#but rina really hit different

[whoatemyshoe]

Rina Sawayama on advice for young Asian kids dealing with the pressures of an Asian (immigrant) mom, and the importance of having a chosen family.

(Edited for shorter length)

“I think it's honestly survival isn't it? The thing I learned is, you do not have to show your true true self to everyone in the world, and you do not have to show your true true self and your true true sense of humour and your true interests to your family. Because when they are completely different people to you, when they have not grown up with the language that you have, and the culture that you have, in a different country, and they're in survival mode because they are trying to earn money to give you the best education, they're not gonna wanna chat about the things that you wanna chat about. That's your friends. Don't give that burden of them understanding you fully 150 percent, your likes and your dislikes and whatever, to your parents.

Now, becoming an age when my mum had me, I could not imagine doing what she did. When I went to therapy, I was told you don't have to show your truth to everyone. It can be a little bit different to each person, and that's fine, cause you still know your truth, you still know who you are, and your interests and your loves. So that's why the concept of chosen family is so important.

The thing that's happened with my family is that, me and my mum didn't get on for the longest time. I was a shithead teenager, like I was a bitch. It was a really bad relationship, and my mum, again, different cultures so I was frustrated why she didn't speak as good English as I wanted her to. Her English wasn't terrible, but it wasn't to a level where she could help me with homework for example. So it was a lot of frustrations there, and she was like, why are you so crazy? But now, we have distanced, and when she moved back to Japan when I was 26, it's the first time I was able to see the things that she did, and the things that she provided.

And every parent goes into parenting with good intentions. They have kids because they want to provide the best life for them, but shit happens, separation of parents happen, accidents happen, illness happens. Even when I'm a bit stressed and a bit tired, I'm not myself. So imagine having that for kids. I really believe that a lot of parents are not truly who they wanna be, because they have so many obligations and tiredness and responsibilities, and their life is crazy. And they're not able to always go back to that pure intention that they had for their children.

And I think that with immigrant parents, they moved to a country because they want to give the best life for their kids, and sometimes not able to because they're so tired, people are being racist, you know all these horrible things happening to them, but for the kids to then demand their full understanding of who they are at that moment in a completely different culture, is never gonna work, I think. And I think once realising that you do not have to get that acceptance right now, from your family in the exact way that you think right now, that releases you.

And that acceptance is something that I now get from my mum, finally in my thirties. In my twenties I didn't have it, in my teens I didn't get it. But, who has supported me at that time is my chosen family. The people who understood me, the people who really knew where I was going through, like my queer Asian friends, my queer friends, they just get it. And so thank god for them.

Don't put that pressure on yourself or your parents, cause you don't know the full picture sometimes, and even if they're fucking horrible to you, and I know people who have had horrible parents, it is not your responsibility to fix that situation right now. Just survive, get through it, maybe have that distance when you can, and you will have a so much better context, and you will be able to decide what you wanna do from then on.” — Rina Sawayama

#rina sawayama #podcast #spotify podcast #best advice #look #this whole podcast was a good listen #but this last answer really hit the spot #she would be a great mom i think #flawed of course #but a parent who is ready to have children #like she would love her children so so much and put her best damn effort to make sure they have a healthy and delightful childhood #when talking about having children in an interview her reaction was not disgust (as ive seen with people around me who demonise children) #but she was scared #like she didnt want to do anything that would hurt/traumatise the child #and that to me is someone who would only have children when she's ready bc having and raising children is not something she takes lightly #and if she decides to do so she would put her 200% into it and constantly learn and grow to become the best parent she could be #i may be projecting but you know what this is my post and my blog #that self awareness and growth and learning and unlearning and acceptance is so so sexy of her #also i put parenthesis 'immigrant' bc non immigrant asian moms are a different breed #i've been transcribing a lot of her stuff lately and it's driving me crazy bc adhd #some of the things she said really resonated and it's a good reminder on some personal things

[writingwithcolor]

Japanese Q Speedround: Google Is Right There

Hi, it’s mod Rina. It’s time to speedrun some asks. 

@troublsomeidiots​ asked: 

I'm writing a character who is both black and Japanese and lives in japan in a primarily Japanese area and wanted some help in writing a person who is biracial who lives in primarily homogenous society? Like what kind of struggles she would face, especially as a person who has never met anyone who is black other than in passing?

Open Youtube. Hit search bar on Youtube. "being black in japan" "half black half japanese in japan" "black hafu in japan". Try different combinations of keywords. Bon voyage.

(neither Marika nor I are Black. We will not be speaking to experiences we do not have.) (we can outsource to some of our friends if you ask a specific question. These are not specific questions.) 

(Black Japanese readers--please feel free to comment if there’s something you want OP to know!)

@layzeal​ asked: 

Hello! I have a question regarding family/last names in Edo period Japan. My story takes place in 1816, my character was born in 1796 from a commoner family (that she gets separated from a few years later, and in a different country).

I've read that regular people in Japan didn't adopt the use of family names until Meiji restoration, but I'm not sure how true that is. Would a family of commoners in that period carry a family name, or would they only use their first names? And any idea if that family would have to present a last name when moving/passing by a different country that does use them?

It's important for me to know, since the existence of a last name or not would quite heavily influence how hard it'd be for the family to meet again, and which means would be used. Thanks in advance!

When I gave Google some keywords from your query, the second result explained how pre-Meiji commoners without family/clan names used bynames to distinguish themselves, and gives additional data on them. Maybe give it another Google? 

@weavefeather asked:

Hello, I am a writer and I really need some advice. I am wotking on my book since a few years, maybe 2 or 3, and I finally got the points together how it could begin. My plan is that my MC (named Nanami Kudo) is an lawyer of the FBI and has to go to her homecountry Japan, beacuse they send her to foreign investigations about a syndicate of people.....  And the some things happen, like her brother who still lives in jp doesn't really welcomes her, some complications with the police and so on... 

But thats not the point! Im really struggling to take in words how she gets to the other country, leaving her home behind and her partner she worked with. Do you have any advice on it, maybe how to structure it, some words or scenarios that fit?

How she gets to the other country: …..She flies there.

How US government agents/workers relocate and what the experience is like: That's your job to google. We are not government agents. Try anecdata on reddit, reddit AMAs, and Quora.

It’s unclear what her relationship/proximity to Japan is. What kind of nikkei is she? Is she mixed race or monoracial? How much Japanese can she speak? So many unknowns. Go read our Japanese tag and appreciate just how many ways one can be a Japanese person. Until then, you are nowhere near close to being able to write a nikkei homecoming plot. 

Lastly, you are the author. Give us scenarios yourself and come back to us.

In Conclusion

Guys, you all gots to google some more. It’s beneficial to both of us: not only do we get to help with more specific things and have enough info to do so, but you don’t have to wait months until your ask comes through the backlog only to receive an answer you could have researched in anywhere from a couple days to 3 minutes. 

~ Rina

“But Rina, I don’t know how!” 

You’re in luck!

First, try one of our own post on Google shortcuts. 

Second, stay tuned for some very relevant posts...

COMING SOON: WWC’s A Beginner’s Guide to Academic Research

#japanese #mixed race #japanese diaspora #research #asks

[ginaporterr]

HIIII Y'ALL!!!!!!! this is honestly very insane to me but i recently hit 1k on here, so i just wanted to say thank you all for being here and joining me on this fun ride over the past two years since i made this blog. i feel like i've joined the hsmtmts/specifically rina fandom three separate ways/times and i've always been able to easily find my niche of people, which really speaks to how open and wonderful this community as a whole is. this third time around was no exception, this little subsection of some of the nicest, funniest, smartest, most talented, most supportive people ever means the world to me, so thank you all for following and partaking in all of the fun that was this rollercoaster of a show, and thank you for supporting my relentless content creation bc i am most definitely not stopping anytime soon skdjfks 😭 this milestone perfectly coincided with the show's ending since i hit it on the day of s4's release, so i thought it would be fun to celebrate both my little milestone & the ending of our beloved show (and our many major wins) with you all, the lovely people that have made this time with the show as wonderful as it was! this show, these characters, and you all hold a very special place in my heart, so. let's celebrate it all!!

like last time, this celebration will be split into two components; prompts & polls! i thought it would be fun to see the difference in top ships now that the second half of the show's been released (+ with a bigger voting pool), so we're running it back! to join in on the celebration, you can vote in the poll linked below and/or send in an ask with a prompt!!

