#my umi says shine your light on the world

[roeroe-world]

my umi says shine your light on the world.🌞👧🏾

#Spotify

[onestowatch]

19 LGBTQIA+ Artists You Need to Listen to This PRIDE

PRIDE is all about self-empowerment and self-determination. It’s about not just being comfortable with who you are but showing the world that there is pride to be found in being unapologetically you. And that’s why, this PRIDE, we wanted to shine a light on a small handful of our favorite LGBTQIA+ artists. Ranging from rapturous hyperpop, revelatory bossa nova meditations, romantic rave music, and everywhere in between, these are 19 LGBTQIA+ artists who deserve a spot on your PRIDE playlist and every playlist for that matter. 

girl in red

In her debut single, “i wanna be your girlfriend,” a teenage girl in red unapologetically sings of young queer love over a mesh of lofi production and jangly instrumentation that would come to define much of the bedroom pop genre. It is a standout moment of unrelenting honesty, and a serenely simple three-minute confession that would go on to strike a chord with millions who were afraid of what it meant to be something more than friends. Now, a few years later and following the release of her critically-acclaimed debut album, if i could make it go quiet, Ulven still writes with that same emotional honesty, putting forth every ounce of herself for the world to see. 

Meet Me @ The Altar

“the little lonely black alt girl i was in the 00s is living rn, she never even dared to hope she might see this 💖💖,” reads the top comment on Meet Me @ The Altar’s music video for their single “Garden.” It is a sentiment shared by much of the rising band’s fanbase, who are used to the mainstream alternative scene championing cis white males. Existing in the space between pop-punk and hardcore, Meet Me @ The Altar exists to challenge the notion that queer women of color don’t have a place in punk. And after penning a record deal with Fueled By Ramen, home to the likes of Paramore, Panic! at the Disco, and nearly every pop-punk band that made up your middle school playlist, chances are this is just the beginning for our new favorite punks.

THE BLOSSOM

For Lily Lizotte, better known as THE BLOSSOM, music exists as the synthesis and subsequent recontextualization of a host of past experiences. From the sound of their dad belting away in his home studio to stumbling upon niche Internet subgenres, THE BLOSSOM transforms all this and more into a sound that is instantly recognizable but impossible to perfectly place. The culmination of this host of influences takes sweeping sonic form on their debut EP, ‘97 BLOSSOM, a perfectly imperfect introduction to one of the most fascinating rising artists of recent memory.

BIMINI

You may recognize BIMINI as Bimini Bon-Boulash, the runner-up on the second season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. And now you should familiarize yourself with Bimini, brit-pop extraordinaire. Releasing their debut single “God Save This Queen” earlier this June, Bimini deftly channels late ‘90s brit-pop and punk to deliver a single that has us absolutely living for the ensuing chaos. Serving up multiple looks throughout its eye-catching music video, “God Save This Queen” is not just a non-binary anthem but a veritable 2021 lookbook.

Hope Tala

With a sound that falls somewhere between turn-of-the-century R&B and bossa nova, Hope Tala’s music is expectedly a dream given sonic form. Perhaps that’s why much of the UK singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist’s music is able to so deftly weave imagery of love, heartache, and teenage fistfights into tightknit tracks that feel simultaneously transcendental and deeply personal. And with the release of her 2020 EP, Girl Eats the Sun, Hope Tala poses one all-important question, “Why have a life if you’re not going to do something crazy and make a difference in the world?” 

chloe moriondo

For much of chloe moriondo’s avid fanbase, watching her transform from budding ukulele sensation to pop-punk phenom very much meant watching her grow up. Getting her start on YouTube, moriondo's fanbase witnessed her evolve as both an artist and person. Coming out in the aptly titled “a ramble about self identity, growth, and being a lesbian,” to be a fan of the artist often feels like trading secrets with a close personal friend. It is a sentiment that rings all the more true upon delving into her debut album, Blood Bunny. Grappling with coming-of-age at the axis of empathic pop and euphoric pop-punk, Blood Bunny sees moriondo taking yet another impressive step forward.

Godford

Little is known about Godford beyond what can be garnered from a handful of interviews online and his succinct Spotify bio, and chances are he’s happier that way. The anonymous DJ and producer aims to make non-binary music that exists outside of the confines of genres, overly-simplified classifications, and even himself. What is important are the emotions his music hold and what his listeners take away. Fusing romanticism and rave in his debut album, Godford: Non Binary Place, the anonymous artist does just that. He provides a space that exists simultaneously everywhere and nowhere, like an ephemeral night spent out on the dancefloor with a stranger or close friend.

Joy Oladokun

Joy Oladokun is at the core of her music. It may at first glance appear to be a painfully obvious statement, but as her sincere songwriting seeps into every corner of your soul, it is a notion that becomes undeniable. In her major label debut, in defense of my own happiness, Oladokun writes with an unabashed authenticity, never turning a blind eye to the world around her. These shared reflections and recollections of life are often heartbreaking and uplifting in the same breath, but in their candidness, we can begin to piece together what it means to be human, imperfections and all.  

Allison Ponthier

Allison Ponthier may only have a handful of singles to her name, but her unmatched potential is clear as day. Raised in the outskirts of Dallas, Texas, Ponthier’s moving songwriting and emphatic vocal prowess speak to her country roots. Pair that country sensibility with some of the most pristine pop songwriting we have heard in quite some time, and you begin to understand just how exciting Ponthier is as a rising artist. With only two singles to date, there’s not much else we can say beyond do yourself a favor and play “Cowboy” on repeat.

Rina Sawayama

It feels like no hyperbole to call Rina Sawayama an inevitable pop icon. First garnering critical acclaim with singles like “Cherry” and her 2017 debut EP RINA, the Japanese-British singer-songwriter staked her name on her immaculate ability to capture all the glamour and larger-than-life appeal of early ‘00s pop. Building on what was a nostalgic yet forward-thinking vision, Sawayama returned with her 2020 eponymous full-length debut. From nu-metal, club beats, to veritable pop anthems, SAWAYAMA emerged as a genre-defying showcase of an avant-garde pop star.

Arlo Parks

Listening to Arlo Parks’ music is akin to sipping on a hot cup of chamomile tea as you watch the world slowly pass by your living room window. It is a testament to the British poet and singer-songwriter’s subtle yet beautiful way with words, the way in which each lyric serves as a glance into a tightly-held memory or passing observation. These poetic musings come to life in her debut album, Collapsed In Sunbeams, which layers lyrical revelations over some of the most tender R&B of recent memory. Parks’ is more than a must-listen; she feels like the birth of a new wave.

Claud

Claud has spent the past few years making a name for themselves in the indie pop world, and the culmination of it all arrives in their debut album, Super Monster. The acclaimed album sees Claud reckoning with coming-of-age and love with an irresistible charm. Pair that with a penchant for grounded, affective songwriting and infectious, dreamlike melodies and you have one of the best debuts of recent memory. In case you somehow need any further convincing that Claud is one to watch, Super Monster marks the debut release from Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records.

UMI

Equally as inspired by R&B and neo-soul as she is by her generation’s penchant for blurring genre lines, UMI and her music exist as a form of spiritual healing. Half-Black and half-Japanese, her work explores everything from identity to self-introspection, such as on the aptly-titled Introspection. It is a fondness for self-exploration that UMI delves headfirst into on her 2019 EP Love Language, a sublime blend of identity struggles, love, and anime that tackles the issue of always feeling like an other, never Black or Japanese enough.

Joesef

Sad boy summer. It’s the simplest way to being explaining Joesef’s serene albeit somber sound. Emerging out of Glasgow, the quickly rising star often wears his still bleeding heart on his sleeve, even when the underlying sonics seem to be moving onto greener pastures. It is an exquisite balancing act that comes to life on his 2020 EP, Does It Make You Feel Good?. Blending elements of soft-spoken R&B, jazz, and ethereal pop, Joesef sets himself apart as an artist whose influences and appeal know no bounds.

Serena Isioma

At the top of the year, we named Serena Isioma one of our top artists to watch in the year to come, and for good reason. The self-proclaimed “nonbinary rock star” experienced a breakout moment with “Sensitive,” a track that is difficult to perfectly encapsulate but think along the lines of fusing modern-day R&B and woozy indie-pop with reckless abandon, and you’ll be about halfway there. It was an impressive standout track that was only buoyed by a pair of EPs, Sensitive and The Leo Sun Sets, in 2020, officially cementing Isioma as an artist like no other.

Khai Dreams

Khai Dreams’ music is effortlessly easygoing. With its straightforward guitar lines and understated production, every track from the Pacific Northwest singer-songwriter flows out as naturally as breathing. Maybe it’s that laid-back approach that begins to explains Khai Dreams’ universal appeal and millions of monthly listeners, despite releasing most of his music independently. A hallmark of the DIY generation and its massive homebrewed potential, it would be a crying shame if you didn’t let Khai Dream’s serene meditations transport you somewhere far from here.

Frances Forever

Like much of their Gen Z cohorts, Frances Forever’s exponential rise was not the result of a well-executed marketing plan but by the pure chance of a single song finding a home online. The song in question, “Space Girl,” was originally part of NPR’s Tiny Desk Content before soon blowing up on TikTok, and it’s not hard to see why. Short, sweet, and to the point, “Space Girl” is a saccharine love letter to that bubbly feeling of floating on cloud nine. Now signed to Mom+Pop and with their debut EP, Paranoia Party, due out later this year, this is the perfect time to get familiar with Frances Forever.

Dorian Electra

Unapologetically playing with gender norms and stereotypes while seeing just how far they can push the limits of pop, Dorian Electra has long maintained a cult following in the world of experimental, highly addictive hyperpop. And it’s not hard to see why. Having collaborated with the likes of Charli XCX, 100 gecs, Village People, Pussy Riot, Rebecca Black, and more, Electra’s music ranges from off-the-rails hyperpop to introspective pop slow burns. All of this and more reaches a fever pitch in their 2020 album My Agenda, a devious showcasing of one of pop’s most explosive figures.

MAY-A

Maya Cumming, professionally known as MAY-A, is no stranger to the hustle it takes to make it in the music industry. The Australian artist got her start entering numerous singing competitions in her hometown of Byron Bay and started busking on the streets at the tender age of 11. Now, she has a breakout single under her belt in the form of “Apricots,” an anthemic indie-pop ode to queer love. And since that breakout moment, MAY-A has continued to release impressive single after single—the latest being the collaborative “American Dream.”

#pride #girl in red #meet me @ the altar #the blossom #bimini #hope tala #chloe moriondo #godford #joy oladokun #allison ponthier #Rina Sawayama #arlo parks #claud #umi #joesef #serena isioma #khai dreams #frances forever #doria electra #may-a

[blue-bird-kny]

How You Spend Days Off

I stuck to only the three main peeps, but I’m looking forward to writing for more JJK characters. It was actually really nice to write for them, so I hope you enjoy~Amanda

P.S: Be safe out after dark!

Warning: N/A

( 2.1K+ words)

   ↳{shenanigans you and your S/O get up to on days off}

Yuji:

Days off with Yuji are unpredictable and always either involve something thrilling and very energy consuming or it can be some of the simplest things a person can do- no in between.

Yuji usually is the one who makes plans during your spare time (though he always gets your opinion, of course), he just really values time with you and wants to experience so much together while he can

It was common knowledge that this coming Friday, all the students would have the time off to rest as a reward for all their hard work with the recent influx of curse activity. Yuji wasted no time in planning the perfect day together, from the moment you woke up next to him to when you both fell asleep, he had something ready.                               

“Ah that was delicious Yuji, thank you” you cheered, arms stretched high above your head in an attempt to work away the sleepiness the food had made you feel. “No problem! Only the best for you, princess” Yuji’s smile reached past his shining eyes, thrilled you enjoyed the assortment of plates and bowls filled with your breakfast favorites he’d surprised you with. “Well then, my prince, to what honor do I owe your company today?” you asked leaning against your balled fist and bent elbow on the table, amusement and adoration laced on all your features. “For one day only, yours truly scored us tickets to…! Drum roll please!” Yuji posed dramatically, eyes cast down while crouched and pointing in a funny manner.

You proceeded to bang your fist against the table, laughing lightly, “We’re going to spend all day at Monster Con!” he pulled out two floppy pieces of paper from his back pocket as you gasped, “Oh I’m not finished yet, princess, we’ll also be wearing matching costumes I hand selected” You stood quickly, clapping at his theatrical performance as he bowed, repeating, “Thank you, thank you”. You made your way to infront of the boy, your arms wrapping around his broad shoulders while he enveloped your waist tightly, pressing you against him. “Not going dressed as your pesky alter ego, huh?” you joked staring up at the taller kid, earning you a slight pout, “No, he’s not invited” he grumbled. “Sorry, that joke was in poor taste” you apologized, shifting to run your thumb along his juted bottom lip to smooth out the lines.

“No worries, I know ya didn’t mean anything by it” your hand stayed cupping his cheek, both star-filled eyes trained on each other as you both wore the cheesiest grins. Just as you stood on your tip-toes to close the space between each other, a warm gust of breath blew against the palm holding Yuji still, “I was wondering why you hadn’t spoiled the moment” you sighed, lowering yourself to lean your forehead against Yuji’s chest instead. A small mouth carved into its host cheek frowned, now free to speak without your hand suffocating it, “I can handle the women’s teasing, however what have I done in my many lifetimes to have to suffer through this painful love-sick puppies act” Sukuna complained. “Many things actually” you responded, muffled by Yuji’s shirt that smelled of a citrusy-warm blend you couldn’t get enough of. “Why do you always kill the mood?” Yuji  groaned up towards the ceiling, earning himself a scoff from the demon king. “Oh? You mean like that I wouldn’t let y-” “SHUT UP!” Yuji slammed his hand against his own face to silence the man, his cheeks inflamed.

Now clad in matching costumes, you as frankenstein's wife and Yuji as Frankenstein, from the hair to the clothes to the make-up, you both spent the day without any further hiccups; how Yuji kept Sukuna at bay, you didn’t know, but I didn’t really matter. The stares from passengers on the train to the convention center was obvious to everyone but you two, lost in your own little love-sick world of old-fashion horror movies, delicious food, and pure, unfiltered content.

Megumi:

Megumi is a simple guy who likes simple things; he’s overworked and more exhausted than he even realizes, however he doesn’t acknowledge that...ever. In fact, you could run a mile ‘too quickly’ by his standards and he will have you take a break and drink his bottle of water (though you had your own and he knew that).

On your rare days off together, Megumi would silently stick to you like glue; he wants to do something for you in the creative way Yuji does and definitely wants to spend the time with you, but he can never come up with a complete idea of how to ‘wow’ you.

Except you didn’t need to be wowed, in fact you really were burnt out, so when the day came when you had  nothing to do but be together, you planned a whole day of nothing with a side of Netflix and take-out.

You knocked on the door to Megumi’s dorm that was just a few paces away from your own. It was almost noon and you still wore your pj’s from last night, cookie monster shorts and an old shirt of Megumi’s you took last week, having made no attempt to fix your hair. “Umi~!” you whined, banging on the door a little harder, the plastic bag from the convenience store rustling at your side. “Coming” Megumi opened the door in a similar state; pj’s still on and hair sticking in even weirder directions than normal.

“Mornin” you greeted with the faintest grin, “sorry to wake you” “ I was just getting up” he yawned while he tried to rub the sleep from his eyes. “Sure I can tell by the bed head” you teased, earning a playful eye roll from the boy. You waved the bag of goodies in front of his face, “Let me in, I’ll make it worth your while~” he chuckled, “I doubt it” despite his words he stood to the side, letting you past and closing the door behind you.

His dorm was dark and a little stuffy, clearly Megumi hadn’t had time to do the in depth cleaning the little neat-freak was so fond of. The continents of the bag clacked together and scattered around as you tossed it onto the small table in the corner, making your way over to his comfortable futon that smelled of his signature eucalyptus soaps. You flopped about for a moment, stretching, snuggling into the sheets still warm from Megumi, who was watching the small scene from the door, “C’mon Umi’ I wanna get through at least two episodes of SVU before we inevitably fall asleep wrapped in each others arms” you called dreamily with lidded eyes, already tired again as you buried beneath his sheets and pillows.

Megumi could feel his chest ache and stomach flutter at the image of the one who he cared for so much that it physically hurt laying there in his bed with soft, kind eyes just for him- it was almost too much. “Umi, I will eat all the sour snakes if you don’t come over here, your sheets are getting cold” Megumi was cut off by his own thoughts of admiration by your voice. He chuckled at the cute way your face cringed a bit at the sour-sweet taste of the candy before sliding into bed too, your head laying on his chest as he held you close. A small, genuine grin spread across his lips as the sound of Netflix starting rang from the TV, holding you even tighter, ‘this is perfect’

Nobara

Be ready to put on your best dressed because you and your girlfriend are hitting the town! Of course Nobara would find her way into the city whenever she could, foreign to the endless wonders the busy streets had to offer and luckily for her, you happened to be far more native with the many sights to see.

She’d let you sleep in, holding you tender as she traced her nails across your skin to form intricate patterns until you woke. You both would totally be the couple that wears matching outfits, the same colors and patterns tailored to your personal styles- of course this would also lead to thousands of pictures for Nobara’s instagram.  

You two would laughed, eat delicious foods, and would spend way more than either of you cared to admit nor did you want to because the price of absurd, unfiltered laughter and the feel of just a good time, was one both of you could pay a thousand times (and a new pair of shoes too)

The sun hung lower in the sky than it did when you started this little adventure before noon, having been sold on the idea by Nobara that she “only needed a few things” this morning. Now, exhausted perched on a steel chair outside some cafe you’d never heard of with your sore feet elevated on the other empty one you waited for your girlfriend who was inside somewhere.

“Jeez even my fingers are cramped” you groaned flexing your numb digits; shopping was a grueling vice because no matter how much you’ve already bought, more cute sweaters, tops, and matching accessories called to you by name and the art of saying ‘no’ wasn’t exactly in Ms.Kugisaki’s vocabulary. “Here ya’ go babe” Nobara emerged from the shop with two cups, handing one to you before sipping gingerly from her own. You brought the plastic straw to your lips, sighing in relief as the contents quelled a thirst you didn’t even know had been building up. “I don’t think we did too much damage” your face fell and eyes bulged, flailing your arms out around at the brightly colored parcels that littered the table and surrounding floor, “Nobara there are at least fifteen bags here”

She laughed, her hand falling on top of your thigh, giving a gentle squeeze, “Still no that bad”. She scooched her chair closer to yours, her thumb rubbing nonsense circles into the denim of your jeans, “What next?” she asked leaning into her seat, her brown irises watching yours fondly, “Food? We haven’t eaten since a lot earlier and I could turn into a wolf any second and eat you” you teased, though food sounded better and better the more you thought about it. “Eat me? You promise, baby?” Nobara’s smirk earned herself a not-so-graceful, but light kick from you.

“An impromptu picnic sounds great” Nobara decided, tapping against you in finality. It became a game: You both had 30 minutes to run around the delicious food district to pick out each other's favorites, as many as you liked (which would be more food than two can eat), then you’d reconvene at the same cafe. Nobara offered to pick up a blanket at the convenience store because she ‘knew you so well she wouldn’t need the whole half hour.’ The game was on and time was ticking as you both rushed in opposite directions with several bags and a hunger to please the other.

You scurred around each vendor, selecting different meat dishes and veggies, cakes and watermelon, and even splurged on some fancy sushi from the place she'd wanted to try. Your arms quivered under the weight of the many shopping bags and take-out boxes, but you were determined to get back first. “Just around the corner- Are you kidding me?!” you yelled. In the exact steel seat she sat in earlier, was Nobara with an array of bags around her, boxes and the blanket stacked neatly on the table with dark sunglasses adorning her face and her legs crossed cockily as she spoke smoothly, “Beat ya”

Both of you grossly overestimated the amount of food you could eat in one sitting as practically unopened boxes lay stacked on top one another on the blankets while watermelon rinds and used plates were thrown into a garbage bag. The sun was low, almost at the horizon, painting the sky in pastel oranges and pinks with hints of purple and blue; the spring chill had blown a little heavier now that the sun was setting and it was getting harder to stop the shivers. Nobara laid against the trunk of a tree with you between her legs, holding you as her manicured fingers idly massaged your scalp quietly- you would have fallen asleep at the small gesture had you not been actively keeping your eyes open. “The boys will be grateful for the food, I’d hate wasting it” she yawned to which you only hummed.

