater. You review the playbill given to you at the entrance. ‘A mixed troupe play by the Spring and Autumn Troupes, with the leads played by – ‘

Your eyes widen.

‘Omi Fushimi and Masumi Usui?!’

You’re shaken out of your thoughts by Izumi’s voice ringing throughout the theater, announcing the beginning of the play. Sure enough, the two strangers you met earlier this month come out on stage. Thankfully, neither of them seem to be able to see you among the crowded audience.

‘I asked fate to give me a plot twist this month… but not like this!’

--

“Izumi!” you yell your friend’s name, practically barreling her over when you see her after the show. “You did so well!”

“Ahahaha, hello to you, too.” Izumi returns your hug before pulling away. “But you give me too much credit – it’s the actors who carried out the show, after all.”

“Don’t you dare give me that self-deprecation, Tachibana!” you scold, mockingly shaking a fist at her. “The director is just as important as the actors!”

Izumi laughs, waving off your playful anger. “Yes, yes. Come on, I wanna introduce you to the cast.”

Remembering who exactly the lead actors were, your mood quickly turns sour. “Uh, maybe not… I wouldn’t want to bother them right after the show. They need their rest if they want to keep going for the rest of the week.”

“Nonsense!” Izumi says, linking her arm with yours. “Let’s go!”

Izumi whisks you backstage, you desperately trying to escape her grip and trying to make excuses up along the way, but Izumi has none of and before you know it the door to the dressing room is unceremoniously thrown open. Immediately, you can feel several pairs of eyes on you, and are particularly attuned to two of the actors’ gazes which you try your best to avoid.

“Great job, everyone!” Izumi greets, oblivious to the atmosphere in the room. “This is one of my friends from my old theater troupe. They said they really liked your performance, and they’re here – “

“- for me.” Two voices cut in.

Omi and Masumi stare at each other, surprised. A few beats pass and Masumi gets a feral look in his eyes, which Omi meets with a smug smirk. The two quickly make their way over to you and Izumi, who is looking more and more confused by the second.

“I had no idea my favorite muse would be coming to watch our show.” Omi says with a cheeky wink. “If I had known you were interested in theater, I would’ve invited you myself.”

Before you can reply, Masumi butts in.

“Your favorite muse?” Masumi sneers condescendingly at the older man. As Masumi focuses his gaze on you and Izumi, his entire demeanor does a 180.

“My angel of music here obviously heard about me being the lead and came over to see me. How kind of you to bring them backstage, director. You’re the best. How about the two of you join me for dinner?” Masumi says, outstretching his hands to the both of you. Beside you, Izumi sighs but seems to be accustomed to Masumi’s antics.

Omi gently nudges Masumi to the side, offering his own hand. “Oh, but it wouldn’t be fair to split your attention between the director and your… angel of music, now would it, Masumi? How about you take the director out to dinner, while I go to dinner with – “

As the two men bicker, you shoot a desperate look at Izumi, who seems to finally have a grasp on the situation. Looking at the men’s hands offered to you in invitation, you feel an internal struggle rise.

‘I…I don’t know who to choose!’

Mercifully, Izumi finally comes to her senses and comes to your rescue, slinging an arm around your shoulders.

“How about we go with the whole cast in celebration for a successful opening night?” Izumi says, more of a command than a question. The two men immediately stop their argument and defer to their director, but both have pouts on their faces, brows furrowed.

You and Izumi walk out of the theater, arms linked. Omi and Masumi are close behind the two of you, with the rest of the cast leisurely trailing after. As you chat with Izumi, she suddenly looks back with a stern expression. Omi gives a kind, but obviously strained, smile in response, while Masumi does his best to school his face into an innocent expression. You and Izumi glance at each other and sigh.

‘This is gonna be a long night…’

#a3! #omi x reader #masumi x reader #izumi tachibana #a3game #omi fushimi #masumi usui #a3! izumi

[chromaticthird]

🖤 + RINSHIMI

SEND ‘🖤 + PAIRING’ FOR ME TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING

1) my muse’s initial impression of yours

it was difficult to not notice the one kid who kept to herself, even when scepter 4 had brought out the huge bundle of toys and study supplies they'd donated to the orphanage. rin had been a wallflower, clinging only to the weathered walls or to the sisters who went to check on her, and when fushimi, mustering patience as kids scrambled for the bags he'd offered, finally saw her, he felt a sliver of camaraderie. saw his old self in that quiet, blank-faced kid, but not quite. he hadn't been that visibly sad and emptied, he thought.

just before they'd started packing up, he approached her, but kept a solid distance. "hey," he said, then tossed one of the bags at her feet. he then turned away, and no one had to know that he'd stuffed some candies ( -- lieutenant awashima sometimes slipped him some; claimed they're for an energy boost -- ) into the pack.

2) my muse’s favorite physical attribute of yours

her hair. for her first few years in scepter 4, rin really only kept to fushimi, so i could see him developing a habit out of combing out and fixing up her hair for her. he'd grumble about it, of course, but he would studiously learn about how to cut and style a girl's hair for her.

he really likes her smile. it puts a small, enduring bright spot to even his worst days.

3) my muse’s favorite personality attribute of yours

her perseverance. even when it borders stubbornness.

4) a moment that made my muse realize how much they care about yours

when he'd found himself going out of his way to ask about whoever the hell tailors the scepter 4 uniforms, just so he could have them make her a replica of his coat after she'd once gushed about how cool it looked.

5) something my muse never found the words to say to yours

even when they're now at a point where they just know what the other wants to express, no actual words needed, fushimi still finds himself in moments with rin where he just. thinks. thinks of how he can say 'thank you' for everything rin had opened up for him. for teaching him how to care for someone to such a depth; for allowing his walls to fall, if at least to her; for helping him heal some deep-seated scars alongside her -- for everything.

6) something my muse wishes they had never said to yours 

there are too many -- too painful -- to list down. he's already so indiscriminately abrasive, but it gets so much worse when he has those days. and while one could assume that their closeness would spare rin from the sharpness of his tongue, on the contrary, it loads him with more lethal ammunition, and i can see more than a handful of nights where he says too much, cutting when he doesn't really mean to, and rin recedes back into her childhood shell, and fushimi digs himself into deeper pits of regret and self-hatred.

but thus far, they've always patched things up. it makes fushimi hold this growing mass of guilt tighter to his chest.

just say the word and mayhaps we can write or discuss one of these nights hahahaha....

7) something your muse does that makes mine feel safe 

when she keeps the perfect amount of distance from him. rin undoubtedly has the best understanding of fushimi's boundaries and comfort zones, so he silently appreciates it when she can respect his personal bubble while effectively asserting that she's there for him. it's the first instance of him being 'seen' where he feels it's more comforting than damning.

8) something your muse does that makes mine smile

...an incriminating amount of things, so he would really rather not let me name them lololol. rin's cheerfulness is just so damn transparent and infectious that fushimi can cite several examples where he'd had to fight back a smile.

9) something my muse wants to protect yours from 

loss. he isn't always the best at showing as much, but he's dead-set on protecting rin from experiencing anything that even slightly mirrors what she'd gone through before they'd met in the orphanage.

10) ways my muse says ‘i love you’ without saying those words

in the small gifts and in the smaller gestures. he puts a ridiculous amount of thought to what he gives rin, and more often than not the gifts are hand-made in a certain fashion. and with how he's the worst with physical affection, he'd like to think that the times where he's initiating contact ( -- a pat on the back here, a bout of hair ruffling there, an awkward, loose hug whenever she seems to need it from him -- ) counts as much.

#withagentleheart #( ship: your eyes they tell | RIN&FUSHIMI ) #// rinshimi loving hours OPEN 24/7

[thatsaweirdwaytospellundead]

Secret Repayment Gift Research /3

Summary: White Day is coming and Izumi is stuck on what to get Guy as a repayment gift. After some serious thought she decides to give him…

This is part 2 of ‘Secret Repayment Gift Research’, read part 1 here!

Izumi

Hey Guy!

Guy

Hm? Oh you’re here too. We have been running into each other a lot lately.

Izumi

You think?

Guy

We ran into each other at the grocery store not too long ago too.

Izumi

Oh, that’s right! By the way I wanted to ask..

Guy

Hm, are you here looking for something?

Izumi

Ehh!? Umm welll..

(Damn, he asked me first..! Gahh, I can’t tell him I’m here trying to find some fishing stuff for his repayment gift, so I gotta think of some sort of cover..)

U-Uhh I came here to buy some make up!

Guy

Make up? What kind? If you would like, I can accompany you.

Izumi

UHHH! Well umm, I.. Uhh, I already got what I needed so it’s alright. Maybe instead I can help you with your shopping?

Guy

You would like to accompany me?

Izumi

Yes! I mean, it’s pretty good timing we both met up at a time like this so if it’s alright with you, I would be happy to join you in shopping.

Guy

Alright. I am looking for some kitchenware so any input you have would be much appreciated. Thank you for your offer.

Izumi

I’ll do my best!

(I see, so even though Guy is into fishing, he’s been working on improving his bar so maybe something for he could use there would be good..)

Izumi

Actually, I didn’t expect you to ask me about make up to be honest.

Guy

Oh, is that so? I learned a couple things from Azami for our collaboration event.

Izumi

I see. I am sure Azami would be happy to hear that you have become more interested in make up thanks to him.

Guy

If we were to tell him that, I am sure he would have a lot more things to share with us.

.. Anyway, the store I wanted to visit is here.

Izumi

So what exactly did you come here to buy?

Guy

Porcelain enamel kitchenware. .. Oh, the set I am interested in is this one.

Izumi

Ohh, this is the same set we have in our dorm!

Guy

It is. Fushimi told me about it. Have you used it before?