RULES — mbf this blog — send in a prompt (or multiple) from below — vote in the top ships poll

PROMPTS — ❄️ : song association! send in one of your favorite songs and i'll make a gifset relating it to some aspect of the show — 🦋 : personalized sets! tell me what you like about hsmtmts / what it means to you (in as little or as much detail as you'd like) and i'll make something inspired by your message — 🌀 : requests! send in a character/dynamic/episode/etc. + color/quote/song/motif/etc. that you'd like a gifset of — 🪁 : make me choose! send in two (or more) characters/episodes/dynamics/scenes/etc. & i’ll choose between them for a gifset — 💙 : surprise! for mutuals only <3 (reminder that i follow from milesgmorales)

and one last thing, i want to especially say thank you to some of my mutuals, old and new, that have made being here one of my favorite experiences <3 you all genuinely brighten up my dash, my tag, my blog, the show tag, the ao3 tag, everything with your thoughts and creations and talent and humor and i'm so very grateful to you all bc these past few years would not have been the same without you (especially those of you that were around for the s2/post-s2 rina dark ages KSJDKFH) forever grateful to this fun little disney show for bringing so many wonderful people into my life <3 LOVE YOU ALL MWAH

@ginaricky @laylakeating @homemade-ghosts @chuckclayton @richiebowen @saythewylie @aamirmitchell @pinkhysteria @mjsparkour @bakerolivia @spookys @blues-valentine @ginasporter @starrrbakerrr @emiraee @squishymar @rickybowsn @mariasyko @frostluvrs @ginaluvr @narcobarbies @usersojo @tabithatate @kitherondale @mike-el @userguts @kayascodelorio @yellowlaboratory @bartowskis

don't feel obligated to participate or rb ksdjkfs

#what's the surprise who knows not me #is it a gifset? is it something else? stay tuned to find out #(probably gonna be a gifset KDSJDFH) #i hope the butterfly emoji prompt makes sense #and that i can actually deliver 😭 #hsmtmtsedit #hsmtmts #ricky bowen #gina porter #maddox #ashlyn caswell #kourtney greene #jet #rina #madlyn #jetney #gp1k #hoping i didn't forget anybody bc i will feel terrible but. if we are mutuals just know i love you dearly sdjfjksf <3 #ignore the bits of text that won't stay small bc the new post editor sucks

[scorbleeo]

Book Chat: God of Fury

Legacy of Gods (Book 5) by Rina Kent

Source: Google Images

I’m not attracted to men. Or so I thought before I slammed into Nikolai Sokolov. A mafia heir, a notorious bastard, and a violent monster. An ill-fated meeting puts me in his path. And just like that, he has his sights set on me. A quiet artist, a golden boy, and his enemy’s twin brother. He doesn’t seem to care that the odds are stacked against us. In fact, he sets out to break my steel-like control and blur my limits. I thought my biggest worry was being noticed by Nikolai. I’m learning the hard way that being wanted by this beautiful nightmare is much worse.

ISBN: 9781685452193 (2023) | Source: Goodreads

Absolutely Worth It

This review took me a long while to get to it mainly because I am still in a daze. I cannot believe I finally got to God of Fury and that I am finished with the book. It hasn't been a long journey to get to Nikolai and Brandon's story but it had been a rather arduous one. Kent's books have been an unpredictable roller coaster ride with extreme hits or misses and as much as I was afraid my high expectations for this book would ultimately bite me in the ass, I maintained extremely high expectations for God of Fury.

For a book written by an author I sometimes have issues with for the writing style, for a book where I have ridiculously high expectations for, and for a book that I've actually already know roughly what goes on in it... This was a wonderfully and beautifully crafted story. While reading God of Fury, I can feel the patience and time and effort Kent took to build her characters and develop the storyline. I finally understand why some people said this felt like such a different book as compared to Kent's other books.

Lets begin with the storyline of God of Fury. This is the only book in the Rina Kent Universe where I did not feel that the author was rushing through the plot. Yes, Nikolai was instantly attracted to Brandon but the feelings both parties developed for each other came slowly, smoothly and very naturally. Like, before I finished the book, when exactly did Nikolai fall for Brandon? Or when exactly did Brandon start to develop positive feelings towards Nikolai? As you're reading the book, you really don't see it as it happens right in front of your eyes.

Which brings me to why the patience in plot development is so prevalent in this book. First being the way Kent wrote Brandon's character arc, there is simply no other way to have this book succeed without having patience in developing the plot. Secondly, Nikolai's willingness to go with Brandon's pace. Because of what plots these characters have, Kent had no choice, she could not rush through the storyline and that made this book her best one.

Now moving on to our two main characters. I knew there was a reason I loved them since their first appearance (as kids). I mean, Astrid and Levi? They are my favourite Royal Elite couple. Rai and Kyle? They are one of my favourite Rina Kent couples. I could not hate their children even if I wanted to. Of course, this is not a place to gush over the parents.

Starting with Nikolai Sokolov. He is another unhinged man in the long list of unhinged men Kent has created. However, he was really only unhinged in other people's books. In God of Fury, you see that Nikolai's not exactly unhinged. He's just unapologetically himself, does not care how anyone views him and even though he does bad shit, he has a moral compass despite what anybody assumes. The fact that my dude has vulnerable phases every now and then, and yet he does not hide that. How many men has Kent created that embraces and showcases his vulnerability like Nikolai does? I can bet that's one big reason why Nikolai is such a beloved character.

As for Brandon King. He's my baby, okay? And I will do anything to protect my baby. He is the one and only male character created with a different template. This man is not annoyingly frustrating or has that stupid toxic masculinity that ultimately plays into his stubbornness to not accept people's "no". And boy, oh boy. One of the most tortured character with the most kindhearted soul. I really do love that Kent made everybody like/love Brandon, because he deserves all the kindness the world has.

Last but definitely not least. Kent did not do a good job writing God of Ruin to the point where I don't actually have a connection with Mia or Landon. But the way she wrote Brandon and Landon's brotherhood? I have a connection with Landon King now, all thanks to this book. Even thinking about the hospital scene now brings tears to my eyes, and I finished that book weeks ago.

So, yes. I really love God of Fury. This is the only one where I own a physical copy of. I read the book, fully focusing on every single word. I did not do any annotations because the first time deserves my full undivided attention. And I am way too lazy to check back but I am very sure this is the only book by Kent that I have given 5-star to.

Rating: ★★★★★

P.S.: Remember in God of Ruin when Nikolai made Mia call Brandon and Brandon ended up covering for Mia? I really wished we had a chapter for it here too.

More Rina Kent Universe here: Cruel King (Royal Elite, #0) | God of Ruin (Legacy of Gods, #4) | Throne of Power (Throne Duet, #1)

#book review #god of fury #legacy of gods #rina kent #brandon king #nikolai sokolov #rina kent universe

[an-aroaces-harem]

Ivy Chapter 9

DISCLAIMER: I just deepl and google translated my way through this because I wanted to know what’s going on, so there are definitely mistakes but I believe I managed the general gist of the story. Anyway, it’s just a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes. Morganatic Idol belongs to Cybird and ABC Frontier, Inc.

Rina: That's it.

I finished cleaning the room and exhaled.

(I've been able to get it done in a lot less time than in the beginning.)

This is thanks to time I have spent helping Ivy-san.

As soon as I think of that ... what happened at that meeting a few days ago comes to my mind again.

--flashback--

Ivy: We get along, sure, but it isn’t like that.

Ivy: Kawanaga-san thinks of me like a big brother.

Ivy: For me, she’s like a cute little sister.

--flashback end--

Rina: ... like a sister

(Not so long ago, I didn't mind being treated like that by Ivy-san.)

In fact, I was even glad to be familiar with him.

And yet, now that I'm aware of my feelings for him, it hurts so much.