��Hey” you turned your head up slightly, only enough to meet her gaze, “today was really fun” she smiled, slithering across your arm to grab your cheeks gently in her fingers, forcing your lips to pucker, “yeah it was.” Your wobbly smile made Nobara feel things, too many things at once, and a lump began to form in her throat, “I love you” you mumbled, Nobara’s breath caught for only a moment, whispering a thick “me too.”

Masterlist 

#jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen x reader #jujutsu kaisen x y/n #megumi x reader #nobara x y/n #nobara x reader #yuji x y/n #yuji x reader #megumi x y/n #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen fluff

[lady-literature]

what a lion cannot manage

i have no excuse for this except that it is apparently my Brand™ now to write very niche AU’s that take one look at canon and then punch it in the face for being such a fucking nerd.

enjoy.

Ao3 | chp 1 | chp 2 | chp 3 | chp 4

Midoriya Izumi is born wailing.

A crying waif of a girl with eyes like copper-sulfate flames and magic bubbling hot and bright beneath her skin.

Inko stares, exhausted and flushed with the glow of new motherhood, down at her beautiful baby girl cradled in her arms. Her family gathers in close, yelling and jostling for a glimpse at their newest addition. 

She runs her pinkie finger down her daughter’s short stub of a nose, sweeps it under her fragile eye and over the bright apple of her chubby cheek all in one smooth motion. Izumi quiets almost immediately, and her big, green eyes stare up at Inko with far too much intelligence for a freshly born babe to have.

But, well, Izumi is no normal infant.

"Welcome to the world," Inko whispers over the shouts around her. Such a joyous occasion this is, she can’t fault them for yipping and barking in celebration. "It will shake beneath your feet, my sha’alabbin."

***

The family celebrates for three days following Izumi’s birth, as tradition dictates.

One day for love, one day for health, and one day for magic.

The celebration on the third day is very large indeed, for they have much to celebrate for.

***

Izumi is bundled into a cosy nursery nestled in the center of a large manor at the edge of a small, sleepy town. She sleeps in the nexus of the house, carefully chosen for her over the many months the family waited for her arrival.

Her room is decorated in forest greens and honey soft golds, filled with books and toys and many, many chairs for the steady stream of visitors she sees every day. There’s not a moment in her life where Izumi wonders if she is loved because it is painted in every crack and seam of her world.

Even she, still tender with infancy and still so ignorant to the world and how it works—but learning, oh, how quickly she learns—Izumi knows this. She knows because it’s obvious.

That doesn't stop her from crying when she thinks she’s alone, of course.

Object permanence takes longer to grasp than the love of her skulk.

***

No one in town can agree on exactly how many Midoriyas there are.

The family has lived there for generations, they’re as woven into the land and town as the roads and fields and rivers are. Everyone knows the Midoriyas.

But only as a group. A whole. Because knowing individual Midoriyas is infinitely trickier.

The family is friendly, and active enough in the town, but they’re so private. Living off at the very edge of town and half-hidden in the forest. And there always seems to be some strange relative visiting from one place or another, or family friends staying for this reason or that.

The number of Midoriays always seems to be changing.

But the townspeople, whenever asked, always seem to agree that there can’t be more than twelve at the house full time.

(There’s more than double that living within the manor. And none of them are ever ‘just visiting’.

None of the family ever corrects them.)

***

Izumi’s first word is momma.

Her second is why?

Her third is how?

Such a curious child, with questions spinning and whirling behind her eyes too fast to keep up with. She babbles non-stop, not quite words falling from her lips quicker than anyone can keep up with, including herself.

She cries when the skulk can’t understand her. Cries when her thoughts move too quickly for her to keep up with. Cries when she’s frustrated, hungry, sad, happy—cries and cries and cries.

All children cry when they’re young, but Midoriya Izumi never gets the memo to stop.

It becomes her most favored form of communication. And when you live in a house half bursting with foxes who can smell the different chemicals in your tears and hear the stuttering of your heartbeat, it’s a terribly valid way to do things.

So she does just fine, all things considered.

***

For the first few years, foxes are normal for the most part. Human, except for perhaps the ears and tail.

It’s not until they’re older that the strength comes in, or the strange affinity for words and Promises. It’s not until they’re older that magic begins pressing down on them with a suffocatingly affectionate weight, possessive in all things it deems to own.

At least, it shouldn’t. But as with so many things, the fledgling curse the Midoriyas are under complicates everything it touches.

It’s a good thing Inko had already been planning to be a stay at home mother, because Izumi is barely a year old and dances with magic like they are old friends. It clings to her in a way it hasn’t touched any of the skulk in years. Not since the curse that was meant to kill them bound them all to their own land instead.

Izumi is the first child born to the Midoriya skulk in over twenty years, is the first child born as Shual Nephesh in even longer. She is the first of the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter—a legacy of batsheva. Perhaps she would have been strange and different no matter what. Would have had this unusual relationship with the world even without the curse twisting everything.

But they will never know, and it does not help to think of what-ifs.

Inko worries, because her daughter is bright and clever and beloved even for a fox. Magic clings to her daughter’s soul and fate waits in her shadow and Inko worries because it doesn’t matter how much They may love Their avatars. So many great heroes of myth and legend—demi-gods by name and not—have been dearly loved and still shattered under the weight of their destiny.

One day, Izumi will burn for that life, and Inko will be helpless to stop her.

But for now, Izumi is allowed to just be small, is allowed to be a child and there is nowhere else Inko would rather be. So Inko stays at the family home even when the skulk could take care of her daughter as she worked, and she watches with pride and affection as her little Izumi grows and grows and grows.

***

Sat on Auntie Umi’s lap, Izumi hums without a care in the world.

Her Auntie’s long riot of black curls is pulled up on top of her head, safely out of reach of Izumi’s curious hands. She twists them into the strings of beads hanging around her Auntie’s neck instead. There are dozens of them carefully beaded onto the strings, each one unique in size and shape and color.

As Izumi touches them she knows—not sure how or why, but she knows—that they are not normal beads. Her fingers jolt at their touch and if she looks close, she can see they shine with a light that no normal glass bead has.

Everyone in the family has some. Prettily coloured not-beads hanging from necks and wrists and ears.

Nona has the most of them all. Her arms jangle and clink with all the jewelry she carries, but her neck stays bare save for a simple choker twined around her throat.

She asks then, because she’s never been good at keeping her words or questions to herself. Never quite grasped the talent of being silent. All her ideas and thoughts are too big and too many to keep neatly tucked away inside her head.

Uncle Kyo says that’s going to get her into trouble someday. He says that a silent fox is a clever fox, but Izumi doesn’t think that sounds quite right. Her thoughts are all too loud to keep them all inside. Isn’t it cleverer to get them out?

But then, she thinks, maybe she’s just a bad fox.

“They’re Promises, little kit.” Auntie Umi carefully untangles her fingers from the strings before playfully nipping at them and making her laugh. “Favors and debts and prizes I’ve won fair and square.”

“Like in a game?”

“Yes. I suppose,” Auntie Umi smiles in that way Izumi knows means she only got it kind of right. “It is quite like a game.”

***

Once she’s old enough to walk around town, Izumi captures the townspeople's hearts with startling ease. They quickly grow used to having her underfoot, always running about and asking questions and seemingly unintentionally causing mischief wherever she turns.

She’s such a curious and bright child. Spends hours upon hours reading any book she can get her hands on. Her eyes are a constant flicker of green, taking in everything around her with a sharpness no toddler should have.

Watching, learning, remembering—gorging herself on knowledge of any kind.

The librarians start to recognize and dote on her, so ardent in her pursuit of knowledge. They regularly give her treats and gifts, things Izumi takes and then repays as quickly as possible by helping to reshelve books or run errands or speak to the pixies living in the shelves to give back what they took when someone loses something valuable.

(“You are not fae,” her Nona says, “so your actions and words do not bind you. But debts are power just the same. You’ll do well to remember to never let another hold power over you, sha’alabbin.”)

She’s the town darling and Inko gets many offers for babysitting if she ever needs it and play-dates with the few other kids around his age.

Izumi always comes back home with more beads on her arms when she plays with the other kids.

Inko watches as she puts every one on her left wrist, never looking at them again, and finds herself smiling for no reason she can discern.

***

Izumi has two names: the one she's allowed to tell people and the real one.

Well, they’re both real, she supposes. Just in distinctly different ways.

The secret one though—the one she’s never told anyone because it’s the one written on her soul—that one has power.

All names have power, of course. It’s why foxes have two and why The Good Neighbors are so careful to never speak their own and why demons have none, angelic names burned and lost in the Fall.

But the secret name Izumi holds close to her heart, always so careful to protect, that one has power all on its own. Only her mother and Nona know it. Her mother, because she gave it to her, and Nona because she is Matriarch, leader and protector of them all. It’s her right to know it, just as it is Izumi’s to do with as she pleases.

It’s an Olde Name. One that is written only in the hearts of storytellers and hidden quietly in the wishes of victims yet to be saved.

Anyone can understand what it means. Somewhere in the back of their minds where instinct and history live, they know this name. The translation, should one know the path they must walk for this truth, would be easy.

Savior.

***

Izumi is three and the weight of names, so ignorantly given, press behind her teeth like bile. Bitter and making her ache with holding them all in. She has dozens of beads on her left wrist, pretty and light and jangling with names she doesn’t want. Promises she didn’t earn.

Her mother tells her the humans don’t know what it is they give away, that they cannot begin to understand the Promises they make. She tells her that humans can’t feel the weight of Magic on their skin like she can.

Izumi thinks that’s very sad. Poor mortals, deaf even to the magic floating around them when they are already clueless to so much.

It makes her want to protect them. Keep them safe from those that would use their ignorance without thought. Those who would play malicious tricks and spit cruel taunts of their superiority.

She tells her mother this childish wish and watches her smile, even as it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.

“How tiny you are for such large ambitions,” she tells her and playfully taps her nose, causing it to wrinkle. 

“I’ll grow!” Izumi insists, chest puffing out and tail fluffing to twice its normal size. “I’ll grow big and strong and I’ll be able to save everyone.”

“Yes,” her mom says, with that same sad smile. “Just like All Might, right?”

Izumi giggles and cheers at being compared to her hero, her idol, and in her chest, Inko’s heart remains steady. Because Inko has known this since Izumi was born. From that first moment her beautiful daughter had drawn breath, Inko had known. For all that Izumi seems too fragile and small now, one day…

One day Midoriya Izumi will be mighty.

***

There’s something strange about Izumi’s family.

She’s always known they aren’t quite normal, of course. Not by any human standard at least.

Half her family walks around with ears and tails most of the time and as brightly colored foxes for the rest. Lessons on illusions and glamours replace her bedtime stories and family time is always a mess of riddles and puzzles and languages that have never touched mortal lips.

So, no. Not normal, but there’s something else. Something no one ever speaks to her about.

She asks why she can’t go outside without hiding her tail and ears under the heady magics of a glamour, asks why she can’t speak about Nona and the outings they all have in the forest. Asks and asks and asks about why they must keep so many secrets. Why she always has to lie.

The only answer she ever really gets is: “So we can stay safe, sha’alabbin.”

Nobody ever tells her what they’re supposed to be staying safe from.

***

Tricksters—masters of illusion and rule-bending—are rarely ever held in place by bindings. Their magic is too slippery to be easily confined, unlike the proud dragons who hold magic in their throats or the rigid Nephilim, so solid in their convictions.

The magic of Shaalim Nephashoth twists and reshapes like smoke on the wind. Harmful magic passes through it, a natural defence for creatures who so often play pranks and tricks on important people. 

It takes a powerful magic user to bind a fox. And even then, they don’t stay bound for long, too often wiggling out of their enchantments.

To subdue an entire skulk of foxes, well…

The Takanashi clan may have been powerful hunters in their own rights, backed by sheer numbers if not skill, but they were no Grand Coven. The Midoriya Skulk, once so powerful and great, may have been weakened and bound to their land, but they were far from dying husks the hunters aimed for.

Their forest did not become their tomb, and they did not run scared.

The Midoriya Skulk survived their attack and that was the last mistake the Takanashi Clan ever made.

You do not wrong the Yōkai. Not if you’re smart, not if you wish to live happily.

(Not if you wish to live.)

***

It happens like this.

Izumi is born quirkless.

Izumi is born quirkless and it’s not a surprise. It’s almost expected when there is too much other in her veins to leave room for something so distinctly human.

This does not, of course, mean she is powerless.

Izumi, as a child, is more acquainted with power than most adults. It winds around her greedily and floats at her shoulders. It is her birthright, is her to command and call upon and do with as she pleases in spite of the Hunters’ irritating magical barrier she only vaguely knows exists.

(She is Shual Nephesh. She is a Midoriya. She is a batsheva legacy.

There is little she will be unable to do if she wishes it.)

But quirks and the power she wields are not the same, and they do not easily pass for one another. The skulk still waits in the shadows and the few remaining Takanashis still lurk at the edges, waiting for them to make a mistake.

A too powerful child will draw attention they cannot afford. But a powerless child is just as noticeable in this age of petty beliefs and false demi-gods.

So they lie.

A month after Izumi turns four, Inko tells anyone who asks that her daughter has enhanced senses, a common ‘quirk’ in their family. “Her newly sensitive nose gave her away,” Inko says with an amused chuckle.

It’s all perfectly ordinary and perfect for hiding in plain sight.

It’s not perfect for being a hero.

Before, when Izumi babbled happily about saving everyone in Japan (because Inko hasn’t told her yet, hasn’t yet dared to explain this unbearable truth), she got pats on the head and hearty encouragement.

Now, when she tells anyone who’ll listen about her dream of being the best hero ever, she’s met with only pity.

“Oh,” they whisper behind their hands, “ that poor girl will never make it. That poor girl with the world in her heart will get herself killed because she’s not strong enough, not big enough, not powerful enough.”

Izumi hears them, because no one ever realizes how much she hears or how much she pays attention.

She hears their heartbeats stutter too. When they tell her they believe in her, that she can do it, that they’ll be cheering her on the whole way.

And Izumi doesn’t understand.

She is clever and smart and powerful but she’s still so young. She hears all of this and doesn’t understand. She wants to yell at them, wants to scream that she can. That she’s enough.  

The truth burns on her tongue and Izumi wants to tell them everything so they’ll just stop.

She doesn’t. Instead, she swallows her words and bears the weight of it all. Every lie and pitiful look and useless piece of advice.

Izumi will be a hero. Whether anybody believes in her or not.

***

The townspeople aren’t mean and they aren’t cruel.

In fact, they’re very kind and Izumi loves them all in that way she adores all the best bits of humanity.

They aren’t cruel, but she thinks it might’ve been easier if they were. She thinks it would be easier to bear the disappointment of their lack of belief if they were hard-hearted and terrible.

But they aren’t.

And Izumi’s not sure how to feel about it.

***

She starts kindergarten with the ten other kids her age and finds she learns much faster than anybody else in her grade. Her small-town school can’t keep up with her hurricane mind.

They don’t let her skip kindergarten, because she’s meant to learn to socialize, but when she’s supposed to be starting first grade, they put her in a second-grade classroom instead. A spinning dervish of thoughts and ideas and questions half everyone’s size.

The second graders all call her Imouto-san and Izumi grins as she swings her feet beneath her too-big desk. No one else can see it, but Izumi’s tail wags fast enough to cause the wind to knock all of Hiro-san’s papers off his desk.

She apologizes, but can’t quite stop herself from doing it again.

***

Time moves on, and Izumi grows, but doesn’t change. Not really. Not in the ways that matter.

Magic still sings in her blood and sometimes, if she asks nicely and pays its price, it will do things for her. Not just glamours and charms but strange, impossible things that not even her Nona can do anymore.

(She is Shual Nephesh, is a Midoriya, is batsheva legacy, is fit to bursting with power. Sometimes, her Skulk wonders what she’d be like if not for the cage she’d been born into. Other times, they wonder if she's like that because of it, not in spite of.)

She’s still the town darling, sweet and kind enough to soften even Old Man Watanabe’s heart. She still cries and laughs often, and is still a bleeding heart.

It’s after school one day, when Izumi is walking home that she passes by the park. Normally, she cuts through the forest to get home instead of taking the main roads. That way she can run as fast as she likes without anyone asking questions.

But today was sunny and she wanted to enjoy it a little more. And, perhaps, she wanted to visit the Odd Shop on Main. Mrs Lily is always so nice and gives her new American sweets for free if she tells a joke—even if they're bad.

She's skipping passed the park gate when she notices it: harsh voices and the sound of someone being pushed over.

Her ears swivel automatically and her head follows a second later. When the scene registers, Izumi is already jumping over the tall fence, uncaring of who will see.

“Hey!” she yells, running full-tilt at the pair of third graders standing above Yashiro, one of her classmates. He was a soft-spoken kind of boy. Shy, but always nice to her even though she’s small and cries a lot.

The two older kids—twins she thinks, though she doesn’t know their names—turn to look at her. Their matching, glimmering insect wings buzz behind them in shock at her sudden arrival as she plants herself in front of Yashiro.

She puts her hands on her hips and tries to make the same face Nana Naoki makes when she’s particularly cross. “It’s not nice to push people,” she says scoldingly. “You should apologize.”

The twins look hesitant now that she’s standing there. It doesn't matter that she’s half their size and weighs about thirty-eight pounds soaking wet.

Everyone in town knows who she is.

And if, by some strange circumstance, they don’t, they know her family. The green hair and eyes can only mean one thing after all and, while no one is quite sure why, everyone knows better than to cross the Midoriyas.

(There’s just something about them, the air they carry, that makes one very careful to not provoke them.)

When neither twin makes any move to either leave or do as she says, Izumi hums meaningfully, the air around her turning stifling.

The girl grumbles, and glares over Izumi’s shoulder. “He should’ve stayed out of our way,” is all she says before grabbing her brother and stalking out of the park.

Izumi’s mouth twists, because that was not an apology, but she decides against going after them.

Yashiro has pulled himself to his knees and is gathering the things that fell from his book bag. Izumi kneels to help.

“Are you okay?” she asks. She doesn’t smell any blood and his heartbeat sounds normal, but it’s probably polite to ask anyway.

Yashiro looks at her, cheeks pink and shoulders hunched to his ears. “Yes, I- Thank you, Midoriya.”

She grins, handing him his pencil bag, newly refilled with all his pencils. “Anytime!”

***

It becomes a Thing.

The whole, ‘Izumi stepping in between schoolyard squabbles’ Thing.

It gets to the point that the other kids, older and younger, begin to expect her to step in. Because of course Izumi will help. She always does.

(Sometimes, she can even hear kids using the threat of her name to ward off bullies rather than saying they’ll tell a teacher. It makes something warm bloom in her chest every time.)

The arguments are never anything serious, and cases of bullying like with Yashiro and the twins are few and far between. The townspeople are good and so are all the kids, but they’re all still children. They get rowdy or into stupid fights over toys or someone accidentally fires off their quirk.

It doesn't quite matter how or why a situation pops up, because, for no real discernible reason, Izumi always finds herself stepping in the middle of it to play mediator.

Which is okay. She wouldn’t do it if she minded or anything—and it’s not like she can really stop herself either. She just… moves when she hears voices raised, like some strange sort of pavlovian response.

It’s not a problem. In fact, it’s great because Izumi is saving people, even if it’s only in small ways (but that's okay for now, she’ll work her way up to bigger ones) and the other townspeople have started to stop looking at her so pitifully.

And, well. It’s not quite what she wanted, and it’s not the reason she’s doing any of this anyway, but it feels… nice. Like a weight lifted from her shoulders she didn’t know was there.

***

Four months after it all becomes a Thing, Izumi gets into a fight.

Not on purpose, because she never seems to do these kinds of things on purpose, but she steps in the middle of an argument she probably shouldn’t have. It was bound to happen eventually.

The bigger boy, Daiki, has some impressive anger issues and a quirk that makes people around him just as angry as he is. She’s interrupted many altercations between him and some poor kid who accidentally set off his quirk. Normally, it takes only a few soothing words to calm them down.

Daiki is quick to anger, but equally quick to calm, if you know how.

And now, it seems, her luck has run out. The moment her mouth opens, Daiki is already screaming at her and the anger is just there. It burns, acidic and hot at the base of her throat.

She swallows it back and refuses to shout back. This is not the first time she’s been on the wrong end of his quirk, she knows how it works and she knows how to handle it.

That is, until he throws a punch at her.

Her head snaps to the side, cheek stinging with pain. She slowly turns back to Daiki, and for the first time in Izumi’s young life, she is furious.

Her eyes burn with unfamiliar rage. The taste of copper and iron sit heavy on her tongue. She bares her teeth in a ferocious snarl and Daiki steps back, suddenly afraid.

Later, she’ll feel unbearably sorry and embarrassed enough to spend an entire day making cookies with her mom to give to Daiki as an apology. But right now?