Izumi

Yes, it’s pretty easy to use!

Guy

I see. It looks like the whole set is here..

Izumi

(So this is what Guy looks like when he’s trying to make a decision. I should also try and look with him.)

Option

Look at this beautiful whine glass!

Look at this cute pot!

Izumi

Option: (Oh, look at this beautiful wine glass..! But it’s kinda over budget..)

They have a lot of different types of wine glasses.

Guy

So they do. They say that the taste of wine can differ depending on the shape of the glass.

The temperature of the wine can also affect the taste. When choosing a wine glass, one must consider how it will affect the taste and temperature of the drink.

Izumi

Oh, I see, it’s a pretty deep topic.

Guy

We use a variety of glasses at my bar. I invite you to come and compare them for yourself.

I always make sure there is a seat reserved for you.

Izumi

Alright, I look forward to it!

END OPTION

Izumi

Option: Wow, the pot over here is shaped like a cat! So cute!

And it has a crocodile on the lid.. Oh, and there’s a matching apron too!

Guy

Is there? I am sure Citronia would love something like that.

I think an apron like this would also look good on you, what do you think? It seems like it would suit you.

Izumi

You think so? Well I’ll consider it then..

END OPTION

Izumi

Huh, what’s over in this section..

(Oh, it looks like there’s some cleaning supplies and storage items here, pretty convenient.

Maybe Guy could use something like this?)

.. Maybe it’s a little too soon, but there is cleaning supplies and storage items here, they look pretty useful.

Guy 

I see. They do seem pretty useful.

Izumi

They do!

Guy

Yes. .. Hmm you seem rather energetic today, director. Is there something going on?

Izumi

Uh, no, not at all!

(Alright, I am totally gonna get this for Guy’s repayment gift! Despite a few road blocks along the way, I have made my final decision.)

END STORY

#a3 #a3! translation #エースリー #s:Wisteria's Smile #event:cosmetic syndrome #a3:guy

[redxblueihateloveyou]

Thank you so much for answering my question! It is really kind of you. I have 2 more if it is not a bother: Do you know Haikyuu? I have seen lots of ships on your tumblr and considering what kinds of ships you like, Haikyuu has SO MANY potential for you. :) And the second question is, what do you think about Mikoto and Reisi from K? I only saw Sarumi posts, so I am curious.

Oh heHE, let’s start with k project. Honestly Sarumi is the only ship I care about in this anime, I mean every other couple there for me is very undeveloped for me. Sarumi is like true love shit, I wasn’t expecting them to even go there, and when Misaki said to him “I want you to have a real home you can come back to and that’s me” my jaw was on the floor. I mean, they’ve seen each other at their worst and still loved each other (honestly the whole Fushimi’s father storyline and Misaki holding him through it was just too much for my heart). So they’re the only romantic ship for me in this anime.

Mikoto... wasn’t he in love with that guy who he took into their clan to protect? Who was killed? The one who lalala played the guitar whatever was his name? And that’s why he didn’t want to live after that, only wanted revenge and then finita? No?

Red king and blue king did have a sexual tension in that lighting a cigarette scene, other than that... they just “fought” with each other lots and I don’t even see much relationships or like anything that would make them a good romantic couple. And even if I pretend  that they loved each other... Mikoto asked him to help him killing himself? That’s like assholishness level 200 to me. I never got this idea of asking your loved one to finish your ass... like bitch, maybe it sounds good for you but did your selfish ass think about how your other half is going to live with that? So that’s a huge no for me. 

But seriously I like don’t know what to look for there, I don’t see it. I hope he’s in heavens with that other guy, but also I don’t really care, cause Fushimi was like the only thing why I sat through the whole thing, cause lord that hour of watching that girls watermelons I could’ve spent more productive (like man I was trying not to fall asleep during some useless episodes, I don’t even know why and what for some characters were even there), BUT but it was all worth it, cause there is one character who was written so good and so complex and he’s so well done that I don’t even mind.

Now before I go to Haikyuu... I think my problem is that unlike many I don’t ship every bromance just bc it’s a good bromance. Because sometimes there are some great bromances but they give out like zero romantic vibes. For example, Stiles and Scott: would totally die for each other, hug each other a lot, have no problem with saying I love you, but they’re like best bros, there is nothing romantic there. Like Stiles can ask Danny or Scott if they find him attractive, but he would never ask Derek about this, you know what I mean? They’re like me and my sister.

So for me there is a huge difference between bro things and gay things (like I only partly joked while making that rinharu post). And some couples are clearly crossed that line in some weird moments. Because things like high fiving each other and hugging each other don’t make anyone gay. I don’t know if that makes sense for anybody else... but those who have siblings or bffs will get what I mean. 

Like classical example is Rin Matsuoka. When it come to Sousuke he easily writes him letters and calls him like I feel with my best friend. I can call anytime and be like “bro, I’ve missed you”. Cue the 3x03 weirdest scene when Rin misses Haru and is afraid to call and tell him that. That’s the proof here that they’re clearly something weird there, cause if they were just friends he would be like “hey, bro, missed you” which will never be the case here.

Or can you imagine Rin and Haru seeing each other and being like “yo man” and fist bumping and hitting each other? I’ll bet 1000$ that you can’t. Rin can hit Sousuke in the shins, and ruffle Nagisa’s hair, but Haru would never get this from him. And spoiler: it’s not cause he hates him xD

Also I think the easiest example is Kuroko. (and please, don’t think I’m judging ppl for shipping stuff, I mean to each their own, it’s just my opinion). It’s the anime where people ship everyone with everyone just because of hey... bromances, while in my opinion most of them have seriously nothing gay about them and most of them just do normal bro things. Like how can Kuroko and Kagami be seen as smth romantic I still don’t get. Or like Aomine and Kagami thing??? They are like freaking twins. Same with Kise and Kasamatsu, Midorima and Akashi ships and many others.

Like we see Kuroko and how he behaves with everyone. Firstly he was shadow for everybody: Kise, Aomine, Kagami and he was good with every one of them. Kuroko is a people’s person, he is caring, he thinks about others a lot, he cares about everyone including Haizaki who is an ass tbh, so it’s also nothing special (I mean that way you can ship him even with Kyoshi xD). Aomine is special for Kuroko bc he understands him the most on the field, Kise is his main rival, Kagami is his least problematic light, Murasakibara is his favorite as a person... etc, this way you can ship Kuroko with anyone. 

But... someone gets what none of them get. Like Kuroko never checked anybody out or said compliments... but he did think Akashi looked yummy in his kimono at the festival. Kuroko never told anybody a zillion words “it’s all because of you” speech... except for one person. None of them made his heart crack and cry rivers when they left him... except one. And I just loved how we get this with everyone:

And then suddenly this happens:

Lol okay, blue-shems. He gives him his food and asks questions about “who’s his type and his special one”, like... you know he doesn’t do that with anyone else. And Akashi is not his bestie. So yeah, explain this as “bromance”.

Same with Akashi. He forms the new team. He actually misses Kuroko so much that he goes and finds a copy of him. The ONLY GOM member he can’t go without and it’s proved after Kuroko asked him on the interview “who is the person you scared to lose the most” and Akashi answers “you.. it’s you, Kuroko”. Now... hold the horses. We all know that Midorima is his bestie, there’s no contest there, which brings us to the fact that he places Kuroko higher than his best friend which makes Kuroko his... what exactly? 

It’s just some things can’t be BRO things.

Like when you cover your eyes and going “dude, don’t show your package in public, zip it, no one wants to see that”, that’s what I’m like when I accidentally see my sister’s boob. That’s how Makoto behaves when he sees naked Nagisa and Haru who’s undressing.

Opposite to Rin oggling Haru half naked and Haru shaking before touching Rin. That’s clearly not how you feel about your “just friend”. Everyone who has bffs must confirm that they don’t get nervous about touching them or them touching you cause you’re comfortable with that. Does this make any sense? I hope, it does. I’m not very good at explaining.

Now about Haikyuu. Haha I’ve been avoiding this so much, cause I didn’t want ppl to throw stones at me. I’ve tried.. I really tried to watch it twice. Once I got to ep8, 2nd time I asked my sister to watch with me (cause it’s funnier that way, that’s how we got through durarara without dying xD) and I still gave up after ep14.

It’s not only just that I was bored and I thought it’s gonna get exciting but it didn’t (bc I’m more of an interesting characters > an interesting plot person), it’s just.. it was episode 14 and I didn’t even find any character who would interest me cause they were so cliche. Especially Hinata. He’s like that super typical main from what I called the “never give up it’s such a wonderful life” bunch that I really deeply respect, but kinda so very tired of them lol. But he’s also from the loud bunch.. and I think I still hear Asta’s voice sometimes, even though I’ve dropped Black Clover after ep10 like a year ago xD

Now I can’t make judgements about the whole thing cause I didn’t watch it, but from what I saw (I mean “shipping scenes” from tumblr) and asked from ppl who has seen the whole thing (one huge fan and another one - not a huge fan, my sister), I got the idea that this anime is more bromancy that romancy. And there are no couples there like “without you I have nothing to aim for and I want a future with you” or “you made my life a dream and you’re the light of my life and I’m scared to lose you the most” like there are in free or knb. 

Now my sister has finished it 4 months later and said that it was just okay. And I was like “okay, but what about ships?” because I’m willing to close my eyes on the plot of the ships are good. And she went “well... two mains, I guess” and she was so apathetic about it that I was like “If she who ships much more than me is like that then I won’t see anything there” xD

But... like if you have anything to say to convince me or interest me in it, I’m willing to listen. If you have smth that would make wanna try for the 3rd time, I’ll even record how did it go xD.