(... stop. It's no use thinking about it. I need to focus on what I can do instead.)

I shake my head to shake off the sinking feeling.

(Well, I'll have to look into exe again today.)

(I've been spending a lot of time helping out for a while now and haven't gotten around to doing the research for the presentation ...)

With that in mind, I was looking for materials and found a CD stuffed into a box at the back of a shelf.

It appears to be a CD with sound data burned into it, and the title is written on the label of the case.

(It doesn't seem to be the name of an exe song. Let's give it a listen.)

I'm also allowed to use the room's audio when researching.

I immediately started playing it, and what I heard was Ivy-san's singing voice.

The direction is completely different from the cool, tension-filled songs of today's exe.

(But it's warm and gentle and fits Ivy-san's voice tremendously. It's a lovely song.)

... As I was listening to the music, the door of the room suddenly opened.

I turned around to see if Ivy-san had returned.

Hitaki-san was there.

Hitaki: Hey, you were there too.

Rina: Is there a problem, Hitaki-san?

Hitaki: I'm here to borrow some materials. Ivy-san told me it's fine.

When Hitaki-san entered the room, he seemed to notice the music playing in the room.

Hitaki: ... Oh, I know I've heard this somewhere before. This is an R2R song.

'R2R' ... I remember when I looked up exe during the presentation, that name came up.

Rina: I think that's the music unit that Ivy-san had before exe, isn't it?

Hitaki: Yes, it was a unit formed by Ivy-san and Eito-san. This is a hit song from that time.

Hitaki: I'm sure it quite well domestically, but by the looks of it, you don't know?

Rina: Yes ... I wasn't really into music.

Rina: I've only seen a few names when I looked up exe, but I don't know much about it.

Hitaki: If you're interested, I can tell you what I know.

Rina: I'd love to!

Hitaki: That's quite a quick answer. Do you want to know so much about Ivy-san?

Rina: What!? That's not why ...

Hitaki: Hmm, just kidding.

Hitaki: As I mentioned earlier, R2R is a duo unit consisting of Eito-san and Ivy-san.

Hitaki: He was very popular among young people because of his consistent singing ability and high level of music.

Rina: Certainly, it's a great song, too.

Rina: The atmosphere is quite different from that of today's exe.

Hitaki: R2R's songs are more melody-driven than exe's songs which are more rhythm-driven.

Hitaki: I heard that Ivy-san is writing the music now, but back then he and Eito-san were working on it together.

Hitaki: I guess the unit changed, and so did his musicality.

(I see what you mean. Maybe that's one of those things ...)

Hitaki: R2R was expected to go global, but ... the results didn't go well.

Hitaki: No matter how popular they were in Japan, they weren't accepted overseas.

Rina: ... I see.

(It's a really tough world ... after all those great songs.)

Hitaki: That's why Eito-san used his experience to start Aero Light Productions.

Hitaki: He's trying to raise the bar in the japanese music industry and create a group that can compete on a global level.

Rina: I see ...

I had heard that Sakura-san was a former musician, but I had no idea he had such deep thoughts.

And I didn't know that Ivy-san had a bitter experience of losing in front of the world's wall.

(Somehow I find that hard to believe, even though Ivy-san is now very active as an exe member.)

(I'm sure it must have been very frustrating and painful ...)

Hitaki: ... what are you thinking about? Maybe about Ivy-san?

Rina: Yes ... it is truly amazing that he has overcome so many setbacks and is doing so well.

Rina: I can't even imagine how much effort he had to put in to acquire the skills necessary to compete on the world stage.

Hitaki: That's right ... fufu, you're really all about Ivy-san. I'm a little jealous.

Rina: Eh?

Then I finally realized that Hitaki-san and I were getting awfully close.

Rina: U-uh ...?

Hitaki: Ah, sorry. I just thought it was kind of cute how you were trying so hard to care for Ivy-san.

Hitaki: I'd like to get a better look at that face.

With a sweet smile, Hitaki-san peeked at me.

Rina: I don't think I'm cute ...

(So close to my face ...!)

As I try to keep my distance, a large palm is placed on my shoulder.

Hitaki: Don't run away. I just want to talk to you more.

My resistance was suppressed and I was pulled towards Hitaki-san with a strong force.

Rina: Talk to me about what?

Hitaki: Remember what I said at our meeting the other day, that I wanted you to help me with Gem, not exe?

Rina: I remember. But I turned that down at the time, didn't I?

As I tried to turn away from his approaching face, Hitaki-san's palm gently touched my cheek.

The coolness of the air makes me shiver.

Hitaki: Would you please think about it again? I just can't give up.

Rina: Why are you so ...? I don't think Gem needs me.

Hitaki: You underestimate yourself. Your power is a wonderful thing.

Hitaki: In fact, the exe members were happy to see how well you did, weren't they?

Rina: B-but I ...

Hitaki: I know. You did your best for Ivy-san.

Hitaki: What's so special about Ivy-san?

Rina: !!

I froze at his words and looked up at him, stunned. Hitaki-san's smile deepened as his eyes seemed to see through everything.

Hitaki: ... you think of him like a big brother? I know you can count on him to be kind to you.

Rina: Y-yes ... I ...

... I feel like I have to affirm it, but my voice is stuck in my throat and won't come out.

Hitaki: Ivy-san also said that he thinks of you as a sister.

Rina: ...

Hitaki: It's a wonderful relationship, isn't it? ... But, really, is that enough for you?

Hitaki-san's hand was holding my shoulder, but before I knew it, it was around my waist.

A palm slides across my cheek, making me look up as I try to turn away.

Rina: Please let go of me ...

Hitaki: ... You should go to Gem. It would make you happier.

He was drawing closer.

Hitaki: I value your ability and would be willing to do great work with you if you would become a Gem exclusive.

Hitaki: I know we will be irreplaceable partners, both publicly and privately.

Rina: But I'm ...

Hitaki: And I don't think you're a little sister. You're very pretty and attractive woman who can be desperate for someone.

Hitaki: I'm not going to make you feel lonely by treating you like a child.

Rina: ...

The gently whispered words seemed to contain some kind of magical power.

Just as Hitaki-san's air was about to consume me ... the door to the room opened.

Ivy: Kawanaga-san ... and Hitaki?

When Ivy-san comes into the room, his eyes widen and he looks at me and Hitaki-san.

Rina: Ivy-san ...

My head cooled down at once. Quickly, I shake off Hitaki-san's hand and move away.

Rina: ...

I felt like I had to say something, but I was to upset to speak.

Ivy: ... You look pale. Calm down.

Seeing me, he lowered his eyebrows in concern.

(What should I do? I can't believe Ivy-san saw me in that position ...!)

Hitaki: Welcome back, Ivy-san. You're back earlier than I expected.

Ivy: I got the job done smoothly.

Ivy: I know Kawanaga-san is cleaning ... but what are you doing here?

Hitaki: I came to borrow some materials. Then I ran into her by chance and we had a little chat.

Hitaki: Right?

Rina: Y-yes ...

That's certainly not wrong.

But after being so close to him like that, and after he whispered those words to me ... I felt guilty for some reason.

(I know you saw me earlier, Ivy-san. I hope he didn't think I was weird.)

(Or do you think I'm just like a little sister and don't care ...?)

I can't look at Ivy-san's face.

What Hitaki-san said to me earlier is going through my mind.

Rina: ... and I'm done cleaning for the day.

Rina: Excuse me!

I was so frustrated that I ran away from the place.

Hitaki: Oh, she got away. Fufu ... She's really funny.

Hitaki: She's as honest as a puppy. Her expression changes from one moment to the next, and she's easy to read.

Hitaki: I can see why Ivy-san adores her.

Ivy: Hitaki ... Don't mess with Kawanaga-san as a joke.

Ivy: She's so pure. She's working so hard in an environment she's not used to.

Hitaki: I'm not kidding ...

Hitaki: Does that mean I can ask you a question if I'm not joking?

Ivy: What?

Hitaki: As she's a housekeeper, you're in charge of her, and you spend the most time together.

Hitaki: My connection to her is certainly tenous by comparison.