Right now, Izumi looks over this boy and finds him lacking. She looks at him through the haze of red and hears the rabbit-quick beating of his heart over the whispers of magic twinning at her fingertips and she leaps.

***

She gets in trouble, obviously.

But everyone knows her and they know Daiki’s quirk. They aren’t really mad at her for fighting, but they are mad at her for biting and scratching Daiki enough to draw blood and send him to the nurse.

(She fought dirty. Fought the only way she knew how, with her teeth and claws and wicked sharp mind. All Daiki had was his fists and anger.

He never stood a chance.)

Izumi cries after the haze of Daiki’s quirk falls away. Babbles apology after apology through the hot burn and hiccups of her tears. She didn’t want that to happen, didn’t want to hurt anyone like that.

When her mom comes to pick her up from the principal's office she looks disapproving. When they get home, Nona calls to see her and looks disappointed.

Izumi wants to burrow into the ground and never come back up.

When Nona asks why she had gotten into a fight like that, Izumi has to explain it all. Daiki’s quirk and the interrupting situations and stopping big kids from picking on little ones. She can’t tell what Nona’s thinking when she finishes and she doesn’t ask.

“A good fox,” her Nona says after a long moment, “is a smart fox.”

Nona doesn’t continue, but Izumi knows what she means anyway. She’s heard it her entire life.

A smart fox avoids fights.

A smart fox does not seek them out.

A smart fox does not fight for everyone.

A smart fox, when they absolutely must, only fights for themselves and what is theirs and nothing else.

Izumi, for all that she tries to be, is not a good fox.

But she knew that already. The whole skulk knew that.

She’s too loyal, too stubborn, cares too much and speaks too loud. She wants to be a hero. Wants to save everyone she meets and even the people she hasn’t.

There is a want, a need, that burns in her chest even know. It grows hotter each passing year as she watches all her favorite Heroes swoop in to save the day on the news.

In her heart of hearts, she knows one day she’ll be on that screen too. No matter how un-fox-like it is.

When Nona tells her only to fight for what is hers, Izumi does not argue and she does not barter.

She knows it will not get her anywhere.

Instead, Izumi says okay and takes every innocent person and helpless victim and tucks them in her heart as hers. She Promises to fight for them, Promises to win for them, Promises everything she has to strangers she has never and will never meet. 

Izumi Promises herself to the world and, at the tender age of seven, a shackle twines itself around her right wrist. All the vicious intensity of her vow boiled into iron. Her impossible affection for the world made physical for everyone to see.

Her Nona sets her mouth in a firm line, but behind her, Izumi sees her mom smile. And for Izumi…

For Izumi that is enough.

***

She’s eight when she meets a boy with fireflies in his palms and caramel in his skin.

He moves into the house next door, almost half a mile down the road, and Izumi can hear him and his mother scream at each other for an hour before it suddenly stops, the sound of a door slamming echoing into the air.

The next day, the mom and boy show up on their porch.

Izumi answers the door.

***

Katsuki stares up at the looming, old house and glares.

He didn’t want to be here in this stupid, nowhere town with a bunch of useless nobodies.

He wanted to be back at his old school, where everyone told him how great he was and always did what he said. Here, in this stupid small town, there were barely even any kids to order around.

It made Katsuki angry.

But the Old Hag and his Pops didn’t seem to care. He yelled and cried and demanded to stay and they still just packed him up and moved out to this stupid house that’s apparently been in his mom’s family for generations.

It looked old and smelled like mothballs.

Katsuki hated it.

He hated it and his stupid weirdo grandfather for dying and telling them in his will that they had to live here. What did it matter to his grandfather? He was dead!

Katsuki is alive and almost nine years old and it’s the end of the world.

“Oh,” the Old Hag says in surprise when the door opens. “Hello there, cutie.”

Standing at the open door is, instead of some adult, a fluffy green-haired girl almost an entire head shorter than himself and absolutely covered in freckles. She’s half-hidden behind the door and keeps looking between him and his mom rapidly.

Katsuki glares at her, baring his teeth in the hopes she’ll run away scared like all the other girls from his school did.

Instead, she just blinks at him and beams, sunshine bright and delighted.

It doesn’t get better from there.

***

Izumi stares at the boy with fireflies in his palms and can’t help but think this. This is what she's been waiting for. This boy with power bursting from skin too small to hold it all and Fate clinging at his heels.

This boy who’s like me in all the ways no one else has ever been. 

The boy, Bakugou Katsuki, does not think so. In fact, he doesn’t seem to like Izumi at all.

Izumi tries not to take the yelling and insults personally. Katsuki is upset and sad and on unfamiliar land with people he doesn’t know. Izumi would be scared too.

When she says that to Katsuki, she only gets shoved to the ground by blisteringly hot palms.

“I’m not scared, idiot!” His heartbeat stutters in his chest. “Stay away from me!”

So Izumi does. For a little while, at least.

She gives him a week.

***

For all his screamed insults and crude personality, Izumi finds there’s much more hiding beneath the surface of one volatile Bakugou Katsuki.

Her first glimpse is when he walks into her fourth-grade classroom despite him being her age. Izumi grins at him when he enters, eyes bright as he takes the seat in front of her. He’s smart, apparently. Smart enough to skip a grade like her, or perhaps just hard-working enough to overcompensate.

Izumi watches him throughout class, sees the way he takes notes and asks questions, and thinks that, perhaps, it’s a combination of the two.

***

He wants to be a Hero like her.

Wants to fight and win and beat back the darkness with his fists and teeth and sheer tenacity.

It’s different from what she thought a Hero should be. And different still from the kind of Hero she wants to be.

Battle versus rescue.

An image of unyielding victory versus the quiet surety of hope Izumi wants to spread.

This new side of heroics fascinates her and she can’t help asking about it. She wants to know everything and asks question after question, barely pausing to breathe.

“Holy fuck,” he exclaims, causing Izumi’s eyes to go wide. “Do you ever shut up?”

She opens her mouth and closes it. Then, “No. Not really.”

His scowl is the kind that curdles milk and perhaps Izumi should be offended or scared or any type of normal reaction, but instead, she just grins and offers to share some of her sour gummies. He takes them all, snapping his teeth at her like he expects her to protest but she only laughs.

Katsuki is sharp and feral like the cats in the forest and Izumi thinks perhaps it’s just that he’s never been shown the right kind of kindness. She knows better than anyone how an environment shapes a person.

There’s a whisper in the air when Izumi looks at him, a voice just at the edge of her hearing. It tells her to pay attention. Pay attention to this half molded boy standing at the crossroads of destiny. Pay attention to him because he’s going to be important.

And, well. If that's true then Izumi is hardly going to let his bad mood chase her away.

***

Katsuki holds out for an entire month before Izumi’s constant giggling laughs and habit of following him around town wears him down. The other kids are stupid and don’t like how he yells. They don’t do as he says and that pisses him off so he yells more and the cycle starts all over again.

So, Katsuki decides that even practically useless, annoying, Izumi is better than no friends at all.

***

“Why do you do that?” he asks her angrily one day, a few weeks into their friendship—not that Katsuki will call it that.

She’s climbing down from a tree, kitten held in her arms and she stares at him in confusion, head tilted to the side.

“Do what?”

“That!” he says as she happily passes the kitten to the preschooler he belonged to. She waves the toddler off with a grin while Katsuki fumes at her side. “You’re always sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong, doing stupid things for everybody and running around town like a chicken with its damn head cut off. Why?”

She’s always running off. Always so busy because she’s agreed to help this person or do that thing. Doesn’t she ever just stop?

Izumi blinks, before thinking over the question carefully.

“Why do you want to be a Hero?”

Katsuki glares, mouth already opening to demand a real answer, not a stupid question to his question, but Izumi speaks over him. “No. Really think, Katsuki. You say you want to win and be the best, but you could do that in any job. If you like fighting, you could be an MMA fighter, or a bounty hunter, or even join the military. Become a colonel or something, the youngest ever. But you don’t want to do that. You wanna be a Pro Hero. Why?”

She- He doesn’t- That isn’t-

Katsuki glares at her when he can’t come up with an answer. Saying he wants to be better than All Might sounds childish, and… it’s not really what Izumi’s asking anyway. He’ll look stupid if that’s what he says.

But, he doesn’t know the answer to the question she asked either. He’s just… always known that’s what he’d do, from the very first moment he’d learned what a Hero was. He never bothered with anything else, never bothered to question why.

Izumi just stares at him, her gaze digging into him with burning intensity like none of his secrets or thoughts are safe from her.

“The answer isn’t in your head or your fists, you know,” she says, looking away to pick up her bright yellow bag covered in Hero stickers and pins. When she turns back, her eyes are filled with a secretive light. She pokes his chest lightly. “It’s in there.”

***

Katsuki’s unusually quiet for the next three days.

She worries that she messed up, that she may have pushed Katsuki too far too fast.

But then she sees him climb a tree, just to pick the brightest apple to give to a little girl. And hold the door for the people behind him instead of slamming it shut. And immediately move to pick up the rest of Old Man Watanabe’s groceries that she can’t carry herself.

It’s such small acts of kindness, but it’s all things he hadn’t been doing before. He grumbles and shouts and rages the entire time he does them, but he wouldn’t be Katsuki if he wasn’t acting like he was angry.

Izumi can tell he’s pleased though when Old Man Watanabe thanks them. Hears his heart trip over the lie when he says he doesn’t give a damn what the old man thinks, causing the two temperamental blonds to begin squabbling like a couple of old fishwives.

(Izumi tried hiding her giggles behind her hand, but she doesn’t think she succeeded since Katsuki started yelling at her too.)

***

It isn’t long before Katsuki becomes Kacchan and Izumi becomes Izu or nerd or crybaby or a thousand other throw away, half-insulting nicknames.

Katsuki bears his nickname with as much elegance he can muster—which isn’t a lot—while Izumi always seems so delighted by hers. Even the insulting ones.

Katsuki never quite understands her obsession with nicknames, with being so very careful about introducing herself. The third time Izumi tries explaining the power of names without giving away magic and skulks and the world hidden in the stars that she’ll never get to share with her best friend—and the fourth time she’s cried over it—she gets a determined look in her eye.

The next moment, both her hands are on Katsuki’s chest, right above that soft place where your ribs begin to fall away, vulnerable and warm. The pressure she applies is firm and ungentle.

There is nothing gentle about what she plans to do next.

Katsuki doesn’t have a second name, not like Izumi does. He wears his soul on his sleeve and that terrifies Izumi so she’s going to fix it.

***

The thing about a name, is that it’s not just what someone calls you.

A name is a brand upon your soul. A name is the story that your entire being is dedicated to writing. A name is the culmination of everything that you were, that you are, that you will ever be.

It is the key that unlocks you, that most easily makes you vulnerable.

Izumi places her hand over that key, tenderly grabs that thing inside Katsuki that makes him all that he is, was, will ever be, and then she rips it from its lock. She takes her first true friend and reforges him  into something else, something better, something he was always meant to be.

Katsuki screams for only a moment. And then…

The fireflies in his palms turn to stars.

***

Bakugou Katsuki has two names.

The first one, is the one he was born with, the one he’s told everyone his entire life was his name.

The other is the one his strange, otherworldly best friend burns into him at the tender age of eight years old.

It’s an Olde Name. One that is painted across cave walls in human blood and tucked neatly behind the teeth of every battlefield corpse.

Anyone can understand what it means. Somewhere in the back of their minds where instinct and history live, they know this name. The translation, if one was willing to sacrifice for such knowledge, would be easy.

Warrior.

***

After, Izumi whispers her own name in his ear.

Her other name, the one she should never tell unless she’s absolutely sure she can trust them.

(Because it is an Olde name. Because she is batsheva legacy. Because she is the youngest Midoriya. Because there is too much power in her chest to be so careless with her name even if it’s her right to do with as she pleases.)

But Izumi knows she can trust Kacchan because he’s Kacchan. If she could’ve, she might’ve waited longer to tell him. Until her birthday maybe or after she convinced him to stop handing his name out to anyone who asks.

But things changed and she grew impatient. She knows his name—chose his name. It’s only fair he knows hers too.

Katsuki doesn’t quite know what it means to be given this gift, just like he doesn't quite know what it is Izumi did to him, but he promises to guard it all the same.

***

The pair are practically attached at the hip after that.

It’s something no one in town ever saw coming. In fact, they all half-believed the two would end up killing each other—or, more likely, that Katsuki would eventually kill Izumi.

It’s practically a miracle. By all accounts, the two should have crumbled under the weight of their volatile differences. Two opposites that never should have mixed coming together and working in a way no one can quite explain.

Where Izumi—strange, selfless, little Izumi—prefers to use her mind and heart to solve the problems she’s always running at without a second thought, Katsuki, her ever-present shadow, uses his fists and sharp tongue as his opening move. A bleeding heart shoved in the center of a human explosion.

For every insult Katsuki sees fit to fling, Izumi is right behind him with an apology and kind words as if she was created to temper the blond.

For all the times Izumi is too caught up in her own mind, thoughts too loud and emotions too high and all the variables too much, Katsuki is there to snap her out of it with easy decisions and barked orders.

They ebb and flow around one another. An ever-present push and pull between the two that sparks up into stubborn drive and exuberant competition. For all their differences, there are some places where they're just too similar. But it’s those that allow them to function as a unit at all.

A yin and yang, balanced and opposing and complimentary all rolled into one relationship.

Izumi becomes the filter through which Katsuki can interact with the world. She understands him in a way few can, can read him and speaks his language and know when he’s just posturing to save face. And in turn, Katsuki becomes the flame and gasoline made to keep Izumi running, keep moving forward, keep reaching and growing and building.

The townspeople grow used to the two of them running around and causing havoc. Rarely a day goes by without hearing of a new situation the pair have somehow roped themselves into.

But if asked, they can all agree. One day…

One day those kids will be extraordinary.

***

Time passes. Katsuki turns nine with little fanfare while the whole town pitches in for Izumi’s celebration.

When they both turn ten, Izumi ignores the months between their birthdays and celebrates them together so Katsuki can have a big party too. (She still gets another one on her actual birthday, but it was the thought that counted.)

At ten years old, Katsuki refuses to admit that Izumi is the best friend he’s ever had. Everyone can see it, but he never says it out loud.

At ten years old, Izumi knows it anyway so it doesn't really matter. His heart tells her it every time it stutters around the words ‘I hate you.’

At ten years old, both Izumi and Katsuki are looking towards the stars, eager and excited for what the future has in store.

At ten years old, All Might disappears from the public eye, and Izumi feels something hollow settle in her stomach.

***

I used a lot of Hebrew words to describe the foxes and endearments. I did this because it's a pretty language and is honestly not used enough. I do not speak Hebrew but tried to keep it as accurate as possible.

TRANSLATIONS: sha’alabbin: sly fox batsheva: "bat" is daughter, "sheva" is the number 7, so it literally means "7th daughter." Shual Nephesh: "shual" is fox, "nephesh" is literally translated as a soul but is also referenced as living beings/sentient creations. kinda like spirits. Shaalim Nephashoth: plural form of the above

#bnha #fem!izuku #bakudeku #mha #my typewriter #wlcm #my hero academia

[duckiefishpond]

Lover’s Day

(IT’s V-day, so can post this now.)

“And one, two, three!”

“And one, two, three!”

“Ack! Sorry!”

“No, no, my friend. Quite alright!”

Lover’s Day was around the corner for Valentin. It was the monster’s holiday for couples that happened on the 3rd of June. Over time though, it was adopted as an official holiday of Valentin by all residence; much to monsters’ resistant of commercial use. Still, the day was approaching fast as Collin was thrown in a stupor.

Collin was never good at planning things but this being his and Tessara’s 26th wedding year, he wanted to make this holiday special; seeing as their wedding anniversary was still a bit down the road. Believe him, Collin never expected for Tessara to have stayed this long as she has. Collin wanted to do something out of the ordinary. 26 years wasn’t a mile stone, but it was something special to Collin. 26 years that Tessara had been by his side, given him two wonderful children, and been there for him at his worst. No, Collin wanted to show his wife how special she was to him. How much he appreciated her and how much he loved her.

So here he was, day of the holiday, while Tessara was at the palace fully today, taking dance lessons from China. Bless the poor cat man for how many times Collin has stepped on his feet for the last few days of practice as Tessara was out for work.

“And dip and done! Well done my friend! You have improved immensely!” China chuckled as Collin brought China back up.

Blushing slightly, Collin rubbed the back of his head as Serenity and Seth clapped.

“Mama’s going to love it when you show her you can dance better now,” Serenity chuckled.

“Mommy happy,” Seth stated while smiling.

“Yeah, yeah,” Collin remarked, rolling his eyes.

“No, my friend, they’re right. Duckie loves dancing and music. You know this. So you know she will be over the moon when she sees how much you have improved,” China commented, patting Collin on the back, “Just breathe through things and you will be fine.”

“I hope so,” Collin replied, giving a half confident look.

Still unsure how things will go, Collin gave a slight pout as China continued to pat his back.

“Collin, what bothers you? Are those man’s comments from yesterday still buzzing around your head like a pesky mosquito?” China asked.

Collin sighed.

“Sadly yes,” Collin replied, “I can’t stand it. Everybody thinks she deserves better. Whether they state it or not, people give us looks. It seems only her close friends, other than Marissa, seem to support us. Even now. And that guy yesterday, gods, he lusted at her. Telling her how beautiful she was and how if she was with him, he would give her the world. I could tell she was grossed out so of course I stepped in. But I’m not stupid. I’m not fighting some muscle head. But to be called weak and some stick that clings onto her when she could be with a real man, it-”

Trailing off, Collin went quiet as China gave a sad look but perked back up.

“My friend. You are not weak. You love Duckie dearly and would do anything to make sure she’s safe and happy. Granted, she can protect herself, but you give her protection that not others can. You give her the love she’s wanted for so long. People like that, they don’t understand. So do not let words like that bother you,” China reassured.

Sighing again, Collin perked back up before giving his children a reassuring smile that he was alright.

“I know. I know. I just hate it. I wish they would leave her alone. She’s mine. She’s my wife and I’m her husband,” Collin spoke.

“And so you are. And you will take her out to the willow tree and give her a wonderful Lover’s Day picnic dinner and sweep her off her feet tonight,” China chuckled, “As for Marissa. She’s a fiddly one. I think more is going on under the seams of her demeanor towards you but she is a private person and I am not one to pry. Give it time though. I think she’s slowly warming up to you.”

Collin just chuckled. “That or she’s waiting to throw another knife at me,” Collin remarked.

To that, everybody was laughing now.

4 o clock rolled around and Tessara was walking through the door; seemingly very tired. One of her pigtails was slightly undone, sleeves were slipping down, and giving off a very tired sigh, walked over to the stairs and sat down.

Giving her no time, Seth was already in his mother’s lap looking worried at her. Nuzzling his nose with hers, Tessara gave her son a kiss on the forehead with a tired smile.

“Hi sweetheart,” Tessara commented.

Walking out of the living room, Serenity behind him, Collin was surprised to see the state his wife was in.

“Duckie-dearest, what happened to you?” Collin questioned as he took a seat next to her on the stairs.

“Chasing intruders. Surprisingly not my fans, but Umi’s,” Tessara replied.

Giving a confused and annoyed look, Collin replied, “Don’t those damn girls know he’s gay and with someone?”

“As if they care about that? No, somehow these three sneaked their way into the meetings today and just had to get close to him. Then we had to chase one down which one threw a fit and started to fight us. Granted, oni are no match for me, it was still a hell of a day,” Tessara sighed.

Rubbing her back, Collin kissed his wife’s forehead.

“Well, it’s over and now you can enjoy the rest of the day. And I have a small surprise for you. Yet, you got to wash up and get nice and dressed for it,”  Collin replied.

Raising an eyebrow, seems that caught Tessara’s attention.

“Oh?” she questioned, “And what do tell, do you have planned?”

Tessara knew what today was. Was probably the reason the girls broke into the palace. Still, Collin having something planned? That was new to her.

“Just have to wait and see,” Collin replied with a cheeky smile.

Chuckling, Tessara kissed her husband as she got up.

“Fine,” she playfully replied before heading upstairs; carrying Seth with her.

Looking at each other, Collin and Serenity chuckled and smiled.

With 6 o clock striking on the clock, Collin had washed up and freshened up at the downstairs bathroom as he was sitting on the stairs with Serenity brushing his hair.

“Starbeam says by the time you guys get there, the food will be ready and things will be set up,” Serenity remarked as she finished brushing her father’s hair and started to braid it.

“Good. Now all we have to do now is wai-” Collin began to speak.