#answered #saku0015 #Sarumi #k project #rinharu #Free! #KNB #akakuro

[ridiasfangirlings]

Fushimi as Kotaro while the s4 members as the other apartment tenants in a Kotaro Lives Alone AU. (I sometimes don't end up sending an ask cause I think I already sent too much before so I may or may not have sent this same ask to you before, I'm sorry if I have and feel free to ignore this. Thanks).

Imagine everyone just falling in love with poor little Fushimi who is all on his own D: Say in this AU Kisa dies young and her little son Fushimi gets her inheritance, though he’s unaware of it. Fushimi is taken away from his creepy dad and set up at an orphanage but when he’s found by Niki he decides to run away and go hide, living by himself at an apartment complex. His rent is paid by a ‘generous benefactor,’ which is actually Kisa’s inheritance that’s being handled by lawyer Munakata. Munakata would love to adopt this adorable child himself but is aware that Fushimi would reject him if Munakata decided to do this without getting Fushimi’s agreement first, so instead he just brings Fushimi money regularly and tries to play puzzles with him. He’s hoping that eventually little Fushimi will ask to come home with him but it hasn’t happened yet, even so Munakata is willing to be patient and does his best to support Fushimi from afar. Fushimi thinks Mr. Glasses is weird and creepy. 

Meanwhile the rest of the tenants at the apartment complex become aware that there’s this little gloomy child living in one of the apartments and there doesn’t seem to be any parents anywhere (but this strange sparkly nerd man in glasses will show up every now and again). Awashima works with Munakata and helped him get the apartment for Fushimi so when she’s off work she checks on him in Munakata’s place, imagine she’s always bringing him giant stuffed animals even though Fushimi says he doesn’t need them (and imagine Fushimi with this huge collection and he has no idea what to do with them but also somehow he can’t get rid of them). Government employee Hidaka immediately goes full big brother mode with Fushimi, imagine Fushimi’s school happens to be in the same direction as Hidaka’s office and Hidaka likes to walk Fushimi to school every day. Hidaka’s always smiling and chatting, even with Fushimi glares and complains, but at the same time Fushimi is now never bothered by bullies because he has his ‘giant big brother’ with him. Hidaka’s coworker Enomoto walks with them too, imagine Enomoto trying to get Fushimi into conversations about anime and being crestfallen that Fushimi doesn’t watch anything like that (except secretly Fushimi totally does and loves it). 

Kamo meanwhile brings Fushimi a lot of his food, he’s not allowed to see his own daughter and probably kinda tries to take a parental role towards this kid who’s only a few years older than his daughter. Kamo runs a sushi restaurant and brings Fushimi leftovers, though he quickly realizes that Fushimi won’t eat a lot of things and has to be particular in what he brings. Akiyama and Benzai are policemen who are like vaguely aware that a small kid shouldn’t be alone in an apartment and maybe they even find out that Niki is looking for Fushimi. They eventually realize why Fushimi is hiding from Niki though and use their position to throw Niki off the scent so Fushimi can be safe. The rest of the apartment complex finds out about this too and imagine Gotou putting up some cursed statues around the foundation just to be safe, while Doumyouji tries to teach Fushimi how to defend himself with a stick (this ends with Fushimi hitting Doumyouji with a stick for being an idiot while Doumyouji cries that Fushimi is mean). Even Fuse, who pretends he finds the kid annoying, is always keeping an eye out and making sure Fushimi is okay, the whole apartment complex wants to protect him.

#Fushimi Saruhiko #Talking K #nooo poor babu Fushimi on his own #imagine him as little elementary schooler trying to be self sufficient #all the alphabet boys as his big brother #and Munakata who desperately has to rein in his desire to Adopt

[jokertrap-ran]

[Gakuen K] Common Route: School where Ability-users gather Translation

*Translator’s note : MC’s name shall remain as my normal (水嶋ラン) *Done on a whim, please spare me. *Spoiler FREE : Translations under cut !

Ran: This place is…?

Neko: Our hideout!

Ran: Hideout?

Kuroh: Don’t say such confusing things, Neko. This is our Club, the Silver Club’s Clubroom.

Ran: The Clubroom...Wait, Yatogami-kun? The Silver Club you were speaking of earlier-

Yashiro: I’m back~

Neko: Wa~ Welcome back, Shiro! Are you hurt?

Yashiro: Nope, not at all. I’m just as lively as you can see.

Kuroh: What about tails; anyone followed you?

Yashiro: I don’t think there’ll be any. I bombed them all with lots of flour bombs!

Yashiro: It’s been a long time, not. Well, it must have been a hell of a first day for you since you’ve just transferred in.

Ran: Thank you for helping me out there, Shiro-kun.

Yashiro: I’m not the only one who helped you, you know?

Ran: That’s true…

Ran: Thank you too, Yatogami-kun, Neko-chan!

Kuroh: I don’t require thanks for something of that caliber.

Neko: Yup! No need!

Ran: I see, but still...Thank you.

Ran: Aren’t the 3 of you scared at all?

Yashiro: Scared? By what? The Red and Blue Clubs?

Ran: No, not them. Me.

Ran: I’ve got powers that normal people don’t. That’s why I’ve been causing nothing but trouble to the people around me and that’s also how I ended up being unable to continue attending my previous school.

Ran: I thought that I could live a normal life now that I’ve started anew in this school, but it seems like I’ll have to search for a new school to transfer into now that this has happened…

Yashiro: You don’t have to do that. There’s not even a single millimeter of need.

Ran: How can you say something like that?

Ran: I’m someone that never knew that she even had powers to begin with. And then, suddenly...The School Building erupted into such a scene when I finally realised that I was the origin of the powers.

Ran: And then all my classmates started distancing themselves from me. No one could look at me the same way ever again.

Ran: I...I don’t want to be alienated by people just because of my powers anymore.

Kuroh: So, you’ll run. And then, what next? There’s no guarantee that your powers won’t flare to life again in the future. Are you going to run away from it till you die?

Ran: That’s…

Yashiro: Oh, for crying out loud. You’re so serious about it! Look, you’re troubling her!

Yashiro: I wish for you to trust my words. There’s absolutely no need for you to run from this school. Actually, it's the complete opposite.

Ran: Opposite?

Yashiro: That’s right. You’re someone who should be in this school. This school, Super Ashinaka Academy, is where Ability-users gather.

Ran: Gather? You mean…

Yashiro: Eh? Wait, you mean no one has told you about the Extraordinary Clubs? Ones like the Red and Blue Clubs and the like.

Ran: Kukuri-chan told me about those. She said that you can gain abilities if you join those clubs.

Yashiro: That’s right, but there are people just like you who’re also in those clubs. People who’ve already had abilities prior to joining.

Yashiro: Congenital or Acquired, regardless of which group you belong to, this school has a lot of Ability-users. That’s why no one would ever alienate you here.

Yashiro: Strains are almost non-existent outside of this Island, much less those who are born as one. That’s probably why they thought you weird.

Yashiro: Most Ability-users are eccentric themselves, so there’s nothing for you to worry about. I’m sure you can live here normally, despite your differences.

Yashiro: You’re not alone. This school is where you should be.

Ran: (I’m not alone anymore...)

Ran: I see. So I don’t have to run anymore?

Yashiro: Do you feel better now?

Ran: Yeah, a little.

Ran: It’s only because you guys are still talking to me as per usual. So, I think...I think I’ll trust you.

Neko: Me, me!! I’ve got a question for Rice!

Ran: Huh? What?

Neko: What’s your Ability!? Giving out a delicious scent!?

Kuroh: I’m certainly intrigued. It seemed like one that cancels out the Abilities of others from what I saw in the Courtyard, but what is it exactly?

Ran: Well...Sorry, but I don’t really know, myself.

Neko: Nya? You don’t know? What do you mean?

Ran: My Ability. I don’t know anything about it at all, despite having been born with it.

Ran: I’ve only just recently found out about these powers of mine. I was living a normal life, until that day…

Ran: That’s why, I have absolutely no idea what my power is or how to activate it.

Yashiro: So, what was that power you unleashed back in the Courtyard?

Ran: A coincidence. That just happened when I wanted to save Kukuri-chan.

Kuroh: So you’re a Strain that can’t control your own powers. You’re certainly someone that the Blue Club would love to put under their observation.

Ran: Observation…

Yashiro: Geez, Kuroh! Stop scaring her already!

Kuroh: But that’s the truth. You’ll only continue to be targeted so long as you’re a strain. Not just by the Blue Club, but the Red Club as well.

Ran: ……

Yashiro: Don’t look so down about it. It’s not like there’s no way to settle this.

Ran: Eh? Really?

Yashiro: Yup, really. You’re only being targeted because you’re a Strain. Therefore!

Ran: Therefore?

Yashiro: You should enter an Extraordinary Club! If you do, then the people in those Clubs will become your friends! They should protect you from anyone from the outside who tries to steal you away!

Yashiro: Plus, since they’re all Ability-users, you might be able to learn how to control your Abilities. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to go out of control either.

Ran: (Me...Enter an Extraordinary Club?)

Ran: But...You’ve got to be acknowledged by the respective Club Presidents in order to enter one of those Extraordinary Clubs, right?

Yashiro: No confidence? Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll be able to get in. I’m sure they’ll adknowledge you, and no, this isn’t just mere lip-service.

Yashiro: Suoh-senpai and Munakata-senpai both seemed to be real interested in you, and even I-

Fushimi: Don’t try to slip away from us, Silver Club!

Neko: Argh!!!! What are you doing here, darned glasses!!

Fushimi: I have no business with you. I came for that girl over there.

Ran: Me…?

Fushimi: Tch...That’s right. I was told to come check up on you by our Leader.

Fushimi: And to think that you’ve been all locked away by the Silver Club’s President once I’ve finally managed to find you.