Ivy: Ah. So get to the point ...

Hitaki: But that doesn't matter. I like her.

Ivy: What did you say?

Hitaki: I recognize her abilities and understand her feelings ... much more than you do.

Ivy: ... What does that mean?

Hitaki: I mean it as it is ... If you're going to be like that forever, I'll take her.

Ivy: ...

Hitaki: ... Sometimes the most precious things that we take for granted can suddenly disappear one day.

Hitaki: Please be careful.

Ivy: !

Hitaki: ... then I'll be off. Excuse me.

Aloof, Hitaki walked out of the room.

The remaining Ivy stands alone, wide-eyed and stunned.

Ivy: ... The important things we take for granted will cease to be ...

He mutters in a small voice and turns around.

Ivy: ...

What are those eyes, shaking with pain, reflecting?

No one else knew about it.

#morganatic idol #morudoru #morudoru ivy #resa translates something for once?

[rinaisloved]

“Ricky not all couples are meant to be together, sometimes people change”

This exact scene is when it hit me that Rina was really going to be endgame.

It was 2019. Ricky had just gone on his “maybe I’m back to who I always was” tangent about Gina coming back and all hope was slipping away but this moment literally revived me. Ricky’s mom had just left him with the quote saying not all couples are meant to be. The obvious foreshadowing was like a slap in the face because which couple was desperately trying to fit together and hold onto each other the entire season? Rini. Which couple in the show clearly mirrors Ricky’s parents? Rini. Then who walks in right after his talk with his mother to comfort him? Gina. They have such an authentic heartfelt moment here it’s just so adorable. Gina asks why he’s here and when he says Todd she asks is that the only reason to which he responds he wants to step back for Nini. She already knows him so well that she could read him like that. Then in their last moments together in season 1 she makes him genuinely laugh and pushes him once again out of his comfort zone by encouraging him to see the performance. “We owe it to the team”. She’s unknowingly pushing him to be a better person. Now he finally says he’s glad she came back because before when he said “it’s like she never left” it still hadn’t truly hit Ricky just how different he feels in her presence and absence but this moment solidified it. Gina figuratively and literally pushing Ricky to Nini and Rina not getting together at the end of season 1 (as most slowburns) just spelled endgame.

This is like my ALL time favorite Rina scene. There’s just so many underlying emotions at play in the scene like Josh and Sofia were acting. They tried throwing a red herring with Rini and PW at the end of the season but at that point I knew Rina would find a way back. I can’t describe the feeling but I just knew I chose the winning team.

#hsmtmts #rina #ricky x gina #rina hsmtmts #rina endgame #loved this #high school musical the musical the series #ricky and gina

[blues-valentine]

What is your favorite paring other than Rina? And which endgames do you think we’ll see other than them?

Now that all of that new content has been released I am now more sure of my theories!

Rina and Seblos are definitely endgame.

But both couples will be hit with the adjustment process that is the documentary, the movie, the fame and just all that chaos so it will be difficult to both couples in such different ways. Based on the trailer + content we already know Gina is going to become a big star for the movie and this might affect her relationship with Ricky plus all the future choices he has to make. And based on “Over Again” Seb and Carlos’s duet for Season 4 that we heard a few months ago because of Frankie and Joe – this confirms that their journey will be a bit rocky but will patch things up later in the season (maybe 405/406).

Big Red and Ashlyn will be having their own issues but not with the documentary but their new discoveries on their sexuality and what it means for them as a relationship. I think Ash still has a crush on Maddox that hasn’t been resolved so Maddox coming to East High will definitely awake her feelings. I think Redlyn will break up by halfway the season and Madlyn will get together by the end of the series. I enjoyed Madlyn a lot on Season 3 and I am expecting something really great from them this season. Also, I think Big Red will get a new love interest or the implication of one by the end. So I could definitely see Madlyn as a series endgame too.

Now, Jetney is a wild card because there’s a lot of directions they could go with them. Kourtney is a senior and she’ll have to make choices about college and I am sure Jet is not a senior (probably a junior like Gina and Ash). So I don’t know how they’ll handle that but I am excited to see because it’s a dynamic I wasn’t expecting at all but enjoyed a lot. And I hope they get a duet because those voices deserve a duet!

#hsmtmts #high school musical the musical the series #hsmtmts s4 #hsmtmts season 4 #gina porter #ricky bowen #ricky x gina #rina #ashlyn caswell #maddox hsmtmts #madlyn #seblos #carlos rodriguez #big red hsmtmts #redlyn #kourtney greene #jet hsmtmts #jetney #asks

[yeonkimintakecare]

Washed Up - Chapter 3

Pairing: Kim Taehyung x Reader; Angsty Fic

Summary: You finally come face to face with the man you once loved, lets just say, it doesn't go how you expected.

Author's Note: Short chapter, sorry. It just felt like the right place to end it for now. I will be working on writing more, and longer chapters from here on out.

Warnings: mentions of alcoholism, mental health issues, swearing, general angst.

(previous chapter)

Rina had picked what you wore, a blue cardigan with a silk camisole and light wash jeans, to give you a mature look, like the character. You were thankful that your makeup and hair had been professionally done as well, because Taehyung looked really fucking amazing. When you first saw him, your breath hitched. He looked so different from how you knew him.

His hair was had grown out and styled messy and in his face, he was wearing a fitted jean with a black t-shirt and a long black overcoat with several necklaces. He had a much colder appearance to himself, he used to be silly and smiley, and now he looked like he could kill somebody with his stare alone.

He bowed to and nodded to people as we walked in and took his seat across from you. You kept your eyes locked on your friend, fearing that if you looked at him that you'd break your composure somehow. But you feel his eyes come around to you, you start to mess with a bracelet on your hand, pretending that you don't feel his stare boring into you.

"Ok, ready when you guys are." Yoongi says from behind the camera guy. You finally give in and look at Taehyung, as much as he had changed, you could still see the man you loved in his eyes. No matter how cold he made them seem, there was still this boyish wonder behind them that just reminded you of the times you had together.

You inhale, exhale, and without looking away from your old lover, you release a small "ready..."

They counted you down and you waited for Tae to start.

"You never loved me back, did you?" He says with his face softened, looking so much weaker than he had a minute ago. Wow this scene is going to be harder than you thought. It was one thing to do this scene with a guy you had never met before, but hearing that come from the only man you've ever loved, hit like a ton of bricks.

But you have to keep going so you don't have time to sit with your feelings, you have to use them to make this scene better.

"Not in the way that you want me to." you say, trying to sell the fact that the character is meant to be older, mature, and is a lot more put together than you are.

"I just don't understand why I'm not enough for you" Your heartbeat quickened from how he was looking at you. You never gave him this conversation. In all honesty, you ghosted him after your company told you to end things. One of the many mistakes you made regarding your relationship with him.

"It's not that you're not enough, it's that I can't give you the love you deserve. You're such a beautiful person, inside and out, and you deserve a girl your age, without any baggage. I have so much going on in my life, all I bring is drama." You feel like you're finally getting this moment to have with him, even if it isn't your own words.

"But I can help you with it, I can handle it." Wow, Taehyung has gotten very good at acting. You thought about watching some of his projects before, but you couldn't bring yourself to. You told yourself you'd force yourself to if you got the role.

"But what I'm saying, is that you shouldn't have to." you notice something flicker in his eyes.

"I'm so tired of people always deciding what's best for me." This shocked you, this was not in the script. "Isn't what's best for me to decide and to learn from it? I'm an adult, I can make my own goddamn decisions, fuck!" He stands up suddenly, covering his face. You just stare at him, blinking, that definitely seemed like what he's wanted to say to you.

Somebody else starts talking to him, you can't pay attention because you're trying to hold back tears. You feel somebody touch your back and guide you outside, you realize it's Rina. She guides you to the bathroom and wraps you in a hug, that opens the floodgates, you start sobbing into her shoulder.

A few minutes pass and you stop crying. She rubs your back while your body shudders, you look into the mirror and all of your makeup has fun. To put it kindly, you looked like shit.