“Hi handsome,” a voice spoke.

Looking up, Tessara had finished in the bedroom and was dressed in a nice blue dress with fashionable flats. Light pink lipstick and having dropped her godly appearance, her medium length blond hair was tied into a bun with a fancy hair piece.

Grinning from ear to ear, Collin replied, “Well hello to you too gorgeous. My, are you lost, because I would LOVE to be your guide tonight.”

This got Tessara to laugh as Serenity playfully smacked Collin on the back of his head; causing him to laugh.

“Daddy, that was terrible!” Serenity stated although chuckling herself.

“Silly Daddy,” Seth commented; having come down the stairs behind his mother and clinging to her leg at the moment.

“Hehe, so, we ready to go here?” Tessara questioned; still chuckling.

Finishing up braiding his hair and tying it up with his usual purple hair ribbon, Serenity replied, “Yep!”

Although not as clean as Tessara, Collin was well dressed with a nice white dress shirt and purple dress slacks. Nice shoes and with his hair braided, Tessara did have to admire how nice her husband looked.

Getting up, Collin held his hand out to his wife as Tessara happily took it. Walking down the stairs, the pair walked towards the door as Collin opened it up for Tessara. “My lady first of course,” Collin stated.

Tessara just chuckled as she walked out the front door.

Waiting for them was Collin’s dirt bike; freshly washed and new tires.

“Now where are we going?” Tessara questioned.

“Again my darling, it’s a surprise,” Collin replied as he started up the bike before handing Tessara a helmet.

Looking back, the pair noticed Sonji had come down the stairs and was with the kids on the front porch.

“In bed by 9. No later than 10,” Tessara spoke.

“As if I haven’t watched them before,” Sonji replied.

“Bye Mama. Bye Daddy! Have fun!” Serenity spoke with a wave.

“Buh Bye,” Seth chuckled and waved.

Waving at their children, Tessara wrapped her arms around Collin once she had her helmet on. Placing his on, Collin kicked the bike stand up and off they went down the dirt road from the house.

Riding down the dirt road to the main paved road, the pair hit the four way before taking a left and riding on for quite a while to Limestone Peak. The trail here was a common walking path for the couple as Collin parked the bike at the beginning of the trail.

“Okay. Now here, I need you blindfolded,” Collin remarked as he took off his helmet; pulling a black cloth out of his dress shirt pocket.

Puzzled as she set her helmet on the bike, Tessara asked, “Why?”

“For the surprise of course. I know where I’m going so I’ll lead,” Collin chuckled.

Trusting her husband, Tessara replied, “Okay.”

Coming behind her, Collin placed the black cloth around her eyes and tied it under Tessara’s hair before taking hold of her hand and leading the way. A good long walk, Tessara kept asking questions.

“Am I going to like what you have planned?” Tessara asked.

“Hopefully,” Collin replied.

“I’m surprised we are all the way out here,” Tessara commented.

“Well, the town was probably packed and restaurants full. Rather do something special in places we like to go to together,” Collin stated.

Chuckling, Tessara replied, “Yes and if I’m thinking correctly, we are headed to the willow tree, aren’t we?”

“Maybe,” Collin chuckled before finally stopping.

Stopping, Tessara waited for a moment before what seemed to be light started to shine through the cloth.

Walking behind her, Collin began to undo the cloth before waiting to take it off.

“Ready?” Collin spoke.

“Yeah,” Tessara chuckled.

Pulling the cloth up, Tessara’s eyes went wide in excitement.

The willow tree, a usual spot the pair liked to hang out and talk at, was covered in star lights that made the tree glow in golden light. Sitting at its base was a picnic set up with fine dishware and a dinner waiting for them. Next to that was a freshly made pitcher of tea.

Placing her hands over her nose and mouth, it was obvious Tessara was grinning from ear to ear before turning and hugging her husband.

“You planned this?” Tessara questioned; the happiness and giddiness in her voice when she asked.

“All for you,” Collin replied as he took one of his wife’s hands and led her to the blanket to sit.

The cooking was obviously Starbeam’s; grill cooked steaks with freshly tossed salad, hand made potatoes and steam cooked greens. The only thing that stuck out to be anything that wasn’t cooked by her was the macaroni and cheese; obviously done by Collin while Tessara was cleaning up.

Tessara was still grinning as she looked over everything; the food, the willow tree, and then at her husband. That smile never leaving her face, Collin could tell she loved it.

Grabbing cups, Collin made drinks for the two of them as Tessara started to make plates. Everything made, the two took their usual spot between the roots; pillows having been placed there for them.

“You didn’t have to do all this,” Tessara commented before taking another bite of her steak.

“Yeah well. Once in a while I should show you I can be romantic,” Collin chuckled.

“As if you haven’t been for the last 26 years,” Tessara chuckled.

“26 years is a long time. And at some points, I don’t think I expressed enough how much you mean to me,” Collin replied.

Leaning closer, Tessara snuggled up to her husband with a big grin on her face.

“As if I didn’t know. You love me. You want me,” Tessara playfully teased.

“Everyday. Every night. Every minute. Every hour. Every second,” Collin replied.

To this the two busted out laughing.

With night finally setting in as the day cycle finished and the sky turned to the starry view of space outside the shields, the pair finished up dinner as Collin wrapped an arm around Tessara and held her close; both holding their cups of tea.

“Surprised you didn’t grab the wine from the basement,” Tessara commented.

“I don’t think you would want me drunk tonight,” Collin teased.

Chuckling, Tessara replied, “Probably not. Though you usually are just more sappy and like to throw pick up lines.”

“You like my pick up lines,” Collin remarked, “I mean look at this sky. So gorgeous. Yet nothing compares to the star that is here next to me. The brightest in all the universe and she’s all mine!”

Blushing, Tessara started to push Collin away playfully as she laughed.

“Oh my gods! Stop! You’re just as bad when sober!” Tessara laughed.

“It’s true though! Diamonds may be my favorite gem, but there is no gem more dazzling and beautiful as you!” Collin continued.

“STTTTOOOPPP! ACK, YOU CHEESE BALL!!!” Tessara laughed.

Both laughing, Collin took the cups and set them aside before passionately kissing his wife. Wrapping her arms around him, Tessara happily returned the kisses as Collin leaned her into the pillows.

Kissing for a few minutes, it took Tessara a moment to realize music had started to play. Breaking the kiss, Tessara looked confused but pleased. Realizing she caught on to the music, Collin smiled.

“Got something else for yah,” Collin stated.

“Oh?” Tessara questioned.

Setting up, Collin held a hand out as Tessara grabbed it. Helping her up on her feet, Collin walked her over and off the blanket before letting her hand go and bowing.

“My lady. May I have this dance?” Collin asked.

Chuckling, Tessara held her hand out again as she replied, “Oh, but of course!”

Taking hold of it, Collin lead as the pair danced around to the music. Showing her what he had learned, Collin was happy to see how smiley and happy his wife was in his arms. Dipping her as the music came to the end, Tessara hadn’t noticed in one of their circles around the tree, Collin had grabbed something with one his tails until it came into view.

“And I didn’t forget the roses,” Collin stated as he brought his wife back up and handed her the bouquet of red roses with his tail.

Taking the bouquet, Tessara was blushing as she stated, “You are such a sap!”

“You married me,” Collin chuckled.

“And never regretted one day of it,” Tessara replied before kissing her husband again.

With midnight drawing close, the pair decided to finish things up with a walk on the trail. Chatting away about things, the pair arrived at the peak where the rock side dropped off to a beautiful view of the mountain range during the day. Though at night, the starry sky above made things just as breathtaking.

“Oh, this view is just as lovely at night as it is during the day. I’m surprised more people don’t come out here,” Tessara commented.

“Yeah really. Look at star cluster there,” Collin replied.

Pointing out stars and planets, the pair hadn’t paid attention to the commotion behind them till something squawked. Puzzled by the sound, the two turned around when a large crow flew out towards them. Surprised and startled, Tessara jumped back as the crow flew between them; a mocking bird following behind it. It seemed the crow must have messed with its nest and was being attacked by the mocking bird.

Though too far back, Tessara hadn’t realized how close to the edge she had gotten till slight rumbling could be heard. Seems from the rain storm a few days ago, the limestone edges were still soft with water and started to crumble.

The next few seconds flashed before her. Grabbing out for Collin as he rushed towards her, feeling nothing under her feet, to being held by something. Not realizing she had shut her eyes in all this, Tessara opened them to see wide open space.

“DUCKIE! DUCKIE, ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!?” Collin spoke in a panic.

It took Tessara a moment to register things. She was in Collin’s arms. Deciding to look down, she saw trees below her and Collin’s feet. Now realizing what was going on, Tessara’s eyes went wide.

She fell off the edge, Collin jumped for her and grabbed her and-

“YOU CAN FLY?!?” Tessara shouted in stunned confusion.

“Um….yeah,” Collin replied.

They were indeed in the air as Collin held onto Tessara. Having jumped for his wife, he grabbed onto her before using his powers to fly and catch their bearings.

Flying back up to the top, Collin landed away from the edge before setting Tessara down. Still holding onto her husband, Tessara was still stunned.

“Why didn’t you ever tell me?” Tessara questioned.

Brushing the back of his head, Collin looked a bit flustered.

“It’s one of those things with my powers I had to keep hidden. You knew my father had forbidden me to use my powers. So much I had to learn things on my own behind his back. Flying was one of them. But being so forced to keep it hidden, it was just one of those things that fell to the wayside. Just rather walk and bike than fly around. You know,” Collin explained before looking at his wife, “Does...that bother you?”

“Wha-no! I’m just surprised….Thank you! For saving me,” Tessara replied before planting a kiss on her husband’s cheek.

“Well...I mean. You probably would have been alright. But you did really scare me and I jus-” Collin tried to speak.

“COLLIN!” Tessara huffed.

“Ah-oh. Okay...You’re welcome,” Collin replied sheepishly before kissing his wife.

Returning the kiss, Tessara was the one to break it as she remarked, “Come on. It’s getting late. Let’s get home.”

“Maybe I’m not tired though,” Collin remarked, smirk on his face.

“There are things we can do at the house that I rather do at the house than outside silly,” Tessara replied  with a “come get me” look.

“And my Duckie-dearest, what would those things be?” Collin questioned; playing innocent and curious.

“You’ll just have to see when we get there,” Tessara replied with a smirk.

“Such a tease,” Collin replied.

Tessara just chuckled.

Taking her hand as Collin lead, the pair finally made their way back to the bike as Collin got it started.

Seeing Tessara put her helmet on, Collin remarked, “Hold on my darling.”

“Always,” Tessara replied.

Leaning and holding onto Collin, Tessara was smiling as Collin drove the way back home; happy with the Lover’s Day surprise she got, happy with her husband, and happy with the life she had.

#Tessara #Collin

[strwbrymoonchild]

The Albums That Got Us Through 2020

We’ll save you the soliloquy, and get right to it: (skip to the bottom for the full playlist)

LaChelle’s Picks

Overture x Gaidaa

“Sonically, this album was very cathartic. Gaidaa’s songwriting is so imaginative and authentic, and I really love it when her voice hits those lush lower notes, her tone is like butter.”

Favorite tracks: Falling higher, Still Water, I Like Trouble

2. Rose in The Dark x Cleo Sol

“The timeless musicality and vocals are very reminiscent of some of my favorite classic soul artists like Angela Bofill, and Patrice Rushen but sound refreshing all the same. I would love to hear this project live but you know... COVID.”

Favorite tracks: When I’m In Your Arms, Why Don’t You, Rose in The Dark

3 & 4. Untiled (Black is) / Untitled (Rise) x Sault

“I can’t think of any projects more timely for this year than these two albums. They spoke to Black pain, weariness, and resilience in a way that felt mores insightful than preachy. A lot of the drums used on this project had an ancestral feel to them and the use of strings was extremely effective in giving it cinematic energy. The interludes also spoke to the difficult emotions many Black people grappled with this year while maintaining a musically rich sound.”

Favorite Tracks: Hard Life, Wildfires, Sorry Ain’t Enough, Why We Cry Why We Die, Free, Uncomfortable

5. The Angel You Don’t Know x Amaarae

“I first discovered Amaarae as a featured artist on one of my favorite music submissions of the year ‘NASA’ by Rvdical The Kid. I became entrenched upon my first listen to her first full-length project which is a mixture of afro-fusion, R&B, electronic, alté, and alternative hip hop. I love her animated voice and how effortlessly she glides over the track. I enjoy artists who can fuse multiple genres together and make them sound like a whole new sound”

Favorite Tracks: Fancy, Feel A Way, Céline

6. Last Year Was Weird, Vol 2. x Tkay Maidza

“This album had a lot of surprises on it. It’s a mixture of fun-loving R&B, raging nu-metal, and 808 thumping house tracks. While there’s not much fusion in the array of genres, I appreciate her ability to showcase her eclectic range.”

Favorite tracks: Shook, 24K, Don’t Call Again

7. Honey For Wounds x Ego Ella May

“This is a great self-love soundtrack. The pensiveness of this album is tempered by Ego Ella May’s jazzy vocals and even-keeled instrumentation. A very relaxing vibe to listen to during downtime or moments of solitude.”

Favorite tracks: Girls Don’t Always Sing About Boys, Table For One, Song For Bobby

8. Jaguar x Victoria Monét

“This album is oozing with sensuality, sexuality, and confidence. I love the lush vocal arrangements and the production which taps into nostalgia without being lazy or gimmicky. If you're feeling insecure, put on some lingerie, pour a glass of wine, turn this album on and you'll be feeling like a Savage Fenty brand ambassador”

Favorite tracks: Moment, Touch Me, Go There With You

9. Extra, Extra! x Lou Phelps

“ My boyfriend who is a Kaytranada fanboy put me onto this album. Haven’t heard a hip hop EP with such a fun, laid back like this in a minute. Lou’s big bro Kaytranada came through with the dancey vibes but you also get a bit of that classic boom bap energy that an old head like me loves”

Favorite tracks: Party in LA, Nike Shoe Box, Smiling

Dorian’s Picks

Pulp (Director’s Cut) x Ambré

"Ambré takes you deep into her world with sounds of a sweet lullaby, and a pulp garden full of hallucinating trips on a journey towards discovering love, vulnerability, and purpose. Overdosing on ‘Pulp’ has become a nightly ritual for me, no surprise as to why Ambré is my top artist of 2020."

Favorite tracks: free drugs, LUCIADA(EGODEATH), gucci slides

2. A Written Testimony x Jay Electronica

Jay Electronica's debut album, once heralded a myth by many, has finally seen the light of day, 10 years later. It sounds godly, rich in ancestral wisdom, paralleled with classic Hov features throughout. This album to me raps a soulful tune of Black enlightenment, and feels like a really lavish ode to the Nation of Islam.

Favorite tracks: Universal Soldier, Flux Capacitor, The Blinding

3. In Search of Lost Time x Protoje

"The Jamaican OG delivers a sonically wise lesson on life, what it means to live in our truths and light in search of happiness and prosperity as a free spirit. This album at many times served as a soundtrack to my life, a saving grace from my own insecurities and struggles amidst a very unsettling year."

Favorite tracks: In Bloom, Deliverance, Like Royalty

4. I Shine, U Shine x RIMON

"Amsterdam-based artist RIMON delivered a sonically pleasing project shortlisted with a blend of melancholy neo-soul/R&B influenced melodies. This project evokes raw relatable emotions and centers the beauty of the imperfect for full display. With each listen the lyrics pierced my heart and filled my memory of love lost and love found."

Favorite tracks: Out Of My Way, Got My Back, Downtown

5. Note to Self x Jah9

"Jah9's Note to Self, is a call to channel your divine form. Reggae has long been a genre that speaks to a higher force and existence. With the wild year we experienced, this project served as a guideline on how to battle those inner demons and live life to your fullest potential through faith."

Favorite tracks: Love Has Found I, Ma'at, New Race

6. SuperGood x Duckwrth

"The title is self-explanatory. Duckwrth gave us all that we deserved and dropped a bomb ass feel-good record. SuperGood gave me all the contemporary neo-funk grooves I've come to love about Duckwrth. Listening to this project made it easy to tune out all the noise of 2020 and just dance my sorrows away."

Favorite tracks: Quick, Coming Closer, Super Bounce

7. B7 x Brandy

"Brandy, now indie and seasoned in the industry, answers to no one and that's made clear with her experimental R&B sounds on B7. This project is fearless and sounds so different from previous Brandy albums, but delivers in that same angelic aesthetic and powerhouse vocals we've come to love. B7 is criminally underrated in my opinion and will stand the test of time. "

Favorite tracks: Rather Be, Borderline, Say Something

8. It Is What It Is x Thundercat

"Thundercat delivers another soothing jazzy-bassline record. This album feels cathartic, experiential in a sense, almost as if I'm listening to a score from an intergalactic movie set in some futuristic utopia. Best enjoyed with a spliff and/or glass of wine."

Favorite tracks: Black Qualls, DragonBall Durag, Unrequited Love

9. The ExPerience x Lila Iké

"This captivating debut EP from rising reggae siren Lila Iké will make anyone a believer. Her journey is compelling, spiritually guided, a modern tale of romance - the highs and lows of navigating young love. The way Lila belts out these reggae-R&B infused chunes pon ya head top is mesmerizing and sets the standard for Jamaica's new generation"

Favorite tracks: Forget Me, Where I'm Coming From, Thy Will

10. grae x Moses Sumney

“‘grae’, a two part album, explores the complexities of identity. Moses Sumney never quite submits to the boundaries society aims to box us in. ‘grae’ is undefined in sound, Moses gracefully flows from one end of the artistic spectrum to another without landing anywhere too long. What I love most about listening to this album besides Mose's falsetto is the high level of self-awareness, the screams of escapism, and determination to exist in free agency. "

Favorite tracks: Cut Me, Polly, Lucky Me

Rachel’s Picks

Instrospection x UMI

“After another year with no new SZA album, discovering UMI was a godsend. Her voice has that same angelic raspiness and lyrics that sit with you long after the first listen. What sets her and this record apart is how UMI’s lyrics recognize her own faults and the faults of others in a way that is so graceful that it never comes across as self-deprecating or accusatory. Listening to Introspection, you can’t help but introspect your life the way UMI does on this album.”

Favorite tracks: Introspection, Open Up, Pretty Girl hi!

2. Girlhood x Girlhood

“This electropop duo’s vocalist, Tessa Cavanna, has a voice reminiscent of the late artists Amy Winehouse and Sharon Jones, and with their neo-soul, 90’s inspired sound being so colorful, it’s impossible to get sick of listening to this album.”

Favorite tracks: Keep On, It Might Take a Woman, My Boy

3. Who Cares? x Abby Jasmine

“Released during the reclusive days of stay-at-home orders, Jasmine’s tracks on her sophomore album made me nostalgic for parties that were once filled with smoke, close friends, and good music. Her brutally honest lyrics, progressive production, and her overall confidence were comforting during a year of instability and empty dancefloors.”

Favorite tracks: Stay With Me, Artificial Lover, Groovy

4. Texas Sun x Khruangbin & Leon Bridges

“Two Texan artists came together and were able to use Bridge’s soulful and textured tone and the fluidity of the psychedelic-funk trio Khruangbin's sound, to create a desolate Texas landscape. Listening to the EP feels like driving with all the windows rolled down, feeling the sun’s heat on your skin.”

Favorite tracks: Texas Sun, Midnight, C-Side

5. They Call Me Disco x Ric Wilson & Terrace Martin

“In a year of so much grief, it is refreshing to hear music that sounds like it was as fun to make as it was to listen to. Wilson and Martin’s rhythmically dynamic collaboration prefaced a summer filled with social media’s fascination and nostalgia for the glittery freeness of the 70’s while still fitting into their respective genres of hip-hop and R&B.”

Favorite track: Don’t Kill the Wave, Move Like This, Chicago Bae

Lionnal’s Picks

Dinner Party x Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper. 9th Wonder, & Kamasi Washington

"These Four legendary musicians came together and gave us an album full of beautiful vocals over smooth, jazzy, soul instrumentals."

Favorite tracks: Freeze Tag, LUV U, Love You Bad

2. Burden of Proof x Benny The Butcher

"This album feels like a vintage east coast rap album. Hit-Boy’s luxury production matched with Benny’s grimey delivery is everything a classic rap fan would ever need."

Favorite tracks: One Way Flight, Burden of Proof, War Paint

3. Sin Miedo x Kali Uchis

"I didn’t know how I would take to an album primarily in Spanish, but Kali’s intoxicating and seductive vibe still found a way to draw me in."