Ran: The Silver Club’s president? You mean…

Neko: Heh heh heh! It’s not a what if! Shiro’s the president!

Ran: Ehh!? For real!?

Kuroh: It’s not a lie, it’s a factual truth. You’ve already received a detailed explanation from him, so why are you doubting him now?

Ran: Uh, well...I hope you can listen to this without getting mad, though.

Ran: Shiro-kun just doesn’t seem like a Club President at all…

Yashiro: Ahaha, that’s true. I don’t think I’m cut out for it either, but I’m really, really, really! The Silver Club’s President.

Yashiro: Although, it isn’t my intention to lock you up away with force. I just hope that you’ll consider us, the SIlver Club, as one of the options available to you.

Ran: Shiro-kun…

Fushimi: Tch...I told you not to try slipping past us, didn’t I!? Or were you not listening?

Yashiro: Yes, yes, sorry about it. Whooops! Lunch Break is almost over so we should really be returning back to our classrooms now. Come on then, everyone out.

Fushimi: ...And I’ve only just finally managed to find you too.

Neko: Darned glasses! I’m gonna lock up the Clubroom so hurry and get out!

Fushimi: ...Tch.

»» ━━━━━━━ ∘◦♔◦∘ ━━━━━━━ ««

Next Scene: Ally

#Gakuen K #Gakuen K: Wonderful School Days #K project #Otome #Translations #Isana Yashiro #Neko #Yatogami Kuroh #Fushimi Saruhiko #Gakuen K Common Route

[yasbxxgie]

By the time I made the hike down the long pathway from the top of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari to the houses below, I was thirsty. Which was convenient, since many local residents take advantage of foot traffic from the mountainside Shinto shrine by hosting small cafes in their homes. It was on that winding street that I first encountered amazake, an ancient, non-alcoholic, lightly fermented rice drink, which a helpful English sign noted could be served “hot or cold”.

I looked at the faintly sweet and creamy drink as a reward for my physical activity, one that, like kombucha, promised to replenish me after physical activity. But what my ¥400 (£3) bought me was actually a microcosm of Japanese culinary history.

First developed in the Kofun period (around 250 to 538AD), amazake was originally a food fermentation and preservation technique, created by boiling rice, water and koji, a filamentous fungus that is also used in the fermentation of miso, natto and soy sauce, for eight to 10 hours. The resulting drink, which is packed full of nutrients and gut-friendly bacteria, became so popular that it’s even mentioned in the Nihon Shoki, a text compiled in 720AD that comprises the oldest official history of Japan.

Since then, the drink has seen several rises and falls in popularity. Sales jumped 134.8% between 2016 and 2017, according to food and drink exhibition Foodex Japan, at the time that at-home fermentation became a trendy pastime. The drink then continued its popularity in 2019, thanks in no small part to boyband Kanjani Eight, who were hired to act as spokespeople for Hiyashi Amazake, a popular brand throughout Japan. Amazake also has a regular presence in cafes and convenience stores across the country, with locals sipping on it as a morning treat or afternoon pick-me-up.

Hiroshi Sugihara (杉原大), a fishmonger and fermentation enthusiast originally from Japan’s Aichi prefecture who relocated to Perth, Australia, has seen the rise of fermentation culture firsthand. His Facebook group THE BREW LIFE-発酵生活 has swelled to more than 5,900 members worldwide since its creation in 2014. Already a fan of fermenting miso and doburoku (a form of sake), he enjoyed introducing amazake, a drink from his childhood, to the group.

“It was very interesting and there were mixed reactions from Caucasian [members] but Asians were able to relate [it] to some of their traditional sweets,” he said.

Sugihara fondly recalls drinking hot amazake at temples on New Year’s Eve. Because the beverage is believed to have warming qualities (particularly due to ginger, which is often used to add flavour), it tends to be heavily consumed during the winter months, a period that includes several major holidays, including the Hinamatsuri “Doll Festival”. This has resulted in many Japanese people considering the drink as a tie to both their past and current national culture. As Shihoko Ura, author of food blog Chopstick Chronicles explains, her memories of amazake are laced with a fair amount of sentimentality, particularly now that she’s migrated to Australia.

“I used to be a Red Cross-trained RN in Ise City, Mie prefecture, where there is [the] famous Ise Shrine,” she recalled. “Ise shrine served free amazake for worshippers, and we first-aid employees were also offered the drink. I was always looking forward to the sweet treat when I had a little break in [my] eight-hour shift.”

Amazake is a sugary drink, as hinted at by its name, which translates to “sweet sake”, even though it only contains trace amounts of alcohol due to the fermentation process. Because of that translation, finding it in convenience stores can be tricky for non-Japanese speakers, who should consider asking for a brand name, such as Hiyashi Amazake or Marumi-koji-honten to avoid being served alcoholic sake instead.

As I sipped on my drink, I was surprised by the lumpy texture, similar to rice porridge, due to the small pieces of koji suspended in the liquid. At roughly 80 calories per 100g, it’s healthier than its creamy texture might initially imply, and fans of amazake claim it can positively impact seemingly every part of the body, including hair growth, weight loss, hangover recovery, sleep cycles and bowel movements.

Because of its nutrients, which include B6, folic acid, ferulic acid, dietary fibre and a notable amount of glucose, many claim it deserves a place in Japan’s stable of hangovers cures, which includes beverages made from turmeric or beef liver, ingredients meant to clean a specific organ. And amazake’s drinkable, easy-to-digest, gluten-free nutrients have also earned it the nickname “drinkable IV”, something that Sugihara confirms from experience.

“I usually have it when I have cold or fever and especially when I don’t have an appetite,” he said. “Amazake is something easier to swallow, yummy, and, thanks to the power of starch-breaking enzyme [found in the koji], it’s sort of pre-digested so kind to the digestive system, too.”

Its qualities are also thought to go beyond health benefits. As Misaki (文咲), a model and Spa LaQua ambassador in Tokyo explains, the drink is also loved by the beauty community. “Vitamin B group contained in amazake is related to metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, skin and hair,” she told me via email. “Therefore, beauty effects are expected. Amazake also contains an ingredient called ergothioneine, an antioxidant that has the effect of suppressing skin aging.”

But with any food touted as an ancient cure-all, the big question remains. Does it actually work?

Adam Yee, an Austin-based food scientist and host of the podcast My Food Job Rocks, agrees that the minerals and vitamins contained in amazake will help the appearance of skin and hair – if consumed in large amounts. But he also says that the power of suggestion plays a large part in determining a food’s worth. He cited bone broth’s spike in popularity, a beverage that made many similar claims, as one example of good PR. However, he also made it clear that because amazake has an element that’s still very hard to scientifically account for, there may be some hidden, unaccounted truth to these claims.

“Fermentation is something that we really don’t know much about,” he explained. “It’s not like, give it one thing and [it] spits out another thing. Food is so complex, the koji that’s eating whatever it’s around, might actually create something different. You can say the same thing about yeast. Bread and wine are two different things, even though they use the same yeast strain.”

Currently, amazake is barely known outside of Asia. But that looks set to change. Like matcha, which has found its way into desserts both at home and abroad, amazake has become a ubiquitous part of Japanese cuisine, often extending past beverage status. Its continuing success outside of Japan was even predicted by America’s Test Kitchen, who named koji its number one food trend forecast for 2020.

John Sugimura (杉村), corporate executive chef and concept-brand director at PinKU Japanese Street Food in Minneapolis, has turned the drink into a signature part of his offerings, using it both as a creamy base and a way to add unexpected bursts of texture.

“I enjoy delicious baked goods including amazake for its nutrients,” he said. “For me growing up [with Japanese and German parents in the United States], I enjoyed amazake and banana smoothies. I have the most experience making pickles using amazake. And my greatest accomplishment has been incorporating amazake into my ‘sexy sesame dressing’ and salad.

This fusion of cultures may be what will eventually help amazake become a food trend outside of Japan, similar to the way kombucha and quinoa are now widely considered health foods outside their native regions of China/Russia and the Andean region of South America.

Atsushi Nakagawa (中川 貴司), owner of Amazake Co in California, agrees, noting that by linking it to already-popular products, he only has to provide his consumers with a basic introduction to the drink and its potential benefits. After completing apprenticeships at miso and koji microbreweries in Japan over the last few years, he’s pleased at how his knowledge of amazake has sparked the interest of his Los Angeles-based clientele, and how he’s been inspired to play with traditional flavours.

“They get it,” he said. “Especially they love our amazake-mixed latte drinks. We offer Japanese ceremonial matcha, Golden Milk (turmeric, ginger and cinnamon) and horchata flavours. In the last few weeks, more and more people are becoming interested in our Pure Amazake, which is undiluted, so they can use it however they want.”

It might be easy to think of amazake as another trendy food. After all, bone broth, Brussels sprouts and açaí have all seen spikes and falls in popularity. However, those who grew up with amazake see its resurgence within Japan and its gradual introduction outside the country as an opportunity to take pride in their culture. As Sugimura explains, it’s that mindset that encourages him to experiment with the drink’s benefits – and has informed much of his career in food as a whole.

“When I was young, I resisted many Japanese traditions out of fear for the code of etiquette,” he said. “As a third-generation Japanese-American lacking mentoring, there were so many expectations on social behaviour, I became overwhelmed. Fast forward, [and now] every day is a celebration of my Japanese-American heritage.”

Amazake is a cup of Japanese history, but the natural energy the beverage delivers still feels very relevant today. I finished my drink, and returned the glass to the cafe owner, ready to continue exploring Kyoto. It might have just been the superfood at work, but not only did I feel nourished, I felt connected, too.