"I'm going to go and talk to some people, you stay here as long as you need to." She says, leaving a kiss on your forehead before stepping out. You find yourself sitting on the floor for a few minutes, trying to catch your breath. Finally, you stand up and clean yourself up, to the best of your abilities.

When you step out of the bathroom, you see Taehyung leaning against a wall in the hallway. He looks up at you and shakes his head, before looking down again. He looked at you with such hate in his eyes, not that you could judge him.

"Are you okay?" you ask, not knowing what else to say. He scoffs.

"Am I okay? That's what you're going to say to me after all this time. A I okay?!" He glares at you, you refuse to let yourself look away, you don't deserve to be uncomfortable about this.

"I know it probably won't mean much to you, but I am sorry for how things went down." You say, trying to hold yourself together. He laughs again, backing off the wall and walking toward you, he's a lot taller than you remember, but you hold your ground.

"You're right, it means nothing to me. You mean nothing to me." he says before walking back into the studio.

What. The. Fuck.

#kim taehyung #taehyung #v bts #bts fic #bts fanfic #bts x you #bts angst #taehyung x reader #v x reader #taehyung angst #kim taehyung x reader #kim taehyung angst #kim taehyung fanfic #bts x reader #bts

[oplishin]

tag game etc

tagged by @solo-uno !! thanks :]

shuffle your on-repeat playlist, then list the first 10 songs

(my current on repeat playlist is. exclusively wrestlers' entrance themes which is boring so. ima do the playlist i usually listen to when i haven't lost my whole min

1)Hurricanes by Rina Sawayama

2) Another Day of Sun from La La Land

3) Brand New City by Mitski

4) Watch Me Shine (Bianca Belair) by CFO$

5) A Lovely Night from La La Land

6) Sky's the Limit (Sasha Banks) by CFO$ (i think)

7) Curses by The Crane Wives

8) Cult of Personality by Living Colour

9) Verbatim by Mother Mother

10) Feed the Machine by Poor Man's Poison

okay the original prompt was "your top 15 favorite shows" but i hate watching shows, so i'm gonna do my favorite video games instead because that seems more representative of. me

Breath of the Wild: the game that turned me into a Gamer

Who's Lila? has a very sweet spot in my heart, as just a very well made small experience that was suitably numb and pretentious but also very emotional

Spiritfarer: waghrsh wahr

Hollow knight: i fucking love it

Inscryption: game play loop breaks my brain

Norco: my brain keeps coming back to this game months after I played it, tiny good indie game with gorgeous art and capital F feelings about living in a tiny dying, industrially choked town. play it

Outer Wilds: sometimes the feelings in this game come back to me and i just. oomph hit in the heart and now im crying

return of the obra dinn!! good

disco elysium: god i should replay this game; it didn't really click for me the first time around but it seems like something i would like

Where the water tastes like wine: playin that right now, and i have mixed feelings about it but its definitely an experience

fear and hunger: a game that didn't really land for me as well as it did for other people but yk. its neat

minecraft: i hate playing this game on my own but i have very good memories of hanging out with my irl friends who i now miss dearly

yakuza 0; a game i have to actually go back and play at some point

the original hyrule warriors, my first video game that i ever played 8 years ago

pathologic at the very bottom of this list because i have a complicated relationship with this game but it did fundamentally change me as a person so. it's earned its spot

absolutely no pressure but here's who's getting tagged!!

@swampbestie @im-new-in-town42 @tubercloset @gayrmlin @existentialcrisisetcetera @god-is-a-dyke @sethjolras @sanpape

if you want to do top 15 for a different form of media (ex: books, looking at you K). yeah go ahead!!

#:] my beloved mutuals #yeah no pressure it is quite an undertaking of Big Numbers #tag game

[numetalpuppygirl]

what i'm listening to november 2023. the agony

spot. link//yt link

song notes under cut

Laura Les - Haunted: haunted. by laura les.

Garbage - Queer: stand up for the fag anthem. but also let's be real one of the main draws here is the music video where shirley manson pushes the pov character down to the ground and forcibly shaves your head while singing "i know what's good for you." i'm a lesbian

Chris Fleming - W.U.G.: i've met a couple wugs in my time but more than anything i'm just on my chris fleming shit recently. this one has been stucks in my head sooo bad and bsaically anytime i see the word "guy" it comes back with a vengeance

Limp Bizkit & Method Man - N 2 Gether Now: random lb songs will really just crop up in my rotation for seemingly no reason but really this one has so many good lines and the addition of method man brings it up by so much. it's comical on some level bc it's like why is he here, he's like. a real rapper. and fred sounds so out of his depth next to him. but at the same time they both do actually really pretty good. pull the plug and then jet. MIC CHECK.

Sloppy Jane - Bark Like a God: recommended by a friend. need to listen to the full album but this goes insane goes crazy i mean those damn vocals and the THEMES ugh i mean what else do you need in this world. don't even really know what to call this band but it good and i need more

Almeda Riddle - My Little Rooster: Gummo is a 1997 American experimental drama film written and directed by Harmony Korine, starring Jacob Reynolds, Nick Sutton, Jacob Sewell, and Chloë Sevigny. The film is set (but was not filmed) in Xenia, Ohio, a Midwestern American town that had been previously struck by a devastating tornado. The loose narrative follows several main characters who find odd and destructive ways to pass time, interrupted by vignettes depicting other inhabitants of the town.

Destroy Boys - Fences: mostly just real catchy. many such cases. but there is a certain doggish quality to it as well

Enon - Natural Disasters: hi violer :3 ooh ahh the song so catchy the riff so tastey and shiney

Limp Bizkit - The Truth: i watched the band's short film of the same name recently and was pretty underwhelmed. but it did make me wanna go back and listen to the ep! it's been said to death but it's easily some of lb's best work, and not just because it's the serious one or whatever

Repo! The Genetic Opera - Night Surgeon: tbh there should be more repo on here but there's only so much space and this is undoubtedly my favorite track from the soundtrack (although "at the opera tonight" comes pretty damn close!!) i could listen to anthony head go "i remember" like that allllll day. i have been having some serious repo fixation recently i won't lie. give it a watch it's a normal movie

Foo Fighters - Everlong (Acoustic Version): okay look you guys know at this point how i get about everlong. so when i was watching hit film little nicky starring adam sandman and a rather beautiful sequence took place accompanied by a sparse acoustic version still laden in the characteristic warmth of the original song, of course i was hooked. and that's a nu metal-ass movie, too, but this was the pick i ended up making. that's special

Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up To Boston: WOOOOO BOSTON!!!!!!!! GO BRUINS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GET ME A CUP O DUNKS!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! YANKEES SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <is not from boston but rather a different place entirely

Fefe Dobson - Unforgiven: why did nobody tell me about this fuckin nu metal x y2k pop fusion. this is like rina sawayama stfu but all the way back in 200-goddamn-3. fefe you were before your time

MGMT - Little Dark Age: i don't know mgmt that well but i heard a little bit of this song in a youtube video long ago and really liked it and could never find it and then i happened to encounter it again and was like oh hello my old acquaintance shall we get to know each other better

Billy Joel - All For Leyna: beginning to realize that billy is good actually. every little part of this song is crunchy and sweet and delicious for me. and god i sure am doing it all for leyna aren't i......

Tom Cardy & Brian David Gilbert - Beautiful Mind: tbh this was far from my favorite effort from either of these guys...... didn't really think it was all that funny. had a very lol random sort of appeal that just didn't hit me right. however it does sound amazing, really clean, and they both have nice voices. plus you know i love them harmonies

Taco - Puttin' on the Ritz: they play this a lot at a cafe i go to sometimes. i used to not like this song but it's really grown on me. it's one of those absolutely one-of-a-kind songs that could have only been a hit at the exact time and place that it was. and i like stuff like that! you might even say i think it's super duper :)

Violent Femmes - Breakin' Up: this song is dumb as balls. and it sounds way better in my head than it does to actually listen to it. but! the video is really cool, with that simple but effective camera trick. i enjoy that

Bowling For Soup - Girl All the Bad Guys Want: if the previous song was dumb as balls, this song is dumb as. like. the epididymis. or like a single sperm cell. i don;t know man it's a dumb fucking song. but it's about a cool rap rocker girl :3 and that's meeeeee probably. when i listen to it i like to rate each lyric on how true it is. watching wrestling? maybe now and then. creaming over tough guys? hmmm no i would simply not do this. but listening to rap metal? turntables in her eyes?? now we're fuckin talkin!!!!!!!!!!