Favorite tracks: Telepatia, //aguardiente y limón %ᵕ‿‿ᵕ%, Quiero Sentirme Bien

4. Fuck The World x Brent Fayaiz

"Brent Faiyaz’s personality is what makes this album so great. His cool and confident approach to tracks make for a unique spin on modern R&B and it’s honestly very refreshing."

Favorite tracks: Clouded, Been Away, Let Me Know

LISTEN TO THE FULL PLAYLIST BELOW

Like this post? Support our writers by buying us a coffee

#music #playlists #best of #2020 #end of the year #albums #lps #eps #gaidaa #overture #cleo sol #rose in the dark #sault #untitled #black is #rise #amaarae #the angel you don't know #last year was weird vol 2 #tkay maidza #honey for wounds #ego ella may #jaguar #victoria monet #extra extra #lou phelps #ambre #pulp #directors cut #a written testimony

[lonelypond]

Nico Attacks: A Campfire Tale, Chapter 3

NicoMaki, NozoEli, Love Live, 1.6K, 3/4

Eli and Umi make their separate ways back to camp while Maki's night of adventure continues.

And Then There Was One

Eli was concentrating on holding Vik’s hand tightly, but not too tightly as they made their way back to camp, focusing on the flashlight beam, forcing herself not to see out of the tunnel vision, not to hear the noises, focusing on how cute Vik looked, wolf ears bobbing as they happily chattered about how much fun camping was.

And then there was a brighter light ahead and a silhouette Eli would know anywhere. “Nozomi!”

“Mommy!” Vik ran toward Nozomi, who hefted them up easily with one arm. Nozomi might look soft, but Eli had always been impressed by her strength, both physical and emotional.

“Hi!” Nozomi’s voice was the warmth and bright Eli needed right now and she hurried to get in on the hug. “Missed you.”

A family moment and then Nozomi put Vik back down, “Why don’t you go find Teddy and tell her what you and Aunt Nico did.”

“Okay.”

Vik disappeared through the trees and then Nozomi snapped off the flashlight, causing Eli to freeze like ice had suddenly coalesced around her.

“Nozomi.” Eli couldn’t keep the whine out of her voice, “Turn that back on.”

“But Eli, you’re so cute when you’re clingy.”

“Nozomi!” Eli kept her hands behind her back, she’d learned long ago it was risky to reach for her wife when Nozomi was in this impish, playful mood, “Did you know Nico was going to this?”

Nozomi’s response was a giggle as she stepped closer to Eli, her hand reaching for Eli’s waist.

“But Maki’s having fun isn’t she?”

“I’m not.” Eli grumbled.

“You could be.”

“Nozomi.” Eli could feel the thrill, at war with the embarrassment and the fear. In the dark, she couldn’t see the dare in Nozomi’s eye, but it was a familiar mood. And they’d been busy, and not really had enough time for each other, Nozomi’s hands had just found that spot, and Eli could only feel Nozomi and not the tree at her back.

“You’re lovely,” Nozomi whispered and Eli reached forward to grab the steadiest support in her world.

###

“Caught.” Umi stated matter-of-factly as she lifted the net near Maki’s shoulder.

“Can you get this off me?”

Umi considered. The wind howled again, sounding even more artificial than 30 seconds ago. Then there was a weighted, expectant silence, long enough for Umi to pull out her clasp knife again and suddenly speakers blasted from everywhere, Maki and Umi and Eli’s Soldier Game singles vocal tracks amplified loud enough to make the leaves still clinging fall. But it wasn’t right. Maki frowned, her hands pulling at the netting, wanting to rip a hole so she could find the speakers and demolish them.

“That doesn’t sound...right.”

“It’s not...Nico-chan remixed it,” Maki’s voice was thin with anger, “She took the damn songs and transposed them into a major key. And picked up the tempo.”

“Why?”

Maki hissed, “She’s making it ‘cuter.’”

Umi froze, and then laughter roared out. “Hits you where it hurts.”

“My ears?” Maki raised her hands, the netting making the gesture slow.

“Your ego.”

“I don’t have an ego. This isn’t subjective in any way. There’s the songs the way I composed them and now, there’s the songs Nico’s bastardized.”

Umi held up her knife, sliding it under a string. And then, as Maki made encouraging sounds, Umi pulled the knife out, stepped back, and flipped it shut with a grand gesture.

“This really seems like a private marital squabble.”

“UMI!”

Umi nodded her head, “Yes, I think it’s time for the Diamond Princess to be rescued by her Ruby Rogue.”

“C’mon, Umi, don’t do this.”

“Thank Nico for the stimulating evening.”

“UMI!”

And with a bow, Umi wandered off, toward the main cabin, whistling “Cutie Panther.”

###

Laughter really was the cure for fright, Umi thought as she chuckled at the memory of Nico’s antics over the years, from the haunted doll set up in the club room to this. Always impressive attention to details. Nico had just started directing music videos. She was going to be really good at it, Umi realized. Now low drifts of mist rose around Umi from the creek to her left. Umi knelt her keychain flashlight shining on melting chunks of dry ice. Nico was close. Umi turned the light off and waited, listening.

A low groan started, rising in volume. Not Nico. She would have done a better job of disguising her voice and stretching out scary thrills. This was light, fast, silly...definitely Rin. Umi crept forward cautiously, waiting to trigger the opening act for whatever Nico had roped Rin into.  With a loud crack, a branch swung, clearing two feet over where Maki’s head would have been (she’d gained 2 cm on Eli). Timed to the crack, a short ghost jumped at Umi.

“BOO!”

Umi laughed and put a hand on Rin’s shoulder, “Hi, Rin.”

“HEY! You’re supposed to be scared. You’re also supposed to be Maki.” Rin crossed her arms over, catching some of the folds of the sheet scattered with flourescents as she did. Nico must have a black light set up.

“Left Maki in the net.”

Rin thought about that for a few seconds, and then went to push past Umi, “I have to see that.”

Umi shook her head, “She’s probably out by now and looking for Nico.”

“Shoulda gotten a picture.”

“Who says I didn’t?”

“Let me see.”

“First, we get back to camp.” Umi glanced at her watch, also fluorescent under the black light, “It’s time for Kaito to go to bed. Kotori will indulge him.”

“We’re camping, Umi.”

“Routines are important.”

“Boo. Bedtimes are boring.”

“You have a child not a curfew, Rin.”

“You’ve never closed down anything in your life.”

“Just this conversation. Let’s go.” Umi had decoded Nico’s trail sign and set off for camp.

###

Maki wanted earplugs. This was the worst thing yet, this loop of Soldier Game and Bibi songs, twisted just enough to be annoying. Not even earplugs, she wanted to be a turtle, and pull her head in her shell, and just sit here and wait it out until Nico was bored or exhausted or out of ideas. But Nico was never out of ideas. That was part of the fascination, how Nico could hop with quicksilver speed from wild thought to weirder inspiration and still stay so solidly grounded as wife, mother, and professional. It was dizzying sometimes, but Nico always made sure they landed safely somewhere, usually bed.

Maki grimaced. It was too early for that thought, she was annoyed at Nico, not hot for Nico. Okay, always hot for Nico but there was definitely going to be a phase where she refused to admit it. Maki pulled at the netting, it still refused to just tear. She dropped to her knee, the edges were slightly weighted, but with careful movements, Maki managed to work it over her head. Shaking it off as she stood, she reoriented herself. Umi had left the camping lantern. There was nothing but trees and woody shadows to be seen as far as its light shone. Unless Nico had decided to impersonate a dryad, she wasn’t lingering to see Maki struggle with the net. Leave the music and run, that had been her strategy. Maybe Umi had stumbled over her.

The adrenaline buzz of a challenge was wearing off. If Maki had those speakers within reach, she’d rip them out of the trees. Umi had gone to the left, but Maki knew by the creek that that trail headed back to camp, which left Maki guessing that to the right would bring her to the cabin. But would it bring her to Nico? Or just more nonsense? Maki sighed, running her fingers through her hair. Still sticky. Once she got to the cabin, Maki was going to lock all the doors and windows, blast music Nico couldn’t stand, and soak for hours. Everyone else could go back to Tokyo.

###

“There’s a whole song called "Autumn In New York", Nico. I added it to my set. People LOVE it.”

Honoka’s voice carried through the trees as Rin and Umi approached the camp. But why did she sound like she was on a call with Nico? Neither of them should be fireside right now.

Umi stepped into the light of the campfire, ahead of Rin. Nico was sitting, smug, comfortable, on a camp stool, mug in hand, phone propped on a low table. Rin immediately dodged around Umi and ran for the tent she was sharing with Hanayo, Tora, Dia, and Ruby, giving Nico a thumbs up.

Nico was paying no attention to anyone physically present. “Post a video. Nico wants to see. Maybe from Central Park. It’s pretty there this time of year.”

“Nico.” Umi said sternly. Nico looked up, surprised.

“UMI!” Honoka’s excited tone brought Kotori out of the tent she had claimed for their family.

“Why are you here, Nico? You are supposed to be in the woods…” Umi searched for a word…”shenaniganing. I left Maki in a net. You were going to rescue her.”

“That’s not on my schedule.” Nico sipped.

“What exactly is on your schedule?” Umi glanced down at the phone, where Honoka, her hair now long, was gleefully watching the exchange. Kotori wrapped Umi in a hug, but Umi refused to allow herself to be soothed.

Nico raised her mug, “Maki rescues herself, tears everything out of the trees, and stomps off her anger while Nico has a warming drink.”

Honoka sounded like she was bouncing. “Next year, I want to help you make a haunted house, Nico. How about at the beach? Skeleton mermaids crawling up to the house.”

Umi rubbed her forehead, “Can we get Maki back safe this year, first.”

“Nico has everything handled."

“What’s next?"

“Ooohh, what are you gonna do next?” Honoka sounded like the Ayase twins about to unleash a prank.

Nico grinned, leaning forward, “The best kind of trick.”

“And that is?” Umi let herself relax back into Kotori, exasperation winning.

“A treat.” Nico winked.

A/N: Have been working on three concurrent Poe projects so only a little time for fanfic. What's your Halloween like this strange year? I'm watching ParaNorman with an open text chat.

#NicoMaki #NozoEli #Halloween #pranks #Nishikino Maki #Yazawa Nico #Ayase Eli #Sonoda Umi #Hoshizora Rin #Tojo Nozomi #camping #Soldier Game #Nico Attacks

[ioasaya]

Translation under the cut!!

澄み渡ってく 青と green（青と green)

Sumi watatteku ao to green (ao to green)

A crystal clear blue and green (blue and green)

記憶の海が広がる （広がる）

Kioku no umi ga hirogaru (hirogaru)

The sea of remembrance expands (expands)

笑い合っている 僕らを wo-o-ow

Waraiatteiru bokura wo wo-o-ow

Our laughter, drowned out wo-o-ow

打ち消すような波音（波音）

Uchi kesu you na nami oto (nami oto)

By the sounds of the waves (waves)

目閉じて 風が触れ

Me tojite kaze ga fure

Close your eyes and feel the wind

段々と沈んでく光と

Dandan to shizundeku hikari to

Little by little, submerge yourself alongside the light,

遠ざかる闇の背に抱かれて

Souzakaru yami no se ni dakarete

Letting the distant darkness embrace you

溶け馴染んでくいつでも

Toke najindeku itsudemo

Familiarize yourself with the feeling of melting away, always

Beautiful

baby can’t you see 踏み出して

baby can’t you see fumidashite

baby can’t you see, take a step forward,

塗り替えてく my 10plate

Nurikaeteku my 10plate

Repaint my template

伝うは滲んだ　あの日の色彩の妙

Tsutau wa nijinda ano hi shikisai no myou

So it’ll clearly convey the colors of that day’s wonders

Everyone listen to this song

世界中へ

Sekaijuu e

All over the world

繋がってる sunset bay

Tsunagatteru sunset bay

The sunset bay connects us

飛び立った blue bird またここへ帰るよ

Tobitatta blue bird mata koko e kaeruyo

The blue bird that flew off will definitely return again

Ah, thank you now (Don’t forget your)

I remember (Yes I do promise)

I’m telling you (Don’t forget your)

I remember  (Yes I promise)

切り取られた空は rain

Kiritorareta sora wa rain

The rain cut through the skies

乱反射して弾けた

Ranhanshashite hajiketa

And a distorted reflection showed

手上げてキミが見え

Te agete kimi ga mie

Hold up your hand, you’ll see

段々と近付いてく瞳も

Dandan to chikazuiteku hitomi mo (This time I promise)

Little by little we’ll grow closer, our eyes too (This time I promise)

寄り添う僕の背を重ねて

Yorisou boku no se wo kasanete

Lay me down and cuddle close

委ねればいい いつでも

Yudanereba ii itsudemo

You can lower your guard, always

Anytime

baby can’t you see キミ無しで（Yeah!)

baby can’t you see kimi nashide (Yeah!)

baby can’t you see, that without you (Yeah!)

意味など無いよ my 10plate

Imi nado nai yo my 10plate

There’s no meaning in my template

伝うは描いた僕らの色彩の調

Tsutau wa egaita bokura no shikisai no chou

Conveying our very own colors

Everytime listen to this song

世界中へ（Yeah!)

Sekaijuu e (Yeah!)

All over the world

輝いていてく on my way

Kagayaiteku on my way

It’s shining, on my way

奏で hummingbird

Kanade hummingbird

Sing along, hummingbird

そっと耳澄まして

Sotto mimi sumashite

Quietly listening

Ah, thank you now (Don’t forget your)

I remember (Yes I do promise)

I’m telling you (Don’t forget your)

I remember (Yes I promise)

On my way

(Don’t stay, don’t change your 10plate,

don’t stay the same)

まだ見る 10plate

Mada miru 10plate

Still looking at a template

(Don’t stay, don’t change your 10plate,

don’t stay the same)

My way

続いていく景色を（景色を）

Tsuzuiteiku keshiki wo (keshiki wo)

Let’s go see it, the endless scenery (scenery)

キミの手引いて見に行こう（見に行こう）

Kimi no te hiite mi ni ikou (mi ni ikou)

While hand-in-hand (let’s go see it)

T/N: Everyone listen to this song　♪♪

It’s so gentle??? The sounds of the waves are so soothing asdfghjkl

I’m also like. Super deaf. It’s hard to hear some words ;;

10plate = template = 1) something that serves as a model for something, like blueprints, or 2) something used to distribute weight in a wall or something

#2 def describes Ryuu lol

blue bird = a symbol of happiness usually

hummingbird = symbolizes chasing after your dreams or the good in life??? idk man

「 伝うは滲んだ　あの日の色彩の妙 」

「伝う」is convey, and「滲んだ」is to say clearly, so, following the previous line, the template is meant to convey「あの日の色彩の妙」clearly.「あの日の色彩の妙」being literally “the wonders of that day’s colors”. Though since something is being painted onto the template, it makes more sense if the colors are what’s describing something

Similarly for「伝うは描いた僕らの色彩の調」

「描いた僕ら」= the ones who painted was us/ we, who painted/drew, and「調」= “style”, the colors of which is being attributed to us? SO something like, “Conveys the colors we painted on to describe ourselves”? I think

「寄り添��僕の背を重ねて」

「寄り添う」= cuddle close, so this part translates literally to “lay on the back of me, who is cuddling close (with you)”

which leads into the next time, “you can lower your guard” presumably because Ryuu isn’t going to do anything to make you uncomfortable

Sweetest boi hands down

IMHO this song suits him so much more than Risky na Kanojo

Someone draw a soft Ryuu in the water please

If anyone could spare Ryuu’s bday rabichats, I could add songwriter/composer’s comments!

And as always, please correct me if any translations are wrong!!

#Idolish7 #i7 #more rookie translations #アイナナ #アイドリッシュセブン #i think i might be dying from shutting myself in for almost a week #i'll have l&g up soon i promise #pinky swear a thousand needles if i break it

[umikichi7]

The City that Never Sleeps

Summary: New York. Where they continue to enjoy themselves as tourists and where μ's agrees to prepare themselves for the last time. That night becomes never-ending as Kotori can't help but have her mind turn to days gone by.

Pairing: Kotoumi

Tags: Canon Compliant, Fluff and Hurt/Comfort, Friendship/Love, hotel room chats

Word Count: 3820

A/N: listen Future Style at the end of the episode, I hope you enjoy it!

AO3 || ff.net

Torture. One would call an endless punishment by means of what Umi had been doing to Kotori at midnight.

Kotori slouched in the bed and paid languid attention to Umi’s face with half-open eyelids. She rested her chin in her palm. She had been patient, but playing with a straight face during their old maid was getting harder. Umi pinched the bridge of nose, thinking thoroughly a way to win and Kotori looked up through Umi’s eyelashes.

For Kotori, Umi was just being cute by showing her weak side. Kotori couldn't help but accept another round. And then another one and another… It was already 36 rounds? No problem at all.

As long as Sonoda Umi had determination to win, she wouldn’t accept an utter defeat. Unluckily, or rather giving too much opportunity for Kotori to win, the things had been on the other way around.

Kotori’s quite whines went through Umi’s ears, channeling her weariness to Umi. At the very end, Umi would finally understand this game would never end so she stopped torturing her by the end of the last game. They plopped down on their beds and decided on sleeping right away.

As time went by, the restless night fell into a silence, allowing other voices to be heard but mostly Kotori’s.

“Umi-chan, did you sleep?” Kotori asked fitfully as she took a turn at Umi’s side. Judging by Umi’s distracted expression, she had been caught up in the full moon outside of the hotel. She never attempted to move a muscle to turn at the source of inaudible, strained voice.

“Not yet,” Umi replied clearly, completely oblivious to the part where Kotori hesitated.

Intrigued, Kotori scanned through her calm silhouette before she piped up. “Can I ask you something?” Her inquiring eyes shifted to Umi’s tired ambers.  Content and relaxed, Kotori noted.

The moon light emanated through the curtains reflected on Umi’s silky blue hair and bronze skin, and Kotori took the visible, warm smile formed on her lips kindly to herself in turn.

Umi breathed out wholeheartedly. “Yes, of course,” she said without the sleep in her low-pitched voice, barely paying attention to what Kotori had asked.

Kotori stared at Umi’s face as she pulled the blanket on the level of her nose. For some reason moving her legs from right to left aimlessly was a new habit to her as if she couldn't manage to contain her inner turmoil.

Umi glanced down at the fidgeting sight that had captured her attention within seconds. Though, Kotori’s odd expression was mismatching her actions at that moment, Umi became all ears.

At a calm time like this, Kotori would question why she had chosen  that path in her life. There was no end to stop questioning as to how to escape those ambiguous feelings within her. As if she should have made career plans before graduate from college, or have thought about settling in one place for the rest of her life with her family. However, those were not what she was dwelling on. Simply put, what had been occupying her head was the turning point when she accepted Honoka’s offer: become an idol and shine brightly.

Yet, was it only a regret that had left in her heart?

“Thankfully Honoka-chan formed the μ’s. You are not regretting to join in, are you?” She asked through uneasiness and dreadiness.

The slur in Kotori’s voice became obvious that slightly alarmed Umi. In Umi’s eyes, her impression of Kotori was quickly subverted by the muffled sound. Interestingly, Kotori’s question had never passed through her mind at all. Not even once. The unexpected question kept her gaze sweep by in a few minutes silence until she met Kotori’s intense stare.

She knew that as lonely and weak as Kotori was feeling right now, this was the time Umi should drop her inhibitions and ask what was going on with her. However, reaching someone through an emotional connection and straying from the logical aspect had never been in Umi’s book. In other words: empathy. In those conceptions, empathy, sympathy, or any less reliable or discernable, emotional connection she wasn’t the most interesting person to be acquainted with. Due to absence of empathy and understanding between the people, Umi always claimed to be very practical and, hence, she failed to see the importance of emotions and understand them. Basically she would tend to view her life pragmatically. Now, it became a quite problem for her so she should make up for with logic, and reliability at first.

“Why would I be?” Umi lifted her eyebrow, confused. She got off the blanket from herself and sat on her legs quickly, placing her fists upon her thighs. “Also, may I learn why you are asking me such a question?” Umi’s tone suggested great interest, but the expression on her face gave no clue as to why. Her voice plying between soft to firm, she was immersed in thought.

She couldn't decipher the reason behind the hoarse voice of Kotori. She was quite vague or rather atrocious about the underpinnings of what Kotori had intended to imply. She was still on thoughts, rubbing and tapping her chin.

In the moment when the street sounds had held its tongue, a solemn silence took over in the room. Kotori looked down with a distinctly dubious grimace. “Umi-chan… I'm asking because I knew you were nervous and half-hearted to give it a try at first. Honoka-chan’s crazy ideas dragged us at this point where....” she hesitated, sounding as distant as her eyes were. ‘’...we’re caged up by these feelings,’’ she muttered to herself.