#amazake #drinkable iv #fermentation #koji #japan #japanese #beverage #beverages #bbc #bbc news

[fauxcheva]

  《Family Headcanons—— !! 》   《@rubldus​ sent:  💕😤⚰️🌟 //U KNOW I HAD TO DO THIS also saru hates all of his family but?? i'm interested in who he hates the least???  》

What are your muse’s thoughts on parenting and being a parent even if they aren’t one?

     Fushimi’s thoughts on parenting as a whole are rather  ABSENT  to be honest. He doesn’t really have much of an opinion. Like some people might be inclined to be wary of moms or dads because of their own experiences with a bad parent but he isn’t despite coming from a household with  TWO  differently abusive parents. This is mostly because he himself knows that it would be wrong to hold this comparison to others’ and he’s met caring parents before that loved him ( i.e. Yata’s mom ). At one point he even  WONDERED  what it  was like to have a parent because his own were so horribly absent that it simply didn’t feel as if he had any— one was neglectful and the other abusive. Fushimi’s disconnect from them goes so far as to never call them mom or dad but instead “ that woman ” and “ that man ”.

          Overall his thoughts are that one shouldn’t have a kid unless they’re  READY  and actually want one. Although he’s incredibly negative and has stated before that kids should learn heroes that come to save them  AREN’T  real, he also doesn’t believe they should go through what he has. They should be raised with love.

     As for his thoughts on being a parent if he  WERE  one, well... He thinks it’s a mistake. Fushimi firmly believes that if there were anyone that shouldn’t ever be a parent it’s himself. It’s all due to how he was raised and how he  IS  that leaves there little belief that he would be a good dad. The truth of it is that he’s terrified of messing up— of fucking up the kid(s) and leading them to be the same as him or  WORSE  ! He knows he has issues and that things aren’t wholly right in his head even if he functions relatively well. Apart from the trauma his father gave him, there’s the fact he would see hallucinations of the damned man !

               It’s a quiet hope for the kids to please,  PLEASE  not be anything like him.

          He would truly love it if his kid grew up a little angel and overall the complete opposite of himself but that’s probably such a  SLIM  chance. It’s sad to think about how much Fushimi doesn’t want to be like his father. It’s practically the one thing in life that he wants and it would be a prevalent  FEAR  if he had a child. Honestly, he’d never forgive himself if things went wrong but the fact is that he wouldn’t be a bad parent ! Even if he thinks it shouldn’t be allowed of him, he’d be so insanely protective and just a little bit spoiling and you’d see this  INCREDIBLE  gentleness no one knew was possible of him. But there are other areas he’d lack in that would need his partner’s aid such as anything emotional. He’d try but...well he’s just not a sympathetic person and struggles immensely with others’ emotional situations.

How would/does your muse handle unruly, difficult or dangerous behavior from their children?

     It’s not that Fushimi is a mean parent but he strikes me as the kind where one word is all you need to  KNOW  that you’ve fucked up ? It’s that natural ‘ no nonsense ’ and intimidating look that he has along with his lack of patience. If his kid is misbehaving he’ll put them in line quickly whether it means taking something away and  NOT  giving it back no matter the tears or restraining them himself until they calm down and stop making a fuss. He tries his best to not snap at them due to his constant fear of being a bad parent and  BELIEVING  that if he did, it would set him on that path. It’s hard. And were it any  GROWN  person he absolutely would have let them have it. He tries to correct them from the moment they start acting up so that it doesn’t continue or stick, but if his partner insists it’s okay in moderation he may allow it.

          I’m not too sure what qualifies as dangerous behavior, but like I said before he’d be extremely protective of his kids. If they endangered themselves in any way or if something happened he’d be so  SHAKEN  and that could be displayed in a multitude of ways. It’s one of the only times he might actually yell at them. Afterwards he’d keep a close eye and probably limit what they’re able to do whether in his sight or not before he can  TRUST  they’d be okay on their own again. He doesn’t deal with these scares too well.

How would the loss of a family member affect them? Does it vary based on type of family member?

     Well we do see how he handles his own father’s death which was... Not the best thanks to his hallucination at the time but overall Fushimi just  DIDN’T  care. Iirc his only thing against it was that he died from ridiculous circumstances ( not eating right ). He’s so far removed from his family that any one of them could pass away and not affect him in  ANY  sort of manner. The only reason he has lasting effects from his father’s is because the man abused him for  YEARS.  There’s the trauma and psychological aftereffects but that’s it. He’s not mournful and he’s not inclined to care in the slightest. If his mom were to die, maybe he’d show up to the funeral out of customs, but he wouldn’t shed a tear. This certainly doesn’t vary from family member to family member since again—— he’s so  REMOVED  from them. He doesn’t know anyone so personally to give a crap and he’s not sorry for it either.

          Aya is probably the only one Fushimi would have some kind of reaction to since, as I stated in another hc, she’s the one person he hates the  LEAST.  But even her death wouldn’t have him crying or thinking over it for very long.

Who is your muse’s favorite family member, why?

     Answered here !

#ˢᵉᶜᵒᶰᵈ ʰᵃᶰᵈ ˢᵐᵒᵏᵉ ᴵ ᵇʳᵉᵃᵗʰᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶤᶰ; rubldus #ᶠᵉᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ᵗʳᵘᵗʰˢ ᶠᵉᵉᵈ ᵐᵉ ˡᶤᵉˢ; hcs #ʷʰᵉʳᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ˢᵗʳᶤᶰᵍˢ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ᵖᵘᵖᵖᵉᵗ; ooc #FINALLY DID THESE UGH #long post

[ghosthunthq]

Memento (Part 1 of 2)

For: @seoulsborne123​

By: @csakuras​

——

The trees on the mountain path shimmered with morning dew.  Gene passed through a row of red-orange torii gates lining the path, so dense that they practically made a vermillion tunnel.

Fushimi Inari Taisha.  He had come here first thing in the morning, to beat the crowds and the heat.  Gradually, he made his way up the mountain, snapping pictures now and then.

It was like he’d entered a different world.  He could sense it, in the trees, in the shrines, in the thousands of torii gates.  This was sacred ground.

This place is fantastic, Gene thought.  You’re really missing out, Noll.  Told you you should’ve come.

He knew his thoughts would not reach their intended recipient.  Their abilities had weakened enough by now that their telepathic link no longer stretched across oceans.  And yet, throughout his trip, Gene kept trying. Maybe it was just habit. He’d grown used to the fact that, no matter where he went— even when he was alone— he would always be able to reach his brother.

Which meant this was one of the few times in his life that Gene was truly alone.

On one hand, it was liberating.  Being able to go anywhere and do anything he liked without anyone to caution or complain.  But now, nearly a week into his trip, he was starting to realize just how isolating that could be too.

After making his way through another tunnel of torii, Gene stopped by a small shrine to catch his breath.  The hike was tougher than he’d anticipated, and the humidity didn’t help. He sat on a mossy rock and sipped from his bottle of tea.

He sensed it before he saw it.  A familiar tingle up his spine. He turned to his left, just in time to see it appear from behind a tree.

A white fox.  Said to be the messengers of the Inari Okami, he had seen many statues of them along the way, many of them holding keys in their mouths.  This fox didn’t look quite as fearsome; actually, it looked downright adorable.

“Hey, there,” Gene said.  “Come to check on me?”

The fox stood still, staring at him.

“I’m no threat, I swear.  Just visiting.” He gave it a disarming smile, and a short bow for good measure.

It sat, tilting its head curiously at him.

Slowly, Gene set down his bottle of tea and raised his digital camera, getting the fox into frame.

“Shhh…just hold still a second, okay?”

Briefly, he wondered if this might be considered disrespectful.  Well…hopefully he wouldn’t be cursed afterwards.

The camera clicked, and the picture was taken.  The fox didn’t seem perturbed; it merely stood and wandered away, having seemingly lost interest, and disappeared in a sunbeam.

Gene looked at the preview screen of his camera.  There was no sign of the fox anywhere in the picture, even when he zoomed in.  No smudge of light or anything. Just background scenery.

He smiled wryly.  Gene knew that a camera couldn’t capture everything that he saw.  Not even SPR’s high tech cameras could do that.

It was a shame.  Noll might have actually liked to see this one.

The main reason for this trip was a client’s request, of course.  And some research on the side. But also, Gene had hoped to visit his ethnic homeland someday, so he had been grateful for the opportunity.

Their ethnic homeland.  Unfortunately, Noll hadn’t been interested enough to join him.  But Gene still wished he could share what it was like. In one form or another…

——

It was on the weekend after the Agawa case.  Mai brought Naru tea in his office as usual, but instead of leaving right away, she spoke up.

“Oh, by the way, I forgot to tell you something.  I mean, I would’ve told you when you first came back, but we had that case…  Anyway, Mori-san already approved it, but since you’re my boss, you should know too.”  

Naru sipped at his tea.  “Please get to the point.”  

“I won’t be here next weekend.”  

He blinked.  “Huh?”

Mai grinned.  “That’s right, this time I’m the one going on a trip!  To Kyoto!”

He stared at her, looking a bit lost.  

She took a moment to enjoy that rare look on his face before explaining.  “It’s my school trip. Do you have those in England? My whole class is going for a few days.”  

Understanding dawned in his expression.  “I see.” Then he nodded. “I will make note of it.”

“Come to think of it, you went to Kyoto too, right?  A little after I started working here? How was it?”

“Hot.”

She waited for him to continue, but that seemed to be all he had to say about it.

Then again, he didn’t exactly go there to sightsee, did he?  He had gone to search for Gene…

“Wait, does that mean Gene went to Kyoto too?”

Naru nodded.  “I’d been retracing Gene’s steps during his trip, and learned that he had gone there to meet with a spiritualist.  As far as I know, the man was one of the last people to have spoken with him before the accident. I went to ask if he had any idea where Gene had planned on going next.”