#it has been such a trek through mud to get this out. please enjoy #*char noises* #talking pop

[gingerjunhan]

It’s official, I hit 100 followers! :D thank you all so much for all of the love and support- it means so much to me 🩷 my silly little summer hobby is growing up *wipes tears* they grow up so fast.

I’ve been saying for a while that I would do a little q&a/ “get to know me” type of thing once hitting 100, so here it is! Thank you to everybody who sent me questions! I wasn’t sent too many (which is totally fine lmao) so I’ll just share a little bit about myself with each one :)

How have you been?

I’ve been great! Stressed due to school, but great :) I love doing this- being able to write and share it with all of you- so it’s a nice escape from my workload.

What's you're favorite subject?

When I was in high school, it was definitely art classes. I actually almost went to an art school!

What's your major (only if you feel comfortable ofc!)

I’m a journalism major! I spend lots of my free time writing. Good thing I love it so much lol. I’m in my second year of college, and I truly don’t think I would’ve rediscovered my love for writing if it weren’t for my major

What's your favourite non-kpop genre of music?

I’m a big fan of alternative, “pop punk,” pop, and boy bands. Some of my favorite artists outside of kpop are I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME, Fall Out Boy, Harry Styles, 🩷Big Time Rush🩷, Ricky Montgomery, Rina Sawayama, and I’ve recently been getting back into Dodie Clark

footnote: I’ve been wanting to write a “Xdinary Heroes as Big Time Rush songs” for months, but I have no clue what that fandom overlap looks like? Idk that might be one I write just for the hell of it

What are some other kpop groups I’m in to?

I listen to a lot of different groups (my kpop playlist is LONG) but my other favorite groups alongside xh are Stray Kids, Seventeen, Shinee, and Ateez!

for anyone wondering, my biases are Seungmin, Dino, Key, and Mingi 👍🏻

When it comes to xh, I’ve been a fan since the announcement of Hello, World! I wanted to try to get into kpop right before Happy Death Day came out, but I was too intimidated. I followed a few groups I wanted to get into, but nothing ever came from them. Then, through the magic of ✨Instagram algorithm✨ I found a clip of Jooyeon from the Happy Death Day music video. I watched the mv, thought they seemed cool, followed them on Instagram and then completely forgot about it! That summer, a friend of mine introduced me to skz, and the algorithm did it’s thing again and xh was back in my feed announcing Hello, World! They were the first group I loved a really got into- and now the rest is history!

What's your favourite colour?

Purple! :D 💜

If you could be a patch of grass anywhere in the world, where would you want to be?

I love this question??? I’m thinking the Swiss Alps. I just feel like the Alps would be so beautiful. Like, imagine being a blade of grass on a hillside of the Alps? Idk it just seems amazing

Do you watch any anime?

I do! My favorite anime is Hunter x Hunter :) I’m terrible at watching new shows and movies, so I’ve only seen a handful of them. The most recent one I watched was My Happy Marriage. I don’t typically do romance animes, but I LOVED this one! Definitely check it out if you’re looking for something new

I think I’m gonna stop the questions here. Like I said, I didn’t get that many, so I just chose a few that were sent in. Thanks again for sending them 🫵🏻🩷

This feels silly to be geeking out about, but I really am happy that you all are here and like what I’m doing. It’s always been a dream of mine to make something for people to enjoy, and this is my silly little way of doing that. Thank you so much for the support! More to come soon :)

#gjh talks

[severelightpainterangel]

Episode 6 reaction up!!! Episode 7 will be out later. I really enjoyed this episode. The music this season has not missed at all liamani crushed that song and the seblos duet was great too. The flashbacks though…. But the rina flashback though😭. Season 1 hits so much different now.

#ricky bowen #gina porter #ricky x gina #rina endgame #rina hsmtmts #rina #ashlyn caswell #kourtney greene #carlos rodriguez #seb matthew smith #seblos #jetney #madlyn #hsmtmts #Youtube

[generalwildcat]

Portwell deserves so much better I am disappointed with how things ended for them with their poorly written breakup. I would of been fine if they realize they were better off as just friends but Gina had to tell EJ that she can’t be a maybe when she was never a maybe to him. It was clearly obvious that Gina was a “maybe” to Ricky in the past because he was clearly still in love with Nini who is his first love even though he try to moved on from her with Gina it was still always Nini.

I was never a fan of Portwell, I just wasn't feeling it. But I'm not a fan of Rina as a ship either. I feel like EJ more so deserves better, because as much as there are things I love and enjoy about season 3, he REALLY got done dirty and screwed over in the worst possible way. The bitter feelings I have are more about him than Portwell's fate. But I very much understand the anger, frustration, and hurt over what feels like a random breakup with them because either they should have never broken up and been giving a real legit change, or they should never have gotten together in the first place. Having all that development and growth and feelings in season 2 for nothing.

There was a post I saw about this a while back. Especially rewatching season 3, I kinda agree with what it said and this ask is giving me similar vibes (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). Gina is the new Nini. With Nini having been gradually written out of the show - thanks to the success of Olivia Rodrigo but even her fading out felt odd to me but that's a whole different thing - we have no female lead for Ricky to chase after or to fall in love with. Gina has had so much growth and development since we met her, and she has come so far. But she had those moments with Ricky in the past and what did that amount to? Ricky didn't feel the same way. That's fine. She moved on. And then she ends up going back to him because she felt like a "maybe' to EJ who had legitimate fears and anxieties and pressures - not even just from everything he had to do for the show, but to have his fears about Gina CONFIRMED?? - but you kinda hit the nail on the head here, at least for me.

Ricky: Nini's gone forever, what do I do now? .... Wait, there's Gina. We had something. But she's with EJ. Except maybe she should be with me instead...? I don't think I like her with EJ. I wanna be with her instead.

Disclaimer: that may or may not be an exaggeration.

Gina is the new Nini. She started as an understudy or backup and ended up coming into her own. Now she's a star. And it feels a lot like the writers either wanted to backtrack on their original decision to put Portwell together so the two "stars" of the show could be together, or that they wanted to just throw a big surprise twist ending at us for the sake of throwing us off and giving us a surprise twist.

#high school musical the musical the series #hsmtmts #portwell #rina #gina porter #ricky bowen #ej caswell

[an-aroaces-harem]

Ivy Chapter 4

DISCLAIMER: I just deepl and google translated my way through this because I wanted to know what’s going on, so there are definitely mistakes but I believe I managed the general gist of the story. Anyway, it’s just a fan-made translation solely for entertainment purposes. Morganatic Idol belongs to Cybird and ABC Frontier, Inc.

Rina: Thank you very much all your hard work! It was a great show!

Ivy: Thank you. I'm glad it worked out.

Hugh: It was ... fun.

Jace: The solo dance part was a lot of fun, too.

Finn: I was right, wasn't I?

Xeno: I don't like it when he says it at the last minute every time.

Ivy: Well, well, it all turned out all right, so why not?

Ivy: Kawanaga-san, I could see a little of you from. I thought you were working hard!

Rina: O-oh, thank you very much.

(I can't believe you even care about me.)

As I was standing there, Sakura-san came running up to me.

Sakura Eito: Guys, there's a change of plans! There's a launch party hosted by the tv station, so we're going to attend that.

Ivy: That's a bit sudden, isn't it?

Jace: That's great, it means I can play openly tonight.

Xeno: What the hell is that? It'll affect your work tomorrow.

Sakura Eito: This also serves as a celebration of exe's music video being played 100 million times. You have to show your faces even if it's just for a short time.

Sakura Eito: In return, I'll make arrangements for you to take tomorrow morning off.

Finn: I can drink without worrying about tomorrow. That would be nice.

Hugh: Good night ... I'm happy.

(100 million views is really great. They sang that song at the live performance earlier.)