Umi didn’t hear the last line, she waited an explanation. Her expression was a blend of concern and question. In response to Umi’s distress, Kotori took a deep breath as of then she found courage to speak her mind frankly.

‘’...Where it was called a  never ending story . Now we are saying we have to disband while we were so connected and bond with each other at heart… don’t you think we’re taking things too fast? Sometimes I think if we had never joined, we wouldn’t have to reckon this feeling,’’ Kotori finally said the words that had been stuck in her throat since the beginning. Her inner thoughts poured out, yet her voice was fragile like a bird with a broken wing that was unable to float in air.

There was only a response left.

Kotori slid away from her as tears began to gather uncontrollably around the corner of her eyes.

“Umi-chan… d-don't you regret?” Kotori stammered, feeling guilt in her guts as she thought what would come next. It became more daunting when she couldn’t interpret Umi’s gestures nor her facial expression. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked the same question again?

The question itself was a dire news to Umi. Saddened by seeing her childhood friend’s doleful and downcast eyes that almost penetrated her own deep goldens, she was quiet with a mournful expression on her face.

Had she always been feeling like this way? The μ’s’s always cheerful girl Minami Kotori?

You wouldn’t know someone just by looking at their outer shell. There would be an inner conflict within people’s psychology or they could easily hide their true intentions in which Umi hadn’t seemed to comprehend, reckon and understand yet. It was around that time a bitter realisation dawned on Umi. Kotori’s erratic moods had grown more volatile the past couple of days, and Umi couldn’t have noticed her friend was feeling sad because μ’s decided to disband, and now she was trying to find a good reason to get back to her normal life.

Umi felt the pang in her heart, touching where her heart pumped against her chest rapidly. The pain had gotten worse as the realisation upon her became more perceivable and inevitable because she was sharing the same feelings with Kotori, yet Kotori was thinking wrong. The answer was not to question and fathom the trueness of the taken decision, it was standing upright by that of decision behind.

Umi was not unwilling to tolerate difference of opinion and narrow-minded about cherished opinions, so she thought she had to lean to the emotional commitment.

‘’You know Kotori, remember how we became friends? Our adventure has begun when Honoka reached out her hand to us. In that way, I could make close friends… important  friends. Time went by and as I regained my strength and hope, the world around me gradually confined with sense of responsibility and that gave me motivation, it pushed me forward and I climbed out of the pit. The true motivation behind is not just my hardwork and dedication, but when I decided I wanted to broaden my horizons with an abrupt change.’’

Umi’s words brought her to the present.

Who she was.

Where she began to shine.

When she became someone who started to move forward to what she was running after.

She glanced up, homely warmth crawling up to her pale face as she recalled the adventurous memories Umi had brought back.

It was getting less and less awkward and anxious, and Kotori’s mood was getting fickle, never lasting too long. She started feeling delightful receiving support by Umi. She threw every fiber of her being into each words Umi was telling to her.

‘’When you don’t think through the consequences of your decisions, the results are bound to unfurl unexpectedly. This time, waiting of what the future might bring to us can be always going to give us ambivalent feelings people have never experienced before. This is what makes Honoka different from me, Kotori. Do you really believe you’ll remember the time we spent together as just the brief sadness at the end?’’

Flabbergasted, Kotori sat on the foot of Umi’s bed, tears were threatening to prickle through her eyes slowly. That seemed to stir something up within her, and it was distinctly shown on her intensifying gaze.

‘’I think I’ll be thinking about how happy I was able to join and meet everyone in μ’s. Singing together with my friends, and hearing the voices of everyone supporting us... At those moments, I also felt like I was capable of doing anything. Maybe some irksome event that had preceded our way left me perturbed at those moments, I could laugh along with everyone. This time was... is... will be our miraculous time even though we won’t have practice nor performance anymore, the memories will rest within our hearts. We did our best and jumped, covered in sweat. It's a stage forever bursting with smiles.’’

Kotori’s troubles and worries were diminished by Umi’s unyielding words, and they fell sharply as teardrops on Kotori’s red cheeks.

“Umi-chan…”

The sound of crying filled the small hotel room, the cry that might abolish the night...

Kotori has kept all this inside herself too long that it became a burden and she couldn’t hold back anymore. A faint feeling of uneasiness came over Umi, feeling remarkably sad by seeing her friend crying that much, the ache within her deepened at the pitiable sight. Umi wasn’t the best person to come in handy in this kind of circumstances, yet she couldn’t just bear staring at the despairing, dejected expression of her friend. So she came closer to her leniently and saw something in her eyes - something akin to relief.

After a moment of silence Kotori’s crying was appeased by the person she had needed by her side. The tiny droplets on her face were much visible in the luminescence come from outside, so Umi could wipe the dampness off her cheek with her sleeve. She wanted to place her hand onto Kotori’s shoulder for comfort, albeit Kotori’s low-pitched voice interrupted her in the halfway.

“Can I hug you?” Kotori asked enthusiastically, her voice was more stable now.

Kotori could hurry to her with arms outstretched for a hug, but Umi  again wasn’t the best person to be good with physical intimacy, even more she would be startled once her body were about to touch other. In less than no time she was beaten by Kotori’s meaningful glance, and the warm smile tracing her lips. She accepted the friendly offer, minimizing the gap between them. Maybe Umi would reach her own limit, but she had to do this for her friend.

So, she simply nodded.

No matter what Kotori tried, she couldn’t move an inch. Perhaps crying in front of a friend was still embarrassing. This time, Umi took the first action to pull her toward herself by throwing her right arm on Kotori’s shoulder and put her chin on top of Kotori’s head.

‘’Everything is going to be alright…’’ she paused, scrutinising the expression of Kotori’s face attentively. ‘’If you cry again, I’d be very upset. Don’t forget even if we are going to separate our ways, our hearts will be always connected Kotori,’’ she continued, softly gazing at the yet-relaxed eyes.

Kotori sniffled. She was reminded of this special time that would never last, yet it was going to take shape in time. Her smile broadened with the sense of security Umi gave her. ‘’Umi-chan,’’ she uttered. Her hollow voice changed into gentler and much better tone.

“Kotori,” Umi called her name for once, this time she wanted to hug this little girl underneath.

Kotori tilted her head upwards to get a better view of Umi. Her hands gripped her back as tightly as she could manage to. “Umi-chan, I never knew you would be this huggable.’’ She beamed up at her. Hands drew even closer, closer enough to make Umi squirm just a tad.

The pink dusts acrossed Umi’s cheeks, it didn't take long time for her to draw back and start complaining. “Don't tease me please,” she sighed slightly. Her mouth curled up to a smile at Kotori without realising, she chuckled just a tad. “Feeling better now?”

Kotori gave a peck on her cheek, slightly giggling on the sting of her palm. “Way better hehe~” Eliciting a little gasp from unguarded Umi, Kotori appreciated the view with the glint in her eyes.

Umi frowned at the teasing, eyes narrowing.  “Kotori, that's such a shameless behavior. You shouldn't do it to anyone as if it is such a trivial thing!” Her voice was firm as she replied.

Kotori’s suppressed giggles soon turned into outright laughter mingled in a merry sound, like the chirping of birds. “Yeah, I shouldn't but you are not anyone, you are Umi-chan and you are being cute right now.”

“C-cute?” Umi looked down meekly, quite embarrassed by the compliment since she never thought one someone such as herself would be called cute. Wait... She was wearing a pair of pyjamas for the Idol God’s sake, how could you call her cute!? ”W-what do you mean?” she asked as she lifted her eyebrow, seeking for an answer.

‘’Umi-chan, you are a perfect Yamato Nadeshiko model,’’ Kotori answered with faint amusement, obviously enjoying how flustered Umi was at the compliment. She stood by her side, leaning against her chest slowly.

Umi froze at the closeness, snapping her eyes down to follow her next moves. ‘’Stop teasing me please,’’ she said. In spite of her efforts to control her emotions her face tinged with red, hoping Kotori wouldn’t discover it yet.

‘’Umi-chan!!’’ Kotori took a hold of her hand, beaming, the dark thoughts of earlier banished.

“K-Kotori! When did you become such a tease?”

Kotori giggled, gently tightening her grip on Umi’s hand. “I think you can blame Nozomi-chan and the others for that.”

Umi sighed, like she already knew the answer to her question. “Of course it would be her. She’s so… shameless.”

Kotori chuckled again and sat on her bed, leading Umi by the hand to sit next to her. “Umi-chan, you’re so funny about things like that.”

Umi folded her arms. “O-Of course I am, I don’t want them to hurt you by making you too shameless.”

“Umi-chan saying things like that, if we weren’t friends I’d think that you were being a bit shameless yourself.” Kotori leant across to her, narrowing her eyes with a smirk spreading across her face.

The penny dropped and a violent blush erupted across Umi’s cheeks when she suddenly realised what she had said. “A-Ah Kotori! That’s um… I mean…” Umi floundered, she tried pressing her hand in front of her face to hide her blush, letting her voice grow quiet.

The awkwardness of the situation draped itself over the room, Umi glanced over at Kotori, noticing that she was blushing quite seriously.

She watched Kotori shift uncomfortably, and everything about the moment felt… wrong somehow. The air made her skin crawl, the space between her and Kotori felt off, at once both too close and too far. Her arms laid at her side motionless she didn’t know what she would normally be doing with them. She was sure that all this was as noticeable as the blush on her face, ‘Oh God what if Kotori notices how weird I’m being,’ she thought.

Kotori cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak, but no words followed. Umi watched with amusement while Kotori opened and closed her mouth a few times like a fish.

“Um.”

“Um.”

Both girls spoke haltingly at the same time. Looking startled at one another for a few moments, the awkwardness became so unbearable Umi couldn’t help but smile.

Kotori tried in vain to stifle a laugh, and Umi soon joined her.

The laughter burst forth, cutting through the tense atmosphere of the room.

Umi laughed even harder at Kotori’s attempts to stop laughing and regain a semblance of control.

The laughter died down gradually, both girls eventually chuckling to each other. The awkwardness of earlier now replaced by a calm atmosphere of contentment.

“You know Umi-chan…” Kotori paused.

Umi looked over to Kotori, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks as if waiting something else from the gleaming eyes. “Yes?”

Kotori reached down to the drawer nearby. Umi watched what she was doing, she took out a notebook and pen. “The words you said to me,’’ she turned to Umi and handed them over her, ‘’they would be good lyrics for our next song,” she suggested and leant back to Umi again.

Despite how warm the touch against her skin seemed welcomed, Umi couldn’t approve yet. ‘’Kotori…’’ she murmured as she slid away from her slowly. ‘’You are too close.’’

Kotori hovered nearby resting her head on Umi’s shoulder sluggishly. ‘’I’m taking your advice and broaden my horizons,  Umi-chan.’’

‘’K-Kotori!’’ Umi blushed at the mention of her own words come from her friend, glancing away. The slight hesitation in her voice didn't even tingle Kotori at all.

Kotori giggled briefly. ‘’I’m just glad to have you and Honoka-chan by my side,’’ Kotori said then smiled gliterlingly. It was a gentle smile that if Umi had been told this was what angels looked like, she would have believed it.

‘’You just don’t give up do you Kotori?’’ Umi sighed inwardly, smiling. ‘’It can’t be helped then.’’ Umi rested her head on Kotori’s hoping to just stay there, calmly.

Kotori chuckled softly, Umi supposed she was pleased with her victory over her own inhibitions. Umi rested there for a brief moment before jumped at the soft sensation of Kotori’s fingers ghosting over her forearm.

‘’Let’s write them together when we’re having a date in New York,’’ Kotori murmured.

Umi nodded nonchalantly to wrap up in the warmth of the moment to grasp the implications of what she had agreed to.

“Wait!” Umi sat bolt upright again, nearly throwing Kotori off the bed. Catching her gaze, and holding onto it and Umi then maintained prolonged eye contact. The words piled up in the back of her throat forming an uncomfortable lump. Umi swallowed trying to find the courage to push the word out until she was able to find a sufficient courage to speak again. ‘’D-Date?” she spluttered, putting down what Kotori had given her. “That’s quite a strong word you’re using there Kotori...”

‘’I’m tired Umi-chan! Take me on a date…’’ Kotori whined, faux-whimpering.

‘’Maybe-’’

Kotori smiled, perhaps smelling the crack in Umi’s armour.

‘’Please!’’

The whole world around Umi has brightened in a split second. Kotori using her trump card, it was so unfair. The effect seemed to rebound around the room resided in Umi’s head and clouded her mind. Her excuses for not answering were getting worse by the second her defences obviously broken, so Kotori pressed her advantage.

She pulled out her phone and started browsing the place names she had marked on the map. ‘’Where do you think we should go? Actually there is this cheesecake house I really do want to see. It’s three blocks away from here. I wanted to visit it earlier but Eli-chan said we shouldn’t separate.’’ Kotori pouted slightly.

‘’How about others? They would like to join us.’’

‘’Let’s keep it a secret and give them a wonderful song made by the two of us,’’ Kotori said, eyeing Umi with a sideways glance.

‘’That makes sense,’’ Umi nodded, her hand on her chin. ‘That’s weird. I guess Kotori would ask anyone if someone else were in my shoes.’ A part of her felt upset when she thought like that.

‘’You know Umi-chan it would make even more sense if you weren’t so stubborn every now and then. Sometimes there are things I would only do with you, you know.’’

Kotori held her hand, smiling at her. “All you need is to be a little less inhibited Umi-chan.”

Kotori began to hum a soothing tune, haltingly like she was making it up on the spot. The sound drew Umi in, and she could swear that she could hear lyrics to go with Kotori’s tune.

‘’Just a little bit of courage can be the trigger, ’’

It all felt so, natural, like Umi’s feelings were perfectly expressed by Kotori’s music, the words flowed out from her soul forming a picture before her, like a puzzle with all the pieces being put into their right places.

‘’What's really inside you is courage that makes you want to fly high,’’

Sometimes it took Umi ages to write even a line, but now whole verses formed instantly in her head, all thanks to her amazing friend and her gifts.

‘’If you let it out, you'll be able to see a larger stage next time.’’

Both girls chuckled, their eyes locked with each other. Umi took the notebook and pen where she had put before, and they started writing.

‘’Your voice... I can hear it!’’

Umi was already half done and she could finally understand better when Kotori made her voice heard.

‘’Kotori… We should definitely visit this place too,’’ Umi pointed to a Japanese style bookstore near Bryant Park. “It seems really interesting and we should both suggest places,”  she paused, and coughed ‘’it’s our date after all.’’

#my fic #I enjoyed a lot writing this fic while listening future style #catch the lyrics! #love live #kotori minami #umi sonoda #kotoumi #myfic #mypost7

[lesbiananimeism]

Birthdays and Anniversaries

Fandom: Love Live! Pairing: HonoUmi Rating: G Words: 1,240

Summary: To celebrate Umi's 24th birthday, her graduation from uni, and six years since she and Honoka started dating, Honoka takes her girlfriend to Paris. While there, on Umi's birthday, Honoka decides to start a new and eternal life with Umi.

Happy birthday Umi! May the coming years be just as great and lively as the last ~eight!

[Read it on AO3|FF.net]

“P-Paris?”

Honoka’s majestic blue orbs shined up at Umi, lit up by Honoka’s ever infectious smile as she pulled her phone back.

“Mhmm!” Honoka went back to fiddling with her phone, her fingers dancing across the screen, possibly pulling up some other app. “I got a really huge bonus at work recently and thought, well, you’re graduating this year and you’ve always wanted to go to Europe and I thought hey, to celebrate your birthday and our eight year anniversary, why not go to Paris so I—”

“H-Hold on…” Umi lifted her hand up, asking Honoka to be quiet for just a second. She pulled her own phone out, opening her own bank app to peek at her and Honoka’s joint account. “H-How in the world does a bonus at work give us the money to take a trip to Paris, let alone for an entire week? We still have credit card bills to pay off and after that we only barely have the money to pay for my graduation and rent and bills, how—”

Honoka chuckled sheepishly, glancing to the side. “W-Well…” She raised her phone back up to Umi, some chat application open with message logs between Honoka and Maki. “Maki and Eli might have decided to help us out a bit, after the Nishikino family acquired that merger with that hotel company in Italy…”

Umi snatched the phone out of Honoka’s hands, scrolling through messages rapidly, trying to find out just how much money Honoka had to ask for. “…You only needed to ask for 100,000 yen? For a week-long trip to Paris?” How much money could that bonus have gotten her?

“Mhmm mhmm!” Honoka snatched her phone back, locking it and placing it on the coffee table beside her. “And it was only for plane tickets! My bonus covers practically everything else—hotel, lunches and dinners, any sightseeing we’d want to do.” Honoka twisted around on the couch to reach at the end table on her end, pulling an envelope off the stack of papers and books she’d been using for studying. “I even got us passes for the metro that’ll last us the whole week!”

“Incredible…” Umi whispered, looking at the envelope in slight awe. “Where was this responsible Honoka in high school?”

Honoka pouted in response, getting a giggle and a kiss from Umi, before she brightened up again jumping to her feet.

“Anyway, yeah, so I’ve already got everything planned and booked, all I need to make sure is that you can get that week free!”

“I-I don’t know about that, Honoka.” Umi looked back at her phone, opening up her calendar. “I’ve got a couple tests that week and an entire five days of classes being missed just a couple weeks before graduation—"

“It’ll be fine!” Honoka interrupted, smiling down at Umi. “Besides, you’re top of your class and have been for the last six years, there’s no way your professors won’t let you take your tests the week before or after you get back!”

“I-I guess?” Honoka wasn’t wrong, after all, Umi was sitting at the top of her class with a few other students at her university, and really only dipped under for a couple days whenever she got sick and missed a test. But would they actually let her take her tests early? Could Umi even study enough in time to take them a whole week early?

“Great! Now to make sure I can get that week off of work…”

“Honoka!!”

Umi looked out the window of the train she and Honoka were on, Honoka next to her with her head resting on Umi’s shoulder and her body snuggled closely into her side. They’d already been in Paris for several days, having arrived on the 10th and flying back on the 17th.

She didn’t care for the trains much—they were a bit more comfortable than the ones she normally took back in Tokyo, but they weren’t nearly as clean or as smooth a ride. The sites, though, when the metro trains weren’t underground the sites were absolutely gorgeous, and similarly the sight seeing she and Honoka had been doing for the last four days had already made this trip worth it.

But that begged the question—why Paris? Umi knew Honoka didn’t exactly want to come to Paris, she never showed any interest in it and regardless of how Honoka was Umi didn’t really think Honoka would spend over ￥200,000 on an impulse, considering how tight money already was for them.

Umi looked back at Honoka, and gently brought one of her hands up to Honoka’s shoulder, jostling her just enough to wake her up. “Hmm…? Umi…?”

“Where is it you said we were getting off at?” Honoka wouldn’t tell her pretty much anything about what they were on the train for this time, just that they were going someplace special.

Honoka moaned as she tried to rub the sleepiness from her eyes, gazing up at the route map on the side of the train. Almost within an instant she jumped up, grabbing Umi’s arm and pulling her up with her. “This one!” she shouted excitedly, dragging Umi to the doors.

“H-Honoka!” Umi tightly gripped her bag, worried about dropping it without how Honoka was dragging her. “Do you mind telling me where we a—”

Umi couldn’t talk, she could barely breathe. At the top of the tunnel, taking up 90% of the skyline and most of Umi’s vision, was the Eiffel Tower, its lights lighting up the night almost single handed. Umi had seen the tower before of course, she’d seen it plenty on the metro, but this was the closest she’d ever been to it.

“H-Honoka, what—”

Umi turned to Honoka and her heart stopped. In front of her Honoka was kneeling on one knee, her hand loosely holding onto Umi’s and her other reaching into one of her jacket pockets. “H-Honoka…?”

“Umi,” Honoka said softly, her eyes soft and looking directly into Umi’s. “I love you so much—I’ve loved you since we were children, I’ve loved you since we became school idols, of course I’ve loved you since we started dating. I’ve loved you for almost twenty years, and the last seven years of that have been the best seven years of my life, even including all of the hardships we’ve had and I just had to ask…”

Honoka let Umi’s hand slip out of her hold, pulling her other hand out of her pocket, exposing a little box in her hand.

“Sonoda Umi, my lifetime best friend and love of my life, the ocean that I find myself lost in almost every day—will you marry me, become my wife and my world forever?”

Umi didn’t trust herself enough to talk, she knew tears were staining her face and feared that if she were to try to speak she’d only manage to let out sobs, so she just nodded, reaching her hand out for Honoka to grab again and slide the ring onto her finger.