“Did he know?”

“No.  It seemed they only discussed mediumship or trivial matters.  If it had gone that easily, I would have found him much sooner.”  Naru sighed.

And then, within only a few short months of them meeting, Naru would have left.  And Mai would have never found out anything— about Naru’s identity, why he was here, or…about Gene.  Selfish as it was, she was almost glad that things played out the way they did.

“Hey…” she began, hesitantly.  “Do you think I could meet with that spiritualist too?”

Naru frowned.  “Meet him? Why?”  

“I guess…I’m just curious.  Maybe if I talk to him, I could find out where Gene visited in Kyoto.  I could see the same things, walk the same places…and stuff.” She blushed and shook her head.  “N-nevermind, it’s stupid. You wouldn’t understand anyway.”

She took her tray and quickly exited his office.

What was she thinking?  There was no use trying to explain something so sentimental to him.  As if he’d even care.

——

Later that afternoon, John dropped by the office for a quick visit.  Mai welcomed him eagerly; she had been hoping they could talk.

“Hey John, you lived in Kansai for a while, right?  Do you have any recommendations for places to visit?”

John did indeed have a few recommendations, beyond just the usual tourist sites too.  Mai took notes, nodding with excitement.

But partway through, the door to Naru’s office opened, and he poked his head out.

“Mai.  Bring me a large trash bag.”

“Huh?  Right now?”

“Yes, right now.”

She pouted.

John gave her an understanding smile and whispered, “We can talk again later, Mai-san.”

She sighed.  “Sorry.”

Grumbling, she found a trash bag and took it to Naru’s office.  “Here, I got you the—” she stopped.

A heap of maps, travel guides, notebooks, and paper was piled on top of Naru’s desk.  As she watched, he rummaged through a desk drawer, pulling out another handful to add to the pile.

“Bring it here,” he said.

She closed the door behind her and walked up to the desk.  “Don’t tell me…you’re throwing all this away?!”

“I found Gene.  I don’t need them anymore.”  

“That’s true, but…you should at least sort them for recycling!”  

“Then I’ll leave that to you.”

Mai groaned.  She just had to create more work for herself.

Having cleaned out his drawers, Naru sat on the edge of his desk, sifting through the pile.  He gave each item a cursory glance before tossing it into the trash bag she held open for him.  

This might take a while.  She was tempted to just leave the bag with him and return to her conversation with John, but since Naru hadn’t dismissed her yet, she decided to stay for now.

Besides, she was curious what had spurred on this sudden cleaning spree.  It had to be what they talked about earlier, right?

“I kinda forgot you still had all this stuff,” she admitted.

“Yes, well, I didn’t have time to throw them out before I left for England, and I didn’t have time when I came back, as someone immediately forced me to take on a case.”

Jeez, he was still holding a grudge about that?

Mai peered inside the trash bag.  “You know…this stuff has been here since before I began working at the office.  It feels weird to see it all go away. Like it’s the end of an era…”

She thought back to all those times she caught Naru in the office, pouring over maps.  She used to think it was just a weird hobby. But she should have suspected; that look of concentration he had while tracing his finger over roads, mountains, lakes…she should have known the reason couldn’t be so frivolous as that.

Naru tossed several travel books, clicking his tongue.  “Madoka had plenty of time while she was here,” he muttered.  “She could have cleaned this out herself.”

“She probably thought you’d complain about her touching your stuff,” Mai sniffed.  “Besides, she was busy. Actually teaching me stuff.”

He frowned.  “…She never cleaned Gene’s desk either.”

Now this got her attention.  “Gene’s desk?”

“At the Pratt Laboratory.  I didn’t get around to cleaning it before I left for Japan, as I had too many other things to worry about.  But I assumed Madoka would do it eventually. And yet when I returned, after the funeral, I found it exactly the way it was two years ago.”  He shook his head. “Ridiculous.”

Mai gulped.  If she were in his position, coming back to see that desk unchanged after all that time would have felt like a punch in the gut.  “So…you cleaned it out yourself?”

“What little there was to clean, yes.  It was mostly odd scraps of paper he had doodled on.  He was active in the field, but the rest of us generally took care of the paperwork.”

She bit her lip.  Now she felt torn.  It seemed like such a waste.  Gene would never put pen to paper again.  To her, even little doodles would be priceless.

“But…if there wasn’t even that much stuff, it couldn’t have hurt to just leave it that way, right?  Did you even need the space?”

“That is not the point.”  

She looked at him, inviting him to explain.  

He sighed.  “My parents are free to preserve Gene’s bedroom as they wish.  But we don’t need a shrine in the workplace as well.”

There was something about the way he said that.  Not quite annoyance, more like…a deep discomfort.  It made her hesitate. But at the same time, the dismissiveness of his words bothered her.

“And why do you get to decide that?  Gene was an important member of Mori-san’s team, right?  Are you saying her feelings don’t count, just because she’s not family?”

Naru paused.  “…Even so, it’s been two years.”

“You don’t get to decide how long it takes!”

“It’s just paper.”

“Maybe to you, it is.  That doesn’t mean you have to remove everything that reminds you of him!”

She had been wondering for a while.  Why exactly Naru decided to return to Japan.  He said it was for research, and that might really be all it was.  But she also wouldn’t be surprised if he was just running from something.

“Is that what you think I’m doing?” he asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Isn’t it?”

A bitter smile crossed his face.  “I see his face every time I look in the mirror.  What other reminder do I need?”

Mai shut her mouth.  She couldn’t argue against that.

An awkward silence passed.  Naru lowered his gaze back to the notebook in his hands, flipping through the pages.  Mai looked away.

When he finished flipping through the notebook, Naru tossed it in the trash and picked up another map.  “Okinawa,” he said, looking at it with disgust. “He made me go to Okinawa.”  This also went in the trash.

Mai rolled her eyes.  “It couldn’t have been that bad.”

“I never intended to come to Japan in the first place.  But he ended up dragging me here after all.”

“He didn’t drag you, Naru. Complain all you want, but no one forced you to come here.  You made a choice.”

He scoffed.  “The only other choice was to leave things to the incompetent police.  He would have never been found.”

“But he was.  Thanks to you.”

That was one thing she could say in his favor.  Whatever his reasons— whether out of brotherly love, or merely because he wanted to dissect his brother’s brain— despite all the odds, Naru didn’t give up.  She could admire that level of dedication.

And now, this clearing of the past seemed to signal a new start.  His life had been in stasis for nearly two years, devoted to the search.  Now, he could finally live for himself again. So, did that mean…that this time, he was here because he actually wanted to be?

Mai glanced at him.  Maybe that was just wishful thinking.  But it would be nice, if that were the case.

Minutes later, Naru was flipping through another notebook, when he stopped to tear a sheet out of it.

“Here.”  He held it out to her.

“Huh?”  She took the paper.  “What’s this?” On it was a name, written in romaji, and a phone number.

“The man I met in Kyoto.”  

She gasped and looked at him in surprise.  “You found it for me?”

“It turned up while I was cleaning.  It’s going in the trash anyway, I don’t care if you feel like salvaging it.”

“Uh-huh.”  She wasn’t entirely sure she believed that excuse.  Mai turned back to the paper and read the name out slowly.  “Suzuki…Akitarou?”

“I’m surprised you could read that much,” Naru smirked.

Mai glared at him over the sheet of paper.  “What’s the kanji?”

“I don’t remember.”  

“Pfft.  Even if you could, I bet you couldn’t write it.”  Mai grinned, in better spirits now. “So I should just give him a call, ask if we could meet?  Can I tell him I work for SPR?”

“Yes.  He might be more willing to see you if you mention my name.”  

“Which name?”  

There it was.  The ‘Are you an idiot?’ look.  “Oliver Davis, obviously.”

“Well sorry.  How was I supposed to know you didn’t introduce yourself as Shibuya Kazuya?”  

He sighed.  “It doesn’t take more than two brain cells to figure out that if I went asking about my identical twin named Eugene Davis, using an alias would be pointless.”  

“My bad.  It’s just that you have sooo many names, it’s enough to confuse a girl.”  

“I have, at most, three.”  

“Not counting nicknames, you mean.”  She laughed, and waved the piece of paper.  “But thanks, Naru. I appreciate it.”

#Ghost Hunt #GHW2019 #Naru #Oliver Davis #Mai Taniyama #csakuras #seoulsborne123 #submission

[iohourtime]

Moeyo Ken (Burn! O Sword) - Novel Recap 2

This is the second part of the recap of Moeyo Ken, which will be adapted into a 2020 movie directed by Harada Masato. I will talk about the characters as they were described in the novel in more detail. If you want to learn more about the background of the novel and a brief description of the plot, please click here for the first post. This post will have spoilers.

The Characters

I am going to go with this order instead of the order of the cast list: Oyuki (Shibasaki Kou), Serizawa Kamo (Ito Hideaki), Hijikata Toshizo (Okada Junichi), Kondo Isami (Suzuki Ryohei), and Okita Souji (Yamada Ryosuke).

Oyuki

She was an original character created by Shiba to serve as the love of Hijikata’s life. Historically, there were no records of Hijikata forming deep attachments with any women. She followed her late samurai husband from Edo to Kyoto to learn to paint, so when he died, she continued to live there. Hijikata literally stumbled into her small apartment after a fight and fell in love immediately, but he treated her with respect (i.e. he didn’t immediately try to sleep with her). He viewed her as more than his wife1 and even took 2 days off to spend some time with her. (The man never took time off.) She was strong willed, kind and loved Hijikata, but that was pretty much her whole storyline. Based on filming reports, it seems like Harada is bringing her character into the story much earlier than the novel, and she's number two on the cast list, so maybe she has a bigger role in the movie.