As I recall, it was a theme song of a tv drama, and it was broadcast by the same tv station that broadcasts today's music program.

(It's like the whole bureau is giving them special treatment ...)

(I'm sure it will be a spectacular launch. I have nothing to do with this world.)

With that in mind ...

Ivy: Kawanaga-san, you come with us as well.

Rina: Eh!?

Ivy-san's words make me panic.

Rina: Oh, no, I'd be out of place there.

Ivy: No, it's not like that. The rest of the staff will be there.

Rina: But ...

As I surrender, Ivy-san smiles kindly at me.

Ivy: I'd love to hear what the staff thought of the day. Right?

His expression, which seemed to ease my anxiety, made me consign myself to his request.

Rina: ... I understand.

(Ivy-san, maybe you were just being considerate ...)

Nervous, I headed to the launch party with the other staff and members.

(It's so gorgeous! Many of them were in today's show.)

The sheer glamour of the place made my feet tingle.

However, it was exe that shone more brightly than anyone else in the room.

Sakura Eito: I'll go and say hello. Everyone, please don't let anything happen.

Ivy: I'll take care of it.

Finn: Let's have a drink, Hugh, and since we've got the morning off, we should enjoy it.

Hugh: I need something sweet to drink.

Jace: They have some good champagne.

Xeno: Don't drink too much. It will affect you tomorrow.

The five were as usual, showing no signs of being overawed.

(It's amazing ... even though I'm just there, the atmosphere is different.)

The launch party goes off with a flourish, and the producer begins his speech.

The distribution of exe was also mentioned.

Program Producer: The last performer was exe, whose new music video has already received more than 100 million views!

The audience applauded enthusiastically.

Program Producer: Tonight's special performance, which was broadcast simultabeously around the world has been a huge hit!

Finn: It turned out just as I expected.

Ivy: Oh, good for you.

Hugh: I had fun ...

Program Producer: We're going to play the video now, so everyone can see exe at its best!

Jace: Heh, that's the footage from earlier.

The screen began playing the performance of exe that had just been distributed.

The audience cheered and everyone in the venue was transfixed.

When the video finished playing with great excitement, Ivy-san approached me.

Ivy: Kawanaga-san, did you also see the video that was officially distributed by exe?

Rina: Yes.

Xeno: Can you play that too? We'd like to see how we performed today there as well.

Rina: O-of course.

I took my laptop, moved to the side of the screen, and connected the cable.

(Here's the video of tonight's distribution.)

The video of exe begins to play on the screen.

The official camera work was shot in a way that highlights the direction Finn-san suggested.

(The biggest difference is the solo part. This one focuses on each individual.)

Male Singer 1: Wow, that's quite different from what the tv stations are filming.

Female Singer 1: The video here is cool too! It's nice to see the members showing off their talents.

The audience as well as the members of exe were satisfied with the reception.

Finn: Heh, that sounds good.

Hugh: I had fun there.

Jace: It feels really good to monopolize the screen solo~

Ivy: It's a different kind of fun than showing the whole thing in a pull-up.

Xeno: But, as a matter of course, it's a bit lacking not being able to see the other members of a group in a scene that shows each of them individually.

Ivy: Well, sure. But that's just the way it is.

Rina: No, you can see the off-screen footage of the other members.

Ivy: Eh?

The eyes of the gathered men widen.

Xeno: What do you mean?

Rina: The solo parts were shot with a camera that follows each of the members.

Ivy: Really? It wasn't in the plan, so why ...

Rina: It was in line with the changes in the production. Since we were short on time and I had asked for a backup camera, I was able to deal with the situation.

Rina: This is an official video for the fans, so I think it needs to feel special.

Rina: I'd like to distribute all of them, since we've added so much to the showcase ...

Sakura Eito: She suggested it to me before the concert. I thought it was a good move.

Sakura Eito: Each video will be made available as a special edition for the fan club at a later date.

Sakura Eito: Kawanaga-chan, can you play the other video?

Rina: Yes.

Images of other members were shown one after another.

Female Singer 1: I'm sure you'll be impressed with the look on Jace-san's face!

Male Dancer 1: I was just doing it casually, but now Hugh, your turn is amazing!

Male Singer 1: There's so much to see. As expected of exe ...

The fixed camera footage seems to be a big hit with the artists around.

I was relieved when Ivy-san looked at me.

Ivy: You really did a great job, Kawanaga-san.

Ivy: I was surprised that you were able to do such a good job even though it was your first time working on an unfamilar site.

Rina: I was encouraged by Ivy-san ... and wanted to do what I could to help.

Ivy: I see you're a go-getter.

Rina: Ivy-san ... thank you very much.

Jace: Heh, Aegis-chan, you're good.

Hugh: I think ... it's nice and easy to look at.

Xeno: It's not an original proposal ... but the tact with which you handled the sudden change is not bad.

Finn: That's surprising. I thought you'd fall down or make some kind of mistake.

Rina: Umm ...

(Falling down, screwing up, and so on ... I wonder if they thought I was that bad at my job ...)

(I hope this makes a little bit of an impression.)

As I was thinking this, many people were gathering around exe, perhaps because of the excitement of the accasion.

(They all look like they want to talk to exe. I'm not sure I'm being a distraction here.)

As I was thinking of moving somewhere else ... I was suddenly hit from behind.

Rina: ... ng!?

Female Idol: Ow, that hurt!

I turned around in a hurry. There I saw a female idol who had just performed at the live concert.

Rina: I-I'm sorry.

She stared at me.

Female Idol: You were talking to exe earlier ... Weren't you an AD or something?

Rina: Eh ...

Female Idol: If you're not busy, why don't you just hand out freebies?

Female Idol: Standing in the middle of the venue looking so tired and with such clothes, you would feel out of place and annoying.

Rina: !

I felt as if I had been hit on the head with those words.

Rina: Well, I ...

I want to say something back, but I can't find the words. I know best that I'm in the wrong place.

I couldn't help but to consol myself, and that's when it happened.

Ivy: What's wrong?

Female Idol: Ivy-san!

She blushed when Ivy-san entered the conversation.

Female Idol: It's nothing! I just got bumped by this AD girl.

Female Idol: I don't care, today was the best! I'm your fan!

Ivy: I see. Thank you.

Ivy: But I'd be happy if you didn't make a mistake. She isn't an AD but a very important staff member of our company.

Female Idol: Eh, really?

Ivy: Yes, and even if she was an AD, I don't think she would be out of place here.

Ivy: Our work wouldn't be possible without our staff.

Female Idol: Oh ... well, I ...

Ivy: Well then, I'll be going now. Come on, Kawanaga-san.

Ivy-san urged me to move away from her.

Rina: Excuse me, Ivy-san. Where are you going?

Ivy: I know a place where we can relax. Let's go there.

He took me to the VIP room and sat me down in a chair.

Ivy: Are you okay?

Rina: Y-yes. Thank you very much.

Ivy: Yeah, I got it.

His smile loosens my tense heart.

(... You saved me. You're so sweet to take care of me like this.)

(And you do take care of your staff, don't you? That idol girl was sorry too ...)

Ivy: You must be tired. You can rest here for a while. We'll be out of here soon.

Rina: I understand.

Ivy: Well, I'll see you later.

Rina: Hah ...

Alone, I looked down at my reflection.

(... I worked behind the scenes at a live, so there should be nothing wrong with this outfit.)

But ...

(Dull and tired looking? That's right ...)

I can't stop thinking about what Miu-san said to me before and what she said to me now.

(It's totally out of place for me to be on exe's side, isn't it?)

The work was going well, but my heart was sinking.

(I couldn't sleep much.)

(No one is here yet ... I remember they have the morning off today.)

Ivy: Good morning, Kawanaga-san.

Rina: Good morning. Thank you for your hard work yesterday.

Ivy: You too. You worked late last night, but you're not tired, aren't you?

Rina: I'm fine. Everyone is still asleep, right? Ivy-san, don't you want to sleep?

Ivy: I guess it's so ingrained in my body to get up early that I can't stay up late.

Ivy: Jace will call me an uncle again if I say this.