As soon as Honoka stood back up Umi pulled her into a crushing hug, burying her face into Honoka’s shoulder so she could cry into it without alerting anyone in the area, not wanting to worry anyone or ruin the moment. Honoka pulled Umi into a hug and gently pet her hair, not speaking but to say one sentence.

“Happy birthday, Umi.” 

#love live! #kousaka honoka #sonoda umi #honoumi #園田海未生誕祭2018

[oumiyuki]

The Daily Life of Loving a Really Cute but Dense Vampire Ch18

Chapter 18 – Skipping Classes

May you enjoy~ :D

There are only two sounds playing within the ash-grey haired girl’s ears’ who has been escorted to the school's nurse office by her knight in shining armour – her heartbeat on 100x playback and the voice she wants as a constant in her life, Kousaka Honoka’s voice.

“Kotori-chan, here. Sit here and rest.” The gingerhead’s usually carefree voice was filled with command.

Honoka-chan is like a prince with how gentle yet steadfast she is~

Kotori could not help but swoon in her crush’s arms that was supporting her to the unoccupied bed.

“Kotori-chan.” Prince Honoka in a royal white coat with gold trimmings, and a shining smile she wore instead of a crown, held the ash-brunette’s hand gently yet firmly as they head towards the royal stables.

“Do we really have to ride a horse, Honoka-chan?” Kotori asked in a slightly shaky voice, afraid that she might fall off a horse and humiliate herself in front of the Prince.

Prince Honoka chuckled warmly. “It’s no ordinary horse. It’s my horse! So you have nothing to worry about, Kotori-chan. Just trust me, and enjoy our time together.”

Kotori felt her heart flutter with the way Honoka said “together” with all her heart; implications of a together forever regardless of what all the other nobles will say, or if the world were to go against them.

“Mmph!” Kotori gave an excited nod to the Prince she wishes to marry someday, who also feels the same way for her.

“I’ll help you onto the bed, Kotori-chan.”

The gingerhead’s voice was filled with care and concern, a slight contrast to Kotori’s earlier fantasies of a charming and calming one, thus the ash-brunette blinks back to reality only to realize that she has been lifted into a princess-style carry by none other than her crush.

“H-Honoka-chan? I-I can get on the bed m-myself!” Kotori flailed in her crush’s strong arms, and the poor girl’s heart was running a marathon when she felt her crush’s very soft hands tighten around the under of her knee.

Ahh! Honoka-chan is carrying me! And our bare skin is touching..! And it’s not our hands..! I-I-I think I might faint...

“Kotori-chan, you almost fainted just now. I’m not going to let you walk on your own. Just trust me, I won’t drop you.” Honoka gave her classmate a wide and reassuring smile; her fangs appearing, though the girl in her arms was a little too light-headed to notice.

I almost fainted earlier because of how you were holding me so close to you, Honoka-chan! So if you carry me like that..! Ah, but I don’t want to faint. I...

Kotori subconsciously wrapped her arms around the gingerhead’s neck, and stared at how close their faces are.

Honoka-chan said the exact lines as my Prince Honoka-chan earlier...

Kotori almost made a second subconscious move to kiss her crush on the cheek; with Kotori raising her upper body to inch her head closer to those pale, soft-looking cheeks... Unfortunately, they have reached the bed and Honoka carefully lowered the ash-brunette to lay her there.

Kotori’s breath hitch.

W-What did I almost do?!

The clueless to Kotori’s internal conflict and dilemma vampire smiled as she removed her hands from under her seatmate’s back and underleg.

“Our school nurse seems to be out again. Hm...” Striking blue eyes that seemed to give off a faint glow stared at the ash-grey haired girl for a long time, mostly around her throat.

I like that Honoka-chan is looking at me, but I can’t help but wonder if my hair doesn’t look messy, or perhaps I may have a silly grin which Honoka-chan will find weird...

“Honoka-chan?” Kotori fidgeted on the bed, pushing herself to a sitting position.

“Is your throat okay? I’m not sure how to check if you still have a cough... Do I press my forehead to it like a fever?”

Kotori was going to tell the gingerhead that she didn’t have to do anything as she didn’t really have a cough, but her crush shocked her into a single gasp as the gingerhead leaned over and pressed her forehead to the ash-grey’s throat.

Honoka-chan?!

“Hm... ...” Honoka hummed in consideration.

Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours and hours felt like- Okay, not a single hour passed, but Kotori was hyperaware of every movement in the nurse's office, and any movement by the girl at her throat (literally, but not in a malicious manner).

Honoka-chan’s warmth! Honoka-chan’s forehead! Honoka-chan’s breath..!

“Hm...” The gingerhead hummed once more and Kotori gulped.

“Honoka-chan..?” The ash-grey managed a squeak.

Honoka pulled away from her classmate’s throat slightly to grin and chuckle at the girl who was glowing red.

“Kotori-chan just swallowed. That was funny to feel~”

Ehh?! H-Honoka-chan felt my n-nervous swallowing..! Ah...I’m So embarrassed right now...

Kotori turned her heated neck and face as far away as humanly possible from the gingerhead who was still oblivious to how lethal her actions are and what it’s doing to the poor ash-grey’s heart and mind.

“H-Honoka-chan...Don’t do that...”

“Mm? Don’t do what?” Honoka asked innocently.

The budding designer with the flushed red face turned to face the reason of her predicament slowly; a slight pout formed when the reason decided to fluster her even more as the reason connected their foreheads.

Don’t...make me fall in love with you with everything you do-

The ash-brunette was pretty much cross-eyed as she stared ahead at the culprit for her loud, and nearly painful heartbeat pounding against her ribcage, and for her burning up body from the tip of her toes to the top of her head.

Kotori let out a whimper despite herself.

“Honoka-chan is so close!”

The gingerhead pulled away slightly worried. “Did you..not like, um..me being too close? I know Maki-chan and Umi-chan tend to scold me for that too...”

Golden eyes widened in horror at the thought of her crush being less touchy-feely with her and she quickly shook her head and grabbed the ginger’s arms without a second thought.

“No! I-I like being close to Honoka-chan! B-But... it makes me nervous sometimes...that...Honoka-chan might not like it...with me...”

I’m just...plain and me...

The ash-brunette was falling into self-depreciation faster than she usually would and Honoka wasn’t about to let that happen.

“I love being close to Kotori-chan. So Kotori-chan don’t have to and shouldn't ever think that I don’t want to be close with you!”

Honoka flashed a huge smile that never fails to give at least a bit of reassurance to someone she gave it to; and now to her classmate that was shrinking into herself.

“R-really..?” Kotori asked, still feeling a tad unsure.

Honoka took both of Kotori’s warmer than normal hands into her own. “Really.”

The ash-brunette smiled from ear to ear thanks to the growing warmth she felt from the inside out she received from her crush, which also spurred her to do and say something she usually won’t dare to.

Honoka-chan loves being close to me... Maybe Honoka-chan feels the same way as I do...

“I love your warmth and I love you, Honoka-chan.” Kotori now in a dazed state of bliss; confessed and stretched forward to perhaps pull the gingerhead who stole her heart into a heartfelt hug, however, the always full of surprises gingerhead had other plans.

Honoka held the side of the ash-brunette’s arms and gently pushed the girl towards the pillow and into a lying position. “Kotori-chan, I love you too.”

Eh? Is Honoka-chan going to..?

“Your whole body is really hot. I think you might have a fever too, so you should sleep it off.” Honoka was holding the ash-brunette’s slightly clammy hands that was of a high temperature from her nervous, embarrassed and excited feelings that ran through her when being with her oh-so-oblivious crush.

I thought Honoka-chan was going to kiss me as she felt the same way I do...

Kotori lowered her gaze so as to not look into genuine, concern-filled cerulean, instead of love-filled cerulean she hoped for.

Wait! I...I just said ‘I love you’ to Honoka-chan?! ... But...Honoka-chan doesn’t understand what my ‘love’ meant..?

Curious golden met gentle cerulean, and Honoka’s comforting smile. “Sleep. I'll stay with you too.”

I guess I have to confess again when Honoka-chan isn’t focused on me being sick...

“What about classes?” Kotori tried to get into a sitting position again, but the gingerhead stood and pushed her down to the bed once more.

“Classes can wait until you feel better, Kotori-chan.”

Kotori blinked a few times rapidly from the familiar heart racing faster due to listening to her favourite voice.

Missing classes is wrong, but... I get to spend more time with Honoka-chan like that...

The ash-brunette relaxed into the bed and gave the gingerhead a nod.

“I-I'll be okay after one lesson. I don’t want to miss too much lessons too...” Kotori could stay in the nurse's office all day if the meant being with her crush, but no, she was an obedient student; her conscience can’t accept skipping too much classes just so she can be alone with a very cute and warm gingerhead.

Just one lesson... with Honoka-chan...

Honoka smiled, satisfied that Kotori will rest, and that she isn’t asked to return to class.

Kotori tried closing her eyes to “rest”, but she wasn’t allowed to relax for much longer when she felt the bed dip to her left and a soft groan sounded.

“Mm~ I’ll take a short nap too~”

H-Honoka-chan?! S-Sleeping beside me?!

Kotori wanted to turn around. Kotori desperately wanted to open her eyes and reward her eyes with the sight of her crush sleeping right beside her. However, her overworked heart was going doki-doki at over 100 beats per minute and the sheer concept of sleeping with Honoka was causing the ash-brunette’s mind to erupt and melt.

Honoka-chan... Could I..? Just a peek... Sleeping with Honoka-chan... I haven’t even done that in my dreams!

Kotori swallowed long and hard, clenched her hands into fists tightly in a desperate attempt to calm her nerves, before she finally turned.

“Ho-”

Kotori’s heart leapt to her throat.

“Mm?” The clueless, but cute, the insensitive, but adorable gingerhead did the near impossible of tilting her head to the side which her head was resting on the bed to show confusion, alongside those wide and alluring and genuinely curious ocean-blue looking right at Kotori.

Hnnnggg! Honoka-chan! Why are you so unfair? Why are you so cute? Ahh, I want to just shuffle over and hug her! Or just reach over and poke her cheeks! H-Honoka-chan..!

“Um...” was the only sound that managed to find its way out of Kotori’s lungs, push pass the heart at Kotori’s throat, and promptly roll off Kotori’s stunned tongue.

Honoka gave a silent nod with her ever-encouraging smile to the ash-brunette.

What did I want to say..? Oh, perhaps I could ask about Maki-chan, so it won’t seem too random a topic..? We are in the nurse's office after all...

“E-Earlier...” Kotori fidgeted from where she laid.

“Earlier?” Honoka asked in an uncharacteristically soft voice, but this was because she’s ready to doze off anytime.

“You were worried for Maki-chan..I mean..Do you know what happened to Maki-chan?”

Kotori stumbled with phrasing her question, almost voicing her slight jealousy of Maki monopolizing most of the gingerhead’s attention in the morning, despite not being in the classroom.

It seemed serious too..I hope Maki-chan is alright.

“Aww~ Kotori-chan, you’re so kind!” Honoka grinned widely; feeling really happy that another friend was concern for the redhead despite not knowing the situation.

“..It’s..normal to care about our classmates. Plus..Maki-chan is Honoka-chan’s close friend and is really nice too. Ah.” Kotori clamped a hand to her mouth. “Sorry, I’m babbling.”

Honoka shook her head, her grin growing wider. “I like hearing Kotori-chan talk.”

Honoka-chan likes hearing me talk? Mm, I’m feeling super happy again..!

“And I’m happy to hear that Kotori-chan can tell that Maki-chan is really~ nice!”

Kotori giggled at the gingerhead’s exuberance. “And I’m happy to see Honoka-chan happy.”

Honoka nodded ecstatically, wiggling closer to Kotori in the process.

I love how we can talk so comfortably...

“About Maki-chan..?”

“Oh! Maki-chan... she was... um...” Honoka furrowed her eyebrows as she considered how to answer her caring seatmate.

Does Honoka-chan not remember what happened? Perhaps it’s not that serious then...

“Mm...Maki-chan wasn’t feeling so well because of the lack of blood...” Honoka peeked at Kotori, worried that Kotori might ask how Maki loss blood.

“Oh. Maki-chan has low blood pressure in the morning? Or..?” Kotori’s face reddened once again, while Honoka did not understood why, she hopped on the first reasoning.

“Low blood pressure! That’s it! I-I think! Kotori-chan sure is smart!” The gingerhead grabbed Kotori’s hand without thinking.

Honoka-chan is holding my hands...

Kotori too wasn’t focused on her crush’s childhood friend condition anymore as she enjoyed the warmth and softness of their connected hands.

“Mm... Kotori-chan..you still need to rest..” Honoka yawned. “You should..sleep...” And Kotori could no longer gaze into ocean blue as Honoka fell asleep.

Honoka-chan’s sleeping expression...

Kotori bit her lip.

We’re so close... I really do want to poke her cheeks, but... Honoka-chan is still holding my hands... and I like that.

Kotori breathes out slowly; her heart haven’t got a proper rest from racing and it certainly has yet to stop. Try as she might, Kotori wasn’t able to fall asleep beside her crush for the rest of the lesson.

 When Kotori thought to take a moment of not staring at her crush sleeping, she found that she only had five minutes before the next lesson begins, and she definitely would like a more leisurely walk back with a conscious gingerhead.

“Honoka-chan.” The ash-brunette whispers.

Honoka did not even stir.

“Honoka-chan.” Kotori tries again but with a normal speaking volume.

Honoka twitched a little but returned to her sleeping state right after.

Mm...I would prod or shake..or poke Honoka-chan awake, but...I like how Honoka-chan has been holding my hands from when she fell asleep...

“Honoka-chan...We need to head back to class now...” Kotori called once more.

“Mm...five more minutes...Yukiho...” Honoka murmurs and tugs her hands closer her chest; causing Kotori to stop breathing.

My hands are so close to Honoka-chan!

Kotori squeezes the very soft and warm hands in hers tightly out of nervousness.

“Mm? Mor-Morning..?” Honoka wakes up drowsily, blinking to adjust to her surroundings.

“Ah! H-Honoka-chan...sorry for waking you! But I did want to wake you...and you need to wake up...Um...” Kotori was too flustered by the waking form of one adorable gingerhead lying twenty centimetres away from her to piece her thoughts together before speaking.

Honoka grins lazily at her rambling friend before giggling when the ash-brunette pressed her lips shut.

“You're so cute, Kotori-chan. What time is it..?” Honoka pushes herself into a sitting position, looking around the room aimlessly.

Kotori quickly gets up too, and clears her throat to find her voice. “I-It’s about to be eleven..we should go back to class soon.”

Honoka’s eyes widened as she took in the information, but soon relaxes again as she kicks herself off the bed and heads over to where Kotori is.

“Are you feeling better now, Kotori-chan?” Honoka leaned close and the ash-brunette leaned backwards in her panic.

“I-I’m okay, Honoka-chan.”

Ah! Why did I lean away from Honoka-chan? My chance to be close to Honoka-chan...

The gingerhead blinked once to recover from the fact that she didn’t get to check Kotori’s temperature, before accepting the ash-brunette’s verbal assurance.

“Alright. Let’s head back to class then.” Honoka turns for the exit with Kotori following behind.

It didn’t take more than a minute for golden eyes to be unfocused as Kotori entered a dreamy state of recollecting the pass hour she spent with the only girl that makes her heart do skips and races.

Ah...I can hardly wrap my mind around the fact that I slept with Honoka-chan... beside Honoka-chan... and Honoka-chan was holding my hands... so warm...comforting...sweet smelling...

“Kotori-chan, come here.” The gingerhead with a cheeky grin patted the soft bed beside her, inviting the ash-grey haired girl already in her pyjamas to join her.

Kotori slowly made her way to the side of the bed but stopped there. “Are you sure, Honoka-chan?”

Honoka’s grin broadened as she gave the space beside her another two firm pats. “Surer than sure, Kotori-chan~”

“Mmph...” Kotori lifts her leg to climb into the bed the sweet and loving gingerhead is lying on, but she hits the side and loses her balance; resulting in a tumbling ash-grey. “Wah!”

“Kotori-chan!” Kotori grabs onto her crush’s outstretched hand and the gingerhead quickly steps in front to fully support her.

I-I really fell!

Panicky golden widened and the Kotori tried to step back before she found her balance; resulting in a tumbling ash-grey backwards. “Wah!”

Honoka swiftly and smoothly wrapped her other hand around the ash-grey haired girl’s back and pulled the girl upright and close.

“Are you okay, Kotori-chan?”

Kotori shut her eyes and nodded rapidly. “M-Mmph! I’m okay! Honoka-chan...”

Honoka smiles. “That’s a relief. Shall we head back to class more carefully now?”

“I... wasn’t being not careful...” The ash-grey murmurs under her breath, embarrassed at her clumsy display in front of her crush.

Said crush giggles lightly. “Then I shall have to be more attentive for Princess Kotori-chan so that she doesn’t trip over her own feet in the future.” Honoka winks at Kotori whose cheeks exploded into a deeper shade of red.

“Honoka-chan...I’ll be more careful...”

Honoka chuckles heartily. “That’s good to hear.”

Kotori found it hard to make eye contact with the gingerhead that doesn’t know that she was flirting with Kotori and multiplying the amount of love her “princess” felt for her, thus leaving Kotori incapable of keeping the conversation on their walk back to class.

 After returning to class and sitting through the final lesson before lunch break, Honoka did not waste another second to jump out of her seat the moment the lunch bell rang and she bounded up the stairs to where her low in blood pressure childhood friend is seated.

“Maki-chan! Are you feeling better? Not faint? Or hurt anywhere?” Large blue eyes that were practically awash with concern scanned her scarlet-haired childhood friend all over for signs of discomfort before staring right into the girl’s averted violet eyes.

“H-Honoka… I’m fine. You don’t have to make a huge ruckus.” Maki twirled a few strands of hair in her finger to appear indifferent to Honoka’s attention despite feeling delight from it.

You’re finally here, Honoka. I was expecting your noisy concern when I returned to class earlier, not a certain self-proclaimed class idol. Though the hot chocolate wasn’t half bad.

“Really? I didn’t..?” Honoka trails off as she left the question incomplete.

I told you I trust you, Honoka. So you should trust yourself too.

“No.” Maki gave the vampire who was being a worrywart for a change, a reassuring smile.

Honoka releases a huge sigh of relief before breaking into a broad smile. “I’m glad!”

It’s nice to see Honoka’s smile…

Maki’s smile inadvertently pulled higher. “I see you’re feeling better too.”

“I sure am thanks to Maki-chan!” Honoka nodded with her entire body.

… It’s not that I want to see Honoka’s smile. It’s that I can’t help but notice it. I mean! Ugh… What am I even thinking?

“Where have you been?” Maki scowled at her own thoughts and took a turn for sour when she remembered that her bubbly childhood friend was missing from class for an entire lesson when she returned – with a certain other classmate.

“Eh? I was at the nurse’s office to make sure that Kotori-chan was feeling okay.” Honoka answers without a second thought.

“Even though you didn’t stay with me earlier…” Maki gripes under her breath, but needless to say, the sharp-eared vampire heard.

“That’s because Umi-chan-”

“I know.” Maki cut the gingerhead off and shook her head.

Why do I feel so annoyed anyway?

Honoka was clueless too, but she preferred a smiling Maki than a frowning Maki, so she decided to lighten the mood with happy information.

“Kotori-chan was worried for you too.” Honoka smiles at the lingering warm feelings in her when the ash-brunette asked about Maki’s well-being.

“She did?” Maki raised both eyebrows sceptically.

I didn’t think Kotori would bother talking about anyone else when she’s alone with Honoka. Much less worry about me.

Honoka nodded enthusiastically. “Yup! Kotori-chan is really caring!”

Maki could not help but get affected by Honoka’s infectious mood and smile.

Yeah, yeah. I’m sure she is.

“But don’t worry! I just told her you weren’t feeling well, and she understood about having low blood pressure.” Honoka rambles on, while Maki listens and glances to the bench where their caring classmate would sit.

Kotori looks troubled right now though.

“It’s good that you didn’t say anything wrong. Kotori looks stressed right about now though. You sure you didn’t scare her in any way?” Maki nudged her head towards the bottom for Honoka to turn.

“I wonder what’s wrong.” Honoka voices her thoughts aloud before heading back down to where the ash-brunette was.

You’re going already Honoka? Not that I care! … At least say goodbye or see you later… Wait, why would I want Honoka to say that?!

 Kotori wasn’t in time to gather her courage and find a golden chance to invite the charming-without-trying knight also known as Kotori’s love interest, and the girl had already left her seat and rushed off to someone else.