Serizawa Kamo

He was the first commander of the Shinsengumi. Serizawa Kamo was not his real name and there were rumours that he was hiding from something. Kamo means duck, actually, which was an odd choice. Anyway, although his gang occupied key positions within the group, Hijikata made sure the real operational power rested with the Vice Commander and the team leaders, which were mostly filled with Kondo’s gang. Hijikata also asked Kondo to play a fool in front of Serizawa's gang so they wouldn't suspect the eventual coup.

Serizawa was crude and petty. One time, he killed a sumo wrestler because the guy took his preferred spot or something petty like that. He also fired a canon at a rich family's mansion to get protection money from them. The Bakufu was horrified and secretly told Kondo and Hijikata to get rid of him, not that they weren’t already plotting to do so. Okita once made a strange comment2 about how Serizawa might be the most “innocent” of them all, and director Harada said he wanted to explore that in the movie. I don’t know what to make of it since Serizawa was portrayed as a brute in both novels. Perhaps Okita meant he had no agenda? I don’t know. That Souji was a strange boy.

Anyway, Kondo’s faction made one of Serizawa’s right-hand man commit seppuku for failing the bushido. This move weakened Serizawa's faction and although he was angry, he did nothing to retaliate or protect himself. On the night of Serizawa's assassination, the kill squad disguised themselves as ronin and surprised Serizawa when he was being amorous with his mistress. They also killed anyone who might recognize then. After Serizawa’s death, the other 3 members were either killed in a fight or forced to commit seppuku.

The Trio

The Shinsengumi was really controlled by Kondo and Hijikata, though no one wanted to admit it. Since Okita had them wrapped around his little fingers, he was the big boss! (Kidding 😁) Taking both novels into account, I think Kondo was the face of the group, Hijikata was the guy who got things done, and Okita was the guy who knew everything including gossips, but only dropped cryptic hints when it was warranted.

Warning: major spoilers coming up.

Hijikata Toshizo

Hijikata Toshizo started off as an aimless punk (a baragaki) who dreamed of becoming a samurai. He even wore his hair pseudo samurai style, which was not what farmers did back then. He was rather handsome with cool and refreshing eyes and women loved him. He loved to sleep with women who he perceived to be above his social status. The first few pages of the novel were rather shocking to my modern sensibilities - his conquering of this priest’s daughter was straight up rapey, even though the reader was reminded that it was how things were back in those days and the girl subconsciously expected him to drop by or some $hit like that. I don't know why Shiba put in this fictional detail because it's unnecessary to the plot. Even if it presented a contrast to the man he eventually became, it's not like Toshizo didn't already do a lot of questionable things early on. Perhaps he hated Toshizo? 😅

Anyway, he started an affair with a woman with status he met during a temple (sex) festival3. Unfortunately, when he got caught sneaking out of her room one night, he accidentally killed a well known swordsman. This incident drove the story in the Hino arc as Shichiri, a member of a rival dojo, seeked justice for the dead (really an excuse to get rid of a business rival). Toshizo got into a few battles of wits & strength with Shichiri, through which we learned that despite Toshizo being a farm boy, he was a natural born strategist who specialized in guerilla warfare.

The Shinsengumi gave Toshizo a life purpose and allowed him to show off his organisational management skills. At that time in Japan, military and police organizations assigned two people doing the same job. Toshizo recognized the inefficiency in the structure, especially if they needed to mobilize quickly, so he borrowed from the French army and introduced this revolutionary idea of having only one person in each position and splitting up the group into teams with different responsibilities that report up to an executive branch. Yes, it sounded logical now but it was radical back then! The most important thing was that he transferred the real power to the vice commander level.

Toshizo was gruff, undiplomatic, and ruthless in achieving his goals. He did come up with the harsh Shinsengumi code after all. In fact, Souji once told him that the Shinsengumi members kind of hated him. Even Souji hated him for a minute because of Yamanami. But as Toshizo told Souji afterwards, he chose to be hated. He just wanted Shinsengumi to become a force to behold and for Kondo to succeed as its leader, so he took on the bad guy disciplinary role in order that the members would continue to love and admire Kondo.

Toshizo also hated the academic type, so he butted heads with Yamanami and Ito. His distaste and distrust were partly born out of his own lack of education. He felt that educated people only knew how to talk theory and kiss ass, and they impeded his ability to do real work. (And jealousy?)

In the battle of Toba-Fushimi, even though the Bakufu suffered a huge loss, Hijikata’s squad was the only one that managed to do some damage against the modern Western artillery. The Bakufu started to notice Hijikata’s military prowess and eventually made him a vice commander in the army. He really came into his own in the northern arc after Kondo was gone.

The continuous battles and deaths really took a toll on Toshizo. Earlier in the novel, while strolling with Souji, he said he liked spring. Souji commented that people who liked spring tend to place their hopes and dreams in tomorrow. Yet in Toshizo’s final days, he told one of his underlings that he only fought for today. In one memorable scene before the final battle, he saw the spirits of his friends in his room. They all looked tired to him. Knowing it was time to end so everyone could rest, he sent his page Ichimura Tetsunosuke4 and Saito Hajime away on missions, saving their lives so they could pass on the stories of the fallen brothers. For Toshizo, instead of surrendering, he chose to face his enemies head on - fighting for the Shinsengumi and going out in a blaze. He was killed by a bullet5.

As Shiba himself said, Kondo was a hero during the peaceful times, but Hijikata was a hero during chaos. As much as the Shinsengumi was born in the wrong time, Toshizo was in his element. I'll let Toshizo himself summarize his world view with what he told Souji:

_"This is a sword. A sword is made by a craftsman to kill. The sword's characteristic and purpose are both simple. It's just like the military strategy books describe, its only purpose is to defeat the event. But look, look at the pure beauty. A sword is more beautiful than a beautiful woman. When I see beautiful women in front of me, I won't feel nervous. The beauty possessed by a sword could melt the stone heart of a man, and took a strong hold of him. That's why our purpose needs to be pure, our thoughts need to be pure. The Shinsengumi can only exist for this integrity. Souji, for me, no matter how the world changers, or whether Bakufu admit defeat and surrender, if I have a single breathe left, I'll persevere. Can I waver like Kondo? Up to now, I've covered my hands with blood to protect Shinsengumi. Serizawa, Yamanami, Ito… they all did by my hands. Why did I kill them? When they died, they were all facing death without wavering. If I waver now, then how do I face them in the afterlife? The journey of a man - is to create beauty, my own beauty. This is what I firmly believe." _(A very dude thing to say. 😏)

Kondo Isami

Kondo Isami was Toshizo's best buddy, or “sworn brother”. He was the fourth master of TRR. According to other people's description, he was a true leader, easygoing and generally loved by the squad. I didn't see any incident in the novel that supported that except for his command over the Ikedaya mission and what others said about him.

He was an uneducated farmer, so he loved hanging out with the educated people, yet he got jealous of them when they became more popular than him. Unfortunately, he was also very susceptible to flattery, so he tended to keep sycophants around him. Once he got a taste of success, he started politicking with the Bakufu, keeping mistresses and dressing above his station, and was quite concerned about status. So perhaps he would have been a good leader in peaceful times, he really came apart when things turned, making bad decision after decision. In other words, I kinda hated this novel's version of him. (I think he's normally portrayed in better light. 😅) Actually, I think Shiba disliked him too, as his depiction in both novels were not flattering. He was basically a fool who thought he was clever. Again, this may not be how he was in real life.

While Kondo might seem like a forthcoming guy, remember how he conned Serizawa's gang into believing he was weak and foolish. He also fooled Ito by pretending to become Tobaku, when he was just trying to get him drunk enough to be assassinated by Hijikata's team.

As the Shinsengumi grew, Kondo and Toshizo's vision started to diverge. Kondo cared more about becoming a daimyo (a feudal lord with land) while Toshizo wanted to expand. Kondo was so blinded by the land the Bakufu promised that he didn't realize they were going on a hopeless mission to take Koshu. In the end, Kondo and Toshizo parted ways in Nagareyama due to ideological differences: Kondo wanted to surrender and Toshizo tried to get Kondo to go with him.

Toshizo: When we were on the rise, you were such a great leader; now that we were going down, you changed and no longer want your dream.

Kondo: That's right. I don't want to be remembered as a traitor. I'm not like you. I understand the meaning of greater good.

Toshizo: The power structure changes with time, but isn't surrendering shameful for a man? Win or lose, it's not important. As a man, it's most important to follow one's dreams or die trying.

Kondo: For me, it's more important to follow the right path. Even though we had been comrades in battle forever, did we ever really had a common goal? Let's go our separate ways now.

Toshizo: I don't care. You're coming with me.

Kondo: Thanks for being there for me, but Toshi, please set me free. You built Shinsengumi and made me the commander, but looking back, the Kondo Isami then didn't feel like me. Let me go.

With that, Kondo left. Toshizo didn't chase after him but vowed to keep pursuing his dream. Shortly after, Kondo was captured and executed by the new government. So for someone who was concerned about his name, it was a sad way to go.

Okita Souji

Okita Souji was one of the youngest members of Shinsengumi. He was technically Toshizo’s senpai at TRR since he started learning kenjutsu at the age of 9. He first showed up in the novel when Kondo asked him to investigate Shichiri's dojo. Here was what Shiba casually mentioned in the first 4 pages he appeared.

“Okita bit down on his cute lips and grinned” [while telling Toshizi he was dumb].

“This young man of around 20 looked quite handsome in this outfit” [thought Toshizo].

“Okita was very well spoken due to his good upbringing and he also had a face as beautiful as that of an irokoshou*”, [Toshizo thought as he watched Souji greet the enemy].