Ivy: That's right. Today's Sunday. What are your plans?

Rina: I'll be working in the office this afternoon.

Ivy: You're taking the morning off, just like us.

Ivy: Well, I'm going out now and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me.

Rina: Eh?

(With Ivy-san!?)

Ivy: Or are you still tired?

Rina: I'll be fine. But where are you going?

Ivy: I'm going to look at clothes at the store, but I don't want to go alone.

Ivy: Let's waste no time and get going.

With these words, Ivy-san led me out into the city.

#morganatic idol #morudoru #morudoru ivy #resa translates something for once?

[scorbleeo]

Book Chat: God of Ruin

Legacy of Gods (Book 4) by Rina Kent

Source: Google Images

I’m out for revenge. After careful planning, I gave the man who messed with my family a taste of his own medicine. I thought it’d end there. It didn’t. Landon King is a genius artist, a posh rich boy, and my worst nightmare. He’s decided that I’m the new addition to his chess game. Too bad for him, I’m no pawn. If he hits, I hit back, twice as hard and with the same hostility. He says he’ll ruin me. Little does he know that ruination goes both ways.

Source: Goodreads (2023)

I'm Embarrassed

I really did not do God of Ruin justice. My only goal to reading this book was finishing it so I could get into the next book immediately. That being said, I entered the Rina Kent universe only for Brandon and Nikolai, so by default, only for God of Fury. Knowing that is the next book in the reading order, I was breezing through God of Ruin like it was unimportant. When I say I sped-read through this book, I truly meant it, I probably missed a ton of sentences and with that, some minute details.

Now, going on to the review, this is the first book in the Legacy of Gods series where I felt the first half was bad and it got better afterwards. Let me put it this way, I was bored through the first half which made speeding through it a lot easier than usual. Unlike many, I never hated Landon before God of Ruin but because of that, he was nothing fascinating here. He even annoyed me several times initially.

Thus, when his eventual and gradual character arc redemption arrived, I wasn't wow-ed by it. Just felt like it was something Kent had to write because all her characters must not be horrible at the end of the day, right? I know I sound bitter here but that's because God of Ruin really was very average.

The character arc redemption was one thing. But the trauma plot? So weak. Mia's entire character ever since she was 8 was due to the trauma she suffered but the resolution was not even half-assed, it was less than that. Why give Mia such a character, have plenty of pages to foreshadow and yet the final countdown was so pathetic? Personally, I think the biggest problem with the trauma plot was that Kent did not know when or how to foreshadow it through the book. This would have been such a kickass final countdown scene yet ultimately, it fell flat, so very flat.

One last thing, I am aware Kent might be having fatigue from writing stories in this universe now, which I completely get. Because not only do we have the same kind of characters in the same series (Killian, Creighton, Landon and since she's been hinting at it, Eli), her writing for God of Ruin was sloppy. I will just use one example: In Chapter 33, due to Mia's friendship with Jeremy, Landon said he will bump Jeremy up to the top of his shit list. You know who else who happened to be very different from Landon said a similar sentence? Nikolai, to Mia, about Brandon, earlier in this book.

I do want to justify Kent's sloppy writing to her fatigue for this world, and I will. Unfortunately, Kent's lines around all her characters are becoming muddled. Not only are so many of her characters similar, she's using very specific sayings for characters that should not have had those same kinds of sayings. This is not the first time I caught it but this series had multiple of this instances, I have had enough and need to point it out.

Despite this entire post being filled with complains, I like God of Ruin. I just think Kent should not have written them all one after another. Someone, or many, should have told her to take a break, write something else in between and clear her mind of this world for a while. Because back in her first series, all the guys and the ladies had such distinctive personalities yet in this series...

Rating: ★★★☆☆

More on the Legacy of Gods series here: God of Malice (#1) | God of Pain (#2) | God of Wrath (#3)

#book review #god of ruin #legacy of gods #rina kent #mia sokolov #landon king #rina kent universe

[lookismaddict]

Favorite mutuals you love seeing on your dash? :DDDD

Dawwww sheeeeeesh. I thought of a lot of people, actually. (And sorry to everyone else who I might have forgotten to mention on here. You’re all very wonderful but there’s too many bruv. I’m sorry. 😭🙏🏽)

First of all, I love seeing my wife, Lhester (lhester), on my dash because she always reblogs so many things that make me laugh, and I have to reblog them. ❤️(And some unhinged things, but I won’t go into specifics LMAO). Li-Li (iwasneverth3re), because she always posting some HOT ASS GUN FANART. 🔥 Like thank you for the eyegasm, my fellow Gun simp/wife. 🖤 Sunny (x-xsunlightx-x) and Day (lalaland123456), because every time they post they always be arguing with each other over the most weirdest things through their Ask box (like Sunny bringing in a new lab rat and Day being hit on by many people 💀) and it makes me LMAOOOO every time. 💕 Hyusolk (hyusolk) and Jann (bigdealno5), because they’re both very cute whenever they interact with each other. 😭💜 (I enjoy seeing Hyusolk creating beautiful artwork as if they came from a movie and seeing Jann’s creative and aesthetic posts of different Lookism characters 🙌🏽). Adrien (spaceyflowers) because their tags on their reblogs are SO FUNNY LMAOOO. I crack up whenever I see Adrien’s reblogs. Also, their WONDERFUL WRITING. 💙 I follow their writing blog (spaceyflowerswriting) and let me tell you… I love how they’re very detailed and accurate when it comes to writing as Lookism characters. They never miss when it comes to their POVs, and I respect that. 🤝🏽 Sam (slimesam), because I love seeing her artwork. Ever since that beautiful fanart for Rendezvous, I always look forward to what drawing she had completed every week. 💚 Now she’s my manager, so she keeps me in check with her reblogs. 😅 (sorry Sam for my behavior recently LOL) I also appreciate her for being a huge fan of my story as well. A true avid fan 🙏🏽✨ Ria (qawcamiz), because I enjoy reading her writing too! 💗 Very descriptive and I became a fan of her writing ever since she sent that little story thing of Gun x (Y/N)… 😳 And I always look forward to her updates. June (gintokilindo), because I love their headcannons so much. They’re such a creative writer as well, and I love the fun topics that they write about for each character. Very accurate as well! 💝 Rina (lokislytherin), because oh my god. Her writing is SO ARTICULATE AND DETAILED!! Like, she’s so smart. I love reading her mini analyses on characters, headcannons, and reblogs of various writing-related posts. 💓 Gin (fan-of-chaos) because she’s always so supportive and positive when it comes to re-blogging from different posts. She shares a lot of funny and pretty Lookism posts/artwork 🧡 ALSO I LOVED HER “Trip to the Mountains” HEADCANNONS, ESP THE GUN AND GOO ONE. That one got me 💀💀💀 Micha (leekeira/Misaki), because she’s my fav dongsaeng 😊🤍 I am a fond of her new sketches and her cute fanfics, and she has grown a lot in her blog. It’s like watching a little sister grow up in front of you. 🥲💞 Mrs. Kang (dgragoon) because I admire how open she is with talking to people and her reblog threads are always funny to read, including her updates. Cracks me up every time 😭💛 And recently, skullsmashr and Ruth (moonok3). Like… holy shit. I’ve never talked to ANYONE SO UNHINGED IN MY LIFE. Ever since I saw her own chapter reviews, I’m like “This bitch really got the same sense of humor as me.” ✨ BUT ALSO SHE’S A DEMON LMFAAAOOOO (jk love ya sister even tho you a bad influence on me 💖) And Ruth! Recently, she posted for the first time of a sketch of Gun x (Y/N) and her drawing was so pretty!! It gave me butterflies. 🦋 And the reblogs she posts got me feeling dead inside because it’s mostly me, her, and Skullsmashr being IDIOTS. 💀💀💀💀But she’s too kind, and I appreciate her being a fan of my story since Day 1 and I’m glad that I get to finally talk to her more on here! 🤎 (if you see this Ruth, remember the hotline, ok? 👀)

#fellow moots 💕 #my god this answer reached a whole paragraph 😳 #lookismaddict #lookismaddictq&a #anon ask