The ash grey haired girl understood why though, so she decided to wait, steal a few glances over at the two from time to time, look through her textbook for the lesson she skipped with her crush, before remembering that lunch break meant eating lunch, so she reached for her bento box.

I wonder what what’s in the bento today~ since I wasn’t the one to pack today~

Kotori pulled was surprised at the lightweight of the bento box when she took it out from under her desk, and was even more surprised to find a note on top of it.

I remember the bento box being heavier… And… this note…

“You can thank me later.

-Yazawa Nico, the Universe’s No.1 Idol”

Was what the note read, and Kotori had a bad feeling churn in her gut. With slightly shaky hands, the grey haired girl opens the cover to her bento box…only to find it emptied of its original content and is replaced by another teared piece of foolscap paper.

“You’re a damsel in distress. Use this chance well!

-Yazawa Nico, the Universe’s No.1 Idol”

Kotori froze for a time, returned to current time, and entered panic mode.

Eh? Wait. N-Nico-chan? Did she eat my bento away? T-Then what am I supposed to eat? Ah..! What should I do..? What does she mean by thanking her…and damsel in…di..stress…

The words slowly clicked in the panicking ash grey haired girl’s mind, but she took too long, for her all-time saviour has returned to her side before she could think of what to say and how to make use of her unfortunate situation – created by a certain class idol.

Ah…And I’m starting to feel hungry now-

“Kotori-chan. Is something the matter?”

“H-Honoka-chan?!” Kotori shouts before hurriedly clamping a hand to her mouth and another to hide the empty bento box. “I-It’s nothing…I…”

Ah! Why did I hide the bento? Because I wanted to eat with Honoka-chan and don’t want Honoka-chan to think that I ate without her?

“Hm?” Honoka sits herself in her seat and scoots closer to the obviously flustered ash grey haired girl.

H-Honoka-chan! Don’t come so close to me right now… I can’t think at all like that..!

The whole of lunchbreak was pretty much over already, so the others were beginning to settle back down in class, however, Kotori could hardly settle her drumming heart or her empty stomach.

I don’t have time to go the cafeteria to eat now…

Kotori shook her head silently, though her eyes betrayed the worry she felt.

“You can tell me anything, Kotori-chan. I’ll do whatever I can to help.” Honoka encourages.

“I…” The ash grey haired girl presses her lips tightly together, unsure of how to phrase her situation.

“Are you feeling unwell again? I can bring you to the nurse’s office again-”

“T-That’s not it… I’m feeling okay. Just…” Kotori quickly lets the concern gingerhead know that she was feeling pink of health, lest they ended up in the nurse’s office a second time today.

Ah…What do I say? It’s not like we can do anything too…

“Just?” Honoka prompted; her shimmering with concern blue eyes not once left her seatmate’s face.

“My…my bento box is empty…” Kotori shyly showed the now food-less bento box to the gingerhead, and to add to her embarrassment – her stomach chose this moment to let out a low rumble.

Kotori blushed and pushed the bento box under her table before turning away from her crush.

Ah! Why did my stomach have to grumble now? In front of Honoka-chan… That’s so embarrassing!

If Kotori was expecting the gingerhead to laugh; that was not going to happen, as the gingerhead took one of Kotori’s slightly sweaty hands due to the panic state she was currently in.

“Honoka-chan?” The ash grey haired girl raises her head to meet her crush’s eyes.

Honoka grins wider and whispers. “Let’s go to the cafeteria.”

“Eh? But-”

“Come on.” Honoka doesn’t give Kotori a second to think, and she pulls Kotori towards the exit as quietly and somewhat sneakily so that no one will question where they were going when the next lesson was about to begin in a few minutes.

 The cafeteria was empty; simply because now wasn’t the time for students to be here. Lessons are back in session, and Kotori was freaking out, a vast contrast to the smiley gingerhead who brought her out of the four walls of their classroom.

“H-Honoka-chan… We should be in class…” Kotori tugged weakly at their joint hands.

Honoka directs her grin that somehow has the capability to make the ash grey haired girl forget about her worry for a moment. “Kotori-chan’s stomach is more important than classes. So we aren’t returning to class until you’re full, Kotori-chan.”

“But..” Kotori wanted to protest and not skip class for a second time in one day, however, her stomach decided to sound its agreement with the gingerhead.

Honoka smiles satisfactorily and brings her hungry friend to a randomly selected table in the cafeteria – all the tables are vacant for them to choose after all. “Sit. And tell me what you want to eat, Kotori-chan. I’ll get it for you.”

I don’t think Kotori-chan would want bread after all. And I only know that Kotori-chan doesn’t like garlic… So it’s better to ask what Kotori-chan wants first!

“N-No! I can get my food on my own, Honoka-chan! I-” Kotori’s eyes widened considerably at the thought of having her crush buy her lunch and bring it over to her while she sits and wait; all these adding to her ludicrous situation.

Honoka however, had a varying opinion as she chuckles at her seatmate’s refusal. “I insist. Now tell me what you want to eat, Kotori-chan. Or do you want me to pick a garlic dish?”

Kotori-chan is so modest~ Friends help each other get their food! Just like how I lugged a bear back to share with Umi-chan years ago!

Kotori pouts at her crush’s tease; she really did not want to eat a garlic dish, though she can see herself eating it if her crush wanted her to. “Um…a salmon set will do.”  

Salmon, eh~ Alright!

“Okay. Your meal will be coming right up, ma’am! Just hang on a sec!” Honoka playfully bows and dashes off for the food store that sells rice sets.

“Honoka-chan is so nice and caring… and childish too.” Kotori could not help but smile widely as she stared at the gingerhead’s energetic back.

 It didn’t take long for the food to be cooked and presented on the table for Kotori to partake. It also did not take long for Kotori to fall back into guilt and panic for skipping classes, even if it allows her to spend such a secretive time alone with her crush.

“Honoka-chan…maybe we shouldn’t… Let’s head back to cla-”

“Kotori-chan.” Honoka calls with authority, effectively having the ash grey haired girl to not finish her sentence of bailing.

Mou, Kotori-chan! Just enjoy your lunch and the fact that we get to experience this empty cafeteria!

“You don’t have to worry about a thing. I’ll take all responsibilities for this! If a teacher catches or questions us, I’ll let them know that it’s all on me.” Honoka pushes the food closer to Kotori.

You don’t have to worry about a thing, Kotori-chan!

“But…”

Honoka didn’t want Kotori to keep her hungry tummy waiting any longer, and pulls the plate over, takes a good spoonful of rice and pan-fried salmon, and lifts it up toward Kotori. “Kotori-chan, say ‘Ahh~’ I’ll feed you.”

Kotori’s system shuts down – meaning Kotori wasn’t able to move thanks to Honoka’s innocent ‘ahh~’ and action to feed the ash grey haired girl; all this progress was happening too fast for Kotori to keep up at the moment.

Kotori-chan is a really good girl. But we’re already here, and I really don’t want to let Kotori-chan remain hungry… I guess I have no choice! I’ll eat a bite to encourage Kotori-chan to do so!

Honoka puts the spoonful of rice and salmon into her mouth, and bites it at an incredible speed before swallowing it down.

“See…I’m as guilty…if not guiltier than you are, Kotori-chan…” Honoka forces a smile and aggressively pushes her gag reflex down and away; puking or breaking out in a coughing fit in front of her seatmate she really likes and treasures wasn’t something she wants to happen after all.

Uu…Even though the food didn’t look bad…I just can’t stand this!

Honoka smiles encouragingly to Kotori once more before taking another scoop over to Kotori.

“I-I’m sorry, Honoka-chan!” Kotori could not help but apologize as she accepted the spoon full of delicious salmon and rice.

Once the ash grey haired girl swallows the first scoop of lunch this fateful school day, she could not help but let out a soft squeal of happiness that food has entered her body.

Yay~! I made Kotori-chan eat her lunch!

Honoka beams all her pearly whites, fangs out in the open for viewing; luckily for the careless vampire, Kotori was too distracted by the fact that her crush was still feeding her, and the two was seemingly in their own little world with how the whole cafeteria was not packed and the sounds around was only of the vendors working behind them, and the two’s ‘ahh~’ and ‘ahh~n’, plus their idle chatter.

The two class skipper returns to class later, and with the combined luck of Honoka and Kotori, the teacher had to step out then, so they could enter the class without being questioned. Though there was one piercing and questioning amber eyes that never left Honoka from the moment she stepped into the classroom; Honoka herself knew she had some explaining to do the next time Umi gets her alone, but she’s okay with that, and was simply glad to be able to help her sweet and caring ash grey haired friend to not have to endure hunger through the remainder of the school day.

Author Notes

And~ Well now~ How was this chapter~? XD I certainly hope y’all enjoyed it! *O* It’s mostly filled with fun~ adorable~ Honoka and Kotori interactions~! XD hehe~

A little (?) continuation of the “Damsel in Distress” tactic the Great Nico-nii came up with! X’P

#honokoto #kotohono #minami kotori #kousaka honoka #vampire au #fanfiction #sonoda umi #nishikino maki #yazawa nico #toujou nozomi #ayase eli #hoshizora rin #koizumi hanayo #love live! school idol project #love live! #yuri #honoka x kotori #fanfic #kotori x honoka

[keahifctf2-blog]

Why I hate KotoUmi more than DiaRuby

As some may notice, I have KotoUmi as one of my Hell NOTPs. However, what many don’t know is that not only is KotoUmi a NOTP, it’s an even BIGGER NOTP than my other NOTP, DiaRuby (which I hate for obvious reasons but still somewhat tolerate).

Of course I will be lynched by idiotic Love Livers that ship the main ships because of this opinion, but hear me out on why I hate KotoUmi so much.

For one is that it is a completely unjustified Ship. Yes, they are childhood friends, but they always have Honoka around and the two get lost without her. She is Muse’s sunshine, but she shines the brightest for Umi and Kotori. Basically the saying goes “No Honoka, no Muse.” You can’t have 8 planets rotate around a point without something to dictate them via gravitational forces and that also applies to Honoka and her relationships with Muse. Her sheer magnetism is also a reason why OT3 is generally the way to go in general terms of the Second Years. KotoUmi is not a ship really explored in all mediums (even the anime!) at all except in just ONE single: Anemone Heart. That single can also be viewed as something more along the lines of KotoHonoUmi instead of outright KotoUmi. Though if you DO want to make Anemone Heart KotoUmi fuel, then at least you guys have the right to say that you have more fuel than the nonexistent YouRiko ship in Sunrise (rip YouRiko fans being raped by ChikaRiko, ChikaYou and YohaRiko fans).

Another reason is a tad more ethical: Japan’s (and East Asia in general) Gender Equality issues. This one is arguably the biggest reason why I hate KotoUmi. As some of you may possibly know, Japan is not the most equal country on the Planet and that, in turn, creates issues. Despite the obvious issues that are now present in Japan (and South Korea), the two Nations are still adamant about retaining the Status Quo despite other countries far outpacing them because of this. Even though KotoUmi is obviously a Yuri Lesbian ship, it strongly reminds me of the huge Gender disparity in those two Countries. KotoUmi also reminds me of the Breadwinning Husband (Umi) and the super-obedient Wife (Kotori), which rubs me the whole wrong way (mind you, I live in Hawaii, a place where the Husband and Wife have to work to make ends meet at times).

However, one other reason why I hate KotoUmi so much is something that had developed recently in my mind. That is the attitude of KotoUmi shippers and the attitudes of those who ships the main ships in general. I could even expand it into just a majority of the Love Live! Fandom. I’m sorry, but your attitude stinks more than a KKK congregation, especially when it comes to Honoka. I am not a very huge supporter of the LL Fandom due to the crap that happened in years past and this anti-Honoka crusade I sometimes see on Tumblr AND 4chan doesn’t do you or me any other favors. It may as well be the case that, in my opinion, Homestuckers are more tolerable to deal with than most of you Love Livers. Again, I am sorry and at least I consider the eSports fanbase to be FAAAAAR worse, but the LL Fandom around the World (especially in Japan!) have too many problems and not enough good moments. Even after the whole Rikako fiasco, I still don’t have a favorable opinion on the LL Fanbase. And back on the topic of the KotoUmi fans, some of them are just unbearable to be around at times and try to bullshit so-called “evidence” to justify the ship even if the actual canonical evidence goes against them.

So, yeah. Those are the reasons why I hate KotoUmi. It’s not that I adore HonoUmi to death (EliUmi is a good ship and so is KotoMaki and I also ship TsubaHono at times), but it is mostly thanks to outside influences that made me outright hate KotoUmi more than DiaRuby. Don’t fret, I do have KotoUmi as labled ships in some of my Fanfics, but I tend to mostly paint that in a more negative light than what people would see it.

This is just my opinion. :T

#lovelive #llsip #love live #school idol project #kotoumi #honoka #anti kotoumi #anti fandom #im sorry

[wcnderfulrush]

"Your eyes aren't fooling you, girls... That's my actual grave. I was laid to rest here... Around eight years ago? Yeah, sounds about right." It was still surreal to see his name engraved in marble onto a tombstone, his first run at life starting and ending on the same day-- March 5th.

Their journey to this place had been filled with silence. None of the other girls really wanted to believe that Arisato Minato would be ( or, at least, once was ) buried under the ground, his name etched into granite or stone along with a few kind words and the date of his birth and death, with a little dash being the only thing to sum up what was in between. But at least Kotori knew for sure it would be there. Even though she didn’t want to believe it herself, from all the things that Minato had told her about his past life to the eye-opening vision that all of the girls had shared that fateful afternoon on the roof; being serenaded but then all at once being shattered by such a life as his; she had to believe it to be true. The fact that she was helping Minato eradicate what he had sought to destroy so long ago; a reborn dark hour; was proof enough on it’s own, but knowing the past events brought much insight, and the visions were an unpleasant cherry on top of an interesting cake.

Those may be the only reasons why, that upon finding the rumored gravestone, she was the most stoic and silent of the group. She had gasped, along with the other girls when they had gathered near her, but they all started muttering their disbelief under their breath and expressions matching their tones, while Kotori just stared at it. But they all looked up to Minato when he finally joins them, his words seeming so nonchalant that it made most of the girls tense, even Kotori. Even if it was true; even if she knew it was too true, seeing a gravestone with her boyfriend’s name on it was surreal. What made the situation even more so was having him stand next to her. She was sure the girls were going through the same thing, but, for them, everything about this whole situation was so unreal.

“It’s…A bit humble.” She finally commented after a moment, knowing all eyes were suddenly directed at her, but not caring too much about that. “Though I’m sure you’d never want anything big or fancy.” At that, she knelt down, fingers gently gliding over the marble gravestone, shivering at it’s cold touch. To think that Minato had been laid to rest here once is still slightly jarring, but have something to literally serve as a pillar of that moment; a little marker for a past life, helped finally cement it all one hundred percent in her mind. She closes her eyes, resting her forehead on the surface, fingers continually running over one little engraving…

But a smack followed by a crack next to her ear has her jumping out of her skin, bolting upright as she’s taken out of her small moment and looking over at the source, hearing the other girls gasp and rush closer to them, “Honoka?”

Her best friend’s fist is connected to the stone, such a dark expression hidden under her bangs that Kotori only sees for just a moment, before it gets washed away with the few tears trickling down her face, turning into a saddened and pained realization. At first she’s speechless, grabbing onto her hand as Umi quickly joined her other side, Kotori seeing that the cracking wasn’t the stone breaking but Honoka’s hand crunching, only deepening her worry. “H-Honoka, are you ---?”

“Kotori.” Her voice sounds so desperate when it cuts her off, her expression looking so broken when she finally sees it in the light, tears running down her face like waterfalls when she stares at her. “I don’t want it to be real.”

There’s a small silence between them, Kotori just staring wide eyed at Honoka stifling sobs, the only noticeable sounds being that and of her other friends trying to keep their own cool. The silence is only broken when more quiet sobbing is heard behind the orange-haired girl, both of them looking to stare at Umi, a hand clasped over her mouth while the other had a vice-like grip on Minato’s headstone, her own cheeks getting wet with tears.

“H-Hey! I thought you said we wouldn’t cry!” It’s Nico, at the very back of the group, shouting but voice sounding strained, a hand gripping at her chest. “M-Minato’s still the same jerk he was; r-remember ---!”

“But he isn’t.” Umi almost looked offended by Nico’s words, taking the other girls a bit aback. Though Umi doesn’t have to say much else, nor does she have the strength to do so, bowing her head as soft sobs escaped her. They all knew what she meant, the shared vision of his past changing their whole big view of the man. A man that suffered alone for so long, and then found something so precious to him that it was worth protecting with his life by summoning personas and fighting shadows and ultimately saving the world from a being hidden in the moon --- He could never be the same in their eyes anymore. He was the same man, but a different light just seemed to shine upon him in the rest of the girls’ view now.

They all knew that. None of them wanted it to be true.

Seeing her best friends so distraught has Kotori herself choking up, pulling both of them close to her, hearing them both gasp as they’re dragged into a tight hug, Kotori gripping at the back of their blouses. “But we should be thankful, right? Thankful that it didn’t truly end there.” She speaks, trying to at least slightly lift the mood, feeling both girls nod against her shoulders. “Thankful for a such a miracle that we can all know this and have Minato in our lives.” At that, she looks up at him, tears starting to well up in her own eyes at her own words, giving Minato such a soft smile. It truly was an interesting miracle that Minato was able to come back, and that she was able to somehow stumble into his life, going on this wild ride of the reborn dark hour and such a beautiful thing as was their relationship. If that had never happened...If he had stayed...

None of them wanted to believe it was real, and she knew that and sympathized with that, but it just was...Though Kotori couldn’t help but also wish that Minato never had to meet such an end. After all of that happiness and love he gained was saved by his sacrifice, and after truly knowing the little line between his birth and death date was filled with such a fulfilling yet short life, she couldn’t help but choke back her own sobs as her best friends’ tears stained her clothes, hearing her other friends start to whimper and cry out as well.

#hekigankiseki #;ask #(( did...it... #*cries* #why this ))

[mervmass]

My Umi says, "Shine your light on the world; shine your light for the world to see." -Mos Def https://www.instagram.com/p/B7RKq-nlltj/?igshid=19h3rh68pir1c

[rlusa]

My umi say shine your light on the world, shine your light for the world to see.... -Mos Def (at Purdy Lounge) https://www.instagram.com/p/B61DWishBSg/?igshid=1emdp1c5kgn9p

[at-divinebeing]

[when i was applying for the rbma they asked me when the last time i cried was, and i honestly didnt know the answer.]

last night i went to see yasiin bey at one of his farewell shows in Atlanta at the One Music Fest. its been rumored of course that he’s no longer doing shows/music and these are his performances for him going out of the door. Mos Def has been one of the most important artists to me and my musical growth since i started discovering more of what hip hop was and last night really cemented that.

right out the gate it was really heavy for me... certain lyrics were hitting me in way different ways. stuff that i would say that i loved  but i never knew why cause it just sounded good:

you cant stop my go been born what i am bright light from a distant star miracles and answered prayers

the whole night he was talking to me. performing for me. it was intense. he would have moments where the band would jam out or there would be no music on and he would smile and hold his arms out and just spin around. and it was the free-est thing i had seen in so long. to see a black man sing and rap about adversity. the stuff we eat. politics. being imperfect. love. and make it seem so effortless with no bravado attached. it got me on such a atomic level. my molecules were shaking.

then at one point during the last few jams he started to do Travelling Man and I could feel the tears coming but i was keeping it together. i was surrounded by these black men that had their arms folded and were enjoying the show but i could tell they were keeping up appearances. i couldnt contain it tho. and right at the end he does Umi Says...

I aint no perfect man, I’m tryna do the best that I can with what it is I have...

thats when it hit, all the emotions that i felt like i had bottled up for however long. the abandonment. the loneliness, the feeling of looming failure, the heartbreak, the LOSS. the stuff that I refused to let get to me. all of it, 

i bawled hard. i couldnt even sing the song, i just had my hand up and the other one covered my face. shine your light on the world. shine your light for the world to see... 

as the set ended i was frozen. i couldnt even move from the lot for like 10 minutes. people walking by, excited for the rest of the festival. and all i could think about was my friends and loved ones at home and how i wanted them to know how much i loved them and appreciated them

tomorrow may never come for you or me, life is not promised...

on the walk home, i realized what my purpose was... what my music was about. what the message i wanted to convey was. its appreciation. gratitude. thankfulness. LOVE. and the duality involved with all of those things.

I’ll never forget Mos Def smiling and spinning on stage like that. looking so free. i wonder if he’ll ever know what that shit really meant...