_* A koshou refers to a page for a general. They are typically younger boys (15 or so) and were sort of like their personal assistants. An irokoshou was the type of page that also serviced the general sexually… so they tend to be extremely beautiful. _

So, Shiba really wanted the readers to know how good looking Souji was above all else. The novel likely solidified Okita Souji’s short, pretty boy image6 in popular media for decades.

Souji was said to be very innocent, childlike, and polite. When he wasn't working, you could find him playing with children who lived near Mibu Dera. He was smart as well. In the Hino arc, whenever Toshizo started describing the plan of attack, e.g. if Toshi said “you three go to this bridge in the cover of darkness”, Souji would immediately know what strategy he was going for.

Souji's swordsmanship was explained with an anecdote. Toshizo and Souji were challenged by Shichiri to a 2-on-2 duel. Toshizo knew Shichiri would try to lure them into a trap, so he planned a sneak attack. Souji was naturally nervous as he had never killed before, yet he still managed to kill 3+ of the 20 or so enemies. After they escaped, Toshizo was dumbfounded when he noticed Souji didn't get a single drop off blood on his clothes after killing all those people with a sword.

Souji didn’t seem to have any ambition. He was just following his “brothers” when he joined the roshigumi. In his own words, "I'll follow Kondo and Hijikata-san even to hell, although it would be nice if we are going to heaven." What Shiba emphasized in the novel was Toshizo and Souji's bond. In my opinion, Toshizo loved and spoiled Souji unconditionally and unlike most people, Souji could say anything to Toshizo and get away with it. Some examples:

"If you have time, you should read more books, then maybe you can become a good strategist too." That came after Toshizo started laying out his battle strategy.

After Toshizo explained why he chose to be the bad guy, Souji apologized, "I'm too dumb. I didn't know you did all that so the guys won't have to hate Kondo-san." Hearing this coming out of Okita's mouth, Toshizo felt like he was being teased. [Souji added], "Of course, it is also a personality thing."

I guess Toshizo couldn't get mad when Souji said this stuff while “tilting his cute head”. It is always a bit unclear if Souji just had no filter or if he was throwing shade.

Here is one of the most famous HijiOki scene from the novel. Toshizo might be your typical macho man, but he had a secret. Once a month, he would lock himself in his room and everybody would freaked out because they didn't know what he was up to. Except Souji of course. He knocked and cheekily listened to Toshizo frantically tidying up. Souji casually walked into the room and snatched the "Hougiku collection of haikus" from its hiding place. Yes, Toshi wrote spectacularly bad haikus under the pen name of Hougiku (this actually exists)7. Even though Toshizo was embarrassed, he still waited expectantly for Souji's critique of his new work and lit up when Souji said one of them was OK. (Pretty low standards. 😅)

Hijikata opened up to Souji about everything, especially matters of love. When Toshizo got back to HQ after getting injured and meeting Oyuki, Souji went to see him right after the doctor left.

Souji: You got me all worried!

_Toshizo: Sorry… I almost didn’t make it back. But Souji, I think I have fallen for a woman. _

Souji: Eh?

Toshizo: Don’t tell anyone, especially Kondo.

Souji: Then why are you telling me?

Toshizo: You are different.

Souji: Why am I different? Please don’t make me your love counsel.

Toshizo: Ha ha. You are!

I think Shiba intentionally got us to like the cute, childlike, and slightly devilish Souji to make the next part hurt. Souji did not die in battle. Instead, he spent a couple of years wasting away due to tuberculosis. Back then, tuberculosis was basically a death sentence. Once you contracted the disease, it was just a question of how long you have. Shiba didn’t go into details in Moeyo Ken, but in Shinsengumi Keppuroku, after about 2 hours of intense fighting at Ikedaya, Souji started coughing blood. Of course, he was such a badass he managed to chop off his assailant’s head before passing out8. The first time we saw him cough blood in Moeyo Ken was when he chased after Yamanami. (His illness was foreshadowed early on.)

Yamanami Keisuke decided he was done with the Shinsengumi. As you may recall, leaving the group was punishable by death and Toshizo was not going to make an exception. Even though Souji looked at Yamanami like a brother, Toshizo sent him to bring Yamanami back. For the first time in the novel, Souji looked horrified but he still complied. He set out on horseback but because of the cold winter air, he started coughing. He saw the blood on his gloves and thought "I'm going to die soon", though not with sadness or fear. He never seemed too bothered by his own mortality. Souji found Yamanami, who simply said had Toshizo sent anyone else, he'd kill him. Souji told Yamanami he could kill him and make a run for it. Perhaps Souji knew he was going to die anyway and was willing to let Yamanami escape? It didn't matter. Yamanami accepted his fate and asked Souji to be his second for his seppuku.

Souji was basically bedridden in the second volume, rapidly losing weight because he couldn't eat properly. He stopped taking all medicine except for Toshizo's family medicine because Toshizo told him those were effective. Like all fictional characters, as he got sicker, he grew more beautiful and "translucent" (透明感). One thing that never changed was his brilliant smile. He was so blasé about his inevitable death that Kondo found it fascinating.

He still had some pride though. When Yamazaki died, the squad decided to give him a funeral at sea and Souji went with them. He insisted on walking up and down the stairs by himself because he didn't want people see the captain of the first unit be so weak that he needed to be carried. At that time, he already lost half his lung capacity, so even the simple task of walking was a struggle. That didn't stop him from teasing Toshizo when he got a chance.

Perhaps nobody saw the end of Shinsengumi better than this dying young man. The night before the Toba-Fushimi battle, Toshizo went to see him. After talking, Souji suddenly looked at the ceiling and said "Youth is over." Was he talking about himself, or about the many Shinsengumi brothers who would die in the upcoming battles? Toshizo cried.

Even when he was sick, he still worried about Toshizo's love life. 😅 He made sure Toshizo knew Oyuki had moved to Osaka so he could see her. Before he died, Souji also asked a friend to look after Oyuki and made sure she could go see Toshizo in Hakodate afterwards.

Souji spent his final days back home. His sister, Mitsu, tried to stay with him for as long as she could but her husband would be transferred to Edo at any moment. When that day came, she would have to say goodbye to her baby brother forever. That day eventually came. When Souji heard the news, his face was crestfallen for a second before regaining his trademark smile. He held out his now bony hand for Mitsu to hold, but she didn't understand. The siblings talked about some trivial things and their parents. Suddenly, Souji asked, "When dad died, I was just 5 or 6. When I die, will I see them there?" Mitsu finally understood why he wanted her to hold his hand. "Don't be silly. You still have to get better and get a wife." Souji didn't answer. He just asked, "after I'm gone, will there be anyone to light an incense for me (i.e. remember me)?"

Around a month later, they found him dead, collapsed in the hallway, clutching his favorite sword. Legend said he was trying to kill a black cat (a bad omen) but instead, he lost his life. He was buried in the family plot in Tokyo. The following obituary was written about his short life.

"Okita Souji Kaneyoshi studied under Kondo Shusuke, the 3rd heir of Tennen Rishin Ryo since a young age and shown some talent. When he was 12, he faced Oahu Shirakawa Abe clan (?) in a duel and won. He made a name for himself in that clan.

Souji, formerly Sojiro Harumasa, later changed his name to Kaneyoshi. In the 3rd year of the Bankyu era, he joined the newly established Shinsengumi. At the tender age of 20, he became the assistant to the vice commander and captain of the first unit, participating in many missions.

_Unfortunately, life wasn't fair and he was not able to live to an old age. On the 30th day of May in the 4th year of the Keio era, he regretfully passed away." _

He was 24. Even though Kondo was executed a month before, he never found out about it. He died still believing his two “brothers” were alive, still fighting for their dreams.

Okita Souji in Moeyo Ken could seem a bit one dimensional - cute, cheerful, childlike. But was he? Souji was also the captain of the first unit, who probably had one of the highest kill count in the squad. Perhaps his desire to do anything to protect his beloved “brothers” outweigh his gentle nature. As so little was known about Souji, it would remain a mystery.

Notes

Back then, many marriages were arranged so the relationships might not be that great. Guys with Hijikata's rank typically had a mistress or two. Kondo had 3 separate households in Kyoto. ↩︎

In Shinsegumi Keppuroku’s “Assasination of Serizawa Kamo” chapter, which Harada mistakenly attributed to Moeyo Ken in his director’s comment on the movie’s website. ↩︎

Supposedly people in that period were pretty open about sex. So there were these festivals held at the temple where you could look for willing partners. Then they turned off the lights and you get down to business in the dark with the partner of your chose earlier. ↩︎

He was 15 when he tried to sign up with the Shinsengumi before the Toba-Fushimi battle. Although Hijikata knew he was lying about his age, he kept Ichimura as his koshou (page) because he looked like Souji. 😏 ↩︎

There is some debate as to whether the bullet came from the enemy side or his own side. ↩︎

There is very little known about Okita Souji as there were no photos or drawings. There were some fake photos online plus a drawing of what they thought he looked like based on pictures of his grand-nephew, although his family said he didn’t look like that painting. In some records, it was said that Okita was tall, his face was like a flounder, and he slouched, although he had a friendly smile. In another account, he was small and cute. In live action shows, he is generally depicted as having the Samurai / bald hairstyle. ↩︎

Here's a sample: "Even if a single plum flower blossoms, a plum is a plum." Yeah, I’m not sure what that means either. https://mag.japaaan.com/archives/27079 ↩︎

Apparently, once you start to cough blood, you don’t have long to live. Ikedaya happened a while before Souji’s death and since then, he participated in a few other missions, so it is quite unlikely he passed out due to TB. It is generally thought that he passed out due to an unrelated illness or heat stroke. ↩︎

#moeyo ken #novel #recap #okada junichi #shibasaki kou #suzuki ryohei #yamada ryosuke #ito hideaki